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ACCEPTED
Electric arc furnace monitoring system and method
A system and method is disclosed for monitoring the operating parameters of an electric arc furnace having a primary electrical circuit comprising a primary current transformer. The method comprises monitoring the furnace's primary current transformer; collecting data therefrom; transmitting the collected data to a server having an operatively connected monitor; and displaying the collected data on the monitor in substantially real-time. The server also collects information about the performance of the furnace from a programmable logic computer and information entered manually by an operator at a furnace monitoring viewer system, which may also be displayed in substantially real-time on the monitor.
1. A method for monitoring an electric arc furnace comprising the steps of: monitoring automatically the electric arc furnace; collecting data about the monitored electric arc furnace; transmitting the collected data to a furnace monitoring system server having an operatively connected furnace monitoring viewer system; and displaying the collected data on the furnace monitoring viewer system in substantially real-time. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electric arc furnace comprises a primary electrical circuit, the primary electrical circuit having a primary current transformer, and wherein the step of monitoring the electric arc furnace comprises the step of monitoring the primary current transformer. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of collecting information about the performance of the electric arc furnace from at least one programmable logic computer, the programmable logic computer operatively connected to the furnace monitoring system server and displaying the collected performance information on the furnace monitoring viewer system. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of collecting information entered manually by an operator on an input device operatively connected to the furnace monitoring system server and displaying the manually entered information on the furnace monitoring viewer system. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the input device comprises the furnace monitoring viewer system. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the steps of: transmitting the collected data, the manually entered information and the collected performance information to a remote database and storing the same therein; and generating historical reports about the electric arc furnace using at least some of the stored collected data, the stored manually entered information, and the stored collected performance information from the at least one programmable logic computer. 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of: transmitting the collected data, the collected manually entered information and the collected performance information over a global computer network to the remote database. 8. A method for monitoring an electric arc furnace, the electric arc furnace comprising at least one primary electrical circuit, the method comprising the steps of: providing a furnace monitoring system server; operatively connecting a meter to the primary electrical circuit for collecting data about the primary electrical circuit; collecting data from the primary electrical circuit; transmitting the collected data to the furnace monitoring system server; displaying the collected data on a furnace monitoring viewer system in substantially real-time; transmitting the collected data to a remote database; storing the collected data in the remote database; and generating reports using at least some of the stored collected data. 9. The method of claim 8, the electric arc furnace comprising at least one programmable logic computer, the method further comprising the step of collecting data from the programmable logic computer and displaying the data on the furnace monitoring viewer system in substantially real-time. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the electric arc furnace is operating within at least one predetermined operating parameters, the method further comprising the steps of: evaluating the collected data; and changing at least one of the predetermined operating parameters in response to the evaluation of the data collected. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of storing the collected data on a web server, which collected data is accessible via a secure global computer network website. 12. A monitoring system for monitoring an electric arc furnace, the electric arc furnace comprising a primary electrical circuit having a primary current transformer, comprising: a meter operatively connected to the primary current transformer for collecting data about predetermined operating parameters thereof; a melt shop server operatively connected to the meter for receiving the collected data; and a melt shop server viewer system, operatively connected to the melt shop server, for displaying in substantially-real time the collected data received by the melt shop server. 13. The monitoring system of claim 12, further comprising at least one programmable logic computer for storing data about the operation of the electric arc furnace, the programmable logic computer operatively connected to the melt shop server, wherein the melt shop server viewer system displays in substantially real-time the data stored by the programmable logic computer. 14. A monitoring system for continuously monitoring predetermined operating parameters of an electric arc furnace, the monitoring system comprising: a meter for collecting data about at least one of the operating parameters of the electric arc furnace; a furnace monitoring system server operatively connected to the meter for receiving the collected data; a furnace monitoring viewer system operatively connected to the furnace monitoring system server for displaying in substantially-real time the collected data received by the furnace monitoring system server; and a web server, operatively connected to the furnace monitoring system server, for storing the collected data and for allowing users to access via a global computer network the collected data.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Technical Field The present invention relates to electric arc furnaces (EAFs) and more specifically, to a monitoring system and method therefore that provides substantially real-time data about the operation of the electric arc furnace to a local user and which is transmitted over a global computer network to a remote secured database, from which historical reports may be generated as desired. 2. Background Art In the steel industry, electric arc furnaces (EAFs) are used to melt metals and other ingredients to form steel. The heat needed to melt the metals is generated by passing current through one or more carbon bodies, commonly referred to as graphite electrodes, and forming an arc between the electrode(s) and the metals in the furnace. In conventionally operated EAFs, the operator periodically collects raw data about different operational aspects of the furnace, such as operating electrical current levels, cumulative oxygen used, temperature of the molten steel, etc. This raw data is typically stored on a local programmable logic computer (PLC) and accumulates quickly. The raw data is collected at a faster rate than the operator can review and assess it. Sometimes, the raw data is printed out. At the time the operator starts his or her review of the data, the data is often out-dated, leaving the operator only the ability to prepare reports based on the historical operation of the furnace. As a result, although the operator has access to lots of information, it is not as useful to him or her as it could be since it does not allow the operator to view the data in substantially real-time so as to adjust the furnace operation in an effort to maximize the furnace's performance and, for example, minimize electrode consumption. U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,768 to Kracich (the '768 patent) discloses an electric arc furnace electrode consumption analyzer. In known electric arc furnaces, the furnace includes at least one electrode projecting into a furnace for containing a charge to be heated and an electrode support structure for moving the electrode toward and away from the charge. Specifically, the '768 patent teaches the use of a sensor for detecting the position of electrode support structure from an initial position. A processor calculates the travel distance and the rate of electrode consumption and triggers an alarm at certain predetermined operational parameters. While this device is useful to improve electrode performance because it provides substantially real-time data that the operator may use to make decisions about the furnace operation, it is disadvantageous because it limits the operator's decision based on travel distance alone, when electrode consumption is generally a function of many variables. U.S. Pat. No. 5,099,438 to Gulden, Jr. et al. teaches the use of a method for “on-line” monitoring and control of the performance of an electric arc furnace. Here, the term “on-line” does not refer to any global computer network, but rather is used as a synonym for “direct.” The '438 patent teaches that for many years, electric arc furnaces have been operated by manually controlled relay panels, which over time have been replaced by programmable logic controllers. The '438 patent teaches the integration of the PLCs and microcomputers and a method of information handling to provide on-line data collection and data communication between the programmable logic controller and the data processing microcomputer in a stand alone unit for control of the furnace, thus eliminating the need for higher level computers. While the method taught by the '438 patent has advantages, it is disadvantageous in that it does not provide the operator with substantially real-time data about the furnace operation that may be transmitted over both a secure local computer network and over a global computer network to a secure database so that the operator may make real-time decisions about the operation of the furnace. What is desired, therefore, is a system and method for monitoring an electric arc furnace, wherein data may be collected and displayed on a local user's personal computer in substantially real-time and also transmitted to a remote secured database, where reports using the collected data stored in the remote secured database may later be prepared to evaluate the furnace's historical operation. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an aspect of the present invention to provide an improved system and method for monitoring an electric arc furnace. It is another aspect of the present invention is to provide an improved system and method for monitoring an electric arc furnace, which process provides the operator with substantially real-time data about the furnace's operation. It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide an improved system and method for monitoring a primary electrical circuit of an electric arc furnace, which provides substantially real-time data that may be transmitted over a secure local network to a local operator's computer monitor. It is another aspect of the present invention to provide an improved system and method for monitoring a primary electrical circuit of an electric arc furnace, which provides substantially real-time data that may be transmitted over a global computer network to a secure database. Still a further aspect of the invention is to provide an improved system and method for monitoring an electric arc furnace, wherein the substantially real-time data may be collected and analyzed in reports detailing the historical operation of the furnace. These aspects and others, which will become apparent to the artisan upon review of the following description, can be accomplished by providing a system and method for monitoring a primary electrical circuit of an electric arc furnace. The electric arc furnace comprises a known primary electrical circuit; the primary electrical circuit comprises a known primary current transformer and known primary voltage transformer. The system comprises a monitoring or metering device, which collects data about the operating parameters of the primary electrical circuit of the electric arc furnace and transmits the data to a furnace monitoring system server. The furnace monitoring system server also collects and stores in substantially real-time information about each “heat” received from the electric arc furnace's existing programmable logic computers (PLCs) and/or through manual entry of data input at a furnace operator's personal computer, if available, both of which are connected to the furnace monitoring system server via an existing Ethernet connection. Advantageously, the information stored in the furnace monitoring system server from all three sources (the metering device, the programmable logic computers and the manually entered data from the personal computers) is displayed in substantially real-time on the furnace monitoring viewer system. The collected information is sent from the furnace monitoring system server to a data base on a web server, where it is stored. The collected, stored information is accessible by authorized users via a secure Internet website, using existing browser software, and accessed via a secrete password. Advantageously, this allows for the web-based generation of historical reports about the performance of the electric arc furnace as well as other customized reports, correlations and analyses that may be generated therefrom. Further, this collected, stored information may be accessed by different parties, such as both the furnace operator and the electrode supplier, who may now simultaneously view the same information and thus work together to maximize the furnace's performance. The monitoring device, when combined with the intuitive nature of the screens and menus displayed on furnace monitoring viewer system, offers a comprehensive method to enable users to view, generate, file or print desired information about the performance of the electric arc furnace. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description provide embodiments of the invention and are intended to provide an overview or framework of understanding of the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to describe the principles and operations of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The structure and preferred embodiments of the invention can best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of an electric arc furnace having a metering device operatively connected thereto, in accordance with the present invention; and FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a meter operatively connected to a primary current transformer of the electric arc furnace of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A system for monitoring an electric arc furnace constructed in accordance with the present invention is generally shown in FIG. 1 and designated by the reference numeral 10. The monitoring system 10 generally comprises a monitoring device 12 for collecting data about the primary electrical circuit 14 of an electric arc furnace 16; a furnace monitoring system server 18, sometimes referred to as a melt shop server, operatively connected to the furnace monitoring device 12 for receiving the collected data; a furnace monitoring viewer system 72, operatively connected to the furnace monitoring system server 18, for displaying in substantially real-time the collected data; and a web server 22 having a remote secured database 23, operatively connected to the furnace monitoring system server 18, for storing the collected data, where it is accessible by authorized users via the Internet 24 on a secure Internet website. Referring in detail to FIG. 2, a conventional AC electrothermal furnace or electric arc furnace (EAF) is shown and designated by the reference numeral 16. As is known, most melt shop AC electric arc furnaces 16 are powered by 3-phase power lines 26, 28, 30 carrying about seventy thousand amps or more of current. Conventionally, one phase 26 is deemed the floor phase, one phase 28 is deemed the center phase; and one phase 30 is deemed the pit phase. In the steel industry, graphite electrode columns 32, 34, 36 are sometimes used in these electrothermal furnaces 16 to melt metals and other ingredients to form steel. The heat needed to melt metals is generated by passing current through one or more of the electrode columns 32, 34, 36 and forming an arc. between the electrode column(s) and the metal in the furnace. Electrical currents in excess of 100,000 amperes are often used. The resulting high temperature melts the metals and other ingredients. Referring again to FIG. 2, as is known, current traveling to each electrode column 32, 34, 36 travels from the main bus 38. For safety reasons, known electric arc furnaces 16 have one disconnect switch per phase 40, 24, 44 to automatically disconnect the power supply, as desired. A EAF power transformer 46 is positioned between the disconnect switches 40, 42, 44 and the three electrode columns 32, 34, 36 that are positioned in the furnace 16. As is know, the power transformer 46 takes the high voltage/low current coming into the furnace 16 and steps it down to low voltage/high current suitable to provide the high amperage needed to pass through the electrode columns 32, 34, 36 to melt the steel. In viewing FIG. 2, it should be understood that based on the orientation thereof, the “primary” side of the furnace's electrical circuit refers to the voltage lines, switches, etc. that are positioned “above” the EAF power transformer 46 (see ref. numeral 14); in contrast, anything positioned “below” the EAF power transformer 46 is deemed to be on the “secondary” side. The furnace monitoring device 12, sometimes referred to as a metering device, is connected on the primary side 14 of the furnace's electrical circuit and thus collects data about electrical parameters about the electric arc furnace 16 primary electrical circuit 14. Any suitable metering device may be used, but preferably the monitoring device is that one sold by Electro Industries under the mark Nexus 1250. More specifically, referring to FIG. 2, the monitoring device 12 is preferably connected as follows when connected to an AC furnace 16 having a common “delta” configuration, such as the furnace shown. Terminals L+, N and GND are connected to a 120 V AC power supply 48. Terminal Vref is connected to ground. Terminal Va is connected to the existing primary potential transformer 50 to the floor phase line 26. Terminal Vb is connected to the primary potential transformer 50 to the center phase power line 28. Vc is connected to the primary potential transformer to the pit phase line 30. Continuing to read the meter 12 connections from left-to-right, the remaining terminal pairs connect to the primary side current transformers as follows. Terminal pairs 5, 4 connect to the primary current transformer 52 on the floor phase 26; terminal pairs 7, 6 connect to the primary current transformer 54 on the center phase 28; and terminal pairs 9, 8 connect to the primary current transformer on the pit phase line 30. There are less common but known electric arc furnaces that are configured, not in a “delta” configuration as described above, but rather in a “Y” configuration (not shown). When a customer's furnace is configured in this known “Y” configuration, it is necessary to use the remaining two terminals 58, 60 of the metering device 12 to connect to a primary current transformer of the leg having the combined voltage lines. Referring to FIG. 1, the furnace monitoring device 12 is operatively connected via the user's existing Ethernet 62 to the furnace monitoring system server 18. Thus, the data collected about the primary electrical circuit by the meter 12 is transmitted via Ethernet 62 to the furnace monitoring system server 18. Existing programmable logic controllers (PLCs), such as 64, 66, provide process information, or data, abut each “heat,” such as times, oxygen and natural gas consumption, process weights, temperatures and end-of-heat signals. The existing PLCs 64, 66 are operatively connected to the furnace monitoring system server 18 via the user's existing PLC network 68 or Ethernet and transmit data about each “heat” to the furnace monitoring viewer system 72, which is sometimes referred to as a melt shop viewer system. Additionally, data about the operation of the furnace 16 may be entered manually by a user operating the furnace monitoring viewer system, such 72, operatively connected via Ethernet 62 to the furnace monitoring system server 18. The furnace monitoring viewer system 72 sometimes referred to as a real-time screen, displays in substantially real-time the data received by the furnace monitoring system server 18 from the meter 12, the PLCs 64, 66 and entered manually from the furnace monitoring viewer system 72. As such, the real-time screen of the furnace monitoring viewer system 72 allows the user to monitor the current activities of the furnace 16. The real-time data may be sent via Ethernet 62 to other personal computers, if desired, where it may be received, and, if desired, displayed on a monitor operatively connected thereto 74, 76. Advantageously, the furnace monitoring system server 18 combines electrical data from the monitoring device 12, process information from the existing PLCs 64, 66 and manually entered data into a comprehensive data, acquisition, storage and retrieval system. Advantageously, the furnace monitoring viewer system 72 allows a user to view some current operating parameters of the electric arc furnace 16 in substantially real time, including operating trends, historical trends, statistical tables and graphical representations. The data collected from the monitoring or metering device 12 may be presented in various formats to the viewer to better assist the viewer in evaluating the real-time data. For example, a “real time overview” format displays the present values of the parameters measured. Additionally, a “heat summary” format displays the actual heat status of the furnace. Collected data is stored in the furnace monitoring system server 18, encrypted via known encryption programs, then sent at the end of each heat, or at other predetermined times, via the user's existing proxy server 78. The user's proxy server 78 then pushes the encrypted collected data over the Internet 24 to a remote secured data base 23 on a web server 22. Optionally, a modem line (not shown) may be used in the to operatively connect the furnace monitoring system server 18 to a local Internet service provider. The web server 22 receives all the data sent at the end of each heat and stores it in the remote secured database 23. Known Internet browser software, such as Microsoft Explorer or Netscape Navigator, can access the database 23 and generate the heat analysis reports, correlations and other analyses. The reports, correlations and other analyses are accessible to users using existing browser software and logging in via a secret password to a secure virtual site. From the web server 22, authorized users may view reports detailing the historical operation of the furnace. These reports include, for example, a single heat summary, a daily heat summary, daily shift heat summary, weekly heat summary, monthly heat summary, heat summary by date range and conditions, performance reporting in graphical format, refractory wear reporting, event log reporting, electrode consumption reporting, and electrode usage and inventory reporting. Advantageously, the present invention 10 thus allows furnace operators to view simultaneously both real time data and historical performance data. Prior known data collecting and processing devices have not allowed the user the ability to see both real-time data and historical data. Server 80 allows technicians to access the system remotely for the purposes of service and support only. A method for monitoring the electric arc furnace 16 generally comprises the steps of automatically monitoring via meter 12 the electric arc furnace 16, including collecting data about at least one primary current transformer such as 52, 54, 56 of the primary electrical circuit 14 of monitored electric arc furnace 16; transmitting the collected data to a furnace monitoring system server 18 having an operatively connected furnace monitoring viewer system 72; and displaying the collected data on the furnace monitoring viewer system 72 in substantially real-time. Additionally, the furnace monitoring system server 18 collects information about the performance of the electric arc furnace 16 from at least one programmable logic computer, such as 64, 66, operatively connected to the furnace monitoring system server 18 and displays the collected performance information on the furnace monitoring viewer system 72. The furnace monitoring system server 18 also collects information entered manually by an operator on an input device, such as the furnace monitoring viewer system 72, operatively connected to the furnace monitoring system server 18, and displays the manually entered information on the furnace monitoring viewer system. The server 18 also collects pertinent chemical data it receives. The collected data, the manually entered information and the collected performance information are then encrypted, transmitted to an existing proxy server and then transmitted via the Internet to the remote database 23 on the web server 22. The collected data, the manually entered information and the collected performance information can then be manipulated by users to generate historical reports about the electric arc furnace 16. Then, after evaluating the historical reports, the furnace operator may change at least one of the predetermined operating parameters of the primary electrical circuit in response thereto. The furnace monitoring system 10 uses state of the art hardware and software to record the full range of operational parameters, including chemical ones, which make up the total operating environment of the electric arc furnace. The present invention provides on-line, real time access through a standard Internet browser secured with modern encryption technology that enables the operator to increase electric arc furnace and melt shop productivity; reduce costs; recognize opportunities to improve operations proactively; measure and analyze shop parameters continuously and to more consistently reduce variability continuously. The disclosures of all cited patents and publications referred to in this application are incorporated herein by reference. The above description is intended to enable the person skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is not intended to detail all of the possible variations and modifications that will become apparent to the skilled worker upon reading the description. It is intended, however, that all such modifications and variations be included within the scope of the invention that is defined by the following claims. The claims are intended to cover the indicated elements and steps in any arrangement or sequence that is effective to meet the objectives intended for the invention, unless the context specifically indicates the contrary.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Technical Field The present invention relates to electric arc furnaces (EAFs) and more specifically, to a monitoring system and method therefore that provides substantially real-time data about the operation of the electric arc furnace to a local user and which is transmitted over a global computer network to a remote secured database, from which historical reports may be generated as desired. 2. Background Art In the steel industry, electric arc furnaces (EAFs) are used to melt metals and other ingredients to form steel. The heat needed to melt the metals is generated by passing current through one or more carbon bodies, commonly referred to as graphite electrodes, and forming an arc between the electrode(s) and the metals in the furnace. In conventionally operated EAFs, the operator periodically collects raw data about different operational aspects of the furnace, such as operating electrical current levels, cumulative oxygen used, temperature of the molten steel, etc. This raw data is typically stored on a local programmable logic computer (PLC) and accumulates quickly. The raw data is collected at a faster rate than the operator can review and assess it. Sometimes, the raw data is printed out. At the time the operator starts his or her review of the data, the data is often out-dated, leaving the operator only the ability to prepare reports based on the historical operation of the furnace. As a result, although the operator has access to lots of information, it is not as useful to him or her as it could be since it does not allow the operator to view the data in substantially real-time so as to adjust the furnace operation in an effort to maximize the furnace's performance and, for example, minimize electrode consumption. U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,768 to Kracich (the '768 patent) discloses an electric arc furnace electrode consumption analyzer. In known electric arc furnaces, the furnace includes at least one electrode projecting into a furnace for containing a charge to be heated and an electrode support structure for moving the electrode toward and away from the charge. Specifically, the '768 patent teaches the use of a sensor for detecting the position of electrode support structure from an initial position. A processor calculates the travel distance and the rate of electrode consumption and triggers an alarm at certain predetermined operational parameters. While this device is useful to improve electrode performance because it provides substantially real-time data that the operator may use to make decisions about the furnace operation, it is disadvantageous because it limits the operator's decision based on travel distance alone, when electrode consumption is generally a function of many variables. U.S. Pat. No. 5,099,438 to Gulden, Jr. et al. teaches the use of a method for “on-line” monitoring and control of the performance of an electric arc furnace. Here, the term “on-line” does not refer to any global computer network, but rather is used as a synonym for “direct.” The '438 patent teaches that for many years, electric arc furnaces have been operated by manually controlled relay panels, which over time have been replaced by programmable logic controllers. The '438 patent teaches the integration of the PLCs and microcomputers and a method of information handling to provide on-line data collection and data communication between the programmable logic controller and the data processing microcomputer in a stand alone unit for control of the furnace, thus eliminating the need for higher level computers. While the method taught by the '438 patent has advantages, it is disadvantageous in that it does not provide the operator with substantially real-time data about the furnace operation that may be transmitted over both a secure local computer network and over a global computer network to a secure database so that the operator may make real-time decisions about the operation of the furnace. What is desired, therefore, is a system and method for monitoring an electric arc furnace, wherein data may be collected and displayed on a local user's personal computer in substantially real-time and also transmitted to a remote secured database, where reports using the collected data stored in the remote secured database may later be prepared to evaluate the furnace's historical operation.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>It is an aspect of the present invention to provide an improved system and method for monitoring an electric arc furnace. It is another aspect of the present invention is to provide an improved system and method for monitoring an electric arc furnace, which process provides the operator with substantially real-time data about the furnace's operation. It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide an improved system and method for monitoring a primary electrical circuit of an electric arc furnace, which provides substantially real-time data that may be transmitted over a secure local network to a local operator's computer monitor. It is another aspect of the present invention to provide an improved system and method for monitoring a primary electrical circuit of an electric arc furnace, which provides substantially real-time data that may be transmitted over a global computer network to a secure database. Still a further aspect of the invention is to provide an improved system and method for monitoring an electric arc furnace, wherein the substantially real-time data may be collected and analyzed in reports detailing the historical operation of the furnace. These aspects and others, which will become apparent to the artisan upon review of the following description, can be accomplished by providing a system and method for monitoring a primary electrical circuit of an electric arc furnace. The electric arc furnace comprises a known primary electrical circuit; the primary electrical circuit comprises a known primary current transformer and known primary voltage transformer. The system comprises a monitoring or metering device, which collects data about the operating parameters of the primary electrical circuit of the electric arc furnace and transmits the data to a furnace monitoring system server. The furnace monitoring system server also collects and stores in substantially real-time information about each “heat” received from the electric arc furnace's existing programmable logic computers (PLCs) and/or through manual entry of data input at a furnace operator's personal computer, if available, both of which are connected to the furnace monitoring system server via an existing Ethernet connection. Advantageously, the information stored in the furnace monitoring system server from all three sources (the metering device, the programmable logic computers and the manually entered data from the personal computers) is displayed in substantially real-time on the furnace monitoring viewer system. The collected information is sent from the furnace monitoring system server to a data base on a web server, where it is stored. The collected, stored information is accessible by authorized users via a secure Internet website, using existing browser software, and accessed via a secrete password. Advantageously, this allows for the web-based generation of historical reports about the performance of the electric arc furnace as well as other customized reports, correlations and analyses that may be generated therefrom. Further, this collected, stored information may be accessed by different parties, such as both the furnace operator and the electrode supplier, who may now simultaneously view the same information and thus work together to maximize the furnace's performance. The monitoring device, when combined with the intuitive nature of the screens and menus displayed on furnace monitoring viewer system, offers a comprehensive method to enable users to view, generate, file or print desired information about the performance of the electric arc furnace. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description provide embodiments of the invention and are intended to provide an overview or framework of understanding of the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to describe the principles and operations of the invention.
20041130
20110802
20060601
61510.0
H05B718
1
VAN, QUANG T
ELECTRIC ARC FURNACE MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
H05B
2,004
10,999,544
ACCEPTED
Medical image management system
Medical image management system to allow any conventional Internet browser to function as a medical workstation. The system may be used to convert medical images from a plurality of image formats to browser compatible format. The Invention also relates to methods to manipulate digital medical images in such a way that multiple imaging modalities from multiple different vendors can be assembled into a database of Internet standard web pages without loss of diagnostic information.
1. A method of managing medical information comprising: receiving data from a plurality of medical institutions, the data being in a format incompatible with the World Wide Web; and converting the data to a format compatible with the World Wide Web. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the medical information originates from a plurality of medical device manufactured by a plurality of manufacturers. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the medical information consists of a plurality of medical imaging modalities. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the medical institutions are connected via a computer network. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the medical information comprises physical principles selected from the group consisting of magnetic resonance, X-rays, gamma radiation, positron radiation, ultrasound, electrocardiogram, blood assays and genetics. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the medical information is selected from the group consisting of medical images, medical imaging reports, electrocardiograms, medical test results, patient demographics, clinic reports, procedure reports and in-patient summary reports. 7. The method of claim 1, comprising storing the converted data in a database. 8. The method of claim 7, comprising posting the converted images for access via a client computer. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of posting the converted images for access via a client computer comprises embedding image tags in World Wide Web compatible pages, wherein the image tags reference the converted images. 10. The method of claim 1, comprising displaying at least one of the converted images on a client computer in response to a client request. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving data from a plurality of medical institutions comprises transferring the images from a plurality of scanners. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving data from a plurality of medical institutions comprises transferring the images from a computer readable medium. 13. The method of claim 1, comprising notifying a user that the images are accessible for display on a client computer. 14. The method of claim 1, comprising storing the images as pixel values according to a predetermined standard World Wide Web compatible process. 15. The method of claim 14, comprising adjusting brightness and contrast. 16. The method of claim 14, comprising cropping the images. 17. A method of managing medical information comprising: receiving data from a plurality of medical devices, the data being in a format incompatible with the World Wide Web; and converting the data to a format compatible with the World Wide Web. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the medical devices are manufactured by a plurality of manufacturers. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the medical information consists of a plurality of medical imaging modalities. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the medical devices are connected via a computer network. 21. The method of claim 17, wherein the medical information comprises physical principles selected from the group consisting of magnetic resonance, X-rays, gamma radiation, positron radiation, ultrasound, electrocardiogram, blood assays and genetics. 22. The method of claim 17, wherein the medical information is selected from the group consisting of medical images, medical imaging reports, electrocardiograms, medical test results, patient demographics, clinic reports, procedure reports and in-patient summary reports. 23. The method of claim 17, comprising storing the converted data in a database. 24. The method of claim 23, comprising posting the converted images for access via a client computer. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of posting the converted images for access via a client computer comprises embedding image tags in World Wide Web compatible pages, wherein the image tags reference the converted images. 26. The method of claim 17, comprising displaying at least one of the converted images on a client computer in response to a client request. 27. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of receiving data from a plurality of medical devices comprises transferring the images from a plurality of scanners. 28. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of receiving data from a plurality of medical devices comprises transferring the images from a computer readable medium. 29. The method of claim 17, comprising notifying a user that the images are accessible for display on a client computer. 30. The method of claim 17, comprising storing the images as pixel values according to a predetermined standard World Wide Web compatible process. 31. The method of claim 30, comprising adjusting brightness and contrast. 32. The method of claim 30, comprising cropping the images. 33. A method of managing medical information comprising: receiving data from a plurality of medical devices; creating a database comprised of the received data, and; providing access to the database based on a client-server model; wherein the step of providing access to the database based on a client-server model comprises converting the data to a format compatible with the World Wide Web, and using the converted data as the basis for a client-server model. 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the medical devices are manufacture from a plurality of manufacturers. 35. The method of claim 33, wherein the medical information consists of a plurality of medical imaging modalities. 36. The method of claim 33, wherein the medical devices are connected via a computer network. 37. The method of claim 33, wherein the medical information comprises physical principles selected from the group consisting of magnetic resonance, X-rays, gamma radiation, positron radiation, ultrasound, electrocardiogram, blood assays and genetics. 38. The method of claim 33, wherein the medical information is selected from the group consisting of medical images, medical imaging reports, electrocardiograms, medical test results, patient demographics, clinic reports, procedure reports and in-patient summary reports. 39. The method of claim 33, wherein the step of receiving data from a plurality of medical devices comprises transferring the images from a plurality of scanners. 40. The method of claim 33, wherein the step of receiving data from a plurality of medical devices comprises transferring the images from a computer readable medium. 41. The method of claim 33, comprising notifying a user that the images are accessible for display on a client computer. 42. The method of claim 33, comprising storing the images as pixel values according to a predetermined standard World Wide Web compatible process. 43. The method of claim 42, comprising adjusting brightness and contrast. 44. The method of claim 42, comprising cropping the images.
FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The Present Invention relates to medical imaging. Specific exemplary embodiments discussed relate to cardiac medical imaging. BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The description of the references in this Section is not intended to constitute an admission that any reference referred to herein is “Prior Art” with respect to the Present Invention, unless specifically designated as such. Medical imaging is important and widespread in the diagnosis of disease. In certain situations, however, the particular manner in which the images are made available to physicians and their patients introduces obstacles to timely and accurate diagnoses of disease. These obstacles generally relate to the fact that each manufacturer of a medical imaging system uses different and proprietary formats to store the images in digital form. This means, for example, that images from a scanner manufactured by General Electric Corp. are stored in a different digital format compared to images from a scanner manufactured by Siemens Medical Systems. Further, images from different imaging modalities, such as, for example, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are stored in formats different from each other. Although it is typically possible to “export” the images from a proprietary workstation to an industry-standard format such as “Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine” (DICOM), Version 3.0, several limitations remain as discussed subsequently. In practice, viewing of medical images typically requires a different proprietary “workstation” for each manufacturer and for each modality. Currently, when a patient describes symptoms, the patient's primary physician often orders an imaging-based test to diagnose or assess disease. Typically, days after the imaging procedure, the patient's primary physician receives a written report generated by a specialist physician who has interpreted the images. The specialist physician, however, typically has not performed a clinical history and physical examination of the patient and often is not aware of the patient's other test results. Conversely, the patient's primary physician typically does not view the images directly but rather makes a treatment decision based entirely on written reports generated by one or more specialist physicians. Although this approach does allow for expert interpretation of the images by the specialist physician, several limitations are introduced for the primary physician and for the patient, such as, for example: (1) The primary physician does not see the images unless he travels to another department and makes a request; (2) It is often difficult to find the images for viewing because there typically is no formal procedure to accommodate requests to show the images to the primary physician; (3) Until the written report is forwarded to the primary physician's office, it is often difficult to determine if the images have been interpreted and the report generated; (4) Each proprietary workstation requires training in how to use the software to view the images; (5) It is often difficult for the primary physician to find a technician who has been trained to view the images on the proprietary workstation; (6) The workstation software is often “upgraded” requiring additional training; (7) The primary physician has to walk to different departments to view images from the same patient but different modalities; (8) Images from the same patient but different modalities cannot be viewed side-by-side, even using proprietary workstations; (9) The primary physician cannot show the patient his images in the physician's office while explaining the diagnosis; and (10) The patient cannot transport his images to another physician's office for a second opinion. It would be desirable to allow digital medical images to be viewed by multiple individuals at multiple geographic locations without loss of diagnostic information. “Teleradiology” allows images from multiple scanners located at distant sites to be transferred to a central location for interpretation and generation of a written report. This model allows expert interpreters at a single location to examine images from multiple distant geographic locations. Teleradiology does not, however, allow for the examination of the images from any site other than the central location, precluding examination of the images by the primary physician and the patient. Rather, the primary physician and the patient see only the written report generated by the interpreters who examined the images at the central location. In addition, this approach is based on specialized “workstations” (which require substantial training to operate) to send the images to the central location and to view the images at the central location. It would be advantageous to allow the primary physician and the patient to view the images at other locations, such as the primary physician's office, at the same time he/she and the patient see the written report and without specialized hardware or software. In principle, medical images could be converted to Internet Web Pages for widespread viewing. Several technical limitations of current Internet standards, however, create a situation where straightforward processing of the image data results in images which transfer across the Internet too slowly, lose diagnostic information or both. One such limitation is the bandwidth of current Internet connections which, because of the large size of medical images, result in transfer times which are unacceptably long. The problem of bandwidth can be addressed by compressing the image data before transfer, but compression typically involves loss of diagnostic information. In addition, due to the size of the images the time required to process image data from an original format to a format which can be viewed by Internet browsers is considerable, meaning that systems designed to create Web Pages “on the fly” introduce a delay of seconds to minutes while the person requesting to view the images waits for the data to be processed. Workstations allow images to be reordered or placed “side-by-side” for viewing, but again, an Internet system would have to create new Web Pages “on the fly” which would introduce further delays. Finally, diagnostic interpretation of medical images requires the images are presented with appropriate brightness and contrast. On proprietary workstations these parameters can be adjusted by the person viewing the images but control of image brightness and contrast are not features of current Internet standards (such as, for example, http or html). It is possible to allow browsers to adjust image brightness and contrast, as well as other parameters, using “Java” programming. “Java” is a computer language developed by Sun Microsystems specifically to allow programs to be downloaded from a server to a client's browser to perform certain tasks. Using the “Java” model, the client is no longer simply using the browser to view “static” files downloaded from the server, but rather in addition the client's computer is running a program that was sent from the server. There are several disadvantages to using “Java” to manipulate the image data. First, the user must wait additional time while the “Java” code is downloaded. For medical images, the “Java” code is extensive and download times are long. Second, the user must train to become familiar with the controls defined by the “Java” programmer. Third, the user must wait while the “Java” code processes the image data, which is slow because the image files are large. Fourth, “Java” code is relatively new and often causes browsers to “crash.” Finally, due to the “crashing” problem “Java” programmers typically only test their code on certain browsers and computers, such as Microsoft Explorer on a PC, precluding widespread use by owners of other browsers and other computer platforms. Wood et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,035 (“Wood”), the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, describe an ultrasound system which incorporates an http server for viewing ultrasound images over the Internet. The approach of Wood, however, creates Web Pages “on the fly,” meaning that the user must wait for the image processing to complete. In addition, even after processing of the image data into a Web Page the approach of Wood does not provide for processing the images in such as way that excessive image transfer times due to limited bandwidth are addressed or provide for “brightness/contrast” to be addressed without loss of diagnostic information. In addition, the approach of Wood is limited to ultrasound images generated by scanners manufactured by a single company, and does not enable viewing of images from modalities other than ultrasound. FIG. 1 summarizes a common prior art approach currently used by companies to serve medical images to Internet browsers (e.g., General Electric's “Web-Link” component of their workstation-based “Picture Archiving and Communication System” (PACS)). As can be seen in FIG. 1, serial processing of image data “on the fly” combined with extensive user interaction results in a slow, expensive, and unstable system. Referring to FIG. 1, after a scanner acquires images (Step 100) a user may request single image as a webpage (Step 200) whereby the image data is downloaded (Step 300) to allow the user to view a single image with the single image (Step 400). Steps 1000-1400 result in extensive user interaction which results in the system being slow, expensive and unstable. While the Present Invention relates to medical imaging generally, it will be better understood within the discussion of exemplary embodiments directed toward cardiac imaging. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The Present Invention proceeds from the realization that if medical images of different formats could be processed in such a way that limitations of current Internet standards could be overcome, any standard Internet browser could be used as a diagnostic workstation to allow any medical image to be viewed from any location on earth without specialized hardware or software. Once this goal has been achieved, the following actions becomes possible: (1) To notify the primary physician via e-mail or pager as soon as the imaging has been completed; (2) For the primary physician to view the images with a single “double click”; (3) To view the images at the same time the primary physician and/or the patient reads the written report; (4) To view images of the same patient but from different modalities side-by-side; (5) To view images of the same patient and same modality but different time points side-by-side to assess the progression of disease; (6) For the primary physician to discuss the images over the telephone with another physician who is viewing the same images simultaneously at another location; (7) To make diagnoses and clinical treatment plans from anywhere in the World, including the physician's home; (8) To discuss the images with the patient in the physician's office or over the telephone with the patient at home; (9) For the patient to present the images to another physician for a second opinion; and (10) For the patient to move to a different city/state/country and have the images “move” with him/her. Furthermore, once the standard Internet browser can be used as a diagnostic workstation, it becomes feasible to construct a Worldwide database of medical images using a predefined hierarchical Internet addressing structure. This structure would allow for the unique address of all medical images for all persons throughout their lifetime. Accordingly, one embodiment of the Present Invention is directed toward a method of managing medical images. A plurality of medical images created by a plurality of medical imaging devices, each of which processes the medical image using a unique image format, is received. The medical images are then converted to a common image format suitable for display on a computer screen. Preferably the method comprises posting the converted images for access via a client computer. Browser compatible pages having embedded tags corresponding to the converted images are preferably generated and posted with the converted images. Another embodiment of the Present Invention is directed towards a medical image database comprising images corresponding to a plurality of different modalities. The database is preferably organized in a hierarchical data structure where the data structure comprises a patient identifier parameter and an image modality identifier parameter. The image identifier parameter is associated with at least one of the plurality of modalities. The patient identifier parameter is preferably at a higher level in the hierarchical data structure than the image modality identifier parameter. In one method of managing medical images according to the Present Invention, images are pulled from a scanner in response to a user request. The pulled images are converted to a common image format compatible for display at a computer. The converted images are then posted for display at a client computer. Preferably, the method includes displaying to a user at the client computer a selection comprising images associated with at least two different modalities. The method also preferably comprises simultaneously displaying on a screen a medical image to a first user at a first location and a second user at a second location. A medical image system, according to the Present Invention, comprises a medical image management system. In a preferred embodiment, the medical image management system comprises a transfer engine for receiving image data from a scanner; a converter engine connected to receive images from the transfer engine and convert the images to a browser compatible format; and a post engine connected to receive images from the converter engine and post the images for subsequent access by a user. In a preferred embodiment, the converter engine comprises a decoding engine for extracting raw image data; and a physiologic knowledge engine adapted to receive data from the decoding engine. The physiologic knowledge engine adjusts the image quality and reduces the size of the image data, which is then transferred to a post engine. The physiologic knowledge engine is primarily responsible for reducing the image file size without loss of diagnostic data though other aspects of the Present Invention are used to reduce file size while maintaining viability of the data. The encoding engine converts the image data to browser compatible image data. Other objects and advantages of the Present Invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art from the teachings herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the interest of enabling one of skill in the art to practice the Present Invention, exemplary embodiments are shown and described. For clarity, details apparent to those of skill in the art and reproducible without undue experimentation are generally omitted from the drawings and description. FIG. 1 depicts a prior art method for user to view images from a scanner; FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of an imaging managing system according to an embodiment of the Present Invention; FIG. 3 depicts a system overview of an embodiment of the Present Invention for providing a user with images from a scanner; FIG. 4A depicts steps for affecting transfer of images from a scanner; FIG. 4B depicts an alternate method for obtaining images from a scanner via a disk having the images stored thereon; FIG. 5A depicts a method for extracting raw pixel data from a standard image data format; FIG. 5B depicts a method for extracting raw pixel data from a non-standard image format; FIG. 6 depicts a method for reducing image data files without loss of diagnostic data; FIG. 7A describes a method for reducing image data file size without loss of diagnostic information; FIG. 7B pictorially depicts selecting a bright pixel in a diagnostic search region; FIG. 7C depicts the diagnostic search area in both representative thumbnail size and full screen size with corresponding file sizes indicated; FIG. 8 depicts steps for converting the image to a browser compatible format; FIG. 9 depicts a method for posting the browser compatible image to a database; FIG. 10 is a diagram of a file structure for a web compatible database; FIG. 11 depicts a possible interface structure for accessing web compatible database via the Internet; FIG. 12 depicts a method for displaying an image stored on a web compatible database accessible via the Internet; FIG. 13 depicts a selection of modalities for a patient, namely Doe, John; FIG. 14 shows a image identification data obtained from a separate file displayed with the medical image; FIG. 15 depicts a web page comprising ECG medical image data; FIG. 16 depicts MRI medical image; and FIG. 17 depicts SPECT medical image data. DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The Present Invention is discussed in relation to imaging with specific applications discussed in relation to cardiac images; however, other uses will be apparent from the teachings disclosed herein. The Present Invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the attached figures, wherein like reference numerals and characters refer to like parts, and by reference to the following claims. It will be apparent to one possessing ordinary skill in the art that the structure, methods and systems described herein regarding a medical image management system are additionally and inherently applicable to the management of multiple types of medical information, such as, for example, medical imaging reports, electrocardiograms, medical test results, patient demographics, clinic reports, procedure reports, in-patient summary reports and the like. The herein-described Present Invention has been constructed and tested on images of the heart acquired using a variety of modalities. The images have been pulled from commercial scanners, processed without loss of diagnostic information, adjusted with respect to brightness and contrast, and posted on Internet Web Pages for viewing. FIGS. 2 and 3 show the process in schematic form. In FIG. 2, a medical image management system 10 is connected via a Hospital Intranet or the Internet 12 to a number of browsers 14 (such as, for example, Microsoft Explorer™ or Netscape Navigator™). The connection 12 to the browsers is used to: 1) Accept commands to pull images from the scanners 16; 2) To navigate through images which have already been posted as web pages; and 3) To arrange and organize images for viewing. The medical image management system 10 is also connected to a number of medical imaging systems (scanners) 16 via a Hospital Intranet or the Internet 12′. The connection 12′ to the scanners 16 is used to pull the images by Internet-standard file transfer protocols (FTP). Alternatively, images can be transferred to the system 10 via a disk drive or disk 18 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Preferably the scanner, and hence modality, is associated with magnetic resonance imaging, echocardiographic imaging, nuclear scintigraphic imaging (e.g., SPECT, or single photon emission computed tomography), positron emission tomography, x-ray imaging and combinations thereof. Responsibility for the entire process is divided amongst a series of software engines. The processes of the transfer engine 20, decoding engine 22, physiologic knowledge engine 24, encoding engine 26 and post engine 28 (FIGS. 2 and 3) are preferably run automatically by computer and do not require the person using the browser, the user, to wait for completion of the associated tasks. The decoding engine 22, physiologic knowledge engine 24 and encoding engine 26 are, preferably, combined to form a converter engine. The post engine 28 sends an e-mail notification, via an e-mail server 30 (FIG. 2) to the person submitting the request when the computations are complete, thereby allowing the requester to do other tasks. Similarly, text messages could be sent to a physician's pager. The time necessary for these computations depends on the size of the images and the speed of the network, but was measured for the MRI images of FIG. 16 to be approximately 3 minutes over a standard Ethernet 10BASET line (10 Mbps) using a 400 MHz computer. The transfer engine 20 is responsible for pulling the images from the scanner 16 for example, in response to a user request (Step 2010). (FIGS. 2 and 3, details in FIG. 4). Using previously recorded information such as, for example, a username and password (Step 2020), the transfer engine 20 logs into the scanner 16 over the Internet 12 (Step 2030) and pulls the appropriate images from the scanner 16, using standard Internet FTP or DICOM commands (Step 2040). Alternatively, images can be acquired by the transfer engine 20 by use of a disk drive 18 such as, for example, a CD-ROM drive (FIGS. 2-4) (Steps 2011-2022). When the transfer process is complete, all images from the scan will exist within the transfer engine 20 but are still in their original digital format. This format may be specific to the scanner 16 manufacturer, or may be one of a variety of formats which are standard but cannot be displayed by browsers, such as, for example, DICOM. The images are then passed to the decoding engine (Step 3000). The decoding engine 22 (FIG. 5) is responsible for extracting the raw image pixel data from the original, differing, non-Web compatible digital formats that the transfer engine 20 acquired. In the case of standard formats, such as, for example, DICOM, this can be accomplished by reading published file structures and writing computer code to read this format (Steps 3010-3020). In the case of non-standard formats, successful extraction of the image data proceeds from the realization that all formats differ from each other mainly in the header region of the image file, i.e., the part which contains information like the patient name, scan date, name of hospital, etc. (Steps 3011-3021.) Because the most important information such as patient name and scan date can be input via the web-based form pages upon submission (see FIGS. 14-17, for example), extraction of the image data for non-standard formats can be accomplished by ignoring the header data entirely and reading only the image data. Typically, the image data are stored as a series of pixel values starting at the upper left corner of the image and proceeding across each row of pixels from left to right and then repeating this process for all rows of the image (i.e., top to bottom). The physiologic knowledge engine 24 (FIG. 6) is responsible for adjusting image brightness and contrast, adjusting image magnification, adjusting movie frame speed and other image parameters important for diagnosis (Step 4010-4020). The physiologic knowledge engine 24 is also responsible for reducing the size of the images to allow acceptable transfer times at current Internet bandwidths without loss of diagnostic information (Step 4030). These tasks are achieved in part by the use of a priori knowledge of physiology, anatomy, the diagnostic question or any combination of the three. One aspect of this is the realization that the human eye is capable of distinguishing less than 256 distinct levels of gray in a medical image, and that most of the field-of-view (FOV) of the image is not of diagnostic interest. The grayscale limitations of the human eye imply that any medical image can be compressed to 8-bits of grayscale levels and that, if appropriately scaled, the resulting image will have appropriate brightness/contrast without the need to adjust these using the Web browser (FIG. 7A, Step 4020). This is important because adjustment of brightness/contract by the browser is not part of existing Internet standards. Another important piece of a priori information is that much of the FOV is not of diagnostic interest (Step 4030 and FIG. 7B). This implies that the images can be cropped which allows a significant reduction in the size of the image file. This is important because limitations of existing Internet bandwidths result in excessive image transfer times if the file size is not reduced. An example of how the physiologic knowledge engine 24 functions is given in FIGS. 7A-7C for the specific case of MRI of the heart. In Step 4020, the region of the image which contains the organ of diagnostic interest is defined (e.g. the heart). For the general case of a group of images which are intended to be played as a movie to depict time-varying quantities (e.g. heart motion), the physiologic knowledge engine 24 searches all movie frames for the single brightest pixel within the search region (e.g. within the heart). All pixels of all movie frames are then scaled such that the single brightest pixel within the search region of all frames equal 255 (e.g., 8-bit image). After this Step, the image brightness/contrast are appropriate for the organ of interest without loss of diagnostic information. In Step 4030, thumbnail movies are extracted for which the FOV is reduced by cropping the images to contain only the organ of interest (e.g., the heart). For a typical file size of 2,000 KB for a movie with 16 frames, the processes herein described would result in a 20-fold reduction in movie file size for the thumbnails (to 100 KB) and 6-fold for full FOV images (to 400 KB) (See FIG. 7C). These file sizes imply that every still-frame and every movie from an entire patient scan can be transferred over the Internet as thumbnails in a few seconds. In Step 4040, the frame rate is chosen to simulate real-time motion (e.g., a beating heart would have all frames play within one heart beat or about 1 second). In Step 4050, full FOV images are created with a magnification which fills the user's entire screen because this is what a cardiologist would like to see for a heart image. Each thumbnail can be “clicked” by the mouse to initiate transfer of the entire FOV for that movie, also in a few seconds. Importantly, this is achieved without loss of diagnostic information, without the need to adjust brightness/contrast, and without the need to adjust the frame rate of the movie. Step 4060 comprises adjusting other parameters, if warranted. When the physiologic knowledge engine 24 has completed these tasks on all images from a given patient, they are passed to the encoding engine 26. The encoding engine 26 (FIG. 8) is responsible for converting the images from the raw pixel format to a new format which can be displayed by browsers 14 (Steps 5010-5020). One such format is the graphics interchange format (GIF), which can be used to display images in gray scale or color with or without animation (movies). The conversion is achieved using published definitions of web-compatible image formats and writing appropriate computer code. The images are then saved to disk and the post engine 28 is called. The post engine 28 (FIG. 9) is responsible for generating the html pages within which the images will be displayed (Steps 6010-6030). These html pages may contain coding to display text such as the patient name, exam date, etc. (Step 6040). In addition, the html page will contain html-standard image tags which instruct the browser 14 to display the converted images. The methods by which the html pages are constructed and the image tags embedded are standard to the Internet and are published elsewhere. The final responsibilities (Step 6050) of the post engine 28 are: 1) To transfer the completed html pages and the converted images to the Web-Compatible Database 32 (FIGS. 2 and 3, details FIG. 10) located on the “http Server” 34 for viewing over the Internet; and 2) To send e-mail notification to the physician (or technician) via the e-mail server 30 (FIG. 2) stating that the images have been posted; and 3) providing the http address for the images within the e-mail message such that the physician can “double-click” to immediately view the images. Once the images are posted as Web Pages, additional Web Pages can be used to allow the technician or physician to rearrange the order of the images on the Web Page according to the diagnostic question. For example, echocardiographic images are often acquired before and after a drug to increase heart rate has been given (e.g., dobutamine). The images before and after the administration of dobutamine are best viewed side-by-side for comparison. Arranging the images side-by-side can be achieved by allowing the user to select images using html standard Web Page “forms.” The form data can then be submitted using Web-standard Common Gateway Interface (CGI) protocols and processed by the server using a CGI program written specifically for this purpose. The CGI program could then create a new Web Page in which the image containers are arranged side-by-side and the html “image tags” are set to point to the images defined by the user. Rearrangement of the images occurs very quickly because the images do not require further processing or transfer across the Internet. FIG. 11 shows how the Web-Compatible Database 32 of FIG. 10 can be used as the basic building block of a Worldwide database which can be interrogated from any location on earth, for example, using any browser 14. In practice, some form of security such as password protection would be provided to prevent unauthorized viewing of the image data. As shown in FIG. 10, the database 32 is constructed as a hierarchical directory-tree with the patient's name 36 at a higher level than the modality 38. Within each modality subdirectory, a series of directories with names corresponding to the scan date 40 would appear to allow for serial examinations over the patient's lifetime. Using this type of structure, one can now define a hierarchical Internet addressing system in which any image from any modality for any person acquired on any date will have an unique, pre-determined Internet address. For example, the hierarchical address could involve, first, the Social Security Number of the patient, then the imaging modality, followed by the scan date (See FIG. 12, Step 7010, for example). With this scheme, if a child were born in the U.S. on 11 Jul. 2015, assigned a social security number of 123456789, and later scanned by MRI on 23 Sep. 2027, everyone in the world would know, a priori, that those images will be located at, for example, Internet address: http://www.imagedatabase.com/usa/123456789/mri/23sep2027. Further, it is, also a priori, known that any MRI images of that patient taken anywhere, anytime in his/her lifetime are listed by scan date at: http://www.imagedatabase.com/usa/123456789/mri, and further that all images of any modality that have ever been acquired of that patient in his/her lifetime are listed at: http://www.imagedatabase.com/usa/123456789. The section of the URL “www.imagedatabase.com” refers to the company offering to serve the images over the Internet. Such a company would not process the images in any way because the images have already been processed as described herein. Rather, the sole function of such a company is to provide computing hardware which reads the “static” image data from a hard disk and pushes the data over the Internet (note that both still-frame images and movies are contained in “static” computer files). Because the images are already stored in the format of Internet Web Pages, no processing of the data is required resulting in maximum speeds for image access and transfer and ensuring minimum cost for the overall system. In fact, specialized computers which are capable of no function other than reading from a hard disk and pushing the data over the Internet already exist and could easily be assembled into a array of servers providing access to an extremely large amount of data over the Internet for minimum cost. For example, currently a commercial system of this type provides 120 GB of storage for $3000. With 10 MB of image data per patient scan (typical), this system would provide permanent Internet access to 12,000 complete MRI patient scans for a cost of 25 cents each (exclusive of electrical and maintenance costs). Importantly, this type of World-wide database would be difficult if not impossible to construct if the processes described herein were not employed. FIG. 12 shows how a user's request to view images (Step 7010) would be processed (Steps 7020-7040) by the World-wide database system of FIG. 11 using the basic building block of FIG. 10. FIG. 13 shows the resultant Web Page 40 displaying in response to a user sending a request to view “/Doe, John” via a browser 14. FIG. 14 shows the result of clicking on “Cath” 42 (see FIG. 13) followed by clicking on the scan date (not shown). Identification data 43 is displayed with the image 44 corresponding to the examination data indicated. The html page 40′ and the embedded images 44 are sent by the http server 34 to the browser 14. The images 44 can be still frames or movies depending on how they were originally acquired by the scanner 16. In the case of movies, animated GIF format can be used by the encoding engine 26. FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 show the result of clicking on ECG, MRI, and SPECT, respectively. The time necessary to transfer the images 44 from the http Server 34 to the browser 14 will depend on the size of the images 44 and the speed of the network, but was measured to be approximately 3 seconds for the entire set of MRI images of FIG. 16 over a standard ethernet 10BASET line (note that the top row of MRI images in FIG. 16 are movies displaying heart contraction). Thus, using the Present Invention a database of images ban be constructed with maximum Internet performance and without loss of diagnostic information. Importantly, the processes described herein allow viewing of images from multiple modalities side-by-side by the primary physician and/or the patient. Further, the database structure facilitates the storage of image data from multiple modalities and multiple scans over a patient's lifetime in a single location identified by the patient's name, social security number or other unique identifier. This ability would be expected to significantly enhance the ability of the primary physician to determine the course of action which is in the best interest of the patient. While the Present Invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to particular embodiments thereof, it will 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 Present Invention. The scope of the Present Invention, as claimed, is intended to be defined by following Claims as they would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art with appropriate reference to the specification, including the drawings, as warranted.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION <EOH>The description of the references in this Section is not intended to constitute an admission that any reference referred to herein is “Prior Art” with respect to the Present Invention, unless specifically designated as such. Medical imaging is important and widespread in the diagnosis of disease. In certain situations, however, the particular manner in which the images are made available to physicians and their patients introduces obstacles to timely and accurate diagnoses of disease. These obstacles generally relate to the fact that each manufacturer of a medical imaging system uses different and proprietary formats to store the images in digital form. This means, for example, that images from a scanner manufactured by General Electric Corp. are stored in a different digital format compared to images from a scanner manufactured by Siemens Medical Systems. Further, images from different imaging modalities, such as, for example, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are stored in formats different from each other. Although it is typically possible to “export” the images from a proprietary workstation to an industry-standard format such as “Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine” (DICOM), Version 3.0, several limitations remain as discussed subsequently. In practice, viewing of medical images typically requires a different proprietary “workstation” for each manufacturer and for each modality. Currently, when a patient describes symptoms, the patient's primary physician often orders an imaging-based test to diagnose or assess disease. Typically, days after the imaging procedure, the patient's primary physician receives a written report generated by a specialist physician who has interpreted the images. The specialist physician, however, typically has not performed a clinical history and physical examination of the patient and often is not aware of the patient's other test results. Conversely, the patient's primary physician typically does not view the images directly but rather makes a treatment decision based entirely on written reports generated by one or more specialist physicians. Although this approach does allow for expert interpretation of the images by the specialist physician, several limitations are introduced for the primary physician and for the patient, such as, for example: (1) The primary physician does not see the images unless he travels to another department and makes a request; (2) It is often difficult to find the images for viewing because there typically is no formal procedure to accommodate requests to show the images to the primary physician; (3) Until the written report is forwarded to the primary physician's office, it is often difficult to determine if the images have been interpreted and the report generated; (4) Each proprietary workstation requires training in how to use the software to view the images; (5) It is often difficult for the primary physician to find a technician who has been trained to view the images on the proprietary workstation; (6) The workstation software is often “upgraded” requiring additional training; (7) The primary physician has to walk to different departments to view images from the same patient but different modalities; (8) Images from the same patient but different modalities cannot be viewed side-by-side, even using proprietary workstations; (9) The primary physician cannot show the patient his images in the physician's office while explaining the diagnosis; and (10) The patient cannot transport his images to another physician's office for a second opinion. It would be desirable to allow digital medical images to be viewed by multiple individuals at multiple geographic locations without loss of diagnostic information. “Teleradiology” allows images from multiple scanners located at distant sites to be transferred to a central location for interpretation and generation of a written report. This model allows expert interpreters at a single location to examine images from multiple distant geographic locations. Teleradiology does not, however, allow for the examination of the images from any site other than the central location, precluding examination of the images by the primary physician and the patient. Rather, the primary physician and the patient see only the written report generated by the interpreters who examined the images at the central location. In addition, this approach is based on specialized “workstations” (which require substantial training to operate) to send the images to the central location and to view the images at the central location. It would be advantageous to allow the primary physician and the patient to view the images at other locations, such as the primary physician's office, at the same time he/she and the patient see the written report and without specialized hardware or software. In principle, medical images could be converted to Internet Web Pages for widespread viewing. Several technical limitations of current Internet standards, however, create a situation where straightforward processing of the image data results in images which transfer across the Internet too slowly, lose diagnostic information or both. One such limitation is the bandwidth of current Internet connections which, because of the large size of medical images, result in transfer times which are unacceptably long. The problem of bandwidth can be addressed by compressing the image data before transfer, but compression typically involves loss of diagnostic information. In addition, due to the size of the images the time required to process image data from an original format to a format which can be viewed by Internet browsers is considerable, meaning that systems designed to create Web Pages “on the fly” introduce a delay of seconds to minutes while the person requesting to view the images waits for the data to be processed. Workstations allow images to be reordered or placed “side-by-side” for viewing, but again, an Internet system would have to create new Web Pages “on the fly” which would introduce further delays. Finally, diagnostic interpretation of medical images requires the images are presented with appropriate brightness and contrast. On proprietary workstations these parameters can be adjusted by the person viewing the images but control of image brightness and contrast are not features of current Internet standards (such as, for example, http or html). It is possible to allow browsers to adjust image brightness and contrast, as well as other parameters, using “Java” programming. “Java” is a computer language developed by Sun Microsystems specifically to allow programs to be downloaded from a server to a client's browser to perform certain tasks. Using the “Java” model, the client is no longer simply using the browser to view “static” files downloaded from the server, but rather in addition the client's computer is running a program that was sent from the server. There are several disadvantages to using “Java” to manipulate the image data. First, the user must wait additional time while the “Java” code is downloaded. For medical images, the “Java” code is extensive and download times are long. Second, the user must train to become familiar with the controls defined by the “Java” programmer. Third, the user must wait while the “Java” code processes the image data, which is slow because the image files are large. Fourth, “Java” code is relatively new and often causes browsers to “crash.” Finally, due to the “crashing” problem “Java” programmers typically only test their code on certain browsers and computers, such as Microsoft Explorer on a PC, precluding widespread use by owners of other browsers and other computer platforms. Wood et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,035 (“Wood”), the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, describe an ultrasound system which incorporates an http server for viewing ultrasound images over the Internet. The approach of Wood, however, creates Web Pages “on the fly,” meaning that the user must wait for the image processing to complete. In addition, even after processing of the image data into a Web Page the approach of Wood does not provide for processing the images in such as way that excessive image transfer times due to limited bandwidth are addressed or provide for “brightness/contrast” to be addressed without loss of diagnostic information. In addition, the approach of Wood is limited to ultrasound images generated by scanners manufactured by a single company, and does not enable viewing of images from modalities other than ultrasound. FIG. 1 summarizes a common prior art approach currently used by companies to serve medical images to Internet browsers (e.g., General Electric's “Web-Link” component of their workstation-based “Picture Archiving and Communication System” (PACS)). As can be seen in FIG. 1 , serial processing of image data “on the fly” combined with extensive user interaction results in a slow, expensive, and unstable system. Referring to FIG. 1 , after a scanner acquires images (Step 100 ) a user may request single image as a webpage (Step 200 ) whereby the image data is downloaded (Step 300 ) to allow the user to view a single image with the single image (Step 400 ). Steps 1000 - 1400 result in extensive user interaction which results in the system being slow, expensive and unstable. While the Present Invention relates to medical imaging generally, it will be better understood within the discussion of exemplary embodiments directed toward cardiac imaging.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION <EOH>The Present Invention proceeds from the realization that if medical images of different formats could be processed in such a way that limitations of current Internet standards could be overcome, any standard Internet browser could be used as a diagnostic workstation to allow any medical image to be viewed from any location on earth without specialized hardware or software. Once this goal has been achieved, the following actions becomes possible: (1) To notify the primary physician via e-mail or pager as soon as the imaging has been completed; (2) For the primary physician to view the images with a single “double click”; (3) To view the images at the same time the primary physician and/or the patient reads the written report; (4) To view images of the same patient but from different modalities side-by-side; (5) To view images of the same patient and same modality but different time points side-by-side to assess the progression of disease; (6) For the primary physician to discuss the images over the telephone with another physician who is viewing the same images simultaneously at another location; (7) To make diagnoses and clinical treatment plans from anywhere in the World, including the physician's home; (8) To discuss the images with the patient in the physician's office or over the telephone with the patient at home; (9) For the patient to present the images to another physician for a second opinion; and (10) For the patient to move to a different city/state/country and have the images “move” with him/her. Furthermore, once the standard Internet browser can be used as a diagnostic workstation, it becomes feasible to construct a Worldwide database of medical images using a predefined hierarchical Internet addressing structure. This structure would allow for the unique address of all medical images for all persons throughout their lifetime. Accordingly, one embodiment of the Present Invention is directed toward a method of managing medical images. A plurality of medical images created by a plurality of medical imaging devices, each of which processes the medical image using a unique image format, is received. The medical images are then converted to a common image format suitable for display on a computer screen. Preferably the method comprises posting the converted images for access via a client computer. Browser compatible pages having embedded tags corresponding to the converted images are preferably generated and posted with the converted images. Another embodiment of the Present Invention is directed towards a medical image database comprising images corresponding to a plurality of different modalities. The database is preferably organized in a hierarchical data structure where the data structure comprises a patient identifier parameter and an image modality identifier parameter. The image identifier parameter is associated with at least one of the plurality of modalities. The patient identifier parameter is preferably at a higher level in the hierarchical data structure than the image modality identifier parameter. In one method of managing medical images according to the Present Invention, images are pulled from a scanner in response to a user request. The pulled images are converted to a common image format compatible for display at a computer. The converted images are then posted for display at a client computer. Preferably, the method includes displaying to a user at the client computer a selection comprising images associated with at least two different modalities. The method also preferably comprises simultaneously displaying on a screen a medical image to a first user at a first location and a second user at a second location. A medical image system, according to the Present Invention, comprises a medical image management system. In a preferred embodiment, the medical image management system comprises a transfer engine for receiving image data from a scanner; a converter engine connected to receive images from the transfer engine and convert the images to a browser compatible format; and a post engine connected to receive images from the converter engine and post the images for subsequent access by a user. In a preferred embodiment, the converter engine comprises a decoding engine for extracting raw image data; and a physiologic knowledge engine adapted to receive data from the decoding engine. The physiologic knowledge engine adjusts the image quality and reduces the size of the image data, which is then transferred to a post engine. The physiologic knowledge engine is primarily responsible for reducing the image file size without loss of diagnostic data though other aspects of the Present Invention are used to reduce file size while maintaining viability of the data. The encoding engine converts the image data to browser compatible image data. Other objects and advantages of the Present Invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art from the teachings herein.
20041130
20081125
20050512
60548.0
2
FERNANDEZ, KATHERINE L
MEDICAL IMAGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
10,999,548
ACCEPTED
Method and apparatus for alignment of components of a plasma ARC torch
A coolant tube and electrode are adapted to mate with each other to align the tube relative to the electrode during operation of the torch. Improved alignment ensures an adequate flow of coolant along an interior surface of the electrode. In one aspect, an elongated body of the coolant tube has a surface adapted to mate with the electrode. In another aspect, an elongated body of the electrode has a surface adapted to mate with the coolant tube. The surfaces of the tube and electrode may, for example, be flanges, tapered surfaces, contours, or steps.
1. A coolant tube for a plasma arc torch, the coolant tube comprising: an elongated body having a first end, a second end, and a coolant passage extending therethrough; and a surface located on an exterior portion of the elongated body adapted to mate with an electrode. 2. The tube of claim 1 wherein the surface comprises at least one or more of a contour, step, or flange. 3. The tube of claim 2 wherein the contour comprises a linear taper. 4. The tube of claim 1 wherein the surface has an enlarged diameter body integral with the elongated body. 5. The tube of claim 4 wherein the enlarged diameter body has a varying diameter. 6. The tube of claim 1 wherein the surface is adapted to align respective longitudinal axes of the elongated body and an electrode. 7. The tube of claim 6 wherein the longitudinal axes are at least one or more of substantially concentrically aligned, radially aligned, or circumferentially aligned. 8. The tube of claim 1 wherein the surface is adapted to align the elongated body and an electrode along a direction of a longitudinal axis of the elongated body. 9. The tube of claim 1 wherein the surface is located in a region between the first end and second end. 10. The tube of claim 1 wherein the surface is located at an end of the elongated body. 11. An electrode for a plasma arc torch, the electrode comprising: a hollow elongated body having an open end and a closed end; and a surface located on an interior portion of the elongated body adapted to mate with a coolant tube. 12. The electrode of claim 11 wherein the surface comprises at least one or more of a contour, step, or flange. 13. The electrode of claim 12 wherein the contour comprises a linear taper. 14. The electrode of claim 11 wherein the surface has a reduced diameter body integral with the elongated body. 15. The electrode of claim 14 wherein the reduced diameter body has a varying diameter. 16. The electrode of claim 11 wherein the surface is adapted to align respective longitudinal axes of the elongated body and a coolant tube. 17. The electrode of claim 16 wherein the longitudinal axes are at least one or more of substantially concentrically aligned, radially aligned, or circumferentially aligned. 18. The electrode of claim 11 wherein the surface is adapted to align the electrode and a coolant tube along a direction of a longitudinal axis of the coolant tube. 19. A plasma arc torch comprising: a torch body; an electrode supported by the torch body, the electrode comprising a hollow elongated body having an open end and a closed end, and a surface located on an interior portion of the elongated electrode body adapted to mate with the tube; and a coolant tube, the tube comprising an elongated body having a first end, a second end, and a coolant passage extending therethrough, and a surface located on an exterior portion of the elongated body; and. 20. The torch of claim 19 wherein at least one of the surfaces comprises at least one or more of a contour, step, or flange. 21. The torch of claim 20 wherein the contour comprises a linear taper. 22. The torch of claim 19 wherein the surface of the tube has an enlarged diameter body integral with the elongated body of the tube, and the surface of the electrode has a reduced diameter body integral with the elongated body of the electrode. 23. The torch of claim 22 wherein at least one of the integral bodies has a varying diameter. 24. The torch of claim 19 wherein the surfaces are adapted to align respective longitudinal axes of the electrode and coolant tube. 25. The torch of claim 19 wherein the longitudinal axes are at least one or more of substantially concentrically aligned, radially aligned, or circumferentially aligned. 26. The torch of claim 19 wherein at least one of the surfaces is adapted to align the elongated body and the electrode along a direction of the respective longitudinal axes. 27. A method of locating a coolant tube relative to an electrode in a plasma arc torch comprising the steps of: providing mating contact surfaces on the electrode and the coolant tube; and biasing the electrode and the coolant tube into contact. 28. The method of claim 27 wherein the biasing is brought about by coolant hydrostatic pressure. 29. The method of claim 27 wherein the biasing is brought about by a spring element. 30. The method of claim 27 wherein the biasing is brought about by threading the electrode into the torch. 31. A plasma arc torch comprising: a torch body; an electrode supported by the torch body, the electrode comprising a hollow elongated body having an open end and a closed end; a coolant tube, the tube comprising an elongated body having a first end, a second end, and a coolant passage extending therethrough; and means for aligning mating surfaces of the coolant tube and the electrode. 32. The torch of claim 31 wherein the means for aligning comprises a mating surface on the inner surface of the electrode. 33. The torch of claim 31 wherein the means for aligning comprises a mating surface on the outer surface of the tube. 34. The torch of claim 31 wherein the means for aligning comprises a mating surface on the inner surface of the coolant tube. 35. A coolant tube for a plasma arc torch, the coolant tube comprising: an elongated body having a first end, a second end, and a coolant passage extending therethrough; and a surface located on an exterior portion of the elongated body adapted to (a) mate with an electrode and (b) align respective longitudinal axes of the electrode and coolant tube. 36. An electrode for a plasma arc torch, the electrode comprising: a hollow elongated body having an open end and a closed end; and a surface located on an interior portion of the elongated body adapted to (a) mate with a coolant tube and (b) align respective longitudinal axes of the electrode and coolant tube. 37. A coolant tube for a plasma arc torch, the coolant tube comprising: an elongated body having a first end, a second end, and a coolant passage extending therethrough; and a surface located on an interior portion of the elongated body adapted to mate with an electrode.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention generally relates to the field of plasma arc torch systems and processes. In particular, the invention relates to liquid cooled electrodes and coolant tubes for use in a plasma arc torch. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Material processing apparatus, such as plasma arc torches and lasers are widely used in the cutting of metallic materials. A plasma arc torch generally includes a torch body, an electrode mounted within the body, a nozzle with a central exit orifice, electrical connections, passages for cooling and arc control fluids, a swirl ring to control the fluid flow patterns, and a power supply. Gases used in the torch can be non-reactive (e.g., argon or nitrogen), or reactive (e.g., oxygen or air). The torch produces a plasma arc, which is a constricted ionized jet of a plasma gas with high temperature and high momentum. Plasma arc cutting torches produce a transferred plasma arc with a current density that is typically in the range of 20,000 to 40,000 amperes/in2. High definition torches are characterized by narrower jets with higher current densities, typically about 60,000 amperes/in2. High definition torches produce a narrow cut kerf and a square cut angle. Such torches have a thinner heat affected zone and are more effective in producing a dross free cut and blowing away molten metal. Similarly, a laser-based apparatus generally includes a nozzle into which a gas stream and laser beam are introduced. A lens focuses the laser beam which then heats the workpiece. Both the beam and the gas stream exit the nozzle through an orifice and impinge on a target area of the workpiece. The resulting heating of the workpiece, combined with any chemical reaction between the gas and workpiece material, serves to heat, liquefy or vaporize the selected area of the workpiece, depending on the focal point and energy level of the beam. This action allows the operator to cut or otherwise modify the workpiece. Certain components of material processing apparatus deteriorate over time from use. These “consumable” components include, in the case of a plasma arc torch, the electrode, swirl ring, nozzle, and shield. Ideally, these components are easily replaceable in the field. Nevertheless, the alignment of these components within the torch is critical to ensure reasonable consumable life, as well as accuracy and repeatability of plasma arc location, which is important in automated plasma arc cutting systems. Some plasma arc torches include a liquid cooled electrode. One such electrode is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,756,959, assigned to Hypertherm, Inc. The electrode has a hollow elongated body with an open end and a closed end. The electrode is formed of copper and includes a cylindrical insert of high thermionic emissivity material (e.g., hafnium or zirconium) which is press fit into a bore in the bottom end of the electrode. The exposed end face of the insert defines an emission surface. Often the emission surface is initially planar. However, the emission surface may be initially shaped to define a recess in the insert as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,962, assigned to Hypertherm, Inc. In either case, the insert extends into the bore in the bottom end of the electrode to a circulating flow of cooling liquid disposed in the hollow interior of the electrode. The electrode can be “hollowmilled” in that an annular recess is formed in an interior portion of the bottom end surrounding the insert. A coolant inlet tube having a hollow, thin-walled cylindrical body defining a cylindrical passage extending through the body is positioned adjacent the hollow interior surface of the electrode body. The tube extends into the recess in a spaced relationship to provide a high flow velocity of coolant over the interior surface of the electrode. In many plasma arc torches and under a variety of operating conditions (e.g., high amperage cutting), the tube must remove the heat from the electrode by providing sufficient cooling to obtain acceptable electrode life. It has been empirically determined that if the outlet of the coolant tube is misaligned (longitudinally and/or radially) with the interior surface of the electrode, the tube does not sufficiently cool the insert. Repeated use of a torch having a coolant tube misaligned with the electrode causes the insert material to more rapidly wear away. To achieve desirable coolant flow characteristics, the tube is typically secured in a fixed position relative to the electrode to achieve proper alignment. Electrode wear typically results in reduced quality cuts. For example, the kerf width dimension may increase or the cut angle may move out of square as electrode wear increases. This requires frequent replacement of the electrode to achieve suitable cut quality. Tolerances associated with conventional methods of mounting the electrode and coolant tube makes it more difficult for systems employing such torches to produce highly uniform, close tolerance parts without requiring frequent replacement of the electrode due to the errors inherent in positioning the electrode relative to the coolant tube. It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide electrodes and coolant tubes for a liquid-cooled plasma arc torch that aid in maintaining electrode life and/or reducing electrode wear by minimizing the effects of misalignment. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention, overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art by, in one aspect, providing a coolant tube for a plasma arc torch that achieves reliable and repeatable positioning of the coolant tube relative to the electrode. The invention, in another aspect, achieves reduced alignment errors in aligning respective longitudinal axes of an electrode and a coolant tube. The coolant tube has an elongated body that has a first end, a second end, and a coolant passage extending therethrough. The elongated body has a surface located on an exterior portion of the elongated body adapted to mate with an electrode. Embodiments of this aspect of the invention can include the following features. The mating surface of the tube can include a contour, linear taper, step, or flange. The mating surface can have an enlarged diameter body integral with the elongated body. The enlarged diameter body can have a varying diameter. The mating surface of the tube can be fabricated so that the surface is adapted to align respective longitudinal axes of the elongated body and an electrode. The mating surface of the tube can be adapted for substantially concentrically, radially and/or circumferentially aligning respective longitudinal axes of the tube with an electrode. In addition or in the alternative, the mating surface can be adapted for aligning the elongated body and an electrode along the direction of a longitudinal axis of the elongated body. The mating surface of the tube can be located in an intermediate region between the first end and second end. The mating surface of the tube can be located at an end of the elongated body. In another aspect, the invention includes an electrode for a plasma arc torch. The electrode includes a hollow elongated body having an open end and a closed end, and a surface located on an interior portion of the elongated body adapted to mate with a coolant tube. Embodiments of this aspect of the invention can include the following features. The mating surface of the electrode can include a contour, linear taper, step, or flange. The mating surface can have a reduced diameter body integral with the elongated body. The reduced diameter body can have a varying diameter. The mating surface of the electrode can be adapted for substantially concentrically, radially and/or circumferentially aligning respective longitudinal axes of the electrode with a tube. In addition or in the alternative, the mating surface can be adapted for aligning the elongated body of the electrode with a tube along the direction of a longitudinal axis of the electrode. In general, in another aspect, the invention involves a plasma arc torch that has a torch body. The plasma torch also has a coolant tube that has an elongated body. The elongated body of the tube has a first end, a second end, and a coolant passage extending therethrough, and a surface located on an exterior portion of the elongated body. The torch also has an electrode that is supported by the torch body. The electrode has a hollow elongated body that has an open end and a closed end, and a surface located on an interior portion of the elongated electrode body adapted to mate with the tube. In this aspect of the invention, at least one of the surfaces can have a contour, linear taper, step or flange. The surface of the tube can have an enlarged diameter body integral with the elongated body of the tube, and the surface of the electrode can have a reduced diameter body integral with the elongated body of the electrode. At least one of the integral bodies can have a varying diameter. The mating surfaces can be adapted for substantially concentrically, radially and/or circumferentially aligning respective longitudinal axes of the tube and the electrode. In addition or in the alternative, the mating surfaces can be adapted for aligning the tube and an electrode along the direction of the respective longitudinal axes. In general, in yet another aspect the invention relates to a method of locating a coolant tube relative to an electrode in a plasma arc torch. This method involves providing mating contact surfaces on the electrode and the coolant tube and biasing the electrode and the coolant tube into contact. The method of locating the coolant tube relative to the electrode can involve biasing the tube and electrode into contact by the hydrostatic pressure of the coolant. The tube and electrode can be biased by, alternatively, a spring element. In general, in another aspect, the invention involves a plasma arc torch that has a torch body. The torch also has a coolant tube that has an elongated body which has a first end, a second end, and a coolant passage extending therethrough. The torch also includes an electrode that is supported by the torch body. The electrode has a hollow elongated body that has an open end and a closed end. The torch also includes a means for mating surfaces of the coolant tube and the electrode. The invention, in another aspect, achieves reduced alignment errors in aligning respective longitudinal axes of an electrode and a coolant tube. The coolant tube has an elongated body that has a first end, a second end, and a coolant passage extending therethrough. The elongated body has a surface located on an interior portion of the elongated body adapted to mate with an electrode. The invention, in another aspect, achieves reduced alignment errors in aligning respective longitudinal axes of an electrode and a coolant tube. The coolant tube has an elongated body that has a first end, a second end, and a coolant passage extending therethrough. The elongated body has a surface located on an exterior portion of the elongated body adapted to mate with an electrode and align respective longitudinal axes of the electrode and coolant tube. In another aspect, the invention includes an electrode for a plasma arc torch. The electrode includes a hollow elongated body having an open end and a closed end, and a surface located on an interior portion of the elongated body adapted to mate with a coolant tube and align respective longitudinal axes of the electrode and coolant tube. In another embodiment, the invention offers an advantage over the prior art torch consumables (e.g., coolant tube and electrode) in which a mating surface is the primary measure to ensure proper alignment of the consumables. In another embodiment, one aspect of the mating surface acts as a spacer to augment the ability to align, for example, a coolant tube and electrode when fixedly securing the coolant tube and/or electrode to a torch body. The foregoing and other objects, aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description and from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other objects, feature and advantages of the invention, as well as the invention itself, will be more fully understood from the following illustrative description, when read together with the accompanying drawings which are not necessarily to scale. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art coolant tube disposed in a hollowmilled electrode. FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a coolant tube, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2B is an end-view of the coolant tube of FIG. 2A. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an electrode, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4A is a schematic side view of a coolant tube, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4B is an end-view of the coolant tube of FIG. 4A. FIG. 5A is a schematic side view of a coolant tube, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5B is an end-view of the coolant tube of FIG. 5A. FIG. 6A is a schematic side view of a coolant tube, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6B is an end-view of the coolant tube of FIG. 6A. FIG. 7A is a schematic side view of a coolant tube, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7B is an end-view of the coolant tube of FIG. 7A. FIG. 8A is a schematic side view of a coolant tube, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8B is an end-view of the coolant tube of FIG. 8A. FIG. 9A is a schematic side view of a coolant tube, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. FIG. 9B is an end-view of the coolant tube of FIG. 9A. FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of an electrode, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. FIG. 11 is a partial cross-section of a plasma arc torch incorporating a coolant tube and electrode of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art coolant tube disposed in a hollowmilled electrode suitable for use in a high definition torch (e.g., the HD-3070 torch manufactured by Hypertherm, Inc.). The electrode 10 has a cylindrical copper body 12. The body 12 extends along a centerline 14 of the electrode 10, which is common to the torch when the electrode is installed therein. The electrode can be replaceably secured in a cathode block (not shown) on the torch (not shown) by an interference fit. Alternatively, threads (not shown) can be disposed along a top end 16 of the electrode 10 for replaceably securing the electrode 10 in the cathode block. A flange 18 has an outwardly facing annular recess 20 for receiving an o-ring 22 that provides a fluid seal. The bottom end 24 of the electrode tapers to a generally planar end surface 26. A bore 28 is drilled into the bottom end 24 of the body 12 along the centerline 14. A generally cylindrical insert 30 formed of a high thermionic emissivity material (e.g., hafnium) is press fit in the bore 28. The insert 30 extends axially through the bottom end 24 to a hollow interior 34 of the electrode 10. An emission surface 32 is located along the end face of the insert 30 and exposable to plasma gas in the torch. The emission surface 32 can be initially planar or can be initially shaped to define a recess in the insert 30. A coolant tube 36 is disposed in the hollow interior 34 adjacent the interior surface 38 of the body 12 and the interior surface 40 of the bottom end 24. The tube 36 is hollow, generally cylindrical, thin-walled and defines a large diameter coolant passage 41. The coolant tube can be replaceably secured in a torch (not shown) by threads or an interference fit. By way of example, coolant tubes sold by Hypertherm, Inc. have a coolant passage diameter of about three to about four millimeters and is positioned less than about one millimeter from the interior surface of an annular recess 44 opposite the end face 26 of the electrode to provide sufficient cooling. The tube 36 introduces a flow 42 of coolant through the passage 41, such as water, that circulates across the interior surface 40 of the bottom end 24 and along the interior surface 38 of the body 12. The electrode is hollowmilled in that it includes the annular recess 44 formed in the interior surface 40 of the bottom end 24. The recess 44 increases the surface area of the electrode body exposed to the coolant and improves the flow velocity of the coolant across the interior surface 40 of the body 12. The electrode, alternatively, may be “endmilled” in that that it does not define the annular recess 44. The flow 42 exits the electrode 10 via an annular passage 46 defined by the tube 36 and the interior surface 38 of the body 12. By way of example, when the tube 36 is used in a torch cutting at 100 amperes, the coolant flow is 1.0 gallons/minute. During the service life of the electrode 10, the insert material wears away forming a pit of increasing depth in the bore 28. The cut quality of the torch typically degrades in conjunction with the insert wear. When the insert 30 has formed a pit of sufficient depth, a blowout condition occurs. Due to the proximity of the tube 36 to the interior surface 40 of the bottom end 24 of the electrode 10, the arc may attach to the tube during a blowout condition. The tube 36 becomes damaged by the arc and requires replacement. To prevent cut quality degradation and/or blowout, an operator typically replaces the electrode at frequent intervals. Further, manufacturers of plasma arc torch systems generally recommend replacement at certain insert wear levels to minimize the possibility of blowout. Coolant flow 42 across the surface of the insert 30 is affected by the alignment of the coolant tube relative to the insert and, therefore, the electrode. If the outlet of the coolant tube is misaligned (e.g., longitudinally and/or radially) with respect to the interior surface 40 of the electrode 10, the coolant 42 delivered by the tube 36 does not sufficiently cool the insert 30. Repeated use of a torch having a coolant tube misaligned with respect to the electrode 10 has been empirically determined to cause the insert to more rapidly wear away. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate one embodiment of a coolant tube 136 incorporating the principles of the invention. The tube 136 has an elongated body 152 with a first end 154 and a second end 156 and defines a centerline or longitudinal axis 146. A coolant passage 141 extends through the elongated body 152. The first end 154 of the tube 136 has a first opening 210 in fluid communication with the passage 141. The second end 156 has a second opening 206 in fluid communication with the passage 141. According to one aspect of the invention, the tube 136 has a mating surface 160 located on an exterior surface 162 of the elongated body 152. The mating surface 160 is designed to mate with a corresponding mating surface of an electrode of a plasma torch. The mating surface 160 is designed to permit reliable and repeatable alignment of the longitudinal axis 146 of the coolant tube 136 and a longitudinal axis, such as the longitudinal axis 114 of the electrode 110 of FIG. 3. The mating surface is capable of aligning the respective longitudinal axes of the coolant tube 136 and electrode, such that the longitudinal axes are at least substantially concentrically aligned. In addition or in the alternative, the mating surface can align the respective longitudinal axes of the coolant tube 136 and the electrode such that the coolant tube 136 and the electrode are at least substantially circumferentially aligned, thereby contemplating preferential alignment of the coolant tube 136 relative to the electrode. It is not required that the coolant tube be rigidly attached to the torch body or the electrode. Some minimal, acceptable misalignment can, therefore, occur between the respective longitudinal axes of the coolant tube 136 and the electrode in embodiments of the invention in which the coolant tube 136 is not rigidly attached to the torch body or electrode. The tube 136 can be replaceably located within a torch body (see FIG. 11). The body 152 of the tube 136 has a flange 170 that has an outwardly facing annular recess 172 for receiving an o-ring 174. The o-ring 174 provides a fluid seal with the torch body (see FIG. 11) while generally allowing movement of the tube 136 along the lengthwise dimension of the body 152 of the tube 136. The mating surface 160 of the tube 136, in this aspect of the invention, has three flanges 166a, 166b and 166c (generally 166) distributed around the exterior surface 162 of the elongated body 152 of the tube 136. The flanges 166 are generally equally spaced around the exterior surface 162. The flanges 166, in other embodiments, could be of any number, shape, or otherwise spaced around the exterior as may still permit the surface 160 to mate with a mating surface of an electrode. The surface 160, flanges 166 and/or parts thereof could be formed as an integral portion of the coolant tube 136 by, for example, machining or casting the tube 136. The surface 160, flanges 166 and/or parts thereof could, alternatively, be manufactured separately from the tube 136 and assembled or attached to the tube by, for example, a suitable adhesive or mechanical fastener. FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of an electrode 110 incorporating the principles of the invention. The electrode 110 has a generally cylindrical elongated copper body 112. The body 112 generally extends along a centerline or longitudinal axis 114 of the electrode 110, which is common to the torch (not shown) when the electrode 110 is installed therein. Threads 176 disposed along a top end 116 of the electrode 110 can replaceably secure the electrode 110 in a cathode block (not shown) of the torch (not shown). A flange 118 has an outwardly facing annular recess 120 for receiving an o-ring 122 that provides a fluid seal with the torch body (not shown). A drilled hole or bore 128 is located in a bottom end 124 of the electrode body 112 along the centerline 114. A generally cylindrical insert 130 formed of a high thermionic emission material (e.g., hafnium) is press fit into the hole 128. The insert 130 extends axially towards a hollow interior 134 of the electrode 110. An emission surface 132 is located along an end face of the insert 130 and exposable to plasma gas in the torch. The electrode is hollowmilled in that it includes an annular recess 144 formed in the interior surface 140 of the bottom end 124. The recess 144 increases the surface area of the electrode body exposed to the coolant and improves the flow velocity of the coolant across the interior surface 140 of the body 112. The electrode, alternatively, may be endmilled such that that it does not define an annular recess 144. A surface 164 is provided on an inner surface 138 of the electrode body 112 and the surface 164 is adapted for mating with a corresponding surface, such as the surface 160 of the coolant tube 136 of FIG. 2A. The surface 164 of electrode 110 may be formed on the interior surface 138 by machining or an alternative, suitable manufacturing process. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the surface 160 of the coolant tube 136 has four spherical elements 208a, 208b, 208c, and 208d (generally 208). The four elements 208 are adapted to mate with a surface of a plasma arc torch electrode. The shape of the elements, alternatively, could be any geometric shape (e.g., ellipsoidal, diamond-shaped, or cylindrical) that is compatible with mating with a corresponding surface of an electrode and promoting adequate cooling of the electrode. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the surface 160 of the coolant tube 136 has a plurality of slots 210 located at the second end 156 of tube 136. The slots 232 are adapted to permit coolant to flow out of the passage 141. In this embodiment, the second end 156 of the tube 136 contacts an inner surface of an electrode wall, such as the inner surface 218 of the electrode 110 of FIG. 3. The slots 232 permit adequate coolant flow across the interior surface 140 of the electrode 110. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the surface 160 of the coolant tube 136 has an enlarged diameter body 212 relative to the body 152 of the tube 136. The body 212 has four grooves 214 oriented along the length of the body 152 of the tube 136. The enlarged diameter body 212 is adapted to mate with a surface of a plasma arc torch electrode. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the surface 160 of the coolant tube 136 has a contour that has a linear taper. The linear taper decreases in diameter from the first end 154 towards second end 156. The contour of the surface 160 is adapted to mate with an inside surface of an electrode, such as the surface 214 of the inside surface 138 of the electrode 110 of FIG. 10. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the surface 164 of the inside surface 138 of the electrode 110 has a contour that has a linear taper that is adapted to mate with the surface 160 of a coolant tube, such as the coolant tube 136 of FIG. 7A. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the coolant tube 136 has two surfaces 160a and 160b. The surfaces 160a and 160b are adapted to mate with corresponding surfaces of an electrode of a plasma arc torch. The surface 160a has four flanges 166a, 166b, 166c, and 166d equally spaced around the outside diameter of the body 152 of the tube 136. The surface 160b has four flanges 166e, 166f, 166g, and 166h (not shown) equally spaced around the outside diameter of the body 152 of the tube 136. In another embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the coolant tube 136 has a surface 160 located on an interior surface 250 of the body 152 of the tube 136. The surface 160 is adapted to mate with an interior surface, such as the interior surface 140 of the electrode 110 of FIG. 3. The surface 160 has four flanges 240 equally spaced around the inside diameter of the body 152 of the tube 136. The flanges 240 contact the interior surface 140 of the electrode 110 when located within a plasma arc torch. By way of example, the electrode 110 can be secured in the body of a plasma arc torch such that the interior surface 140 of the electrode 110 mates with the surface 160 and flanges 240 of the tube 136, thereby aligning respective longitudinal axes of the tube 136 and electrode 136 and limiting motion of the tube 136 relative to the electrode 110. FIG. 11 shows a portion of a high-definition plasma arc torch 180 that can be utilized to practice the invention. The torch 180 has a generally cylindrical body 182 that includes electrical connections, passages for cooling fluids and arc control fluids. An anode block 184 is secured in the body 182. A nozzle 186 is secured in the anode block 184 and has a central passage 188 and an exit passage 190 through which an arc can transfer to a workpiece (not shown). An electrode, such as the electrode 110 of FIG. 3, is secured in a cathode block 192 in a spaced relationship relative to the nozzle 186 to define a plasma chamber 194. Plasma gas fed from a swirl ring 196 is ionized in the plasma chamber 194 to form an arc. A water-cooled cap 198 is threaded onto the lower end of the anode block 184, and a secondary cap 200 is threaded onto the torch body 182. The secondary cap 200 acts as a mechanical shield against splattered metal during piercing or cutting operations. A coolant tube, such as the coolant tube 136 of FIG. 2A is disposed in the hollow interior 134 of the electrode 110. The tube 136 extends along a centerline or longitudinal axis 202 of the electrode 110 and the torch 180 when the electrode 110 is installed in the torch 180. The tube 136 is located within the cathode block 192 so that the tube 136 is generally free to move along the direction of the longitudinal axis 202 of the torch 180. A top end 204 of the tube 136 is in fluid communication with a coolant supply (not shown). The flow of coolant travels through the passage 141 and exits an opening 206 located at a second end 156 of the tube 136. The coolant impinges upon the interior surface 140 of the bottom end 124 of the electrode 110 and circulates along the interior surface 138 of the electrode body 112. The coolant flow exits the electrode 110 via the annular passage 134 defined by the tube 136 and the interior surface 138 of the electrode. In operation, because the coolant tube 136 is not rigidly fixed to the cathode block 180 in this embodiment of the invention, the flow or hydrostatic pressure of coolant fluid acts to bias the tube 136 towards a bottom end 124 of the electrode 110. Alternatively, a spring element (e.g., linear spring or leaf spring) may be used to bias the tube 136 towards the electrode 110. Alternatively, the electrode 110 may be threaded into the torch body until the surfaces 160 and 164 of the tube 136 and electrode 110, respectively, mate with each other, thereby biasing the surfaces 160 and 164 together. The coolant tube 136 has a surface 160 located on an exterior surface 162 of the tube body 152. The surface 160 is adapted to mate with a surface 164 located on an interior surface 138 of the electrode body 112. The surfaces 160 and 164 of the tube 136 and electrode 110, respectively, mate with each other to align the position of the tube 136 relative to the electrode 110 during operation of the torch. The tube 136 and electrode 110 are aligned longitudinally as well as radially in this aspect of the invention. Variations, modifications, and other implementations of what is described herein will occur to those of ordinary skill without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be defined only by the preceding illustrative description.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Material processing apparatus, such as plasma arc torches and lasers are widely used in the cutting of metallic materials. A plasma arc torch generally includes a torch body, an electrode mounted within the body, a nozzle with a central exit orifice, electrical connections, passages for cooling and arc control fluids, a swirl ring to control the fluid flow patterns, and a power supply. Gases used in the torch can be non-reactive (e.g., argon or nitrogen), or reactive (e.g., oxygen or air). The torch produces a plasma arc, which is a constricted ionized jet of a plasma gas with high temperature and high momentum. Plasma arc cutting torches produce a transferred plasma arc with a current density that is typically in the range of 20,000 to 40,000 amperes/in 2 . High definition torches are characterized by narrower jets with higher current densities, typically about 60,000 amperes/in 2 . High definition torches produce a narrow cut kerf and a square cut angle. Such torches have a thinner heat affected zone and are more effective in producing a dross free cut and blowing away molten metal. Similarly, a laser-based apparatus generally includes a nozzle into which a gas stream and laser beam are introduced. A lens focuses the laser beam which then heats the workpiece. Both the beam and the gas stream exit the nozzle through an orifice and impinge on a target area of the workpiece. The resulting heating of the workpiece, combined with any chemical reaction between the gas and workpiece material, serves to heat, liquefy or vaporize the selected area of the workpiece, depending on the focal point and energy level of the beam. This action allows the operator to cut or otherwise modify the workpiece. Certain components of material processing apparatus deteriorate over time from use. These “consumable” components include, in the case of a plasma arc torch, the electrode, swirl ring, nozzle, and shield. Ideally, these components are easily replaceable in the field. Nevertheless, the alignment of these components within the torch is critical to ensure reasonable consumable life, as well as accuracy and repeatability of plasma arc location, which is important in automated plasma arc cutting systems. Some plasma arc torches include a liquid cooled electrode. One such electrode is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,756,959, assigned to Hypertherm, Inc. The electrode has a hollow elongated body with an open end and a closed end. The electrode is formed of copper and includes a cylindrical insert of high thermionic emissivity material (e.g., hafnium or zirconium) which is press fit into a bore in the bottom end of the electrode. The exposed end face of the insert defines an emission surface. Often the emission surface is initially planar. However, the emission surface may be initially shaped to define a recess in the insert as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,962, assigned to Hypertherm, Inc. In either case, the insert extends into the bore in the bottom end of the electrode to a circulating flow of cooling liquid disposed in the hollow interior of the electrode. The electrode can be “hollowmilled” in that an annular recess is formed in an interior portion of the bottom end surrounding the insert. A coolant inlet tube having a hollow, thin-walled cylindrical body defining a cylindrical passage extending through the body is positioned adjacent the hollow interior surface of the electrode body. The tube extends into the recess in a spaced relationship to provide a high flow velocity of coolant over the interior surface of the electrode. In many plasma arc torches and under a variety of operating conditions (e.g., high amperage cutting), the tube must remove the heat from the electrode by providing sufficient cooling to obtain acceptable electrode life. It has been empirically determined that if the outlet of the coolant tube is misaligned (longitudinally and/or radially) with the interior surface of the electrode, the tube does not sufficiently cool the insert. Repeated use of a torch having a coolant tube misaligned with the electrode causes the insert material to more rapidly wear away. To achieve desirable coolant flow characteristics, the tube is typically secured in a fixed position relative to the electrode to achieve proper alignment. Electrode wear typically results in reduced quality cuts. For example, the kerf width dimension may increase or the cut angle may move out of square as electrode wear increases. This requires frequent replacement of the electrode to achieve suitable cut quality. Tolerances associated with conventional methods of mounting the electrode and coolant tube makes it more difficult for systems employing such torches to produce highly uniform, close tolerance parts without requiring frequent replacement of the electrode due to the errors inherent in positioning the electrode relative to the coolant tube. It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide electrodes and coolant tubes for a liquid-cooled plasma arc torch that aid in maintaining electrode life and/or reducing electrode wear by minimizing the effects of misalignment.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The invention, overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art by, in one aspect, providing a coolant tube for a plasma arc torch that achieves reliable and repeatable positioning of the coolant tube relative to the electrode. The invention, in another aspect, achieves reduced alignment errors in aligning respective longitudinal axes of an electrode and a coolant tube. The coolant tube has an elongated body that has a first end, a second end, and a coolant passage extending therethrough. The elongated body has a surface located on an exterior portion of the elongated body adapted to mate with an electrode. Embodiments of this aspect of the invention can include the following features. The mating surface of the tube can include a contour, linear taper, step, or flange. The mating surface can have an enlarged diameter body integral with the elongated body. The enlarged diameter body can have a varying diameter. The mating surface of the tube can be fabricated so that the surface is adapted to align respective longitudinal axes of the elongated body and an electrode. The mating surface of the tube can be adapted for substantially concentrically, radially and/or circumferentially aligning respective longitudinal axes of the tube with an electrode. In addition or in the alternative, the mating surface can be adapted for aligning the elongated body and an electrode along the direction of a longitudinal axis of the elongated body. The mating surface of the tube can be located in an intermediate region between the first end and second end. The mating surface of the tube can be located at an end of the elongated body. In another aspect, the invention includes an electrode for a plasma arc torch. The electrode includes a hollow elongated body having an open end and a closed end, and a surface located on an interior portion of the elongated body adapted to mate with a coolant tube. Embodiments of this aspect of the invention can include the following features. The mating surface of the electrode can include a contour, linear taper, step, or flange. The mating surface can have a reduced diameter body integral with the elongated body. The reduced diameter body can have a varying diameter. The mating surface of the electrode can be adapted for substantially concentrically, radially and/or circumferentially aligning respective longitudinal axes of the electrode with a tube. In addition or in the alternative, the mating surface can be adapted for aligning the elongated body of the electrode with a tube along the direction of a longitudinal axis of the electrode. In general, in another aspect, the invention involves a plasma arc torch that has a torch body. The plasma torch also has a coolant tube that has an elongated body. The elongated body of the tube has a first end, a second end, and a coolant passage extending therethrough, and a surface located on an exterior portion of the elongated body. The torch also has an electrode that is supported by the torch body. The electrode has a hollow elongated body that has an open end and a closed end, and a surface located on an interior portion of the elongated electrode body adapted to mate with the tube. In this aspect of the invention, at least one of the surfaces can have a contour, linear taper, step or flange. The surface of the tube can have an enlarged diameter body integral with the elongated body of the tube, and the surface of the electrode can have a reduced diameter body integral with the elongated body of the electrode. At least one of the integral bodies can have a varying diameter. The mating surfaces can be adapted for substantially concentrically, radially and/or circumferentially aligning respective longitudinal axes of the tube and the electrode. In addition or in the alternative, the mating surfaces can be adapted for aligning the tube and an electrode along the direction of the respective longitudinal axes. In general, in yet another aspect the invention relates to a method of locating a coolant tube relative to an electrode in a plasma arc torch. This method involves providing mating contact surfaces on the electrode and the coolant tube and biasing the electrode and the coolant tube into contact. The method of locating the coolant tube relative to the electrode can involve biasing the tube and electrode into contact by the hydrostatic pressure of the coolant. The tube and electrode can be biased by, alternatively, a spring element. In general, in another aspect, the invention involves a plasma arc torch that has a torch body. The torch also has a coolant tube that has an elongated body which has a first end, a second end, and a coolant passage extending therethrough. The torch also includes an electrode that is supported by the torch body. The electrode has a hollow elongated body that has an open end and a closed end. The torch also includes a means for mating surfaces of the coolant tube and the electrode. The invention, in another aspect, achieves reduced alignment errors in aligning respective longitudinal axes of an electrode and a coolant tube. The coolant tube has an elongated body that has a first end, a second end, and a coolant passage extending therethrough. The elongated body has a surface located on an interior portion of the elongated body adapted to mate with an electrode. The invention, in another aspect, achieves reduced alignment errors in aligning respective longitudinal axes of an electrode and a coolant tube. The coolant tube has an elongated body that has a first end, a second end, and a coolant passage extending therethrough. The elongated body has a surface located on an exterior portion of the elongated body adapted to mate with an electrode and align respective longitudinal axes of the electrode and coolant tube. In another aspect, the invention includes an electrode for a plasma arc torch. The electrode includes a hollow elongated body having an open end and a closed end, and a surface located on an interior portion of the elongated body adapted to mate with a coolant tube and align respective longitudinal axes of the electrode and coolant tube. In another embodiment, the invention offers an advantage over the prior art torch consumables (e.g., coolant tube and electrode) in which a mating surface is the primary measure to ensure proper alignment of the consumables. In another embodiment, one aspect of the mating surface acts as a spacer to augment the ability to align, for example, a coolant tube and electrode when fixedly securing the coolant tube and/or electrode to a torch body. The foregoing and other objects, aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description and from the claims.
20041130
20060328
20050505
61510.0
1
VAN, QUANG T
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ALIGNMENT OF COMPONENTS OF A PLASMA ARC TORCH
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
10,999,911
ACCEPTED
System and method for generating web sites in an arbitrary object framework
A method and system for generating a computer application is disclosed. The computer application is generated on a host system in an arbitrary object framework that separates a content of said computer application, a form of said computer application and a functionality of said computer application. Arbitrary objects are created with corresponding arbitrary names of various object types for generating said content of said computer application, said form of said computer application, and said functionality of said computer application. The arbitrary objects are managed in an object library. The arbitrary objects are deployed from said object library into a design framework to create said computer application.
1. A method for generating a computer application on a host system in an arbitrary object framework that separates a content of said computer application, a form of said computer application and a functionality of said computer application, said method comprising: creating arbitrary objects with corresponding arbitrary names of various object types for generating said content of said computer application, said form of said computer application, and said functionality of said computer application; managing said arbitrary objects in an object library; and depoloygin said arbitrary objects from said object library into a design framework to create said computer application. 2-53. (canceled)
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to systems and methods for generating software applications in an arbitrary object framework, and more specifically to systems and methods for generating web sites in an arbitrary object framework. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Three processes used to create complex software applications such as web sites are form, function, and content. Form includes graphic designs, user interfaces, and graphical representations created by a designer or a group of designers. Function includes logical functionality, which can be software code created by a programmer or group of programmers. Form includes informative content. Informative content can include written, recorded, or illustrated documentation, such as photographs, illustrations, product marketing material, and news articles. Content can be created by writers, photographers, artists, reporters, or editors. Currently, typical workflows dictate a serial approach to integrating the form, function, and content to create complex software applications such as a web site. The serial approach is illustrated in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, content 10 for a complex software application can be chosen or created. Form 12 for the presentation of content 10 can then be created. Functionality 14 can then be generated using code to create the complex software application (product 16) with the desired information (content 10) and style (form 12). Using the method illustrated in FIG. 1, every final component of the complex software application must be manipulated by a programmer before it is ready to be used. The exact workflow may vary from industry to industry or business to business, but the basic restrictions are generally the same. A traditional approach such as that illustrated in FIG. 1, may create unwanted bottlenecks in the production process. Each upstream revision, such as a change of content 10 or design 12, forces a repetition of the entire process. As an example, consider a web site for a large newspaper. The web site may have a function that can include a file into the web site. The marketing department may decide to change the appearance of the header on the web site depending on the browser of a user. In this case, a programmer may need to invoke an external script or embed some specific logic within the web site. Unfortunately, if there is a large web site with thousands of pages of information stored on a server, the programmer may have to change every one of the thousands of pages. Therefore, a small change by the marketing department can cause a large burden on the programming department. Prior art solutions have succeeded in partially separating some of these functions. Notably, content management databases and digital repositories provide a means of separating content from form and function. Likewise, sophisticated software development teams frequently employ internal code structuring techniques that can help to minimize dependencies between interface designs and the functions they access. However, content management tools typically fail to address form/function issues. Therefore, there can still be production slow-downs due to changes in form that require a subsequent change in functionality. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore a need exists for a method of generating complex software applications that reduces or eliminates production delays and the workload for programmers due to changes in content and/or form. This method should separate form, content and function so that each area can be independently changed. The present invention provides a system and method for generating software applications that substantially eliminates or reduces disadvantages and problems associated with previously developed systems and methods used for generation of software applications. More specifically, the present invention provides a method for generating software applications in an arbitrary object framework. The method of the present invention separates content, form, and function of the computer application so that each may be accessed or modified independently. The method of this invention includes creating arbitrary objects, managing the arbitrary objects throughout their life cycle, and deploying the arbitrary objects in a design framework for use in complex computer applications. The present invention provides an important technical advantage in that content, form, and function are separated from each other in the generation of the software application. Therefore, changes in design or content do not require the intervention of a programmer. This advantage decreases the time needed to change various aspects of the software application. Consequently, cost is reduced and versatility is increased. The present invention provides another technical advantage in that users are not required to use a proprietary language to encode. These arbitrary objects may include encapsulated legacy data, legacy systems and custom programming logic from essentially any source in which they may reside. Any language supported by the host system, or any language that can be interfaced to by the host system, can be used to generate an object within the application. The present invention provides yet another technical advantage in that it can provide a single point of administrative authority that can reduce security risks. For instance, a large team of programmers can work on developing a large group of arbitrary objects within the object library. If one object has a security hole, an administrator can enter the object library and disable that arbitrary object. Still another technical advantage of the present invention is that it enables syndication of the software application. As noted above, functionality is separate from form and content. Consequently, a user can easily introduce a new look for the application or syndicate the content and functionality of the application to another group without having to recode all of the objects needed to access content. Another technical advantage of the present invention is that it allows for personalization and profiling. With personalization, the web presentation is tailored to the specific needs of the web user based on the user's past history. Profiling also enables tailoring a web site or presentation. Profiling is dependent on environmental variables such as browser type or IP address. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers indicate like features and wherein: FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art workflow diagram for generating a software product; FIG. 2 is a hierarchical workflow diagram for one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a flow diagram for one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a flow diagram for the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the components of one embodiment of the present invention used to generate web sites; and DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the FIGUREs, like numerals being used to refer to like and corresponding parts of various drawings. The present invention provides a system and method for using a hierarchical, arbitrary object framework for generating software applications. The method separates content, form, and function of the software application so that each can be accessed or modified independently. The method of this invention includes creating arbitrary objects, managing the arbitrary objects in an object library, and deploying the arbitrary objects in a design framework for use in computer applications. FIG. 2 is a hierarchical workflow diagram for the present invention. Product 6 includes three contributing groups: content 10, form 12, and functionality 14. Content 10 can include written, recorded, or illustrated collateral such as documentation, photographic illustrations, product marketing material, and articles. Form 12 can include graphic designs such as user interfaces and graphical presentations. Function 14 can include the logical functionality of software code and scripts. The hierarchical framework separates content 10, form 12, and functionality 14 to generate product 16. Product 16 may be a computer software application such as a web site. Since content 10, design 12, and functionality 14 are separate entities independent of each other, modification in one group does not require corresponding modifications in another group. Each group can contribute to product 16 directly. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. At step 20, arbitrary objects can be generated. Arbitrary objects may include any combination of application logic and data desired by a developer. Arbitrary objects can include text file pointers, binary file pointers, compiled executables, scripts, data base queries, shell commands, remote procedure calls, global variables, and local variables. The arbitrary object framework allows arbitrary objects to be referenced in a consistent manner regardless of the type. Also, the arbitrary object framework allows local arbitrary objects to either override global parent arbitrary objects or inherit capabilities and data from the global parent, regardless of the type of the local arbitrary object. At step 22, these arbitrary objects can be managed in an object library. The life cycle of these objects may be managed in a consistent manner using revision tracking, roll back, and sign off. At step 24, objects can be deployed from the object library into a design framework to create the software application. Because the object pointers are not tied in any way to the functionality of the object, an object of one type can be easily replaced with another object of another type. This eliminates a common problem in content management systems of the inability to preview content within its appropriate location on the site or within the system. procedures, global variables and local variables. Arbitrary objects may also include cached data queries and executables. The arbitrary object framework allows arbitrary objects to be referenced in a consistent manner regardless of the type of object. Also, the arbitrary object framework allows local arbitrary objects to either override global parent arbitrary objects or inherit capabilities and data from the global parent arbitrary object. Arbitrary objects can execute any function that can be run or understood by the host computer system so that any underlying functionality of the operating system used by the host system can be defined as an object within the arbitrary framework. Legacy data, document objects, CPI programs, and database queries can all be encapsulated as objects within the arbitrary framework. The arbitrary object can be accessed by an arbitrary object name. Arbitrary objects are not tied to their functionality. One arbitrary object can be easily replaced with another arbitrary object of another type. Arbitrary objects can be managed in an object library. The life cycle of the arbitrary objects may be managed in a consistent manner using revision tracking, roll-back, and sign-off. The object library can include separate specialized object libraries that can be administered separately by different developers in each area. For instance, for a web site used to generate a newspaper, there may be an advertising object library that is physically distinguished from other object libraries, such as an object library for sports or an object library for news. Therefore, queries for advertising can be created without impacting any other area of the web site. Arbitrary objects can be deployed from the object library into a container page to generate the web site. The container page is a truly dynamic page. Unlike prior art methods, where a static copy of information is often pushed over a firewall to a live web site, the present invention incorporates object caching. An arbitrary object can be cached, rather than caching an entire page. When the arbitrary object is cached, certain elements of the arbitrary object can be specified as dynamic elements while others can be specified as static elements. Therefore, a web site can contain multiple dynamic web pages wherein objects used to construct the form, function, and content of the web page can contain dynamic elements and static elements. This provides flexibility for what needs to be computed or processed at the time that someone, such as a web user, accesses the web page. FIG. 5 shows the components of one embodiment of the present invention used to generate web sites. A user with web browser 40 can connect to web server 44 through internet or intranet 42. Web server 44 can access static HTML web documents 46 as well as dynamic HTML documents 52. Dynamic HTML web documents 52 can be created using WebOS Object Manager 50. Dynamic HTML Web document 52 can include document objects 56, shell scripts 58, CGI programs 60, and database queries 62. Document objects 56, shell scripts 58, CGI programs 60, and database queries 62 can be stored in WebOS object library 54. Database queries 62 can result from extracting information from WebOS Information Database 68 and inputting the information into Dynamic HTML Web Template 66. User Profile and Password Database 70 can provide web sites or systems with a means to take advantage of customer profiles to look at customer preferences or history, and dynamically replace a website object with another object that contains content information matching the user profile or preferences. Thus, the web site or system can dynamically allocate the correct content for a customer. This is important in commerce applications. A customer's buying history can be examined for trend items and the customer presented products that match his or her profile. Present personalization systems are written purely in custom code and require an inordinately large amount of time to construct the custom applications necessary to interpret the preferences of an individual user. The method of present invention can perform object caching. This means that an object can be cached instead of caching an entire page. Object caching permits specifying elements of an object to be dynamic and elements of the object to be static. A system user can thus have the flexibility of specifying what needs to be computed or processed at the time a user accesses the system versus trying to anticipate and calculate in advance and cache and post the object over to a server. Many functions are stored within an object library on an arbitrary object framework such that those functions can be accessed by name arbitrarily. This is in contrast to a traditional model where the function must be explicitly invoked with all its parameters included. Objects may execute any function that can be run or understood by the host computer system so that any underlying functionality of the host's operating system can be defined as an object within the framework of the method of the present invention. The object library can contain legacy data, document objects, CTI programs, and/or database queries, that can all be encapsulated as objects within a framework and accessed from within a design. All that is needed is the name of the function in order to access the function. Objects can be controlled to perform functions based on a profile of an individual and environmental variables, such as the type of browser, the country of the individual or the individual's IP address. A specific competitor may be blocked from seeing certain objects on a web page created using the method of the present invention. A critical distinction between the present invention and previous object oriented development systems is the need to know how a function can be called and what to expect it to return, rather than just knowing the function's name. This means that typically the system administrator calls the name of an object and passes parameters to the object. Any and all variable information or environmental information can be available to every object. The environment space can be available to all objects executed and an object can arbitrarily take advantage of any of the environmental information, depending on the design of the object. Different areas of a web site can be administered separately by different developers in each of these areas. An advertising object library can be physically distinguished from other object libraries, such as those for sports and news. An advertising programmer can create new queries for the advertising section of a site without having to worry about affecting other areas of the site. The present invention allows different object types to be interchangeable. The object name is essentially just another variable in the environment. Also different variables can also be interchangeable. The object framework can be designed such that objects and variables can be kept in the same name space, every object can have access to all the environmental settings, and every object pointer can potentially be another name in the name space. Object caching, rather than page caching can be implemented with the present invention. These objects can be stored in an object library. An object in the object library can be a file, a global variable, an executable script, a database query, a cached executable or a cached database query. This means that the results of a query can be stored in a static file using the object name as long as the static file has not expired. This is important if the query is a lengthy query. A technical advantage of the present invention is that it allows for syndication. Syndication enables the content and function of a particular web site to be syndicated to another web site or web presentation. For instance, if a company would like to roll out a new look or syndicate its content and functionality to another business, this can be easily accomplished using the present invention. Since there is no application code resident in a web page itself, the same data can be repackaged in a number of different ways across multiple sites. There is no need to recode the design elements or design pages on the web site or recode any functions that are needed to access the content of the website. The present invention enables electronic store fronts to sell from a single source with a unique interface design. Also, newspaper chains can distribute international and national content from a single source and add local content themselves. Another technical advantage of the present invention is that it allows for a single point of control when developing a web site. Therefore, if a large team of developers are working on a site, and multiple persons are contributing arbitrary objects to the overall arbitrary framework, then if one of the arbitrary objects has a security hole in it, the arbitrary object can be easily accessed in the object library and disabled. This security feature can immediately shut down that function across the entire web site and patch the security hole. The present invention provides still another technical advantage in that it allows for personalization. Personalization enables companies that want to take advantage of a customer profile to look at the customer's preferences or histories and deploy information to the web site specific to the customer. Another technical advantage of the present invention allows for profiling. Profiling enables control over the arbitrary objects presented in a web site based on a profile of the individual accessing the web site. Profiling entails determining different environmental variables such as the type of browser hitting the site, the country of the individual accessing the site, and/or the individual's IP address. This can enable a company to present specific information to the individual based on the individual's environmental variables. Although the present invention has been described in detail herein with reference to the illustrative embodiments, it should be understood that the description is by way of example only and is not to be construed in a limiting sense. It is to be further understood, therefore, that numerous changes in the details of the embodiments of this invention and additional embodiments of this invention will be apparent to, and may be made by, persons of ordinary skill in the art having reference to this description. It is contemplated that all such changes and additional embodiments are within the spirit and true scope of this invention as claimed below.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Three processes used to create complex software applications such as web sites are form, function, and content. Form includes graphic designs, user interfaces, and graphical representations created by a designer or a group of designers. Function includes logical functionality, which can be software code created by a programmer or group of programmers. Form includes informative content. Informative content can include written, recorded, or illustrated documentation, such as photographs, illustrations, product marketing material, and news articles. Content can be created by writers, photographers, artists, reporters, or editors. Currently, typical workflows dictate a serial approach to integrating the form, function, and content to create complex software applications such as a web site. The serial approach is illustrated in FIG. 1 . In FIG. 1 , content 10 for a complex software application can be chosen or created. Form 12 for the presentation of content 10 can then be created. Functionality 14 can then be generated using code to create the complex software application (product 16 ) with the desired information (content 10 ) and style (form 12 ). Using the method illustrated in FIG. 1 , every final component of the complex software application must be manipulated by a programmer before it is ready to be used. The exact workflow may vary from industry to industry or business to business, but the basic restrictions are generally the same. A traditional approach such as that illustrated in FIG. 1 , may create unwanted bottlenecks in the production process. Each upstream revision, such as a change of content 10 or design 12 , forces a repetition of the entire process. As an example, consider a web site for a large newspaper. The web site may have a function that can include a file into the web site. The marketing department may decide to change the appearance of the header on the web site depending on the browser of a user. In this case, a programmer may need to invoke an external script or embed some specific logic within the web site. Unfortunately, if there is a large web site with thousands of pages of information stored on a server, the programmer may have to change every one of the thousands of pages. Therefore, a small change by the marketing department can cause a large burden on the programming department. Prior art solutions have succeeded in partially separating some of these functions. Notably, content management databases and digital repositories provide a means of separating content from form and function. Likewise, sophisticated software development teams frequently employ internal code structuring techniques that can help to minimize dependencies between interface designs and the functions they access. However, content management tools typically fail to address form/function issues. Therefore, there can still be production slow-downs due to changes in form that require a subsequent change in functionality.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Therefore a need exists for a method of generating complex software applications that reduces or eliminates production delays and the workload for programmers due to changes in content and/or form. This method should separate form, content and function so that each area can be independently changed. The present invention provides a system and method for generating software applications that substantially eliminates or reduces disadvantages and problems associated with previously developed systems and methods used for generation of software applications. More specifically, the present invention provides a method for generating software applications in an arbitrary object framework. The method of the present invention separates content, form, and function of the computer application so that each may be accessed or modified independently. The method of this invention includes creating arbitrary objects, managing the arbitrary objects throughout their life cycle, and deploying the arbitrary objects in a design framework for use in complex computer applications. The present invention provides an important technical advantage in that content, form, and function are separated from each other in the generation of the software application. Therefore, changes in design or content do not require the intervention of a programmer. This advantage decreases the time needed to change various aspects of the software application. Consequently, cost is reduced and versatility is increased. The present invention provides another technical advantage in that users are not required to use a proprietary language to encode. These arbitrary objects may include encapsulated legacy data, legacy systems and custom programming logic from essentially any source in which they may reside. Any language supported by the host system, or any language that can be interfaced to by the host system, can be used to generate an object within the application. The present invention provides yet another technical advantage in that it can provide a single point of administrative authority that can reduce security risks. For instance, a large team of programmers can work on developing a large group of arbitrary objects within the object library. If one object has a security hole, an administrator can enter the object library and disable that arbitrary object. Still another technical advantage of the present invention is that it enables syndication of the software application. As noted above, functionality is separate from form and content. Consequently, a user can easily introduce a new look for the application or syndicate the content and functionality of the application to another group without having to recode all of the objects needed to access content. Another technical advantage of the present invention is that it allows for personalization and profiling. With personalization, the web presentation is tailored to the specific needs of the web user based on the user's past history. Profiling also enables tailoring a web site or presentation. Profiling is dependent on environmental variables such as browser type or IP address.
20041129
20100511
20050714
57400.0
5
CHAVIS, JOHN Q
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING WEB SITES IN AN ARBITRARY OBJECT FRAMEWORK
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,000,003
ACCEPTED
Dram access transistor and method of formation
Self-aligned recessed gate structures and method of formation are disclosed. Field oxide area for isolation are first formed in a semiconductor substrate. A plurality of columns are defined in an insulating layer formed over the semiconductor substrate subsequent to which a thin sacrificial oxide layer is formed over exposed regions of the semiconductor substrate but not over the field oxide areas. A dielectric material is then provided on sidewalls of each column and over portions of the sacrificial oxide layer and of the field oxide areas. A first etch is conducted to form a first set of trenches within the semiconductor substrate and a plurality of recesses within the field oxide areas. A second etch is conducted to remove dielectric residue remaining on the sidewalls of the columns and to form a second set of trenches. Polysilicon is then deposited within the second set of trenches and within the recesses to form recessed conductive gates.
1-99. (canceled) 100. A method of forming a recessed gate structure, comprising the acts of: forming insulating columns over a semiconductor substrate; forming at least a trench within said semiconductor substrate and adjacent said insulating columns; forming a gate oxide on the bottom and sidewalls of said trench; and forming a conductive region at least partially within said trench. 101. The method of claim 100, wherein said insulating columns are spaced apart from each other by a distance of about 50 nm to about 100 nm. 102. The method of claim 100, wherein said insulating columns are formed to a height of about 20 nm to about 800 nm. 103. The method of claim 100, wherein said trench is etched to a depth of about 200 nm to about 700 nm. 104. The method of claim 103, wherein said trench is formed to a width of less than about 75% of said distance. 105. The method of claim 100, wherein said conductive region comprises polysilicon. 106. The method of claim 100, wherein said conductive region comprises a metal. 107. The method of claim 100, wherein said conductive region comprises a silicide. 108. A method of forming a transistor structure, the method comprising the acts of: providing at least one shallow trench isolation region within a substrate; forming a first conductive region at least partially within said shallow trench isolation region; forming a second conductive region above said first conductive region and electrically connected to said first conductive region; and forming source and drain regions within said semiconductor substrate on sides of said first conductive region. 109. The method of claim 108 further comprising the step of providing insulating spacers on sidewalls of said first conductive region but not on sidewalls of said second conductive region. 110. The method of claim 108, wherein said shallow trench isolation region has a depth of about 200 nm to about 700 nm. 111. The method of claim 108, wherein said first conductive region and said second conductive region independently comprise polysilicon or a metal. 112. The method of claim 108, wherein said first and said second conductive regions comprise a metal silicide. 113. A method of forming at least two self-aligned gate structures for a semiconductor device, the method comprising the acts of: providing a shallow trench isolation region within a semiconductor substrate; providing a trench structure within said semiconductor substrate and laterally displaced from said shallow trench isolation region; and simultaneously forming a first self-aligned gate structure at least partially within said shallow trench isolation region and a second self-aligned gate structure within and above said trench structure. 114. The method of claim 113 further comprising the acts of: forming a plurality of insulating columns spaced apart from each other and to expose regions of said semiconductor substrate; providing an oxide layer over said regions of said semiconductor substrate; providing a dielectric material on sidewalls of each of said plurality of insulating columns and over portions of said oxide layer; and defining said trench structure in said semiconductor substrate and extending through said oxide layer. 115. The method of claim 114, wherein said act of providing said first self-aligned gate structure further comprises the act of forming a polysilicon layer to partially fill said shallow trench isolation region. 116. The method of claim 114, wherein said act of providing said second self-aligned gate structure further comprises the act of forming a polysilicon layer to completely fill said trench structure. 117. The method of claim 114 further comprising the acts of: forming a first conductive region of said first self-aligned gate structure and a second conductive region of said second self-aligned gate structure; forming a transition metal layer over each of said first and second conductive regions and in between said adjacent insulating columns; forming a cap layer over said transition metal layer and in between adjacent insulating columns; and removing said insulating columns.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to dynamic random access memory (DRAM) cells and, in particular, to a novel process for their formation. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A dynamic random access memory cell typically comprises a charge storage capacitor (or cell capacitor) coupled to an access device, such as a Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET). The MOSFET functions to apply or remove charge on the capacitor, thus affecting a logical state defined by the stored charge. The amount of charge stored on the capacitor is determined by the electrode (or storage node) area and the interelectrode spacing. The conditions of DRAM operation such as operating voltage, leakage rate and refresh rate, will generally mandate that a certain minimum charge be stored by the capacitor. In the continuing trend to higher memory capacity, the packing of storage cells must increase, yet each must maintain required capacitance levels. This is a crucial demand of DRAM fabrication technologies. Recently, attempts to increase the packing density of cell capacitors and/or to simultaneously reduce the transistor size have been made but with limited results. For example, one approach is reducing the length of a transistor gate electrode formed atop a substrate and a source/drain region, to increase therefore the integration density. Unfortunately, reduction of the threshold voltage and/or the so-called short channel effect such as the punch-through phenomenon are likely to appear. A well-known scaling method is effective to improve the above-mentioned disadvantages. However, this approach increases the substrate doping density and requires reduction of the supply voltage, which in turn leads to reduction of the margin concerning the electric noise and fluctuations in the threshold voltage. Higher channel doping causes degradation in retention time due to high electric field at the storage node junction. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved method of forming MOS semiconductor devices, which permits achieving an increased integration of semiconductor circuitry as well as preventing the occurrence of the short-channel effect without adding more dopants into the channel. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of forming memory devices, such as DRAM access transistors, having self-aligned recessed gate structures. A plurality of insulating columns are defined in an insulating layer formed over the semiconductor substrate subsequent to which a thin sacrificial oxide layer is formed over exposed regions of the semiconductor substrate. A dielectric material is then provided on sidewalls of each column and over portions of the sacrificial oxide layer. A first etch is conducted to form a first set of trenches of a first width within the semiconductor substrate. As a result of the first etch, the thin sacrificial oxide layer is completely removed, but the dielectric material is only partially removed forming dielectric residue on the sidewalls of the columns. A second etch is conducted to remove the dielectric residue remaining on the sidewalls of the columns and to form a second set of trenches of a second width which is greater than the first width of the first set of trenches. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a self-aligned recessed gate structure for DRAM access transistors. The self-aligned recessed gate structure comprises a first recessed gate region located below a surface of a semiconductor substrate and having a width of about 35 nm to about 75 nm, more preferably of about 60 nm. The self-aligned recessed gate structure also comprises a second gate region extending above the surface of said semiconductor substrate by about 20 nm to about 800 nm. The second gate region has a width of about 50 nm to about 100 nm, more preferably of about 80 nm. Insulating spacers are located on sidewalls of the second gate region but not on sidewalls of the first recessed gate region. These and other advantages and features of the present invention will be more apparent from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a semiconductor device on which a DRAM access transistor will be formed according to a method of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1 device at a stage of processing subsequent to that shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1 device at a stage of processing subsequent to that shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1 device at a stage of processing subsequent to that shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1 device at a stage of processing subsequent to that shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5a illustrates a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 5 device taken along line 5-5′. FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1 device at a stage of processing subsequent to that shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6a illustrates a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 6 device taken along line 6-6′. FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1 device at a stage of processing subsequent to that shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1 device at a stage of processing subsequent to that shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1 device at a stage of processing subsequent to that shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1 device at a stage of processing subsequent to that shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1 device at a stage of processing subsequent to that shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1 device at a stage of processing subsequent to that shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1 device at a stage of processing subsequent to that shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is an illustration of a computer system having a DRAM access transistor formed according to a method of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the following detailed description, reference is made to various specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described with sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be employed, and that structural, logical, and electrical changes may be made. The terms “wafer” or “substrate” used in the following description may include any semiconductor-based structure that has a semiconductor surface. Wafer and structure must be understood to include silicon, silicon-on insulator (SOI), silicon-on sapphire (SOS), doped and undoped semiconductors, epitaxial layers of silicon supported by a base semiconductor foundation, and other semiconductor structures. The semiconductor need not be silicon-based. The semiconductor could be silicon-germanium, germanium, or gallium arsenide. Referring now to the drawings, where like elements are designated by like reference numerals, FIGS. 1-13 illustrate a method of forming a DRAM memory device 100 (FIG. 13) having access transistors formed according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 1 illustrates a semiconductor substrate 10 within which shallow trenches isolation (STI) regions 20 have been formed by conventional methods. In one exemplary embodiment, to obtain the shallow trenches isolation regions 20, the substrate 10 is first etched to a depth of about 100 nm to about 1,000 nm, preferably of about 300 nm. Subsequent to the formation of the shallow trenches, the trenches are filled with an isolation dielectric, for example, a high density plasma (HDP) oxide, a material which has a high ability to effectively fill narrow trenches. Alternatively, an insulating layer formed of an oxide or of silicon nitride, for example, may be formed on the trench sidewalls, prior to filling the trenches with the isolation dielectric, to aid in smoothing out the corners in the bottom of the trenches and to reduce the amount of stress in the dielectric used to later fill in the trenches. FIG. 1 also illustrates an insulating layer 14 formed over the semiconductor substrate 10 according to conventional semiconductor processing techniques. Insulating layer 14 may comprise a silicon oxide such as a TEOS oxide or a nitride such as silicon nitride (Si3N4), for example. The insulating layer 14 is formed over the substrate 10 to a thickness of about 10 nm to about 1,000 nm, more preferably of about 200 nm. Although reference to the insulating layer 14 will be made in this application as to the TEOS oxide layer 14, it must be understood that the insulating layer 14 may be also formed of silicon nitride, for example, or other insulating materials, and thus the invention is not limited to the use of TEOS oxide. The TEOS oxide layer 14 may be formed by known deposition processes such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or low temperature deposition by electron cyclotron resonance plasma enhanced CVD, among others. Next, the TEOS oxide layer 14 is patterned using a photoresist layer 15 (FIG. 1) formed over the TEOS oxide layer 14 to a thickness of about 100 nm to about 1,000 nm. The photoresist layer 15 is patterned with a mask (not shown) and the TEOS oxide layer 14 is anisotropically etched through the patterned photoresist to obtain a plurality of TEOS oxide columns 18 or lines (FIG. 2) having a width W of about 50 nm to about 100 nm, more preferably of about 80 nm, and a height H of about 20 nm to about 800 nm, more preferably of about 200 nm. As shown in FIG. 2, the TEOS oxide columns 18 are spaced apart from each other by a distance D (illustratively about equal to the width W) of about 50 nm to about 100 nm, more preferably of about 80 nm. As described in more detail below, the distance D represents the width of the portions of the self-aligned recessed gate structures located above the surface of the substrate 10 and formed according to embodiments of the present invention. The TEOS oxide columns 18 also define regions A adjacent and above surface 11 of the semiconductor substrate 10 and regions B adjacent and above the dielectric material of the STI regions 20, as shown in FIG. 2. The photoresist layer 15 is removed by conventional techniques, such as oxygen plasma, for example, or by flooding the substrate 10 with UV irradiation to degrade the photoresist and obtain the structure of FIG. 2. Reference is now made to FIG. 3. Subsequent to the formation of the TEOS oxide columns 18, a thin sacrificial oxide layer 22 with a thickness of about 3 nm to about 20 nm, more preferably of about 5 nm, is thermally grown over exposed surfaces 19 (FIG. 2) of the semiconductor substrate 10 corresponding to regions A but not corresponding to regions B, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Since regions B are located over the field isolation oxide in regions 20, the oxide grown in the regions B is undetectable. As described in more detail below, the sacrificial oxide layer 22 will be employed as an etch stop layer during a poly spacer etch. Subsequent to the formation of the sacrificial oxide layer 22, a doped or undoped polysilicon layer 24 is formed over the TEOS oxide columns 18, the thin sacrificial oxide layer 22 and the dielectric material of the STI regions 20, as shown in FIG. 3. The polysilicon layer 24 is formed to a thickness of about ¼ to ⅓ of the width W or distance D (FIG. 2), by a deposition technique, for example CVD or LPCVD procedures, at a temperature of about 300° C. to about 600° C. The polysilicon layer 24 formed over the TEOS oxide columns 18, over the thin sacrificial oxide layer 22 and over the dielectric material of the STI regions 20 is then partially etched with a first etchant, such as a selective etchant with HBr based chemistry, for example, that stops on the sacrificial oxide layer 22 and on the dielectric material of the STI regions 20 and forms polysilicon spacers 25, 25a, as shown in FIG. 4. The height of the polysilicon spacers 25, 25a is adjustable by overetching, depending on the desired depth of the recessed gate. For example, in one particular embodiment, the height of the polysilicon spacers 25, 25a is of about 50 nm to about 500 nm, more preferably of about 100 nm. Subsequent to the formation of the polysilicon spacers 25, 25a of FIG. 4, the semiconductor substrate 10 is etched by a directional etching process with a second etchant having a high selectivity to oxide in a HBr ambient, for example, to a depth λ1 (FIG. 5) of about 100 nm to about 500 nm, more preferably of about 100 nm to about 150 nm, to obtain first transistor trenches or grooves 28 (FIGS. 5; 5a) where a first set of recessed self-aligned gate structures of the DRAM memory device 100 (FIG. 12) will be later formed as it will be described in detail below. At the end of the formation of the first transistor trenches 28, the polysilicon spacers 25 are almost totally consumed, with polysilicon residues 26 remaining adjacent the first transistor trenches 28, as shown in FIG. 5. The sacrificial oxide layer 22 under spacers 25 is not consumed to protect the silicon surface from pitting caused by the silicon-etch process. The first transistor grooves 28 are formed to a width W1 (FIG. 5) which is about ½ of the distance D of FIG. 2. During the selective etch for the formation of the first transistor trenches 28, the dielectric material of the STI regions 20 is also etched to a depth 6 (FIG. 5) of about 1 nm to about 10 nm, more preferably of about 5 nm. This etching of the dielectric material depends on etch selectivity of polysilicon etch with respect to oxide. The selective etching produces polysilicon residues 26a (the same as residues 26) and STI recesses 29 (FIG. 5) where a second set of recessed self-aligned gate structures of the DRAM memory device 100 (FIG. 12) will be later formed as it will be described in detail below. Subsequent to the formation of the first transistor trenches 28 (FIGS. 5; 5a) and of the STI recesses 29 (FIG. 5), a third etch, for example an isotropic etch or a wet etch such as a TMAH etch, is next conducted to remove polysilicon residues 26, 26a remaining adjacent the first transistor trenches 28 and the STI recesses 29, respectively, and to obtain the structure of FIG. 6. As a result of the isotropic or wet etch, second transistor trenches or grooves 30 (FIGS. 6; 6a) are also formed to a width W2 which is greater than the width W1 of the first transistor trenches 28, that is to a width W2 which is up to ¾ the distance D of FIG. 2. Second transistor grooves 30 are also formed to a depth λ2 (FIG. 6), which is greater than the depth λ1 of the first transistor grooves, that is to a depth λ2 of about 200 nm to about 700 nm, more preferably of about 250 nm to about 300 nm. An optional cleaning step of all exposed surfaces of the semiconductor substrate 10 of FIG. 6 may be conducted at this step of processing. Alternatively, another sacrificial silicon oxide layer may be grown over the exposed surfaces of the semiconductor substrate 10 of FIG. 6 and then stripped by conventional methods to ensure removal of any existent impurities, particulates and/or residue from the exposed surfaces, and to also smooth the silicon surface in the groove 30. Subsequent to the formation of the second transistor trenches 30 and to the optional cleaning step, a thin gate oxide layer 32 is selectively formed on the sidewalls and bottoms of the second transistor trenches 30 and on the adjacent exposed surfaces of the semiconductor substrate 10 corresponding to regions A but not over the recesses 29 corresponding to regions B, as shown in FIG. 7. The thin gate oxide layer 32 may be thermally grown in an oxygen ambient, at a temperature between about 600° C. to about 1,000° C. and to a thickness of about 3 nm to about 10 nm. A polysilicon material 33 (FIG. 7) is then formed within both regions A, B as well as inside the second transistor trenches 30 and the STI recesses 29 of the substrate 10. The polysilicon material 33 may be may be doped n+ or p+ and may be blanket deposited over the structure of FIG. 7, via LPCVD procedures at a temperature of about 300° C. to about 600° C., for example, to completely fill regions A and B. Once regions A and B are completely filled, the polysilicon material 33 is subjected to a mild isotropic poly etch to etch back parts of the polysilicon from regions A and B and to form polysilicon gate layers 35 corresponding to regions A and to second transistor trenches 30, and polysilicon gate layers 36 corresponding to regions B and to STI recesses 29, as shown in FIG. 8. The polysilicon gate layers 35, 36 extend above the surface 11 of the semiconductor substrate 10 by a distance H1 (FIG. 8) of about 5 nm to about 100 nm, more preferably by about 25 nm. It must be noted that the height H1 of the polysilicon gate layers 35, 36 must be smaller than the height H of the TEOS oxide columns 18, to allow the formation of the remaining metal-clad gate stack structures, as described in detail below. Referring still to FIG. 8, a barrier layer 37 of about 5 nm to about 40 nm is next formed over the polysilicon gate layers 35, 36. The barrier layer 37 may be formed of tungsten nitride (WNx), titanium nitride (TiN) or titanium-rich TiN material, among others. Alternatively, the barrier layer 37 may be a transition metal boride layer such as zirconium boride (ZrBx), titanium boride (TiBx), hafnium boride (HfBx) or tantalum boride (TaBx). Such materials exhibit good adhesion characteristics to silicon and, due to the low resistivities of about 5-150 microOhms-cm of the transition metal borides, the total height of the gate stack can be decreased. Subsequent to the formation of the barrier layer 37, a conductive material 39 (FIG. 8) is formed, by blanket deposition for example, over the barrier layer 37 and over the TEOS oxide columns 18, to completely cover the structure of FIG. 8. The conductive material 39 and the barrier layer 37 are then subjected to a CMP process, for example, and subsequently to an etching process to remove portions of the conductive material 39 and of the barrier layer 37 from the top of the TEOS oxide columns 18 and from in between the TEOS oxide columns 18, to form highly conductive metal stacks 45, as shown in FIG. 9. Each of the highly conductive stacks of FIG. 9 includes a patterned barrier layer 38 and a conductive layer 40. The conductive layer 40 can comprise a material such as titanium (Ti) or titanium nitride (TiN), among others, or simply, it can be formed by a silicide process such as cobalt silicide (CoSi), titanium silicide (TiSi), molybdenum silicide (MoSi) or nickel silicide (NiSi), among others. As known in the art, TiSi and CoSi do not adhere well to gate dielectric materials and, as a consequence, they may lift from the gate dielectric materials; however, NiSi and MoSi are known to adhere well to gate dielectric materials and they are fully silicided when formed on an existing thin polysilicon film. An insulating cap material of about 50 nm to about 100 nm is next deposited over substrate 10 to completely fill regions A and B of FIG. 8 and the substrate top surface is planarized so that cap regions 55 (FIG. 9) are formed over the highly conductive metal stacks 45. The cap material may be formed of silicon dielectrics such as silicon nitride or silicon oxide, but TEOS, SOG (spin on glass) or carbides may be used also. The cap material may be also formed of an etch-stop insulating material. Although the embodiments detailed above have been described with reference to the formation of a barrier layer, such as the transition metal boride layer 37, and of the conductive layer 40 formed over the transition metal boride layer 37 to form highly conductive metal stacks 45, it must be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Accordingly, the present invention also contemplates the formation of other gate structures in lieu of the highly conductive metal stacks 45. For example, and according to another embodiment of the present invention, a thin film of a transition metal such as titanium (Ti) or titanium nitride (TiN) having a thickness of less than 30 nm can be deposited over the polysilicon gate layers 35, 36 by a PVD or CVD process. Optionally, the titanium or titanium nitride film can be further exposed to a gas containing a dopant element such as boron, for example. If boron is employed, the wafer is placed in a rapid thermal process (RTP) chamber and a flow of B2H6 or BF3 gas diluted with hydrogen (H2), nitrogen (N2) and/or argon (Ar) gas is provided in the vicinity of the titanium or titanium nitride film to form the transition metal boride film. In yet another embodiment, a thin film of a transition metal such as titanium (Ti) is deposited over the polysilicon gate layers 35, 36 and then the polysilicon gate layers and the transition metal film are subsequently implanted with a dopant such as boron. Accordingly, a doped polysilicon and the transition metal layer 37 can be formed by a single boron implant. Alternatively, a layer of metal capable of forming a silicide (not shown) such as cobalt, nickel, molybdenum, titanium or tungsten, for example, may be deposited over the polysilicon gate layers 35, 36 to a thickness of about 20 nm to about 50 nm. For deposition, sputtering by RF or DC may be employed but other similar methods such as CVD may be used. Subsequent to the deposition of the metal capable of forming a silicide, substrate 10 undergoes a rapid thermal anneal (RTA), typically for about 10 to 60 seconds, using a nitrogen ambient, at about 600° C. to about 850° C. so that the metal in direct contact with the polysilicon gate layers 35, 36 is converted to its silicide. The silicide regions form conductive regions on top of the polysilicon gate layers 35, 36. Preferably, the refractory metal has low resistance and low resistivity as a silicide. However, the refractory metal silicide may comprise any refractory metal, including but not limiting to titanium, cobalt, tungsten, tantalum, molybdenum, nickel and platinum. If a silicide is employed, barrier layer 37 as described above may be also optionally employed. The barrier layer 37 may be also omitted to simplify the process steps. In any event, care must be taken later on during the processing to prevent tungsten or silicide materials from being oxidized during the source/drain oxidation. Reference is now made to FIG. 10. Subsequent to the formation of the highly conductive metal stacks 45 and of the cap regions 55 (FIG. 9), the TEOS oxide columns 18 are removed by etching, for example, so that the formation of self-aligned recessed gate stacks 90, 190 (FIG. 10) of DRAM memory device 100 is completed. Although the following processing steps for the completion of the self-aligned recessed gate stacks 90, 190 will refer to and illustrate the highly conductive metal stacks 45 comprising conductive layer 40 formed over the patterned barrier layer 38 and polysilicon gates layers 35, 36, it must be understood that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and other embodiments such as the formation of gate stacks comprising a dielectric material (for example, a high-k dielectric material) formed over the polysilicon gates, for example, are also contemplated. Additionally, gate stacks comprising non-silicide materials such as TiN, WN, Ta, TaN or Nb, among others, which may be employed as direct gate materials on gate dielectrics, are also contemplated by the present invention, and it must be understood that the above-described embodiments are only exemplary and the invention is not limited to them. At this point self-aligned recessed gate stacks 90 (FIG. 10) (each having gate oxide layer 32, polysilicon gate layer 35, highly conductive metal stack 45 and nitride cap 55) and self-aligned recessed gate stacks 190 (FIG. 10) (each having polysilicon gate layers 36, highly conductive metal stack 45 and nitride cap 55) have been formed. The self-aligned recessed gate stacks 90, 190 may now be used in a conventional iniplant process where the gate structures are used as masks for the dopant implantation of source and drain regions as further described below. At this point, processing steps for transistor formation proceed according to conventional semiconductor processing techniques. The next step in the flow process is the growth of a selective oxide 94 (FIG. 11) on the exposed surfaces of the semiconductor substrate 10 obtained as a result of the removal of the TEOS oxide columns 18 (FIG. 9), as well as on the polysilicon sidewalls of the gate stacks 90, 190. The selective oxide 94 may be thermally grown in an oxygen and hydrogen ambient, at a temperature between about 600° C. to about 1,000° C. and to a thickness of about 3 nm to about 8 nm. Subsequent to the formation of the selective oxide 94, a layer 95 of spacer dielectric material, such as nitride material for example, is formed over the gate stacks 90, 190 and the selective oxide 94, as shown in FIG. 11. The self-aligned recessed gate stacks 90, 190 protected by layer 95 of nitride material and by the selective oxide 94 can now undergo conventional processing steps for the formation of source and drain regions 92, 96 and of lightly doped drain (LDD) regions 96a, as shown in FIG. 12. For this, doping through layer 95 and the selective oxide 94 is conducted to form the source and drain regions 92, 96 and the lightly doped drain (LDD) regions 96a, subsequently to which layer 95 and selective oxide 94 are etched back to form nitride spacers 95a, also illustrated in FIG. 12. Alternatively, the layer 95 of nitride material and the selective oxide 94 are first etched back to form nitride spacers 95a, and then the resulting structure is subjected to doping for the formation of the source and drain regions 92, 96 and the lightly doped drain (LDD) regions 96a. Subsequent to the formation of the source and drain regions 92, 96 and the lightly doped drain (LDD) regions 96a of FIG. 12, contact openings for conductors 117 and/or capacitors 107 into semiconductor substrate 10 through an oxide layer 110 such as BPSG, for example, are also formed to produce a semiconductor device such as the DRAM memory device 100, all illustrated in FIG. 13. Although, for simplicity, FIG. 13 illustrates the formation of bit line 118 over the capacitor structures 107, it must be understood that this embodiment is only exemplary and the invention also contemplates the formation of a bit line under capacitor (or capacitor over bit line (COB)). In fact, an embodiment with a COB is desirable as it would decrease the length of the plug to silicon which, in turn, would decrease the parasitic capacity of the bit line. The self-aligned recessed gate stacks 90, 190 (FIGS. 10-13) and associated transistors formed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention could be used in any integrated circuit structure. In one example, they can be used in a processor-based system 400 which includes a memory circuit 448, for example the DRAM memory device 100, as illustrated in FIG. 14. A processor system, such as a computer system, generally comprises a central processing unit (CPU) 444, such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, or other programmable digital logic devices, which communicates with an input/output (I/O) device 446 over a bus 452. The memory 448 communicates with the system over bus 452. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the formation of self-aligned recessed gate stacks 90, 190 comprising specific materials, such as the polysilicon material for the formation of layers 35, 36 for example, it must be understood that the present invention is not limited to these specific examples. Accordingly, the present application has applicability to other gate metals or materials known in the art, or combination of such metals and materials, for the formation of the self-aligned recessed gate stacks 90, 190 of the present invention. In addition, although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the formation of polysilicon spacers, such as the polysilicon spacers 25, 25a, over a thin oxide layer, such as the thin sacrificial oxide layer 22, and over TEOS oxide columns, such as TEOS oxide columns 18, it must be understood that the present invention is not limited to these three specific materials. Accordingly, the present application has applicability to other materials, or combination of such materials, for the formation of the spacers, of the oxide layer and of the columns used for the formation of the self-aligned recessed gate stacks 90, 190. For example, the present invention also contemplates using a high-k dielectric material, HfO2, or Al2O3/ZrO2 among others, in addition to the conventional oxide and nitride materials. Thus, the polysilicon/oxide/TEOS oxide combination (corresponding to the polysilicon spacers/thin oxide layer/TEOS oxide columns) is only one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The above description and drawings are only to be considered illustrative of exemplary embodiments which achieve the features and advantages of the present invention. Modification and substitutions to specific process conditions and structures can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as being limited by the foregoing description and drawings, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>A dynamic random access memory cell typically comprises a charge storage capacitor (or cell capacitor) coupled to an access device, such as a Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET). The MOSFET functions to apply or remove charge on the capacitor, thus affecting a logical state defined by the stored charge. The amount of charge stored on the capacitor is determined by the electrode (or storage node) area and the interelectrode spacing. The conditions of DRAM operation such as operating voltage, leakage rate and refresh rate, will generally mandate that a certain minimum charge be stored by the capacitor. In the continuing trend to higher memory capacity, the packing of storage cells must increase, yet each must maintain required capacitance levels. This is a crucial demand of DRAM fabrication technologies. Recently, attempts to increase the packing density of cell capacitors and/or to simultaneously reduce the transistor size have been made but with limited results. For example, one approach is reducing the length of a transistor gate electrode formed atop a substrate and a source/drain region, to increase therefore the integration density. Unfortunately, reduction of the threshold voltage and/or the so-called short channel effect such as the punch-through phenomenon are likely to appear. A well-known scaling method is effective to improve the above-mentioned disadvantages. However, this approach increases the substrate doping density and requires reduction of the supply voltage, which in turn leads to reduction of the margin concerning the electric noise and fluctuations in the threshold voltage. Higher channel doping causes degradation in retention time due to high electric field at the storage node junction. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved method of forming MOS semiconductor devices, which permits achieving an increased integration of semiconductor circuitry as well as preventing the occurrence of the short-channel effect without adding more dopants into the channel.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of forming memory devices, such as DRAM access transistors, having self-aligned recessed gate structures. A plurality of insulating columns are defined in an insulating layer formed over the semiconductor substrate subsequent to which a thin sacrificial oxide layer is formed over exposed regions of the semiconductor substrate. A dielectric material is then provided on sidewalls of each column and over portions of the sacrificial oxide layer. A first etch is conducted to form a first set of trenches of a first width within the semiconductor substrate. As a result of the first etch, the thin sacrificial oxide layer is completely removed, but the dielectric material is only partially removed forming dielectric residue on the sidewalls of the columns. A second etch is conducted to remove the dielectric residue remaining on the sidewalls of the columns and to form a second set of trenches of a second width which is greater than the first width of the first set of trenches. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a self-aligned recessed gate structure for DRAM access transistors. The self-aligned recessed gate structure comprises a first recessed gate region located below a surface of a semiconductor substrate and having a width of about 35 nm to about 75 nm, more preferably of about 60 nm. The self-aligned recessed gate structure also comprises a second gate region extending above the surface of said semiconductor substrate by about 20 nm to about 800 nm. The second gate region has a width of about 50 nm to about 100 nm, more preferably of about 80 nm. Insulating spacers are located on sidewalls of the second gate region but not on sidewalls of the first recessed gate region. These and other advantages and features of the present invention will be more apparent from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention.
20041201
20070522
20050519
87893.0
1
HO, TU TU V
METHOD TO CONSTRUCT A SELF ALIGNED RECESS GATE FOR DRAM ACCESS DEVICES
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,000,195
ACCEPTED
Gas magazine of a toy gun
A toy gun comprising a bullet chamber, a gas bottle container, a regulation valve, a regulation chamber and a control valve in a magazine shell, at least one partitioner is installed inside the regulation chamber, the partitioner subdivides the regulation chamber into several small chambers in series, several small holes are on the partitioner to interlink these small chambers, the small holes are made in conical shape with smaller diameter toward first chamber side. In real application, the gas flows from the gas bottle to the first chamber then to next chambers through those small holes, the gas entering the first chamber cannot flow into the next chamber completely as the gas flow reservation and buffering effect, the gas pressure variation is minimized at the regulation valve close moment and offer a stable, safe shooting power source.
1. A gas magazine of a toy gun comprising: a bullet chamber 10, a gas bottle container 20, a regulation valve 30, a regulation chamber 40 and a control valve 50 in a magazine shell; at least one partitioner 41 is installed inside said regulation chamber 40 that is above said regulation valve 30, said partitioner 41 subdivides said regulation chamber 40 into several chambers in series, several small holes 42 are on said partitioner 41 to interlink said chambers 40a and 40b. 2. The gas magazine of a toy gun recited in claim 1, wherein said small holes are made in conical shape with smaller diameter toward first said chamber side.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to a gas magazine and, more specifically, to a gas magazine of a toy gun that applies high pressure CO2 or other gas as power source, the high pressure gas enters regulation chamber after the regulation valve, with the regulation chamber portioning into two or more storage spaces in series and interlinking with small holes, the high pressure gas is buffered by these small holes to have the gas pressure into next chamber be lower, more stable to assure the shooting power is within safety range. II. Description of the Prior Art Heretofore, it is known that the structure of the gas bottle magazines of toy guns, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, mainly consist of a bullet chamber a, a gas bottle container b, a regulation valve c, a regulation chamber d and a control valve e in a magazine shell; a high pressure gas bottle f filled with high pressure gas (CO2 or other gas) is installed inside the gas bottle container b connecting to the regulation valve c, gas inside the gas bottle f flows into the regulation chamber d; until the pressure of the second side of the regulation valve c is larger than the first side, the regulation valve closes; when users press the trigger and shoot, the control valve e releases gas immediately, pushes the bullet out and finishes the shooting. Based on the known structure described above, at the moment when the regulation valve c opens and lets the high pressure gas of the gas bottle f flow into the regulation chamber d and before the regulation valve c closes, the gas bottle f interlinks to regulation chamber d, the high pressure gas inside the gas bottle flows rapidly into the regulation chamber d, since the gas flow is too fast, when the pressure reaches the preset value, the mechanical operation of the shutoff switch c1 of the regulation valve c delays a little bit, the more precision of the mechanical structure, the longer the delay, the delay time might be only in hundredth or tenth of second, such delay to gas flow with fast speed might generate extra gas inside the regulation chamber e, this might further cause damage to the composed parts, or shooting strength unstable situation or extra antipersonnel force; if above condition happens, especially in fast continuous shooting, the control valve e might open, release gas and shoot before the regulation valve c complete closes, the released gas pressure offers by the high pressure gas bottle f, the released gas pressure equals to the pressure of the gas bottle f, such might cause accident antipersonnel force and damage to composed parts. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a primary object of the invention to provide a gas magazine of a toy gun that subdivides the regulation chamber into two or more chambers in series, and applies small holes between two chambers as gas reservation and buffering effect to assure the shooting gas pressure maintain at a stable condition for better safety effect. In order to achieve the objective set forth, a gas magazine of a toy gun in accordance with the present invention comprises a bullet chamber, a gas bottle container, a regulation valve, a regulation chamber and a control valve in a magazine shell, at least one partitioner is installed inside the regulation chamber, the partitioner subdivides the regulation chamber into several small chambers in series, several small holes are on the partitioner to interlink these small chambers, the small holes are made in conical shape with smaller diameter toward first chamber side. While in real application based on above structure, the gas flows from the gas bottle connecting beneath the regulation valve to the first chamber then to next chamber through those small holes, the gas entering the first chamber cannot flow into the second chamber completely as the gas flow reservation and buffering effect, gas pressure will be decompressed from previous chamber to next chamber as the gas flow is slower; after the second chamber, the gas pressure variation is minimized at the regulation valve close moment and offer a stable, safe shooting power source. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accomplishment of the above-mentioned object of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and its accompanying drawings which disclose illustrative an embodiment of the present invention, and are as follows: FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another application of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the prior art; FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the prior art. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the present invention comprises a bullet chamber 10, a gas bottle container 20, a regulation valve 30, a regulation chamber 40 and a control valve 50 in a magazine shell. Depend on the pressure value of gas stored inside the regulation chamber 40, a decompression spring 60 can be installed on top or the bottom of the piston 31 of the regulation valve 30, or depend on the physical size on top and bottom of the piston 31 to design and control the triggering pressure power within safety standard range. The major character is: at least one partitioner 41 is installed inside the regulation chamber 40 that is above the regulation valve 30, the partitioner 41 subdivides the regulation chamber 40 into a first chamber 40a and a second chamber 40b in series, several small holes 42 are on the partitioner 41 to interlink the first and second chamber 40a and 40b. In real application, the regulation chamber 40 is subdivided into two or more gas chambers by two or more partitioners 41, as shown in FIG. 3. While application, the small holes 42 are made in conical shape in the first chamber 40a side; when gas flows, the resistance for gas to flow from the first chamber 40a into the second chamber 40b is larger, the resistance from the second chamber 40b into the first chamber 40a is smaller, such effect buffers gas flow into second chamber 40b to balance the pressure in the first and second chambers 40a, 40b rapidly. While in real application based on above structure, the gas flows from the gas bottle 70 connecting beneath the regulation valve 30 to the first chamber 40a then to the second chamber 40b through those small holes 42, since these small holes 42 have smaller diameter than that of valve open of the regulation valve 30, the gas entering the first chamber 40a cannot flow into the second chamber 40b completely as the gas flow reservation and buffering effect, the high pressure gas in the gas bottle 70 will not rush into the second chamber 40b in a short period of time, after the regulation valve closes completely, the higher gas pressure in the first chamber 40a still flows slowly into the second chamber 40b to have the gas pressure of the first and the second chamber 40a and 40b maintain balance; even the gas pressure in the first chamber 40a is higher than normal value as the regulation valve 30 closes slower, the second chamber 40b can balance out the extra gas pressure with the initial lower gas pressure, the pressure variation can be minimized, the output gas pressure of the second chamber 40b is maintained within limited range to assure product safety. For example, at the regulation valve 30 complete shutoff moment, if the gas pressure of the high pressure gas bottle 70 is 100 kg/cm2, and the gas pressure enters the first chamber 40a is 30 kg/cm2 which is higher than the normal safety pressure, if the gas pressure of the second chamber 40b is 20 kg/cm2, the deferring effect of the small holes 42 of the partitioner 41 can mix the gas pressure of the first and the second chambers 40a and 40b for a balance value to control the shooting gas pressure value; the partitioner 41 also acts as a door between the high pressure gas bottle 70 and the second chamber 40b; in fast continuous shooting, the high pressure gas from the high pressure gas bottle 70 will not enter directly into the second chamber 40b to assure application safety. While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail, it will be readily understood and appreciated that numerous omissions, changes and additions may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>I. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to a gas magazine and, more specifically, to a gas magazine of a toy gun that applies high pressure CO 2 or other gas as power source, the high pressure gas enters regulation chamber after the regulation valve, with the regulation chamber portioning into two or more storage spaces in series and interlinking with small holes, the high pressure gas is buffered by these small holes to have the gas pressure into next chamber be lower, more stable to assure the shooting power is within safety range. II. Description of the Prior Art Heretofore, it is known that the structure of the gas bottle magazines of toy guns, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 , mainly consist of a bullet chamber a, a gas bottle container b, a regulation valve c, a regulation chamber d and a control valve e in a magazine shell; a high pressure gas bottle f filled with high pressure gas (CO 2 or other gas) is installed inside the gas bottle container b connecting to the regulation valve c, gas inside the gas bottle f flows into the regulation chamber d; until the pressure of the second side of the regulation valve c is larger than the first side, the regulation valve closes; when users press the trigger and shoot, the control valve e releases gas immediately, pushes the bullet out and finishes the shooting. Based on the known structure described above, at the moment when the regulation valve c opens and lets the high pressure gas of the gas bottle f flow into the regulation chamber d and before the regulation valve c closes, the gas bottle f interlinks to regulation chamber d, the high pressure gas inside the gas bottle flows rapidly into the regulation chamber d, since the gas flow is too fast, when the pressure reaches the preset value, the mechanical operation of the shutoff switch c 1 of the regulation valve c delays a little bit, the more precision of the mechanical structure, the longer the delay, the delay time might be only in hundredth or tenth of second, such delay to gas flow with fast speed might generate extra gas inside the regulation chamber e, this might further cause damage to the composed parts, or shooting strength unstable situation or extra antipersonnel force; if above condition happens, especially in fast continuous shooting, the control valve e might open, release gas and shoot before the regulation valve c complete closes, the released gas pressure offers by the high pressure gas bottle f, the released gas pressure equals to the pressure of the gas bottle f, such might cause accident antipersonnel force and damage to composed parts.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>It is therefore a primary object of the invention to provide a gas magazine of a toy gun that subdivides the regulation chamber into two or more chambers in series, and applies small holes between two chambers as gas reservation and buffering effect to assure the shooting gas pressure maintain at a stable condition for better safety effect. In order to achieve the objective set forth, a gas magazine of a toy gun in accordance with the present invention comprises a bullet chamber, a gas bottle container, a regulation valve, a regulation chamber and a control valve in a magazine shell, at least one partitioner is installed inside the regulation chamber, the partitioner subdivides the regulation chamber into several small chambers in series, several small holes are on the partitioner to interlink these small chambers, the small holes are made in conical shape with smaller diameter toward first chamber side. While in real application based on above structure, the gas flows from the gas bottle connecting beneath the regulation valve to the first chamber then to next chamber through those small holes, the gas entering the first chamber cannot flow into the second chamber completely as the gas flow reservation and buffering effect, gas pressure will be decompressed from previous chamber to next chamber as the gas flow is slower; after the second chamber, the gas pressure variation is minimized at the regulation valve close moment and offer a stable, safe shooting power source.
20041201
20070703
20060601
59333.0
F41B1126
0
KLEIN, GABRIEL J
GAS MAGAZINE OF A TOY GUN
SMALL
0
ACCEPTED
F41B
2,004
11,000,219
ACCEPTED
Ultrasonic impact methods for treatment of welded structures
This invention provides methods of treatment for work products of materials such as steel, bronze, plastic, etc. and particularly welded steel bodies by pulse impact energy, preferably ultrasonic, to relax fatigue and aging and extend expectant life. The treatment may occur (a) at original production, (b) during the active life period for maintenance or (c) after failure in a repair stage. The ultrasonic treatment improves the work product strength. In welded products residual stress patterns near the weld sites are relaxed and micro-stress defects such as voids and unusual grain boundaries are reduced. The basic method steps are non-destructive in nature, inducing interior pulse compression waves with ultrasonic transducers and accessory tools impacting an external product surface with enough impulse energy to heat and temporarily plasticize the metal interior and relax stresses. The nature of the work product interior structure being treated is determined by sensing the mechanical movement at the impact surface of the work body to produce feedback frequency and phase signals responsive to input impact signals. These signals automatically conform driving pulse energy frequency and phase to the input transducers to match the mechanical resonance frequency of the working transducers and increase efficiency of energy transfer. Such feedback signals also are available for automated procedures which can improve product quality and consistency.
1-44. (canceled) 45. A load bearing work product body of a solid structural material having an interior structural zone having been reworked in a molten state induced by ultrasonically reproduced repetitive mechanical impulse impacts on an exterior work product body surface to form relaxed residual stress patterns and reformed grain boundary structure. 46. The work product body of claim 45 exhibiting a white layer in said zone. 47. (canceled) 48. (canceled) 49. (canceled) 50. A product body with an internal body structure established by treating the structure to improve life and load bearing strength therein comprising applying to an external surface area in the vicinity of stress concentration regions of said structure by an impulse producing instrument in mechanical contact with the external surface a multiplicity of shock pulses of a magnitude and sequential relationship to induce temperatures to a predetermined depth in the structure, for inducing internal compression waves in a dynamic treatment zone of molten material, inducing by reaction to said shock pulses in said dynamic treatment zone a compression wave pattern gradient of greater magnitude at a surface area than at remote locations in the product body, and withdrawing the shock pulses in a manner that substantially cools the treatment zone to establish reconstructed compression wave distribution patterns thereby producing the internal body structure with higher fatigue strength and load bearing capacity.
This is a continuation-in-part of the co-pending application for ultrasonic Welding Method and Apparatus, Ser. No. 09/145,992 filed Sep. 3, 1998. TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to methods, apparatus and systems utilizing and benefitting from the energy of pulses, oscillations and impacts on an exterior surface of a solid work product to rearrange the interior product structure, typically by accompanying plastic deformation. Thus, ultrasonic energy is employed for treatment of metallic and plastic bodies with and without welds. Typically bodies of ferromagnetic metal structures are treated on exterior surfaces. More particularly this invention relates to reduction, elimination, redistribution, relaxation of tensile stresses and defective structures such as voids and grain structures weakening the internal body structure including residual welding stresses. Defects tending to cause structural fatigue and failures in metallic structures and welded products are thus treated by the impact of ultrasonic energy applied to the work product external surfaces. Work products, typically product structures and welded products, are nondestructively impacted at exterior surfaces in the vicinity of welding joints when present, e.a. at welding toes, and/or to non-welded surfaces to thereby restructure the work product internal stresses to impart longer life and greater weight bearing strength. BACKGROUND ART In the metal forming and welding arts, the initial manufacturing process, the after-manufacture treatment of the product, the encountering of and the magnitude of loads in use and the aging process lead to deterioration of load bearing strength in the product structure, whether unseen without destructive analysis or evidenced by catastrophic failure, such as by appearance of fractures or cracks. Conventional welded products are made by employment of various welding art technological operation steps before and after the actual welding step in an attempt to improve the working life of the products. Some of these technological operation steps are categorized as: (a) pre-welding preparation of exposed surfaces at welding sites by abrasive or chemical cleaning, (b) post-welding processing of welded seams by cleaning flux and slag and by surface shaping to remove visible sharp projections and contours that identify concentrated stress areas, (c) surface treatment of the welded structure with corrosion resisting coatings, (d) thermal tempering for relaxation of residual stresses and for internally restructuring the metal grain in a manner reducing the influence of stress concentrations, and (e) demagnetizing treatment to protect welding arcs from magnetic interferences during multi-pass welding operations. There are interactions of the various independent steps typically occurring at various times on metal products, particularly in view of various intricate work product shapes and loading patterns, and the difficulties in detecting defective subsurface base material patterns, such as grain structure and residual stresses in the product that affect fatigue, life and strength, particularly in the presence of stress concentration zones and highly loaded working zones. Thus, efforts in combatting long term fatigue initiated both during initial manufacture and during useful life with various technical operations heretofore available in the prior art have been substantially limited in their effectiveness and/or are unpredictable, thus producing compromised product quality inconsistent with expected and desired performance. Known vibration and pulsed methods of stress relief include inducing low frequency mechanical vibrations into products such as welded structures to reduce residual stresses, and employing pulsed magnetic fields to relieve stress in ferromagnetic cutting tools. At this stage of the prior art, a number and variety of interacting technical operations in a series of processing steps in initial production are required to fabricate proper welded metal products with greater load bearing capacity and lower internal residual stresses for longer expected life and higher quality. Simplification and lower cost of the production process as well as improved performance is thus highly desirable. Welded metal product or structure manufacturing and repair practices require the addition of and/or removal of materials which therefore are consumed in the manufacturing process. For example, overlay welding and beading operations for strengthening weld seams require more initial product metal and require additional technical operations such as mechanical grinding, removal of fluxes and residues, thermal tempering and cosmetic shaping. It has not been feasible to obtain optimum appearance, strength and life in welded products without such steps. On the other hand, such-steps increase costs of production and result in more complex fabrication process. It is conventional to retire and replace aging metal structures such as steel bridgework and load bearing products subject to aging, which encounter stress fatigue corrosion, undesirable internal stress patterns, and the like, causing the presence of either unseen internal damage or observable surface defects. It is therefore desirable to provide improved maintenance and repair technology to extend the useful work product life by restoring or improving initial load bearing strength and reducing residual stresses in maintenance procedures so that current structures may be kept in operation. In the welding structure arts conventionally in practice, practical technology has not been available which is well adapted for in-use non-destructive and non-deforming repairs to restructure and restore welded products that have become structurally unsound from aging, that have reduced loading capacity because of fatigue and residual stresses, or which have catastrophically failed by cracking, or the like. For example, the prior art ability toc repair visible catastrophic failures of structure, evidenced by cracks or fractures, in most part is limited to the addition of supporting braces, crutches, and other types of overlying structure to bypass damaged zones. Such techniques are not suitable for many metallic structure installations where there is either no accessible place to rework the welded products in-situ, where-e restrictions in space are imposed or where appearance of such bypassing structure is intolerable such as in bridgework and building structural support infrastructure. One zone subject to residual stresses which may cause early failure is the junction zone between basic metal material and weld seams that may contain residual grain or stress patterns formed in the welding process. There are prior art techniques for annealing to redistribute and relax the stress patterns. However in general this is not a scientific method but an art dependent upon skills and experience of a few artisans, such as blacksmiths, where access to the work product is available. Such artistic methods have been applied for example in tempering knives or swords. One significant reason that such methods have not been replaced by scientific technology is that the nature of internal structure is difficult to ascertain and stress concentrations are of a diverse nature that defy analysis. Thus, a serious deficiency with the manufacture and repair of structural and load bearing products is the lack of non-destructive detectors and corresponding automated systems that can both sense the nature of internal defects and correct them in diverse kinds of internal work product structure by restoring structural integrity to produce longer life following original manufacture procedures or renewed life imparted in maintenance procedures that overcome fatigue and internal stress patterns reducing product performance. Accordingly, a specific objective of this invention is the introduction of novel procedures for sensing the nature of interior body grain and stress patterns, which is particularly important when involving metallic and ferromagnetic product lines either with or without welding seams. Also detection of internal product structural conditions provides a frontier for novel automation procedures for radically improving the initial manufacturing phase of metallic or plastic bodies which are subjected to mechanical and thermal stresses in use. Accordingly it is an objective of the present invention to correct such foregoing disadvantages of the prior art and to introduce production, maintenance and repair technology which can produce work products having idealized internal structure with improved load and wear capacity by elimination of residual stresses, voids and inferior grain structures that reduce product life. Examples of typical prior art technology related to this invention or teaching some of the elementary underlying methodology now are briefly set forth, which in the present invention are interactively combined to produce novel combinations of technologies as a whole. Overlay technology exists, such as filler welds and overlay welds, therein strengthening elements are superimposed over critical zones to bypass fatigued, fractured or other deficient welded product structure. The overlay may be superimposed directly upon weld seams in some cases. Typical examples of this technology are U.S. Pat. No. 2,537,533, G. E. Incalls, Jan. 9, 1951; RE 16,599 R. Mattice, Apr. 19, 1927; U.S. Pat. No. 1,703,111, S. J. Kniatt, Feb. 26, 1929; and U.S. Pat. No. 1,770,932, A. G. Leake, Jul. 22, 1930. Such overlay structure in U.S. Pat. No. 4,049,186 R. E. Hanneman, et al., Sep. 20, 1977 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,402, D. Pitcairn, et al., Nov. 25, 1986 in particular disclose overlay welds for the purpose of preventing stress corrosion failures in the welded body. Peening by means of pellets, hammers, stress waves and ultrasonic impact is known to surface treat and deform the welded body surface structure for contouring weld sites to induce plastic deformation producing beneficial effects and heating of the metal for thermal tempering effects. Typical art of this nature includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,654,992, K. Uraki, et al., Aug. 5, 1997 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,961,739, B. P. Leftheris, Jun. 8, 1976. These disclosures recognize that mechanical pressure and stress waves applied to the external surface of a body creates thermal energy and a momentary state of plasticity in the workpiece. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,330,699, M. M. Farrow, May 18, 1982, a non-contact laser welder is accompanied by a second amplitude modulated laser for generating acoustic waves in the melt to improve interdiffusion and homogeneity of the weld joint. I have authored or co-authored several publications relating to ultrasonic impact treatment of welded joints and the relationship to fatigue resistance, typically as reported in the following International Institute of Welding IIW Documents: Publication XIII-1617-96 for example discloses that the fatigue strength of as-welded joints was increased by changes in mechanical properties of material in surface layers induced by ultrasonic impact treatment (UIT). Thus, the material at the weld toe is compressed and deformed by manual indentation using an ultrasonic probe to form indented groove structure smooth and free from irregularities. This technique depends upon the training and skills of an operator manually wielding an ultrasonic probe to form the grooves, and requires reshaping of the weld site. The comparison of peening with (UIT) is discussed in Document XIII-1668-97, which sets forth the advantages of ultrasonic impact treatment technology over peening, and the practicability of UIT technology to compress and indent the welded body structure in the vicinity of the weld seam. The use of ultrasonic hand tools for achieving foregoing compression indentations is set forth in Document XIII-1609-95. These techniques have demonstrated significant increases in fatigue limits of welded structures. However, this prior art technology requires physical distortion of the welded product or structure, and demands skilled labor to make decisions on the nature of indentations in the presence of different physical shapes of welded bodies and different loading requirements at the weld sites. Thus, it is neither practical nor economically feasible to apply the techniques universally or by automation to welded products of various sorts. Furthermore there can be no consistency from one product to another to assure constant quality performance expectations. Nor can techniques provided for initial welding production cycles only, be used for later maintenance of welded products or for repairs of cracks and other catastrophic failures. The present invention has the objectives of curing deficiencies in the aforementioned type of prior art, and offering significant advantages in simplifying processing steps while guaranteeing higher quality products and improving useful life span and higher loading capacities of welded products at various stages of life, throughout the initial production of the product and even after catastrophic failures appear, such as visually observable cracks. A significant objective of the invention is to coordinate and combine non-destructive ultrasonic impact treatment of work product bodies without deforming their shape in a procedure applicable to manufacturing, maintenance and repair processes, typically to relax internal stresses, reverse fatigue effects, improve corrosion fatigue strength and durability of load bearing surfaces and joints, and to create relaxed more ideally distributed internal body stress patterns. It is a specific objective of the invention to introduce improved welding technology for improving product life spans, maintaining the products during useful life and repairing defects found in products to restore useful life. Another objective of the invention is to reduce material consumption during welding while reducing the processing time and increasing the performance and life of welded products by replacing or eliminating various required technical operation steps required in the prior art in the production, maintenance and repair of welded products, such as grinding and surface shaping steps. A further objective of the invention is to produce quality welded joints with consistently controlled stress distribution patterns, which may constitute either initially formed structure during manufacture or redistributed structure and stress patterns initiated during service life. It is an objective of this invention to introduce life extension methods applicable to welded structural members to substantially increase useful lives and working strengths of the welded products in a manner not heretofore feasible. It is a further object of the invention to develop scientific methods of treating bodies of metal, plastic and composite materials in a scientifically reproducible manner based upon detected dynamic internal body conditions exhibited during treatment procedures. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Reduction and redistribution of internal stress patterns in work product bodies during manufacture, maintenance and repair, as exemplified for example by treatments of metallic work bodies in the vicinity of weld seams, are achievements of this invention serving to improve service life and load carrying capacity. The scientific methodology of this invention is achieved in preferred embodiments by improvements in ultrasonic impact technology (UIT) for inducing shock pulses into work products through a transducer (impact tool) in contact with an exterior body surface. More generally, a shock pulse impacts the work body exterior surface by contact with an impact tool transducer to interact in one of the following modes: (a) To transfer a single impact from a pulse energy source delivered through the transducer into the work body; (b) To transfer a series of non-periodic impacts into the work body; (c) To transfer a periodic train of forced periodic vibrations into the work body; or (d) To transfer controlled trains of periodic vibrations into the work body as a function of the dynamic conditions of the work body during treatment. The transducer and its manner of transferring to shock pulse impacts to penetrate the work body structure is a critical tool for generating the necessary amount of internal shock wave energy in the work body, typically steel, to achieve variations of internal body structure, such as restructuring residual stress patterns, temporarily plasticizing the body structure and leaving an improved permanent residual historical change of internal work body structure. This transducer must effectively convert pulse energy from a power source into internal shock waves in the work product body being treated. One objective of this invention is to introduce pulse wave energy into load bearing work body's interior structure in such magnitude as to improve the grain structure and the residual stress patterns for producing longer wear and increased load bearing capacity. This requires efficient interchange of energy from an impact pulse source to the interior work body structure. It is selectively desirable to either deform and to avoid deformation of the impact exterior body surface. This can be achieved by different transducer structure. Typically a surface contact member such as an indenter tool peen or needle is mechanically driven into the surface with a peening function from a mechanically movable transducer body responsive to the available pulse energy derived from a power source in one of the above described modes. Three basic impact methods can be employed for moving the indenter tool into the work body surface, namely: (a) one sided contact between one or a set of needle indenters and the treated product surface to drive the needle away from contact with an output working butt of a transducer into the surface being treated for an impulse stroke to spring back to the working butt ready for another stroke; (b) one sided contact between the needle(s) and the treated product surface awaiting the output impact from the working butt of the transducer; (c) double sided contact of the needle(s) with both the transducer working butt and the treated product surface; and (d) Any of the above with a waveguide structure inserted between the transducer working butt inclined toward a treatment position on the product surface to direct the impact energy at an angle or to reach limited access working surfaces. By selection of these tool combinations significantly increased efficiency of energy impulse transfer into the working body may be achieved. In any of these impact interactions between a transducer, an indenter and a treated surface, pulsed forces initiated by the UIT process leads to the following factors on the treated body when stroking impulses of appropriate stroke magnitudes and energy content are used: (a) plastic deformation on the treated work body surface and its internal body volume, typically with penetrations up to 3 mm in steel; (b) residual compression stresses created equal to or higher than the maximum yield of the treated material in the plastic deformation zone; (c) residual compression stresses historically stored in the area of elastic deformation, typically up to 5 mm depth in steel; (d) pulsed compression stresses induced, typically at a depth up to 5 mm from the treated surface; (e) periodic waves of ultrasonic dynamic stresses induced typically to depths of 12 mm under treated surfaces. All five effects are initiated by the plastic deformation step (a). The effects of these UIT factors on the treated body include plastic deformations, residual compression stresses in plastic deformation zones and residual compression stresses in elastic deformation zones leading to redistribution of residual (primarily tensile) stresses, together with reduction of external dynamic and primary tensile stresses. Both compression stress pulses and dynamic stress waves induced by UIT lead to relaxation of residual internal stresses and external dynamic stresses, sometimes resulting in internal temporary plasticity. Plastic deformations on and under treated exterior work product surfaces, in combination with redistribution and relaxation of stresses leads to increases in resistance to deformation of body material, aging, fatigue and reductions in various structural defects through the life of a body. Improved internal work body structure is thus achieved by controlled periodic pulsed energy impact treatment of external work body surface zones, usually nondestructively, to induce internal compression waves resulting in modified internal body material structure, and plastic deformation. One useful embodiment addresses the internal body structure of a welded work product in the vicinity of the weld seam. By introduction of impulse impacts, such as ultrasonic waves of appropriate magnitude and frequency for the work product material being processed, residual stresses are relaxed in depths typically up to 12 mm (for steel). In some instances, depending on UIT parameters, the desirable “white layer” effect is created. White layers are formed on the treated body surface and in a narrow under-surface layer, typically one micron thick by interaction of several factors, including: (a) rapid heating to appropriate temperatures, such as close to annealing temperatures for steel, at the point of ultrasonic impact, as generated by the high repetitive frequency of the impact pulses; (b) high intensity ultrasonic impact rate inducing plastic deformation with corresponding formation of residual stresses, typically greater than two times maximum yield; and (c) rapid thermal dissipation from the point of ultrasonic impact at a rate comparable in steel to the cooling rate of steel after annealing. These factors are achieved by regulation of the frequency and energy of impact and the magnitude of contact stress. “White layers” are characterized by substantial absence of evident grain structure in the vicinity of weld seams. It is well known that this amorphous crystalline structure of the “white layers” forms new grain borders providing fewer internal bubbles or vacancies of material, and dislocations of grain boundaries. The grain boundaries are moved to the borders of the white layer zones. White layers are characterized by higher fatigue resistance and corrosion resistance. The load carrying ability of the white layer structure with redistributed residual stresses thus create higher load bearing strength. Applied pulsed energy of a random or periodic nature to an external work product surface thus creates compression waves within the work body being treated to dynamically induce a plasticized zone inside the body. Such compression waves achieve a pattern with a gradient stress magnitude pattern extending from the maximum magnitude surface zone receiving the pulsed energy and tapers to reduced magnitudes reaching to an internal unstressed base metal site within the product body. By withdrawal of the pulsed energy, rapid thermal dissipation within the body structure in an annealing manner reorganizes residual stress patterns which reduce overall product load bearing capabilities and introduce zones susceptible to failure and fatigue. For optimum effectiveness the impact treatment is preferably ultrasonically induced under the controlled conditions hereinafter described. This treatment procedure replaces several technical operation steps required in the prior art initial production stage that simplifies and lowers costs of the treatment of work products, including welded bodies, while improving strength and life expectancy. In welded products the amount of required metal consumption is reduced significantly. Application of pulsed impact energy replaces formerly required such technological operations as: thermal treatment steps including annealing (generally requiring a furnace); overlaying auxiliary welds such as filler welds to increase the loading capacity of a weld joint; mechanical steps of chamfering weld seams to relax internal stresses; peening by hammer peening, needle peening, shot peening, and shot blasting; TIG dressing; abrasive treatment; demagnetizing; attachment of bracing plates; and the like. Novel process steps and improved welded structures afforded by this invention for treating welded products are illustrated in one preferred embodiment related to the particular technological operation of repair of a crack in a welded body. In general, this invention corrects prior art deficiencies by reworking the internal micro structure of work product materials in various phases of production, maintenance and repair to relax and redistribute residual structural stress patterns caused by welding in the vicinity of weld seams. Critical stress patterns or concentrations that reduce life and load bearing capabilities of the product are thus eliminated or minimized. By the application of the ultrasonic impact technology afforded by this invention, several predecessor prior art technical operations are eliminated, thus serving to improve the load bearing capabilities of the welded product more simply. Reorganization of residual stress patterns that lead to fatigue, stress corrosion and catastrophic failure improves the work product performance. This invention provides novel methods not heretofore available in the art to prevent and repair micro structure damage usually encountered during prior art fabrication of new structures. It provides maintenance routines for increasing expected life and renovating fatigue and aging stress patterns. Also, these methods are employed in the repair of visible loading and aging defects encountered in service. Further novel repair methods are introduced without the high processing costs to effectively eliminate failures and defects due to stress concentration introduced in prior art during sequentially applied technical operations such as stripping and shaping of surfaces, or additional beading and strain hardening procedures such as bending and thermal treatment, all of which require taking the product out of active service. By the technology of this invention therefore novel work product structures introduced in manufacturing and maintenance procedures is introduced which produces greater load bearing capacity by reducing internal stress patterns. This leads to reduced fatigue failure and longer working life of work products. Improved instrumentation, treatment methods, products and systems are introduced which produce and exhibit improved internal work product body structure with fewer voids and better internal stress patterns resulting in fewer defective products, service failures and early fatigue in active service. This technology is exhibited in specialty utility embodiments related to the welding arts and weight bearing structural configurations. First the novel scientific principles employed by this invention are exemplified in the method of treatment of products to reduce internal structural defects that cause premature failure in service. Thus, interior compressive mechanical vibrations are generally nondestructively induced into the interior body material with a vibrating instrument located on an external surface zone of the body. Appropriate pulse energy, at magnitudes and repetition rates adapted for the particular work body shape and material is applied for plasticizing and reforming resident normally solid interior body material. Such applied energy relates to product shape and utilities and product materials. Thus required energy and pulse repetition rates vary significantly between different metals such as bronze and steel and between metal and plastic bodies, for example. Compressive pulse energy waves induced inside the body relaxes and redistributes residual crystalline structure and product material character to reduce work product voids or bubbles and rework grain structure and residual stress patterns to reform the solid body material structure. The molten or plastic condition, typically serves to relax residual stresses, remove voids and improve grain structure. This improved structure is retained by rapid cooling of the molten material in place achieved simply by withdrawal of the pulse vibration energy. Controlled and consistently reproducible scientific interior product body restructuring is achieved by this invention which permits adoption of product control conditions and automated procedures for achieving stated objective results, including creation of substantially grainless white layers and relaxing resident internal stress patterns. With this scientific method improved products with longer life spans bearing heavier loads can be produced, maintained and repaired at significantly reduced cost. Thus, internal product work body conditions are sensed during dynamic treatment to provide feedback signals for controlling and automating the treatment process. Feedback signals are obtained from electrodes located upon the vibrating transducer for electronically sensing the transducer interface loading conditions during dynamic changes in the product body interior structure thereby providing intelligence for control of the effectiveness of the treating process and automating it. A work product body is treated by the forced driving pulse vibrations induced by an ultrasonic transducer and indenter impact needle at the body exterior surface. Rapid dynamic changes of the internal body material characteristics occur to mismatch the natural vibration frequency of the transducer and the mechanical vibration frequency of the treated body during the treatment procedure. This not only significantly reduces the efficiency of energy transmitted into the treated body, but also significantly jeopardizes the predictable quality of the work product which is processed accordingly under unknown conditions. There are encountered dynamic changes in surface conditions, internal deflection modes, residual and dynamic stresses within the material structure, which heretofore have not been ascertainable or controllable. Accordingly this invention by sensing the ultrasonic tool interface conditions with the work product external surface produces a feedback signal indicative of the dynamic state of the body under treatment. For example plasticized or molten metal behaves differently from cold metal, and residual internal stress patterns produce different product characteristics. The ultrasonic transducer itself by means of carried electrical contact probes thus simply serves as a feedback detector reproducing transducer striction waveforms during the dynamic treatment of the work product. The resulting feedback electric signal then may be analyzed to determine the internal body structure dynamic state and used thereby to maintain a predictable and repeatable product quality level. For example, the efficiency of the ultrasonic treatment in transferring available pulse energy into the work product interior is critical. The feedback signal of the transducer under forced vibration in contact with the vibrating body surface then will for example produce a periodic waveform pattern representative of the stroke magnitude and the mechanical vibrating frequency at the surface interface. This signal may be periodically be sampled during pauses in the driving oscillation force to the transducer to produce the mechanical resonance frequency and phase. Thus the transducer driving oscillator may be adjusted to the mechanical resonance frequency to significantly increase the transfer of energy by utilization of the tuned circuit Q amplification factor. This feedback sensing technology is applicable to controlled treatment of a wide range of product body interior structures, including plastic, metallic, ferromagnetic, welded and weldfree work products, resulting in more consistent quality of treated products. Other feedback control signal characteristics are typically useful to control timing of the molten phase and the cooling phase for creating an annealed steel product of particular advantages for example. Thus, for example, any load bearing work product structure, where the load is compression, tension, thermal or abrasive, can be treated to produce a modified internal body structure that meets the product objectives of longer life and greater load bearing capacity. Consider for example a ferromagnetic railway brake shoe product braking surface, which is subjected to both compressive load and significant thermal stresses. The treatment method of this invention on the braking surface can produce a stronger, longer life product by processing the interior body structure to remove voids, stress concentrators and restructure as if by annealing the grain structure to produce a longer life white layer surface in the brake surface contact area. A welded product structure is particularly adapted for treatment by the methodology of this invention to also produce improved product functionality. The stress concentrations at a weld joint between the weld seam and the interior product body structure may be effectively treated to relax stresses, remove voids and produce favorable residual interior stress patterns when cooled in place after thermal treatment. Furthermore in creating the initial weld seam in the product manufacturing phase, this invention provides automated manufacturing instrumentation, procedures and systems for controlling welding quality and producing a stronger and longer life product. The technique may also be employed during the service life for maintenance to reduce aging and loading fatigue and for repair of visible failures such as bending or striated and cracked surfaces. Accordingly welding technology represents a preferred vehicle for embodiment of various features and innovations afforded by this invention. The improved products, instrumentation and systems afforded by this invention are thus implicitly interwoven in the following embodiments of the invention. Thus, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, an ultrasonic impact technology (UIT) surface impact treatment step creates states of plasticity in the inner body structure by way of applied pulsed compressive stress energy. Thus, residual stresses are relaxed and reworked stress gradient patterns result in more effective distribution of internal stress patterns to significantly strengthen the body for its work function. The resulting effect of UIT treatment generally creates a rearrangement submicrostructure of grains in treated areas, particularly in ferromagnetic metals. More specifically internal structural defects, such as vacancies and grain dislocations, are exposed and moved to the boundaries of modified grain structures such as encountered at weld seams, for example, resulting in annihilation of gradients of structural strain of 2nd and 3rd types in the vicinity of these boundaries. In addition, strain redistribution and reduction of the 1st type strain are introduced in the treated zones, typically encompassing welded joints. This results in welded products with longer life and higher load bearing capacity. Such UIT treatment steps are useful during welding, fabrication of new structures, maintenance operations, and/or treatments of aging, stress fatigue or catastrophic failure to restore life. In the technical operation of repair of a crack visible on the external surface of a metallic body, the invention is characterized by the basic method steps of UIT treatment supplemented by the mechanical deformation steps of chamfering sharp edges about the crack, drilling holes at crack end points to prevent further spread, and the welding of bracing structure onto the welded product as a further bypass vehicle for bearing load, relaxing internal residual stress defects and favorably influencing dynamics to prevent crack formation and development. During practical defect repairs in a welded structure, UIT permits the structure to be maintained without interruption of its use (typically bridge support girders over which normal traffic flows) in all phases of maintenance and repair by such procedures as: (a) repair of deep cracks and full penetration cracks by re-welding and UIT treatment; (b) repair of shallower surface cracks and defects of structural metal, such as fatigue corrosion defects, by applying UIT treatment to these defects and adjacent areas; (c) stopping crack development by drilling holes at ends of cracks and chamfering those holes, adjacent zones and hole surfaces with UIT and; (d) prevention of crack formation or spread by UIT treatment to redistribute stress concentration patterns. Each of the above steps of structure maintenance comprises sets of operations which in combination result in high quality and reliability of a welded structure. The individual operational steps in these multi-step processes for welded products which are eliminated typically include: (i) grinding and sanding of surfaces for preparing for welding, drilling and painting; (ii) mechanical treatment of weldments in order to eliminate stress concentrators; (iii) mechanical treatment of weldments to remove irregularities of welding joints; (iv) relaxation of residual welding stresses; (v) intermediate cleaning of beads from flux, calx and other impurities; (vi) demagnetizing of welding pass in multi-pass welding procedure; and (vii) creation of compression stresses for prevention of structural damages of material under normal loading. Thus, this invention provides simplified procedures that replace a number of conventional procedures, and which is less dependent upon uncontrollable variables in equipment, worker's qualifications, etc. In a typical embodiment of the invention, (i) a UIT transducer working head is located on the surface of a welded work product in a zone residing at a predetermined distance from an applied electric welding arc, lazer beam or other welding torch method in a region having a temperature considerably cooler than the welding temperature. (ii) In this relationship, the ultrasonic transducer head is caused mechanically to concurrently track by means of appropriate instrumentation a desired surface pattern related to the path of the welding arc. This accordingly creates along the weld seam, as well as in front and/or beyond the weld seam up to the welding arc zone, an internal compression wave pattern which penetrates the welding zone and/or the welded product body far enough and deep enough to reform residual stress patterns within the product body during the welding step. Introduction of UIT at the actual time of welding results in moving ultrasonic waves through the welding joint and into a molten welding pool. This optimizes the process of welding joint formation and provides its high quality and uniformity in the final structure. The basis for this process is ultrasonic cavitation of the molten metal and acoustic flow which in turn induces ultrasonic outgassing, grain dissipation during its crystallization and optimization of thermal-mass exchange in the welding pool. Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be found throughout the following description and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate related features throughout the various views: FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation of a system embodiment of this invention for ultrasonic impact treatment of welding seams or joints and adjacent product structure prior to, in the process and after welding; FIG. 2 is a hypothetical waveform sketch illustrative of the possible manner of distribution of compressive stress waves in the body of a welded product being treated by ultrasonic impact; FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic sketch in plan view of a crack formed in a welded product surface having holes drilled near the ends of the crack to reduce the tendency of the crack to enlarge; FIG. 4 is a cross section side view in a section designating a preferred area of application of ultrasonic impact treatment of edges of a chamfer and a hole surface in order to stop cracks from propagating away from the hole drilled at an end of the crack looking into lines 4-4 of FIG. 3; FIG. 4A is a top view of the FIG. 4 configuration showing the insertion of a plug into the hole after chamfering of the surface edges of the hole, ready to be followed by UIT of the region about the hole, chamfer, and accompanying crack; FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic side view looking into a crack, as if looking into an air gap positioned in a welded product body between crack walls; FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic plan view of a fragment of a welded body such as a bridge girder panel with an upper flange welded thereon, which displays a crack in the panel, and the nature of one repair embodiment made to the welded body in accordance with the teachings of this invention; FIG. 7 is a normally disposed diagrammatic end view looking into the left end of FIG. 6; FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic showing of typical types of peen impact upon a treated surface as induced by various needles powered by ultrasonic transducers; FIG. 9 is a waveform diagram illustrating dynamic conditions encountered at a work face surface of an ultrasonic transducer; FIG. 10 is a block circuit diagram of a feedback system for matching the frequency and phase of the transducer oscillator driving source to the resonant frequency of the loaded transducer; FIG. 11 is a waveform diagram showing a periodically controlled waveform train for maximizing energy transfer to a transducer in working contact with an interface surface of a welded structure illustrating driving pauses during which feedback signals are sampled; FIG. 12 is a sketch of a universal joint mechanical rig for scanning a UIT instrument over a path on the exterior surface of a work product; FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration of a vibrating instrument head coupled by a waveguide to a treatment surface; and FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view of a preferred energy coupling method embodiment of this invention. THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1 it is seen that a weld seam 16 is being laid down on the welded product body 15 surface at the representative welding arc 17, which is moving to the left as indicated by arrow 18. Appropriate arc energy is derived from the current source 19 for this welding embodiment. In accordance with this invention, an ultrasonic transducer head 20, powered from the ultrasonic energy source 21 is moved along the weld seam 16 in tandem with the arc in direction 18, as indicated by the dotted line 22. As seen from the surface scanning universal positioning mechanism jig tool 23 of FIG. 12, the ultrasonic transducer head 20 may be manually or automatically moved in a desired scanning pattern 24 over the exterior body surface, such as by use of an intermediate pantograph following a predetermined scanning pattern or an automated machine tool program producing step by step movement along a specified path (not shown). The transducer may have multiple head structure 20, as depicted, or other forms to adapt to special surface and energy magnitude conditions, such as knife edge or rectangular configurations having appropriate contact surface areas. In FIG. 13, it is seen that the transducer head 20, driven by transformer 29, is coupled to a suitable power oscillator source. The output vibrations may be transmitted by special instrumentation such as a waveguide 27 for conveying the impulse energy without significant losses to impact curved surface structure 28 or hard to reach positions in a welded structure such as a bridge support girder. In the region 37 where the transducer vibrator mechanism impacts the waveguide 27 there are optional coupling methods. In accordance with this invention, much greater power transfer to the treated surface is effected by the method illustrated by FIG. 14. In this respect an analogy is made to a hammer 38 striking a nail 39 in firm contact with the surface of the body 40 being treated. This is the double sided impact method DSI, later discussed with reference to FIG. 8, which is preferred because of the substantially increased efficiency of energy transfer in compressive wave energy form into the interior structure of the body 40. The frequency and magnitude of the applied ultrasonic energy is induced into a welded product body, and selected in such way as to provide nondestructive contact with a surface of a welded product body, such as 15 in FIG. 1, to induce compressive stresses on this surface for conveyance into the interior work product body structure 15. The stresses in particular are not less than the maximum yield of the base material and at the depth not less than 1 mm, for exciting in the body of the welded product, typically at the depth not less than 5 mm, ultrasonic compression waves with amplitudes of periodically alternating strokes to produce not less than 0.1 of maximum yield, thus for transport into a welding pool without substantial mechanical deformation or removal of material from the exterior surface. At the arc 17 there is a high temperature, typically around 900 degrees C., and a substantially cooler residual temperature, typically up to 450 degrees C., prevailing at the transducer head 20. FIG. 2 demonstrates a theoretical ultrasonic stress wave, which is in accordance with this invention, induced in the body 15 of the treated product to encompass an interior area of plastic deformation. Thus, compressive stresses on the surface of the treated product 15, typically near a welding seam joint, including its seam line, are produced under a condition of minimum deformation of the treated body surface. Near the treated surface impact point of the body 15, compression stresses and ultrasonic deflection or oscillation amplitude are maximized, and recede at a gradual gradient to the base point 26 located in an unmodified region of the body under treatment at a distance internally spaced from the initial impact point. At the “base point” 26 the body material structure corresponds to its initial condition before treatment. Between the treated surface and point 26, only during dynamic UIT treatment, gradients of compression and alternating ultrasonic compression waves are temporarily formed, which lead to relaxation and redistribution of residual stress patterns, such as air pockets, grain boundaries, fatigue stress conditions, etc., to permit preservation of redistributed stress patterns in the body material after UIT treatment is withdrawn. During internal plastic deformation of the body structure by creation on its surface of residual compressive stresses, stress compression waves are induced inside the body 15 as created by the external impact pulses, preferably periodic ultrasonic pulses. Thus, in a way similar to that described in Leftheris, U.S. Pat. No. 3,961,739, supra, internal stresses in the treatment zone are relaxed and redistributed. In the surface area of plastic deformation under a very high velocity of pulsed ultrasonic deformation, local heating to very high temperatures (for annealing) at the impact point location of the treatment tool occur with rapid thermal dissipation into locations spaced from this point. This under controlled conditions results in a modified grain structure, commonly visible in the cross section of a metal, which has almost amorphous submicroblock structure, known as a “white layer”. It has high contact strength with high corrosion and fatigue resistance. Several known types of impacts initiated by ultrasonic transducer oscillations are shown diagrammatically in FIG. 8. Thus impact occurs in the following modes: simultaneous contact of an indenter 70, 71, 72 (impacting needle, impacting element, peen, etc.) with the working surface of an output butt of an ultrasonic transducer 73, 74, 75 and a treated surface 76 termed—double-sided impact (DSI); the indenter 71 only in contact with a treated surface 76 termed—one-sided impact (OSI); and the indenter 73 in contact with the working output butt of an ultrasonic transducer 75 only—also termed one-sided impact (OSI). These impacts, as a rule, are of a nature that comprise both single random impacts on treated surfaces and/or the periodically applied pulse output from the working butt of a mechanically oscillating ultrasonic transducer. The spectrum of these pulses is in the range, which is two orders of magnitude lower than the frequency of forced initiating impact oscillations of an ultrasonic transducer. From the point of view of optimal energy transfer, the most useful of these impacts are the DSI types. Unfortunately, their low repetition rate (frequency of impact), single moment character of impact (without filling the impact with higher frequency oscillations) and low energy transfer of single impacts do not permit utilization of the full energy of an ultrasonic transducer in the prior art during UIT treatment. The prior art utilization energy efficiency of a transducer in this case usually is not more than 5%. However, the present invention increases the transducer efficiency by: matching at the impact interface surface 76 of mass, form and frequency of the vibrating driven frequency of an ultrasonic transducer 73, 74, 75 and the mechanical vibrations induced in the treated surface 76. Thus for a DSI simple pulse impact at the output working butt of an ultrasonic transducer 73, the related forced oscillation conditions, encountered at the interface 76 are shown in FIG. 9. When the double-sided impact is realized as indicated in region 80, ultrasonic forced oscillations from the indenter impact with the treated material occur in the material at the impulse magnitude or amplitude of thrust 83 induced at resonant frequency when the thrust amplitude is amplified by the Q factor of the resonant body. The random (stochastic) force of DSI pulses on treated surfaces, as shown on FIG. 8 do not alone fully utilize the energy of a transducer during the UIT process, but substantially doubles the prior 5% efficiency of transfer of impulse energy into the interior body of the work product. The waveform at the ultrasound oscillating frequency of the transducer is initiated at the ordinate, which represents oscillation amplitude in micrometers. The abscissa represents time in microseconds. The startup region 81 achieves forced oscillation in the transducer in region 82 at the designated amplitude of transducer vibration. Upon pulsed impact at the external body surface, the higher amplitude envelope 83 is encountered at a given resonance condition. In the DSI mode of operation thus, the oscillation frequency and phase of the forced transducer oscillations, as provided by a driving power oscillator, is preferably tuned to the resonant mechanical frequency of the transducer and work product during dynamic work contact with the treatment surface, thereby to in effect produce a high Q resonant condition shown with amplified impulse strokes attained within the circle 83. When the transducer is withdrawn from the surface, the transducer oscillates at the amplitude shown in the gaps 82, 84. However, when the OSI mode is in effect a pause in the needle contact condition permits the shorter impact period 85 to exhibit the mechanical resonant condition of the vibrating work product surface without contact. Of importance to this present invention is that this condition produces a feedback signal 86 from the transducer, typically of a full cycle between zero crossing points. This feedback signal is used as shown in the FIG. 10 embodiment to correct the frequency and phase of a controlled driving oscillator to conform to the loaded transducer resonant frequency, thus significantly increasing the power transfer efficiency of a compression wave interfacing system. Thus, all dynamic variations of the plasticized work body interior structure are tracked by an automated feedback system employing transducer mounted electrodes reproducing electric signals in the phase and frequency of the mechanical contact vibration mode. In FIG. 10, the periodic pulse energy source 88, typically a power oscillator or a gated power impulse system, drives the transducer 89 periodically at a nominal frequency that approximates the loaded transducer resonant frequency when in contact with a work site surface. However, this dynamically induced resonant frequency varies with the texture and state of the internal work body material structure, which dynamically changes with the temperature and other known and unknown variables in the work product interior. In accordance with this invention, the feedback voltage signal (85, FIG. 9) appearing following the single impulse 80, 83 then is processed by the frequency and phase control system 90 to dynamically adjust the periodic pulse energy source 88 frequency and phase to the optimum working resonance frequency of the transducer in working relationship with the work surface 79, as interpreted by the detected feedback sample 85, by way of peen or needle 91. This feedback signal implicitly accounts for various dynamic variations of the internal work product body condition serving as a working load on the transducer, including such complex interactions as temperature changes, different internal structure patterns such as variations of plasticity and encountered grain structure, etc. to produce instantaneous corrections for matching the pulsed energy frequency to the mechanical dynamic impedances of the work product interface surface as the work proceeds. In FIG. 11, the touching circles 83 represent the lower frequency periodic controlled pulsed energy stroke shapes and amplitudes of the transducer induced impact on the work product interface modulated onto higher frequency ultrasonic transducer drive pulses during periodic or controlled nearly periodic impact cycles of the transducer. The frequency shapes and magnitudes of applied pulses are chosen to match the particular work function and work products being processed. In the gap in the drive pulses introduced at the latter part 86 of each lower frequency impact pulse 83, 87, etc., an electronic feedback signal measurement is taken identifying the mechanical frequency and phase at the interface without influence of the driven transducer. This is employed as aforesaid for correcting impulse frequency and phase of the power oscillator driving pulses to the transducer to thereby restart (81) and control the next lower frequency impact driving pulse cycle 87 in matching transducer resonance with the natural mechanical resonance frequency at the work contact surface for each succeeding impact pulse. This produces a maximized energy efficiency in the use of the loaded transducer to substantially improve prior art driving effectiveness in UIT treatment of work products. Also this provides sensed intelligence related to the instantaneous dynamic conditions of the work product interior structure that permits controlled treatment of work products by way of such dependent automated systems as that of FIG. 10. The forced oscillations, at the discrimination driving level 92, by the resonance process depend upon the matching mechanical resonant circuit Q to produce by a driven, loaded transducer having a matching resonant frequency, produces much higher amplitude transducer strokes at the readjusted natural transistor resonance frequency 93 for each succeeding impact stroke to improve pulse energy transfer into the work product body. The periodic start-restart cycle is chosen at a controlled, near periodic rate suited to the internal work product structure and the system treatment environment accounting for dynamic rates of change therein of the temperatures, liquid or plastic product phase, structure surface and peen interface characteristics, etc. encountered in the UIT treatment process. Utilization of this procedure at a work product interface produces pulsed impacts of higher energy thereby inducing greater load bearing capacity and greater resistance to fatigue encountered during the service life of the work product. Furthermore the procedure provides a technique that is not only useful in the production phase of new products, but also is applicable for maintenance while in service to remove residual stresses tending to cause acceleration of structure fatigue and aging. The method, thus, helps to restore and improve the load bearing capacity of the work product, for example welded structures. In addition, should catastrophic failures such as cracks or fractures develop in a welded product structure, this procedure provides a tool to repair in situ a welded product requiring greater impact energy efficiencies such as a bridge strut or girder, in the process afforded by this invention to restore the work product to new life, usually with improved strength and fatigue life, feasibly while the structure is in normal use. Thus, this invention introduces to the art of fabrication and maintenance of work products including welded structures the non-destructive, non-indentation method of treating the product to increase its fatigue life and loading bearing strength by utilization of a minimum number of steps or technical operations, typically for a welded product embodiment: for inducing pulse impact energy non-destructively at the exterior surface of a welded product in the vicinity of a seam being welded at a site on the welded product exterior surface where the temperature is substantially cooler than molten metal, preferably employing ultrasonic controlled, nearly periodic impact energy of a frequency and magnitude inducing a temporary plasticity zone internally in the metal product as induced by internal compression wave patterns near to and inclusive of the welded seam junction thereby to rearrange internal crystalline structure of the welded metal product to produce a patterned grain structure about the weld seam junction with the product internal structure which constitutes a substantially grainless white layer leading into a gradually receding stress gradient pattern reaching an unmodified inner base point of the workpiece. Thus, control of impact parameters during UIT allows one: to provide effective input and utilization of ultrasonic transducer energy by a method, which maintains and optimizes the condition of treated surfaces; to introduce ultrasonic energy directly into the welding process in the area of temperatures substantially lower than the melting temperature of metal in a pool at a prescribed distance from the welding pool sufficient to increase the quality of a welding joint interface; to achieve conversion of the structure into a corresponding “white layer” by relaxation and/or redistribution of residual welding stresses thereby to increase load bearing capacity of a structure, and to increase fatigue life of welded joints and structure by creation of normalized gradients of compression stresses in the surface layer of treated structure material using controlled force pulses and inducing internal ultrasonic strain waves with amplitudes diminishing between a surface impact site and an internal “base point” at which the strain waves do not alter the original material structure; and to sense at the transducer the conditions encountered during dynamic workpiece treatment for automatic control of treatment parameters. Typically a resulting white layer metallic grain structure gradient is observable at depths of 100 micrometers from the external surfaces abutting a zone of redistributed and relaxed residual stress patterns typically to depths of 3 to 12 mm. This substantially decreases internal residual micro-stress patterns such as tend to concentrate at grain boundaries and thus eliminates significant grain boundary stress center micro-defects over the residual gradient range of compressive stress patterns which remain in the workpiece metal after the ultrasonic wave energy is removed and the associated temporary plastic state is terminated. In this manner illustrated by the aforesaid embodiment, this invention provides a novel method of treating a welded metal product or other work body during the initial fabrication process to increase its load bearing life and strength. Other advantages, features and embodiments are hereinafter suggested in preferred embodiments of the invention. Now by reference to FIGS. 3-5, it will be seen that this invention also encompasses novel methods of repairing catastrophic failures such as fractures or cracks in welded products and other work products. The nature of such repair methods enable in-situ repairs in some sites as in bridge struts or girders while the bridge remains in active service, with continuous traffic flow over the bridge feasible. Furthermore the following repair methods, with little labor cost and modification of surface shape of the welded product uses a minimum of specialty tooling, and are instrumental in relaxing the internal residual stresses tending to form cracks by creation of plastic deformation zones to introduce enhanced strength properties. This reduces risk of damage to the microstructure of product material exhibiting internal and external stresses and rather forms favorable compression stress patterns in regions near a zone of potential crack formation such as generally found along the welding seam junctions. The redistribution of gradient stress patterns extending from weld seams into the base metal thereby reduces external and internal stresses at the welded joints and makes the internal body structure more uniform while reducing or preventing possibilities of further crack development and fatigue failure thereby to produce increased post-treatment utility life. By further removal of metal along the crack to remove and relax stress concentration regions along the weld seam additional extensions of renewed life expectancy and reduced fatigue is also achieved. Additional improvements are achieved in various sequences of technological operations in the repair process such as (i) the application of ultrasonic impact energy together with welding steps and/or (ii) structural alterations of the type hereinafter discussed. The welded product or structure fragment 15, has appearing therein a fatigue crack 30 with holes 31 drilled at the ends for the purpose of reducing the likelihood of spread or further development of the crack. The chamfered bevels about the top and bottom edges of the holes 13 for removing stress patterns that tend to accumulate at the otherwise sharp edges, are bevelled preferably by ultrasonic impact treatment delivered through a suitable ultrasonic transducer head to optimize structural alteration of the welded structure 15. Positive compression stresses induced by UIT treatment at chamfered bevels and in the hole itself compensate tensile alternating stresses, which are present in the structure during its loading and which lead to its fatigue, first of all in the zones of stress pattern concentrations. Thus, when UIT is used at bevels of holes and at the end of cracks, the fatigue life is disproportionately improved. Otherwise in general the ultrasonic force pulses are applied non-destructively to the surface of the welded body or structure and cause plastic metal deformation of the structure's interior material end through this plasticity zone excite in the structure ultrasonic oscillations and compression waves of ultrasonic energy. In this embodiment the area of protection from fatigue damage is within the top and bottom surface zones of UIT influence (33) that identify the critical region at the ends of cracks in which the relaxed stress patterns can be achieved to better assure that no further cracking will develop. Thus, UIT induced compression stresses, relax and reconfigure residual internal and external stress patterns that result in cracking. The resulting mode of deformation in the presence of “white layer” structure on or under the surfaces 31, 32 and 33, directly increases the life and strength of welded product 15. As seen from FIG. 4A, an internal metallic plug 34 is inserted loosely into the hole 31 after chamfering the beveled edges 32. Similarly any exposed sharp edges 35, 36 along the crack 30 are beveled by UIT to reduce stress concentration zones in the repaired product. The plug is utilized as an ultrasound wave guide to apply ultrasonic energy to internal surfaces of the hole for stress relief treatment. In FIG. 5, the diameter of plug 34, shown as a, provides the tolerances delta within the limits of the hole size. The dimension Dmin represents that the drilled holes 31 have the smallest feasible diameter that assures prevention of the spread of the crack. This avoids excessive weakening of the welded structure. The crack may alternatively be welded and the welding joints treated by the ultrasonic impact treatment in the manner aforesaid. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the welded product structure typifies for example a bridge girder or strut in which the region about the repaired crack 30 in girder plate 60 is fortified by structural alteration in the form of a stiffener 61 with a gap near the upper flange 63 installed after crack initiation is arrested with use of UIT technologies and drilling of holes, or with UIT treatment after grinding or rewelding of a crack. In this embodiment, the strengthener or stiffener plate 61 is welded onto girder plate 60 at the weld seams 62, which at the upper end are adjacent the crack 30. The top flange 63 is welded to the girder plate at seam 64. The UIT tool 69, as shown applied to an exterior surface near weld seam 64, may be a manually manipulated instrument coupled to a suitable ultrasonic energy source. The heavy lines notation 65, 66 indicate the path pattern for application of the ultrasonic impact treatment in the aforesaid manner to create internal compression wave patterns and to de-concentrate, relax and redistribute residual internal stresses about the weld seams 62, 64. Thus it is seen that in the plate 60 both upper and lower sides of the repaired crack, in the area of welding joints 62, 64 present welded metal. The area of gaps between the flange 63 and plate 61 is subjected to impact treatment in order to repair fatigue defects, and to create a positive gradient of strain of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd rate in order to relax residual welding stresses, and to create a compression stress zone. As a result, these structural changes in material create under the disclosed conditions, the more stable structure of a “white layer” in areas of welding joints, by way of the UIT treatment. It is further to be recognized that the technological operations provided by this invention are useful for preventive maintenance during the useful life of welded products to remove fatigue stress defects and to generate white layers of higher strength about weld sites. Typical ultrasonic generators useful in the methodology of this invention are 200 to 1600 watts, 25-28 kHz generators (ranging from 18 to 55 kHz) producing an oscillation amplitude at the wave guide edge, for example, of 25-40 mkm at the frequency of 25-28 kHz at the treatment mode speed of 0.3-0.7 m/min with a manual impact tool. This manual impact tool, with a magnetostriction transducer head, typically has a set of four striking needles in the manner shown in FIG. 8. Also automatic and/or robotic tools can implement the described UIT process. Other tool heads are applicable having one striking needle to several needles placed in appropriate rows, or alternatively, knife or rectangular impact surfaces, etc., depending on a task and size of the treatment area. Typical residual compressive stresses in the surface layer of high strength steel reach 500 MPa to 900 MPa. The ultrasonically cold worked layer in which the distribution of residual stresses occurs reaches typically a depth up to nearly 1.5 mm but can reach 3 mm for compression stress and 4-12 mm for relaxation or redistribution of residual welding stress patterns. It is to be realized however, that the methods of this invention are applicable to many kinds of welded and unwelded products varying in shape, strength and types of utility, and those skilled in the ultrasonic arts can therefore establish the necessary parameters and instruments for carrying out the purposes of the invention. Having therefore advanced the state of the art, those features of novelty setting forth the nature and spirit of the invention are defined with particularity in the appended claims.
<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>In the metal forming and welding arts, the initial manufacturing process, the after-manufacture treatment of the product, the encountering of and the magnitude of loads in use and the aging process lead to deterioration of load bearing strength in the product structure, whether unseen without destructive analysis or evidenced by catastrophic failure, such as by appearance of fractures or cracks. Conventional welded products are made by employment of various welding art technological operation steps before and after the actual welding step in an attempt to improve the working life of the products. Some of these technological operation steps are categorized as: (a) pre-welding preparation of exposed surfaces at welding sites by abrasive or chemical cleaning, (b) post-welding processing of welded seams by cleaning flux and slag and by surface shaping to remove visible sharp projections and contours that identify concentrated stress areas, (c) surface treatment of the welded structure with corrosion resisting coatings, (d) thermal tempering for relaxation of residual stresses and for internally restructuring the metal grain in a manner reducing the influence of stress concentrations, and (e) demagnetizing treatment to protect welding arcs from magnetic interferences during multi-pass welding operations. There are interactions of the various independent steps typically occurring at various times on metal products, particularly in view of various intricate work product shapes and loading patterns, and the difficulties in detecting defective subsurface base material patterns, such as grain structure and residual stresses in the product that affect fatigue, life and strength, particularly in the presence of stress concentration zones and highly loaded working zones. Thus, efforts in combatting long term fatigue initiated both during initial manufacture and during useful life with various technical operations heretofore available in the prior art have been substantially limited in their effectiveness and/or are unpredictable, thus producing compromised product quality inconsistent with expected and desired performance. Known vibration and pulsed methods of stress relief include inducing low frequency mechanical vibrations into products such as welded structures to reduce residual stresses, and employing pulsed magnetic fields to relieve stress in ferromagnetic cutting tools. At this stage of the prior art, a number and variety of interacting technical operations in a series of processing steps in initial production are required to fabricate proper welded metal products with greater load bearing capacity and lower internal residual stresses for longer expected life and higher quality. Simplification and lower cost of the production process as well as improved performance is thus highly desirable. Welded metal product or structure manufacturing and repair practices require the addition of and/or removal of materials which therefore are consumed in the manufacturing process. For example, overlay welding and beading operations for strengthening weld seams require more initial product metal and require additional technical operations such as mechanical grinding, removal of fluxes and residues, thermal tempering and cosmetic shaping. It has not been feasible to obtain optimum appearance, strength and life in welded products without such steps. On the other hand, such-steps increase costs of production and result in more complex fabrication process. It is conventional to retire and replace aging metal structures such as steel bridgework and load bearing products subject to aging, which encounter stress fatigue corrosion, undesirable internal stress patterns, and the like, causing the presence of either unseen internal damage or observable surface defects. It is therefore desirable to provide improved maintenance and repair technology to extend the useful work product life by restoring or improving initial load bearing strength and reducing residual stresses in maintenance procedures so that current structures may be kept in operation. In the welding structure arts conventionally in practice, practical technology has not been available which is well adapted for in-use non-destructive and non-deforming repairs to restructure and restore welded products that have become structurally unsound from aging, that have reduced loading capacity because of fatigue and residual stresses, or which have catastrophically failed by cracking, or the like. For example, the prior art ability toc repair visible catastrophic failures of structure, evidenced by cracks or fractures, in most part is limited to the addition of supporting braces, crutches, and other types of overlying structure to bypass damaged zones. Such techniques are not suitable for many metallic structure installations where there is either no accessible place to rework the welded products in-situ, where-e restrictions in space are imposed or where appearance of such bypassing structure is intolerable such as in bridgework and building structural support infrastructure. One zone subject to residual stresses which may cause early failure is the junction zone between basic metal material and weld seams that may contain residual grain or stress patterns formed in the welding process. There are prior art techniques for annealing to redistribute and relax the stress patterns. However in general this is not a scientific method but an art dependent upon skills and experience of a few artisans, such as blacksmiths, where access to the work product is available. Such artistic methods have been applied for example in tempering knives or swords. One significant reason that such methods have not been replaced by scientific technology is that the nature of internal structure is difficult to ascertain and stress concentrations are of a diverse nature that defy analysis. Thus, a serious deficiency with the manufacture and repair of structural and load bearing products is the lack of non-destructive detectors and corresponding automated systems that can both sense the nature of internal defects and correct them in diverse kinds of internal work product structure by restoring structural integrity to produce longer life following original manufacture procedures or renewed life imparted in maintenance procedures that overcome fatigue and internal stress patterns reducing product performance. Accordingly, a specific objective of this invention is the introduction of novel procedures for sensing the nature of interior body grain and stress patterns, which is particularly important when involving metallic and ferromagnetic product lines either with or without welding seams. Also detection of internal product structural conditions provides a frontier for novel automation procedures for radically improving the initial manufacturing phase of metallic or plastic bodies which are subjected to mechanical and thermal stresses in use. Accordingly it is an objective of the present invention to correct such foregoing disadvantages of the prior art and to introduce production, maintenance and repair technology which can produce work products having idealized internal structure with improved load and wear capacity by elimination of residual stresses, voids and inferior grain structures that reduce product life. Examples of typical prior art technology related to this invention or teaching some of the elementary underlying methodology now are briefly set forth, which in the present invention are interactively combined to produce novel combinations of technologies as a whole. Overlay technology exists, such as filler welds and overlay welds, therein strengthening elements are superimposed over critical zones to bypass fatigued, fractured or other deficient welded product structure. The overlay may be superimposed directly upon weld seams in some cases. Typical examples of this technology are U.S. Pat. No. 2,537,533, G. E. Incalls, Jan. 9, 1951; RE 16,599 R. Mattice, Apr. 19, 1927; U.S. Pat. No. 1,703,111, S. J. Kniatt, Feb. 26, 1929; and U.S. Pat. No. 1,770,932, A. G. Leake, Jul. 22, 1930. Such overlay structure in U.S. Pat. No. 4,049,186 R. E. Hanneman, et al., Sep. 20, 1977 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,402, D. Pitcairn, et al., Nov. 25, 1986 in particular disclose overlay welds for the purpose of preventing stress corrosion failures in the welded body. Peening by means of pellets, hammers, stress waves and ultrasonic impact is known to surface treat and deform the welded body surface structure for contouring weld sites to induce plastic deformation producing beneficial effects and heating of the metal for thermal tempering effects. Typical art of this nature includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,654,992, K. Uraki, et al., Aug. 5, 1997 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,961,739, B. P. Leftheris, Jun. 8, 1976. These disclosures recognize that mechanical pressure and stress waves applied to the external surface of a body creates thermal energy and a momentary state of plasticity in the workpiece. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,330,699, M. M. Farrow, May 18, 1982, a non-contact laser welder is accompanied by a second amplitude modulated laser for generating acoustic waves in the melt to improve interdiffusion and homogeneity of the weld joint. I have authored or co-authored several publications relating to ultrasonic impact treatment of welded joints and the relationship to fatigue resistance, typically as reported in the following International Institute of Welding IIW Documents: Publication XIII-1617-96 for example discloses that the fatigue strength of as-welded joints was increased by changes in mechanical properties of material in surface layers induced by ultrasonic impact treatment (UIT). Thus, the material at the weld toe is compressed and deformed by manual indentation using an ultrasonic probe to form indented groove structure smooth and free from irregularities. This technique depends upon the training and skills of an operator manually wielding an ultrasonic probe to form the grooves, and requires reshaping of the weld site. The comparison of peening with (UIT) is discussed in Document XIII-1668-97, which sets forth the advantages of ultrasonic impact treatment technology over peening, and the practicability of UIT technology to compress and indent the welded body structure in the vicinity of the weld seam. The use of ultrasonic hand tools for achieving foregoing compression indentations is set forth in Document XIII-1609-95. These techniques have demonstrated significant increases in fatigue limits of welded structures. However, this prior art technology requires physical distortion of the welded product or structure, and demands skilled labor to make decisions on the nature of indentations in the presence of different physical shapes of welded bodies and different loading requirements at the weld sites. Thus, it is neither practical nor economically feasible to apply the techniques universally or by automation to welded products of various sorts. Furthermore there can be no consistency from one product to another to assure constant quality performance expectations. Nor can techniques provided for initial welding production cycles only, be used for later maintenance of welded products or for repairs of cracks and other catastrophic failures. The present invention has the objectives of curing deficiencies in the aforementioned type of prior art, and offering significant advantages in simplifying processing steps while guaranteeing higher quality products and improving useful life span and higher loading capacities of welded products at various stages of life, throughout the initial production of the product and even after catastrophic failures appear, such as visually observable cracks. A significant objective of the invention is to coordinate and combine non-destructive ultrasonic impact treatment of work product bodies without deforming their shape in a procedure applicable to manufacturing, maintenance and repair processes, typically to relax internal stresses, reverse fatigue effects, improve corrosion fatigue strength and durability of load bearing surfaces and joints, and to create relaxed more ideally distributed internal body stress patterns. It is a specific objective of the invention to introduce improved welding technology for improving product life spans, maintaining the products during useful life and repairing defects found in products to restore useful life. Another objective of the invention is to reduce material consumption during welding while reducing the processing time and increasing the performance and life of welded products by replacing or eliminating various required technical operation steps required in the prior art in the production, maintenance and repair of welded products, such as grinding and surface shaping steps. A further objective of the invention is to produce quality welded joints with consistently controlled stress distribution patterns, which may constitute either initially formed structure during manufacture or redistributed structure and stress patterns initiated during service life. It is an objective of this invention to introduce life extension methods applicable to welded structural members to substantially increase useful lives and working strengths of the welded products in a manner not heretofore feasible. It is a further object of the invention to develop scientific methods of treating bodies of metal, plastic and composite materials in a scientifically reproducible manner based upon detected dynamic internal body conditions exhibited during treatment procedures.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Reduction and redistribution of internal stress patterns in work product bodies during manufacture, maintenance and repair, as exemplified for example by treatments of metallic work bodies in the vicinity of weld seams, are achievements of this invention serving to improve service life and load carrying capacity. The scientific methodology of this invention is achieved in preferred embodiments by improvements in ultrasonic impact technology (UIT) for inducing shock pulses into work products through a transducer (impact tool) in contact with an exterior body surface. More generally, a shock pulse impacts the work body exterior surface by contact with an impact tool transducer to interact in one of the following modes: (a) To transfer a single impact from a pulse energy source delivered through the transducer into the work body; (b) To transfer a series of non-periodic impacts into the work body; (c) To transfer a periodic train of forced periodic vibrations into the work body; or (d) To transfer controlled trains of periodic vibrations into the work body as a function of the dynamic conditions of the work body during treatment. The transducer and its manner of transferring to shock pulse impacts to penetrate the work body structure is a critical tool for generating the necessary amount of internal shock wave energy in the work body, typically steel, to achieve variations of internal body structure, such as restructuring residual stress patterns, temporarily plasticizing the body structure and leaving an improved permanent residual historical change of internal work body structure. This transducer must effectively convert pulse energy from a power source into internal shock waves in the work product body being treated. One objective of this invention is to introduce pulse wave energy into load bearing work body's interior structure in such magnitude as to improve the grain structure and the residual stress patterns for producing longer wear and increased load bearing capacity. This requires efficient interchange of energy from an impact pulse source to the interior work body structure. It is selectively desirable to either deform and to avoid deformation of the impact exterior body surface. This can be achieved by different transducer structure. Typically a surface contact member such as an indenter tool peen or needle is mechanically driven into the surface with a peening function from a mechanically movable transducer body responsive to the available pulse energy derived from a power source in one of the above described modes. Three basic impact methods can be employed for moving the indenter tool into the work body surface, namely: (a) one sided contact between one or a set of needle indenters and the treated product surface to drive the needle away from contact with an output working butt of a transducer into the surface being treated for an impulse stroke to spring back to the working butt ready for another stroke; (b) one sided contact between the needle(s) and the treated product surface awaiting the output impact from the working butt of the transducer; (c) double sided contact of the needle(s) with both the transducer working butt and the treated product surface; and (d) Any of the above with a waveguide structure inserted between the transducer working butt inclined toward a treatment position on the product surface to direct the impact energy at an angle or to reach limited access working surfaces. By selection of these tool combinations significantly increased efficiency of energy impulse transfer into the working body may be achieved. In any of these impact interactions between a transducer, an indenter and a treated surface, pulsed forces initiated by the UIT process leads to the following factors on the treated body when stroking impulses of appropriate stroke magnitudes and energy content are used: (a) plastic deformation on the treated work body surface and its internal body volume, typically with penetrations up to 3 mm in steel; (b) residual compression stresses created equal to or higher than the maximum yield of the treated material in the plastic deformation zone; (c) residual compression stresses historically stored in the area of elastic deformation, typically up to 5 mm depth in steel; (d) pulsed compression stresses induced, typically at a depth up to 5 mm from the treated surface; (e) periodic waves of ultrasonic dynamic stresses induced typically to depths of 12 mm under treated surfaces. All five effects are initiated by the plastic deformation step (a). The effects of these UIT factors on the treated body include plastic deformations, residual compression stresses in plastic deformation zones and residual compression stresses in elastic deformation zones leading to redistribution of residual (primarily tensile) stresses, together with reduction of external dynamic and primary tensile stresses. Both compression stress pulses and dynamic stress waves induced by UIT lead to relaxation of residual internal stresses and external dynamic stresses, sometimes resulting in internal temporary plasticity. Plastic deformations on and under treated exterior work product surfaces, in combination with redistribution and relaxation of stresses leads to increases in resistance to deformation of body material, aging, fatigue and reductions in various structural defects through the life of a body. Improved internal work body structure is thus achieved by controlled periodic pulsed energy impact treatment of external work body surface zones, usually nondestructively, to induce internal compression waves resulting in modified internal body material structure, and plastic deformation. One useful embodiment addresses the internal body structure of a welded work product in the vicinity of the weld seam. By introduction of impulse impacts, such as ultrasonic waves of appropriate magnitude and frequency for the work product material being processed, residual stresses are relaxed in depths typically up to 12 mm (for steel). In some instances, depending on UIT parameters, the desirable “white layer” effect is created. White layers are formed on the treated body surface and in a narrow under-surface layer, typically one micron thick by interaction of several factors, including: (a) rapid heating to appropriate temperatures, such as close to annealing temperatures for steel, at the point of ultrasonic impact, as generated by the high repetitive frequency of the impact pulses; (b) high intensity ultrasonic impact rate inducing plastic deformation with corresponding formation of residual stresses, typically greater than two times maximum yield; and (c) rapid thermal dissipation from the point of ultrasonic impact at a rate comparable in steel to the cooling rate of steel after annealing. These factors are achieved by regulation of the frequency and energy of impact and the magnitude of contact stress. “White layers” are characterized by substantial absence of evident grain structure in the vicinity of weld seams. It is well known that this amorphous crystalline structure of the “white layers” forms new grain borders providing fewer internal bubbles or vacancies of material, and dislocations of grain boundaries. The grain boundaries are moved to the borders of the white layer zones. White layers are characterized by higher fatigue resistance and corrosion resistance. The load carrying ability of the white layer structure with redistributed residual stresses thus create higher load bearing strength. Applied pulsed energy of a random or periodic nature to an external work product surface thus creates compression waves within the work body being treated to dynamically induce a plasticized zone inside the body. Such compression waves achieve a pattern with a gradient stress magnitude pattern extending from the maximum magnitude surface zone receiving the pulsed energy and tapers to reduced magnitudes reaching to an internal unstressed base metal site within the product body. By withdrawal of the pulsed energy, rapid thermal dissipation within the body structure in an annealing manner reorganizes residual stress patterns which reduce overall product load bearing capabilities and introduce zones susceptible to failure and fatigue. For optimum effectiveness the impact treatment is preferably ultrasonically induced under the controlled conditions hereinafter described. This treatment procedure replaces several technical operation steps required in the prior art initial production stage that simplifies and lowers costs of the treatment of work products, including welded bodies, while improving strength and life expectancy. In welded products the amount of required metal consumption is reduced significantly. Application of pulsed impact energy replaces formerly required such technological operations as: thermal treatment steps including annealing (generally requiring a furnace); overlaying auxiliary welds such as filler welds to increase the loading capacity of a weld joint; mechanical steps of chamfering weld seams to relax internal stresses; peening by hammer peening, needle peening, shot peening, and shot blasting; TIG dressing; abrasive treatment; demagnetizing; attachment of bracing plates; and the like. Novel process steps and improved welded structures afforded by this invention for treating welded products are illustrated in one preferred embodiment related to the particular technological operation of repair of a crack in a welded body. In general, this invention corrects prior art deficiencies by reworking the internal micro structure of work product materials in various phases of production, maintenance and repair to relax and redistribute residual structural stress patterns caused by welding in the vicinity of weld seams. Critical stress patterns or concentrations that reduce life and load bearing capabilities of the product are thus eliminated or minimized. By the application of the ultrasonic impact technology afforded by this invention, several predecessor prior art technical operations are eliminated, thus serving to improve the load bearing capabilities of the welded product more simply. Reorganization of residual stress patterns that lead to fatigue, stress corrosion and catastrophic failure improves the work product performance. This invention provides novel methods not heretofore available in the art to prevent and repair micro structure damage usually encountered during prior art fabrication of new structures. It provides maintenance routines for increasing expected life and renovating fatigue and aging stress patterns. Also, these methods are employed in the repair of visible loading and aging defects encountered in service. Further novel repair methods are introduced without the high processing costs to effectively eliminate failures and defects due to stress concentration introduced in prior art during sequentially applied technical operations such as stripping and shaping of surfaces, or additional beading and strain hardening procedures such as bending and thermal treatment, all of which require taking the product out of active service. By the technology of this invention therefore novel work product structures introduced in manufacturing and maintenance procedures is introduced which produces greater load bearing capacity by reducing internal stress patterns. This leads to reduced fatigue failure and longer working life of work products. Improved instrumentation, treatment methods, products and systems are introduced which produce and exhibit improved internal work product body structure with fewer voids and better internal stress patterns resulting in fewer defective products, service failures and early fatigue in active service. This technology is exhibited in specialty utility embodiments related to the welding arts and weight bearing structural configurations. First the novel scientific principles employed by this invention are exemplified in the method of treatment of products to reduce internal structural defects that cause premature failure in service. Thus, interior compressive mechanical vibrations are generally nondestructively induced into the interior body material with a vibrating instrument located on an external surface zone of the body. Appropriate pulse energy, at magnitudes and repetition rates adapted for the particular work body shape and material is applied for plasticizing and reforming resident normally solid interior body material. Such applied energy relates to product shape and utilities and product materials. Thus required energy and pulse repetition rates vary significantly between different metals such as bronze and steel and between metal and plastic bodies, for example. Compressive pulse energy waves induced inside the body relaxes and redistributes residual crystalline structure and product material character to reduce work product voids or bubbles and rework grain structure and residual stress patterns to reform the solid body material structure. The molten or plastic condition, typically serves to relax residual stresses, remove voids and improve grain structure. This improved structure is retained by rapid cooling of the molten material in place achieved simply by withdrawal of the pulse vibration energy. Controlled and consistently reproducible scientific interior product body restructuring is achieved by this invention which permits adoption of product control conditions and automated procedures for achieving stated objective results, including creation of substantially grainless white layers and relaxing resident internal stress patterns. With this scientific method improved products with longer life spans bearing heavier loads can be produced, maintained and repaired at significantly reduced cost. Thus, internal product work body conditions are sensed during dynamic treatment to provide feedback signals for controlling and automating the treatment process. Feedback signals are obtained from electrodes located upon the vibrating transducer for electronically sensing the transducer interface loading conditions during dynamic changes in the product body interior structure thereby providing intelligence for control of the effectiveness of the treating process and automating it. A work product body is treated by the forced driving pulse vibrations induced by an ultrasonic transducer and indenter impact needle at the body exterior surface. Rapid dynamic changes of the internal body material characteristics occur to mismatch the natural vibration frequency of the transducer and the mechanical vibration frequency of the treated body during the treatment procedure. This not only significantly reduces the efficiency of energy transmitted into the treated body, but also significantly jeopardizes the predictable quality of the work product which is processed accordingly under unknown conditions. There are encountered dynamic changes in surface conditions, internal deflection modes, residual and dynamic stresses within the material structure, which heretofore have not been ascertainable or controllable. Accordingly this invention by sensing the ultrasonic tool interface conditions with the work product external surface produces a feedback signal indicative of the dynamic state of the body under treatment. For example plasticized or molten metal behaves differently from cold metal, and residual internal stress patterns produce different product characteristics. The ultrasonic transducer itself by means of carried electrical contact probes thus simply serves as a feedback detector reproducing transducer striction waveforms during the dynamic treatment of the work product. The resulting feedback electric signal then may be analyzed to determine the internal body structure dynamic state and used thereby to maintain a predictable and repeatable product quality level. For example, the efficiency of the ultrasonic treatment in transferring available pulse energy into the work product interior is critical. The feedback signal of the transducer under forced vibration in contact with the vibrating body surface then will for example produce a periodic waveform pattern representative of the stroke magnitude and the mechanical vibrating frequency at the surface interface. This signal may be periodically be sampled during pauses in the driving oscillation force to the transducer to produce the mechanical resonance frequency and phase. Thus the transducer driving oscillator may be adjusted to the mechanical resonance frequency to significantly increase the transfer of energy by utilization of the tuned circuit Q amplification factor. This feedback sensing technology is applicable to controlled treatment of a wide range of product body interior structures, including plastic, metallic, ferromagnetic, welded and weldfree work products, resulting in more consistent quality of treated products. Other feedback control signal characteristics are typically useful to control timing of the molten phase and the cooling phase for creating an annealed steel product of particular advantages for example. Thus, for example, any load bearing work product structure, where the load is compression, tension, thermal or abrasive, can be treated to produce a modified internal body structure that meets the product objectives of longer life and greater load bearing capacity. Consider for example a ferromagnetic railway brake shoe product braking surface, which is subjected to both compressive load and significant thermal stresses. The treatment method of this invention on the braking surface can produce a stronger, longer life product by processing the interior body structure to remove voids, stress concentrators and restructure as if by annealing the grain structure to produce a longer life white layer surface in the brake surface contact area. A welded product structure is particularly adapted for treatment by the methodology of this invention to also produce improved product functionality. The stress concentrations at a weld joint between the weld seam and the interior product body structure may be effectively treated to relax stresses, remove voids and produce favorable residual interior stress patterns when cooled in place after thermal treatment. Furthermore in creating the initial weld seam in the product manufacturing phase, this invention provides automated manufacturing instrumentation, procedures and systems for controlling welding quality and producing a stronger and longer life product. The technique may also be employed during the service life for maintenance to reduce aging and loading fatigue and for repair of visible failures such as bending or striated and cracked surfaces. Accordingly welding technology represents a preferred vehicle for embodiment of various features and innovations afforded by this invention. The improved products, instrumentation and systems afforded by this invention are thus implicitly interwoven in the following embodiments of the invention. Thus, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, an ultrasonic impact technology (UIT) surface impact treatment step creates states of plasticity in the inner body structure by way of applied pulsed compressive stress energy. Thus, residual stresses are relaxed and reworked stress gradient patterns result in more effective distribution of internal stress patterns to significantly strengthen the body for its work function. The resulting effect of UIT treatment generally creates a rearrangement submicrostructure of grains in treated areas, particularly in ferromagnetic metals. More specifically internal structural defects, such as vacancies and grain dislocations, are exposed and moved to the boundaries of modified grain structures such as encountered at weld seams, for example, resulting in annihilation of gradients of structural strain of 2nd and 3rd types in the vicinity of these boundaries. In addition, strain redistribution and reduction of the 1st type strain are introduced in the treated zones, typically encompassing welded joints. This results in welded products with longer life and higher load bearing capacity. Such UIT treatment steps are useful during welding, fabrication of new structures, maintenance operations, and/or treatments of aging, stress fatigue or catastrophic failure to restore life. In the technical operation of repair of a crack visible on the external surface of a metallic body, the invention is characterized by the basic method steps of UIT treatment supplemented by the mechanical deformation steps of chamfering sharp edges about the crack, drilling holes at crack end points to prevent further spread, and the welding of bracing structure onto the welded product as a further bypass vehicle for bearing load, relaxing internal residual stress defects and favorably influencing dynamics to prevent crack formation and development. During practical defect repairs in a welded structure, UIT permits the structure to be maintained without interruption of its use (typically bridge support girders over which normal traffic flows) in all phases of maintenance and repair by such procedures as: (a) repair of deep cracks and full penetration cracks by re-welding and UIT treatment; (b) repair of shallower surface cracks and defects of structural metal, such as fatigue corrosion defects, by applying UIT treatment to these defects and adjacent areas; (c) stopping crack development by drilling holes at ends of cracks and chamfering those holes, adjacent zones and hole surfaces with UIT and; (d) prevention of crack formation or spread by UIT treatment to redistribute stress concentration patterns. Each of the above steps of structure maintenance comprises sets of operations which in combination result in high quality and reliability of a welded structure. The individual operational steps in these multi-step processes for welded products which are eliminated typically include: (i) grinding and sanding of surfaces for preparing for welding, drilling and painting; (ii) mechanical treatment of weldments in order to eliminate stress concentrators; (iii) mechanical treatment of weldments to remove irregularities of welding joints; (iv) relaxation of residual welding stresses; (v) intermediate cleaning of beads from flux, calx and other impurities; (vi) demagnetizing of welding pass in multi-pass welding procedure; and (vii) creation of compression stresses for prevention of structural damages of material under normal loading. Thus, this invention provides simplified procedures that replace a number of conventional procedures, and which is less dependent upon uncontrollable variables in equipment, worker's qualifications, etc. In a typical embodiment of the invention, (i) a UIT transducer working head is located on the surface of a welded work product in a zone residing at a predetermined distance from an applied electric welding arc, lazer beam or other welding torch method in a region having a temperature considerably cooler than the welding temperature. (ii) In this relationship, the ultrasonic transducer head is caused mechanically to concurrently track by means of appropriate instrumentation a desired surface pattern related to the path of the welding arc. This accordingly creates along the weld seam, as well as in front and/or beyond the weld seam up to the welding arc zone, an internal compression wave pattern which penetrates the welding zone and/or the welded product body far enough and deep enough to reform residual stress patterns within the product body during the welding step. Introduction of UIT at the actual time of welding results in moving ultrasonic waves through the welding joint and into a molten welding pool. This optimizes the process of welding joint formation and provides its high quality and uniformity in the final structure. The basis for this process is ultrasonic cavitation of the molten metal and acoustic flow which in turn induces ultrasonic outgassing, grain dissipation during its crystallization and optimization of thermal-mass exchange in the welding pool. Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be found throughout the following description and claims.
20041201
20080318
20050505
65269.0
2
KASTLER, SCOTT R
ULTRASONIC IMPACT METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF WELDED STRUCTURES
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,000,229
ACCEPTED
Safety bobber
A fishing bobber including a flotation body with an open unfilled cavity therein and a tube apparatus at least partially projecting into the cavity, said tube apparatus, having a first end with a first diameter opening and a second end with a second diameter opening. The first diameter being larger than the second diameter.
1. A fishing bobber, comprising: a flotation body with an open unfilled cavity therein; and a tube apparatus at least partially projecting into said cavity, said tube apparatus having a first end with a first diameter opening and a second end with a second diameter opening, said first diameter being larger than said second diameter. 2. The fishing bobber of claim 1, wherein said tube apparatus is integral with said flotation body. 3. The fishing bobber of claim 1, wherein said first diameter extends as a hollow cylinder through at least one half of the length of said tube apparatus. 4. The fishing bobber of claim 1, wherein said tube apparatus one of projects substantially through said cavity and projects entirely through said cavity. 5. The fishing bobber of claim 1, wherein said first diameter is at least three times said second diameter. 6. The fishing bobber of claim 1, wherein said cavity has a diameter and a depth, said diameter being larger than said depth of said cavity. 7. The fishing bobber of claim 1, wherein said flotation body is substantially spherical. 8. A fishing system, comprising: a fishing line; a fishing hook secured to said fishing line; and a safety bobber through which said fishing line traverses, said safety bobber including: a flotation body with an open unfilled cavity therein; and a tube apparatus at least partially projecting into said cavity, said tube apparatus having a first end with a first diameter opening and a second end with a second diameter opening, said first diameter being larger than said second diameter. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein said tube apparatus is integral with said flotation body. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein said first diameter extends as a hollow cylinder through at least one half of the length of said tube apparatus. 11. The system of claim 8, wherein said first diameter is at least three times said second diameter. 12. The system of claim 8, wherein said tube apparatus one of projects substantially through said cavity and projects entirely through said cavity. 13. The system of claim 8, wherein said first diameter is at least three times said second diameter. 14. The system of claim 8, wherein said cavity has a diameter and a depth, said diameter being larger than said depth of said cavity. 15. The system of claim 8, wherein said flotation body is substantially spherical. 16. The system of claim 8, further comprising a line stop attached to said fishing line. 17. The system of claim 8, further comprising a sinker slidingly attached to said fishing line, said first diameter being large enough to accommodate an entry of said sinker thereinto. 18. A method of preparing fishing tackle, comprising the steps of: providing a fishing bobber having a flotation body with an open unfilled cavity therein and a tube apparatus at least partially projecting into said cavity, said tube apparatus having a first end with a first diameter opening and a second end with a second diameter opening, said first diameter being larger than said second diameter; threading a fishing line through said tube apparatus; and securing said fishing line to a fishing hook. 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of attaching a line stop onto said fishing line. 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of sliding said fishing line until said fishing hook is at least partially in said tube apparatus.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/726,445, entitled “SAFETY BOBBER”, filed Dec. 3, 2003. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the invention. The present invention relates to a fishing bobber, and, more particularly, to a fishing bobber with a cavity therein. 2. Description of the related art. Humankind has pursued fishing for survival, for commercial purposes and for sport. Pursuit of sport fishing has produced a plethora of products in the way of boating innovations, fish finders, lures, fishing lines, reels, fishing rods and other tackle. The basic equipment of fishing consists of a barbed metal hook at the end of a fishing line and a wood, fiberglass or metal pole, that usually has some type of spool or reel, near the handle, around which the fishing line is wound. Recreational fishing is practiced throughout the world and is done in freshwater and saltwater. The most popular game fish are salmon, trout, bass and pike in freshwater and sailfish, tuna, marlin, tarpon and bonefish in saltwater. There are two basic types of freshwater tackle, those for fly-casting and those for bait-casting. Live bait or a variety of plugs, spoons and other artificial lures can be cast and pulled in, popped along the surface, trolled from a moving boat or allowed to rest at a predefined position in the water assisted by a bobber floating on the surface. Spinning tackle requires an angler to keep the lure moving by repeatedly casting the spinning tackle and reeling it back in. Bait fishing includes applying a bait to a hook and casting the bait, which may be additionally weighted, into a likely area where fish may be, and allowing the bait to be suspended in the water to tempt the fish. Often a fishing bobber is used to hold the bait at a suspended distance from the surface of the water. The fisherman then watches the bobber as an indicator of when a fish is nibbling or has taken the bait. Movement of the bobber alerts the fisherman to pull on the fishing line in an attempt to set the hook in the fish's mouth. A fisherman experiences a great deal of annoyance if his hook gets caught on a foreign object. Worse than being annoyed is being hooked by the barbed point of the fishing hook itself either on the fisherman's clothing or person. This can happen when nearly the entire fishing line has been retrieved on a fishing reel and the fisherman reaches out to take a hold of the line close to the hook. Additionally, if a fish, that is caught on the hook, is nearly to the fisherman and the fisherman is reaching along the line to grasp the fish and the fish throws the hook, the pressure on the line can drive the hook into the fisherman's outstretched hand. What is needed in the art of fishing is a device to eliminate an exposed fishing barb upon the retrieval of a fishing line. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a fishing bobber that accommodates a fishing hook. The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a fishing bobber including a flotation body with an open unfilled cavity therein and a tube apparatus at least partially projecting into the cavity, said tube apparatus having a first end with a first diameter opening and a second end with a second diameter opening. The first diameter being larger than the second diameter. An advantage of the present invention that it protects a fisherman from being snagged by a fishing hook. Another advantage of the present invention is that it reduces the incident of a fishing hook snagging a piece of floating debris. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a safety bobber system embodying the present invention; FIG. 2 is cross-sectional view of the bobber of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bobber of FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating a fishing hook in a protected position; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a safety bobber system of another embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the bobber of FIG. 4. Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, and, more particularly to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a safety bobber system 10 including a bobber body 12, fishing line 14 and fishing hook 16. Bobber body 12, also known as a floatation body 12, includes a cavity 18 with a cavity wall 20 and a cavity side wall 22, and tube 24. Cavity 18 is a cylindrically shaped cavity at one end of bobber body 12. Cavity 18 has a diameter that is greater than the depth of cavity 18. Cavity 18 is concentrically located relative to tube 24. Cavity wall 20 is a puncture resistant surface, which accommodates a fishing hook point. Tube 24 protrudes into cavity 18 to receive a portion of fishing hook 16 therein. Tube 24 may even extend beyond the depth of cavity 18. Fishing hook 16 includes an eye 26, a shank 28 and a barbed point 30. Fishing line 14 is secured to fishing hook 16 by utilizing the opening in eye 26 through which fishing line 14 is threaded and tied to. As fishing line 14 is pulled through bobber 12, eye 26 and shank 28 enter into tube 24 and barbed point 30 is stopped by contact with cavity wall 20. Alternatively, tube 24 may extend far enough so that fishing hook 16 is stopped before barbed point 30 contacts cavity wall 20. Tube 24 extends through bobber 12 having an opening 32 therethrough. Tube 22 may be integral with bobber body 12 or may be a separate tube with bobber body 12 molded therearound. Opening 32 is sized such that it will accommodate the entry of eye 26 and shank 28 of fishing hook 16. A line stop 34 is compressed onto fishing line 14 to control the depth at which bait, placed upon fishing hook 16, will be suspended in a body of water. Line stop 34 is of sufficient size to preclude it's entry into opening 32. Bobber system 10 is assembled by threading fishing line 14 through opening 32 then securing fishing line 14 to eye 26 of fishing hook 16. Fishing hook 16 is baited and bobber system 10 is cast along with baited hook 16. When bobber system 10 hits the surface of the water, the weight of the bait and hook 16 draws line 14 through bobber system 10. The movement of line 14 is stopped when line stop 34 contacting the outer perimeter of opening 32. If the bait on hook 16 is taken by a fish, leaving hook 16 unbaited, the fisherman reels in line 14 causing eye 26 and shank 28 to enter into opening 32 as bobber system 10 is retrieved back to the fisherman. If at least a part of the bait remains on hook 16, then shank 28 may not fully enter into tube 24. Nonetheless, the positioning of at least a portion of shank 28 in tube 24 substantially shields barbed point 30 from catching on a foreign object as bobber system 10 is retrieved and protects the hands and clothing of the fisherman from barbed point 30. When the fisherman successfully hooks a fish on hook 16, as line 14 is retrieved, bobber body 12 slides along line 14 and positions itself proximate to the fish. As a fisherman applies tension to line 14, and as the fish draws near to the fisherman, it is a common practice for the fisherman to run his hand along line 14 and should the fish throw hook 16 the tension on the line will draw shank 28 into tube 24 to thereby shield barbed point 30 from contacting the fisherman. Now additionally referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 there is shown a bobber system 50 including a tube assembly 52. Tube assembly 52 includes a first passageway 54 and a second passageway 56. First passageway 54 is a substantially hollow cylinder having a diameter that is larger than the diameter of passageway 56. Passageway 54 extends substantially over the full length of bobber assembly 50 and allows for a sinker 60 along with a portion of fishing hook 16 to enter therein. Fishing line 14 is threaded through passageway 56 and 54 to be coupled with hook 16. Passageway 56 is less than half the diameter of passageway 54 and allows for the traversal fishing line 14 therethrough. At the end of passage way 56 the opening may be flared or radiused in order to accommodate the threading of fishing line therethrough and to eliminate a sharp corner, which may harm the line. A line stop 34 prevents fishing line 14 from threading without end through tube assembly 52. Additionally, tube assembly 52 has a projection 58, which extends at least part way into cavity 18. The end of projection 58 is radiused to accommodate a smooth transition of line 14, sinker 60 and hook 16 into passageway 54. Cavity 18 has a diameter and a depth. The diameter of cavity 18 being larger than the depth of cavity 18. Bobber assembly 50 is substantially spherical having tube assembly 52 extending through bobber assembly 50 substantially over the full length of bobber assembly 50. Tube assembly 52 may be separate from or integral with the rest of bobber assembly 50. In operation, hook 16 is baited and bobber assembly 50 along with hook 16 and sinker 60 are cast to a point on the surface of a body of water. Upon hitting the water the natural buoyancy of bobber assembly 50 causes it to float on the surface while sinker 60 pulls line 14 through passageways 56 and 54 and projection 58 until line stop 34 encounters an end of passageway 56. This serves to position hook 16 at a set distance below the surface of the water. Upon retrieving bobber assembly 50 and hook 16, fishing line 14 is pulled causing sinker 60 and hook 16 to approach and then enter into passageway 54. If a fish has been caught on hook 16, the end of bobber assembly 50 simply rests against a portion of the fish as the fish is retrieved. Alternatively, if no fish has been caught, shank 28 of fishing hook 16 enters into passageway 54 and barbed point 30 enters into cavity 18 and is positioned against a wall of cavity 18. While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the invention. The present invention relates to a fishing bobber, and, more particularly, to a fishing bobber with a cavity therein. 2. Description of the related art. Humankind has pursued fishing for survival, for commercial purposes and for sport. Pursuit of sport fishing has produced a plethora of products in the way of boating innovations, fish finders, lures, fishing lines, reels, fishing rods and other tackle. The basic equipment of fishing consists of a barbed metal hook at the end of a fishing line and a wood, fiberglass or metal pole, that usually has some type of spool or reel, near the handle, around which the fishing line is wound. Recreational fishing is practiced throughout the world and is done in freshwater and saltwater. The most popular game fish are salmon, trout, bass and pike in freshwater and sailfish, tuna, marlin, tarpon and bonefish in saltwater. There are two basic types of freshwater tackle, those for fly-casting and those for bait-casting. Live bait or a variety of plugs, spoons and other artificial lures can be cast and pulled in, popped along the surface, trolled from a moving boat or allowed to rest at a predefined position in the water assisted by a bobber floating on the surface. Spinning tackle requires an angler to keep the lure moving by repeatedly casting the spinning tackle and reeling it back in. Bait fishing includes applying a bait to a hook and casting the bait, which may be additionally weighted, into a likely area where fish may be, and allowing the bait to be suspended in the water to tempt the fish. Often a fishing bobber is used to hold the bait at a suspended distance from the surface of the water. The fisherman then watches the bobber as an indicator of when a fish is nibbling or has taken the bait. Movement of the bobber alerts the fisherman to pull on the fishing line in an attempt to set the hook in the fish's mouth. A fisherman experiences a great deal of annoyance if his hook gets caught on a foreign object. Worse than being annoyed is being hooked by the barbed point of the fishing hook itself either on the fisherman's clothing or person. This can happen when nearly the entire fishing line has been retrieved on a fishing reel and the fisherman reaches out to take a hold of the line close to the hook. Additionally, if a fish, that is caught on the hook, is nearly to the fisherman and the fisherman is reaching along the line to grasp the fish and the fish throws the hook, the pressure on the line can drive the hook into the fisherman's outstretched hand. What is needed in the art of fishing is a device to eliminate an exposed fishing barb upon the retrieval of a fishing line.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention provides a fishing bobber that accommodates a fishing hook. The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a fishing bobber including a flotation body with an open unfilled cavity therein and a tube apparatus at least partially projecting into the cavity, said tube apparatus having a first end with a first diameter opening and a second end with a second diameter opening. The first diameter being larger than the second diameter. An advantage of the present invention that it protects a fisherman from being snagged by a fishing hook. Another advantage of the present invention is that it reduces the incident of a fishing hook snagging a piece of floating debris.
20041130
20080429
20050609
90113.0
1
PARSLEY, DAVID J
SAFETY BOBBER
SMALL
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,000,295
ACCEPTED
Method for making mesh containers with a rail and mesh container formed therefrom
The present invention is directed to a method of forming a container comprising forming a basket portion of metal mesh material and a rail connected to the basket portion. The rail extends substantially outwardly from the outer surface of the basket portion and the rail extends continuously around the outer surface of the basket portion. In one example, the method includes forming the rail so that it does not contain or surround a free edge of the basket portion. In another example, the method includes forming the rail so that it includes an opening for containing or surrounding a free edge of the basket portion. The method may also include forming a lower rail. The present invention is also directed to a container formed by such method.
1. A method of forming a container comprising the following steps: forming a basket portion of metal mesh material into a bottom wall and upwardly extending first and second spaced apart sidewalls and upwardly extending third and fourth spaced apart sidewalls, said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls including an outer surface; forming a rail; and joining said rail to said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls such that a substantial portion of said rail extends substantially outwardly from said outer surface of said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls, and said rail extends substantially continuously around said outer surface of said basket portion. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of joining further includes spacing said rail from a free edge of said basket portion so that an upper section of said basket portion extends above said rail. 3. The method of claim 2, further including the step of cutting said upper section of said basket portion from the remaining portion of said basket portion. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said rail is generally L-shaped and has a first portion joined to said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls, and a second outwardly-extending portion. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said rail further includes a connection portion that becomes integral with said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls after said joining said rail step. 6. The method of claim 5, further including forming a second rail having a L-shape and two connection portions and joining said second rail to said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls and said bottom wall such that said connection portions become integral with said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls and said bottom wall. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of joining further includes containing a free edge of said basket portion with said rail. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said step of forming said rail further includes forming the rail with a curved portion having an opening and a curved section joining first and second sections of said rail, and said method further includes the step of inserting said free edge of said basket portion within said opening. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said step of forming said rail further includes forming said rail with a first extension coupled to and angularly offset from said first section. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of joining further includes welding said first extension to said outer surface of said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. 11. The method of claim 8, wherein said step of forming said rail further includes forming said rail with a second extension coupled to and angularly offset from said second section. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said step of joining further includes welding said second extension to an inner surface of said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. 13. A method of forming a container comprising the following steps: forming a basket portion of metal mesh material into a bottom wall and upwardly extending first and second spaced apart sidewalls and upwardly extending third and fourth spaced apart sidewalls; bending an upper section of said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls outwardly; forming a rail including an opening; inserting said upper section of said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls into said opening; and compressing said rail to engage said upper section of said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said rail forming step further includes forming said rail with a curved portion having said opening and said rail forming step further includes forming said rail with an extension angularly offset from said curved portion; said inserting step further includes locating said extension adjacent said basket portion; and said method further includes welding said extension to said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein said rail forming step further includes forming said rail with a curved portion and a curved section joining first and second sections of said rail, and further includes forming said rail with first and second extensions coupled to said first and second sections, respectively, and angularly offset from said curved portion; said compression step further includes locating said first extension adjacent an outer surface of said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls and locating said second extension adjacent an inner surface of said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls; and said method further includes welding said first extension to said outer surface of said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls and welding said second extension to said inner surface of said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. 16. A container comprising: a basket portion of metal mesh material that includes a bottom wall and upwardly extending first and second spaced apart sidewalls and upwardly extending third and fourth spaced apart sidewalls, said basket portion further including an outwardly extending upper section of said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls; and a rail including an opening for receiving said upper section of said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls, said opening being sized so that said rail contacts opposing surfaces of said upper section. 17. The container of claim 16, wherein said rail further includes a curved portion and an extension angularly offset from said curved portion, said curved portion defining said opening and said extension being joined to said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. 18. The container of claim 16, wherein said rail further includes first and second extensions angularly offset from said curved portion, and said first extension is joined to an outer surface of said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls and said second extension is joined to an inner surface of said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. 19. The container of claim 16, wherein said rail is a substantially continuous piece of material. 20. The container of claim 16, wherein said basket portion includes open corners between said first and second sidewalls and said third and fourth sidewalls. 21. The container of claim 16, wherein said basket portion includes closed corners between said first and second sidewalls and said third and fourth sidewalls. 22. A container comprising: a basket portion of metal mesh material that includes a bottom wall and upwardly extending first and second spaced apart sidewalls and upwardly extending third and fourth spaced apart sidewalls, said basket portion further including an outwardly extending upper section of said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls; and a first rail having a L-shape, said first rail being joined to said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. 23. The container of claim 22, wherein said first rail further includes a first projecting connection portion. 24. The container of claim 23, further including a second rail having a L-shape, said second rail being joined to said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls and said bottom wall 25. The container of claim 24, wherein said second rail further includes two second projecting connection portions and one of the second projecting connection portions contacts said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls, and said remaining second projecting connection portion contacts said bottom wall.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of our prior pending application Ser. No. 10/972,308, filed Oct. 22, 2004, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/308,699, filed Dec. 3, 2002, which claims priority to the prior ROC (Taiwan) Patent Application No. 090220946, filed Dec. 3, 2001; ROC (Taiwan) Patent Application No. 091202306, filed Apr. 16, 2002; and ROC (Taiwan) Patent Application No. 091214244, filed Sep. 11, 2002. This application also claims priority to the prior ROC (Taiwan) Patent Application No. 093211506, filed Jul. 21, 2004; China Patent Application No. 200420084938.8, filed Jul. 28, 2004; ROC (Taiwan) Patent Application No. 093211507, filed Jul. 21, 2004; and China Patent Application No. 200420084546.1, filed Jul. 29, 2004. These applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to containers, a system using such containers, and a method of making such containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to rails for use with drawers made of mesh material. 2. Description of Related Art Forming containers out of sheet metal is well known. U.S. Pat. No. 903,848 to Donnelly and 1,107,014 to Avery disclose such containers. In order to make these containers, a single blank of flat material is cut out and folded with overlapping sections. Sheet metal does not provide desirable characteristics such as drainage and ventilation. In an effort to make a well-ventilated container, U.S. Pat. No. 645,344 to White discloses a container formed of perforated sheet metal, wire-netting or another open-work material. The White container is intended to have a folded state and a flat state. This container is designed to be readily knocked down from its folded state to its flat state and to be easily constructed without tools. Other patents attempt to make lightweight, drainable and/or ventilated containers. U.S. Pat. No. 1,994,553 to Wolcott discloses one such container of finely woven wire screening. U.S. Pat. No. 2,825,481 to Glenny discloses another such container of finely woven wire screening. In order to make the White, Wolcott and Glenny containers, a single blank of flat woven wire is cut out and folded with overlapping sections. Another wire container that is commercially available under the brand name Elfa® is formed of a wire grid with a plurality of separately formed wires welded together. The Elfa® container includes a basket portion and a flat rail around the top edge of the basket portion. The Elfa® baskets are designed for use in a frame having a plurality of pairs of runners. When the baskets are inserted in the frame, the flat rail is supported by a pair of runners and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The wire grid used for the Elfa® basket has large holes measuring about 1 inch by 1 inch. The Elfa® basket also has openings at its corners. If a user desires to store small objects in these baskets, a plastic liner can be used. The liner has a bottom wall and upwardly bendable sidewalls, with slits between the sidewalls to allow for such bending. The open corners of the basket and the slits between the sidewalls of the liner may allow small objects to fall out of the basket, which is undesirable. Mesh material is typically formed by perforating or slitting a piece of sheet metal and stretching it. A sheet of mesh material requires less raw sheet metal than a non-mesh piece of sheet metal and a perforated piece of sheet metal. U.S. Pat. No. 1,408,026 to Ochiltree discloses a desk tray or basket formed of “expanded metal” or mesh material. Similar to the previous containers, the Ochiltree container is formed by a single blank of flat material that is cut out and folded. ROC (Taiwan) Patent Application No. 086202709 to Chih-Ming, Ko (in transliteration), filed Feb. 21, 1997, discloses a system of containers supported by a frame. The containers are formed of a single piece of mesh with a rim connected thereto. Additionally, the containers do not move with respect to the frame so that the contents of the lower container are not easily accessible. A number of mesh containers are made by Design Ideas, Ltd. One of these containers is the “Mesh Storage Nest.” This container is formed using a first piece of mesh that has the ends welded together to form a loop. A second piece of mesh is welded to the lower edge of the loop so that the first piece of mesh forms sidewalls and the second piece of mesh forms a bottom wall. The seam at the bottom of the container is covered by a bottom rail. A top rail is connected to the upper edge of the container. The sidewalls can be shaped to include a plurality of corners. A need exists for a lightweight container that can be incorporated into a system for storing objects. It is also desirable that the contents of such a container be made easily accessible and be prevented from accidentally falling through holes in the container. Furthermore, it is desirable that the container be formed by an economical method in unlimited sizes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a method of forming a container comprising the following step: forming a basket portion of metal mesh material into a bottom wall and upwardly extending first and second spaced apart sidewalls and upwardly extending third and fourth spaced apart sidewalls, the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls including an outer surface. The method further includes the following steps: forming a rail; and joining the rail to the outer surface such that a substantial portion of the rail extends substantially outwardly from the outer surface of the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls, and the rail extending substantially continuously around the outer surface of the basket portion. In one example, the step of joining further includes spacing the rail from a free edge of the basket portion so that an upper section of the basket portion extends above the rail. In such a method, the method further includes the step of cutting the upper section of the basket portion from the remaining portion of the basket portion. In another example of the method, the rail is generally L-shaped and has a first portion joined to the basket portion and a second outwardly-extending portion. In such a method, the rail further includes a projecting connection portion that becomes integral with the sidewalls after joining the rail to the basket portion. Such method may further include forming a second rail having a L-shape and two connection portions. The second rail being joined to the sidewalls and the bottom wall such that the connection portions become integral therewith. In yet another example, the step of joining further includes containing a free edge of the basket portion with the rail. In such an example, the step of forming the rail further includes forming the rail with a curved portion having an opening and a curved section joining first and second sections of the rail. The method further including the step of inserting the free edge of said basket portion within the opening. According to one aspect of the present invention, the step of forming said rail further includes forming said rail with a first extension coupled to and angularly offset from the first section. According to another aspect of the present invention, the step of forming said rail further includes forming said rail with a second extension coupled to and angularly offset from the second section. The present invention is directed to a method of forming a container comprising the following step: forming a basket portion of metal mesh material into a bottom wall and upwardly extending first and second spaced apart sidewalls and upwardly extending third and fourth spaced apart sidewalls. The method further includes the following steps: bending an upper section of the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls outwardly; forming a rail including an opening; inserting the upper section of the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls into the opening; and compressing the rail to engage the upper section of the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. According to one example of the inventive method, the rail forming step further includes forming a curved portion having the opening and the rail forming step further includes an extension angularly offset from the curved portion. In addition, the inserting step further includes locating the extension adjacent the basket portion; and the method further includes welding the extension to the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. According to another aspect of the present invention, the rail forming step further includes forming the rail with a curved portion and a curved section joining first and second sections of the rail and the curved portion forms the opening, and the method further includes forming the rail with first and second extensions angularly offset from the curved portion. Additionally, the compression step further includes locating the first extension adjacent an outer surface of the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls and locating the second extension adjacent an inner surface of the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. The method further includes welding the first extension to the outer surface of the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls and welding the second extension to the inner surface of the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. The present invention is also directed to a container comprising a basket portion and a rail. The basket portion is formed of metal mesh material that includes a bottom wall and upwardly extending first and second spaced apart sidewalls and upwardly extending third and fourth spaced apart sidewalls. The basket portion further includes an outwardly extending upper section of the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. The rail includes an opening for receiving the upper section of the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. The opening is sized so that the rail contacts opposing surfaces of said upper section. According to one aspect of the present invention, the rail further includes a curved portion and an extension angularly offset from the curved portion. The curved portion defines the opening and the extension is joined to the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. According to another aspect of the present invention, the rail further includes first and second extensions angularly offset from a curved portion. The first extension is joined to an outer surface of the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls and the second extension is joined to an inner surface of the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. According to one feature of the present invention, the rail is a substantially continuous piece of material. According to one feature of the present invention, the basket portion includes open corners between the first and second sidewalls and the third and fourth sidewalls. According to another feature of the present invention, the basket portion includes closed corners between the first and second sidewalls and the third and fourth sidewalls. The present invention is also directed to a container comprising a basket portion and first and second rails. The basket portion is formed of metal mesh material and includes a bottom wall and upwardly extending first and second spaced apart sidewalls and upwardly extending third and fourth spaced apart sidewalls. The first rail has a L-shape and is joined to the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. The second rail has a L-shape and is joined to the sidewalls and the bottom wall. In an alternative example, the first rail further includes a first projecting connection portion that contacts the sidewalls and becomes integral therewith, when the first rail is joined to the basket portion. In yet another alternative example, the second rail further includes at least one second projecting connection portion. The second projecting connection portion contacts the sidewalls or bottom wall and becomes integral therewith, when the second rail is joined to the basket portion. Alternatively, the present invention is directed to a container with a first rail or a second rail. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be more fully appreciated as the same becomes understood from the following detailed description of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is front, perspective view of a first example of a system of drawers of the present invention, where the drawers are in a retracted position; FIG. 2A is an enlarged, perspective view of an L-connector for use with the system of FIG. 1; FIG. 2B is an enlarged, end view of the L-connector shown in FIG. 2A; FIG. 2C is an enlarged, perspective view of a T-connector for use with the system of FIG. 1; FIG. 2D is an enlarged, end view of the T-connector shown in FIG. 2C; FIG. 3 is an enlarged, rear, perspective view of the first example of a drawer shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3A is an enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the drawer shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is an exploded, rear, perspective view of the drawer shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is an exploded, rear, perspective view of a portion of the drawer shown in FIG. 3, wherein all of the mesh pieces have been bent; FIG. 5A is a partially-exploded, rear, perspective view of the drawer shown in FIG. 4, wherein three pieces of mesh material have been joined together; FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of some of the mesh pieces of FIG. 5 and a portion of a welding machine for joining such pieces; FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of some of the mesh pieces of FIG. 5 and a portion of the welding machine of FIG. 6; FIG. 8 is a partial, elevational view of a first example of an upper rail joined to one of the mesh pieces shown in FIG. 5, wherein an upper portion of the mesh piece is uncropped; FIG. 9 is a partial, elevational view of the upper rail joined to the mesh piece of FIG. 8, wherein the upper portion of the mesh piece is cropped; FIG. 10 is a partial, elevational view of a second example of an upper rail separated from a mesh piece; FIG. 11 is a partial, elevational view of the upper rail joined to the mesh piece of FIG. 10; FIG. 12 is an exploded, rear, perspective view of a second example of a drawer using the upper rail and mesh piece shown in FIGS. 10 and 11; FIG. 13 is an exploded, rear, perspective view of a third example of a drawer for use in the system of FIG. 1, wherein an alternative example of two side pieces of mesh material are used; FIG. 14 is a partially-exploded, rear, perspective view of the drawer shown in FIG. 13, wherein three pieces of mesh material have been joined together; FIG. 15 is an enlarged, rear, perspective view of a fourth example of a drawer useful in the system of FIG. 1; FIG. 16 is an exploded, rear, perspective view of the drawer shown in FIG. 15; FIG. 17 is a partially-exploded, rear, perspective view of the drawer shown in FIG. 15, wherein three pieces of mesh material have been joined together; FIG. 18 is front, perspective view of a second example of a system of drawers of the present invention, where the drawers are shown in a retracted position; FIG. 19 is an exploded, perspective view of an exemplary drawer with a third example of an upper rail; FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the drawer and rail of FIG. 19, wherein the rail is coupled to the drawer; FIG. 21 is an enlarged, partial, perspective view of the upper rail of FIG. 19, wherein the rail is uncompressed; FIG. 22 is a partial, elevational view of the upper rail of FIG. 19 disposed upon a mesh piece, wherein the rail is uncompressed; FIG. 23 is a partial, elevational view of the upper rail joined to the mesh piece of FIG. 22, wherein the rail is compressed; FIG. 24 is a partial, elevational view of a fourth example of an upper rail separated from a mesh piece; FIG. 25 is a partial, elevational view of the upper rail joined to the mesh piece of FIG. 24; FIG. 26 is a partial, elevational view of a fifth example of an upper rail separated from a mesh piece; FIG. 27 is a partial, elevational view of the upper rail joined to the mesh piece of FIG. 26; FIG. 28 is a partial, elevational view of a sixth example of an upper rail separated from a mesh piece; FIG. 29 is a partial, elevational view of the upper rail joined to the mesh piece of FIG. 28; FIG. 30 is a partial, elevational view of a seventh example of an upper rail separated from a mesh piece; FIG. 31 is a partial, elevational view of the upper rail joined to the mesh piece of FIG. 30; FIG. 32 is a partial, elevational view of an eighth example of an upper rail separated from a mesh piece; FIG. 33 is a partial, elevational view of the upper rail joined to the mesh piece of FIG. 32; FIG. 34 is an exploded, perspective view of a drawer with a ninth example of an upper rail; FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the drawer and rail of FIG. 34, wherein the rail is coupled to the drawer; FIG. 36 is a partial, elevational view of the upper rail of FIG. 34 supported by a mesh piece, wherein welding has not occurred; FIG. 37 is a partial, elevational view of the upper rail joined to the mesh piece of FIG. 36, wherein welding has occurred; FIG. 38 is a partial, elevational view of a tenth example of an upper rail supported by a mesh piece, wherein welding has not occurred; FIG. 39 is a partial, elevational view of the upper rail joined to the mesh piece of FIG. 38, wherein welding has occurred; FIG. 40 is an exploded, perspective view of an alternative drawer example with an upper rail of FIG. 36 and a first example of a lower rail; FIG. 41 is a perspective view of the drawer and rails of FIG. 40, wherein the rails are coupled to the basket portion; FIG. 42 is a partial, elevational view of the upper and lower rails of FIG. 40 engaged with a mesh piece, wherein welding has not occurred; FIG. 43 is a partial, elevational view of the upper and lower rails joined to the mesh piece of FIG. 42, wherein welding has occurred; FIG. 44 is a partial, elevational view of the upper rail of FIG. 38 supported by a mesh piece and a second example of a lower rail, wherein welding has not occurred; and FIG. 45 is a partial, elevational view of the upper and lower rails joined to the mesh pieces of FIG. 44, wherein welding has occurred. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1, a first example of drawer system 10 is shown. This drawer system 10 may be used to store a variety of housewares, such as kitchen items, clothing, accessories, sports equipment, shoes, bathroom supplies, tools, appliances, and the like. Additionally, system 10 can be used to store a variety of other items, for example food, office supplies, office equipment, file folders, papers/documents, bags, boxes, cans, bottles, etc. Drawer system 10 includes frame 12 and a plurality of containers or drawers 14a-d. Drawer 14a is smaller than drawers 14b-c so drawer 14a can hold a smaller volume than other drawers 14b-d. Drawers 14a-d are movable with respect to frame 12 between a retracted position (shown in FIG. 1) and an extended position. In the retracted position, the contents of lower drawers 14b-d is difficult to access. In the extended position, the contents of the extended drawer are easily accessible; the extended drawer may be fully withdrawn from frame 12 if desired. With reference to FIG. 1, frame 12 includes two side frame members or ladders 16 that are spaced apart and joined by pairs of upper and lower cross members 18a,b, respectively. Side frame members 16 and pairs of upper and lower cross members 18a,b are formed to give frame 12 a rectangular shape. The present invention is not limited to this frame shape. Frame 12 further includes L-connectors 20 (as best seen in FIG. 2A) and T-connectors 22 (as best seen in FIG. 2B) for joining side frame members 16 to cross frame members 18a,b. For example, L-connectors 20 connect upper cross member 18a to side frame members 16, if no additional frames are to be added above the one illustrated in FIG. 1. If an additional frame is to be added above frame 12 shown in FIG. 1, T-connectors 22 are used to join upper cross members 18a to frame members 16. For example, T-connectors 22 also connect lower cross members 18b to side frame members 16. Alternatively, T-connectors 22 joined to lower cross members 18b can be replaced with plugs with casters (not shown) thereon to make system 10 movable, as is apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Referring again to FIG. 1, each side frame member 16 includes a pair of spaced apart vertical rods 24 coupled by vertically spaced apart horizontally-extending runners 26a-g. Each side frame member 16 is formed so that runners 26a-g of each side frame member 16 are aligned with runners 26a-g of other side frame member 16 to form a plurality of pairs of runners. Each runner 26a-g is a generally U-shaped member with inwardly extending gap 28 defined therein. Runners 26a-g may include a bore (not shown) in the rear end for receiving a pin (not shown) for preventing rearward movement of drawers 14a-d out of frame 12. To make frame 12 independent of direction the bore (not shown) may be formed at both ends of each runner and the pin (not shown) disposed in the desired end for use. Frame 12 is, for example, formed of any metal with sufficient rigidity and formability, for example mild sheet steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper or the like can be used. Vertical rods 24 and runners 26a-g are, for example, welded together using conventional welding techniques. Frame 12 may be subjected to a powder painting treatment, similar to that discussed below for drawers 14a-d. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, L-connector 20 includes central body 30 and first and second generally perpendicular legs 32 and 34 extending therefrom. For example, pairs of cross members 18a,b and vertical rods 24 are hollow so that legs 32 and 34 are received therein to join these components together. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2C and 2D, T-connector 22 includes central body 36 and first, second, and third legs 38, 40, and 42, respectively, extending therefrom. First and second legs 38 and 40 are generally perpendicular to one another similar to L-connector 20. Third and second legs 40 and 42 are also generally perpendicular to one another. For example, first leg 38 and third leg 42 may be inserted into hollow vertical rods 24, and second leg 40 is inserted in hollow associated cross members 18a,b. L-connectors 20 and T-connectors 22 are, for example, formed of any metal with sufficient rigidity and formability. For example, connectors 20 and 22 can be cast of die-cast aluminum or any alloy, using conventional techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Connectors 20 and 22, however, can also be formed of another material like injection molded plastic. Now, with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, and 3A, the details of drawer 14b will be discussed. Drawer 14b includes a runner portion that comprises upper rail 54 and basket portion 55. Basket portion 55 is coupled to upper rail 54. In the present example, basket portion 55 is formed of expanded metal plate (i.e., sheet metal) or “mesh” and has small openings 55a therein. In the present specification and appended claims “mesh” means flat metal that is pierced and stretched so that no material is separated from the original raw material, as known by those of ordinary skill in the art. On the other hand, unlike mesh, punching portions of waste material out of sheet metal material forms perforated metal. For example, openings 55a (see FIG. 3A) in the mesh have an area less than 25.4 mm by 25.4 mm. In another example, openings 55a (see FIG. 3) in the mesh have an area less than 20 mm by 10 mm. In yet another example, In another example, openings 55a (see FIG. 3) in the mesh have an area less than 6 mm by 3 mm. Basket portion 55, for example, is formed of any metal such as copper, steel, stainless steel or aluminum, and the like. Basket portion 55 includes bottom wall 56, a pair of spaced apart sidewalls 58 and 60, and another pair of sidewalls 62. For example, sidewalls 58, 60 and 62 are joined together to form closed curved corners 64. Sidewalls 58, 60 and 62 extend upwardly from bottom wall 56 to form upwardly-facing opening 66. As shown in FIG. 3, corners 64 are curved so that they deviate from straightness in a smooth, continuous fashion. The present invention, however, is not limited to drawers with curved corners and drawers with more angular corners are also considered inventive. The present invention is also not limited to drawers with a radius of curvature greater at the top of the drawer (adjacent the rail 54) than at the bottom. Thus, drawers with, for example, a constant radius of curvature are also considered inventive. In this example, sidewall 58 forms a front end wall that includes curved cutout 68 bordered by handle rail 70. Cutout 68 forms a place where a user can easily grasp drawer 14b to move it between the retracted and extended positions. In an alternative example, cutout 68 can be replaced with other methods to aid the user in moving drawer 14b, such as a protruding handle connected to wall 58. Handle rail 70 may have a circular cross-sectional shape and be cut and formed to extend along the edge of cutout 68. In the present example, rail 70 is of the same material as upper rail 54 and is spot-welded to basket portion 55. In this example, sidewall 60 forms a rear end wall. Referring to FIG. 4, drawer 14b is shown in a disassembled state. Basket portion 55 is formed by first piece of mesh 72, second piece of mesh 74 and third piece of mesh 76. First, second, and third pieces of mesh 72, 74, 76 are formed separately from one another. First piece of mesh 72 is bent along lines 72a,b to form edges as shown in FIG. 5 to define bottom wall 56 and sidewalls 62. The angle between bottom wall 56 and sidewalls 62 is greater than about 90°, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Second piece of mesh 74 includes outer edge 74a, inner edge 74b, central portion 74c, side extensions 74d, and lower extension 74e. Central portion 74c is between outer edge 74a and lower extension 74e and between side extensions 74d. Side extensions 74d have a trapezoidal shape so that they taper downward from outer edge 74a to lower edge 74b. Second piece of mesh 74 is bent to form front end wall 58, curved corners 64, and lower extension 74e that is generally perpendicular to front end wall 58 (see FIGS. 3 and 5). Third piece of mesh 76 is formed similarly to second piece of mesh 74 to include upper edge 76a, lower edge 76b, central portion 76c, side extensions 76d, and lower extension 76e. In an alternative example, pieces of mesh 74 and 76 can be formed of a single piece of material separate from first piece of mesh 72. In such event, the two pieces of mesh 74 and 76 would be joined by another mesh segment (not shown) that would be shaped similar to bottom wall portion 56. As a result, bottom wall of basket 55 would be formed of two layers of mesh material that overlap. Referring to FIG. 5A, first, second, and third pieces of mesh 72, 74, and 76 have been joined together so that bottom seams 78 are formed. Seams 78 are where the material of bottom wall 56 of first piece of mesh 72 overlaps with lower extension 74e of second and third pieces of mesh 74 and 76 (see FIG. 4). When corners 64 are formed, side seams 80 (as shown in FIG. 3) are formed adjacent each corner 64. Seams 80 are where the material of sidewalls 62 of first piece of mesh 72 overlaps with side extensions 74d and 76d of second and third pieces of mesh 74 and 76, respectively. Seams 80 are generally vertically extending side seams. The method of making drawer 14b will now be discussed. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, first piece of mesh 72 is formed and shaped as shown. This involves cutting piece of mesh 72 with the desired dimensions from a roll of mesh using a conventional press machine. Then, first piece of mesh 72 is bent into a U-shape that includes bottom wall 56 and end walls 62 (as shown in FIG. 5). A conventional hydraulic press machine is used to bend mesh piece 72. The hydraulic press machine includes a mold for achieving the desired bent shape, as is known by those of ordinary skill in the art. Second and third pieces of mesh 74 and 76 are formed and shaped as shown in FIG. 4. This involves cutting pieces of mesh 74 and 76 with the desired dimensions and shape from a roll of mesh using a conventional press machine. Then, mesh piece 74 is bent using a conventional hydraulic press machine so that side extensions 74d are curved and lower extension 74e is angularly offset from center section 74c. The hydraulic press machine includes a mold, as is known by those of ordinary skill in the art. Third piece of mesh 76 is bent similarly to second piece 74 (as shown in FIG. 5). Handle rail 70 may be welded to mesh piece 74 at this point or later, when upper rail 54 is joined to basket portion 55. Next, lower extensions 74e,76e of each piece 74,76 are connected by welding to the side edge of bottom wall 56 of first piece 72 (as shown in FIG. 5A) to form seams 78. Then, curved side extensions 74d,76d of pieces 74,76 are connected by welding to sidewalls 62 of first piece 72 to form seams 80 (as shown in FIG. 3). After drawer 14b is completely formed (including attaching rail 54), a process of powder painting may be used to coat drawer 14b, as is known by those of ordinary skill in the art. One exemplary paint is an epoxy coat. The painting may provide a decorative (colored and/or metallic) finish to drawer 14b, if desired, and will also provide some protection for the drawer 14b from water and other corrosive elements. Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, the equipment used to connect first, second and third pieces of mesh 72, 74, and 76 together will now be discussed. The equipment, for example, comprises spot-welding machine 84 including base 86, clamp 88 supported on base 86, movable elongated member 90 movable by clamp 88 to provide clamping force F, and a pair of anode electrodes 92a and a pair of cathode electrodes 92b. Base 86, clamp 88, member 90, and cathode electrodes 92b form a fixture for supporting mesh pieces 72, 74, and 76 during welding. As shown, for example, cathode electrodes 92b are, for example, bar-like and parallel to one another to properly support and clamp mesh pieces 72, 74, and 76. In an alternative example, the spot-welder can be used without clamp 88 and elongated member 90, where the pieces may be manually held during welding. In order to join lower extension 74e of second piece 74 to bottom wall 56 of first piece 72, already-bent first piece 72 is disposed on cathode electrodes 92b so that sidewalls 62 extend downward (as shown in FIG. 6) toward the floor. Bent second piece 74 is disposed between member 90 and cathode electrode 92b, as shown in FIG. 7. Next, clamp 88 is actuated so that clamping force F moves member 90 from a retracted position (shown in FIG. 6) into a clamping position (shown in FIG. 7). In the clamping position, mesh piece 74 is compressed between member 90 and cathode electrode 92b. Clamping force F must be sufficient to hold mesh piece 74 into contact with mesh piece 72 for the welding operation. Then, anode electrode 92a moves in direction D1 into contact with pieces 72,74 adjacent extension 74e. Pieces 72,74 are tightly compressed between electrodes 92a and 92b. Electrodes 92a,b then discharge electric welding current through the place to be welded and seam 78 (see FIG. 5A) is formed. Third piece 76, as shown in FIG. 5, is similarly joined to first piece 72. In the present example, welding machine 84 is properly configured so that the fixture includes two clamps, two elongated members 90 and two pairs of electrodes 92a,b. As a result, second and third pieces 74 and 76 can, for example, be simultaneously welded to first piece 72. Another spot-welding machine similar to machine 84 is used to weld pieces 74 and 76 to piece 72 adjacent the corners 64 to form seams 80. This spot-welding machine for forming seams 80 has an appropriately sized fixture including clamp(s), elongated member(s) and cathode electrode(s) for smaller pieces 74 and 76. For example, the cathode electrode(s) may be tapered to match trapezoidal extensions 74d,76d so that pieces 74 and 76 are suitably clamped to end walls 58 and 60 during welding. With reference to FIG. 3, upper rail 54 is subsequently connected to upper section of end walls 58 and 60 and sidewalls 62 by spot-welding. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 8-9, the step of connecting upper rail 54 to basket portion 55 further, for example, includes the steps of forming generally flat upper rail 54; contacting rail 54 to basket portion 55 on contact surface 54a so that upper section 55a of basket portion 55 extends above rail 54; and spot-welding contact surface 54a to outer surface of basket portion 55. Upper rail 54 is, for example, formed of the same material as basket portion 55 so that these components can be welded together. Thus, for example, rail 54 is formed of any metal such as copper, steel, stainless steel, mild sheet steel or aluminum, and the like. In an example using sheet steel, a roll of sheet steel strip material with a circular cross-section is used. This material is passed through a conventional roll forming machine with a number of pairs of rollers using a predetermined compression pressure to continuously and gradually change the circular cross-section into a generally flat rectangular cross-section, as is known by those of ordinary skill in the art. The material with the flat rectangular cross-section is then fed into a bending machine that includes spaced apart pairs of guide rollers for guiding the material through the machine and bending the material into four spaced apart right angles to form a rectangular ring. Hydraulic power can be used to provide the bending force to the associated pairs of guide rollers. Where the bending pairs of guide rollers are located, the machine further includes rollers for preventing vertical expansion of the material. Once the rectangular ring is formed, the free ends of the ring are joined by welding to form upper rail 54. Rail 54 is not limited to the above configuration, shape and materials. For example, it can be hollow with various shapes, such as a circular cross-section. Rail 54 can also be solid with various shapes, such as a circular cross-section. Rail 54 can also be formed of a plastic that is connected to basket portion 55 by glue or adhesive, for example. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the step of contacting rail 54 to basket portion 55 on contact surface 54a may, for example, further include the step of using spot-welding machine with fixture F for supporting rail 54 at a sufficient elevation above a table (not shown) so that upper section 55a of basket portion 55 extends above rail 54. Fixture F may also provide a clamping force for assuring surface 54a is in solid contact with basket portion 55 or this force may be provided by movable anode and cathode electrodes AE and CE, respectively. For example, electrodes AE and CE are circular welding wheels. Anode electrode AE contacts outer surface of rail 54 and cathode electrode CE contacts inner surface of basket portion 55 adjacent surface 54a, as shown in FIG. 9. An electric current is discharged through electrodes AE and CE, rail 54 and basket portion 55 to spot-weld rail 54 to basket portion 55. For example, sufficient electrodes AE and CE are provided to make the welding of rail 54 to basket portion 55 efficient. Since electrodes AE and CE are movable vertically in directions V and horizontally in directions H, the spot-welder can be used to weld variously size rails and baskets together. The step of connecting upper rail 54 may further include cutting and grinding steps. In the cutting step, upper section 55a (as shown in FIG. 8) of basket portion 55 is severed using a conventional severing apparatus, such as one including a reciprocating saw blade. In the grinding step, exposed upper edge 55b (FIG. 9) of basket portion 55 is worked using a conventional grinding machine so that upper edge 55b becomes smooth. Rail 54 aids in providing structural rigidity to basket portion 55 and is the only rail circumscribing each drawer's perimeter. Once rail 54 is joined to the outer surface of the basket portion, a substantial portion of rail 54 extends substantially outwardly from the outer surface of first, second, third and fourth sidewalls of basket portion 55 and rail 54 extends continuously around the outer surface of basket portion 55 (as shown in FIG. 3). Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, in use drawer 14b is inserted into system 10 by disposing upper rail 54 within gap 28 of opposed, aligned pair of runners 26b. Rail 54 and gap 28 are sized to allow free sliding movement of drawer 14b with respect to frame 12 between the retracted and extended positions. Since drawer 14b is formed of mesh with very small openings 55a (see FIG. 3), small objects, such as pens, paper clips, and the like, can be stored in drawer 14b without a liner and will not fall through openings 55a. In addition, since drawer 14b has closed corners 64, small objects also cannot fall out of this area of drawer 14b. As shown in FIG. 1, drawers 14b-14d are of medium size and vertically extend across two sets of vertically spaced runners. Drawer 14a is a small size and consequently extends across only one set of vertically spaced runners. The drawers may be sized differently, see FIG. 4, particularly by changing the length L of first piece of mesh 72 and the height H of second and third pieces of mesh 74 and 76. This allows containers of a variety of sizes to be formed without excess machinery costs, particularly large containers having depth D from bottom wall 56 to top surface of top rail 54 (see FIG. 3) equal to or greater than about 11 inches. If larger baskets are desired, the basket material may need to be changed and/or thickened to provide more rigidity thereto. Width W of the mesh (FIG. 4) can be set by the machine forming the raw material so that the edges of piece 72 that will be connected to pieces 74 and 76 are smooth and require no cutting or grinding. FIGS. 10-12 illustrate an alternative example of upper rail 54′ for use with alternative example of basket portion 55′. To form upper rail 54′ raw material is bent to include curved portion 54a′ with opening 54b′ and extension 54c′ angularly offset from curved portion 54a′ using a roll forming machine. Curved portion 54a′ further includes first section A, second section B, and curved section C joining first and second sections A,B so that opening 54b′ is located therein. Sections A and B are generally horizontal sections. Extension 54c′ is joined to first section A via curved section 54d′. The material for rail 54′ is bent into a closed rectangular loop and welded together, similar to rail 54 so that rail 54′ is continuous. Basket portion 55′ is formed similarly to basket portion 55 except end walls 58, 60 and sidewalls 62 all have an outwardly bent upper section 55a′. Upper section 55a′ is formed by a conventional hydraulic press machine with a mold at the same time other bends are formed in pieces 72, 74, 76 (see FIG. 5). That is when piece 72 is bent to form edges 72a and 72b, piece 72 is also bent to form upper section 55a′. Similarly, upper section 55a′ is formed on pieces 74 and 76, when edges 74d and 74e and edges 76e and 76d, respectively, are formed. Then, pieces 72, 74, 76 are welded together. Bent upper section 55a′ is inserted into opening 54b′ of upper rail 54′ (as shown in FIG. 11). Curved portion 54a′ is then compressed by a conventional press machine so that opening 54b′ is minimized and curved portion 54a′ tightly engages basket portion 55a′ so that inner surfaces of curved portion 54a′ contact basket portion 55a′. This step also results in front curved tip or portion 54d′ of rail 54′ engaging angled corner 55b′ of basket portion 55′. Then, vertically-extending extension 54c′ is welded to the basket using a spot-welding machine and fixture similar to the method used for rail 54 (shown in FIGS. 8 and 9). Once upper rail 54′ is joined to basket portion 55′ in this manner, it provides additional structural rigidity to basket portion 55′. Using rail 54′ eliminates the need to cut upper section 55a of basket portion 55, as when using rail 54, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Consequently, rail 54′ eliminates the need to deburr or grind basket portion 55′. In an alternative exemplary method, pieces 72, 74, 76 (see FIG. 5) are bent to form edges 72a and 72b in piece 72, edges 74d and 74e in piece 74, and edges 76e and 76d in piece 76. Then, pieces 72, 74, 76 are welded together. Next, joined pieces 72, 74, and 76 are placed in a conventional hydraulic press machine with a mold and bent to create outwardly bent upper section 55a′ on each piece 72, 74, 76. Subsequently, rail 54′ is coupled to basket 55′ as previously discussed. Referring back to FIG. 1, basket 14a includes a rectangular cutout 68′ on front of wall 58′. Metal handle rail 70′ covers the free end of the mesh within cutout 68′. Handle rail 70′ is, for example, formed similar to rail 54′ (ee FIG. 10) with an opening that is compressed about the mesh, once the mesh is inserted therein. For example, handle rail 70′ also includes an extension, similar to extension 54c′ of rail 54′, that can be spot-welded to securely attach rail 70′ to the mesh. In such an example, opening in rail 70′ extends vertically along with its extension similar to extension 54c′. In an example of handle rail 70′ without such an extension, rail 70′ may still be spot-welded to the mesh. Referring to FIGS. 13-14, third drawer example 114b is shown. Drawer 114b comprises runner portion or upper rail 154 and basket portion 155. Upper rail 154 may be formed like rail 54 or rail 54′ previously discussed. Basket portion 155 includes bottom wall 156, end walls 158 and 160, and sidewalls 162. Bottom and end walls 156 and 158 are also sidewalls. First piece of mesh 172 is bent to form bottom wall 156 and end walls 158 and 160. Sidewalls 162 are formed of separate second and third pieces of mesh 174 and 176, respectively. End wall 158 includes first piece of mesh 172 with cutout 168 similar to end wall 58. For drawer 114b, different from drawer 14b, second piece of mesh 174 includes central portion 174c, rectangular side extensions 174d and lower extension 174e. Third piece of mesh 176 has a similar configuration. When pieces 172, 174 and 176 are connected using a method similar to that used in forming drawer 14b, drawer 114b has closed smoothly curved corners similar to corners 64 (as shown in FIG. 3), but corners of drawer 114b will have a substantially constant radius. Drawer 114b also includes four side seams 80 at each corner and two bottom seams 178. Referring to FIGS. 15-17, fourth drawer example 214b is shown. Drawer 214b comprises runner portion or upper rail 254 and basket portion 255. Upper rail 254 may be formed like rails 54, 54′, 154′ or 254′ discussed above. Basket portion 255 includes bottom wall 256, end walls 258 and 260, and sidewalls 262. End walls 258 and 260 are also sidewalls. First piece of mesh 272 is bent to form bottom wall 256 and end walls 258 and 260. Sidewalls 262 are formed of separate second and third pieces of mesh 274 and 276. End wall 258 includes cutout 268 similar to end wall 58. In drawer 214b, different from drawers 14b and 114b, second and third pieces of mesh 274 and 276 do not include extensions. When pieces 272, 274 and 276 are connected using the method of forming drawer 14b, pieces 274 and 276 only overlap piece 272 on the bottom not on the sides. As a result, drawer 214b has open corners 264 (as shown in FIG. 15) and two bottom seams 278. Drawers configured like drawer 214b can be used in systems like system 10 (shown in FIG. 1) and move between extended and retracted positions. Drawers similar to drawer 214b can come in a number of sizes. Drawer 214b is formed similarly to drawer 14b by bending and spot-welding the mesh pieces. Referring to FIG. 18, a second example of drawer system 310 is shown. Drawer system 310 includes frame 312 and plurality of drawers 314a and 314b. Frame 312 includes four pairs of runners 326a-d. This example illustrates that any number of pairs of runners can be used depending on how large a system is desired. Frame 312 is otherwise configured and formed similarly to frame 12 (shown in FIG. 1). System 310 further may include solid table top or shelf 327 that is securely connected to the top of frame 312 by a press fit so that objects can be stored or displayed thereon. Alternatively, shelf 327 may be sized differently (larger or smaller than) frame 312 and connected to frame 312 with conventional fasteners such as screws and L-brackets. Drawer 314a is small and extends across one pair of runners 326a. Drawer 314b is large and extends vertically across three pairs of runners 326b-d. Drawers 314a and 314b are configured and manufactured similar to drawer 14b (see FIG. 1), but drawers configured like drawers 114b and 214b can also be used with system 310. FIGS. 19-23 illustrate an alternative third example of upper rail 354 for use with basket portion 355. As shown in FIG. 21, upper rail 354 is formed similar to rail 54′ to include curved portion 354a with opening 354b and first and second extensions 354c and 354e angularly offset from curved portion 354a. Curved portion 354a further includes first section A, second section B, and curved section C joining first and second sections A, B so that opening 354b is located therein. In the present example, first section A has a length less than second section B. First extension 354c is joined to first section A. Second extension 354e is joined to second section B. Rail 354 is bent so that curved portion 354a has a generally V-shape form, as shown in FIG. 21. Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, bent upper section 355a of basket portion 355, which is similar to basket portion 55′, is inserted into opening 354b of upper rail 354′. As a result, first and second extensions 354c and 354e are adjacent to outer and inner surfaces, respectively, of basket portion 355. Curved portion 354a is then compressed, as indicated by arrows F in FIG. 22, by a conventional press machine. As a result, opening 354b is minimized (as shown in FIG. 23) and curved portion 354a tightly engages basket portion 355a. This compression also result in extensions 354c and 354e sandwiching basket portion 355 therebetween. Additionally after compression, extensions 354c, 354e are generally vertically oriented and first and second sections A,B are generally horizontally oriented (as best shown in FIG. 23). In addition, compression results in curved edge 354d of rail 354 engaging angled corner 355b of basket portion 355 (see FIGS. 22-23). Then, the now generally vertically-extending extensions 354c and 354e are welded to outer and inner surfaces, respectively, of basket portion 355 using a spot-welding machine and fixture similar to the method used for rail 54 (shown in FIGS. 8 and 9). Rail 354 adds structural rigidity to basket portion 355 and eliminates the need to cut and deburr basket portion 355. FIGS. 24-25 illustrate an alternative fourth example of upper rail 454 for use with basket portion 55 (shown in FIGS. 8 and 24). Rail 454 is similar to rail 54′ as shown in FIG. 10 except as discussed below. Upper rail 454 is bent to include first portion 454a and angularly offset second portion 454b. Second portion 454b includes contact surface 454c. Second portion 454b of rail 454 is connected to basket portion 55 by spot-welding, similar to rail 54 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The step of connecting upper rail 454 to basket portion 55 further includes, for example, the steps of forming generally L-shaped rail 454, contacting contact surface 454c of rail 454 to basket portion 55 so that upper section 55a of basket portion 55 extends above rail 454 and first portion 454a is spaced from upper edge 55b, spot-welding contact surface 454c to outer surface of basket portion 55 (as shown in FIG. 25), and cutting upper section 55a of basket portion 55. A finishing or grinding step may be used to assure that upper edge 55b of basket portion 55 is not sharp. Alternatively, rail 454 can be joined to basket portion 55 so that free end of portion 454b is aligned with edge 55b. As a result, no additional cutting of basket portion is necessary. First portion 454a of the rail is operatively associated with runners 26a-g of frame 12 (see FIG. 1) during use. FIGS. 26-27 illustrate an alternative fifth example of upper rail 554 for use with basket portion 55 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 26). Upper rail 554 is similar to upper rail 454 except rail 554 is oriented differently when joined to basket portion 55. As shown in FIG. 27, when rail 554 is joined to basket portion 55, first portion 554a is aligned with upper edge 55b and second portion 554b is coupled to basket portion 55. Rail 554 is joined to basket portion 55 as previously discussed with respect to rail 454. Rail portion 554a is operatively associated with runners 26a-g of frame 12 (see FIG. 1) during use. FIGS. 28-29 illustrate an alternative sixth example of upper rail 654 for use with basket portion 55 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 28). Upper rail 654 is similar to upper rail 454 except as noted below. Rail 654 includes first portion 654a angularly offset from second portion 654b which is offset from third portion 654c to form recess 654d between second and third portions 654b, 654c. In the present example (as shown in FIG. 29), rail thickness tR of second portion 654b is less than mesh thickness tM of basket portion 55 so that upper edge 55b of basket portion 55 is not fully received within recess 654b and must therefore be ground to ensure edge 55b is smooth. Alternatively, the offset between second and third portions 654b, 654c can be increased so that edge 55b is fully received within recess 654d. In yet another alternative, rail 754 (see FIGS. 30-31) can be configured similar to rail 654, except rail thickness tR of second portion 754b is greater than mesh thickness tM of basket portion 55 so that upper edge 55b of basket portion 55 is fully received within recess 754b and thus does not require grinding. Rails 654, 754 are joined to basket portions 55 as previously discussed with respect to rail 454. Rail portions 654a, 754a are operatively associated with runners 26a-g of frame 12 (see FIG. 1) during use. FIGS. 32-33 illustrate an alternative eighth example of upper rail 854 for use with basket portion 55 (shown also in FIG. 3). Rail 854 is similar to rail 454 shown in FIG. 24, except second portion 854b of rail 854 is connected to curved section 854c, which is connected to extension 854d. Curved portion 854e of rail 854 is formed by second portion 854b, curved section 854c and extension 854d and also defines opening 854f. Rail 854 is bent so that curved portion 854e has a generally open V-shape (as shown in FIG. 32). Upper edge 55b of basket portion 55 is inserted into opening 854f so that when rail 854 is compressed by a conventional press machine, as shown in FIG. 33, second portion 854b and extension 854e are adjacent to outer and inner surfaces, respectively, of basket portion 55. Compression also minimizes opening 854f (as shown in FIG. 33) and causes curved section 854c to tightly engage basket portion 55. Additionally, after compression extension 854d is generally vertically-extending and second portion 854b and extension 854d are welded to the outer and inner surfaces, respectively, of basket portion 55 using a spot-welding machine and fixture similar to the method used for rail 54 (shown in FIGS. 8 and 9). Once upper rail 854 is joined to basket portion 55 in this manner, it provides additional structural rigidity to the basket portion 55. Using rail 854 eliminates the need to cut upper section 55a of basket portion 55 as when using rail 54, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Consequently, rail 854 eliminates the need to deburr basket portion 55. FIGS. 34-37 illustrate an alternative ninth example of upper rail 954 for use with basket portion 955. Upper rail 954 is similar to upper rail 454 (shown in FIGS. 26-27), except vertical second portion 954b of rail 954 includes an outwardly extending or projecting connection portion or rib 954c. The location of rib 954c along vertical portion 954b can be varied. As shown in FIG. 37, when rail 954 is joined to basket portion 955, horizontal first portion 954a covers upper edge 955b (shown in FIG. 34) and second portion 954b and rib 954c contact basket portion 955. After joining rail 954 to basket portion 955, the use of electric welding could allow rib 954c and basket portion 955 contacting rib 954c to be fused into an integral structure (as shown in FIG. 37). This is due to the heat collection and pressure of resistors used during welding. Rail 954 adds structural rigidity to basket portion 955 and eliminates the need to cut and deburr basket portion 955. Rail portion 954a is operatively associated with runners 26a-g of frame 12 (see FIG. 1) during use. FIGS. 38-39 illustrate an alternative tenth example of upper rail 1054 for use with basket portion 955. Upper rail 1054 is similar to upper rail 954 (shown in FIGS. 36-37), except rib 954c has been replaced with outwardly extending or projecting connection portion 1054c at the free end of vertical second portion 1054b. When rail 1054 is joined to basket portion 955, horizontal first portion 1054a covers upper edge 955b (shown in FIG. 34) and second portion 1054b and connection portion 1054c contact basket portion 955. After joining rail 1054 to basket portion 955, the use of electric welding could allow connection portion 1054c and basket portion 955 contacting connection portion 1054c to be fused into an integral structure (as shown in FIG. 39). FIGS. 40-43 illustrate an alternative example of basket portion 1155 with upper rail 954 and lower rail 1154. Basket portion 1155 is formed by four sidewalls 1155a of mesh and one bottom wall 1155b of mesh. Sidewalls 1155a are preferably joined by conventional methods such as welding. Bottom wall 1155b can be joined to sidewalls 1155a by welding and/or by rail 1154. Upper rail 955 previously described with reference to FIGS. 36-37 is joined to basket portion 1155 as previously discussed. Lower rail 1154 includes horizontal first portion 1155a and vertical second portion 1155b. Horizontal first portion 1155a includes inwardly projecting connection portion or rib 1154c. Vertical second portion 1155b includes inwardly projecting connection portion or rib 1154d. When rail 1154 is joined to basket portion 1155, first portion 1154a and rib 1155c contact bottom wall 1155b and second portion 1154b and rib 1155d contact sidewalls 1155a. After joining rail 1154 to basket portion 1155, the use of electric welding (using heat collection and pressure) could allow the ribs 1154c,d and basket portion 1155 contacting ribs 1154c,d to be fused into an integral structure (as shown in FIG. 43). FIGS. 44-45 illustrate basket portion 1155 with upper rail 1054 and alternative lower rail 1254. Basket portion 1155 is previously described with reference to FIGS. 40-41. Upper rail 1054 previously described with reference to FIGS. 38-39 is joined to basket portion 1155 as previously discussed. Lower rail 1254 is similar to lower rail 1154 (shown in FIGS. 42-43), except ribs 1154c,d have been replaced with inwardly extending or projecting connection portions 1254c,d at the free end of first and second portions 1254a,b, respectively. When rail 1254 is joined to basket portion 1155, first portion 1254a and rib 1255c contact bottom wall 1155b and second portion 1254b and rib 1255d contact sidewalls 1155a. After joining rail 1254 to basket portion 1155, the use of electric welding (using heat collection and pressure) could allow connection portions 1254c,d and basket portion 1155 contacting the connection portions 1254c,d to be fused into an integral structure (as shown in FIG. 43). Rails 354, 454, 554, 654, 754, 854, 954, 1054, 1154 and 1254 are generally rectangular rings that are continuous about their respective basket portions. These rails are formed of materials similar to those discussed with respect to rails 54 and 54′. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other products for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to the specific examples depicted therein. For example, the features of one example disclosed above can be used with the features of another example. Furthermore, the various rail examples 54, 54′, 354, 454, 554, 654, 754, 854, 954, 1054, 1154 and 1254 can be used exclusively in different systems of drawers to provide systems that cost different amounts, e.g., a high-priced system and a lower priced system. Alternatively, one system can have drawers with various types of rails 54, 54′, 354, 454, 554, 654, 754, 854, 954, 1054, 1154 and 1254. Additionally, a system can use all closed-corner drawers or combine closed-corner drawers with open-corner drawers in one system. The system may be used with sliding drawers and/or stationary and sliding shelves each supported by a pair of runners. The system frame may also include a section for holding hanging file folders and one or more of the inventive drawers. The drawers of the present invention may be used without a frame. In yet another alternative example, the containers/drawers of the present invention may be retained within a frame formed of wood, plastic, metal, or material with a wood finish, where the frame has components such as runners and rollers thereon. The frame would cooperate with a stationary holder with runners and rollers thereon so that the container does not move with respect to the holder, but when the holder moves between an extended and retracted position by moving with respect to the stationary component, the container likewise moves. In such an example, the runner portion serves to connect the container to the holder without a sliding engagement therebetween. In addition, the container can be formed without upper rail 54 (see FIG. 3) by forming the runner portion in another way, such as by folding the upper edge of the basket portion upon itself to form a sufficiently-rigid integral runner portion. Alternatively, the runner portion need not extend around the entire basket and may extend only on the sides to work with the runners 26a-g (see FIG. 1). In such an example, the end walls without the runner portions may have upper edges finished with portions of metal, wood, plastic or some other suitable material. Exemplary rails shown and described above with one basket construction can be used with basket constructions shown in other examples or with conventional basket constructions. For example, the exemplary rails shown and described above can be used with baskets that include sidewalls formed from a single loop of mesh material joined to a separate piece of bottom wall mesh material. Thus, the details of the present invention as set forth in the above-described examples should not limit the scope of the present invention. Further, the purpose of the Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and the public generally, and especially the designers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured solely by the claims, nor is intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to containers, a system using such containers, and a method of making such containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to rails for use with drawers made of mesh material. 2. Description of Related Art Forming containers out of sheet metal is well known. U.S. Pat. No. 903,848 to Donnelly and 1,107,014 to Avery disclose such containers. In order to make these containers, a single blank of flat material is cut out and folded with overlapping sections. Sheet metal does not provide desirable characteristics such as drainage and ventilation. In an effort to make a well-ventilated container, U.S. Pat. No. 645,344 to White discloses a container formed of perforated sheet metal, wire-netting or another open-work material. The White container is intended to have a folded state and a flat state. This container is designed to be readily knocked down from its folded state to its flat state and to be easily constructed without tools. Other patents attempt to make lightweight, drainable and/or ventilated containers. U.S. Pat. No. 1,994,553 to Wolcott discloses one such container of finely woven wire screening. U.S. Pat. No. 2,825,481 to Glenny discloses another such container of finely woven wire screening. In order to make the White, Wolcott and Glenny containers, a single blank of flat woven wire is cut out and folded with overlapping sections. Another wire container that is commercially available under the brand name Elfa® is formed of a wire grid with a plurality of separately formed wires welded together. The Elfa® container includes a basket portion and a flat rail around the top edge of the basket portion. The Elfa® baskets are designed for use in a frame having a plurality of pairs of runners. When the baskets are inserted in the frame, the flat rail is supported by a pair of runners and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The wire grid used for the Elfa® basket has large holes measuring about 1 inch by 1 inch. The Elfa® basket also has openings at its corners. If a user desires to store small objects in these baskets, a plastic liner can be used. The liner has a bottom wall and upwardly bendable sidewalls, with slits between the sidewalls to allow for such bending. The open corners of the basket and the slits between the sidewalls of the liner may allow small objects to fall out of the basket, which is undesirable. Mesh material is typically formed by perforating or slitting a piece of sheet metal and stretching it. A sheet of mesh material requires less raw sheet metal than a non-mesh piece of sheet metal and a perforated piece of sheet metal. U.S. Pat. No. 1,408,026 to Ochiltree discloses a desk tray or basket formed of “expanded metal” or mesh material. Similar to the previous containers, the Ochiltree container is formed by a single blank of flat material that is cut out and folded. ROC (Taiwan) Patent Application No. 086202709 to Chih-Ming, Ko (in transliteration), filed Feb. 21, 1997, discloses a system of containers supported by a frame. The containers are formed of a single piece of mesh with a rim connected thereto. Additionally, the containers do not move with respect to the frame so that the contents of the lower container are not easily accessible. A number of mesh containers are made by Design Ideas, Ltd. One of these containers is the “Mesh Storage Nest.” This container is formed using a first piece of mesh that has the ends welded together to form a loop. A second piece of mesh is welded to the lower edge of the loop so that the first piece of mesh forms sidewalls and the second piece of mesh forms a bottom wall. The seam at the bottom of the container is covered by a bottom rail. A top rail is connected to the upper edge of the container. The sidewalls can be shaped to include a plurality of corners. A need exists for a lightweight container that can be incorporated into a system for storing objects. It is also desirable that the contents of such a container be made easily accessible and be prevented from accidentally falling through holes in the container. Furthermore, it is desirable that the container be formed by an economical method in unlimited sizes.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention is directed to a method of forming a container comprising the following step: forming a basket portion of metal mesh material into a bottom wall and upwardly extending first and second spaced apart sidewalls and upwardly extending third and fourth spaced apart sidewalls, the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls including an outer surface. The method further includes the following steps: forming a rail; and joining the rail to the outer surface such that a substantial portion of the rail extends substantially outwardly from the outer surface of the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls, and the rail extending substantially continuously around the outer surface of the basket portion. In one example, the step of joining further includes spacing the rail from a free edge of the basket portion so that an upper section of the basket portion extends above the rail. In such a method, the method further includes the step of cutting the upper section of the basket portion from the remaining portion of the basket portion. In another example of the method, the rail is generally L-shaped and has a first portion joined to the basket portion and a second outwardly-extending portion. In such a method, the rail further includes a projecting connection portion that becomes integral with the sidewalls after joining the rail to the basket portion. Such method may further include forming a second rail having a L-shape and two connection portions. The second rail being joined to the sidewalls and the bottom wall such that the connection portions become integral therewith. In yet another example, the step of joining further includes containing a free edge of the basket portion with the rail. In such an example, the step of forming the rail further includes forming the rail with a curved portion having an opening and a curved section joining first and second sections of the rail. The method further including the step of inserting the free edge of said basket portion within the opening. According to one aspect of the present invention, the step of forming said rail further includes forming said rail with a first extension coupled to and angularly offset from the first section. According to another aspect of the present invention, the step of forming said rail further includes forming said rail with a second extension coupled to and angularly offset from the second section. The present invention is directed to a method of forming a container comprising the following step: forming a basket portion of metal mesh material into a bottom wall and upwardly extending first and second spaced apart sidewalls and upwardly extending third and fourth spaced apart sidewalls. The method further includes the following steps: bending an upper section of the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls outwardly; forming a rail including an opening; inserting the upper section of the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls into the opening; and compressing the rail to engage the upper section of the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. According to one example of the inventive method, the rail forming step further includes forming a curved portion having the opening and the rail forming step further includes an extension angularly offset from the curved portion. In addition, the inserting step further includes locating the extension adjacent the basket portion; and the method further includes welding the extension to the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. According to another aspect of the present invention, the rail forming step further includes forming the rail with a curved portion and a curved section joining first and second sections of the rail and the curved portion forms the opening, and the method further includes forming the rail with first and second extensions angularly offset from the curved portion. Additionally, the compression step further includes locating the first extension adjacent an outer surface of the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls and locating the second extension adjacent an inner surface of the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. The method further includes welding the first extension to the outer surface of the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls and welding the second extension to the inner surface of the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. The present invention is also directed to a container comprising a basket portion and a rail. The basket portion is formed of metal mesh material that includes a bottom wall and upwardly extending first and second spaced apart sidewalls and upwardly extending third and fourth spaced apart sidewalls. The basket portion further includes an outwardly extending upper section of the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. The rail includes an opening for receiving the upper section of the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. The opening is sized so that the rail contacts opposing surfaces of said upper section. According to one aspect of the present invention, the rail further includes a curved portion and an extension angularly offset from the curved portion. The curved portion defines the opening and the extension is joined to the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. According to another aspect of the present invention, the rail further includes first and second extensions angularly offset from a curved portion. The first extension is joined to an outer surface of the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls and the second extension is joined to an inner surface of the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. According to one feature of the present invention, the rail is a substantially continuous piece of material. According to one feature of the present invention, the basket portion includes open corners between the first and second sidewalls and the third and fourth sidewalls. According to another feature of the present invention, the basket portion includes closed corners between the first and second sidewalls and the third and fourth sidewalls. The present invention is also directed to a container comprising a basket portion and first and second rails. The basket portion is formed of metal mesh material and includes a bottom wall and upwardly extending first and second spaced apart sidewalls and upwardly extending third and fourth spaced apart sidewalls. The first rail has a L-shape and is joined to the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. The second rail has a L-shape and is joined to the sidewalls and the bottom wall. In an alternative example, the first rail further includes a first projecting connection portion that contacts the sidewalls and becomes integral therewith, when the first rail is joined to the basket portion. In yet another alternative example, the second rail further includes at least one second projecting connection portion. The second projecting connection portion contacts the sidewalls or bottom wall and becomes integral therewith, when the second rail is joined to the basket portion. Alternatively, the present invention is directed to a container with a first rail or a second rail.
20041130
20080930
20050414
57786.0
4
ELOSHWAY, NIKI MARINA
METHOD FOR MAKING MESH CONTAINERS WITH A RAIL AND MESH CONTAINER FORMED THEREFROM
SMALL
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,000,413
ACCEPTED
Universal interface for retrieval of information in a computer system
The present invention provides convenient access to items of information that are related to various descriptors input by a user, by means of a unitary interface which is capable of accessing information in a variety of locations, through a number of different techniques. Using a plurality of heuristic algorithms to operate upon information descriptors input by the user, the present invention locates and displays candidate items of information for selection and/or retrieval. Thus, the advantages of a search engine can be exploited, while listing only relevant object candidate items of information.
1. A method for locating information in a network, comprising: receiving an inputted information identifier; providing said information identifier to at least two heuristics that search for information associated with the received identifier, wherein at least one of said heuristics searches at least one location different from another of said heuristics; providing at least one candidate item of located information; and displaying a representation of said candidate item of information.
RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/478,009, filed on Jan. 5, 2000, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is directed to a computer-human interface for quickly and easily retrieving desired information in a computer system. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a universal interface which uses a plurality of heuristic algorithms to identify an item of information (e.g., document, application or Internet web page) in response to at least one information descriptor. 2. Description of the Related Art One of the basic needs of a computer user, especially with the recent growth in the amount of data and information available via networks and the Internet, is to be able to quickly search through the available information to identify useful items, and to thereafter easily locate those items. To satisfy this need, many computer operating systems contain routines that provide a simple way to locate objects. For example, the Finder of the Macintosh® Operating System implemented by Apple Computer, Inc. includes a Find File utility which permits a user to locate various files located in the system directories (e.g., folders) using keywords that occur in the desired file's name. The Find File utility includes the ability to search on local disks and mounted servers. The Windows® operating system, implemented by Microsoft Corporation, also employs a Find mechanism that allows a user to locate files stored in the computer system. The application uses inputted search criteria to generate and display a list of possible files that satisfy the search criteria. At times however, the list can become long and cumbersome, thereby requiring the user to sift through the list and identify useful information. Accordingly, this technique may fail to significantly reduce the time and effort a user expends to identify and retrieve useful information. As another feature for quickly retrieving items of interest, some computer systems store a list of previously used documents or applications from which they can be easily invoked. However, this feature requires the user to access a different interface element to retrieve the item, and does not provide for the use of keywords to identify the specific document or program that the user desires. Also, with the advent of the Internet, various specialized find routines have been developed that can be loaded into a computer's memory and launched in order to facilitate user requests for particular information on servers located throughout the world. Additionally, web browser applications enable a user to access worldwide websites and interact with search engines provided by the website. Like the Find File utility discussed above, finding information on the Internet can prove frustrating because search criteria are often too broad. For example, when a keyword is entered, thousands of different web pages containing these keywords can be displayed in a list for a user to choose from. Accordingly, additional search criteria are needed to more effectively filter information available, for example, on the World Wide Web. However, there is little technology currently available which allows the computer to help the user determine such additional criteria or to automatically provide additional criteria, so that search results have a higher percentage of items that are of interest to the user. Additionally, web-browser applications are not designed to search for non-web-based documents or applications located on the computer or an associated computer network and, conversely, File Find-type utility programs are not capable of searching the Internet for web-based documents or applications. There has been no combination of desktop find routines that presents a single interface and Internet browsing routines to allow a computer user to find a needed or desired item of information from among all different types of information storage systems. Additionally, there is no program which is able to process the user's input and then determine, using many different factors, including use of the Internet, the intent of the user as to the file to be retrieved. Accordingly, in order to present a more informative and personalized user interface, a unitary manner of finding a user's desired item of information is needed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides convenient access to items of information that are related to various descriptors input by a user, by means of a unitary interface which is capable of accessing information in a variety of locations, through a number of different techniques. Using a plurality of heuristic algorithms to operate upon information descriptors input by the user, the present invention locates and displays candidate items of information for selection and/or retrieval. Thus, the advantages of a search engine can be exploited, while listing only relevant object candidate items of information. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, methods and apparatuses for locating information in a computer system are described which receive an information identifier, locate at least one item of information based upon the information identifier by means of a plurality of heuristic algorithms each having a separate location scheme, provide at least one candidate information item, and display a representation of the information item. In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, methods and apparatuses for locating information in a computer system are described which input an information identifier, providing the information identifier to locate information in the plurality of locations which comprise the Internet and local storage media, wherein the information located matches the information identifier when applied to a plurality of heuristics, determining at least one candidate item of information based upon the plurality of heuristics, and displaying a representation of the candidate item of information. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, methods and apparatuses for displaying information in a computer system is described which includes inputting an information identifier, providing the information identifier to a plurality of heuristics in accordance with a global heuristic, wherein each information identifier is matched to information based upon the plurality of heuristics, receiving at least one candidate item of information based upon the information provided to the heuristics in accordance with the global heuristic, and displaying a representation of the candidate items of information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like elements are designated by like numerals and wherein: FIG. 1 illustrates the hardware components of a networked computer system of a type in which exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be implemented; FIG. 2 illustrates the software architecture in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 3A illustrates a partial view of a desktop including a GO-TO menu option, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3B illustrates a partial view of a desktop including a GO-TO menu option containing a text input window, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 illustrates an active window that is displayed when the GO-TO menu option described with respect to FIG. 3 is launched; and FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram describing the GO-TO application in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings describing a universal interface in which user inputs are received and provided to a plurality of separate heuristic algorithms to locate at least one item of information. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to only the embodiments set forth within this disclosure. Rather, the particular heuristic algorithms described herein are meant to be exemplary of many different heuristics that can be employed, for the purpose of retrieving information through a simplified user interface. Referring to FIG. 1, a general computer system 2, in which the present invention can be implemented, is illustrated. Computer system 2 comprises a display device 4 and various input devices such as a keyboard 5, microphone 7 and mouse 3 in operable connection with a memory 6, data processor 9 and local storage media 12 which can include one or more magnetic and/or optical disk drives, for example. Additionally, the computer system 2 can be connected via an Input/Output device 10 (e.g., a modem or cable connection) to a Local Area Network (LAN) server 14. The LAN server 14 can also be connected to a LAN storage volume 8 which stores files for use on the network served by the LAN. The LAN server 14 can also include a Wide Area Network (WAN) router 13 and an Internet router 11. The WAN router and the Internet router can be connected to other servers (not shown) which access additional storage media containing files, application programs, web pages, etc. While other elements and components are normally attached to the computer system 2, only these elements are shown so as not to obscure the invention. In general, the present invention provides a universal interface that enables the user to readily retrieve an item of desired information located on any of the various storage media that are accessible to the user's computer system, with minimal effort. The desired information could be an application that is stored on the local storage media 12, a file stored on the LAN storage volume 8, or a web page available through the Internet router 11. Rather than require a separate search mechanism to locate each of these different types of information, the present invention facilitates the user's ability to easily retrieve the information by means of a single universal interface which is capable of accessing files on all of these various storage resources. The components which provide this functionality are illustrated in the architectural block diagram of FIG. 2. In operation, the user provides input which describes the information in which the user is interested. This input could be text data that is entered in a dialog box 15 or spoken words provided to a speech processing program 16. This input is received by an information retrieval manager 18. In the case of spoken words, the speech processing program 16 first converts the speech to text, which is then presented to the information retrieval manager 18. In response, the information retrieval manager 18 dispatches the input to a plurality of plug-in modules 221-22N. Each plug-in module has an associated heuristic which it employs to locate information that corresponds to the user input. For instance, one module 221 may search the names of files stored on the local storage media 12 and the LAN storage volumes 8, to find those which match the user input. A second module 222 may index and search the contents of files on the local and/or network storage volumes. A third module 223 can maintain a list of the files, applications and web sites which were most recently accessed, and search this list for a match. Yet another module might employ a search engine to locate Internet web pages which match the user input. Each plug-in module 221-22N attempts to locate information in a relevant area of search, using its associated heuristic. The results obtained by the modules are sent back to the retrieval manager 18. The information retrieval manager may employ additional heuristics to determine which results are most relevant, and present one or more choices to the user on the display device 4. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the universal interface can be implemented so as to operate constantly and in tandem with the computer's operating system. The functionality of the information retrieval interface can be accessed in several different ways. FIG. 3A illustrates a desktop display 20 that includes a graphical representation of a button 19 (entitled “GO-TO”) within a menu bar 17. Also, located within the menu bar are various conventional menu items such as File, Edit, View, Label, and Special. When the button 19 located in the menu bar 17 is selected by the user, the information retrieval function of the present invention is accessed and the dialog box 15 is displayed. It should be noted that while the access to the information retrieval feature is depicted as being by way of a button located in the menu bar in FIG. 3, there are many other ways in which the interface can be accessed. For example, the interface could be represented by an icon graphically located in a desktop display, and be launched each time the user and clicks on the icon representation via the mouse 3. In another alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3B, the menu bar 17 might contain a text input window itself, and the information retrieval function is accessed when the user begins to type characters in this window. More generally, the information retrieval system can operate in conjunction with any type of interface via which a user might enter a request for an item of information, by monitoring dialog boxes and other such input mechanisms, including those in individual applications. For example, if a user enters text in a browser window, the information retrieval system can provide this text to the modules to locate relevant items of information. When the GO-TO button 19 (illustrated in FIG. 3A) is selected by a user, the dialog box, represented by active window 25 illustrated in FIG. 4, is displayed on the desktop of display device 4. The active window 25 provides a text box 27 for the user to enter an information descriptor which comprises a letter, a series of letters, a word, a plurality of words, a phrase or sentences to be used by the retrieval manager 18, in locating information. FIG. 5 illustrates the operations that are performed in response to the user input. In step 310, the user inputs an information descriptor, either by voice input to the microphone 7 or by manual input to the keyboard 5, which is displayed in the text box 27. In step 320, once the information descriptor is provided, the information retrieval manager 18 provides the information descriptor to one or more of the plug-in modules 221 . . . 22N, in accordance with a global heuristic, described in detail below. In step 330, the selected plug-in modules 221 . . . 22N receive the information descriptor and determine whether any information matches the criteria of respective locator heuristics associated with the plug-in modules 221 . . . 22N. The heuristic of each plug-in module is different. For example, as described previously, one heuristic can operate to match the user descriptor with the names of information located within various storage media in the computer, on servers and the Internet. Another heuristic can identify matches between the information descriptor and the content of files located on the computer, on servers and the Internet. Additionally, heuristic algorithms can also be provided that store and review the history of information that has been recently accessed to determine which might match the descriptor. Other heuristics can employ a look-up-table to review mappings on a private network accessed either locally or remotely. Another heuristic module might review the favorite locations accessed by a browser application located on computer system 2. The URLs stored by the browser application can be searched to determine if they match the input of the user. Each plug-in module 221 . . . 22N might identify one item of information, a plurality of possible items of information, or no information that matches the user input, according to the module's heuristic approach. In step 340, once a plug-in module 221 . . . 22N has determined that at least one item of information matches its heuristic, the information retrieval manager is notified and sent the information that matches the user input, according to that module's associated heuristic. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a “first to respond” approach can be employed to select an item of information to be displayed to the user. In this embodiment, the first plug-in module to notify the information retrieval manager 18 that matching information has been identified is chosen, and its matching information is displayed to the user or, if desired, automatically launched. Alternatively, the information retrieval manager 18 could rank the outputs from the plug-in modules 221 . . . 22N in the order their notifications are received. This would allow for more than one choice to be displayed for a user. Due to differences in communication speeds, this approach will tend to give greater priority to locally stored files than those which are located at more remote sites, such as those on an wide-area network or the Internet. In other embodiments of the invention, different global heuristics can be employed by the information retrieval manager to determine the results that are to be provided to the user. These global heuristics can be classified into two general categories. In one category, the user input is selectively provided to the plug-in modules, and only the results from those modules are displayed to the user. For instance, all of the modules can be given a priority ranking. When user input is received, it is first provided to the module with the highest ranking. If that module responds within a certain period of time with one or more matches, those matches are displayed. However, if the module responds that it cannot find a match, or does not respond within the allotted period of time, the user input is provided to the next-highest ranking module. The procedure continues in this manner, until a module presents a match, which is then displayed to the user. As an alternative to sequentially accessing individual modules, two or more modules can be grouped at a given priority level, and be accessed in parallel when their priority level is selected. In a further enhancement of the prioritized approach, the priority ranking of the modules can be context sensitive. For instance, if the user accesses the information retrieval system through an icon on the desktop or a system menu bar, the plug-in modules which perform searches on local storage media can be given higher priority than those which search remote sites. However, if the user enters text via a window in a browser application, it is more likely that the user desires to view a web page, and therefore the plug-in modules whose heuristics are oriented towards Internet sites are given higher priority. In the second general category of global heuristics, the user input can be provided to most or all of the plug-in modules in parallel, and the results that are returned from each one are then processed in accordance with a given heuristic. For example, as described previously, one heuristic might function to select the first result that is returned. In another heuristic, a frequency of occurrence approach can be employed, wherein an item of information which is identified by a plurality of modules is selected in favor of one which is identified by only one module. In yet another embodiment, the results from the various modules can be weighted in accordance with various criteria, such as their relationship to the context in which the user input was received. The global heuristic which is employed by the information retrieval manager 18 might also determine the amount of information to be presented to the user. Ideally, the various plug-in modules, through the use of confidence factors calculated for each item of information, would identify a single item of information that best fits the user's input, and only that item is presented to the user. In this case, the item can be automatically opened or launched as well. Various characteristics can be utilized in determining the confidence factors. For example, if a user input multiple words as an information descriptor, and an exact match to the input was found by a plug-in module, the confidence level could be indicated as being 100 percent. On the other hand, if only half of the words were found in an item of information, the confidence level would be less, thereby indicating that this might not be the item of information sought. In practice, however, it is not likely that only one candidate will provide a good match, particularly if the user inputs a broad term. Accordingly, the calculation of a confidence factor associated with each item of information allows the information retrieval manager to select a relatively limited number of choices to the user, e.g. the top five candidates according to a predetermined minimum confidence level. If these choices do not include the particular item of interest, the user can further refine the input information. Further in this regard, the information retrieval system can obtain results and display them to the user in real time as the input is being entered. In this embodiment, each keystroke or converted speech phoneme is provided to the appropriate plug-in modules as it is received by the manager 18. For instance, if the user desires to look at prior tax return information, each of the letters “T”, “A” and “X” are provided to the modules as they are typed. As soon as the letter “T” is entered, sets of matching items of information are returned by the modules, and the top five candidates are displayed. Entry of the letter “A” causes the list to be updated according to the candidates which match the sequence of letters “TA”. After the letter “X” is typed, the displayed list might contain the five most recent tax returns that were filed by the user. If the desired return is not in the list, the user can continue by entering the year of the desired return, or other identifying information, until such time as the item of interest is displayed. It will be appreciated that this embodiment, in which the displayed items are dynamically updated in real time, is best suited for the retrieval of locally stored information, where communication rates are relatively fast. For access to remotely stored information, it may be more appropriate to wait until the user presses a space key or an “Enter” key before supplying the input to the modules 22, so that the retrieval is carried out on the basis of whole words or complete phrases. Accordingly, the present invention provides swift access to information or a list of information that is related to various descriptors input by a user. Using the heuristic analysis combined with user input, the present invention is able to present to a user a manageable amount of information candidates for selection. Thus, the advantages of a search engine can be exploited, and information candidates can be retrieved in a reasonable amount of time. A particular advantage to the use of plug-in modules to implement the various retrieval heuristics is the fact that it readily lends itself to expansion and adaptability to the user's environment. For instance, the computer's operating system may contain a few plug-in modules that operate according to the most popular heuristics. Other plug-in modules may be developed by various entities to operate according to types of information which they supply. Thus, if a search engine is designed for use on the Internet to locate particular types of web pages, a plug-in module can also be designed to access that search engine and return results to the information retrieval manager. As other techniques are developed for locating information, they can also be embodied in appropriate plug-in modules, to thereby enhance the user's ability to obtain relevant items of interest. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalence thereof are intended to be embraced therein.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The present invention is directed to a computer-human interface for quickly and easily retrieving desired information in a computer system. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a universal interface which uses a plurality of heuristic algorithms to identify an item of information (e.g., document, application or Internet web page) in response to at least one information descriptor. 2. Description of the Related Art One of the basic needs of a computer user, especially with the recent growth in the amount of data and information available via networks and the Internet, is to be able to quickly search through the available information to identify useful items, and to thereafter easily locate those items. To satisfy this need, many computer operating systems contain routines that provide a simple way to locate objects. For example, the Finder of the Macintosh® Operating System implemented by Apple Computer, Inc. includes a Find File utility which permits a user to locate various files located in the system directories (e.g., folders) using keywords that occur in the desired file's name. The Find File utility includes the ability to search on local disks and mounted servers. The Windows® operating system, implemented by Microsoft Corporation, also employs a Find mechanism that allows a user to locate files stored in the computer system. The application uses inputted search criteria to generate and display a list of possible files that satisfy the search criteria. At times however, the list can become long and cumbersome, thereby requiring the user to sift through the list and identify useful information. Accordingly, this technique may fail to significantly reduce the time and effort a user expends to identify and retrieve useful information. As another feature for quickly retrieving items of interest, some computer systems store a list of previously used documents or applications from which they can be easily invoked. However, this feature requires the user to access a different interface element to retrieve the item, and does not provide for the use of keywords to identify the specific document or program that the user desires. Also, with the advent of the Internet, various specialized find routines have been developed that can be loaded into a computer's memory and launched in order to facilitate user requests for particular information on servers located throughout the world. Additionally, web browser applications enable a user to access worldwide websites and interact with search engines provided by the website. Like the Find File utility discussed above, finding information on the Internet can prove frustrating because search criteria are often too broad. For example, when a keyword is entered, thousands of different web pages containing these keywords can be displayed in a list for a user to choose from. Accordingly, additional search criteria are needed to more effectively filter information available, for example, on the World Wide Web. However, there is little technology currently available which allows the computer to help the user determine such additional criteria or to automatically provide additional criteria, so that search results have a higher percentage of items that are of interest to the user. Additionally, web-browser applications are not designed to search for non-web-based documents or applications located on the computer or an associated computer network and, conversely, File Find-type utility programs are not capable of searching the Internet for web-based documents or applications. There has been no combination of desktop find routines that presents a single interface and Internet browsing routines to allow a computer user to find a needed or desired item of information from among all different types of information storage systems. Additionally, there is no program which is able to process the user's input and then determine, using many different factors, including use of the Internet, the intent of the user as to the file to be retrieved. Accordingly, in order to present a more informative and personalized user interface, a unitary manner of finding a user's desired item of information is needed.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention provides convenient access to items of information that are related to various descriptors input by a user, by means of a unitary interface which is capable of accessing information in a variety of locations, through a number of different techniques. Using a plurality of heuristic algorithms to operate upon information descriptors input by the user, the present invention locates and displays candidate items of information for selection and/or retrieval. Thus, the advantages of a search engine can be exploited, while listing only relevant object candidate items of information. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, methods and apparatuses for locating information in a computer system are described which receive an information identifier, locate at least one item of information based upon the information identifier by means of a plurality of heuristic algorithms each having a separate location scheme, provide at least one candidate information item, and display a representation of the information item. In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, methods and apparatuses for locating information in a computer system are described which input an information identifier, providing the information identifier to locate information in the plurality of locations which comprise the Internet and local storage media, wherein the information located matches the information identifier when applied to a plurality of heuristics, determining at least one candidate item of information based upon the plurality of heuristics, and displaying a representation of the candidate item of information. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, methods and apparatuses for displaying information in a computer system is described which includes inputting an information identifier, providing the information identifier to a plurality of heuristics in accordance with a global heuristic, wherein each information identifier is matched to information based upon the plurality of heuristics, receiving at least one candidate item of information based upon the information provided to the heuristics in accordance with the global heuristic, and displaying a representation of the candidate items of information.
20041201
20111227
20050414
69868.0
1
HOFFLER, RAHEEM
UNIVERSAL INTERFACE FOR RETRIEVAL OF INFORMATION IN A COMPUTER SYSTEM
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,000,703
ACCEPTED
Systems and methods for updating content detection devices and systems
A method of updating a content detection module includes obtaining content detection data, and transmitting the content detection data to a content detection module, wherein the transmitting is performed not in response to a request from the content detection module. A method of sending content detection data includes obtaining content detection data, selecting an update station from a plurality of update stations, and sending the content detection data to the selected update station. A method of building a content detection system includes establishing a first communication link between a central station and an update station, the central station configured to transmit content detection data to the update station, and establishing a second communication link between the update station and a content detection module.
1. A method of updating a content detection module, comprising: obtaining content detection data; and transmitting the content detection data to a content detection module; wherein the transmitting is performed not in response to a request from the content detection module. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the obtaining comprises analyzing content data to determine the content detection data. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the content detection data comprises a virus signature, a spammer identification, or a URL. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the content detection data comprises a time data indicating a time at which the content detection data is created. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the content detection module is configured to detect network content based on the content detection data. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting comprises sending the content detection data to an update station, and using the update station to transmit the content detection data to the content detection module. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting comprises: determining an update station for receiving the content detection data; sending the content detection data to the update station; and sending the content detection data from the update station to the content detection module. 8. A system for updating a content detection module, comprising: means for obtaining content detection data; and means for transmitting the content detection data to a content detection module; wherein the means for transmitting is configured to perform the transmitting not in response to a request from the content detection module. 9. A computer-program product having a medium, the medium having a set of instructions readable by a processor, an execution of the instructions by the processor causes a process to be performed, the process comprising: obtaining content detection data; and transmitting the content detection data to a content detection module; wherein the transmitting is performed not in response to a request from the content detection module. 10. A content detection system, comprising: a station having a computer-readable medium for storing content detection data, the content detection data usable by a content detection module to detect content; wherein the station is configured to transmit the content detection data not in response to a request by the content detection module. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the station is a central station. 12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a first update station configured to receive the content detection data from the central station and send the content detection data to the content detection module. 13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a second update station configured to receive the content detection data from the central station. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the first update station is configured to determine whether the second update station received the content detection data. 15. The system of claim 11, wherein the central station is configured to select an update station to which the central station transmits the content detection data. 16. The system of claim 10, wherein the station is an update station. 17. The system of claim 10, wherein the station is configured to transmit the content detection data in substantially real time. 18. The system of claim 10, wherein the station is selected from the group consisting of a computer, a server, a device, and a software. 19. The system of claim 10, wherein the content detection data comprises a virus signature, a spammer identification, or a URL. 20. A method of sending content detection data, comprising: determining whether a first update station received the content detection data; and sending the content detection data to the first update station if the first update station did not receive the content detection data. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the determining is performed by a second update station in communication with the first update station. 22. The method of claim 20, wherein the determining comprises sending a query to the first update station, the query requesting for confirmation of receipt of the content detection data. 23. A system for sending content detection data, comprising: means for determining whether a first update station received the content detection data; and means for sending the content detection data to the first update station if the first update station did not receive the content detection data. 24. A computer-program product having a medium, the medium having a set of instructions readable by a processor, an execution of the instructions by the processor causes a process to be performed, the process comprising: determining whether a first update station received the content detection data; and sending the content detection data to the first update station if the first update station did not receive the content detection data. 25. A method of sending content detection data, comprising: obtaining content detection data; selecting an update station from a plurality of update stations; and sending the content detection data to the selected update station. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the selecting comprises: determining a load on each of the plurality of update stations; and choosing the update station that has the least load. 27. The method of claim 25, wherein the selecting comprises using an order list. 28. The method of claim 25, wherein the selecting is performed based at least on a geographical location of one of the plurality of update stations. 29. A system for sending content detection data, comprising: means for obtaining content detection data; means for selecting an update station from a plurality of update stations; and means for sending the content detection data to the selected update station. 30. A computer-program product having a medium, the medium having a set of instructions readable by a processor, an execution of the instructions by the processor causes a process to be performed, the process comprising: obtaining content detection data; selecting an update station from a plurality of update stations; and sending the content detection data to the selected update station. 31. A method of building a content detection system, comprising: establishing a first communication link between a central station and an update station, the central station configured to transmit content detection data to the update station; and establishing a second communication link between the update station and a content detection module. 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the central station is selected from the group consisting of a computer, a server, a device, and a software. 33. The method of claim 31, wherein the update station is selected from the group consisting of a computer, a server, a device, and a software. 34. The method of claim 31, wherein the content detection data comprises a virus signature, a spammer identification, or a URL. 35. The method of claim 31, wherein the content detection data comprises a time data indicating a time at which the content detection data is created. 36. The method of claim 31, wherein each of the steps of establishing comprises creating a network connection. 37. A system for building a content detection system, comprising: means for establishing a first communication link between a central station and an update station, the central station configured to transmit content detection data to the update station; and means for establishing a second communication link between the update station and a content detection module. 38. A computer-program product having a medium, the medium having a set of instructions readable by a processor, an execution of the instructions by the processor causes a process to be performed, the process comprising: establishing a first communication link between a central station and an update station, the central station configured to transmit content detection data to the update station; and establishing a second communication link between the update station and a content detection module.
RELATED APPLICATION DATA This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/552,457, filed on Mar. 12, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention The field of the invention relates to computer network and computer systems, and more particularly, to systems and methods for updating content detection modules. 2. Background The generation and spreading of computer viruses are major problems in computer systems and computer networks. A computer virus is a program that is capable of attaching to other programs or sets of computer instructions, replicating itself, and/or performing unsolicited or malicious actions on a computer system. Viruses may be embedded in email attachments, files downloaded from Internet, and macros in MS Office files. The damage that can be done by a computer virus may range from mild interference with a program, such as a display of unsolicited messages or graphics, to complete destruction of data on a user's hard drive or server. To provide protection from viruses, most organizations have installed virus scanning software on computers in their network. However, these organizations may still be vulnerable to a virus attack until every host in their network has received updated anti-virus software. With new attacks reported almost weekly, organizations are constantly exposed to virus attacks, and spend significant resources ensuring that all hosts are constantly updated with new anti-virus information. For example, with existing content detection software, a user may have to request for a download of a new virus signature in order to enable the content detection software to detect new virus that has been created since the last update. If a user delays in downloading the new virus signature, the content detection software would be unable to detect the new virus. Also, with existing content detection systems, new virus signatures are generally not made available shortly after they are discovered. As such, a computer mat be subjected to attack by the new virus until the new virus signature is available and is downloaded by a user. Besides virus attacks, many organizations also face the challenge of dealing with inappropriate content, such as email spam, misuse of networks in the form of browsing or downloading inappropriate content, and use of the network for non-productive tasks. Many organizations are struggling to control access to appropriate content without unduly restricting access to legitimate material and services. Currently, the most popular solution for blocking unwanted web activity is to block access to a list of banned or blacklisted web sites and pages based on their URLs. However, as with virus scanning, the list of blocked URL requires constant updating. If a user delays in downloading the list of URL, or if the list of URL is not made available soon enough, the content detection software would be unable to detect undesirable content, such as web pages. Many email spam elimination systems also use blacklists (spammer lists) to eliminate unwanted email messages. These systems match incoming email messages against a list of mail servers that have been pre-identified to be spam hosts, and prevent user access of messages from these servers. However, as with virus scanning, the spammer list also requires constant updating. If a user delays in downloading the spammer list, or if the spammer list is not made available soon enough, the content detection software would be unable to detect undesirable content. SUMMARY In accordance with some embodiments, a method of updating a content detection module includes obtaining content detection data, and transmitting the content detection data to a content detection module, wherein the transmitting is performed not in response to a request from the content detection module. In accordance with other embodiments, a system for updating a content detection module includes means for obtaining content detection data, and means for transmitting the content detection data to a content detection module, wherein the means for transmitting is configured to perform the transmitting not in response to a request from the content detection module. In accordance with other embodiments, a computer-program product having a medium, the medium having a set of instructions readable by a processor, an execution of the instructions by the processor causes a process to be performed, the process includes obtaining content detection data, and transmitting the content detection data to a content detection module, wherein the transmitting is performed not in response to a request from the content detection module. In accordance with other embodiments, a content detection system includes a station having a computer-readable medium for storing content detection data, the content detection data usable by a content detection module to detect content, wherein the station is configured to transmit the content detection data not in response to a request by the content detection module. In accordance with other embodiments, a method of sending content detection data includes determining whether a first update station received the content detection data, and sending the content detection data to the first update station if the first update station did not receive the content detection data. In accordance with other embodiments, a system for sending content detection data includes means for determining whether a first update station received the content detection data, and means for sending the content detection data to the first update station if the first update station did not receive the content detection data. In accordance with other embodiments, a computer-program product having a medium, the medium having a set of instructions readable by a processor, an execution of the instructions by the processor causes a process to be performed, the process includes determining whether a first update station received the content detection data, and sending the content detection data to the first update station if the first update station did not receive the content detection data. In accordance with other embodiments, a method of sending content detection data includes obtaining content detection data, selecting an update station from a plurality of update stations, and sending the content detection data to the selected update station. In accordance with other embodiments, a system for sending content detection data includes means for obtaining content detection data, means for selecting an update station from a plurality of update stations, and means for sending the content detection data to the selected update station. In accordance with other embodiments, a computer-program product having a medium, the medium having a set of instructions readable by a processor, an execution of the instructions by the processor causes a process to be performed, the process includes obtaining content detection data, selecting an update station from a plurality of update stations, and sending the content detection data to the selected update station. In accordance with other embodiments, a method of building a content detection system includes establishing a first communication link between a central station and an update station, the central station configured to transmit content detection data to the update station, and establishing a second communication link between the update station and a content detection module. In accordance with other embodiments, a system for building a content detection system includes means for establishing a first communication link between a central station and an update station, the central station configured to transmit content detection data to the update station, and means for establishing a second communication link between the update station and a content detection module. In accordance with other embodiments, a computer-program product having a medium, the medium having a set of instructions readable by a processor, an execution of the instructions by the processor causes a process to be performed, the process includes establishing a first communication link between a central station and an update station, the central station configured to transmit content detection data to the update station, and establishing a second communication link between the update station and a content detection module. Other aspects and features of the invention will be evident from reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which are intended to illustrate, not limit, the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings illustrate the design and utility of preferred embodiments of the application, in which similar elements are referred to by common reference numerals. In order to better appreciate how advantages and objects of various embodiments are obtained, a more particular description of the embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the application and are not therefore to be considered limiting its scope, the embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a content detection system in accordance with some embodiments; and FIG. 2 is a diagram of a computer hardware system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Various embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the figures are not drawn to scale and that elements of similar structures or functions are represented by like reference numerals throughout the figures. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of specific embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention or as a limitation on the scope of the invention. In addition, an illustrated embodiment may not show all aspects or advantages. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and can be practiced in any other embodiments, even if not so illustrated or described. FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a content detection system 100 in accordance with some embodiments. The content detection system 100 includes a central station 102, a processing station 104 for providing content detection data to the central station 102, a plurality of base stations 106 in communication with the central station 102, and a plurality of content detection modules 108 in communication with the base stations 106. In the illustrated embodiments, processing station 104 is a computer. Alternatively, processing station 104 can be a server, a module, a device, a computer program, and the like, e.g., any one of a variety of devices that can receive and transmit information. Processing station 104 is configured to determine content detection data, such as a virus signature, a spammer identification, a URL, and the like, and transmit the content detection data to central station 102. For example, processing station 104 can be configured (e.g., programmed) to determine the content detection data using any of the techniques known in the art. Alternatively, the content detection data can be input into processing station 104 by a user of processing station 104. Although one processing station 104 is shown, in other embodiments, content detection system 100 can include more than one processing station 104 in communication with central station 102. Central station 102 is configured to receive the content detection data from processing station 104, and send the content detection data to update stations 106 (e.g., through the Internet). In some embodiments, central station 102 also receives subscriber data, such as a user identification of a content detection module 108, level of protection desired by the user, etc., from processing station 104 or from update station(s) 106 for processing. In the illustrated embodiments, central station 102 is a computer, but alternatively, can be a server, a module, a device, a computer program, and the like, e.g., any one of a variety of devices that can receive and transmit information. Although one processing station 102 is shown, in other embodiments, content detection system 100 can include more than one central station 102, each of which in communication with at least one update station 106. In other embodiments, central station 102 and processing station 104 are combined and implemented as a single unit (e.g., a processor, a computer, or the like). Update stations 106 receive the content detection data from central station 102, and send the content detection data to content detection modules 108 (e.g., through the Internet). Each of the update stations 106 is located at a geographical location that is different from others. For example, update station 106a may be located at a different building, a different street, a different city, or a different country, from update station 106b. In some embodiments, the update stations 106 also receives subscriber data, such as a user identification of a content detection module 108, level of protection desired by the user, etc., from content detection module(s) 108, and forward the subscriber data to central station 102 for processing. In other embodiments, update station 106 may be configured to handle requests (such as a subscriber's contract information, the latest update data, etc.) from content detection module(s) 108, collect information (such as the version information, IP address, geographical location of the detection module, etc.) from content detection module(s) 108, and forward collected information to central station 102. In the illustrated embodiments, each update station 106 is a computer, but alternatively, can be a server, a module, a device, a computer program, and the like, e.g., any one of a variety of devices that can receive and transmit information. In FIG. 1, three update stations 106a-106c and five content detection modules 108a-108e are shown. However, in alternative embodiments, the system 100 can have different numbers of update station(s) 106 and different numbers of content detection module(s) 108. In the illustrated embodiments, each content detection module 108 is configured to receive electronic content (content data), and determines whether the electronic content contains undesirable content based on the content detection data it receives from update station 106. For example, content detection module 108 can be configured to detect virus based on a virus signature received from update station 106. In the illustrated embodiments, module 10 is implemented as a component of a gateway (or gateway product), which is configured to perform policy enforcement. As used in this specification, the term “policy enforcement” refers to a process or procedure, an execution of which creates a result that can be used to determine whether to pass data to user, and includes (but is not limited to) one or a combination of: source verification, destination verification, user authentication, virus scanning, content scanning (e.g., scanning for undesirable content), and intrusion detection (e.g., detecting undesirable content, such as worms, porno website, etc.). In other embodiments, instead of being a component of gateway, content detection module 108 can be a separate component that is coupled to gateway. In other embodiments, content detection module 108 can be a gateway product by itself. In some embodiments, content detection module 108 can be implemented using software that is loaded onto a computer, a server, or other types of memory, such as a disk or a CD-ROM. Alternatively, content detection module 108 can be implemented as web applications. In alternative embodiments, content detection module 108 can be implemented using hardware. For example, in some embodiments, content detection module 108 includes an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), such as a semi-custom ASIC processor or a programmable ASIC processor. ASICs, such as those described in Application-Specific Integrated Circuits by Michael J. S. Smith, Addison-Wesley Pub Co. (1st Edition, June 1997), are well known in the art of circuit design, and therefore will not be described in further detail herein. In still other embodiments, content detection module 108 can be any of a variety of circuits or devices capable of performing the functions described herein. For example, in alternative embodiments, content detection module 108 can include a general purpose processor, such as a Pentium processor. In other embodiments, content detection module 108 can be implemented using a combination of software and hardware. In some embodiments, content detection module 108 may be implemented as a firewall, a component of a firewall, or a component that is configured to be coupled to a firewall. Having described the components of the content detection system 100, methods of using content detection system 100 in accordance with some embodiments will now be described. First, processing station 104 receives an electronic content. By means of non-limiting examples, such electronic content can be a web page, an email, an email attachment, a word file, a program, etc., and the like, e.g., a file that may contain undesirable content. In other examples, electronic content can be a virus, a spam, a worm, or any of other undesirable content. Processing station 104 can receive the electronic content from one or more sources. For example, a content detection module 108 may detect a content that is suspicious (or that requires further processing), in which case, content detection module 108 then sends the electronic content to processing station 104 for processing. Alternatively, processing station 104 can receive electronic content from a person, who sends the content to processing station 104 via email. In other embodiments, electronic content can be input into processing station 104 by a user of processing station 104. After processing station 104 received the electronic content, processing station 104 then analyzes such information to determine whether the content contains/is a threat (e.g., a virus, a worm, a spam, etc.) that is desired to be detected. If processing station 104 determines that the electronic content contains a threat that is desired to be detected, processing station 104 then generates content detection data for the electronic content. For example, after processing station 104 received a set of content data, processing station 104 then performs an analysis using conventional or known technique(s) to determine whether it is a virus (an example of content that is desired to be detected). In some embodiments, processing station 104 is programmed to perform such analysis. Alternatively, the set of content data can be analyzed by an administrator, a separate device, or a separate software, and the result of the analysis is then input to processing station 104. If processing station 104 determines that the set of content data includes content that is undesirable (e.g., desired to be detected by content detection modules 108), processing station then generates content detection data, which can be used by content detection modules 108 to detect the undesirable content. By means of non-limiting examples, content detection data can be a virus signature, a virus definition, a spammer identification, a URL, a NIDS signature, a time at which content detection data is created, a level of threat, etc., and the like, e.g., any information that can be used in a content detection or screening process. In other embodiments, processing station 104 does not generate the content detection data. In such cases, content detection data can be provided by a separate source, and is input into processing station 104. As soon as, or shortly after, processing station 104 obtains the content detection data, processing station 104 then transmits the content detection data to central station 102. If processing station 104 and central station 102 are implemented as a single unit, then the step of transmitting content detection data to central station 102 is omitted. In response to obtaining the content detection data, central station 102 initiates a transmission process for transmitting the content detection data to update stations 106. In the illustrated embodiments, central station 102 maintains a list of prescribed geographical areas, a list of content detection modules 108 in each prescribed geographical area, and a list of update stations 106 for serving (e.g., sending content detection data to and/or from) each prescribed geographical area. Based on the lists, central station 102 assigns update stations 106 to provide the content detection data to content detection modules 108 within the prescribed geographical areas. In some embodiments, one update station 106 is used to serve content detection modules 108 within a prescribed geographical area. Alternatively, more than one update station 106 can be used to serve content detection modules 108 within a prescribed geographical area. In some cases, an update station 106 can be configured to check another update station 106 to determine whether it has received content detection data. For example, if update station 106a determines that update station 106b did not receive content detection data, update station 106a then sends content detection data to update station 106b. Various techniques can be used to determine whether update station 106b received content detection data. For example, in some embodiments, update station 106a is configured to send an inquiry to update station 106b. If update station 106b did not receive content detection data, update station 106b then transmits a signal or a reply to update station 106a, indicating that update station 106b did not receive content detection data. Alternatively, update station 106a is configured to initiate a timer after it has received content detection data. The timer continues to run until update station 106a receives a signal from update station 106b indicating that update station 106b received content detection data. If update station 106a does not receive such signal from update station 106b within a prescribed time period, update station 106a then determines that update station 106b did not receive the content detection data. Other techniques known in the art can also be used to check whether update station 106b received content detection data. If it is determined that update station 106b did not receive content detection data, update station 106a then sends content detection data to update station 106b. It should be noted that in other embodiments, instead of having one update station check another update station, one update station can check a plurality of other update stations. Also, in other embodiments, more than one update station 106 can check another update station 106. In the illustrated embodiments, each of the update stations 106 are configured (e.g., pre-assigned) to serve one or more content detection module 108. For example, update station 106a can be configured to serve content detection modules 108a, 108b, update station 106b can be configured to serve content detection module 108c, and update station 106c can be configured to serve content detection modules 108d, 108e. In other embodiments, instead of pre-assigning update stations 106 to serve certain content detection modules 108, central station 102 determines which update station 106 to use for sending content detection data based on a condition during use, e.g., based on load demands and/or capacities of update stations 106. As used in this specification, “capacity” refers to a variable that represents or associates with a level of ability for an update station 104 to handle content transmitted thereto. For example, capacity of an update station 104 can be an amount of memory space available, etc. Using the example of FIG. 1, central station 102 receives information regarding capacities of update stations 106a-106c, and selects one or more update stations 106 for transmitting content detection data based on their load and/or capacities. For example, if update station 106a has a high load demand (e.g., above a prescribed load demand) and/or if its remaining capacity to handle additional traffic is low (e.g., below a prescribed capacity threshold), central station 102 then uses update stations 106b and 106c to transmit content detection data to content detection modules 108a-108e. Load on the update stations 106b and 106c can be approximately shared in equal portion. For example, if central station 102 determines that update stations 106b and 106c are available, central station 102 can assign update station 106b to transmit content detection data to modules 108a and 108b, and update station 106c to transmit content detection data to modules 108a-108c. Alternatively, load among the available update stations 106 can be distributed based on the respective load demand and/or capacities of the available update stations 106. For example, if update stations 106b, 106c have capacities to serve twenty (20) and eighty (80) content detection modules 108, respectively, central station 102 then assign update stations 106b, 106c to transmit content detection data such that the ratio of the assigned loads approximately corresponds with the ratio of the capacities of the available update stations 106b, 106c. Following the above example, central station 102 will assign update station 106b to serve content detection module 108a, and update station 106c to serve content detection modules 108b-108e. In other embodiments, central station 102 maintains an order list of update station 106, which prescribes an order (e.g., in a round-robin configuration) in which load is to be assigned to update stations 106. For example, the order list may have update stations 106a-106c as primary, secondary, and tertiary stations, respectively, for serving content detection modules 108a-108e. In such cases, central station 102 will initially attempt to use update station 106a (the primary station) for transmitting content detection data to content detection modules 108a-108e. However, if update station 106a is unavailable (e.g., due to heavy load demand), central station 102 will then attempt to use update station 106b (the secondary station) for transmitting content detection data to content detection modules 108a-108e. If update station 106b is unavailable (e.g., due to heavy load demand), central station 102 will then attempt to use update station 106c (the third station on the order list) for transmitting content detection data to content detection modules 108a-108e. It should be noted that the technique for transmitting content detection data from central station 102 and/or update station(s) 106 to content detection module(s) 108 should not be limited to the examples discussed previously, and that other techniques can also be used in other embodiments. For example, one or more of the techniques described previously can be combined with another technique. Also, in other embodiments, central station 102 does not maintain the list of content detection modules 108 and the list of geographical areas. In such cases, after central station 102 receives content detection data, it transmits the content detection data to all update stations 106. The update stations 106 are configured to coordinate among themselves to ensure that all content detection modules 108 are provided with the content detection data. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, update station 106a can be configured (e.g., programmed) to communicate with update station 106b for various purposes, such as, to check a load demand on update station 106b, to check a capacity of update station 106b, to check an availability of update station 106b, and/or to verify that update station 106b has received content detection data. In some embodiments, based on the load demand and/or the capacities on the update stations 106, update stations 106 share the load among themselves (e.g., by dividing the load in equal parts, or by distributing the load based on respective ratios of the demand and/or capacities on the update stations 106) to pass the content detection data to content detection modules 108. In some embodiments, one update station 106 can be configured to communicate with one or more other update station 106. In such cases, the update station 106 can check one or more other update station 106 to make sure that content detection data have been received, and/or to serve as backup for the one or more other update station 106. In other embodiments, more than one update stations 106 can check an update station 106, and serve as backup for the update station 106. After content detection modules 108 received the content detection data (e.g., a virus signature), content detection modules 108 can then utilize the content detection data to detect content. In some embodiments, the content detection data is a virus signature, in which case, content detection modules 108 utilizes the virus signature to detect the virus that corresponds with the virus signature. Alternatively, the content detection data is a spammer identification, in which case, content detection modules 108 utilizes the spammer identification to detect and screen undesirable spam that corresponds with the spammer identification. In other embodiments, the content detection data can be other information, such as, a time at which content detection data is created, that content detection modules 108 can use in a content detection or screening process. Using the above method, content detection data can be provided to content detection modules 108 within a short period, such as, several minutes, and in some cases, within seconds, after the content detection data has been obtained (determined) by processing station 104 and/or central station 102. This allows content detection modules 108 to be updated in substantially real time. This is advantageous because some content detection data such as virus definitions are very time-sensitive, and should be distributed to all content detection modules 108 as soon as the content detection data are available. Also, with system 100, the responsibility to keep up with the latest security update (e.g., content detection data) is shifted from users of content detection modules 108 to processing station 104 and/or central station 102. In addition, unlike typical update method, which requires a content detection module to regularly “poll” an update station to check if there is a new update, central station 102 and/or update stations 106 “push” the latest security update data within minutes (or even seconds) after they are available to all content detection modules 108. This method has the advantage of faster response time during an outbreak and less resource consumption on content detection modules 108. Further, using a network of update stations 106 for transmitting content detection data is reliable because if update station(s) 106 is not available or fail to work properly, a nearby update station 106 in the same prescribed geographical area or update station(s) 106 located in other prescribed geographical area can provide the content detection data to content detection modules 108. Also, with content detection system 100, an update station 106 can be added, removed from the content detection system 100 at run-time without causing service interruption. If the update stations 106 for a certain geographical areas cannot keep up with the ever-increasing load, more update station(s) can be added to the content detection system 100. As such, content detection system 100 provides high scalability. In some embodiments, an update station can be customized to serve the need of certain organization(s). Some organizations have some special policies that restrict their network device's access to the Internet. For example, their network connection from Intranet to Internet is only limited to certain host(s). Therefore, it may not be possible for their content detection modules 108 inside the Intranet to access update station(s) 106. In such cases, a customized update station can be provided outside the Intranet of the organization (customer). For example, the customer can configure [ ] an update station to serve its own content detection module(s) 108. In some embodiments, a user interface can be provided for allowing a user to select which content detection module(s) 108 within the organization to use a customized update station and which content detection module(s) 108 to use a regular update station. As with update stations 106, more than one customized update station can be provided, and these customized update stations can back up each other and distribute their load. Computer Architecture As described previously, any of central station 102, processing station 104, update station 106, and content detection module 108 can be implemented using a computer. For example, one or more instructions can be imported into a computer to enable the computer to perform any of the functions described herein. FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates an embodiment of a computer system 200 upon which embodiments of the invention may be implemented. Computer system 200 includes a bus 202 or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a processor 204 coupled with bus 202 for processing information. Computer system 200 also includes a main memory 206, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to bus 202 for storing information and instructions to be executed by processor 204. Main memory 206 also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by processor 204. Computer system 200 may further include a read only memory (ROM) 208 or other static storage device(s) coupled to bus 202 for storing static information and instructions for processor 204. A data storage device 210, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is provided and coupled to bus 202 for storing information and instructions. Computer system 200 may be coupled via bus 202 to a display 212, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), for displaying information to a user. An input device 214, including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupled to bus 202 for communicating information and command selections to processor 204. Another type of user input device is cursor control 216, such as a mouse, a trackball, cursor direction keys, or the like, for communicating direction information and command selections to processor 204 and for controlling cursor movement on display 212. This input device typically has two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and a second axis (e.g., y), that allows the device to specify positions in a plane. Embodiments of the invention are related to the use of computer system 200 for transmitting content data. According to some embodiments of the invention, such use may be provided by computer system 200 in response to processor 204 executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in the main memory 206. Such instructions may be read into main memory 206 from another computer-readable medium, such as storage device 210. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in main memory 206 causes processor 204 to perform the process steps described herein. One or more processors in a multi-processing arrangement may also be employed to execute the sequences of instructions contained in main memory 206. In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software. The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing instructions to processor 204 for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device 210. Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory 206. Transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise bus 202. Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio wave and infrared data communications. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer can read. Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to processor 204 for execution. For example, the instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote computer can load the instructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to computer system 200 can receive the data on the telephone line and use an infrared transmitter to convert the data to an infrared signal. An infrared detector coupled to bus 202 can receive the data carried in the infrared signal and place the data on bus 202. Bus 202 carries the data to main memory 206, from which processor 204 retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received by main memory 206 may optionally be stored on storage device 210 either before or after execution by processor 204. Computer system 200 also includes a communication interface 218 coupled to bus 202. Communication interface 218 provides a two-way data communication coupling to a network link 220 that is connected to a local network 222. For example, communication interface 218 may be an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. As another example, communication interface 218 may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any such implementation, communication interface 218 sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry data streams representing various types of information. Network link 220 typically provides data communication through one or more networks to other devices. For example, network link 220 may provide a connection through local network 222 to a host computer 224. Network link 220 may also transmits data between an equipment 226 and communication interface 218. The data streams transported over the network link 220 can comprise electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals. The signals through the various networks and the signals on network link 220 and through communication interface 218, which carry data to and from computer system 200, are exemplary forms of carrier waves transporting the information. Computer system 200 can send messages and receive data, including program code, through the network(s), network link 220, and communication interface 218. Although one network link 220 is shown, in alternative embodiments, communication interface 218 can provide coupling to a plurality of network links, each of which connected to one or more local networks. In some embodiments, computer system 200 may receive data from one network, and transmit the data to another network. Computer system 200 may process and/or modify the data before transmitting it to another network. Although particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the present inventions to the preferred embodiments, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present inventions. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The present inventions are intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the present inventions as defined by the claims.
<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The field of the invention relates to computer network and computer systems, and more particularly, to systems and methods for updating content detection modules. 2. Background The generation and spreading of computer viruses are major problems in computer systems and computer networks. A computer virus is a program that is capable of attaching to other programs or sets of computer instructions, replicating itself, and/or performing unsolicited or malicious actions on a computer system. Viruses may be embedded in email attachments, files downloaded from Internet, and macros in MS Office files. The damage that can be done by a computer virus may range from mild interference with a program, such as a display of unsolicited messages or graphics, to complete destruction of data on a user's hard drive or server. To provide protection from viruses, most organizations have installed virus scanning software on computers in their network. However, these organizations may still be vulnerable to a virus attack until every host in their network has received updated anti-virus software. With new attacks reported almost weekly, organizations are constantly exposed to virus attacks, and spend significant resources ensuring that all hosts are constantly updated with new anti-virus information. For example, with existing content detection software, a user may have to request for a download of a new virus signature in order to enable the content detection software to detect new virus that has been created since the last update. If a user delays in downloading the new virus signature, the content detection software would be unable to detect the new virus. Also, with existing content detection systems, new virus signatures are generally not made available shortly after they are discovered. As such, a computer mat be subjected to attack by the new virus until the new virus signature is available and is downloaded by a user. Besides virus attacks, many organizations also face the challenge of dealing with inappropriate content, such as email spam, misuse of networks in the form of browsing or downloading inappropriate content, and use of the network for non-productive tasks. Many organizations are struggling to control access to appropriate content without unduly restricting access to legitimate material and services. Currently, the most popular solution for blocking unwanted web activity is to block access to a list of banned or blacklisted web sites and pages based on their URLs. However, as with virus scanning, the list of blocked URL requires constant updating. If a user delays in downloading the list of URL, or if the list of URL is not made available soon enough, the content detection software would be unable to detect undesirable content, such as web pages. Many email spam elimination systems also use blacklists (spammer lists) to eliminate unwanted email messages. These systems match incoming email messages against a list of mail servers that have been pre-identified to be spam hosts, and prevent user access of messages from these servers. However, as with virus scanning, the spammer list also requires constant updating. If a user delays in downloading the spammer list, or if the spammer list is not made available soon enough, the content detection software would be unable to detect undesirable content.
<SOH> SUMMARY <EOH>In accordance with some embodiments, a method of updating a content detection module includes obtaining content detection data, and transmitting the content detection data to a content detection module, wherein the transmitting is performed not in response to a request from the content detection module. In accordance with other embodiments, a system for updating a content detection module includes means for obtaining content detection data, and means for transmitting the content detection data to a content detection module, wherein the means for transmitting is configured to perform the transmitting not in response to a request from the content detection module. In accordance with other embodiments, a computer-program product having a medium, the medium having a set of instructions readable by a processor, an execution of the instructions by the processor causes a process to be performed, the process includes obtaining content detection data, and transmitting the content detection data to a content detection module, wherein the transmitting is performed not in response to a request from the content detection module. In accordance with other embodiments, a content detection system includes a station having a computer-readable medium for storing content detection data, the content detection data usable by a content detection module to detect content, wherein the station is configured to transmit the content detection data not in response to a request by the content detection module. In accordance with other embodiments, a method of sending content detection data includes determining whether a first update station received the content detection data, and sending the content detection data to the first update station if the first update station did not receive the content detection data. In accordance with other embodiments, a system for sending content detection data includes means for determining whether a first update station received the content detection data, and means for sending the content detection data to the first update station if the first update station did not receive the content detection data. In accordance with other embodiments, a computer-program product having a medium, the medium having a set of instructions readable by a processor, an execution of the instructions by the processor causes a process to be performed, the process includes determining whether a first update station received the content detection data, and sending the content detection data to the first update station if the first update station did not receive the content detection data. In accordance with other embodiments, a method of sending content detection data includes obtaining content detection data, selecting an update station from a plurality of update stations, and sending the content detection data to the selected update station. In accordance with other embodiments, a system for sending content detection data includes means for obtaining content detection data, means for selecting an update station from a plurality of update stations, and means for sending the content detection data to the selected update station. In accordance with other embodiments, a computer-program product having a medium, the medium having a set of instructions readable by a processor, an execution of the instructions by the processor causes a process to be performed, the process includes obtaining content detection data, selecting an update station from a plurality of update stations, and sending the content detection data to the selected update station. In accordance with other embodiments, a method of building a content detection system includes establishing a first communication link between a central station and an update station, the central station configured to transmit content detection data to the update station, and establishing a second communication link between the update station and a content detection module. In accordance with other embodiments, a system for building a content detection system includes means for establishing a first communication link between a central station and an update station, the central station configured to transmit content detection data to the update station, and means for establishing a second communication link between the update station and a content detection module. In accordance with other embodiments, a computer-program product having a medium, the medium having a set of instructions readable by a processor, an execution of the instructions by the processor causes a process to be performed, the process includes establishing a first communication link between a central station and an update station, the central station configured to transmit content detection data to the update station, and establishing a second communication link between the update station and a content detection module. Other aspects and features of the invention will be evident from reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which are intended to illustrate, not limit, the invention.
20041130
20111101
20050915
85681.0
3
LAFORGIA, CHRISTIAN A
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR UPDATING CONTENT DETECTION DEVICES AND SYSTEMS
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
2,004
11,000,731
ACCEPTED
Multistandard video decoder
Methods and systems for processing an encoded video stream are disclosed herein. Aspects of the method may comprise receiving on a chip, packetized data within the encoded video stream. An identifier within the received packetized data may be determined on the chip, where the identifier may define one of a plurality of encoding types associated with packets in the encoded video stream. A decoding process may be selected on the chip from a plurality of decoding processes, based on the determined identifier. A portion of the received packetized data in the encoded video stream may be decoded on the chip utilizing the selected decoding process. A header may be determined within the received packetized data that separates packets within the encoded video stream. A plurality of bytes within the received packetized data may be matched with a determined byte sequence.
1. A method for processing an encoded video stream, the method comprising: receiving on a chip, packetized data within the encoded video stream; determining on said chip, an identifier within said received packetized data that defines one of a plurality of encoding types associated with packets in the encoded video stream; selecting on said chip, a decoding process from a plurality of decoding processes based on said determined identifier; and decoding on said chip, at least a portion of said received packetized data in the encoded video stream utilizing said selected decoding process. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising determining on said chip, a start code within said received packetized data that separates packets within the encoded video stream. 3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising matching a plurality of bytes within said received packetized data with a determined byte sequence. 4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising removing said plurality of bytes from said received packetized data, if said plurality of bytes matches said determined byte sequence. 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising decoding said at least a portion of said received packetized data utilizing at least one of a fixed length coding (FLC) process, a variable length coding (VLC) process and a context adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) process, if said determined identifier corresponds to H.264 video encoding. 6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising decoding said at least a portion of said received packetized data utilizing at least one of a FLC process and a VLC process, if said determined identifier corresponds to VC-1 video encoding. 7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising decoding said at least a portion of said received packetized data utilizing at least one of a FLC process and a VLC process, if said determined identifier corresponds to at least one of an H.261, H.263, H.263+, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 video encoding. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said decoded packetized data comprises at least one of prediction pixels information and prediction error information. 9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising generating a decoded video stream utilizing at least a portion of said decoded packetized data. 10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, for each of said plurality of decoding processes, decoding on said chip said at least a portion of said received packetized data utilizing at least one of inverse transformation, inverse quantization, and motion compensation. 11. A machine-readable storage having stored thereon, a computer program having at least one code section for processing an encoded video stream, the at least one code section being executable by a machine to perform steps comprising: receiving on a chip, packetized data within the encoded video stream; determining on said chip, an identifier within said received packetized data that defines one of a plurality of encoding types associated with packets in the encoded video stream; selecting on said chip, a decoding process from a plurality of decoding processes based on said determined identifier; and decoding on said chip, at least a portion of said received packetized data in the encoded video stream utilizing said selected decoding process. 12. The machine-readable storage according to claim 11, further comprising code for determining on said chip, a start code within said received packetized data that separates packets within the encoded video stream. 13. The machine-readable storage according to claim 12, further comprising code for matching a plurality of bytes within said received packetized data with a determined byte sequence. 14. The machine-readable storage according to claim 13, further comprising code for removing said plurality of bytes from said received packetized data, if said plurality of bytes matches said determined byte sequence. 15. The machine-readable storage according to claim 11, further comprising code for decoding said at least a portion of said received packetized data utilizing at least one of a fixed length coding (FLC) process, a variable length coding (VLC) process and a context adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) process, if said determined identifier corresponds to H.264 video encoding. 16. The machine-readable storage according to claim 11, further comprising code for decoding said at least a portion of said received packetized data utilizing at least one of a FLC process and/or a VLC process, if said determined identifier corresponds to VC-1 video encoding. 17. The machine-readable storage according to claim 11, further comprising code for decoding said at least a portion of said received packetized data utilizing at least one of a FLC process and a VLC process, if said determined identifier corresponds to at least one of H.261, H.263, H.263+, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 video encoding. 18. The machine-readable storage according to claim 11, wherein said decoded packetized data comprises at least one of prediction pixels information and prediction error information. 19. The machine-readable storage according to claim 1 1, further comprising code for generating a decoded video stream utilizing at least a portion of said decoded packetized data. 20. The machine-readable storage according to claim 19, further comprising code for filtering said generated decoded video stream utilizing at least one of an overlapped transform process and a deblocking process. 21. A system for processing an encoded video stream, the system comprising: at least one processor that receives on a chip, packetized data within the encoded video stream; said at least one processor determines on said chip, an identifier within said received packetized data that defines one of a plurality of encoding types associated with packets in the encoded video stream; said at least one processor selects on said chip, a decoding process from a plurality of decoding processes based on said determined identifier; and said at least one processor decodes on said chip, at least a portion of said received packetized data in the encoded video stream utilizing said selected decoding process. 22. The system according to claim 21, wherein said at least one processor determines on said chip, a start code within said received packetized data that separates packets within the encoded video stream. 23. The system according to claim 22, wherein said at least one processor matches a plurality of bytes within said received packetized data with a determined byte sequence. 24. The system according to claim 23, wherein said at least one processor removes said plurality of bytes from said received packetized data, if said plurality of bytes matches said determined byte sequence. 25. The system according to claim 21, wherein said at least one processor decodes said at least a portion of said received packetized data utilizing at least one of a fixed length coding (FLC) process, a variable length coding (VLC) process and a context adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) process, if said determined identifier corresponds to H.264 video encoding. 26. The system according to claim 21, wherein said at least one processor decodes said at least a portion of said received packetized data utilizing at least one of a FLC process and a VLC process, if said determined identifier corresponds to VC-1 video encoding. 27. The system according to claim 21, wherein said at least one processor decodes said at least a portion of said received packetized data utilizing at least one of a FLC process and a VLC process, if said determined identifier corresponds to at least one of H.261, H.263, H.263+, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 video encoding. 28. The system according to claim 21, wherein said decoded packetized data comprises at least one of prediction pixels information and prediction error information. 29. The system according to claim 21, wherein said at least one processor generates a decoded video stream utilizing at least a portion of said decoded packetized data. 30. The system according to claim 29, wherein said at least one processor filters said generated decoded video stream utilizing at least one of an overlapped transform process and a deblocking process. 31. A method for processing an encoded video stream, the method comprising: decoding header information from the encoded video stream utilizing a first CPU; and decoding macroblock information from the encoded video stream utilizing a second CPU, while said first CPU decodes said header information.
RELATED APPLICATIONS This application makes reference to, claims priority to, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/573,357 (Attorney Docket number 15747US01), filed on May 21, 2004 and entitled “Multistandard Video Decoder,” the complete subject matter of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This application is related to the following applications, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/963,677 (Attorney Docket No. 15748US02) filed Oct. 13, 2004; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/985,501 (Attorney Docket No. 15749US02) filed Nov. 10, 2004; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 15750US02) filed ______, 2004; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/985,110 (Attorney Docket No. 15751US02) filed Nov. 10, 2004; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/981,218 (Attorney Docket No. 15754US02) filed Nov. 04, 2004; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/965,172 (Attorney Docket No. 15756US02) filed Oct. 13, 2004; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/972,931 (Attorney Docket No. 15757US02) filed Oct. 25, 2004; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/974,179 (Attorney Docket No. 15759US02) filed Oct. 27, 2004; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/974,872 (Attorney Docket No. 15760US02) filed Oct. 27, 2004; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/970,923 (Attorney Docket No. 15761US02) filed Oct. 21, 2004; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/963,680 (Attorney Docket No. 15762US02) filed Oct. 13, 2004; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 15763US02) filed ______, 2004; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 15792US01) filed ______ , 2004; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 15810US02) filed ______ , 2004; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 15811US02) filed ______ , 2004. FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [Not Applicable] MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE [Not Applicable] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION During encoding of a video signal, one or more encoding techniques, such as H.261, H.263, H.263+ (Annex J), H.264, SMPTE VC-1, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and/or MPEG-4, may be utilized to encode the video signal on a macroblock-by-macroblock basis. During encoding of video information, for example, prediction error information may be encoded together with prediction mode information, as well as with other side information necessary for the decoding process. In order to encode the prediction error information, a discrete cosine transformation may be applied to transform the prediction error information into frequency domain coefficients prior to quantization and entropy encoding. During this process, certain information relating to the prediction error, for example, may be lost. As a result of the missing information, the quality of the decoded video signal may be decreased. More specifically, transform blockiness may appear in the decoded video in the form of square grid artifacts, for example. Other artifacts may also appear in the decoded video due to missing video information. Conventional video decoders are adapted to decode elementary video stream encoded according to a single encoding standard, such as H.264, VC-1, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and/or MPEG-4 encoding standards. An elementary video stream may be encoded utilizing a single encoding technique. However, an application space may support a stream being encoded using any one of many standards. For example, the Blu-Ray ROM specification for high definition DVD playback allows a video stream to be encoded using MPEG-2, H.264, or VC-1. However, decoding efficiency in conventional video processing systems is substantially decreased since two or more decoders may need to be utilized for processing/decoding of elementary video streams that may have been encoded according to different encoding standards. Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art through comparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and system for processing an encoded video stream. Aspects of the method may comprise receiving on a chip, packetized data within the encoded video stream. An identifier within the received packetized data may be determined on the chip, where the identifier may define one of a plurality of encoding types associated with packets in the encoded video stream. A decoding process may be selected on the chip from a plurality of decoding processes, based on the determined identifier. A portion of the received packetized data in the encoded video stream may be decoded on the chip utilizing the selected decoding process. A delimiter may be determined within the received packetized data that separates packets within the encoded video stream. A plurality of bytes within the received packetized data may be matched with a determined byte sequence. If the plurality of bytes matches the determined byte sequence, the plurality of bytes may be removed from the received packetized data. If the determined identifier corresponds to H.264 video encoding, the received packetized data may be decoded utilizing a fixed length coding (FLC) process, a variable length coding (VLC) process and/or a context adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) process. If the determined identifier corresponds to VC-1, H.261, H.263, H.263+, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and/or MPEG-4 video encoding, the received packetized data may be decoded utilizing a FLC process and/or a VLC process. The decoded packetized data may comprise decoding process control information and/or prediction error information. A decoded video stream may be generated utilizing the decoded packetized data. The generated decoded video stream may be filtered utilizing an overlapped transform process and/or a deblocking process. For each of the plurality of decoding processes, a portion of the received packetized data may be decoded on the chip utilizing inverse transformation, inverse quantization, and/or motion compensation. Another embodiment of the invention may provide a machine-readable storage, having stored thereon, a computer program having at least one code section executable by a machine, thereby causing the machine to perform the steps as described above for processing an encoded video stream. Aspects of the system may comprise at least one processor that receives on a chip, packetized data within the encoded video stream on a chip. The processor may determine on the chip an identifier within the received packetized data that defines one of a plurality of encoding types associated with packets in the encoded video stream. A decoding process may be selected by the processor from a plurality of decoding processes based on the determined identifier. A portion of the received packetized data in the encoded video stream may be decoded by the processor utilizing the selected decoding process. A delimiter within the received packetized data that separates packets within the encoded video stream may be determined by the processor. The processor may match a plurality of bytes within the received packetized data with a determined byte sequence and if the plurality of bytes matches the determined byte sequence, the plurality of bytes may be removed by the processor from the received packetized data. If the determined identifier corresponds to H.264 video encoding, the received packetized data may be decoded by the processor utilizing a fixed length coding (FLC) process, a variable length coding (VLC) process and/or a context adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) process. If the determined identifier corresponds to VC-1, H.261, H.263, H.263+, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and/or MPEG-4 video encoding, the received packetized data may be decoded by the processor utilizing a FLC process and/or a VLC process. The decoded packetized data may comprise decoding process control and/or prediction error information. A decoded video stream may be generated by the processor utilizing the decoded packetized data. The processor may filter the generated decoded video stream utilizing an overlapped transform process and/or a deblocking process. These and other features and advantages of the present invention may be appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the present invention, along with the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an encapsulated video payload with a delimiter, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating byte destuffing within elementary video stream data, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3A is a high level block diagram illustrating a multistandard video decoder, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3B is a high level block diagram illustrating a multistandard video decoder utilizing a single CPU, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3C is a high level block diagram illustrating a multistandard video decoder utilizing a CPU pair, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4A is a block diagram illustrating a multistandard video decoder with hardware assist blocks and a single CPU, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4B is a block diagram illustrating a multistandard video decoder with hardware assist blocks and a CPU pair, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating operation of the multistandard video decoder of FIG. 4 when decoding H.264 video data, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating operation of the multistandard video decoder of FIG. 4 when decoding VC-1 video data, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating operation of the multistandard video decoder of FIG. 4 when decoding MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 video data, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating operation of the multistandard video decoder of FIG. 4 when decoding MPEG-4 video data, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for processing an encoded video stream, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Certain aspects of the invention may be found in a method and system for processing an encoded video stream. During encoding of a video stream, different encoding standards may be utilized to encode data within elementary video streams. In one aspect of the invention, a multistandard video decoder may be adapted to acquire an elementary video stream encoded according to an encoding standards, such as H.261, H.263, H.263+ (Annex J), H.264, VC-1, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and/or MPEG-4, for example. The multistandard decoder may locate one or more delimiters within the elementary video stream, where the delimiters may separate packetized data within encapsulated video payloads. Each delimiter may comprise a start code information signaling the beginning of a video payload and an encoding type information. The encoding type information may be associated with a method of encoding utilized by an encoder to encode a corresponding video payload. The multistandard decoder may also destuff, or remove, one or more bytes from the encapsulated video payload, where such bytes were inserted by an encoder to avoid false start codes from being present in the video payload. Depending on the encoding type information, the encapsulated video payload may be decoded on-chip utilizing corresponding decoding modules. For example, temporal or spatial prediction pixels may be generated from decoding process control information in the encapsulated video payload. In addition, prediction errors may also be generated from quantized frequency coefficients within the encoded video payload. A decoded video stream may then be reconstructed utilizing temporal and/or spatial prediction pixels and prediction error information. In one aspect of the invention, the multistandard decoder may utilize a single central processing unit (CPU) to process header information and macroblock information within the packets in the encoded bitstream. In another aspect of the invention, a CPU pair may be utilized, where a first CPU may process future header information while a second CPU may process current macroblock information. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an encapsulated video payload 100 with a delimiter, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the encapsulated video payload 100 may comprise a delimiter 104 and elementary video stream data 105. The delimiter 104 may comprise a start code 101 and a start code suffix 103 and may be utilized by a decoder, for example, to locate a starting bit for the encapsulated video payload 100 as well as a starting bit for the elementary video stream data 105. In addition, the delimiter 104 may comprise information relating to the method of encoding utilized to encode the elementary video stream data 105. The elementary video stream data may comprise a plurality of bytes, where each byte may comprise two nibbles. The start code 101 may comprise a plurality of bytes that may be arranged in a unique combination to signify the beginning of the encapsulated video payload 100 within an encoded video stream. For example, the start code 101 may comprise an exemplary byte sequence “00 00 01.” The start code suffix 103 may comprise one or more bytes located after the start code 101 within the encapsulated video payload 100. In one aspect of the invention, the start code suffix 103 may correspond to an encoding method utilized to encode the elementary video stream data 105 within the encapsulated video payload 100. For example, the start code suffix 103 may correspond to H.264, VC-1, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and/or MPEG-4 as the encoding method utilized to encode the elementary video stream data 105. The start code 101 and the start code suffix 103 may be generated by the encoder prior to communicating the encoded video stream data to a video decoder. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating byte destuffing within elementary video stream data 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the elementary video stream data 200 may comprise elementary video data sequences 201 and 203. The elementary video stream data 200 may be preceded by a delimiter comprising a start code sequence and a start code suffix, as illustrated on FIG. 1. During video signal encoding and after an encoder has generated a delimiter for the elementary video stream data 200, the encoder may insert one or more bytes in the elementary video stream data 200 so that a corresponding start code sequence may not be recognized by a decoder within the elementary video stream data 200 during decoding. For example, during encoding of the elementary video stream data 200, an encoder may utilize a start code comprising the byte sequence “00 00 01.” During decoding of the elementary video stream 200, a decoder may incorrectly identify the start code sequence “00 00 01” within the elementary stream 200. In order to avoid any such mis-identification of a start code sequence, an encoder may insert one or more extra characters/symbols, or a stuffing byte, so that a start code sequence may not be mis-identified within the elementary video stream 200 during decoding. For example, an extra character string, or a stuffing byte, “03” may be inserted within the byte sequence 205 within the elementary video data sequence 201. Similarly, the stuffing byte “03” may also be inserted within the byte sequence 207 within the elementary video data sequence 203. In this manner, the decoder may be prevented from recognizing the start code sequence “00 00 01” during decoding of the elementary video stream 200. During decoding of the elementary video stream 200, a video decoder may destuff or remove, any extra characters inserted in the elementary video stream 200 during encoding. Accordingly, the extra character string “03” may be removed from the byte sequence 205 within the elementary video data sequence 201, and the extra character “2” may be removed from the byte sequence 207 within the elementary video data sequence 207. In this manner, a raw video payload may be generated after removing any extra characters within the elementary video stream 200. The resulting raw video payload may then be decoded by a symbol interpreter, for example. FIG. 3A is a high level block diagram illustrating a multistandard video decoder, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3A, the multistandard video decoder 300 may comprise a memory block 301, a code-in-port (CIP) 305, a stream parser 307, and a processing block 303. The CIP 305 comprises suitable circuitry, logic and/or code and may be adapted to acquire an elementary video stream 309. The CIP 305 may also be adapted to locate start codes and start code suffixes within the elementary video stream 309 and to destuff extra bytes from the elementary video stream 309, thus generating raw elementary video stream. The multistandard video decoder 300 may utilize the stream parser 307 to process start code information and raw stream information that may be acquired from the CIP 305. For example, the stream parser 307 may be adapted to process header information and/or macroblock information from the raw elementary bitstream generated by the CIP 305. Header information from the raw elementary bitstream may comprise slice information, picture information, GOP/entry point information, and/or sequence information, for example. Slice packets within the raw elementary video stream generated by the CIP 305 may comprise slice header information and macroblock information corresponding to the particular slice. In addition, the stream parser 307 may be adapted to process header and/or macroblock information in the raw elementary stream acquired from the CIP 305, and generate quantized frequency coefficients information and/or additional side information, for example, necessary for decoding of macroblock information in the raw elementary video stream. The stream parser 307 may comprise one or more decoder assist blocks specific to each mode of encoding that may be utilized to decode the raw elementary stream. The output signal from the stream parser 307 may be communicated to the processing block 303 via the bus 311. The bus 311 may be implemented within the multistandard video decoder 300 as a one-way bus communicating information to the processing block 303 to increase processing efficiency and simplicity of implementation. Temporary information generated during decoding of the raw elementary video stream may be stored by the stream parser 307 and/or by the CIP 305 in the memory module 301. The memory module 301 may comprise DRAM, for example. In an exemplary aspect of the invention, the stream parser 307 may be implemented utilizing a single CPU and a single corresponding symbol interpreter (SI). The single CPU/SI configuration may be utilized to process the entire video elementary stream, including start codes/suffixes, header information, and/or macroblock information. In another aspect of the invention, the stream parser 307 may be implemented utilizing two separate CPUs and symbol interpreters for increased processing efficiency. For example, in the exemplary dual-CPU/SI configuration, a first CPU and a first SI may be utilized to process header information within the elementary video stream, and a second CPU with a corresponding second SI may be utilized to process macroblock information from the elementary bitstream. In this regard, subsequent header information may be processed by the first CPU and the first SI, while the second CPU and the second SI may simultaneously process current macroblock information. The processing block 303 may utilize the processing information generated by the stream parser 307 to generate a decoded video stream 313. The processing block 303 comprises suitable circuitry, logic and/or code and may be adapted to perform one or more of the following processing tasks: spatial prediction, motion compensation, inverse quantization and transformation, macroblock reconstruction, in-loop macroblock filtering, and/or macroblock post processing. Each of the processing tasks within the processing block 303 may utilize one or more assist blocks corresponding to a specific encoding method that may have been utilized to encode the elementary video stream 309. In this regard, the processing block 303 may be adapted to decode an elementary video stream that may have been encoded utilizing one of a plurality of encoding methods, such as H.261, H.263, H.263+ (Annex J), H.264, VC-1, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and/or MPEG-4, for example. FIG. 3B is a high level block diagram illustrating a multistandard video decoder 320 utilizing a single CPU, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3B, the multistandard video decoder 320 may comprise a memory block 321, a code-in-port (CIP) 329, an inner loop central processing unit (ILCPU) 325, an inner loop symbol interpreter (ILSI) 327, and a processing block 323. The CIP 329 comprises suitable circuitry, logic and/or code and may be adapted to acquire an elementary video stream 331. The CIP 329 may also be adapted to locate start codes and/or start code suffixes within the elementary video stream 331 and to destuff extra bytes from the elementary video stream 331, thus generating raw elementary video stream. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the multistandard video decoder 320 may utilize the ILCPU 325 and the ILSI 327 to process header information and/or macroblock information from the raw elementary bitstream generated by the CIP 329. Header information from the raw elementary bitstream may comprise slice information, picture information, GOP/entry point information, and/or sequence information, for example. Slice packets within the raw elementary video stream generated by the CIP 329 may comprise slice header information and/or macroblock information corresponding to the particular slice. The ILSI 327 comprises suitable circuitry, logic and/or code and may be adapted to process header and/or macroblock information in the raw elementary stream acquired from the CIP 329, and generate quantized frequency coefficients information and/or additional side information, for example, necessary for decoding of macroblock information in the raw elementary video stream. The ILSI 327 may comprise one or more decoder assist blocks specific to each mode of encoding that may be utilized to decode the raw elementary stream. The ILCPU 325 may be adapted to sequence the ILSI 327 by, for example, providing decoding instructions to the ILSI 327 via the bus 333. The bus 333 may be implemented within the multistandard video decoder 320 as a one-way bus communicating information to the processing block 323 to increase processing efficiency and simplicity of implementation. Temporary information generated during decoding of the raw elementary video stream may be stored by the ILCPU 325, the CIP 329, and/or the ILSI 327 in the memory module 321. The memory module 321 may comprise DRAM, for example. In operation, the incoming elementary video stream 331 may comprise video data encoded according to one of a plurality of encoding standards, such as H.261, H.263, H.263+ (Annex J), H.264, VC-1, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and/or MPEG-4, for example. The CIP 329 may be adapted to detect one or more start codes and start code suffixes, which may correspond to the mode of encoding of the elementary video stream 331. The CIP 329 may also be adapted to generate a raw elementary video stream comprising header and/or macroblock information. The start codes and the raw elementary stream may be communicated, via the memory 321, to the ILCPU 325 and the ILSI 327 for further processing. The ILSI 327, utilizing instructions from the ILCPU 325, may be adapted to process the header and/or macroblock information communicated by the CIP 329. The ILSI 327 may then generate an output signal that may comprise acquired macroblock type information, slice type information, prediction mode information, motion vector information, and/or quantized frequency coefficients, for example. The output signal may be communicated via the bus 333 to the processing block 323 for use during macroblock decoding. The processing block 323 may utilize the processing information generated by the ILSI 327 to generate a decoded video stream 335. The processing block 323 comprises suitable circuitry, logic and/or code and may be adapted to perform one or more of the following processing tasks: spatial prediction, motion compensation, inverse quantization and transformation, macroblock reconstruction, in-loop macroblock filtering, and/or macroblock post processing. Each of the processing tasks within the processing block 323 may utilize one or more assist blocks corresponding to a specific encoding method that may have been utilized to encode the elementary video stream 331. In this regard, the processing block 323 may be adapted to decode an elementary video stream that may have been encoded utilizing one of a plurality of encoding methods, such as H.261, H.263, H.263+ (Annex J), H.264, VC-1, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and/or MPEG-4, for example. FIG. 3C is a high level block diagram illustrating a multistandard video decoder 340 utilizing a CPU pair, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3C, the multistandard video decoder 340 may comprise a memory block 341, an outer loop central processing unit (OLCPU) 349, a code-in-port (CIP) 351, an outer loop symbol interpreter (OLSI) 353, an inner loop central processing unit (ILCPU) 345, an inner loop symbol interpreter (ILSI) 347, and a processing block 343. The CIP 351 comprises suitable circuitry, logic and/or code and may be adapted to acquire an elementary video stream 355. The CIP 351 may also be adapted to locate start codes and start code suffixes within the elementary video stream 355 and to destuff extra bytes from the elementary video stream 355, thus generating raw elementary video stream. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the multistandard video decoder 340 may utilize a CPU pair, such as ILCPU 345 and OLCPU 349, with corresponding ILSI 347 and OLSI 353, to separately process header information and macroblock information from the raw elementary bitstream generated by the CIP 351. Header information from the raw elementary bitstream may comprise slice information, picture information, GOP/entry point information, and/or sequence information, for example. Slice packets within the raw elementary video stream generated by the CIP 351 may comprise slice header information and macroblock information corresponding to the particular slice. For example, the OLCPU 349 and the OLSI 353 may be adapted to process header information from the raw elementary bitstream generated by the CIP 351. In addition, the ILCPU 345 and the ILSI 347 may be adapted to process macroblock information from the raw elementary bitstream generated by the CIP 351. In this manner, parallel processing may be achieved within the multistandard video decoder 340 as the OLCPU 349 and the OLSI 353 may process future header information, while the ILCPU 345 and the ILSI 347 may process current macroblock information. The ILSI 347 comprises suitable circuitry, logic and/or code and may be adapted to process macroblock information in the raw elementary stream acquired from the CIP 351, and generate quantized frequency coefficients information and/or additional side information, for example, necessary for decoding of macroblock information in the raw elementary video stream. The ILSI 347 may comprise one or more decoder assist blocks specific to each mode of encoding that may be utilized to decode the raw elementary stream. The OLSI 353 comprises suitable circuitry, logic and/or code and may be adapted to process header information in the raw elementary stream acquired from the CIP 351. The ILCPU 345 may be adapted to sequence the ILSI 347 by, for example, providing decoding instructions to the ILSI 347 via the bus 357. The bus 357 may be implemented within the multistandard video decoder 340 as a one-way bus communicating information to the -processing block 343 to increase processing efficiency and simplicity of implementation. Temporary information generated during decoding of the raw elementary video stream may be stored by the ILCPU 345, the OLCPU 349, the OLSI 353, the CIP 351, and/or the ILSI 347 in the memory module 341. The memory module 341 may comprise DRAM, for example. In operation, the incoming elementary video stream 355 may comprise video data encoded according to one of a plurality of encoding standards, such as H.261, H.263, H.263+ (Annex J), H.264, VC-1, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and/or MPEG-4, for example. The CIP 351 may be adapted to detect one or more start codes and start code suffixes, which may correspond to the mode of encoding of the elementary video stream 355. The CIP 351 may also be adapted to generate a raw elementary video stream comprising header and/or macroblock information. Header information within the raw elementary stream generated by the CIP 351 may be communicated to the OLCPU 349 and the OLSI 353 for further processing. The start codes and macroblock information within the raw elementary stream may be communicated, via the memory 341, to the ILCPU 345 and the ILSI 347 for further processing. In an exemplary aspect of the invention, the OLCPU 349 and the OLSI 353 may be adapted to process subsequent, or future, header information, while the ILCPU 345 and the ILSI 347 may process current macroblock information. The ILSI 347, utilizing instructions from the ILCPU 345, may be adapted to process the macroblock information in the raw elementary stream communicated by the CIP 351. The ILSI 347 may then generate an output signal that may comprise acquired macroblock type information, slice type information, prediction mode information, motion vector information, and/or quantized frequency coefficients, for example. The output signal may be communicated via the bus 357 to the processing block 343 for use during macroblock decoding. The processing block 343 may utilize the processing information generated by the ILSI 347 to generate a decoded video stream 361. The processing block 343 comprises suitable circuitry, logic and/or code and may be adapted to perform one or more of the following processing tasks: spatial prediction, motion compensation, inverse quantization and transformation, macroblock reconstruction, in-loop macroblock filtering, and/or macroblock post processing. Each of the processing tasks within the processing block 343 may utilize one or more assist blocks corresponding to a specific encoding method that may have been utilized to encode the elementary video stream 355. In this regard, the processing block 343 may be adapted to decode an elementary video stream that may have been encoded utilizing one of a plurality of encoding methods, such as H.261, H.263, H.263+ (Annex J), H.264, VC-1, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and/or MPEG-4, for example. FIG. 4A is a block diagram illustrating a multistandard video decoder with hardware assist blocks and a single CPU, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 4A, the multistandard video decoder 400 may comprise a code-in-port (CIP) 403, a symbol interpreter 405, a central processing unit (CPU) 407, a spatial prediction block 409, an inverse quantization and transformation (IQT) block 411, a motion compensation block 413, a reconstructor 415, an in-loop filter 417, a frame buffer 419 and a post-processing block 421. The CIP 403 comprises suitable circuitry, logic and/or code and may be adapted to receive video elementary code stream 401 and generate start codes, start code suffixes and raw elementary stream. The CIP 403 may comprise a start code finding block 423 and a byte destuffing block 425. The start code finding block 423 may be adapted to locate start codes and start code suffixes, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The byte destuffing block 425 may be adapted to destuff extra bytes from the video elementary codestream 401 and generate raw elementary stream data, as illustrated in FIG. 2. After the start codes, start code suffixes and raw elementary stream are generated within the CIP 403, the start code suffixes 426 may be communicated to the CPU 407 and the raw elementary stream may be communicated to the symbol interpreter 405 for further processing. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the multistandard video decoder 400 may utilize the CPU 407 and the symbol interpreter 405 to process header information and/or macroblock information from the raw elementary bitstream generated by the CIP 403. Header information from the raw elementary bitstream may comprise slice information, picture information, GOP/entry point information, and/or sequence information, for example. Slice packets within the raw elementary video stream generated by the CIP 403 may comprise slice header information and macroblock information corresponding to the particular slice. The symbol interpreter 405 comprises suitable circuitry, logic and/or code and may be adapted to interpret raw elementary stream 424 acquired from the CIP 403 to obtain quantized frequency coefficients information and/or additional side information necessary for decoding of the raw elementary video stream 424. The symbol interpreter 405 may also communicate to the CPU 407, video information on subsequent macroblock and/or frame within the raw elementary video stream 424 via the connection 406. After the CPU 407 acquires start code suffixes 426 from the CIP 403, the CPU 407 may generate one or more decoding instructions for the symbol interpreter 405 based on the encoding method associated with the acquired start code suffixes 426. The CPU 407 may be adapted to sequence the symbol interpreter 405 by providing such decoding instructions to the symbol interpreter 405 via the connection 408. The CPU 407 may also communicate decoding instructions to the symbol interpreter 405 based on received video information on a subsequent macroblock and/or frame via the connection 406. In one aspect of the invention, the incoming elementary video stream 401 may comprise video data encoded according to one of a plurality of encoding standards, such as H.261, H.263, H.263+ (Annex J), H.264, VC-1, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and/or MPEG-4, for example. The symbol interpreter 405, utilizing instructions from the CPU 407, may be adapted to decode one or more symbols and/or additional processing information, such as header and/or macroblock information, that may be utilized to complete decoding of the raw elementary stream 424 received from the CIP 403. The symbol interpreter 405 may comprise a plurality of decoder assist blocks specific to each mode of encoding that may be utilized to decode the raw elementary stream 424. In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, the symbol interpreter 405 may comprise a fixed length coding (FLC) block 427, a variable length coding (VLC) block 429, a context adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) block 433, a coefficient construction block 435, and a vector construction block 437. The decoder assist blocks within the symbol interpreter 405 may be utilized during decoding depending on encoding method information that may be obtained from a start code suffix 426 generated by the CIP 403 and communicated to the CPU 407. The FLC block 427, the VLC block 429 and the CABAC block 433 may be utilized by the symbol interpreter 405 to decode/interpret single syntax elements from the raw elementary stream 424 that were encoded utilizing fixed length coding, variable length coding or CABAC coding techniques, respectively. The coefficient construction block 435 may be adapted to generate one or more quantized frequency coefficients from the raw elementary stream 424. Quantized frequency coefficients generated by the coefficient construction block 435 may be subsequently utilized within the multistandard video decoder 400 to generate prediction error information utilized during reconstruction of one or more macroblocks. The generated quantized frequency coefficients may be communicated by the symbol interpreter 405 to the IQT block 411 for further processing. Similarly, the vector construction block 437 may be adapted to generate one or more motion vectors from the raw elementary stream 424. The motion vectors generated by the vector construction block 437 may be utilized within the multistandard video decoder 400 to generate prediction pixels utilized during reconstruction of one or more macroblocks. The generated motion vector information may be communicated by the symbol interpreter 405 to the motion compensation block 413 for further processing. The spatial prediction block 409 comprises suitable circuitry, logic and/or code and may be adapted to generate prediction pixels used by the reconstruction block 415 to generate a decoded macroblock. The spatial prediction block 409 may be adapted to acquire macroblock type information, slice type information and/or prediction mode information, for example, from the symbol interpreter 405. The spatial prediction block 409 may then utilize the acquired macroblock type information, slice type information and/or prediction mode information to generate prediction pixels for spatially predicted macroblocks. The motion compensation block 413 comprises suitable circuitry, logic and/or code and may be adapted to generate prediction pixels utilizing motion vector information received from the symbol interpreter 405. For example, the motion compensation block 413 may generate prediction pixels for temporally predicted macroblocks, which may be associated with motion compensation vectors in frames/fields neighboring a current frame/field. The motion compensation block 413 may acquire previous and/or subsequent frames/fields from the frame buffer 419 and utilize the acquired previous and/or subsequent frames/fields for predicting temporally encoded pixels within a current macroblock. The motion compensation block 413 may comprise a plurality of motion compensation assist blocks that may be utilized to generate the prediction pixels depending on the method utilized to encode the raw elementary stream data 424. For example, the motion compensation block 413 may comprise a range remap block 447, an intensity compensation block 449, an interpolation block 451, a variable block sizing module 453, and bidirectional prediction block 455. The interpolation block 451 may be adapted to interpolate one or more prediction pixels within a current frame utilizing motion vector information received from the symbol interpreter 405, as well as one or more reference frames that are temporally adjacent to the current frame. If prediction pixels are interpolated utilizing only one reference frame, the interpolation block 451 may be utilized to generate the prediction pixels. However, if more than one prediction reference frames are utilized during temporal prediction of a current pixel, the bidirectional prediction block 455 may be utilized by the motion compensation block 413 to generate the prediction pixels. For example, if several reference frames are utilized for prediction of a current pixel, the bidirectional prediction block 455 may determine the current prediction pixel as an average of the prediction pixels in the reference frames. The range remap block 447 may be utilized by the motion compensation block 413 during decoding of a VC-1 encoded raw elementary stream. More specifically, the range remap block 447 may be utilized to remap the dynamic range of a reference frame prior to interpolation by the interpolation block 451. The intensity compensation block 449 may be utilized by the motion compensation block 413 to adjust the intensity level of a reference frame to the intensity level of a current frame prior to interpolation by the interpolation block 451. The variable block sizing module 453 may be utilized by the motion compensation block 413 to control utilization of reference frames acquired from the frame buffer 419. For example, the variable block sizing module 453 may fetch a 16×16, 16×8 and/or 4×4 pixel size macroblock from the frame buffer 419 for use during temporal prediction of pixels within a current macroblock. Other macroblock and/or frame sizes may also be supported by the frame buffer 419, as may be required during motion compensation prediction within the motion compensation block 413. The IQT block 411 comprises suitable circuitry, logic and/or code and may be adapted to transform quantized frequency coefficients received from the symbol interpreter 405 into one or more prediction errors. More specifically, the IQT block 411 may be adapted to utilize the inverse quantization block 443 and the inverse transformation block 445 to transform the quantized frequency coefficients back to spatial domain, thus generating prediction error information. The prediction error information generated by the IQT block 411 may then be communicated to the reconstructor 415 for further processing during reconstruction of a macroblock. The inverse zigzag block 439 may be utilized by the IQT block 411 to rearrange the quantized frequency coefficients received from the symbol interpreter 405 prior to inverse transformation by the inverse transformation block 445. Quantized frequency coefficients generated by the symbol interpreter 405 may have been arranged in a zigzag scan order to facilitate encoding. Accordingly, the inverse zigzag block 439 may utilize one or more look-up tables to arrange the quantized frequency coefficients in sequential order, for example. Depending on the encoding method of the raw elementary stream 424, the IQT block 411 may utilize an AC/DC prediction block 441 during decoding of the prediction error information. For example, quantized frequency coefficients may be encoded within the raw elementary stream 424 utilizing prediction residuals and prediction errors from neighboring pixels. Further, DC prediction within the AC/DC prediction block 441 may correspond to zero frequency coefficients utilized for generating prediction error information. AC prediction within the AC/DC prediction block 441 may correspond to low frequency coefficients utilized for generating prediction error information. Additional information on the operation of a symbol interpreter, motion compensation block, spatial prediction block and inverse quantization and transformation block is more fully disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/963,677 (Attorney Docket No. 15748US02) filed Oct. 13, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The reconstructor 415 may be adapted to acquire spatial prediction pixels or temporal prediction pixels from the spatial prediction block 409 or the motion compensation block 413, respectively. In addition, the reconstructor 415 may be adapted to acquire prediction error information generated by the IQT block 411. The reconstructor 415 may then reconstruct a current macroblock utilizing prediction pixels and prediction error information. The reconstructed macroblock may be communicated to the in-loop filter 417 for further processing. The in-loop filter 417 comprises suitable circuitry, logic and/or code and may be adapted to further filter a decoded/reconstructed macroblock that may be acquired from the reconstructor 415. Depending on the encoding method of the raw elementary stream 424, the in-loop filter 417 may comprise an overlapped transformation block 457 and a deblocking module 459. The overlapped transformation block 457 may be utilized during filtering of a macroblock generated from a VC-1 encoded raw elementary stream 424. More specifically the overlapped transformation block 457 may apply an overlapped transformation to a reconstructed macroblock in order to reduce edge artifacts along one or more edges of the reconstructed macroblock. Similarly, the deblocking module 459 may also be utilized by the in-loop filter 417 to reduce edge artifacts and transform blockiness effects along one or more edges of a reconstructed macroblock. Additional information on deblocking and deblocking memory utilization within a decoder is more fully disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/965,172 (Attorney Docket No. 15756US02) filed Oct. 13, 2004 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/972,931 (Attorney Docket No. 15757US02) filed Oct. 25, 2004, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. After a reconstructed macroblock is filtered by the in-loop filter 417, additional post-processing may be performed by the post-processing block 421. Depending on the encoding method of the raw elementary stream 424, the post-processing block may utilize one or more of the following post-processing assist blocks: a range remapping block 461, a resizing block 463, a deblocking module 465 and/or a deringing block 467. The range remapping block 461 may be utilized by the post-processing block 421 if during a VC-1 encoding process, the dynamic range of a macroblock, or a series of macroblocks, was changed. In this manner, all decoded macroblocks 469 that are communicated to a display postprocessor are characterized by the same dynamic range. The resizing block 463 may be utilized by the post-processing block 421 to rescale/resize a macroblock that may have been upscaled or downscaled during encoding. By utilizing the resizing block 463, the post-processing block 421 may generate decoded macroblocks 469 with the same resolution. The deringing block 467 may be utilized to attenuate “mosquito noise” within a reconstructed macroblock that may have been generated by overly quantized AC coefficients. The deblocking module 465 is similar to the deblocking module 459 within the in-loop filter 417, and may be utilized to further reduce edge artifacts and transform blockiness effects along one or more edges of a reconstructed macroblock prior to communication of the macroblock to a display post-processor, for example. FIG. 4B is a block diagram illustrating a multistandard video decoder with hardware assist blocks and a CPU pair, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 4B, the multistandard video decoder 470 may comprise a code in port (CIP) 471, an outer loop CPU (OLCPU) 473, an outer loop symbol interpreter (OLSI) 475, an inner loop CPU (ILCPU) 477, and an inner loop symbol interpreter (ILCPU) 479. The multistandard video decoder 470 may also comprise a spatial prediction block, an inverse quantization and transformation block, a motion compensation block, a reconstruction block, an in-loop filtering block, frame buffers block, and/or a post-processing block (not pictured in FIG. 4B), as illustrated and described in detail with regard to the multistandard video decoder 400 in FIG. 4A. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the multistandard decoder 470 may utilize the OLCPU 473 and OLSI 475 to process header information from the video elementary bitstream 480. The ILCPU 477 and ILSI 479 may be utilized to process macroblock information from the video elementary bitstream 480. In this manner, parallel processing may be achieved within the multistandard video decoder 470 as OLCPU 473 and OLSI 475 may be processing future header information while ILCPU 477 and ILSI 479 may be processing current macroblock information. Header information from the elementary bitstream 480 may comprise slice information, picture information, GOP/entry point information, and/or sequence information, for example. In operation, the CIP 471 may receive video elementary code stream 480 and generate start codes and start code suffixes 481 and raw elementary stream 482. The start codes and start code suffixes 481 may be communicated for processing to the OL CPU 473 and the raw packets information 482 may be communicated for processing to the OLSI 475. The OLCPU 473 and the OLSI 475 may be adapted to process only header information from the start codes and start code suffixes 481 and the raw elementary stream 482. The OLCPU 473 may interface with an off-chip video processing system, for example, via the system communications port 483. The OLSI 475 may comprise a variable-length coding (VLC) block 484 and a fixed length coding (FLC) block 472. The VLC block 484 and the FLC block 472 may be utilized to decode header information from the raw packets information 482 received from the CIP 471. For example, header information 485 may be extracted from the raw packets information 482, thus generating an output bitstream 486. The output bitstream 486 may comprise macroblock-related information and may be communicated to the ILSI 479 for further processing. After OLCPU 473 processes header information from the start codes and start code suffixes information 481, the resulting processing control information 476 may be communicated for further processing to the ILCPU 477. The processing control information 476 may comprise control information corresponding to packets containing macroblock information, such as packets in the output bitstream 486. The ILCPU 477 and the ILSI 479 may be adapted to simultaneously process macroblock-related information for a current macroblock while the OLCPU 473 and the OLSI 475 may be processing subsequent header information. The ILSI 479, similarly to the symbol interpreter 405 in FIG. 4A, may be adapted to generate an output signal 487. The output signal 487 may comprise acquired macroblock type information, slice type information, prediction mode information, motion vector information, and/or quantized frequency coefficients, for example. The acquired macroblock type information, slice type information and/or prediction mode information 488 may be communicated to a spatial prediction block (not pictured), such as the spatial prediction block 409 in FIG. 4A, for further processing and generation of prediction pixels for spatially predicted macroblocks. The motion vector information 490 may be communicated to a motion compensation block (not pictured), such as the motion compensation block 413 in FIG. 4A, for further processing and generation of prediction pixels for temporally predicted macroblocks. The quantized frequency coefficients 489 may be communicated to an inverse quantization and transformation block (not pictured), such as the inverse quantization and transformation block 411 in FIG. 4A, for further processing and generation of prediction errors utilized during macroblock decoding. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating operation of the multistandard video decoder 500 of FIG. 4 when decoding H.264 video data, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the multistandard video decoder 500 may be adapted to process video elementary codestream 401 that was encoded utilizing H.264 encoding techniques. The CIP 403 may utilize the start code finding block 423 to locate start codes and start code suffixes, as well as the byte destuffing block 425 to remove extra bytes from the H.264 encoded video elementary codestream 401. The symbol interpreter 405 may be adapted to interpret the H.264 raw elementary stream 424 acquired from the CIP 403 to obtain quantized frequency coefficients information and/or additional side information, such as macroblock type information, slice type information, prediction mode information, and/or motion vectors information, necessary for decoding of the H.264 raw elementary video stream 424. During generation of the quantized frequency coefficients and/or the side information, the symbol interpreter 405 may receive instructions by the CPU 407 and provide subsequent symbol information to the CPU 407. In addition, the symbol interpreter may utilize one or more of the following assist blocks: the FLC block 427, the VLC block 429, the CABAC block 433, the coefficient construction block 435, and/or the vector construction block 437. Inverse quantized frequency coefficients may be communicated from the symbol interpreter block 405 to the IQT block 411, which may generate prediction error information. The IQT block 411 may utilize the inverse zigzag block 439, the inverse quantization block 443 and/or the inverse transformation block 445 to generate the prediction error information. Side information from the symbol interpreter 405 may be communicated to either the spatial prediction block 409 or the motion compensation block 413 to generate prediction pixels. The motion compensation block 413 may utilize the frame buffer 419 together with the intensity compensation block 449, the interpolation block 451, the variable block sizing module 453 and/or the bi-directional prediction module 455 to generate temporally predicted pixels. The reconstructor 415 may then be utilized by the multistandard decoder 500 to reconstruct a current macroblock utilizing prediction pixel information acquired from either the spatial prediction block 409 or the motion compensation block 413, respectively, as well as prediction error information acquired from the IQT block 411. A reconstructed macroblock may be filtered by the in-loop filter 417, utilizing the deblocking module 459. The filtered macroblock may be further processed by the post-processing block 421. The post-processing block 421 may utilize the deringing block 467 to generate the decoded macroblock 469. The decoded macroblock 469 may then be communicated to a display post-processor, for example. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating operation of the multistandard video decoder 600 of FIG. 4 when decoding VC-1 video data, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 6, the multistandard video decoder 600 may be adapted to process video elementary codestream 401 that was encoded utilizing VC-1 encoding techniques. The CIP 403 may utilize the start code finding block 423 to locate start codes and start code suffixes, as well as the byte destuffing block 425 to remove extra bytes from the VC-1 encoded video elementary codestream 401. The symbol interpreter 405 may be adapted to interpret the VC-1 raw elementary stream 424 acquired from the CIP 403 to obtain quantized frequency coefficients information and/or additional side information, such as macroblock type information, slice type information, prediction mode information, and/or motion vectors information, necessary for decoding the VC-1 raw elementary video stream 424. During generation of the quantized frequency coefficients and/or the side information, the symbol interpreter 405 may receive instructions by the CPU 407 and provide subsequent symbol information to the CPU 407. In addition, the symbol interpreter may utilize one or more of the following assist blocks: the FLC block 427, the VLC block 429, the coefficient construction block 435, and/or the vector construction block 437. Inverse quantized frequency coefficients may be communicated from the symbol interpreter block 405 to the IQT block 411, which may generate prediction error information. The IQT block 411 may utilize the inverse zigzag block 439, the AC/DC prediction block 441, the inverse quantization block 443 and/or the inverse transformation block 445 to generate the prediction error information. Side information from the symbol interpreter 405 may be communicated to the motion compensation block 413 to generate prediction pixels. The motion compensation block 413 may utilize the frame buffer 419 together with the intensity compensation block 449, the range remapping block 447, the interpolation block 451, the variable block sizing module 453 and/or the bi-directional prediction module 455 to generate temporally predicted pixels. The frame buffer 419 may be adapted to store and provide at least two reference frames/pictures to the motion compensation block 413. The reconstructor 415 may then be utilized by the multistandard decoder 600 to reconstruct a current macroblock utilizing prediction pixel information acquired from the motion compensation block 413, as well as prediction error information acquired from the IQT block 411. A reconstructed macroblock may be filtered by the in-loop filter 417, utilizing the deblocking module 459 and/or the overlapped transformation block 457. The filtered macroblock may be further processed by the post-processing block 421. The post-processing block 421 may utilize the deringing block 467, the range remapping block 461, the resizing block 463, and/or the deblocking module 465 to generate the decoded macroblock 469. The decoded macroblock 469 may then be communicated to a display post-processor, for example. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating operation of the multistandard video decoder 700 of FIG. 4 when decoding MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 video data, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 7, the multistandard video decoder 700 may be adapted to process video elementary codestream 401 that was encoded utilizing MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 encoding techniques. The CIP 403 may utilize the start code finding block 423 to locate start codes and start code suffixes within the MPEG-1/MPEG-2 encoded video elementary codestream 401. The symbol interpreter 405 may be adapted to interpret the MPEG-1/MPEG-2 raw elementary stream 424 acquired from the CIP 403 to obtain quantized frequency coefficients information and/or additional side information, such as macroblock type information, slice type information, prediction mode information, and/or motion vectors information, necessary for decoding of the MPEG-1/MPEG-2 raw elementary video stream 424. During generation of the quantized frequency coefficients and/or the side information, the symbol interpreter 405 may receive instructions by the CPU 407 and provide subsequent symbol information to the CPU 407. In addition, the symbol interpreter may utilize one or more of the following assist blocks: the FLC block 427, the VLC block 429, the coefficient construction block 435, and/or the vector construction block 437. Inverse quantized frequency coefficients may be communicated from the symbol interpreter block 405 to the IQT block 411, which may generate prediction error information. The IQT block 411 may utilize the inverse zigzag block 439, the inverse quantization block 443 and/or the inverse transformation block 445 to generate the prediction error information. Side information from the symbol interpreter 405 may be communicated to the motion compensation block 413 to generate prediction pixels. The motion compensation block 413 may utilize the frame buffer 419 together with the interpolation block 451, the variable block sizing module 453 and/or the bidirectional prediction module 455 to generate temporally predicted pixels. The frame buffer 419 may be adapted to store and provide at least two reference frames/pictures to the motion compensation block 413. The reconstructor 415 may then be utilized by the multistandard decoder 700 to reconstruct a current macroblock utilizing prediction pixel information acquired from the motion compensation block 413, as well as prediction error information acquired from the IQT block 411. A reconstructed macroblock may be further processed by the post-processing block 421. The post-processing block 421 may utilize the deringing block 467 and/or the deblocking module 465 to generate the decoded macroblock 469. The decoded macroblock 469 may then be communicated to a display post-processor, for example. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating operation of the multistandard video decoder 800 of FIG. 4 when decoding MPEG-4 video data, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 8, the multistandard video decoder 800 may be adapted to process video elementary codestream 401 that was encoded utilizing MPEG-4 encoding techniques. The CIP 403 may utilize the start code finding block 423 to locate start codes and start code suffixes within the MPEG-4 encoded video elementary codestream 401. The symbol interpreter 405 may be adapted to interpret the MPEG-4 raw elementary stream 424 acquired from the CIP 403 to obtain quantized frequency coefficients information and/or additional side information, such as macroblock type information, slice type information, prediction mode information, and/or motion vectors information, necessary for decoding of the MPEG-4 raw elementary video stream 424. During generation of the quantized frequency coefficients and/or the side information, the symbol interpreter 405 may receive instructions by the CPU 407 and provide subsequent symbol information to the CPU 407. In addition, the symbol interpreter may utilize one or more of the following assist blocks: the FLC block 427, the VLC block 429, the coefficient construction block 435, and/or the vector construction block 437. Inverse quantized frequency coefficients may be communicated from the symbol interpreter block 405 to the IQT block 411, which may generate prediction error information. The IQT block 411 may utilize the inverse zigzag block 439, the AC/DC prediction block 441, the inverse quantization block 443 and/or the inverse transformation block 445 to generate the prediction error information. Side information from the symbol interpreter 405 may be communicated to the motion compensation block 413 to generate prediction pixels. The motion compensation block 413 may utilize the frame buffer 419 together with the interpolation block 451, the variable block sizing module 453 and/or the bi-directional prediction module 455 to generate temporally predicted pixels. The frame buffer 419 may be adapted to store and provide at least two reference frames/pictures to the motion compensation block 413. The reconstructor 415 may then be utilized by the multistandard decoder 700 to reconstruct a current macroblock utilizing prediction pixel information acquired from the motion compensation block 413, as well as prediction error information acquired from the IQT block 411. A reconstructed macroblock may be further processed by the post-processing block 421. The post-processing block 421 may utilize the deringing block 467 and/or the deblocking module 465 to generate the decoded macroblock 469. The decoded macroblock 469 may then be communicated to a display post-processor, for example. FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method 900 for processing an encoded video stream, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 9, at 901, packetized data may be received within video elementary code stream, where the video elementary codestream may be encoded according to one of a plurality of encoding methods. At 903, a start code may be determined within the packetized data, where the start code may define an encapsulated video payload. At 905, an identifier may be determined within the packetized data that defines one or more encoding types associated with packets in the video elementary codestream. At 907, a decoding process may be selected from a plurality of decoding processes based on the determined identifier. At 909, the defined encapsulated video payload may be decoded based on the selected decoding process. Accordingly, aspects of the invention may be realized in hardware, software, firmware or a combination thereof. The invention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware, software and firmware may be a general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein. One embodiment of the present invention may be implemented as a board level product, as a single chip, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or with varying levels integrated on a single chip with other portions of the system as separate components. The degree of integration of the system will primarily be determined by speed and cost considerations. Because of the sophisticated nature of modern processors, it is possible to utilize a commercially available processor, which may be implemented external to an ASIC implementation of the present system. Alternatively, if the processor is available as an ASIC core or logic block, then the commercially available processor may be implemented as part of an ASIC device with various functions implemented as firmware. The invention may also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present context may mean, for example, any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form. However, other meanings of computer program within the understanding of those skilled in the art are also contemplated by the present invention. While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the present invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>During encoding of a video signal, one or more encoding techniques, such as H.261, H.263, H.263+ (Annex J), H.264, SMPTE VC-1, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and/or MPEG-4, may be utilized to encode the video signal on a macroblock-by-macroblock basis. During encoding of video information, for example, prediction error information may be encoded together with prediction mode information, as well as with other side information necessary for the decoding process. In order to encode the prediction error information, a discrete cosine transformation may be applied to transform the prediction error information into frequency domain coefficients prior to quantization and entropy encoding. During this process, certain information relating to the prediction error, for example, may be lost. As a result of the missing information, the quality of the decoded video signal may be decreased. More specifically, transform blockiness may appear in the decoded video in the form of square grid artifacts, for example. Other artifacts may also appear in the decoded video due to missing video information. Conventional video decoders are adapted to decode elementary video stream encoded according to a single encoding standard, such as H.264, VC-1, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and/or MPEG-4 encoding standards. An elementary video stream may be encoded utilizing a single encoding technique. However, an application space may support a stream being encoded using any one of many standards. For example, the Blu-Ray ROM specification for high definition DVD playback allows a video stream to be encoded using MPEG-2, H.264, or VC-1. However, decoding efficiency in conventional video processing systems is substantially decreased since two or more decoders may need to be utilized for processing/decoding of elementary video streams that may have been encoded according to different encoding standards. Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art through comparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.
<SOH> BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and system for processing an encoded video stream. Aspects of the method may comprise receiving on a chip, packetized data within the encoded video stream. An identifier within the received packetized data may be determined on the chip, where the identifier may define one of a plurality of encoding types associated with packets in the encoded video stream. A decoding process may be selected on the chip from a plurality of decoding processes, based on the determined identifier. A portion of the received packetized data in the encoded video stream may be decoded on the chip utilizing the selected decoding process. A delimiter may be determined within the received packetized data that separates packets within the encoded video stream. A plurality of bytes within the received packetized data may be matched with a determined byte sequence. If the plurality of bytes matches the determined byte sequence, the plurality of bytes may be removed from the received packetized data. If the determined identifier corresponds to H.264 video encoding, the received packetized data may be decoded utilizing a fixed length coding (FLC) process, a variable length coding (VLC) process and/or a context adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) process. If the determined identifier corresponds to VC-1, H.261, H.263, H.263+, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and/or MPEG-4 video encoding, the received packetized data may be decoded utilizing a FLC process and/or a VLC process. The decoded packetized data may comprise decoding process control information and/or prediction error information. A decoded video stream may be generated utilizing the decoded packetized data. The generated decoded video stream may be filtered utilizing an overlapped transform process and/or a deblocking process. For each of the plurality of decoding processes, a portion of the received packetized data may be decoded on the chip utilizing inverse transformation, inverse quantization, and/or motion compensation. Another embodiment of the invention may provide a machine-readable storage, having stored thereon, a computer program having at least one code section executable by a machine, thereby causing the machine to perform the steps as described above for processing an encoded video stream. Aspects of the system may comprise at least one processor that receives on a chip, packetized data within the encoded video stream on a chip. The processor may determine on the chip an identifier within the received packetized data that defines one of a plurality of encoding types associated with packets in the encoded video stream. A decoding process may be selected by the processor from a plurality of decoding processes based on the determined identifier. A portion of the received packetized data in the encoded video stream may be decoded by the processor utilizing the selected decoding process. A delimiter within the received packetized data that separates packets within the encoded video stream may be determined by the processor. The processor may match a plurality of bytes within the received packetized data with a determined byte sequence and if the plurality of bytes matches the determined byte sequence, the plurality of bytes may be removed by the processor from the received packetized data. If the determined identifier corresponds to H.264 video encoding, the received packetized data may be decoded by the processor utilizing a fixed length coding (FLC) process, a variable length coding (VLC) process and/or a context adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) process. If the determined identifier corresponds to VC-1, H.261, H.263, H.263+, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and/or MPEG-4 video encoding, the received packetized data may be decoded by the processor utilizing a FLC process and/or a VLC process. The decoded packetized data may comprise decoding process control and/or prediction error information. A decoded video stream may be generated by the processor utilizing the decoded packetized data. The processor may filter the generated decoded video stream utilizing an overlapped transform process and/or a deblocking process. These and other features and advantages of the present invention may be appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the present invention, along with the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout.
20041201
20090915
20051124
63550.0
5
DUONG, FRANK
MULTISTANDARD VIDEO DECODER
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
2,004
11,001,433
ACCEPTED
Methods and devices for purging gases from an ink reservoir
A printhead comprising a first ink reservoir in fluid communication with an outlet nozzle and downstream from a first ink filter, and a pump assembly in fluid communication with the first ink reservoir and operative to withdraw gas from the first ink reservoir and subsequently inhibit fluid communication between the withdrawn gas and the first ink reservoir. The present invention also includes method of removing gas in fluid communication with an ink reservoir, the method comprising purging gas from a gas accumulation area of an ink reservoir, where purging act includes manipulating a valve assembly downstream from an ink filter, the valve assembly operative to separate the gas accumulation area of the ink reservoir from an external environment, the valve assembly operative to facilitate unidirectional volumetric flow of the gas between the gas accumulation area and the external environment.
1. A printhead comprising: a first ink reservoir in fluid communication with an outlet nozzle and downstream from a first ink filter; and a pump assembly in fluid communication with the first ink reservoir and operative to withdraw gas from the first ink reservoir and subsequently inhibit fluid communication between the withdrawn gas and the first ink reservoir. 2. The printhead of claim 1, wherein: the pump assembly includes a one-way valve assembly in concurrent fluid communication with an interior of the first ink reservoir and an external environment; and the one-way valve assembly includes a first valve and a second valve. 3. The printhead of claim 2, wherein a pump of the pump assembly fluidicly interposes the first valve and the second valve. 4. The printhead of claim 2, wherein the first valve is operative to isolate the second valve from the interior of the first ink reservoir. 5. The printhead of claim 2, wherein the one-way valve assembly includes: a first valve that includes a first valve seat adapted to receive a first valve body, where the first valve body is biased against the first valve seat; and a second valve that includes a second valve seat adapted to receive a second valve body, where the second valve body is biased against the second valve seat. 6. The printhead of claim 5, wherein: the first valve seat includes a first circular opening; the first valve body includes a first spherical body adapted to be received within the first circular opening; the second valve seat includes a second circular opening; and the second valve body includes a second spherical body adapted to be received within the second circular opening. 7. The printhead of claim 5, wherein: the pump assembly includes a pump operative to overcome the bias of the first valve body by generating a first pressure differential between an upstream side and a downstream side of the first valve, thereby providing fluid communication between the upstream side and the downstream side of the first valve; the pump is operative to overcome the bias of the second valve body by generating a second pressure differential between an upstream side and a downstream side of the second valve, thereby providing fluid communication between the upstream side and the downstream side of the second valve; and the downstream side of the first valve is in fluid communication with the upstream side of the second valve. 8. The printhead of claim 7, wherein: the pump includes a diaphragm deformable to generate the first pressure differential and the second pressure differential; and the diaphragm is manually deformable. 9. The printhead of claim 1, further comprising: a second ink reservoir in fluid communication with a second outlet nozzle and downstream from a second ink filter; a third ink reservoir in fluid communication with a third outlet nozzle and downstream from a third ink filter; and where the second ink reservoir and the third ink reservoir are in fluid communication with the pump assembly operative to withdraw gas from the second ink reservoir and the third ink reservoir and subsequently inhibit fluid communication between the withdrawn gas and the second ink reservoir and the third ink reservoir. 10. The printhead of claim 9, wherein: the pump assembly includes a one-way valve assembly in concurrent fluid communication with an interior of the first ink reservoir, an interior of the second ink reservoir, an interior of the third ink reservoir, and an external environment; and the one-way valve assembly includes a first valve, a second valve, a third valve, and a fourth valve. 11. The printhead of claim 10, wherein: the pump assembly includes a pump that fluidicly interposes the first valve and the fourth valve, fluidicly interposes the second valve and the fourth valve, and fluidicly interposes the third valve and the fourth valve. 12. The printhead of claim 10, wherein: the first valve is operative to isolate the fourth valve from the interior of the first ink reservoir; the second valve is operative to isolate the fourth valve from the interior of the second ink reservoir; and the third valve is operative to isolate the fourth valve from the interior of the third ink reservoir. 13. The printhead of claim 10, wherein: the first valve includes a first valve seat adapted to receive a first valve body, where the first valve body is biased against the first valve seat; the second valve includes a second valve seat adapted to receive a second valve body, where the second valve body is biased against the second valve seat; the third valve includes a third valve seat adapted to receive a third valve body, where the third valve body is biased against the third valve seat; and the fourth valve includes a fourth valve seat adapted to receive a fourth valve body, where the fourth valve body is biased against the fourth valve seat. 14. The printhead of claim 13, wherein: the pump assembly includes a pump operative to overcome the bias of the first valve body by generating a first pressure differential between an upstream side and a downstream side of the first valve, thereby providing fluid communication between the upstream side and the downstream side of the first valve; the pump is operative to overcome the bias of the second valve body by generating a second pressure differential between an upstream side and a downstream side of the second valve, thereby providing fluid communication between the upstream side and the downstream side of the second valve; the pump is operative to overcome the bias of the third valve body by generating a third pressure differential between an upstream side and a downstream side of the third valve, thereby providing fluid communication between the upstream side and the downstream side of the third valve; the pump is operative to overcome the bias of the fourth valve body by generating a fourth pressure differential between an upstream side and a downstream side of the fourth valve, thereby providing fluid communication between the upstream side and the downstream side of the fourth valve; and the downstream side of the first valve, the second valve, and the third valve are in fluid communication with the upstream side of the fourth valve. 15. The printhead of claim 14, wherein: the pump includes a diaphragm deformable to generate the first pressure differential, the second pressure differential, and the third pressure differential; and the diaphragm is manually deformable. 16. The printhead of claim 9, wherein: the first ink reservoir includes a first inlet coupling adapted to interface with a first outlet coupling of a first ink supply source to provide a fluidic seal between the first ink supply source and the first ink reservoir; the second ink reservoir includes a second inlet coupling adapted to interface with a second outlet coupling of a second ink supply source to provide a fluidic seal between the second ink supply source and the second ink reservoir; the third ink reservoir includes a third inlet coupling adapted to interface with a third outlet coupling of a third ink supply source to provide a fluidic seal between the third ink supply source and the third ink reservoir; the first inlet coupling is adapted to be interfaced horizontally by the first outlet coupling; the second inlet coupling is adapted to be interfaced horizontally by the second outlet coupling; and the third inlet coupling is adapted to be interfaced horizontally by the third outlet coupling. 17. The printhead of claim 1, wherein: the first ink reservoir includes a first inlet coupling adapted to interface with a first outlet coupling of a first ink supply source to provide a fluidic seal between the first ink supply source and the first ink reservoir; and the first inlet coupling is adapted to be interfaced horizontally by the first outlet coupling. 18. The printhead of claim 1, wherein: the pump assembly includes a repositionable diaphragm; and the diaphragm is manually deformable. 19. The printhead of claim 1, wherein the pump assembly is mounted to the first ink reservoir. 20. An inkjet printing component comprising: an ink reservoir including: an ink exit orifice at a first elevation, a gaseous exit orifice at a second elevation, where the second elevation is higher than the first elevation, a gas accumulation area in fluid communication with the gaseous exit orifice; an ink filter in fluid communication with an interior of the ink reservoir; and a pump assembly operative to withdraw gas through the gaseous exit orifice and from the gas accumulation area and subsequently inhibit fluid communication between the withdrawn gas and the interior of the ink reservoir. 21. The inkjet printing component of claim 20, wherein: the ink reservoir includes an ink entrance orifice at a third elevation; the ink filter is in series with the ink entrance orifice; and the second elevation is higher than the third elevation. 22. The inkjet printing component of claim 20, wherein the ink reservoir includes a first inlet coupling adapted to interface with a first outlet coupling of a replacement ink tank, where the replacement ink tank is laterally coupled to the ink reservoir. 23. A method of increasing the longevity of a printhead, the method comprising: displacing gas within an ink reservoir, where the gas displaced was located downstream from an ink filter; and wherein the act of displacing the gas includes implementing a gas accumulation area within the ink reservoir. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein: the act of displacing the gas includes withdrawing the gas from within the ink reservoir and inhibiting fluid communication between the gas withdrawn and liquid ink within the ink reservoir; and the act of withdrawing the gas from within the ink reservoir includes opening a check valve to provide fluid communication between the gas accumulation area and a gas containment area. 25. The method of claim 23, further comprising pumping the withdrawn gas into an area not in fluid communication with the ink reservoir. 26. A method of removing gas in fluid communication with an ink reservoir, the method comprising: purging gas from a gas accumulation area of an ink reservoir, where purging act includes manipulating a valve assembly downstream from an ink filter, the valve assembly operative to separate the gas accumulation area of the ink reservoir from an external environment, the valve assembly operative to facilitate unidirectional volumetric flow of the gas between the gas accumulation area and the external environment. 27. A printhead comprising: a first ink reservoir in fluid communication with a nozzle outlet and downstream from a vertically oriented ink filter, the first ink reservoir including an air accumulation region elevated with respect to the vertical filter, wherein vapor bubbles downstream from the ink filter are directed to the vapor accumulation area.
BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is directed to drop-on-demand printing, and more specifically to inkjet printing. The invention includes devices and methods for purging gases becoming entrapped within an ink concourse between an ink supply source and an ejection point at the nozzle tip. 2. Background of the Invention One of the major problems with on-carrier tank systems (“chiclet systems”) concerns the accumulation of air within the ink filter tower. If an ink reservoir is run too low, or left out of the printer for an extended period of time, air may accumulate within the filter tower and block ink from reaching the nozzles; i.e., starving the chip. These conditions will result in premature printhead failure. Several causes are known for the accumulation of air within the ink concourse and include, without limitation, air permeation through the ink supply conduits, air forced into the ink supply conduits resulting from the exchange of ink tanks, as well as dissolved air within the ink that comes out of solution. Therefore, there is a need in the art to develop devices and techniques for obviating air accumulation downstream from an ink filter. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to devices and methods that reduce the likelihood of premature printhead failure caused by starvation of the printhead attributable to gaseous blockages. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include an ink reservoir fabricated with special geometric features that provide for gaseous accumulation and separation of the accumulated gases from the liquid ink. Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention may also make use of pumps and valve assemblies that withdraw gases from within one or more ink reservoirs and expel the withdrawn gas to an environment external to the ink reservoirs. A further detailed exemplary embodiment may include refillable ink reservoirs having one or more couplings adapted to interface with removable ink tanks, where the direction of insertion is at least partially horizontal. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a printhead is provided that includes: (a) a first ink reservoir in fluid communication with an outlet nozzle and downstream from a first ink filter; and (b) a pump assembly in fluid communication with the first ink reservoir and operative to withdraw gas from the first ink reservoir and subsequently inhibit fluid communication between the withdrawn gas and the first ink reservoir. In an embodiment, the pump assembly includes a one-way valve assembly in concurrent fluid communication with an interior of the first ink reservoir and an external environment, and the one-way valve assembly includes a first valve and a second valve. In yet another more detailed embodiment, a pump of the pump assembly fluidicly interposes the first valve and the second valve. In a further detailed embodiment, the first valve is operative to isolate the second valve from the interior of the first ink reservoir. In still a further detailed embodiment, the one-way valve assembly includes a first valve that includes a first valve seat adapted to receive a first valve body, where the first valve body is biased against the first valve seat, and a second valve that includes a second valve seat adapted to receive a second valve body, where the second valve body is biased against the second valve seat. In a more detailed embodiment, the first valve seat includes a first circular opening, the first valve body includes a first spherical body adapted to be received within the first circular opening, the second valve seat includes a second circular opening, and the second valve body includes a second spherical body adapted to be received within the second circular opening. In another embodiment, the pump assembly includes a pump operative to overcome the bias of the first valve body by generating a first pressure differential between an upstream side and a downstream side of the first valve, thereby providing fluid communication between the upstream side and the downstream side of the first valve, the pump is operative to overcome the bias of the second valve body by generating a second pressure differential between an upstream side and a downstream side of the second valve, thereby providing fluid communication between the upstream side and the downstream side of the second valve, and the downstream side of the first valve is in fluid communication with the upstream side of the second valve. In still another more detailed embodiment, the pump includes a diaphragm deformable to generate the first pressure differential and the second pressure differential, and the diaphragm is manually deformable. In a further detailed embodiment, the printhead further comprises a second ink reservoir in fluid communication with a second outlet nozzle and downstream from a second ink filter and a third ink reservoir in fluid communication with a third outlet nozzle and downstream from a third ink filter, where the second ink reservoir and the third ink reservoir are in fluid communication with the pump assembly operative to withdraw gas from the second ink reservoir and the third ink reservoir and subsequently inhibit fluid communication between the withdrawn gas and the second ink reservoir and the third ink reservoir. In another embodiment, the pump assembly includes a one-way valve assembly in concurrent fluid communication with an interior of the first ink reservoir, an interior of the second ink reservoir, an interior of the third ink reservoir, and an external environment, and the one-way valve assembly includes a first valve, a second valve, a third valve, and a fourth valve. In still another more detailed embodiment, the pump assembly includes a pump that fluidicly interposes the first valve and the fourth valve, fluidicly interposes the second valve and the fourth valve, and fluidicly interposes the third valve and the fourth valve. In a further detailed embodiment, the first valve is operative to isolate the fourth valve from the interior of the first ink reservoir, the second valve is operative to isolate the fourth valve from the interior of the second ink reservoir, and the third valve is operative to isolate the fourth valve from the interior of the third ink reservoir. In a more detailed embodiment, the first valve includes a first valve seat adapted to receive a first valve body, where the first valve body is biased against the first valve seat, the second valve includes a second valve seat adapted to receive a second valve body, where the second valve body is biased against the second valve seat, the third valve includes a third valve seat adapted to receive a third valve body, where the third valve body is biased against the third valve seat, and the fourth valve includes a fourth valve seat adapted to receive a fourth valve body, where the fourth valve body is biased against the fourth valve seat. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an inkjet printing component is described that includes: (a) an ink reservoir including: (i) an ink exit orifice at a first elevation, (ii) a gaseous exit orifice at a second elevation, where the second elevation is higher than the first elevation, (iii) a gas accumulation area in fluid communication with the gaseous exit orifice; (b) an ink filter in fluid communication with an interior of the ink reservoir; and (c) a pump assembly operative to withdraw gas through the gaseous exit orifice and from the gas accumulation area and subsequently inhibit fluid communication between the withdrawn gas and the interior of the ink reservoir. In another embodiment, the ink reservoir includes an ink entrance orifice at a third elevation, the ink filter is in series with the ink entrance orifice, and the second elevation is higher than the third elevation. In still another more detailed embodiment, the ink reservoir includes a first inlet coupling adapted to interface with a first outlet coupling of a replacement ink tank, where the replacement ink tank is laterally coupled to the ink reservoir. Another embodiment of the invention describes a method of increasing the longevity of a printhead, the method comprising displacing gas within an ink reservoir, where the gas displaced was located downstream from an ink filter, where the act of displacing the gas includes implementing a gas accumulation area within the ink reservoir. In yet another embodiment, the act of displacing the gas includes withdrawing the gas from within the ink reservoir and inhibiting fluid communication between the gas withdrawn and liquid ink within the ink reservoir, and the act of withdrawing the gas from within the ink reservoir includes opening a check valve to provide fluid communication between the gas accumulation area and a gas containment area. In still another more detailed embodiment, the method further comprises pumping the withdrawn gas into an area not in fluid communication with the ink reservoir. Another embodiment pertains to a method of removing gas in fluid communication with an ink reservoir, the method comprising purging gas from a gas accumulation area of an ink reservoir, where purging act includes manipulating a valve assembly downstream from an ink filter, the valve assembly operative to separate the gas accumulation area of the ink reservoir from an external environment, the valve assembly operative to facilitate unidirectional volumetric flow of the gas between the gas accumulation area and the external environment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first exemplary printhead in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is an overhead view of a first exemplary printhead body in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view from the side of the first exemplary printhead of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a second exemplary printhead in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view the second exemplary printhead of FIG. 4; and FIG. 6 is an isolated cross-sectional view of a second alternate exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated below to encompass devices and methods to reduce the likelihood of gaseous blockages within the concourse of a printhead. Of course, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the preferred embodiments discussed below are exemplary in nature and may be reconfigured without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. However, for clarity and precision, the exemplary embodiments as discussed below may include optional features and steps that one of ordinary skill will recognize as not being a requisite to fall within the scope of the present invention. Referencing FIGS. 1-3, a first exemplary printhead 10 includes a printhead body 12 adapted to have a removable ink tank cartridge 14 mounted thereto. The printhead body 12 includes an outer housing 16 that includes a recessed area 18 partially occupied by a plurality of local ink reservoirs 20. A via 22 at the bottom of each reservoir provides fluid communication between the interior of each reservoir and one or more nozzles 24 associated with a nozzle plate 26 mounted to the underside of the printhead body 12 partially defining the recessed area 18 (floor). In this exemplary embodiment, the ink reservoirs 20 occupy a rectangular area that is subdivided to provide two L-shaped (in horizontal cross-section) towers 32, 34 and a smaller rectangular tower 36 therebetween. The interior volume of each tower 32, 34, 36 is defined by the floor of the recessed area 18, a set of vertical walls 38, and a tower cap 40. The underside 42 of the tower cap 40 receives the top portion of the vertical walls of the towers 32, 34, 36 and provides a fluidic seal separating the interior regions of one tower from another. One vertical wall 38 of each tower 32, 34, 36 includes an opening 46 adapted to provide ink to the interior of each tower. The opening 46 is bounded by a conduit 48 extending radially outward from each tower and includes an ink filter 50 in series therewith. In this exemplary embodiment, the ink filter 50 is mounted to the mouth 51 of the conduit 48. However, those of ordinary skill will understand that the filter 50 may be mounted in other locations, so long as the functionality of filtering the ink is preserved. The mouth 51 of each conduit 48 is adapted to interface the removable ink tank cartridge 14. In this exemplary embodiment, the removable ink tank cartridge 14 comprises three fluidicly separate ink tanks 52, 54, 56 that may, for example, respectively house yellow, magenta, and cyan colored inks. Each ink tank 52, 54, 56 includes an interior region 58 adapted to be occupied by felt or foam (not shown) loaded with ink that is generally bounded by the exterior walls 60 of the cartridge 14, an interior vertical wall 62 spanning the length of the cartridge and extending to meet the floor of the cartridge, and a tank lid 64. Each interior region 58 includes a tapered floor portion 66 that is operative to direct ink through the felt or foam and toward an exit orifice (not shown) associated with each tank 52, 54, 56 as the level of ink drops from usage. The exit orifice of each tank 52, 54, 56 is adapted to be in fluid communication with its respective conduit 48 associated with one of the towers 32, 34, 36 of the printhead 12. An exemplary installation of the removable ink tank cartridge 14 to the printhead body 12 includes orienting and aligning the exit orifices with respect to the conduits 48. The floor of the printhead body 12 includes rails 70 adapted to be received by grooves 72 within the underside of the cartridge 14 to inhibit rotation of the cartridge 14 with respect to the printhead body 12, thereby facilitating horizontal sliding of the cartridge 14 upon the floor of the printhead body 12 until the cartridge 14 abuts the body 12 such that the conduits 48 fluidicly seal with respect to the exit orifices. The fluidic seal between the conduits 48 and exit orifices is operative to inhibit gaseous flow into the conduit by way of the interface between the conduits 48 and orifices. Those of ordinary skill are familiar with the techniques for carrying out such fluidic interfaces by providing a sealing member such as a circumferential O-ring between two adjacent surfaces that are separated by the sealing member. Those of ordinary skill are also familiar with the techniques for inhibiting ink from exiting the tanks prematurely by way of unintended capillary action that include, without limitation, positioning a removable thin film over the exit orifices. Upon mounting the cartridge 14 to the body 12, a fluid communication system is provided enabling ink to flow from a tank 52, 54, 56 into a respective tower 32, 34, 36. Those of ordinary skill are aware that mounting a cartridge 14 to a body 12 may be operative to introduce vapor into the tower. In addition, vapor may accumulate within the tower as a result of normal printing operations and as a result of dissolved vapor coming out of solution. In each of these cases, vapor accumulation may detract from printhead longevity. The first exemplary embodiment 10 manages vapor accumulation by providing a vertically oriented filter 50 and providing a vapor accumulation area 74 within each tower 32, 34, 36. Vapor bubbles that are small enough to pass through the filter 50 are generally drawn into the ink conduit and accumulate within one of the tower 32, 34, 36. However, some vapor bubbles may be too large to pass through the filter 50 and may become an impediment to ink flow therethrough. Prior art ink filters positioned horizontally would trap such relatively large vapor bubbles as the buoyancy of the bubble attempted to drive the bubbles upward through the ink until being stopped by the underside of the filter. A vertically oriented filter 50 (i.e., orienting the active filter surface on a plane generally parallel to a vertical plane), on the other hand, minimizes the resistance to upward flow of the vapor bubbles. In addition, by providing a vapor accumulation area 74 within each tower 32, 34, 36 that is vertically elevated with respect to the position of the ink filter 50, vapor bubbles gravitate to the highest vertical point within the tower. In this manner, vapor may accumulate above the level of ink within each tower 32, 34, 36 without substantially impairing the flow of ink through each conduit 48. Referencing FIGS. 4 and 5, a second exemplary printhead 100 includes a printhead body 102 adapted to interface with a removable ink tank cartridge 104. The printhead body 102 includes an outer housing 106 that includes a recessed area 108 partially occupied by local ink reservoirs 110. A via 112 at the bottom of each reservoir provides fluid communication between the interior of each reservoir and one or more nozzles 114 associated with a nozzle plate 116 mounted to the underside of the printhead body 102 partially defining the recessed area 108 (floor). In this second exemplary embodiment, the ink reservoirs 10 occupy a rectangular area that is subdivided to provide two L-shaped towers (not shown) and a smaller rectangular tower (not shown) therebetween. The interior volume of each tower is defined by the floor of the recessed area 108, a set of vertical walls 117, and a tower cap 118. The underside 120 of the tower cap 118 receives the top portion of the vertical walls 117 of the towers and provides a fluidic seal separating the interior region of one tower from another. The underside 120 of the tower cap 118 also includes three chambers 122, one for each tower. Each chamber 122 includes an orifice 124 in a side wall thereof in fluid communication with a vapor accumulation area 126 of each tower. The tower cap 118 also includes three orifices 128 in a triangular configuration extending into a respective vapor accumulation area 126 of each tower. The orifices 128 are aligned with three orifices 130 within a purge seal 132. The orifices 130 of the purge seal 132 are tapered inward from top to bottom and are adapted to receive check balls 134 biased against the purge seal 132 by cut-outs of a spring disc 136. A purge bulb 138 is positioned over the spring disc 136 and a purge housing 140 is positioned over the purge bulb 138. A printhead lid 142 is positioned over the housing 140 and operative to press an annular ring 144 of the housing 140 against an annular flange 146 of the bulb 138, which pushes against a circumferential portion 148 of the spring disc 136, which, in turn, pushes against a circumferential portion 150 of the purge seal 132 to compress the purge seal 132 against the tower cap 118 and provide a series of fluidic seals. In sum, the first seal is between the circumferential portion 150 of the purge seal 132 and the tower cap 118, the second seal is between the circumferential portion 150 of the purge seal 132 and the circumferential portion 148 of the spring disc 136, the third seal is between the annular flange 146 of the bulb 138 and the circumferential portion 148 of the spring disc 136, and the fourth seal is between the annular flange 146 of the bulb 138 and the annular ring 144 of the housing 140. The purge housing 140 also includes a radially extending conduit 152 in fluid communication with the interior of the bulb 138. The conduit houses a vent seal 154 in series with a check ball 156. A conduit cap 160 is mounted to the end of the conduit 152, with a spring 158 being wedged between the conduit cap 160 and the ball 156. The conduit cap 160 provides a relatively rigid point against which the spring 158 pushes, therefore biasing the ball 156 against the seal 154 when the bulb 138 is in its inflated state (See FIG. 5). One vertical wall 117 of each tower includes an opening 170 adapted to provide an orifice through which ink enters a conduit 172 to enter each tower. The conduit is oriented to extend away from each tower and includes an ink filter 174 in series therewith. In this exemplary embodiment, the ink filter 174 is mounted to the mouth of the conduit 172, however, it is to be understood that the precise location of the ink filter may be changed without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The mouth of each conduit 172 is adapted to interface with the removable ink tank cartridge 104. In this exemplary embodiment, the removable ink tank cartridge 104 comprises three fluidicly separate ink tanks 176, 178, 180 that may, for example, respectively house yellow, magenta, and cyan colored inks. Each ink tank 176, 178, 180 includes an interior region 182 adapted to be occupied by felt or foam (now shown) loaded with ink that is generally bounded by the exterior walls 184 of the cartridge, an interior vertical wall 185 spanning the length of the cartridge and extending to meet the floor of the cartridge, and a tank lid 186. Each interior region 182 of the tank cartridge includes an exit orifice (not shown) adapted to be in fluid communication with its corresponding conduit 172 associated with one of the towers of the printhead. An exemplary installation of the removable ink tank cartridge 104 to the printhead body 102 includes orienting and aligning the exit orifices with respect to the conduits 172. The floor of the printhead body 102 includes rails 190 adapted to be received by grooves 192 within the underside of the cartridge 104 to inhibit rotation of the cartridge 104 with respect to the printhead body 102, thereby facilitating horizontal sliding of the cartridge 104 upon the floor of the printhead body 102 until the cartridge 104 abuts the body 102 such that the conduits 172 fluidicly seal with respect to the exit orifices. The fluidic seal between the conduits 172 and exit orifices is operative to inhibit gaseous flow into the conduit by way of the interface between the conduits 172 and orifices. Those of ordinary skill are familiar with the techniques for carrying out such fluidic interfaces such as providing a circumferential O-ring. Those of ordinary skill are also familiar with the techniques for inhibiting ink from exiting from the tanks 176, 178, 180 prematurely from unintended capillary action that include, without limitation, positioning a removable or pierceable thin film over the exit orifice. Upon mounting the cartridge 104 to the body 102, a fluid communication system is provided enabling ink to flow from the tanks 176, 178, 180 into the towers. Those of ordinary skill are aware that mounting a cartridge 104 to a body 102 may be operative to introduce vapor into the tower. In addition, vapor may accumulate within a tower as a result of normal printing operations and as a result of dissolved vapor coming out of solution. In each of these cases, vapor accumulation may degrade the longevity of the printhead. The second exemplary embodiment 100 manages vapor accumulation by providing vertically oriented filters 174 within conduits 172; providing a vapor accumulation area 126 within each tank 176, 178, 180 positioned above and in fluid communication with the filter 174; and providing a purge system to remove vapor present within the vapor accumulation area 126. Referencing FIGS. 4 and 5, an exemplary operation of the purge system of the printhead 100 will be discussed below. For purposes of illustration, it is presumed that the ink tank cartridge 104 has been mounted to the printhead body 102 to provide a fluidic interface between the towers of the printhead and the tanks 176, 178, 180 of the cartridge 104. Vapor present within any of the towers will be directed upward to the vapor accumulation area 126. For purposes of illustration, accumulated vapor within a tower is shown as a black oval labeled “VAPOR”. The amount of vapor within the accumulation area 126, in this exemplary illustration, pushes the level of ink within the tower below the height of the orifice 124 within the chamber 122. To reduce the vapor within the towers, the bulb 138 is actuated from an inflated state to a deflated state. Actuation of the bulb 138 results from a downward force applied to the exterior of the bulb 138, such as, without limitation, by a user pushing his finger against the bulb 138. It is to be understood that the description of the bulb 138 in an inflated state or a deflated state is comparative in nature and refers to positions of the bulb where the interior area defined by the walls of the bulb 138 is either decreased (deflated) or increased (inflated). Thus, an inflated state only means that the interior area of the bulb 138 can be further decreased, and the deflated states only means that the interior area of the bulb 138 can be further increased, comparatively speaking. The actuation of the bulb 138 from an inflated state to a deflated state forces gas from the interior of the bulb 138 and creates a temporary region of higher pressure gas pushing against each of the check balls 134, 156. The higher pressure gas pushes the check balls 134 against the purge seal 132 and is operative to form a seal therebetween, thereby inhibiting the higher pressure gas from passing into the chambers 122. However, this higher pressure gas provides a force pushing against the ball 156 sufficient to overcome the bias of the spring 158 and dislodge the ball 156 from the vent seal 154 to enable the gas to pass through the conduit 152 and into an external environment. As gas escapes into the external environment, the pressure acting on the ball 156 decreases and at a certain point, the pressure of the gas is no longer great enough to overcome the bias of the spring 158. When this occurs, the ball 156 is forced against the vent seal 154 and seals off the external environment from the gas within the system. The bulb 138 at this point is roughly in a deflated state, and it is within the scope and spirit of the present invention that the bulb 138 be comprised of a resilient material. The resiliency of the bulb 138 results in the bulb attempting to return to its inflated state, which provides a lower pressure area approximate the check balls 134. The pressure differential across the check balls 134 is operative to displace one or more of the balls and allow higher pressure vapor/gas from the chambers 122 to flow through one or more of the orifices 128 within the tower cap 118 and through one or more orifices 130 of the purge seal 132 and into the interior inflated area of the bulb 138. The orifice 124 of each chamber 122 is adapted to be positioned adjacent to the top height of the tower so that nearly all of the vapor within the tower is extracted before ink is drawn into the chamber. As ink is drawn into the chamber 122 and elevates to reach the check ball 134, the wetting effect between the ink, ball 134, and seal 132 is operative to provide a seal such that vapor from the other towers will be extracted prior to ink passing beyond the ball 134. In this manner, vapor within each tower may be concurrently extracted by a single purging operation. Referencing FIG. 6, it is also within the scope of the present invention to provide a float 200 within each chamber 122 that is operative to abut the orifice 128 in the tower cap 118 and seal off the opening, thereby prohibiting liquid ink from reaching the check ball 134. In this manner, as ink is drawn into the chamber 122, via the orifice 124, the float 200 would ride upon the level of ink within the chamber 122. As the level of ink rises within the chamber 122, the float 200 is operative to abut the orifice 128 and form a seal therebetween to discontinue fluid communication between the chamber 122 and the interior of the bulb 138. Those of ordinary skill will understand the numerous options for providing a float 200 within the chamber 122, such as providing holes 202 through the float 200 to allow the buoyant nature of the float 200 to rise to the top of the ink, even when ink is deposited on top of the float 200. It is also within the scope of the present invention to automate the purging system by providing an automated mechanical ram operative to deflate the bulb 138 and purge gases from within the reservoirs. Those of ordinary skill are familiar with exemplary automated systems that could provide the necessary mechanical deflection the bulb in order to provide a purging sequence based upon the current disclosure. Following from the above description and invention summaries, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, while the methods and apparatuses herein described constitute exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the invention contained herein is not limited to this precise embodiment and that changes may be made to such embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the claims and it is not intended that any limitations or elements describing the exemplary embodiments set forth herein are to be incorporated into the interpretation of any claim element unless such limitation or element is explicitly stated. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the identified advantages or objects of the invention disclosed herein in order to fall within the scope of any claims, since the invention is defined by the claims and since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the present invention may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.
<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The present invention is directed to drop-on-demand printing, and more specifically to inkjet printing. The invention includes devices and methods for purging gases becoming entrapped within an ink concourse between an ink supply source and an ejection point at the nozzle tip. 2. Background of the Invention One of the major problems with on-carrier tank systems (“chiclet systems”) concerns the accumulation of air within the ink filter tower. If an ink reservoir is run too low, or left out of the printer for an extended period of time, air may accumulate within the filter tower and block ink from reaching the nozzles; i.e., starving the chip. These conditions will result in premature printhead failure. Several causes are known for the accumulation of air within the ink concourse and include, without limitation, air permeation through the ink supply conduits, air forced into the ink supply conduits resulting from the exchange of ink tanks, as well as dissolved air within the ink that comes out of solution. Therefore, there is a need in the art to develop devices and techniques for obviating air accumulation downstream from an ink filter.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention is directed to devices and methods that reduce the likelihood of premature printhead failure caused by starvation of the printhead attributable to gaseous blockages. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include an ink reservoir fabricated with special geometric features that provide for gaseous accumulation and separation of the accumulated gases from the liquid ink. Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention may also make use of pumps and valve assemblies that withdraw gases from within one or more ink reservoirs and expel the withdrawn gas to an environment external to the ink reservoirs. A further detailed exemplary embodiment may include refillable ink reservoirs having one or more couplings adapted to interface with removable ink tanks, where the direction of insertion is at least partially horizontal. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a printhead is provided that includes: (a) a first ink reservoir in fluid communication with an outlet nozzle and downstream from a first ink filter; and (b) a pump assembly in fluid communication with the first ink reservoir and operative to withdraw gas from the first ink reservoir and subsequently inhibit fluid communication between the withdrawn gas and the first ink reservoir. In an embodiment, the pump assembly includes a one-way valve assembly in concurrent fluid communication with an interior of the first ink reservoir and an external environment, and the one-way valve assembly includes a first valve and a second valve. In yet another more detailed embodiment, a pump of the pump assembly fluidicly interposes the first valve and the second valve. In a further detailed embodiment, the first valve is operative to isolate the second valve from the interior of the first ink reservoir. In still a further detailed embodiment, the one-way valve assembly includes a first valve that includes a first valve seat adapted to receive a first valve body, where the first valve body is biased against the first valve seat, and a second valve that includes a second valve seat adapted to receive a second valve body, where the second valve body is biased against the second valve seat. In a more detailed embodiment, the first valve seat includes a first circular opening, the first valve body includes a first spherical body adapted to be received within the first circular opening, the second valve seat includes a second circular opening, and the second valve body includes a second spherical body adapted to be received within the second circular opening. In another embodiment, the pump assembly includes a pump operative to overcome the bias of the first valve body by generating a first pressure differential between an upstream side and a downstream side of the first valve, thereby providing fluid communication between the upstream side and the downstream side of the first valve, the pump is operative to overcome the bias of the second valve body by generating a second pressure differential between an upstream side and a downstream side of the second valve, thereby providing fluid communication between the upstream side and the downstream side of the second valve, and the downstream side of the first valve is in fluid communication with the upstream side of the second valve. In still another more detailed embodiment, the pump includes a diaphragm deformable to generate the first pressure differential and the second pressure differential, and the diaphragm is manually deformable. In a further detailed embodiment, the printhead further comprises a second ink reservoir in fluid communication with a second outlet nozzle and downstream from a second ink filter and a third ink reservoir in fluid communication with a third outlet nozzle and downstream from a third ink filter, where the second ink reservoir and the third ink reservoir are in fluid communication with the pump assembly operative to withdraw gas from the second ink reservoir and the third ink reservoir and subsequently inhibit fluid communication between the withdrawn gas and the second ink reservoir and the third ink reservoir. In another embodiment, the pump assembly includes a one-way valve assembly in concurrent fluid communication with an interior of the first ink reservoir, an interior of the second ink reservoir, an interior of the third ink reservoir, and an external environment, and the one-way valve assembly includes a first valve, a second valve, a third valve, and a fourth valve. In still another more detailed embodiment, the pump assembly includes a pump that fluidicly interposes the first valve and the fourth valve, fluidicly interposes the second valve and the fourth valve, and fluidicly interposes the third valve and the fourth valve. In a further detailed embodiment, the first valve is operative to isolate the fourth valve from the interior of the first ink reservoir, the second valve is operative to isolate the fourth valve from the interior of the second ink reservoir, and the third valve is operative to isolate the fourth valve from the interior of the third ink reservoir. In a more detailed embodiment, the first valve includes a first valve seat adapted to receive a first valve body, where the first valve body is biased against the first valve seat, the second valve includes a second valve seat adapted to receive a second valve body, where the second valve body is biased against the second valve seat, the third valve includes a third valve seat adapted to receive a third valve body, where the third valve body is biased against the third valve seat, and the fourth valve includes a fourth valve seat adapted to receive a fourth valve body, where the fourth valve body is biased against the fourth valve seat. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an inkjet printing component is described that includes: (a) an ink reservoir including: (i) an ink exit orifice at a first elevation, (ii) a gaseous exit orifice at a second elevation, where the second elevation is higher than the first elevation, (iii) a gas accumulation area in fluid communication with the gaseous exit orifice; (b) an ink filter in fluid communication with an interior of the ink reservoir; and (c) a pump assembly operative to withdraw gas through the gaseous exit orifice and from the gas accumulation area and subsequently inhibit fluid communication between the withdrawn gas and the interior of the ink reservoir. In another embodiment, the ink reservoir includes an ink entrance orifice at a third elevation, the ink filter is in series with the ink entrance orifice, and the second elevation is higher than the third elevation. In still another more detailed embodiment, the ink reservoir includes a first inlet coupling adapted to interface with a first outlet coupling of a replacement ink tank, where the replacement ink tank is laterally coupled to the ink reservoir. Another embodiment of the invention describes a method of increasing the longevity of a printhead, the method comprising displacing gas within an ink reservoir, where the gas displaced was located downstream from an ink filter, where the act of displacing the gas includes implementing a gas accumulation area within the ink reservoir. In yet another embodiment, the act of displacing the gas includes withdrawing the gas from within the ink reservoir and inhibiting fluid communication between the gas withdrawn and liquid ink within the ink reservoir, and the act of withdrawing the gas from within the ink reservoir includes opening a check valve to provide fluid communication between the gas accumulation area and a gas containment area. In still another more detailed embodiment, the method further comprises pumping the withdrawn gas into an area not in fluid communication with the ink reservoir. Another embodiment pertains to a method of removing gas in fluid communication with an ink reservoir, the method comprising purging gas from a gas accumulation area of an ink reservoir, where purging act includes manipulating a valve assembly downstream from an ink filter, the valve assembly operative to separate the gas accumulation area of the ink reservoir from an external environment, the valve assembly operative to facilitate unidirectional volumetric flow of the gas between the gas accumulation area and the external environment.
20041201
20081021
20060601
98926.0
B41J2175
2
AL HASHIMI, SARAH
METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PURGING GASES FROM AN INK RESERVOIR
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
B41J
2,004
11,002,098
ACCEPTED
Integrated circuit devices, edge seals therefor
An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits. A first metal line extends along a periphery of the chip, with a first inter-metal dielectric layer on the first metal line. A second metal line overlies the first inter-metal dielectric layer and extends along the periphery of the chip. A plurality of first metal plugs in the first inter-metal dielectric layer connects the first metal line and the second metal line and at least one first metal wall in the first inter-metal dielectric layer is laterally adjacent to a periphery of the first metal line.
1. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits, comprising: a first metal line along a periphery of the chip; a first inter-metal dielectric layer on the first metal line; a second metal line overlying the first inter-metal dielectric layer and extending along the periphery of the chip; a plurality of first metal plugs in the first inter-metal dielectric layer connecting the first metal line and the second metal line; and at least one first metal wall in the first inter-metal dielectric layer laterally adjacent to a periphery of the first metal line, in which the first metal wall connects the first metal line and the second metal line. 2. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a second inter-metal dielectric layer on the second metal line. 3. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: a first etching stop layer between the first metal line and the first inter-metal dielectric layer; and a second etching stop layer between the second metal line and the second inter-metal dielectric layer. 4. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first metal plugs are arranged in an array. 5. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first metal line is substantially aligned with the second metal line. 6. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first inter-metal dielectric layer has a dielectric constant less than 3.2. 7. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first metal plugs are vertically separated from each other by the first inter-metal dielectric layer. 8. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first metal line and the second metal line comprise copper. 9. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: a third metal line overlying the second inter-metal dielectric layer and extending along the periphery of the chip; a plurality of second metal plugs in the second inter-metal dielectric layer and connecting the second metal line and the third metal line; and at least one second metal wall in the second inter-metal dielectric layer and laterally adjacent to a periphery of the second metal line, in which the second metal wall connects the second metal line and the third metal line. 10. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second metal plugs are arranged in an array. 11. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 9, wherein the third metal line is substantially aligned with the second metal line. 12. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second metal plugs are vertically separated from each other by the second inter-metal dielectric layer. 13. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 9, wherein the third metal line comprises copper. 14. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first metal plugs are aligned with the second metal plugs. 15. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: an auxiliary edge seal along the periphery of the chip dielectrically surrounding the first metal line and the second metal line. 16. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 15, wherein the auxiliary edge seal is between the first metal line and the periphery of the chip. 17. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 15, wherein the auxiliary edge seal further comprising: a fourth metal line between the first metal line and the periphery of the chip; a fifth metal line overlying the first inter-metal dielectric layer and between the second metal line and the periphery of the chip; and a plurality of third metal plugs in the first inter-metal dielectric layer and connecting the fourth metal line and the fifth metal line. 18. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a third metal wall in the first inter-metal dielectric layer laterally adjacent to a periphery of the fourth metal line. 19. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first metal wall is separated apart by a distance less than one micron from the periphery of the first metal line. 20. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits, comprising: a plurality of inter-metal dielectric layers; a plurality of metal lines, each formed on the inter-metal dielectric layers and extended along a periphery of the chip; a plurality of metal plugs in the inter-metal dielectric layers, in which each of the metal plugs connects two adjacent metal lines; a plurality of metal walls formed in the inter-metal dielectric layers, wherein each of the metal walls is formed adjacent to a periphery of the metal lines and connects two adjacent metal lines. 21. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 20, wherein the metal plugs are arranged in an array in each of the inter-metal dielectric layers. 22. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 21, wherein the metal plugs in each of the inter-metal dielectric layers are aligned with those in adjacent inter-metal dielectric layers. 23. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 20, wherein the inter-metal dielectric layers have a dielectric constant of less than 3.2. 24. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 20, wherein the metal lines comprise copper. 25. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 22, wherein the metal lines formed in the adjacent inter-metal dielectric layers are substantially aligned with each other. 26. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 20, wherein the metal plugs comprise copper. 27. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 20, wherein each of the metal walls is separated apart by a distance less than one micron from the periphery of at least one of the metal lines. 28. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits, comprising: a plurality of inter-metal dielectric layers; a plurality of metal lines, each formed on the inter-metal dielectric layers and extended along a periphery of the chip; a plurality of metal plugs in the inter-metal dielectric layers, in which each of the metal plugs connects two adjacent metal lines; and a plurality of metal walls formed in the inter-metal dielectric layers, wherein the metal walls formed in adjacent inter-metal dielectric layers are substantially aligned with each other. 29. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 28, wherein the metal plugs are arranged in an array in each of the inter-metal dielectric layers. 30. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 29, wherein the metal plugs in each of the inter-metal dielectric layers are aligned with those in adjacent inter-metal dielectric layers. 31. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 28, wherein the inter-metal dielectric layers have a dielectric constant of less than 3.2. 32. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 28, wherein the metal lines comprise copper. 33. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 30, wherein the metal lines formed in the adjacent inter-metal dielectric layers are substantially aligned with each other. 34. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 28, wherein the metal plugs comprise copper. 35. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 28, wherein each of the metal walls is separated apart by a distance less than one micron from the periphery of at least one of the metal lines. 36. An edge seal for a chip with integrated circuits as claimed in claim 28, wherein each of the metal walls is formed adjacent to a periphery of the metal lines and connects two adjacent metal lines. 37. An integrated circuit device comprising the edge seal according to claim 1. 38. An integrated circuit device comprising the edge seal according to claim 20. 39. An integrated circuit device comprising the edge seal according to claim 28.
BACKGROUND The present invention relates to integrated circuits, more particularly, to edge seals for chips. Edge seals for chips are generally used as mechanical and electrical barriers to contamination introduced in the chip sawing process. FIG. 1 shows a semiconductor wafer 300 with a plurality of semiconductor chips 200 arranged in an array. Each semiconductor chip 200 contains circuitry to perform a specific function and has an edge seal 100 disposed along the edge thereof to prevent contamination by moisture and metal particles. Scribe lines 302 are arranged between semiconductor chips 200 where a saw can pass when separating the semiconductor chip. FIG. 2 is a top view of semiconductor chip 200 comprising the edge seal 100 and FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line A-A′ of showing a dielectric layer IL on a semiconductor wafer 1 with a plurality of tungsten plugs 2 and metal lines 3, 5, 7, 9 of copper in the dielectric layer IL. Metal lines 3, 5, 7, and 9 are approximately parallel. A plurality of metal walls 4 are disposed between metal lines 3 and 5 comprising a plurality of trenches filled with a copper layer. A plurality of metal walls 6 are disposed between the metal lines 5 and 7 with a plurality of metal walls 8 between metal lines 7 and 9. Metal walls 4, 6 on adjacent metal lines are staggered in the dielectric layer IL. Metal walls 6, 8 on the adjacent metal lines are also staggered and disposed in the dielectric layer IL. Distance d1 between the metal wall 4 and the edges of metal lines 3 or 5 is large enough that delimitation P may occur at the dielectric layer IL at the edges of the metal lines 3 or 5 by thermal stress during packaging or test process. SUMMARY In view of the above disadvantages, edge seals for chips to protect integrated circuits and integrated circuit devices using the edge seals are provided. Embodiments of such edge seals comprise a first metal line, a first inter-metal dielectric layer, a second metal line, a plurality of first metal plugs and at least one first metal wall. The first metal line extends along a periphery of the chip. The first inter-metal dielectric layer is on the first metal line. The second metal line overlies the first inter-metal dielectric layer and extends along the periphery of the chip. The first metal plugs in the first inter-metal dielectric layer connect the first and second metal line. The first metal wall in the first inter-metal dielectric layer is laterally adjacent to a periphery of the first metal line, in which the first metal wall is connected to the first metal line and the second metal line. The first metal wall is separated by less than one micron from the periphery of the first metal line. Alternately, an embodiment of an edge seal may comprise a plurality of inter-metal dielectric layers, a plurality of metal lines, a plurality of metal plugs in the inter-metal dielectric layers and a plurality of metal walls formed in the inter-metal dielectric layers, with each of the metal walls adjacent to a periphery of the metal plugs and connecting adjacent metal lines. Also, each metal line on the inter-metal dielectric layers extends along a periphery of the chip. Each of the metal plugs in the same inter-metal dielectric layer connects adjacent metal lines. Each of the metal walls in the same inter-metal dielectric layer adjacent to a periphery of the metal lines preferably connects adjacent metal lines. The metal plugs are preferably arranged in an array in each of the inter-metal dielectric layers with the metal plugs in each of the inter-metal dielectric layers preferably aligned with those in adjacent inter-metal dielectric layers. Alternately, the metal walls formed in the adjacent inter-metal dielectric layers are substantially aligned with each other. Also, provided are embodiments of integrated circuit devices utilizing the edge seals. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The disclosure can be more fully understood with reference to the following drawings. FIG.1 is a top view of a semiconductor wafer with an edge seal along the edges of the chips. FIG. 2 is a top view of a semiconductor chip having a conventional edge seal. FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view along line A-A′ of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of a semiconductor chip with an edge seal thereon. FIG. 5a is a cross sectional view taken along line B-B′ of FIG. 4. FIG. 5b is top view of inter-layer metal plugs and inter-layer metal walls of the edge seal in FIG. 5a. FIG. 5c is top view of another arrangement of inter-layer metal plugs and an inter-layer metal wall. FIG. 5d is an enlarged sectional perspective view of FIG. 5a. FIG. 5e is a top view of a metal line extending along the periphery of a chip. FIG. 6 is a top view of another embodiment of a semiconductor chip with edge seal thereon. FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along line C-C′ of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a top view of another arrangement of the top metal plugs and the metal wall. FIG. 9 is a top view of yet another embodiment of the inter-layer metal plugs and the metal walls. DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of an integrated circuit device, a semiconductor chip 400, with an edge seal 300 therein sawn from a wafer along a scribe line 401. As shown in FIG. 5a, a semiconductor wafer 10 has a dielectric layer 14 thereon. The dielectric layer 14 comprises a material with a dielectric constant less than 3.2, for example a polymer based dielectric or an inorganic material such as a carbon-doped oxide. A plurality of tungsten plugs 12 and a first metal line 16 comprising copper are within the dielectric layer 14. As shown in FIG. 5e, the first metal line 16 is a rectangular ring extending along the periphery 400a of the semiconductor chip 400. A first etching stop layer 18 of silicon nitride, is on the first metal line 16 and the dielectric layer 14. A first inter-metal dielectric layer 24, having a dielectric constant less than 3.2, is disposed on the first etching stop layer 18 such that the first etching stop layer 18 is between the first metal line 16 and the first inter-metal dielectric layer 24. Furthermore, the first etching stop layer 18 acts as an end point during etching of first inter-metal dielectric layer 24 to form via holes for metal plugs and via trenches for metal walls. A plurality of first metal plugs 20, consisting of copper, in the first inter-metal dielectric layer 24 are vertically separated from each other by the first inter-metal dielectric layer 24. First metal walls 22 in the first inter-metal dielectric layer 24 are laterally adjacent to a periphery 16a of the first metal line 16 as shown in FIG. 5b. Moreover, each of the first metal walls 22 is separated by a distance d2 less than 1 micron from the periphery 16a of the first metal line 16. First metal plugs 20 and first metal walls 22 comprise a copper layer in the via holes and the trenches described above. First metal plugs 20 are disposed in the first inter-metal dielectric layer 24 preferably in an array as shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b. A second metal line 26, consisting of copper, overlies the first inter-metal dielectric layer 24. The second metal line 26 is preferably a rectangular ring substantially aligned with the first metal line 16 as shown in FIG. 5d. The first metal plugs 20 and the first metal walls 22 connect with the first metal line 16 and a second metal line 26 in the first inter-metal dielectric layer 24 as shown in FIG. 5a. Alternately, one first metal wall 22 laterally adjacent to the periphery 16a of the first metal line 16 facing the periphery 400a of the semiconductor chip, as shown in FIG. 5c. A second etching stop layer 28, comprising for example silicon nitride, on the first inter-metal dielectric layer 24 and second metal line 26 has a second inter-metal dielectric layer 34 with a dielectric constant less than 3.2 thereon whereby the second etching stop layer 28 is between the first metal line 26 and the second inter-metal dielectric layer 34. The second etching stop layer 28 acts as an end point during etching of the second inter-metal dielectric layer 34 to form via holes for metal plugs and via trenches. A plurality of second metal plugs 30, consisting of copper, in the second inter-metal dielectric layer 34 are vertically separated from each other by the second inter-metal dielectric layer 34. Second metal walls 32 in the second inter-metal dielectric layer 34 are laterally adjacent to a periphery of the first metal line 26 and substantially aligned with the first metal wall 22 in the first inter-metal dielectric layer 24. Second metal plugs 30 are disposed in the second inter-metal dielectric layer 34 in an array. The array of the second metal plugs 30 is substantially aligned with the array of the first metal plugs 20 under the second metal plugs 30. The second metal walls 32 are laterally adjacent to a periphery of the second metal line 26 and connect the second metal line 26 and a third metal line 36 in the second inter-metal dielectric layer 34. The second metal plugs 30 are also connected to the second metal line 26 and the third metal line 36. The third metal line 36, consisting of copper, extends along the periphery of the chip and substantially aligned with the second metal line 26. A stacked metal structure 80 comprising a plurality of inter-metal dielectric layers, a plurality of metal lines, a plurality of etching stop layers, a plurality of metal plugs, and a plurality of metal walls is formed on the second inter-metal dielectric layer 34. Each array of the metal plugs in individual dielectric layer is preferably aligned with others. Furthermore, top metal plugs 60 and top metal walls are formed in the top dielectric layer 102, and a metal line 70 is formed on the top dielectric layer 102. Alternately, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the edge seal may comprise an auxiliary edge seal. FIG. 6 is a top view of another embodiment of an integrated circuit device, a semiconductor chip 600, with an edge seal thereon sawn from a wafer along a scribe line 401 with an edge seal 505 comprising a main seal 500 and an auxiliary edge seal 501 disposed surrounding the main seal 500 to ensure protection of integrated circuits against moisture and metal contamination. FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along line C-C′ of FIG. 6 and shows the detailed structures of the edge seal including the main edge seal 500 and the auxiliary edge seal 501. A semiconductor wafer 10 has a dielectric layer 14 thereon. The dielectric layer 14 comprises a material with a dielectric constant less than 3.2, for example a polymer based dielectric or an inorganic material such as a carbon-doped oxide. A plurality of tungsten plugs 12 and a first metal line 16 comprising copper are within the dielectric layer 14. A first etching stop layer 18 for example comprising silicon nitride, is formed on the first metal line 16 and the dielectric layer 14. A first inter-metal dielectric layer 24, having a dielectric constant less than 3.2, is disposed on the first etching stop layer 18 such that the first etching stop layer 18 is between the first metal line 16 and the first inter-metal dielectric layer 24. The first etching stop layer 18 acts as an end point during etching of first inter-metal dielectric layer 24 to form via holes for metal plugs and via trenches for metal walls. A plurality of first metal plugs 20, consisting of copper, in the first inter-metal dielectric layer 24 are vertically separated from each other by the first inter-metal dielectric layer 24. First metal walls 22 in the first inter-metal dielectric layer 24 are laterally adjacent to a periphery 16a of the first metal line 16 as shown in FIG. 9. Each of the first metal walls 22 is separated by a distance d2 less than 1 micron from the periphery 16a of the first metal line 16. First metal plugs 20 and first metal wall 22 comprise a copper layer in the via holes and the trenches described above. A second etching stop layer 28, comprising for example silicon nitride, is on the first inter-metal dielectric layer 24 and second metal line 26 has a second inter-metal dielectric layer 34 with a dielectric constant less than 3.2 thereon whereby the second etching stop layer 28 is between the first metal line 26 and the second inter-metal dielectric layer 34. The second etching stop layer 28 acts as an end point during etching of the second inter-metal dielectric layer 34 to form via holes for metal plugs and via trenches. A plurality of second metal plugs 30, consisting of copper, in the second inter-metal dielectric layer 34 are vertically separated from each other by the second inter-metal dielectric layer 34. Second metal walls 32 in the second inter-metal dielectric layer 34 are laterally adjacent to a periphery of the first metal line 26. Second metal plugs 30 are disposed in the second inter-metal dielectric layer 34 in an array. The array of the second metal plugs 30 is aligned with that of the first metal plugs 20 under the second metal plugs 30 as shown in FIG. 7. The second metal walls 32 are laterally adjacent to a periphery of the second metal line 26 and connects the second metal line 26 and a third metal line 36 in the second inter-metal dielectric layer 34. The second metal plugs 30 are also connected to the second metal line 26 and the third metal line 36. The third metal line 36, consisting of copper, extends along the periphery of the chip and substantially aligned with the second metal line 26. A stacked metal structure 80 comprising a plurality of inter-metal dielectric layers, a plurality of metal line, a plurality of etching stop layers, a plurality of metal plugs, and a plurality of metal walls is formed on the second inter-metal dielectric layer 34. Each array of the metal plugs in individual dielectric layer is preferably aligned with others. Furthermore, top metal plugs 60 and top metal walls are formed in the top dielectric layer 102, and a metal line 70 is formed on the top dielectric layer 102. Furthermore, the auxiliary edge seal 501 is disposed along the periphery 600a of the semiconductor chip 600 and the main seal 500 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The auxiliary edge seal 501 is between the main seal 500 and the periphery 600a of the semiconductor chip 600. The auxiliary edge seal 501 comprises tungsten plugs 50 within the dielectric layer 14, and a fourth metal line 52 between the first metal line 16 and the periphery 600a of the chip. A fifth metal line 26′ is formed in the first inter-metal dielectric layer 24 and between the second metal line 26 and the periphery 600a of the chip. A plurality of third metal plugs 20′ are formed in the first inter-metal dielectric layer 24 and connected the forth metal line 52 and the fifth metal line 26′. Also, a third metal wall 22′ is formed in the first inter-metal dielectric layer and laterally adjacent to a periphery of the fourth metal line 52 and connected the forth metal line 52 and the fifth metal line 26′. Auxiliary edge seal 501 further comprises metal lines, metal plugs and metal walls formed in each dielectric layer. FIG. 8 is a top view of top metal plugs 60 and top metal wall 62. Symbols 70, 16, 26, 36 indicate a projection area of part of the edge seal 500. Symbol 60 indicates the top metal plugs arranged in an array. Symbol 62 indicates the top metal wall which is disposed adjacent to the metal line 70. On the other hand, symbols 70′, 52, 26′ indicate a projection area of part of the auxiliary edge seal 501. Symbol 60′ indicates the top metal plugs of the auxiliary edge seal 501. Symbol 62′ indicates the top metal wall of the auxiliary edge seal 501. FIG. 9 is a top view of the inter-layer metal plugs and the metal walls. Symbols 70, 16, 26, 36 indicate the projection area of part of the main seal 500. Symbol 20 indicates the first metal plugs arranged in an array. Symbol 22 indicates the first metal walls which are disposed adjacent to the first metal line 16 and along the periphery 16a of the first metal line 16. On the other hand, symbols 70′, 52, 26′ indicate the projection area of part of the auxiliary edge seal 501. Symbol 20′ indicates the third metal plugs formed in the inter-layer dielectric layer of the auxiliary edge seal 501. Symbol 22′ indicates the inter-layer metal wall of the auxiliary edge seal 501. The auxiliary edge seal 501 outside the main edge seal 500 further protects integrated circuits in the semiconductor ship 600 from moisture and metal contamination while or after the semiconductor chip is sawn. The first metal wall may be separated by less than one micron from the periphery of the first metal line and the first metal plugs are arranged in an array rather than a plurality of metal walls. Therefore, delimitation problem in the conventional structure may be solved. While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.
<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>The present invention relates to integrated circuits, more particularly, to edge seals for chips. Edge seals for chips are generally used as mechanical and electrical barriers to contamination introduced in the chip sawing process. FIG. 1 shows a semiconductor wafer 300 with a plurality of semiconductor chips 200 arranged in an array. Each semiconductor chip 200 contains circuitry to perform a specific function and has an edge seal 100 disposed along the edge thereof to prevent contamination by moisture and metal particles. Scribe lines 302 are arranged between semiconductor chips 200 where a saw can pass when separating the semiconductor chip. FIG. 2 is a top view of semiconductor chip 200 comprising the edge seal 100 and FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line A-A′ of showing a dielectric layer IL on a semiconductor wafer 1 with a plurality of tungsten plugs 2 and metal lines 3 , 5 , 7 , 9 of copper in the dielectric layer IL. Metal lines 3 , 5 , 7 , and 9 are approximately parallel. A plurality of metal walls 4 are disposed between metal lines 3 and 5 comprising a plurality of trenches filled with a copper layer. A plurality of metal walls 6 are disposed between the metal lines 5 and 7 with a plurality of metal walls 8 between metal lines 7 and 9 . Metal walls 4 , 6 on adjacent metal lines are staggered in the dielectric layer IL. Metal walls 6 , 8 on the adjacent metal lines are also staggered and disposed in the dielectric layer IL. Distance d 1 between the metal wall 4 and the edges of metal lines 3 or 5 is large enough that delimitation P may occur at the dielectric layer IL at the edges of the metal lines 3 or 5 by thermal stress during packaging or test process.
<SOH> SUMMARY <EOH>In view of the above disadvantages, edge seals for chips to protect integrated circuits and integrated circuit devices using the edge seals are provided. Embodiments of such edge seals comprise a first metal line, a first inter-metal dielectric layer, a second metal line, a plurality of first metal plugs and at least one first metal wall. The first metal line extends along a periphery of the chip. The first inter-metal dielectric layer is on the first metal line. The second metal line overlies the first inter-metal dielectric layer and extends along the periphery of the chip. The first metal plugs in the first inter-metal dielectric layer connect the first and second metal line. The first metal wall in the first inter-metal dielectric layer is laterally adjacent to a periphery of the first metal line, in which the first metal wall is connected to the first metal line and the second metal line. The first metal wall is separated by less than one micron from the periphery of the first metal line. Alternately, an embodiment of an edge seal may comprise a plurality of inter-metal dielectric layers, a plurality of metal lines, a plurality of metal plugs in the inter-metal dielectric layers and a plurality of metal walls formed in the inter-metal dielectric layers, with each of the metal walls adjacent to a periphery of the metal plugs and connecting adjacent metal lines. Also, each metal line on the inter-metal dielectric layers extends along a periphery of the chip. Each of the metal plugs in the same inter-metal dielectric layer connects adjacent metal lines. Each of the metal walls in the same inter-metal dielectric layer adjacent to a periphery of the metal lines preferably connects adjacent metal lines. The metal plugs are preferably arranged in an array in each of the inter-metal dielectric layers with the metal plugs in each of the inter-metal dielectric layers preferably aligned with those in adjacent inter-metal dielectric layers. Alternately, the metal walls formed in the adjacent inter-metal dielectric layers are substantially aligned with each other. Also, provided are embodiments of integrated circuit devices utilizing the edge seals.
20041203
20070626
20050714
63034.0
1
ZARNEKE, DAVID A
INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVICES, EDGE SEALS THEREFOR
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
2,004
11,002,148
ACCEPTED
Semiconductor memory module
A semiconductor memory module includes a plurality of semiconductor memory chips and bus signal lines that supply an incoming clock signal and incoming command and address signals to the semiconductor memory chips. A clock signal regeneration circuit and a register circuit are arranged on the semiconductor memory module in a common chip packing connected to the bus signal lines. The clock signal regeneration circuit and the register circuit respectively condition the incoming clock signal and temporarily store the incoming command and address signals, respectively multiply the conditioned clock signal and the temporarily stored command and address signals by a factor of 1:X, and respectively supply to the semiconductor memory chips the conditioned clock signal and the temporarily stored command and address signals.
1. A semiconductor memory module, comprising: a plurality of semiconductor memory chips arranged on the semiconductor memory module; a plurality of bus signal lines operable to supply an incoming clock signal and incoming command and address signals to at least the semiconductor memory chips; a clock signal regeneration circuit and a register circuit arranged on the semiconductor memory module in a common chip packing connected to the bus signal lines, wherein the clock signal regeneration circuit and the register circuit respectively condition the incoming clock signal and temporarily store the incoming command and address signals, respectively multiply the conditioned clock signal and the temporarily stored command and address signals by a factor of 1:X, and respectively supply to the semiconductor memory chips the conditioned clock signal and the temporarily stored command and address signals. 2. The semiconductor memory module according to claim 1, wherein the clock signal regeneration circuit comprises a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit. 3. The semiconductor memory module according to claim 1, wherein the clock signal and the clock signal conditioned by the clock signal regeneration circuit are each supplied via differential clock signal lines. 4. The semiconductor memory module according to claim 1, wherein the clock signal regeneration circuit and the register circuit are arranged as separate partial chips in the common chip packing. 5. The semiconductor memory module according to claim 1, wherein the clock signal regeneration circuit and the register circuit are integrated on a common chip in the common chip packing. 6. The semiconductor memory module according to claim 4, wherein the clock signal conditioned by the clock signal regeneration circuit is supplied to the register circuit in the common chip packing. 7. The semiconductor memory module according to claim 1, wherein the common chip packing is arranged essentially at a central position on the semiconductor memory module. 8. The semiconductor memory module according to claim 1, wherein the bus signal lines of the command and address signals comprise a hybrid-T bus structure. 9. The semiconductor memory module according to claim 1, wherein the bus signal lines of the command and address signals comprise a fly-by bus structure. 10. The semiconductor memory module according to claim 1, wherein the clock signal regeneration circuit and the register circuit respectively multiply the clock signal and the command and address signals by a factor of 1:2. 11. The semiconductor memory module according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor memory module comprises an RDIMM module. 12. The semiconductor memory module according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor memory chips comprise DDR-DRAM semiconductor memories. 13. A semiconductor circuit, comprising: a clock signal regeneration circuit and a register circuit arranged in a common chip packing, wherein the clock signal regeneration circuit and the register circuit respectively multiply a clock signal and command and address signals by a factor of 1:X. 14. The semiconductor circuit according to claim 13, wherein the clock signal regeneration circuit comprises a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit. 15. The semiconductor circuit according to claim 14, wherein the clock signal regeneration circuit supplies the clock signal as a differential clock signals on differential clock signal lines. 16. The semiconductor circuit according to claim 15, wherein the clock signal regeneration circuit and the register circuit are arranged as separate partial chips in the common chip packing. 17. The semiconductor circuit according to claim 15, wherein the clock signal regeneration circuit and the register circuit are integrated on a common chip in the common chip packing. 18. The semiconductor circuit according to claim 16, wherein the clock signal regeneration circuit supplies the clock signal to the register circuit in the common chip packing. 19. The semiconductor circuit according to claim 13, wherein the clock signal regeneration circuit and the register circuit respectively multiply the clock signal and the command and address signals by a factor of 1:2.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory module, wherein several semiconductor memory chips and bus signal lines, each of which supplies an incoming clock signal as well as incoming command and address signals to at least the semiconductor memory chips, and a semiconductor circuit which comprises a buffer register circuit and a clock signal regeneration circuit are arranged on the semiconductor memory module. BACKGROUND Present memory systems (DDR1; DDR2; DDR3) provide the possibility of supplying the DIMM command/address bus transferring the command and address signals (CA) with only one version (copy) of the CA bus, for example via a hybrid-T or fly-by bus. With further increasing speeds and considering the high parallelism at the CA bus (for example up to 36 memory chips per CA bus), the conventional transfer of command and address signals is no longer possible. A potential solution to the above-mentioned problem lies in using two copies of the CA bus. This, however, increases the pin number per memory channel (for example by 25 CA signals and the pins required for the necessary shielding). Because of the high bit rate on the data lines, a differential signal transfer is considered for successor technologies of the DDR3 system, for example for DDR4. For differential signal transfer, however, the number of pins required is distinctly higher, the implementation thereof being very difficult from a technical point of view (or causing high cost). This involves the pin number at the connector of the semiconductor memory module, the pin number at the memory controller and the routing on the motherboard. Since, owing to the high bit rates of the successor technologies of the DDR system, only fly-by busses or point-to-point (P2P) busses will be possible, any clock signal required for synchronization must also be transferred differentially together with the CA signals. The exemplary arrangement of DDR2 systems according to the state-of-the-art shown in the accompanying FIG. 4 is a schematic layout view of a DDR2 DIMM semiconductor memory module, wherein the CA signals CA coming from an external CA bus and the assigned clock signals Cl on the semiconductor circuit module are transferred to the DDR2 DIMM semiconductor memory module via a hybrid-T bus structure (the lines transferring the differential clock signals Cl are presented by broken lines and the lines transferring the differential CA signals are presented by dash-dotted lines). In the example, semiconductor memory chips 4 each storing eight data items D and an additional error correction chip (D-E-CC) 4a and additional passive components 5 are arranged on the DIMM semiconductor memory module. The data pertaining to the individual memory chips 4 and to the D-E-CC chip 4a is each transferred with a width of eight bits, thus being assigned to 72 connector locations or pin contacts 8 in case of this semiconductor module. The accompanying FIG. 5 is an exemplary schematic view of a potential semiconductor memory module for the DDR4 system, wherein use is being made of two copies of the CA bus in accordance with the above-mentioned theoretical solution. In the example, the differentially supplied CA signals CA including the clock signals Cl require 25×2 (×2) connector locations or pin contacts 8 for a 2N timing. The lines required for shielding are also necessary. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the write and read data is supplied to each memory chip 4, 4a of the memory channel arranged to the left of the semiconductor memory module and of the memory channel arranged to the right of the semiconductor memory module with a width of two bits and differentially; this results in an X2-based DDR4 DIMM with 2N timing of the CA signals. In case of such a semiconductor memory module which comprises several memory channels or memory banks, the wide routing of the twice as many CA and Cl lines on the semiconductor memory module would limit the installation space for installing the passive components 5, such as decoupling capacitors, and the space for routing the data signal lines to the semiconductor memory chips to an excessive degree, not to mention the increased number of pins. SUMMARY Therefore, the present invention aims at specifying a semiconductor memory module suitable for high-speed semiconductor memory systems such that the above-mentioned drawbacks of the state-of-the-art can be obviated and that the CA and Cl signals are supplied to the semiconductor memory chips arranged on the semiconductor memory module in a space-saving and pin-contact-saving manner and that, at the same time, it is possible to reach the speeds required for transferring the CA and Cl signals. Furthermore, the invention aims at specifying a semiconductor circuit that comprises a clock signal regeneration circuit and a register circuit that are designed to match such a semiconductor memory module. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a semiconductor memory module comprising a clock signal regeneration circuit and a register circuit arranged on the semiconductor memory module in a common chip packing and connected to bus signal lines, in order to condition the incoming clock signal and to temporarily store the incoming command and address signals and to supply the conditioned clock signal and the temporarily stored command and address signals to semiconductor memory chips after being multiplied by a factor of 1:X. By using a clock signal regeneration circuit and a register circuit that are commonly accommodated in one chip packing in the manner described above to achieve a multiplication of CA and synchronizing clock signals by a factor of 1:X, it is possible to reach the speeds required for future memory technologies and, at the same time, save installation space and pin contacts on the semiconductor memory module. The combination of register circuit and clock signal regeneration circuit in a common chip packing allows supplying a complete semiconductor memory module (DIMM) with one CA copy from the memory controller. Since the CA signals are multiplied by a factor of 1:X, several CA copies can be provided to several DRAM branches or channels by local generation in the combined clock signal regeneration and register circuit (since, owing to the high bit rates, the higher-speed DDR memory systems succeeding the DDR3 system will facilitate only a fly-by bus structure or a point-to-point bus structure, it is also necessary that an associated clock signal required for synchronization be also conditioned on the semiconductor memory module and transmitted together with the CA signals). By combining the register circuit with the clock signal regeneration circuit in a common chip packing, as is proposed according to the invention, the operating temperature of the clock signal regeneration circuit is, in addition, lowered. Should the clock signal regeneration circuit be provided as a single chip packing (separated from the register circuit), the operating temperature would significantly exceed the temperature of the memory chips and would increase with the number of loads the clock signal regeneration circuit has to drive. Thus, the combination of the clock signal regeneration circuit with the register circuit proposed by the invention allows an improved distribution of the heat generated by the clock signal regeneration circuit. The combination according to the invention of the clock signal regeneration circuit and the register circuit in a common chip packing causes the operating temperature of the common chip packing to drop to the temperature level of the semiconductor memory chip. Hence, the semiconductor memory module according to the invention, comprising the clock signal regeneration circuit that is accommodated in a common chip packing together with the register circuit, is of particular advantage when used in very densely packed semiconductor memory modules, for example in DIMM semiconductor memory modules that are fitted with several DDR-DRAM chips of the DDR systems succeeding the DDR3 system, because the module space saved through the routing of the CA signals can be used for the passive and active components in case of semiconductor modules that are fitted with such a high component density. Preferably, the clock signal regeneration circuit comprises a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit. As previously mentioned, the clock signal and the clock signal conditioned by the clock signal regeneration circuit are each supplied via differential clock signal lines in case of the planned high-speed memory systems. In one embodiment of the semiconductor memory module according to the invention, the clock signal regeneration circuit and the register circuit are arranged as separate partial chips (dies) in the common packing. These partial chips may, for example, be stacked in the chip packing. By supplying the clock signal conditioned by the clock signal regeneration circuit to the register circuit inside the chip packing, the space required for these differential clock signal lines on the semiconductor memory module is advantageously reduced. According to another embodiment of the semiconductor memory module of the invention, the clock signal regeneration circuit and the register circuit are integrated on one common chip (die) in the packing. This second embodiment is advantageous in that the chip area of the common clock signal regeneration and register circuit is reduced. Preferably, the chip packing containing the clock signal regeneration circuit and the register circuit is essentially arranged at a central position on the semiconductor circuit module. In the semiconductor circuit module according to the invention, the bus lines of the command and address signals including the signal lines for the clock signal that is also transferred, preferably (but not necessarily) form a fly-by bus structure. The register and clock signal regeneration circuits are, preferably, designed such that they each multiply the clock signal and the command and address signal by a factor of 1:2. In one embodiment, the semiconductor memory module can be an RDIMM module and can be fitted with DDR-DRAM semiconductor memory chips. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and further advantageous elements of a semiconductor memory module according to the invention as well as of an appropriate semiconductor circuit comprising a clock signal regeneration circuit and a register circuit are illustrated in more detail in the following description, with reference being made to the accompanying drawing, wherein: FIG. 1 is a schematic layout view of a first embodiment of a semiconductor memory module according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the clock signal regeneration circuit and register circuit in a common chip packing according to a first executive example; FIG. 3 is a schematic layout view of a second embodiment of a semiconductor memory module according to the invention; FIG. 4 is a schematic layout view of the afore described semiconductor memory module with hybrid-T bus structure for the clock signal and command and address signal lines; and FIG. 5 is a schematic layout view of the afore described semiconductor memory module with fly-by bus structure with two copies of the clock signal and command and address signal bus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the first embodiment of the invention which is schematically shown in FIG. 1, a chip packing 11 (shown in detail in FIG. 2) that contains a clock signal regeneration circuit 12 together with a register circuit 13 is arranged on the semiconductor memory module 10, an RDIMM module in this example, which is fitted with DDR-DRAM chips 4 each storing eight data items D and a further DDR-DRAM chip 4a for error correction (DE_CC), at an approximately central position on the semiconductor memory module 10. External to the semiconductor memory module 10, 8-bit-wide data line sections supply write and read data to the DDR-DRAM chips 4 and 4a. From pin contacts 8, differential clock signal input lines 61 supply a clock signal Cl to the common chip packing 11, and a line section 71 with a specific bit width supplies the command and address input signals CA, also from pin contacts 8 to the common chip packing 11. It can be seen in FIG. 2 that, in this example, the clock signal regeneration circuit 12 and the register circuit 13 multiply the clock signals 61 and the CA signals 71 by a factor of 1:2 for the command and address signals. Starting at the clock signal regeneration circuit 12 which is, for example, a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit, differential clock signal lines 62 supply the conditioned clock signal to all of the memory chips 4, 4a, each to the left and the right of the module 10. In addition, differential clock signal lines 63 in the common chip packing 11 supply the conditioned clock signal to the register circuit 13, as shown in FIG. 2. From the register circuit 13, temporarily stored (buffered) command and address signals run via differential command and address signal lines 72 on the semiconductor memory module to the semiconductor memory chips 4, 4a, each to the left and the right of the semiconductor memory module 10. The solution proposed according to the invention and comprising the operation of accommodating the clock signal regeneration circuit and the register circuit 13 in a common chip packing 11 is advantageous in that space is saved on the semiconductor memory module 10, this space saving being increasingly important the more semiconductor memory chips 4 are arranged on the semiconductor memory module 10. By accommodating the clock signal regeneration circuit 12 and the register circuit 13 in a common chip packing 11, the temperature of the clock signal regeneration circuit 12 will, during operation, assume approximately the same value as the temperature of the semiconductor memory chips 4, 4a. A comparison of the bus structure with that of the semiconductor memory module already described above in connection with FIG. 4 shows that the first embodiment of the semiconductor memory module 10 according to the invention also implements a hybrid-T bus structure for the clock signal lines and the CA signal lines. In a first executive example, the clock signal regeneration circuit 12 and the register circuit 13 can be arranged in the common chip packing 11 according to FIG. 2, i.e., either next to each other as separate partial chips (dies) or stacked one above the other as separate partial chips (dies) in a space-saving manner (not shown in FIG. 2). The accompanying FIG. 3 shows a schematic layout view of a second embodiment of a semiconductor memory module 100 according to the invention. In case of this second embodiment, the semiconductor memory chips 4, 4a that are arranged on the semiconductor memory module 100 form a DDR4-DIMM module based on a x2 data structure (as shown) or a x4 data structure (not shown). A common chip packing 111 which is arranged at an approximately central position on the semiconductor memory module 100, as was the case in the first embodiment according to FIG. 1, accommodates a clock signal regeneration circuit 12 and an address and command signal register circuit 13, each for multiplying a clock signal Cl supplied via differential clock signal input lines 61 by a factor of 1:2 as well as for temporarily storing/buffering and multiplying command and address signals CA that are supplied to the module 100 via CA lines 71 by a factor of 1:2. In the second embodiment of the semiconductor memory module 100 shown in FIG. 3, the differential command and address signals CA are supplied via the input CA lines 71 and the differential clock signal Cl and via the differential clock signal input lines 61 by means of a fly-by or point-to-point bus structure, because a fly-by bus or point-to-point (P2P) bus is the only bus structure that is possible with the high bit rates of the DDR systems succeeding the DDR3 system. In the second embodiment of the semiconductor memory module 100 shown in FIG. 3, the timing of the CA signals CA through the clock signals Cl is achieved by means of 1N timing, this, however, not limiting the scope of the present invention. In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the clock signal conditioning and command and address signal register circuits accommodated in the common chip packing 111 each multiply the CA signals CA and the clock signals Cl by a factor of 1:2 by supplying, via differential clock signal lines, the clock signals Cl conditioned by the clock signal conditioning circuit in the common chip packing 111 to the semiconductor memory chips 4, 4a that are each arranged to the left and the right of the semiconductor memory module 100. The same applies to the temporarily stored/buffered CA signals. In general, the invention proposes to arrange on the semiconductor memory module a clock signal regeneration circuit and a register circuit in a common chip packing and to connect them to the bus signal lines 61, 71 supplying the command address signals CA and the clock signal Cl such that the incoming clock signal Cl is conditioned and the incoming command and address signals CA are temporarily stored, in order to multiply these signals by a factor of 1:X and to supply the conditioned clock signal Cl and the temporarily stored command and address signals CA to X semiconductor memory chip groups that are arranged on the semiconductor memory module. Although only two semiconductor memory chip groups are provided in the two embodiments of the semiconductor memory module 10 and 100 shown as examples in FIGS. 1 and 3, those skilled in the art will immediately see that it is also possible to arrange more than two semiconductor memory chip groups or DRAM branches on the semiconductor memory module, which can then be activated by means of the clock signals and command and address signals that are multiplied by a factor of 1:X by the clock signal conditioning circuit and the command and address signal register circuit. This allows supplying a complete DIMM with only one CA copy from a memory controller (not shown). By the CA and Cl signals being multiplied by a factor of 1:X, several DRAM groups can be supplied by means of the local generation of several CA and Cl copies. The drawback of the double pin number of the pin contacts 8, an element that is characteristic of the semiconductor memory module shown in FIG. 5 where two copies of the CA bus signals and the Cl bus signals must be supplied, has been obviated in the embodiments of the invention that have been described above in connection with FIGS. 1-3. Furthermore, the high speeds required for future memory technologies can be reached by using a combined clock signal conditioning and register circuit 11, 111 for multiplying the CA signals and clock signals by a factor of 1:X, as is proposed according to the invention. The clock signal conditioning circuit and the register circuit can be arranged either next to each other as separate partial chips, as is shown in FIG. 2, or stacked one above the other as separate partial chips. An alternative proposed by the invention provides that the two functionalities of the clock signal conditioning circuit and the register circuit are integrated on a common chip (combined die). Having described preferred embodiments of a new and improved semiconductor memory module, it is believed that other modifications, variations and changes will be suggested to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings set forth herein. It is therefore to be understood that all such variations, modifications and changes are believed to fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. List of Reference Symbols 4, 4a Semiconductor memory chips 5 Passive components 8 Pin contacts 10, 100 Semiconductor memory module 11, 111 Common chip packing 12 Clock signal regeneration circuit 13 Register circuit 61, 62, 63 Differential clock signal lines 71, 72 Command and address signal lines CA Command and address signals Cl Clock signal D Data memory chips DE_C_C Error correction data memory
<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>Present memory systems (DDR1; DDR2; DDR3) provide the possibility of supplying the DIMM command/address bus transferring the command and address signals (CA) with only one version (copy) of the CA bus, for example via a hybrid-T or fly-by bus. With further increasing speeds and considering the high parallelism at the CA bus (for example up to 36 memory chips per CA bus), the conventional transfer of command and address signals is no longer possible. A potential solution to the above-mentioned problem lies in using two copies of the CA bus. This, however, increases the pin number per memory channel (for example by 25 CA signals and the pins required for the necessary shielding). Because of the high bit rate on the data lines, a differential signal transfer is considered for successor technologies of the DDR3 system, for example for DDR4. For differential signal transfer, however, the number of pins required is distinctly higher, the implementation thereof being very difficult from a technical point of view (or causing high cost). This involves the pin number at the connector of the semiconductor memory module, the pin number at the memory controller and the routing on the motherboard. Since, owing to the high bit rates of the successor technologies of the DDR system, only fly-by busses or point-to-point (P2P) busses will be possible, any clock signal required for synchronization must also be transferred differentially together with the CA signals. The exemplary arrangement of DDR2 systems according to the state-of-the-art shown in the accompanying FIG. 4 is a schematic layout view of a DDR2 DIMM semiconductor memory module, wherein the CA signals CA coming from an external CA bus and the assigned clock signals Cl on the semiconductor circuit module are transferred to the DDR2 DIMM semiconductor memory module via a hybrid-T bus structure (the lines transferring the differential clock signals Cl are presented by broken lines and the lines transferring the differential CA signals are presented by dash-dotted lines). In the example, semiconductor memory chips 4 each storing eight data items D and an additional error correction chip (D-E-CC) 4 a and additional passive components 5 are arranged on the DIMM semiconductor memory module. The data pertaining to the individual memory chips 4 and to the D-E-CC chip 4 a is each transferred with a width of eight bits, thus being assigned to 72 connector locations or pin contacts 8 in case of this semiconductor module. The accompanying FIG. 5 is an exemplary schematic view of a potential semiconductor memory module for the DDR4 system, wherein use is being made of two copies of the CA bus in accordance with the above-mentioned theoretical solution. In the example, the differentially supplied CA signals CA including the clock signals Cl require 25×2 (×2) connector locations or pin contacts 8 for a 2N timing. The lines required for shielding are also necessary. In the example shown in FIG. 5 , the write and read data is supplied to each memory chip 4 , 4 a of the memory channel arranged to the left of the semiconductor memory module and of the memory channel arranged to the right of the semiconductor memory module with a width of two bits and differentially; this results in an X2-based DDR4 DIMM with 2N timing of the CA signals. In case of such a semiconductor memory module which comprises several memory channels or memory banks, the wide routing of the twice as many CA and Cl lines on the semiconductor memory module would limit the installation space for installing the passive components 5 , such as decoupling capacitors, and the space for routing the data signal lines to the semiconductor memory chips to an excessive degree, not to mention the increased number of pins.
<SOH> SUMMARY <EOH>Therefore, the present invention aims at specifying a semiconductor memory module suitable for high-speed semiconductor memory systems such that the above-mentioned drawbacks of the state-of-the-art can be obviated and that the CA and Cl signals are supplied to the semiconductor memory chips arranged on the semiconductor memory module in a space-saving and pin-contact-saving manner and that, at the same time, it is possible to reach the speeds required for transferring the CA and Cl signals. Furthermore, the invention aims at specifying a semiconductor circuit that comprises a clock signal regeneration circuit and a register circuit that are designed to match such a semiconductor memory module. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a semiconductor memory module comprising a clock signal regeneration circuit and a register circuit arranged on the semiconductor memory module in a common chip packing and connected to bus signal lines, in order to condition the incoming clock signal and to temporarily store the incoming command and address signals and to supply the conditioned clock signal and the temporarily stored command and address signals to semiconductor memory chips after being multiplied by a factor of 1:X. By using a clock signal regeneration circuit and a register circuit that are commonly accommodated in one chip packing in the manner described above to achieve a multiplication of CA and synchronizing clock signals by a factor of 1:X, it is possible to reach the speeds required for future memory technologies and, at the same time, save installation space and pin contacts on the semiconductor memory module. The combination of register circuit and clock signal regeneration circuit in a common chip packing allows supplying a complete semiconductor memory module (DIMM) with one CA copy from the memory controller. Since the CA signals are multiplied by a factor of 1:X, several CA copies can be provided to several DRAM branches or channels by local generation in the combined clock signal regeneration and register circuit (since, owing to the high bit rates, the higher-speed DDR memory systems succeeding the DDR3 system will facilitate only a fly-by bus structure or a point-to-point bus structure, it is also necessary that an associated clock signal required for synchronization be also conditioned on the semiconductor memory module and transmitted together with the CA signals). By combining the register circuit with the clock signal regeneration circuit in a common chip packing, as is proposed according to the invention, the operating temperature of the clock signal regeneration circuit is, in addition, lowered. Should the clock signal regeneration circuit be provided as a single chip packing (separated from the register circuit), the operating temperature would significantly exceed the temperature of the memory chips and would increase with the number of loads the clock signal regeneration circuit has to drive. Thus, the combination of the clock signal regeneration circuit with the register circuit proposed by the invention allows an improved distribution of the heat generated by the clock signal regeneration circuit. The combination according to the invention of the clock signal regeneration circuit and the register circuit in a common chip packing causes the operating temperature of the common chip packing to drop to the temperature level of the semiconductor memory chip. Hence, the semiconductor memory module according to the invention, comprising the clock signal regeneration circuit that is accommodated in a common chip packing together with the register circuit, is of particular advantage when used in very densely packed semiconductor memory modules, for example in DIMM semiconductor memory modules that are fitted with several DDR-DRAM chips of the DDR systems succeeding the DDR3 system, because the module space saved through the routing of the CA signals can be used for the passive and active components in case of semiconductor modules that are fitted with such a high component density. Preferably, the clock signal regeneration circuit comprises a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit. As previously mentioned, the clock signal and the clock signal conditioned by the clock signal regeneration circuit are each supplied via differential clock signal lines in case of the planned high-speed memory systems. In one embodiment of the semiconductor memory module according to the invention, the clock signal regeneration circuit and the register circuit are arranged as separate partial chips (dies) in the common packing. These partial chips may, for example, be stacked in the chip packing. By supplying the clock signal conditioned by the clock signal regeneration circuit to the register circuit inside the chip packing, the space required for these differential clock signal lines on the semiconductor memory module is advantageously reduced. According to another embodiment of the semiconductor memory module of the invention, the clock signal regeneration circuit and the register circuit are integrated on one common chip (die) in the packing. This second embodiment is advantageous in that the chip area of the common clock signal regeneration and register circuit is reduced. Preferably, the chip packing containing the clock signal regeneration circuit and the register circuit is essentially arranged at a central position on the semiconductor circuit module. In the semiconductor circuit module according to the invention, the bus lines of the command and address signals including the signal lines for the clock signal that is also transferred, preferably (but not necessarily) form a fly-by bus structure. The register and clock signal regeneration circuits are, preferably, designed such that they each multiply the clock signal and the command and address signal by a factor of 1:2. In one embodiment, the semiconductor memory module can be an RDIMM module and can be fitted with DDR-DRAM semiconductor memory chips.
20041203
20080219
20060608
59192.0
G06F104
1
CAO, CHUN
MEMORY MODULE WITH A CLOCK SIGNAL REGENERATION CIRCUIT AND A REGISTER CIRCUIT FOR TEMPORARILY STORING THE INCOMING COMMAND AND ADDRESS SIGNALS
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
G06F
2,004
11,002,153
ACCEPTED
Interleaving control method for AC inverter
An interleaving control type inverter includes a waveform generator to generate a predetermined waveform; a plurality of first signal generators to receive the predetermined waveform and a phase voltage to generate a first control signal and a second control signal corresponding to the phases of the phase voltage; a second signal generator to receive the predetermined waveform and generate a first interleaving signal and a second interleaving signal; a plurality of first multiplexers to receive the first interleaving signal and process the first control signal to become a plurality of first control signals; a plurality of second multiplexers to receive the second interleaving signal and process the second control signal to become a plurality of second control signals; and a plurality of power transistors that switch according to the first control signals and the second control signals.
1. An interleaving control type inverter, comprising: a waveform generator to generate a waveform; a plurality of first signal generators to receive the waveform and a phase voltage to generate a first control signal and a second control signal corresponding to the phase of the phase voltage; a second signal generator to receive the predetermined waveform and generate a first interleaving signal and a second interleaving signal; a plurality of first multiplexers to receive the first interleaving signal and process the first control signal as a plurality of the first control signals; a plurality of second multiplexers to receive the second interleaving signal and process the second control signal as a plurality of the second control signals; and a plurality of power transistors switching according to the first control signals and the second control signals. 2. The interleaving control type inverter of claim 1, wherein the waveform generator is a triangular waveform generator. 3. The interleaving control type inverter of claim 1, wherein the first signal generator is a comparator. 4. The interleaving control type inverter of claim 1, wherein the second signal generator is an interleaving signal generator. 5. The interleaving control type inverter of claim 4, wherein the interleaving signal generator is selected from the group consisting of a comparator, a current sensor and a software program. 6. The interleaving control type inverter of claim 4, wherein the interleaving signal generator obtains an optimum interleaving time of the transistors through the waveform generated by the waveform generator to generate the first interleaving signal and the second interleaving signal to allow the transistors to switch in zero current. 7. The interleaving control type inverter of claim 1, wherein the multiplexers are N-stage multiplexers. 8. The interleaving control type inverter of claim 1, wherein the first multiplexers and the second multiplexers are selected from the group consisting a CPLD, a TTL logic and a FPGA. 9. The interleaving control type inverter of claim 1, wherein the power transistors are selected from the group consisting of an Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT), a BJT, and a MOSFET. 10. The interleaving control type inverter of claim 1, wherein the phase voltage comprises three phases. 11. The interleaving control type inverter of claim 10, wherein the first signal generator comprises three sets corresponding respectively to the phases of the phase voltage. 12. The interleaving control type inverter of claim 1, wherein the phase voltage comprises three phases, each phase voltage including two phase voltages that have a selected phase difference. 13. The interleaving control type inverter of claim 12, wherein the selected phase difference is 180 degrees. 14. The interleaving control type inverter of claim 12, wherein the first signal generator comprises six sets corresponding respectively to the phases of the phase voltage. 15. An interleaving control type inverter, comprising: a digital signal processor to generate a first interleaving signal, a second interleaving signal, a plurality of first control signals corresponding to a phase voltage and a plurality of second control signals corresponding to the phase voltage; a complex programmable logic device to receive the first interleaving signal, the second interleaving signal, the first control signals and the second control signals, and separate the first control signals and the second control signals; and a plurality of power transistors switching according to the first control signals and the second control signals. 16. The interleaving control type inverter of claim 15, wherein the digital signal processor comprises: a waveform generator to generate a predetermined waveform; a plurality of first signal generators to receive the predetermined waveform and a phase voltage to generate a first control signal and a second control signal corresponding to the phases of the phase voltage; and a second signal generator to receive the predetermined waveform and generate the first interleaving signal and the second interleaving signal. 17. The interleaving control type inverter of claim 16, wherein the waveform generator is a triangular waveform generator. 18. The interleaving control type inverter of claim 16, wherein the first signal generator comprises three sets corresponding respectively to the phases of the phase voltage. 19. The interleaving control type inverter of claim 16, wherein the second signal generator is an interleaving signal generator. 20. The interleaving control type inverter of claim 19, wherein the interleaving signal generator obtains an optimum interleaving time of the transistors through the waveform generated by the waveform generator to generate the first interleaving signal and the second interleaving signal to allow the transistors to switch in zero current. 21. The interleaving control type inverter of claim 15, wherein the complex programmable logic device comprises: a plurality of first multiplexers to receive the first interleaving signal and process the first control signals to become a plurality of the first control signals; and a plurality of second multiplexers to receive the second interleaving signal and process the second control signals to become a plurality of the second control signals. 22. The interleaving control type inverter of claim 21, wherein the multiplexers are N-stage multiplexers. 23. The interleaving control type inverter of claim 15, wherein the power transistors are selected from the group consisting of an Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT), a BJT, and a MOSFET.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention The invention relates to an inverter, and particularly to an interleaving control type inverter. 2. Related Art Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional three-phase inverter aims to transform DC power Vdc to three-phase AC power to drive a load 100. The three-phase AC inverter consists of a plurality of transistors coupled in parallel. Transistors 111 and 112 are coupled in parallel, transistors 113 and 114 are coupled in parallel, transistors 115 and 116 are coupled in parallel, transistors 121 and 122 are coupled in parallel, transistors 123 and 124 are coupled in parallel, and transistors 125 and 126 are coupled in parallel. These transistors are generally insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs). The gates of the transistors 111˜116 are controlled by first control signals PWM_R1, PWM_S1 and PWM_T1, namely, the upper arm control signals corresponding respectively to R, S and T phases. The gates of the transistors 121-126 are controlled by second control signals PWM_R2, PWM_S2 and PWM_T2, namely, the lower arm control signals corresponding respectively to R, S and T phases. Taking the R phase for an example, the transistors 111, 112, 121 and 122 are driven respectively by gate drivers 131˜134. Parallel coupling is accomplished and controlled by coupling two sets of IGBTs of the same model number. Only one gate control signal is required to drive two transistors that are coupled in parallel at the same time. The inverter depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 still has some technical problems, such as current distribution, malfunctioning, low efficiency and capacity. More details are elaborated as follows: Because the static and dynamic characteristics of IGBTs are not always the same, controlling with direct parallel operation results in different current flowing through two IGBTs while turned on in a static condition or switching dynamically. As a result, current distribution in the IGBTs is not equal. In serious conditions, the IGBTs could overheat and burn out. As the transistors 111 and 112 use the same set of control signal to pass through gate control circuits 131 and 132 and drive the IGBTs (referring to FIG. 2), if one IGBT is opened or the actuation circuit is abnormal (such as signal interruption), in terms of the parallel structure, as long as one IGBT is turned on normally (i.e., the transistor 111 is normal), the overall output actuation is not affected. The actual load current waveform is also the same as the normal signal. Hence malfunctioning of the IGBT cannot be detected, and protection of the IGBT is difficult. Isolation of the malfunction is also not easy. Moreover, when one IGBT malfunctions, excessive current could flow through another IGBT. When the malfunction is not detectable, the other IGBT could burn out. Reliability is thus lacking. The power loss of the general inverter can be classified as conduction loss and switching loss (including turn-on losses and turn-off loss). In general, a higher switching frequency of the IGBT has a more desirable output waveform, but the power loss is also greater, and the overall efficiency is lower. For an inverter of a greater capacity, to maintain a high switching frequency to achieve a desired waveform output is difficult. In term of capacity, the safety current of the IGBT must be reduced as the switching frequency increases. Moreover, the dividing current is not equal when the IGBTs are coupled in parallel. Hence the total safety current has to be reduced. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the aforesaid problems, the primary object of the invention is to provide an improved interleaving control type inverter. To achieve the foregoing object, the interleaving control type inverter according to the invention includes a waveform generator to generate a predetermined waveform; a plurality of first signal generators to receive the predetermined waveform and phase voltage to generate a first control signal and a second control signal corresponding to the phase of the phase voltage; a second signal generator to receive the predetermined waveform and generate a first alternating signal and a second alternating signal; a plurality of first multiplexers to receive the first alternating signal and process the first control signal to become a plurality of first control signals; a plurality of second multiplexers to receive the second alternating signal and process the second control signal to become a plurality of second control signals; and a plurality of power transistors that switch according to the first control signals and the second control signals. In one aspect, the interleaving control type inverter according to the invention further includes a digital signal processor (DSP) to generate a first alternating signal; a second alternating signal; a plurality of first control signals corresponding to the phase voltage and a plurality of second control signals corresponding to the phase voltage; a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) to receive the first alternating signal, second alternating signal, first control signal corresponding to the phase voltage and second control signal corresponding to the phase voltage, and separate the first control signals and the second control signals; and a plurality of power transistors that switch according to the first control signals and the second control signals. According to the principle and aspect of the invention, the unbalanced dividing current resulting from different IGBT characteristics may be resolved. According to the principle and aspect of the invention, the abnormal signal of one power transistor or gate driver may be detected easily through the current waveform. When the invention is adopted on a frequency converter of a large AC motor, not only is the switching frequency of each power transistor of the frequency converter reduced, but also an improved waveform output may be achieved. According to the principle and aspect of the invention, the switching loss of the power transistor may be reduced, the overall efficiency increased, the failure rate of the inverter may be reduced and the total reliability increased. According to the principle and aspect of the invention, the parallel capacity may be increased and the cost of the elements reduced. The invention also may be adopted on DC to AC inverters of a constant frequency and voltage, or DC to AC converters of varying voltages and frequencies, or AC to DC converters. The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a conventional three-phase inverter; FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a gate driver of a conventional three-phase inverter; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the interleaving control type inverter of the invention; FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the parallel control structure of the first embodiment of the interleaving control type inverter of the invention; FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the interleaving control type inverter of the invention; FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the parallel control structure of the second embodiment of the interleaving control type inverter of the invention; FIG. 7 is a control signal chart of the interleaving control type inverter of the invention; FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the interleaving control type inverter of the invention; FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are charts showing separated control signals that are pulse width modulation signals according to the invention; FIG. 10 is a signal chart showing a first control signal, a second control signal, a first alternating signal and a second alternating signal; FIG. 11 is a chart showing the control signal after being separated by the first interleaving signal; FIG. 12 is a chart showing the control signal after being separated by the second interleaving signal; FIG. 13 is a chart showing a normal waveform of a frequency converter after having adopted the inverter control method of the invention; and FIG. 14 is a chart showing an abnormal waveform of a frequency converter after having adopted the inverter control method of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Refer to FIG. 3 for a first embodiment of the invention. The interleaving control type inverter adopts a bipolar voltage switching, interleaving control and parallel structure. FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of the control signal to drive power transistors. As shown in FIG. 3, the structure includes a waveform generator 210, a plurality of first signal generators 211 213, a second signal generator 220, a plurality of first multiplexers 231-233, and a plurality of second multiplexers 241-243. The waveform generator 210 aims to generate a predetermined waveform, such as a triangular waveform generator for generating triangular waveforms. The first signal generators 211 213 aim to receive the predetermined waveform generated by the waveform generator 210 and a corresponding R phase voltage 201, S phase voltage 202 and T phase voltage 203 to generate first control signals PWM_R1, PWM_S1 and PWM_T1, and second control signals PWM_R2, PWM_S2 and PWM_T2 that correspond to the phases of the voltages. It is known to those skilled in the art that the first control signals PWM_R1, PWM_S1 and PWM_T1 may be defined as upper arm control signals, while the second control signals PWM_R2, PWM_S2 and PWM_T2 may be defined as lower arm control signals, or vice versa. In this embodiment, the first signal generators 211˜213 may be comparators. The second signal generator 220 is connected to the waveform generator 210 to receive the predetermined waveform and generate a first interleaving signal and a second interleaving signal. In this embodiment, the second signal generator 220 may be an interleaving signal generator to determine the optimum interleaving time of the power transistor through the generated predetermined waveform, such as the triangular wave signal to generate the first interleaving signal and the second interleaving signal to ensure that the power transistor switches in a zero current condition. The first multiplexers 231˜233 aim to receive the first interleaving signal to process the first control signals PWM_R1, PWM_S1 and PWM_T1 to become a plurality of first control signals PWM_R1_1˜PWM_R1_N, PWM_S1_l ˜N and PWM_T1_l˜N. The second multiplexers 241˜243 aim to receive the second interleaving signal to process the second control signals PWM_R2, PWM_S2 and PWM_T2 to become a plurality of second control signals PWM_R2_1˜PWM_R2_N, PWM_S2_1˜N and PWM_T2_1˜N. In this embodiment, the first multiplexers 231˜233 and the second multiplexers 241˜243 may be N-stage multiplexers. Referring to FIG. 4, the generated first control signals PWM_R1_1˜PWM_R1_N drive a plurality of power transistors Q_R1_1˜Q_R1_N that are coupled in parallel, the generated first control signals PWM_S1_1˜PWM_S1_N drive a plurality of power transistors Q_S1_1˜Q_S1_N that are coupled in parallel, and the generated first control signals PWM_T1_1 PWM_T1_N drive a plurality of power transistors Q_T1_1˜Q_T1_N that are coupled in parallel. The generated second control signals PWM_R2_1˜PWM_R2_N drive a plurality of power transistors Q_R2_1˜Q_R2_N that are coupled in parallel, the generated second control signals PWM_S2_1˜PWM_S2_N drive a plurality of power transistors Q_S2_1˜Q_S2_N that are coupled in parallel, and the generated second control signals PWM_T2_1˜PWM_T2_N drive a plurality of power transistors Q_T2_1˜Q_T2_N that are coupled in parallel. Hence through the first control signals PWM_R1_1˜PWM_R1_N, PWM_S1_1˜N and PWM_T1_1˜N and the second control signals PWM_R2_1˜PWM_R2_N, PWM_S2_1˜N and PWM_T2_1˜N, the power transistors may be controlled to open and close and transform DC power Vdc to become three-phase AC power to drive a load 100. The power transistor may be an IGBT, a BJT or a MOSFET. Refer to FIG. 5 for a second embodiment of the invention. The interleaving control type inverter is a multi-stage parallel and unipolar voltage switching structure. FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of the control signal to drive power transistors. As shown in FIG. 5, the structure includes a waveform generator 310, a plurality of first signal generators 311˜316, a second signal generator 320, a plurality of first multiplexers 331˜336, and a plurality of second multiplexers 341˜346. The waveform generator 310 aims to generate a predetermined waveform, such as a triangular waveform generator for generating triangular waveforms. The first signal generators 311˜316 aim to receive the predetermined waveform generated by the waveform generator 310 and corresponding R phase voltages 301˜302, S phase voltages 303˜304, and T phase voltages 304˜305 to generate first control signals PWM_R1, PWM_R3, PWM_S1, PWM_S3, PWM_T1 and PWM_T3, and second control signals PWM_R2, PWM_R4, PWM_S2, PWM_S4, PWM_T2 and PWM_T4 that correspond to the phases of the voltages. The R phase voltage 301 and the R phase voltage 302 differ by one phase angle, such as 180 degrees. The S phase voltage 303 and the S phase voltage 304 differ by one phase angle, such as 180 degrees. The T phase voltage 305 and the T phase voltage 306 differ by one phase angle, such as 180 degrees. It is known to those skilled in the art that the first control signals PWM_R1, PWM_R3, PWM_S1, PWM_S3, PWM_T1 and PWM_T3 may be defined as upper arm control signals, and the second control signals PWM_R2, PWM_R4, PWM_S2, PWM_S4, PWM_T2 and PWM_T4 may be defined as lower arm control signals, or vice versa. In this embodiment, the first signal generators 311˜316 may be comparators. The second signal generator 320 is connected to the waveform generator 310 to receive the predetermined waveform and generate a first interleaving. signal and a second interleaving signal. In this embodiment, the second signal generator 320 may be an interleaving signal generator to determine the optimum interleaving time of the power transistor through the generated predetermined waveform, such as the triangular wave signal to generate the first interleaving signal and the second interleaving signal to ensure that the power transistor switches in a zero current condition. The first multiplexers 331 336 aim to receive the first interleaving signal to process the first control signals PWM_R1, PWM_R3, PWM_S1, PW_S3, PWM_T1 and PWM_T3 to become a plurality of first control signals PWM_R1_1˜PWM_R1_N, PWM_R3_1˜PWM_R3_N, PWM_S1_1˜PWM_S1_N, PWM_S3_1˜PWM_S3_N, PWM_T1_1˜PWM_T1_N and PWM_T3_1˜PWM_T3_N. The second multiplexers 341˜346 aim to receive the second interleaving signal to process the second control signals PWM_R2, PWM_R4, PWM_S2, PWM_S4, PWM_T2 and PWM_T4 to become a plurality of second control signals PWM_R2_1˜PWM_R2_N, PWM_R4_1˜PWM_R4_N, PWM_S2_1˜PWM_S2_N, PWM_S4_1˜PWM_S4_N, PWM_T2_1˜PWM_T2_N and PWM_T4_1˜PWM_T4_N. In this embodiment, the first multiplexers 331˜336 and the second multiplexers 341˜346 may be N-stage multiplexers. Refer to FIG. 6, the generated first control signals PWM_R1_1˜PWM_R1_N drive a plurality of power transistors Q_R1_1˜Q_R1_N that are coupled in parallel, the generated first control signals PWM_R3_1˜PWM_R3_N drive a plurality of power transistors Q_R3_1˜Q_R3_N that are coupled in parallel, the generated first control signals PWM_S1_1˜PWM_S1_N drive a plurality of power transistors Q_S1_1˜Q_S1_N that are coupled in parallel, the generated first control signals PWM_S3_1˜PWM_S3_N drive a plurality of power transistors Q_S3_1˜Q_S3_N that are coupled in parallel, the generated. first control signals PWM_T1_1˜PWM_T1_N drive a plurality of power transistors Q_T1_1˜Q_T1_N that are coupled in parallel, and the first control signals PWM_T3_1˜PWM_T3_N drive a plurality of power transistors Q_T3_1˜Q_T3_N that are coupled in parallel. The generated second control signals PWM_R2_1˜PWM_R2_N drive a plurality of power transistors Q_R2_1˜Q_R2_N that are coupled in parallel, the generated second control signals PWM_R4_1˜PWM_R4_N drive a plurality of power transistors Q_R4_1˜Q_R4_N that are coupled in parallel, the generated second control signals PWM_S2_1˜PWM_S2_N drive a plurality of power transistors Q_S2_1˜Q_S2_N that are coupled in parallel, the generated second control signals PWM_S4_1˜PWM_S4_N drive a plurality of power transistors Q_S4_1˜Q_S4_N that are coupled in parallel, the generated second control signals PWM_T2_1˜PWM_T2_N drive a plurality of power transistors Q_T2_1˜Q_T2_N that are coupled in parallel, and the generated second control signals PWM_T4_PWM_T4_N drive a plurality of power transistors Q_T4_1˜Q_T4_N that are coupled in parallel. Hence through the first control signals PWM_R1_1˜PWM_R1_N, PWM_R3_1˜PWM_R3_N, PWM_S_1˜PWM_S1_N, PWM_S3_1˜PWM_S3_N, PWM_T1_1˜PWM_T1_N and PWM_T3_1˜PWM_T3_N, and the second control signals PWM_R2_1˜PWM_R2_N, PWM_R413 1˜PWM_R4_N, PWM_S2_1˜PWM_S2_N, PWM_S4_1˜PWM_S4_N, PWM_T2_1˜PWM_T2_N and PWM_T4_1˜PWM_T4_N, the power transistors may be controlled to open and close and transform DC power Vdc to become three-phase AC power to drive a load 100. The power transistor may be an IGBT, a BJT or a MOSFET. In the first and the second embodiments set forth above, the second signal generator may be a comparator, a current sensor, or software. The first and second multiplexers may be CPLD, TTL logic or FPGA. Refer to FIG. 7 for the control signal chart of the interleaving control type inverter of the invention. The power transistors are Q_R1_1 and Q_R1_2 as examples. The prior turn-on time of the Q_R1_1 and Q_R1_2 is PWM_R1: A, B, C, D and E that turn on at the same time. If the turn-on time Q_R1_1 is changed to PWM_R1_1: A, C and E, and the turn-on time Q_R1_2 is changed to PWM_R1_2: B and D, the switching frequency of Q_R1_1 and Q_R1_2 can be reduced to one half. Refer to FIG. 3 for a third embodiment of the alternating control in parallel according to the invention that employs DSP and CPLD. A DSP 400 is used to generate a first interleaving signal, a second interleaving signal, a plurality of first control signals corresponding to a phase voltage and a plurality of second control signals corresponding to the phase voltage. A CPLD 450 is used to receive the first interleaving signal, second interleaving signal, first control signals and second control signals, and separate the first control signals and the second control signals. The CPLD 450 includes a plurality of first multiplexers 451, 452 and 453, and a.plurality of second multiplexers 454, 455 and 456. The first multiplexers 451, 452 and 453 receive the first interleaving signal and process the first control signal to become a plurality of first control signals. The second multiplexers 454, 455 and 456 receive the second interleaving signal and process the second control signal to become a plurality of second control signals. A triangular wave generator 410, R, S and T phase voltage 430 and a first signal generator 420 (or a digital comparator) are provided and may be constructed through software and hardware of a DSP controller. The first and the second interleaving signals also are generated by the DSP software. The first multiplexers 451, 452 and 453 and the second multiplexers 454, 455 and 456 are CPLDs to separate the first and second control signals to generate multi-stage control signals. The drawing shows a two-stage bipolar alternating parallel control method. In the prior art, two parallel power transistors are controlled by one set of control signals. According to the invention, two parallel power transistors are controlled by two different sets of control signals. As the three-phase frequency converter adopts SPWM techniques to transform DC power to AC power of variable frequency and variable voltage, during energy conversion, switching loss is the biggest factor affecting the efficiency of the three-phase frequency converter. Hence improper alternating control signals result in increasing switching loss of the power transistor. The invention uses a digitized PWM carrier signal and synchronized alternating control signals generated by a software logic program, so it can alternately control parallel power transistors without increase additional switching loss. Refer to FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C for the separated control signals, which are pulse width modulation signals, to explain the principle of the invention. The parallel control decomposes each pulse width modulation signal, and may be indicated as follows: Tx+=Tx1++Tx2+, Tx−=Tx1−+Tx2−, where x=a,b,c. As shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C, the decomposed pulse width modulation signal triggers respectively parallel power transistors. Total power loss is distributed to each parallel power transistor element. Hence power and switching frequency of the inverter increase, while motor harmonic current decreases. Electromagnetic interference may be improved. Meanwhile, iron-loss and copper-loss of the motor are reduced, and the problem of motor overheating may be prevented. Take PWM_R1 and PWM_R2 as examples. Their original signals and alternating control signals are shown in FIG. 10. PWM1 and PWM2 are in active low operation. PWM_R1 is separated by the first alternating control signal to become two PWM_R1_1 and PWM_R1_2 signals, as shown in FIG. 11. PWM_R1_1 and PWM_R1_2 drive power transistors Q_R1_1 and Q_R1_2, respectively. PWM_R2 is separated by the second alternating control signal to become two signals PWM_R2_1 and PWM_R2_2 to drive power transistors Q_R1_1 and Q_R2_2, respectively, as shown in FIG. 12. The inverter control method disclosed in the invention may be adopted on a frequency converter. Take Q_R1_1, Q_R1_2, Q_R2_1 and Q_R2_2 as examples. The normal current waveform is shown in FIG. 13. In the event that any one set of signals in Q_R1_1, Q_R1_2, Q_R2_1 and Q_R2_2 is abnormal, the waveform becomes the one shown in FIG. 14. The inverter control structure of the invention employs a multi-phase frequency converter using triangular wave modulation or an inverter transforming DC to AC under a constant frequency and a constant voltage, or an inverter transforming AC to DC. The alternating parallel control signal uses a triangular wave to determine the zero current switching point of the power transistor. By means of the invention, alternating control signals less than the number of the power transistors may be obtained. The optimal zero current switching points of the upper arm and lower arm power transistors may be grouped into two. Namely, the upper and lower arms have one optimum interleaving signal. Through the multiplexers, the upper and lower arm interleaving signals may be separated into N signals to achieve an N-stage power transistor parallel structure. The inverter control structure of the invention employs a PWM triangular carrier signal and a matching software logic program to generate synchronized interleaving signals, and separate an upper arm control signal and a lower arm control signal to a plurality of upper arm and lower arm control signals through the synchronized interleaving signals. Based on the principle of the invention, the three-phase frequency converter needs only two synchronized interleaving signals to control the upper arm and the lower arm. This method is adaptable to unipolar and bipolar AC frequency converters and inverters. The inverter control structure according to the invention can overcome the capacity problem of high power motor actuators. This is because digitized alternating PWM control signals are used to control IGBT parallel high power frequency converters (or inverters), and can thus prevent the disadvantages of the IGBT parallel frequency converter occurring with the prior art. While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of Invention The invention relates to an inverter, and particularly to an interleaving control type inverter. 2. Related Art Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a conventional three-phase inverter aims to transform DC power Vdc to three-phase AC power to drive a load 100 . The three-phase AC inverter consists of a plurality of transistors coupled in parallel. Transistors 111 and 112 are coupled in parallel, transistors 113 and 114 are coupled in parallel, transistors 115 and 116 are coupled in parallel, transistors 121 and 122 are coupled in parallel, transistors 123 and 124 are coupled in parallel, and transistors 125 and 126 are coupled in parallel. These transistors are generally insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs). The gates of the transistors 111 ˜ 116 are controlled by first control signals PWM_R 1 , PWM_S 1 and PWM_T 1 , namely, the upper arm control signals corresponding respectively to R, S and T phases. The gates of the transistors 121 - 126 are controlled by second control signals PWM_R 2 , PWM_S 2 and PWM_T 2 , namely, the lower arm control signals corresponding respectively to R, S and T phases. Taking the R phase for an example, the transistors 111 , 112 , 121 and 122 are driven respectively by gate drivers 131 ˜ 134 . Parallel coupling is accomplished and controlled by coupling two sets of IGBTs of the same model number. Only one gate control signal is required to drive two transistors that are coupled in parallel at the same time. The inverter depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 still has some technical problems, such as current distribution, malfunctioning, low efficiency and capacity. More details are elaborated as follows: Because the static and dynamic characteristics of IGBTs are not always the same, controlling with direct parallel operation results in different current flowing through two IGBTs while turned on in a static condition or switching dynamically. As a result, current distribution in the IGBTs is not equal. In serious conditions, the IGBTs could overheat and burn out. As the transistors 111 and 112 use the same set of control signal to pass through gate control circuits 131 and 132 and drive the IGBTs (referring to FIG. 2 ), if one IGBT is opened or the actuation circuit is abnormal (such as signal interruption), in terms of the parallel structure, as long as one IGBT is turned on normally (i.e., the transistor 111 is normal), the overall output actuation is not affected. The actual load current waveform is also the same as the normal signal. Hence malfunctioning of the IGBT cannot be detected, and protection of the IGBT is difficult. Isolation of the malfunction is also not easy. Moreover, when one IGBT malfunctions, excessive current could flow through another IGBT. When the malfunction is not detectable, the other IGBT could burn out. Reliability is thus lacking. The power loss of the general inverter can be classified as conduction loss and switching loss (including turn-on losses and turn-off loss). In general, a higher switching frequency of the IGBT has a more desirable output waveform, but the power loss is also greater, and the overall efficiency is lower. For an inverter of a greater capacity, to maintain a high switching frequency to achieve a desired waveform output is difficult. In term of capacity, the safety current of the IGBT must be reduced as the switching frequency increases. Moreover, the dividing current is not equal when the IGBTs are coupled in parallel. Hence the total safety current has to be reduced.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In view of the aforesaid problems, the primary object of the invention is to provide an improved interleaving control type inverter. To achieve the foregoing object, the interleaving control type inverter according to the invention includes a waveform generator to generate a predetermined waveform; a plurality of first signal generators to receive the predetermined waveform and phase voltage to generate a first control signal and a second control signal corresponding to the phase of the phase voltage; a second signal generator to receive the predetermined waveform and generate a first alternating signal and a second alternating signal; a plurality of first multiplexers to receive the first alternating signal and process the first control signal to become a plurality of first control signals; a plurality of second multiplexers to receive the second alternating signal and process the second control signal to become a plurality of second control signals; and a plurality of power transistors that switch according to the first control signals and the second control signals. In one aspect, the interleaving control type inverter according to the invention further includes a digital signal processor (DSP) to generate a first alternating signal; a second alternating signal; a plurality of first control signals corresponding to the phase voltage and a plurality of second control signals corresponding to the phase voltage; a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) to receive the first alternating signal, second alternating signal, first control signal corresponding to the phase voltage and second control signal corresponding to the phase voltage, and separate the first control signals and the second control signals; and a plurality of power transistors that switch according to the first control signals and the second control signals. According to the principle and aspect of the invention, the unbalanced dividing current resulting from different IGBT characteristics may be resolved. According to the principle and aspect of the invention, the abnormal signal of one power transistor or gate driver may be detected easily through the current waveform. When the invention is adopted on a frequency converter of a large AC motor, not only is the switching frequency of each power transistor of the frequency converter reduced, but also an improved waveform output may be achieved. According to the principle and aspect of the invention, the switching loss of the power transistor may be reduced, the overall efficiency increased, the failure rate of the inverter may be reduced and the total reliability increased. According to the principle and aspect of the invention, the parallel capacity may be increased and the cost of the elements reduced. The invention also may be adopted on DC to AC inverters of a constant frequency and voltage, or DC to AC converters of varying voltages and frequencies, or AC to DC converters. The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
20041203
20070403
20060608
65716.0
H02M748
0
RILEY, SHAWN
INTERLEAVING CONTROL TYPE INVERTER
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
H02M
2,004
11,002,177
ACCEPTED
System and method for signaling status of traffic flow
In one general aspect, a method for signaling traffic flow information includes monitoring a status for a traffic restrictor, generating a wireless signal indicative of the status of the traffic restrictor, and communicating the wireless signal to a receiver. In another general aspect, a wireless receiver includes a wireless interface and a processor. The wireless interface receives a wireless signal indicative of a status of a traffic restrictor. The processor determines a portion of a route for a vehicle based upon the status of the traffic restrictor.
1. A method for signaling traffic flow information, comprising: monitoring a status for a traffic restrictor; generating a wireless signal indicative of the status of the traffic restrictor; and communicating the wireless signal to a receiver. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a request to change the status of the traffic restrictor; and changing the status of the traffic restrictor in response to the request. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein: the traffic restrictor is a traffic light; and the status comprises a color for the traffic light associated with a particular direction. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the traffic restrictor is selected from the group consisting of: a weather condition and a road hazard. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises a wireless receiver in a vehicle. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein: the receiver is located at a central station; and the method further comprises relaying the wireless signal from the central station to at least one vehicle. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising encrypting the wireless signal. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a position of the traffic restrictor using a global positioning system (GPS) locator, wherein the status of the traffic restrictor comprises the position. 9. A signaling station, comprising: a processor operable to monitor a status for a traffic restrictor; and a wireless interface operable to generate a wireless signal indicative of the status of the traffic restrictor and to communicate the wireless signal to a receiver. 10. The signaling station of claim 9, wherein: the wireless interface is further operable to receive a request to change the status of the traffic restrictor; and the processor is further operable to change the status of the traffic restrictor in response to the request. 11. The signaling station of claim 9, wherein: the traffic restrictor is a traffic light; and the status comprises a color for the traffic light associated with a particular direction. 12. The signaling station of claim 9, wherein the traffic restrictor is selected from the group consisting of: a weather condition and a road hazard. 13. The signaling station of claim 9, wherein the receiver comprises a wireless receiver in a vehicle. 14. The signaling station of claim 9, wherein: the receiver is located at a central station; and the central station is operable to relay the wireless signal from the central station to at least one vehicle. 15. The signaling station of claim 9, wherein the processor is further operable to encrypt the wireless signal. 16. The signaling station of claim 9, further comprising a global positioning system (GPS) locator operable to determine a position for the traffic restrictor, wherein the status of the traffic restrictor comprises the position. 17. An article comprising a machine-readable medium storing instructions for causing data-processing equipment to perform operations comprising: receiving a wireless signal indicative of a status of a traffic restrictor; and determining at least a portion of a route for a vehicle based upon the status of the traffic restrictor. 18. The article of claim 17, wherein: the step of determining at least the portion of the route comprises determining that a change in the status of the traffic restrictor is required for the route; and the method further comprising communicating a wireless request to change the status of the traffic restrictor. 19. The article of claim 17, wherein: the traffic restrictor is a traffic light; and the status comprises a color for the traffic light associated with a particular direction. 20. The article of claim 17, wherein the traffic restrictor is selected from the group consisting of: a weather condition and a road hazard. 21. The article of claim 17, wherein the instructions are further operable to cause the data-processing equipment to perform the operation of determining a speed and a heading for the vehicle, wherein at least the portion of the route is determined based on the speed and the heading of the vehicle. 22. A wireless receiver, comprising: a wireless interface operable to receive a wireless signal indicative of a status of a traffic restrictor; and a processor operable to determine at least a portion of a route for a vehicle based upon the status of the traffic restrictor. 23. The wireless receiver of claim 22, wherein: the processor is further operable to determine that a change in the status of the traffic restrictor is required for the route; and the wireless interface is further operable to communicate a wireless request to change the status of the traffic restrictor. 24. The wireless receiver of claim 22, wherein: the traffic restrictor is a traffic light; and the status comprises a color for the traffic light associated with a particular direction. 25. The wireless receiver of claim 22, wherein the traffic restrictor is selected from the group consisting of: a weather condition and a road hazard. 26. The wireless receiver of claim 22, further comprising a positioning system operable to determine a position for the vehicle. 27. The wireless receiver of claim 26, wherein: the positioning system is further operable to determine a speed and a heading for the vehicle; and the processor is further operable to determine at least the portion of the route based on the speed and the heading of the vehicle. 28. The wireless receiver of claim 26, wherein the positioning system comprises a global positioning system (GPS) locator.
TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates generally to traffic flow management, and more particularly to a system and method for signaling status of traffic flow. BACKGROUND Vehicle traffic flow may be controlled or impeded by a variety of conditions. For example, traffic lights control the ability of vehicles to move through an intersection. In some cases, how a particular condition affects the traffic flow may depend on a status for the traffic condition. Thus, for example, if a traffic light is red for one direction, traffic flow in that direction is impeded in that direction for a certain period of time. Drivers often become aware of the status of a particular traffic flow device only after viewing the device, which limits the ability of drivers to be aware of traffic conditions and to adjust their routes accordingly. Particularly in the case of emergency vehicles, this can substantially interfere with the ability of vehicles to reach a destination in a timely manner. Also, in conditions of limited visibility, such as rainstorms or fog, these problems can become even more pronounced. SUMMARY This disclosure relates to a system and method for signaling status of traffic flow. Various implementations of such a system or method may help to reduce or eliminate drawbacks associated with drivers being unaware of the status of traffic flow at a particular location. In one general aspect, a method for signaling traffic flow information includes monitoring a status for a traffic restrictor, generating a wireless signal indicative of the status of the traffic restrictor, and communicating the wireless signal to a receiver. In another general aspect, a wireless receiver includes a wireless interface and a processor. The wireless interface receives a wireless signal indicative of a status of a traffic restrictor. The processor determines a portion of a route for a vehicle based upon the status of the traffic restrictor. Certain implementations may include one or more of the following features. Wireless signals may be encrypted. A central station may relay wireless signals from a signaling station to a vehicle. Traffic restrictors may include a traffic light (having a color associated with a particular direction), a weather condition, or a road hazard. Wireless receivers may be located within a vehicle. Positioning systems, such as global positioning system (GPS) locators, may be used to determine positions for traffic restrictors and/or vehicles, and may further be used to determine a vehicle's heading and speed. Methods for determining a route may include steps such as determining that a particular route requires a change in the status of a traffic restrictor and communicating a wireless request for the status change. Methods for signaling traffic flow information may further include receiving a request to change the status of the traffic restrictor and changing the status of the traffic restrictor in response to the request. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 depicts a traffic signaling system that communicates status information for traffic control devices to vehicles; FIG. 2 depicts a wireless receiver used in a vehicle to receive traffic flow information from a traffic signaling system; and FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process for signaling traffic flow information and determining a route using the traffic flow information. DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 illustrates an example implementation of a traffic signaling system 100. The depicted traffic signaling system 100 includes a central station 102 and various signaling stations 104 (e.g., stations 104a, 104b, and 104c). Overall, the system 100 signals the status of traffic flow to emergency vehicles, such as an ambulance 114 and a fire truck 116. The traffic status information may then be used to allow the emergency vehicles 114 and 116 to reach the location of an emergency (illustrated as a destination 118) expeditiously. The central station 102 serves as a coordination point for receiving and broadcasting traffic status information from the signaling stations 104. The central station 102 may also receive communications (such as commands) from vehicles and relay those communications to the signaling stations 104. The central station 102 and the signaling stations 104 communicate with one another and with the emergency vehicles 114 and 116 using any suitable form of wireless communication. Such forms of communication may include radio frequency signals, infrared signals, satellite communication, or any other medium for wireless communication, and they may use any suitable protocol for wireless communication, including such techniques as code-division multiplexing, time-division multiplexing, or numerous other protocols. In particular implementations, wireless signals may be encrypted to restrict access to the system 100, so that only certain vehicles may receive signals from the system 100 and/or transmit messages to the system 100. Also, certain wireless communication connections, such as the connections between the central station 102 and the signaling stations 104, may be replaced with physical connections, such as wireline or optical connections. The signaling stations 104 are each associated with a traffic control device 106. In the depicted implementation, the traffic control devices 106 include two traffic lights 106a and 106b and a drawbridge 106c. Each signaling station 104 also includes a processor 108, a global positioning system (GPS) locator 110, and a wireless interface 112 illustrated as an antenna. The processor 108 may include any hardware and/or software for processing information, including a microprocessor, microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP), or numerous other information-processing components. Although the processors 108 are illustrated as single processors, it should be understood that multiple local and/or remote processors working together are contemplated as well. The GPS locator 110 may include any suitable device for determining the coordinates of the location where the respective signaling station 104 is placed based on signals provided by the network of GPS satellites. The use of a GPS locator 110 is only one example of a technique for specifying the location of the signaling stations 104, but it should be understood that other techniques for determining the location of the signaling stations may be employed as well. For example, the signaling stations 104 or the central station 102.could maintain pre-programmed location information. Signaling stations 104 may be used in a centralized system 100 having a central station 102 that coordinates traffic flow signaling and management, or they may additionally or alternatively communicate directly with emergency vehicles 114 and/or 116. As shown in FIG. 1, the signaling stations 104a and 104b communicate wireless signals 120a and 120b to the central station 102, which then relays the information from the signaling stations in the form of wireless signals 122 to the emergency vehicles 114 and 116. On the other hand, the signaling station 104c associated with the drawbridge 106c communicates its wireless signal 120c directly to the fire truck 116. Similarly, the fire truck 116 is illustrated sending a command 124 to one of the signaling stations 104. Consequently, the described functions of the traffic signaling system 100 may be distributed in a decentralized manner or consolidated within one or more central stations 102, and any descriptions of particular implementations may be modified to accommodate those variations. The traffic flow information may include any manner of useful information related to the control of traffic by the traffic flow devices 106. For example, the signaling station 104c may communicate information about the location of the drawbridge 106c and whether the drawbridge 106c is open or closed. The signaling stations 104a and 104b associated with the traffic lights 106a and 106b may communicate information such as the respective locations of the traffic lights 106a and 106b, the current signal status in a particular direction (red, yellow, green, turn light), the time until the next status change, the status after the next status change, or other similar information. This information may be used by the emergency vehicles 114 and 116 to make determinations about options for routes, about availability to respond to emergencies, about estimated time of arrival at the location of an emergency, and about whether to control traffic flow devices 106 to change status to facilitate the ability of the emergency vehicles 114 and 116 to reach the destination 118. In one example of the operation of the traffic signaling system 100, an emergency response is triggered by a notification that there is an emergency at destination 118. In response to the notification, the ambulance 114 is dispatched from a hospital 114, and the fire truck 116 is dispatched from a fire station 117. The ambulance 114 and the fire truck 116 receive the wireless signals 122 from the central station 102 and from the signaling station 104c that indicate the status of traffic control devices 106. Based on the traffic flow information thus received, the emergency vehicles 114 and 116 may determine availability to respond to an emergency and to select a suitable route to the destination 118. Furthermore, commands may be sent to the traffic flow control devices 106 to control their respective status. Thus, for example, if the fire truck 116 determines that the status of the traffic light 106a will interfere with the fire truck 116 reaching the destination 118 by slowing or stopping the fire truck's progress, then the fire truck 116 may send a command 124 to the signaling station 104a instructing the signaling station 104a to change the status of the traffic light 104a. In other implementations, such requests may be managed and coordinated by the central station 102. Similarly, the ambulance 114 may detect the status change in the traffic light 106a and may take a route that has a traffic flow that is not impeded by the traffic light 106a, so as not to delay the progress of the fire truck 116 to the destination 118. The traffic signaling system 100 may also be used to determine the availability of the emergency vehicles 114 and 116. For example, if the drawbridge 106c had been open and the fire truck 116 was unable to response to the emergency in a timely manner, the information would allow a different emergency vehicle to be summoned from another location to address the emergency. The information provided by the traffic signaling system 100 may also be used on the return path, so that if, for example, traffic flow to the hospital 115 is impeded, the ambulance 114 may travel to a different hospital 115. Although a particular implementation of the traffic signaling system 100 in an emergency response system has been described, it should be understood that the described techniques are readily adaptable to use with all other types of vehicles. For example, non-emergency vehicles may use status information from the traffic signaling system 100 to select more desirable routes based on the status of traffic control devices 106. Also, the status information for impediments to traffic flow need not be limited to traffic control devices 106. The traffic signaling system 100 may also provide information such as weather conditions (examples of which include fog on the roadway or flooded roadways), road hazards (such as wrecks), or other condition potentially adverse to traffic. In general, the traffic signaling system may be adapted to use with any traffic restrictor, where “traffic restrictor” refers to any localized device or condition that may impede traffic depending on a status of the device or condition. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a wireless receiver 200 that receives information from the traffic signaling system 100 and determines a route based on that information. In the depicted embodiment, receiver 200 includes a processor 202, a wireless interface 204, a memory 206, and a positioning system 208. The memory 206 stores an encryption algorithm 210, geographical information 212, and an algorithm 214 for calculating routes (37 route calculator 214”) based on information received from the traffic signaling system 100. The processor 202 may include any hardware and/or software for processing information, including a microprocessor, microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP), or numerous other information-processing components. Although depicted as a single processor 202, the functions performed by the processor 202 may also be distributed among several components. The wireless interface 204 allows the wireless receiver 200 to receive information from the traffic signaling system 100 in any form and using any protocol appropriate to the traffic signaling system 100. The wireless interface 204 may also allow the wireless receiver 200 to transmit signals to the traffic signaling system 100. The memory 206 may be any form of information storage accessible by the processor 202, which may be local, remote, and/or removable. The memory 206 may include a suitable information storage medium, such as magnetic media or optical media, and it may be volatile or non-volatile. The positioning system 208 may be any suitable device for tracking the position of the wireless receiver 200, including but not limited to a GPS locator. The positioning system 208 may also measure characteristics for a vehicle carrying the wireless receiver 200, such as the vehicle's heading and speed, either by direct measurement (e.g., compass readings, speedometer values) or by calculation from position information. The information stored in memory 206 is used by the processor 202 to perform a variety of functions. The encryption algorithm 210 encrypts and/or decrypts messages exchanged with the traffic signaling system 100. Any encryption algorithm suitable for use with the protocol of the traffic signaling system 100, with a public or private key, may be used, and the encryption algorithm 210 may also include authentication or other security measures to allow the wireless receiver 200 to obtain access to the traffic signaling system 100. The geographical information 212 may include any geographical description of the locality around the traffic signaling system 100, such as street maps, speed limits, or any other form of information useful in selecting among various routes using criteria specified by the route calculator 214. The route calculator 214 applies suitable selection and/or optimization routines to select a route using traffic flow information from the traffic signaling system 100, position information from the positioning system 208, and geographical information 212. Selection and/or optimization criteria may include such considerations as determining the shortest route, the quickest route, the route with the fewest traffic restrictors, and the like. The route calculator 214 may also take into account whether the status of traffic control devices 106 can be changed, such as, for example, by sending a wireless command signal to the traffic control device 106. In operation, the wireless receiver 200 receives information from the traffic signaling system 100 in the form of a wireless signal. The wireless interface 204 extracts the information from the wireless signal, and the processor 202 decrypts the information using the encryption algorithm 210. Using geographical information 212 and position information from the positioning system 208, the processor 202 determines at least a portion of a route by applying the route calculator 214, suitably modifying the route based on traffic flow information. If the processor 202 determines that the status of a traffic control device 106 needs to be changed, the processor 202 sends a command to the traffic control device 106 using the wireless interface. In certain implementations, the process of calculating the route can be performed periodically or continuously based on updated traffic flow information, so that a vehicle can be rerouted in real time in response to new conditions, such as changes in the status of a traffic restrictor, decreased vehicle speed, or other factors affecting the route calculations. Various other implementations of the wireless receiver 200 are also possible. For example, the changes of status for traffic control devices 106 may be controlled by the central station 102. In such implementations, wireless receiver 200 may communicate a request for a status change. The central station 102 may elect to change the status of the traffic control device 106 and confirm that the status has been changed in a response to the wireless device 200. Alternatively, the central station 102 may deny the request and instruct the wireless device 200 to determine an alternate route. In another example, the route calculations can be performed at a central station 102, and in such implementations, the route calculator 210 and some or all of the geographical information 208 may be maintained at the central station 102 rather than at the wireless receiver 200. It should be understood that such implementations can be used in the traffic signaling system 100 and the wireless receiver 200. FIG. 3 is a flowchart 300 illustrating a process for signaling traffic flow information and determining a route using the traffic flow information. In particular, steps 302-306 relate to signaling traffic flow information. In certain implementations, signaling stations 104 perform these steps as part of the traffic signaling system 100. The status of their respective traffic restrictors is monitored at step 302. A wireless signal indicative of the status is generated at step 304, and the wireless signal is communicated to a receiver at step 306. In particular implementations, the receiver may be the central station 102, which relays the status information to vehicles, or the receiver may be a wireless receiver 200 associated with a vehicle. Steps 302-306 may be performed continuously and repeatedly, providing a constant source of status information on traffic restrictors. Steps 308-318 describe a receiver receiving the wireless signal and determining a route using the traffic flow information provided in the wireless signal. In particular implementations, the receiver may be the wireless receiver 200 described above. In various implementations, the receiver may receive the wireless signal directly from the signaling station 104 and/or indirectly via the central station 102. The receiver performs the steps of the method as follows. The receiver receives the wireless signal at step 308. Using the traffic flow information received in the wireless signal, the receiver calculates at least a portion of a route at step 310 based on the traffic flow information, along with suitable geographical information 208 and/or position information about the vehicle being routed. If the calculated route involves changing the status of a traffic flow device 106, as shown by decision step 312, then the receiver generates a wireless signal requesting a status change at step 314. The receiver then communicates the signal to the traffic signaling system 100 at step 316. If no status change is required, then no such signal needs to be sent. Once the route is calculated and all appropriate requests for status change have been sent, the receiver may repeat the process from step 308 until the destination 118 is reached by the vehicle, as shown at decision step 318. Obviously, the process described here is merely one example of numerous possible methods for signaling traffic flow information and/or determining a route based on the traffic flow information. Accordingly, many of the steps in this flowchart may take place simultaneously and/or in different orders than as shown. Moreover, processes with additional steps, fewer steps, and/or different steps, so long as the processes are consistent with any of the techniques described or suggested herein. In particular, any method of operation suitable for use with any of the implementations of the traffic signaling system 100 described above may be employed. In one example, the described method may be adapted for use in a decentralized traffic signaling system allowing vehicles to exchange information directly with signaling stations. In another example, particular functions may be performed by a central station 102, so that, for example, the route calculations may be performed at the central station 102 and communicated to the vehicles. The described techniques can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations thereof. Apparatus for carrying out the techniques can be implemented in a software product (e.g., a computer program product) tangibly embodied in a machine-readable storage device for execution by a programmable processor; and processing operations can be performed by a programmable processor executing a program of instructions to perform the described functions by operating on input data and generating output. The techniques can be implemented advantageously in one or more software programs that are executable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a data storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. Each software program can be implemented in a high-level procedural or object-oriented programming language, or in assembly or machine language if desired; and in any case, the language can be a compiled or interpreted language. Suitable processors include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory, a random access memory and/or a machine-readable signal (e.g., a digital signal received through a network connection). Generally, a computer will include one or more mass storage devices for storing data files; such devices include magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-optical disks, and optical disks. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying software program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM (electrically programmable read-only memory), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM disks. Any of the foregoing can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits). To provide for interaction with a user, the techniques can be implemented on a computer system having a display device such as a monitor or LCD (liquid crystal display) screen for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball by which the user can provide input to the computer system or a system which enables input and presents information via voice, symbols, or other means such as a Braille input and output system. The computer system can be programmed to provide a graphical user interface through which computer programs interact with users. With new technologies such as voice input and output, it is not a requirement to have a visual display to implement the described techniques. Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, various functions of the traffic signaling system 100 may be consolidated within the described components or additional components, such as central station 102, or such functions may be distributed differently among described components or additional components. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.
<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>Vehicle traffic flow may be controlled or impeded by a variety of conditions. For example, traffic lights control the ability of vehicles to move through an intersection. In some cases, how a particular condition affects the traffic flow may depend on a status for the traffic condition. Thus, for example, if a traffic light is red for one direction, traffic flow in that direction is impeded in that direction for a certain period of time. Drivers often become aware of the status of a particular traffic flow device only after viewing the device, which limits the ability of drivers to be aware of traffic conditions and to adjust their routes accordingly. Particularly in the case of emergency vehicles, this can substantially interfere with the ability of vehicles to reach a destination in a timely manner. Also, in conditions of limited visibility, such as rainstorms or fog, these problems can become even more pronounced.
<SOH> SUMMARY <EOH>This disclosure relates to a system and method for signaling status of traffic flow. Various implementations of such a system or method may help to reduce or eliminate drawbacks associated with drivers being unaware of the status of traffic flow at a particular location. In one general aspect, a method for signaling traffic flow information includes monitoring a status for a traffic restrictor, generating a wireless signal indicative of the status of the traffic restrictor, and communicating the wireless signal to a receiver. In another general aspect, a wireless receiver includes a wireless interface and a processor. The wireless interface receives a wireless signal indicative of a status of a traffic restrictor. The processor determines a portion of a route for a vehicle based upon the status of the traffic restrictor. Certain implementations may include one or more of the following features. Wireless signals may be encrypted. A central station may relay wireless signals from a signaling station to a vehicle. Traffic restrictors may include a traffic light (having a color associated with a particular direction), a weather condition, or a road hazard. Wireless receivers may be located within a vehicle. Positioning systems, such as global positioning system (GPS) locators, may be used to determine positions for traffic restrictors and/or vehicles, and may further be used to determine a vehicle's heading and speed. Methods for determining a route may include steps such as determining that a particular route requires a change in the status of a traffic restrictor and communicating a wireless request for the status change. Methods for signaling traffic flow information may further include receiving a request to change the status of the traffic restrictor and changing the status of the traffic restrictor in response to the request.
20041202
20080819
20060615
90765.0
G08G1095
0
LABBEES, EDNY
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SIGNALING STATUS OF TRAFFIC FLOW
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
G08G
2,004
11,002,413
ACCEPTED
Method of fabricating vertical structure LEDs
A method of fabricating semiconductor devices, such as GaN LEDs, on insulating substrates, such as sapphire. Semiconductor layers are produced on the insulating substrate using normal semiconductor processing techniques. Trenches that define the boundaries of the individual devices are then formed through the semiconductor layers and into the insulating substrate, beneficially by using inductive coupled plasma reactive ion etching. The trenches are then filled with an easily removed layer. A metal support structure is then formed on the semiconductor layers (such as by plating or by deposition) and the insulating substrate is removed. Electrical contacts, a passivation layer, and metallic pads are then added to the individual devices, and the individual devices are then diced out.
1. A light-emitting device, comprising: a metal layer; a GaN contact layer adjacent the metal layer; a GaN buffer layer; a light-emitting layer disposed between the GaN contact layer and the GaN buffer layer; and an ohmic contact on the GaN buffer layer. 2. The light-emitting device according to claim 1, further including a metallic pad over the ohmic contact. 3. The light-emitting device according to claim 1, further including a passivation layer over surfaces of the GaN contact layer, of the light emitting layer, and of the GaN buffer layer. 4. The light-emitting device according to claim 3, wherein the passivation layer extends over part of the ohmic contact. 5. The light-emitting device according to claim 3, wherein the passivation layer includes a material selected from a group consisting of SiO2 and Si3N4. 6. The light-emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting layer includes Ga. 7. The light-emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the GaN contact layer is doped. 8. The light-emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the metal layer includes a metal selected from a group consisting of Cu, Cr, Ni, Au, Ag, Mo, Pt, Pd, W, and Al. 9. The light-emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the metal layer includes titanium nitride. 10-42. (canceled)
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to semiconductor device fabrication. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of fabricating vertical devices using a metal support layer. 2. Discussion of the Related Art Light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) are well-known semiconductor devices that convert electrical current into light. The color (wavelength) of the light that is emitted by an LED depends on the semiconductor material that is used to fabricate the LED. This is because the wavelength of the emitted light depends on the semiconductor material's band-gap, which represents the energy difference between the material's valence band and conduction band electrons. Gallium-Nitride (GaN) has gained much attention from LED researchers. One reason for this is that GaN can be combined with indium to produce InGaN/GaN semiconductor layers that emit green, blue, and white light. This wavelength control ability enables an LED semiconductor designer to tailor material characteristics to achieve beneficial device characteristics. For example, GaN enables an LED semiconductor designer to produce blue LEDs, which are beneficial in optical recordings, and white LEDs, which can replace incandescent lamps. Because of the foregoing and other advantageous, the market for GaN-based LEDs is rapidly growing. Accordingly, GaN-based opto-electronic device technology has rapidly evolved since their commercial introduction in 1994. Because the efficiency of GaN light emitting diodes has surpassed that of incandescent lighting, and is now comparable with that of fluorescent lighting, the market for GaN based LEDs is expected to continue its rapid growth. Despite the rapid development of GaN device technology, GaN devices are too expensive for many applications. One reason for this is the high cost of manufacturing GaN-based devices, which in turn is related to the difficulties of growing GaN epitaxial layers and of subsequently dicing out completed GaN-based devices. GaN-based devices are typically fabricated on sapphire substrates. This is because sapphire wafers are commercially available in dimensions that are suitable for mass-producing GaN-based devices, because sapphire supports relatively high-quality GaN epitaxial layer growths, and because of the extensive temperature handling capability of sapphire. Typically, GaN-based devices are fabricated on 2″ diameter sapphire wafers that are either 330 or 430 microns thick. Such a diameter enables the fabrication of thousands of individual devices, while the thickness is sufficient to support device fabrication without excessive wafer warping. Furthermore, sapphire is chemically and thermally stable, has a high melting temperature that enables high temperature fabrication processes, has a high bonding energy (122.4 Kcal/mole), and a high dielectric constant. Chemically, sapphires are crystalline aluminum oxide, Al2O3. Fabricating semiconductor devices on sapphire is typically performed by growing an n-GaN epitaxial layer on a sapphire substrate using metal oxide chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) or molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Then, a plurality of individual devices, such as GaN LEDs, is fabricated on the epitaxial layer using normal semiconductor processing techniques. After the individual devices are fabricated they must be diced out (separated) of the sapphire substrate. However, since sapphires are extremely hard, are chemically resistant, and do not have natural cleave angles, sapphire substrates are difficult to dice. Indeed, dicing typically requires that the sapphire substrate be thinned to about 100 microns by mechanical grinding, lapping, and/or polishing. It should be noted that such mechanical steps are time consuming and expensive, and that such steps reduce device yields. Even after thinning sapphires remain difficult to dice. Thus, after thinning and polishing, the sapphire substrate is usually attached to a supporting tape. Then, a diamond saw or stylus forms scribe lines between the individual devices. Such scribing typically requires at least half an hour to process one substrate, adding even more to the manufacturing costs. Additionally, since the scribe lines have to be relatively wide to enable subsequent dicing, the device yields are reduced, adding even more to manufacturing costs. After scribing, the sapphire substrates can be rolled using a rubber roller or struck with a knife-edge to produce stress cracks that can be used to dice out the individual semiconductor devices. Such mechanical handling reduces yields even more. Of note, because sapphire is an insulator the LED device topologies that are available when using sapphire substrates (or other insulating substrates) are, in practice, limited to lateral and vertical topologies. In the lateral topology the metallic electrical contacts that are used to inject electrical current into the LED are both located on upper surfaces (or on the same side of the substrate). In the vertical topology one metallic contact is on an upper surface, the sapphire (insulating) substrate is removed, and the other contact is located on a lower surface. FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a typical lateral GaN-based LED 20 that is fabricated on a sapphire substrate 22. Referring now specifically to FIG. 1A, an n-GaN buffer layer 24 is formed on the substrate 22. A relatively thick n-GaN layer 26 is formed on the buffer layer 24. An active layer 28 having multiple quantum wells of aluminum-indium-gallium-nitride (AlInGaN) or of InGaN/GaN is then formed on the n-type GaN layer 26. A p-GaN layer 30 is then formed on the active layer 26. A transparent conductive layer 32 is then formed on the p-GaN layer 30. The transparent conductive layer 32 may be made of any suitable material, such as Ru/Au, Ni/Au or indium-tin-oxide (ITO). Ap-type electrode 34 is then formed on one side of the transparent conductive layer 32. Suitable p-type electrode materials include Ni/Au, Pd/Au, Pd/Ni and Pt. A pad 36 is then formed on the p-type electrode 34. Beneficially, the pad 36 is Au. The transparent conductive layer 32, the p-GaN layer 30, the active layer 28 and part of the n-GaN layer 26 are etched to form a step. Because of the difficulty of wet etching GaN, a dry etch is usually used. This etching requires additional lithography and stripping processes. Furthermore, plasma damage to the GaN step surface is often sustained during the dry-etch process. The LED 20 is completed by forming an n-electrode pad 38 (usually Au) and a pad 40 on the step. FIG. 1B illustrates a top down view of the LED 20. As can be seen, lateral GaN-based LEDs have a significant draw back in that having both metal contacts (36 and 40) on the same side of the LED significantly reduces the surface area available for light emission. As shown in FIG. 1B the metal contacts 36 and 40 are physically close together. Furthermore, as previously mentioned the pads 36 are often Au. When external wire bonds are attached to the pads 36 and 40, the Au often spreads. Au spreading can bring the electrical contacts even closer together. Such closely spaced electrodes 34 are highly susceptible to ESD damage. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a vertical GaN-based LED 50 that was formed on a sapphire substrate that was subsequently removed. Referring now specifically to FIG. 2A, the LED 50 includes a GaN buffer layer 54 having an n-metal contact 56 on a bottom side, and a relatively thick n-GaN layer 58 on the other. The n-metal contact 56 is beneficially formed from a high reflectively layer that is overlaid by a high conductivity metal, including, for example, Au. An active layer 60 having multiple quantum wells is formed on the n-type GaN layer 58, and a p-GaN layer 62 is formed on the active layer 60. A transparent conductive layer 64 is then formed on the p-GaN layer 62, and a p-type electrode 66 is formed on the transparent conductive layer 64. A pad 68 is formed on the p-type electrode 66. The materials for the various layers are similar to those used in the lateral LED 20. The vertical GaN-based LED 50 as the advantage that etching a step is not required. However, to locate the n-metal contact 56 below the GaN buffer layer 54 the sapphire substrate (not shown) has to be removed. Such removal can be difficult, particularly if device yields are of concern. However, as discussed subsequently, sapphire substrate removal using laser lift off is known. Referring now to FIG. 2B, vertical GaN-based LEDs have the advantage that only one metal contact (68) blocks light. Thus, to provide the same amount of light emission area, lateral GaN-based LEDs must have a larger surface area, which lowers device yields. Furthermore, the -reflecting layer of the n-type contact 56 of vertical GaN-based LEDs reflect light that is otherwise absorbed in lateral GaN-based LEDs. Thus, to emit the same amount of light as a vertical GaN-based LED, a lateral GaN-based LED must have a significantly larger surface area. Because of these issues, a 2″ diameter sapphire wafer can produce about 35,000 vertical GaN-based LEDs, but only about 12,000 lateral GaN-based LEDs. Furthermore, the lateral topology is more vulnerable to static electricity, primarily because the two electrodes (36 and 40) are so close together. Additionally, as the lateral topology is fabricated on an insulating substrate, and as the vertical topology can be attached to a heat sink, the lateral topology has relatively poor thermal dissipation. Thus, in many respects the vertical topology is operationally superior to the lateral topology. However, most GaN-based LEDs fabricated with a lateral topology. This is primarily because of the difficulties of removing the insulating substrate and of handling the GaN wafer structure without a supporting substrate. Despite these problems, removal of an insulation (growth) substrate and subsequent wafer bonding of the resulting GaN-based wafer on a Si substrate using Pd/In metal layers has been demonstrated for very small area wafers, approx. 1 cm by 1 cm. But, substrate removal and subsequent wafer bonding of large area wafers remains very difficult due to inhomogeneous bonding between the GaN wafer and the 2nd (substitutional) substrate. This is mainly due to wafer bowing during and after laser lift off. Thus, it is apparent that a new method of fabricating vertical topology devices would be beneficial. In particular, a method that provides for mechanical stability of semiconductor wafer layers, that enables vertical topology electrical contact formation, and that improves heat dissipation would be highly useful, particularly with devices subject to high electrical currents, such as laser diodes or high-power LEDs. Beneficially, such a method would enable forming multiple semiconductor layers on an insulating substrate, the adding of a top support metal layer that provides for top electrical contacts and for structural stability, and the removal of the insulating substrate. Of particular benefit would be a new method of forming partially fabricated semiconductor devices on a sapphire (or other insulating) substrate, the adding of a top support metal layer over the partially fabricated semiconductor layers, the removal of the sapphire (or other insulating) substrate, the formation of bottom electrical contacts, and the dicing of the top support metal layer to yield a plurality of devices. Specifically advantageous would be fabrication process that produces vertical topology GaN-based LEDs. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The following summary of the invention is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the present invention, and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the invention can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole. The principles of the present invention provide for a method of fabricating semiconductor devices on insulating substrates by first forming semiconductor layers on the insulating substrate, followed by forming a metal layer over the semiconductor layers, followed by removal of the insulating substrate to isolate a structurally supported wafer comprised of the formed semiconductor layers and the metal layer. The metal layer supports the semiconductor layers to prevent warping and/or other damage and provides for electrical contacts. Beneficially, the metal layer includes a metal, such as Cu, Cr, Ni, Au, Ag, Mo, Pt, Pd, W, or Al, or a metal containing material such as titanium nitride. Forming of the metal layer can be performed in numerous ways, for example, by electroplating, by electro-less plating, by CVD, or by sputtering. Subsequently, bottom electrical contacts can be added to the semiconductor layers and then individual semiconductor devices can be diced from the resulting structure. The principles of the present invention further provide for a method of fabricating vertical topology GaN-based devices on an insulating substrate by the use of a metal support film and by the subsequent removal of the insulating substrate. According to that method, semiconductor layers for the GaN-based devices are formed on an insulating (sapphire) substrate using normal semiconductor fabrication techniques. Then, trenches that define the boundaries of the individual devices are formed through the semiconductor layers. Those trenches may also be formed into the insulating substrate. Trench forming is beneficially performed using inductive coupled plasma reactive ion etching (ICPRIE). The trenches are then filled with an easily removed layer (such as a photo-resist). A metal support structure is then formed on the semiconductor layers. Beneficially, the metal support structure includes a metal, such as Cu, Cr, Ni, Au, Ag, Mo, Pt, Pd, W, or Al, or a metal-containing material such as titanium nitride. Forming of the metal support structure can be performed in numerous ways, for example, by electroplating, by electro-less plating, by CVD, or by sputtering. The insulating substrate is then removed, beneficially using a laser-lift off process. Electrical contacts, a passivation layer, and metallic pads are then added to the individual devices, and the individual devices are then diced out. The principles of the present invention specifically provide for a method of fabricating vertical topology GaN-based LEDs on sapphire substrates. According to that method, semiconductor layers for the vertical topology GaN-based LEDs are formed on a sapphire substrate using normal semiconductor fabrication techniques. Then, trenches that define the boundaries of the individual vertical topology GaN-based LEDs are formed through the semiconductor layers. Those trenches may also be formed into the sapphire substrate. Trench forming is beneficially performed using inductive coupled plasma reactive ion etching (ICPRIE). Beneficially, the trenches are fabricated using ICPRIE. The trenches are then beneficially filled with an easily removed layer (such as a photo-resist). A metal support structure is then formed on the semiconductor layers. Beneficially, the metal support structure includes a metal, such as Cu, Cr, Ni, Au, Ag, Mo, Pt, Pd, W, or Al, or a metal-containing material such as titanium nitride. Forming of the metal layer can be performed in numerous ways, for example, by electroplating, by electro-less plating, by CVD, or by sputtering. The sapphire substrate is then removed, beneficially using a laser-lift off process. Electrical contacts, a passivation layer, and metallic pads are then added to the individual LEDs, and the individual LEDs are then diced out. The novel features of the present invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description of the invention or can be learned by practice of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description of the invention and the specific examples presented, while indicating certain embodiments of the present invention, are provided for illustration purposes only because various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art from the detailed description of the invention and claims that follow. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate views and which are incorporated in and form part of the specification, further illustrate the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. In the drawings: FIG. 1A illustrates a sectional view of a typical lateral topology GaN-based LED; FIG. 1B shows a top down view of the GaN-based LED illustrated in FIG. 1A; FIG. 2A illustrates a sectional view of a typical vertical topology GaN-based LED; FIG. 2B shows a top down view of the GaN-based LED illustrated in FIG. 2A; and FIGS. 3-15 illustrate steps of forming a light emitting diode that are in accord with the principles of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS The principles of the present invention provide for methods of fabricating semiconductor devices, such as GaN-based vertical topology LEDs, on insulating substrates, such as sapphire substrates, using metal support films. While those principles are illustrated in a detailed description of a method of fabricating vertical topology GaN-based LEDs on a sapphire substrate, those principles are broader than that illustrated method. Therefore, the principles of the present invention are to be limited only by the appended claims as understood under United. States Patent Laws. FIGS. 3-15 illustrate a method of manufacturing vertical topology GaN-based light emitting diodes (LEDs) on sapphire substrates. Sapphire substrates are readily available in suitable sizes, are thermally, chemically, and mechanically stable, are relatively inexpensive, and support the growth of good quality GaN epitaxial layers. It should be understood that those figures are not to scale. Referring now to FIG. 3, initially a GaN-based LED layer structure is formed on a 330-430 micron-thick, 2″ diameter (0001) sapphire substrate 122. The GaN-based LED layer structure includes an n-GaN buffer layer 124, an InGaN/GaN active layer 126 (beneficially having the proper composition to emit blue light) on the buffer layer 124, and a p-GaN contact layer 128 on the active layer 126. Still referring to FIG. 3, the buffer layer 124 beneficially includes both a 2 μm undoped GaN layer formed directly on the substrate, and a 1 μm thick, n-type, silicon doped, GaN layer. The p-GaN contact layer 128 is beneficially about 0.05 μm thick and is doped with Mg. Overall, the GaN-based LED layer structure is beneficially less than about 5 microns thick. Various standard epitaxial growth techniques, such as vapor phase epitaxy, MOCVD, and MBE, together with suitable dopants and other materials, can be used to produce the GaN-based LED layer structure. Referring now to FIG. 4, trenches 130 are formed through the vertical topology GaN-based LED layer structure. Those trenches 130 may extend into the sapphire substrate 122. The trenches 130 define the individual LED semiconductor structures that will be produced. Each individual LED semiconductor structure is beneficially a square about 200 microns wide. The trenches 130 are beneficially narrower than about 10 microns (preferably close to 1 micron) and extend deeper than about 5 microns into the sapphire substrate 122. The trenches 130 assist a subsequent chip separation process. Because of the hardness of sapphire and GaN, the trenches 130 are beneficially formed in the structure of FIG. 3 using reactive ion etching, preferably inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etching (ICP RIE). Forming trenches using ICP RIE has two main steps: forming scribe lines and etching. Scribe lines are formed on the structure of FIG. 3 using a photo-resist pattern in which areas of the sapphire substrate 122 where the trenches 130 are to be formed are exposed. The exposed areas are the scribe lines, while all other areas are covered by photo-resist. The photo-resist pattern is beneficially fabricated from a relatively hard photo-resist material that withstands intense plasma. For example, the photo-resist could be AZ 9260, while the developer used to develop the photo-resist to form the scribe lines could be AZ MIF 500. In the illustrated example, the photo-resist is beneficially spin coated to a thickness of about 10 microns. However, in general, the photo-resist thickness should be about the same as the thickness of the vertical topology GaN-based LED layer structure plus the etch depth into the sapphire substrate 122. This helps ensure that the photo-resist mask remains intact during etching. Because it is difficult to form a thick photo-resist coating in one step, the photo-resist can be applied in two coats, each about 5 microns thick. The first photo-resist coat is spin coated on and then soft baked, for example, at 90° F. for about 15 minutes. Then, the second photo-resist coat is applied in a similar manner, but is soft baked, for example, at 110° F. for about 8 minutes. The photo-resist coating is then patterned to form the scribe lines. This is beneficially performed using lithographic techniques and development. Development takes a relatively long time because of the thickness of the photo-resist coating. After development, the photo-resist pattern is hard baked, for example, at about 80° F. for about 30 minutes. Then, the hard baked photo-resist is beneficially dipped in a MCB (Metal Chlorobenzene) treatment for about 3.5 minutes. Such dipping further hardens the photo-resist. After the scribe lines are defined, the structure of FIG. 3 is etched. Referring now to FIG. 5, the ICP RIE etch process is performed by placing the structure of FIG. 3 on a bottom electrode 132 in a RIE chamber 134 having an insulating window 136 (beneficially a 1 cm-thick quartz window). The bottom electrode 132 is connected to a bias voltage supply 138 that biases the structure of FIG. 3 to enable etching. The bias voltage supply 138 beneficially supplies 13.56 MHz RF power and a DC-bias voltage. The distance from the insulating window 136 to the bottom electrode 132 is beneficially about 6.5 cm. A gas mixture of Cl2 and BCl3, and possibly Ar, is injected into the RIE chamber 134 through a reactive gas port 140. Furthermore, electrons are injected into the chamber via a port 142. A 2.5-turn or so spiral Cu coil 144 is located above the insulating window 136. Radio frequency (RF) power at 13.56 MHz is applied to the coil 144 from an RF source 146. It should be noted that magnetic fields are produced at right angles to the insulating window 136 by the RF power. Still referring to FIG. 5, electrons present in the electromagnetic field produced by the coil 144 collide with neutral particles of the injected gases, resulting in the formation of ions and neutrals, which produce plasma. Ions in the plasma are accelerated toward the structure of FIG. 3 by the bias voltage applied by the bias voltage supply 138 to the bottom electrode 132. The accelerated ions pass through the scribe lines, forming the etch channels 130. (see FIG. 4). Referring now to FIG. 6, after the trenches 130 are formed, thin p-contacts 150 are formed on the individual LED semiconductor structures of the GaN-based LED layer structure. Those contacts 150 are beneficially comprised of Pt/Au, Pd/Au, Ru/Au, Ni/Au, Cr/Au, or of indium tin oxide (ITO)/Au and are less then 10 nm. Such contacts can be formed using a vacuum evaporator (electron beam, thermal, sputter), followed by thermal annealing at an intermediate temperature (approximately 300-700° C.). As shown in FIG. 7, after the contacts 150 are formed, the trenches 130 are filled with an easily removed material (beneficially a photo-resist) to form posts 154. Referring now to FIG. 8, after the posts 154 are formed, a metal support layer 156 approximately 50 μm is formed over the posts 154 and over the p-contacts 150. The posts 154 prevent the metal that forms the metal support layer 156 from entering into the trenches. The metal support layer 156 is beneficially comprised of a metal having good electrical and thermal conductivity and that is easily formed, such as by electroplating, by electro-less plating, by CVD, or by sputtering. Before electroplating or electro-less plating, it is beneficial to coat the surface with a suitable metal, such as by sputtering. For example, the metal support layer 156 can be Cu, Cr, Ni, Au, Ag, Mo, Pt, Pd, W, or Al. Alternatively, the metal support layer 156 can be comprised of a metal-containing material such as titanium nitride. Turning now to FIG. 9, the sapphire substrate 122 is then removed from the remainder of the structure using light 158 from an eximer layer (having a wavelength less than 350 nanometers), while the sapphire substrate is biased away from the remainder of the structure (such as by use of vacuum chucks). The laser beam 158 passes through the sapphire substrate 122, causing localized heating at the junction of the sapphire substrate 122 and the n-GaN buffer layer 124. That heat decomposes the GaN at the interface of the sapphire substrate, which, together with the bias, causes the sapphire substrate 122 to separate, reference FIG. 10. It is beneficial to hold the other side of the structure with a vacuum chuck during laser lift off. This enable easy application of a separation bias. Laser lift off processes are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,795 to Cheung et al., entitled, “Separation of Thin Films From Transparent Substrates By Selective Optical Processing,” issued on Jun. 6, 2000, and in Kelly et al. “Optical process for liftoff of group III-nitride films”, Physica Status Solidi (a) vol. 159, 1997, pp. R3-R4. Beneficially, the metal support layer 156 fully supports the individual LED semiconductor structures during and after separation of the sapphire substrate. Still referring to FIG. 10, the posts 154 are then removed leaving the trenches 130 behind. Turning now to FIG. 11, the structure of FIG. 10 is inverted. Then, the side opposite the metal support layer 156 is cleaned with HCl to remove Ga droplets (laser beam 158 heating separates GaN into Ga+N). After cleaning, ICP RIE polishing (using Cl2 an/or Cl2+BCl3) is performed to smooth the exposed surface. (which is rough due to the separation of the sapphire substrate). Polishing produces an atomically flat surface of pure n-GaN on the n-GaN buffer layer 124. Turning now to FIG. 12, n-type ohmic contacts 160 are formed on the n-GaN buffer layer 124 using normal semiconductor-processing techniques. Beneficially, the n-type ohmic contacts 160 are comprised of Ti/Al-related materials. Turning now to FIG. 13, to protect the semiconductor layers from subsequent processing, a passivation layer 162 is formed on the n-type ohmic contacts 160 and in the trenches 130. Electrical insulation comprised of SiO2 or Si3N4 are suitable passivation layer materials. Additionally, as shown, the passivation layer 162 is patterned to expose top surface portions of the n-type ohmic contacts 160. Turning now to FIG. 14, after the passivation layer 162 is formed, metal pads 164 are formed on the n-type ohmic contacts 160. As shown in FIG. 14, the metal pads 164 extend over portions of the passivation layer 162. The metal pads 164 are beneficially comprised of Cr and Au. After the metal pads 164 are formed, individual devices can be diced out. Referring now to FIG. 15, dicing is beneficially accomplished using photolithographic techniques to etch through the metal support layer 156 to the bottom of the passivation layer 162 (at the bottom of the trenches 130) and by removal of the passivation layer 162. Alternatively, sawing can be used. In practice, it is probably better to perform sawing at less than about 0° C. The result is a plurality of vertical topology GaN LEDs 199 on conductive substrates. The foregoing has described forming trenches 130 before laser lift off of the sapphire substrate 122. However, this is not required. The sapphire substrate 122 could be removed first, and then trenches 130 can be formed. The embodiments and examples set forth herein are presented to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those skilled in the art to make and utilize the invention. Those skilled in the art, however, will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purpose of illustration and example only. Other variations and modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art, and it is the intent of the appended claims that such variations and modifications be covered. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims. It is contemplated that the use of the present invention can involve components having different characteristics. It is intended that the scope of the present invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to semiconductor device fabrication. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of fabricating vertical devices using a metal support layer. 2. Discussion of the Related Art Light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) are well-known semiconductor devices that convert electrical current into light. The color (wavelength) of the light that is emitted by an LED depends on the semiconductor material that is used to fabricate the LED. This is because the wavelength of the emitted light depends on the semiconductor material's band-gap, which represents the energy difference between the material's valence band and conduction band electrons. Gallium-Nitride (GaN) has gained much attention from LED researchers. One reason for this is that GaN can be combined with indium to produce InGaN/GaN semiconductor layers that emit green, blue, and white light. This wavelength control ability enables an LED semiconductor designer to tailor material characteristics to achieve beneficial device characteristics. For example, GaN enables an LED semiconductor designer to produce blue LEDs, which are beneficial in optical recordings, and white LEDs, which can replace incandescent lamps. Because of the foregoing and other advantageous, the market for GaN-based LEDs is rapidly growing. Accordingly, GaN-based opto-electronic device technology has rapidly evolved since their commercial introduction in 1994. Because the efficiency of GaN light emitting diodes has surpassed that of incandescent lighting, and is now comparable with that of fluorescent lighting, the market for GaN based LEDs is expected to continue its rapid growth. Despite the rapid development of GaN device technology, GaN devices are too expensive for many applications. One reason for this is the high cost of manufacturing GaN-based devices, which in turn is related to the difficulties of growing GaN epitaxial layers and of subsequently dicing out completed GaN-based devices. GaN-based devices are typically fabricated on sapphire substrates. This is because sapphire wafers are commercially available in dimensions that are suitable for mass-producing GaN-based devices, because sapphire supports relatively high-quality GaN epitaxial layer growths, and because of the extensive temperature handling capability of sapphire. Typically, GaN-based devices are fabricated on 2″ diameter sapphire wafers that are either 330 or 430 microns thick. Such a diameter enables the fabrication of thousands of individual devices, while the thickness is sufficient to support device fabrication without excessive wafer warping. Furthermore, sapphire is chemically and thermally stable, has a high melting temperature that enables high temperature fabrication processes, has a high bonding energy (122.4 Kcal/mole), and a high dielectric constant. Chemically, sapphires are crystalline aluminum oxide, Al 2 O 3 . Fabricating semiconductor devices on sapphire is typically performed by growing an n-GaN epitaxial layer on a sapphire substrate using metal oxide chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) or molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Then, a plurality of individual devices, such as GaN LEDs, is fabricated on the epitaxial layer using normal semiconductor processing techniques. After the individual devices are fabricated they must be diced out (separated) of the sapphire substrate. However, since sapphires are extremely hard, are chemically resistant, and do not have natural cleave angles, sapphire substrates are difficult to dice. Indeed, dicing typically requires that the sapphire substrate be thinned to about 100 microns by mechanical grinding, lapping, and/or polishing. It should be noted that such mechanical steps are time consuming and expensive, and that such steps reduce device yields. Even after thinning sapphires remain difficult to dice. Thus, after thinning and polishing, the sapphire substrate is usually attached to a supporting tape. Then, a diamond saw or stylus forms scribe lines between the individual devices. Such scribing typically requires at least half an hour to process one substrate, adding even more to the manufacturing costs. Additionally, since the scribe lines have to be relatively wide to enable subsequent dicing, the device yields are reduced, adding even more to manufacturing costs. After scribing, the sapphire substrates can be rolled using a rubber roller or struck with a knife-edge to produce stress cracks that can be used to dice out the individual semiconductor devices. Such mechanical handling reduces yields even more. Of note, because sapphire is an insulator the LED device topologies that are available when using sapphire substrates (or other insulating substrates) are, in practice, limited to lateral and vertical topologies. In the lateral topology the metallic electrical contacts that are used to inject electrical current into the LED are both located on upper surfaces (or on the same side of the substrate). In the vertical topology one metallic contact is on an upper surface, the sapphire (insulating) substrate is removed, and the other contact is located on a lower surface. FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a typical lateral GaN-based LED 20 that is fabricated on a sapphire substrate 22 . Referring now specifically to FIG. 1A , an n-GaN buffer layer 24 is formed on the substrate 22 . A relatively thick n-GaN layer 26 is formed on the buffer layer 24 . An active layer 28 having multiple quantum wells of aluminum-indium-gallium-nitride (AlInGaN) or of InGaN/GaN is then formed on the n-type GaN layer 26 . A p-GaN layer 30 is then formed on the active layer 26 . A transparent conductive layer 32 is then formed on the p-GaN layer 30 . The transparent conductive layer 32 may be made of any suitable material, such as Ru/Au, Ni/Au or indium-tin-oxide (ITO). Ap-type electrode 34 is then formed on one side of the transparent conductive layer 32 . Suitable p-type electrode materials include Ni/Au, Pd/Au, Pd/Ni and Pt. A pad 36 is then formed on the p-type electrode 34 . Beneficially, the pad 36 is Au. The transparent conductive layer 32 , the p-GaN layer 30 , the active layer 28 and part of the n-GaN layer 26 are etched to form a step. Because of the difficulty of wet etching GaN, a dry etch is usually used. This etching requires additional lithography and stripping processes. Furthermore, plasma damage to the GaN step surface is often sustained during the dry-etch process. The LED 20 is completed by forming an n-electrode pad 38 (usually Au) and a pad 40 on the step. FIG. 1B illustrates a top down view of the LED 20 . As can be seen, lateral GaN-based LEDs have a significant draw back in that having both metal contacts ( 36 and 40 ) on the same side of the LED significantly reduces the surface area available for light emission. As shown in FIG. 1B the metal contacts 36 and 40 are physically close together. Furthermore, as previously mentioned the pads 36 are often Au. When external wire bonds are attached to the pads 36 and 40 , the Au often spreads. Au spreading can bring the electrical contacts even closer together. Such closely spaced electrodes 34 are highly susceptible to ESD damage. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a vertical GaN-based LED 50 that was formed on a sapphire substrate that was subsequently removed. Referring now specifically to FIG. 2A , the LED 50 includes a GaN buffer layer 54 having an n-metal contact 56 on a bottom side, and a relatively thick n-GaN layer 58 on the other. The n-metal contact 56 is beneficially formed from a high reflectively layer that is overlaid by a high conductivity metal, including, for example, Au. An active layer 60 having multiple quantum wells is formed on the n-type GaN layer 58 , and a p-GaN layer 62 is formed on the active layer 60 . A transparent conductive layer 64 is then formed on the p-GaN layer 62 , and a p-type electrode 66 is formed on the transparent conductive layer 64 . A pad 68 is formed on the p-type electrode 66 . The materials for the various layers are similar to those used in the lateral LED 20 . The vertical GaN-based LED 50 as the advantage that etching a step is not required. However, to locate the n-metal contact 56 below the GaN buffer layer 54 the sapphire substrate (not shown) has to be removed. Such removal can be difficult, particularly if device yields are of concern. However, as discussed subsequently, sapphire substrate removal using laser lift off is known. Referring now to FIG. 2B , vertical GaN-based LEDs have the advantage that only one metal contact ( 68 ) blocks light. Thus, to provide the same amount of light emission area, lateral GaN-based LEDs must have a larger surface area, which lowers device yields. Furthermore, the -reflecting layer of the n-type contact 56 of vertical GaN-based LEDs reflect light that is otherwise absorbed in lateral GaN-based LEDs. Thus, to emit the same amount of light as a vertical GaN-based LED, a lateral GaN-based LED must have a significantly larger surface area. Because of these issues, a 2″ diameter sapphire wafer can produce about 35,000 vertical GaN-based LEDs, but only about 12,000 lateral GaN-based LEDs. Furthermore, the lateral topology is more vulnerable to static electricity, primarily because the two electrodes ( 36 and 40 ) are so close together. Additionally, as the lateral topology is fabricated on an insulating substrate, and as the vertical topology can be attached to a heat sink, the lateral topology has relatively poor thermal dissipation. Thus, in many respects the vertical topology is operationally superior to the lateral topology. However, most GaN-based LEDs fabricated with a lateral topology. This is primarily because of the difficulties of removing the insulating substrate and of handling the GaN wafer structure without a supporting substrate. Despite these problems, removal of an insulation (growth) substrate and subsequent wafer bonding of the resulting GaN-based wafer on a Si substrate using Pd/In metal layers has been demonstrated for very small area wafers, approx. 1 cm by 1 cm. But, substrate removal and subsequent wafer bonding of large area wafers remains very difficult due to inhomogeneous bonding between the GaN wafer and the 2 nd (substitutional) substrate. This is mainly due to wafer bowing during and after laser lift off. Thus, it is apparent that a new method of fabricating vertical topology devices would be beneficial. In particular, a method that provides for mechanical stability of semiconductor wafer layers, that enables vertical topology electrical contact formation, and that improves heat dissipation would be highly useful, particularly with devices subject to high electrical currents, such as laser diodes or high-power LEDs. Beneficially, such a method would enable forming multiple semiconductor layers on an insulating substrate, the adding of a top support metal layer that provides for top electrical contacts and for structural stability, and the removal of the insulating substrate. Of particular benefit would be a new method of forming partially fabricated semiconductor devices on a sapphire (or other insulating) substrate, the adding of a top support metal layer over the partially fabricated semiconductor layers, the removal of the sapphire (or other insulating) substrate, the formation of bottom electrical contacts, and the dicing of the top support metal layer to yield a plurality of devices. Specifically advantageous would be fabrication process that produces vertical topology GaN-based LEDs.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The following summary of the invention is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the present invention, and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the invention can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole. The principles of the present invention provide for a method of fabricating semiconductor devices on insulating substrates by first forming semiconductor layers on the insulating substrate, followed by forming a metal layer over the semiconductor layers, followed by removal of the insulating substrate to isolate a structurally supported wafer comprised of the formed semiconductor layers and the metal layer. The metal layer supports the semiconductor layers to prevent warping and/or other damage and provides for electrical contacts. Beneficially, the metal layer includes a metal, such as Cu, Cr, Ni, Au, Ag, Mo, Pt, Pd, W, or Al, or a metal containing material such as titanium nitride. Forming of the metal layer can be performed in numerous ways, for example, by electroplating, by electro-less plating, by CVD, or by sputtering. Subsequently, bottom electrical contacts can be added to the semiconductor layers and then individual semiconductor devices can be diced from the resulting structure. The principles of the present invention further provide for a method of fabricating vertical topology GaN-based devices on an insulating substrate by the use of a metal support film and by the subsequent removal of the insulating substrate. According to that method, semiconductor layers for the GaN-based devices are formed on an insulating (sapphire) substrate using normal semiconductor fabrication techniques. Then, trenches that define the boundaries of the individual devices are formed through the semiconductor layers. Those trenches may also be formed into the insulating substrate. Trench forming is beneficially performed using inductive coupled plasma reactive ion etching (ICPRIE). The trenches are then filled with an easily removed layer (such as a photo-resist). A metal support structure is then formed on the semiconductor layers. Beneficially, the metal support structure includes a metal, such as Cu, Cr, Ni, Au, Ag, Mo, Pt, Pd, W, or Al, or a metal-containing material such as titanium nitride. Forming of the metal support structure can be performed in numerous ways, for example, by electroplating, by electro-less plating, by CVD, or by sputtering. The insulating substrate is then removed, beneficially using a laser-lift off process. Electrical contacts, a passivation layer, and metallic pads are then added to the individual devices, and the individual devices are then diced out. The principles of the present invention specifically provide for a method of fabricating vertical topology GaN-based LEDs on sapphire substrates. According to that method, semiconductor layers for the vertical topology GaN-based LEDs are formed on a sapphire substrate using normal semiconductor fabrication techniques. Then, trenches that define the boundaries of the individual vertical topology GaN-based LEDs are formed through the semiconductor layers. Those trenches may also be formed into the sapphire substrate. Trench forming is beneficially performed using inductive coupled plasma reactive ion etching (ICPRIE). Beneficially, the trenches are fabricated using ICPRIE. The trenches are then beneficially filled with an easily removed layer (such as a photo-resist). A metal support structure is then formed on the semiconductor layers. Beneficially, the metal support structure includes a metal, such as Cu, Cr, Ni, Au, Ag, Mo, Pt, Pd, W, or Al, or a metal-containing material such as titanium nitride. Forming of the metal layer can be performed in numerous ways, for example, by electroplating, by electro-less plating, by CVD, or by sputtering. The sapphire substrate is then removed, beneficially using a laser-lift off process. Electrical contacts, a passivation layer, and metallic pads are then added to the individual LEDs, and the individual LEDs are then diced out. The novel features of the present invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description of the invention or can be learned by practice of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description of the invention and the specific examples presented, while indicating certain embodiments of the present invention, are provided for illustration purposes only because various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art from the detailed description of the invention and claims that follow.
20041203
20090804
20050512
79459.0
2
MANDALA, VICTOR A
METHOD OF FABRICATING VERTICAL STRUCTURE LEDS
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,002,475
ACCEPTED
XNM - an interface for a network management system
A method for executing commands in a telecommunications system including one or more service modules is provided. The method comprises: providing an interface configured to receive commands for services from a client, the interface configured to process commands in a generic syntax; receiving a command specifying a service from the client at the interface, the command in a first language and following the generic syntax understandable by the interface; parsing the command to determine the service; determining if the service is supported by a service module in the one or more modules; and if the service is supported, sending a command for the service in a second language to the service module.
1. A method for executing commands in a telecommunications system including one or more service modules, the method comprising: providing an interface configured to receive commands for services from a client, the interface configured to process commands in a generic syntax; receiving a command specifying a service from the client at the interface, the command in a first language and following the generic syntax understandable by the interface; parsing the command to determine the service; determining if the service is supported by a service module in the one or more modules; and if the service is supported, sending a command for the service in a second language to the service module. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising changing a service in the one or more service modules 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the interface does not have knowledge of the change in the service. 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising: receiving a command for the changed service at the interface from the client; parsing the command to determine the changed service; determining if the changed service is supported by a service module in the one or more modules; and if the changed service is supported, sending a command for the changed service in a second language to the service module. 5. The method of claim 2, further comprising publishing a name for the changed service to the client, wherein the client can use the name to send the command to the interface. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the published name is included in a text file. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the client does not include a library associated with the one or more service modules. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more service modules are configured to perform services for network elements in the telecommunications system. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first language comprises XML. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the second language comprises a language specific to the telecommunications system. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the command comprises one or more descriptors, the descriptors describing the service. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the descriptors comprise a protocol descriptor that indicates a protocol that the interface should use to send the command. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the descriptors comprise a service descriptor indicating a service to be performed by the one or more service modules. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the descriptors comprise a method descriptor indicating a method of the service to be performed by one or more service modules. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the descriptors comprise a parameter descriptor indicating one or more parameters to specify with the method. 16. A method for processing commands in a telecommunications system including one or more service modules, the method comprising: providing a mapping file including descriptors for services offered in the one or more service modules; receiving a command for a service in a first language, the command using the descriptors for the service found in the mapping file; parsing the command to determine the descriptors; determining, when the command is received, if the service is supported by the one or more service modules; and if the service is supported, generating a command in a second language for the service using the descriptors. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the mapping file comprises a text file. 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising changing a service in the one or more service modules. 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing descriptors in the mapping file for the changed service. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the interface does not have knowledge of the change in the service. 21. The method of claim 18, further comprising: receiving a command for the changed service at the interface from the client, the command including the descriptors for the changed service; parsing the command to determine the descriptors for the changed service; determining if the changed service is supported by a module in the one or more modules; and if the changed service is supported, sending a command for the changed service in a second language to the module using the descriptors. 22. The method of claim 16, wherein the descriptors comprise a protocol descriptor that indicates a protocol that the interface should use to send the command. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the descriptors comprise a service descriptor indicating a service to be performed by the one or more service modules. 24. The method of claim 22, wherein the descriptors comprise a method descriptor indicating a method of the service to perform by the one or more service modules. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the descriptors comprise a parameter descriptor indicating one or more parameters to specify with the method. 26. An interface for processing commands for a telecommunications system, the interface comprising: logic configured to receive commands for services from a client, the interface configured to process commands in a generic syntax; logic configured to receive a command specifying a service from the client at the interface, the command in a first language and following the generic syntax understandable by the interface; logic configured to parse the command to determine the service; logic configured to determine if the service is supported by a service module in the one or more modules; and if the service is supported, logic configured to send a command for the service in a second language to the service module. 27. The interface of claim 26, further comprising logic to change a service in the one or more service modules 28. The interface of claim 27, wherein the interface does not have knowledge of the change in the service. 29. The interface of claim 27, further comprising: logic to receive a command for the changed service at the interface from the client; logic to parse the command to determine the changed service; logic to determine if the changed service is supported by a service module in the one or more modules; and if the changed service is supported, logic to send a command for the changed service in a second language to the service module. 30. The interface of claim 27, further comprising logic to publish a name for the changed service to the client, wherein the client can use the name to send the command to the interface. 31. The interface of claim 30, wherein the published name is included in a text file. 32. The interface of claim 26, wherein the client does not include a library associated with the one or more service modules. 33. The interface of claim 26, wherein the one or more service modules are configured to perform services for network elements in the telecommunications system. 34. The interface of claim 26, wherein the first language comprises XML. 35. The interface of claim 26, wherein the second language comprises a language specific to the telecommunications system. 36. The interface of claim 26, wherein the command comprises one or more descriptors, the descriptors describing the service. 37. The interface of claim 36, wherein the descriptors comprise a protocol descriptor that indicates a protocol that the interface should use to send the command. 38. The interface of claim 37, wherein the descriptors comprise a service descriptor indicating a service to be performed by the one or more service modules. 39. The interface of claim 37, wherein the descriptors comprise a method descriptor indicating a method of the service to be performed by one or more service modules. 40. The interface of claim 39, wherein the descriptors comprise a parameter descriptor indicating one or more parameters to specify with the method. 41. An interface for processing commands in a telecommunications system including one or more service modules, the interface comprising: logic to provide a mapping file including descriptors for services offered in the one or more service modules; logic to receive a command for a service in a first language, the command using the descriptors for the service found in the mapping file; logic to parse the command to determine the descriptors; logic to determine, when the command is received, if the service is supported by the one or more service modules; and if the service is supported, logic to generate a command in a second language for the service using the descriptors. 42. The interface of claim 41, wherein the mapping file comprises a text file. 43. The interface of claim 41, further comprising logic to change a service in the one or more service modules. 44. The interface of claim 43, further comprising logic to provide descriptors in the mapping file for the changed service. 45. The interface of claim 43, wherein the interface does not have knowledge of the change in the service. 46. The interface of claim 43, further comprising: logic to receive a command for the changed service at the interface from the client, the command including the descriptors for the changed service; logic to parse the command to determine the descriptors for the changed service; logic to determine if the changed service is supported by a module in the one or more modules; and if the changed service is supported, logic to send a command for the changed service in a second language to the module using the descriptors. 47. The interface of claim 41, wherein the descriptors comprise a protocol descriptor that indicates a protocol that the interface should use to send the command. 48. The interface of claim 47, wherein the descriptors comprise a service descriptor indicating a service to be performed by the one or more service modules. 49. The interface of claim 47, wherein the descriptors comprise a method descriptor indicating a method of the service to perform by the one or more service modules. 50. The interface of claim 49, wherein the descriptors comprise a parameter descriptor indicating one or more parameters to specify with the method.
COPYRIGHT A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material, which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the xerographic reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to telecommunications and more specifically to an interface that allows a client to communicate with a telecommunications device. A telecommunications system is configured to perform services based on requests from a client. Typically, the telecommunications system requires that a command sent from a client be sent in a specialized language specific to the telecommunications system. This language is typically not widely known and sometimes complicated and hard to understand. Thus, users with specialized knowledge of the language are required in order to communicate and request services to be performed on the telecommunications system. In order to communicate with the telecommunications system, specialized interfaces configured to send commands to the telecommunications systems are required at a client requesting the service. These interfaces include libraries that are installed at the client side. Libraries are a collection of pre-compiled, reusable programming routines that a user can call when creating commands for the telecommunications system. These libraries are needed in order for the client to have commands executed by the telecommunications system. The above system includes many disadvantages. For example, if the services provided by the telecommunications system are changed, then the libraries at the client side also need to be changed. For example, if a new service is added to the telecommunications system, a new routine needs to be added at the client side library in order for the client to be able to request that service. Thus, as services are changed or added in telecommunication systems, corresponding changes to the routines in all client side libraries also need to be changed. Accordingly, each client that is communicating with the telecommunications system needs to have their libraries changed when services are changed or added. This may be very time consuming and inconvenient. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to an interface for a telecommunications system. In one embodiment, a method for executing commands in a telecommunications system including one or more service modules is provided. The method comprises: providing an interface configured to receive commands for services from a client, the interface configured to process commands in a generic syntax; receiving a command specifying a service from the client at the interface, the command in a first language and following the generic syntax understandable by the interface; parsing the command to determine the service; determining if the service is supported by a service module in the one or more modules; and if the service is supported, sending a command for the service in a second language to the service module. In another embodiment, a method for processing commands in a telecommunications system including one or more service modules is provided. The method comprises: providing a mapping file including descriptors for services offered in the one or more service modules; receiving a command for a service in a first language, the command using the descriptors for the service found in the mapping file; parsing the command to determine the descriptors; determining, when the command is received, if the service is supported by the one or more service modules; and if the service is supported, generating a command in a second language for the service using the descriptors. A further understanding of the nature and the advantages of the inventions disclosed herein may be realized by reference of the remaining portions of the specification and the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 depicts a system for providing an interface to a network management system. FIG. 2 depicts a simplified flowchart of a method for processing commands from a client 106 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 depicts a simplified flowchart of a method for generating a command in a second language according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 depicts a simplified flowchart of a method for processing requests when services are changed in service modules according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 depicts a system 100 for providing an interface to a network management system 102. System 100 includes network management system 102, an interface 104, and one or more clients 106. Network management system 102 is configured to manage network elements of a telecommunication system. For example, network elements include broadband service creation platforms that provide ATM, IP, BRAS functionality and narrowband systems. Although network management system 102 is described, it will be understood that network management system 102 may be any system that is configured to receive commands to perform services in a specific language. For example, billing systems, information management systems, etc. may be used. Network management system 102 includes one or more service modules 108. Service modules 108 are configured to perform services. A service may be any kind of action that is performed by network management system 102. For example, service modules 108 may provide fault management services, configuration services, performance services, security services, and other network management services. Service modules 108 may include methods or objects that are used to perform services. A method may be modules of software code that are configured to perform a specific service. In one example, a service module 108 may be fault management and a method within the service may be “get all faults”. The get all faults method may retrieve all faults that are associated with certain network elements. Also, the get all faults method may require different parameters. For example, parameters may indicate faults or network elements for which to get the faults. Interface 104 is configured to communicate commands received from client 106 to network management system 102. In order to invoke services provided by service modules 108, commands should be sent to network management system 102 in a first language. The first language may be specific to network management system 102. For example, the language remote method invocation (RMI) may be used to write services modules 108. This language may not be widely known to users of clients 104. Accordingly, interface 104 is provided to receive commands in a second language different from the first language. The second language is typically well known to users and compatible with most clients 106. Client 106 may be any computing device configured to communicate with interface 104. For example, client 106 may be a personal computer, workstation, etc. Client 106 may be connected through a network, such as the Internet, to interface 104. For example, communications may be sent using hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), etc. Conventionally, client 106 required client side libraries in order to request services from network management system 102. However, using interface 104, client 106 can have services executed by network management system 104 without using client side libraries. Also, client 106 may send service commands in a language other than the first language specific to network management system 102. In one embodiment, as mentioned above, client 106 does not include client side libraries. The libraries are typically called by commands sent by client 106 and required to communicate commands to network management system 102. However, client 106 is configured to send commands to interface 104 in a second language that is different from the first language. In one embodiment, the second language is a generic language that allows many different clients 106 to communicate with interface 104. For example, an extensible markup language (XML) over hypertext transfer protocol may be used to send commands to interface 104. A person skilled in the art will appreciate other languages that may be used, such as hypertext transfer markup language (HTML), etc. By understanding a generic language, a standardized and flexible interface 104 that is compatible with many different computing devices is provided. A mapping file may be used to generate commands to send to interface 104. For example, the mapping file lists commands that can be used. The commands are in the form of a general syntax that may be used when sending the commands. The general syntax allows interface 104 to capture command information in a text form, i.e., xml form. In one embodiment, the general syntax follows a data type definition (DTD) model to define all valid syntax. The definition is a collection of declarations that, as a collection, defines valid structure, elements, and attributes that are available for use in a command specification that complies with the general syntax. The general syntax enables interface 104 to parse all commands uniformly. For example, if two commands are requesting two different methods, interface 104 can parse the commands to determine the name of the methods. Interface 104 does not have to recognize what the method is but just can parse the command to determine the names of both methods. Accordingly, different names of methods may be included in commands in the same general syntax and can be parsed by interface 104. A user can refer to the mapping file in order to generate commands in the form of the second language. A file including the commands may then be sent to interface 104. In one embodiment, libraries at the client side are not necessary in order to send commands to interface 104. FIG. 2 depicts a simplified flowchart 200 of a method for processing commands from a client 106 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, it is assumed that a network management system 102 is configured to process commands in a first language. In step 202, a command in a second language is received from client 106. The command may specify a service that is desired. The second language may be a language that is generally known, such as XML, HTTP. Also, in one embodiment, the second language is different from the first language. The command may include descriptors. The descriptors are used by interface 104 to determine a command in the first language to send to modules 108. In one embodiment, the descriptors specify a protocol, service, method, and parameters, and will be described in more detail below. In step 204, interface 104 determines if the service is available in one or more service modules 108. In one embodiment, interface 104 sends an RMI command to modules 108. Interface 104 may not understand exactly what the service the command is requesting, however, interface 104 can parse a command to determine the above descriptors. The descriptors are then used to generate a command for modules 108. In determining if the service is available, interface 104 determines a protocol to use from the protocol descriptor. Then, a service requested is determined from the service descriptor. Interface 104 generates a command in the protocol that asks if modules 108 support the service requested in the service descriptor. In one embodiment, an RMI command is sent in which one or more service modules 108 can respond indicating whether or not a service is available. In step 206, if a service is not available, the process ends. In one embodiment, interface 104 may send a message to client 106 indicating that the service requested is not available. In step 208, if the service is available, a command is sent to a service module 108 for execution. The command may be sent in a first language that is supported by network management system 102. For example, the command may be in a language or protocol specified by the protocol descriptor. Also, the command may be a method call that takes parameters specified by the command. Modules 108 can then execute the command. In executing the command, modules 108 may call a library that is related to the method. The execution of the command happens within the context of service module 108, which makes the execution transparent to whole system 102 as if it was invoked by one of its service modules. Accordingly, the command received in step 202 is in a generic format and the method call in addition to the parameters may be parsed out and created in a command that is sent to service module 108 in the applicable protocol. FIG. 3 depicts a simplified flowchart 300 of a method for generating a command in the first language specific to network management system 102 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In step 302, a command received from client 106 is parsed to determine descriptors. As mentioned above, descriptors may include any information. For example, a protocol, service, method, and content descriptors may be specified. A protocol descriptor specifies a protocol to be used to look up the service. For example, any available remote technology that supports run time type information or reflection of objects at run time may be used. Run time type information or reflection of objects at run time is used to determine if an object is available when a command is received. Thus, at run time, interface 104 can determine if a service is available. A service descriptor specifies a service to be looked up for the operation. The services may be grouped in categories. For example, categories may be faults, performance, configuration, security, and other services. The method descriptor specifies the operation to be invoked within the service. For example, the method descriptor may be an object to be called for the service. The content descriptor specifies any parameters for the method descriptor that should be used in a command for modules 108. For example, the parameters may be which network elements the method should be called for. In step 304, the descriptors are used to determine if a service is supported. For example, a request is sent in the protocol specified by the protocol descriptor asking if the service specified by the service descriptor is supported by service modules 108. The response to the request indicates whether or not the service is supported or not. For example, if a fault service is specified, service modules 108 receive the command and determine if fault service is available. In step 306, if the service is available, a command is generated in a second language using the descriptors. For example, the method descriptor is used to generate a command for the method specified. Also, any parameters specified by the parameter descriptor may be used in generating the command. For example, a service of “get all faults” method for a specific network element is generated as a command in the first language. The command received in the second language is in a generic syntax that is understood by interface 104. Interface 104 may generate the command in the first language by parsing certain descriptors from the command. Accordingly, because the generic syntax is used, interface 104 does not need knowledge of any libraries or objects that are required to run the service. By being configured to send commands that are formed from descriptors received in a first command, interface 104 is able to handle any commands received from interface 106. The coordination of the syntax of commands that are supported by modules 108 is provided to a user or application in a mapping file. A user or application can then generate commands using the syntax of commands in the mapping file. Commands in the correct syntax can be interpreted by interface 104, which can then generate commands in the first language for modules 108. FIG. 4 depicts a simplified flowchart 400 of a method for processing requests when services are changed in service modules 108 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In step 402, a service module 108 may be changed. For example, services may be added or existing services may be updated in a service module 108. Service module 108 may be changed by changing or adding a method. In step 402, a name of a method for invoking the service changed or updated in step 402 is determined. For example, an administrator may determine a name that should be used to invoke the method. For example, a method call may be determined. In step 406, the name is published to a client 106. For example, a text file may be sent to a user of client 106. The user may then use the general syntax of the name in order to invoke the service. Libraries do not need to be installed or changed in order for client 106 to request the new service. The name that is published includes the name of the service, name of the method, and possible parameters. The name is a general syntax that should be used if the service is requested. In one embodiment, libraries are not published to client 106. Accordingly, when a change to a service module 108 is made, interface 104 and client 106 may not need to be changed (e.g., they do not need new libraries installed). Rather, a text file with the name of the command to be used is published. In step 408, a request is received from client 106. The request may be in the general syntax of the command that is published to the client 106. Because the general syntax is used, interface 104 understands the general syntax and can parse the command in order to determine if the service is supported. If the service is supported, then the service can be requested. In step 410, steps 202-208 are then performed as described in FIG. 2 in order to request a service. Accordingly, changes are not needed at interface 104 when services are changed or updated. Because a generic syntax is used to send commands for various services from client 106, interface 104 needs to know how to parse commands received in the second language from client 106. If the new services are supported by service modules 108, interface 104 communicates with service modules 108 in order to determine if the services are supported. If they are, then interface 104 can then send the command in the first language for the service as requested from the command received from client 106. Also, services may be changed in service modules 108 without having to change client 106. The name or general syntax for a command of the service that has changed is published to client 106. Accordingly, a user sending commands to interface 104 needs to know the name of the command, but client 106 does not need any other information. Thus, any client 106 may be used to generate an XML file with the names of the commands that are published. Using system 100, the following command in the second language may be sent from client 106. In one embodiment, the following command may be used by an operational support system (OSS) application (which manages a specific portion of a network) of an element/network management system 102 via interface 104. The command may be used to create/provision ATM traffic descriptors to be used in ATM channels. In one embodiment, the following command is written in an XML language. XML is a human-readable off the shelf language in which XML programs may be created using parsers that are generally available. Thus, users may write scripts or web interfaces to invoke a service using any client 106. Section I discloses an example of an XML command for the above service. Service descriptor <serviceName>Profile</serviceName> Method descriptor: <methodName>provisionProfile</methodName> Parameter descriptor: <params> <paramValue xsi:type=“java:MapWrapper”> <entry> <key>type</key> <value>TrafficDescriptor</value> </entry> <entry> <key>creationTime</key> <value xsi:type=“java.lang.Long”>1065633669483< /value> </entry> <entry> <key>atmTrafficDescrParamIndex</key> <value xsi:type=“java.lang.Integer”>23</value> </entry> <entry> <key>atmTrafficDescrParam1</key> <value xsi:type=“java.lang.Integer”>100</value> </entry> . . . <entry> <key>atmTrafficDescrParam5</key> <value xsi:type=“java.lang.Integer”>0</value> </entry> <entry> <key>atmServiceCategory</key> <value xsi:type=“java.lang.Integer”>3</value> </entry> </paramValue> <paramType> <type>ProfileDetails/type> <exactType></exactType> </paramType> </params> The service descriptor section specifies the service module to look for within system 102. In this case, it is a Profile service. The method descriptor section specifies the method to be executed on the above specified service. In this case, it is a provisioning of an ATM Traffic descriptor method. The parameter descriptor section captures parameters related information needed at the time of execution of above specified method. Within parameter descriptor, each parameter of a method call is captured in its params block. The param block contains information related to the parameter type and its contents. As network equipment in a network changes or new parameters or services get introduced for a managed object, new services may be added or changed. The changed or new services may be added to a client request without affecting client 106 or interface 104. Also, an application may automatically add the commands for the new services if users do not want to configure newly introduced or updated services to pre-existing code. For example, the text of an XML file including commands may be modified to reflect upgrades to services in service modules 108. For example, if a new attribute “ATM Traffic Frame Discard” is introduced for the creation of traffic descriptors, then clients 104 may add the following entry for this update: <entry> <key>atmTrafficFrameDiscard</key> <value xsi:type=“java.lang.Boolean”>true</va1ue> </entry> . . . </paramValue> </paramType> The above entry is needed in order to invoke the newly added service. No changes to interface 104 and client 106 are thus processed. The name “ATM Traffic Frame Discard” is published to a user of client 106. The command may be generated using a generic syntax that should be followed when sending commands from client 106 interface 104. Embodiments of the present invention provide many advantages. For example, services may be frequently added or changed in a network element management system 102. When these services are added or changed, changes to interface 104 and client 106 may not be necessary. Rather, the name of a command that should be used by client 106 is published. A user of client 106 may then use this name in order to request the service in a command using a generic syntax. Accordingly, new services may be easily added to service modules 108 without changing interface 104 or client 106. The present invention can be implemented in the form of control logic in software or hardware or a combination of both. The logic may be stored on an information storage medium as a plurality of instructions adapted to direct an information processing device to perform a set of steps disclosed by embodiments of the present invention. Based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate other ways and/or methods to implement the present invention. The above description is illustrative but not restrictive. Many variations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the disclosure. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the pending claims along with their full scope or equivalents.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention generally relates to telecommunications and more specifically to an interface that allows a client to communicate with a telecommunications device. A telecommunications system is configured to perform services based on requests from a client. Typically, the telecommunications system requires that a command sent from a client be sent in a specialized language specific to the telecommunications system. This language is typically not widely known and sometimes complicated and hard to understand. Thus, users with specialized knowledge of the language are required in order to communicate and request services to be performed on the telecommunications system. In order to communicate with the telecommunications system, specialized interfaces configured to send commands to the telecommunications systems are required at a client requesting the service. These interfaces include libraries that are installed at the client side. Libraries are a collection of pre-compiled, reusable programming routines that a user can call when creating commands for the telecommunications system. These libraries are needed in order for the client to have commands executed by the telecommunications system. The above system includes many disadvantages. For example, if the services provided by the telecommunications system are changed, then the libraries at the client side also need to be changed. For example, if a new service is added to the telecommunications system, a new routine needs to be added at the client side library in order for the client to be able to request that service. Thus, as services are changed or added in telecommunication systems, corresponding changes to the routines in all client side libraries also need to be changed. Accordingly, each client that is communicating with the telecommunications system needs to have their libraries changed when services are changed or added. This may be very time consuming and inconvenient.
<SOH> BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention generally relates to an interface for a telecommunications system. In one embodiment, a method for executing commands in a telecommunications system including one or more service modules is provided. The method comprises: providing an interface configured to receive commands for services from a client, the interface configured to process commands in a generic syntax; receiving a command specifying a service from the client at the interface, the command in a first language and following the generic syntax understandable by the interface; parsing the command to determine the service; determining if the service is supported by a service module in the one or more modules; and if the service is supported, sending a command for the service in a second language to the service module. In another embodiment, a method for processing commands in a telecommunications system including one or more service modules is provided. The method comprises: providing a mapping file including descriptors for services offered in the one or more service modules; receiving a command for a service in a first language, the command using the descriptors for the service found in the mapping file; parsing the command to determine the descriptors; determining, when the command is received, if the service is supported by the one or more service modules; and if the service is supported, generating a command in a second language for the service using the descriptors. A further understanding of the nature and the advantages of the inventions disclosed herein may be realized by reference of the remaining portions of the specification and the attached drawings.
20041201
20100420
20060601
57304.0
G06F1730
1
HU, JINSONG
XNM - AN INTERFACE FOR A NETWORK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
G06F
2,004
11,002,573
ACCEPTED
Surgical tools facilitating increased accuracy, speed and simplicity in performing joint arthroplasty
Disclosed herein are tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty.
1. A tool comprising: a mold having a surface for engaging a joint surface; a block that communicates with the mold; and at least one guide aperture in the block. 2. The tool of claim 1 wherein the mold and the block are integrally formed. 3. The tool of claim 1 wherein the mold is formed to conform to the joint surface on at least one surface. 4. The tool of claim 1 wherein the mold has at least one aperture positioned below the at least one guide aperture in the block. 5. The tool of claim 1 wherein the mold and the block have a plurality of apertures therein. 6. The tool of claim 5 wherein a first aperture of a plurality of apertures is configured at an angle to a second aperture of a plurality of apertures. 7. The tool of claim 5 wherein the mold has at least one stabilizer on the surface that engages the joint surface. 8. The tool of claim 7 wherein the stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of pin, peg, post, and nub. 9. The tool of claim 1 wherein a surface of the mold that communicates with a surface of the block is configured to prevent at least one movement selected from the group consisting of axial, lateral and rotational. 10. The tool of claim 9 wherein the surface of the block that engages the mold is at least one of convex or concave. 11. The tool of claim 9 wherein the surface of the mold that engages the block is at least one of convex or concave. 12. The tool of claim 9 wherein the surface of at least one of the mold and block has an aperture for receiving at least one of a pin, post and peg located on a surface of the mold. 13. The tool of claim 12 wherein the aperture forms a groove providing rotational movement. 14. The tool of claim 12 wherein the mold is selected from a library of molds. 15. The tool of claim 11 wherein the mold is patient specific. 16. The tool of claim 11 wherein at least one of the mold and block has a reaming aperture. 17. The tool of claim 11 further comprising spacers. 18. The tool of claim 11 wherein block engages the mold in a snap fit. 19. The tool of claim 11 configured to be used in at least one of hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow and wrist. 20. The tool of claim 11 configured to be used in a joint in the body. 21. A tool formed at least partially in situ comprising: a mold formed in situ using at least one of an inflatable hollow device or a retaining device to conform to the joint surface on at least one surface having a surface for engaging a joint surface; a block that communicates with the mold; and at least one guide aperture in the block. 22. The tool of claim 21 wherein the mold has at least one aperture positioned below the at least one guide aperture in the block. 23. The tool of claim 21 wherein the mold and the block have a plurality of guide apertures therein. 24. The tool of claim 23 wherein a first aperture of a plurality of guide apertures is configured at an angle to a second aperture of a plurality of guide apertures. 25. The tool of claim 23 wherein the mold has at least one stabilizer on the surface that engages the joint surface. 26. The tool of claim 25 wherein the stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of pin, peg, post, and nub. 27. The tool of claim 21 wherein a surface of the mold that communicates with a surface of the block is configured to prevent at least one movement selected from the group consisting of axial, lateral and rotational. 28. The tool of claim 27 wherein the surface of the block that engages the mold is at least one of convex or concave. 29. The tool of claim 27 wherein the surface of the mold that engages the block is at least one of convex or concave. 30. The tool of claim 27 wherein the surface of at least one of the mold and block has an aperture for receiving at least one of a pin, post and peg located on a surface of the mold. 31. The tool of claim 27 wherein the aperture forms a groove providing rotational movement. 32. The tool of claim 27 wherein the mold patient specific. 33. The tool of claim 27 wherein at least one of the mold and block has a reaming aperture. 34. The tool of claim 33 further comprising spacers. 35. The tool of claim 27 wherein block engages the mold in a snap fit. 36. The tool of claim 27 configured to be used in at least one of hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow and wrist. 37. The tool of claim 27 configured to be used in a joint in the body. 39. A drill-guide for engaging a surface of a patella, wherein the mold has a first surface that is substantially configured to match the surface of the patella. 40. The drill-guide of claim 39 wherein the mold has an aperture. 41. The drill-guide of claim 39 wherein the mold has a plurality of apertures. 42. The drill-guide of claim 39 wherein an entire portion of the first surface is configured to match the patella. 42. A method for resurfacing a surface of a patella comprising: Placing a drill-guide configured on at least a portion of one surface to match at least a portion of a patellar surface on a patella; Drilling an aperture into the surface of the patella through an aperture located on the surface of the drill-guide; Using the aperture drilled into the surface of the patella to position a reamer relative to the patellar surface; Resurfacing the patellar surface using the reamer.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/724,010 for “PATIENT SELECTABLE JOINT ARTHROPLASTY DEVICES AND SURGICAL TOOLS FACILITATING INCREASED ACCURACY, SPEED AND SIMPLICITY IN PERFORMING TOTAL AND PARTIAL JOINT ARTHROPLASTY” filed Nov. 25, 2003 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/305,652 entitled “METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR ARTICULAR REPAIR,” filed Nov. 27, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/160,667, filed May 28, 2002, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 60/293,488 entitled “METHODS TO IMPROVE CARTILAGE REPAIR SYSTEMS”, filed May 25, 2001, U.S. Ser. No. 60/363,527, entitled “NOVEL DEVICES FOR CARTILAGE REPAIR, filed Mar. 12, 2002 and U.S. Ser. Nos. 60/380,695 and 60/380,692, entitled “METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR CARTILAGE REPAIR,” and “METHODS FOR JOINT REPAIR,”, filed May 14, 2002, all of which applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to methods, systems and devices for articular resurfacing. The present invention includes surgical molds designed to achieve optimal cut planes in a joint in preparation for installation of a joint implant. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A variety of tools are available to assist surgeons in performing joint surgery. In the knee, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,266 to McDaniel issued Feb. 26, 1985 discloses a knee distraction device that facilitates knee arthroplasty. The device has an adjustable force calibration mechanism that enables the device to accommodate controlled selection of the ligament-tensioning force to be applied to the respective, opposing sides of the knee. U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,547 to Poggie et al. issued Mar. 26, 1991 discloses a modular apparatus for use in preparing the bone surface for implantation of a modular total knee prosthesis. The apparatus has cutting guides, templates, alignment devices along with a distractor and clamping instruments that provide modularity and facilitate bone resection and prosthesis implantation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,250,050 to Poggie et al. issued Oct. 5, 1993 is also directed to a modular apparatus for use in preparing a bone surface for the implantation of a modular total knee prosthesis. U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,216 to Thornhill et al. issued Feb. 7, 1995 discloses instrumentation for use in knee revision surgery. A bearing sleeve is provided that is inserted into the damaged canal in order to take up additional volume. The rod passes through the sleeve and is positioned to meet the natural canal of the bone. The rod is then held in a fixed position by the bearing sleeve. A cutting guide can then be mounted on the rod for cutting the bone and to provide a mounting surface for the implant. U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,756 to Eng et al. issued May 2, 2000 discloses a tool for preparing the distal femoral end for a prosthetic implant. The tool lays out the resection for prosthetic replacement and includes a jack for pivotally supporting an opposing bone such that the jack raises the opposing bone in flexion to the spacing of the intended prosthesis. U.S. Pat. No. 6,106,529 to Techiera issued Aug. 22, 2000 discloses an epicondylar axis referencing drill guide for use in resection to prepare a bone end for prosthetic joint replacement. U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,646 to Williamson issued Oct. 2, 2001 discloses a system that allows a practitioner to position the leg in the alignment that is directed at the end of the implant procedure and to cut both the femur and tibia while the leg is fixed in alignment. U.S. Pat. No. 6,620,168 to Lombardi et al. issued Sep. 16, 2003 discloses a tool for intermedullary revision surgery along with tibial components. U.S. Pat. No. 5,578,037 to Sanders et al. issued Nov. 26, 1996 discloses a surgical guide for femoral resection. The guide enables a surgeon to resect a femoral neck during a hip arthroplasty procedure so that the femoral prosthesis can be implanted to preserve or closely approximate the anatomic center of rotation of the hip. Currently available tools do not always enable the surgeon to make the most accurate cuts on the bone surface in preparing the target joint for implantation. Thus, there remains a need for tools that improve the accuracy of the joint resurfacing process. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In an aspect of the invention, surgical tools for preparing a joint to receive an implant are described, for example a tool comprising one or more surfaces or members that conform at least partially to the shape of the articular surfaces of the joint (e.g., a femoral condyle and/or tibial plateau of a knee joint). In certain embodiments, the tool comprises Lucite silastic and/or other polymers or suitable materials. The tool can be re-useable or single-use. The tool can be comprised of a single component or multiple components. In certain embodiments, the tool comprises an array of adjustable, closely spaced pins. The tool comprises: a mold having a surface for engaging a joint surface; a block that communicates with the mold; and at least one guide aperture in the block. Another tool is disclosed that is formed at least partially in situ and comprises: a mold formed in situ using at least one of an inflatable hollow device or a retaining device to conform to the joint surface on at least one surface having a surface for engaging a joint surface; a block that communicates with the mold; and at least one guide aperture in the block. In any of the embodiments and aspects described herein, the joint can be a knee, shoulder, hip, vertebrae, elbow, ankle, wrist etc. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The file of this patent contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Patent and Trademark Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee. FIG. 1A illustrates a femur, tibia and fibula along with the mechanical and anatomic axes. FIGS. 1B-E illustrate the tibia with the anatomic and mechanical axis used to create a cutting plane along with a cut femur and tibia. FIG. 1F illustrates the proximal end of the femur including the head of the femur. FIG. 2 shows an example of a surgical tool having one surface matching the geometry of an articular surface of the joint. Also shown is an aperture in the tool capable of controlling drill depth and width of the hole and allowing implantation of an insertion of implant having a press-fit design. FIG. 3 is a flow chart depicting various methods of the invention used to create a mold for preparing a patient's joint for arthroscopic surgery. FIG. 4A depicts, in cross-section, an example of a surgical tool containing an aperture through which a surgical drill or saw can fit. The aperture guides the drill or saw to make the proper hole or cut in the underlying bone. Dotted lines represent where the cut corresponding to the aperture will be made in bone. FIG. 4B depicts, in cross-section, an example of a surgical tool containing apertures through which a surgical drill or saw can fit and which guide the drill or saw to make cuts or holes in the bone. Dotted lines represent where the cuts corresponding to the apertures will be made in bone. FIGS. 5A-Q illustrate tibial cutting blocks and molds used to create a surface perpendicular to the anatomic axis for receiving the tibial portion of a knee implant. FIGS. 6A-O illustrate femur cutting blocks and molds used to create a surface for receiving the femoral portion of a knee implant. FIG. 7A-G illustrate patellar cutting blocks and molds used to prepare the patella for receiving a portion of a knee implant. FIG. 8A-H illustrate femoral head cutting blocks and molds used to create a surface for receiving the femoral portion of a knee implant. FIG. 9A-D illustrate acetabulum cutting blocks and molds used to create a surface for a hip implant. FIG. 10A illustrates a patella modeled from CT data. FIGS. 10B-D illustrate a mold guide, and then the mold guide placed on an articular surface of the patella. FIG. 10E illustrates a drill placed into a patella through mold drill guide. FIG. 10F illustrates a reamer used to prepare the patella. FIG. 11A illustrates a reamer made for each patella size. FIG. 11B illustrates a reamed patella ready for patella implantation. FIG. 12A-F illustrate a recessed patella implanted on a patella. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Various modifications to the embodiments described will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein can be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. To the extent necessary to achieve a complete understanding of the invention disclosed, the specification and drawings of all issued patents, patent publications, and patent applications cited in this application are incorporated herein by reference. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the practice of the present invention employs, unless otherwise indicated, conventional methods of x-ray imaging and processing, x-ray tomosynthesis, ultrasound including A-scan, B-scan and C-scan, computed tomography (CT scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), optical coherence tomography, single photon emission tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) within the skill of the art. Such techniques are explained fully in the literature and need not be described herein. See, e.g., X-Ray Structure Determination: A Practical Guide, 2nd Edition, editors Stout and Jensen, 1989, John Wiley & Sons, publisher; Body CT: A Practical Approach, editor Slone, 1999, McGraw-Hill publisher; X-ray Diagnosis: A Physician's Approach, editor Lam, 1998 Springer-Verlag, publisher; and Dental Radiology: Understanding the X-Ray Image, editor Laetitia Brocklebank 1997, Oxford University Press publisher. See also, The Essential Physics of Medical Imaging (2nd Ed.), Jerrold T. Bushberg, et al. As described herein, repair systems, including surgical instruments, guides and molds, of various sizes, curvatures and thicknesses can be obtained. These repair systems, including surgical instruments, guides and molds, can be catalogued and stored to create a library of systems from which an appropriate system for an individual patient can then be selected. In other words, a defect, or an articular surface, is assessed in a particular subject and a pre-existing repair system, including surgical instruments, guides and molds, having a suitable shape and size is selected from the library for further manipulation (e.g., shaping) and implantation. Performing a total knee arthroplasty is a complicated procedure. In replacing the knee with an artificial knee, it is important to get the anatomical and mechanical axes of the lower extremity aligned correctly to ensure optimal functioning of the implanted knee. As shown in FIG. 1A, the center of the hip 102 (located at the head 130 of the femur 132), the center of the knee 104 (located at the notch where the intercondular tubercle 134 of the tibia 136 meet the femur) and ankle 106 lie approximately in a straight line 110 which defines the mechanical axis of the lower extremity. The anatomic axis 120 aligns 5-7° offset θ from the mechanical axis in the valgus, or outward, direction. The long axis of the tibia 136 is collinear with the mechanical axis of the lower extremity 110. From a three-dimensional perspective, the lower extremity of the body ideally functions within a single plane known as the median anterior-posterior plane (MAP-plane) throughout the flexion-extension arc. In order to accomplish this, the femoral head 130, the mechanical axis of the femur, the patellar groove, the intercondylar notch, the patellar articular crest, the tibia and the ankle remain within the MAP-plane during the flexion-extension movement. During movement, the tibia rotates as the knee flexes and extends in the epicondylar axis which is perpendicular to the MAP-plane. A variety of image slices can be taken at each individual joint, e.g., the knee joint 150-150n, and the hip joint 152-150n. These image slices can be used as described above in Section I along with an image of the full leg to ascertain the axis. With disease and malfunction of the knee, alignment of the anatomic axis is altered. Performing a total knee arthroplasty is one solution for correcting a diseased knee. Implanting a total knee joint, such as the PFC Sigma RP Knee System by Johnson & Johnson, requires that a series of resections be made to the surfaces forming the knee joint in order to facilitate installation of the artificial knee. The resections should be made to enable the installed artificial knee to achieve flexion-extension movement within the MAP-plane and to optimize the patient's anatomical and mechanical axis of the lower extremity. First, the tibia 130 is resected to create a flat surface to accept the tibial component of the implant. In most cases, the tibial surface is resected perpendicular to the long axis of the tibia in the coronal plane, but is typically sloped 4-7° posteriorly in the sagittal plane to match the normal slope of the tibia. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the sagittal slope can be 0° where the device to be implanted does not require a sloped tibial cut. The resection line 158 is perpendicular to the mechanical axis 110, but the angle between the resection line and the surface plane of the plateau 160 varies depending on the amount of damage to the knee. FIGS. 1B-D illustrate an anterior view of a resection of an anatomically normal tibial component, a tibial component in a varus knee, and a tibial component in a valgus knee, respectively. In each figure, the mechanical axis 110 extends vertically through the bone and the resection line 158 is perpendicular to the mechanical axis 110 in the coronal plane, varying from the surface line formed by the joint depending on the amount of damage to the joint. FIG. 1B illustrates a normal knee wherein the line corresponding to the surface of the joint 160 is parallel to the resection line 158. FIG. 1C illustrates a varus knee wherein the line corresponding to the surface of the joint 160 is not parallel to the resection line 158. FIG. 1D illustrates a valgus knee wherein the line corresponding to the surface of the joint 160 is not parallel to the resection line 158. Once the tibial surface has been prepared, the surgeon turns to preparing the femoral condyle. The plateau of the femur 170 is resected to provide flat surfaces that communicate with the interior of the femoral prosthesis. The cuts made to the femur are based on the overall height of the gap to be created between the tibia and the femur. Typically, a 20 mm gap is desirable to provide the implanted prosthesis adequate room to achieve full range of motion. The bone is resected at a 5-7° angle valgus to the mechanical axis of the femur. Resected surface 172 forms a flat plane with an angular relationship to adjoining surfaces 174, 176. The angle θ′, θ″ between the surfaces 172-174, and 172-176 varies according to the design of the implant. As illustrated in FIG. 1F,the external geometry of the proximal femur includes the head 180, the neck 182, the lesser trochanter 184, the greater trochanter 186 and the proximal femoral diaphysis. The relative positions of the trochanters 184, 186, the femoral head center 102 and the femoral shaft 188 are correlated with the inclination of the neck-shaft angle. The mechanical axis 110 and anatomic axis 120 are also shown. Assessment of these relationships can change the reaming direction to achieve neutral alignment of the prosthesis with the femoral canal. Using anteroposterior and lateral radiographs, measurements are made of the proximal and distal geometry to determine the size and optimal design of the implant. Typically, after obtaining surgical access to the hip joint, the femoral neck 182 is resected, e.g. along the line 190. Once the neck is resected, the medullary canal is reamed. Reaming can be accomplished, for example, with a conical or straight reamer, or a flexible reamer. The depth of reaming is dictated by the specific design of the implant. Once the canal has been reamed, the proximal reamer is prepared by serial rasping, with the rasp directed down into the canal. Further, surgical assistance can be provided by using a device applied to the outer surface of the articular cartilage or the bone, including the subchondral bone, in order to match the alignment of the articular repair system and the recipient site or the joint. The device can be round, circular, oval, ellipsoid, curved or irregular in shape. The shape can be selected or adjusted to match or enclose an area of diseased cartilage or an area slightly larger than the area of diseased cartilage or substantially larger than the diseased cartilage. The area can encompass the entire articular surface or the weight bearing surface. Such devices are typically preferred when replacement of a majority or an entire articular surface is contemplated. Mechanical devices can be used for surgical assistance (e.g., surgical tools), for example using gels, molds, plastics or metal. One or more electronic images or intraoperative measurements can be obtained providing object coordinates that define the articular and/or bone surface and shape. These objects' coordinates can be utilized to either shape the device, e.g. using a CAD/CAM technique, to be adapted to a patient's articular anatomy or, alternatively, to select a typically pre-made device that has a good fit with a patient's articular anatomy. The device can have a surface and shape that will match all or portions of the articular or bone surface and shape, e.g. similar to a “mirror image.” The device can include apertures, slots and/or holes to accommodate surgical instruments such as drills, reamers, curettes, k-wires, screws and saws. Typically, a position will be chosen that will result in an anatomically desirable cut plane, drill hole, or general instrument orientation for subsequent placement of an articular repair system or for facilitating placement of the articular repair system. Moreover, the device can be designed so that the depth of the drill, reamer or other surgical instrument can be controlled, e.g., the drill cannot go any deeper into the tissue than defined by the device, and the size of the hole in the block can be designed to essentially match the size of the implant. Information about other joints or axis and alignment information of a joint or extremity can be included when selecting the position of these slots or holes. Alternatively, the openings in the device can be made larger than needed to accommodate these instruments. The device can also be configured to conform to the articular shape. The apertures, or openings, provided can be wide enough to allow for varying the position or angle of the surgical instrument, e.g., reamers, saws, drills, curettes and other surgical instruments. An instrument guide, typically comprised of a relatively hard material, can then be applied to the device. The device helps orient the instrument guide relative to the three-dimensional anatomy of the joint. The surgeon can, optionally, make fine adjustments between the alignment device and the instrument guide. In this manner, an optimal compromise can be found, for example, between biomechanical alignment and joint laxity or biomechanical alignment and joint function, e.g. in a knee joint flexion gap and extension gap. By oversizing the openings in the alignment guide, the surgeon can utilize the instruments and insert them in the instrument guide without damaging the alignment guide. Thus, in particular if the alignment guide is made of plastic, debris will not be introduced into the joint. The position and orientation between the alignment guide and the instrument guide can be also be optimized with the use of, for example, interposed spacers, wedges, screws and other mechanical or electrical methods known in the art. A surgeon may desire to influence joint laxity as well as joint alignment. This can be optimized for different flexion and extension, abduction, or adduction, internal and external rotation angles. For this purpose, for example, spacers can be introduced that are attached or that are in contact with one or more molds. The surgeon can intraoperatively evaluate the laxity or tightness of a joint using spacers with different thickness or one or more spacers with the same thickness. For example, spacers can be applied in a knee joint in the presence of one or more molds and the flexion gap can be evaluated with the knee joint in flexion. The knee joint can then be extended and the extension gap can be evaluated. Ultimately, the surgeon will select an optimal combination of spacers for a given joint and mold. A surgical cut guide can be applied to the mold with the spacers optionally interposed between the mold and the cut guide. In this manner, the exact position of the surgical cuts can be influenced and can be adjusted to achieve an optimal result. Someone skilled in the art will recognize other means for optimizing the position of the surgical cuts. For example, expandable or ratchet-like devices can be utilized that can be inserted into the joint or that can be attached or that can touch the mold. Hinge-like mechanisms are applicable. Similarly, jack-like mechanisms are useful. In principal, any mechanical or electrical device useful for fine-tuning the position of the cut guide relative to the molds can be used. A surgeon may desire to influence joint laxity as well as joint alignment. This can be optimized for different flexion and extension, abduction, or adduction, internal and external rotation angles. For this purpose, for example, spacers can be introduced that are attached or that are in contact with one or more molds. The surgeon can intraoperatively evaluate the laxity or tightness of a joint using spacers with different thickness or one or more spacers with the same thickness. For example, spacers can be applied in a knee joint in the presence of one or more molds and the flexion gap can be evaluated with the knee joint in flexion. The knee joint can then be extended and the extension gap can be evaluated. Ultimately, the surgeon will select an optimal combination of spacers for a given joint and mold. A surgical cut guide can be applied to the mold with the spacers optionally interposed between the mold and the cut guide. In this manner, the exact position of the surgical cuts can be influenced and can be adjusted to achieve an optimal result. Someone skilled in the art will recognize other means for optimizing the position of the surgical cuts. For example, expandable or ratchet-like devices can be utilized that can be inserted into the joint or that can be attached or that can touch the mold. Hinge-like mechanisms are applicable. Similarly, jack-like mechanisms are useful. In principal, any mechanical or electrical device useful for fine-tuning the position of the cut guide relative to the molds can be used. The molds and any related instrumentation such as spacers or ratchets can be combined with a tensiometer to provide a better intraoperative assessment of the joint. The tensiometer can be utilized to further optimize the anatomic alignment and tightness of the joint and to improve post-operative function and outcomes. Optionally local contact pressures may be evaluated intraoperatively, for example using a sensor like the ones manufactured by Tekscan, South Boston, Mass. The mold or alignment guide can be made of a plastic or polymer. In other embodiments, the mold or portions of the mold can be made of metal. Metal inserts may be applied to plastic components. For example, a plastic mold may have an opening to accept a reaming device or a saw. A metal insert may be used to provide a hard wall to accept the reamer or saw. Using this or similar designs can be useful to avoid the accumulation of plastic or other debris in the joint when the saw or other surgical instruments may get in contact with the mold. The molds may not only be used for assisting the surgical technique and guiding the placement and direction of surgical instruments. In addition, the molds can be utilized for guiding the placement of the implant or implant components. For example, in the hip joint, tilting of the acetabular component is a frequent problem with total hip arthroplasty. A mold can be applied to the acetabular wall with an opening in the center large enough to accommodate the acetabular component that the surgeon intends to place. The mold can have receptacles or notches that match the shape of small extensions that can be part of the implant or that can be applied to the implant. For example, the implant can have small members or extensions applied to the twelve o'clock and six o'clock positions. See, for example, FIG. 9A-D, discussed below. By aligning these members with notches or receptacles in the mold, the surgeon can ensure that the implant is inserted without tilting or rotation. These notches or receptacles can also be helpful to hold the implant in place while bone cement is hardening in cemented designs. One or more molds can be used during the surgery. For example, in the hip, a mold can be initially applied to the proximal femur that closely approximates the 3D anatomy prior to the resection of the femoral head. The mold can include an opening to accommodate a saw (see FIGS. 8-9). The opening is positioned to achieve an optimally placed surgical cut for subsequent reaming and placement of the prosthesis. A second mold can then be applied to the proximal femur after the surgical cut has been made. The second mold can be useful for guiding the direction of a reamer prior to placement of the prosthesis. As can be seen in this, as well as in other examples, molds can be made for joints prior to any surgical intervention. However, it is also possible to make molds that are designed to fit to a bone or portions of a joint after the surgeon has already performed selected surgical procedures, such as cutting, reaming, drilling, etc. The mold can account for the shape of the bone or the joint resulting from these procedures. In certain embodiments, the surgical assistance device comprises an array of adjustable, closely spaced pins (e.g., plurality of individually moveable mechanical elements). One or more electronic images or intraoperative measurements can be obtained providing object coordinates that define the articular and/or bone surface and shape. These objects' coordinates can be entered or transferred into the device, for example manually or electronically, and the information can be used to create a surface and shape that will match all or portions of the articular and/or bone surface and shape by moving one or more of the elements, e.g. similar to an “image.” The device can include slots and holes to accommodate surgical instruments such as drills, cureftes, k-wires, screws and saws. The position of these slots and holes can be adjusted by moving one or more of the mechanical elements. Typically, a position will be chosen that will result in an anatomically desirable cut plane, reaming direction, or drill hole or instrument orientation for subsequent placement of an articular repair system or for facilitating the placement of an articular repair system. Information about other joints or axis and alignment information of a joint or extremity can be included when selecting the position of these slots or holes. FIG. 2 shows an example of a surgical tool 200 having one surface 210 matching the geometry of an articular surface of the joint. Also shown is an aperture 215 in the tool 200 capable of controlling drill depth and width of the hole and allowing implantation or insertion of implant 220 having a press-fit design. In another embodiment, a frame can be applied to the bone or the cartilage in areas other than the diseased bone or cartilage. The frame can include holders and guides for surgical instruments. The frame can be attached to one or preferably more previously defined anatomic reference points. Alternatively, the position of the frame can be cross-registered relative to one, or more, anatomic landmarks, using an imaging test or intraoperative measurement, for example one or more fluoroscopic images acquired intraoperatively. One or more electronic images or intraoperative measurements including using mechanical devices can be obtained providing object coordinates that define the articular and/or bone surface and shape. These objects' coordinates can be entered or transferred into the device, for example manually or electronically, and the information can be used to move one or more of the holders or guides for surgical instruments. Typically, a position will be chosen that will result in a surgically or anatomically desirable cut plane or drill hole orientation for subsequent placement of an articular repair system. Information about other joints or axis and alignment information of a joint or extremity can be included when selecting the position of these slots or holes. Furthermore, re-useable tools (e.g., molds) can be also be created and employed. Non-limiting examples of re-useable materials include putties and other deformable materials (e.g., an array of adjustable closely spaced pins that can be configured to match the topography of a joint surface). In other embodiments, the molds may be made using balloons. The balloons can optionally be filled with a hardening material. A surface can be created or can be incorporated in the balloon that allows for placement of a surgical cut guide, reaming guide, drill guide or placement of other surgical tools. The balloon or other deformable material can be shaped intraoperatively to conform to at least one articular surface. Other surfaces can be shaped in order to be parallel or perpendicular to anatomic or biomechanical axes. The anatomic or biomechanical axes can be found using an intraoperative imaging test or surgical tools commonly used for this purpose in hip, knee or other arthroplasties. In these embodiments, the mold can be created directly from the joint during surgery or, alternatively, created from an image of the joint, for example, using one or more computer programs to determine object coordinates defining the surface contour of the joint and transferring (e.g., dialing-in) these co-ordinates to the tool. Subsequently, the tool can be aligned accurately over the joint and, accordingly, the surgical instrument guide or the implant will be more accurately placed in or over the articular surface. In both single-use and re-useable embodiments, the tool can be designed so that the instrument controls the depth and/or direction of the drill, i.e., the drill cannot go any deeper into the tissue than the instrument allows, and the size of the hole or aperture in the instrument can be designed to essentially match the size of the implant. The tool can be used for general prosthesis implantation, including, but not limited to, the articular repair implants described herein and for reaming the marrow in the case of a total arthroplasty. These surgical tools (devices) can also be used to remove an area of diseased cartilage and underlying bone or an area slightly larger than the diseased cartilage and underlying bone. In addition, the device can be used on a “donor,” e.g., a cadaveric specimen, to obtain implantable repair material. The device is typically positioned in the same general anatomic area in which the tissue was removed in the recipient. The shape of the device is then used to identify a donor site providing a seamless or near seamless match between the donor tissue sample and the recipient site. This ican be achieved by identifying the position of the device in which the articular surface in the donor, e.g. a cadaveric specimen, has a seamless or near seamless contact with the inner surface when applied to the cartilage. The device can be molded, machined or formed based on the size of the area of diseased cartilage and based on the curvature of the cartilage or the underlying subchondral bone or a combination of both. The molding can take into consideration surgical removal of, for example, the meniscus, in arriving at a joint surface configuration. The device can then be applied to the donor, (e.g., a cadaveric specimen) and the donor tissue can be obtained with use of a blade or saw or other tissue removing device. The device can then be applied to the recipient in the area of the diseased cartilage and the diseased cartilage and underlying bone can be removed with use of a blade or saw or other tissue cutting device whereby the size and shape of the removed tissue containing the diseased cartilage will closely resemble the size and shape of the donor tissue. The donor tissue can then be attached to the recipient site. For example, said attachment can be achieved with use of screws or pins (e.g., metallic, non-metallic or bioresorable) or other fixation means including but not limited to a tissue adhesive. Attachment can be through the cartilage surface or alternatively, through the marrow space. The implant site can be prepared with use of a robotic device. The robotic device can use information from an electronic image for preparing the recipient site. Identification and preparation of the implant site and insertion of the implant can be supported by asurgical navigation system. In such a system, the position or orientation of a surgical instrument with respect to the patient's anatomy can be tracked in real-time in one or more 2D or 3D images. These 2D or 3D images can be calculated from images that were acquired preoperatively, such as MR or CT images. Non-image based surgical navigation systems that find axes or anatomical structures, for example with use of joint motion, can also be used. The position and orientation of the surgical instrument as well as the mold including alignment guides, surgical instrument guides, reaming guides, drill guides, saw guides, etc. can bedetermined from markers attached to these devices. These markers can be located by a detector using, for example, optical, acoustical or electromagnetic signals. Identification and preparation of the implant site and insertion of the implant can also be supported with use of a C-arm system. The C-arm system can afford imaging of the joint in one or, preferably, multiple planes. The multiplanar imaging capability can aid in defining the shape of an articular surface. This information can be used to selected an implant with a good fit to the articular surface. Currently available C-arm systems also afford cross-sectional imaging capability, for example for identification and preparation of the implant site and insertion of the implant. C-arm imaging can be combined with administration of radiographic contrast. In still other embodiments, the surgical devices described herein can include one or more materials that harden to form a mold of the articular surface. A wide-variety of materials that harden in situ have been described above including polymers that can be triggered to undergo a phase change, for example polymers that are liquid or semi-liquid and harden to solids or gels upon exposure to air, application of ultraviolet light, visible light, exposure to blood, water or other ionic changes. (See, also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,988 to Felt et al. issued Sep. 3, 2002 and documents cited therein). Non-limiting examples of suitable curable and hardening materials include polyurethane materials (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,988 to Felt et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,797 to Khalil issued Feb. 22, 1994, U.S. Pat. No. 4,098,626 to Graham et al. issued Jul. 4, 1978 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,380 to Chapin et al. issued Jun. 10, 1986; and Lu et al. (2000) BioMaterials 21(15):1595-1605 describing porous poly(L-lactide acid foams); hydrophilic polymers as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,430; hydrogel materials such as those described in Wake et al. (1995) Cell Transplantation 4(3):275-279, Wiese et al. (2001) J. Biomedical Materials Research 54(2):179-188 and Marler et al. (2000) Plastic Reconstruct. Surgery 105(6):2049-2058; hyaluronic acid materials (e.g., Duranti et al. (1998) Dermatologic Surgery 24(12):1317-1325); expanding beads such as chitin beads (e.g., Yusof et al. (2001) J. Biomedical Materials Research 54(1):59-68); crystal free metals such as Liquidmetals®, and/or materials used in dental applications (See, e.g., Brauer and Antonucci, “Dental Applications” pp. 257-258 in “Concise Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering” and U.S. Pat. No. 4,368,040 to Weissman issued January 11, 1983). Any biocompatible material that is sufficiently flowable to permit it to be delivered to the joint and there undergo complete cure in situ under physiologically acceptable conditions can be used. The material can also be biodegradable. The curable materials can be used in conjunction with a surgical tool as described herein. For example, the surgical tool can include one or more apertures therein adapted to receive injections and the curable materials can be injected through the apertures. Prior to solidifying in situ the materials will conform to the articular surface facing the surgical tool and, accordingly, will form a mirror image impression of the surface upon hardening, thereby recreating a normal or near normal articular surface. In addition, curable materials or surgical tools can also be used in conjunction with any of the imaging tests and analysis described herein, for example by molding these materials or surgical tools based on an image of a joint. FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the steps involved in designing a mold for use in preparing a joint surface. Typically, the first step is to measure the size of the area of the diseased cartilage or cartilage loss 300, Once the size of the cartilage loss has been measured, the user can measure the thickness of the adjacent cartilage 320, prior to measuring the curvature of the articular surface and/or the subchondral bone 330. Alternatively, the user can skip the step of measuring the thickness of the adjacent cartilage 302. Once an understanding and determination of the nature of the cartilage defect is determined, either a mold can be selected from a library of molds 332 or a patient specific mold can be generated 334. In either event, the implantation site is then prepared 340 and implantation is performed 342. Any of these steps can be repeated by the optional repeat steps 301, 321, 331, 333, 335, 341. A variety of techniques can be used to derive the shape of the mold. For example, a few selected CT slices through the hip joint, along with a full spiral CT through the knee joint and a few selected slices through the ankle joint can be used to help define the axes if surgery is contemplated of the knee joint. Once the axes are defined, the shape of the subchondral bone can be derived, followed by applying standardized cartilage loss. Other more sophisticated scanning procedures can be used to derive this information without departing from the scope of the invention. Turning now to tools for specific joint applications which are intended to teach the concept of the design as it would then apply to other joints in the body: When a total knee arthroplasty is contemplated, the patient can undergo an imaging test, as discussed in more detail above, that will demonstrate the articular anatomy of a knee joint, e.g. width of the femoral condyles, the tibial plateau etc. Additionally, other joints can be included in the imaging test thereby yielding information on femoral and tibial axes, deformities such as varus and valgus and other articular alignment. The imaging test can be an x-ray image, preferably in standing, load-bearing position, a CT scan or an MRI scan or combinations thereof. The articular surface and shape as well as alignment information generated with the imaging test can be used to shape the surgical assistance device, to select the surgical assistance device from a library of different devices with pre-made shapes and sizes, or can be entered into the surgical assistance device and can be used to define the preferred location and orientation of saw guides or drill holes or guides for reaming devices or other surgical instruments. lntraoperatively, the surgical assistance device is applied to the tibial plateau and subsequently the femoral condyle(s) by matching its surface with the articular surface or by attaching it to anatomic reference points on the bone or cartilage. The surgeon can then introduce a reamer or saw through the guides and prepare the joint for the implantation. By cutting the cartilage and bone along anatomically defined planes, a more reproducible placement of the implant can be achieved. This can ultimately result in improved postoperative results by optimizing biomechanical stresses applied to the implant and surrounding bone for the patient's anatomy and by minimizing axis malalignment of the implant. In addition, the surgical assistance device can greatly reduce the number of surgical instruments needed for total or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. Thus, the use of one or more surgical assistance devices can help make joint arthroplasty more accurate, improve postoperative results, improve long-term implant survival, reduce cost by reducing the number of surgical instruments used. Moreover, the use of one or more surgical assistance device can help lower the technical difficulty of the procedure and can help decrease operating room (“OR”) times. Thus, surgical tools described herein can also be designed and used to control drill alignment, depth and width, for example when preparing a site to receive an implant. For example, the tools described herein, which typically conform to the joint surface, can provide for improved drill alignment and more accurate placement of any implant. An anatomically correct tool can be constructed by a number of methods and can be made of any material, preferably a translucent material such as plastic, Lucite, silastic, SLA or the like, and typically is a block-like shape prior to molding. FIG. 4A depicts, in cross-section, an example of a mold 400 for use on the tibial surface having an upper surface 420. The mold 400 contains an aperture 425 through which a surgical drill or saw can fit. The aperture guides the drill or saw to make the proper hole or cut in the underlying bone 410 as illustrated in FIGS. 1B-D. Dotted lines 432 illustrate where the cut corresponding to the aperture will be made in bone. FIG. 4B depicts, a mold 408 suitable for use on the femur. As can be appreciated from this perspective, additional apertures are provided to enable additional cuts to the bone surface. The apertures 405 enable cuts 406 to the surface of the femur. The resulting shape of the femur corresponds to the shape of the interior surface of the femoral implant, typically as shown in FIG. 1E. Additional shapes can be achieved, if desired, by changing the size, orientation and placement of the apertures. Such changes would be desired where, for example, the interior shape of the femoral component of the implant requires a different shape of the prepared femur surface. Turning now to FIG. 5, a variety of illustrations are provided showing a tibial cutting block and mold system. FIG. 5A illustrates the tibial cutting block 500 in conjunction with a tibia 502 that has not been resected. In this depiction, the cutting block 500 consists of at least two pieces. The first piece is a patient specific interior piece 510 or mold that is designed on its inferior surface 512 to mate, or substantially mate, with the existing geography of the patient's tibia 502. The superior surface 514 and side surfaces 516 of the first piece 510 are configured to mate within the interior of an exterior piece 520. The reusable exterior piece 520 fits over the interior piece 510. The system can be configured to hold the mold onto the bone. The reusable exterior piece has a superior surface 522 and an inferior surface 524 that mates with the first piece 510. The reusable exterior piece 520 includes cutting guides 528, to assist the surgeon in performing the tibial surface cut described above. As shown herein a plurality of cutting guides can be provided to provide the surgeon a variety of locations to choose from in making the tibial cut. If necessary, additional spacers can be provided that fit between the first patient configured, or molded, piece 510 and the second reusable exterior piece, or cutting block, 520. The variable nature of the interior piece facilitates obtaining the most accurate cut despite the level of disease of the joint because it positions the exterior piece 520 such that it can achieve a cut that is perpendicular to the mechanical axis. Either the interior piece 510 or the exterior piece 520 can be formed out of any of the materials discussed above in Section II, or any other suitable material. Additionally, a person of skill in the art will appreciate that the invention is not limited to the two piece configuration described herein. The reusable exterior piece 520 and the patient specific interior piece 510 can be a single piece that is either patient specific (where manufacturing costs of materials support such a product) or is reusable based on a library of substantially defect conforming shapes developed in response to known or common tibial surface sizes and defects. The interior piece 510 is typically molded to the tibia including the subchondral bone and/or the cartilage. The surgeon will typically remove any residual meniscal tissue prior to applying the mold. Optionally, the interior surface 512 of the mold can include shape information of portions or all of the menisci. Turning now to FIG. 5B-D, a variety of views of the removable exterior piece 520. The top surface 522 of the exterior piece can be relatively flat. The lower surface 524 which abuts the interior piece conforms to the shape of the upper surface of the interior piece. In this illustration the upper surface of the interior piece is flat, therefore the lower surface 524 of the reusable exterior surface is also flat to provide an optimal mating surface. A guide plate 526 is provided that extends along the side of at least a portion of the exterior piece 520. The guide plate 526 provides one or more slots or guides 528 through which a saw blade can be inserted to achieve the cut desired of the tibial surface. Additionally, the slot, or guide, can be configured so that the saw blade cuts at a line perpendicular to the mechanical axis, or so that it cuts at a line that is perpendicular to the mechanical axis, but has a 4-7° slope in the sagittal plane to match the normal slope of the tibia. Optionally, a central bore 530 can be provided that, for example, enables a drill to ream a hole into the bone for the stem of the tibial component of the knee implant. FIGS. 5E-H illustrate the interior, patient specific, piece 510 from a variety of perspectives. FIG. 55E shows a side view of the piece showing the uniform superior surface 514 and the uniform side surfaces 516 along with the irregular inferior surface 516. The inferior surface mates with the irregular surface of the tibia 502. FIG. 5F illustrates a superior view of the interior, patient, specific piece of the mold 510. Optionally having an aperture 530. FIG. 5G illustrates an inferior view of the interior patient specific mold piece 510 further illustrating the irregular surface which includes convex and concave portions to the surface, as necessary to achieve optimal mating with the surface of the tibia. FIG. 5H illustrates cross-sectional views of the interior patient specific mold piece 510. As can be seen in the cross-sections, the surface of the interior surface changes along its length. As is evident from the views shown in FIGS. 5B and D, the length of the guide plate 526 can be such that it extends along all or part of the tibial plateau, e.g. where the guide plate 526 is asymmetrically positioned as shown in FIG. 5B or symmetrical as in FIG. 3D. If total knee arthroplasty is contemplated, the length of the guide plate 526 typically extends along all of the tibial plateau. If unicompartmental arthroplasty is contemplated, the length of the guide plate typically extends along the length of the compartment that the surgeon will operate on. Similarly, if total knee arthroplasty is contemplated, the length of the molded, interior piece 510 typically extends along all of the tibial plateau; it can include one or both tibial spines. If unicompartmental arthroplasty is contemplated, the length of the molded interior piece typically extends along the length of the compartment that the surgeon will operate on; it can optionally include a tibial spine. Turning now to FIG. 5I, an alternative embodiment is depicted of the aperture 530. In this embodiment, the aperture features lateral protrusions to accommodate using a reamer or punch to create an opening in the bone that accepts a stem having flanges. FIGS. 5J and M depict alternative embodiments of the invention designed to control the movement and rotation of the cutting block 520 relative to the mold 510. As shown in FIG. 5J a series of protrusions, illustrated as pegs 540, are provided that extend from the superior surface of the mold. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, one or more pegs or protrusions can be used without departing from the scope of the invention. For purposes of illustration, two pegs have been shown in FIG. 5J. Depending on the control desired, the pegs 540 are configured to fit within, for example, a curved slot 542 that enables rotational adjustment as illustrated in FIG. 5K or within a recess 544 that conforms in shape to the peg 540 as shown in FIG. 5L. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the recess 544 can be sized to snugly encompass the peg or can be sized larger than the peg to allow limited lateral and rotational movement. As illustrated in FIG. 5M the surface of the mold 510 can be configured such that the upper surface forms a convex dome 550 that fits within a concave well 552 provided on the interior surface of the cutting block 520. This configuration enables greater rotational movement about the mechanical axis while limiting lateral movement or translation. Other embodiments and configurations could be used to achieve these results without departing from the scope of the invention. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, more than two pieces can be used, where appropriate, to comprise the system. For example, the patient specific interior piece 510 can be two pieces that are configured to form a single piece when placed on the tibia. Additionally, the exterior piece 520 can be two components. The first component can have, for example, the cutting guide apertures 528. After the resection using the cutting guide aperture 528 is made, the exterior piece 520 can be removed and a secondary exterior piece 520′ can be used which does not have the guide plate 526 with the cutting guide apertures 528, but has the aperture 530 which facilitates boring into the tibial surface an aperture to receive a stem of the tibial component of the knee implant. Any of these designs could also feature the surface configurations shown in FIGS. 5J-M, if desired. FIG. 5N illustrates an alternative design of the cutting block 520 that provides additional structures 560 to protect, for example, the cruciate ligaments, from being cut during the preparation of the tibial plateau. These additional structures can be in the form of indented guides 560, as shown in FIG. 5N or other suitable structures. FIG. 5O illustrates a cross-section of a system having anchoring pegs 562 on the surface of the interior piece 510 that anchor the interior piece 510 into the cartilage or meniscal area. FIGS. 5P AND Q illustrate a device 500 configured to cover half of a tibial plateau such that it is unicompartmental. Turning now to FIG. 6, a femoral mold system is depicted that facilitates preparing the surface of the femur such that the finally implanted femoral implant will achieve optimal mechanical and anatomical axis alignment. FIG. 6A illustrates the femur 600 with a first portion 610 of the mold placed thereon. In this depiction, the top surface of the mold 612 is provided with a plurality of apertures. In this instance the apertures consist of a pair of rectangular apertures 614, a pair of square apertures 616, a central bore aperture 618 and a long rectangular aperture 620. The side surface 622 of the first portion 610 also has a rectangular aperture 624. Each of the apertures is larger than the eventual cuts to be made on the femur so that, in the event the material the first portion of the mold is manufactured from a soft material, such as plastic, it will not be inadvertently cut during the joint surface preparation process. Additionally, the shapes can be adjusted, e.g., rectangular shapes made trapezoidal, to give a greater flexibility to the cut length along one area, without increasing flexibility in another area. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, other shapes for the apertures, or orifices, can be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. FIG. 6B illustrates a side view of the first portion 610 from the perspective of the side surface 622 illustrating the aperture 624. As illustrated, the exterior surface 611 has a uniform surface which is flat, or relatively flat configuration while the interior surface 613 has an irregular surface that conforms, or substantially conforms, with the surface of the femur. FIG. 6C illustrates another side view of the first, patient specific molded, portion 610, more particularly illustrating the irregular surface 613 of the interior. FIG. 6D illustrates the first portion 610 from a top view. The center bore aperture 618 is optionally provided to facilitate positioning the first piece and to prevent central rotation. FIG. 6D illustrates a top view of the first portion 610. The bottom of the illustration corresponds to an anterior location relative to the knee joint. From the top view, each of the apertures is illustrated as described above. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the apertures can be shaped differently without departing from the scope of the invention. Turning now to FIG. 6E, the femur 600 with a first portion 610 of the cutting block placed on the femur and a second, exterior, portion 640 placed over the first portion 610 is illustrated. The second, exterior, portion 640 features a series of rectangular grooves (642-650) that facilitate inserting a saw blade therethrough to make the cuts necessary to achieve the femur shape illustrated in FIG. 1E. These grooves can enable the blade to access at a 90° angle to the surface of the exterior portion, or, for example, at a 45° angle. Other angles are also possible without departing from the scope of the invention. As shown by the dashed lines, the grooves (642-650) of the second portion 640, overlay the apertures of the first layer. FIG. 6F illustrates a side view of the second, exterior, cutting block portion 640. From the side view a single aperture 650 is provided to access the femur cut. FIG. 6G is another side view of the second, exterior, portion 640 showing the location and relative angles of the rectangular grooves. As evidenced from this view, the orientation of the grooves 642, 648 and 650 is perpendicular to at least one surface of the second, exterior, portion 640. The orientation of the grooves 644, 646 is at an angle that is not perpendicular to at least one surface of the second, exterior portion 640. These grooves (644, 646) facilitate making the angled chamfer cuts to the femur. FIG. 6H is a top view of the second, exterior portion 640. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the location and orientation of the grooves will change depending upon the design of the femoral implant and the shape required of the femur to communicate with the implant. FIG. 6I illustrates a spacer 601 for use between the first portion 610 and the second portion 640. The spacer 601 raises the second portion relative to the first portion, thus raising the area at which the cut through groove 624 is made relative to the surface of the femur. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, more than one spacer can be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. Spacers can also be used for making the tibial cuts. Optional grooves or channels 603 can be provided to accommodate, for example, pins 660 shown in FIG. 6J. Similar to the designs discussed above with respect to FIG. 5, alternative designs can be used to control the movement and rotation of the cutting block 640 relative to the mold 610. As shown in FIG. 6J a series of protrusions, illustrated as pegs 660, are provided that extend from the superior surface of the mold. These pegs or protrusions can be telescoping to facilitate the use of molds if necessary. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, one or more pegs or protrusions can be used without departing from the scope of the invention. For purposes of illustration, two pegs have been shown in FIG. 66J. Depending on the control desired, the pegs 660 are configured to fit within, for example, a curved slot that enables rotational adjustment similar to the slots illustrated in FIG. 5K or within a recess that conforms in shape to the peg, similar to that shown in FIG. 5L and described with respect to the tibial cutting system. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the recess 662 can be sized to snugly encompass the peg or can be sized larger than the peg to allow limited lateral and rotational movement. As illustrated in FIG. 6K the surface of the mold 610 can be configured such that the upper surface forms a convex dome 664 that fits within a concave well 666 provided on the interior surface of the cutting block 640. This configuration enables greater rotational movement about the mechanical axis while limiting lateral movement or translation. In installing an implant, first the tibial surface is cut using a tibial block, such as those shown in FIG. 6. The patient specific mold is placed on the femur. The knee is then placed in extension and spacers 670, such as those shown in FIG. 6I, or shims are used, if required, until the joint optimal function is achieved in both extension and flexion. The spacers, or shims, are typically of an incremental size, e.g., 5 mm thick to provide increasing distance as the leg is placed in extension and flexion. A tensiometer can be used to assist in this determination or can be incorporated into the mold or spacers in order to provide optimal results. The design of tensiometers are known in the art and are not included herein to avoid obscuring the invention. Suitable designs include, for example, those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,820 to Todd issued May 20, 1997. As illustrated in FIGS. 6N (sagittal view) and 6M (coronal view), the interior surface 613 of the mold 610 can include small teeth 665 or extensions that can help stabilize the mold against the cartilage 666 or subchondral bone 667. Turning now to FIG. 7, a variety of illustrations are provided showing a patellar cutting block and mold system. FIGS. 7A-C illustrates the patellar cutting block 700 in conjunction with a patella 702 that has not been resected. In this depiction, the cutting block 700 can consist of only one piece or a plurality of pieces, if desired. The inner surface 703 is patient specific and designed to mate, or substantially mate, with the existing geography of the patient's patella 702. Small openings are present 707 to accept the saw. The mold or block can have only one or multiple openings. The openings can be larger than the saw in order to allow for some rotation or other fine adjustments. FIG. 7A is a view in the sagittal plane A. The quadriceps tendon 704 and patellar tendon 705 are shown. FIG. 7B is a view in the axial plane A. The cartilage 706 is shown. The mold can be molded to the cartilage or the subchondral bone or combinations thereof. FIG. 7C is a frontal view F of the mold demonstrating the opening for the saw 707. The dashed line indicates the relative position of the patella 702. FIGS. 7D (sagittal view) and E (axial view) illustrate a patellar cutting block 708 in conjunction with a patella 702 that has not been resected. In this depiction, the cutting block 708 consists of at least two pieces. The first piece is a patient specific interior piece 710 or mold that is designed on its inferior surface 712 to mate, or substantially mate, with the existing geography of the patient's patella 702. The posterior surface 714 and side surfaces 716 of the first piece 710 are configured to mate within the interior of an exterior piece 720. The reusable exterior piece 720 fits over the interior piece 710 and holds it onto the patella. The reusable exterior piece has an interior surface 724 that mates with the first piece 710. The reusable exterior piece 720 includes cutting guides 707, to assist the surgeon in performing the patellar surface cut. A plurality of cutting guides can be provided to provide the surgeon a variety of locations to choose from in making the patellar cut. If necessary, additional spacers can be provided that fit between the first patient configured, or molded, piece 710 and the second reusable exterior piece, or cutting block, 720. The second reusable exterior piece, or cutting block, 720, can have grooves 722 and extensions 725 designed to mate with surgical instruments such as a patellar clamp 726. The patellar clamp 726 can have ring shaped graspers 728 and locking mechanisms, for example ratchet-like 730. The opening 732 in the grasper fits onto the extension 725 of the second reusable exterior piece 720. Portions of a first portion of the handle of the grasper can be at an oblique angle 734 relative to the second portion of the handle, or curved (not shown), in order to facilitate insertion. Typically the portion of the grasper that will be facing towards the intra-articular side will have an oblique or curved shaped thereby allowing a slightly smaller incision. The variable nature of the interior piece facilitates obtaining the most accurate cut despite the level of disease of the joint because it positions the exterior piece 720 in the desired plane. Either the interior piece 710 or the exterior piece 720 can be formed out of any of the materials discussed above in Section II, or any other suitable material. Additionally, a person of skill in the art will appreciate that the invention is not limited to the two piece configuration described herein. The reusable exterior piece 720 and the patient specific interior piece 710 can be a single piece that is either patient specific (where manufacturing costs of materials support such a product) or is reusable based on a library of substantially defect conforming shapes developed in response to known or common tibial surface sizes and defects. The interior piece 710 is typically molded to the patella including the subchondral bone and/or the cartilage. From this determination, an understanding of the amount of space needed to balance the knee is determined and an appropriate number of spacers is then used in conjunction with the cutting block and mold to achieve the cutting surfaces and to prevent removal of too much bone. Where the cutting block has a thickness of, for example, 10 mm, and each spacer has a thickness of 5 mm, in preparing the knee for cuts, two of the spacers would be removed when applying the cutting block to achieve the cutting planes identified as optimal during flexion and extension. Similar results can be achieved with ratchet or jack like designs interposed between the mold and the cut guide. Turning now to FIG. 8, a variety of views showing sample mold and cutting block systems for use in the hip joint are shown. FIG. 8A illustrates femur 810 with a mold and cutting block system 820 placed to provide a cutting plane 830 across the femoral neck 812 to facilitate removal of the head 814 of the femur and creation of a surface 816 for the hip ball prosthesis. FIG. 8B illustrates a top view of the cutting block system 820. The cutting block system 820 includes an interior, patient specific, molded section 824 and an exterior cutting block surface 822. The interior, patient specific, molded section 824 can include a canal 826 to facilitate placing the interior section 824 over the neck of the femur. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the width of the canal will vary depending upon the rigidity of the material used to make the interior molded section. The exterior cutting block surface 822 is configured to fit snugly around the interior section. Additional structures can be provided, similar to those described above with respect to the knee cutting block system, that control movement of the exterior cutting block 824 relative to interior mold section 822, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. Where the interior section 824 encompasses all or part of the femoral neck, the cutting block system can be configured such that it aids in removal of the femoral head once the cut has been made by, for example, providing a handle 801. FIG. 8C illustrates a second cutting block system 850 that can be placed over the cut femur to provide a guide for reaming after the femoral head has been removed using the cutting block shown in FIG. 8A. FIG. 8D is a top view of the cutting block shown in FIG. 8C. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the cutting block shown in FIG. 8C-D, can be one or more pieces. As shown in FIG. 8E, the aperture 852 can be configured such that it enables the reaming for the post of the implant to be at a 90° angle relative to the surface of femur. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8F, the aperture 852 can be configured to provide an angle other than 90° for reaming, if desired. FIGS. 9A (sagittal view) and 9B (frontal view, down onto mold) illustrates a mold system 955 for the acetabulum 957. The mold can have grooves 959 that stabilize it against the acetabular rim 960. Surgical instruments, e.g. reamers, can be passed through an opening in the mold 956. The side wall of the opening 962 can guide the direction of the reamer or other surgical instruments. Metal sleeves 964 can be inserted into the side wall 962 thereby protecting the side wall of the mold from damage. The metal sleeves 964 can have lips 966 or overhanging edges that secure the sleeve against the mold and help avoid movement of the sleeve against the articular surface. FIG. 9C is a frontal view of the same mold system shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. A groove 970 has been added at the 6 and 12 o'clock positions. The groove can be used for accurate positioning or placement of surgical instruments. Moreover, the groove can be useful for accurate placement of the acetabular component without rotational error. Someone skilled in the art will recognize that more than one groove or internal guide can be used in order to not only reduce rotational error but also error related to tilting of the implant. As seen FIG. 9D, the implant 975 can have little extensions 977 matching the grooves thereby guiding the implant placement. The extensions 977 can be a permanent part of the implant design or they can be detachable. Note metal rim 979 and inner polyethylene cup 980 of the acetabular component. FIG. 9D illustrates a cross-section of a system where the interior surface 960 of the molded section 924 has teeth 962 or grooves to facilitate grasping the neck of the femur. After identification of the cartilage defect and marking of the skin surface using the proprietary U-shaped cartilage defect locator device as described herein, a 3 cm incision is placed and the tissue retractors are inserted. The cartilage defect is visualized. A first Lucite block matching the 3D surface of the femoral condyle is placed over the cartilage defect. The central portion of the Lucite block contains a drill hole with an inner diameter of, for example, 1.5 cm, corresponding to the diameter of the base plate of the implant. A standard surgical drill with a drill guide for depth control is inserted through the Lucite block, and the recipient site is prepared for the base component of the implant. The drill and the Lucite block are then removed. A second Lucite block of identical outer dimensions is then placed over the implant recipient site. The second Lucite block has a rounded, cylindrical extension matching the size of the first drill hole (and matching the shape of the base component of the implant), with a diameter 0.1 mm smaller than the first drill hole and 0.2 mm smaller than that of the base of the implant. The cylindrical extension is placed inside the first drill hole. The second Lucite block contains a drill hole extending from the external surface of the block to the cylindrical extension. The inner diameter of the second drill hole matches the diameter of the distal portion of the fin-shaped stabilizer strut of the implant, e.g. 3 mm. A drill, e.g. with 3 mm diameter, with a drill guide for depth control is inserted into the second hole and the recipient site is prepared for the stabilizer strut with a four fin and step design. The drill and the Lucite block are then removed. A plastic model/trial implant matching the 3-D shape of the final implant with a diameter of the base component of 0.2 mm less than that of the final implant and a cylindrical rather than tapered strut stabilizer with a diameter of 0.1 mm less than the distal portion of the final implant is then placed inside the cartilage defect. The plastic model/trial implant is used to confirm alignment of the implant surface with the surrounding cartilage. The surgeon then performs final adjustments. The implant is subsequently placed inside the recipient site. The anterior fin of the implant is marked with red color and labeled “A.” The posterior fin is marked green with a label “P” and the medial fin is color coded yellow with a label “M.” The Lucite block is then placed over the implant. A plastic hammer is utilized to advance the implant slowly into the recipient site. A press fit is achieved with help of the tapered and four fin design of the strut, as well as the slightly greater diameter (0.1 mm) of the base component relative to the drill hole. The Lucite block is removed. The tissue retractors are then removed. Standard surgical technique is used to close the 3 cm incision. The same procedure described above for the medial femoral condyle can also be applied to the lateral femoral condyle, the medial tibial plateau, the lateral tibial plateau and the patella. Immediate stabilization of the device can be achieved by combining it with bone cement if desired. FIG. 10A illustrates a patella 1000 having a patellar ridge 1002, patellar facets 1004, 1004. Also depicted are the superior 1010, inferior 1012, lateral 1014, and medial 1016 surfaces. FIG. 10B illustrates a mold drill guide 1020 from the perspective of the tibial matching surface 1022. The mold drill guide 1020 is configured so that it is substantially a round cylinder. However, other shapes can be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. Such shapes can be strictly geometrical, e.g. ovoid, or non-geometrical. The tibial matching surface 1022 has an articular surfaces that matches, or closely conforms to, the surface of the patella. The design is proposed such that the guide is molded to precisely fit the anatomy of the articular surface of the patella for each patient, thus providing precise location of the patella planning needed. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, while an exact or precise fit is desired, deviations from a precise fit can occur without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, it is anticipated that a certain amount of error in the design can be tolerated. FIG. 10C illustrates the guide 1020 from the opposite perspective. The planar guide surface 1024 is depicted as flat, or substantially flat. However, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, other surface configurations can be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. Both FIGS. 10A and B depict apertures 1030, 1032. A central aperture 1030 is provided that accommodates, for example, a ⅛ drill bit. The central aperture 1030 can be located such that it is centered within the guide, off-centered, or slightly off-centered, without departing from the scope of the invention. An off-center or slightly off-center configure could be used with the round cylindrical configuration, but could also be used with the other configurations as well. One or more additional apertures 1032 can be provided to enable peg holes to be drilled. The apertures 1032 can be configured to have a larger diameter as the first aperture 1030, a smaller diameter, or an identical diameter. As shown in FIG. 10D the mold drill guide is fitted onto the articular surface of the patella. Because the articular facing surface (shown in FIG. 10A) is configured to match or substantially match the articular surface of the patella, the drill guide mates with the patellar surface to enable the drill holes to line-up in the desired place for the implant. FIG. 10E illustrates the mold drill guide fitted onto the articular surface of the patella with a ⅛″ drill 1050 positioned within the central aperture 1030. Once a central aperture 1018 has been formed into the patella, a patella reamer 1060 is used to resurface the patella 1000. The reamer 1060 has a guide 1062, which fits within the aperture 1018, and a reamer 1064 having a planing surface or blade surface 1066. Turning to FIG. 11A the reamer 1060 is shown. The planning surface 1066 has is configured to provide dual planing surfaces in order to recess the patella and clear surrounding bone. Providing dual planing surfaces helps to insure poly-metal articulation only. FIG. 11B illustrates the reamer relative to a patella. An area is prepared 1062 for a 30 mm patella insert, and a surrounding area 1061 is reamed. FIG. 12A illustrates a patella implant 1200. The inferior surface of the implant 1200, has one or more pegs 1210. In this instance, the inferior surface 1202 is depicted with three pegs 1210. The implant 1200 is positioned on a patella as shown in FIG. 12C such that a protuberance 1220 on the superior surface 1204 of the implant is positioned approximately at the apex of the natural patella. FIGS. 12D-F illustrate the implant superimposed within a patella, more clearly showing the protuberance corresponding to the apex of the natural patella. Also described herein are kits comprising one or more of the methods, systems and/or compositions described herein. In particular, a kit can include one or more of the following: instructions (methods) of obtaining electronic images; systems or instructions for evaluating electronic images; one or more computer means capable of analyzing or processing the electronic images; and/or one or more surgical tools for implanting an articular repair system. The kits can include other materials, for example, instructions, reagents, containers and/or imaging aids (e.g., films, holders, digitizers, etc.). The foregoing description of embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to the practitioner skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention and the various embodiments and with various modifications that are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims equivalents thereof.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>A variety of tools are available to assist surgeons in performing joint surgery. In the knee, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,266 to McDaniel issued Feb. 26, 1985 discloses a knee distraction device that facilitates knee arthroplasty. The device has an adjustable force calibration mechanism that enables the device to accommodate controlled selection of the ligament-tensioning force to be applied to the respective, opposing sides of the knee. U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,547 to Poggie et al. issued Mar. 26, 1991 discloses a modular apparatus for use in preparing the bone surface for implantation of a modular total knee prosthesis. The apparatus has cutting guides, templates, alignment devices along with a distractor and clamping instruments that provide modularity and facilitate bone resection and prosthesis implantation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,250,050 to Poggie et al. issued Oct. 5, 1993 is also directed to a modular apparatus for use in preparing a bone surface for the implantation of a modular total knee prosthesis. U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,216 to Thornhill et al. issued Feb. 7, 1995 discloses instrumentation for use in knee revision surgery. A bearing sleeve is provided that is inserted into the damaged canal in order to take up additional volume. The rod passes through the sleeve and is positioned to meet the natural canal of the bone. The rod is then held in a fixed position by the bearing sleeve. A cutting guide can then be mounted on the rod for cutting the bone and to provide a mounting surface for the implant. U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,756 to Eng et al. issued May 2, 2000 discloses a tool for preparing the distal femoral end for a prosthetic implant. The tool lays out the resection for prosthetic replacement and includes a jack for pivotally supporting an opposing bone such that the jack raises the opposing bone in flexion to the spacing of the intended prosthesis. U.S. Pat. No. 6,106,529 to Techiera issued Aug. 22, 2000 discloses an epicondylar axis referencing drill guide for use in resection to prepare a bone end for prosthetic joint replacement. U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,646 to Williamson issued Oct. 2, 2001 discloses a system that allows a practitioner to position the leg in the alignment that is directed at the end of the implant procedure and to cut both the femur and tibia while the leg is fixed in alignment. U.S. Pat. No. 6,620,168 to Lombardi et al. issued Sep. 16, 2003 discloses a tool for intermedullary revision surgery along with tibial components. U.S. Pat. No. 5,578,037 to Sanders et al. issued Nov. 26, 1996 discloses a surgical guide for femoral resection. The guide enables a surgeon to resect a femoral neck during a hip arthroplasty procedure so that the femoral prosthesis can be implanted to preserve or closely approximate the anatomic center of rotation of the hip. Currently available tools do not always enable the surgeon to make the most accurate cuts on the bone surface in preparing the target joint for implantation. Thus, there remains a need for tools that improve the accuracy of the joint resurfacing process.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In an aspect of the invention, surgical tools for preparing a joint to receive an implant are described, for example a tool comprising one or more surfaces or members that conform at least partially to the shape of the articular surfaces of the joint (e.g., a femoral condyle and/or tibial plateau of a knee joint). In certain embodiments, the tool comprises Lucite silastic and/or other polymers or suitable materials. The tool can be re-useable or single-use. The tool can be comprised of a single component or multiple components. In certain embodiments, the tool comprises an array of adjustable, closely spaced pins. The tool comprises: a mold having a surface for engaging a joint surface; a block that communicates with the mold; and at least one guide aperture in the block. Another tool is disclosed that is formed at least partially in situ and comprises: a mold formed in situ using at least one of an inflatable hollow device or a retaining device to conform to the joint surface on at least one surface having a surface for engaging a joint surface; a block that communicates with the mold; and at least one guide aperture in the block. In any of the embodiments and aspects described herein, the joint can be a knee, shoulder, hip, vertebrae, elbow, ankle, wrist etc.
20041202
20090519
20051020
88077.0
2
PHILOGENE, PEDRO
SURGICAL TOOLS FACILITATING INCREASED ACCURACY, SPEED AND SIMPLICITY IN PERFORMING JOINT ARTHROPLASTY
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,002,716
ACCEPTED
Horizontally draining artificial turf system
A horizontally draining artificial turf system comprises an impervious base at proper slope, an impermeable layer or drainage blanket over the base at a corresponding slope for guiding water horizontally, an artificial turf at top of the impermeable layer, and a perforated pipe near the lower edge of the base for receiving water for evacuation. Rainwater over the artificial turf first drains vertically onto the impermeable layer and then flows along the impermeable layer to reach the perforated pipe, without infiltrating into the base. Alternatively, a partially pervious drainage blanket is provided in lieu of the impermeable layer where the base is partially pervious. Backup rainwater runs off the drainage blanket horizontally after it saturates the soils of the base.
1. An apparatus to drain turf, the apparatus comprising: a sloped blanket beneath a horizontal permeable turf layer with vertical openings to direct water vertically; a permeable base beneath the blanket to allow the water to flow vertically; a pipe inside the base to collect the water to direct the water to a main drainage system. 2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the pipe directs the water towards an area below a center of the turf. 3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the pipe directs the water towards an area below a perimeter of the turf. 4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the blanket comprises expansion joints. 5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the base is permeable stone and rocks. 6. An apparatus to drain turf, the apparatus comprising: a sloped blanket beneath a horizontal permeable turf layer with vertical openings to direct water vertically; a permeable stone and rock base beneath the blanket to allow the water to flow vertically; a pipe inside the base to collect the water to direct the water to a main drainage system. a plurality of horizontal openings in a middle portion of the blanket, wherein the plurality of vertical openings direct water flowing from the vertical openings into the plurality of horizontal opening which directs the water to the main drainage system, wherein the plurality of vertical openings reach the bottom of the blanket, thereby allowing the water to travel into the plurality of horizontal openings and the plurality of vertical openings. 7. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the main drainage system is located below a center of the turf. 8. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the main drainage system is located below a perimeter of the turf. 9. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the blanket comprises expansion joints. 10. A blanket to direct water flowing from an artificial turf, the blanket comprising: a core made of water-resistant material; a top layer made of permeable material; and expansion joints located throughout the blanket. 11. A blanket as recited in claim 10, wherein the expansion joints are slits. 12. A blanket as recited in claim 11, wherein the expansion joints are accordion joints. 13. A blanket as recited in claim 11, wherein when the drainage blanket expands or contracts, the joints absorb the deformity so that the blanket as a whole is not deformed. 14. A blanket as recited in claim 11, wherein the expansion joints run in the direction perpendicular to the main axis of a track of the artificial turf. 15. An apparatus to drain turf, the apparatus comprising: means for collecting rainfall beneath an artificial turf layer; and means for directing the rainfall to a drainage system.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims benefit and priority from provisional application No. 60/526,371, filed on Dec. 2, 2003, entitled, “Horizontally Draining Artificial Turf System,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. This application also claims benefit and priority from provisional application No. 60/567,085, filed on Apr. 30, 2004, entitled, “Method for Turf Installation Utilizing Micromechanical Bonding,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. This application is also a continuation in part (CIP) of application Ser. No. 10/869,063, Jun. 17, 2004, entitled, “Method of Manufacturing Synthetic Turf,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and which claims priority to provisional application No. 60/520,185 which is also incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present general inventive concept relates to artificial playing surfaces for athletic games. More particularly, the present general inventive concept relates to horizontally and/or vertically draining water from artificial turf. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Vertically draining artificial turfs, commonly called “infilled turf”, and as embodied in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,337,283 and 5,976,645 and others, represent a great improvement over the original short-pile artificial playing surfaces in that they reduce abrasiveness, increase shock attenuation, improve response to foot and ball actions, and have an improved appearance. Because these turf systems drain vertically, it was necessary to construct a vertically draining stone base, which could infiltrate water from the surface at a rate greater than the rainfall rate expected in a large rainstorm. To accomplish this, it was necessary to build the base with a high infiltration rate. However, such base was less stable, especially with regard to maintaining the high tolerance finish grade, throughout the life out of the turf. As a result, either the infiltration rate or stability of the stone base was composed. For those reasons, there is a need for constructing artificial turfs that allow rainwater to evacuate at sufficiently large capacity without compromising the structure of the base. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an aspect of the present general inventive concept is to provide an artificial turf, which allows rainwater to evacuate efficiently without infiltrating its stone base, thereby increasing the stability of the base. Another aspect of the present general inventive concept is to provide an artificial turf that is easy to maintain, thereby reducing the maintenance costs. Yet another aspect of the present general inventive concept is to provide a method for constructing artificial turf that has a horizontally draining system. The above aspects can be obtained by an apparatus that includes (a) a sloped blanket beneath a horizontal permeable turf layer to direct water; and (b) a main drainage system to collect the water directed from the sloped blanket. The above aspects can also be obtained by an apparatus that includes (a) a core made of water-resistant material; (b) a top layer made of permeable material; and (c) expansion joints located throughout the blanket. The artificial turf system of the present general inventive concept comprises a base made of cementations or limestone derivatives or soil aggregates, a permeable or perforated artificial turf at top, and an impermeable drainage blanket between the base and the artificial turf. The turf is constructed with a sufficient slope, and at least one of lower edges of the artificial turf is connected to or close to a perforated pipe in connection with a main drainage system. Therefore, the rainwater first drains vertically from the artificial turf to reach the drainage blanket, and then drains horizontally along the drainage blanket to reach the perforated pipe and the main drainage. The drainage blanket is a piece of solid slab containing sufficiently large and properly distributed continuous void, allowing water to flow in at least one direction. Alternatively, it may consist of a rigid solid cupsated core, covered by one or more water impermeable sheets. To build a large artificial playing field, two or more pieces of drainage blankets may be jointed by a watertight seam so that water cannot pass through the joint to reach the base. In this way, a monolithic full area impermeable drainage blanket is created. The present general inventive concept provides a method for quickly and economically constructing an artificial turf playing field, which has reduced engineering risks and increased water evacuation capacities. The method is especially useful when poor soils or unfavorable site drainage conditions are encountered. In addition, a method is provided for determining the necessary water-evacuating capacity for a given artificial turf system, therefore reducing engineering risks. The artificial turf system of the present general inventive concept has one or more of the advantages. In one aspect, rainwater does not get into the base of the invented artificial turf system, and therefore, the infiltration property of the base is no longer necessary provided that the entire drainage blanket has been designed with a sufficient flow capacity to provide the required evacuation rate. In another aspect, when an impermeable drainage blanket is used, the base is better protected and its installation life is extended. In yet another aspect, the drainage blanket under the artificial turf system may act as an excellent shock attenuation pad. By designing the structure of the drainage blanket, different degrees of the shock attenuation may be achieved. Finally, when the base is constructed by missing onsite soils with a soil stabilizer to form a strong, durable and water-impervious base, it is unnecessary to excavate, export or import soils to or from the site, thereby reducing construction costs and time. Incorporation of the soil stabilizer in the base also increases the stability of the base and the playing field. Those and other aspects of the present general inventive concept will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following detailed description of the general inventive concept together with the following drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the structure of the vertically draining artificial turf system, according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the conventional artificial turf, according to an embodiment; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of improved artificial turf containing straight and curled yarns in an alternative stitch line configuration, according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drainage blanket made of a single piece of material, according to an embodiment; FIG. 5a is an open view of the composite drainage blanket after the top sheet is removed, according to an embodiment; FIG. 5b is the cross-sectional view of the composite blanket of FIG. 5a along line A B, according to an embodiment; FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C shows the cross-sectional views of several versions of the composite blanket (all views are taken at the cross-sectional along line C-D of the drainage blanket, according to an embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the vertically draining artificial turf system containing collocated perforated pipes, according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the structure of the vertically draining artificial turf system, according to an embodiment. In an embodiment of the present general inventive concept, the horizontally draining artificial turf system can include a base 100 built with a sufficient degree of slope, a drainage blanket 105 above the base 100, an artificial turf 110 over the drainage blanket 105, fastening mechanism 115 to attach the artificial turf 110 onto the base 100, and a draining apparatus 120, which is situated near and below the lower edge of the base 100. the artificial turf is 110 is water permeable or perforated, allowing water to drain vertically to reach the drainage blanket 105. The draining apparatus 120, consisting of a perforated pipe 125 and surrounding washing sands or stones 130, is directly under the opening or perforated edge of the drainage blanket 105 near the lower edge of the base 100 so that the water from the drainage blanket 105 is able to flow into the perforated pipe 125 to reach the main drainage system (not shown). Where the base (or portions of the base) is supposed to allow water to pass, these portions can be made of a water permeable material. This can be an aggregate material, such as stone, rocks, a combination of stone and rocks, sand, permeable concrete, as well as existing drainage systems. The artificial turf 110 can be a conventional artificial turf or an improved artificial turf. The main drainage system can be located in a center (and below) the turf, or on a perimeter of the turf (on either, some, or all sides of the field or extending beyond the field). Thus, the drainage blanket 105 can be sloped towards the center of the field, in which water flows to a center (and thereafter below) the turf, or the drainage blanket 105 can be sloped away from the center of the field, and thus water flows towards to perimeter (and perhaps beyond) of the field. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the conventional artificial turf, according to an embodiment. A conventional artificial turf can include a backing 135 made of a woven or non-woven sheet material, a pile fabric 140 tufted in the backing 135, and, optionally, an infill 145 which is a resilient granular material. To make the pile fabric 120, yarns of single or plural fiber filaments are looped into and back out the backing 135 and are cut to the same length as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of improved artificial turf containing straight and curled yarns in an alternative stitch line configuration, according to an embodiment. An improved artificial turf can include a backing 135, a pile fabric 140, and optionally an infill 145 in the space between the filaments of the pile fabric 140. The pile fabric 140 comprises curled and straight yarns tufted in the backing 135 in alternative stitch lines. The backing 135 consists of a primary backing 150 and a secondary backing 155, and is sufficiently permeable, or has plural holes (now shown) if it is made of an impermeable material to allow water to pass onto the drainage blanket 105. The primary backing 150 may be made one of to three layers of woven and/or non-woven fabrics. Generally these fabrics are polypropylene, polyester or other synthetic materials. While a two-layer backing is feasible, the preferred construction is three layers with the outside layers comprised of a woven, fibrated (fleeced) material known in the trade as “FLW”, and the center layer comprised of a dimensionally stabilizing woven or non-woven material. A dimensionally stabilizing material can be any material suitable for this purpose, such as a synthetic fabric material (e.g. polyester), or any other known material used for this purpose. The total weight of the backing 135, before coating, can vary between 3 ounces per square yard and 12 ounces per square yard, with the preferred total primary backing weight at 10 ounces per square yard. The secondary backing 155 is a polymeric coating, which is applied to the primary backing and heat-cured. The polymeric coating is usually latex or urethane, with urethane being the preferred type. The coating weight varies between approximate 12 ounces per square yard and approximate 30 ounces per square yard, with 28 ounces per square yard of urethane being the preferred weight. The infill 145 is comprised of resilient particles or a mixture of from 25 to 95 volume percent resilient particles and from 5 to 75 volume percent fine sand inter-spread among the filaments of the pile fabric 140 and on the backing 135 to a substantially uniform depth, with the preferred infill comprises of 100% rubber granules. The infill 145 may optionally comprise up to 20 volume percent of a moisture modifier such as vermiculite and calcined clay. The depth of the infill 145 is between about ¾ inches and about 2.75 inches, with the preferred depth at about 1.0 inch. The height of yarns above the infill 145 is between about ½ inches and about ¾ inches, with the preferred height of yarn about the infill 145 at about 1.0 inch. The drainage blanket 105 in its simplest form is a water impermeable sheet. When this structure is used, water flows along the backing 135 of the artificial turf 110 horizontally. Two sides sheets, which are extended from the same sheet of the drainage blanket or made of other materials, are necessary to prevent water from flowing on to the base 100. This design may be useful in geographic locations where rainfall is scarce. High-density and water-previous infill materials such as washing sands or heavy rubbers granules should be used to reduce the chance that the infill 145 “floats out” in unexpected large rain. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drainage blanket made of a single piece of material, according to an embodiment. The drainage blanket 105 may be permeable or perforated where the base 100 remain porous or pervious. This may be desirable, for instance, when it is required that Q-values or run-off rates do not exceed existing conditions prior to construction. The drainage blanket 105 may be made of one single piece, like a flat slab containing continuous void, which allows water to flow in at least one direction. In this case, the side sheets 160A and 160B of the members of the slab. The void within the entire slab must be continuous and sufficiently large so the drainage blanket 105 has a suitable water evacuation capacity. One example is a slab containing plural substantially parallel cylindrical, cubic or rectangular recesses 165. The top member 170 of the drainage blanket 105 contains a plurality of properly distributed receiving holes 175 of suitable size for receiving water from the artificial turf 110. The structure allows the water to flow only along the direction of the recesses 165. To allow water to flow cross individual recesses, it is necessary to remove some joint walls between individual recesses or to create a second set of cylindrical, cubic or rectangular recesses (not shown), perpendicular to the first set of the recesses 165. The bottom member 180 of the drainage blanket 105 is waterproof. The drainage blanket 105 is molded as a single piece from one or more materials. The bottom member 180 of the drainage blanket 105 may have some properly distributed discharging holes, which might be used in some situations where the base 100 is pervious. At least one end of the drainage blanket 105 has plural exit openings 185, which allow water to discharge into the draining apparatus 120 in the field. The discharging holes may be perforated in the blanket 105 after the blanket is already molded. In other words, the holes can be punched in after manufacture of the blanket. Note that depending upon the embodiment, the drainage blanket 105 can be impermeable, have vertical openings to only direct water vertically, can have horizontal openings to only direct water horizontally, or can have both horizontal and vertical openings to discharge water both vertically (e.g. out the bottom) and horizontally (out the side). The drainage blanket 105 may be made of many pieces of same or different materials (a composite drainage blank). FIG. 5a is an open view of the composite drainage blanket after the top sheet is removed, according to an embodiment. FIG. 5b is the cross-sectional view of the composite blanket of FIG. 5a along line A B, according to an embodiment. The drainage blanket 105 is made of a core 190, a top sheet 195, two side sheets 160A and 160B, and, optionally, a bottom sheet 200 (FIG. 5). The core 190 may be molded, as one single cupsated structure, using a strong, durable, and water resistant material such as high-density polyethylene. The core 190 generally has a core base 205 and a plurality of inversed cup-like studs 210 extended from the core base 205. The size, height, density (the number of studs in a unit area) of the studs 210 and their arrangement on the core base 205 depend upon the material used, the intended use of the playing field, desired shock attenuation effects, and expected the maximum rainfall intensity in the location. The studs 210 might be hollow (like inversed cups) or complete solid. The structure, density (number per unit area), arrangement, and material of the studs 210 affect the shock attenuation property. FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C show the cross-sectional views of several versions of the composite blanket (all views are taken at the cross-sectional along line C-D of the drainage blanket, according to an embodiment. A variety of methods may be used to put those components together to build the drainage blanket 105. The top sheet 195 should be permeable or perforated so that it can allow water from the artificial turf 110 to pass. The side sheets 160A and 160B should be substantially waterproof. The bottom sheet 200 should be watertight unless it is desirable to allow water to drain vertically in a limited capacity to suit special needs. The top sheet 195, in one example, can be a sheet made of permeable woven material or a perforated sheet made of a durable and impermeable material such as geotextile materials. The side sheets 160A and 160B, which join the core base 205, prevent water from getting onto the base 100 (see FIG. 6A). In another example, the side sheets 160A and 160B may be the extended members of the core 190 and are close to or join the top sheet 195. In a further example, the top sheet 195 and the side sheets 160A and 160B may be made of one single continuous sheet joining the two sides of the core base 205 (see FIG. 6B). In this case, if the sheet is impermeable, the portion of the sheet serving as the top sheet 195 should be perforated. Finally, one single continuous sheet may be used to serve as the top sheet 195, the side sheets 160A and 160B, and the bottom sheet 200, wrapping around the core 190 (see FIG. 6C). If the sheet is impermeable, it is necessary to perforate the portion of the sheet at top. In all examples, adequate perforation may be achieved by punching a plurality of properly distributed holes of suitable size in the sheet. The perforation area per unit area must be sufficiently large to drain the water from the heaviest rainfall expected in the installation location. The drainage blanket 105 may consist of a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) core of fused, entangled filaments sandwiches between a needle punched non-woven geotextile on one side and a head-bonded non-woven geotextile on the other side. The drainage blanket 105 should be of sufficient compressive strength (minimum 30,000 PSF) to support construction equipment used if heavy construction equipment is used during turf installation. Optionally, the core base 205 may have plural properly distributed holes (not shown), allowing for desirable vertical drainage. If the bottom sheet 200 is used and is impermeable, it may also have plural holes (not shown) allowing water to drain vertically. If the bottom sheet 200 is dispensed with, it is necessary for the core 190 to have two the side sheets 160A and 160B along the direction of intended water flow to prevent water from getting onto the base 100. The drainage capacity has been tested for ProDrain™ dynamic drainage blanket using 20.00 pound per square foot overburden pressure and a gradient of 1.0%. The maximum discharge capacity was found to be 2.18 gallons per minute and per foot or 0.291 cubic feet per minute and per foot. Assuming that water travel to a drainage system is 90.00 feet, this blanket can evacuate the rainwater from steady rainfall of 2.33 inches per hour. Applying the reduction factor of 0.5 for considering the horizontal surface flow, the blanket can evacuate the rainwater from a steady rainfall of 4.66 inches per hour. Applying a safety factor of 1.05, the estimated final capacity is therefore 4.44 inches per hour. The drainage blanket 105 of the type described tends to expand and contract with temperature changes. Thermal expansion can deform or distort the drainage blanket 105, creating a wave-like structure. As the blanket lies just beneath the artificial turf 110, the deformed or distorted drainage blanket will impact the artificial turf 110 a wave-like unnatural look. Therefore, it is necessary to incorporate expansion joints 215 in the drainage blanket 105. If the drainage blanket 105 is made of a single piece, the expansion joints 215 are plural small slits, which may be bridged by a flexible watertight tape (not shown). The joint slits are substantially evenly distributed along the drainage blanket 105. Alternatively, the expansion joints 215 may be just molding-in inversed “V” or accordions joints at the top member 170 and the bottom member 180 at suitable intervals. Because the expansion joints 215 run in the direction perpendicular to one of the main axis of the track of the artificial turf 110, the studs 210 should not be allocated along the line where the expansion joints 215 are placed. When the drainage blanket 105 expands at an elevated temperature, the two members of the drainage blanket 105 on two sides of each of the expansion joints 215 will move closer to each other, without deforming the drainage blanket 105. The inversed “V” joints are designed so that their apex will not infringe the member close to the apex at expected the highest temperature. If the drainage blanket 105 is made of composite materials and its top is a sheet of woven materials, the expansion joints 215 are provided in the core base 205 only. In this embodiment, the expansion joints 215 are just plural small slits in the core base 205 at proper intervals. The slits may be bridged by a flexible waterproof tape. Alternatively, the expansion joints 215 may be just molding-in inversed “V” or accordions joints at the core base 205 at proper intervals. Because the expansion joints 215 run in the direction perpendicular to the one of the main axis of the track of the artificial turf 110, the studs 210 should not be allocated along the line where the expansion joints 215 are situated. The width and frequency of the slits along the main axis of track of the artificial turf depends upon thermal expansion coefficients of the materials and anticipated changes in the field temperature in the location. If the material of the top and the bottom members of the core base 205 expands to a great degree upon a rising temperature, broader slits and more slits are needed for a given track of the artificial turf 110. Likewise, when V-joints are used for the turf system in a high temperature environment, more V-joints of large size are necessary to compensate the thermal expansion effect. The drainage apparatus 120 may be of any type that is used in prior art. There are several way to construct the draining apparatus 120. In one of the preferred embodiments (FIG. 1), the draining apparatus 120 is a perforated pipe 125 that is laid underground near the lower edge of the base 100 and is surrounded by the washing sands or stones 120. The perforated pipe 125 is placed with required slope with its lower end connected to the main drainage system (not shown). The washing sands or stones 130 are necessary to support the drainage blanket 105 and the artificial turf 110 and also provide necessary permeability for transporting water. In a further embodiment a plurality of the perforated pipes can be arranged vertically and can be surrounded by the washing sands or stones. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the vertically draining artificial turf system containing collocated perforated pipes, according to an embodiment. Perforated pipes 125 can be arranged vertically and operate in unison. For example, water can collect in a bottom pipe of the perforated pipes 125, but if the water exceeds the capacity of the bottom pipe, the water can then flow in the higher pipe, and so on. The vertical pipes contain an opening on the top and bottom (except for the bottom pipe which is sealed on the bottom). To prevent water from leaking into the base 100, the draining apparatus 120 may be insulated by water impermeable materials. The perforated pipes 125 should have sufficient size for adequate drainage rate. The base 100 of the artificial playing field may be a flat layer or slab made of stone, stone aggregates, cementations materials, limestone derivatives, or any other suitable materials. The thickness of the slab depends upon materials and structures of the base 100 and the intended use of the playing field. In addition, the base 100 may be constructed by mixing on-site soils with a soil stabilizer. A suitable soil stabilizer, for example, is polymer-enzyme solid stabilizer manufactured by G.M. Boston Co., Newport Beach, Calif. The thickness of the base 100 is in the range from about 1.0 inch to about 10 inches, with a preferred thickness in the range of 2.0-4.0 inches. The base 100 is constructed with its top surface having a slope sufficient for drainage, preferably in the range of 0.5%-1.0%, along the direction of intended water flow. While this vertical to horizontal draining system of the present general inventive concept can be constructed over any compacted and stable materials, there is often an engineering concern for the stability of the aggregate base, should it become saturated and/or subject to high compressive forces such as from construction equipment or vehicles. The method of constructing the base 100 using onside solids includes steps of mixing onsite soil with a soil-stabilizer, ripping, applying the mixture on the site, and grading the surface. For example, a suitable soil stabilizer is ProX-300 or polymer-enzyme solid stabilizer manufactured by G.M. Boston Co., Newport Beach, Calif. When a right stabilizer is properly infused with the soils, the base 100 is virtually impervious, with a sufficiently high compressive strength, preferably, in excess of 400 PSI. The fastening mechanism 115 for anchoring the artificial turf 110 onto the playing field consists of a concrete footer 220 which is protruded into the ground, a poly-board nailer 225 firmly attached to the concrete footer 220, and a plurality of ramset nails 230, which are driven into the concrete footer 220 from the artificial turf 110 (see FIG. 1). In one of the preferred embodiments, the concrete footer 220 has a shape of 6×16 inches cylinder. It may be a rectangular stud or a wall-like structure, which is formed by pouring properly prepared concrete paste to the hole in the ground. The concrete footer 220 should have a sufficient dept, preferably 10 to 20 inches. When the concrete footer 220 is a wall-like structure, the poly-board nailer 225 may be a strip installed over the top surface of the concrete footer 220. When the artificial turf 110 is filled with a resilient infill material. The metal heads of the ramset nails 230 are completely covered up. The fastening mechanism 115 may be used anywhere around the artificial turf 110 so that the artificial turf 110 will be sufficiently stable horizontally. If the base 100 is a concrete slate, part of the base 100 may serve as the footer. The horizontally draining artificial turf system may be constructed in-house playing field, typical outside athletic field, stadium, or other suitable locations. In those exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept, specific components, materials, arrangements, and processes are used to describe the general inventive concept. Obvious changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made by those skilled in the art to achieve the same purpose of the general inventive concept. The exemplary embodiments are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the general inventive concept. All embodiments described herein can be combined with each other. It is intended that the present general inventive concept includes all other embodiments that are within the scope of the disclosure and its equivalents.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Vertically draining artificial turfs, commonly called “infilled turf”, and as embodied in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,337,283 and 5,976,645 and others, represent a great improvement over the original short-pile artificial playing surfaces in that they reduce abrasiveness, increase shock attenuation, improve response to foot and ball actions, and have an improved appearance. Because these turf systems drain vertically, it was necessary to construct a vertically draining stone base, which could infiltrate water from the surface at a rate greater than the rainfall rate expected in a large rainstorm. To accomplish this, it was necessary to build the base with a high infiltration rate. However, such base was less stable, especially with regard to maintaining the high tolerance finish grade, throughout the life out of the turf. As a result, either the infiltration rate or stability of the stone base was composed. For those reasons, there is a need for constructing artificial turfs that allow rainwater to evacuate at sufficiently large capacity without compromising the structure of the base.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>It is an aspect of the present general inventive concept is to provide an artificial turf, which allows rainwater to evacuate efficiently without infiltrating its stone base, thereby increasing the stability of the base. Another aspect of the present general inventive concept is to provide an artificial turf that is easy to maintain, thereby reducing the maintenance costs. Yet another aspect of the present general inventive concept is to provide a method for constructing artificial turf that has a horizontally draining system. The above aspects can be obtained by an apparatus that includes (a) a sloped blanket beneath a horizontal permeable turf layer to direct water; and (b) a main drainage system to collect the water directed from the sloped blanket. The above aspects can also be obtained by an apparatus that includes (a) a core made of water-resistant material; (b) a top layer made of permeable material; and (c) expansion joints located throughout the blanket. The artificial turf system of the present general inventive concept comprises a base made of cementations or limestone derivatives or soil aggregates, a permeable or perforated artificial turf at top, and an impermeable drainage blanket between the base and the artificial turf. The turf is constructed with a sufficient slope, and at least one of lower edges of the artificial turf is connected to or close to a perforated pipe in connection with a main drainage system. Therefore, the rainwater first drains vertically from the artificial turf to reach the drainage blanket, and then drains horizontally along the drainage blanket to reach the perforated pipe and the main drainage. The drainage blanket is a piece of solid slab containing sufficiently large and properly distributed continuous void, allowing water to flow in at least one direction. Alternatively, it may consist of a rigid solid cupsated core, covered by one or more water impermeable sheets. To build a large artificial playing field, two or more pieces of drainage blankets may be jointed by a watertight seam so that water cannot pass through the joint to reach the base. In this way, a monolithic full area impermeable drainage blanket is created. The present general inventive concept provides a method for quickly and economically constructing an artificial turf playing field, which has reduced engineering risks and increased water evacuation capacities. The method is especially useful when poor soils or unfavorable site drainage conditions are encountered. In addition, a method is provided for determining the necessary water-evacuating capacity for a given artificial turf system, therefore reducing engineering risks. The artificial turf system of the present general inventive concept has one or more of the advantages. In one aspect, rainwater does not get into the base of the invented artificial turf system, and therefore, the infiltration property of the base is no longer necessary provided that the entire drainage blanket has been designed with a sufficient flow capacity to provide the required evacuation rate. In another aspect, when an impermeable drainage blanket is used, the base is better protected and its installation life is extended. In yet another aspect, the drainage blanket under the artificial turf system may act as an excellent shock attenuation pad. By designing the structure of the drainage blanket, different degrees of the shock attenuation may be achieved. Finally, when the base is constructed by missing onsite soils with a soil stabilizer to form a strong, durable and water-impervious base, it is unnecessary to excavate, export or import soils to or from the site, thereby reducing construction costs and time. Incorporation of the soil stabilizer in the base also increases the stability of the base and the playing field. Those and other aspects of the present general inventive concept will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following detailed description of the general inventive concept together with the following drawings.
20041202
20061031
20051027
64647.0
1
LAGMAN, FREDERICK LYNDON
HORIZONTALLY DRAINING ARTIFICIAL TURF SYSTEM
SMALL
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,002,937
ACCEPTED
Hydraulic controller
A hydraulic controller includes: a pair of liquid chambers; and an on-off valve capable of opening and closing a flow channel on the side of the liquid chamber with a higher hydraulic pressure out of the pair of liquid chambers. The flow channel can provide communication between the pair of liquid chambers. A baffling device is provided in the liquid chamber with a lower hydraulic pressure, to baffle hydraulic fluid flowing from the liquid chamber with the higher hydraulic pressure. Thus, it is possible to reduce operating noise resulting from operation of the on-off valves.
1. A hydraulic controller comprising: a pair of liquid chambers; and an on-off valve capable of opening and closing a flow channel on the side of the liquid chamber with a higher hydraulic pressure out of the pair of liquid chambers, the flow channel being capable of providing communication between the pair of liquid chambers, wherein baffling means is provided in the liquid chamber with a lower hydraulic pressure out of the pair of liquid chambers, to baffle hydraulic fluid flowing from the higher-pressure liquid chamber into the lower-pressure liquid chamber. 2. The hydraulic controller according to claim 1, wherein the baffling means is a flow rate control valve which varies aperture area of the flow channel opening to the lower-pressure liquid chamber according to pressure difference between the lower-pressure liquid chamber and the flow channel. 3. The hydraulic controller according to claim 2, wherein a valve disc of the flow rate control valve is slidably supported by a support shaft extending linearly and coaxial with the flow channel, and is spring-urged in a direction to close the end of the flow channel which is open to the lower-pressure liquid chamber. 4. The hydraulic controller according to claim 3, wherein a first on-off valve is interposed between an input-side liquid chamber and a control-side liquid chamber, and comprises a valve seat whose middle part faces the end of the flow channel which is open to the input-side liquid chamber, and a first valve disc which is spring-urged in a direction to be seated on the valve seat and is housed in the input-side liquid chamber, wherein a second on-off valve is interposed between a release-side liquid chamber and the control-side liquid chamber to be opened upon opening of the first on-off valve, and comprises a second valve disc which is housed in the control-side liquid chamber so as to be able to reciprocate coaxially with the flow channel of the first on-off valve, and wherein the second valve disc integrally comprises the support shaft which can be inserted into the flow channel to abut against and push the first valve disc in a valve opening direction. 5. The hydraulic controller according to claim 4, further comprising a hydraulic booster composed of: a control piston on which brake operating input from a brake operating member acts in a forward direction; a reaction means connected coaxially with the control piston so as to apply a reaction force caused by hydraulic pressure of a boosted hydraulic pressure chamber to the control piston in a backward direction, the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber generating boosted hydraulic pressure used to operate wheel brakes; the first on-off valve which opens during advance of the control piston and closes during retraction of the control piston, being interposed between the input-side liquid chamber communicated with a hydraulic power source and the control-side liquid chamber connected to the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber; and the second on-off valve which closes during advance of the control piston and opens during retraction of the control piston, being interposed between the release-side liquid chamber communicated with a reservoir and the control-side liquid chamber, wherein the hydraulic booster regulates hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic power source so as to balance the brake operating input with the reaction force caused by hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber through back and forth movements of the control piston, and applies the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic power source to the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber, and wherein the baffling means is provided in the control-side liquid chamber.
RELATED APPLICATION DATA The Japanese priority application Nos. 2003-406887 and 2003-406892 upon which the present application is based are hereby incorporated in their entirety herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hydraulic controller comprising: a pair of liquid chambers; and an on-off valve capable of opening and closing a flow channel on the side of the liquid chamber with a higher hydraulic pressure out of the pair of liquid chambers, the flow channel being capable of providing communication between the pair of liquid chambers. 2. Description of the Related Art Such a hydraulic controller is used, for example, to control brake hydraulic pressure in a vehicle braking system, and is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-308085. The conventional hydraulic controller uses an on-off valve for a hydraulic booster in order to operate wheel brakes with boosted pressure. When an on-off valve is opened, brake fluid in the liquid chamber with a higher pressure flows into the liquid chamber with a lower pressure via a small-diametered flow channel. Since the lower-pressure liquid chamber is wider than the small-diametered flow channel, the brake fluid flowing from the flow channel into the lower-pressure liquid chamber causes an abrupt pressure change, thereby producing operating noise. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, the present invention has an object to provide a hydraulic controller which can reduce operating noise resulting from operation of an on-off valve. To achieve the above object, according to a first feature of the present invention, there is provided a hydraulic controller comprising: a pair of liquid chambers; and an on-off valve capable of opening and closing a flow channel on the side of the liquid chamber with a higher hydraulic pressure out of the pair of liquid chambers, the flow channel being capable of providing communication between the pair of liquid chambers, wherein baffling means is provided in the liquid chamber with a lower hydraulic pressure out of the pair of liquid chambers, to baffle hydraulic fluid flowing from the higher-pressure liquid chamber into the lower-pressure liquid chamber. With the configuration of the first aspect, when the high-pressure hydraulic fluid flows from the higher-pressure liquid chamber into the lower-pressure liquid chamber upon opening of the on-off valve, the high-pressure hydraulic fluid is baffled by the baffling means, to prevent an abrupt pressure change in the hydraulic fluid flowing from the higher-pressure liquid chamber via the respective flow channel into the lower-pressure liquid chamber, thereby reducing operating noise and pulsating noise resulting from operation of the on-off valve. According to a second feature of the present invention, in addition to the arrangement of the first feature, the baffling means is a flow rate control valve which varies aperture area of the flow channel opening to the lower-pressure liquid chamber according to pressure difference between the lower-pressure liquid chamber and the flow channel. With this configuration, when the high-pressure hydraulic fluid flows from the higher-pressure liquid chamber into the lower-pressure liquid chamber upon opening of the on-off valve, the flow rate control valve not only baffles the hydraulic fluid, but also controls its flow rate. This prevents an abrupt pressure change in the hydraulic fluid flowing from the higher-pressure liquid chamber via the flow channel into the lower-pressure liquid chamber, to thereby reduce operating noise and pulsating noise resulting from operation of the on-off valves. According to a third feature of the present invention, in addition to the arrangement of the second feature, a valve disc of the flow rate control valve is slidably supported by a support shaft extending linearly and coaxial with the flow channel, and is spring-urged in a direction to close the end of the flow channel which is open to the lower-pressure liquid chamber. This configuration, in which the valve disc of the flow rate control valve is supported in contact with the support shaft, can prevent self-excited vibration of the valve disc, thereby preventing noise caused by the self-excited vibration. According to a fourth feature of the present invention, in addition to the arrangement of the third feature, a first on-off valve is interposed between an input-side liquid chamber and a control-side liquid chamber, and comprises a valve seat whose middle part faces the end of the flow channel which is open to the input-side liquid chamber, and a first valve disc which is spring-urged in a direction to be seated on the valve seat and is housed in the input-side liquid chamber, a second on-off valve is interposed between a release-side liquid chamber and the control-side liquid chamber to be opened upon opening of the first on-off valve, and comprises a second valve disc which is housed in the control-side liquid chamber so as to be able to reciprocate coaxially with the flow channel of the first on-off valve, and the second valve disc integrally comprises the support shaft which can be inserted into the flow channel to abut against and push the first valve disc in a valve opening direction. With this configuration, when controlling the hydraulic pressure of the control-side liquid chamber by opening and closing the first and second on-off valves, the valve disc of the flow rate control valve is supported by the support shaft which is integral with the second valve disc and used to operate the first on-off valve, thereby reducing the number of parts to reduce the size of the entire hydraulic controller. According to a fifth feature of the present invention, in addition to the arrangement of the fourth feature, the hydraulic controller further comprises a hydraulic booster composed of: a control piston on which brake operating input from a brake operating member acts in a forward direction; a reaction means connected coaxially with the control piston so as to apply a reaction force caused by hydraulic pressure of a boosted hydraulic pressure chamber to the control piston in a backward direction, the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber generating boosted hydraulic pressure used to operate wheel brakes; the first on-off valve which opens during advance of the control piston and closes during retraction of the control piston, being interposed between the input-side liquid chamber communicated with a hydraulic power source and the control-side liquid chamber connected to the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber; and the second on-off valve which closes during advance of the control piston and opens during retraction of the control piston, being interposed between the release-side liquid chamber communicated with a reservoir and the control-side liquid chamber, wherein the hydraulic booster regulates hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic power source so as to balance the brake operating input with the reaction force caused by hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber through back and forth movements of the control piston, and applies the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic power source to the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber, and wherein the baffling means is provided in the control-side liquid chamber. With the configuration according to the fifth aspect, the baffling means baffles the high-pressure brake fluid flowing from the input-side liquid chamber into the control-side liquid chamber upon opening of the first on-off valve installed in the hydraulic booster. Thus, it is possible to reduce the operating noise and pulsating noise resulting from operation of the on-off valve. The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a brake hydraulic system diagram showing an overall configuration of a vehicle braking system. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a master cylinder, hydraulic booster, and brake stroke simulator, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the master cylinder. FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the hydraulic booster. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the brake stroke simulator. FIG. 7 is diagram showing operating characteristics of the brake stroke simulator. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a master cylinder, hydraulic booster, and brake stroke simulator, according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the hydraulic booster. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the brake stroke simulator. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing characteristics of reaction force. FIG. 13 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a brake stroke simulator, according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. Referring first to FIG. 1, a braking system for a four-wheeled vehicle comprises: a tandem master cylinder M; a hydraulic booster 13 which regulates hydraulic pressure of a hydraulic power source 12 according to a brake operating force inputted from a brake pedal 11 serving as a brake operating member, and which applies the hydraulic pressure to the master cylinder M; and a brake stroke simulator 14 interposed between the brake pedal 11 and hydraulic booster 13. Referring also to FIG. 2, a casing 15 common to the master cylinder M and hydraulic booster 13 houses a first cylinder body 16 of a bottomed cylindrical shape with its front end closed; a second cylinder body 17 which is cylindrical in shape, has an inward flange 17a on its rear end, and is coupled coaxially with the rear part of the first cylinder body 16; a ring-shaped separator 18 sandwiched between the first and second cylinder bodies 16 and 17; and a cylindrical sleeve 19 which is equipped with an outward flange 19a sandwiched between the separator 18 and the rear end of first cylinder body 16 on its rear end, and is inserted and fastened in the rear part of the first cylinder body 16. The casing 15 is provided with a series of cylinder holes ranging concentrically in order from its front end: a first cylinder hole 20 formed by the front inner circumference of the first cylinder body 16, a second cylinder hole 21 formed by the inner circumference of the sleeve 19 and smaller in diameter than the first cylinder hole 20, a third cylinder hole 22 formed by the inner circumference of the separator 18 and slightly smaller in diameter than the second cylinder hole 21, a fourth cylinder hole 23 formed by the inner circumference of the second cylinder body 17 excluding the inward flange 17a and substantially equal in diameter to the second cylinder hole 21, and a fifth cylinder hole 24 formed by the inner circumference of the inward flange 17a of the second cylinder body 17 and smaller in diameter than the fourth cylinder hole 23. Referring also to FIG. 3, in the master cylinder M, a rear master piston 26 spring-urged backward is slidably inserted into the second cylinder hole 21 in the casing 15 with its back turned to a boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25, a front master piston 27 spring-urged backward and placed ahead of the rear master piston 26 is slidably inserted into the first cylinder hole 20 in the casing 15, a rear output hydraulic chamber 28 is formed between the rear master piston 26 and front master piston 27, and a front output hydraulic chamber 29 is formed between a disc-shaped seat supporting member 30 fitted liquid-tight in the front end of the casing 15—i.e., the front end of the first cylinder body 16—and the front master piston 27. An annular piston-side sealing member 31 and sleeve-side sealing member 32, spaced axially, are interposed between the rear master piston 26 and the sleeve 19, where the rear master piston 26 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with its front end opened. The piston-side sealing member 31 is mounted on the rear outer circumference of the rear master piston 26, in sliding contact with the inner circumference of the second cylinder hole 21. The sleeve-side sealing member 32 is mounted on the inner circumference of the sleeve 19, in contact with the front outer circumference of the rear master piston 26 when the rear master piston 26 is at its fully retracted position. An annular release chamber 33 is formed between the outer circumference of the sleeve 19 and first cylinder body 16. The opposite ends of the annular release chamber 33 in the axial direction are sealed with an annular sealing member 34 and annular sealing member 35, where the annular sealing member 34 is mounted on the front outer circumference of the sleeve 19 and placed resiliently in contact with the inner circumference of the first cylinder body 16 while the annular sealing member 35 is mounted on the rear outer circumference of the sleeve 19 and placed resiliently in contact with the inner circumference of the first cylinder body 16. Besides, the sleeve 19 has a plurality of communicating holes 36 provided between the sealing members 31 and 32 which in turn are interposed between the sleeve 19 and rear master piston 26. The communicating holes 36 are provided in such a manner that the part between the axially opposite ends sealed with the sealing members 31 and 32 out of the part between the inner circumference of the sleeve 19 and outer circumference of the rear master piston 26 is communicated with the annular release chamber 33. An annular recess 38 which forms a rear annular chamber 37 in conjunction with the inner circumference of the first cylinder body 16 is provided on the outer circumference of the front master piston 27. A rear release port 39 communicated with the rear annular chamber 37 and the annular release chamber 33 is provided on the first cylinder body 16. The rear release port 39 is communicated with the second oil sump 42 among of the first, second, and third oil sumps 41, 42, and 43 formed independently of one another in a reservoir 40 as shown in FIG. 1. On the outer circumference of the front master piston 27, a rear lip seal 44 is interposed between the rear output hydraulic chamber 28 and rear annular chamber 37 to allow brake fluid to flow from the rear annular chamber 37 to the rear output hydraulic chamber 28 so that the rear output hydraulic chamber 28 can be replenished with brake fluid while a front lip seal 45 is interposed between the front output hydraulic chamber 29 and rear annular chamber 37. Consequently, the second cylinder hole 21 formed by the inner circumference of the sleeve 19 is smaller in diameter than the first cylinder hole 20, and thus a seal diameter of the rear master piston 26 formed by the piston-side sealing member 31 and the sleeve-side sealing member 32 is smaller than a seal diameter of the front master piston 27 formed by the lip seals 44 and 45. A valve hole forming member 49 is press-fitted in the center of the rear end of the front master piston 27, an annular seat member 48 made of rubber is baked onto the outer circumference of the valve hole forming member 49, and a plurality of communicating channels 51 are provided behind the front master piston 27 to communicate a valve hole 50 provided in the center of the valve hole forming member 49 with the rear annular chamber 37. A disc-shaped valve disc 52 which can close the valve hole 50 when seated on the seat member 48 is installed near, and integrally with, the front end of a rod 54 which forms part of maximum distance limiting means 53 installed between the rear and front master pistons 26 and 27 to limit the maximum distance between the rear and front master pistons 26 and 27. The front end of the rod 54 is inserted into the valve hole 50 so as to allow passage of the brake fluid through the valve hole 50 when the valve disc 52 is lifted from the seat member 48. The maximum distance limiting means 53 comprises a rear retainer 55 which is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape with its front end closed and is abutted by the rear master piston 26, a front retainer 56 which is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape with its rear end closed and is abutted by the rear end of the front master piston 27, a rear return spring 57 which is mounted under compression between the rear and front retainers 55 and 56 and urges the rear master piston 26 backward, and the rod 54 which movably penetrates the closed front end of the rear retainer 55 and closed rear end of the front retainer 56. The rod 54 is equipped with an engagement flange 54a on its rear end and with an engagement shoulder 54b behind the valve disc 52, where the engagement flange 54a can be engaged with the closed front end of the rear retainer 55 from behind, and the engagement shoulder 54b can be engaged with the closed rear end of the front retainer 56 from ahead. A guide tube 58 is fitted and fastened in the rear retainer 55 to guide axial movement of the engagement flange 54a. With the rear retainer 55 substantially fastened to the rear master piston 26 by spring force of the rear return spring 57, with the front retainer 56 substantially fastened to the front master piston 27 by spring force of the rear return spring 57, and with the rear master piston 26 located at its fully retracted position as shown in FIG. 3, the maximum distance limiting means 53 limits the maximum distance between the rear and front master pistons 26 and 27, as the engagement flange 54a is engaged with the closed front end of the rear retainer 55 from behind, and the engagement shoulder 54b is engaged with the closed rear end of the front retainer 56 from ahead. At this time, the valve disc 52 is lifted from the seat member 48 to open the valve hole 50. Moreover, a valve spring 59 smaller in spring load than the rear return spring 57 is mounted under compression between the front retainer 56 and valve disc 52, and as the rear master piston 26 moves forward from its fully retracted position, the valve disc 52 is seated on the seat member 48 by spring force of the valve spring 59 to close the valve hole 50. A front annular chamber 60 is formed between an inner surface of the front end of the first cylinder hole 20 and the seat supporting member 30, and a front release port 61 communicated with the front annular chamber 60 is provided on the front of the first cylinder body 16. The front release port 61 is communicated with the third oil sump 43 formed in the reservoir 40 as shown in FIG. 1. Moreover, a lip seal 62 is mounted on the outer circumference of the seat supporting member 30 and placed resiliently in contact with the inner circumference of the first cylinder body 16 to allow the brake fluid to flow from the front annular chamber 60 to the front output hydraulic chamber 29. A valve hole forming member 64 is press-fitted in the center of the seat supporting member 30, an annular seat member 63 made of rubber is baked onto the outer circumference of the valve hole forming member 64, and a plurality of communicating grooves 66 are provided in front of the seat supporting member 30 to communicate a valve hole 65 provided in the center of the valve hole forming member 64 with the front annular chamber 60. A disc-shaped valve disc 67 which can close the valve hole 65 when seated on the seat member 63 is provided near the front end of a rod 69 which forms part of maximum distance limiting means 68 installed between the seat supporting member 30 and front master piston 27, to limit the maximum distance between the seat supporting member 30 and front master piston 27. The front end of the rod 69 is inserted into the valve hole 65 so as to allow passage of the brake fluid through the valve hole 65 when the valve disc 67 is lifted from the seat member 63. The maximum distance limiting means 68 comprises a rear retainer 70 which is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape with its front end closed and is abutted by the front master piston 27, a front retainer 71 which is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape with its rear end closed and is abutted by the rear end of the seat supporting member 30, a front return spring 72 which is mounted under compression between the rear and front retainers 70 and 71 and urges the front master piston 27 backward, and the rod 69 which movably penetrates the closed front end of the rear retainer 70 and closed rear end of the front retainer 71. The rod 69 is equipped with an engagement flange 69a on its rear end and with an engagement shoulder 69b behind the valve disc 67, where the engagement flange 69a can be engaged with the closed front end of the rear retainer 70 from behind, and the engagement shoulder 69b can be engaged with the closed rear end of the front retainer 71 from ahead. A guide tube 73 is fitted and fastened in the rear retainer 70 to guide axial movement of the engagement flange 69a. With the rear retainer 70 substantially fastened to the front master piston 27 by spring force of the front return spring 72, with the front retainer 71 substantially fastened to the seat supporting member 30 by spring force of the front return spring 72, and with the front master piston 27 located at its fully retracted position as shown in FIG. 3, the maximum distance limiting means 68 limits the maximum distance between the seat supporting member 30 and front master piston 27, as the engagement flange 69a is engaged with the closed front end of the rear retainer 70 from behind, and the engagement shoulder 69b is engaged with the closed rear end of the front retainer 71 from ahead. At this time, the valve disc 67 is lifted from the seat member 63 to open the valve hole 65. Moreover, a valve spring 74 smaller in spring load than the front return spring 72 is mounted under compression between the front retainer 71 and valve disc 67, and as the front master piston 27 moves forward from its fully retracted position, the valve disc 67 is seated on the seat member 63 by spring force of the valve spring 74 to close the valve hole 65. The first cylinder body 16 is equipped with a rear output port 77 which outputs hydraulic pressure of the rear output hydraulic chamber 28 whose pressure is increased along with forward movement of the rear master piston 26, and with a front output port 78 which outputs hydraulic pressure of the front output hydraulic chamber 29 whose pressure is increased along with forward movement of the front master piston 27. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the rear output port 77 is connected to right front BA and left rear wheel brakes BA and BB via a first pressure regulating means 79A, while the front output port 78 is connected to left front and right rear wheel brakes BC and BD via a second pressure regulating means 79B. The first pressure regulating means 79A comprises a normally open solenoid valve 80A installed between the rear output port 77 and right front wheel brake BA, a normally open solenoid valve 80B installed between the rear output port 77 and left rear wheel brake BB, one-way valves 81A and 81B which allow passage of the brake fluid to the rear output port 77 and are connected in parallel with the normally open solenoid valves 80A and 80B, respectively, a normally closed solenoid valve 83A installed between the right front wheel brake BA and a first reservoir 82A, a normally closed solenoid valve 83B installed between the left rear wheel brake BB and first reservoir 82A, a first return pump 84A which returns the brake fluid pumped from the first reservoir 82A to the rear output port 77, and an orifice 85A provided between the first return pump 84A and rear output port 77. The second pressure regulating means 79B comprises a normally open solenoid valve 80C installed between the front output port 78 and left front wheel brake BC, a normally open solenoid valve 80D installed between the front output port 78 and right rear wheel brake BD, one-way valves 81C and 81D which allow passage of the brake fluid to the front output port 78 and are connected in parallel with the normally open solenoid valves 80C and 80D, respectively, a normally closed solenoid valve 83C installed between the left front wheel brake BC and a second reservoir 82B, a normally closed solenoid valve 83D installed between the right rear wheel brake BD and second reservoir 82B, a second return pump 84B which returns the brake fluid pumped from the second reservoir 82B to the front output port 78, and an orifice 85B provided between the second return pump 84B and front output port 78. The first and second return pumps 84A and 84B are connected commonly to a single electric motor 86, by which they are driven commonly. The first and second pressure regulating means 79A and 79B can freely control the brake fluid outputted from the rear and front output ports 77 and 78. Through hydraulic control, the first and second pressure regulating means 79A and 79B can also perform antilock brake control during a braking operation, traction control in a non-braking situation, etc. Referring to FIG. 4, the hydraulic booster 13 comprises a backup piston 88 which has a stepped cylindrical shape and is slidably housed in the casing 15 with its face turned to the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25, a control valve means 89 contained in the backup piston 88, a control piston 90 which makes the control valve means 89 regulate pressure so as to achieve a balance between the reaction force generated by the hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 and the brake operating force inputted from the brake pedal 11 via the brake stroke simulator 14, and a reaction means 91 placed between the control valve means 89 and control piston 90. The backup piston 88 integrally comprises a piston body 88a which slidably fits in the fourth cylinder hole 23, a cylindrical pusher 88b which is coaxially and integrally linked to the front end of the piston body 88a by slidably penetrating the third cylinder hole 22, and a cylindrical extension tube 88c which is coaxially and integrally linked to the rear end of the piston body 88a and extends beyond the casing 15 by slidably penetrating the fifth cylinder hole 24, where the pusher 88b can push the rear master piston 26 forwardly by directly abutting against the rear end of the rear master piston 26. On the outer circumference of the backup piston 88, a limiting shoulder 88d is formed near the rear end between the piston body 88a and extension tube 88c. The limiting shoulder 88d defines the fully retracted position of the backup piston 88 within the casing 15 as it abuts the inward flange 17a at the rear end of the second cylinder body 17 in the casing 15 from ahead. Annular sealing members 93 and 94, spaced axially, are mounted on the outer circumference of the piston body 88a of the backup piston 88, and placed resiliently in sliding contact with the inner circumference of the fourth cylinder hole 23. An annular sealing member 95 is mounted on the inner circumference of the separator 18, and placed resiliently in sliding contact with the outer circumference of the pusher 88b of the backup piston 88. Thus, the third cylinder hole 22 is slightly smaller in diameter than the second and fourth cylinder holes 21 and 23 which are substantially equal in diameter, and the pusher 88b, which has a seal diameter smaller than seal diameters of the rear master piston 26 and piston body 88a, fits slidably in the third cylinder hole 22 of the casing 15. An annular input chamber 96 is formed between the second cylinder body 17 and backup piston 88 in the casing 15, and the axially opposite ends of the input chamber 96 is sealed by the annular sealing member 93, which is nearer to the front out of the two annular sealing members 93 and 94 mounted on the outer circumference of the piston body 88a, and by the annular sealing member 95 mounted on the inner circumference of the separator 18. The input chamber 96 is communicated with an input port 97 provided in the second cylinder body 17. When the pusher 88b of the backup piston 88 pushes the rear master piston 26 of the master cylinder M forwardly, the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 increases in volume and the input chamber 96 decreases in volume, where the volume increase of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 is substantially equal to the volume decrease of the input chamber 96. The input port 97 is communicated with a hydraulic power source 12 as shown in FIG. 1. The hydraulic power source 12 comprises a hydraulic pump 98 which pumps the brake fluid from the first oil sump 41 of the reservoir 40, an accumulator 99 connected to a discharge port of the hydraulic pump 98, a relief valve 100 installed between the discharge port of the hydraulic pump 98 and first oil sump 41, and a hydraulic pressure sensor 101 which detects the hydraulic pressure of the accumulator 99 to control operation of the hydraulic pump 98. High-pressure brake fluid normally maintained at a constant pressure is supplied from the hydraulic power source 12 to the input port 97, and thus to the input chamber 96. A spring 102 housed in the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 is mounted under compression between the backup piston 88 and rear master piston 26 whose fully retracted positions in the casing 15 are fixed. The spring force of the spring 102 urges the backup piston 88 and rear master piston 26 in such a direction as to separate them from each other. Thus, in a non-braking state, the maximum distance limiting means 53 and 68 keep the distance between the closed front end of the casing 15 and rear master piston 26 within a predetermined maximum distance. In this state, a clearance 92 is formed between the rear master piston 26 and front end of the backup piston 88 at its fully retracted position so as to make the rear master piston 26 approach the backup piston 88 from ahead and oppose it. Thus, the spring 102 is smaller in spring load than the rear return spring 57 and front return spring 72. The spring 102 maintains the clearance 92 between the rear master piston 26 and backup piston 88 in a non-braking state. As the output hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic power source 12 acts on the input chamber 96, hydraulic pressure acts in the retracting direction on the backup piston 88, while the spring force of the spring 102 also acts in the retracting direction on the backup piston 88. Preferably, the combined force of the hydraulic pressure in the retracting direction and the spring force of the spring 102 in the retracting direction is 300 to 1000 N. In the casing 15, the second cylinder body 17, first cylinder body 16, and sleeve 19 are equipped with a boosted hydraulic pressure input port 103 which is communicated with the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25. As shown in FIG. 1, the boosted hydraulic pressure input port 103 is connected to the hydraulic power source 12 via a normally closed linear solenoid valve 104 for automatic brake pressurization, and to the first oil sump 41 of the reservoir 40 via a normally closed pressure-reducing linear solenoid valve 105 for regeneration and coordination. That is, the normally closed linear solenoid valve 104 for automatic brake pressurization is interposed between the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 and hydraulic power source 12, while the normally closed pressure-reducing linear solenoid valve 105 for regeneration and coordination is interposed between the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 and reservoir 40. An annular output chamber 106 is formed between the piston body 88a of the backup piston 88 and second cylinder body 17 in the casing 15 in such a manner that its axially opposite ends are sealed by the pair of annular sealing members 93 and 94 mounted on the outer circumference of the piston body 88a. Also, a boosted hydraulic pressure output port 107 communicated with the output chamber 106 is provided in the second cylinder body 17. The boosted hydraulic pressure output port 107 is connected to the boosted hydraulic pressure input port 103, via a normally open linear solenoid valve 108 for automatic brake depressurization and a normally open pressurizing linear solenoid valve 109 for regeneration and coordination which are connected in series. A first one-way valve 110 is connected in parallel to the normally open linear solenoid valve 108 for automatic brake depressurization, to allow the brake fluid to flow from the servo-hydraulic output port 107 to the boosted hydraulic pressure input port 103. Also, a second one-way valve 111 is connected in parallel to the pressurizing linear solenoid valve 109 for regeneration and coordination, to allow the brake fluid to flow from the boosted hydraulic pressure input port 103 to the boosted hydraulic pressure output port 107. That is, the linear solenoid valve 108 for automatic brake depressurization connected in parallel to the first one-way valve 110 as well as the pressurizing linear solenoid valve 109 for regeneration and coordination connected in parallel to the second one-way valve 111 are interposed between the output chamber 106 and boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25. Moreover, a hydraulic pressure sensor 112 for detecting the amount of brake operation is connected between the boosted hydraulic pressure output port 107 and the linear solenoid valve 108 for automatic brake depressurization, while a hydraulic pressure sensor 113 for automatic brake feedback control is connected between the pressurizing linear solenoid valve 109 for regeneration and coordination and the boosted hydraulic pressure input port 103. Referring also to FIG. 5, the pressure regulating means 89 consists of a booster valve 116 and pressure-reducing valve 117. The pressure regulating means 89 is contained in the piston body 88a of the backup piston 88, and can provide communication between the input chamber 96 and the output chamber 106, and between the first oil sump 41 of the reservoir 40 and the output chamber 106, when the output hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic power source 12 decreases. A valve housing 118 consisting of a housing body 119 with a stepped cylindrical shape and an end wall member 120 fitted and fastened liquid-tight in the front end of the housing body 119, is coaxially fitted and fastened in the piston body 88a of the backup piston 88. An annular shoulder 121 which faces the master cylinder M is provided in an inner surface of the piston body 88a. The valve housing 118 is fitted in the piston body 88a from ahead until it abuts the shoulder 121. A disc-shaped presser member 122 which sandwiches the valve housing 118 between itself and the shoulder 121 is screwed into the piston body 88a of the backup piston 88. The spring 102 housed in the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 is mounted under compression between the rear master piston 26 of the master cylinder M and the presser member 122. On the piston body 88a of the backup piston 88 behind the valve housing 118, an inward flange 88e sticks out radially from the piston body 88a, an insertion hole 123 concentric with the fourth cylinder hole 23 is formed in the inner circumference of the inward flange 88e, and a seat member 132 made of an elastic annular plate abuts against the inward flange 88e from ahead. Between the inward flange 88e and valve housing 118, a pair of limiting shoulders 124 and 125, spaced axially, are installed on an inner surface of the piston body 88a. Reaction means 91 consists of a first reaction piston 126 and a second reaction piston 127 which has a stepped cylindrical shape and slidably fits around the first reaction piston 126. The second reaction piston 127 is slidably fitted in the piston body 88a with its backward limit fixed by at least one of the limiting shoulders 124 and 125. An annular sealing member 128 is mounted on the outer circumference of the first reaction piston 126, being placed in sliding contact with the inner circumference of the second reaction piston 127, while an annular sealing member 129 is mounted on the outer circumference of the second reaction piston 127, being placed in sliding contact with the inner circumference of the piston body 88a. A control-side liquid chamber 130 is formed in the piston body 88a of the backup piston 88 behind the valve housing 118, facing the front ends of the first and second reaction pistons 126 and 127. The control-side liquid chamber 130 is communicated with the output chamber 106 via a plurality of communicating holes 131 provided in the piston body 88a. Thus, the output chamber 106 is connected to the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 via a normally open linear solenoid valve 108 for automatic brake depressurization and a normally open pressurizing linear solenoid valve 109 for regeneration and coordination. Consequently, during normal braking operation, the control-side liquid chamber 130 is equal in hydraulic pressure to the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25, causing the hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 to act on the front ends of the first and second reaction pistons 126 and 127. Referring also to FIG. 6, the control piston 90 is formed as a stepped closed-end tube with its front end closed and with an end wall 90a at an front end, and is relatively slidably fitted in the rear parts of the extension tube 88c and piston body 88a of the backup piston 88. A snap ring 133 is fitted in the rear end of the extension tube 88c of the backup piston 88 to abut against the rear end of the control piston 90, thereby preventing the control piston 90 from coming off from the backup piston 88. The first reaction piston 126 has an extension tube 126a which is coaxial and integral therewith and which extends backward through the insertion hole 123. The rear end of the extension tube 126a constantly abuts against an end wall 90a on the front end of the control piston 90. The control-side liquid chamber 130 houses a spring 140 which is mounted under compression between the valve housing 118 and front end of the first reaction piston 126 to urge the rear end of the first reaction piston 126, i.e., the rear end of the extension tube 126a to come into contact with the end wall 90a of the control piston 90. The spring 140 has a very weak spring force. The second reaction piston 127 has an extension tube 127a which is coaxial and integral therewith to surround the extension tube 126a of the first reaction piston 126. The extension tube 127a is inserted into the insertion hole 123. In a state in which the second reaction piston 127 is located at its fully retracted position in abutment with at least one of the limiting shoulders 124 and 125, the rear end of the extension tube 127a of the second reaction piston 127 is placed behind the seat member 132 abutted by the inward flange 88e of the backup piston 88, but ahead of the rear end of the extension tube 126a of the first reaction piston 126. When the control piston 90 advances toward the backup piston 88, the first reaction piston 126 moves forward along with the control piston 90, and when the control piston 90 advances through a predetermined travel distance or more, the front end of the end wall 90a of the control piston 90 abuts against the rear end of the second reaction piston 127. An annular sealing member 134 which comes into resilient contact with the rear inner circumference of the piston body 88a of the backup piston 88 is mounted on the front outer circumference of the control piston 90. In the rear part of the piston body 88a, a release chamber 135 which is sealed from outside by the sealing member 134 is formed to face the front end of the control piston 90. On the other hand, in the second cylinder body 17 in the casing 15, there are provided a release port 136 communicated with the first oil sump 41 of the reservoir 40 and a release channel 137 communicated with the release port 136, as well as an annular recess 138 which opens to an inner surface of the fourth cylinder hole 23 so as to be communicated with the release channel 137. Moreover, the backup piston 88 is equipped with a plurality of communicating holes 139 to ordinarily keep the release chamber 135 communicated with the annular recess 138. The annular recess 138 is sealed both from ahead and behind by the annular sealing member 94 mounted on the outer circumference of the backup piston 88 and an annular sealing member 141 mounted on an inner surface of the fifth cylinder hole 24 ahead of the annular recess 138 and placed in sliding contact with the outer circumference of the extension tube 88c of the backup piston 88. Consequently, the release chamber 135 is ordinarily kept communicated with the first oil sump 41 of the reservoir 40. The housing body 119 of the valve housing 118 integrally comprises a cylindrical guide tube 119a extending backward into the control-side liquid chamber 130, and an inward flange 119b sticking out radially inward from the front end of the guide tube 119a. In the valve housing 118, an input-side liquid chamber 143 is formed between the inward flange 119b and the end wall member 120. An annular recess 144 is provided in the outer circumference of the housing body 119 of the valve housing 118, and a plurality of communicating holes 145 are provided in the housing body 119, to communicate the input-side liquid chamber 143 with the annular recess 144. Also, a plurality of communicating channels 146 which extend in the radial direction of the second cylinder body 17 are provided in the piston body 88a of the backup piston 88, to communicate the inner end with the annular recess 144 and communicate the outer end with the input chamber 96, so that the input-side liquid chamber 143 is communicated with the hydraulic power source 12. Moreover, a pair of annular sealing members 147 and 148 which sandwich the annular recess 144 are mounted on the outer circumference of the housing body 119 of the valve housing 118, and placed resiliently in contact with the inner circumference of the piston body 88a. The booster valve 116 comprises a booster valve seat 150 formed by the inner periphery of the inward flange 119b of the valve housing 118 and facing the input-side liquid chamber 143, and a poppet-type booster valve disc 151 which is housed in the input-side liquid chamber 143 and can be seated on the booster valve seat 150. An inner surface of the inward flange 119b of the housing body 119 forms a booster channel 152 which can communicate control-side liquid chamber 130 with the input side liquid chamber 143. The front end of the booster channel 152 opens to the center of the booster valve seat 150. The booster valve disc 151 is urged backward by a booster valve spring 153 mounted under compression between the booster valve disc 151 and valve housing 118, i.e., the booster valve disc 151 is urged in a direction to be seated on the booster valve seat 150. The booster valve disc 151 integrally comprises a rod portion 151a which liquid-tightly and axially movably penetrates the middle part of the end wall member 120 of the valve housing 118. The front end of the rod portion 151a faces a hydraulic chamber 154 formed between the end wall member 120 and the presser member 122. The presser member 122 is equipped with a communicating hole 155 which communicates the hydraulic chamber 154 with the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25, causing the hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 to act rearward on the front end of the booster valve disc 151. The pressure receiving area on the front end of the booster valve disc 151 subjected to the hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 is set substantially equal to the sealing area obtained when the booster valve disc 151 is seated on the booster valve seat 150. That is, the diameter of the rod portion 151a is set substantially equal to the diameter of that part of the booster valve seat 150 on which the booster valve disc 151 is seated. A release-side liquid chamber 157 whose rear end is closed by the front end of the control piston 90, is formed in the extension tube 126a of the first reaction piston 126. A pressure-reducing valve seat 158 facing the control-side liquid chamber 130 and the pressure-reducing flow channel 159 with its front end open to the center of the pressure-reducing valve seat 158 and with its rear end open to the release-side liquid chamber 157, are coaxially mounted in the first reaction piston 126, where the front end of the pressure-reducing flow channel 159 can be communicated with the control-side liquid chamber 130. The pressure-reducing valve 117 is composed of the pressure-reducing valve seat 158 and a poppet-type pressure-reducing valve disc 160 which is housed in the control-side liquid chamber 130 ahead of the reaction piston 126 to allow its rear end to be seated on the valve seat 158, and is spring-urged backward with its backward limit fixed. The pressure-reducing valve disc 160 can reciprocate coaxially with the booster channel 152, and is urged by a pressure-reducing spring 161 in a direction to be seated on the pressure-reducing valve seat 158. The pressure-reducing valve disc 160 housed in the control-side liquid chamber 130 is held axially slidably by the guide tube 119a. A snap ring 162 is mounted on the rear end of the guide tube 119a to set the backward limit of the pressure-reducing valve disc 160 by abutting the pressure-reducing valve disc 160 from behind. A rod portion 160a is mounted coaxially and integrally on the pressure-reducing valve disc 160, extending forward to be inserted into the booster channel 152. The tip of the rod portion 160a abuts against the booster valve disc 151 of the booster valve 116, to push the booster valve disc 151 in a lifting direction from the booster valve seat 150, i.e., in a valve-opening direction against the spring force of the booster valve spring 153. A release hole 163 communicated with the release-side liquid chamber 157 is provided in the extension tube 126a of the first reaction piston 126 so as to open to an outer surface of the extension tube 126a. The release-side liquid chamber 157 is communicated with the release chamber 135 through the release hole 163 and a clearance between the extension tubes 126a and 127a of the first and second reaction pistons 126 and 127. When the booster valve 116 is open, the brake fluid in the input-side liquid chamber 143 communicated with the hydraulic power source 12 flows into the control-side liquid chamber 130 through the booster channel 152. The inflow of the brake fluid is controlled by a flow control valve 165 which varies the orifice area of the booster channel 152 opening to the control-side liquid chamber 130 according to the difference in the hydraulic pressure between the booster channel 152 and control-side liquid chamber 130. The flow control valve 165 has a valve disc 164 which is housed in the guide tube 119a so as to close the booster channel 152 by seating on the inner periphery of the inward flange 119b of the valve housing 118 from the side of the control-side liquid chamber 130. The pressure-reducing spring 161 is mounted under compression between the valve disc 164 and pressure-reducing valve disc 160, to urge the valve disc 164 to be seated on the inner periphery of the inward flange 119b, and the pressure-reducing valve disc 160 to be seated on the pressure-reducing valve seat 158. The valve disc 164 is slidably supported by the rod portion 160a mounted coaxially with the booster channel 152 and integrally with the pressure-reducing valve disc 160. When the pressure-reducing valve 117 is open, the brake fluid in the control-side liquid chamber 130 flows out to the release-side liquid chamber 157 through the pressure-reducing flow channel 159. The outflow of the brake fluid is controlled by a flow control valve 168 which varies the orifice area of the pressure-reducing flow channel 159 opening to the release-side liquid chamber 157 according to the difference in the hydraulic pressure between the pressure-reducing flow channel 159 and release-side liquid chamber 157. The flow control valve 168 has a valve disc 169 which is housed in the extension tube 126a of the first reaction piston 126, so as to be seated on the rear part of the first reaction piston 126 to close the pressure-reducing flow channel 159 at a part which faces the release-side liquid chamber 157. The extension tube 126a houses a support member 170 which abuts against the front end of the control piston 90. A valve spring 171 is mounted under compression between the valve disc 169 and the support member 170 to urge the valve disc 169 in a direction to be seated on the rear part of the first reaction piston 126. Moreover, the valve disc 169 is supported by the support shaft 170a mounted coaxially to the pressure-reducing flow channel 159 and integrally with the support member 170. In the hydraulic booster 13, as brake operating input from the brake pedal 11 is entered the control piston 90 via the brake stroke simulator 14, pressing force of the control piston 90 acts forward on the reaction means 91. Consequently, when the control piston 90 advances less than a predetermined travel distance toward the backup piston 88, the first reaction piston 126 abuts against the control piston 90. As the first reaction piston 126 advances, the pressure-reducing valve disc 160 is seated on the pressure-reducing valve seat 158. As a result, the pressure-reducing valve 117 closes, to block the control-side liquid chamber 130 from the reservoir 40. Then, when the control piston 90, first reaction piston 126, and pressure-reducing valve disc 160 advance further, the booster valve disc 151 is pushed by the rod portion 160a of the pressure-reducing valve disc 160 and lifted from the booster valve seat 150, thereby opening the booster valve 116 to cause the output hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic power source 12 to act on the control-side liquid chamber 130. When the pressure-reducing valve 117 remains closed, the hydraulic pressures of the control-side liquid chamber 130 and the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 are acting on the front part of the first reaction piston 126, the first reaction piston 126 and the control piston 90 retract to achieve a balance between the brake operating input from the brake pedal 11 and hydraulic force produced by the hydraulic pressure of the servo-hydraulic control chamber 130. Consequently, the pressure-reducing valve 117 opens and the booster valve 116 closes. As the booster valve 116 and the pressure-reducing valve 117 repeat opening and closing, the output hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic power source 12 is regulated to servo-hydraulic pressure corresponding to the brake operating input from the brake pedal 11, and is applied to the servo-hydraulic control chamber 130, and thus to the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25. When the control piston 90 advances toward the backup piston 88 through a predetermined travel distance or more, the control piston 90 is abutted not only by the first reaction piston 126, but also by the second reaction piston 127. Consequently, the hydraulic pressure of the control-side liquid chamber 130 which pushes the second reaction piston 127 backward adds to the reaction force acting on the control piston 90. The brake stroke simulator 14 comprises: an input piston 174 which is an input member housed axially slidably in the control piston 90; an elastic body 175 and a coil spring 176 serving as elastic members interposed in series between the input piston 174 and the control piston 90; and a simulator piston 177 linked to the input piston 174 and slidably fitted in the control piston 90. The brake stroke simulator 14 is contained in the control piston 90, and altogether contained in the backup piston 88. The input piston 174 is slidably housed in the rear part of the control piston 90 with its backward limit fixed by the snap ring 178 mounted on the rear end of the control piston 90. The front end of an input rod 179 linked to the brake pedal 11 is swingably connected with the input piston 174. Thus, a brake operating force corresponding to the operation of the brake pedal 11 is inputted to the input piston 174 via the input rod 179, and the input piston 174 moves forward according to the brake operating force. Besides, a sealing member 184 placed in sliding contact with the inner circumference of the control piston 90 is fitted over the outer circumference of the input piston 174. The elastic body 175 is made of elastic material such as rubber and has a cylindrical shape. The elastic body 175 and the metallic coil spring 176 smaller in spring load than the elastic body 175 are interposed in series between the input piston 174 and control piston 90 via a simulator piston 177 which comprises a disc 177a slidably fitted in the control piston 90 and a bottomed cylindrical portion 177b extending into the coil spring 176 and integrally joined with the disc 177a. The rear part of a guide shaft 180 is coaxially press-fitted and fastened in the center of the input piston 174. The front part of the guide shaft 180 axially movably penetrates the center of the disc 177a of the simulator piston 177, and slidably fitted in the bottomed cylindrical portion 177b of the simulator piston 177. The elastic body 175 is interposed between the disc 177a of the simulator piston 177 and input piston 174, being restricted from bending inward by being fitted with the guide shaft 180. The elastic body 175 can come into resilient contact with the inner circumference of the control piston 90 by expanding its diameter under an axial compressive force produced by forward movement of the input piston 174. The coil spring 176 is installed between the disc 177a of the simulator piston 177 and the closed front end of the control piston 90. When the input piston 174 is at the backward limit, the coil spring 176 is slightly compressed compared to its natural state in which no external load is applied to it. That is, the elastic body 175 is preloaded with the coil spring 176. A hole 181 is provided in the closed front end of the bottomed cylindrical portion 177b of the simulator piston 177, to prevent the pressure inside the bottomed cylindrical portion 177b from increasing or decreasing along with forward and backward movements of the guide shaft 180. A stroke liquid chamber 182 is formed between the simulator piston 177 and the end wall 90a at the front end of the control piston 90. When the control piston 90 advances to its forward limit with respect to the backup piston 88, i.e., when the control piston 90 advances to the point where the end wall 90a abuts against the seat member 132, a plurality of ports 183 are provided in the end wall 90a of the control piston 90. The plurality of ports 183 are closed by the seat member 132. These ports 183 are opened to communicate the stroke liquid chamber 182 with the release chamber 135, and thus with the reservoir 40, when the control piston 90 retracts from its forward limit with respect to the backup piston 88. Next, operation of this embodiment will be described. The tandem master cylinder M comprises the rear master piston 26 and front master piston 27 slidably housed in the casing 15, where the rear master piston 26 has its back turned to the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25, while the front master piston 27 forms the rear output hydraulic chamber 28 in conjunction with the rear master piston 26, and has its front face facing the front output hydraulic chamber 29. Also, the casing 15 slidably houses the backup piston 88 whose front face faces the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25, whose backward limit is fixed, and which is ready to push the rear master piston 26 directly from behind in response to operation of the brake pedal 11 when the hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 decreases. The hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 results from the output hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic power source 12 regulated by the hydraulic booster 13 according to brake operation via the brake pedal 11. The seal diameter of the rear master piston 26 on the casing 15 is set smaller than the seal diameter of the front master piston 27 on the casing 15. Thus, the amount of volume change in the rear output hydraulic chamber 28 per stroke of the rear master piston 26 can be set to a relatively large value. Consequently, when pushing the rear master piston 26 directly by the backup piston 88 in response to decrease in the hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25, it is possible to relatively increase the amount of operation of the brake pedal 11, i.e., the amount of change in the hydraulic pressure of the rear output hydraulic chamber 28 per stroke of the backup piston 88 and the rear master piston 26, thus increasing braking efficiency. The backup piston 88 comprises the piston body 88a and pusher 88b, where the piston body 88a is slidably fitted in the casing 15 with substantially the same seal diameter as the seal diameter of the rear master piston 26, while the pusher 88b is slidably fitted in the casing 15 with a smaller seal diameter than the seal diameters of the rear master piston 26 and piston body 88a and coaxially extends to the front end of the piston body 88a, being ready to abut against and push the rear end of the rear master piston 26. The backup piston 88 also contains the pressure regulating means 89 formed between the backup piston 88 and casing 15 so as to communicate the hydraulic power source 12 with the axially opposite ends of the annular input chamber 96 sealed by the sealing members 93 and 95 which are interposed between the piston body 88a and casing 15 and between the pusher 88b and casing 15, respectively. Also, the pressure regulating means 89 forms part of the hydraulic booster 13, being interposed between the input chamber 96 and output chamber 106 so as to communicate the input chamber 96 with the output chamber 106 connected to the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 and to communicate the output chamber 106 with the reservoir 40 when the output hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic power source 12 decreases. Consequently, when the pusher 88b pushes the rear master piston 26 forward, the amount of volume increase in the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 is set to be substantially equal to the amount of volume decrease in the input chamber 96. Since reduction in the hydraulic pressure of the input chamber 96, i.e., reduction in the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic power source 12, causes reduction in the hydraulic force which presses the backup piston 88 toward the backward limit, it is possible to advance the backup piston 88 according to operation of the brake pedal 11, abut against the pusher 88b in the front part of the backup piston 88 against the rear master piston 26 with a clearance provided between the casing 15 and inner contact surface of the rear master piston 26, advance the rear master piston 26 in this state, thereby outputting the boosted brake fluid from the master cylinder M. When the backup piston 88 and rear master piston 26 move forward in this way, there is no increase in the hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25, because the piston body 88a of the backup piston 88 is substantially equal in seal diameter to the rear master piston 26, because the amount of volume increase in the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 is substantially equal to the amount of volume decrease in the input chamber 96 when the pusher 88b of the backup piston 88 pushes the rear master piston 26 in the forward direction, and because the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 is communicated with the input chamber 96 via the pressure regulating means 89. This makes it possible to avoid increase in the hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 during forward movement of the backup piston 88 using a simple configuration with a reduced number of parts. Also, since the spring 102 which urges the backup piston 88 and rear master piston 26 in a direction to separate them from each other is installed between the two pistons 88 and 26 whose fully retracted positions in the casing 15 are limited, it is possible to ensure an idle stroke according to reduction in the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic power source 12 when advancing the backup piston 88 with the brake pedal 11. Since the combined force of backward hydraulic pressure which acts on the backup piston 88 as the output hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic power source 12 acts on the input chamber 96 and the urging force of the spring 102 which urges the backup piston 88 in the backward direction is set to 300 to 1000 N, the backup piston 88 can be held stably at its fully retracted position when the hydraulic power source 12 is operating properly. That is, by urging the backup piston in the backward direction with a force of 300 N or more, it is possible to urge the backup piston 88 reliably in the backward direction taking into consideration the output hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic power source 12 and sliding resistance of the backup piston 88. Also, by urging the backup piston 88 in the backward direction with a force of not more than 1000 N, it is possible to prevent the rear master piston 26 from being pushed fully into the master cylinder M. Incidentally, the normally closed linear solenoid valve 104 for automatic brake pressurization is interposed between the hydraulic power source 12 and the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25, while the normally open linear solenoid valve 108 for automatic brake depressurization and first one-way valve 110 are interposed between the output chamber 106 and boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25, where the first one-way valve 110 is connected in parallel to the linear solenoid valve 108 for automatic brake depressurization to allow the brake fluid to flow from the output chamber 106 to the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25. Even when the brake pedal 11 is not operated and thus the pressure regulating means 89 is not operating, it is possible to perform automatic brake control in which the brake fluid is caused to act on the wheel brakes BA to BD in a non-braking situation by opening and closing the linear solenoid valve 104 for automatic brake pressurization and the linear solenoid valve 108 for automatic brake depressurization, thereby regulating the hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25. Moreover, when the linear solenoid valve 108 for automatic brake depressurization is closed in automatic braking mode, it is possible to activate the pressure regulating means 89 by operating the brake pedal 11. Thus, if hydraulic pressure higher than that of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 is generated in the output chamber 106, the hydraulic pressure of the output chamber 106 can be caused to act on the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 via the first one-way valve 110, to thereby operate the master cylinder M as during normal braking operations. The normally closed pressure-reducing linear solenoid valve 105 for regeneration and coordination is interposed between the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 and reservoir 40, while the normally open pressurizing linear solenoid valve 109 for regeneration and coordination and second one-way valve 111 are interposed between the output chamber 106 and boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25, where the second one-way valve 111 is connected in parallel to the pressurizing linear solenoid valve 109 for regeneration and coordination to allow the brake fluid to flow from the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 to the output chamber 106. Thus, during regeneration in a braking operation, by opening and closing the pressurizing linear solenoid valve 109 for regeneration and coordination and the pressure-reducing linear solenoid valve 105 for regeneration and coordination and thereby regulating the hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25, it is possible to output brake hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder M in a state offset from that during a normal braking operation. By returning the brake pedal 11 with the pressurizing linear solenoid valve 109 for regeneration and coordination closed, it is possible to release the hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 to the reservoir 40 via the second one-way valve 111. The casing 15 comprises the first cylinder body 16 into which the front master piston 27 fits slidably and the cylindrical sleeve 19 which is fitted and fastened in the first cylinder body 16 with the rear master piston 26 slidably fitted in it. Also, the sleeve 19 forms the annular release chamber 33 between itself and the first cylinder body 16, where the annular release chamber 33 is communicated with the reservoir 40. The annular piston-side sealing member 31 and sleeve-side sealing member 32, spaced axially, are interposed between the sleeve 19 and the rear master piston 26 which is slidably fitted in the sleeve 19. The communicating holes 36 are provided in the sleeve 19 so that the part between the axially opposite ends sealed with the sealing members 31 and 32 out of the part between the inner circumference of the sleeve 19 and outer circumference of the rear master piston 26 is communicated with the annular release chamber 33. If the piston-side sealing member 31 fails to perform its sealing function, where the piston-side sealing member 31 is the one closer to the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 out of the pair of sealing members 31 and 32 interposed between the sleeve 19 which forms part of the casing 15 and the rear master piston 26, the brake fluid in the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 is returned to the reservoir 40, passing between the rear master piston 26 and sleeve 19 as well as between the communicating holes 36 and annular release chamber 33. In this process, the boosted hydraulic pressure becomes unavailable because the backup piston 88 directly pushes the rear master piston 26 in response to decrease in the hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25, but two brake hydraulic systems connected to the tandem master cylinder M operate the wheel brakes BA to BD. If the sleeve-side sealing member 32 closer to the rear output hydraulic chamber 28 out of the pair of sealing members 31 and 32 fails to perform its sealing function, the brake fluid in the rear output hydraulic chamber 28 is returned to the reservoir 40, passing between the rear master piston 26 and sleeve 19, as well as the communicating holes 36 and annular release chamber 33. In this case, brake hydraulic pressure is not available to the wheel brakes BA and BB of the brake hydraulic system connected to the rear output hydraulic chamber 28, but as the hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 acts on the rear master piston 26, the front master piston 27 can be operated with boosted pressure, and the brake hydraulic pressure boosted by the brake hydraulic system connected to the front output hydraulic chamber 29 can be applied to the wheel brakes BC and BD. Thus, if one of the pair of sealing members 31 and 32 interposed between the sleeve 19 and rear master piston 26 fails to function, the wheel brakes BA to BD change their operating condition, to thereby clearly detect which of the sealing members 31 and 32 is damaged. Also, since the piston-side sealing member 31, one of the sealing members 31 and 32, is mounted on the rear outer circumference of the rear master piston 26 while the other sealing member, i.e., the sleeve-side sealing member 32, is mounted on the inner circumference of the sleeve 19 so as to come into contact with the front outer circumference of the rear master piston 26 located at its fully retracted position, the pair of sealing members 31 and 32 can be interposed between the rear master piston 26 and sleeve 19 while avoiding increase in the axial length of the sleeve 19 and thus increase in the axial length of the casing 15 regardless of the stroke of the rear master piston 26. Furthermore, in a non-braking situation, the rear master piston 26 is urged backward by the rear return spring 57 with its distance from the closed front end of the casing 15 kept to a predetermined maximum distance by the maximum distance limiting means 53 and 68. In this state, the clearance 92 is formed between the rear end of the rear master piston 26 and front end of the backup piston 88 at its fully retracted position so as to make the rear master piston 26 approach the backup piston 88 from ahead and oppose it. This clearance 92 can absorb axial deviations of the master cylinder M and backup piston 88, to thereby avoid compressing the front return spring 74 which urges the front master piston 27 backward and the rear return spring 57 which urges the rear master piston 26 backward in excess of their set loads, and thus avoid increasing an idle stroke of the brake pedal 11. Moreover, since the spring 102 smaller in spring load than the rear return spring 57 is mounted under compression between the backup piston 88 and rear master piston 26 so as to urge the rear master piston 26 forward, it is possible to maintain the clearance 92 between the rear master piston 26 and backup piston 88 while keeping the rear and front master pistons 26 and 27 from moving in a direction to abut against the backup piston 88 when the brake pedal 11 is not operated. The hydraulic booster 13 comprises the backup piston 88, the control valve means 89 contained in the backup piston 88, the control piston 90 which makes the control valve means 89 regulate pressure so as to achieve a balance between the reaction force generated by the hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 and the brake operating force inputted from the brake pedal 11 via the brake stroke simulator 14, and the reaction means 91 placed between the control valve means 89 and control piston 90. The control valve means 89 comprises the booster valve 116 and the pressure-reducing valve 117, where the booster valve 116 is interposed between the control-side liquid chamber 130 connected to the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 and hydraulic power source 12 so as to open when the control piston 90 advances and close when the control piston 90 retracts, while the pressure-reducing valve 117 is interposed between the control-side liquid chamber 130 and reservoir 40 so as to close when the control piston 90 advances and open when the control piston 90 retracts. The control piston 90 is relatively slidably fitted in the backup piston 88 and is coaxially connected with the rear end of the reaction means 91 whose front end faces the control-side liquid chamber 130 formed in the backup piston 88. The valve housing 118 is fitted and fastened in the backup piston 88 ahead of the reaction means 91. The pressure-reducing valve 117 comprises the pressure-reducing valve seat 146 and poppet-type pressure-reducing valve disc 160, where the pressure-reducing valve seat 146 is installed on the reaction means 91, forming the pressure-reducing valve hole 145 which is communicated with the reservoir 40 when the pressure-reducing valve 117 retracts, while the poppet-type pressure-reducing valve disc 160 is housed in the valve housing 118, being spring-urged backward to the backward limit. The booster valve 116 comprises the booster valve seat 150 and the poppet-type booster valve disc 151, where the booster valve seat 150 is installed in the valve housing 118, forming the booster valve hole 163 which is communicated with the control-side liquid chamber 130 and ready to accept the rod portion 160a of the pressure-reducing valve disc 160, while the poppet-type booster valve disc 151 is installed in the valve housing 118, being spring-urged backward and ready to be pushed forward by the front end of the pressure-reducing valve disc 160. Thus, the control valve means 89 consisting of the control piston 90, reaction means 91, booster valve 116, and pressure-reducing valve 117 can be preinstalled in the backup piston 88 slidably housed in the casing 15, making it easier to assemble the control piston 90, reaction means 91, and control valve means 89 to the casing 15. Since the sealing area obtained when the booster valve disc 151 is seated on the booster valve seat 150 is set substantially equal to the pressure receiving area on the front end of the booster valve disc 151 subjected to the hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25, the hydraulic forces acting on the opposite ends of the poppet-type booster valve disc 151 of the booster valve 116 are substantially equal, and thus the poppet-type booster valve disc 151 operates so as to balance the valve opening force acting on the booster valve disc 151 from the rod portion 160a of the pressure-reducing valve disc 160 of the pressure-reducing valve 117 with the spring force urging the poppet-type booster valve disc 151 backward, thereby improving operational performance of the booster valve 116. The spring force which urges the poppet-type booster valve disc 151 backward is sufficient to be a weak force for the poppet-type booster valve disc 151 to follow the pressure-reducing valve disc 160, and the spring force which urges the pressure-reducing valve disc 160 backward is also sufficient to be a weak force for the pressure-reducing valve disc 160 to follow the reaction means 91, resulting in a very weak spring force acting on the reaction means 91. Thus, the reaction force acting on the reaction means 91 is almost entirely attributable to the hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 to improve the reaction feeling. The valve housing 118 is fitted and fastened in the backup piston 88 by being sandwiched between the shoulder 121 provided on the backup piston 88 to face the front and the presser member 122 screwed into the backup piston 88. Also, the communicating hole 155 is provided in the presser member 122 to communicate the hydraulic chamber 154 with the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25, where the hydraulic chamber 154 is formed between the presser member 122 and the valve housing 118 to face the rod portion 151a of the booster valve disc 151. This makes it easier to configure a hydraulic channel used to apply the hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 to the front end of the poppet-type booster valve disc 151. As described above, the hydraulic booster 13 comprises the backup piston 88 which can directly push the rear master piston 26 in response to operation of the brake pedal 11 when the hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 decreases, and the control piston 90 and brake stroke simulator 14 are contained in the backup piston 88. Thus, the hydraulic booster 13 can be assembled to the casing 15 with the brake stroke simulator 14 incorporated in the backup piston 88 and connected to the control piston 90, thereby improving the efficiency in assembling. Moreover, the brake stroke simulator 14 is contained in the control piston 90. This reduces the total axial length of the hydraulic booster 13 and brake stroke simulator 14. Also, even if the brake stroke simulator 14 malfunctions, brake operating force can be inputted to the control piston 90 from the brake pedal 11 via the brake stroke simulator 14. The control piston 90 is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape with the end wall 90a at its front end. The brake stroke simulator 14 comprises: an input piston 174 linked to the brake pedal 11; a simulator piston 177 which is slidably fitted in the control piston 90 to form a stroke liquid chamber 182 between itself and the end wall 90a of the control piston 90, and is coupled to the input piston 174; and an elastic body 175 and a coil spring 176 installed between the input piston 174 and the control piston 90. Ports 183 which are closed by the seat member 134 when the control piston 90 advances through a predetermined travel distance or more toward the backup piston 88, are provided in the end wall 90a of the control piston 90 so as to communicate the stroke liquid chamber 182 with a reservoir 40 when they are open. Thus, when the ports 183 in the control piston 90 are closed as the control piston 90 advances through a predetermined travel distance or more toward the backup piston 88, the stroke liquid chamber 182 is hermetically sealed, limiting the forward travel of the simulator piston 177 toward the control piston 90. This makes it easy to limit a forward travel end of the simulator piston 177 with respect to the control piston 90 without installing a high-strength limiting part. This makes it possible to curb increase in a stroke and reaction of the brake pedal 11 which would be invalidated by a brake stroke simulator 14 when a hydraulic power source 12 fails. The brake operating force applied to the input piston 174 by the brake pedal 11 is transmitted to the control piston 90 via the elastic body 175 and the coil spring 176 connected in series via the simulator piston 177. The coil spring 176 is smaller in spring constant than the elastic body 175. Thus, as shown in FIG. 7, in a region where brake operating load is small, the operating load changes moderately with respect to the amount of change in the operating stroke of the brake pedal 11, since the brake pedal 11 is pressed down against the spring force of the coil spring 176; but in a region where the brake operating load is large, the operating load changes comparatively greatly with respect to the amount of change in the operating stroke of the brake pedal 11, since the brake pedal 11 is pressed down against the spring force of the elastic body 175. Besides, since the elastic body 175 is formed into a cylindrical shape so that it will come into resilient contact with the inner circumference of the control piston 90 by expanding its diameter under an axial compressive force produced by forward movement of the input piston 174, when pressing down the brake pedal 11, the brake pedal 11 must be operated with such an operating force that overcomes the sum of the resilient force of the elastic body 175 and the frictional force between the elastic body 175 and control piston 90. However, when relaxing the brake operating force, the frictional force acts on the brake pedal 11 in the direction opposite to the returning direction of the brake pedal 11, while the elastic body 175 remains in sliding contact with the inner circumference of the control piston 90. Thus, the brake stroke simulator 14 can increase hysteresis width in relationship between brake operating stroke and operating load as shown in FIG. 7, thereby reducing the driver's burden. Since the elastic body 175 is preloaded with the coil spring 176, even if the elastic body 175 loses elasticity, the loss of elasticity is absorbed by the coil spring 176, and it is possible to eliminate a feel of an idle stroke during a normal braking operation and obtain two-step operating simulation characteristics using the elastic body 175 and the coil spring 176 irrespective of the loss of elasticity of the elastic body 175. Reaction means 91 consists of a first reaction piston 126 whose rear end constantly abuts against the closed front end of the control piston 90, and a second reaction piston 127 whose rear end abuts against the closed front end of the control piston 90, when the control piston 90 advances through a predetermined travel distance or more toward the backup piston 88. The first and second reaction pistons 126 and 127 are relatively slidably mounted on the backup piston 88, to form part of the hydraulic booster, in order for hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 to act on their front ends. When the hydraulic power source 12 is operating normally with the hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 at a low level, even if spikes are inputted from the brake pedal 11, the control piston 90 is abutted by the rear ends of the first and second reaction pistons 126 and 127 before the ports 183 in the end wall 90a of the control piston 90 are closed, thereby increasing the reaction force acting on the control piston 90. This prevents the ports 183 from being closed, and thus prevents the brake stroke simulator 14 from being locked erroneously, thereby avoiding an insufficient stroke of the brake pedal 11. When the booster valve 116 is open, the brake fluid in the input-side liquid chamber 143 flows through a booster channel 152 into the control-side liquid chamber 130. The inflow of the brake fluid is controlled by the flow control valve 165 which varies the orifice area of the booster channel 152 opening to the control-side liquid chamber 130 according to the difference in the hydraulic pressure between the booster channel 152 and control-side liquid chamber 130. When the pressure-reducing valve 117 is open, the brake fluid in the control-side liquid chamber 130 flows out to the release-side liquid chamber 157 through the pressure-reducing flow channel 159. The outflow of the brake fluid is controlled by a flow control valve 168 which varies the orifice area of the pressure-reducing flow channel 159 opening to the release-side liquid chamber 157 according to the difference in the hydraulic pressure between the pressure-reducing flow channel 159 and release-side liquid chamber 157. Thus, when the high-pressure hydraulic fluid flows into the lower-pressure liquid chambers 130 and 157 from the respective higher-pressure liquid chambers 143 and 130 via the respective flow channels 152 and 159 upon opening of the booster valve 116 and pressure-reducing valve 117, the flow control valves 165 and 168 baffle the hydraulic fluid and control its flow rate. This prevents an abrupt pressure change in the hydraulic fluid flowing into the lower-pressure liquid chambers 130 and 157 from the flow channels 152 and 159, as well as reduces operating noise and pulsating noise resulting from operation of the booster valve 116 and the pressure-reducing valve 117. Also, the valve discs 164 and 169 of the flow control valves 165 and 168 are slidably supported by the rod portion 160a and the support shaft 170a extending linearly and coaxial with the flow channels 152 and 159, and are spring-urged in a direction to close those ends of the flow channels 152 and 159 which are open to the respective lower-pressure liquid chambers 130 and 157. This configuration can prevent self-excited vibration of the valve discs 164 and 169, thereby preventing noise caused by self-excited vibration. Furthermore, the booster valve 116 interposed between the input-side liquid chamber 143 and the control-side liquid chamber 130, comprises the booster valve seat 150 and the booster valve disc 151, where the middle part of the booster valve seat 150 faces the end of the booster channel 152 which is open to the input-side liquid chamber 143, while the booster valve disc 151 is housed in the input-side liquid chamber 143 being spring-urged in a direction to be seated on the booster valve seat 150. The pressure-reducing valve 117 is interposed between the release-side liquid chamber 157 and the control-side liquid chamber 130 so as to close when the booster valve 116 opens. The pressure-reducing valve 117 comprises the pressure-reducing valve disc 160 housed in the control-side liquid chamber 130 so as to be able to reciprocate coaxially with the booster channel 152. The rod portion 160a which abuts against and pushes the booster valve disc 151 in the opening direction is integrally mounted on the pressure-reducing valve disc 160. Thus, when controlling the hydraulic pressure of the control-side liquid chamber 130 by opening and closing the booster valve 116 and the pressure-reducing valve 117, since the valve disc 164 of the flow control valve 165 is supported by the rod portion 160a which is integral with the pressure-reducing valve disc 160 of the pressure-reducing valve 117 and operates the booster valve 116 to close, it is possible to reduce the number of parts to reduce the size of the entire hydraulic booster 13. Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 12. Components corresponding to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Referring first to FIG. 8, a braking system for a four-wheeled vehicle comprises: a tandem master cylinder M, a hydraulic booster 193 which regulates hydraulic pressure of a hydraulic power source 12 according to a brake operating force inputted from a brake pedal 11, and which applies the hydraulic pressure to the master cylinder M; and a brake stroke simulator 194 interposed between the brake pedal 11 and hydraulic booster 193. Referring also to FIG. 9, the hydraulic booster 193 comprises: a backup piston 195 which has a stepped cylindrical shape and is slidably housed in the casing 15 with its front face turned to the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25; a pressure controlling means 191 contained in the backup piston 195; a control piston 196 which makes the pressure controlling means 191 regulate pressure so as to achieve a balance between the reaction force caused by the hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 and the brake operating force inputted from the brake pedal 11 via the brake stroke simulator 194; and a reaction piston 197 serving as reaction means placed between the pressure controlling means 191 and the control piston 196. The backup piston 195 integrally comprises: a piston body 195a which slidably fits in the fourth cylinder hole 23; a cylindrical pusher 195b which is coaxially and integrally linked to the front end of the piston body 195a by slidably penetrating the third cylinder hole 22; and a cylindrical extension tube 195c which is coaxially and integrally linked to the rear end of the piston body 195a and extends beyond the casing 15 by slidably penetrating the fifth cylinder hole 24. The pusher 195b pushes the rear master piston 26 by directly abutting against the rear end of the rear master piston 26. On the outer circumference of the backup piston 195, near its rear end, a limiting shoulder 195d is formed between the piston body 195a and the extension tube 195c. The limiting shoulder 195d defines the fully retracted position of the backup piston 195 within the casing 15, as it abuts against the inward flange 17a at the rear end of the second cylinder body 17 in the casing 15 from ahead. Annular sealing members 93 and 94, spaced axially, are mounted on the outer circumference of the piston body 195a of the backup piston 195, and placed resiliently in sliding contact with the inner circumference of the fourth cylinder hole 23. An annular sealing member 95 is mounted on the inner circumference of the separator 18, and placed resiliently in sliding contact with the pusher 195b of the backup piston 195. Thus, the pusher 195b, which has a seal diameter smaller than seal diameters of the rear master piston 26 and piston body 195a, fits slidably in the third cylinder hole 22 of the casing 15. An input chamber 96 is formed between the second cylinder body 17 and the backup piston 195 in the casing 15, and the axially opposite ends of the input chamber 96 are sealed by the annular sealing member 93 nearer the front out of the two annular sealing members 93 and 94 mounted on the outer circumference of the piston body 195a, and by the annular sealing member 95 mounted on the inner circumference of the separator 18. The input chamber 96 is communicated with an input port 97 provided in the second cylinder body 17. The input port 97 is communicated with a hydraulic power source 12 (see FIG. 1 in the first embodiment). When the pusher 195b of the backup piston 195 pushes the rear master piston 26 of the master cylinder M, the volume increase of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 is substantially equal to the volume decrease of the input chamber 96. Referring also to FIG. 10, the pressure controlling means 191 consists of a booster valve 116 and pressure-reducing valve 192. The pressure controlling means 191 is contained in the piston body 195a of the backup piston 195, and can provide communication between the input chamber 96 and the output chamber 106, and between the first oil sump 41 of the reservoir 40 and the output chamber 106, when the output hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic power source 12 decreases. Beyond the valve housing 118 fitted and fastened in the piston body 195a of the backup piston 195, an engagement shoulder 198 facing the valve housing 118 as well as an annular engagement shoulder 199 placed between the engagement shoulder 198 and the valve housing 118 to face the valve housing 118, are provided on an inner surface of the piston body 195a of the backup piston 195. The engagement shoulder 198 is abutted by, and engaged with, the outer circumference of the rear end of a cylindrical sleeve 200 fitted liquid-tight in the piston body 195a. The front end of the sleeve 200 is placed to be flush with the annular engagement shoulder 199. The front ends of the engagement shoulder 199 and the sleeve 200 are abutted by the outer peripheral part of the rear face of an annular elastic member 202 whose front face is in contact with a plate retainer 201. Also, a spring 140 is mounted under compression between the valve housing 118 and the front face of the retainer 201. Consequently, the faces of the elastic member 202 are held between the front ends of the engagement shoulder 199 and the sleeve 200 and the rear face of the retainer 201. In the piston body 195a of the backup piston 195, a control-side liquid chamber 130 is formed between the valve housing 118 and the retainer 201 in contact with the elastic member 202, to exert hydraulic pressure on a surface of the elastic member 202. The control-side liquid chamber 130 is communicated with the output chamber 106 via a plurality of communicating holes 131 provided in the piston body 195a. Referring also to FIG. 11, the control piston 196 is formed into a stepped closed-end tube with its front end closed, and is relatively slidably fitted in the rear parts of the extension tube 195c and the piston body 195a of the backup piston 195. A snap ring 133 is fitted in the rear end of the extension tube 195c of the backup piston 195 to abut against the rear end of the control piston 196, thereby preventing the control piston 196 from coming off from the backup piston 195. In the rear part of the piston body 195a, a release chamber 135 which is sealed from outside by a sealing member 134 is formed, facing the front end of the control piston 196, where the sealing member 134 is mounted on the front outer circumference of the control piston 196, and comes into resilient contact with the rear inner circumference of the piston body 195a of the backup piston 195. Besides, the backup piston 195 is equipped with a plurality of communicating holes 139 to keep the release chamber 135 communicated with an annular recess 138 provided in the second cylinder body 17 in the casing 15 so as to open to an inner surface of the fourth cylinder hole 23. The annular recess 138 is sealed both from ahead and behind by the annular sealing member 94 mounted on the outer circumference of the backup piston 195 and an annular sealing member 141 mounted on an inner surface of the fifth cylinder hole 24, and placed in sliding contact with the outer circumference of the extension tube 195c of the backup piston 195. The reaction piston 197 integrally comprises a small-diameter piston portion 197a whose front end faces the control-side liquid chamber 130, and a large-diameter piston portion 197b coaxially extending to the rear end of the small-diameter piston portion 197a by forming an annular shoulder 197c, which faces the control-side liquid chamber 130, between itself and the small-diameter piston portion 197a. The small-diameter piston portion 197a liquid-tightly and slidably penetrates the elastic member 202 and axially slidably penetrates the retainer 201, while the large-diameter piston portion 197b is slidably fitted in the sleeve 200. When the hydraulic pressure of the control-side liquid chamber 130 which acts on the front face of the elastic member 202 reaches a predetermined value, the inner peripheral part of the rear face of the elastic member 202 receiving a liquid pressure of the control-side liquid chamber 130, is deformed and pressed against the annular shoulder 197c of the reaction piston 197. The rear end of the reaction piston 197 coaxially abuts against the front end of the control piston 196. A spring 203 whose spring force causes the reaction piston 197 to abut against the front end of the control piston 196 is mounted under compression between a flange 197d, provided on the rear end of the reaction piston 197, and the backup piston 195. The spring force of the spring 203 is set to be a weak force sufficient for the control piston 196 to follow the reaction piston 197. The reaction piston 197 is equipped with an insertion hole 204 which has its front end communicated with the control-side liquid chamber 130 and extends coaxially with the control-side liquid chamber 130, and a through-hole 205 including a shaft hole 205a coaxial with the insertion hole 204 and communicated with the release chamber 135. A flange-shaped pressure-reducing valve seat 207 sticks out radially outward between the insertion hole 204 and shaft hole 205a to form a pressure-reducing flow channel 206 coaxial with the insertion hole 204 and through-hole 205. The pressure-reducing valve 192 is composed of the pressure-reducing valve seat 207 and a poppet-type pressure-reducing valve disc 160 which is placed ahead of the reaction piston 197 to allow its rear end to be seated on the valve seat 146 and which is spring-urged backward with its backward limit fixed. The rear part of the pressure-reducing valve disc 160 is inserted coaxially into the insertion hole 204 to form an annular orifice 208 in front of the pressure-reducing valve seat 207 between itself and the reaction piston 197. The pressure-reducing valve disc 160 is held axially slidably in the control-side liquid chamber 130 by the guide tube 119a of the housing body 119 of the valve housing 118. Also, a baffling member 210 which serves as a baffling means axially movably penetrated by the front part of the pressure-reducing valve disc 160 is housed in the guide tube 119a, forming a front end wall of the guide tube 119a and abutting against an inward flange 119b provided on the housing body 119 of the valve housing 118. Besides, a pressure-reducing valve spring 161 which urges the pressure-reducing valve disc 160 backward is mounted under compression between the baffling member 210 and the pressure-reducing valve disc 160. A throttle mechanism 211 serving as a baffling means is provided between the reaction piston 197 and the sleeve 200 whose rear end faces the release chamber 135. The throttle mechanism 211 passes the brake fluid through the through-hole 205 to the release chamber 135 at full throttle when the brake pedal 11 and thus the reaction piston 197 are inoperative, but limits passage of the brake fluid through the through-hole 205 to the release chamber 135 when the reaction piston 197 is operated via the brake pedal 11. The through-hole 205 is composed of the shaft hole 205a and a plurality of caves 205b, where the shaft hole 205a is provided in the reaction piston 197 with its front end communicated with the pressure-reducing flow channel 206 and its rear end closed at the front end of the control piston 196, while the caves 205b extend to the middle part of the shaft hole 205a and open to an outer surface of the reaction piston 197. The throttle mechanism 211 is composed of the sleeve 200 and the caves 205b. An expanded diameter portion 200a which widens toward the open end is formed in the inner circumference of the rear end of the sleeve 200. The booster valve 116 has the same configuration as the corresponding component according to the first embodiment. When the booster valve 116 is open, the brake fluid in the valve chamber 143 communicated with the hydraulic power source 12 flows into the control-side liquid chamber 130 through a booster flow channel 152. The baffling member 210 is placed near the booster flow channel 152 in the control-side liquid chamber 130. The baffling member 210 is axially movably penetrated by the pressure-reducing valve disc 160, and urged by the pressure-reducing valve spring 161 so as to be placed in contact with the inward flange 119b. The baffling member 210 comprises a disk 210a placed to face the inward flange 119b with its center axially movably penetrated by the pressure-reducing valve disc 160, and a plurality of protrusions 210b sticking out from the disk 210a so as to abut against the inward flange 119b. The brake fluid flowing into the control-side liquid chamber 130 through the booster flow channel 152 changes flow direction upon hitting the disk 210a. Then, the brake fluid is baffled so as to flow radially between the disk 210a and inward flange 119b, and flows into the control-side liquid chamber 130. In the hydraulic booster 193, as brake operating input from the brake pedal 11 is entered the control piston 196 via the brake stroke simulator 194, pressing force of the control piston 196 acts forward on the reaction piston 197. Consequently, the reaction piston 197 moves forward, causing the pressure-reducing valve disc 160 to be seated on the pressure-reducing valve seat 207. As a result, the pressure-reducing valve 192 closes, to block the control-side liquid chamber 130 from the reservoir 40. Then, when the control piston 196, reaction piston 197, and pressure-reducing valve disc 160 advance further, the booster valve disc 151 is lifted from the booster valve seat 150, opening the booster valve 116, and thus causing output hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic power source 12 to act on the control-side liquid chamber 130. When the pressure-reducing valve 192 remains closed, the hydraulic pressure of the control-side liquid chamber 130, i.e., the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25, is acting on the front part of the reaction piston 197, the reaction piston 197 and control piston 196 retract to achieve a balance between the brake operating input from the brake pedal 11 and hydraulic force produced by the hydraulic pressure of the control-side liquid chamber 130. Consequently, the pressure-reducing valve 192 opens, and the booster valve 116 closes. As the booster valve 116 and pressure-reducing valve 192 repeat opening and closing, the output hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic power source 12 is regulated to be a boosted hydraulic pressure corresponding to the brake operating input from the brake pedal 11, and is applied to the control-side liquid chamber 130, and thus to the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25. The brake stroke simulator 194 comprises an input piston 174 housed axially slidably in the control piston 196, as well as an elastic body 175 and coil spring 176 interposed in series between the input piston 174 and control piston 196. The brake stroke simulator 194 is housed in the control piston 196 and opens the control piston 196 to the atmosphere. The input piston 174 is slidably fitted in the front end of the control piston 196 with its fully retracted position defined by a snap ring 178 mounted on the rear part of the control piston 196, and is connected swingably with the front end of an input rod 179 linked to the brake pedal 11. Thus, a brake operating force corresponding to the operation of the brake pedal 11 is inputted in the input piston 174 via the input rod 179, and the input piston 174 moves forward according to the brake operating force. The front part of the guide shaft 180 press-fitted and fastened in the center of the input piston 174 is slidably fitted in the bottomed cylindrical portion 177b of the intermediate transmitting member 177 interposed between the input piston 174 and the control piston 196. Also, to open the control piston 196 to the atmosphere, a release groove 212 is provided in the outer circumference of the disc portion 177a of the intermediate transmitting member 177, and a release groove 213 is provided in the outer circumference of the input piston 174. Furthermore, behind the sealing member 134 which is mounted on the outer circumference of the control piston 196 and placed in sliding contact with the inner circumference of the extension tube 195c of the backup piston 195, a slit 214 is provided in the control piston 196 to eliminate any sealed space between the control piston 196 and the backup piston 195. According to the second embodiment, the hydraulic booster 193 comprises: a backup piston 195; a pressure controlling means 191 contained in the backup piston 195; a control piston 196 which makes the pressure controlling means 191 regulate pressure so as to achieve a balance between the reaction force caused by the hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 and the brake operating force inputted from the brake pedal 11 via the brake stroke simulator 194; and a reaction piston 197 placed between the pressure controlling means 191 and control piston 196. The pressure controlling means 191 comprises the booster valve 116 and the pressure-reducing valve 192. The booster valve 116 is interposed between the control-side liquid chamber 130 connected to the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 and the hydraulic power source 12 so as to open when the control piston 196 advances and to close when the control piston 196 retracts, while the pressure-reducing valve 192 is interposed between the control-side liquid chamber 130 and the reservoir 40 so as to close when the control piston 196 advances and to open when the control piston 196 retracts. The control piston 196 is relatively slidably fitted in the backup piston 195, and is coaxially connected with the rear end of the reaction piston 197 whose front end faces the control-side liquid chamber 130 formed in the backup piston 195. The valve housing 118 is fitted and fastened in the backup piston 195 ahead of the reaction piston 197. The pressure-reducing valve 192 comprises the pressure-reducing valve seat 207 and the poppet-type pressure-reducing valve disc 160, where the pressure-reducing valve seat 207 is installed on the reaction piston 197 to form the pressure-reducing flow channel 206 which is communicated with the reservoir 40 at the time of retraction, while the poppet-type pressure-reducing valve disc 160 is housed in the valve housing 118, being spring-urged backward with its backward limit fixed. The booster valve 116 comprises the booster valve seat 150 and the poppet-type booster valve disc 151, where the booster valve seat 150 is installed in the valve housing 118 to form the booster flow channel 152 which is communicated with the control-side liquid chamber 130 and which receives the front end of the pressure-reducing valve disc 160, while the poppet-type booster valve disc 151 is installed in the valve housing 118, being spring-urged backward to be pushed forward by the front end of the pressure-reducing valve disc 160. Thus, the pressure controlling means 191 consisting of the control piston 196, reaction piston 197, booster valve 116, and pressure-reducing valve 192 can be installed in advance in the backup piston 195 slidably housed in the casing 15, making it easier to assemble the control piston 196, reaction piston 197, and pressure controlling means 191 to the casing 15. The reaction piston 197 comprises the small-diameter piston portion 197a whose front end faces the control-side liquid chamber 130, and the large-diameter piston portion 197b coaxially and inseparably extending to the rear end of the small-diameter piston portion 197a via the annular shoulder 197c which faces the control-side liquid chamber 130. The pressure-reducing valve seat 207 is installed on the reaction piston 197, with its center facing the pressure-reducing flow channel 206 communicated with the reservoir 40. The pressure-reducing valve disc 160 is housed in the control-side liquid chamber 130, being spring-urged toward the pressure-reducing valve seat 207 with its backward limit fixed. The hydraulic pressure of the control-side liquid chamber 130 acts on one face of the elastic member 202 which is liquid-tightly and slidably penetrated by the small-diameter piston portion 197a of the reaction piston 197. The inner part of the other face of the elastic member 202 is placed to face the annular shoulder 197c so as to be deformed and pressed against the annular shoulder 197c of the reaction piston 197 when the hydraulic pressure of the control-side liquid chamber 130 reaches a predetermined value. Structure of the pressure-reducing valve 192 can be simplified by constructing the pressure-reducing valve 192 from the pressure-reducing valve seat 207 installed in the reaction piston 197 connected to the control piston 196 and the pressure-reducing valve disc 160 housed in the control-side liquid chamber 130 facing the front end of the reaction piston 197. The reaction force acting on the reaction piston 197 varies between two stages: a low-load stage in which the hydraulic pressure of the control-side liquid chamber 130 acts on the small pressure surface of the small-diameter piston portion 197a of the reaction piston 197; and a high-load stage in which the hydraulic pressure of the control-side liquid chamber 130 acts not only on the small pressure surface of the small-diameter piston portion 197a, but also on the annular shoulder 197c via the deformed elastic member 202. Thus, ideal braking characteristic can be obtained when the boosted hydraulic pressure generated by the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 25 is varied in two stages according to the operating input from the brake pedal 11 as shown in FIG. 12. The baffling member 210 is installed in the control-side liquid chamber 130. The baffling member 210 is located near the booster flow channel 152 of the booster valve 116, to baffle the brake fluid flowing into the control-side liquid chamber 130 through the booster flow channel 152. Thus, when the high-pressure brake fluid from the hydraulic power source 12 flows into the control-side liquid chamber 130 through the booster flow channel 152 upon opening of the booster valve 116, the brake fluid is baffled by the baffling member 210, thereby reducing operating noise and pulsating noise resulting from the operation of the booster valve 116. The reaction piston 197 is equipped with the insertion hole 204 whose front end is communicated with the control-side liquid chamber 130 and which extends coaxially with the control-side liquid chamber 130, and the through-hole 205 which has the shaft hole 205a coaxial with the insertion hole 204 and which is communicated with the release chamber 135. The flange-shaped pressure-reducing valve seat 207 sticks out radially outward between the insertion hole 204 and the shaft hole 205a. The rear end of the pressure-reducing valve disc 160 which forms the pressure-reducing valve 192 in cooperation with the pressure-reducing valve seat 207 is inserted into the insertion hole 204 so as to form the annular orifice 208 between itself and the reaction piston 197 ahead of the pressure-reducing valve seat 207. Thus, when high pressure in the control-side liquid chamber 130 is released to the release chamber 135 upon opening of the pressure-reducing valve 192, the high pressure passes through a narrow channel between the pressure-reducing valve disc 160 and the pressure-reducing valve seat 207 after being throttled preliminarily by the annular orifice 208 formed between the pressure-reducing valve disc 160 of the pressure-reducing valve 192 and the reaction piston 197. This makes changes in the flow rate of the brake fluid relatively modest, reducing the operating noise of the pressure-reducing valve 192 resulting from an abrupt change in the flow rate. Furthermore, the reaction piston 197 is equipped with the through-hole 205 which makes the control-side liquid chamber 130 communicated with the release chamber 135, when the pressure-reducing valve 192 is opened. The throttle mechanism 211 is provided between the sleeve 200 and reaction piston 197, with the sleeve 200 being fastened to the backup piston 88 to slidably accept the reaction piston 197. The throttle mechanism 211 passes the brake fluid through the through-hole 205 to the release chamber 135 at full throttle, when the brake pedal 11 and thus the reaction piston 197 are inoperative, but limits passage of the brake fluid through the through-hole 205 to the release chamber 135, when the reaction piston 197 is operated via the brake pedal 11. Thus, when high pressure in the control-side liquid chamber 130 is released to the release chamber 135 upon opening of the pressure-reducing valve 192, the flow of the brake fluid to the release chamber 135 through the through-hole 205 in the reaction piston 197 is throttled, thereby releasing the high hydraulic pressure slowly to the release chamber 135 to reduce operating noise. A very simple configuration can be used for the throttle mechanism 211: the sleeve 200 is placed with its rear end facing the release chamber 135; the through-hole 205 is composed of the shaft hole 205a provided in the reaction piston 197 with its front end communicated with the pressure-reducing flow channel 206, and the caves 205b which extend to the shaft hole 205a and open to an outer surface of the reaction piston 197; and the throttle mechanism 211 is composed of the rear end of the sleeve 200 and caves 205b. Moreover, since the expanded diameter portion 200a which widens toward the open end is formed in the inner circumference of the rear end of the sleeve 200, it is possible to obtain an appropriate amount of throttling by varying the amount of throttling according to the operation of the reaction piston 197. FIG. 13 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, where a brake stroke simulator 216 comprises an input piston 212 housed axially slidably in a control piston 196 as well as an elastic body 217, and the coil spring 176 interposed in series between the input piston 212 and the control piston 196. The brake stroke simulator 216 is housed in the control piston 196, and opens the control piston 196 to the atmosphere. The elastic body 217 is made of an elastic material such as rubber and has a cylindrical shape. The elastic body 217 and the metallic coil spring 176 smaller in spring load than the elastic body 217, are interposed in series between the input piston 212 and the control piston 196 via an intermediate transmitting member 177. The elastic body 217 is formed into a cylindrical shape with its outer circumference tapered in the axial direction such that one end is larger in diameter than the other. The elastic body 217 comes into resilient contact with the inner circumference of the control piston 196 by expanding its diameter under an axial compressive force produced by forward movement of the input piston 212. The third embodiment makes it possible to regulate the amount of change in the area of sliding contact between the elastic body 217 and the control piston 196 according to the operating stroke of a brake pedal 11, thus regulating the hysteresis width. While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various design changes may be made without departing from the subject matter of the present invention set forth in the appended claims. For example, although a vehicle braking system equipped with a tandem master cylinder M has been described in the above embodiments, the present invention is also applicable to a vehicle braking system equipped with a master cylinder in which a single master piston is slidably housed in a casing.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hydraulic controller comprising: a pair of liquid chambers; and an on-off valve capable of opening and closing a flow channel on the side of the liquid chamber with a higher hydraulic pressure out of the pair of liquid chambers, the flow channel being capable of providing communication between the pair of liquid chambers. 2. Description of the Related Art Such a hydraulic controller is used, for example, to control brake hydraulic pressure in a vehicle braking system, and is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-308085. The conventional hydraulic controller uses an on-off valve for a hydraulic booster in order to operate wheel brakes with boosted pressure. When an on-off valve is opened, brake fluid in the liquid chamber with a higher pressure flows into the liquid chamber with a lower pressure via a small-diametered flow channel. Since the lower-pressure liquid chamber is wider than the small-diametered flow channel, the brake fluid flowing from the flow channel into the lower-pressure liquid chamber causes an abrupt pressure change, thereby producing operating noise.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In view of the above circumstances, the present invention has an object to provide a hydraulic controller which can reduce operating noise resulting from operation of an on-off valve. To achieve the above object, according to a first feature of the present invention, there is provided a hydraulic controller comprising: a pair of liquid chambers; and an on-off valve capable of opening and closing a flow channel on the side of the liquid chamber with a higher hydraulic pressure out of the pair of liquid chambers, the flow channel being capable of providing communication between the pair of liquid chambers, wherein baffling means is provided in the liquid chamber with a lower hydraulic pressure out of the pair of liquid chambers, to baffle hydraulic fluid flowing from the higher-pressure liquid chamber into the lower-pressure liquid chamber. With the configuration of the first aspect, when the high-pressure hydraulic fluid flows from the higher-pressure liquid chamber into the lower-pressure liquid chamber upon opening of the on-off valve, the high-pressure hydraulic fluid is baffled by the baffling means, to prevent an abrupt pressure change in the hydraulic fluid flowing from the higher-pressure liquid chamber via the respective flow channel into the lower-pressure liquid chamber, thereby reducing operating noise and pulsating noise resulting from operation of the on-off valve. According to a second feature of the present invention, in addition to the arrangement of the first feature, the baffling means is a flow rate control valve which varies aperture area of the flow channel opening to the lower-pressure liquid chamber according to pressure difference between the lower-pressure liquid chamber and the flow channel. With this configuration, when the high-pressure hydraulic fluid flows from the higher-pressure liquid chamber into the lower-pressure liquid chamber upon opening of the on-off valve, the flow rate control valve not only baffles the hydraulic fluid, but also controls its flow rate. This prevents an abrupt pressure change in the hydraulic fluid flowing from the higher-pressure liquid chamber via the flow channel into the lower-pressure liquid chamber, to thereby reduce operating noise and pulsating noise resulting from operation of the on-off valves. According to a third feature of the present invention, in addition to the arrangement of the second feature, a valve disc of the flow rate control valve is slidably supported by a support shaft extending linearly and coaxial with the flow channel, and is spring-urged in a direction to close the end of the flow channel which is open to the lower-pressure liquid chamber. This configuration, in which the valve disc of the flow rate control valve is supported in contact with the support shaft, can prevent self-excited vibration of the valve disc, thereby preventing noise caused by the self-excited vibration. According to a fourth feature of the present invention, in addition to the arrangement of the third feature, a first on-off valve is interposed between an input-side liquid chamber and a control-side liquid chamber, and comprises a valve seat whose middle part faces the end of the flow channel which is open to the input-side liquid chamber, and a first valve disc which is spring-urged in a direction to be seated on the valve seat and is housed in the input-side liquid chamber, a second on-off valve is interposed between a release-side liquid chamber and the control-side liquid chamber to be opened upon opening of the first on-off valve, and comprises a second valve disc which is housed in the control-side liquid chamber so as to be able to reciprocate coaxially with the flow channel of the first on-off valve, and the second valve disc integrally comprises the support shaft which can be inserted into the flow channel to abut against and push the first valve disc in a valve opening direction. With this configuration, when controlling the hydraulic pressure of the control-side liquid chamber by opening and closing the first and second on-off valves, the valve disc of the flow rate control valve is supported by the support shaft which is integral with the second valve disc and used to operate the first on-off valve, thereby reducing the number of parts to reduce the size of the entire hydraulic controller. According to a fifth feature of the present invention, in addition to the arrangement of the fourth feature, the hydraulic controller further comprises a hydraulic booster composed of: a control piston on which brake operating input from a brake operating member acts in a forward direction; a reaction means connected coaxially with the control piston so as to apply a reaction force caused by hydraulic pressure of a boosted hydraulic pressure chamber to the control piston in a backward direction, the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber generating boosted hydraulic pressure used to operate wheel brakes; the first on-off valve which opens during advance of the control piston and closes during retraction of the control piston, being interposed between the input-side liquid chamber communicated with a hydraulic power source and the control-side liquid chamber connected to the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber; and the second on-off valve which closes during advance of the control piston and opens during retraction of the control piston, being interposed between the release-side liquid chamber communicated with a reservoir and the control-side liquid chamber, wherein the hydraulic booster regulates hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic power source so as to balance the brake operating input with the reaction force caused by hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber through back and forth movements of the control piston, and applies the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic power source to the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber, and wherein the baffling means is provided in the control-side liquid chamber. With the configuration according to the fifth aspect, the baffling means baffles the high-pressure brake fluid flowing from the input-side liquid chamber into the control-side liquid chamber upon opening of the first on-off valve installed in the hydraulic booster. Thus, it is possible to reduce the operating noise and pulsating noise resulting from operation of the on-off valve. The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
20041203
20060822
20050616
96367.0
1
LAZO, THOMAS E
HYDRAULIC CONTROLLER
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
2,004
11,002,959
ACCEPTED
Optoelectronic semiconductor component
A radiation-emitting and/or radiation-receiving semiconductor component in which a radiation-emitting and/or radiation-receiving semiconductor chip is secured on a chip carrier part of a lead frame. The chip carrier part forms a trough in the region in which the semiconductor chip is secured wherein the inner surface of the trough is designed in such a way that it constitutes a reflector for the radiation emitted and/or received by the semiconductor chip.
1-9. (canceled) 10. A semiconductor component which performs at least one of a radiation-emitting function and a radiation-receiving function, comprising: a chip carrier part; a base body surrounding at least a partial region of the chip carrier part; a semiconductor chip which performs at least one of a radiation-emitting and radiation-receiving function and which is secured on the chip carrier part, and a radiation permeable encapsulation surrounding the semiconductor chip; said chip carrier part projecting from said base body and being utilized for at least one of an electrical connection and a thermal connection. 11. The semiconductor component of claim 10 further comprising a trough structure defining recess around said semiconductor chip and providing a reflective inner surface. 12. The semiconductor component of claim 11 wherein said trough structure is part of said chip carrier part. 13. The semiconductor component of claim 10 wherein said base body is formed of radiation impermeable material.
RELATED APPLICATION DATA The present application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/043,840 filed Nov. 18, 1999, whose disclosure is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a radiation-emitting and/or radiation-receiving semiconductor component in which a radiation-emitting and/or radiation-receiving semiconductor chip is secured on a chip carrier part of a lead frame wherein the semiconductor chip and at least a partial region of the chip carrier part are surrounded by an encapsulation. 2. Description of the Prior Art Such a semiconductor component is disclosed, for example, in European Patent Application EP 400 176. The latter describes a so-called top LED, in which a semiconductor chip is secured on a planar chip carrier part of a lead frame. The lead frame is composed of the chip carrier part and a connection part, arranged separately from the latter, with a respective external connection. The chip carrier part includes the semiconductor chip. The connection part and partial regions of the external connections are surrounded by an encapsulation which comprises a radiation-impermeable base body having a recess and a radiation-permeable window part which fills up this recess. The chip carrier part and the connection part are surrounded by the base body, or embedded in the latter, in such a way that partial regions of the upper sides of the chip carrier part and of the connection part are flush with the remaining bottom surface of the recess. Except for its underside, by which it rests on the chip carrier part, the semiconductor chip is completely surrounded by the radiation-permeable window part. The recess, which is completely filled up by the radiation-permeable window part, is fashioned in such a way that it forms a reflector for the radiation emitted by the semiconductor component. The present invention is directed to developing a radiation-emitting and/or radiation-receiving semiconductor component of the type mentioned in the introduction in such a way that it has an increased radiant intensity and can be produced in a simple manner. At the same time, this semiconductor component is to have good heat dissipation from the semiconductor-chip. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In an embodiment of the present invention, the chip carrier part forms a trough in the region in which the semiconductor chip is secured. The inner surface of the trough is designed in such a way that it forms a reflector for the radiation which is emitted and/or received by the semiconductor chip. The chip carrier part has at least two external electrical connections which project from the encapsulation at various points thereof. In an embodiment, the chip carrier part forms a trough in the region in which the semiconductor chip is secured. The inner surface of the trough is designed in such a way that it forms a reflector for the radiation which is emitted and/or received by the semiconductor chip; the trough of the chip carrier part projects at least partially from the encapsulation in such a way that the chip carrier part can be electrically and/or thermally connected in the region of the trough. In an embodiment, the lead frame has the chip carrier part and a connection part arranged at a distance from the chip carrier part, with two external connections which project from the encapsulation at opposite sides. In an embodiment, at least some of the inner surfaces of the trough of the chip carrier are coated with a reflection-enhancing material. In an embodiment, the external connections of the chip carrier part are broader than the external connections of the connection part. In an embodiment, the encapsulation has a radiation-impermeable base body with a recess and a radiation-permeable window part which is arranged in the recess. The radiation-impermeable base body encapsulates at least a partial region of the chip carrier part in such a way that at least the trough of the chip carrier part is arranged in the recess. In an embodiment, the upper edge of the trough extends below the upper edge of the recess. The partial region of the inner surface of the recess which is not covered by the trough is designed in such a way that it forms a reflector for the radiation emitted by the semiconductor chip. In an embodiment, some of the inner surfaces of the recess of the radiation-impermeable base body are coated with a reflection-enhancing material. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the Detailed Description of the Presently Preferred Embodiments and from the Drawings. FIG. 1a is a plan view of an embodiment of a semiconductor component in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 1b is a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor component shown in FIG. 1a taken along the line A-A; FIG. 1c is a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor component shown in FIG. 1a taken along the line B-B; FIG. 2a is a plan view of another embodiment of the semiconductor component of the present invention; FIG. 2b is a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor component shown in FIG. 2a taken along the line C-C; and FIG. 3 is a sectional view through another embodiment of the semiconductor component in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The semiconductor component of FIGS. 1a to 1c is a so-called top LED which is constructed as a surface-mounted device. It is composed of a metallic lead frame, comprising a chip carrier part 2, a connection part 10, two external connections 11, 12, a radiation-emitting semiconductor chip 1 secured on the chip carrier part 2, and a parallelepipedal encapsulation 3. The semiconductor chip 1 has a contact metallization layer 16 on its top side, and a contact metallization layer 17 on its underside. The contact metallization layer 17 on the underside is electrically conductively connected to the chip carrier part 2, for example, by using a metallic solder or an electrically conductive adhesive, and the contact metallization layer 16 on the top side is electrically conductively connected to the connection part 10 by using a bonding wire 20, which is composed, for example, of gold or another suitable metallic material. A trough 4 is formed, for example, by embossing, in that region of the chip carrier part 2 in which the semiconductor chip 1 is secured, the inner surface 5 of the trough has the approximate shape of an upside-down truncated cone and forms a reflector for the radiation emitted by the semiconductor chip 1. The external connections 11, 12 of the chip carrier part 2 and of the connection part 10 each project from this encapsulation 3 on opposite sides and are bent outside the encapsulation 3 downwards and then inwards towards the centre of the encapsulation 3. However, they can also have any other desired form. The encapsulation 3 is produced in two parts from a radiation-impermeable base body 7 having a recess 8 and a radiation-permeable window part 9 which fills up this recess 8. The base body 7 and the window part 9 are composed, for example, of a filled synthetic resin or of a thermoplastic and, respectively, of a transparent synthetic resin or polycarbonate. Suitable fillers for synthetic resin are, for example, metal powders, metal oxides, metal carbonates or metal silicates. The chip carrier part 2 and the connection part 10 are surrounded by the radiation-impermeable base body 7, or embedded in the latter, in such a way that a partial region of the connection part 10 and at least that partial region of the chip carrier part 2 in which the trough 4 is situated rest on the bottom surface 19 of the recess 8. The recess 8 has a larger depth than the trough 4, so that the trough 4 is arranged completely within the recess 8 and the inner surface 13 of the recess projects upwards beyond the trough 4. In a preferred embodiment, the inner surface of the trough 4 and possibly also that part of the top side of the connection part 10 which adjoins the window part 9, are polished or coated with a reflection-enhancing material for the purpose of improving the reflection. A suitable reflection-enhancing material is, for example, a lustrous lacquer or aluminium, which is vapour-deposited, sputtered on or applied using any other suitable method. Additionally, those regions of the inner surface 13 which are not covered by the chip carrier part 2 and connection part 10 can also be provided with a reflection-enhancing layer as a result, these regions, too, reflect the radiation emitted by the semiconductor chip 1 in the intended main radiation direction 6. A lustrous lacquer or aluminium is also suitable for this purpose and may be applied by the methods mentioned above. The recess 8 does not need to be completely filled up by the window part 9, but instead for only the semiconductor chip 1 and the trough 4 or any other desired partial region of the recess 8 to be surrounded or covered by the window part 9. Furthermore, the window part 9 can be produced in such a way that it projects beyond the upper edge of the recess 8. In order to improve the heat dissipation from the semiconductor chip 1, it is possible, as shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, for the external connections 11 of the chip carrier part 2 to be broader than the external connections 12 of the connection part 10. Though not shown, such a construction may also be possible with respect to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1a-1c. If necessary (or possible), just one external connection 11 or a plurality of external connections 11 can be routed out of the encapsulation from the chip carrier part 2. The same applies to the connection part 10. In a method for producing the inventive semiconductor component according to the first exemplary embodiment, it is possible, if the base body 7 is composed of a thermoplastic or another temperature-resistant material, for the lead frame to be encapsulated with the base body material and for the semiconductor chip and the bonding wire to be secured. Furthermore, recess 8 may be filled with the material of the window part 9. The second exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b differs from the first exemplary embodiment only by the fact that the chip carrier part 2 is embedded in the base body 7 in such a way that the bottom wall 18 of the trough 4 projects from the base body on its underside. As a result it is possible to make direct external contact with the chip carrier part 2, for example, by bonding or soldering it directly to a printed circuit board. Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment the external connections 11 of the chip carrier part 2 have a greater width than the external connections 12 of the connection part 10. These measures, individually or in combination, ensure improved heat dissipation from the semiconductor chip 1. All of the developments and refinements of the semiconductor component according to the invention which have been cited above with regard to the first exemplary embodiment can also be realized in the case of the second exemplary embodiment. The third exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3 differs from the previously mentioned first exemplary embodiment by the fact that the encapsulation 3 is produced completely from a radiation-permeable material, for example, a transparent synthetic resin. In this case, too, all of the refinements cited in connection with the first exemplary embodiment are conceivable. The fourth exemplary embodiment has all of the features of the second exemplary embodiment except that the encapsulation is produced completely from a transparent material. The above-described embodiments and exemplary embodiments of the semiconductor component according to the invention are not just restricted to the use of a radiation-emitting semiconductor chip 1, but also can be used for photodiode, phototransistor and other radiation-receiving semiconductor chips. The trough 4 is in this case designed in such a way that the radiation which is incident through the window part 9 is reflected in the direction of the semiconductor chip. Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, those of skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a radiation-emitting and/or radiation-receiving semiconductor component in which a radiation-emitting and/or radiation-receiving semiconductor chip is secured on a chip carrier part of a lead frame wherein the semiconductor chip and at least a partial region of the chip carrier part are surrounded by an encapsulation. 2. Description of the Prior Art Such a semiconductor component is disclosed, for example, in European Patent Application EP 400 176. The latter describes a so-called top LED, in which a semiconductor chip is secured on a planar chip carrier part of a lead frame. The lead frame is composed of the chip carrier part and a connection part, arranged separately from the latter, with a respective external connection. The chip carrier part includes the semiconductor chip. The connection part and partial regions of the external connections are surrounded by an encapsulation which comprises a radiation-impermeable base body having a recess and a radiation-permeable window part which fills up this recess. The chip carrier part and the connection part are surrounded by the base body, or embedded in the latter, in such a way that partial regions of the upper sides of the chip carrier part and of the connection part are flush with the remaining bottom surface of the recess. Except for its underside, by which it rests on the chip carrier part, the semiconductor chip is completely surrounded by the radiation-permeable window part. The recess, which is completely filled up by the radiation-permeable window part, is fashioned in such a way that it forms a reflector for the radiation emitted by the semiconductor component. The present invention is directed to developing a radiation-emitting and/or radiation-receiving semiconductor component of the type mentioned in the introduction in such a way that it has an increased radiant intensity and can be produced in a simple manner. At the same time, this semiconductor component is to have good heat dissipation from the semiconductor-chip.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In an embodiment of the present invention, the chip carrier part forms a trough in the region in which the semiconductor chip is secured. The inner surface of the trough is designed in such a way that it forms a reflector for the radiation which is emitted and/or received by the semiconductor chip. The chip carrier part has at least two external electrical connections which project from the encapsulation at various points thereof. In an embodiment, the chip carrier part forms a trough in the region in which the semiconductor chip is secured. The inner surface of the trough is designed in such a way that it forms a reflector for the radiation which is emitted and/or received by the semiconductor chip; the trough of the chip carrier part projects at least partially from the encapsulation in such a way that the chip carrier part can be electrically and/or thermally connected in the region of the trough. In an embodiment, the lead frame has the chip carrier part and a connection part arranged at a distance from the chip carrier part, with two external connections which project from the encapsulation at opposite sides. In an embodiment, at least some of the inner surfaces of the trough of the chip carrier are coated with a reflection-enhancing material. In an embodiment, the external connections of the chip carrier part are broader than the external connections of the connection part. In an embodiment, the encapsulation has a radiation-impermeable base body with a recess and a radiation-permeable window part which is arranged in the recess. The radiation-impermeable base body encapsulates at least a partial region of the chip carrier part in such a way that at least the trough of the chip carrier part is arranged in the recess. In an embodiment, the upper edge of the trough extends below the upper edge of the recess. The partial region of the inner surface of the recess which is not covered by the trough is designed in such a way that it forms a reflector for the radiation emitted by the semiconductor chip. In an embodiment, some of the inner surfaces of the recess of the radiation-impermeable base body are coated with a reflection-enhancing material.
20041202
20070403
20050602
57929.0
2
LOUIE, WAI SING
OPTOELECTRONIC SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENT
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,003,053
ACCEPTED
System & method for processing sentence based queries
Sentence based queries from a user are analyzed to determine appropriate answers from an electronic database. Text in the queries is dissected to identify different phrases; the phrases in turn are matched against candidate phrases to determine best matching answers responsive to the user's question. The system and methods are useful for Internet based search engines, as well as distributed speech recognition systems such as a client-server system. The latter are typically implemented on an intranet or over the Internet based on user queries at his/her computer, a PDA, or a workstation using a speech input interface.
1. An electronic query response system comprising: a first software routine configured to form a text string from text words associated with a user query; a first database storing responsive answer data items which can be presented in response to said user query; a second software routine configured to generate a database query to said first database based on said text string; wherein said second software routine causes said first database to retrieve and identify a candidate set of responsive answer data items for said database query; a third software routine configured to analyze said text string and text within each of said candidate set of responsive answer data items to compare a first list of word phrases within said text string with corresponding second lists of word phrases within each of each of said candidate set of responsive answer data items; wherein said third software routine can determine which of said candidate set of responsive answer data items best corresponds to said user query. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said second software routine generates a first level database query using only said text string and further customizes said first level database query using a natural language evaluation of said text string. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein said natural language evaluation includes statistical processing to identify semantic variants of words in said text string. 4. The system of claim 2, wherein said natural language evaluation operates during a time when said second software routine generates said first level database query. 5. The system of claim 2 wherein said natural language evaluation further includes parts of speech (POS) analysis of said user query. 6. The system of claim 5 wherein said natural language evaluation further includes linguistically processing said candidate set of responsive answer data items to determine a final match for said user query. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein said user query is presented within a search engine operating on an Internet based Web page. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein a set of context specific dictionaries are used for recognizing said user query. 9. The system of claim 2, wherein said natural language evaluation includes an operation for determining each noun-phrase presented within said list of word phrases contained in said text words. 10. The system of claim 2, wherein said natural language evaluation is performed by a natural language engine adapted for a particular native language used by a user providing said user query. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein a ranked array of individual word phrases is compiled from said first list of word phrases and/or said second first list of word phrases and used for determining which of said candidate set of responsive answer data items best corresponds to said user query. 12. The system of claim 1, wherein said user query is matched to one or more of said candidate set of responsive answer data items by comparing a number of individual word phrases which are in common between said first list of word phrases and corresponding ones of said second lists of word phrases. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein said word phrases are noun phrases generated by a natural language engine. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein said noun phrases are determined by grouping tagged token words presented in said text words. 15. The system of claim 1, wherein said candidate set of responsive answer data items are stored in paired form with predefined user queries. 16. The system of claim 1, wherein said user query is derived from a recognized speech utterance. 17. The system of claim 1, wherein said database query is a full text query containing SQL search predicates. 18. A query processing system adapted for assisting recognition of a user query, the system comprising: a text processing routine adapted to receive text from a search engine representing the user query and to generate a first plurality of individual word phrases derived from said text; a database query routine adapted to process said text and formulate a search request to a database based on a list of words contained in said text; wherein said database query routine retrieves a candidate set of potential matches for the user query; and said text processing routine being further configured for: (i) performing analyses of text contained in said candidate set of potential matches to determine a corresponding set of a second plurality of individual word phrases therein; and (ii) comparing said first first plurality of individual word phrases with each of said corresponding set of a second plurality of individual word phrases to identify a match for said user query. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein said text processing includes an operation to determine noun-phrases. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein said match is based on comparing a set of noun-phrases found in each of said candidate set of potential matches and a separate set of noun-phrases in said user query. 21. The system of claim 19, wherein the text processing routine includes a natural language routine which performs statistical processing to identify semantic variants of words in said text. 22. A method of recognizing a query comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a text string representing the query; and (b) processing said text string to generate first word phrases and associated search predicates corresponding to the query; (c) generating a database query to identify one or more potential matches for the query, said database query being based on said text string and said search predicates; (d) determining a match for the query by comparing second word phrases within said one or more potential matches against said first word phrases. 23. The method of claim 22, further including a step: (e) retrieving a matching response for said final match, which matching response is provided in audible form. 24. The method of claim 22, wherein steps (b) and (c) overlap in time. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein step (c) includes two sub-steps, including a step (c)′ wherein a preliminary query is generated based on said text string, and a step (c)″ wherein a final query is generated based on said preliminary query and said search predicates. 26. The method of claim 22, wherein said final match is determined by comparing noun-phrases. 27. The method of claim 22, wherein step (a) occurs across a distributed computing platform, including a client device and a server device, and said steps (a) through (d) are divided according to resources available at said client device and said server device respectively. 28. The method of claim 22, wherein steps (a) to (d) occur simultaneously across multiple servers and/or associated servers configured in a network farm in response to a speech utterance from a single client device.
RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims priority to and is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/792,674 filed Mar. 2, 2004, which application in turn is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/653,039 filed Aug. 29, 2003 and Ser. No. 10/603,998 filed Jun. 25, 2003, both of which latter applications are continuation-in-parts of all of the following applications: 1) Ser. No. 09/439,145 entitled Distributed Real Time Speech Recognition System, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,633,846; 2) Ser. No. 09/439,173 entitled Speech Based Learning/Training System, attorney docket no. PHO 99-002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,665,640; 3) Ser. No. 09/439,174 entitled Internet Server with Speech Support for Enhanced Interactivity—attorney docket no. PHO 99-003; 4) Ser. No. 09/439,060 entitled Intelligent Query Engine For Processing Voice Based Queries—now U.S. Pat. No. 6,615,172; The above are hereby incorporated by reference herein. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to systems and methods for processing sentence based queries presented to a search engine using phrase analyses. The system is particularly applicable to INTERNET based applications. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The INTERNET, and in particular, the World-Wide Web (WWW), is growing in popularity and usage for both commercial and recreational purposes, and this trend is expected to continue. This phenomenon is being driven, in part, by the increasing and widespread use of personal computer systems and the availability of low cost INTERNET access. The emergence of inexpensive INTERNET access devices and high speed access techniques such as ADSL, cable modems, satellite modems, and the like, are expected to further accelerate the mass usage of the WWW. Accordingly, it is expected that the number of entities offering services, products, etc., over the WWW will increase dramatically over the coming years. Until now, however, the INTERNET “experience” for users has been limited mostly to non-voice based input/output devices, such as keyboards, intelligent electronic pads, mice, trackballs, printers, monitors, etc. This presents somewhat of a bottleneck for interacting over the WWW for a variety of reasons. First, there is the issue of familiarity. Many kinds of applications lend themselves much more naturally and fluently to a voice-based environment. For instance, most people shopping for audio recordings are very comfortable with asking a live sales clerk in a record store for information on titles by a particular author, where they can be found in the store, etc. While it is often possible to browse and search on one's own to locate items of interest, it is usually easier and more efficient to get some form of human assistance first, and, with few exceptions, this request for assistance is presented in the form of a oral query. In addition, many persons cannot or will not, because of physical or psychological barriers, use any of the aforementioned conventional I/O devices. For example, many older persons cannot easily read the text presented on WWW pages, or understand the layout/hierarchy of menus, or manipulate a mouse to make finely coordinated movements to indicate their selections. Many others are intimidated by the look and complexity of computer systems, WWW pages, etc., and therefore do not attempt to use online services for this reason as well. Thus, applications which can mimic normal human interactions are likely to be preferred by potential on-line shoppers and persons looking for information over the WWW. It is also expected that the use of voice-based systems will increase the universe of persons willing to engage in e-commerce, e-learning, etc. To date, however, there are very few systems, if any, which permit this type of interaction, and, if they do, it is very limited. For example, various commercial programs sold by IBM (VIAVOICE™) and Kurzweil (DRAGON™) permit some user control of the interface (opening, closing files) and searching (by using previously trained URLs) but they do not present a flexible solution that can be used by a number of users across multiple cultures and without time consuming voice training. Typical prior efforts to implement voice based functionality in an INTERNET context can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,220 incorporated by reference herein. Another issue presented by the lack of voice-based systems is efficiency. Many companies are now offering technical support over the INTERNET, and some even offer live operator assistance for such queries. While this is very advantageous (for the reasons mentioned above) it is also extremely costly and inefficient, because a real person must be employed to handle such queries. This presents a practical limit that results in long wait times for responses or high labor overheads. An example of this approach can be seen U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,526 also incorporated by reference herein. In general, a service presented over the WWW is far more desirable if it is “scalable,” or, in other words, able to handle an increasing amount of user traffic with little if any perceived delay or troubles by a prospective user. In a similar context, while remote learning has become an increasingly popular option for many students, it is practically impossible for an instructor to be able to field questions from more than one person at a time. Even then, such interaction usually takes place for only a limited period of time because of other instructor time constraints. To date, however, there is no practical way for students to continue a human-like question and answer type dialog after the learning session is over, or without the presence of the instructor to personally address such queries. Conversely, another aspect of emulating a human-like dialog involves the use of oral feedback. In other words, many persons prefer to receive answers and information in audible form. While a form of this functionality is used by some websites to communicate information to visitors, it is not performed in a real-time, interactive question-answer dialog fashion so its effectiveness and usefulness is limited. Yet another area that could benefit from speech-based interaction involves so-called “search” engines used by INTERNET users to locate information of interest at web sites, such as the those available at YAHOO®.com, METACRAWLER®.com, EXCITE™.com, etc. These tools permit the user to form a search query using either combinations of keywords or metacategories to search through a web page database containing text indices associated with one or more distinct web pages. After processing the user's request, therefore, the search engine returns a number of hits which correspond, generally, to URL pointers and text excerpts from the web pages that represent the closest match made by such search engine for the particular user query based on the search processing logic used by search engine. The structure and operation of such prior art search engines, including the mechanism by which they build the web page database, and parse the search query, are well known in the art. To date, applicant is unaware of any such search engine that can easily and reliably search and retrieve information based on speech input from a user. There are a number of reasons why the above environments (e-commerce, e-support, remote learning, INTERNET searching, etc.) do not utilize speech-based interfaces, despite the many benefits that would otherwise flow from such capability. First, there is obviously a requirement that the output of the speech recognizer be as accurate as possible. One of the more reliable approaches to speech recognition used at this time is based on the Hidden Markov Model (HMM)—a model used to mathematically describe any time series. A conventional usage of this technique is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,670 incorporated by reference herein. Because speech is considered to have an underlying sequence of one or more symbols, the HMM models corresponding to each symbol are trained on vectors from the speech waveforms. The Hidden Markov Model is a finite set of states, each of which is associated with a (generally multi-dimensional) probability distribution. Transitions among the states are governed by a set of probabilities called transition probabilities. In a particular state an outcome or observation can be generated, according to the associated probability distribution. This finite state machine changes state once every time unit, and each time t such that a state j is entered, a spectral parameter vector Ot is generated with probability density Bj(Ot). It is only the outcome, not the state visible to an external observer and therefore states are “hidden” to the outside; hence the name Hidden Markov Model. The basic theory of HMMs was published in a series of classic papers by Baum and his colleagues in the late 1960's and early 1970's. HMMs were first used in speech applications by Baker at Carnegie Mellon, by Jelenik and colleagues at IBM in the late 1970's and by Steve Young and colleagues at Cambridge University, UK in the 1990's. Some typical papers and texts are as follows: 1. L. E. Baum, T. Petrie, “Statistical inference for probabilistic functions for finite state Markov chains”, Ann. Math. Stat., 37: 1554-1563, 1966 2. L. E. Baum, “An inequality and associated maximation technique in statistical estimation for probabilistic functions of Markov processes”, Inequalities 3: 1-8, 1972 3. J. H. Baker, “The dragon system—An Overview”, IEEE Trans. on ASSP Proc., ASSP-23(1): 24-29, Feb. 1975 4. F. Jeninek et al, “Continuous Speech Recognition: Statistical methods” in Handbook of Statistics, II, P. R. Kristnaiad, Ed. Amsterdam, The Netherlands, North-Holland, 1982 5. L. R. Bahl, F. Jeninek, R. L. Mercer, “A maximum likelihood approach to continuous speech recognition”, IEEE Trans. Pattern Anal. Mach. Intell., PAMI-5: 179-190, 1983 6. J. D. Ferguson, “Hidden Markov Analysis: An Introduction”, in Hidden Markov Models for Speech, Institute of Defense Analyses, Princeton, N.J. 1980. 7. H. R. Rabiner and B. H. Juang, “Fundamentals of Speech Recognition”, Prentice Hall, 1993 8. H. R. Rabiner, “Digital Processing of Speech Signals”, Prentice Hall, 1978 More recently research has progressed in extending HMM and combining HMMs with neural networks to speech recognition applications at various laboratories. The following is a representative paper: 9. Nelson Morgan, Hervé Bourlard, Steve Renals, Michael Cohen and Horacio Franco (1993), Hybrid Neural Network/Hidden Markov Model Systems for Continuous Speech Recognition. Journal of Pattern Recognition and Artificial Intelligence, Vol. 7, No. 4 pp. 899-916. Also in I. Guyon and P. Wang editors, Advances in Pattern Recognition Systems using Neural Networks, Vol. 7 of a Series in Machine Perception and Artificial Intelligence. World Scientific, February 1994. All of the above are hereby incorporated by reference. While the HMM-based speech recognition yields very good results, contemporary variations of this technique cannot guarantee a word accuracy requirement of 100% exactly and consistently, as will be required for WWW applications for all possible all user and environment conditions. Thus, although speech recognition technology has been available for several years, and has improved significantly, the technical requirements have placed severe restrictions on the specifications for the speech recognition accuracy that is required for an application that combines speech recognition and natural language processing to work satisfactorily. In contrast to word recognition, Natural language processing (NLP) is concerned with the parsing, understanding and indexing of transcribed utterances and larger linguistic units. Because spontaneous speech contains many surface phenomena such as disfluencies, hesitations, repairs and restarts, discourse markers such as ‘well’ and other elements which cannot be handled by the typical speech recognizer, it is the problem and the source of the large gap that separates speech recognition and natural language processing technologies. Except for silence between utterances, another problem is the absence of any marked punctuation available for segmenting the speech input into meaningful units such as utterances. For optimal NLP performance, these types of phenomena should be annotated at its input. However, most continuous speech recognition systems produce only a raw sequence of words. Examples of conventional systems using NLP are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,991,094, 5,068,789, 5,146,405 and 5,680,628, all of which are incorporated by reference herein. Second, most of the very reliable voice recognition systems are speaker-dependent, requiring that the interface be “trained” with the user's voice, which takes a lot of time, and is thus very undesirable from the perspective of a WWW environment, where a user may interact only a few times with a particular website. Furthermore, speaker-dependent systems usually require a large user dictionary (one for each unique user) which reduces the speed of recognition. This makes it much harder to implement a real-time dialog interface with satisfactory response capability (i.e., something that mirrors normal conversation—on the order of 3-5 seconds is probably ideal). At present, the typical shrink-wrapped speech recognition application software include offerings from IBM (VIAVOICE™) and Dragon Systems (DRAGON™). While most of these applications are adequate for dictation and other transcribing applications, they are woefully inadequate for applications such as NLQS where the word error rate must be close to 0%. In addition these offerings require long training times and are typically are non client-server configurations. Other types of trained systems are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,670 assigned to Kurzweil, and which is also incorporated by reference herein. Another significant problem faced in a distributed voice-based system is a lack of uniformity/control in the speech recognition process. In a typical stand-alone implementation of a speech recognition system, the entire SR engine runs on a single client. A well-known system of this type is depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,217 incorporated by reference herein. These clients can take numerous forms (desktop PC, laptop PC, PDA, etc.) having varying speech signal processing and communications capability. Thus, from the server side perspective, it is not easy to assure uniform treatment of all users accessing a voice-enabled web page, since such users may have significantly disparate word recognition and error rate performances. While a prior art reference to Gould et al.—U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,236—discusses generally the notion of tailoring a recognition process to a set of available computational resources, it does not address or attempt to solve the issue of how to optimize resources in a distributed environment such as a client-server model. Again, to enable such voice-based technologies on a wide-spread scale it is far more preferable to have a system that harmonizes and accounts for discrepancies in individual systems so that even the thinnest client is supportable, and so that all users are able to interact in a satisfactory manner with the remote server running the e-commerce, e-support and/or remote learning application. Two references that refer to a distributed approach for speech recognition include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,956,683 and 5,960,399 incorporated by reference herein. In the first of these, U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,683—Distributed Voice Recognition System (assigned to Qualcomm) an implementation of a distributed voice recognition system between a telephony-based handset and a remote station is described. In this implementation, all of the word recognition operations seem to take place at the handset. This is done since the patent describes the benefits that result from locating of the system for acoustic feature extraction at the portable or cellular phone in order to limit degradation of the acoustic features due to quantization distortion resulting from the narrow bandwidth telephony channel. This reference therefore does not address the issue of how to ensure adequate performance for a very thin client platform. Moreover, it is difficult to determine, how, if at all, the system can perform real-time word recognition, and there is no meaningful description of how to integrate the system with a natural language processor. The second of these references—U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,399—Client/Server Speech Processor/Recognizer (assigned to GTE) describes the implementation of a HMM-based distributed speech recognition system. This reference is not instructive in many respects, however, including how to optimize acoustic feature extraction for a variety of client platforms, such as by performing a partial word recognition process where appropriate. Most importantly, there is only a description of a primitive server-based recognizer that only recognizes the user's speech and simply returns certain keywords such as the user's name and travel destination to fill out a dedicated form on the user's machine. Also, the streaming of the acoustic parameters does not appear to be implemented in real-time as it can only take place after silence is detected. Finally, while the reference mentions the possible use of natural language processing (column 9) there is no explanation of how such function might be implemented in a real-time fashion to provide an interactive feel for the user. Companies such as Nuance Communications and Speech Works which up till now are the leading vendors that supply speech and natural language processing products to the airlines and travel reservations market, rely mainly on statistical and shallow semantics to understand the meaning of what the users says. Their successful strategy is based on the fact that this shallow semantic analysis will work quite well in the specific markets they target. Also to their advantage, these markets require only a limited amount to language understanding. For future and broader applications such as customer relationship management or intelligent tutoring systems, a much deeper understanding of language is required. This understanding will come from the application of deep semantic analysis. Research using deep semantic techniques is today a very active field at such centers as Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), IBM, Microsoft and at universities such as Univ. of Pittsburg [Litman, 2002], Memphis [Graesser, 2000], Harvard [Grosz, 1993] and many others. In a typical language understanding system there is typically a parser that precedes the semantic unit. Although the parser can build a hierarchical structure that spans a single sentence, parsers are seldom used to build up the hierarchical structure of the utterances or text that spans multiple sentences. The syntactic markings that guide parsing inside a sentence is either weak or absent in a typical discourse. So for a dialog-based system that expects to have smooth conversational features, the emphasis of the semantic decoder is not only on building deeper meaning structures from the shallow analyses constructed by the parser, but also on integrating the meanings of the multiple sentences that constitute the dialog. Up till now there are two major research paths taken in deep semantic understanding of language: informational and intentional. In the informational approach, the focus is on the meaning that comes from the semantic relationships between the utterance-level propositions (e.g. effect, cause, condition) whereas with the intentional approach, the focus is on recognizing the intentions of the speaker (e.g. inform, request, propose). Work following the informational approach focuses on the question of how the correct inferences are drawn during comprehension given the input utterances and background knowledge. The earliest work tried to draw all possible inferences [Reiger, 1974; Schank, 1975; Sperber & Wilson, 1986] and in response to the problem of combinatorial explosion in doing so, later work examined ways to constrain the reasoning [DeJong, 1977; Schank et al., 1980; Hobbs, 1980]. In parallel with this work, the notions of conversational implicatures (Grice, 1989) and accomodation [Lewis, 1979] were introduced. Both are related to inferences that are needed to make a discourse coherent or acceptable. These parallel lines of research converged into abductive approaches to discourse interpretation [e.g., Appelt & Pollack, 1990; Charniak, 1986; Hobbs et al., 1993; McRoy & Hirst, 1991; Lascarides & Asher, 1991; Lascarides & Oberlander, 1992; Rayner & Alshawi, 1992]. The informational approach is central to work in text interpretation. The intentional approach draws from work on the relationship between utterances and their meaning [Grice, 1969] and work on speech act theory [Searle, 1969] and generally employs artificial intelligence planning tools. The early work considered only individual plans [e.g., Power, 1974; Perrault & Allen, 1980; Hobbs & Evans, 1980; Grosz & Sidner, 1986; Pollack, 1986] whereas now there is progress on modeling collaborative plans with joint intentions [Grosz & Kraus, 1993; Lochbaum, 1994]. It is now accepted that the intentional approach is more appropriate for conversational dialog-based systems since the collaborative aspect of the dialog has to be captured and retained. Present research using deep semantic techniques may employ a semantic interpreter which uses prepositions as its input propositions extracted by semantic concept detectors of a grammar-based sentence understanding unit. It then combines these propositions from multiple utterances to form larger units of meaning and must do this relative to the context in which the language was used. In conversational dialog applications such as an intelligent tutoring system (ITS), where there is a need for a deep understanding of the semantics of language, hybrid techniques are used. These hybrid techniques combine statistical methods (e.g., Latent Semantic Analysis) for comparing student inputs with expected inputs to determine whether a question was answered correctly or not [e.g., Graesser et al., 1999] and the extraction of thematic roles based on the FrameNet [Baker, et al, 1998] from a student input [Gildea & Jurafsky, 2001]. The aforementioned cited articles include: Appelt, D. & Pollack, M. (1990). Weighted abduction for plan ascription. Menlo Park, Calif.: SRI International. Technical Note 491. Baker, Collin F., Fillmore, Charles J., and Lowe, John B. (1998): The Berkeley FrameNet project. In Proceedings of the COLING-ACL, Montreal, Canada. Charniak, E. (1993). Statistical Language Analysis. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Daniel Gildea and Daniel Jurafsky. 2002. Automatic Labeling of Semantic Roles. Computational Linguistics 28:3, 245-288. DeJong, G. (1977). Skimming newspaper stories by computer. New Haven, Conn.: Department of Computer Science, Yale University. Research Report 104. FrameNet: Theory and Practice. Christopher R. Johnson et al, http://www.icsi.berkeley.edu/˜framenet/book/book.html Graesser, A. C., Wiemer-Hastings, P., Wiemer-Hastings, K., Harter, D., Person, N., and the TRG (in press). Using latent semantic analysis to evaluate the contributions of students in AutoTutor. Interactive Learning Environments. Graesser, A., Wiemer-Hastings, K., Wiemer-Hastings, P., Kreuz, R., & the Tutoring Research Group (2000). AutoTutor: A simulation of a human tutor, Journal of Cognitive Systems Research, 1,35-51. Grice, H. P. (1969). Utterer's meaning and intentions. Philosophical Review, 68(2):147-177. Grice, H. P. (1989). Studies in the Ways of Words. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press. Grosz, B. & Kraus, S. (1993). Collaborative plans for group activities. In Proceedings of the Thirteenth International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI '93), Chambery, France (vol. 1, pp. 367-373). Grosz, B. J. & Sidner, C. L. (1986). Attentions, intentions and the structure of discourse. Computational Linguistics, 12, 175-204. Hobbs, J. & Evans, D. (1980). Conversation as planned behavior. Cognitive Science 4(4), 349-377. Hobbs, J. & Evans, D. (1980). Conversation as planned behavior. Cognitive Science 4(4), 349-377. Hobbs, J., Stickel, M., Appelt, D., & Martin, P. (1993). Interpretation as abduction. Artificial Intelligence 63(1-2), 69-142. Lascarides, A. & Asher, N. (1991). Discourse relations and defeasible knowledge. In Proceedings of the 29th Annual Meeting of the Association for Computational Linguistics (ACL '91), Berkeley, Calif. (pp. 55-62). Lascarides, A. & Oberlander, J. (1992). Temporal coherence and defeasible knowledge. Theoretical Linguistics, 19. Lewis, D. (1979). Scorekeeping in a language game. Journal of Philosophical Logic 6, 339-359. Litman, D. J., Pan, Shimei, Designing and evaluating an adaptive spoken dialogue system, User Modeling and User Adapted Interaction, 12, 2002. Lochbaum, K. (1994). Using Collaborative Plans to Model the Intentional Structure of Discourse. PhD thesis, Harvard University. McRoy, S. & Hirst, G. (1991). An abductive account of repair in conversation. AAAI Fall Symposium on Discourse Structure in Natural Language Understanding and Generation, Asilomar, Calif. (pp. 52-57). Perrault, C. & Allen, J. (1980). A plan-based analysis of indirect speech acts. American Journal of Computational Linguistics, 6(3-4), 167-182. Pollack, M. (1986). A model of plan inference that distinguishes between the beliefs of actors and observers. In Proceedings of 24th Annual Meeting of the Association for Computational Linguistics, New York (pp. 207-214). Power, R. (1974). A Computer Model of Conversation. PhD. thesis, University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Rayner, M. & Alshawi, H. (1992). Deriving database queries from logical forms by abductive definition expansion. In Proceedings of the Third Conference of Applied Natural Language Processing, Trento, Italy (pp. 1-8). Reiger, C. (1974). Conceptual Memory: A Theory and Computer Program for Processing the Meaning Content of Natural Language Utterances. Stanford, Calif.: Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. Memo AIM-233. Schank, R. (1975). Conceptual Information Processing New York: Elsevier. Schank, R., Lebowitz, M., & Birnbaum, L. (1980). An integrated understander. American Journal of Computational Linguistics, 6(1). Searle, J. (1969). Speech Acts: An Essay in the Philosophy of Language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Sperber, D. & Wilson, D. (1986). Relevance: Communication and Cognition. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press. The above are also incorporated by reference herein. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an improved system and method for overcoming the limitations of the prior art noted above; A primary object of the present invention is to provide a word and phrase recognition system that is flexibly and optimally distributed across a client/platform computing architecture, so that improved accuracy, speed and uniformity can be achieved for a wide group of users; A further object of the present invention is to provide a speech recognition system that efficiently integrates a distributed word recognition system with a natural language processing system, so that both individual words and entire speech utterances can be quickly and accurately recognized in any number of possible languages; A related object of the present invention is to provide an efficient query response system so that an extremely accurate, real-time set of appropriate answers can be given in response to speech-based queries; Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an interactive, real-time instructional/learning system that is distributed across a client/server architecture, and permits a real-time question/answer session with an interactive character; A related object of the present invention is to implement such interactive character with an articulated response capability so that the user experiences a human-like interaction; Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an INTERNET website with speech processing capability so that voice based data and commands can be used to interact with such site, thus enabling voice-based e-commerce and e-support services to be easily scaleable; Another object is to implement a distributed speech recognition system that utilizes environmental variables as part of the recognition process to improve accuracy and speed; A further object is to provide a scaleable query/response database system, to support any number of query topics and users as needed for a particular application and instantaneous demand; Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a query recognition system that employs a two-step approach, including a relatively rapid first step to narrow down the list of potential responses to a smaller candidate set, and a second more computationally intensive second step to identify the best choice to be returned in response to the query from the candidate set; A further object of the present invention is to provide a natural language processing system that facilitates query recognition by extracting lexical components of speech utterances, which components can be used for rapidly identifying a candidate set of potential responses appropriate for such speech utterances; Another related object of the present invention is to provide a natural language processing system that facilitates query recognition by comparing lexical components of speech utterances with a candidate set of potential response to provide an extremely accurate best response to such query. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a natural language processing system which uses semantic decoding as part of a process for comprehending a question posed in a speech utterance; One general aspect of the present invention, therefore, relates to a natural language query system (NLQS) that offers a fully interactive method for answering user's questions over a distributed network such as the INTERNET or a local intranet. This interactive system when implemented over the worldwide web (WWW services of the INTERNET functions so that a client or user can ask a question in a natural language such as English, French, German or Spanish and receive the appropriate answer at his or her personal computer also in his or her native natural language. The system is distributed and consists of a set of integrated software modules at the client's machine and another set of integrated software programs resident on a server or set of servers. The client-side software program is comprised of a speech recognition program, an agent and its control program, and a communication program. The server-side program is comprised of a communication program, a natural language engine (NLE), a database processor (DBProcess), an interface program for interfacing the DBProcess with the NLE, and a SQL database. In addition, the client's machine is equipped with a microphone and a speaker. Processing of the speech utterance is divided between the client and server side so as to optimize processing and transmission latencies, and so as to provide support for even very thin client platforms. In the context of an interactive learning application, the system is specifically used to provide a single-best answer to a user's question. The question that is asked at the client's machine is articulated by the speaker and captured by a microphone that is built in as in the case of a notebook computer or is supplied as a standard peripheral attachment. Once the question is captured, the question is processed partially by NLQS client-side software resident in the client's machine. The output of this partial processing is a set of speech vectors that are transported to the server via the INTERNET to complete the recognition of the user's questions. This recognized speech is then converted to text at the server. After the user's question is decoded by the speech recognition engine (SRE) located at the server, the question is converted to a structured query language (SQL) query. This query is then simultaneously presented to a software process within the server called DBProcess for preliminary processing and to a Natural Language Engine (NLE) module for extracting the noun phrases (NP) of the user's question. During the process of extracting the noun phrase within the NLE, the tokens of the users' question are tagged. The tagged tokens are then grouped so that the NP list can be determined. This information is stored and sent to the DBProcess process. In the DBProcess, the SQL query is fully customized using the NP extracted from the user's question and other environment variables that are relevant to the application. For example, in a training application, the user's selection of course, chapter and or section would constitute the environment variables. The SQL query is constructed using the extended SQL Full-Text predicates —CONTAINS, FREETEXT, NEAR, AND. The SQL query is next sent to the Full-Text search engine within the SQL database, where a Full-Text search procedure is initiated. The result of this search procedure is recordset of answers. This recordset contains stored questions that are similar linguistically to the user's question. Each of these stored questions has a paired answer stored in a separate text file, whose path is stored in a table of the database. The entire recordset of returned stored answers is then returned to the NLE engine in the form of an array. Each stored question of the array is then linguistically processed sequentially one by one. This linguistic processing constitutes the second step of a 2-step algorithm to determine the single best answer to the user's question. This second step proceeds as follows: for each stored question that is returned in the recordset, a NP of the stored question is compared with the NP of the user's question. After all stored questions of the array are compared with the user's question, the stored question that yields the maximum match with the user's question is selected as the best possible stored question that matches the user's question. The metric that is used to determine the best possible stored question is the number of noun phrases. The stored answer that is paired to the best-stored question is selected as the one that answers the user's question. The ID tag of the question is then passed to the DBProcess. This DBProcess returns the answer which is stored in a file. A communication link is again established to send the answer back to the client in compressed form. The answer once received by the client is decompressed and articulated to the user by the text-to-speech engine. Thus, the invention can be used in any number of different applications involving interactive learning systems, INTERNET related commerce sites, INTERNET search engines, etc. Computer-assisted instruction environments often require the assistance of mentors or live teachers to answer questions from students. This assistance often takes the form of organizing a separate pre-arranged forum or meeting time that is set aside for chat sessions or live call-in sessions so that at a scheduled time answers to questions may be provided. Because of the time immediacy and the on-demand or asynchronous nature of on-line training where a student may log on and take instruction at any time and at any location, it is important that answers to questions be provided in a timely and cost-effective manner so that the user or student can derive the maximum benefit from the material presented. This invention addresses the above issues. It provides the user or student with answers to questions that are normally channeled to a live teacher or mentor. This invention provides a single-best answer to questions asked by the student. The student asks the question in his or her own voice in the language of choice. The speech is recognized and the answer to the question is found using a number of technologies including distributed speech recognition, full-text search database processing, natural language processing and text-to-speech technologies. The answer is presented to the user, as in the case of a live teacher, in an articulated manner by an agent that mimics the mentor or teacher, and in the language of choice—English, French, German, Japanese or other natural spoken language. The user can choose the agent's gender as well as several speech parameters such as pitch, volume and speed of the character's voice. Other applications that benefit from NLQS are e-commerce applications. In this application, the user's query for a price of a book, compact disk or for the availability of any item that is to be purchased can be retrieved without the need to pick through various lists on successive web pages. Instead, the answer is provided directly to the user without any additional user input. Similarly, it is envisioned that this system can be used to provide answers to frequently-asked questions (FAQs), and as a diagnostic service tool for e-support. These questions are typical of a give web site and are provided to help the user find information related to a payment procedure or the specifications of, or problems experienced with a product/service. In all of these applications, the NLQS architecture can be applied. A number of inventive methods associated with these architectures are also beneficially used in a variety of INTERNET related applications. Although the inventions are described below in a set of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art the present inventions could be beneficially used in many environments where it is necessary to implement fast, accurate speech recognition, and/or to provide a human-like dialog capability to an intelligent system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a natural language query system (NLQS) of the present invention, which is distributed across a client/server computing architecture, and can be used as an interactive learning system, an e-commerce system, an e-support system, and the like; FIGS. 2A-2C are a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a client side system, including speech capturing modules, partial speech processing modules, encoding modules, transmission modules, agent control modules, and answer/voice feedback modules that can be used in the aforementioned NLQS; FIG. 2D is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a set of initialization routines and procedures used for the client side system of FIG. 2A-2C; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a set of routines and procedures used for handling an iterated set of speech utterances on the client side system of FIG. 2A-2C, transmitting speech data for such utterances to a remote server, and receiving appropriate responses back from such server; FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a set of initialization routines and procedures used for un-initializing the client side system of FIG. 2A-2C; FIG. 4A is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a set of routines and procedures used for implementing a distributed component of a speech recognition module for the server side system of FIG. 5; FIG. 4B is a block diagram of a preferred set of routines and procedures used for implementing an SQL query builder for the server side system of FIG. 5; FIG. 4C is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a set of routines and procedures used for implementing a database control process module for the server side system of FIG. 5; FIG. 4D is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a set of routines and procedures used for implementing a natural language engine that provides query formulation support, a query response module, and an interface to the database control process module for the server side system of FIG. 5; FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a server side system, including a speech recognition module to complete processing of the speech utterances, environmental and grammar control modules, query formulation modules, a natural language engine, a database control module, and a query response module that can be used in the aforementioned NLQS; FIG. 6 illustrates the organization of a full-text database used as part of server side system shown in FIG. 5; FIG. 7A illustrates the organization of a full-text database course table used as part of server side system shown in FIG. 5 for an interactive learning embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7B illustrates the organization of a full-text database chapter table used as part of server side system shown in FIG. 5 for an interactive learning embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7C describes the fields used in a chapter table used as part of server side system shown in FIG. 5 for an interactive learning embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7D describes the fields used in a section table used as part of server side system shown in FIG. 5 for an interactive learning embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a first set of operations performed by a preferred embodiment of a natural language engine on a speech utterance including Tokenization, Tagging and Grouping; FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of the operations performed by a preferred embodiment of a natural language engine on a speech utterance including stemming and Lexical Analysis FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a SQL database search and support system for the present invention; FIGS. 11A-11C are flow diagrams illustrating steps performed in a preferred two step process implemented for query recognition by the NLQS of FIG. 2; FIG. 12 is an illustration of another embodiment of the present invention implemented as part of a Web-based speech based learning/training System; FIGS. 13-17 are illustrations of another embodiment of the present invention implemented as part of a Web-based e-commerce system; FIG. 18 is an illustration of another embodiment of the present invention implemented as part of a voice-based Help Page for an E-Commerce Web Site. FIG. 19 depicts a quasi-code implementation of an integrated speech processing method using both statistical and semantic processing in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 20 illustrates a method for populating a speech lattice with semantic variants in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; FIG. 21 illustrates a method for computing the closest semantic match between user articulated questions and stored semantic variants of the same. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Overview As alluded to above, the present inventions allow a user to ask a question in a natural language such as English, French, German, Spanish or Japanese at a client computing system (which can be as simple as a personal digital assistant or cell-phone, or as sophisticated as a high end desktop PC) and receive an appropriate answer from a remote server also in his or her native natural language. As such, the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 is beneficially used in what can be generally described as a Natural Language Query System (NLQS) 100, which is configured to interact on a real-time basis to give a human-like dialog capability/experience for e-commerce, e-support, and e-learning applications. The processing for NLQS 100 is generally distributed across a client side system 150, a data link 160, and a server-side system 180. These components are well known in the art, and in a preferred embodiment include a personal computer system 150, an INTERNET connection 160A, 160B, and a larger scale computing system 180. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that these are merely exemplary components, and that the present invention is by no means limited to any particular implementation or combination of such systems. For example, client-side system 150 could also be implemented as a computer peripheral, a PDA, as part of a cell-phone, as part of an INTERNET-adapted appliance, an INTERNET linked kiosk, etc. Similarly, while an INTERNET connection is depicted for data link 160A, it is apparent that any channel that is suitable for carrying data between client system 150 and server system 180 will suffice, including a wireless link, an RF link, an IR link, a LAN, and the like. Finally, it will be further appreciated that server system 180 may be a single, large-scale system, or a collection of smaller systems interlinked to support a number of potential network users. Initially speech input is provided in the form of a question or query articulated by the speaker at the client's machine or personal accessory as a speech utterance. This speech utterance is captured and partially processed by NLQS client-side software 155 resident in the client's machine. To facilitate and enhance the human-like aspects of the interaction, the question is presented in the presence of an animated character 157 visible to the user who assists the user as a personal information retriever/agent. The agent can also interact with the user using both visible text output on a monitor/display (not shown) and/or in audible form using a text to speech engine 159. The output of the partial processing done by SRE 155 is a set of speech vectors that are transmitted over communication channel 160 that links the user's machine or personal accessory to a server or servers via the INTERNET or a wireless gateway that is linked to the INTERNET as explained above. At server 180, the partially processed speech signal data is handled by a server-side SRE 182, which then outputs recognized speech text corresponding to the user's question. Based on this user question related text, a text-to-query converter 184 formulates a suitable query that is used as input to a database processor 186. Based on the query, database processor 186 then locates and retrieves an appropriate answer using a customized SQL query from database 188. A Natural Language Engine 190 facilitates structuring the query to database 188. After a matching answer to the user's question is found, the former is transmitted in text form across data link 160B, where it is converted into speech by text to speech engine 159, and thus expressed as oral feedback by animated character agent 157. Because the speech processing is broken up in this fashion, it is possible to achieve real-time, interactive, human-like dialog consisting of a large, controllable set of questions/answers. The assistance of the animated agent 157 further enhances the experience, making it more natural and comfortable for even novice users. To make the speech recognition process more reliable, context-specific grammars and dictionaries are used, as well as natural language processing routines at NLE 190, to analyze user questions lexically. While context-specific processing of speech data is known in the art (see e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,960,394, 5,867,817, 5,758,322 and 5,384,892 incorporated by reference herein) the present inventors are unaware of any such implementation as embodied in the present inventions. The text of the user's question is compared against text of other questions to identify the question posed by the user by DB processor/engine (DBE) 186. By optimizing the interaction and relationship of the SR engines 155 and 182, the NLP routines 190, and the dictionaries and grammars, an extremely fast and accurate match can be made, so that a unique and responsive answer can be provided to the user. On the server side 180, interleaved processing further accelerates the speech recognition process. In simplified terms, the query is presented simultaneously both to NLE 190 after the query is formulated, as well as to DBE 186. NLE 190 and SRE 182 perform complementary functions in the overall recognition process. In general, SRE 182 is primarily responsible for determining the identity of the words articulated by the user, while NLE 190 is responsible for the linguistic morphological analysis of both the user's query and the search results returned after the database query. After the user's query is analyzed by NLE 190 some parameters are extracted and sent to the DBProcess. Additional statistics are stored in an array for the 2nd step of processing. During the 2nd step of 2-step algorithm, the recordset of preliminary search results are sent to the NLE 160 for processing. At the end of this 2nd step, the single question that matches the user's query is sent to the DBProcess where further processing yields the paired answer that is paired with the single best stored question. Thus, the present invention uses a form of natural language processing (NLP) to achieve optimal performance in a speech based web application system. While NLP is known in the art, prior efforts in Natural Language Processing (NLP) work nonetheless have not been well integrated with Speech Recognition (SR) technologies to achieve reasonable results in a web-based application environment. In speech recognition, the result is typically a lattice of possible recognized words each with some probability of fit with the speech recognizer. As described before, the input to a typical NLP system is typically a large linguistic unit. The NLP system is then charged with the parsing, understanding and indexing of this large linguistic unit or set of transcribed utterances. The result of this NLP process is to understand lexically or morphologically the entire linguistic unit as opposed to word recognition. Put another way, the linguistic unit or sentence of connected words output by the SRE has to be understood lexically, as opposed to just being “recognized”. As indicated earlier, although speech recognition technology has been available for several years, the technical requirements for the NLQS invention have placed severe restrictions on the specifications for the speech recognition accuracy that is required for an application that combines speech recognition and natural language processing to work satisfactorily. In realizing that even with the best of conditions, it might be not be possible to achieve the perfect 100% speech recognition accuracy that is required, the present invention employs an algorithm that balances the potential risk of the speech recognition process with the requirements of the natural language processing so that even in cases where perfect speech recognition accuracy is not achieved for each word in the query, the entire query itself is nonetheless recognized with sufficient accuracy. This recognition accuracy is achieved even while meeting very stringent user constraints, such as short latency periods of 3 to 5 seconds (ideally—ignoring transmission latencies which can vary) for responding to a speech-based query, and for a potential set of 100-250 query questions. This quick response time gives the overall appearance and experience of a real-time discourse that is more natural and pleasant from the user's perspective. Of course, non-real time applications, such as translation services for example, can also benefit from the present teachings as well, since a centralized set of HMMs, grammars, dictionaries, etc., are maintained. General Aspects of Speech Recognition Used in the Present Inventions General background information on speech recognition can be found in the prior art references discussed above and incorporated by reference herein. Nonetheless, a discussion of some particular exemplary forms of speech recognition structures and techniques that are well-suited for NLQS 100 is provided next to better illustrate some of the characteristics, qualities and features of the present inventions. Speech recognition technology is typically of two types—speaker independent and speaker dependent. In speaker-dependent speech recognition technology, each user has a voice file in which a sample of each potentially recognized word is stored. Speaker-dependent speech recognition systems typically have large vocabularies and dictionaries making them suitable for applications as dictation and text transcribing. It follows also that the memory and processor resource requirements for the speaker-dependent can be and are typically large and intensive. Conversely speaker-independent speech recognition technology allows a large group of users to use a single vocabulary file. It follows then that the degree of accuracy that can be achieved is a function of the size and complexity of the grammars and dictionaries that can be supported for a given language. Given the context of applications for which NLQS, the use of small grammars and dictionaries allow speaker independent speech recognition technology to be implemented in NLQS. The key issues or requirements for either type—speaker-independent or speaker-dependent, are accuracy and speed. As the size of the user dictionaries increase, the speech recognition accuracy metric—word error rate (WER) and the speed of recognition decreases. This is so because the search time increases and the pronunciation match becomes more complex as the size of the dictionary increases. The basis of the NLQS speech recognition system is a series of Hidden Markov Models (HMM), which, as alluded to earlier, are mathematical models used to characterize any time varying signal. Because parts of speech are considered to be based on an underlying sequence of one or more symbols, the HMM models corresponding to each symbol are trained on vectors from the speech waveforms. The Hidden Markov Model is a finite set of states, each of which is associated with a (generally multi-dimensional) probability distribution. Transitions among the states are governed by a set of probabilities called transition probabilities. In a particular state an outcome or observation can be generated, according to an associated probability distribution. This finite state machine changes state once every time unit, and each time t such that a state j is entered, a spectral parameter vector Ot is generated with probability density Bj(Ot). It is only the outcome, not the state which is visible to an external observer and therefore states are “hidden” to the outside; hence the name Hidden Markov Model. In isolated speech recognition, it is assumed that the sequence of observed speech vectors corresponding to each word can each be described by a Markov model as follows: O=o1, o2, . . . oT (1-1) where ot is a speech vector observed at time t. The isolated word recognition then is to compute: arg max{P(wi|O)} (1-2) By using Bayes' Rule, {P(wi|O)}=[P(O|wi)P(wi)]/P(O) (1-3) In the general case, the Markov model when applied to speech also assumes a finite state machine which changes state once every time unit and each time that a state j is entered, a speech vector ot is generated from the probability density bj (ot). Furthermore, the transition from state i to state j is also probabilistic and is governed by the discrete probability aij. For a state sequence X, the joint probability that O is generated by the model M moving through a state sequence X is the product of the transition probabilities and the output probabilities. Only the observation sequence is known—the state sequence is hidden as mentioned before. Given that X is unknown, the required likelihood is computed by summing over all possible state sequences X=x(1), x(2), x(3), . . . x(T), that is P(O|M)=Σ{ax(0) x(1)Πb(x)(ot)ax(t) x(t+1)} Given a set of models Mi, corresponding to words wi equation 1-2 is solved by using 1-3 and also by assuming that: P(O|wi)=P(O|Mi) All of this assumes that the parameters {aij} and {bj(ot)} are known for each model Mi. This can be done, as explained earlier, by using a set of training examples corresponding to a particular model. Thereafter, the parameters of that model can be determined automatically by a robust and efficient re-estimation procedure. So if a sufficient number of representative examples of each word are collected, then a HMM can be constructed which simply models all of the many sources of variability inherent in real speech. This training is well-known in the art, so it is not described at length herein, except to note that the distributed architecture of the present invention enhances the quality of HMMs, since they are derived and constituted at the server side, rather than the client side. In this way, appropriate samples from users of different geographical areas can be easily compiled and analyzed to optimize the possible variations expected to be seen across a particular language to be recognized. Uniformity of the speech recognition process is also well-maintained, and error diagnostics are simplified, since each prospective user is using the same set of HMMs during the recognition process. To determine the parameters of a HMM from a set of training samples, the first step typically is to make a rough guess as to what they might be. Then a refinement is done using the Baum-Welch estimation formulae. By these formulae, the maximum likelihood estimates of (where μi is mean vector and Σi is covariance matrix) is: μi=ΣTt=1Lj(t)ot/[ΣTt=1Lj(t)ot] A forward-backward algorithm is next used to calculate the probability of state occupation Lj(t). If the forward probability αi(t) for some model M with N states is defined as: αj(t)=P(o1, . . . , ot, x(t)=j|M) This probability can be calculated using the recursion: αj(t)=[ΣN-1i=2α(t−1)aij]bj(ot) Similarly the backward probability can be computed using the recursion: βi(t)=ΣN-1j=2aijbj(ot+1)(t+1) Realizing that the forward probability is a joint probability and the backward probability is a conditional probability, the probability of state occupation is the product of the two probabilities: αj(t)βj(t)=P(O, x(t)=j|M) Hence the probability of being in state j at a time t is: Lj(t)=1/P[αj(t)βj(t)] where P=P(O|M) To generalize the above for continuous speech recognition, we assume the maximum likelihood state sequence where the summation is replaced by a maximum operation. Thus for a given model M, let φj(t) represent the maximum likelihood of observing speech vectors o1 to ot and being used in state j at time t: φj(t)=max{φj(t)(t−1)αij}βj(ot) Expressing this logarithmically to avoid underflow, this likelihood becomes: ψj(t)=max{ψi(t−1)+log(αij)}+log(bj(ot) This is also known as the Viterbi algorithm. It can be visualized as finding the best path through a matrix where the vertical dimension represents the states of the HMM and horizontal dimension represents frames of speech i.e. time. To complete the extension to connected speech recognition, it is further assumed that each HMM representing the underlying sequence is connected. Thus the training data for continuous speech recognition should consist of connected utterances; however, the boundaries between words do not have to be known. To improve computational speed/efficiency, the Viterbi algorithm is sometimes extended to achieve convergence by using what is known as a Token Passing Model. The token passing model represents a partial match between the observation sequence o1 to ot and a particular model, subject to the constraint that the model is in state j at time t. This token passing model can be extended easily to connected speech environments as well if we allow the sequence of HMMs to be defined as a finite state network. A composite network that includes both phoneme-based HMMs and complete words can be constructed so that a single-best word can be recognized to form connected speech using word N-best extraction from the lattice of possibilities. This composite form of HMM-based connected speech recognizer is the basis of the NLQS speech recognizer module. Nonetheless, the present invention is not limited as such to such specific forms of speech recognizers, and can employ other techniques for speech recognition if they are otherwise compatible with the present architecture and meet necessary performance criteria for accuracy and speed to provide a real-time dialog experience for users. The representation of speech for the present invention's HMM-based speech recognition system assumes that speech is essentially either a quasi-periodic pulse train (for voiced speech sounds) or a random noise source (for unvoiced sounds). It may be modeled as two sources—one a impulse train generator with pitch period P and a random noise generator which is controlled by a voice/unvoiced switch. The output of the switch is then fed into a gain function estimated from the speech signal and scaled to feed a digital filter H(z) controlled by the vocal tract parameter characteristics of the speech being produced. All of the parameters for this model—the voiced/unvoiced switching, the pitch period for voiced sounds, the gain parameter for the speech signal and the coefficient of the digital filter, vary slowly with time. In extracting the acoustic parameters from the user's speech input so that it can evaluated in light of a set of HMMs, cepstral analysis is typically used to separate the vocal tract information from the excitation information. The cepstrum of a signal is computed by taking the Fourier (or similar) transform of the log spectrum. The principal advantage of extracting cepstral coefficients is that they are de-correlated and the diagonal covariances can be used with HMMs. Since the human ear resolves frequencies non-linearly across the audio spectrum, it has been shown that a front-end that operates in a similar non-linear way improves speech recognition performance. Accordingly, instead of a typical linear prediction-based analysis, the front-end of the NLQS speech recognition engine implements a simple, fast Fourier transform based filter bank designed to give approximately equal resolution on the Mel-scale. To implement this filter bank, a window of speech data (for a particular time frame) is transformed using a software based Fourier transform and the magnitude taken. Each FFT magnitude is then multiplied by the corresponding filter gain and the results accumulated. The cepstral coefficients that are derived from this filter-bank analysis at the front end are calculated during a first partial processing phase of the speech signal by using a Discrete Cosine Transform of the log filter bank amplitudes. These cepstral coefficients are called Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC) and they represent some of the speech parameters transferred from the client side to characterize the acoustic features of the user's speech signal. These parameters are chosen for a number of reasons, including the fact that they can be quickly and consistently derived even across systems of disparate capabilities (i.e., for everything from a low power PDA to a high powered desktop system), they give good discrimination, they lend themselves to a number of useful recognition related manipulations, and they are relatively small and compact in size so that they can be transported rapidly across even a relatively narrow band link. Thus, these parameters represent the least amount of information that can be used by a subsequent server side system to adequately and quickly complete the recognition process. To augment the speech parameters an energy term in the form of the logarithm of the signal energy is added. Accordingly, RMS energy is added to the 12 MFCC's to make 13 coefficients. These coefficients together make up the partially processed speech data transmitted in compressed form from the user's client system to the remote server side. The performance of the present speech recognition system is enhanced significantly by computing and adding time derivatives to the basic static MFCC parameters at the server side. These two other sets of coefficients—the delta and acceleration coefficients representing change in each of the 13 values from frame to frame (actually measured across several frames), are computed during a second partial speech signal processing phase to complete the initial processing of the speech signal, and are added to the original set of coefficients after the latter are received. These MFCCs together with the delta and acceleration coefficients constitute the observation vector Ot mentioned above that is used for determining the appropriate HMM for the speech data. The delta and acceleration coefficients are computed using the following regression formula: dt=Σθθ=1[ct+θ−ct−θ]/2Σθθ=1θ2 where dt is a delta coefficient at time t computed in terms of the corresponding static coefficients: dt=[ct+θ−ct−θ]/2θ In a typical stand-alone implementation of a speech recognition system, the entire SR engine runs on a single client. In other words, both the first and second partial processing phases above are executed by the same DSP (or microprocessor) running a ROM or software code routine at the client's computing machine. In contrast, because of several considerations, specifically—cost, technical performance, and client hardware uniformity, the present NLQS system uses a partitioned or distributed approach. While some processing occurs on the client side, the main speech recognition engine runs on a centrally located server or number of servers. More specifically, as noted earlier, capture of the speech signals, MFCC vector extraction and compression are implemented on the client's machine during a first partial processing phase. The routine is thus streamlined and simple enough to be implemented within a browser program (as a plug in module, or a downloadable applet for example) for maximum ease of use and utility. Accordingly, even very “thin” client platforms can be supported, which enables the use of the present system across a greater number of potential sites. The primary MFCCs are then transmitted to the server over the channel, which, for example, can include a dial-up INTERNET connection, a LAN connection, a wireless connection and the like. After decompression, the delta and acceleration coefficients are computed at the server to complete the initial speech processing phase, and the resulting observation vectors Ot are also determined. General Aspects of Speech Recognition Engine The speech recognition engine is also located on the server, and is based on a HTK-based recognition network compiled from a word-level network, a dictionary and a set of HMMs. The recognition network consists of a set of nodes connected by arcs. Each node is either a HMM model instance or a word end. Each model node is itself a network consisting of states connected by arcs. Thus when fully compiled, a speech recognition network consists of HMM states connected by transitions. For an unknown input utterance with T frames, every path from the start node to the exit node of the network passes through T HMM states. Each of these paths has log probability which is computed by summing the log probability of each individual transition in the path and the log probability of each emitting state generating the corresponding observation. The function of the Viterbi decoder is find those paths through the network which have the highest log probability. This is found using the Token Passing algorithm. In a network that has many nodes, the computation time is reduced by only allowing propagation of those tokens which will have some chance of becoming winners. This process is called pruning. Natural Language Processor In a typical natural language interface to a database, the user enters a question in his/her natural language, for example, English. The system parses it and translates it to a query language expression. The system then uses the query language expression to process the query and if the search is successful, a recordset representing the results is displayed in English either formatted as raw text or in a graphical form. For a natural language interface to work well involves a number of technical requirements. For example, it needs to be robust—in the sentence ‘What's the departments turnover’ it needs to decide that the word whats=what's=what is. And it also has to determine that departrment=department's. In addition to being robust, the natural language interface has to distinguish between the several possible forms of ambiguity that may exist in the natural language—lexical, structural, reference and ellipsis ambiguity. All of these requirements, in addition to the general ability to perform basic linguistic morphological operations of tokenization, tagging and grouping, are implemented within the present invention. Tokenization is implemented by a text analyzer which treats the text as a series of tokens or useful meaningful units that are larger than individual characters, but smaller than phrases and sentences. These include words, separable parts of words, and punctuation. Each token is associated with an offset and a length. The first phase of tokenization is the process of segmentation which extracts the individual tokens from the input text and keeps track of the offset where each token originated in the input text. The tokenizer output lists the offset and category for each token. In the next phase of the text analysis, the tagger uses a built-in morphological analyzer to look up each word/token in a phrase or sentence and internally lists all parts of speech. The output is the input string with each token tagged with a parts of speech notation. Finally the grouper which functions as a phrase extractor or phrase analyzer, determines which groups of words form phrases. These three operations which are the foundations for any modern linguistic processing schemes, are fully implemented in optimized algorithms for determining the single-best possible answer to the user's question. SQL Database and Full-Text Query Another key component of present system is a SQL-database. This database is used to store text, specifically the answer-question pairs are stored in full-text tables of the database. Additionally, the full-text search capability of the database allows full-text searches to be carried out. While a large portion of all digitally stored information is in the form of unstructured data, primarily text, it is now possible to store this textual data in traditional database systems in character-based columns such as varchar and text. In order to effectively retrieve textual data from the database, techniques have to be implemented to issue queries against textual data and to retrieve the answers in a meaningful way where it provides the answers as in the case of the NLQS system. There are two major types of textual searches: Property—This search technology first applies filters to documents in order to extract properties such as author, subject, type, word count, printed page count, and time last written, and then issues searches against those properties; Full-text—this search technology first creates indexes of all non-noise words in the documents, and then uses these indexes to support linguistic searches and proximity searches. Two additional technologies are also implemented in this particular RDBMs: SQL Server also have been integrated: A Search service—a full-text indexing and search service that is called both index engine and search, and a parser that accepts full-text SQL extensions and maps them into a form that can be processed by the search engine. The four major aspects involved in implementing full-text retrieval of plain-text data from a full-text-capable database are: Managing the definition of the tables and columns that are registered for full-text searches; Indexing the data in registered columns—the indexing process scans the character streams, determines the word boundaries (this is called word breaking), removes all noise words (this also is called stop words), and then populates a full-text index with the remaining words; Issuing queries against registered columns for populated full-text indexes; Ensuring that subsequent changes to the data in registered columns gets propagated to the index engine to keep the full-text indexes synchronized. The underlying design principle for the indexing, querying, and synchronizing processes is the presence of a full-text unique key column (or single-column primary key) on all tables registered for full-text searches. The full-text index contains an entry for the non-noise words in each row together with the value of the key column for each row. When processing a full-text search, the search engine returns to the database the key values of the rows that match the search criteria. The full-text administration process starts by designating a table and its columns of interest for full-text search. Customized NLQS stored procedures are used first to register tables and columns as eligible for full-text search. After that, a separate request by means of a stored procedure is issued to populate the full-text indexes. The result is that the underlying index engine gets invoked and asynchronous index population begins. Full-text indexing tracks which significant words are used and where they are located. For example, a full-text index might indicate that the word “NLQS” is found at word number 423 and word number 982 in the Abstract column of the DevTools table for the row associated with a ProductID of 6. This index structure supports an efficient search for all items containing indexed words as well as advanced search operations, such as phrase searches and proximity searches. (An example of a phrase search is looking for “white elephant,” where “white” is followed by “elephant”. An example of a proximity search is looking for “big” and “house” where “big” occurs near “house”.) To prevent the full-text index from becoming bloated, noise words such as “a,” “and,” and “the” are ignored. Extensions to the Transact-SQL language are used to construct full-text queries. The two key predicates that are used in the NLQS are CONTAINS and FREETEXT. The CONTAINS predicate is used to determine whether or not values in full-text registered columns contain certain words and phrases. Specifically, this predicate is used to search for: A word or phrase. The prefix of a word or phrase. A word or phrase that is near another. A word that is an inflectional form of another (for example, “drive” is the inflectional stem of “drives,” “drive,” “driving,” and “driven”). A set of words or phrases, each of which is assigned a different weighting. The relational engine within SQL Server recognizes the CONTAINS and FREETEXT predicates and performs some minimal syntax and semantic checking, such as ensuring that the column referenced in the predicate has been registered for full-text searches. During query execution, a full-text predicate and other relevant information are passed to the full-text search component. After further syntax and semantic validation, the search engine is invoked and returns the set of unique key values identifying those rows in the table that satisfy the full-text search condition. In addition to the FREETEXT and CONTAINS, other predicates such as AND, LIKE, NEAR are combined to create the customized NLQS SQL construct. Full-Text Query Architecture of the SQL Database The full-text query architecture is comprised of the following several components—Full-Text Query component, the SQL Server Relational Engine, the Full-Text provider and the Search Engine. The Full-Text Query component of the SQL database accept a full-text predicate or rowset-valued function from the SQL Server; transform parts of the predicate into an internal format, and sends it to Search Service, which returns the matches in a rowset. The rowset is then sent back to SQL Server. SQL Server uses this information to create the resultset that is then returned to the submitter of the query. The SQL Server Relational Engine accepts the CONTAINS and FREETEXT predicates as well as the CONTAINSTABLE( ) and FREETEXTTABLE( ) rowset-valued functions. During parse time, this code checks for conditions such as attempting to query a column that has not been registered for full-text search. If valid, then at run time, the ft_search_condition and context information is sent to the full-text provider. Eventually, the full-text provider returns a rowset to SQL Server, which is used in any joins (specified or implied) in the original query. The Full-Text Provider parses and validates the ft_search_condition, constructs the appropriate internal representation of the full-text search condition, and then passes it to the search engine. The result is returned to the relational engine by means of a rowset of rows that satisfy ft_search_condition. Client Side System 150 Client Side System 150 The architecture of client-side system 150 of Natural Language Query System 100 is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 2A-2C. Referring to FIG. 2A, the three main processes effectuated by Client System 150 are illustrated as follows: Initialization process 200A consisting of SRE 201, Communication 202 and Microsoft (MS) Agent 203 routines; at FIG. 2B an iterative process 200B consisting of two sub-routines: a) Receive User Speech 208—made up of SRE 204 and Communication 205; and b) Receive Answer from Server 207—made up of MS Speak Agent 206, Communication 209, Voice data file 210 and Text to Speech Engine 211. Finally, in FIG. 2C un-initialization process 200C is made up of three sub-routines: SRE 212, Communication 213, and MS Agent 214. Each of the above three processes are described in detail in the following paragraphs. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the particular implementation for such processes and routines will vary from client platform to platform, so that in some environments such processes may be embodied in hard-coded routines executed by a dedicated DSP, while in others they may be embodied as software software routines executed by a shared host processor, and in still others a combination of the two may be used. Initialization at Client System 150 The initialization of the Client System 150 is illustrated in FIG. 2D and is comprised generally of 3 separate initializing processes: client-side Speech Recognition Engine 220A, MS Agent 220B and Communication processes 220C. Initialization of Speech Recognition Engine 220A Speech Recognition Engine 155 is initialized and configured using the routines shown in 220A. First, an SRE COM Library is initialized. Next, memory 220 is allocated to hold Source and Coder objects, are created by a routine 221. Loading of configuration file 221A from configuration data file 221B also takes place at the same time that the SRE Library is initialized. In configuration file 221B, the type of the input of Coder and the type of the output of the Coder are declared. The structure, operation, etc. of such routines are well-known in the art, and they can be implemented using a number of fairly straightforward approaches. Accordingly, they are not discussed in detail herein. Next, Speech and Silence components of an utterance are calibrated using a routine 222, in a procedure that is also well-known in the art. To calibrate the speech and silence components, the user preferably articulates a sentence that is displayed in a text box on the screen. The SRE library then estimates the noise and other parameters required to find e silence and speech elements of future user utterances. Initialization of MS Agent 220B The software code used to initialize and set up a MS Agent 220B is also illustrated in FIG. 2D. The MS Agent 220B routine is responsible for coordinating and handling the actions of the animated agent 157 (FIG. 1). This initialization thus consists of the following steps: 1. Initialize COM library 223. This part of the code initializes the COM library, which is required to use ActiveX Controls, which controls are well-known in the art. 2. Create instance of Agent Server 224—this part of the code creates an instance of Agent ActiveX control. 3. Loading of MS Agent 225—this part of the code loads MS Agent character from a specified file 225A containing general parameter data for the Agent Character, such as the overall appearance, shape, size, etc. 4. Get Character Interface 226—this part of the code gets an appropriate interface for the specified character; for example, characters may have different control/interaction capabilities that can be presented to the user. 5. Add Commands to Agent Character Option 227—this part of the code adds commands to an Agent Properties sheet, which sheet can be accessed by clicking on the icon that appears in the system tray, when the Agent character is loaded e.g., that the character can Speak, how he/she moves, TTS Properties, etc. 6. Show the Agent Character 228—this part of the code displays the Agent character on the screen so it can be seen by the user; 7. AgentNotifySink—to handle events. This part of the code creates AgentNotifySink object 229, registers it at 230 and then gets the Agent Properties interface 231. The property sheet for the Agent character is assigned using routine 232. 8. Do Character Animations 233—This part of the code plays specified character animations to welcome the user to NLQS 100. The above then constitutes the entire sequence required to initialize the MS Agent. As with the SRE routines, the MS Agent routines can be implemented in any suitable and conventional fashion by those skilled in the art based on the present teachings. The particular structure, operation, etc. of such routines is not critical, and thus they are not discussed in detail herein. In a preferred embodiment, the MS Agent is configured to have an appearance and capabilities that are appropriate for the particular application. For instance, in a remote learning application, the agent has the visual form and mannerisms/attitude/gestures of a college professor. Other visual props (blackboard, textbook, etc.) may be used by the agent and presented to the user to bring to mind the experience of being in an actual educational environment. The characteristics of the agent may be configured at the client side 150, and/or as part of code executed by a browser program (not shown) in response to configuration data and commands from a particular web page. For example, a particular website offering medical services may prefer to use a visual image of a doctor. These and many other variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art for enhancing the human-like, real-time dialog experience for users. Initialization of Communication Link 160A Initialization of Communication Link 160A The initialization of Communication Link 160A is shown with reference to process 220C FIG. 2D. Referring to FIG. 2D, this initialization consists of the following code components: Open INTERNET Connection 234—this part of the code opens an INTERNET Connection and sets the parameter for the connection. Then Set Callback Status routine 235 sets the callback status so as to inform the user of the status of connection. Finally Start New HTTP INTERNET Session 236 starts a new INTERNET session. The details of Communications Link 160 and the set up process 220C are not critical, and will vary from platform to platform. Again, in some cases, users may use a low-speed dial-up connection, a dedicated high speed switched connection (T1 for example), an always-on xDSL connection, a wireless connection, and the like. Iterative Processing of Queries/Answers As illustrated in FIG. 3, once initialization is complete, an iterative query/answer process is launched when the user presses the Start Button to initiate a query. Referring to FIG. 3, the iterative query/answer process consists of two main sub-processes implemented as routines on the client side system 150: Receive User Speech 240 and Receive User Answer 243. The Receive User Speech 240 routine receives speech from the user (or another audio input source), while the Receive User Answer 243 routine receives an answer to the user's question in the form of text from the server so that it can be converted to speech for the user by text-to-speech engine 159. As used herein, the term “query” is referred to in the broadest sense to refer, to either a question, a command, or some form of input used as a control variable by the system. For example, a query may consist of a question directed to a particular topic, such as “what is a network” in the context of a remote learning application. In an e-commerce application a query might consist of a command to “list all books by Mark Twain” for example. Similarly, while the answer in a remote learning application consists of text that is rendered into audible form by the text to speech engine 159, it could also be returned as another form of multi-media information, such as a graphic image, a sound file, a video file, etc. depending on the requirements of the particular application. Again, given the present teachings concerning the necessary structure, operation, functions, performance, etc., of the client-side Receive User Speech 240 and Receiver User Answer 243 routines, one of ordinary skill in the art could implement such in a variety of ways. Receive User Speech—As illustrated in FIG. 3, the Receive User Speech routine 240 consists of a SRE 241 and a Communication 242 process, both implemented again as routines on the client side system 150 for receiving and partially processing the user's utterance. SRE routine 241 uses a coder 248 which is prepared so that a coder object receives speech data from a source object. Next the Start Source 249 routine is initiated. This part of the code initiates data retrieval using the source Object which will in turn be given to the Coder object. Next, MFCC vectors 250 are extracted from the Speech utterance continuously until silence is detected. As alluded to earlier, this represents the first phase of processing of the input speech signal, and in a preferred embodiment, it is intentionally restricted to merely computing the MFCC vectors for the reasons already expressed above. These vectors include the 12 cepstral coefficients and the RMS energy term, for a total of 13 separate numerical values for the partially processed speech signal. In some environments, nonetheless, it is conceivable that the MFCC delta parameters and MFCC acceleration parameters can also be computed at client side system 150, depending on the computation resources available, the transmission bandwidth in data link 160A available to server side system 180, the speed of a transceiver used for carrying data in the data link, etc. These parameters can be determined automatically by client side system upon initializing SRE 155 (using some type of calibration routine to measure resources), or by direct user control, so that the partitioning of signal processing responsibilities can be optimized on a case-by-case basis. In some applications, too, server side system 180 may lack the appropriate resources or routines for completing the processing of the speech input signal. Therefore, for some applications, the allocation of signal processing responsibilities may be partitioned differently, to the point where in fact both phases of the speech signal processing may take place at client side system 150 so that the speech signal is completely—rather than partially—processed and transmitted for conversion into a query at server side system 180. Again in a preferred embodiment, to ensure reasonable accuracy and real-time performance from a query/response perspective, sufficient resources are made available in a client side system so that 100 frames per second of speech data can be partially processed and transmitted through link 160A. Since the least amount of information that is necessary to complete the speech recognition process (only 13 coefficients) is sent, the system achieves a real-time performance that is believed to be highly optimized, because other latencies (i.e., client-side computational latencies, packet formation latencies, transmission latencies) are minimized. It will be apparent that the principles of the present invention can be extended to other SR applications where some other methodology is used for breaking down the speech input signal by an SRE (i.e., non-MFCC based). The only criteria is that the SR processing be similarly dividable into multiple phases, and with the responsibility for different phases being handled on opposite sides of link 160A depending on overall system performance goals, requirements and the like. This functionality of the present invention can thus be achieved on a system-by-system basis, with an expected and typical amount of optimization being necessary for each particular implementation. Thus, the present invention achieves a response rate performance that is tailored in accordance with the amount of information that is computed, coded and transmitted by the client side system 150. So in applications where real-time performance is most critical, the least possible amount of extracted speech data is transmitted to reduce these latencies, and, in other applications, the amount of extracted speech data that is processed, coded and transmitted can be varied. Communication—transmit communication module 242 is used to implement the transport of data from the client to the server over the data link 160A, which in a preferred embodiment is the INTERNET. As explained above, the data consists of encoded MFCC vectors that will be used at then server-side of the Speech Recognition engine to complete the speech recognition decoding. The sequence of the communication is as follows: OpenHTTPRequest 251—this part of the code first converts MFCC vectors to a stream of bytes, and then processes the bytes so that it is compatible with a protocol known as H=TP. This protocol is well-known in the art, and it is apparent that for other data links another suitable protocol would be used. 1. Encode MFCC Byte Stream 251—this part of the code encodes the MFCC vectors, so that they can be sent to the server via HTTP. 2. Send data 252—this part of the code sends MFCC vectors to the server using the INTERNET connection and the HTTP protocol. Wait for the Server Response 253—this part of the code monitors the data link 160A a response from server side system 180 arrives. In summary, the MFCC parameters are extracted or observed on-the-fly from the input speech signal. They are then encoded to a HTTP byte stream and sent in a streaming fashion to the server before the silence is detected—i.e. sent to server side system 180 before the utterance is complete. This aspect of the invention also facilitates a real-time behavior, since data can be transmitted and processed even while the user is still speaking. Receive Answer from Server 243 is comprised of the following modules as shown in FIG. 3.: MS Agent 244, Text-to-Speech Engine 245 and receive communication modules 246. All three modules interact to receive the answer from server side system 180. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the receive communication process consists of three separate processes implemented as a receive routine on client side system 150: a Receive the Best Answer 258 receives the best answer over data link 160B (the HTTP communication channel). The answer is de-compressed at 259 and then the answer is passed by code 260 to the MS Agent 244, where it is received by code portion 254. A routine 255 then articulates the answer using text-to-speech engine 257. Of course, the text can also be displayed for additional feedback purposes on a monitor used with client side system 150. The text to speech engine uses a natural language voice data file 256 associated with it that is appropriate for the particular language application (i.e., English, French, German, Japanese, etc.). As explained earlier when the answer is something more than text, it can be treated as desired to provide responsive information to the user, such as with a graphics image, a sound, a video clip, etc. Uninitialization The un-initialization routines and processes are illustrated in FIG. 4. Three functional modules are used for un-initializing the primary components of the client side system 150; these include SRE 270, Communications 271 and MS Agent 272 un-initializing routines. To un-initialize SRE 220A, memory that was allocated in the initialization phase is de-allocated by code 273 and objects created during such initialization phase are deleted by code 274. Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 4, to un-initialize Communications module 220C the INTERNET connection previously established with the server is closed by code portion 275 of the Communication Un-initialization routine 271. Next the INTERNET session created at the time of initialization is also closed by routine 276. For the un-initialization of the MS Agent 220B, as illustrated in FIG. 4, MS Agent Un-initialization routine 272 first releases the Commands Interface 227 using routine 277. This releases the commands added to the property sheet during loading of the agent character by routine 225. Next the Character Interface initialized by routine 226 is released by routine 278 and the Agent is unloaded at 279. The Sink Object Interface is then also released 280 followed by the release of the Property Sheet Interface 281. The Agent Notify Sink 282 then un-registers the Agent and finally the Agent Interface 283 is released which releases all the resources allocated during initialization steps identified in FIG. 2D. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the particular implementation for such un-initialization processes and routines in FIG. 4 will vary from client platform to client platform, as for the other routines discussed above. The structure, operation, etc. of such routines are well-known in the art, and they can be implemented using a number of fairly straightforward approaches without undue effort. Accordingly, they are not discussed in detail herein. Description of Server Side System 180 Introduction A high level flow diagram of the set of preferred processes implemented on server side system 180 of Natural Language Query System 100 is illustrated in FIGS. 11A through FIG. 11C. In a preferred embodiment, this process consists of a two step algorithm for completing the processing of the speech input signal, recognizing the meaning of the user's query, and retrieving an appropriate answer/response for such query. The 1st step as illustrated in FIG. 11A can be considered a high-speed first-cut pruning mechanism, and includes the following operations: after completing processing of the speech input signal, the user's query is recognized at step 1101, so that the text of the query is simultaneously sent to Natural Language Engine 190 (FIG. 1) at step 1107, and to DB Engine 186 (also FIG. 1) at step 1102. By “recognized” in this context it is meant that the user's query is converted into a text string of distinct native language words through the HMM technique discussed earlier. At NLE 190, the text string undergoes morphological linguistic processing at step 1108: the string is tokenized the tags are tagged and the tagged tokens are grouped Next the noun phrases (NP) of the string are stored at 1109, and also copied and transferred for use by DB Engine 186 during a DB Process at step 1110. As illustrated in FIG. 11A, the string corresponding to the user's query which was sent to the DB Engine 186 at 1102, is used together with the NP received from NLE 190 to construct an SQL Query at step 1103. Next, the SQL query is executed at step 1104, and a record set of potential questions corresponding to the user's query are received as a result of a full-text search at 1105, which are then sent back to NLE 190 in the form of an array at step 1106. As can be seen from the above, this first step on the server side processing acts as an efficient and fast pruning mechanism so that the universe of potential “hits” corresponding to the user's actual query is narrowed down very quickly to a manageable set of likely candidates in a very short period of time. Referring to FIG. 11B, in contrast to the first step above, the 2nd step can be considered as the more precise selection portion of the recognition process. It begins with linguistic processing of each of the stored questions in the array returned by the full-text search process as possible candidates representing the user's query. Processing of these stored questions continues in NLE 190 as follows: each question in the array of questions corresponding to the record set returned by the SQL full-text search undergoes morphological linguistic processing at step 1111: in this operation, a text string corresponding to the retrieved candidate question is tokenized, the tags are tagged and the tagged tokens are grouped. Next, noun phrases of the string are computed and stored at step 1112. This process continues iteratively at point 1113, and the sequence of steps at 1118, 1111, 1112, 1113 are repeated so that an NP for each retrieved candidate question is computed and stored. Once an NP is computed for each of the retrieved candidate questions of the array, a comparison is made between each such retrieved candidate question and the user's query based on the magnitude of the NP value at step 1114. This process is also iterative in that steps 1114, 1115, 1116, 1119 are repeated so that the comparison of the NP for each retrieved candidate question with that of the NP of the user's query is completed. When there are no more stored questions in the array to be processed at step 1117, the stored question that has the maximum NP relative to the user's query, is identified at 1117A as the stored question which best matches the user's query. Notably, it can be seen that the second step of the recognition process is much more computationally intensive than the first step above, because several text strings are tokenized, and a comparison is made of several NPs. This would not be practical, nonetheless, if it were not for the fact that the first step has already quickly and efficiently reduced the candidates to be evaluated to a significant degree. Thus, this more computationally intensive aspect of the present invention is extremely valuable, however because it yields extremely high accuracy in the overall query recognition process. In this regard, therefore, this second step of the query recognition helps to ensure the overall accuracy of the system, while the first step helps to maintain a satisfactory speed that provides a real-time feel for the user. As illustrated in FIG. 11C, the last part of the query/response process occurs by providing an appropriate matching answer/response to the user. Thus, an identity of a matching stored question is completed at step 1120. Next a file path corresponding to an answer of the identified matching question is extracted at step 1121. Processing continues so that the answer is extracted from the file path at 1122 and finally the answer is compressed and sent to client side system 150 at step 1123. The discussion above is intended to convey a general overview of the primary components, operations, functions and characteristics of those portions of NLQS system 100 that reside on server side system 180. The discussion that follows describes in more detail the respective sub-systems. Software Modules Used in Server Side System 180 The key software modules used on server-side system 180 of the NLQS system are illustrated in FIG. 5. These include generally the following components: a Communication module 500—identified as CommunicationServer ISAPI 500A (which is executed by SRE Server-side 182—FIG. 1 and is explained in more detail below), and a database process DBProcess module 501 (executed by DB Engine 186—FIG. 1). Natural language engine module 500C (executed by NLE 190—FIG. 1) and an interface 500B between the NLE process module 500C and the DBProcess module 500B. As shown here, CommunicationServerISAPI 500A includes a server-side speech recognition engine and appropriate communication interfaces required between client side system 150 and server side system 180. As further illustrated in FIG. 5, server-side logic of Natural Language Query System 100 also can be characterized as including two dynamic link library components: CommunicationServerISAPI 500 and DBProcess 501. The CommunicationServerIASPI 500 is comprised of 3 sub-modules: Server-side Speech Recognition Engine module 500A; Interface module 500B between Natural Language Engine modules 500C and DBProcess 501; and the Natural Language Engine modules 500C. DB Process 501 is a module whose primary function is to connect to a SQL database and to execute an SQL query that is composed in response to the user's query. In addition, this module interfaces with logic that fetches the correct answer from a file path once this answer is passed to it from the Natural Language Engine module 500C. Speech Recognition Sub-System 182 on Server-Side System 180 The server side speech recognition engine module 500A is a set of distributed components that perform the necessary functions and operations of speech recognition engine 182 (FIG. 1) at server-side 180. These components can be implemented as software routines that are executed by server side 180 in conventional fashion. Referring to FIG. 4A, a more detailed break out of the operation of the speech recognition components 600 at the server-side can be seen as follows: Within a portion 601 of the server side SRE module 500A, the binary MFCC vector byte stream corresponding to the speech signal's acoustic features extracted at client side system 150 and sent over the communication channel 160 is received. The MFCC acoustic vectors are decoded from the encoded HTTP byte stream as follows: Since the MFCC vectors contain embedded NULL characters, they cannot be transferred in this form to server side system 180 as such using HTTP protocol. Thus the MFCC vectors are first encoded at client-side 150 before transmission in such a way that all the speech data is converted into a stream of bytes without embedded NULL characters in the data. At the very end of the byte stream a single NULL character is introduced to indicate the termination of the stream of bytes to be transferred to the server over the INTERNET 160A using HTTP protocol. As explained earlier, to conserve latency time between the client and server, a smaller number of bytes Oust the 13 MFCC coefficients) are sent from client side system 150 to server side system 180. This is done automatically for each platform to ensure uniformity, or can be tailored by the particular application environment—i.e., such as where it is determined that it will take less time to compute the delta and acceleration coefficients at the server (26 more calculations), than it would take to encode them at the client, transmit them, and then decode them from the HTTP stream. In general, since server side system 180 is usually better equipped to calculate the MFCC delta and acceleration parameters, this is a preferable choice. Furthermore, there is generally more control over server resources compared to the client's resources, which means that future upgrades, optimizations, etc., can be disseminated and shared by all to make overall system performance more reliable and predictable. So, the present invention can accommodate even the worst-case scenario where the client's machine may be quite thin and may just have enough resources to capture the speech input data and do minimal processing. Dictionary Preparation & Grammar Files Referring to FIG. 4A, within code block 605, various options selected by the user (or gleaned from the user's status within a particular application) are received. For instance, in the case of a preferred remote learning system, Course, Chapter and/or Section data items are communicated. In the case of other applications (such as e-commerce) other data options are communicated, such as the Product Class, Product Category, Product Brand, etc. loaded for viewing within his/her browser. These selected options are based on the context experienced by the user during an interactive process, and thus help to limit and define the scope—i.e. grammars and dictionaries that will be dynamically loaded to speech recognition engine 182 (FIG. 1) for Viterbi decoding during processing of the user speech utterance. For speech recognition to be optimized both grammar and dictionary files are used in a preferred embodiment. A Grammar file supplies the universe of available user queries; i.e., all the possible words that are to be recognized. The Dictionary file provides phonemes (the information of how a word is pronounced—this depends on the specific native language files that are installed—for example, UK English or US English) of each word contained in the grammar file. It is apparent that if all the sentences for a given environment that can be recognized were contained in a single grammar file then recognition accuracy would be deteriorated and the loading time alone for such grammar and dictionary files would impair the speed of the speech recognition process. To avoid these problems, specific grammars are dynamically loaded or actively configured as the current grammar according to the user's context, i.e., as in the case of a remote learning system, the Course, Chapter and/or Section selected. Thus the grammar and dictionary files are loaded dynamically according to the given Course, Chapter and/or Section as dictated by the user, or as determined automatically by an application program executed by the user. The second code block 602 implements the initialization of Speech Recognition engine 182 (FIG. 1). The MFCC vectors received from client side system 150 along with the grammar filename and the dictionary file names are introduced to this block to initialize the speech decoder. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the initialization process 602 uses the following sub-routines: A routine 602a for loading an SRE library. This then allows the creation of an object identified as External Source with code 602b using the received MFCC vectors. Code 602c allocates memory to hold the recognition objects. Routine 602d then also creates and initializes objects that are required for the recognition such as: Source, Coder, Recognizer and Results Loading of the Dictionary created by code 602e, Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) generated with code 602f; and Loading of the Grammar file generated by routine 602g. Speech Recognition 603 is the next routine invoked as illustrated in FIG. 4A, and is generally responsible for completing the processing of the user speech signals input on the client side 150, which, as mentioned above, are preferably only partially processed (i.e., only MFCC vectors are computed during the first phase) when they are transmitted across link 160. Using the functions created in External Source by subroutine 602b, this code reads MFCC vectors, one at a time from an External Source 603a, and processes them in block 603b to realize the words in the speech pattern that are symbolized by the MFCC vectors captured at the client. During this second phase, an additional 13 delta coefficients and an additional 13 acceleration coefficients are computed as part of the recognition process to obtain a total of 39 observation vectors Ot referred to earlier. Then, using a set of previously defined Hidden Markov Models (HMMs), the words corresponding to the user's speech utterance are determined in the manner described earlier. This completes the word “recognition” aspect of the query processing, which results are used further below to complete the query processing operations. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the distributed nature and rapid performance of the word recognition process, by itself, is extremely useful and may be implemented in connection with other environments that do not implicate or require additional query processing operations. For example, some applications may simply use individual recognized words for filling in data items on a computer generated form, and the aforementioned systems and processes can provide a rapid, reliable mechanism for doing so. Once the user's speech is recognized, the flow of SRE 182 passes to Un-initialize SRE routine 604 where the speech engine is un-initialized as illustrated. In this block all the objects created in the initialization block are deleted by routine 604a, and memory allocated in the initialization block during the initialization phase are removed by routine 604b. Again, it should be emphasized that the above are merely illustrative of embodiments for implementing the particular routines used on a server side speech recognition system of the present invention. Other variations of the same that achieve the desired functionality and objectives of the present invention will be apparent from the present teachings. Database Processor 186 Operation—DBProcess Construction of an SQL Query used as part of the user query processing is illustrated in FIG. 4B, a SELECT SQL statement is preferably constructed using a conventional CONTAINS predicate. Module 950 constructs the SQL query based on this SELECT SQL statement, which query is used for retrieving the best suitable question stored in the database corresponding to the user's articulated query, (designated as Question here). A routine 951 then concatenates a table name with the constructed SELECT statement. Next, the number of words present in each Noun Phrase of Question asked by the user is calculated by routine 952. Then memory is allocated by routine 953 as needed to accommodate all the words present in the NP. Next a word List (identifying all the distinct words present in the NP) is obtained by routine 954. After this, this set of distinct words are concatenated by routine 955 to the SQL Query separated with a NEAR ( ) keyword. Next, the AND keyword is concatenated to the SQL Query by routine 956 after each NP. Finally memory resources are freed by code 957 so as to allocate memory to store the words received from NP for any next iteration. Thus, at the end of this process, a completed SQL Query corresponding to the user's articulated question is generated. Connection to SQL Server—As illustrated in FIG. 4C, after the SQL Query is constructed by routine 710, a routine 711 implements a connection to the query database 717 to continue processing of the user query. The connection sequence and the subsequent retrieved record set is implemented using routines 700 which include the following: 1. Server and database names are assigned by routine 711A to a DBProcess member variable 2. A connection string is established by routine 711B; 3. The SQL Server database is connected under control of code 711C 4. The SQL Query is received by routine 712A 5. The SQL Query is executed by code 712B 6. Extract the total number of records retrieved by the query—713 7. Allocate the memory to store the total number of paired questions—713 8. Store the entire number of paired questions into an array—713 Once the Best Answer ID is received at 716 FIG. 4C, from the NLE 14 (FIG. 5), the code corresponding 716C receives it passes it to code in 716B where the path of the Answer file is determined using the record number. Then the file is opened 716C using the path passed to it and the contents of the file corresponding to the answer is read. Then the answer is compressed by code in 716D and prepared for transmission over the communication channel 160B (FIG. 1). NLQS Database 188—Table Organization FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a logical structure of tables used in a typical NLQS database 188 (FIG. 1). When NLQS database 188 is used as part of NLQS query system 100 implemented as a remote learning/training environment, this database will include an organizational multi-level hierarchy that consists typically of a Course 701, which is made of several chapters 702, 703, 704. Each of these chapters can have one or more Sections 705, 706, 707 as shown for Chapter 1. A similar structure can exist for Chapter 2, Chapter 3 . . . Chapter N. Each section has a set of one or more question-answer pairs 708 stored in tables described in more detail below. While this is an appropriate and preferable arrangement for a training/learning application, it is apparent that other implementations would be possible and perhaps more suitable for other applications such as e-commerce, e-support, INTERNET browsing, etc., depending on overall system parameters. It can be seen that the NLQS database 188 organization is intricately linked to the switched grammar architecture described earlier. In other words, the context (or environment) experienced by the user can be determined at any moment in time based at the selection made at the section level, so that only a limited subset of question-answer pairs 708 for example are appropriate for section 705. This in turn means that only a particular appropriate grammar for such question-answer pairs may be switched in for handling user queries while the user is experiencing such context. In a similar fashion, an e-commerce application for an INTERNET based business may consist of a hierarchy that includes a first level “home” page 701 identifying user selectable options (product types, services, contact information, etc.), a second level may include one or more “product types” pages 702, 703, 704, a third page may include particular product models 705, 706, 707, etc., and with appropriate question-answer pairs 708 and grammars customized for handling queries for such product models. Again, the particular implementation will vary from application to application, depending on the needs and desires of such business, and a typical amount of routine optimization will be necessary for each such application. Table Organization In a preferred embodiment, an independent database is used for each Course. Each database in turn can include three types of tables as follows: a Master Table as illustrated in FIG. 7A, at least one Chapter Table as illustrated in FIG. 7B and at least one Section Table as illustrated in FIG. 7C. As illustrated in FIG. 7A, a preferred embodiment of a Master Table has six columns—Field Name 701A, Data Type 702A, Size 703A, Null 704A, Primary Key 705A and Indexed 706A. These parameters are well-known in the art of database design and structure. The Master Table has only two fields—Chapter Name 707A and Section Name 708A. Both Chapter Name and Section Name are commonly indexed. A preferred embodiment of a Chapter Table is illustrated in FIG. 7B. As with the Master Table, the Chapter Table has six (6) columns—Field Name 720, Data Type 721, Size 722, Null 723, Primary Key 724 and Indexed 725. There are nine (9) rows of data however, in this case,—Chapter_ID 726, Answer_ID 727, Section Name 728, Answer_Tide 729, PairedQuestion 730, AnswerPath 731, Creator 732, Date of Creation 733 and Date of Modification 734. An explanation of the Chapter Table fields is provided in FIG. 7C. Each of the eight (8) Fields 720 has a description 735 and stores data corresponding to: AnswerID 727—an integer that is automatically incremented for each answer given for user convenience Section_Name 728—the name of the section to which the particular record belongs. This field along with the AnswerID is used as the primary key Answer_Title 729—A short description of the title of the answer to the user query PairedQuestion 730—Contains one or more combinations of questions for the related answers whose path is stored in the next column AnswerPath AnswerPath 731—contains the path of a file, which contains the answer to the related questions stored in the previous column; in the case of a pure question/answer application, this file is a text file, but, as mentioned above, could be a multi-media file of any kind transportable over the data link 160 Creator 732—Name of Content Creator Date_of_Creation 733—Date on which content was created Date of Modification 734—Date on which content was changed or modified A preferred embodiment of a Section Table is illustrated in FIG. 7D. The Section Table has six (6) columns—Field Name 740, Data Type 741, Size 742, Null 743, Primary Key 744 and Indexed 745. There are seven (7) rows of data—Answer_ID 746, Answer_Tide 747, PairedQuestion 748, AnswerPath 749, Creator 750, Date of Creation 751 and Date of Modification 752. These names correspond to the same fields, columns already described above for the Master Table and Chapter Table. Again, this is a preferred approach for the specific type of learning/training application described herein. Since the number of potential applications for the present invention is quite large, and each application can be customized, it is expected that other applications (including other learning/training applications) will require and/or be better accommodated by another table, column, and field structure/hierarchy. Search Service and Search Engine—A query text search service is performed by an SQL Search System 1000 shown in FIG. 10. This system provides querying support to process full-text searches. This is where full-text indexes reside. In general, SQL Search System determines which entries in a database index meet selection criteria specified by a particular text query that is constructed in accordance with an articulated user speech utterance. The Index Engine 1011B is the entity that populates the Full-Text Index tables with indexes which correspond to the indexable units of text for the stored questions and corresponding answers. It scans through character strings, determines word boundaries, removes all noise words and then populates the full-text index with the remaining words. For each entry in the full text database that meets the selection criteria, a unique key column value and a ranking value are returned as well. Catalog set 1013 is a file-system directory that is accessible only by an Administrator and Search Service 1010. Full-text indexes 1014 are organized into full-text catalogs, which are referenced by easy to handle names. Typically, full-text index data for an entire database is placed into a single full-text catalog. The schema for the full-text database as described (FIG. 7, FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, FIG. 7C, FIG. 7D) is stored in the tables 1006 shown in FIG. 10. Take for example, the tables required to describe the structure the stored question/answer pairs required for a particular course. For each table—Course Table, Chapter Table, Section Table, there are fields—column information that define each parameters that make up the logical structure of the table. This information is stored in User and System tables 1006. The key values corresponding to those tables are stored as Full-Text catalogs 1013. So when processing a full-text search, the search engine returns to the SQL Server the key values of the rows that match the search criteria. The relational engine then uses this information to respond to the query. As illustrated in FIG. 10, a Full-Text Query Process is implemented as follows: 1. A query 1001 that uses a SQL full-text construct generated by DB processor 186 is submitted to SQL Relational Engine 1002. 2. Queries containing either a CONTAINS or FREETEXT predicate are rewritten by routine 1003 so that a responsive rowset returned later from Full-Text Provider 1007 will be automatically joined to the table that the predicate is acting upon. This rewrite is a mechanism used to ensure that these predicates are a seamless extension to a traditional SQL Server. After the compiled query is internally rewritten and checked for correctness in item 1003, the query is passed to RUN TIME module 1004. The function of module 1004 is to convert the rewritten SQL construct to a validated run-time process before it is sent to the Full-Text Provider, 1007. 3. After this, Full-Text Provider 1007 is invoked, passing the following information for the query: a. A ft_search_condition parameter (this is a logical flag indicating a full text search condition) b. A name of a full-text catalog where a full-text index of a table resides c. A locale ID to be used for language (for example, word breaking) d. Identities of a database, table, and column to be used in the query e. If the query is comprised of more than one full-text construct; when this is the case Full-text provider 1007 is invoked separately for each construct. 4. SQL Relational Engine 1002 does not examine the contents of ft_search_condition. Instead, this information is passed along to Full-text provider 1007, which verifies the validity of the query and then creates an appropriate internal representation of the full-text search condition. 5. The query request/command 1008 is then passed to Querying Support 1011A. 6. Querying Support 1012 returns a rowset 1009 from Full-Text Catalog 1013 that contains unique key column values for any rows that match the full-text search criteria. A rank value also is returned for each row. 7. The rowset of key column values 1009 is passed to SQL Relational Engine 1002. If processing of the query implicates either a CONTAINSTABLE( ) or FREETEXTTABLE( ) function, RANK values are returned; otherwise, any rank value is filtered out. 8. The rowset values 1009 are plugged into the initial query with values obtained from relational database 1006, and a result set 1015 is then returned for further processing to yield a response to the user. At this stage of the query recognition process, the speech utterance by the user has already been rapidly converted into a carefully crafted text query, and this text query has been initially processed so that an initial matching set of results can be further evaluated for a final determination of the appropriate matching question/answer pair. The underlying principle that makes this possible is the presence of a full-text unique key column for each table that is registered for full-text searches. Thus when processing a full-text search, SQL Search Service 1010 returns to SQL server 1002 the key values of the rows that match the database. In maintaining these full-text databases 1013 and full text indexes 1014, the present invention has the unique characteristic that the full-text indices 1014 are not updated instantly when the full-text registered columns are updated. This operation is eliminated, again, to reduce recognition latency, increase response speed, etc. Thus, as compared to other database architectures, this updating of the full-text index tables, which would otherwise take a significant time, is instead done asynchronously at a more convenient time. Interface Between NLE 190 and DB Processor 188 The result set 1015 of candidate questions corresponding to the user query utterance are presented to NLE 190 for further processing as shown in FIG. 4D to determine a “best” matching question/answer pair. An NLE/DBProcessor interface module coordinates the handling of user queries, analysis of noun-phrases (NPs) of retrieved questions sets from the SQL query based on the user query, comparing the retrieved question NPs with the user query NP, etc. between NLE 190 and DB Processor 188. So, this part of the server side code contains functions, which interface processes resident in both NLE block 190 and DB Processor block 188. The functions are illustrated in FIG. 4D; As seen here, code routine 880 implements functions to extract the Noun Phrase (NP) list from the user's question. This part of the code interacts with NLE 190 and gets the list of Noun Phrases in a sentence articulated by the user. Similarly, Routine 813 retrieves an NP list from the list of corresponding candidate/paired questions 1015 and stores these questions into an (ranked by NP value) array. Thus, at this point, NP data has been generated for the user query, as well as for the candidate questions 1015. As an example of determining the noun phrases of a sentence such as: “What issues have guided the President in considering the impact of foreign trade policy on American businesses?” NLE 190 would return the following as noun phrases: President, issues, impact of foreign trade policy, American businesses, impact, impact of foreign trade, foreign trade, foreign trade policy, trade, trade policy, policy, businesses. The methodology used by NLE 190 will thus be apparent to those skilled in the art from this set of noun phrases and noun sub-phrases generated in response to the example query. Next, a function identified as Get Best Answer ID 815 is implemented. This part of the code gets a best answer ID corresponding to the user's query. To do this, routines 813A, 813B first find out the number of Noun phrases for each entry in the retrieved set 1015 that match with the Noun phrases in the user's query. Then routine 815a selects a final result record from the candidate retrieved set 1015 that contains the maximum number of matching Noun phrases. Conventionally, nouns are commonly thought of as “naming” words, and specifically as the names of “people, places, or things”. Nouns such as John, London, and computer certainly fit this description, but the types of words classified by the present invention as nouns is much broader than this. Nouns can also denote abstract and intangible concepts such as birth, happiness, evolution, technology, management, imagination, revenge, politics, hope, cooker, sport, and literacy. Because of the enormous diversity of nouns compared to other parts of speech, the Applicant has found that it is much more relevant to consider the noun phrase as a key linguistic metric. So, the great variety of items classified as nouns by the present invention helps to discriminate and identify individual speech utterances much easier and faster than prior techniques disclosed in the art. Following this same thought, the present invention also adopts and implements another linguistic entity—the word phrase—to facilitate speech query recognition. The basic structure of a word phrase—whether it be a noun phrase, verb phrase, adjective phrase—is three parts—[pre-Head string],[Head] and [post-Head string]. For example, in the minimal noun phrase—“the children,” “children” is classified as the Head of the noun phrase. In summary, because of the diversity and frequency of noun phrases, the choice of noun phrase as the metric by which stored answer is linguistically chosen, has a solid justification in applying this technique to the English natural language as well as other natural languages. So, in sum, the total noun phrases in a speech utterance taken together operate extremely well as unique type of speech query fingerprint. The ID corresponding to the best answer corresponding to the selected final result record question is then generated by routine 815 which then returns it to DB Process shown in FIG. 4C. As seen there, a Best Answer ID I is received by routine 716A, and used by a routine 716B to retrieve an answer file path. Routine 716C then opens and reads the answer file, and communicates the substance of the same to routine 716D. The latter then compresses the answer file data, and sends it over data link 160 to client side system 150 for processing as noted earlier (i.e., to be rendered into audible feedback, visual text/graphics, etc.). Again, in the context of a learning/instructional application, the answer file may consist solely of a single text phrase, but in other applications the substance and format will be tailored to a specific question in an appropriate fashion. For instance, an “answer” may consist of a list of multiple entries corresponding to a list of responsive category items (i.e., a list of books to a particular author) etc. Other variations will be apparent depending on the particular environment. Natural Language Engine 190 Again referring to FIG. 4D, the general structure of NL engine 190 is depicted. This engine implements the word analysis or morphological analysis of words that make up the user's query, as well as phrase analysis of phrases extracted from the query. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the functions used in a morphological analysis include tokenizers 802A, stemmers 804A and morphological analyzers 806A. The functions that comprise the phrase analysis include tokenizers, taggers and groupers, and their relationship is shown in FIG. 8. Tokenizer 802A is a software module that functions to break up text of an input sentence 801A into a list of tokens 803A. In performing this function, tokenizer 802A goes through input text 801A and treats it as a series of tokens or useful meaningful units that are typically larger than individual characters, but smaller than phrases and sentences. These tokens 803A can include words, separable parts of word and punctuation. Each token 803A is given an offset and a length. The first phase of tokenization is segmentation, which extracts the individual tokens from the input text and keeps track of the offset where each token originated from in the input text. Next, categories are associated with each token, based on its shape. The process of tokenization is well-known in the art, so it can be performed by any convenient application suitable for the present invention. Following tokenization, a stemmer process 804A is executed, which can include two separate forms—inflectional and derivational, for analyzing the tokens to determine their respective stems 805A. An inflectional stemmer recognizes affixes and returns the word which is the stem. A derivational stemmer on the other hand recognizes derivational affixes and returns the root word or words. While stemmer 804A associates an input word with its stem, it does not have parts of speech information. Analyzer 806B takes a word independent of context, and returns a set of possible parts of speech 806A. As illustrated in FIG. 8, phrase analysis 800 is the next step that is performed after tokenization. A tokenizer 802 generates tokens from input text 801. Tokens 803 are assigned to parts of a speech tag by a tagger routine 804, and a grouper routine 806 recognizes groups of words as phrases of a certain syntactic type. These syntactic types include for example the noun phrases mentioned earlier, but could include other types if desired such as verb phrases and adjective phrases. Specifically, tagger 804 is a parts-of-speech disambiguator, which analyzes words in context. It has a built-in morphological analyzer (not shown) that allows it to identify all possible parts of speech for each token. The output of tagger 804 is a string with each token tagged with a parts-of-speech label 805. The final step in the linguistic process 800 is the grouping of words to form phrases 807. This function is performed by the grouper 806, and is very dependent, of course, on the performance and output of tagger component 804. Accordingly, at the end of linguistic processing 800, a list of noun phrases (NP) 807 is generated in accordance with the user's query utterance. This set of NPs generated by NLE 190 helps significantly to refine the search for the best answer, so that a single-best answer can be later provided for the user's question. The particular components of NLE 190 are shown in FIG. 4D, and include several components. Each of these components implement the several different functions required in NLE 190 as now explained. Initialize Grouper Resources Object and the Library 900—this routine initializes the structure variables required to create grouper resource object and library. Specifically, it initializes a particular natural language used by NLE 190 to create a Noun Phrase, for example the English natural language is initialized for a system that serves the English language market. In turn, it also creates the objects (routines) required for Tokenizer, Tagger and Grouper (discussed above) with routines 900A, 900B, 900C and 900D respectively, and initializes these objects with appropriate values. It also allocates memory to store all the recognized Noun Phrases for the retrieved question pairs. Tokenizing of the words from the given text (from the query or the paired questions) is performed with routine 909B—here all the words are tokenized with the help of a local dictionary used by NLE 190 resources. The resultant tokenized words are passed to a Tagger routine 909C. At routine 909C, tagging of all the tokens is done and the output is passed to a Grouper routine 909D. The Grouping of all tagged token to form NP list is implemented by routine 909D so that the Grouper groups all the tagged token words and outputs the Noun Phrases. Un-initializing of the grouper resources object and freeing of the resources, is performed by routines 909EA, 909EB and 909EC. These include Token Resources, Tagger Resources and Grouper Resources respectively. After initialization, the resources are freed. The memory that was used to store all Noun Phrases are also de-allocated. Additional Embodiments In a e-commerce embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 13, a web page 1300 contains typical visible links such as Books 1310, Music 1320 so that on clicking the appropriate link the customer is taken to those pages. The web page may be implemented using HTML, a Java applet, or similar coding techniques which interact with the user's browser. For example, if customer wants to buy an album C by Artist Albert, he traverses several web pages as follows: he first clicks on Music (FIG. 13, 1360), which brings up page 1400 where he/she then clicks on Records (FIG. 14, 1450). Alternatively, he/she could select CDs 1460, Videos 1470, or other categories of books 1410, music 1420 or help 1430. As illustrated in FIG. 15, this brings up another web page 1500 with links for Records 1550, with sub-categories—Artist 1560, Song 1570, Tide 1580, Genre 1590. The customer must then click on Artist 1560 to select the artist of choice. This displays another web page 1600 as illustrated in FIG. 16. On this page the various artists 1650 are listed as illustrated—Albert 1650, Brooks 1660, Charlie 1670, Whyte 1690 are listed under the category Artists 1650. The customer must now click on Albert 1660 to view the albums available for Albert. When this is done, another web page is displayed as shown in FIG. 17. Again this web page 1700 displays a similar look and feel, but with the albums available 1760, 1770, 1780 listed under the heading Titles 1750. The customer can also read additional information 1790 for each album. This album information is similar to the liner notes of a shrink-wrapped album purchased at a retail store. One Album A is identified, the customer must click on the Album A 1760. This typically brings up another text box with the information about its availability, price, shipping and handling charges etc. When web page 1300 is provided with functionality of a NLQS of the type described above, the web page interacts with the client side and server side speech recognition modules described above. In this case, the user initiates an inquiry by simply clicking on a button designated Contact Me for Help 1480 (this can be a link button on the screen, or a key on the keyboard for example) and is then told by character 1440 about how to elicit the information required. If the user wants Album A by artist Albert, the user could articulate “Is Album A by Brooks available?” in much the same way they would ask the question of a human clerk at a brick and mortar facility. Because of the rapid recognition performance of the present invention, the user's query would be answered in real-time by character 1440 speaking out the answer in the user's native language. If desired, a readable word balloon 1490 could also be displayed to see the character's answer and so that save/print options can also be implemented. Similar appropriate question/answer pairs for each page of the website can be constructed in accordance with the present teachings, so that the customer is provided with an environment that emulates a normal conversational human-like question and answer dialog for all aspects of the web site. Character 1440 can be adjusted and tailored according to the particular commercial application, or by the user's own preferences, etc. to have a particular voice style (man, woman, young, old, etc.) to enhance the customer's experience. In a similar fashion, an articulated user query might be received as part of a conventional search engine query, to locate information of interest on the INTERNET in a similar manner as done with conventional text queries. If a reasonably close question/answer pair is not available at the server side (for instance, if it does not reach a certain confidence level as an appropriate match to the user's question) the user could be presented with the option of increasing the scope so that the query would then be presented simultaneously to one or more different NLEs across a number of servers, to improve the likelihood of finding an appropriate matching question/answer pair. Furthermore, if desired, more than one “match” could be found, in the same fashion that conventional search engines can return a number of potential “hits” corresponding to the user's query. For some such queries, of course, it is likely that real-time performance will not be possible (because of the disseminated and distributed processing) but the advantage presented by extensive supplemental question/answer database systems may be desirable for some users. It is apparent as well that the NLQS of the present invention is very natural and saves much time for the user and the e-commerce operator as well. In an e-support embodiment, the customer can retrieve information quickly and efficiently, and without need for a live customer agent. For example, at a consumer computer system vendor related support site, a simple diagnostic page might be presented for the user, along with a visible support character to assist him/her. The user could then select items from a “symptoms” page (i.e., a “monitor” problem, a “keyboard” problem, a “printer” problem, etc.) simply by articulating such symptoms in response to prompting from the support character. Thereafter, the system will direct the user on a real-time basis to more specific sub-menus, potential solutions, etc. for the particular recognized complaint. The use of a programmable character thus allows the web site to be scaled to accommodate a large number of hits or customers without any corresponding need to increase the number of human resources and its attendant training issues. As an additional embodiment, the searching for information on a particular web site may be accelerated with the use of the NLQS of the present invention. Additionally, a significant benefit is that the information is provided in a user-friendly manner through the natural interface of speech. The majority of web sites presently employ lists of frequently asked questions which the user typically wades item by item in order to obtain an answer to a question or issue. For example, as displayed in FIG. 13, the customer clicks on Help 1330 to initiate the interface with a set of lists. Other options include computer related items at 1370 and frequently asked questions (FAQ) at 1380. As illustrated in FIG. 18, a web site plan for typical web page is displayed. This illustrates the number of pages that have to be traversed in order to reach the list of Frequently-Asked Questions. Once at this page, the user has to scroll and manually identify the question that matches his/her query. This process is typically a laborious task and may or may not yield the information that answers the user's query. The present art for displaying this information is illustrated in FIG. 18. This figure identifies how the information on a typical web site is organized: the Help link (FIG. 13, 1330) typically shown on the home page of the web page is illustrated shown on FIG. 18 as 1800. Again referring to FIG. 18, each sub-category of information is listed on a separate page. For example, 1810 lists sub-topics such as ‘First Time Visitors’, ‘Search Tips’, ‘Ordering’, ‘Shipping’, ‘Your Account’ etc. Other pages deal with ‘Account information’ 1860, ‘Rates and Policies’ 1850 etc. Down another level, there are pages that deal exclusively with a sub-sub topics on a specific page such as ‘First Time Visitors’ 1960, ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ 1950, ‘Safe Shopping Guarantee’ 1940, etc. So if a customer has a query that is best answered by going to the Frequently Asked Questions link, he or she has to traverse three levels of busy and cluttered screen pages to get to the Frequently Asked Questions page 1950. Typically, there are many lists of questions 1980 that have to be manually scrolled through. While scrolling visually, the customer then has to visually and mentally match his or her question with each listed question. If a possible match is sighted, then that question is clicked and the answer then appears in text form which then is read. In contrast, the process of obtaining an answer to a question using a web page enabled with the present NLQS can be achieved much less laboriously and efficiently. The user would articulate the word “Help” (FIG. 13, 1330). This would immediately cause a character (FIG. 13, 1340) to appear with the friendly response “May I be of assistance. Please state your question?”. Once the customer states the question, the character would then perform an animation or reply “Thank you, I will be back with the answer soon”. After a short period time (preferably not exceeding 5-7 seconds) the character would then speak out the answer to the user's question. As illustrated in FIG. 18 the answer would be the answer 1990 returned to the user in the form of speech is the answer that is paired with the question 1950. For example, the answer 1990: “We accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover credit cards”, would be the response to the query 2000 “What forms of payments do you accept?” Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 12. This web page illustrates a typical website that employs NLQS in a web-based learning environment. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the web page in browser 1200, is divided into two or more frames. A character 1210 in the likeness of an instructor is available on the screen and appears when the student initiates the query mode either by speaking the word “Help” into a microphone (FIG. 2B, 215) or by clicking on the link ‘Click to Speak’ (FIG. 12, 1280). Character 1210 would then prompt the student to select a course 1220 from the drop down list 1230. If the user selects the course ‘CPlusPlus’, the character would then confirm verbally that the course “CPlusPlus” was selected. The character would then direct the student to make the next selection from the drop-down list 1250 that contains the selections for the chapters 1240 from which questions are available. Again, after the student makes the selection, the character 1210 confirms the selection by speaking. Next character 1210 prompts the student to select ‘Section’ 1260 of the chapter from which questions are available from the drop down list 1270. Again, after the student makes the selection, character 1210 confirms the selection by articulating the ‘Section’ 1260 chosen. As a prompt to the student, a list of possible questions appear in the list box 1291. In addition, tips 1290 for using the system are displayed. Once the selections are all made, the student is prompted by the character to ask the question as follows: “Please ask your query now”. The student then speaks his query and after a short period of time, the character responds with the answer preceded by the question as follows: “The answer to your question . . . is as follows: . . . ”. This procedure allows the student to quickly retrieve answers to questions about any section of the course and replaces the tedium of consulting books, and references or indices. In short, it is can serve a number of uses from being a virtual teacher answering questions on-the-fly or a flash card substitute. From preliminary data available to the inventors, it is estimate that the system can easily accommodate 100-250 question/answer pairs while still achieving a real-time feel and appearance to the user (i.e., less than 10 seconds of latency, not counting transmission) using the above described structures and methods. It is expected, of course, that these figures will improve as additional processing speed becomes available, and routine optimizations are employed to the various components noted for each particular environment. Semantic Decoding In addition to the semantic checking and validation component noted above in connection with the SQL query, another aspect of the present invention concerns semantic decoding to determine the meaning of a speech utterance. As discussed above, the algorithms of many current natural language processing systems use a statistics-based linguistic algorithm to find the correct matches between the user's question with a stored question to retrieve a single best answer. However, many of such systems do not have the capability to handle user questions that have semantic variations with a given user question. For example, if the stored question is: ‘How do I reboot my system’, and the user's question is: ‘What do I do when my computer crashes’, we could, with the help of a lexical dictionary such as WordNet, establish that there is a semantic relationship between ‘computer crash’ and ‘rebooting’. This would then allow us to understand the link between ‘computer crash’ and ‘rebooting my system’. WordNet is the product of a research project at Princeton University that has modeled the lexical knowledge of a native speaker of English. For further information, the following URL can be used (using as www prefix) cogsci.princeton.edu/˜wn/. WordNet has also been extended to several other languages, including Spanish, Japanese, German and French. The system has capabilities of both an on-line thesaurus and an on-line dictionary. Information in WordNet is organized as a network of nodes. Each of these word sense nodes is a group of synonyms called synsets. Each sense of a word is mapped to such a sense word—i.e. a synset,—the basic building block, and all word sense nodes in WordNet are linked by a variety of semantic relationships. The basic semantic relationship in WordNet is synonymy. Although synonomy is a semantic relationship between word forms, the semantic relationship that is most important in organizing nouns is a relation between lexical concepts. This relationship is called hyponymy. For example the noun robin is a hyponym (subordinate) of the noun bird, or conversely bird is a hypernym (superordinate) of robin. WordNet uses this semantic relationship to organize nouns into a lexical hierarchy. The input to the WordNet is a word or group of words with a single meaning, e.g., “co-operation”. The output of the WordNet is a synset (a set of synonym and their meanings). The typical interfaces are: findtheinfo( ): Primary search function for WordNet database. Returns formatted search results in text buffer. Used by WordNet interfaces to perform requested search. read_synset( ): Reads synset from data file at byte offset passed and return parsed entry in data structure called parse_synset( ). parse_synset( ): Reads synset at the current byte offset in file and returns the parsed entry in data structure. getsstype( ): Returns synset type code for string passed. GetSynsetForSense(char *sense_key): returns the synset that contains the word sense sense_key and NULL in case of error. Thus, one approach to natural language processing is to use a statistics-based implementation that relies on noun phrases to establish how closely matched the user's question is with the stored question. One way in which such processing can be improved is to expand the algorithm to incorporate the capability to establish semantic relationship between the words. In the present invention therefore, WordNet-derived metrics are used in parallel with a statistics-based algorithm so as to enhance the accuracy of a NLQS Natural Language processing Engine (NLE). Specifically, a speech utterance is processed as noted above, including with a speech recognizer, to extract the words associated with such utterance. Very briefly, an additional function based on rank and derived from one or more metrics as follows: First Metric: 1. Compare each word of the user's question in the utterance with each word of the stored question. If ui is the ith word of the user's question, and fj is the jth word of the stored question, then the similarity score s between the two words is S(ui, fj) is equal to the minimum lexical path distance between the two words being compared [and can be later defined to take into account some other constants related to the environment] 2. So for the entire query we a word by word comparison between the user's question and the stored question is carried out, to compute the following matrix, where the user's question has n words and the stored questions have m words: S ⁡ ( u i , f j ) = [ S ⁡ ( u 1 , f 1 ) … S ⁡ ( u 1 , f m ) S ⁡ ( u n , f 1 ) … S ⁡ ( u n , f m ) ] Note: Some stored questions may have m words, others m−1, or m−2, or m+1, or m+2 words . . . etc. So for the matrices may be different order as we begin to compare the user's question with each stored question. The first row of the matrix calculates the metric for first word of the user's question with each word of the stored question. The second row would calculate the metric for the second word of the user's question with each word of the stored question. The last row would calculate the metric for the last word of the user's question (un) with each word of the stored question (f1 . . . to fm). In this way a matrix of coefficients is created between the user's question and the stored question. The next step is to reduce this matrix to a single value. We do this by choosing the maximum value of the matrix between the user's question and each stored question. We can also employ averaging over all the words that make up the sentence, and also introduce constants to account for other modalities. Second Metric: Find the degree of coverage between the user's question and the stored question. We use WordNet to calculate coverage of the stored questions, which will be measured as a percentage of the stored questions covering as much as possible semantically of the user's question. Thus the coverage can represent the percentage of words in the user's question that is covered by the stored question. Final Metric: All of the above metrics are combined into a single metric or rank that includes also weights or constants to adjust for variables in the environment etc. The NLQS Semantic Decoder—Description As alluded to above, one type of natural language processing is a statistical-based algorithm that uses noun phrases and other parts of speech to determine how closely matched the user's question is with the stored question. This process is now extended to incorporate the capability to establish semantic relationship between the words, so that correct answers to variant questions are selected. Put another way, a semantic decoder based on computations using a programmatic lexical dictionary was used to implement this semantic relationship. The following describes how WordNet-derived metrics are used to enhance the accuracy of NLQS statistical algorithms. FIG. 19 illustrates a preferred method 1995 for computing a semantic match between user-articulated questions and stored semantic variants of the same. Specifically, a function is used based on rank and derived from one or more metrics as follows: Three metrics—term frequency, coverage and semantic similarity are computed to determine the one and only one paired question of a recordset returned by a SQL search that is closest semantically to the user's query. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that other metrics could be used, and the present invention is not limited in this respect. These are merely the types of metrics that are useful in the present embodiment; other embodiments of the invention may benefit from other well-known or obvious variants. The first metric—the first metric, term frequency, a long established formulation in information retrieval, uses the cosine vector similarity relationship, and is computed at step 1996. A document is represented by a term vector of the form: R=(ti, tj, . . . . tp) (1) where each tk identifies a content term assigned to a record in a recordset Similarly, a user query can be represented in vector form as: UQ=(qa, qb, . . . qr) (2) The term vectors of (1) and (2) is obtained by including in each vector all possible content terms allowed in the system and adding term weights. So if wdk represents the weight of term tk in the record R or user query UQ, the term vectors can be written as: =(t0, wr0; t1, wr1; . . . tt, wrt) (3) and UQ=(uq0, wuq0; uq1, W1; . . . uqt, wqt) (4) A similarity value between the user query (UQ) and the recordset (R) may be obtained by comparing the corresponding vectors using the product formula: Similarity ⁡ ( UQ , R ) = ∑ k = 1 t ⁢ w uqk · w rk A typical term weight using a vector length normalization factor is: w rk ∑ vector ⁢ ( w ri ) 2 ⁢ ⁢ for ⁢ ⁢ the ⁢ ⁢ recordset w uqk ∑ vector ⁢ ( w uqi ) 2 ⁢ ⁢ for ⁢ ⁢ the ⁢ ⁢ user ⁢ ⁢ query Using the cosine vector similarity formula we obtain the metric T: T = cos ⁡ ( v uq , v r ) = Similarity ⁡ ( UQ , R ) = ∑ k = 1 t ⁢ w uqk ⁢ w rk ∑ k = 1 t ⁢ ( w uqk ) 2 ⁢ ⁢ ∑ k = 1 t ⁢ ( w rk ) 2 Thus, the overall similarity between the user query (UQ) and each of the records of the recordset (R) is quantified by taking into account the frequency of occurrence of the different terms in the UQ and each of the records in the recordset. The weight for each term wi is related to the frequency of that term in the query or the paired question of the recordset, and is tidf=n×log (M/n) where n is the number of times a term appears, and M is the number of questions in the recordset and user query. TIDF refers to term frequency x inverse of document frequency, again, a well-known term in the art. This metric does not require any understanding of the text—it only takes into account the number of times that a given term appears in the UQ compared to each of the records. The second metric—the second metric computed during step 1997—C—corresponds to coverage, and is defined as the percentage of the number of terms in the user question that appear in each of the records returned by the SQL search. The third metric—the third metric computed at step 1998—W—is a measure of the semantic similarity between the UQ and each of the records of the recordset. For this we use WordNet, a programmatic lexical dictionary to compute the semantic distance between two like parts of speech—e.g. noun of UQ and noun of record, verb of UQ and verb of record, adjective of UQ and adjective of record etc. The semantic distance between the user query and the recordset is defined as follows: Sem(Tuq, Tr)=[I(uq,r)+I(r,uq)]/[Abs[Tuq]+Abs[Tr]] where I(uq,r) and I(r,uq) are values corresponding to the inverse semantic distances computed at a given sense and level of WordNet in both directions. Finally at step 1999 a composite metric M, is derived from the three metrics—T, C and W as follows: M = ( tT + cC + wW ) ( t + c + w ) where t, c and w are weights for the corresponding metrics T, C and W. A standalone software application was then coded to implement and test the above composite metric, M. A set of several test cases was developed to characterize and analyze the algorithm based on WordNet and NLQS natural language engine and search technologies. Each of the test cases were carefully developed and based on linguistic structures. The idea here is that a recordset exists which simulates the response from a SQL search from a full-text database. In a NLQS algorithm of the type described above, the recordset retrieved consists of a number of records greater than 1—for example 5 or up to 10 records. These records are questions retrieved from the full-text database that are semantically similar to the UQ. The idea is for the algorithm to semantically analyze the user query with each record using each of the three metrics—term frequency T, coverage C, and semantic distance W to compute the composite metric M. Semantic distance metric employs interfacing with the WordNet lexical dictionary. The algorithm uses the computed value of the composite metric to select the question in the recordset that best matches the UQ. For example a user query (UQ) and a recordset of 6 questions returned by the SQL search is shown below. Record #4 is known to be the correct question that has the closest semantic match with the UQ. All other records—1-3, 5, 6 are semantically further away. Test Case i Example UQ: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx How tall is the Eiffel Tower? Recordset: 1. ppppppppppppppppppp What is the height of the Eiffel Tower? 2. qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq How high is the Eiffel Tower? 3. rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr The Eiffel Tower stands how high? 4. CCCCCCCCCCCCCCC The Eiffel Tower is how high? 5. ttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt How many stories does the Eiffel Tower have? 6. uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu How high does the Eiffel Tower stand? Record #4 is designed manually to be semantically the closest to UQ. Several test cases are created in which each test case has a different UQ. Each UQ is linked to a recordset that has 1 record with the correct semantically matched question. That matching question will have the closest semantic match to the UQ than all the other 5 questions in the recordset. The standalone application takes each of the test cases one at a time and results are recorded for retrieval time and recall while varying 2 parameters—number of senses and number of levels. The recall determines the efficiency of the algorithm and the metrics derived. Following the functional testing using a standalone software application, the integration with a NLQS system is as follows: Assume that the variant question (bold in example) is the question with the closest semantic match with the user query. Also assume that this question has a paired answer that is the answer to the user query. Then the non-bold variants of the recordset represent all the variant questions that can be asked by the user. These non-bold variants are encoded into the NLQS speech lattice, grammar and dictionaries. The user can then query using any of the variant forms or the original query using speech. The query will be speech recognized and the bold question that is stored in the database will be retrieved as the question pair. Then the corresponding answer to the bold-question will be delivered via text-to-speech. A test set of several test cases were then designed for the functional testing of extending the capabilities to accurately retrieve correct answers to user questions which varied semantically with the original user query. As an example of a test case is: User Query Where are the next Olympic Games being held? Semantic Where will the next Olympic Games be held? Variants Who will next host the Olympics? In which city will the next Olympics take place? Which city will next host the Olympics? Name the site of the next Olympics. Other examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the present teachings. For each application, a different set of semantic variants tailored to such application can be accommodated to improve an overall query/sentence recognition accuracy. Populating Speech Lattice with Semantic Variants A complementary process to the above, of course; is shown in FIG. 20, which illustrates a method for populating a speech lattice with semantic variants. This procedure populates a NLQ system speech recognition lattice with a specified number of variant questions of a given user question possible for the domain. The basic approach taken by the invention is that the capabilities of a NLE to process and correctly understand user questions that are semantically similar to the stored question, will enable a NLQS system to provide accurate answers even for uttered questions that are only semantically related to the stored questions. To accommodate transcription of speech to text, a typical NLQS distributed speech recognition engine uses a word lattice as a grammar, to provide the complete range of hypotheses, of all word sequences that could be spoken. This word lattice can be derived from a manually-written BNF (Backus Naur Form) or finite state grammar, or it could be in the form of an N-gram grammar or statistical language model (LM) which allows all logically possible (even linguistically impossible) word sequences and which reduces the task perplexity via probabilistic modeling of the N-gram sequences, so that the less likely sequences (observed less frequently or never in a large training dataset) are discarded earlier in the recognizer's search procedure. Thus, the focus of this aspect of the invention is to generate a speech grammar that includes all possible paraphrasings of the questions that an NLQS query system knows how to answer. The approach taken in the present invention is to generate a smaller N-gram language model, by partitioning a larger N-gram grammar into subsets using the words (and phrases) in our question list along with their synonyms and along with closed-class, grammatical function words that could occur anywhere though they may not happen to be in our target question list. The approach is automatic and statistical rather than intuition-based manual development of linguistic grammars. Given a large N-gram language model (say for simplicity's sake a bigram), the intention is to extract out of the N-gram that subset which will cover the task domain. Starting with the set of target questions for which we aim to model all the paraphrases, we use a lexical database (such as WordNet or a similarly capable database) to find a set of synonyms and near-synonyms for each content word in each question. Phrasal synonyms could also be considered, perhaps in a second phase. The vocabulary, then, which our sub-setted N-gram language model needs to cover, comprises this full set of target content words and their semantic close cousins, along with the entire inventory of closed-class words of the language (grammar function words which might well occur in any not-known-in-advance sentence). Next, observation counts underlying a pre-existing N-gram language model (LM), which is much larger and more inclusive (having been trained on a large task-unconstrained dataset), can be copied into a sub-setted statistical language model for those N-grams where each of the N words are contained in the task vocabulary. Probabilities can then be re-estimated (or re-normalized) using these counts, considering that row totals are much reduced in the sub-setted LM as compared with the full LM. The result is an N-gram statistical language model that should cover the task domain. As usage accumulates and experience grows, it is possible to make additions to the vocabulary and adjustments to the N-gram probabilities based on actual observed task-based data. In summary, the above procedure is implemented as a tool—called a data preparation tool (DPT) for example. Its function (much like a present NLQS data population tool that is now used to populate the full-text database with question-answer pairs), would be to implement the steps of FIG. 20 to create a speech grammar lattice that would allow recognition of the semantic variants of the user's question. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20, the basic steps of the semantic variant question population process 2000 include: 1. Inputting user questions at step 2010 (UQ). 2. Parsing the input question into words or parts of speech at step 2020. 3. Obtaining the synonyms for the parsed words at step 2030. 4. Using the synonym words to prepare a set of random questions at step 2040. 5. Verifying and obtaining only the disambiguated set of questions from the random questions at step 2050 using the WordNet semantic decoding (WSD) methodology above. 6. Creating the speech recognition lattice file at step 2060 using the disambiguated set of questions. This lattice file is then used to populate the NLQS Speech Recognition lattice. In summary the above steps outline a procedure implemented as a software application and used as an adjunct to the semantics-based NLQS natural language engine (NLE) to provide variant questions for any single user question. Integration of Semantic Algorithm with a Statistics-Based NLQS Algorithm The semantic algorithm discussed above is easily integrated and implemented along with a NLQS algorithm described above. The integrated algorithm, which can be thought of as a hybrid statistical-semantic language decoder, is shown in FIG. 21. Entry points to the WordNet-based semantic component of the processing are steps 3b and 7. While the preferred embodiment is directed specifically to integrating the semantic decoder with embodiments of a NLQ system of the type noted above, it will be understood that it could be incorporated within a variety of statistical based NLQ systems. Furthermore, the present invention can be used in both shallow and deep type semantic processing systems of the type noted above. Appendix: Key WordNet API Functions Used in the Programmatic Interface to NLQS Algorithm The key application programming interfaces which can be used by a preferred embodiment with WordNet are: 1. wninit( ) Explanation: Top level function to open database files and morphology exception lists. 2. is defined( ) Explanation: Sets a bit for each search type that is valid for searchstr in pos, and returns the resulting unsigned long integer. Each bit number corresponds to a pointer type constant defined in WNHOME/include/wnconsts.h. 3. findtheinfo_ds_New Explanation: findtheinfo_ds returns a linked list data structures representing synsets. Senses are linked through the nextss field of a Synset data structure. For each sense, synsets that match the search specified with ptr_type are linked through the ptrlist field. findtheinfo_ds is modified into the findtheinfo_ds_new function. The modified function will restrict the retrieval of synonyms by searching the wordNet with limited number of senses and traverses limited number of levels. Explanation: 4. traceptrs_ds_New Explanation: traceptrs_ds is a recursive search algorithm that traces pointers matching ptr_type starting with the synset pointed to by synptr. Setting depth to 1 when traceptrs_ds( ) is called indicates a recursive search; 0 indicates a non-recursive call. synptr points to the data structure representing the synset to search for a pointer of type ptr_type. When a pointer type match is found, the synset pointed to is read is linked onto the nextss chain. Levels of the tree generated by a recursive search are linked via the ptrlist field structure until NULL is found, indicating the top (or bottom) of the tree. traceptrs_ds is modified into the traceptrs_ds_new function. The modified function will restrict the retrieval of synonyms by searching the wordNet with limited number of senses and traverses limited number of levels. Again, the above are merely illustrative of the many possible applications of the present invention, and it is expected that many more web-based enterprises, as well as other consumer applications (such as intelligent, interactive toys) can utilize the present teachings. Although the present invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many alterations and modifications may be made to such embodiments without departing from the teachings of the present invention. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that many aspects of the present discussion have been simplified to give appropriate weight and focus to the more germane aspects of the present invention. The microcode and software routines executed to effectuate the inventive methods may be embodied in various forms, including in a permanent magnetic media, a non-volatile ROM, a CD-ROM, or any other suitable machine-readable format. Accordingly, it is intended that the all such alterations and modifications be included within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The INTERNET, and in particular, the World-Wide Web (WWW), is growing in popularity and usage for both commercial and recreational purposes, and this trend is expected to continue. This phenomenon is being driven, in part, by the increasing and widespread use of personal computer systems and the availability of low cost INTERNET access. The emergence of inexpensive INTERNET access devices and high speed access techniques such as ADSL, cable modems, satellite modems, and the like, are expected to further accelerate the mass usage of the WWW. Accordingly, it is expected that the number of entities offering services, products, etc., over the WWW will increase dramatically over the coming years. Until now, however, the INTERNET “experience” for users has been limited mostly to non-voice based input/output devices, such as keyboards, intelligent electronic pads, mice, trackballs, printers, monitors, etc. This presents somewhat of a bottleneck for interacting over the WWW for a variety of reasons. First, there is the issue of familiarity. Many kinds of applications lend themselves much more naturally and fluently to a voice-based environment. For instance, most people shopping for audio recordings are very comfortable with asking a live sales clerk in a record store for information on titles by a particular author, where they can be found in the store, etc. While it is often possible to browse and search on one's own to locate items of interest, it is usually easier and more efficient to get some form of human assistance first, and, with few exceptions, this request for assistance is presented in the form of a oral query. In addition, many persons cannot or will not, because of physical or psychological barriers, use any of the aforementioned conventional I/O devices. For example, many older persons cannot easily read the text presented on WWW pages, or understand the layout/hierarchy of menus, or manipulate a mouse to make finely coordinated movements to indicate their selections. Many others are intimidated by the look and complexity of computer systems, WWW pages, etc., and therefore do not attempt to use online services for this reason as well. Thus, applications which can mimic normal human interactions are likely to be preferred by potential on-line shoppers and persons looking for information over the WWW. It is also expected that the use of voice-based systems will increase the universe of persons willing to engage in e-commerce, e-learning, etc. To date, however, there are very few systems, if any, which permit this type of interaction, and, if they do, it is very limited. For example, various commercial programs sold by IBM (VIAVOICE™) and Kurzweil (DRAGON™) permit some user control of the interface (opening, closing files) and searching (by using previously trained URLs) but they do not present a flexible solution that can be used by a number of users across multiple cultures and without time consuming voice training. Typical prior efforts to implement voice based functionality in an INTERNET context can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,220 incorporated by reference herein. Another issue presented by the lack of voice-based systems is efficiency. Many companies are now offering technical support over the INTERNET, and some even offer live operator assistance for such queries. While this is very advantageous (for the reasons mentioned above) it is also extremely costly and inefficient, because a real person must be employed to handle such queries. This presents a practical limit that results in long wait times for responses or high labor overheads. An example of this approach can be seen U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,526 also incorporated by reference herein. In general, a service presented over the WWW is far more desirable if it is “scalable,” or, in other words, able to handle an increasing amount of user traffic with little if any perceived delay or troubles by a prospective user. In a similar context, while remote learning has become an increasingly popular option for many students, it is practically impossible for an instructor to be able to field questions from more than one person at a time. Even then, such interaction usually takes place for only a limited period of time because of other instructor time constraints. To date, however, there is no practical way for students to continue a human-like question and answer type dialog after the learning session is over, or without the presence of the instructor to personally address such queries. Conversely, another aspect of emulating a human-like dialog involves the use of oral feedback. In other words, many persons prefer to receive answers and information in audible form. While a form of this functionality is used by some websites to communicate information to visitors, it is not performed in a real-time, interactive question-answer dialog fashion so its effectiveness and usefulness is limited. Yet another area that could benefit from speech-based interaction involves so-called “search” engines used by INTERNET users to locate information of interest at web sites, such as the those available at YAHOO®.com, METACRAWLER®.com, EXCITE™.com, etc. These tools permit the user to form a search query using either combinations of keywords or metacategories to search through a web page database containing text indices associated with one or more distinct web pages. After processing the user's request, therefore, the search engine returns a number of hits which correspond, generally, to URL pointers and text excerpts from the web pages that represent the closest match made by such search engine for the particular user query based on the search processing logic used by search engine. The structure and operation of such prior art search engines, including the mechanism by which they build the web page database, and parse the search query, are well known in the art. To date, applicant is unaware of any such search engine that can easily and reliably search and retrieve information based on speech input from a user. There are a number of reasons why the above environments (e-commerce, e-support, remote learning, INTERNET searching, etc.) do not utilize speech-based interfaces, despite the many benefits that would otherwise flow from such capability. First, there is obviously a requirement that the output of the speech recognizer be as accurate as possible. One of the more reliable approaches to speech recognition used at this time is based on the Hidden Markov Model (HMM)—a model used to mathematically describe any time series. A conventional usage of this technique is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,670 incorporated by reference herein. Because speech is considered to have an underlying sequence of one or more symbols, the HMM models corresponding to each symbol are trained on vectors from the speech waveforms. The Hidden Markov Model is a finite set of states, each of which is associated with a (generally multi-dimensional) probability distribution. Transitions among the states are governed by a set of probabilities called transition probabilities. In a particular state an outcome or observation can be generated, according to the associated probability distribution. This finite state machine changes state once every time unit, and each time t such that a state j is entered, a spectral parameter vector O t is generated with probability density B j (O t ). It is only the outcome, not the state visible to an external observer and therefore states are “hidden” to the outside; hence the name Hidden Markov Model. The basic theory of HMMs was published in a series of classic papers by Baum and his colleagues in the late 1960's and early 1970's. HMMs were first used in speech applications by Baker at Carnegie Mellon, by Jelenik and colleagues at IBM in the late 1970's and by Steve Young and colleagues at Cambridge University, UK in the 1990's. Some typical papers and texts are as follows: 1. L. E. Baum, T. Petrie, “Statistical inference for probabilistic functions for finite state Markov chains”, Ann. Math. Stat., 37: 1554-1563, 1966 2. L. E. Baum, “An inequality and associated maximation technique in statistical estimation for probabilistic functions of Markov processes”, Inequalities 3: 1-8, 1972 3. J. H. Baker, “The dragon system—An Overview”, IEEE Trans. on ASSP Proc., ASSP-23(1): 24-29, Feb. 1975 4. F. Jeninek et al, “Continuous Speech Recognition: Statistical methods” in Handbook of Statistics, II, P. R. Kristnaiad, Ed. Amsterdam, The Netherlands, North-Holland, 1982 5. L. R. Bahl, F. Jeninek, R. L. Mercer, “A maximum likelihood approach to continuous speech recognition”, IEEE Trans. Pattern Anal. Mach. Intell., PAMI-5: 179-190, 1983 6. J. D. Ferguson, “Hidden Markov Analysis: An Introduction”, in Hidden Markov Models for Speech, Institute of Defense Analyses, Princeton, N.J. 1980. 7. H. R. Rabiner and B. H. Juang, “Fundamentals of Speech Recognition”, Prentice Hall, 1993 8. H. R. Rabiner, “Digital Processing of Speech Signals”, Prentice Hall, 1978 More recently research has progressed in extending HMM and combining HMMs with neural networks to speech recognition applications at various laboratories. The following is a representative paper: 9. Nelson Morgan, Hervé Bourlard, Steve Renals, Michael Cohen and Horacio Franco (1993), Hybrid Neural Network/Hidden Markov Model Systems for Continuous Speech Recognition. Journal of Pattern Recognition and Artificial Intelligence , Vol. 7, No. 4 pp. 899-916. Also in I. Guyon and P. Wang editors, Advances in Pattern Recognition Systems using Neural Networks , Vol. 7 of a Series in Machine Perception and Artificial Intelligence. World Scientific, February 1994. All of the above are hereby incorporated by reference. While the HMM-based speech recognition yields very good results, contemporary variations of this technique cannot guarantee a word accuracy requirement of 100% exactly and consistently, as will be required for WWW applications for all possible all user and environment conditions. Thus, although speech recognition technology has been available for several years, and has improved significantly, the technical requirements have placed severe restrictions on the specifications for the speech recognition accuracy that is required for an application that combines speech recognition and natural language processing to work satisfactorily. In contrast to word recognition, Natural language processing (NLP) is concerned with the parsing, understanding and indexing of transcribed utterances and larger linguistic units. Because spontaneous speech contains many surface phenomena such as disfluencies, hesitations, repairs and restarts, discourse markers such as ‘well’ and other elements which cannot be handled by the typical speech recognizer, it is the problem and the source of the large gap that separates speech recognition and natural language processing technologies. Except for silence between utterances, another problem is the absence of any marked punctuation available for segmenting the speech input into meaningful units such as utterances. For optimal NLP performance, these types of phenomena should be annotated at its input. However, most continuous speech recognition systems produce only a raw sequence of words. Examples of conventional systems using NLP are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,991,094, 5,068,789, 5,146,405 and 5,680,628, all of which are incorporated by reference herein. Second, most of the very reliable voice recognition systems are speaker-dependent, requiring that the interface be “trained” with the user's voice, which takes a lot of time, and is thus very undesirable from the perspective of a WWW environment, where a user may interact only a few times with a particular website. Furthermore, speaker-dependent systems usually require a large user dictionary (one for each unique user) which reduces the speed of recognition. This makes it much harder to implement a real-time dialog interface with satisfactory response capability (i.e., something that mirrors normal conversation—on the order of 3-5 seconds is probably ideal). At present, the typical shrink-wrapped speech recognition application software include offerings from IBM (VIAVOICE™) and Dragon Systems (DRAGON™). While most of these applications are adequate for dictation and other transcribing applications, they are woefully inadequate for applications such as NLQS where the word error rate must be close to 0%. In addition these offerings require long training times and are typically are non client-server configurations. Other types of trained systems are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,670 assigned to Kurzweil, and which is also incorporated by reference herein. Another significant problem faced in a distributed voice-based system is a lack of uniformity/control in the speech recognition process. In a typical stand-alone implementation of a speech recognition system, the entire SR engine runs on a single client. A well-known system of this type is depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,217 incorporated by reference herein. These clients can take numerous forms (desktop PC, laptop PC, PDA, etc.) having varying speech signal processing and communications capability. Thus, from the server side perspective, it is not easy to assure uniform treatment of all users accessing a voice-enabled web page, since such users may have significantly disparate word recognition and error rate performances. While a prior art reference to Gould et al.—U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,236—discusses generally the notion of tailoring a recognition process to a set of available computational resources, it does not address or attempt to solve the issue of how to optimize resources in a distributed environment such as a client-server model. Again, to enable such voice-based technologies on a wide-spread scale it is far more preferable to have a system that harmonizes and accounts for discrepancies in individual systems so that even the thinnest client is supportable, and so that all users are able to interact in a satisfactory manner with the remote server running the e-commerce, e-support and/or remote learning application. Two references that refer to a distributed approach for speech recognition include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,956,683 and 5,960,399 incorporated by reference herein. In the first of these, U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,683—Distributed Voice Recognition System (assigned to Qualcomm) an implementation of a distributed voice recognition system between a telephony-based handset and a remote station is described. In this implementation, all of the word recognition operations seem to take place at the handset. This is done since the patent describes the benefits that result from locating of the system for acoustic feature extraction at the portable or cellular phone in order to limit degradation of the acoustic features due to quantization distortion resulting from the narrow bandwidth telephony channel. This reference therefore does not address the issue of how to ensure adequate performance for a very thin client platform. Moreover, it is difficult to determine, how, if at all, the system can perform real-time word recognition, and there is no meaningful description of how to integrate the system with a natural language processor. The second of these references—U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,399—Client/Server Speech Processor/Recognizer (assigned to GTE) describes the implementation of a HMM-based distributed speech recognition system. This reference is not instructive in many respects, however, including how to optimize acoustic feature extraction for a variety of client platforms, such as by performing a partial word recognition process where appropriate. Most importantly, there is only a description of a primitive server-based recognizer that only recognizes the user's speech and simply returns certain keywords such as the user's name and travel destination to fill out a dedicated form on the user's machine. Also, the streaming of the acoustic parameters does not appear to be implemented in real-time as it can only take place after silence is detected. Finally, while the reference mentions the possible use of natural language processing (column 9 ) there is no explanation of how such function might be implemented in a real-time fashion to provide an interactive feel for the user. Companies such as Nuance Communications and Speech Works which up till now are the leading vendors that supply speech and natural language processing products to the airlines and travel reservations market, rely mainly on statistical and shallow semantics to understand the meaning of what the users says. Their successful strategy is based on the fact that this shallow semantic analysis will work quite well in the specific markets they target. Also to their advantage, these markets require only a limited amount to language understanding. For future and broader applications such as customer relationship management or intelligent tutoring systems, a much deeper understanding of language is required. This understanding will come from the application of deep semantic analysis. Research using deep semantic techniques is today a very active field at such centers as Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), IBM, Microsoft and at universities such as Univ. of Pittsburg [Litman, 2002], Memphis [Graesser, 2000], Harvard [Grosz, 1993] and many others. In a typical language understanding system there is typically a parser that precedes the semantic unit. Although the parser can build a hierarchical structure that spans a single sentence, parsers are seldom used to build up the hierarchical structure of the utterances or text that spans multiple sentences. The syntactic markings that guide parsing inside a sentence is either weak or absent in a typical discourse. So for a dialog-based system that expects to have smooth conversational features, the emphasis of the semantic decoder is not only on building deeper meaning structures from the shallow analyses constructed by the parser, but also on integrating the meanings of the multiple sentences that constitute the dialog. Up till now there are two major research paths taken in deep semantic understanding of language: informational and intentional. In the informational approach, the focus is on the meaning that comes from the semantic relationships between the utterance-level propositions (e.g. effect, cause, condition) whereas with the intentional approach, the focus is on recognizing the intentions of the speaker (e.g. inform, request, propose). Work following the informational approach focuses on the question of how the correct inferences are drawn during comprehension given the input utterances and background knowledge. The earliest work tried to draw all possible inferences [Reiger, 1974; Schank, 1975; Sperber & Wilson, 1986] and in response to the problem of combinatorial explosion in doing so, later work examined ways to constrain the reasoning [DeJong, 1977; Schank et al., 1980 ; Hobbs, 1980]. In parallel with this work, the notions of conversational implicatures (Grice, 1989) and accomodation [Lewis, 1979] were introduced. Both are related to inferences that are needed to make a discourse coherent or acceptable. These parallel lines of research converged into abductive approaches to discourse interpretation [e.g., Appelt & Pollack, 1990; Charniak, 1986; Hobbs et al., 1993; McRoy & Hirst, 1991; Lascarides & Asher, 1991; Lascarides & Oberlander, 1992; Rayner & Alshawi, 1992]. The informational approach is central to work in text interpretation. The intentional approach draws from work on the relationship between utterances and their meaning [Grice, 1969] and work on speech act theory [Searle, 1969] and generally employs artificial intelligence planning tools. The early work considered only individual plans [e.g., Power, 1974; Perrault & Allen, 1980; Hobbs & Evans, 1980; Grosz & Sidner, 1986; Pollack, 1986] whereas now there is progress on modeling collaborative plans with joint intentions [Grosz & Kraus, 1993; Lochbaum, 1994]. It is now accepted that the intentional approach is more appropriate for conversational dialog-based systems since the collaborative aspect of the dialog has to be captured and retained. Present research using deep semantic techniques may employ a semantic interpreter which uses prepositions as its input propositions extracted by semantic concept detectors of a grammar-based sentence understanding unit. It then combines these propositions from multiple utterances to form larger units of meaning and must do this relative to the context in which the language was used. In conversational dialog applications such as an intelligent tutoring system (ITS), where there is a need for a deep understanding of the semantics of language, hybrid techniques are used. These hybrid techniques combine statistical methods (e.g., Latent Semantic Analysis) for comparing student inputs with expected inputs to determine whether a question was answered correctly or not [e.g., Graesser et al., 1999 ] and the extraction of thematic roles based on the FrameNet [Baker, et al, 1998] from a student input [Gildea & Jurafsky, 2001]. The aforementioned cited articles include: Appelt, D. & Pollack, M. (1990). Weighted abduction for plan ascription. Menlo Park, Calif.: SRI International. Technical Note 491. Baker, Collin F., Fillmore, Charles J., and Lowe, John B. (1998): The Berkeley FrameNet project. In Proceedings of the COLING - ACL , Montreal, Canada. Charniak, E. (1993). Statistical Language Analysis . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Daniel Gildea and Daniel Jurafsky. 2002. Automatic Labeling of Semantic Roles. Computational Linguistics 28:3, 245-288. DeJong, G. (1977). Skimming newspaper stories by computer. New Haven, Conn.: Department of Computer Science, Yale University. Research Report 104 . FrameNet: Theory and Practice. Christopher R. Johnson et al, http://www.icsi.berkeley.edu/˜framenet/book/book.html Graesser, A. C., Wiemer-Hastings, P., Wiemer-Hastings, K., Harter, D., Person, N., and the TRG (in press). Using latent semantic analysis to evaluate the contributions of students in AutoTutor. Interactive Learning Environments. Graesser, A., Wiemer-Hastings, K., Wiemer-Hastings, P., Kreuz, R., & the Tutoring Research Group (2000). AutoTutor: A simulation of a human tutor, Journal of Cognitive Systems Research, 1,35-51. Grice, H. P. (1969). Utterer's meaning and intentions. Philosophical Review, 68(2):147-177. Grice, H. P. (1989). Studies in the Ways of Words . Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press. Grosz, B. & Kraus, S. (1993). Collaborative plans for group activities. In Proceedings of the Thirteenth International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI '93), Chambery, France (vol. 1, pp. 367-373). Grosz, B. J. & Sidner, C. L. (1986). Attentions, intentions and the structure of discourse. Computational Linguistics, 12, 175-204. Hobbs, J. & Evans, D. (1980). Conversation as planned behavior. Cognitive Science 4(4), 349 - 377 . Hobbs, J. & Evans, D. (1980). Conversation as planned behavior. Cognitive Science 4(4), 349 - 377 . Hobbs, J., Stickel, M., Appelt, D., & Martin, P. (1993). Interpretation as abduction. Artificial Intelligence 63(1-2), 69-142. Lascarides, A. & Asher, N. (1991). Discourse relations and defeasible knowledge. In Proceedings of the 29th Annual Meeting of the Association for Computational Linguistics (ACL '91), Berkeley, Calif. (pp. 55-62). Lascarides, A. & Oberlander, J. (1992). Temporal coherence and defeasible knowledge. Theoretical Linguistics, 19. Lewis, D. (1979). Scorekeeping in a language game. Journal of Philosophical Logic 6, 339-359. Litman, D. J., Pan, Shimei, Designing and evaluating an adaptive spoken dialogue system, User Modeling and User Adapted Interaction, 12, 2002. Lochbaum, K. (1994). Using Collaborative Plans to Model the Intentional Structure of Discourse. PhD thesis, Harvard University. McRoy, S. & Hirst, G. (1991). An abductive account of repair in conversation. AAAI Fall Symposium on Discourse Structure in Natural Language Understanding and Generation, Asilomar, Calif. (pp. 52-57). Perrault, C. & Allen, J. (1980). A plan-based analysis of indirect speech acts. American Journal of Computational Linguistics, 6(3-4), 167-182. Pollack, M. (1986). A model of plan inference that distinguishes between the beliefs of actors and observers. In Proceedings of 24 th Annual Meeting of the Association for Computational Linguistics, New York (pp. 207-214). Power, R. (1974). A Computer Model of Conversation. PhD. thesis, University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Rayner, M. & Alshawi, H. (1992). Deriving database queries from logical forms by abductive definition expansion. In Proceedings of the Third Conference of Applied Natural Language Processing, Trento, Italy (pp. 1-8). Reiger, C. (1974). Conceptual Memory: A Theory and Computer Program for Processing the Meaning Content of Natural Language Utterances. Stanford, Calif.: Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. Memo AIM-233. Schank, R. (1975). Conceptual Information Processing New York: Elsevier. Schank, R., Lebowitz, M., & Birnbaum, L. (1980). An integrated understander. American Journal of Computational Linguistics, 6(1). Searle, J. (1969). Speech Acts: An Essay in the Philosophy of Language . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Sperber, D. & Wilson, D. (1986). Relevance: Communication and Cognition . Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press. The above are also incorporated by reference herein.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an improved system and method for overcoming the limitations of the prior art noted above; A primary object of the present invention is to provide a word and phrase recognition system that is flexibly and optimally distributed across a client/platform computing architecture, so that improved accuracy, speed and uniformity can be achieved for a wide group of users; A further object of the present invention is to provide a speech recognition system that efficiently integrates a distributed word recognition system with a natural language processing system, so that both individual words and entire speech utterances can be quickly and accurately recognized in any number of possible languages; A related object of the present invention is to provide an efficient query response system so that an extremely accurate, real-time set of appropriate answers can be given in response to speech-based queries; Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an interactive, real-time instructional/learning system that is distributed across a client/server architecture, and permits a real-time question/answer session with an interactive character; A related object of the present invention is to implement such interactive character with an articulated response capability so that the user experiences a human-like interaction; Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an INTERNET website with speech processing capability so that voice based data and commands can be used to interact with such site, thus enabling voice-based e-commerce and e-support services to be easily scaleable; Another object is to implement a distributed speech recognition system that utilizes environmental variables as part of the recognition process to improve accuracy and speed; A further object is to provide a scaleable query/response database system, to support any number of query topics and users as needed for a particular application and instantaneous demand; Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a query recognition system that employs a two-step approach, including a relatively rapid first step to narrow down the list of potential responses to a smaller candidate set, and a second more computationally intensive second step to identify the best choice to be returned in response to the query from the candidate set; A further object of the present invention is to provide a natural language processing system that facilitates query recognition by extracting lexical components of speech utterances, which components can be used for rapidly identifying a candidate set of potential responses appropriate for such speech utterances; Another related object of the present invention is to provide a natural language processing system that facilitates query recognition by comparing lexical components of speech utterances with a candidate set of potential response to provide an extremely accurate best response to such query. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a natural language processing system which uses semantic decoding as part of a process for comprehending a question posed in a speech utterance; One general aspect of the present invention, therefore, relates to a natural language query system (NLQS) that offers a fully interactive method for answering user's questions over a distributed network such as the INTERNET or a local intranet. This interactive system when implemented over the worldwide web (WWW services of the INTERNET functions so that a client or user can ask a question in a natural language such as English, French, German or Spanish and receive the appropriate answer at his or her personal computer also in his or her native natural language. The system is distributed and consists of a set of integrated software modules at the client's machine and another set of integrated software programs resident on a server or set of servers. The client-side software program is comprised of a speech recognition program, an agent and its control program, and a communication program. The server-side program is comprised of a communication program, a natural language engine (NLE), a database processor (DBProcess), an interface program for interfacing the DBProcess with the NLE, and a SQL database. In addition, the client's machine is equipped with a microphone and a speaker. Processing of the speech utterance is divided between the client and server side so as to optimize processing and transmission latencies, and so as to provide support for even very thin client platforms. In the context of an interactive learning application, the system is specifically used to provide a single-best answer to a user's question. The question that is asked at the client's machine is articulated by the speaker and captured by a microphone that is built in as in the case of a notebook computer or is supplied as a standard peripheral attachment. Once the question is captured, the question is processed partially by NLQS client-side software resident in the client's machine. The output of this partial processing is a set of speech vectors that are transported to the server via the INTERNET to complete the recognition of the user's questions. This recognized speech is then converted to text at the server. After the user's question is decoded by the speech recognition engine (SRE) located at the server, the question is converted to a structured query language (SQL) query. This query is then simultaneously presented to a software process within the server called DBProcess for preliminary processing and to a Natural Language Engine (NLE) module for extracting the noun phrases (NP) of the user's question. During the process of extracting the noun phrase within the NLE, the tokens of the users' question are tagged. The tagged tokens are then grouped so that the NP list can be determined. This information is stored and sent to the DBProcess process. In the DBProcess, the SQL query is fully customized using the NP extracted from the user's question and other environment variables that are relevant to the application. For example, in a training application, the user's selection of course, chapter and or section would constitute the environment variables. The SQL query is constructed using the extended SQL Full-Text predicates —CONTAINS, FREETEXT, NEAR, AND. The SQL query is next sent to the Full-Text search engine within the SQL database, where a Full-Text search procedure is initiated. The result of this search procedure is recordset of answers. This recordset contains stored questions that are similar linguistically to the user's question. Each of these stored questions has a paired answer stored in a separate text file, whose path is stored in a table of the database. The entire recordset of returned stored answers is then returned to the NLE engine in the form of an array. Each stored question of the array is then linguistically processed sequentially one by one. This linguistic processing constitutes the second step of a 2-step algorithm to determine the single best answer to the user's question. This second step proceeds as follows: for each stored question that is returned in the recordset, a NP of the stored question is compared with the NP of the user's question. After all stored questions of the array are compared with the user's question, the stored question that yields the maximum match with the user's question is selected as the best possible stored question that matches the user's question. The metric that is used to determine the best possible stored question is the number of noun phrases. The stored answer that is paired to the best-stored question is selected as the one that answers the user's question. The ID tag of the question is then passed to the DBProcess. This DBProcess returns the answer which is stored in a file. A communication link is again established to send the answer back to the client in compressed form. The answer once received by the client is decompressed and articulated to the user by the text-to-speech engine. Thus, the invention can be used in any number of different applications involving interactive learning systems, INTERNET related commerce sites, INTERNET search engines, etc. Computer-assisted instruction environments often require the assistance of mentors or live teachers to answer questions from students. This assistance often takes the form of organizing a separate pre-arranged forum or meeting time that is set aside for chat sessions or live call-in sessions so that at a scheduled time answers to questions may be provided. Because of the time immediacy and the on-demand or asynchronous nature of on-line training where a student may log on and take instruction at any time and at any location, it is important that answers to questions be provided in a timely and cost-effective manner so that the user or student can derive the maximum benefit from the material presented. This invention addresses the above issues. It provides the user or student with answers to questions that are normally channeled to a live teacher or mentor. This invention provides a single-best answer to questions asked by the student. The student asks the question in his or her own voice in the language of choice. The speech is recognized and the answer to the question is found using a number of technologies including distributed speech recognition, full-text search database processing, natural language processing and text-to-speech technologies. The answer is presented to the user, as in the case of a live teacher, in an articulated manner by an agent that mimics the mentor or teacher, and in the language of choice—English, French, German, Japanese or other natural spoken language. The user can choose the agent's gender as well as several speech parameters such as pitch, volume and speed of the character's voice. Other applications that benefit from NLQS are e-commerce applications. In this application, the user's query for a price of a book, compact disk or for the availability of any item that is to be purchased can be retrieved without the need to pick through various lists on successive web pages. Instead, the answer is provided directly to the user without any additional user input. Similarly, it is envisioned that this system can be used to provide answers to frequently-asked questions (FAQs), and as a diagnostic service tool for e-support. These questions are typical of a give web site and are provided to help the user find information related to a payment procedure or the specifications of, or problems experienced with a product/service. In all of these applications, the NLQS architecture can be applied. A number of inventive methods associated with these architectures are also beneficially used in a variety of INTERNET related applications. Although the inventions are described below in a set of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art the present inventions could be beneficially used in many environments where it is necessary to implement fast, accurate speech recognition, and/or to provide a human-like dialog capability to an intelligent system.
20041203
20100202
20050421
92111.0
1
LERNER, MARTIN
SYSTEM & METHOD FOR PROCESSING SENTENCE BASED QUERIES
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,003,253
ACCEPTED
Bulk inventory network system
A system and method for remote monitoring of material storage levels for dry bulk goods, wherein an independent entity, such as a transportation carrier, can continuously monitor raw material supply levels at a remote manufacturing plant, and, based on projected usage rates, place timely orders on behalf of the plant, with preselected vendors, to replenish depleted raw materials. The transportation carrier can then coordinate material shipments from the vendor to the manufacturing site using its own trucks. In this manner, the task of maintaining sufficient on site raw material storage levels is completely removed form the manufacturing plant.
1. A system for monitoring a material quantity at a remote site comprising: a sensor that produces a first output signal corresponding to a material quantity; a data collector that receives said first output signal from said sensor and produces a second output signal that is representative of said material quantity; a remote telemetry unit that receives said second output signal and transmits a signal indicating material quantity; and a central computer disposed in data communication with said remote telemetry unit for receiving said signal indicating material quantity. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein said central computer includes means for storing said signal indicating material quantity and means for projecting a material usage rate for said material quantity based on said signal indicating material quantity. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein said data collector comprises means for transmitting said a second output signal that is representative of said material quantity to said central computer. 4. The system of claim 1 wherein said sensor is selected from one of ultrasonic level detectors and strain gauge detectors. 5. The system of claim 1 wherein said remote telemetry unit and said central computer communicate via modem at predetermined time intervals. 6. The system of claim 1 wherein said central computer automatically retrieves said second output signal from said remote telemetry unit at predetermined time intervals. 7. A system for monitoring material levels in storage vessels at a remote site comprising: a level detector that produces a first output signal corresponding to a material level in one of said storage vessels, said level detector selected from one of ultrasonic and strain gauge level detectors; Preliminary Amendment a first computer that receives said first output signal from said level detector and produces at least one second output signal that is representative of said material quantity; a remote telemetry unit for receiving said first output signal from said first computer and transmitting an output signal; and a second computer in communication with said remote telemetry unit for receiving said output signal. 8. The system of claim 7 wherein said second computer includes means for storing said output signal and means for projecting a material usage rate for said material quantity based on said output. 9. The system of claim 7 wherein at least one of said first computer and said second computer include means for determining said material level and a projected usage rate for said material. 10. The system of claim 9 wherein said remote telemetry unit automatically transmits said output signal to said second computer at predetermined time intervals. 11. The system of claim 7 wherein said first computer comprises means for transmitting an output signal that is representative of said material level to said second computer. 12. A system for monitoring a material level in a storage vessel at a remote site comprising: a level detector for producing an output signal corresponding to said material level, said level detector further comprising means for transmitting said output signal to a remote telemetry unit that transmits a signal indicating material quantity to a central computer disposed in data communication with said remote telemetry unit for receiving said signal indicating material quantity. 13. The system of claim 12 wherein said level detector comprises means for transmitting an output signal that is representative of said material level to a central computer disposed in data communication with said level detector for receiving said signal indicating material quantity. 14. A system for a transportation carrier to maintain a sufficient quantity of raw material at a remote site comprising: a sensor that produces a first output signal corresponding to a material quantity; a data collector that receives said first output signal from said sensor and produces a second output signal that is representative of said material quantity; a remote telemetry unit that receives said second output signal and transmits a signal indicating material quantity data; and a central computer disposed in data communication with said remote telemetry unit for receiving said signal indicating material quantity, said central computer including means for storing said material quantity data and for projecting a usage rate for said material based on said second output signal. 15. The system of claim 14 wherein said central computer further comprises means for generating at least one of audible and visual alarms if said material quantity is below a predetermined level. 16. The system of claim 14 wherein said remote telemetry unit automatically transmits said second output signal to said central computer at predetermined time intervals. 17.-21. (canceled)
This is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/167,379, titled BULK INVENTORY NETWORK SYSTEM, filed Oct. 6, 1998, and now issued as U.S. Pat. No. ______. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to the field of automated inventory management, and in particular concerns a system for remote monitoring of material storage levels for dry bulk goods, wherein an independent entity, such as a transportation carrier, can continuously monitor raw material supply levels at a remote manufacturing plant, and, based on projected usage rates, place timely orders on behalf of the plant, with preselected vendors, to replenish depleted raw materials. The transportation carrier can then coordinate material shipments from the vendor to the manufacturing site using its own trucks. In this manner, the task of maintaining sufficient on site raw material storage levels is completely removed from the manufacturing plant. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Manufacturers frequently employ independent transportation carriers to deliver raw materials from vendor cites to manufacturing sites on an as-needed basis. Traditionally, manufacturers themselves monitor on-site inventory levels and product usage rates, and, when material supplies become low, a phone call is placed from the plant site to an outside vendor to order another shipment of raw materials. Typically, a transportation carrier is separately contracted with to pick up the raw material order from the vendor site and deliver the shipment to the manufacturer. Raw material inventories must-be continuously monitored and raw material orders and shipments must be carefully coordinated to ensure a sufficient amount of materials are always at hand. If material supplies are exhausted before new material shipments can be delivered, manufacturers may be forced to temporarily shut down manufacturing operations, resulting in lost production time and revenues. When several raw materials are simultaneously used in product manufacturing, the task of monitoring material levels becomes increasingly difficult. An additional challenge is presented when the usage rate for each of these materials fluctuates over time. In the case of dry bulk goods such as lime, coal and ash, for example, specially adapted trucks and trailers are often required for transporting the materials from a vendor to a plant site. In order to ensure the availability of a transport carrier when a material shipment is needed, it is desirable to schedule shipments as far in advance as possible. Thus, the ability to monitor existing material levels as well as to project future material requirements is critical. Likewise, the ability to quickly convey this information to a transport carrier is essential. Several automated systems have been designed to facilitate the management of material inventories. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,164—Kaye et al. discloses an inventory management system wherein a centralized inventory database can be remotely accessed to retrieve information. U.S. Pat. No. 5,761,362—Cowe et al. discloses an inventory monitoring system wherein electronic shelf units automatically monitor product inventory levels. U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,198, issued to Mowery, et al., provides a system and method for using a fleet of vehicles to provide material to a plurality of tanks at various customer locations. An inventory indicator associated with each of the tanks provides a quantity signal to the central station indicating the quantity and temperature of each of the tanks. A processor at the central station monitors the quantity signals of each of the tanks to determine past usage rates of the contents of each of the tanks. The processor projects future tank quantities based on the past usage pattern and determines possible routes for each of the vehicles to each of the tanks. The processor optimizes the routes, delivery amounts, and delivery schedule to minimize total delivered cost for the products based on the projected future tank levels and the possible routes to dispatch each of the vehicles. Each of the foregoing systems allow some form of remote access to a centralized database to monitor inventory levels. While these systems enable material stores to be remotely monitored, they are not useful for monitoring dry bulk goods nor do they provide means to interpret usage trends or project usage rates based on archived data. What is needed is an automated system capable of continuously monitoring material levels for dry bulk goods as well as projecting future usage rates for materials based on archived data. Preferably, the system would provide for the automated transmittal of data to a remote site at predetermined time intervals. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect of the invention a remote material monitoring system is provided which can be used to monitor inventory quantities for raw materials at a remote site and automatically transmit signals corresponding to existing material levels from the remote site to a central computer at predetermined time intervals. In another aspect of the invention a remote material monitoring system is provided which includes a central computer having software means capable of determining material levels and projecting material usage rates based on signals transmitted from a remote material storage site. In another aspect of the invention a remote materials monitoring system is provided in which the central computer includes software means for displaying the material levels and projected usage levels in tablature and graphical form. In yet another aspect of the invention the central computer includes software means for sounding visual and/or audible alarms if the material levels being monitored fall below predetermined levels. In yet another aspect of the invention a method is provided for continuously monitoring material levels in a storage vessel at a remote site without human intervention. In another aspect of the invention a method is provided for a transportation carrier to maintain sufficient raw material quantities at a remote manufacturing plant site. These and other aspects are provided in a system for monitoring a material quantity at a remote manufacturing site. The system comprises a detector for producing a first output signal corresponding to an existing material quantity. A remote telemetry unit receives the first output signal from the detector and produces a corresponding second output signal. A central computer is coupled to the remote telemetry unit for receiving the second output signal which is automatically transmitted to a central computer at predetermined time intervals. The central computer includes software means for determining the quantity of said existing material at the remote site as well as projected usage rates for said existing material based on the transmitted signals. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the detector comprises an ultrasonic or strain gauge detector and the remote unit and central computer are coupled via modem for transferring the output signals from the remote unit to a central computer. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, a system for monitoring a material quantity at a remote site is provided including a sensor that produces a first output signal corresponding to a material quantity within a storage vessel such as a dry bulk silo. A data collector receives the first output signal from the sensor and produces a second output signal that is representative of the quantity of material remaining within the storage vessel. A remote telemetry unit receives the second output signal and transmits a signal indicating material quantity to a central computer disposed in data communication with the remote telemetry unit. In a further embodiment of the invention, a system for monitoring material levels in storage vessels at a remote site is provided including a level detector that produces a first output signal corresponding to a material level in one of the storage vessels. The level detector may be selected from one of ultrasonic and strain gauge level detectors. A first computer receives the first output signal from the level detector and produces at least one second output signal that is representative of the material quantity. A remote telemetry unit is arranged in data communication with the first computer so as to receive the first output signal from the first computer and transmit an output signal to a second computer in communication with the remote telemetry unit. In some cases, the first computer may include means for transmitting an output signal that is representative of the material level directly to the second computer. In yet a further embodiment of the invention, a system for monitoring a material level in a storage vessel at a remote site is provided including a level detector for producing an output signal corresponding to the material level, where the level detector comprises means for transmitting the output signal to a remote telemetry unit that, in turn, transmits a signal indicating material quantity to a central computer disposed in data communication with the remote telemetry unit. In some instances, the level detector comprises means for transmitting an output signal that is representative of the level or quantity of material in a storage vessel to a central computer disposed in data communication with the level detector for receiving the signal indicating material quantity. Also provided is a system for a transportation carrier to maintain a sufficient quantity of raw material at a remote site. The system of this embodiment includes a sensor that produces a first output signal corresponding to a quantity of material located within a storage vessel, e.g., a dry bulk material silo. A data collector receives the first output signal from the sensor and produces a second output signal that is representative of the material quantity within the storage vessel. A remote telemetry unit that receives the second output signal and transmits a signal indicating material quantity data. A central computer is disposed in data communication with the remote telemetry unit for receiving the signal indicating material quantity. The central computer includes means for storing the material quantity data and for projecting a usage rate for the material based on the second output signal. In addition, a method for a transportation carrier to maintain sufficient quantities of raw materials at a remote manufacturing site is provided that includes the generation of a first signal representative of an existing raw material quantity at a remote site. Transmitting a second signal corresponding to the first signal from the remote site to at least one of a local computer and a central computer at predetermined time intervals. The existing raw material quantity and a projected material usage rate for the existing raw material quantity based on the transmitted signals are determined. based upon this determination, additional raw materials are ordered from a preselected vendor based on the existing material quantity and the projected material usage rate. A transport vehicle is provided to deliver the additional raw material from the preselected vendor to the manufacturing site by transporting the additional raw material from the preselected vendor to the manufacturing site. While the described system and method for monitoring and maintaining remote material stores are applicable for any bulk commodities, they are particularly advantageous for use in connection with the storage of dry bulk goods in storage silos or similar structures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully disclosed in, or rendered obvious by, the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which are to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts and further wherein: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a remote inventory monitoring system according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a typical storage vessel, including level detectors, and of the type used in connection with the present invention; and FIGS. 3-8 are partially schematic block diagrams of alternative embodiments of a remote inventory monitoring system according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS This description of preferred embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. The drawing figures are presented in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described, suggested, or rendered obvious by the written description or drawings for performing the recited function, including not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. The invention concerns a Bulk Inventory Network System (BINS) used to monitor customer inventories and order delivery of dry bulk materials. In one preferred embodiment, the BINS system depends upon transmission of data from remote customer sites to a centrally located computer. Information, transferred by telephone communications, consists of the level or weight of material in storage at the customer's business. When a trigger level or minimum volume of material is reached, dispatchers are notified that a shipment of dry bulk materials should be delivered to the customer's site. Customer storage records are also monitored by the BINS central computer, displayed on a trend graph, and stored as a historical record of dry bulk material usage by the customer. Referring to FIG. 1, a remote inventory monitoring system 10 according to the invention comprises a central computer 12 and a first modem 14, which are distant from the dry bulk material storage vessel 15 being monitored. One or more remote telemetry units (RTU,) 16, a second modem 18 and a level detector 20 are disposed at the storage vessel site. Typically, level detector 20 is positioned directly on storage vessel 15. Software means are installed and continuously running on central computer 12. The software means receive and store data transmitted from RTUs 16 at each storage vessel 15 in remote inventory monitoring system 10. The software means also determine existing material levels and quantities 22, as well as projected usage rates for each material based on the transmitted data. In addition, the software means are programmed to activate a visual and/or audible alarm (i.e., flashing icon and/or beep) as well as to display the information on a trend graph for easy viewing. Two alternative means are used to control and operate remote inventory monitoring system 10. A first preferred means is used in connection with a remotely controlled system. The remotely controlled system utilizes a microprocessor based RTU 16 that is programmed to receive a first output signal from level detector 20, produce a second output signal corresponding to said first output signal, place a telephone call to central computer 12 and transfer data to the computer. In this system, each RTU 16 controls data collection and transmission, and therefore, requires relatively sophisticated programming. RTUs 16 are often configured using a laptop computer connected directly to a port in the RTU at the storage site. Under the remote control concept, central computer 12 acts primarily as a data storage and display device. Standard personal computers may be utilized for this portion of the system. Changes to system operations, such as time intervals between data transmissions, usually require a trip to storage vessel 15 site for modification of the RTU programming. In a second preferred embodiment of the invention, a centrally controlled system is utilized comprising a central computer 12 that contacts each remote site and retrieves data directly from RTU 16 at that site. Site equipment would include a basic RTU 16 configured to receive a first output signal from level detector 20, produce a second output signal corresponding to the first output signal, and on command, transmit the second output signal to central computer 12. System control and programming are concentrated at central computer 20. Typically, central computer 12 is a standard personal computer and RTUs 16 are simplified devices which act primarily as data collection devices and, as a result, require minimal programming. Preferably, an ultrasonic level detector 24 and/or a strain gauge level detector 26 are used to measure the contents of storage vessel 15. For example, strain gauges 26 can be placed on legs 27 of storage vessel 15 to measure the change in length of legs 27 that is caused by the change in quantity of material in storage vessel 15. These devices typically produce a signal in the range of four to twenty milliamps, which is proportional to the material quantity in the vessel. A preferred ultrasonic level indicator is available from Kistler-Morse under the trade name Sonocell. Remote telemetry unit (RTU) 16 receives the four to twenty milliamp analog signals and converts them into corresponding digital signals which can be processed by central computer 12. RTU 16 then places a telephone call, on preset two-hour timed intervals, to transmit the converted signals to central computer 12. It would be understood by those skilled in the art that a RTU may be a stand alone unit comprising well known components for analog/digital signal conversion and which may additionally include means for automatic transmission of data to a central computer via modem at predetermined time intervals, or, alternatively, may comprise a plurality of discrete components such as an analog/digital converter, microprocessor and modem also for providing the function. It is also contemplated to use a level detection device having an integrated analog/digital converter and microprocessor which can communicate directly with the central computer. One RTU that has been found to be particularly useful for use in connection with the present invention is available from Control Microsystems and includes the following components: Model RS-232 Communication Processor; Model 5501-20 8-Channel Analog Input Module; Model 5103 Power Supply Module; and Model ACX24 Transformer. Suitable stand alone RTUs include the Bristol Babcock Models RTU 3301 and RTU 3305, and the Fisher-Rosemount Model ROC 306 Remote Operations Controller. Central computer 12 receives and stores data transmitted from RTUs 16 at each storage vessel site. Central computer 12 includes commercially available software used to monitor inventory levels and generate statistical data and trend graphs based on the transmitted data. Two suitable software packages are the Lookout Run-Time and Lookout Development software. Other known software packages include Bristol Babcock's ZxMMI graphics software and Intellution's FIX MMI graphics package. Advantageously, the aforementioned system can be used by a transportation carrier to maintain sufficient quantities of raw materials at a remote manufacturing site. For example, a manufacturer who wishes to relieve itself from the day-to-day responsibility of monitoring, recording and maintaining sufficient raw material stores can contract with a transportation carrier to provide this service. In accordance with the invention, the transportation carrier maintains a central computer for receiving and processing data from a manufacturing plant. Signals are generated to represent the quantity of material located in from one or more storage vessels 15, e.g., a plurality of dry bulk storage silos or similar containment structures located at a manufacturing plant. The signals are automatically transmitted, via RTU 16, to central computer 12 at predetermined time intervals. Software means generate statistical data in the form of tables and graphs based on the periodic signal inputs. The data include material levels, material usage rates and material usage rate changes, and projected material usage rates. The data is used to plan and schedule shipment of additional material to the plant in order to replenish depleted stores. A manufacturer may preselect suitable vendors for supplying each raw material. This information is provided to the transportation center at the time of contracting. When raw material levels fall below a predetermined acceptable level, the transportation carrier places an order with the appropriate vendor for additional material. The transportation carrier then coordinates the material shipment from the vendor to the manufacturing site using its own trucks. The present invention is susceptible to various modifications. For example, and referring to FIG. 2, a sensing device 35 may be used to detect a quantity of material in a storage vessel 15. Sensing device 35 may determine a material level or a weight of material in storage vessel 15. In some instances, a material level is measured by a mechanical system, i.e., strain gauge level detector 26, or by ultrasonic level detector 24, e.g., a Kistler-Morse Sonocell. Material weight is most often determined using strain gauge level detector 26. In operation, sensing device 35 determines a quantity of material 37 within storage vessel 15, and transmits a signal, that is representative of that measured material quantity, to a data collection/display unit 38, e.g, a Kistler-Morse Sonologic II system. Data collection/display unit 38 may be located on or adjacent to storage vessel 15, or at least within the general area or facility at which storage vessel 15 is located. Data collection/display unit 38 outputs an analog signal that is proportional to the measured material quantity and transmits that signal to an RTU 16. RTU 16 transmits a signal indicating material quantity to central computer 12 over telephone, radio, or other communication means 40. RTU 16 may be either configured to initiate the data communication or to respond to data requests initiated at central computer 12, or both. It will be understood that RTU 16 may comprise some combination of power supplies, input/output modules and controllers, and modems of the type known in the art and readily available to those skilled in the electronics and communications arts. Additionally, RTU 16 may be an individual unit, or may be incorporated within a sensing device, data collection/display units, or computers. When central computer 12 receives data from a remote site, Human-Machine-Interface (HMI) software, e.g., the Lookout software program offered by National Instruments, stores and displays the data. Alarms may be generated based on defined settings and limits, and central computer 12 may be either configured to initiate the data communication or to respond to data requests initiated at central computer 12, or both. Information from the HMI software may also be linked to spreadsheets and database software to summarize information in tabular and graphical form. Information from the HMI software also may be automatically uploaded to the Internet for easy access. In another example, and referring to FIG. 3, sensing device 35 determines a material quantity within storage vessel 15, and transmits a signal, that is representative of that measured material quantity, to a data collection/display unit 42. Data collection/display unit 42, outputs a signal indicating material quantity and transmits that signal to central computer 12. In this embodiment, functions performed by RTU 16 are physically incorporated within data collection/display unit 42. The signal generated by data collection/display unit 42 can be transmitted over telephone, radio, or other communication means 40. Also, data collection/display unit 42 may be either configured to initiate the data communication or to respond to data requests initiated at central computer 12, or both. In yet a further example, and refering to FIG. 4, sensing device 35 determines a material quantity within storage vessel 15, and transmits a signal that is representative of that measured material quantity to an on-site computer system 45. On-site computer system 45 outputs an analog signal that is proportional to the measured material quantity and transmits that signal to an RTU 16. RTU 16 transmits a signal indicating material quantity to central computer 12 over telephone, radio, or other communication means 40. In this embodiment, RTU 16 may be configured to either initiate the data communication or to respond to data requests initiated at central computer 12, or both. In still another example, and referring to FIG. 5, sensing device 35 determines a material quantity within storage vessel 16, and transmits a signal that is representative of that measured material quantity to an on-site computer system 45. On-site computer system 45 generates a signal proportional to the measured material quantity, and transmits that signal to central computer 12 over telephone, radio, or other communication means 40. On-site computer system 45 may be configured to either initiate the data communication or to respond to data requests initiated at central computer 12, or both. In an additional example, and referring to FIG. 6, sensing device 35 determines a material quantity within storage vessel 15, and transmits a signal that is representative of that measured material quantity, to an RTU 16. RTU 16 transmits that a signal representative of a material quantity to central computer 12 over telephone, radio, or other communication means 40. RTU 16 may be configured to either initiate the data communication or to respond to data requests initiated at central computer 12, or both. In another example, and referring to FIG. 7, sensing device 35 determines a material quantity within storage vessel 15, and transmits a signal that is representative of that measured material quantity, to central computer 12 over telephone, radio, or other communication means 40. Sensing device may be configured to either initiate the data communication or to respond to data requests initiated at central computer 12, or both. The invention having been disclosed in connection with the foregoing variations and examples, additional variations will now be apparent to persons skilled in the art. The invention is not intended to be limited to the variations specifically mentioned, and accordingly reference should be made to the appended claims rather than the foregoing discussion of preferred examples, to assess the scope of the invention in which exclusive rights are claimed.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Manufacturers frequently employ independent transportation carriers to deliver raw materials from vendor cites to manufacturing sites on an as-needed basis. Traditionally, manufacturers themselves monitor on-site inventory levels and product usage rates, and, when material supplies become low, a phone call is placed from the plant site to an outside vendor to order another shipment of raw materials. Typically, a transportation carrier is separately contracted with to pick up the raw material order from the vendor site and deliver the shipment to the manufacturer. Raw material inventories must-be continuously monitored and raw material orders and shipments must be carefully coordinated to ensure a sufficient amount of materials are always at hand. If material supplies are exhausted before new material shipments can be delivered, manufacturers may be forced to temporarily shut down manufacturing operations, resulting in lost production time and revenues. When several raw materials are simultaneously used in product manufacturing, the task of monitoring material levels becomes increasingly difficult. An additional challenge is presented when the usage rate for each of these materials fluctuates over time. In the case of dry bulk goods such as lime, coal and ash, for example, specially adapted trucks and trailers are often required for transporting the materials from a vendor to a plant site. In order to ensure the availability of a transport carrier when a material shipment is needed, it is desirable to schedule shipments as far in advance as possible. Thus, the ability to monitor existing material levels as well as to project future material requirements is critical. Likewise, the ability to quickly convey this information to a transport carrier is essential. Several automated systems have been designed to facilitate the management of material inventories. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,164—Kaye et al. discloses an inventory management system wherein a centralized inventory database can be remotely accessed to retrieve information. U.S. Pat. No. 5,761,362—Cowe et al. discloses an inventory monitoring system wherein electronic shelf units automatically monitor product inventory levels. U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,198, issued to Mowery, et al., provides a system and method for using a fleet of vehicles to provide material to a plurality of tanks at various customer locations. An inventory indicator associated with each of the tanks provides a quantity signal to the central station indicating the quantity and temperature of each of the tanks. A processor at the central station monitors the quantity signals of each of the tanks to determine past usage rates of the contents of each of the tanks. The processor projects future tank quantities based on the past usage pattern and determines possible routes for each of the vehicles to each of the tanks. The processor optimizes the routes, delivery amounts, and delivery schedule to minimize total delivered cost for the products based on the projected future tank levels and the possible routes to dispatch each of the vehicles. Each of the foregoing systems allow some form of remote access to a centralized database to monitor inventory levels. While these systems enable material stores to be remotely monitored, they are not useful for monitoring dry bulk goods nor do they provide means to interpret usage trends or project usage rates based on archived data. What is needed is an automated system capable of continuously monitoring material levels for dry bulk goods as well as projecting future usage rates for materials based on archived data. Preferably, the system would provide for the automated transmittal of data to a remote site at predetermined time intervals.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In one aspect of the invention a remote material monitoring system is provided which can be used to monitor inventory quantities for raw materials at a remote site and automatically transmit signals corresponding to existing material levels from the remote site to a central computer at predetermined time intervals. In another aspect of the invention a remote material monitoring system is provided which includes a central computer having software means capable of determining material levels and projecting material usage rates based on signals transmitted from a remote material storage site. In another aspect of the invention a remote materials monitoring system is provided in which the central computer includes software means for displaying the material levels and projected usage levels in tablature and graphical form. In yet another aspect of the invention the central computer includes software means for sounding visual and/or audible alarms if the material levels being monitored fall below predetermined levels. In yet another aspect of the invention a method is provided for continuously monitoring material levels in a storage vessel at a remote site without human intervention. In another aspect of the invention a method is provided for a transportation carrier to maintain sufficient raw material quantities at a remote manufacturing plant site. These and other aspects are provided in a system for monitoring a material quantity at a remote manufacturing site. The system comprises a detector for producing a first output signal corresponding to an existing material quantity. A remote telemetry unit receives the first output signal from the detector and produces a corresponding second output signal. A central computer is coupled to the remote telemetry unit for receiving the second output signal which is automatically transmitted to a central computer at predetermined time intervals. The central computer includes software means for determining the quantity of said existing material at the remote site as well as projected usage rates for said existing material based on the transmitted signals. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the detector comprises an ultrasonic or strain gauge detector and the remote unit and central computer are coupled via modem for transferring the output signals from the remote unit to a central computer. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, a system for monitoring a material quantity at a remote site is provided including a sensor that produces a first output signal corresponding to a material quantity within a storage vessel such as a dry bulk silo. A data collector receives the first output signal from the sensor and produces a second output signal that is representative of the quantity of material remaining within the storage vessel. A remote telemetry unit receives the second output signal and transmits a signal indicating material quantity to a central computer disposed in data communication with the remote telemetry unit. In a further embodiment of the invention, a system for monitoring material levels in storage vessels at a remote site is provided including a level detector that produces a first output signal corresponding to a material level in one of the storage vessels. The level detector may be selected from one of ultrasonic and strain gauge level detectors. A first computer receives the first output signal from the level detector and produces at least one second output signal that is representative of the material quantity. A remote telemetry unit is arranged in data communication with the first computer so as to receive the first output signal from the first computer and transmit an output signal to a second computer in communication with the remote telemetry unit. In some cases, the first computer may include means for transmitting an output signal that is representative of the material level directly to the second computer. In yet a further embodiment of the invention, a system for monitoring a material level in a storage vessel at a remote site is provided including a level detector for producing an output signal corresponding to the material level, where the level detector comprises means for transmitting the output signal to a remote telemetry unit that, in turn, transmits a signal indicating material quantity to a central computer disposed in data communication with the remote telemetry unit. In some instances, the level detector comprises means for transmitting an output signal that is representative of the level or quantity of material in a storage vessel to a central computer disposed in data communication with the level detector for receiving the signal indicating material quantity. Also provided is a system for a transportation carrier to maintain a sufficient quantity of raw material at a remote site. The system of this embodiment includes a sensor that produces a first output signal corresponding to a quantity of material located within a storage vessel, e.g., a dry bulk material silo. A data collector receives the first output signal from the sensor and produces a second output signal that is representative of the material quantity within the storage vessel. A remote telemetry unit that receives the second output signal and transmits a signal indicating material quantity data. A central computer is disposed in data communication with the remote telemetry unit for receiving the signal indicating material quantity. The central computer includes means for storing the material quantity data and for projecting a usage rate for the material based on the second output signal. In addition, a method for a transportation carrier to maintain sufficient quantities of raw materials at a remote manufacturing site is provided that includes the generation of a first signal representative of an existing raw material quantity at a remote site. Transmitting a second signal corresponding to the first signal from the remote site to at least one of a local computer and a central computer at predetermined time intervals. The existing raw material quantity and a projected material usage rate for the existing raw material quantity based on the transmitted signals are determined. based upon this determination, additional raw materials are ordered from a preselected vendor based on the existing material quantity and the projected material usage rate. A transport vehicle is provided to deliver the additional raw material from the preselected vendor to the manufacturing site by transporting the additional raw material from the preselected vendor to the manufacturing site. While the described system and method for monitoring and maintaining remote material stores are applicable for any bulk commodities, they are particularly advantageous for use in connection with the storage of dry bulk goods in storage silos or similar structures.
20041203
20060815
20050512
63793.0
3
HARTMAN JR, RONALD D
BULK INVENTORY NETWORK SYSTEM
SMALL
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,003,842
ACCEPTED
System & method for natural language processing of sentence based queries
Sentence based queries from a user are analyzed using a natural language engine to determine appropriate answers from an electronic database. The system and methods are useful for Internet based search engines, as well as distributed speech recognition systems such as a client-server system. The latter are typically implemented on an intranet or over the Internet based on user queries at his/her computer, a PDA, or a workstation using a speech input interface.
1. A natural language processing system adapted for assisting recognition of a query presented in text form, the system comprising: a natural language routine which performs a first linguistic analysis of query text by analyzing a plurality of word phrases associated with said query text; a database query composition routine which processes said first linguistic analysis to identify a candidate set of potential matches for said query utterance, and said natural language routine being further configured for generating one or more second linguistic analyses of text contained in said candidate set of potential matches; an answer routine adapted for comparing said first linguistic analysis with each of said one or more second linguistic analyses to identify a match for said user query. 2. The natural language processing system of claim 1, wherein said user query is derived from recognition of a speech utterance. 3. The natural language processing system of claim 1, wherein both semantic decoding and statistical based processing operations are performed for said linguistic analyses. 4. The natural language processing system of claim 1, wherein a context experienced by a user while presenting said user query is used to filter said candidate set of potential matches. 5. The natural language processing system of claim 1, further including a server coupled to the Internet for executing the natural language routine. 6. The natural language processing system of claim 1 wherein said first linguistic analysis includes formulating different word phrases contained in said text. 7. A query recognition system operating on a server coupled to the Internet comprising: a natural language routine configured to generate a first linguistic analysis of words contained in a text query, including an identification of any word phrases present in said text query; a query formulation routine adapted to convert said words and said word phrases into a structured query suitable for locating matches for said text query; wherein said first linguistic analysis is used to identify a candidate set of potential matches for said text query; and an answer identification routine configured for comparing said first linguistic analysis with one or more second linguistic analyses of words contained in said candidate set of potential matches; wherein a matching answer is determined and communicated over the Internet in response to said text query in real time. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein said query formulation routine generates a first level query using said words, and further customizes said first level query using natural language processing to generate a second level query. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein said natural language routine operates to generate said word phrases during a time when said query formulation routine generates said first level query. 10. The system of claim 7, wherein a set of context parameters relating to a computer program environment experienced by a user providing the text query are used for restricting said structured query to a selected set of records in a question/answer pair database and/or an indexed database of question/answer pairs. 11. The system of claim 7, further including an Internet based server for executing said natural language routine, said query formulation routine, and said answer identification routine. 12. The system of claim 7, wherein said first linguistic analysis and said second analysis includes an operation for determining noun-phrases. 13. The system of claim 7, wherein said answer identification routine compares noun-phrases of said candidate set of potential matches with noun-phrases of said text query to determine said best match. 14. The system of claim 7, wherein said structured query is a full text query containing SQL search predicates. 15. The system of claim 7, wherein said corresponding potential matches are retrieved from a relational database with indices that are updated asynchronously to reduce retrieval latency. 16. An Internet based query recognition and response system comprising: a search engine for receiving a user query in text form; a natural language routine configured to generate a first linguistic analysis of words contained in said user query, including an identification of first word phrases present in said text query; wherein said first word phrases are extracted and stored in ranked order in an array; a query formulation routine adapted to convert said first word phrases along with a list of all words in said text query into a structured query including search predicates for locating a set of potential query/answer pairs responsive to said text query; wherein second word phrases are extracted from said set of potential query/answer pairs and stored in ranked order in a second array an answer identification routine configured for comparing said first word phrases with second word phrases to identify a responsive answer to said text query. 17. A method of recognizing and responding to a natural language based query comprising the steps of: (a) receiving query text for a user query; and (b) linguistically processing said query text to generate search predicates and recognized phrases; (c) forming a database query to identify a potential match for said user query, said database query being based on said recognized phrases and said search predicates; (d) determining a match for said user query by linguistically comparing any potential matches identified by said database query with said query text. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein said user query is derived from recognition of a speech utterance. 19. The method of claim 17, including a step of performing semantic decoding and statistical based processing operations are performed for step (d). 20. The method of claim 17, further including a step: filtering said candidate set of potential matches based on a context experienced by a user while presenting said user query. 21. The method of claim 17, wherein the process is carried out at an Internet based server. 22. A method of recognizing a query comprising the steps of: (a) receiving query text for a user query; and (b) linguistically processing said query text to generate search terms based on phrase analysis; (c) generating a preliminary query to identify a potential match for said speech utterance, said preliminary query being based on said query text; (d) generating a final query to identify a potential match for said speech utterance, said final query being based on said query text and said search terms; (e) determining a final match for said speech utterance by linguistically comparing any potential matches identified by said preliminary and/or final query with said user query; wherein said preliminary query is made based on said query text to determine a match during a time when linguistic processing is still being done on said query text. 23. The method of claim 22, further including a step: (f) retrieving a matching response for said match and presenting it to a user in response to said user query. 26. The method of claim 22, wherein said match is determined by comparing noun-phrases of said user query and said potential matches. 27. The method of claim 22, wherein step (a) occurs across a distributed computing platform, including a client device and a server device. 28. The method of claim 22, wherein steps (a) to (e) occur simultaneously across multiple servers and/or a server farm in response to a speech utterance from a single client device. 29. A distributed method of recognizing and responding in real time to a user question posed within an application program executing on a client device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving query data generated by the client device over a network; (b) processing said query data at a server device to form a query text associated with the user question; wherein at least during step (b) a context experienced by the user within the application program is considered for loading appropriate dictionaries and/or grammars to facilitate formulating said query text; (c) submitting said query text to a database query engine and a natural language engine; (d) linguistically processing said query text with said natural language engine during a first linguistic process to identify word phrases contained therein; (e) forming a query to a question/answer pair database based on said query text and said word phrases; (f) locating a set of question/answer pairs based on said query text, including an initial set of question/answer pairs based on a preliminary query; (g) evaluating said set of question/answer pairs, using a second linguistic analysis to compare word phrases in said set of question/answer pairs with word phrases identified in said query text; (h) identifying a question/answer pair best matching the user question based on step (g); (i) providing an answer determined from said single question/answer pair in step (h) to the user over the network; wherein an answer is provided to the user question in real-time over a distributed query system. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein said word phrases include noun phrases 31. The method of claim 29, wherein said word phrases include adjective phrases 32. The method of claim 30, wherein said word phrases include verb phrases. 33. The method of claim 29, wherein said question/answer pair database is configured with a full-text unique key column so that when processing said query, said database query engine returns key values of rows from said question/answer pair database that match search criteria specified by said query. 34. The method of claim 29, wherein said context experienced by the user is also considered during processing operations taking place at step (d).
RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims priority to and is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/792,674 filed Mar. 2, 2004, which application in turn is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/653,039 filed Aug. 29, 2003 and Ser. No. 10/603,998 filed Jun. 25 2003, both of which latter applications are continuation-in-parts of all of the following applications: 1) Ser. No. 09/439,145 entitled Distributed Real Time Speech Recognition System, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,633,846; 2) Ser. No. 09/439,173 entitled Speech Based Learning/Training System, attorney docket no. PHO 99-002, now U.S. Patent No. 6,665,640; 3) Ser. No. 09/439,174 entitled Internet Server with Speech Support for Enhanced Interactivity—attorney docket no. PHO 99-003; 4) Ser. No. 09/439,060 entitled Intelligent Query Engine For Processing Voice Based Queries—now U.S. Pat. No. 6,615,172; The above are hereby incorporated by reference herein. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to systems and methods for processing sentence based queries presented to a search engine using natural language processing. The system is particularly applicable to INTERNET based applications and other query environments. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The INTERNET, and in particular, the World-Wide Web (WWW), is growing in popularity and usage for both commercial and recreational purposes, and this trend is expected to continue. This phenomenon is being driven, in part, by the increasing and widespread use of personal computer systems and the availability of low cost INTERNET access. The emergence of inexpensive INTERNET access devices and high speed access techniques such as ADSL, cable modems, satellite modems, and the like, are expected to further accelerate the mass usage of the WWW. Accordingly, it is expected that the number of entities offering services, products, etc., over the WWW will increase dramatically over the coming years. Until now, however, the INTERNET “experience” for users has been limited mostly to non-voice based input/output devices, such as keyboards, intelligent electronic pads, mice, trackballs, printers, monitors, etc. This presents somewhat of a bottleneck for interacting over the WWW for a variety of reasons. First, there is the issue of familiarity. Many kinds of applications lend themselves much more naturally and fluently to a voice-based environment. For instance, most people shopping for audio recordings are very comfortable with asking a live sales clerk in a record store for information on tides by a particular author, where they can be found in the store, etc. While it is often possible to browse and search on one's own to locate items of interest, it is usually easier and more efficient to get some form of human assistance first, and, with few exceptions, this request for assistance is presented in the form of a oral query. In addition, many persons cannot or will not, because of physical or psychological barriers, use any of the aforementioned conventional I/O devices. For example, many older persons cannot easily read the text presented on WWW pages, or understand the layout/hierarchy of menus, or manipulate a mouse to make finely coordinated movements to indicate their selections. Many others are intimidated by the look and complexity of computer systems, WWW pages, etc., and therefore do not attempt to use online services for this reason as well. Thus, applications which can mimic normal human interactions are likely to be preferred by potential on-line shoppers and persons looking for information over the WWW. It is also expected that the use of voice-based systems will increase the universe of persons willing to engage in e-commerce, e-learning, etc. To date, however, there are very few systems, if any, which permit this type of interaction, and, if they do, it is very limited. For example, various commercial programs sold by IBM (VIAVOICE™) and Kurzweil (DRAGON™) permit some user control of the interface (opening, closing files) and searching (by using previously trained URLs) but they do not present a flexible solution that can be used by a number of users across multiple cultures and without time consuming voice training. Typical prior efforts to implement voice based functionality in an INTERNET context can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,220 incorporated by reference herein. Another issue presented by the lack of voice-based systems is efficiency. Many companies are now offering technical support over the INTERNET, and some even offer live operator assistance for such queries. While this is very advantageous (for the reasons mentioned above) it is also extremely costly and inefficient, because a real person must be employed to handle such queries. This presents a practical limit that results in long wait times for responses or high labor overheads. An example of this approach can be seen U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,526 also incorporated by reference herein. In general, a service presented over the WWW is far more desirable if it is “scalable,” or, in other words, able to handle an increasing amount of user traffic with little if any perceived delay or troubles by a prospective user. In a similar context, while remote learning has become an increasingly popular option for many students, it is practically impossible for an instructor to be able to field questions from more than one person at a time. Even then, such interaction usually takes place for only a limited period of time because of other instructor time constraints. To date, however, there is no practical way for students to continue a human-like question and answer type dialog after the learning session is over, or without the presence of the instructor to personally address such queries. Conversely, another aspect of emulating a human-like dialog involves the use of oral feedback. In other words, many persons prefer to receive answers and information in audible form. While a form of this functionality is used by some websites to communicate information to visitors, it is not performed in a real-time, interactive question-answer dialog fashion so its effectiveness and usefulness is limited. Yet another area that could benefit from speech-based interaction involves so-called “search” engines used by INTERNET users to locate information of interest at web sites, such as the those available at YAHOO®.com, METACRAWLER®.com, EXCITE®.com, etc. These tools permit the user to form a search query using either combinations of keywords or metacategories to search through a web page database containing text indices associated with one or more distinct web pages. After processing the user's request, therefore, the search engine returns a number of hits which correspond, generally, to URL pointers and text excerpts from the web pages that represent the closest match made by such search engine for the particular user query based on the search processing logic used by search engine. The structure and operation of such prior art search engines, including the mechanism by which they build the web page database, and parse the search query, are well known in the art. To date, applicant is unaware of any such search engine that can easily and reliably search and retrieve information based on speech input from a user. There are a number of reasons why the above environments (e-commerce, e-support, remote learning, INTERNET searching, etc.) do not utilize speech-based interfaces, despite the many benefits that would otherwise flow from such capability. First, there is obviously a requirement that the output of the speech recognizer be as accurate as possible. One of the more reliable approaches to speech recognition used at this time is based on the Hidden Markov Model (HMM)—a model used to mathematically describe any time series. A conventional usage of this technique is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,670 incorporated by reference herein. Because speech is considered to have an underlying sequence of one or more symbols, the HMM models corresponding to each symbol are trained on vectors from the speech waveforms. The Hidden Markov Model is a finite set of states, each of which is associated with a (generally multi-dimensional) probability distribution. Transitions among the states are governed by a set of probabilities called transition probabilities. In a particular state an outcome or observation can be generated, according to the associated probability distribution. This finite state machine changes state once every time unit, and each time t such that a state j is entered, a spectral parameter vector Ot is generated with probability density Bj(Ot). It is only the outcome, not the state visible to an external observer and therefore states are “hidden” to the outside; hence the name Hidden Markov Model. The basic theory of HMMs was published in a series of classic papers by Baum and his colleagues in the late 1960's and early 1970's. HMMs were first used in speech applications by Baker at Carnegie Mellon, by Jelenik and colleagues at IBM in the late 1970's and by Steve Young and colleagues at Cambridge University, UK in the 1990's. Some typical papers and texts are as follows: 1. L. E. Baum, T. Petrie, “Statistical inference for probabilistic functions for finite state Markov chains”, Ann. Math. Stat., 37: 1554-1563, 1966 2. L. E. Baum, “An inequality and associated maximation technique in statistical estimation for probabilistic functions of Markov processes”, Inequalities 3: 1-8, 1972 3. J. H. Baker, “The dragon system—An Overview”, IEEE Trans. on ASSP Proc., ASSP-23(1): 24-29, February 1975 4. F. Jeninek et al, “Continuous Speech Recognition: Statistical methods” in Handbook of Statistics, II, P. R. Kristnaiad, Ed. Amsterdam, The Netherlands, North-Holland, 1982 5. L. R. Bahl, F. Jeninek, R. L. Mercer, “A maximum likelihood approach to continuous speech recognition”, IEEE Trans. Pattern Anal. Mach. Intell., PAMI-5: 179-190, 1983 6. J. D. Ferguson, “Hidden Markov Analysis: An Introduction”, in Hidden Markov Models for Speech, Institute of Defense Analyses, Princeton, N.J. 1980. 7. H. R. Rabiner and B. H. Juang, “Fundamentals of Speech Recognition”, Prentice Hall, 1993 8. H. R. Rabiner, “Digital Processing of Speech Signals”, Prentice Hall, 1978 More recently research has progressed in extending HMM and combining HMMs with neural networks to speech recognition applications at various laboratories. The following is a representative paper: 9. Nelson Morgan, Hervé Bourlard, Steve Renals, Michael Cohen and Horacio Franco (1993), Hybrid Neural Network/Hidden Markov Model Systems for Continuous Speech Recognition. Journal of Pattern Recognition and Artificial Intelligence, Vol. 7, No. 4 pp. 899-916. Also in I. Guyon and P. Wang editors, Advances in Pattern Recognition Systems using Neural Networks, Vol. 7 of a Series in Machine Perception and Artificial Intelligence. World Scientific, February 1994. All of the above are hereby incorporated by reference. While the HMM-based speech recognition yields very good results, contemporary variations of this technique cannot guarantee a word accuracy requirement of 100% exactly and consistently, as will be required for WWW applications for all possible all user and environment conditions. Thus, although speech recognition technology has been available for several years, and has improved significantly, the technical requirements have placed severe restrictions on the specifications for the speech recognition accuracy that is required for an application that combines speech recognition and natural language processing to work satisfactorily. In contrast to word recognition, Natural language processing (NLP) is concerned with the parsing, understanding and indexing of transcribed utterances and larger linguistic units. Because spontaneous speech contains many surface phenomena such as disfluencies, —hesitations, repairs and restarts, discourse markers such as ‘well’ and other elements which cannot be handled by the typical speech recognizer, it is the problem and the source of the large gap that separates speech recognition and natural language processing technologies. Except for silence between utterances, another problem is the absence of any marked punctuation available for segmenting the speech input into meaningful units such as utterances. For optimal NLP performance, these types of phenomena should be annotated at its input. However, most continuous speech recognition systems produce only a raw sequence of words. Examples of conventional systems using NLP are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,991,094, 5,068,789, 5,146,405 and 5,680,628, all of which are incorporated by reference herein. Second, most of the very reliable voice recognition systems are speaker-dependent, requiring that the interface be “trained” with the user's voice, which takes a lot of time, and is thus very undesirable from the perspective of a WWW environment, where a user may interact only a few times with a particular website. Furthermore, speaker-dependent systems usually require a large user dictionary (one for each unique user) which reduces the speed of recognition. This makes it much harder to implement a real-time dialog interface with satisfactory response capability (i.e., something that mirrors normal conversation—on the order of 3-5 seconds is probably ideal). At present, the typical shrink-wrapped speech recognition application software include offerings from IBM (VIAVOICE™) and Dragon Systems (DRAGON™). While most of these applications are adequate for dictation and other transcribing applications, they are woefully inadequate for applications such as NLQS where the word error rate must be close to 0%. In addition these offerings require long training times and are typically are non client-server configurations. Other types of trained systems are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,670 assigned to Kurzweil, and which is also incorporated by reference herein. Another significant problem faced in a distributed voice-based system is a lack of uniformity/control in the speech recognition process. In a typical stand-alone implementation of a speech recognition system, the entire SR engine runs on a single client. A well-known system of this type is depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,217 incorporated by reference herein. These clients can take numerous forms (desktop PC, laptop PC, PDA, etc.) having varying speech signal processing and communications capability. Thus, from the server side perspective, it is not easy to assure uniform treatment of all users accessing a voice-enabled web page, since such users may have significantly disparate word recognition and error rate performances. While a prior art reference to Gould et al.—U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,236—discusses generally the notion of tailoring a recognition process to a set of available computational resources, it does not address or attempt to solve the issue of how to optimize resources in a distributed environment such as a client-server model. Again, to enable such voice-based technologies on a wide-spread scale it is far more preferable to have a system that harmonizes and accounts for discrepancies in individual systems so that even the thinnest client is supportable, and so that all users are able to interact in a satisfactory manner with the remote server running the e-commerce, e-support and/or remote learning application. Two references that refer to a distributed approach for speech recognition include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,956,683 and 5,960,399 incorporated by reference herein. In the first of these, U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,683—Distributed Voice Recognition System (assigned to Qualcomm) an implementation of a distributed voice recognition system between a telephony-based handset and a remote station is described. In this implementation, all of the word recognition operations seem to take place at the handset. This is done since the patent describes the benefits that result from locating of the system for acoustic feature extraction at the portable or cellular phone in order to limit degradation of the acoustic features due to quantization distortion resulting from the narrow bandwidth telephony channel. This reference therefore does not address the issue of how to ensure adequate performance for a very thin client platform. Moreover, it is difficult to determine, how, if at all, the system can perform real-time word recognition, and there is no meaningful description of how to integrate the system with a natural language processor. The second of these references—U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,399—Client/Server Speech Processor/Recognizer (assigned to GTE) describes the implementation of a HMM-based distributed speech recognition system. This reference is not instructive in many respects, however, including how to optimize acoustic feature extraction for a variety of client platforms, such as by performing a partial word recognition process where appropriate. Most importantly, there is only a description of a primitive server-based recognizer that only recognizes the user's speech and simply returns certain keywords such as the user's name and travel destination to fill out a dedicated form on the user's machine. Also, the streaming of the acoustic parameters does not appear to be implemented in real-time as it can only take place after silence is detected. Finally, while the reference mentions the possible use of natural language processing (column 9) there is no explanation of how such function might be implemented in a real-time fashion to provide an interactive feel for the user. Companies such as Nuance Communications and Speech Works which up till now are the leading vendors that supply speech and natural language processing products to the airlines and travel reservations market, rely mainly on statistical and shallow semantics to understand the meaning of what the users says. Their successful strategy is based on the fact that this shallow semantic analysis will work quite well in the specific markets they target. Also to their advantage, these markets require only a limited amount to language understanding. For future and broader applications such as customer relationship management or intelligent tutoring systems, a much deeper understanding of language is required. This understanding will come from the application of deep semantic analysis. Research using deep semantic techniques is today a very active field at such centers as Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), IBM, Microsoft and at universities such as Univ. of Pittsburg [Litman, 2002], Memphis [Graesser, 2000], Harvard [Grosz, 1993] and many others. In a typical language understanding system there is typically a parser that precedes the semantic unit. Although the parser can build a hierarchical structure that spans a single sentence, parsers are seldom used to build up the hierarchical structure of the utterances or text that spans multiple sentences. The syntactic markings that guide parsing inside a sentence is either weak or absent in a typical discourse. So for a dialog-based system that expects to have smooth conversational features, the emphasis of the semantic decoder is not only on building deeper meaning structures from the shallow analyses constructed by the parser, but also on integrating the meanings of the multiple sentences that constitute the dialog. Up till now there are two major research paths taken in deep semantic understanding of language: informational and intentional. In the informational approach, the focus is on the meaning that comes from the semantic relationships between the utterance-level propositions (e.g. effect, cause, condition) whereas with the intentional approach, the focus is on recognizing the intentions of the speaker (e.g. inform, request, propose). Work following the informational approach focuses on the question of how the correct inferences are drawn during comprehension given the input utterances and background knowledge. The earliest work tried to draw all possible inferences [Reiger, 1974; Schank, 1975; Sperber & Wilson, 1986] and in response to the problem of combinatorial explosion in doing so, later work examined ways to constrain the reasoning PeJong, 1977; Schank et al., 1980; Hobbs, 1980]. In parallel with this work, the notions of conversational implicatures (Grice, 1989) and accomodation [Lewis, 1979] were introduced. Both are related to inferences that are needed to make a discourse coherent or acceptable. These parallel lines of research converged into abductive approaches to discourse interpretation [e.g., Appelt & Pollack,1990; Charniak, 1986; Hobbs et al., 1993; McRoy & Hirst, 1991; Lascarides & Asher, 1991; Lascarides & Oberlander, 1992; Rayner & Alshawi, 1992]. The informational approach is central to work in text interpretation. The intentional approach draws from work on the relationship between utterances and their meaning [Grice, 1969] and work on speech act theory [Searle, 1969] and generally employs artificial intelligence planning tools. The early work considered only individual plans [e.g., Power, 1974; Perrault & Allen, 1980; Hobbs & Evans, 1980; Grosz & Sidner, 1986; Pollack, 1986] whereas now there is progress on modeling collaborative plans with joint intentions [Grosz & Kraus, 1993; Lochbaum, 1994]. It is now accepted that the intentional approach is more appropriate for conversational dialog-based systems since the collaborative aspect of the dialog has to be captured and retained. Present research using deep semantic techniques may employ a semantic interpreter which uses prepositions as its input propositions extracted by semantic concept detectors of a grammar-based sentence understanding unit. It then combines these propositions from multiple utterances to form larger units of meaning and must do this relative to the context in which the language was used. In conversational dialog applications such as an intelligent tutoring system (ITS), where there is a need for a deep understanding of the semantics of language, hybrid techniques are used. These hybrid techniques combine statistical methods (e.g., Latent Semantic Analysis) for comparing student inputs with expected inputs to determine whether a question was answered correctly or not [e.g., Graesser et al., 1999] and the extraction of thematic roles based on the FrameNet [Baker, et al, 1998] from a student input [Gildea & Jurafsky, 2001]. The aforementioned cited articles include: Appelt, D. & Pollack, M. (1990). Weighted abduction for plan ascription. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International. Technical Note 491. Baker, Collin F., Fillmore, Charles J., and Lowe, John B. (1998): The Berkeley FrameNet project. In Proceedings of the COLING-ACL, Montreal, Canada. Charniak, E. (1993). Statistical Language Analysis. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Daniel Gildea and Daniel Jurafsky. 2002. Automatic Labeling of Semantic Roles. Computational Linguistics 28:3, 245-288. Dejong, G. (1977). Skimming newspaper stories by computer. New Haven, Conn.: Department of Computer Science, Yale University. Research Report 104. FrameNet: Theory and Practice. Christopher R. Johnson et al, http://www.icsi.berkeley.edu/˜framenet/book/book.html Graesser, A. C., Wiemer-Hastings, P., Wiemer-Hastings, K., Harter, D., Person, N., and the TRG (in press). Using latent semantic analysis to evaluate the contributions of students in AutoTutor. Interactive Learning Environments. Graesser, A., Wiemer-Hastings, K., Wiemer-Hastings, P., Kreuz, R., & the Tutoring Research Group (2000). AutoTutor: A simulation of a human tutor, Journal of Cognitive Systems Research, 1,35-51. Grice, H. P. (1969). Utterer's meaning and intentions. Philosophical Review, 68(2):147-177. Grice, H. P. (1989). Studies in the Ways of Words. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press. Grosz, B. & Kraus, S. (1993). Collaborative plans for group activities. In Proceedings of the Thirteenth International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI '93), Chambery, France (vol. 1, pp. 367-373). Grosz, B. J. & Sidner, C. L. (1986). Attentions, intentions and the structure of discourse. Computational Linguistics, 12, 175-204. Hobbs, J. & Evans, D. (1980). Conversation as planned behavior. Cognitive Science 4(4), 349-377. Hobbs, J. & Evans, D. (1980). Conversation as planned behavior. Cognitive Science 4(4), 349-377. Hobbs, J., Stickel, M., Appelt, D., & Martin, P. (1993). Interpretation as abduction. Artificial Intelligence 63(1-2), 69-142. Lascarides, A. & Asher, N. (1991). Discourse relations and defeasible knowledge. In Proceedings of the 29th Annual Meeting of the Association for Computational Linguistics (ACL '91), Berkeley, Calif. (pp. 55-62). Lascarides, A. & Oberlander, J. (1992). Temporal coherence and defeasible knowledge. Theoretical Linguistics, 19. Lewis, D. (1979). Scorekeeping in a language game. Journal of Philosophical Logic 6, 339-359. Litman, D. J., Pan, Shimei, Designing and evaluating an adaptive spoken dialogue system, User Modeling and User Adapted Interaction, 12, 2002. Lochbaum, K. (1994). Using Collaborative Plans to Model the Intentional Structure of Discourse. PhD thesis, Harvard University. McRoy, S. & Hirst, G. (1991). An abductive account of repair in conversation. AAAI Fall Symposium on Discourse Structure in Natural Language Understanding and Generation, Asilomar, Calif. (pp. 52-57). Perrault, C. & Allen, J. (1980). A plan-based analysis of indirect speech acts. American Journal of Computational Linguistics, 6(3-4), 167-182. Pollack, M. (1986). A model of plan inference that distinguishes between the beliefs of actors and observers. In Proceedings of 24th Annual Meeting of the Association for Computational Linguistics, New York (pp. 207-214). Power, R. (1974). A Computer Model of Conversation. PhD. thesis, University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Rayner, M. & Alshawi, H. (1992). Deriving database queries from logical forms by abductive definition expansion. In Proceedings of the Third Conference of Applied Natural Language Processing, Trento, Italy (pp. 1-8). Reiger, C. (1974). Conceptual Memory: A Theory and Computer Program for Processing the Meaning Content of Natural Language Utterances. Stanford, Calif.: Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. Memo AIM-233. Schank, R. (1975). Conceptual Information Processing. New York: Elsevier. Schank, R., Lebowitz, M., & Birnbaum, L. (1980). An integrated understander. American Journal of Computational Linguistics, 6(1). Searle, J. (1969). Speech Acts: An Essay in the Philosophy of Language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Sperber, D. & Wilson, D. (1986). Relevance: Communication and Cognition. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press. The above are also incorporated by reference herein. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an improved system and method for overcoming the limitations of the prior art noted above; A primary object of the present invention is to provide a word and phrase recognition system that is flexibly and optimally distributed across a client/platform computing architecture, so that improved accuracy, speed and uniformity can be achieved for a wide group of users; A further object of the present invention is to provide a speech recognition system that efficiently integrates a distributed word recognition system with a natural language processing system, so that both individual words and entire speech utterances can be quickly and accurately recognized in any number of possible languages; A related object of the present invention is to provide an efficient query response system so that an extremely accurate, real-time set of appropriate answers can be given in response to speech-based queries; Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an interactive, real-time instructional/learning system that is distributed across a client/server architecture, and permits a real-time question/answer session with an interactive character; A related object of the present invention is to implement such interactive character with an articulated response capability so that the user experiences a human-like interaction; Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an INTERNET website with speech processing capability so that voice based data and commands can be used to interact with such site, thus enabling voice-based e-commerce and e-support services to be easily scaleable; Another object is to implement a distributed speech recognition system that utilizes environmental variables as part of the recognition process to improve accuracy and speed; A further object is to provide a scaleable query/response database system, to support any number of query topics and users as needed for a particular application and instantaneous demand; Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a query recognition system that employs a two-step approach, including a relatively rapid first step to narrow down the list of potential responses to a smaller candidate set, and a second more computationally intensive second step to identify the best choice to be returned in response to the query from the candidate set; A further object of the present invention is to provide a natural language processing system that facilitates query recognition by extracting lexical components of speech utterances, which components can be used for rapidly identifying a candidate set of potential responses appropriate for such speech utterances; Another related object of the present invention is to provide a natural language processing system that facilitates query recognition by comparing lexical components of speech utterances with a candidate set of potential response to provide an extremely accurate best response to such query. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a natural language processing system which uses semantic decoding as part of a process for comprehending a question posed in a speech utterance; One general aspect of the present invention, therefore, relates to a natural language query system (NLQS) that offers a fully interactive method for answering user's questions over a distributed network such as the INTERNET or a local intranet. This interactive system when implemented over the worldwide web (WWW services of the INTERNET functions so that a client or user can ask a question in a natural language such as English, French, German or Spanish and receive the appropriate answer at his or her personal computer also in his or her native natural language. The system is distributed and consists of a set of integrated software modules at the client's machine and another set of integrated software programs resident on a server or set of servers. The client-side software program is comprised of a speech recognition program, an agent and its control program, and a communication program. The server-side program is comprised of a communication program, a natural language engine (NLE), a database processor (DBProcess), an interface program for interfacing the DBProcess with the NLE, and a SQL database. In addition, the client's machine is equipped with a microphone and a speaker. Processing of the speech utterance is divided between the client and server side so as to optimize processing and transmission latencies, and so as to provide support for even very thin client platforms. In the context of an interactive learning application, the system is specifically used to provide a single-best answer to a user's question. The question that is asked at the client's machine is articulated by the speaker and captured by a microphone that is built in as in the case of a notebook computer or is supplied as a standard peripheral attachment. Once the question is captured, the question is processed partially by NLQS client-side software resident in the client's machine. The output of this partial processing is a set of speech vectors that are transported to the server via the INTERNET to complete the recognition of the user's questions. This recognized speech is then converted to text at the server. After the user's question is decoded by the speech recognition engine (SRE) located at the server, the question is converted to a structured query language (SQL) query. This query is then simultaneously presented to a software process within the server called DBProcess for preliminary processing and to a Natural Language Engine (NLE) module for extracting the noun phrases (NP) of the user's question. During the process of extracting the noun phrase within the NLE, the tokens of the users' question are tagged. The tagged tokens are then grouped so that the NP list can be determined. This information is stored and sent to the DBProcess process. In the DBProcess, the SQL query is fully customized using the NP extracted from the user's question and other environment variables that are relevant to the application. For example, in a training application, the user's selection of course, chapter and or section would constitute the environment variables. The SQL query is constructed using the extended SQL Full-Text predicates—CONTAINS, FREETEXT, NEAR, AND. The SQL query is next sent to the Full-Text search engine within the SQL database, where a Full-Text search procedure is initiated. The result of this search procedure is recordset of answers. This recordset contains stored questions that are similar linguistically to the user's question. Each of these stored questions has a paired answer stored in a separate text file, whose path is stored in a table of the database. The entire recordset of returned stored answers is then returned to the NLE engine in the form of an array. Each stored question of the array is then linguistically processed sequentially one by one. This linguistic processing constitutes the second step of a 2-step algorithm to determine the single best answer to the user's question. This second step proceeds as follows: for each stored question that is returned in the recordset, a NP of the stored question is compared with the NP of the user's question. After all stored questions of the array are compared with the user's question, the stored question that yields the maximum match with the user's question is selected as the best possible stored question that matches the user's question. The metric that is used to determine the best possible stored question is the number of noun phrases. The stored answer that is paired to the best-stored question is selected as the one that answers the user's question. The ID tag of the question is then passed to the DBProcess. This DBProcess returns the answer which is stored in a file. A communication link is again established to send the answer back to the client in compressed form. The answer once received by the client is decompressed and articulated to the user by the text-to-speech engine. Thus, the invention can be used in any number of different applications involving interactive learning systems, INTERNET related commerce sites, INTERNET search engines, etc. Computer-assisted instruction environments often require the assistance of mentors or live teachers to answer questions from students. This assistance often takes the form of organizing a separate pre-arranged forum or meeting time that is set aside for chat sessions or live call-in sessions so that at a scheduled time answers to questions may be provided. Because of the time immediacy and the on-demand or asynchronous nature of on-line training where a student may log on and take instruction at any time and at any location, it is important that answers to questions be provided in a timely and cost-effective manner so that the user or student can derive the maximum benefit from the material presented. This invention addresses the above issues. It provides the user or student with answers to questions that are normally channeled to a live teacher or mentor. This invention provides a single-best answer to questions asked by the student. The student asks the question in his or her own voice in the language of choice. The speech is recognized and the answer to the question is found using a number of technologies including distributed speech recognition, full-text search database processing, natural language processing and text-to-speech technologies. The answer is presented to the user, as in the case of a live teacher, in an articulated manner by an agent that mimics the mentor or teacher, and in the language of choice—English, French, German, Japanese or other natural spoken language. The user can choose the agent's gender as well as several speech parameters such as pitch, volume and speed of the character's voice. Other applications that benefit from NLQS are e-commerce applications. In this application, the user's query for a price of a book, compact disk or for the availability of any item that is to be purchased can be retrieved without the need to pick through various lists on successive web pages. Instead, the answer is provided directly to the user without any additional user input. Similarly, it is envisioned that this system can be used to provide answers to frequently-asked questions (FAQs), and as a diagnostic service tool for e-support. These questions are typical of a give web site and are provided to help the user find information related to a payment procedure or the specifications of, or problems experienced with a product/service. In all of these applications, the NLQS architecture can be applied. A number of inventive methods associated with these architectures are also beneficially used in a variety of INTERNET related applications. Although the inventions are described below in a set of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art the present inventions could be beneficially used in many environments where it is necessary to implement fast, accurate speech recognition, and/or to provide a human-like dialog capability to an intelligent system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a natural language query system (NLQS) of the present invention, which is distributed across a client/server computing architecture, and can be used as an interactive learning system, an e-commerce system, an e-support system, and the like; FIGS. 2A-2C are a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a client side system, including speech capturing modules, partial speech processing modules, encoding modules, transmission modules, agent control modules, and answer/voice feedback modules that can be used in the aforementioned NLQS; FIG. 2D is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a set of initialization routines and procedures used for the client side system of FIG. 2A-2C; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a set of routines and procedures used for handling an iterated set of speech utterances on the client side system of FIG. 2A-2C, transmitting speech data for such utterances to a remote server, and receiving appropriate responses back from such server; FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a set of initialization routines and procedures used for un-initializing the client side system of FIG. 2A-2C; FIG. 4A is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a set of routines and procedures used for implementing a distributed component of a speech recognition module for the server side system of FIG. 5; FIG. 4B is a block diagram of a preferred set of routines and procedures used for implementing an SQL query builder for the server side system of FIG. 5; FIG. 4C is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a set of routines and procedures used for implementing a database control process module for the server side system of FIG. 5; FIG. 4D is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a set of routines and procedures used for implementing a natural language engine that provides query formulation support, a query response module, and an interface to the database control process module for the server side system of FIG. 5; FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a server side system, including a speech recognition module to complete processing of the speech utterances, environmental and grammar control modules, query formulation modules, a natural language engine, a database control module, and a query response module that can be used in the aforementioned NLQS; FIG. 6 illustrates the organization of a full-text database used as part of server side system shown in FIG. 5; FIG. 7A illustrates the organization of a full-text database course table used as part of server side system shown in FIG. 5 for an interactive learning embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7B illustrates the organization of a full-text database chapter table used as part of server side system shown in FIG. 5 for an interactive learning embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7C describes the fields used in a chapter table used as part of server side system shown in FIG. 5 for an interactive learning embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7D describes the fields used in a section table used as part of server side system shown in FIG. 5 for an interactive learning embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a first set of operations performed by a preferred embodiment of a natural language engine on a speech utterance including Tokenization, Tagging and Grouping; FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of the operations performed by a preferred embodiment of a natural language engine on a speech utterance including stemming and Lexical Analysis FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a SQL database search and support system for the present invention; FIGS. 11A-11C are flow diagrams illustrating steps performed in a preferred two step process implemented for query recognition by the NLQS of FIG. 2; FIG. 12 is an illustration of another embodiment of the present invention implemented as part of a Web-based speech based learning/training System; FIGS. 13-17 are illustrations of another embodiment of the present invention implemented as part of a Web-based e-commerce system; FIG. 18 is an illustration of another embodiment of the present invention implemented as part of a voice-based Help Page for an E-Commerce Web Site. FIG. 19 depicts a quasi-code implementation of an integrated speech processing method using both statistical and semantic processing in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 20 illustrates a method for populating a speech lattice with semantic variants in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; FIG. 21 illustrates a method for computing the closest semantic match between user articulated questions and stored semantic variants of the same. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Overview As alluded to above, the present inventions allow a user to ask a question in a natural language such as English, French, German, Spanish or Japanese at a client computing system (which can be as simple as a personal digital assistant or cell-phone, or as sophisticated as a high end desktop PC) and receive an appropriate answer from a remote server also in his or her native natural language. As such, the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 is beneficially used in what can be generally described as a Natural Language Query System (NLQS) 100, which is configured to interact on a real-time basis to give a human-like dialog capability/experience for e-commerce, e-support, and e-learning applications. The processing for NLQS 100 is generally distributed across a client side system 150, a data link 160, and a server-side system 180. These components are well known in the art, and in a preferred embodiment include a personal computer system 150, an INTERNET connection 160A, 160B, and a larger scale computing system 180. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that these are merely exemplary components, and that the present invention is by no means limited to any particular implementation or combination of such systems. For example, client-side system 150 could also be implemented as a computer peripheral, a PDA, as part of a cell-phone, as part of an INTERNET-adapted appliance, an INTERNET linked kiosk, etc. Similarly, while an INTERNET connection is depicted for data link 160A, it is apparent that any channel that is suitable for carrying data between client system 150 and server system 180 will suffice, including a wireless link, an RF link, an IR link, a LAN, and the like. Finally, it will be further appreciated that server system 180 may be a single, large-scale system, or a collection of smaller systems interlinked to support a number of potential network users. Initially speech input is provided in the form of a question or query articulated by the speaker at the client's machine or personal accessory as a speech utterance. This speech utterance is captured and partially processed by NLQS client-side software 155 resident in the client's machine. To facilitate and enhance the human-like aspects of the interaction, the question is presented in the presence of an animated character 157 visible to the user who assists the user as a personal information retriever/agent. The agent can also interact with the user using both visible text output on a monitor/display (not shown) and/or in audible form using a text to speech engine 159. The output of the partial processing done by SRE 155 is a set of speech vectors that are transmitted over communication channel 160 that links the user's machine or personal accessory to a server or servers via the INTERNET or a wireless gateway that is linked to the INTERNET as explained above. At server 180, the partially processed speech signal data is handled by a server-side SRE 182, which then outputs recognized speech text corresponding to the user's question. Based on this user question related text, a text-to-query converter 184 formulates a suitable query that is used as input to a database processor 186. Based on the query, database processor 186 then locates and retrieves an appropriate answer using a customized SQL query from database 188. A Natural Language Engine 190 facilitates structuring the query to database 188. After a matching answer to the user's question is found, the former is transmitted in text form across data link 160B, where it is converted into speech by text to speech engine 159, and thus expressed as oral feedback by animated character agent 157. Because the speech processing is broken up in this fashion, it is possible to achieve real-time, interactive, human-like dialog consisting of a large, controllable set of questions/answers. The assistance of the animated agent 157 further enhances the experience, making it more natural and comfortable for even novice users. To make the speech recognition process more reliable, context-specific grammars and dictionaries are used, as well as natural language processing routines at NLE 190, to analyze user questions lexically. While context-specific processing of speech data is known in the art (see e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,960,394, 5,867,817, 5,758,322 and 5,384,892 incorporated by reference herein) the present inventors are unaware of any such implementation as embodied in the present inventions. The text of the user's question is compared against text of other questions to identify the question posed by the user by DB processor/engine PBE) 186. By optimizing the interaction and relationship of the SR engines 155 and 182, the NLP routines 190, and the dictionaries and grammars, an extremely fast and accurate match can be made, so that a unique and responsive answer can be provided to the user. On the server side 180, interleaved processing further accelerates the speech recognition process. In simplified terms, the query is presented simultaneously both to NLE 190 after the query is formulated, as well as to DBE 186. NLE 190 and SRE 182 perform complementary functions in the overall recognition process. In general, SRE 182 is primarily responsible for determining the identity of the words articulated by the user, while NLE 190 is responsible for the linguistic morphological analysis of both the user's query and the search results returned after the database query. After the user's query is analyzed by NLE 190 some parameters are extracted and sent to the DBProcess. Additional statistics are stored in an array for the 2nd step of processing. During the 2nd step of 2-step algorithm, the recordset of preliminary search results are sent to the NLE 160 for processing. At the end of this 2nd step, the single question that matches the user's query is sent to the DBProcess where further processing yields the paired answer that is paired with the single best stored question. Thus, the present invention uses a form of natural language processing (NLP) to achieve optimal performance in a speech based web application system. While NLP is known in the art, prior efforts in Natural Language Processing (NLP) work nonetheless have not been well integrated with Speech Recognition (SR) technologies to achieve reasonable results in a web-based application environment. In speech recognition, the result is typically a lattice of possible recognized words each with some probability of fit with the speech recognizer. As described before, the input to a typical NLP system is typically a large linguistic unit. The NLP system is then charged with the parsing, understanding and indexing of this large linguistic unit or set of transcribed utterances. The result of this NLP process is to understand lexically or morphologically the entire linguistic unit as opposed to word recognition. Put another way, the linguistic unit or sentence of connected words output by the SRE has to be understood lexically, as opposed to just being “recognized”. As indicated earlier, although speech recognition technology has been available for several years, the technical requirements for the NLQS invention have placed severe restrictions on the specifications for the speech recognition accuracy that is required for an application that combines speech recognition and natural language processing to work satisfactorily. In realizing that even with the best of conditions, it might be not be possible to achieve the perfect 100% speech recognition accuracy that is required, the present invention employs an algorithm that balances the potential risk of the speech recognition process with the requirements of the natural language processing so that even in cases where perfect speech recognition accuracy is not achieved for each word in the query, the entire query itself is nonetheless recognized with sufficient accuracy. This recognition accuracy is achieved even while meeting very stringent user constraints, such as short latency periods of 3 to 5 seconds (ideally—ignoring transmission latencies which can vary) for responding to a speech-based query, and for a potential set of 100-250 query questions. This quick response time gives the overall appearance and experience of a real-time discourse that is more natural and pleasant from the user's perspective. Of course, non-real time applications, such as translation services for example, can also benefit from the present teachings as well, since a centralized set of HMMs, grammars, dictionaries, etc., are maintained. General Aspects of Speech Recognition Used in the Present Inventions General background information on speech recognition can be found in the prior art references discussed above and incorporated by reference herein. Nonetheless, a discussion of some particular exemplary forms of speech recognition structures and techniques that are well-suited for NLQS 100 is provided next to better illustrate some of the characteristics, qualities and features of the present inventions. Speech recognition technology is typically of two types—speaker independent and speaker dependent. In speaker-dependent speech recognition technology, each user has a voice file in which a sample of each potentially recognized word is stored. Speaker-dependent speech recognition systems typically have large vocabularies and dictionaries making them suitable for applications as dictation and text transcribing. It follows also that the memory and processor resource requirements for the speaker-dependent can be and are typically large and intensive. Conversely speaker-independent speech recognition technology allows a large group of users to use a single vocabulary file. It follows then that the degree of accuracy that can be achieved is a function of the size and complexity of the grammars and dictionaries that can be supported for a given language. Given the context of applications for which NLQS, the use of small grammars and dictionaries allow speaker independent speech recognition technology to be implemented in NLQS. The key issues or requirements for either type—speaker-independent or speaker-dependent, are accuracy and speed. As the size of the user dictionaries increase, the speech recognition accuracy metric—word error rate (WER) and the speed of recognition decreases. This is so because the search time increases and the pronunciation match becomes more complex as the size of the dictionary increases. The basis of the NLQS speech recognition system is a series of Hidden Markov Models (HMM), which, as alluded to earlier, are mathematical models used to characterize any time varying signal. Because parts of speech are considered to be based on an underlying sequence of one or more symbols, the HMM models corresponding to each symbol are trained on vectors from the speech waveforms. The Hidden Markov Model is a finite set of states, each of which is associated with a (generally multi-dimensional) probability distribution. Transitions among the states are governed by a set of probabilities called transition probabilities. In a particular state an outcome or observation can be generated, according to an associated probability distribution. This finite state machine changes state once every time unit, and each time t such that a state j is entered, a spectral parameter vector Ot is generated with probability density Bj(Ot). It is only the outcome, not the state which is visible to an external observer and therefore states are “hidden” to the outside; hence the name Hidden Markov Model. In isolated speech recognition, it is assumed that the sequence of observed speech vectors corresponding to each word can each be described by a Markov model as follows: O=o1, o2, . . . oT (1-1) where ot is a speech vector observed at time t. The isolated word recognition then is to compute: arg max {P(wi|O)} (1-2) By using Bayes' Rule, {P(wi|O)}=[P(O|wi)P(wi)]/P(O) (1-3) In the general case, the Markov model when applied to speech also assumes a finite state machine which changes state once every time unit and each time that a state j is entered, a speech vector ot is generated from the probability density bj(ot). Furthermore, the transition from state i to state j is also probabilistic and is governed by the discrete probability aij. For a state sequence X, the joint probability that O is generated by the model M moving through a state sequence X is the product of the transition probabilities and the output probabilities. Only the observation sequence is known—the state sequence is hidden as mentioned before. Given that X is unknown, the required likelihood is computed by summing over all possible state sequences X=x(1), x(2), x(3), . . . x(T), that is P(O|M)=Σ{ax(0)x(1)Πb(x)(ot)ax(t)x(t+1)} Given a set of models Mi, corresponding to words wi equation 1-2 is solved by using 1-3 and also by assuming that: P(O|wi)=P(O|Mi) All of this assumes that the parameters {aij} and {bj(ot)} are known for each model Mi. This can be done, as explained earlier, by using a set of training examples corresponding to a particular model. Thereafter, the parameters of that model can be determined automatically by a robust and efficient re-estimation procedure. So if a sufficient number of representative examples of each word are collected, then a HMM can be constructed which simply models all of the many sources of variability inherent in real speech. This training is well-known in the art, so it is not described at length herein, except to note that the distributed architecture of the present invention enhances the quality of HMMs, since they are derived and constituted at the server side, rather than the client side. In this way, appropriate samples from users of different geographical areas can be easily compiled and analyzed to optimize the possible variations expected to be seen across a particular language to be recognized. Uniformity of the speech recognition process is also well-maintained, and error diagnostics are simplified, since each prospective user is using the same set of HMMs during the recognition process. To determine the parameters of a HMM from a set of training samples, the first step typically is to make a rough guess as to what they might be. Then a refinement is done using the Baum-Welch estimation formulae. By these formulae, the maximum likelihood estimates of μj (where μj is mean vector and Σj is covariance matrix ) is: μj=ΣTt=1Lj(t)ot/[ΣTt=1Lj(t)ot] A forward-backward algorithm is next used to calculate the probability of state occupation Lj(t). If the forward probability αj(t) for some model M with N states is defined as: αj(t)=P(o1, . . . , ot, x(t)=j|M) This probability can be calculated using the recursion: αj(t)=[ΣN-1i=2α(t−1)aij]bj(ot) Similarly the backward probability can be computed using the recursion: βj(t)=ΣN-1j=2aijbj(ot+1)(t+1) Realizing that the forward probability is a joint probability and the backward probability is a conditional probability, the probability of state occupation is the product of the two probabilities: αj(t)βj(t)=P(O,x(t)=j|M) Hence the probability of being in state j at a time t is: Lj(t)=1/P[αj(t)βj(t)] where P=P(O|M) To generalize the above for continuous speech recognition, we assume the maximum likelihood state sequence where the summation is replaced by a maximum operation. Thus for a given model M, let φj(t) represent the maximum likelihood of observing speech vectors o1 to o2 and being used in state j at time t: φj(t)=max{φj(t)(t−1)αij}βj(ot) Expressing this logarithmically to avoid underflow, this likelihood becomes: ψj(t)=max{ψi(t−1)+log(αij)}+log(bj(ot) This is also known as the Viterbi algorithm. It can be visualized as finding the best path through a matrix where the vertical dimension represents the states of the HMM and horizontal dimension represents frames of speech i.e. time. To complete the extension to connected speech recognition, it is further assumed that each HMM representing the underlying sequence is connected. Thus the training data for continuous speech recognition should consist of connected utterances; however, the boundaries between words do not have to be known. To improve computational speed/efficiency, the Viterbi algorithm is sometimes extended to achieve convergence by using what is known as a Token Passing Model. The token passing model represents a partial match between the observation sequence oj to ot and a particular model, subject to the constraint that the model is in state j at time t. This token passing model can be extended easily to connected speech environments as well if we allow the sequence of HMMs to be defined as a finite state network. A composite network that includes both phoneme-based HMMs and complete words can be constructed so that a single-best word can be recognized to form connected speech using word N-best extraction from the lattice of possibilities. This composite form of HMM-based connected speech recognizer is the basis of the NLQS speech recognizer module. Nonetheless, the present invention is not limited as such to such specific forms of speech recognizers, and can employ other techniques for speech recognition if they are otherwise compatible with the present architecture and meet necessary performance criteria for accuracy and speed to provide a real-time dialog experience for users. The representation of speech for the present invention's HMM-based speech recognition system assumes that speech is essentially either a quasi-periodic pulse train (for voiced speech sounds) or a random noise source (for unvoiced sounds). It may be modeled as two sources—one a impulse train generator with pitch period P and a random noise generator which is controlled by a voice/unvoiced switch. The output of the switch is then fed into a gain function estimated from the speech signal and scaled to feed a digital filter H(z) controlled by the vocal tract parameter characteristics of the speech being produced. All of the parameters for this model—the voiced/unvoiced switching, the pitch period for voiced sounds, the gain parameter for the speech signal and the coefficient of the digital filter, vary slowly with time. In extracting the acoustic parameters from the user's speech input so that it can evaluated in light of a set of HMMs, cepstral analysis is typically used to separate the vocal tract information from the excitation information. The cepstrum of a signal is computed by taking the Fourier (or similar) transform of the log spectrum. The principal advantage of extracting cepstral coefficients is that they are de-correlated and the diagonal covariances can be used with HMMs. Since the human ear resolves frequencies non-linearly across the audio spectrum, it has been shown that a front-end that operates in a similar non-linear way improves speech recognition performance. Accordingly, instead of a typical linear prediction-based analysis, the front-end of the NLQS speech recognition engine implements a simple, fast Fourier transform based filter bank designed to give approximately equal resolution on the Mel-scale. To implement this filter bank, a window of speech data (for a particular time frame) is transformed using a software based Fourier transform and the magnitude taken. Each FFT magnitude is then multiplied by the corresponding filter gain and the results accumulated. The cepstral coefficients that are derived from this filter-bank analysis at the front end are calculated during a first partial processing phase of the speech signal by using a Discrete Cosine Transform of the log filter bank amplitudes. These cepstral coefficients are called Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (FCC) and they represent some of the speech parameters transferred from the client side to characterize the acoustic features of the user's speech signal. These parameters are chosen for a number of reasons, including the fact that they can be quickly and consistently derived even across systems of disparate capabilities (i.e., for everything from a low power PDA to a high powered desktop system), they give good discrimination, they lend themselves to a number of useful recognition related manipulations, and they are relatively small and compact in size so that they can be transported rapidly across even a relatively narrow band link. Thus, these parameters represent the least amount of information that can be used by a subsequent server side system to adequately and quickly complete the recognition process. To augment the speech parameters an energy term in the form of the logarithm of the signal energy is added. Accordingly, RMS energy is added to the 12 MFCC's to make 13 coefficients. These coefficients together make up the partially processed speech data transmitted in compressed form from the user's client system to the remote server side. The performance of the present speech recognition system is enhanced significantly by computing and adding time derivatives to the basic static MFCC parameters at the server side. These two other sets of coefficients—the delta and acceleration coefficients representing change in each of the 13 values from frame to frame (actually measured across several frames), are computed during a second partial speech signal processing phase to complete the initial processing of the speech signal, and are added to the original set of coefficients after the latter are received. These MFCCs together with the delta and acceleration coefficients constitute the observation vector Ot mentioned above that is used for determining the appropriate HMM for the speech data. The delta and acceleration coefficients are computed using the following regression formula: dt=Σ74 θ=1[ct+θ−ct−θ]/2Σθθ=1θ2 where dt is a delta coefficient at time t computed in terms of the corresponding static coefficients: dt=[ct+θ−ct−θ]/2θ In a typical stand-alone implementation of a speech recognition system, the entire SR engine runs on a single client. In other words, both the first and second partial processing phases above are executed by the same DSP (or microprocessor) running a ROM or software code routine at the client's computing machine. In contrast, because of several considerations, specifically—cost, technical performance, and client hardware uniformity, the present NLQS system uses a partitioned or distributed approach. While some processing occurs on the client side, the main speech recognition engine runs on a centrally located server or number of servers. More specifically, as noted earlier, capture of the speech signals, MFCC vector extraction and compression are implemented on the client's machine during a first partial processing phase. The routine is thus streamlined and simple enough to be implemented within a browser program (as a plug in module, or a downloadable applet for example) for maximum ease of use and utility. Accordingly, even very “thin” client platforms can be supported, which enables the use of the present system across a greater number of potential sites. The primary MFCCs are then transmitted to the server over the channel, which, for example, can include a dial-up INTERNET connection, a LAN connection, a wireless connection and the like. After decompression, the delta and acceleration coefficients are computed at the server to complete the initial speech processing phase, and the resulting observation vectors Ot are also determined. General Aspects of Speech Recognition Engine The speech recognition engine is also located on the server, and is based on a HTK-based recognition network compiled from a word-level network, a dictionary and a set of HMMs. The recognition network consists of a set of nodes connected by arcs. Each node is either a HMM model instance or a word end. Each model node is itself a network consisting of states connected by arcs. Thus when fully compiled, a speech recognition network consists of HMM states connected by transitions. For an unknown input utterance with T frames, every path from the start node to the exit node of the network passes through T HMM states. Each of these paths has log probability which is computed by summing the log probability of each individual transition in the path and the log probability of each emitting state generating the corresponding observation. The function of the Viterbi decoder is find those paths through the network which have the highest log probability. This is found using the Token Passing algorithm. In a network that has many nodes, the computation time is reduced by only allowing propagation of those tokens which will have some chance of becoming winners. This process is called pruning. Natural Language Processor In a typical natural language interface to a database, the user enters a question in his/her natural language, for example, English. The system parses it and translates it to a query language expression. The system then uses the query language expression to process the query and if the search is successful, a recordset representing the results is displayed in English either formatted as raw text or in a graphical form. For a natural language interface to work well involves a number of technical requirements. For example, it needs to be robust—in the sentence ‘What's the departments turnover’ it needs to decide that the word whats=what's=what is. And it also has to determine that departments=department's. In addition to being robust, the natural language interface has to distinguish between the several possible forms of ambiguity that may exist in the natural language—lexical, structural, reference and ellipsis ambiguity. All of these requirements, in addition to the general ability to perform basic linguistic morphological operations of tokenization, tagging and grouping, are implemented within the present invention. Tokenization is implemented by a text analyzer which treats the text as a series of tokens or useful meaningful units that are larger than individual characters, but smaller than phrases and sentences. These include words, separable parts of words, and punctuation. Each token is associated with an offset and a length. The first phase of tokenization is the process of segmentation which extracts the individual tokens from the input text and keeps track of the offset where each token originated in the input text. The tokenizer output lists the offset and category for each token. In the next phase of the text analysis, the tagger uses a built-in morphological analyzer to look up each word/token in a phrase or sentence and internally lists all parts of speech. The output is the input string with each token tagged with a parts of speech notation. Finally the grouper which functions as a phrase extractor or phrase analyzer, determines which groups of words form phrases. These three operations which are the foundations for any modern linguistic processing schemes, are fully implemented in optimized algorithms for determining the single-best possible answer to the user's question. SQL Database and Full-Text Query Another key component of present system is a SQL-database. This database is used to store text, specifically the answer-question pairs are stored in full-text tables of the database. Additionally, the full-text search capability of the database allows full-text searches to be carried out. While a large portion of all digitally stored information is in the form of unstructured data, primarily text, it is now possible to store this textual data in traditional database systems in character-based columns such as varchar and text. In order to effectively retrieve textual data from the database, techniques have to be implemented to issue queries against textual data and to retrieve the answers in a meaningful way where it provides the answers as in the case of the NLQS system. There are two major types of textual searches: Property—This search technology first applies filters to documents in order to extract properties such as author, subject, type, word count, printed page count, and time last written, and then issues searches against those properties; Full-text this search technology first creates indexes of all non-noise words in the documents, and then uses these indexes to support linguistic searches and proximity searches. Two additional technologies are also implemented in this particular RDBMs: SQL Server also have been integrated: A Search service—a full-text indexing and search service that is called both index engine and search, and a parser that accepts full-text SQL extensions and maps them into a form that can be processed by the search engine. The four major aspects involved in implementing full-text retrieval of plain-text data from a full-text-capable database are: Managing the definition of the tables and columns that are registered for full-text searches; Indexing the data in registered columns—the indexing process scans the character streams, determines the word boundaries (this is called word breaking), removes all noise words (this also is called stop words), and then populates a full-text index with the remaining words; Issuing queries against registered columns for populated full-text indexes; Ensuring that subsequent changes to the data in registered columns gets propagated to the index engine to keep the full-text indexes synchronized. The underlying design principle for the indexing, querying, and synchronizing processes is the presence of a full-text unique key column (or single-column primary key) on all tables registered for full-text searches. The full-text index contains an entry for the non-noise words in each row together with the value of the key column for each row. When processing a full-text search, the search engine returns to the database the key values of the rows that match the search criteria. The full-text administration process starts by designating a table and its columns of interest for full-text search. Customized NLQS stored procedures are used first to register tables and columns as eligible for full-text search. After that, a separate request by means of a stored procedure is issued to populate the full-text indexes. The result is that the underlying index engine gets invoked and asynchronous index population begins. Full-text indexing tracks which significant words are used and where they are located. For example, a full-text index might indicate that the word “NLQS” is found at word number 423 and word number 982 in the Abstract column of the DevTools table for the row associated with a ProductID of 6. This index structure supports an efficient search for all items containing indexed words as well as advanced search operations, such as phrase searches and proximity searches. (An example of a phrase search is looking for “white elephant,” where “white” is followed by “elephant”. An example of a proximity search is looking for “big” and “house” where “big” occurs near “house”.) To prevent the full-text index from becoming bloated, noise words such as “a,” “and,” and “the” are ignored. Extensions to the Transact-SQL language are used to construct full-text queries. The two key predicates that are used in the NLQS are CONTAINS and FREETEXT. The CONTAINS predicate is used to determine whether or not values in full-text registered columns contain certain words and phrases. Specifically, this predicate is used to search for: A word or phrase. The prefix of a word or phrase. A word or phrase that is near another. A word that is an inflectional form of another (for example, “drive” is the inflectional stem of “drives,” “drove,” “driving,” and “driven”). A set of words or phrases, each of which is assigned a different weighting. The relational engine within SQL Server recognizes the CONTAINS and FREETEXT predicates and performs some minimal syntax and semantic checking, such as ensuring that the column referenced in the predicate has been registered for full-text searches. During query execution, a full-text predicate and other relevant information are passed to the full-text search component. After further syntax and semantic validation, the search engine is invoked and returns the set of unique key values identifying those rows in the table that satisfy the full-text search condition. In addition to the FREETEXT and CONTAINS, other predicates such as AND, LIKE, NEAR are combined to create the customized NLQS SQL construct. Full-Text Query Architecture of the SQL Database The full-text query architecture is comprised of the following several components—Full-Text Query component, the SQL Server Relational Engine, the Full-Text provider and the Search Engine. The Full-Text Query component of the SQL database accept a full-text predicate or rowset-valued function from the SQL Server; transform parts of the predicate into an internal format, and sends it to Search Service, which returns the matches in a rowset. The rowset is then sent back to SQL Server. SQL Server uses this information to create the resultset that is then returned to the submitter of the query. The SQL Server Relational Engine accepts the CONTAINS and FREETEXT predicates as well as the CONTAINSTABLE( ) and FREETEXTTABLE( ) rowset-valued functions. During parse time, this code checks for conditions such as attempting to query a column that has not been registered for full-text search. If valid, then at run time, the ft_search_condition and context information is sent to the full-text provider. Eventually, the full-text provider returns a rowset to SQL Server, which is used in any joins (specified or implied) in the original query. The Full-Text Provider parses and validates the ft_search_condition, constructs the appropriate internal representation of the full-text search condition, and then passes it to the search engine. The result is returned to the relational engine by means of a rowset of rows that satisfy ft_search_condition. Client Side System 150 Client Side System 150 The architecture of client-side system 150 of Natural Language Query System 100 is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 2A-2C. Referring to FIG. 2A, the three main processes effectuated by Client System 150 are illustrated as follows: Initialization process 200A consisting of SRE 201, Communication 202 and Microsoft (MS) Agent 203 routines; at FIG. 2B an iterative process 200B consisting of two sub-routines: a) Receive User Speech 208—made up of SRE 204 and Communication 205; and b) Receive Answer from Server 207—made up of MS Speak Agent 206, Communication 209, Voice data file 210 and Text to Speech Engine 211. Finally, in FIG. 2C un-initialization process 200C is made up of three sub-routines: SRE 212, Communication 213, and MS Agent 214. Each of the above three processes are described in detail in the following paragraphs. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the particular implementation for such processes and routines will vary from client platform to platform, so that in some environments such processes may be embodied in hard-coded routines executed by a dedicated DSP, while in others they may be embodied as software software routines executed by a shared host processor, and in still others a combination of the two may be used. Initialization at Client System 150 The initialization of the Client System 150 is illustrated in FIG. 2D and is comprised generally of 3 separate initializing processes: client-side Speech Recognition Engine 220A, MS Agent 220B and Communication processes 220C. Initialization of Speech Recognition Engine 220A Speech Recognition Engine 155 is initialized and configured using the routines shown in 220A. First, an SRE COM Library is initialized. Next, memory 220 is allocated to hold Source and Coder objects, are created by a routine 221. Loading of configuration file 221A from configuration data file 221B also takes place at the same time that the SRE Library is initialized. In configuration file 221B, the type of the input of Coder and the type of the output of the Coder are declared. The structure, operation, etc. of such routines are well-known in the art, and they can be implemented using a number of fairly straightforward approaches. Accordingly, they are not discussed in detail herein. Next, Speech and Silence components of an utterance are calibrated using a routine 222, in a procedure that is also well-known in the art. To calibrate the speech and silence components, the user preferably articulates a sentence that is displayed in a text box on the screen. The SRE library then estimates the noise and other parameters required to find e silence and speech elements of future user utterances. Initialization of MS Agent 220B The software code used to initialize and set up a MS Agent 220B is also illustrated in FIG. 2D. The MS Agent 220B routine is responsible for coordinating and handling the actions of the animated agent 157 (FIG. 1). This initialization thus consists of the following steps: 1. Initialize COM library 223. This part of the code initializes the COM library, which is required to use ActiveX Controls, which controls are well-known in the art. 2. Create instance of Agent Server 224—this part of the code creates an instance of Agent ActiveX control. 3. Loading of MS Agent 225—this part of the code loads MS Agent character from a specified file 225A containing general parameter data for the Agent Character, such as the overall appearance, shape, size, etc. 4. Get Character Interface 226—this part of the code gets an appropriate interface for the specified character; for example, characters may have different control/interaction capabilities that can be presented to the user. 5. Add Commands to Agent Character Option 227—this part of the code adds commands to an Agent Properties sheet, which sheet can be accessed by clicking on the icon that appears in the system tray, when the Agent character is loaded e.g., that the character can Speak, how he/she moves, TTS Properties, etc. 6. Show the Agent Character 228—this part of the code displays the Agent character on the screen so it can be seen by the user; 7. AgentNotifySink—to handle events. This part of the code creates AgentNotifySink object 229, registers it at 230 and then gets the Agent Properties interface 231. The property sheet for the Agent character is assigned using routine 232. 8. Do Character Animations 233—This part of the code plays specified character animations to welcome the user to NLQS 100. The above then constitutes the entire sequence required to initialize the MS Agent. As with the SRE routines, the MS Agent routines can be implemented in any suitable and conventional fashion by those skilled in the art based on the present teachings. The particular structure, operation, etc. of such routines is not critical, and thus they are not discussed in detail herein. In a preferred embodiment, the MS Agent is configured to have an appearance and capabilities that are appropriate for the particular application. For instance, in a remote learning application, the agent has the visual form and mannerisms/attitude/gestures of a college professor. Other visual props (blackboard, textbook, etc.) may be used by the agent and presented to the user to bring to mind the experience of being in an actual educational environment. The characteristics of the agent may be configured at the client side 150, and/or as part of code executed by a browser program (not shown) in response to configuration data and commands from a particular web page. For example, a particular website offering medical services may prefer to use a visual image of a doctor. These and many other variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art for enhancing the human-like, real-time dialog experience for users. Initialization of Communication Link 160A Initialization of Communication Link 160A The initialization of Communication Link 160A is shown with reference to process 220C FIG. 2D. Referring to FIG. 2D, this initialization consists of the following code components: Open INTERNET Connection 234—this part of the code opens an INTERNET Connection and sets the parameter for the connection. Then Set Callback Status routine 235 sets the callback status so as to inform the user of the status of connection. Finally Start New HTTP INTERNET Session 236 starts a new INTERNET session. The details of Communications Link 160 and the set up process 220C are not critical, and will vary from platform to platform. Again, in some cases, users may use a low-speed dial-up connection, a dedicated high speed switched connection (T1 for example), an always-on xDSL connection, a wireless connection, and the like. Iterative Processing of Queries/Answers As illustrated in FIG. 3, once initialization is complete, an iterative query/answer process is launched when the user presses the Start Button to initiate a query. Referring to FIG. 3, the iterative query/answer process consists of two main sub-processes implemented as routines on the client side system 150: Receive User Speech 240 and Receive User Answer 243. The Receive User Speech 240 routine receives speech from the user (or another audio input source), while the Receive User Answer 243 routine receives an answer to the user's question in the form of text from the server so that it can be converted to speech for the user by text-to-speech engine 159. As used herein, the term “query” is referred to in the broadest sense to refer, to either a question, a command, or some form of input used as a control variable by the system. For example, a query may consist of a question directed to a particular topic, such as “what is a network” in the context of a remote learning application. In an e-commerce application a query might consist of a command to “list all books by Mark Twain” for example. Similarly, while the answer in a remote learning application consists of text that is rendered into audible form by the text to speech engine 159, it could also be returned as another form of multi-media information, such as a graphic image, a sound file, a video file, etc. depending on the requirements of the particular application. Again, given the present teachings concerning the necessary structure, operation, functions, performance, etc., of the client-side Receive User Speech 240 and Receiver User Answer 243 routines, one of ordinary skill in the art could implement such in a variety of ways. Receive User Speech—As illustrated in FIG. 3, the Receive User Speech routine 240 consists of a SRE 241 and a Communication 242 process, both implemented again as routines on the client side system 150 for receiving and partially processing the user's utterance. SRE routine 241 uses a coder 248 which is prepared so that a coder object receives speech data from a source object. Next the Start Source 249 routine is initiated. This part of the code initiates data retrieval using the source Object which will in turn be given to the Coder object. Next, MFCC vectors 250 are extracted from the Speech utterance continuously until silence is detected. As alluded to earlier, this represents the first phase of processing of the input speech signal, and in a preferred embodiment, it is intentionally restricted to merely computing the MFCC vectors for the reasons already expressed above. These vectors include the 12 cepstral coefficients and the RMS energy term, for a total of 13 separate numerical values for the partially processed speech signal. In some environments, nonetheless, it is conceivable that the MFCC delta parameters and MFCC acceleration parameters can also be computed at client side system 150, depending on the computation resources available, the transmission bandwidth in data link 160A available to server side system 180, the speed of a transceiver used for carrying data in the data link, etc. These parameters can be determined automatically by client side system upon intializing SRE 155 (using some type of calibration routine to measure resources), or by direct user control, so that the partitioning of signal processing responsibilities can be optimized on a case-by-case basis. In some applications, too, server side system 180 may lack the appropriate resources or routines for completing the processing of the speech input signal. Therefore, for some applications, the allocation of signal processing responsibilities may be partitioned differently, to the point where in fact both phases of the speech signal processing may take place at client side system 150 so that the speech signal is completely—rather than partially—processed and transmitted for conversion into a query at server side system 180. Again in a preferred embodiment, to ensure reasonable accuracy and real-time performance from a query/response perspective, sufficient resources are made available in a client side system so that 100 frames per second of speech data can be partially processed and transmitted through link 160A. Since the least amount of information that is necessary to complete the speech recognition process (only 13 coefficients) is sent, the system achieves a real-time performance that is believed to be highly optimized, because other latencies (i.e., client-side computational latencies, packet formation latencies, transmission latencies) are minimized. It will be apparent that the principles of the present invention can be extended to other SR applications where some other methodology is used for breaking down the speech input signal by an SRE (i.e., non-MFCC based). The only criteria is that the SR processing be similarly dividable into multiple phases, and with the responsibility for different phases being handled on opposite sides of link 160A depending on overall system performance goals, requirements and the like. This functionality of the present invention can thus be achieved on a system-by-system basis, with an expected and typical amount of optimization being necessary for each particular implementation. Thus, the present invention achieves a response rate performance that is tailored in accordance with the amount of information that is computed, coded and transmitted by the client side system 150. So in applications where real-time performance is most critical, the least possible amount of extracted speech data is transmitted to reduce these latencies, and, in other applications, the amount of extracted speech data that is processed, coded and transmitted can be varied. Communication—transmit communication module 242 is used to implement the transport of data from the client to the server over the data link 160A, which in a preferred embodiment is the INTERNET. As explained above, the data consists of encoded MFCC vectors that will be used at then server-side of the Speech Recognition engine to complete the speech recognition decoding. The sequence of the communication is as follows: OpenHTTPRequest 251—this part of the code first converts MFCC vectors to a stream of bytes, and then processes the bytes so that it is compatible with a protocol known as HTTP. This protocol is well-known in the art, and it is apparent that for other data links another suitable protocol would be used. 1. Encode MFCC Byte Stream 251—this part of the code encodes the MFCC vectors, so that they can be sent to the server via HTTP. 2. Send data 252—this part of the code sends MFCC vectors to the server using the INTERNET connection and the HTTP protocol. Wait for the Server Response 253—this part of the code monitors the data link 160A a response from server side system 180 arrives. In summary, the MFCC parameters are extracted or observed on-the-fly from the input speech signal. They are then encoded to a HTTP byte stream and sent in a streaming fashion to the server before the silence is detected—i.e. sent to server side system 180 before the utterance is complete. This aspect of the invention also facilitates a real-time behavior, since data can be transmitted and processed even while the user is still speaking. Receive Answer from Server 243 is comprised of the following modules as shown in FIG. 3.: MS Agent 244, Text-to-Speech Engine 245 and receive communication modules 246. All three modules interact to receive the answer from server side system 180. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the receive communication process consists of three separate processes implemented as a receive routine on client side system 150: a Receive the Best Answer 258 receives the best answer over data link 160B (the HTTP communication channel). The answer is de-compressed at 259 and then the answer is passed by code 260 to the MS Agent 244, where it is received by code portion 254. A routine 255 then articulates the answer using text-to-speech engine 257. Of course, the text can also be displayed for additional feedback purposes on a monitor used with client side system 150. The text to speech engine uses a natural language voice data file 256 associated with it that is appropriate for the particular language application (i.e., English, French, German, Japanese, etc.). As explained earlier when the answer is something more than text, it can be treated as desired to provide responsive information to the user, such as with a graphics image, a sound, a video clip, etc. Uninitialization The un-initialization routines and processes are illustrated in FIG. 4. Three functional modules are used for un-initializing the primary components of the client side system 150; these include SRE 270, Communications 271 and MS Agent 272 un-initializing routines. To un-initialize SRE 220A, memory that was allocated in the initialization phase is de-allocated by code 273 and objects created during such initialization phase are deleted by code 274. Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 4, to un-initialize Communications module 220C the INTERNET connection previously established with the server is closed by code portion 275 of the Communication Un-initialization routine 271. Next the INTERNET session created at the time of initialization is also closed by routine 276. For the un-initialization of the MS Agent 220B, as illustrated in FIG. 4, MS Agent Un-initialization routine 272 first releases the Commands Interface 227 using routine 277. This releases the commands added to the property sheet during loading of the agent character by routine 225. Next the Character Interface initialized by routine 226 is released by routine 278 and the Agent is unloaded at 279. The Sink Object Interface is then also released 280 followed by the release of the Property Sheet Interface 281. The Agent Notify Sink 282 then un-registers the Agent and finally the Agent Interface 283 is released which releases all the resources allocated during initialization steps identified in FIG. 2D. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the particular implementation for such un-initialization processes and routines in FIG. 4 will vary from client platform to client platform, as for the other routines discussed above. The structure, operation, etc. of such routines are well-known in the art, and they can be implemented using a number of fairly straightforward approaches without undue effort. Accordingly, they are not discussed in detail herein. Description of Server Side System 180 Introduction A high level flow diagram of the set of preferred processes implemented on server side system 180 of Natural Language Query System 100 is illustrated in FIG. 11A through FIG. 11C. In a preferred embodiment, this process consists of a two step algorithm for completing the processing of the speech input signal, recognizing the meaning of the user's query, and retrieving an appropriate answer/response for such query. The 1st step as illustrated in FIG. 11A can be considered a high-speed first-cut pruning mechanism, and includes the following operations: after completing processing of the speech input signal, the user's query is recognized at step 1101, so that the text of the query is simultaneously sent to Natural Language Engine 190 (FIG. 1) at step 1107, and to DB Engine 186 (also FIG.1) at step 1102. By “recognized” in this context it is meant that the user's query is converted into a text string of distinct native language words through the HMM technique discussed earlier. At NLE 190, the text string undergoes morphological linguistic processing at step 1108: the string is tokenized the tags are tagged and the tagged tokens are grouped Next the noun phrases (NP) of the string are stored at 1109, and also copied and transferred for use by DB Engine 186 during a DB Process at step 1110. As illustrated in FIG. 11A, the string corresponding to the user's query which was sent to the DB Engine 186 at 1102, is used together with the NP received from NLE 190 to construct an SQL Query at step 1103. Next, the SQL query is executed at step 1104, and a record set of potential questions corresponding to the user's query are received as a result of a full-text search at 1105, which are then sent back to NLE 190 in the form of an array at step 1106. As can be seen from the above, this first step on the server side processing acts as an efficient and fast pruning mechanism so that the universe of potential “hits” corresponding to the user's actual query is narrowed down very quickly to a manageable set of likely candidates in a very short period of time. Referring to FIG. 11B, in contrast to the first step above, the 2nd step can be considered as the more precise selection portion of the recognition process. It begins with linguistic processing of each of the stored questions in the array returned by the full-text search process as possible candidates representing the user's query. Processing of these stored questions continues in NLE 190 as follows: each question in the array of questions corresponding to the record set returned by the SQL full-text search undergoes morphological linguistic processing at step 1111: in this operation, a text string corresponding to the retrieved candidate question is tokenized, the tags are tagged and the tagged tokens are grouped. Next, noun phrases of the string are computed and stored at step 1112. This process continues iteratively at point 1113, and the sequence of steps at 1118, 1111, 1112, 1113 are repeated so that an NP for each retrieved candidate question is computed and stored. Once an NP is computed for each of the retrieved candidate questions of the array, a comparison is made between each such retrieved candidate question and the user's query based on the magnitude of the NP value at step 1114. This process is also iterative in that steps 1114, 1115, 1116, 1119 are repeated so that the comparison of the NP for each retrieved candidate question with that of the NP of the user's query is completed. When there are no more stored questions in the array to be processed at step 1117, the stored question that has the maximum NP relative to the user's query, is identified at 1117A as the stored question which best matches the user's query. Notably, it can be seen that the second step of the recognition process is much more computationally intensive than the first step above, because several text strings are tokenized, and a comparison is made of several NPs. This would not be practical, nonetheless, if it were not for the fact that the first step has already quickly and efficiently reduced the candidates to be evaluated to a significant degree. Thus, this more computationally intensive aspect of the present invention is extremely valuable, however because it yields extremely high accuracy in the overall query recognition process. In this regard, therefore, this second step of the query recognition helps to ensure the overall accuracy of the system, while the first step helps to maintain a satisfactory speed that provides a real-time feel for the user. As illustrated in FIG. 11C, the last part of the query/response process occurs by providing an appropriate matching answer/response to the user. Thus, an identity of a matching stored question is completed at step 1120. Next a file path corresponding to an answer of the identified matching question is extracted at step 1121. Processing continues so that the answer is extracted from the file path at 1122 and finally the answer is compressed and sent to client side system 150 at step 1123. The discussion above is intended to convey a general overview of the primary components, operations, functions and characteristics of those portions of NLQS system 100 that reside on server side system 180. The discussion that follows describes in more detail the respective sub-systems. Software Modules used in Server Side System 180 The key software modules used on server-side system 180 of the NLQS system are illustrated in FIG. 5. These include generally the following components: a Communication module 500—identified as CommunicationServer ISAPI 500A (which is executed by SRE Server-side 182—FIG. 1 and is explained in more detail below), and a database process DBProcess module 501 (executed by DB Engine 186—FIG. 1). Natural language engine module 500C (executed by NLE 190—FIG.1) and an interface 500B between the NLE process module 500C and the DBProcess module 500B. As shown here, CommunicationServerISAPI 500A includes a server-side speech recognition engine and appropriate communication interfaces required between client side system 150 and server side system 180. As further illustrated in FIG. 5, server-side logic of Natural Language Query System 100 also can be characterized as including two dynamic link library components: CommunicationServerISAPI 500 and DBProcess 501. The CommunicationServerIASPI 500 is comprised of 3 sub-modules: Server-side Speech Recognition Engine module 500A; Interface module 500B between Natural Language Engine modules 500C and DBProcess 501; and the Natural Language Engine modules 500C. DB Process 501 is a module whose primary function is to connect to a SQL database and to execute an SQL query that is composed in response to the user's query. In addition, this module interfaces with logic that fetches the correct answer from a file path once this answer is passed to it from the Natural Language Engine module 500C. Speech Recognition Sub-System 182 on Server-Side System 180 The server side speech recognition engine module 500A is a set of distributed components that perform the necessary functions and operations of speech recognition engine 182 (FIG.1) at server-side 180. These components can be implemented as software routines that are executed by server side 180 in conventional fashion. Referring to FIG. 4A, a more detailed break out of the operation of the speech recognition components 600 at the server-side can be seen as follows: Within a portion 601 of the server side SRE module 500A, the binary MFCC vector byte stream corresponding to the speech signal's acoustic features extracted at client side system 150 and sent over the communication channel 160 is received. The MFCC acoustic vectors are decoded from the encoded HTTP byte stream as follows: Since the MFCC vectors contain embedded NULL characters, they cannot be transferred in this form to server side system 180 as such using HTTP protocol. Thus the MFCC vectors are first encoded at client-side 150 before transmission in such a way that all the speech data is converted into a stream of bytes without embedded NULL characters in the data. At the very end of the byte stream a single NULL character is introduced to indicate the termination of the stream of bytes to be transferred to the server over the INTERNET 160A using HTTP protocol. As explained earlier, to conserve latency time between the client and server, a smaller number of bytes (just the 13 MFCC coefficients) are sent from client side system 150 to server side system 180. This is done automatically for each platform to ensure uniformity, or can be tailored by the particular application environment—i.e., such as where it is determined that it will take less time to compute the delta and acceleration coefficients at the server (26 more calculations), than it would take to encode them at the client, transmit them, and then decode them from the HTTP stream. In general, since server side system 180 is usually better equipped to calculate the MFCC delta and acceleration parameters, this is a preferable choice. Furthermore, there is generally more control over server resources compared to the client's resources, which means that future upgrades, optimizations, etc., can be disseminated and shared by all to make overall system performance more reliable and predictable. So, the present invention can accommodate even the worst-case scenario where the client's machine may be quite thin and may just have enough resources to capture the speech input data and do minimal processing. Dictionary Preparation & Grammar Files Referring to FIG. 4A, within code block 605, various options selected by the user (or gleaned from the user's status within a particular application) are received. For instance, in the case of a preferred remote learning system, Course, Chapter and/or Section data items are communicated. In the case of other applications (such as e-commerce) other data options are communicated, such as the Product Class, Product Category, Product Brand, etc. loaded for viewing within his/her browser. These selected options are based on the context experienced by the user during an interactive process, and thus help to limit and define the scope—i.e. grammars and dictionaries that will be dynamically loaded to speech recognition engine 182 (FIG. 1) for Viterbi decoding during processing of the user speech utterance. For speech recognition to be optimized both grammar and dictionary files are used in a preferred embodiment. A Grammar file supplies the universe of available user queries; i.e., all the possible words that are to be recognized. The Dictionary file provides phonemes (the information of how a word is pronounced—this depends on the specific native language files that are installed—for example, UK English or US English) of each word contained in the grammar file. It is apparent that if all the sentences for a given environment that can be recognized were contained in a single grammar file then recognition accuracy would be deteriorated and the loading time alone for such grammar and dictionary files would impair the speed of the speech recognition process. To avoid these problems, specific grammars are dynamically loaded or actively configured as the current grammar according to the user's context, i.e., as in the case of a remote learning system, the Course, Chapter and/or Section selected. Thus the grammar and dictionary files are loaded dynamically according to the given Course, Chapter and/or Section as dictated by the user, or as determined automatically by an application program executed by the user. The second code block 602 implements the initialization of Speech Recognition engine 182 (FIG. 1). The MFCC vectors received from client side system 150 along with the grammar filename and the dictionary file names are introduced to this block to initialize the speech decoder. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the initialization process 602 uses the following subroutines: A routine 602a for loading an SRE library. This then allows the creation of an object identified as External Source with code 602b using the received MFCC vectors. Code 602c allocates memory to hold the recognition objects. Routine 602d then also creates and initializes objects that are required for the recognition such as: Source, Coder, Recognizer and Results Loading of the Dictionary created by code 602e, Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) generated with code 602f; and Loading of the Grammar file generated by routine 602g. Speech Recognition 603 is the next routine invoked as illustrated in FIG. 4A, and is generally responsible for completing the processing of the user speech signals input on the client side 150, which, as mentioned above, are preferably only partially processed (i.e., only MFCC vectors are computed during the first phase) when they are transmitted across link 160. Using the functions created in External Source by subroutine 602b, this code reads MFCC vectors, one at a time from an External Source 603a, and processes them in block 603b to realize the words in the speech pattern that are symbolized by the MFCC vectors captured at the client. During this second phase, an additional 13 delta coefficients and an additional 13 acceleration coefficients are computed as part of the recognition process to obtain a total of 39 observation vectors Ot referred to earlier. Then, using a set of previously defined Hidden Markov Models (HMMs), the words corresponding to the user's speech utterance are determined in the manner described earlier. This completes the word “recognition” aspect of the query processing, which results are used further below to complete the query processing operations. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the distributed nature and rapid performance of the word recognition process, by itself, is extremely useful and may be implemented in connection with other environments that do not implicate or require additional query processing operations. For example, some applications may simply use individual recognized words for filling in data items on a computer generated form, and the aforementioned systems and processes can provide a rapid, reliable mechanism for doing so. Once the user's speech is recognized, the flow of SRE 182 passes to Un-initialize SRE routine 604 where the speech engine is un-initialized as illustrated. In this block all the objects created in the initialization block are deleted by routine 604a, and memory allocated in the initialization block during the initialization phase are removed by routine 604b. Again, it should be emphasized that the above are merely illustrative of embodiments for implementing the particular routines used on a server side speech recognition system of the present invention. Other variations of the same that achieve the desired functionality and objectives of the present invention will be apparent from the present teachings. Database Processor 186 Operation—DBProcess Construction of an SQL Query used as part of the user query processing is illustrated in FIG. 4B, a SELECT SQL statement is preferably constructed using a conventional CONTAINS predicate. Module 950 constructs the SQL query based on this SELECT SQL statement, which query is used for retrieving the best suitable question stored in the database corresponding to the user's articulated query, (designated as Question here). A routine 951 then concatenates a table name with the constructed SELECT statement. Next, the number of words present in each Noun Phrase of Question asked by the user is calculated by routine 952. Then memory is allocated by routine 953 as needed to accommodate all the words present in the NP. Next a word List (identifying all the distinct words present in the NP) is obtained by routine 954. After this, this set of distinct words are concatenated by routine 955 to the SQL Query separated with a NEAR ( ) keyword. Next, the AND keyword is concatenated to the SQL Query by routine 956 after each NP. Finally memory resources are freed by code 957 so as to allocate memory to store the words received from NP for any next iteration. Thus, at the end of this process, a completed SQL Query corresponding to the user's articulated question is generated. Connection to SQL Server—As illustrated in FIG. 4C, after the SQL Query is constructed by routine 710, a routine 711 implements a connection to the query database 717 to continue processing of the user query. The connection sequence and the subsequent retrieved record set is implemented using routines 700 which include the following: 1. Server and database names are assigned by routine 711A to a DBProcess member variable 2. A connection string is established by routine 711B; 3. The SQL Server database is connected under control of code 711C 4. The SQL Query is received by routine 712A 5. The SQL Query is executed by code 712B 6. Extract the total number of records retrieved by the query—713 7. Allocate the memory to store the total number of paired questions—713 8. Store the entire number of paired questions into an array—713 Once the Best Answer ID is received at 716 FIG. 4C, from the NLE 14 (FIG. 5), the code corresponding 716C receives it passes it to code in 716B where the path of the Answer file is determined using the record number. Then the file is opened 716C using the path passed to it and the contents of the file corresponding to the answer is read. Then the answer is compressed by code in 716D and prepared for transmission over the communication channel 160B (FIG. 1). NLQS Database 188—Table Organization FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a logical structure of tables used in a typical NLQS database 188 (FIG. 1). When NLQS database 188 is used as part of NLQS query system 100 implemented as a remote learning/training environment, this database will include an organizational multi-level hierarchy that consists typically of a Course 701, which is made of several chapters 702, 703, 704. Each of these chapters can have one or more Sections 705, 706, 707 as shown for Chapter 1. A similar structure can exist for Chapter 2, Chapter 3 . . . Chapter N. Each section has a set of one or more question—answer pairs 708 stored in tables described in more detail below. While this is an appropriate and preferable arrangement for a training/learning application, it is apparent that other inplementations would be possible and perhaps more suitable for other applications such as e-commerce, e-support, INTERNET browsing, etc., depending on overall system parameters. It can be seen that the NLQS database 188 organization is intricately linked to the switched grammar architecture described earlier. In other words, the context (or environment) experienced by the user can be determined at any moment in time based at the selection made at the section level, so that only a limited subset of question-answer pairs 708 for example are appropriate for section 705. This in turn means that only a particular appropriate grammar for such question-answer pairs may be switched in for handling user queries while the user is experiencing such context. In a similar fashion, an e-commerce application for an INTERNET based business may consist of a hierarchy that includes a first level “home” page 701 identifying user selectable options (product types, services, contact information, etc.), a second level may include one or more “product types” pages 702, 703, 704, a third page may include particular product models 705, 706, 707, etc., and with appropriate question-answer pairs 708 and grammars customized for handling queries for such product models. Again, the particular implementation will vary from application to application, depending on the needs and desires of such business, and a typical amount of routine optimization will be necessary for each such application. Table Organization In a preferred embodiment, an independent database is used for each Course. Each database in turn can include three types of tables as follows: a Master Table as illustrated in FIG. 7A, at least one Chapter Table as illustrated in FIG. 7B and at least one Section Table as illustrated in FIG. 7C. As illustrated in FIG. 7A, a preferred embodiment of a Master Table has six columns—Field Name 701A, Data Type 702A, Size 703A, Null 704A, Primary Key 705A and Indexed 706A. These parameters are well-known in the art of database design and structure. The Master Table has only two fields—Chapter Name 707A and Section Name 708A. Both ChapterName and Section Name are commonly indexed. A preferred embodiment of a Chapter Table is illustrated in FIG. 7B. As with the Master Table, the Chapter Table has six (6) columns—Field Name 720, Data Type 721, Size 722, Null 723, Primary Key 724 and Indexed 725. There are nine (9) rows of data however, in this case,—Chapter_ID 726, Answer_ID 727, Section Name 728, Answer_Title 729, PairedQuestion 730, AnswerPath 731, Creator 732, Date of Creation 733 and Date of Modification 734. An explanation of the Chapter Table fields is provided in FIG. 7C. Each of the eight (8) Fields 720 has a description 735 and stores data corresponding to: AnswerID 727—an integer that is automatically incremented for each answer given for user convenience Section_Name 728—the name of the section to which the particular record belongs. This field along with the AnswerID is used as the primary key Answer_Tide 729—A short description of the title of the answer to the user query PairedQuestion 730—Contains one or more combinations of questions for the related answers whose path is stored in the next column AnswerPath AnswerPath 731—contains the path of a file, which contains the answer to the related questions stored in the previous column; in the case of a pure question/answer application, this file is a text file, but, as mentioned above, could be a multi-media file of any kind transportable over the data link 160 Creator 732—Name of Content Creator Date_of_Creation 733—Date on which content was created Date of Modification 734—Date on which content was changed or modified A preferred embodiment of a Section Table is illustrated in FIG. 7D. The Section Table has six (6) columns—Field Name 740, Data Type 741, Size 742, Null 743, Primary Key 744 and Indexed 745. There are seven (7) rows of data—Answer_ID 746, Answer_Title 747, PairedQuestion 748, AnswerPath 749, Creator 750, Date of Creation 751 and Date of Modification 752. These names correspond to the same fields, columns already described above for the Master Table and Chapter Table. Again, this is a preferred approach for the specific type of learning/training application described herein. Since the number of potential applications for the present invention is quite large, and each application can be customized, it is expected that other applications (including other learning/training applications) will require and/or be better accommodated by another table, column, and field structure/hierarchy. Search Service and Search Engine—A query text search service is performed by an SQL Search System 1000 shown in FIG. 10. This system provides querying support to process full-text searches. This is where full-text indexes reside. In general, SQL Search System determines which entries in a database index meet selection criteria specified by a particular text query that is constructed in accordance with an articulated user speech utterance. The Index Engine 1011B is the entity that populates the Full-Text Index tables with indexes which correspond to the indexable units of text for the stored questions and corresponding answers. It scans through character strings, determines word boundaries, removes all noise words and then populates the full-text index with the remaining words. For each entry in the full text database that meets the selection criteria, a unique key column value and a ranking value are returned as well. Catalog set 1013 is a file-system directory that is accessible only by an Administrator and Search Service 1010. Full-text indexes 1014 are organized into full-text catalogs, which are referenced by easy to handle names. Typically, full-text index data for an entire database is placed into a single full-text catalog. The schema for the full-text database as described (FIG. 7, FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, FIG. 7C, FIG. 7D) is stored in the tables 1006 shown in FIG. 10. Take for example, the tables required to describe the structure the stored question/answer pairs required for a particular course. For each table—Course Table, Chapter Table, Section Table, there are fields—column information that define each parameters that make up the logical structure of the table. This information is stored in User and System tables 1006. The key values corresponding to those tables are stored as Full-Text catalogs 1013. So when processing a full-text search, the search engine returns to the SQL Server the key values of the rows that match the search criteria. The relational engine then uses this information to respond to the query. As illustrated in FIG. 10, a Full-Text Query Process is implemented as follows: 1. A query 1001 that uses a SQL full-text construct generated by DB processor 186 is submitted to SQL Relational Engine 1002. 2. Queries containing either a CONTAINS or FREETEXT predicate are rewritten by routine 1003 so that a responsive rowset returned later from Full-Text Provider 1007 will be automatically joined to the table that the predicate is acting upon. This rewrite is a mechanism used to ensure that these predicates are a seamless extension to a traditional SQL Server. After the compiled query is internally rewritten and checked for correctness in item 1003, the query is passed to RUN TIME module 1004. The function of module 1004 is to convert the rewritten SQL construct to a validated run-time process before it is sent to the Full-Text Provider, 1007. 3. After this, Full-Text Provider 1007 is invoked, passing the following information for the query: a. A ft_search_condition parameter (this is a logical flag indicating a full text search condition) b. A name of a full-text catalog where a full-text index of a table resides c. A locale ID to be used for language (for example, word breaking) d. Identities of a database, table, and column to be used in the query e. If the query is comprised of more than one full-text construct; when this is the case Full-text provider 1007 is invoked separately for each construct. 4. SQL Relational Engine 1002 does not examine the contents of ft_search_condition. Instead, this information is passed along to Full-text provider 1007, which verifies the validity of the query and then creates an appropriate internal representation of the full-text search condition. 5. The query request/command 1008 is then passed to Querying Support 1011A. 6. Querying Support 1012 returns a rowset 1009 from Full-Text Catalog 1013 that contains unique key column values for any rows that match the full-text search criteria. A rank value also is returned for each row. 7. The rowset of key column values 1009 is passed to SQL Relational Engine 1002. If processing of the query implicates either a CONTAINSTABLE( ) or FREETEXTTABLE( ) function, RANK values are returned; otherwise, any rank value is filtered out. 8. The rowset values 1009 are plugged into the initial query with values obtained from relational database 1006, and a result set 1015 is then returned for further processing to yield a response to the user. At this stage of the query recognition process, the speech utterance by the user has already been rapidly converted into a carefully crafted text query, and this text query has been initially processed so that an initial matching set of results can be further evaluated for a final determination of the appropriate matching question/answer pair. The underlying principle that makes this possible is the presence of a full-text unique key column for each table that is registered for full-text searches. Thus when processing a full-text search, SQL Search Service 1010 returns to SQL server 1002 the key values of the rows that match the database. In maintaining these full-text databases 1013 and full text indexes 1014, the present invention has the unique characteristic that the full-text indices 1014 are not updated instantly when the full-text registered columns are updated. This operation is eliminated, again, to reduce recognition latency, increase response speed, etc. Thus, as compared to other database architectures, this updating of the full-text index tables, which would otherwise take a significant time, is instead done asynchronously at a more convenient time. Interface between NLE 190 and DB Processor 188 The result set 1015 of candidate questions corresponding to the user query utterance are presented to NLE 190 for further processing as shown in FIG. 4D to determine a “best” matching question/answer pair. An NLE/DBProcessor interface module coordinates the handling of user queries, analysis of noun-phrases (NPs) of retrieved questions sets from the SQL query based on the user query, comparing the retrieved question NPs with the user query NP, etc. between NLE 190 and DB Processor 188. So, this part of the server side code contains functions, which interface processes resident in both NLE block 190 and DB Processor block 188. The functions are illustrated in FIG. 4D; As seen here, code routine 880 implements functions to extract the Noun Phrase (NP) list from the user's question. This part of the code interacts with NLE 190 and gets the list of Noun Phrases in a sentence articulated by the user. Similarly, Routine 813 retrieves an NP list from the list of corresponding candidate/paired questions 1015 and stores these questions into an (ranked by NP value) array. Thus, at this point, NP data has been generated for the user query, as well as for the candidate questions 1015. As an example of determining the noun phrases of a sentence such as: “What issues have guided the President in considering the impact of foreign trade policy on American businesses?” NLE 190 would return the following as noun phrases: President, issues, impact of foreign trade policy. American businesses, impact, impact of foreign trade, foreign trade, foreign trade policy, trade, trade policy, policy, businesses. The methodology used by NLE 190 will thus be apparent to those skilled in the art from this set of noun phrases and noun sub-phrases generated in response to the example query. Next, a function identified as Get Best Answer ID 815 is implemented. This part of the code gets a best answer ID corresponding to the user's query. To do this, routines 813A, 813B first find out the number of Noun phrases for each entry in the retrieved set 1015 that match with the Noun phrases in the user's query. Then routine 815a selects a final result record from the candidate retrieved set 1015 that contains the maximum number of matching Noun phrases. Conventionally, nouns are commonly thought of as “naming” words, and specifically as the names of “people, places, or things”. Nouns such as John, London, and computer certainly fit this description, but the types of words classified by the present invention as nouns is much broader than this. Nouns can also denote abstract and intangible concepts such as birth, happiness, evolution, technology, management, imagination, revenge, politics, hope, cookery, sport, and literacy. Because of the enormous diversity of nouns compared to other parts of speech, the Applicant has found that it is much more relevant to consider the noun phrase as a key linguistic metric. So, the great variety of items classified as nouns by the present invention helps to discriminate and identify individual speech utterances much easier and faster than prior techniques disclosed in the art. Following this same thought, the present invention also adopts and implements another linguistic entity—the word phrase—to facilitate speech query recognition. The basic structure of a word phrase—whether it be a noun phrase, verb phrase, adjective phrase—is three parts—[pre-Head string],[Head] and [post-Head string]. For example, in the minimal noun phrase—“the children,” “children” is classified as the Head of the noun phrase. In summary, because of the diversity and frequency of noun phrases, the choice of noun phrase as the metric by which stored answer is linguistically chosen, has a solid justification in applying this technique to the English natural language as well as other natural languages. So, in sum, the total noun phrases in a speech utterance taken together operate extremely well as unique type of speech query fingerprint. The ID corresponding to the best answer corresponding to the selected final result record question is then generated by routine 815 which then returns it to DB Process shown in FIG. 4C. As seen there, a Best Answer ID I is received by routine 716A, and used by a routine 716B to retrieve an answer file path. Routine 716C then opens and reads the answer file, and communicates the substance of the same to routine 716D. The latter then compresses the answer file data, and sends it over data link 160 to client side system 150 for processing as noted earlier (i.e., to be rendered into audible feedback, visual text/graphics, etc.). Again, in the context of a learning/instructional application, the answer file may consist solely of a single text phrase, but in other applications the substance and format will be tailored to a specific question in an appropriate fashion. For instance, an “answer” may consist of a list of multiple entries corresponding to a list of responsive category items (i.e., a list of books to a particular author) etc. Other variations will be apparent depending on the particular environment. Natural Language Engine 190 Again referring to FIG. 4D, the general structure of NL engine 190 is depicted. This engine implements the word analysis or morphological analysis of words that make up the user's query, as well as phrase analysis of phrases extracted from the query. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the functions used in a morphological analysis include tokenizers 802A, stemmers 804A and morphological analyzers 806A. The functions that comprise the phrase analysis include tokenizers, taggers and groupers, and their relationship is shown in FIG.8. Tokenizer 802A is a software module that functions to break up text of an input sentence 801A into a list of tokens 803A. In performing this function, tokenizer 802A goes through input text 801A and treats it as a series of tokens or useful meaningful units that are typically larger than individual characters, but smaller than phrases and sentences. These tokens 803A can include words, separable parts of word and punctuation. Each token 803A is given an offset and a length. The first phase of tokenization is segmentation, which extracts the individual tokens from the input text and keeps track of the offset where each token originated from in the input text. Next, categories are associated with each token, based on its shape. The process of tokenization is well-known in the art, so it can be performed by any convenient application suitable for the present invention. Following tokenization, a stemmer process 804A is executed, which can include two separate forms—inflectional and derivational, for analyzing the tokens to determine their respective stems 805A. An inflectional stemmer recognizes affixes and returns the word which is the stem. A derivational stemmer on the other hand recognizes derivational affixes and returns the root word or words. While stemmer 804A associates an input word with its stem, it does not have parts of speech information. Analyzer 806B takes a word independent of context, and returns a set of possible parts of speech 806A. As illustrated in FIG. 8, phrase analysis 800 is the next step that is performed after tokenization. A tokenizer 802 generates tokens from input text 801. Tokens 803 are assigned to parts of a speech tag by a tagger routine 804, and a grouper routine 806 recognizes groups of words as phrases of a certain syntactic type. These syntactic types include for example the noun phrases mentioned earlier, but could include other types if desired such as verb phrases and adjective phrases. Specifically, tagger 804 is a parts-of-speech disambiguator, which analyzes words in context. It has a built-in morphological analyzer (not shown) that allows it to identify all possible parts of speech for each token. The output of tagger 804 is a string with each token tagged with a parts-of-speech label 805. The final step in the linguistic process 800 is the grouping of words to form phrases 807. This function is performed by the grouper 806, and is very dependent, of course, on the performance and output of tagger component 804. Accordingly, at the end of linguistic processing 800, a list of noun phrases (NP) 807 is generated in accordance with the user's query utterance. This set of NPs generated by NLE 190 helps significantly to refine the search for the best answer, so that a single-best answer can be later provided for the user's question. The particular components of NLE 190 are shown in FIG. 4D, and include several components. Each of these components implement the several different functions required in NLE 190 as now explained. Initialize Grouper Resources Object and the Library 900 this routine initializes the structure variables required to create grouper resource object and library. Specifically, it initializes a particular natural language used by NLE 190 to create a Noun Phrase, for example the English natural language is initialized for a system that serves the English language market. In turn, it also creates the objects (routines) required for Tokenizer, Tagger and Grouper (discussed above) with routines 900A, 900B, 900C and 900D respectively, and initializes these objects with appropriate values. It also allocates memory to store all the recognized Noun Phrases for the retrieved question pairs. Tokenizing of the words from the given text (from the query or the paired questions) is performed with routine 909B—here all the words are tokenized with the help of a local dictionary used by NLE 190 resources. The resultant tokenized words are passed to a Tagger routine 909C. At routine 909C, tagging of all the tokens is done and the output is passed to a Grouper routine 909D. The Grouping of all tagged token to form NP list is implemented by routine 909D so that the Grouper groups all the tagged token words and outputs the Noun Phrases. Un-initializing of the grouper resources object and freeing of the resources, is performed by routines 909EA, 909EB and 909EC. These include Token Resources, Tagger Resources and Grouper Resources respectively. After initialization, the resources are freed. The memory that was used to store all Noun Phrases are also de-allocated. Additional Embodiments In a e-commerce embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 13, a web page 1300 contains typical visible links such as Books 1310, Music 1320 so that on clicking the appropriate link the customer is taken to those pages. The web page may be implemented using HTML, a Java applet, or similar coding techniques which interact with the user's browser. For example, if customer wants to buy an album C by Artist Albert, he traverses several web pages as follows: he first clicks on Music (FIG. 13, 1360), which brings up page 1400 where he/she then clicks on Records (FIG. 14, 1450). Alternatively, he/she could select CDs 1460, Videos 1470, or other categories of books 1410, music 1420 or help 1430. As illustrated in FIG. 15, this brings up another web page 1500 with links for Records 1550, with sub-categories—Artist 1560, Song 1570, Tide 1580, Genre 1590. The customer must then click on Artist 1560 to select the artist of choice. This displays another web page 1600 as illustrated in FIG. 16. On this page the various artists 1650 are listed as illustrated—Albert 1650, Brooks 1660, Charlie 1670, Whyte 1690 are listed under the category Artists 1650. The customer must now click on Albert 1660 to view the albums available for Albert. When this is done, another web page is displayed as shown in FIG. 17. Again this web page 1700 displays a similar look and feel, but with the albums available 1760, 1770, 1780 listed under the heading Titles 1750. The customer can also read additional information 1790 for each album. This album information is similar to the liner notes of a shrink-wrapped album purchased at a retail store. One Album A is identified, the customer must click on the Album A 1760. This typically brings up another text box with the information about its availability, price, shipping and handling charges etc. When web page 1300 is provided with functionality of a NLQS of the type described above, the web page interacts with the client side and server side speech recognition modules described above. In this case, the user initiates an inquiry by simply clicking on a button designated Contact Me for Help 1480 (this can be a link button on the screen, or a key on the keyboard for example) and is then told by character 1440 about how to elicit the information required. If the user wants Album A by artist Albert, the user could articulate “Is Album A by Brooks available?” in much the same way they would ask the question of a human clerk at a brick and mortar facility. Because of the rapid recognition performance of the present invention, the user's query would be answered in real-time by character 1440 speaking out the answer in the user's native language. If desired, a readable word balloon 1490 could also be displayed to see the character's answer and so that save/print options can also be implemented. Similar appropriate question/answer pairs for each page of the website can be constructed in accordance with the present teachings, so that the customer is provided with an environment that emulates a normal conversational human-like question and answer dialog for all aspects of the web site. Character 1440 can be adjusted and tailored according to the particular commercial application, or by the user's own preferences, etc. to have a particular voice style (man, woman, young, old, etc.) to enhance the customer's experience. In a similar fashion, an articulated user query might be received as part of a conventional search engine query, to locate information of interest on the INTERNET in a similar manner as done with conventional text queries. If a reasonably close question/answer pair is not available at the server side (for instance, if it does not reach a certain confidence level as an appropriate match to the user's question) the user could be presented with the option of increasing the scope so that the query would then be presented simultaneously to one or more different NLEs across a number of servers, to improve the likelihood of finding an appropriate matching question/answer pair. Furthermore, if desired, more than one “match” could be found, in the same fashion that conventional search engines can return a number of potential “hits” corresponding to the user's query. For some such queries, of course, it is likely that real-time performance will not be possible (because of the disseminated and distributed processing) but the advantage presented by extensive supplemental question/answer database systems may be desirable for some users. It is apparent as well that the NLQS of the present invention is very natural and saves much time for the user and the e-commerce operator as well. In an e-support embodiment, the customer can retrieve information quickly and efficiently, and without need for a live customer agent. For example, at a consumer computer system vendor related support site, a simple diagnostic page might be presented for the user, along with a visible support character to assist him/her. The user could then select items from a “symptoms” page (i.e., a “monitor” problem, a “keyboard” problem, a “printer” problem, etc.) simply by articulating such symptoms in response to prompting from the support character. Thereafter, the system will direct the user on a real-time basis to more specific sub-menus, potential solutions, etc. for the particular recognized complaint. The use of a programmable character thus allows the web site to be scaled to accommodate a large number of hits or customers without any corresponding need to increase the number of human resources and its attendant training issues. As an additional embodiment, the searching for information on a particular web site may be accelerated with the use of the NLQS of the present invention. Additionally, a significant benefit is that the information is provided in a user-friendly manner through the natural interface of speech. The majority of web sites presently employ lists of frequently asked questions which the user typically wades item by item in order to obtain an answer to a question or issue. For example, as displayed in FIG. 13, the customer clicks on Help 1330 to initiate the interface with a set of lists. Other options include computer related items at 1370 and frequently asked questions (FAQ) at 1380. As illustrated in FIG. 18, a web site plan for typical web page is displayed. This illustrates the number of pages that have to be traversed in order to reach the list of Frequently-Asked Questions. Once at this page, the user has to scroll and manually identify the question that matches his/her query. This process is typically a laborious task and may or may not yield the information that answers the user's query. The present art for displaying this information is illustrated in FIG. 18. This figure identifies how the information on a typical web site is organized: the Help link (FIG. 13, 1330) typically shown on the home page of the web page is illustrated shown on FIG. 18 as 1800. Again referring to FIG. 18, each sub-category of information is listed on a separate page. For example, 1810 lists sub-topics such as ‘First Time Visitors’, ‘Search Tips’, ‘Ordering’, ‘Shipping’, ‘Your Account’ etc. Other pages deal with ‘Account information’ 1860, ‘Rates and Policies’ 1850 etc. Down another level, there are pages that deal exclusively with a sub-sub topics on a specific page such as ‘First Time Visitors’ 1960, ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ 1950, ‘Safe Shopping Guarantee’ 1940, etc. So if a customer has a query that is best answered by going to the Frequently Asked Questions link, he or she has to traverse three levels of busy and cluttered screen pages to get to the Frequently Asked Questions page 1950. Typically, there are many lists of questions 1980 that have to be manually scrolled through. While scrolling visually, the customer then has to visually and mentally match his or her question with each listed question. If a possible match is sighted, then that question is clicked and the answer then appears in text form which then is read. In contrast, the process of obtaining an answer to a question using a web page enabled with the present NLQS can be achieved much less laboriously and efficiently. The user would articulate the word “Help” (FIG. 13, 1330). This would immediately cause a character (FIG. 13, 1340) to appear with the friendly response “May I be of assistance. Please state your question?”. Once the customer states the question, the character would then perform an animation or reply “Thank you, I will be back with the answer soon”. After a short period time (preferably not exceeding 5-7 seconds) the character would then speak out the answer to the user's question. As illustrated in FIG. 18 the answer would be the answer 1990 returned to the user in the form of speech is the answer that is paired with the question 1950. For example, the answer 1990: “We accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover credit cards”, would be the response to the query 2000 “What forms of payments do you accept?“ Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 12. This web page illustrates a typical website that employs NLQS in a web-based learning environment. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the web page in browser 1200, is divided into two or more frames. A character 1210 in the likeness of an instructor is available on the screen and appears when the student initiates the query mode either by speaking the word “Help” into a microphone (FIG. 2B, 215) or by clicking on the link ‘Click to Speak’ (FIG. 12, 1280). Character 1210 would then prompt the student to select a course 1220 from the drop down list 1230. If the user selects the course ‘CPlusPlus’, the character would then confirm verbally that the course “CPlusPlus” was selected. The character would then direct the student to make the next selection from the drop-down list 1250 that contains the selections for the chapters 1240 from which questions are available. Again, after the student makes the selection, the character 1210 confirms the selection by speaking. Next character 1210 prompts the student to select ‘Section’ 1260 of the chapter from which questions are available from the drop down list 1270. Again, after the student makes the selection, character 1210 confirms the selection by articulating the ‘Section’ 1260 chosen. As a prompt to the student, a list of possible questions appear in the list box 1291. In addition, tips 1290 for using the system are displayed. Once the selections are all made, the student is prompted by the character to ask the question as follows: “Please ask your query now”. The student then speaks his query and after a short period of time, the character responds with the answer preceded by the question as follows: “The answer to your question . . . is as follows: . . . ”. This procedure allows the student to quickly retrieve answers to questions about any section of the course and replaces the tedium of consulting books, and references or indices. In short, it is can serve a number of uses from being a virtual teacher answering questions on-the-fly or a flash card substitute. From preliminary data available to the inventors, it is estimate that the system can easily accommodate 100-250 question/answer pairs while still achieving a real-time feel and appearance to the user (i.e., less than 10 seconds of latency, not counting transmission) using the above described structures and methods. It is expected, of course, that these figures will improve as additional processing speed becomes available, and routine optimizations are employed to the various components noted for each particular environment. Semantic Decoding In addition to the semantic checking and validation component noted above in connection with the SQL query, another aspect of the present invention concerns semantic decoding to determine the meaning of a speech utterance. As discussed above, the algorithms of many current natural language processing systems use a statistics-based linguistic algorithm to find the correct matches between the user's question with a stored question to retrieve a single best answer. However, many of such systems do not have the capability to handle user questions that have semantic variations with a given user question. For example, if the stored question is: ‘How do I reboot my system’, and the user's question is: ‘What do I do when my computer crashes’, we could, with the help of a lexical dictionary such as WordNet, establish that there is a semantic relationship between ‘computer crash’ and ‘rebooting’. This would then allow us to understand the link between ‘computer crash’ and ‘rebooting my sstem’. WordNet is the product of a research project at Princeton University that has modeled the lexical knowledge of a native speaker of English. For further information, the following URL can be used (using as www prefix) cogsci.princeton.edu/˜wn/. WordNet has also been extended to several other languages, including Spanish, Japanese, German and French. The system has capabilities of both an on-line thesaurus and an on-line dictionary. Information in WordNet is organized as a network of nodes. Each of these word sense nodes is a group of synonyms called synsets. Each sense of a word is mapped to such a sense word—i.e. a synset,—the basic building block, and all word sense nodes in WordNet are linked by a variety of semantic relationships. The basic semantic relationship in WordNet is synonymy. Although synonomy is a semantic relationship between word forms, the semantic relationship that is most important in organizing nouns is a relation between lexical concepts. This relationship is called hyponymy. For example the noun robin is a hyponym (subordinate) of the noun bird, or conversely bird is a hypernym (superordinate) of robin. WordNet uses this semantic relationship to organize nouns into a lexical hierarchy. The input to the WordNet is a word or group of words with a single meaning, e.g.,. “co-operation”. The output of the WordNet is a synset (a set of synonym and their meanings). The typical interfaces are: findtheinfo( ): Primary search function for WordNet database. Returns formatted search results in text buffer. Used by WordNet interfaces to perform requested search. read-synset( ): Reads synset from data file at byte offset passed and return parsed entry in data structure called parse_synset( ). parse-synset( ): Reads synset at the current byte offset in file and returns the parsed entry in data structure. getsstype( ): Returns synset type code for string passed. GetSynsetForSense(char *sense_key): returns the synset that contains the word sense sense_key and NULL in case of error. Thus, one approach to natural language processing is to use a statistics-based implementation that relies on noun phrases to establish how closely matched the user's question is with the stored question. One way in which such processing can be improved is to expand the algorithm to incorporate the capability to establish semantic relationship between the words. In the present invention therefore, WordNet-derived metrics are used in parallel with a statistics-based algorithm so as to enhance the accuracy of a NLQS Natural Language processing Engine (NLE). Specifically, a speech utterance is processed as noted above, including with a speech recognizer, to extract the words associated with such utterance. Very briefly, an additional function based on rank and derived from one or more metrics as follows: First Metric: 1. Compare each word of the user's question in the utterance with each word of the stored question. If ui is the ith word of the user's question, and fj is the jth word of the stored question, then the similarity score s between the two words is S(ui,fj) is equal to the minimum lexical path distance between the two words being compared [and can be later defined to take into account some other constants related to the environment] 2. So for the entire query we a word by word comparison between the user's question and the stored question is carried out, to compute the following matrix, where the user's question has n words and the stored questions have m words: S ⁡ ( u i , f i ) = [ S ⁡ ( u 1 , f 1 ) … S ⁡ ( u 1 , f m ) S ⁡ ( u n , f 1 ) … S ⁡ ( u n , f m ) ] Note: Some stored questions may have m words, others m−1, or m−2, or m+1, or m+2 words . . . etc. So for the matrices may be different order as we begin to compare the user's question with each stored question. The first row of the matrix calculates the metric for first word of the user's question with each word of the stored question. The second row would calculate the metric for the second word of the user's question with each word of the stored question. The last row would calculate the metric for the last word of the user's question (un) with each word of the stored question (f1 . . . to f1n). In this way a matrix of coefficients is created between the user's question and the stored question. The next step is to reduce this matrix to a single value. We do this by choosing the maximum value of the matrix between the user's question and each stored question. We can also employ averaging over all the words that make up the sentence, and also introduce constants to account for other modalities. Second Metric: Find the degree of coverage between the user's question and the stored question. We use WordNet to calculate coverage of the stored questions, which will be measured as a percentage of the stored questions covering as much as possible semantically of the user's question. Thus the coverage can represent the percentage of words in the user's question that is covered by the stored question. Final Metric: All of the above metrics are combined into a single metric or rank that includes also weights or constants to adjust for variables in the environment etc. The NLQS Semantic Decoder—Description As alluded to above, one type of natural language processing is a statistical-based algorithm that uses noun phrases and other parts of speech to determine how closely matched the user's question is with the stored question. This process is now extended to incorporate the capability to establish semantic relationship between the words, so that correct answers to variant questions are selected. Put another way, a semantic decoder based on computations using a programmatic lexical dictionary was used to implement this semantic relationship. The following describes how WordNet-derived metrics are used to enhance the accuracy of NLQS statistical algorithms. FIG. 19 illustrates a preferred method 1995 for computing a semantic match between user-articulated questions and stored semantic variants of the same. Specifically, a function is used based on rank and derived from one or more metrics as follows: Three metrics—term frequency, coverage and semantic similarity are computed to determine the one and only one paired question of a recordset returned by a SQL search that is closest semantically to the user's query. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that other metrics could be used, and the present invention is not limited in this respect. These are merely the types of metrics that are useful in the present embodiment; other embodiments of the invention may benefit from other well-known or obvious variants. The first metric—the first metric, term frequency, a long established formulation in information retrieval, uses the cosine vector similarity relationship, and is computed at step 1996. A document is represented by a term vector of the form: R=(ti, tj . . . tp) (1) where each tk identifies a content term assigned to a record in a recordset Similarly, a user query can be represented in vector form as: UQ=(qa, qb . . . qr) (2) The term vectors of (1) and (2) is obtained by including in each vector all possible content terms allowed in the system and adding term weights. So if wdk represents the weight of term tk in the record R or user query UQ, the term vectors can be written as: =(t0, wr0; tt, wrt; . . . tt, wrt) (3) and UQ=(uq0, wuq0; uq1, w1; . . . uqt, wqt) (4) A similarity value between the user query (UQ) and the recordset (R) may be obtained by comparing the corresponding vectors using the product formula: Similarity ⁢ ( UQ , R ) = ∑ k = 1 t ⁢ ⁢ w uqk · w rk A typical term weight using a vector length normalization factor is: w rk ∑ vector ⁢ ( w rl ) 2 ⁢ for ⁢ ⁢ the ⁢ ⁢ recordset w uqk ∑ vector ⁢ ( w uqi ) 2 ⁢ for ⁢ ⁢ the ⁢ ⁢ user ⁢ ⁢ query Using the cosine vector similarity formula we obtain the metric T: T = cos ⁡ ( v uq , v r ) = Similarity ⁢ ( UQ , R ) = ∑ k = 1 t ⁢ ⁢ w uqk ⁢ w rk ∑ k = 1 t ⁢ ⁢ ( w uqk ) 2 ⁢ ∑ k = 1 t ⁢ ( w rk ) 2 Thus, the overall similarity between the user query (UQ) and each of the records of the recordset (R) is quantified by taking into account the frequency of occurrence of the different terms in the UQ and each of the records in the recordset. The weight for each term wi is related to the frequency of that term in the query or the paired question of the recordset, and is tidf=n×log(M/n) where n is the number of times a term appears, and M is the number of questions in the recordset and user query. TIDF refers to term frequency×inverse of document frequency, again, a well-known term in the art. This metric does not require any understanding of the text—it only takes into account the number of times that a given term appears in the UQ compared to each of the records. The second metric—the second metric computed during step 1997—C—corresponds to coverage, and is defined as the percentage of the number of terms in the user question that appear in each of the records returned by the SQL search. The third metric—the third metric computed at step 1998—W—is a measure of the semantic similarity between the UQ and each of the records of the recordset. For this we use WordNet, a programmatic lexical dictionary to compute the semantic distance between two like parts of speech—e.g. noun of UQ and noun of record, verb of UQ and verb of record, adjective of UQ and adjective of record etc. The semantic distance between the user query and the recordset is defined as follows: Sem(Tuq, Tr)=[I(uq,r)+I(r,uq)]/[Abs[Tuq]+Abs[Tr]] where I(uq,r) and I(r,uq) are values corresponding to the imverse semantic distances computed at a given sense and level of WordNet in both directions. Finally at step 1999 a composite metric M, is derived from the three metrics—T, C and W as follows: M = ( tT + cC + wW ) ( t + c + w ) where t, c and w are weights for the corresponding metrics T, C and W. A standalone software application was then coded to implement and test the above composite metric, M. A set of several test cases was developed to characterize and analyze the algorithm based on WordNet and NLQS natural language engine and search technologies. Each of the test cases were carefully developed and based on linguistic structures. The idea here is that a recordset exists which simulates the response from a SQL search from a full-text database. In a NLQS algorithm of the type described above, the recordset retrieved consists of a number of records greater than 1—for example 5 or up to 10 records. These records are questions retrieved from the full-text database that are semantically similar to the UQ. The idea is for the algorithm to semantically analyze the user query with each record using each of the three metrics—term frequency T, coverage C, and semantic distance W to compute the composite metric M. Semantic distance metric employs interfacing with the WordNet lexical dictionary. The algorithm uses the computed value of the composite metric to select the question in the recordset that best matches the UQ. For example a user query (UQ) and a recordset of 6 questions returned by the SQL search is shown below. Record #4 is known to be the correct question that has the closest semantic match with the UQ. All other records—1-3, 5, 6 are semantically further away. Test Case i Example UQ: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx How tall is the Eiffel Tower? Recordset: 1. ppppppppppppppppppp What is the height of the Eiffel Tower? 2. qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq How high is the Eiffel Tower? 3. rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr The Eiffel Tower stands how high? 4. CCCCCCCCCCCCCCC The Eiffel Tower is how high? 5. ttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt How many stories does the Eiffel Tower have? 6. uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu How high does the Eiffel Tower stand? Record #4 is designed manually to be semantically the closest to UQ. Several test cases are created in which each test case has a different UQ. Each UQ is linked to a recordset that has 1 record with the correct semantically matched question. That matching question will have the closest semantic match to the UQ than all the other 5 questions in the recordset. The standalone application takes each of the test cases one at a time and results are recorded for retrieval time and recall while varying 2 parameters—number of senses and number of levels. The recall determines the efficiency of the algorithm and the metrics derived. Following the functional testing using a standalone software application, the integration with a NLQS system is as follows: Assume that the variant question (bold in example) is the question with the closest semantic match with the user query. Also assume that this question has a paired answer that is the answer to the user query. Then the non-bold variants of the recordset represent all the variant questions that can be asked by the user. These non-bold variants are encoded into the NLQS speech lattice, grammar and dictionaries. The user can then query using any of the variant forms or the original query using speech. The query will be speech recognized and the bold question that is stored in the database will be retrieved as the question pair. Then the corresponding answer to the bold-question will be delivered via text-to-speech. A test set of several test cases were then designed for the functional testing of extending the capabilities to accurately retrieve correct answers to user questions which varied semantically with the original user query. As an example of a test case is: User Query Where are the next Olympic Games being held? Semantic Where will the next Olympic Games be held? Variants Who will next host the Olympics? In which city will the next Olympics take place? Which city will next host the Olympics? Name the site of the next Olympics. Other examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the present teachings. For each application, a different set of semantic variants tailored to such application can be accommodated to improve an overall query/sentence recognition accuracy. Populating Speech Lattice with Semantic Variants A complementary process to the above, of course, is shown in FIG. 20, which illustrates a method for populating a speech lattice with semantic variants. This procedure populates a NLQ system speech recognition lattice with a specified number of variant questions of a given user question possible for the domain. The basic approach taken by the invention is that the capabilities of a NLE to process and correctly understand user questions that are semantically similar to the stored question, will enable a NLQS system to provide accurate answers even for uttered questions that are only semantically related to the stored questions. To accommodate transcription of speech to text, a typical NLQS distributed speech recognition engine uses a word lattice as a grammar, to provide the complete range of hypotheses, of all word sequences that could be spoken. This word lattice can be derived from a manually-written BNF (Backus Naur Form) or finite state grammar, or it could be in the form of an N-gram grammar or statistical language model (LM) which allows all logically possible (even linguistically impossible) word sequences and which reduces the task perplexity via probabilistic modeling of the N-gram sequences, so that the less likely sequences (observed less frequently or never in a large training dataset) are discarded earlier in the recognizer's search procedure. Thus, the focus of this aspect of the invention is to generate a speech grammar that includes all possible paraphrasings of the questions that an NLQS query system knows how to answer. The approach taken in the present invention is to generate a smaller N-gram language model, by partitioning a larger N-gram grammar into subsets using the words (and phrases) in our question list along with their synonyms and along with closed-class, grammatical function words that could occur anywhere though they may not happen to be in our target question list. The approach is automatic and statistical rather than intuition-based manual development of linguistic grammars. Given a large N-gram language model (say for simplicity's sake a bigram), the intention is to extract out of the N-gram that subset which will cover the task domain. Starting with the set of target questions for which we aim to model all the paraphrases, we use a lexical database (such as WordNet or a similarly capable database) to find a set of synonyms and near-synonyms for each content word in each question. Phrasal synonyms could also be considered, perhaps in a second phase. The vocabulary, then, which our sub-setted N-gram language model needs to cover, comprises this full set of target content words and their semantic close cousins, along with the entire inventory of closed-class words of the language (grammar function words which might well occur in any not-known-in-advance sentence). Next, observation counts underlying a pre-existing N-gram language model (LM), which is much larger and more inclusive (having been trained on a large task-unconstrained dataset), can be copied into a sub-setted statistical language model for those N-grams where each of the N words are contained in the task vocabulary. Probabilities can then be re-estimated (or re-normalized) using these counts, considering that row totals are much reduced in the sub-setted LM as compared with the full LM. The result is an N-gram statistical language model that should cover the task domain. As usage accumulates and experience grows, it is possible to make additions to the vocabulary and adjustments to the N-gram probabilities based on actual observed task-based data. In summary, the above procedure is implemented as a tool—called a data preparation tool (DPT) for example. Its function (much like a present NLQS data population tool that is now used to populate the full-text database with question-answer pairs), would be to implement the steps of FIG. 20 to create a speech grammar lattice that would allow recognition of the semantic variants of the user's question. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20, the basic steps of the semantic variant question population process 2000 include: 1. Inputting user questions at step 2010 (UQ). 2. Parsing the input question into words or parts of speech at step 2020; 3. Obtaining the synonyms for the parsed words at step 2030;. 4. Using the synonym words to prepare a set of random questions at step 2040;. 5. Verifying and obtaining only the disambiguated set of questions from the random questions at step 2050 using the WordNet semantic decoding (WSD) methodology above. 6. Creating the speech recognition lattice file at step 2060 using the disambiguated set of questions. This lattice file is then used to populate the NLQS Speech Recognition lattice. In summary the above steps outline a procedure implemented as a software application and used as an adjunct to the semantics-based NLQS natural language engine (NLE) to provide variant questions for any single user question. Integration of Semantic Algorithm with a statistics-based NLOS algorithm The semantic algorithm discussed above is easily integrated and implemented along with a NLQS algorithm described above. The integrated algorithm, which can be thought of as a hybrid statistical-semantic language decoder, is shown in FIG. 21. Entry points to the WordNet-based semantic component of the processing are steps 3b and 7. While the preferred embodiment is directed specifically to integrating the semantic decoder with embodiments of a NLQ system of the type noted above, it will be understood that it could be incorporated within a variety of statistical based NLQ systems. Furthermore, the present invention can be used in both shallow and deep type semantic processing systems of the type noted above. Appendix: Key WordNet API Functions used in the Programmatic Interface to NLQS Algorithm The key application programming interfaces which can be used by a preferred embodiment with WordNet are: 1. wninit( ) Explanation: Top level function to open database files and morphology exception lists. 2. is defined( ) Explanation: Sets a bit for each search type that is valid for searchstr in pos, and returns the resulting unsigned long integer. Each bit number corresponds to a pointer type constant defined in WNHOME/include/wnconsts.h. 3. findtheinfo ds New Explanation: findtheinfo_ds returns a linked list data structures representing synsets. Senses are linked through the nextss field of a Synset data structure. For each sense, synsets that match the search specified with ptr_type are linked through the ptrlist field. findtheinfo_ds is modified into the findtheinfo_ds_new function. The modified function will restrict the retrieval of synonyms by searching the wordNet with limited number of senses and traverses limited number of levels. Explanation: 4. traceptrs ds New Explanation: traceptrs_ds is a recursive search algorithm that traces pointers matching ptr_type starting with the synset pointed to by synptr. Setting depth to 1 when traceptrs_ds( ) is called indicates a recursive search; 0 indicates a non-recursive call. synptr points to the data structure representing the synset to search for a pointer of type ptr_type. When a pointer type match is found, the synset pointed to is read is linked onto the nextss chain. Levels of the tree generated by a recursive search are linked via the ptrlist field structure until NULL is found, indicating the top (or bottom) of the tree. traceptrs_ds is modified into the traceptrs_ds_new function. The modified function will restrict the retrieval of synonyms by searching the wordNet with limited number of senses and traverses limited number of levels. Again, the above are merely illustrative of the many possible applications of the present invention, and it is expected that many more web-based enterprises, as well as other consumer applications (such as intelligent, interactive toys) can utilize the present teachings. Although the present invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many alterations and modifications may be made to such embodiments without departing from the teachings of the present invention. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that many aspects of the present discussion have been simplified to give appropriate weight and focus to the more germane aspects of the present invention. The microcode and software routines executed to effectuate the inventive methods may be embodied in various forms, including in a permanent magnetic media, a non-volatile ROM, a CD-ROM, or any other suitable machine-readable format. Accordingly, it is intended that the all such alterations and modifications be included within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The INTERNET, and in particular, the World-Wide Web (WWW), is growing in popularity and usage for both commercial and recreational purposes, and this trend is expected to continue. This phenomenon is being driven, in part, by the increasing and widespread use of personal computer systems and the availability of low cost INTERNET access. The emergence of inexpensive INTERNET access devices and high speed access techniques such as ADSL, cable modems, satellite modems, and the like, are expected to further accelerate the mass usage of the WWW. Accordingly, it is expected that the number of entities offering services, products, etc., over the WWW will increase dramatically over the coming years. Until now, however, the INTERNET “experience” for users has been limited mostly to non-voice based input/output devices, such as keyboards, intelligent electronic pads, mice, trackballs, printers, monitors, etc. This presents somewhat of a bottleneck for interacting over the WWW for a variety of reasons. First, there is the issue of familiarity. Many kinds of applications lend themselves much more naturally and fluently to a voice-based environment. For instance, most people shopping for audio recordings are very comfortable with asking a live sales clerk in a record store for information on tides by a particular author, where they can be found in the store, etc. While it is often possible to browse and search on one's own to locate items of interest, it is usually easier and more efficient to get some form of human assistance first, and, with few exceptions, this request for assistance is presented in the form of a oral query. In addition, many persons cannot or will not, because of physical or psychological barriers, use any of the aforementioned conventional I/O devices. For example, many older persons cannot easily read the text presented on WWW pages, or understand the layout/hierarchy of menus, or manipulate a mouse to make finely coordinated movements to indicate their selections. Many others are intimidated by the look and complexity of computer systems, WWW pages, etc., and therefore do not attempt to use online services for this reason as well. Thus, applications which can mimic normal human interactions are likely to be preferred by potential on-line shoppers and persons looking for information over the WWW. It is also expected that the use of voice-based systems will increase the universe of persons willing to engage in e-commerce, e-learning, etc. To date, however, there are very few systems, if any, which permit this type of interaction, and, if they do, it is very limited. For example, various commercial programs sold by IBM (VIAVOICE™) and Kurzweil (DRAGON™) permit some user control of the interface (opening, closing files) and searching (by using previously trained URLs) but they do not present a flexible solution that can be used by a number of users across multiple cultures and without time consuming voice training. Typical prior efforts to implement voice based functionality in an INTERNET context can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,220 incorporated by reference herein. Another issue presented by the lack of voice-based systems is efficiency. Many companies are now offering technical support over the INTERNET, and some even offer live operator assistance for such queries. While this is very advantageous (for the reasons mentioned above) it is also extremely costly and inefficient, because a real person must be employed to handle such queries. This presents a practical limit that results in long wait times for responses or high labor overheads. An example of this approach can be seen U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,526 also incorporated by reference herein. In general, a service presented over the WWW is far more desirable if it is “scalable,” or, in other words, able to handle an increasing amount of user traffic with little if any perceived delay or troubles by a prospective user. In a similar context, while remote learning has become an increasingly popular option for many students, it is practically impossible for an instructor to be able to field questions from more than one person at a time. Even then, such interaction usually takes place for only a limited period of time because of other instructor time constraints. To date, however, there is no practical way for students to continue a human-like question and answer type dialog after the learning session is over, or without the presence of the instructor to personally address such queries. Conversely, another aspect of emulating a human-like dialog involves the use of oral feedback. In other words, many persons prefer to receive answers and information in audible form. While a form of this functionality is used by some websites to communicate information to visitors, it is not performed in a real-time, interactive question-answer dialog fashion so its effectiveness and usefulness is limited. Yet another area that could benefit from speech-based interaction involves so-called “search” engines used by INTERNET users to locate information of interest at web sites, such as the those available at YAHOO®.com, METACRAWLER®.com, EXCITE®.com, etc. These tools permit the user to form a search query using either combinations of keywords or metacategories to search through a web page database containing text indices associated with one or more distinct web pages. After processing the user's request, therefore, the search engine returns a number of hits which correspond, generally, to URL pointers and text excerpts from the web pages that represent the closest match made by such search engine for the particular user query based on the search processing logic used by search engine. The structure and operation of such prior art search engines, including the mechanism by which they build the web page database, and parse the search query, are well known in the art. To date, applicant is unaware of any such search engine that can easily and reliably search and retrieve information based on speech input from a user. There are a number of reasons why the above environments (e-commerce, e-support, remote learning, INTERNET searching, etc.) do not utilize speech-based interfaces, despite the many benefits that would otherwise flow from such capability. First, there is obviously a requirement that the output of the speech recognizer be as accurate as possible. One of the more reliable approaches to speech recognition used at this time is based on the Hidden Markov Model (HMM)—a model used to mathematically describe any time series. A conventional usage of this technique is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,670 incorporated by reference herein. Because speech is considered to have an underlying sequence of one or more symbols, the HMM models corresponding to each symbol are trained on vectors from the speech waveforms. The Hidden Markov Model is a finite set of states, each of which is associated with a (generally multi-dimensional) probability distribution. Transitions among the states are governed by a set of probabilities called transition probabilities. In a particular state an outcome or observation can be generated, according to the associated probability distribution. This finite state machine changes state once every time unit, and each time t such that a state j is entered, a spectral parameter vector O t is generated with probability density B j (O t ). It is only the outcome, not the state visible to an external observer and therefore states are “hidden” to the outside; hence the name Hidden Markov Model. The basic theory of HMMs was published in a series of classic papers by Baum and his colleagues in the late 1960's and early 1970's. HMMs were first used in speech applications by Baker at Carnegie Mellon, by Jelenik and colleagues at IBM in the late 1970's and by Steve Young and colleagues at Cambridge University, UK in the 1990's. Some typical papers and texts are as follows: 1. L. E. Baum, T. Petrie, “Statistical inference for probabilistic functions for finite state Markov chains”, Ann. Math. Stat., 37: 1554-1563, 1966 2. L. E. Baum, “An inequality and associated maximation technique in statistical estimation for probabilistic functions of Markov processes”, Inequalities 3: 1-8, 1972 3. J. H. Baker, “The dragon system—An Overview”, IEEE Trans. on ASSP Proc., ASSP-23(1): 24-29, February 1975 4. F. Jeninek et al, “Continuous Speech Recognition: Statistical methods” in Handbook of Statistics, II, P. R. Kristnaiad, Ed. Amsterdam, The Netherlands, North-Holland, 1982 5. L. R. Bahl, F. Jeninek, R. L. Mercer, “A maximum likelihood approach to continuous speech recognition”, IEEE Trans. Pattern Anal. Mach. Intell., PAMI-5: 179-190, 1983 6. J. D. Ferguson, “Hidden Markov Analysis: An Introduction”, in Hidden Markov Models for Speech, Institute of Defense Analyses, Princeton, N.J. 1980. 7. H. R. Rabiner and B. H. Juang, “Fundamentals of Speech Recognition”, Prentice Hall, 1993 8. H. R. Rabiner, “Digital Processing of Speech Signals”, Prentice Hall, 1978 More recently research has progressed in extending HMM and combining HMMs with neural networks to speech recognition applications at various laboratories. The following is a representative paper: 9. Nelson Morgan, Hervé Bourlard, Steve Renals, Michael Cohen and Horacio Franco (1993), Hybrid Neural Network/Hidden Markov Model Systems for Continuous Speech Recognition. Journal of Pattern Recognition and Artificial Intelligence, Vol. 7, No. 4 pp. 899-916. Also in I. Guyon and P. Wang editors, Advances in Pattern Recognition Systems using Neural Networks, Vol. 7 of a Series in Machine Perception and Artificial Intelligence. World Scientific, February 1994. All of the above are hereby incorporated by reference. While the HMM-based speech recognition yields very good results, contemporary variations of this technique cannot guarantee a word accuracy requirement of 100% exactly and consistently, as will be required for WWW applications for all possible all user and environment conditions. Thus, although speech recognition technology has been available for several years, and has improved significantly, the technical requirements have placed severe restrictions on the specifications for the speech recognition accuracy that is required for an application that combines speech recognition and natural language processing to work satisfactorily. In contrast to word recognition, Natural language processing (NLP) is concerned with the parsing, understanding and indexing of transcribed utterances and larger linguistic units. Because spontaneous speech contains many surface phenomena such as disfluencies, —hesitations, repairs and restarts, discourse markers such as ‘well’ and other elements which cannot be handled by the typical speech recognizer, it is the problem and the source of the large gap that separates speech recognition and natural language processing technologies. Except for silence between utterances, another problem is the absence of any marked punctuation available for segmenting the speech input into meaningful units such as utterances. For optimal NLP performance, these types of phenomena should be annotated at its input. However, most continuous speech recognition systems produce only a raw sequence of words. Examples of conventional systems using NLP are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,991,094, 5,068,789, 5,146,405 and 5,680,628, all of which are incorporated by reference herein. Second, most of the very reliable voice recognition systems are speaker-dependent, requiring that the interface be “trained” with the user's voice, which takes a lot of time, and is thus very undesirable from the perspective of a WWW environment, where a user may interact only a few times with a particular website. Furthermore, speaker-dependent systems usually require a large user dictionary (one for each unique user) which reduces the speed of recognition. This makes it much harder to implement a real-time dialog interface with satisfactory response capability (i.e., something that mirrors normal conversation—on the order of 3-5 seconds is probably ideal). At present, the typical shrink-wrapped speech recognition application software include offerings from IBM (VIAVOICE™) and Dragon Systems (DRAGON™). While most of these applications are adequate for dictation and other transcribing applications, they are woefully inadequate for applications such as NLQS where the word error rate must be close to 0%. In addition these offerings require long training times and are typically are non client-server configurations. Other types of trained systems are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,670 assigned to Kurzweil, and which is also incorporated by reference herein. Another significant problem faced in a distributed voice-based system is a lack of uniformity/control in the speech recognition process. In a typical stand-alone implementation of a speech recognition system, the entire SR engine runs on a single client. A well-known system of this type is depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,217 incorporated by reference herein. These clients can take numerous forms (desktop PC, laptop PC, PDA, etc.) having varying speech signal processing and communications capability. Thus, from the server side perspective, it is not easy to assure uniform treatment of all users accessing a voice-enabled web page, since such users may have significantly disparate word recognition and error rate performances. While a prior art reference to Gould et al.—U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,236—discusses generally the notion of tailoring a recognition process to a set of available computational resources, it does not address or attempt to solve the issue of how to optimize resources in a distributed environment such as a client-server model. Again, to enable such voice-based technologies on a wide-spread scale it is far more preferable to have a system that harmonizes and accounts for discrepancies in individual systems so that even the thinnest client is supportable, and so that all users are able to interact in a satisfactory manner with the remote server running the e-commerce, e-support and/or remote learning application. Two references that refer to a distributed approach for speech recognition include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,956,683 and 5,960,399 incorporated by reference herein. In the first of these, U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,683—Distributed Voice Recognition System (assigned to Qualcomm) an implementation of a distributed voice recognition system between a telephony-based handset and a remote station is described. In this implementation, all of the word recognition operations seem to take place at the handset. This is done since the patent describes the benefits that result from locating of the system for acoustic feature extraction at the portable or cellular phone in order to limit degradation of the acoustic features due to quantization distortion resulting from the narrow bandwidth telephony channel. This reference therefore does not address the issue of how to ensure adequate performance for a very thin client platform. Moreover, it is difficult to determine, how, if at all, the system can perform real-time word recognition, and there is no meaningful description of how to integrate the system with a natural language processor. The second of these references—U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,399—Client/Server Speech Processor/Recognizer (assigned to GTE) describes the implementation of a HMM-based distributed speech recognition system. This reference is not instructive in many respects, however, including how to optimize acoustic feature extraction for a variety of client platforms, such as by performing a partial word recognition process where appropriate. Most importantly, there is only a description of a primitive server-based recognizer that only recognizes the user's speech and simply returns certain keywords such as the user's name and travel destination to fill out a dedicated form on the user's machine. Also, the streaming of the acoustic parameters does not appear to be implemented in real-time as it can only take place after silence is detected. Finally, while the reference mentions the possible use of natural language processing (column 9) there is no explanation of how such function might be implemented in a real-time fashion to provide an interactive feel for the user. Companies such as Nuance Communications and Speech Works which up till now are the leading vendors that supply speech and natural language processing products to the airlines and travel reservations market, rely mainly on statistical and shallow semantics to understand the meaning of what the users says. Their successful strategy is based on the fact that this shallow semantic analysis will work quite well in the specific markets they target. Also to their advantage, these markets require only a limited amount to language understanding. For future and broader applications such as customer relationship management or intelligent tutoring systems, a much deeper understanding of language is required. This understanding will come from the application of deep semantic analysis. Research using deep semantic techniques is today a very active field at such centers as Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), IBM, Microsoft and at universities such as Univ. of Pittsburg [Litman, 2002], Memphis [Graesser, 2000], Harvard [Grosz, 1993] and many others. In a typical language understanding system there is typically a parser that precedes the semantic unit. Although the parser can build a hierarchical structure that spans a single sentence, parsers are seldom used to build up the hierarchical structure of the utterances or text that spans multiple sentences. The syntactic markings that guide parsing inside a sentence is either weak or absent in a typical discourse. So for a dialog-based system that expects to have smooth conversational features, the emphasis of the semantic decoder is not only on building deeper meaning structures from the shallow analyses constructed by the parser, but also on integrating the meanings of the multiple sentences that constitute the dialog. Up till now there are two major research paths taken in deep semantic understanding of language: informational and intentional. In the informational approach, the focus is on the meaning that comes from the semantic relationships between the utterance-level propositions (e.g. effect, cause, condition) whereas with the intentional approach, the focus is on recognizing the intentions of the speaker (e.g. inform, request, propose). Work following the informational approach focuses on the question of how the correct inferences are drawn during comprehension given the input utterances and background knowledge. The earliest work tried to draw all possible inferences [Reiger, 1974; Schank, 1975; Sperber & Wilson, 1986] and in response to the problem of combinatorial explosion in doing so, later work examined ways to constrain the reasoning PeJong, 1977; Schank et al., 1980; Hobbs, 1980]. In parallel with this work, the notions of conversational implicatures (Grice, 1989) and accomodation [Lewis, 1979] were introduced. Both are related to inferences that are needed to make a discourse coherent or acceptable. These parallel lines of research converged into abductive approaches to discourse interpretation [e.g., Appelt & Pollack,1990; Charniak, 1986; Hobbs et al., 1993; McRoy & Hirst, 1991; Lascarides & Asher, 1991; Lascarides & Oberlander, 1992; Rayner & Alshawi, 1992]. The informational approach is central to work in text interpretation. The intentional approach draws from work on the relationship between utterances and their meaning [Grice, 1969] and work on speech act theory [Searle, 1969] and generally employs artificial intelligence planning tools. The early work considered only individual plans [e.g., Power, 1974; Perrault & Allen, 1980; Hobbs & Evans, 1980; Grosz & Sidner, 1986; Pollack, 1986] whereas now there is progress on modeling collaborative plans with joint intentions [Grosz & Kraus, 1993; Lochbaum, 1994]. It is now accepted that the intentional approach is more appropriate for conversational dialog-based systems since the collaborative aspect of the dialog has to be captured and retained. Present research using deep semantic techniques may employ a semantic interpreter which uses prepositions as its input propositions extracted by semantic concept detectors of a grammar-based sentence understanding unit. It then combines these propositions from multiple utterances to form larger units of meaning and must do this relative to the context in which the language was used. In conversational dialog applications such as an intelligent tutoring system (ITS), where there is a need for a deep understanding of the semantics of language, hybrid techniques are used. These hybrid techniques combine statistical methods (e.g., Latent Semantic Analysis) for comparing student inputs with expected inputs to determine whether a question was answered correctly or not [e.g., Graesser et al., 1999] and the extraction of thematic roles based on the FrameNet [Baker, et al, 1998] from a student input [Gildea & Jurafsky, 2001]. The aforementioned cited articles include: Appelt, D. & Pollack, M. (1990). Weighted abduction for plan ascription. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International. Technical Note 491. Baker, Collin F., Fillmore, Charles J., and Lowe, John B. (1998): The Berkeley FrameNet project. In Proceedings of the COLING - ACL, Montreal, Canada. Charniak, E. (1993). Statistical Language Analysis. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Daniel Gildea and Daniel Jurafsky. 2002. Automatic Labeling of Semantic Roles. Computational Linguistics 28:3, 245-288. Dejong, G. (1977). Skimming newspaper stories by computer. New Haven, Conn.: Department of Computer Science, Yale University. Research Report 104. FrameNet: Theory and Practice. Christopher R. Johnson et al, http://www.icsi.berkeley.edu/˜framenet/book/book.html Graesser, A. C., Wiemer-Hastings, P., Wiemer-Hastings, K., Harter, D., Person, N., and the TRG (in press). Using latent semantic analysis to evaluate the contributions of students in AutoTutor. Interactive Learning Environments. Graesser, A., Wiemer-Hastings, K., Wiemer-Hastings, P., Kreuz, R., & the Tutoring Research Group (2000). AutoTutor: A simulation of a human tutor, Journal of Cognitive Systems Research, 1,35-51. Grice, H. P. (1969). Utterer's meaning and intentions. Philosophical Review, 68(2):147-177. Grice, H. P. (1989). Studies in the Ways of Words. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press. Grosz, B. & Kraus, S. (1993). Collaborative plans for group activities. In Proceedings of the Thirteenth International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI '93), Chambery, France (vol. 1, pp. 367-373). Grosz, B. J. & Sidner, C. L. (1986). Attentions, intentions and the structure of discourse. Computational Linguistics, 12, 175-204. Hobbs, J. & Evans, D. (1980). Conversation as planned behavior. Cognitive Science 4(4), 349-377. Hobbs, J. & Evans, D. (1980). Conversation as planned behavior. Cognitive Science 4(4), 349-377. Hobbs, J., Stickel, M., Appelt, D., & Martin, P. (1993). Interpretation as abduction. Artificial Intelligence 63(1-2), 69-142. Lascarides, A. & Asher, N. (1991). Discourse relations and defeasible knowledge. In Proceedings of the 29th Annual Meeting of the Association for Computational Linguistics (ACL '91), Berkeley, Calif. (pp. 55-62). Lascarides, A. & Oberlander, J. (1992). Temporal coherence and defeasible knowledge. Theoretical Linguistics, 19. Lewis, D. (1979). Scorekeeping in a language game. Journal of Philosophical Logic 6, 339-359. Litman, D. J., Pan, Shimei, Designing and evaluating an adaptive spoken dialogue system, User Modeling and User Adapted Interaction, 12, 2002. Lochbaum, K. (1994). Using Collaborative Plans to Model the Intentional Structure of Discourse. PhD thesis, Harvard University. McRoy, S. & Hirst, G. (1991). An abductive account of repair in conversation. AAAI Fall Symposium on Discourse Structure in Natural Language Understanding and Generation, Asilomar, Calif. (pp. 52-57). Perrault, C. & Allen, J. (1980). A plan-based analysis of indirect speech acts. American Journal of Computational Linguistics, 6(3-4), 167-182. Pollack, M. (1986). A model of plan inference that distinguishes between the beliefs of actors and observers. In Proceedings of 24 th Annual Meeting of the Association for Computational Linguistics, New York (pp. 207-214). Power, R. (1974). A Computer Model of Conversation. PhD. thesis, University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Rayner, M. & Alshawi, H. (1992). Deriving database queries from logical forms by abductive definition expansion. In Proceedings of the Third Conference of Applied Natural Language Processing, Trento, Italy (pp. 1-8). Reiger, C. (1974). Conceptual Memory: A Theory and Computer Program for Processing the Meaning Content of Natural Language Utterances. Stanford, Calif.: Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. Memo AIM-233. Schank, R. (1975). Conceptual Information Processing. New York: Elsevier. Schank, R., Lebowitz, M., & Birnbaum, L. (1980). An integrated understander. American Journal of Computational Linguistics, 6(1). Searle, J. (1969). Speech Acts: An Essay in the Philosophy of Language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Sperber, D. & Wilson, D. (1986). Relevance: Communication and Cognition. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press. The above are also incorporated by reference herein.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an improved system and method for overcoming the limitations of the prior art noted above; A primary object of the present invention is to provide a word and phrase recognition system that is flexibly and optimally distributed across a client/platform computing architecture, so that improved accuracy, speed and uniformity can be achieved for a wide group of users; A further object of the present invention is to provide a speech recognition system that efficiently integrates a distributed word recognition system with a natural language processing system, so that both individual words and entire speech utterances can be quickly and accurately recognized in any number of possible languages; A related object of the present invention is to provide an efficient query response system so that an extremely accurate, real-time set of appropriate answers can be given in response to speech-based queries; Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an interactive, real-time instructional/learning system that is distributed across a client/server architecture, and permits a real-time question/answer session with an interactive character; A related object of the present invention is to implement such interactive character with an articulated response capability so that the user experiences a human-like interaction; Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an INTERNET website with speech processing capability so that voice based data and commands can be used to interact with such site, thus enabling voice-based e-commerce and e-support services to be easily scaleable; Another object is to implement a distributed speech recognition system that utilizes environmental variables as part of the recognition process to improve accuracy and speed; A further object is to provide a scaleable query/response database system, to support any number of query topics and users as needed for a particular application and instantaneous demand; Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a query recognition system that employs a two-step approach, including a relatively rapid first step to narrow down the list of potential responses to a smaller candidate set, and a second more computationally intensive second step to identify the best choice to be returned in response to the query from the candidate set; A further object of the present invention is to provide a natural language processing system that facilitates query recognition by extracting lexical components of speech utterances, which components can be used for rapidly identifying a candidate set of potential responses appropriate for such speech utterances; Another related object of the present invention is to provide a natural language processing system that facilitates query recognition by comparing lexical components of speech utterances with a candidate set of potential response to provide an extremely accurate best response to such query. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a natural language processing system which uses semantic decoding as part of a process for comprehending a question posed in a speech utterance; One general aspect of the present invention, therefore, relates to a natural language query system (NLQS) that offers a fully interactive method for answering user's questions over a distributed network such as the INTERNET or a local intranet. This interactive system when implemented over the worldwide web (WWW services of the INTERNET functions so that a client or user can ask a question in a natural language such as English, French, German or Spanish and receive the appropriate answer at his or her personal computer also in his or her native natural language. The system is distributed and consists of a set of integrated software modules at the client's machine and another set of integrated software programs resident on a server or set of servers. The client-side software program is comprised of a speech recognition program, an agent and its control program, and a communication program. The server-side program is comprised of a communication program, a natural language engine (NLE), a database processor (DBProcess), an interface program for interfacing the DBProcess with the NLE, and a SQL database. In addition, the client's machine is equipped with a microphone and a speaker. Processing of the speech utterance is divided between the client and server side so as to optimize processing and transmission latencies, and so as to provide support for even very thin client platforms. In the context of an interactive learning application, the system is specifically used to provide a single-best answer to a user's question. The question that is asked at the client's machine is articulated by the speaker and captured by a microphone that is built in as in the case of a notebook computer or is supplied as a standard peripheral attachment. Once the question is captured, the question is processed partially by NLQS client-side software resident in the client's machine. The output of this partial processing is a set of speech vectors that are transported to the server via the INTERNET to complete the recognition of the user's questions. This recognized speech is then converted to text at the server. After the user's question is decoded by the speech recognition engine (SRE) located at the server, the question is converted to a structured query language (SQL) query. This query is then simultaneously presented to a software process within the server called DBProcess for preliminary processing and to a Natural Language Engine (NLE) module for extracting the noun phrases (NP) of the user's question. During the process of extracting the noun phrase within the NLE, the tokens of the users' question are tagged. The tagged tokens are then grouped so that the NP list can be determined. This information is stored and sent to the DBProcess process. In the DBProcess, the SQL query is fully customized using the NP extracted from the user's question and other environment variables that are relevant to the application. For example, in a training application, the user's selection of course, chapter and or section would constitute the environment variables. The SQL query is constructed using the extended SQL Full-Text predicates—CONTAINS, FREETEXT, NEAR, AND. The SQL query is next sent to the Full-Text search engine within the SQL database, where a Full-Text search procedure is initiated. The result of this search procedure is recordset of answers. This recordset contains stored questions that are similar linguistically to the user's question. Each of these stored questions has a paired answer stored in a separate text file, whose path is stored in a table of the database. The entire recordset of returned stored answers is then returned to the NLE engine in the form of an array. Each stored question of the array is then linguistically processed sequentially one by one. This linguistic processing constitutes the second step of a 2-step algorithm to determine the single best answer to the user's question. This second step proceeds as follows: for each stored question that is returned in the recordset, a NP of the stored question is compared with the NP of the user's question. After all stored questions of the array are compared with the user's question, the stored question that yields the maximum match with the user's question is selected as the best possible stored question that matches the user's question. The metric that is used to determine the best possible stored question is the number of noun phrases. The stored answer that is paired to the best-stored question is selected as the one that answers the user's question. The ID tag of the question is then passed to the DBProcess. This DBProcess returns the answer which is stored in a file. A communication link is again established to send the answer back to the client in compressed form. The answer once received by the client is decompressed and articulated to the user by the text-to-speech engine. Thus, the invention can be used in any number of different applications involving interactive learning systems, INTERNET related commerce sites, INTERNET search engines, etc. Computer-assisted instruction environments often require the assistance of mentors or live teachers to answer questions from students. This assistance often takes the form of organizing a separate pre-arranged forum or meeting time that is set aside for chat sessions or live call-in sessions so that at a scheduled time answers to questions may be provided. Because of the time immediacy and the on-demand or asynchronous nature of on-line training where a student may log on and take instruction at any time and at any location, it is important that answers to questions be provided in a timely and cost-effective manner so that the user or student can derive the maximum benefit from the material presented. This invention addresses the above issues. It provides the user or student with answers to questions that are normally channeled to a live teacher or mentor. This invention provides a single-best answer to questions asked by the student. The student asks the question in his or her own voice in the language of choice. The speech is recognized and the answer to the question is found using a number of technologies including distributed speech recognition, full-text search database processing, natural language processing and text-to-speech technologies. The answer is presented to the user, as in the case of a live teacher, in an articulated manner by an agent that mimics the mentor or teacher, and in the language of choice—English, French, German, Japanese or other natural spoken language. The user can choose the agent's gender as well as several speech parameters such as pitch, volume and speed of the character's voice. Other applications that benefit from NLQS are e-commerce applications. In this application, the user's query for a price of a book, compact disk or for the availability of any item that is to be purchased can be retrieved without the need to pick through various lists on successive web pages. Instead, the answer is provided directly to the user without any additional user input. Similarly, it is envisioned that this system can be used to provide answers to frequently-asked questions (FAQs), and as a diagnostic service tool for e-support. These questions are typical of a give web site and are provided to help the user find information related to a payment procedure or the specifications of, or problems experienced with a product/service. In all of these applications, the NLQS architecture can be applied. A number of inventive methods associated with these architectures are also beneficially used in a variety of INTERNET related applications. Although the inventions are described below in a set of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art the present inventions could be beneficially used in many environments where it is necessary to implement fast, accurate speech recognition, and/or to provide a human-like dialog capability to an intelligent system.
20041203
20091124
20050421
92111.0
1
LERNER, MARTIN
SYSTEM & METHOD FOR NATURAL LANGUAGE PROCESSING OF SENTENCE BASED QUERIES
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,004,135
ACCEPTED
User monitoring
A user-based monitoring system, made up of a at least one of each of remote user-monitoring subsystem, central server and authorized-user computer. The user-based monitoring subsystem facilitates collection of user-related data and includes at least one monitoring unit. The central server is remotely located from, and configured for signal communication with, the remote user-monitoring subsystem. The authorized-user computer is remotely located from, and configured for two-way signal communication with, the central server. An authorized user communicates with the central server upon transmitting an identifying authorization code; and can receive reports, based on user-related data collected by a remote user-monitoring subsystem, from the central server. These reports include at least information on the current condition of the remote user being monitored.
1. A user-based monitoring system, comprising: (a) at least one remote user-monitoring subsystem (i) configured to facilitate collection of user-related data; and (ii) including at least one monitoring unit; (b) at least one central server (i) remotely located from the remote user-monitoring subsystem; and (ii) configured for communication with the remote user-monitoring subsystem to receive signal communications therefrom; (c) at least one authorized-user computer remotely located from, and configured for two-way signal communication with, the central server to (i) allow an authorized-user to communicate with the central server upon transmitting an identifying authorization code; and (ii) receive reports, based on user-related data collected by a remote user-monitoring subsystem, from the central server, wherein the reports include at least information on the current condition of the remote user being monitored. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote user-monitoring subsystem further includes at least one display for use in generating monitoring related displays for the remote user. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the remote user-monitoring subsystem further includes at least: (i) one microprocessor-based unit; (ii) a memory; and (iii) stored program instructions for use in facilitating collection of user-related data. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the remote user-monitoring subsystem includes at least two microprocessor-based units selected from the group consisting of a data management unit, a personal computer, a handheld device and a monitoring device. 5. The system of claim 4, being configured for two-way communication between the remote user-monitoring subsystem, the central server and the authorized user for receiving and delivering signal communications to and from the remote user-monitoring subsystem. 6. The system of claim 4, wherein at least one of the microprocessor-based units is configured to facilitate collection of user-related data through a user using buttons, keys or switches. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein at least one microprocessor based unit is a handheld device. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the handheld device has a display. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one monitoring unit at the user-based monitoring subsystem has a receptacle for receiving a removable memory. 10. The system of claim 3, wherein the user-based monitoring subsystem is configured to monitor a health-related parameter. 11. The system of claim 5, wherein the system is configured to transmit information to the user-based monitoring subsystem. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the information includes instructions. 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one report includes condition trends data. 14. The system of claim 2, wherein the report can be standardized. 15. The system of claim 2, wherein the report includes at least one of graphs and icons. 16. The system of claim 2, wherein the report can be generated periodically. 17. The system of claim 2, wherein the server can generate the report. 18. The system of claim 2, wherein remote user-monitoring subsystem includes at least one display and the system is configured to cause the presentation of information for the user on the display at a remote user subsystem. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the system is configured to transmit a message for display on at least one remote user subsystem display. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the system is configured to cause the message to be transmitted to a specific user. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the message is educational or motivational. 22. The system of claim 18, wherein the system is configured to allow a user using a user subsystem to control the collection of data using at least one monitoring menu. 23. The system of claim 23, wherein the menu allows the user to select any one of the operational modes from the set consisting of: (i) a display mode for displaying relevant information; (ii) an input mode for providing information; and (iii) a communications mode for establishing a link with the central server. 24. The system of claim 18, wherein the system is configured to enable the user to respond to information on the display by using a cursor or other indicator positioned at a selected item. 25. A user-based-monitoring system, comprising: (a) at least one remote user-monitoring subsystem including (i) at least one display; (ii) at least one microprocessor-based unit configured to facilitate collection of user monitoring-related data, and (iii) a memory with stored program instructions for use in generating-monitoring related information on the display; (b) at least one central server (i) remotely located from the remote user-monitoring subsystem; and (ii) configured for two-way communication with the remote user-monitoring subsystem to receive signal communications therefrom; (c) at least one authorized-user computer remotely located from, and configured for two-way signal communication with, the central server to (i) receive related data collected by a remote user-monitoring subsystem, and (ii) allow an authorized user to communicate with the central server. 26. The system of claim 26, wherein the system is configured to allow the authorized-user to communicate with the user-based monitoring subsystem via the central server. 27. The system of claim 26, wherein the microprocessor-based units is configured to facilitate collection of user-related data through a user using buttons, keys or switches. 28. The system of claim 27, wherein at least one display is in at least one of the microprocessor-based devices. 29. The system of claim 26, wherein the display is in a handheld device. 30. The system of claim 30, wherein the handheld device is capable of displaying pictorial-monitoring related information. 31. The system of claim 28, wherein the user-based monitoring subsystem is configured to monitor a health-related parameter. 32. The system of claim 26, wherein the collected user monitoring related data can be used to create a report. 33. The system of claim 33, wherein the report includes information for a period of time. 34. The system of claim 33, wherein the report can be generated periodically. 35. The system of claim 33, wherein the server can generate the report. 36. The system of claim 26, wherein the system is configured to transmit a message for display on at least one remote user subsystem display. 37. The system of claim 37, wherein the system is configured to cause the message to be transmitted to a specific user associated with a user subsystem. 38. The system of claim 26, wherein the system is configured to allow a user using a user subsystem to control the display of monitoring related information using at least one menu. 39. The system of claim 39, wherein the menu allows the user to select any one of the operational modes from the set consisting of: (i) a display mode for displaying relevant information; (ii) an input mode for providing information; and (iii) a communications mode for establishing a link with the central server. 40. A monitoring system, comprising: (a) at least one remote monitoring subsystem configured to facilitate collection of monitoring data and including (i) at least one monitoring unit and (ii) at least one data management unit in communication with the monitoring unit; (b) at least one central server (i) remotely located from the remote monitoring subsystem; and (ii) configured for communication with the remote monitoring subsystem to receive signal communications therefrom; and (c) at least one authorized-user computer remotely located from, and configured for two-way signal communication with, the central server to (i) allow an authorized-user to communicate with the central server upon transmitting an identifying authorization code; and (ii) receive reports, based on monitoring data collected by a remote monitoring subsystem, from the central server, wherein the reports include at least information on the current condition of the remote user being monitored. 41. The system of claim 41, wherein the remote monitoring subsystem further includes at least one display for use in generating monitoring related displays for the remote user. 42. The system of claim 42, wherein the remote monitoring subsystem further includes: (i) a memory; and (ii) stored program instructions for use in facilitating collection of user-related data and for generating the monitoring related displays. 43. The system of claim 41, wherein the remote monitoring subsystem includes at least two microprocessor-based units being one or more selected from the group consisting of a data management unit, a personal computer, a handheld device and a monitoring device. 44. The system of claim 44, being configured for two-way communication between the remote monitoring subsystem, the central server and the authorized user for receiving and delivering signal communications to and from the remote monitoring subsystem. 45. The system of claim 44, wherein at least one monitoring unit at the remote monitoring subsystem has a receptacle for receiving a removable memory. 46. The system of claim 44, wherein the remote monitoring subsystem is configured to monitor a condition related to a user at the remote subsystem. 47. The system of claim 42, wherein the at least one report includes condition trend data. 48. The system of claim 48, wherein the report can be standardized. 49. The system of claim 44, wherein the system is configured to transmit a message for display on at least one remote monitoring subsystem display. 50. The system of claim 50, wherein the system is configured to cause the message to be transmitted to a specific user. 51. The system of claim 51, wherein the message is educational or motivational. 52. The system of claim 42, wherein the system is configured to allow a user at a remote monitoring subsystem to control the collection of data using at least one monitoring menu. 53. The system of claim 42, wherein the system is configured to enable the user to respond to information on the display by using a cursor or other indicator positioned at a selected item. 54. A user-based monitoring system, comprising: (a) using at least one remote user-monitoring subsystem including at least one monitoring unit to collect user-related data (b) establishing communications between at least one central server remotely located from the remote user-monitoring subsystem to receive signal communications therefrom; (c) establishing between at least one authorized-user computer, remotely located from, two-way communication, the central server and the central server; (d) allowing an authorized user to communicate with the central server upon transmitting an identifying authorization code; and (e) receiving reports, at the authorized user computer, based on user-related data collected by a remote user-monitoring subsystem, from the central server, wherein the reports include at least information on the current condition of the remote user being monitored. 55. The method of claim 55, further comprising generating at least one monitoring related display for the remote user. 56. The method of claim 56, wherein the remote user-monitoring subsystem further includes at least one microprocessor-based unit; and a memory; and the method further comprises using program instructions stored in the memory for collecting user-related data. 57. The method of claim 55, wherein the remote user-monitoring subsystem includes at least two microprocessor-based units selected from the group consisting of a data management unit, a personal computer, a handheld device and a monitoring device. 58. The method of claim 56, further comprising: (a) being configured for two-way communication between the remote user-monitoring subsystem, the central server and the authorized user; and (b) receiving and delivering communications to and from the remote user-monitoring subsystem. 59. The method of claim 58, wherein at least one of the microprocessor-based units is configured to facilitate collection of user-related data through a user using buttons, keys or switches. 60. The method of claim 58, wherein at least one monitoring unit at the user-based monitoring subsystem has a receptacle for receiving a removable memory. 61. The method of claim 58, wherein the user-based monitoring subsystem monitors a health parameter. 62. The method of claim 55, wherein the at least one report includes condition trend data. 63. The method of claim 55, wherein the report is standardized. 64. The method of claim 55, wherein the report includes at least one of graphs and icons. 65. The method of claim 55, wherein the report is generated periodically. 66. The method of claim 55, wherein the server generates the report. 67. The method of claim 56, wherein remote user-monitoring subsystem includes at least one display and the method further comprises presenting information for the user on the display at a remote user subsystem. 68. The method of claim 55, further comprising transmitting information to the user-based monitoring subsystem. 69. The method of claim 69, wherein the information includes instructions. 70. The method of claim 68, wherein the information includes at least one message for display at the remote user subsystem. 71. The method of claim 71, wherein the message is transmitted to a specific user. 72. The method of claim 72, wherein the message is educational or motivational. 73. The method of claim 68, wherein a user controls the collection of data using at least one monitoring menu. 74. The method of claim 74, wherein the user uses the menu to select any one of the operational modes from the set consisting of: (i) a display mode for displaying relevant information; (ii) an input mode for providing information; and (iii) a communications mode for establishing a link with the central server. 75. The method of claim 68, wherein the a user responds to information on the display by using a cursor or other indicator positioned at a selected item. 76. A monitoring method, comprising: (a) at least one remote monitoring subsystem including at least one monitoring unit and at least one data management unit in communication with the monitoring unit; (b) using the remote monitoring subsystem to called monitoring data; (c) establishing communications between at least one central server, remotely located from the remote monitoring subsystem, and the rewrite, monitoring subsystem; and to receive signal communications therefrom; (d) at least one authorized-user computer establishing between two-way communication and the central server; (e) allowing an authorized-user to communicate with the central server upon transmitting an identifying authorization code; and (f) providing reports, to the authorized user, based on monitoring data collected by a remote monitoring subsystem, from the central server, wherein the reports include at least information on the current condition of the remote user being monitored. 77. The method of claim 77, wherein the remote monitoring subsystem further at least one display and the method further comprises in generating monitoring related displays at the remote monitoring system. 78. The method of claim 78, wherein the remote monitoring subsystem includes a memory; and the method further comprises using stored program instructions in collecting monitoring related data and for generating the monitoring related displays. 79. The method of claim 78, wherein the remote monitoring subsystem includes at least two microprocessor-based units being one or more selected from the group consisting of a data management unit, a personal computer, a handheld device and a monitoring device. 80. The method of claim 80, further comprising establishing two-way communication between the remote monitoring subsystem, the central server and the authorized user to receive and deliver communications to and from the remote monitoring subsystem. 81. The method of claim 80, wherein at least one monitoring unit at the remote monitoring subsystem has a receptacle for receiving a removable memory. 82. The method of claim 80, wherein the remote monitoring subsystem monitors a condition detected at the remote subsystem. 83. The method of claim 77, wherein the at least one report includes condition trend data. 84. The method of claim 84, wherein the report is standardized. 85. The method of claim 80, further comprising transmitting a message for display on at least one remote monitoring subsystem. 86. The method of claim 86, wherein the message is transmitted to a specific user. 87. The method of claim 86, wherein the message is educational or motivational. 88. The method of claim 78, further comprising allowing a user at a remote monitoring subsystem to control the collection of data using at least one monitoring menu. 89. The method of claim 78, further comprising responding to information on the display by using a cursor or other indicator positioned at a selected item.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 09/237,194, filed on Jan. 26, 1999, which is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 08/481,925, filed on Jun. 7, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,855, issued May 4, 1999, which is a FWC of application Ser. No. 08/233,397, filed on Apr. 26, 1994, now abandoned, which is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 07/977,323, filed on Nov. 11, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,263, issued on Apr. 26, 1994. This application is also related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,563 which is a Continuation-In-Part of the above-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,855, and a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,476, which claims the priority to Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/041,746, filed Mar. 28, 1997 and Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/041,751, filed Mar. 28, 1997. This application is also related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,493, which also claims priority to Provisional Application Nos. 60/041,751 and 60/041,746 both filed Mar. 28, 1997. This application is also related to application Ser. No. 10/233,296, filed on Aug. 30, 2002; application Ser. No. 09/665,242, filed on Mar. 28, 1997; application Ser. No. 10/319,427, filed Dec. 12, 2002; application Ser. No. 09/713,922, filed on Nov. 15, 2000; application Ser. No. 10/605,223, filed Sep. 16, 2003; application Ser. No. 10/605,226, filed Sep. 16, 2003; application Ser. No. 10/605,228; application Ser. No. 10/605,229, filed Sep. 16, 2003; and application Ser. No. 10/605,547, filed Oct. 7, 2003, all of which claim priority from application Ser. No. 09/237,194 BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Controlling or curing conditions of ill health generally involves both establishing a therapeutic program and monitoring the progress of the afflicted person. Based on that progress, decisions can be made as to altering therapy to achieve a cure or maintain the affliction or condition at a controlled level. Successfully treating certain health conditions calls for rather frequent monitoring and a relatively high degree of patient participation. For example, in order to establish and maintain a regimen for successful diabetes care, a diabetic should monitor his or her blood glucose level and record that information along with the date and time at which the monitoring took place. Since diet, exercise, and medication all affect blood glucose levels, a diabetic often must record data relating to those items of information along with blood glucose level so that the diabetic may more closely monitor his or her condition and, in addition, can provide information of value to the healthcare provider in determining both progress of the patient and detecting any need to change the patient's therapy program. Advances in the field of electronics over the past several years have brought about significant changes in medical diagnostic and monitoring equipment, including arrangements for self-care monitoring of various chronic conditions. With respect to the control and monitoring of diabetes, relatively inexpensive and relatively easy-to-use blood glucose monitoring systems have become available that provide reliable information that allows a diabetic and his or her healthcare professional to establish, monitor and adjust a treatment plan (diet, exercise, and medication). More specifically, microprocessor-based blood glucose monitoring systems are being marketed which sense the glucose level of a blood sample that is applied to a reagent-impregnated region of a test strip that is inserted in the glucose monitor. When the monitoring sequence is complete, the blood glucose level is displayed by, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) unit. Typically, currently available self-care blood glucose monitoring units include a calendar/clock circuit and a memory circuit that allows a number of blood glucose test results to be stored along with the date and time at which the monitoring occurred. The stored test results (blood glucose level and associated time and date) can be sequentially recalled for review by the blood glucose monitor user or a health professional by sequentially actuating a push button or other control provided on the monitor. In some commercially available devices, the average of the blood glucose results that are stored in the monitor (or the average of the results for a predetermined period of time, e.g., fourteen days) also is displayed during the recall sequence. Further, some self-care blood glucose monitors allow the user to tag the test result with an “event code” that can be used to organize the test results into categories. For example, a user might use a specific event code to identify test results obtained at particular times of the day, a different event code to identify a blood glucose reading obtained after a period of exercise, two additional event codes to identify blood glucose readings taken during hypoglycemia symptoms and hyperglycemia symptoms, etc. When event codes are provided and used, the event code typically is displayed with each recalled blood glucose test result. Microprocessor-based blood glucose monitoring systems have advantages other than the capability of obtaining reliable blood glucose test results and storing a number of the results for later recall and review. By using low power microprocessor and memory circuits and powering the units with small, high capacity batteries (e.g., a single alkaline battery), extremely compact and light designs have been achieved that allow taking the blood glucose monitoring system to work, school, or anywhere else the user might go with people encountered by the user not becoming aware of the monitoring system. In addition, most microprocessor-based self-care blood glucose monitoring systems have a memory capacity that allows the system to be programmed by the manufacturer so that the monitor displays a sequence of instructions during any necessary calibration or system tests and during the blood glucose test sequence itself. In addition, the system monitors various system conditions during a blood glucose test (e.g., whether a test strip is properly inserted in the monitor and whether a sufficient amount of blood has been applied to the reagent impregnated portion of the strip) and if an error is detected generates an appropriate display (e.g., “retest”). A data port may be provided that allows test results stored in the memory of the microprocessor-based blood glucose monitoring system to be transferred to a data port (e.g., RS-232 connection) of a personal computer or other such device for subsequent analysis. Microprocessor-based blood glucose monitoring systems are a significant advance over previously available self-care systems such as those requiring a diabetic to apply a blood sample to reagent activated portions of a test strip; wipe the blood sample from the test strip after a predetermined period of time; and, after a second predetermined period of time, determine blood glucose level by comparing the color of the reagent activated regions of the test strip with a color chart supplied by the test strip manufacturer. Despite what has been achieved, numerous drawbacks and disadvantages still exist. For example, establishing and maintaining diabetic healthcare often requires the diabetic to record additional data pertaining to medication, food intake, and exercise. However, the event codes of currently available microprocessor blood glucose monitoring systems provide only limited capability for tagging and tracking blood glucose test results according to food intake and other relevant factors. For example, the event codes of currently available monitoring systems only allow the user to classify stored blood glucose readings in a manner that indicates blood glucose tests taken immediately after a heavy, light or normal meal. This method of recording information not only requires subjective judgment by the system user, but will not suffice in a situation in which successfully controlling the user's diabetes requires the recording and tracking of relatively accurate information relating to food intake, exercise, or medication (e.g., insulin dosage). An otherwise significant advantage of currently available blood glucose monitoring systems is lost when blood glucose test results must be recorded and tracked with quantitative information relating to medication, food intake, or exercise. Specifically, the system user must record the required information along with a time and date tagged blood glucose test result by, for example, writing the information in a log book. The use of event codes to establish subcategories of blood glucose test results has an additional disadvantage or drawback. In particular, although alphanumeric display devices are typically used in currently available microprocessor-based blood glucose monitoring systems, the display units are limited to a single line of information having on the order of six characters. Moreover, since the systems include no provision for the user to enter alphanumeric information, any event codes that are used must be indicated on the display in a generic manner, e.g., displayed as “EVENT 1”, EVENT 2” etc. This limitation makes the system more difficult to use because the diabetic must either memorize his or her assignment of event codes or maintain a list that defines the event codes. The limited amount of data that can be displayed at any one time presents additional drawbacks and disadvantages. First, instructions and diagnostics that are displayed to the user when calibrating the system and using the system to obtain a blood glucose reading must be displayed a line at a time and in many cases, the information must be displayed in a cryptic manner. The above-discussed display limitations and other aspects of currently available blood glucose monitoring systems is disadvantageous in yet another way. Little statistical information can be made available to the user. For example, in diabetic healthcare maintenance, changes or fluctuations that occur in blood glucose levels during a day, a week, or longer period can provide valuable information to a diabetic and/or his or her healthcare professional. As previously mentioned, currently available systems do not allow associating blood glucose test results with attendant quantitative information relating to medication, food intake, or other factors such as exercise that affect a person's blood glucose level at any particular point in time. Thus, currently available blood glucose monitoring systems have little or no capability for the generating and display of trend information that may be of significant value to a diabetic or the diabetic's healthcare professional. Some currently available blood glucose monitoring systems provide a data port that can be interconnected with and transfer data to a personal computer (e.g., via an RS-232 connection). With such a system and a suitable programmed computer, the user can generate and display trend information or other data that may be useful in administering his or her treatment plan. Moreover, in such systems, data also can be transferred from the blood glucose monitoring system to a healthcare professional's computer either directly or remotely by telephone if both the blood glucose monitoring system (or computer) to which the data has been downloaded and the healthcare professional's computer are equipped with modems. Although such a data transfer provision allows a healthcare professional to analyze blood glucose data collected by a diabetic, this aspect of currently available blood glucose monitoring systems has not found widespread application. First, the downloading and subsequent analysis feature can only be used by system users that have ready access to a computer that is programmed with appropriate software and, in addition, have both the knowledge required to use the software (and the inclination to do so). This same problem exists with respect to data transfer to (and subsequent analysis by) a healthcare professional. Moreover, various manufacturers of systems that currently provide a data transfer feature do not use the same data format. Therefore, if a healthcare professional wishes to analyze data supplied by a number of different blood glucose monitoring systems, he or she must possess software for each of the systems and must learn to conduct the desired analyses with each software system. The above-discussed disadvantages and drawbacks of microprocessor-based self-care health monitoring systems take on even greater significance with respect to children afflicted with diabetes, asthma and other chronic illnesses. In particular, a child's need for medication and other therapy changes as the child grows. Current microprocessor-based self-care health monitoring systems generally do not provide information that is timely and complete enough for a healthcare professional to recognize and avert problems before relatively severe symptoms develop. Too often, a need for a change in medication and/or other changes in therapeutic regimen is not detected until the child's condition worsens to the point that emergency room care is required. Further, currently available microprocessor-based health monitoring systems have not been designed with children in mind. As previously mentioned, such devices are not configured for sufficient ease of use in situations in which it is desirable or necessary to record and track quantitative information that affects the physical condition of the system user (e.g., medication dosage administered by a diabetic and food intake). Children above the age at which they are generally capable of obtaining blood samples and administering insulin or other medication generally can learn to use at least the basic blood glucose monitoring features of currently available microprocessor-based blood glucose monitoring systems. However, the currently available monitoring systems provide nothing in the way of motivation for a child to use the device and, in addition, include little or nothing that educates the child about his or her condition or treatment progress. The lack of provision for the entering of alphanumeric data also can be a disadvantage. For example, currently available blood glucose monitoring systems do not allow the user or the healthcare professional to enter information into the system such as medication dosage and other instructions or data that is relevant to the user's self-care health program. The above-discussed disadvantages and drawbacks of currently available microprocessor-based blood glucose monitoring systems also have been impediments to adopting the basic technology of the system for other healthcare situations in which establishing and maintaining an effective regimen for cure or control is dependent upon (or at least facilitated by) periodically monitoring a condition and recording that condition along with time and date tags and other information necessary or helpful in establishing and maintaining a healthcare program. SUMMARY OF INVENTION This invention provides a new and useful system for healthcare maintenance in which the invention either serves as a peripheral device to (or incorporates) a small handheld microprocessor-based unit of the type that includes a display screen, buttons or keys that allow a user to control the operation of the device and a program cartridge or other arrangement that can be inserted in the device to adapt the device to a particular application or function. The invention in effect converts the handheld microprocessor device into a healthcare monitoring system that has significant advantages over systems such as the currently available blood glucose monitoring systems. To perform this conversion, the invention includes a microprocessor-based healthcare data management unit, a program cartridge and a monitoring unit. When inserted in the handheld microprocessor unit, the program cartridge provides the software necessary (program instructions) to program the handheld microprocessor unit for operation with the microprocessor-based data management unit. Signal communication between the data management unit and the handheld microprocessor unit is established by an interface cable. A second interface cable can be used to establish signal communication between the data management unit and the monitoring unit or, alternatively, the monitoring unit can be constructed as a plug-in unit having an electrical connector that mates with a connector mounted within a region that is configured for receiving the monitoring unit. In operation, the control buttons or keys of the handheld microprocessor-based unit are used to select the operating mode for both the data management unit and the handheld microprocessor-based unit. In response to signals generated by the control buttons or keys, the data management unit generates signals that are coupled to the handheld microprocessor unit and, under control of the program instructions contained in the program cartridge, establish an appropriate screen display on the handheld microprocessor-based unit display. In selecting system operating mode and other operations, the control buttons are used to position a cursor or other indicator in a manner that allows the system user to easily select a desired operating mode or function and provide any other required operator input. In the disclosed detailed embodiment of the invention several modes of operation are made available. In the currently preferred embodiments of the invention, the handheld microprocessor unit is a compact video game system such as the system manufactured by Nintendo of America Inc. under the trademark “GAME BOY.” Use of a compact video game system has several general advantages, including the widespread availability and low cost of such systems. Further, such systems include switch arrangements that are easily adapted for use in the invention and the display units of such systems are of a size and resolution that can advantageously be employed in the practice of the invention. In addition, such systems allow educational or motivational material to be displayed to the system user, with the material being included in the program cartridge that provides the monitor system software or, alternatively, in a separate program cartridge. The use of a compact video game system for the handheld microprocessor-based unit of the invention is especially advantageous with respect to children. Specifically, the compact video game systems of the type that can be employed in the practice of the invention are well known and well accepted by children. Such devices are easily operated by a child and most children are well accustomed to using the devices in the context of playing video games. Motivational and educational material relating to the use of the invention can be presented in game-like or animated format to further enhance acceptance and use of the invention by children that require self-care health monitoring. A microprocessor-based health monitoring system that is configured in accordance with the invention provides additional advantages for both the user and a healthcare professional. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, standardized reports are provided to a physician or other healthcare provider by means of facsimile transmission. To accomplish this, the data management unit of the currently preferred embodiments of the invention include a modem which allows test results and other data stored in system memory to be transmitted to a remote clearinghouse via a telephone connection. Data processing arrangements included in the clearinghouse perform any required additional data processing; format the standardized reports; and, transmit the reports to the facsimile machine of the appropriate healthcare professional. The clearinghouse also can fill an additional communication need, allowing information such as changes in medication dosage or other information such as modification in the user's monitoring schedule to be electronically sent to a system user. In arrangements that incorporate this particular aspect of the invention, information can be sent to the user via a telephone connection and the data management unit modem when a specific inquiry is initiated by the user, or when the user establishes a telephone connection with the clearinghouse for other purposes such as providing data for standardized reports. The clearinghouse-facsimile aspect of the invention is important because it allows a healthcare professional to receive timely information about patient condition and progress without requiring a visit by the patient (system user) and without requiring analysis or processing of test data by the healthcare professional. In this regard, the healthcare professional need not possess or even know how to use a computer and/or the software conventionally employed for analysis of blood glucose and other health monitoring data and information. The invention also includes provision for data analysis and memory storage of information provided by the user and/or the healthcare professional. In particular, the data management units of the currently preferred embodiments of the invention include a data port such as an RS-232 connection that allows the system user or healthcare professional to establish signal communication between the data management unit and a personal computer or other data processing arrangement. Blood glucose test data or other information can then be downloaded for analysis and record keeping purposes. Alternatively, information such as changes in the user's treatment and monitoring regimen can be entered into system memory. Moreover, if desired, remote communication between the data management unit and the healthcare professional's computer can be established using the clearinghouse as an element of the communications link. That is, in the currently preferred arrangements of the invention a healthcare professional has the option of using a personal computer that communicates with the clearinghouse via a modem and telephone line for purposes of transmitting instructions and information to a selected user of the system and/or obtaining user test data and information for subsequent analysis. The invention can be embodied in forms other than those described above. For example, although small handheld microprocessor units such as a handheld video game system or handheld microprocessor units of the type often referred to as “palm-computers provide many advantages, there are situations in which other compact microprocessor units can advantageously be used. Among the various types of units that can be employed are using compact video game systems of the type that employ a program cartridge, but uses a television set or video monitor instead of a display unit that is integrated into the previously described handheld microprocessor units. Those skilled in the art also will recognize that the above-described microprocessor-implemented functions and operations can be apportioned between one or more microprocessors in a manner that differs from the above-described arrangement. For example, in some situations, the programmable microprocessor unit and the program cartridge used in practicing the invention may provide memory and signal processing capability that is sufficient for practicing the invention. In such situations, the microprocessor of the microprocessor-based data management unit of the above embodiments in effect is moved into the video game system, palm-computer or programmable microprocessor device. In such an arrangement, the data management unit can be realized as a relatively simple interface unit that includes little or no signal processing capability. Depending upon the situation at hand, the interface unit may or may not include a telephone modem and/or an RS-232 connection (or other data port) for interconnecting the healthcare system with a computer or other equipment. In other situations, the functions and operations associated with processing of the monitored health care data may be performed by a microprocessor that is added to or already present in the monitoring device that is used to monitor blood glucose or other condition. Because the invention can be embodied to establish systems having different levels of complexity, the invention satisfies a wide range of self-care health monitoring applications. The arrangements that include a modem (or other signal transmission facility) and sufficient signal processing capability can be employed in situations in which reports are electronically transmitted to a healthcare professional either in hard copy (facsimile) form or in a signal format that can be received by and stored in the healthcare professional's computer. On the other hand, less complex (and, hence, less costly) embodiments of the invention are available for use in which transfer of system information need not be made by means of telephonic data transfer or other remote transmission methods. In these less complex embodiments, transfer of data to a healthcare professional can still be accomplished. Specifically, if the program cartridge includes a battery and suitable program instructions, monitored healthcare data can be stored in the program cartridge during use of the system as a healthcare monitor. The data cartridge can then be provided to the healthcare professional and inserted in a programmable microprocessor-based unit that is the same as or similar to that which was used in the healthcare monitoring system. The healthcare professional can then review the data, and record it for later use, and/or can use the data in performing various analyses. If desired, the microprocessor-based unit used by the healthcare professional can be programmed and arranged to allow information to be stored in the cartridge for return to and retrieval by the user of the healthcare monitoring system. The stored information can include messages (e.g., instructions for changes in medication dosage) and/or program instructions for reconfiguring the program included in the cartridge so as to effect changes in the treatment regimen, the analyses or reports to be generated by the healthcare monitoring system, or less important aspects such as graphical presentation presented during the operation of the healthcare system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates a healthcare monitoring system arranged in accordance with the invention; FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates monitoring systems constructed in accordance with the invention connected in signal communication with a remotely located computing facility which includes provision for making the data supplied by the monitoring system of the invention available to a designated healthcare professional and/or for providing data and instructions to the system user; FIG. 3 is a block diagram diagrammatically depicting the structural arrangement of the system data management unit and its interconnection with other components of the system shown in FIG. 1. FIGS. 4-10 depict typical system screen displays of data and information that can be provided by the arrangements shown in FIGS. 1-3; and FIG. 11 diagrammatically illustrates an alternative healthcare monitoring system that is arranged in accordance with the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 depicts a self-care health monitoring system arranged in accordance with the invention. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 a data management unit 10 is electrically interconnected with a handheld microprocessor-based unit 12 via a cable 14. In the depicted arrangement, data management unit 10 also is electrically interconnected with a blood glucose monitor 16 of the type capable of sensing blood glucose level and producing an electrical signal representative thereof. Although FIG. 1 illustrates blood glucose monitor 16 as being connected to data management unit 10 by a cable 18, it may be preferable to construct blood glucose monitor 16 as a plug-in unit that is placed in a recess or other suitable opening or slot in data management unit 10. Regardless of the manner in which blood glucose monitor 16 is interconnected with data management unit 10, both that interconnection and cable 14 are configured for serial data communication between the interconnected devices. Also shown in FIG. 1 are two additional monitoring devices 20 and 22, which are electrically connected for serial data communication with data management unit 10 via cables 24 and 26, respectively. Monitoring units 20 and 22 of FIG. 1 represent devices other than blood glucose monitor 16 that can be used to configure the invention for self-care health monitoring applications other than (or in addition to) diabetes care. For example, as is indicated in FIG. 1 the monitoring device 20 can be a peak-flow meter that provides a digital signal representative of the airflow that results when a person suffering from asthma or another chronic respiratory affliction expels a breath of air through the meter. As is indicated by monitor 22 of FIG. 1 various other devices can be provided for monitoring conditions such as blood pressure, pulse, and body temperature to thereby realize systems for self-care monitoring and control of conditions such as hypertension, certain heart conditions and various other afflictions and physical conditions. Upon understanding the hereinafter discussed aspects and features of the invention it will be recognized that the invention is easily implemented for these and other types of healthcare monitoring. In particular, monitors used in the practice of the invention can be arranged in a variety of ways as long as the data to be recorded or otherwise employed by handheld microprocessor unit and/or data management unit 10 is provided in serial format in synchronization with clock signals provided by data management unit 10. As is the case with blood glucose monitor 16, the additional monitors can be configured as plug-in units that are directly received by data management unit 10, or can be connected to data management unit 10 with cables (as shown in FIG. 1). As is shown in FIG. 1, handheld microprocessor unit 12 includes a display screen 28 and a plurality of switches or keys (30, 32, 34, 36, and 38 in FIG. 1) which are mounted on a housing 40. Located in the interior of housing 40, but not shown in FIG. 1 are a microprocessor, memory circuits, and circuitry that interfaces switches 30, 32, 34, 36, and 38 with the microprocessor. Stored in the memory of program handheld microprocessor unit 12 is a set of program instructions that establishes a data protocol that allows handheld microprocessor unit 12 to perform digital data signal processing and generate desired data or graphics for display on display unit 28 when a program cartridge 42 is inserted in a slot or other receptacle in housing 40. That is, program cartridge 42 of FIG. 1 includes read-only memory units (or other memory means such as battery-powered random access memory) which store program instructions and data that adapt handheld microprocessor 12 for operation in a blood glucose monitoring system. More specifically, when the instructions and data of program cartridge 42 are combined with program instructions and data included in the internal memory circuits of handheld microprocessor unit 12 handheld microprocessor unit 12 is programmed for processing and displaying blood glucose information in the manner described below and additional monitors 22 to provide health monitoring for asthma and various other previously mentioned chronic conditions. In each case, the plurality of switches or keys (30, 32, 34, 36 and 38 in FIG. 1) are selectively operated to provide signals that result in pictorial and/or alphanumeric information being displayed by display unit 42. Various devices are known that meet the above-set forth description of handheld microprocessor unit 12. For example, compact devices are available in which the plurality of keys allows alphanumeric entry and internal memory is provided for storing information such as names, addresses, phone numbers, and an appointment calendar. Small program cartridges or cards can be inserted in these devices to program the device for various purposes such as the playing of games, spreadsheet application, and foreign language translation sufficient for use in travel. More recently, less compact products that have more extensive computational capability and are generally called “palm top computers” have been introduced into the marketplace. These devices also can include provision for programming the device by means of an insertable program card or cartridge. The currently preferred embodiments of the invention are configured and arranged to operate in conjunction with yet another type of handheld microprocessor unit. Specifically, in the currently preferred embodiments of the invention, program cartridge 42 is electrically and physically compatible with commercially available compact video game systems, such as the system manufactured by Nintendo of America Inc. under the trademark “GAME BOY.” Configuring data management unit 10 and program cartridge 42 for operation with a handheld video game system has several advantages. For example, the display unit of such a device provides display resolution that allows the invention to display both multi-line alphanumeric information and graphical data. In this regard, the 160.times.144 pixel dot matrix-type liquid crystal display screen currently used in the above-referenced compact video game systems provides sufficient resolution for at least six lines of alphanumeric text, as well as allowing graphical representation of statistical data such as graphical representation of blood glucose test results for a day, a week, or longer. Another advantage of realizing handheld microprocessor unit 12 in the form of a compact video game system is the relatively simple, yet versatile arrangement of switches that is provided by such a device. For example, as is indicated in FIG. 1 a compact video game system includes a control pad that allows an object displayed on display unit 42 to be moved in a selected direction (i.e., up-down or left-right). As also is indicated in FIG. 1, compact video game systems typically provide two pair of distinctly-shaped push button switches. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, a pair of spaced-apart circular push button switches (36 and 38) and a pair of elongate switches (32 and 34) are provided. The functions performed by the two pairs of switches is dependent upon the program instructions contained in each program cartridge 42. Yet another advantage of utilizing a compact video game system for handheld microprocessor-based unit 12 of FIG. 1 is the widespread popularity and low cost of such units. In this regard, manufacture and sale of a data management unit blood glucose monitor 16 and program cartridge 42 that operate in conjunction with a compact microprocessor-based video allows the self-care health monitoring system of FIG. 1 to be manufactured and sold at a lower cost than could be realized in an arrangement in which handheld unit 12 is designed and manufactured solely for use in the system of FIG. 1. An even further advantage of using a compact video game system for handheld microprocessor 12 is that such video game systems include means for easily establishing the electrical interconnection provided by cable 14 in FIG. 1. In particular, such compact video game systems include a connector mounted to the game unit housing (40 in FIG. 1) and a cable that can be connected between the connectors of two video game units to allow interactive operation of the two interconnected units (i.e., to allow contemporaneous game play by two players or competition between players as they individually play identical but separate games). In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the “two-player” cable supplied with the compact video game unit being used as handheld microprocessor unit 12 is used as cable 14 to establish serial data communication between the handheld microprocessor unit 12 (compact video game system) and data management unit 10. In these preferred embodiments, the program instructions stored on the memory of data management unit 10 and program cartridge 42 respectively program data management unit 10 and the compact video game system (i.e., handheld microprocessor unit 12) for interactive operation in which switches 30, 32, 34, 36 and 38 are used to control the operation of data management unit 10 (e.g., to select a particular operational mode such as performance of a blood glucose test or the display of statistical test data and, in addition, to control operation such as selection of an option during operation of the system in a particular operational mode). In each operational mode, data management unit 10 processes data in accordance with program instructions stored in the memory circuits of data management unit 10. Depending upon the operational mode selected by the user, data is supplied to data management unit 10 by blood glucose monitor 16 by additional monitors (20 and 22 in FIG. 1) or any interconnected computers or data processing facility (such as the hereinafter described user's computer 48 and clearinghouse 54 of FIG. 1) During such operation, mode switches 30, 32, 34, 36 and 38 are selectively activated so that signals are selectively coupled to the video game system (handheld microprocessor unit 12) and processed in accordance with program instructions stored in program cartridge 42. The signal processing performed by handheld microprocessor unit 12 results in the display of alphanumeric, symbolic, or graphic information on the video game display screen (i.e., display unit 28 in FIG. 1) which allow the user to control system operation and obtain desired test results and other information. Although the above-discussed advantages apply to use of the invention by all age groups, employing a compact video game system in the practice of the invention is of special significance in monitoring a child's blood glucose or other health parameters. Children and young adults are familiar with compact video game systems. Thus, children will accept a health monitoring system incorporating a compact video game system more readily than a traditional system, even an embodiment of the invention that uses a different type of handheld microprocessor unit. Moreover, an embodiment of the invention that functions in conjunction with a compact video game system can be arranged to motivate children to monitor themselves more closely than they might otherwise by incorporating game-like features and/or animation in system instruction and test result displays. Similarly, the program instructions can be included in program cartridges 41, 42 and 43 (or additional cartridges) that allow children to select game-like displays that help educate the child about his or her condition and the need for monitoring. With continued reference to FIG. 1, data management unit 10 of the currently preferred embodiments of the invention includes a data port 44 that allows communication between data management unit 10 and a personal computer 48 (or other programmable data processor). In the currently preferred embodiments of the invention, data port 44 is an RS-232 connection that allows serial data communication between data management unit 10 and personal computer 48. In the practice of the invention, personal computer 48 can be used to supplement data management unit 10 by, for example, performing more complex analyses of blood glucose and other data that has been supplied to and stored in the memory circuits of data management unit 10. With respect to embodiments of the invention configured for use by a child, personal computer 48 can be used by a parent or guardian to review and analyze the child's progress and to produce printed records for subsequent review by a healthcare professional. Alternatively, personal computer 48 can be used to supply data to data management unit 10 that is not conveniently supplied by using handheld microprocessor switches 30, 32, 34, 36 and 38 as an operator interface to the system shown in FIG. 1. For example, some embodiments of the invention may employ a substantial amount of alphanumeric information that must be entered by the system user. Although it is possible to enter such data by using switches 30, 32, 34, 36, and 38 in conjunction with menus and selection screens displayed on display screen 28 of FIG. 1 it may be more advantageous to use a device such as personal computer 48 for entry of such data. However, if personal computer 48 is used in this manner, some trade-off of system features may be required because data management unit 10 must be temporarily interconnected with personal computer 48 during these operations. That is, some loss of system mobility might result because a suitably programmed personal computer would be needed at each location at which data entry or analysis is to occur. As is indicated in FIG. 1, data management unit 10 of the currently preferred embodiments of the invention also includes a modem that allows data communication between data management unit 10 and a remote computing facility identified in FIG. 1 as clearinghouse 54 via a conventional telephone line (indicated by reference numeral 50 in FIG. 1) and a modem 52 that interconnects clearinghouse 54 and telephone line 50. As shall be described in more detail, clearinghouse 54 computing facility 54 facilitates communication between a user of the system shown in FIG. 1 and his or her healthcare professional and can provide additional services such as updating system software. As is indicated by facsimile machine 55 of FIG. 1 a primary function of clearinghouse 54 is providing the healthcare professional with standardized reports 56, which indicate both the current condition and condition trends of the system user. Although a single facsimile machine 55 is shown in FIG. 1, it will be recognized that numerous healthcare professionals (and hence facsimile machine 55) can be connected in signal communication with a clearinghouse 54. Regardless of whether a compact video game system, another type of commercially available handheld microprocessor-based unit, or a specially designed unit is used, the preferred embodiments of FIG. 1 provide a self-care blood glucose monitoring system in which program cartridge (a) handheld microprocessor unit 12 for displaying instructions for performing the blood glucose test sequence and associated calibration and test procedures; (b) handheld microprocessor unit 12 for displaying (graphically or alphanumerically) statistical data such as blood glucose test results taken during a specific period of time (e.g., a day, week, etc.); (c) handheld microprocessor unit 12 for supplying control signals and signals representative of food intake or other useful information to data management unit 10; (d) handheld microprocessor unit 12 for simultaneous graphical display of blood glucose levels with information such as food intake; and, (e) handheld microprocessor unit 12 for displaying information or instructions from a healthcare professional that are coupled to data management unit 10 from a clearinghouse 54. The manner in which the arrangement of FIG. 1 implements the above-mentioned functions and others can be better understood with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. Referring first to FIG. 2, clearinghouse 54 receives data from a plurality of self-care microprocessor-based healthcare systems of the type shown in FIG. 1, with the individual self-care health monitoring systems being indicated in FIG. 2 by reference numeral 58. Preferably, the data supplied to clearinghouse 54 by each individual self-care health monitoring system 58 consists of “raw data,” i.e., test results and related data that was stored in memory circuits of data management unit 10, without further processing by data management unit 10. For example, with respect to the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, blood glucose test results and associated data such as food intake information, medication dosage and other such conditions are transmitted to clearinghouse 54 and stored with a digitally encoded signal that identifies both the source of the information (i.e., the system user or patient) and those having access to the stored information (i.e., the system user's doctor or other healthcare professional). As shall be recognized upon understanding the manner in which it operates, clearinghouse 54 can be considered to be a central server for the various system users (58 in FIG. 2) and each healthcare professional 60. In that regard, clearinghouse 54 includes conventionally arranged and interconnected digital processing equipment (represented in FIG. 2 by digital signal processor 57) which receives digitally encoded information from a user 58 or healthcare professional processes the information as required; stores the information (processed or unprocessed) in memory if necessary; and, transmits the information to an intended recipient (i.e., user 58 or healthcare professional 60). In FIG. 2 rectangular outline 60 represents one of numerous remotely located healthcare professionals who can utilize clearinghouse 54 and the arrangement described relative to FIG. 1 in monitoring and controlling patient healthcare programs. Shown within outline 60 is a computer 62 (e.g., personal computer), which is coupled to clearinghouse 54 by means of a modem (not shown in FIG. 2) and a telephone line 64. Also shown in FIG. 2 is the previously mentioned facsimile machine 55, which is coupled to clearinghouse 54 by means of a second telephone line 68. Using the interface unit of computer 62 (e.g., a keyboard or pointing device such as a mouse), the healthcare professional can establish data communication between computer 62 and clearinghouse 54 via telephone line 64. Once data communication is established between computer 62 and clearinghouse 54 patient information can be obtained from clearinghouse 54 in a manner similar to the manner in which subscribers to various database services access and obtain information. In particular, the healthcare professional can transmit an authorization code to clearinghouse 54 that identifies the healthcare professional as an authorized user of the clearinghouse and, in addition, can transmit a signal representing the patient for which healthcare information is being sought. As is the case with conventional database services and other arrangements, the identifying data is keyed into computer 62 by means of a conventional keyboard (not shown in FIG. 2) in response to prompts that are generated at clearinghouse 54 for display by the display unit of computer 62 (not shown in FIG. 2). Depending upon the hardware and software arrangement of clearinghouse 54 and selections made by the healthcare professional via computer 62 patient information can be provided to the healthcare professional in different ways. For example, computer 62 can be operated to access data in the form that it is stored in the memory circuits of clearinghouse 54 (i.e., raw data that has not been processed or altered by the computational or data processing arrangements of clearinghouse 54). Such data can be processed, analyzed, printed and/or displayed by computer 62 using commercially available or custom software. On the other hand, various types of analyses may be performed by clearinghouse 54 with the results of the analyses being transmitted to the remotely located healthcare professional 60. For example, clearinghouse 54 can process and analyze data in a manner identical to the processing and analysis provided by the self-care monitoring system of FIG. 1. With respect to such processing and any other analysis and processing provided by clearinghouse 54 results expressed in alphanumeric format can be sent to computer 62 via telephone line 64 and the modem associated with computer 62 with conventional techniques being used for displaying and/or printing the alphanumeric material for subsequent reference. The arrangement of FIG. 2 also allows the healthcare professional to send messages and/or instructions to each patient via computer 62 telephone line 64 and clearinghouse 54. In particular, clearinghouse 54 can be programmed to generate a menu that is displayed by computer 62 and allows the healthcare professional to select a mode of operation in which information is to be sent to clearinghouse 54 for subsequent transmission to a user of the system described relative to FIG. 1. This same menu (or related submenus) can be used by the healthcare professional to select one or more modes of operation of the above-described type in which either unmodified patient data or the results of data that has been analyzed by clearinghouse 54 is provided to the healthcare provider via computer 62 and/or facsimile machine 55. In the currently contemplated arrangements, operation of the arrangement of FIG. 2 to provide the user of the invention with messages or instructions such as changes in medication or other aspects of the healthcare program is similar to the operation that allows the healthcare professional to access data sent by a patient, i.e., transmitted to clearinghouse 54 by a data management unit 10 of FIG. 1. The process differs in that the healthcare professional enters the desired message or instruction via the keyboard or other interface unit of computer 62. Once the data is entered and transmitted to clearinghouse 54 it is stored for subsequent transmission to the user for whom the information or instruction is intended. With respect to transmitting stored messages or instructions to a user of the invention, at least two techniques are available. The first technique is based upon the manner in which operational modes are selected in the practice of the invention. Specifically, in the currently preferred embodiments of the invention, program instructions that are stored in data management unit 10 and program cartridge 42 cause the system of FIG. 1 to generate menu screens which are displayed by display unit 28 of handheld microprocessor unit 12. The menu screens allow the system user to select the basic mode in which the system of FIG. 1 is to operate and, in addition, allow the user to select operational subcategories within the selected mode of operation. Various techniques are known to those skilled in the art for displaying and selecting menu items. For example, in the practice of this invention, one or more main menus can be generated and displayed which allow the system user to select operational modes that may include: (a) a monitor mode (e.g., monitoring of blood glucose level); (b) a display mode (e.g., displaying previously obtained blood glucose test results or other relevant information); (c) an input mode (e.g., a mode for entering data such as providing information that relates to the healthcare regimen, medication dosage, food intake, etc.); and, (d) a communications mode (for establishing a communication link between data management unit 10 and personal computer 48 of FIG. 1 or between data management unit 10 and a remote computing facility such as clearinghouse 54 of FIG. 2. In embodiments of the invention that employ a compact video game system for handheld microprocessor unit 12 the selection of menu screens and the selection of menu screen items preferably is accomplished in substantially the same manner as menu screens and menu items are selected during the playing of a video game. For example, the program instructions stored in data management unit 10 and program cartridge 42 of the arrangement of FIG. 1 can be established so that a predetermined one of the compact video game switches (e.g., switch 32 in FIG. 1) allows the system user to select a desired main menu in the event that multiple main menus are employed. When the desired main menu is displayed, operation by the user of control pad 30 allows a cursor or other indicator that is displayed on the menu to be positioned adjacent to or over the menu item to be selected. Activation of a switch (e.g., switch 36 of the depicted handheld microprocessor unit causes the handheld microprocessor unit 12) and/or data management unit 10 to initiate the selected operational mode or, if selection of operational submodes is required, causes handheld microprocessor unit 12 to display a submenu. In view of the above-described manner in which menus and submenus are selected and displayed, it can be recognized that the arrangement of FIG. 1 can be configured and arranged to display a menu or submenu item that allows the user to obtain and display messages or instructions that have been provided by a healthcare professional and stored in clearinghouse 54. For example, a submenu that is generated upon selection of the previously mentioned communications mode can include submenu items that allow the user to select various communication modes, including a mode in which serial data communication is established between data management unit 10 and clearinghouse 54 and data management unit 10 transmits a message status request to clearinghouse 54. When this technique is used, the data processing system of clearinghouse 54 is programmed to search the clearinghouse memory to determine whether a message exists for the user making the request. Any messages stored in memory for that user are then transmitted to the user and processed for display on display unit 28 of handheld microprocessor unit 12. If no messages exist, clearinghouse 54 transmits a signal that causes display unit 28 to indicate “no messages.” In this arrangement, clearinghouse 54 preferably is programmed to store a signal indicating that a stored message has been transmitted to the intended recipient (user). Storing such a signal allows the healthcare professional to determine that messages sent to clearinghouse 54 for forwarding to a patient have been transmitted to that patient. In addition, the program instructions stored in data management unit 10 of FIG. 1 preferably allow the system user to designate whether received messages and instructions are to be stored in the memory of data management unit 10 for subsequent retrieval or review. In addition, in some instances it may be desirable to program clearinghouse 54 and data management unit 10 so that the healthcare professional can designate (i.e., flag) information such as changes in medication that will be prominently displayed to the user (e.g., accompanied by a blinking indicator) and stored in the memory of data management unit 10 regardless of whether the system user designates the information for storage. A second technique that can be used for forwarding messages or instructions to a user does not require the system user to select a menu item requesting transmission by clearinghouse 54 of messages that have been stored for forwarding to that user. In particular, clearinghouse 54 can be programmed to operate in a manner that either automatically transmits stored messages for that user when the user operates the system of FIG. 1 to send information to the clearinghouse or programmed to operate in a manner that informs the user that messages are available and allows the user to access the messages when he or she chooses to do so. Practicing the invention in an environment in which the healthcare professional uses a personal computer in some or all of the above-discussed ways can be very advantageous. On the other hand, the invention also provides healthcare professionals timely information about system users without the need for a computer (62 in FIG. 2) or any equipment other than a conventional facsimile machine (55 in FIGS. 1 and 2) Specifically, information provided to clearinghouse 54 by a system user 58 can be sent to a healthcare professional 60 via telephone line 68 and facsimile machine 55 with the information being formatted as a standardized graphic or textual report (56 in FIG. 1) Formatting a standardized report 56 (i.e., analyzing and processing data supplied by blood glucose monitor 16 or other system monitor or sensor) can be effected either by data management unit 10 or within the clearinghouse facility 54. Moreover, various standardized reports can be provided (e.g., the textual and graphic displays discussed below relating to FIGS. 6-10) Preferably, the signal processing arrangement included in clearinghouse 54 allows each healthcare professional 60 to select which of several standardized reports will be routinely transmitted to the healthcare professionals' facsimile machine 55 and, to do so on a patient-by-patient (user-by-user) basis. FIG. 3 illustrates the manner in which data management unit 10 is arranged and interconnected with other system components for effecting the above-described operational aspects of the invention and additional aspects that are described relative to FIGS. 4-10. As is symbolically indicated in FIG. 3, handheld microprocessor unit 12 and blood glucose monitor 16 are connected to a dual universal asynchronous receiver transmitter 70 (e.g., by cables 14 and 18 of FIG. 1, respectively). As also is indicated in FIG. 3 when a system user connects a personal computer 48 (or other programmable digital signal processor) to data port 44 signal communication is established between personal computer 48 and a second dual universal asynchronous receiver transmitter 72 of data management unit 10. Additionally, dual universal asynchronous receiver transmitter 72 is coupled to modem 46 so that data communication can be established between data management unit 10 and a remote clearinghouse 54 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Currently preferred embodiments of data management unit 10 include a plurality of signal sensors 74, with an individual signal sensor being associated with each device that is (or may be) interconnected with data management unit 10. As previously discussed and as is indicated in FIG. 3, these devices include handheld microprocessor unit 12, blood glucose monitor 16, personal computer 48, remote computing facility 54, and, in addition, peak-flow meter 20 or other additional monitoring devices 22. Each signal sensor 74 that is included in data management unit 10 is electrically connected for receiving a signal that will be present when the device with which that particular signal sensor is associated is connected to data management unit 10 and, in addition, is energized (e.g., turned on). For example, in previously mentioned embodiments of the invention in which data port 44 is an RS-232 connection, the signal sensor 74 that is associated with personal computer 48 can be connected to an RS-232 terminal that is supplied power when a personal computer is connected to data port 44 and the personal computer is turned on. In a similar manner, the signal sensor 74 that is associated with clearinghouse 54 can be connected to modem 46 so that the signal sensor 74 receives an electrical signal when modem 46 is interconnected to a remote computing facility (e.g., clearinghouse 54 of FIG. 2) via a telephone line 50. In the arrangement of FIG. 3, each signal sensor 74 is a low power switch circuit (e.g., a metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor circuit), which automatically energizes data management unit 10 whenever any one (or more) of the devices associated with signal sensors 74 is connected to data management unit 10 and is energized. Thus, as is indicated in FIG. 3 by signal path 76 each signal sensor is 74 interconnected with power supply 78 which supplies operating current to the circuitry of data management unit 10 and typically consists of one or more small batteries (e.g., three AAA alkaline cells). The microprocessor and other conventional circuitry that enables data management unit 10 to process system signals in accordance with stored program instructions is indicated in FIG. 3 by central processing unit (CPU) 80. As is indicated in FIG. 3 by interconnection 82 between CPU 80 and battery 78. CPU 80 receives operating current from power supply 78 with power being provided only when one or more of the signal sensors 74 are activated in the previously described manner. A clock/calendar circuit 84 is connected to CPU (80 via signal path 86 in FIG. 3) to allow time and date tagging of blood glucose tests and other information. Although not specifically shown in FIG. 3, operating power is supplied to clock/calendar 84 at all times. In operation, CPU 80 receives and sends signals via a data bus (indicated by signal path 88 in FIG. 3) which interconnects CPU 80 with dual universal asynchronous receiver transmitters 70 and 72. The data bus 88 also interconnects CPU 80 with memory circuits which, in the depicted embodiment, include a system read-only memory (ROM) 90 a program random access memory (RAM) 92 and an electronically erasable read-only memory (EEROM) 94. System ROM 90 stores program instructions and any data required in order to program data management unit 10 so that data management unit 10 and a handheld microprocessor unit 12 that is programmed with a suitable program cartridge 42 provide the previously discussed system operation and, in addition, system operation of the type described relative to FIGS. 4-10. During operation of the system, program RAM 92 provides memory space that allows CPU 80 to carry out various operations that are required for sequencing and controlling the operation of the system of FIG. 1. In addition, RAM 92 can provide memory space that allows external programs (e.g., programs provided by clearinghouse 54 to be stored and executed. EEROM 94 allows blood glucose test results and other data information to be stored and preserved until the information is no longer needed (i.e., until purposely erased by operating the system to provide an appropriate erase signal to EEROM 94). FIGS. 4-10 illustrate typical screen displays that are generated by the arrangement of the invention described relative to FIGS. 1-3. Reference will first be made to FIGS. 4 and 5 which exemplify screen displays that are associated with operation of the invention in the blood glucose monitoring mode. Specifically, in the currently preferred embodiments of the invention, blood glucose monitor 16 operates in conjunction with data management unit 10 and handheld microprocessor unit 12 to: (a) a test or calibration sequence in which tests are performed to confirm that the system is operating properly; and, (b) the blood glucose test sequence in which blood glucose meter 16 senses the user's blood glucose level. Suitable calibration procedures for blood glucose monitors are known in the art. For example, blood glucose monitors often are supplied with a “code strip,” that is inserted in the monitor and results in a predetermined value being displayed and stored in memory at the conclusion of the code strip calibration procedure. When such a code strip calibration procedure is used in the practice of the invention, the procedure is selected from one of the system menus. For example, if the system main menu includes a “monitor” menu item, a submenu displaying system calibration options and an option for initiating the blood glucose test may be displayed when the monitor menu item is selected. When a code strip option is available and selected, a sequence of instructions is generated and displayed by display screen 28 of handheld microprocessor unit 12 to prompt the user to insert the code strip and perform all other required operations. At the conclusion of the code strip calibration sequence, display unit 28 of handheld microprocessor unit 12 displays a message indicating whether or not the calibration procedure has been successfully completed. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates a screen display that informs the system user that the calibration procedure was not successful and that the code strip should be inserted again (i.e., the calibration procedure is to be repeated). As is indicated in FIG. 4, display screens that indicate a potential malfunction of the system include a prominent message such as the “Attention” notation included in the screen display of FIG. 4. As previously indicated, the blood glucose test sequence that is employed in the currently preferred embodiment of the invention is of the type in which a test strip is inserted in a receptacle that is formed in the blood glucose monitor. A drop of the user's blood is then applied to the test strip and a blood glucose sensing sequence is initiated. When the blood glucose sensing sequence is complete, the user's blood glucose level is displayed. In the practice of the invention, program instructions stored in data management unit 10 (e.g., system ROM 90 of FIG. 3) and program instructions stored in program cartridge 42 of handheld microprocessor unit 12 cause the system to display step-by-step monitoring instructions to the system user and, in addition, preferably result in display of diagnostic messages if the test sequence does not proceed in a normal fashion. Although currently available self-contained microprocessor-based blood glucose monitors also display test instruction and diagnostic messages, the invention provides greater message capacity and allows multi-line instructions and diagnostic messages that are displayed in easily understood language rather than cryptic error codes and abbreviated phraseology that is displayed one line or less at a time. For example, as is shown in FIG. 5 the complete results of a blood glucose test (date, time of day, and blood glucose level in milligrams per deciliter) can be concurrently displayed by display screen 28 of handheld microprocessor unit 12 along with an instruction to remove the test strip from blood glucose monitor 16. As previously mentioned, when the blood glucose test is complete, the time and date tagged blood glucose test result is stored in the memory circuits of data management unit 10 (e.g., stored in EEPROM 94 of FIG. 3). The arrangement shown and described relative to FIGS. 1-3 also is advantageous in that data relating to food intake, concurrent medication dosage and other conditions easily can be entered into the system and stored with the time and date tagged blood glucose test result for later review and analysis by the user and/or his or her healthcare professional. Specifically, a menu generated by the system at the beginning or end of the blood glucose monitoring sequence can include items such as “hypoglycemic” and “hyperglycemic,” which can be selected using the switches of handheld microprocessor unit 12 (e.g., operation of control pad 30 and switch 36 in FIG. 1) to indicate the user was experiencing hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic symptoms at the time of monitoring blood glucose level. Food intake can be quantitatively entered in terms of “Bread Exchange” units or other suitable terms by, for example, selecting a food intake menu item and using a submenu display and the switches of handheld microprocessor 12 to select and enter the appropriate information. A similar menu item—submenu selection process also can be used to enter medication data such as the type of insulin used at the time of the glucose monitoring sequence and the dosage. As was previously mentioned, program instructions stored in data management unit 10 and program instructions stored in program cartridge 42 of handheld microprocessor unit 12 enable the system to display statistical and trend information either in a graphic or alphanumeric format. As is the case relative to controlling other operational aspects of the system, menu screens are provided that allow the system user to select the information that is to be displayed. For example, in the previously discussed embodiments in which a system menu includes a “display” menu item, selection of the menu item results in the display of one or more submenus that list available display options. For example, in the currently preferred embodiments, the user can select graphic display of blood glucose test results over a specific period of time, such as one day, or a particular week. Such selection results in displays of the type shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively. When blood glucose test results for a single day are displayed (FIG. 6) the day of the week and date can be displayed along with a graphic representation of changes in blood glucose level between the times at which test results were obtained. In the display of FIG. 6, small icons identify points on the graphic representation that correspond to the blood glucose test results (actual samples). Although not shown in FIG. 6, coordinate values for blood glucose level and time of day can be displayed if desired. When the user chooses to display a weekly trend graph (FIG. 7) the display generated by the system is similar to the display of a daily graph, having the time period displayed in conjunction with a graph that consists of lines interconnecting points that correspond to the blood glucose test results. The screen display shown in FIG. 8 is representative of statistical data that can be determined by the system of FIG. 1 (using conventional computation techniques) and displayed in alphanumeric format. As previously mentioned, such statistical data and information in various other textual and graphic formats can be provided to a healthcare professional (60 in FIG. 2) in the form of a standardized report 56 (FIG. 1) that is sent by clearinghouse 54 to facsimile machine 55. In the exemplary screen display of FIG. 8, statistical data for blood glucose levels over a period of time (e.g., one week) or, alternatively, for a specified number of monitoring tests is provided. In the exemplary display of FIG. 8 the system (data management unit 10 or clearinghouse 54) also calculates and displays (or prints) the average blood glucose level and the standard deviation. Displayed also is the number of blood glucose test results that were analyzed to obtain the average and the standard deviation; the number of test results under a predetermined level (50 milligrams per deciliter in FIG. 8) and the number of blood glucose tests that were conducted while the user was experiencing hypoglycemic symptoms. As previously noted, in the preferred embodiments of the invention, a screen display that is generated during the blood glucose monitoring sequence allows the user to identify the blood sample being tested as one taken while experiencing hyperglycemic or hypoglycemic symptoms and, in addition, allows the user to specify other relevant information such as food intake and medication information. The currently preferred embodiments of the invention also allow the user to select a display menu item that enables the user to sequentially address, in chronological order, the record of each blood glucose test. As is indicated in FIG. 9, each record presented to the system user includes the date and time at which the test was conducted, the blood glucose level, and any other information that the user provided. For example, the screen display of FIG. 9 indicates that the user employed handheld microprocessor unit 12 as an interface to enter data indicating use of 12.5 units of regular insulin; 13.2 units of “NPH” insulin; food intake of one bread exchange unit; and pre-meal hypoglycemic symptoms. Use of data management unit 10 in conjunction with handheld microprocessor unit 12 also allows display (or subsequent generation of a standardized report showing blood glucose test results along with food intake and/or medication information. For example, shown in FIG. 10 is a daily graph in which blood glucose level is displayed in the manner described relative to FIG. 6. Related food intake and medication dosage is indicated directly below contemporaneous blood glucose levels by vertical bar graphs. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the above-described screen displays and system operation can readily be attained with conventional programming techniques of the type typically used in programming microprocessor arrangements. It also will be recognized by those skilled in the art that various other types of screen displays can be generated and, in addition, that numerous other changes can be made in the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention. It will also be recognized by those skilled in the art that the invention can be embodied in forms other than the embodiments described relative to FIGS. 1-10. For example, the invention can employ compact video game systems that are configured differently than the previously discussed handheld video game systems and palm-top computers. More specifically, as is shown in FIG. 11 a self-care health monitoring system arranged in accordance with the invention can employ a compact video game system of the type that includes one or more controllers 100 that are interconnected to a game console 102 via cable 104. As is indicated in FIG. 11, game console 102 is connected to a video monitor or television 106 by means of a cable 108. Although differing in physical configuration, controller 100, game console 102 and the television or video monitor 106 collectively function in the same manner as the handheld microprocessor 12 of FIG. 1. In that regard, a program cartridge 42 is inserted into a receptacle contained in game console 102 with program cartridge 42 including stored program instructions for controlling microprocessor circuitry that is located inside game console 102. Controller 100 includes a control pad or other device functionally equivalent to control pad 30 of FIG. 1 and switches that functionally correspond to switches 32-38 of FIG. 1. Regardless of whether the invention is embodied with a handheld microprocessor unit (FIG. 1) or an arrangement such as the compact video game system (FIG. 11) in some cases it is both possible and advantageous to apportion the signal processing functions and operations differently than was described relative to FIGS. 1-10. For example, in some situations, the microprocessor-based unit that is programmed by a card or cartridge (e.g., handheld unit 12 of FIG. 1 or compact video game console 102 of FIG. 1) includes memory and signal processing capability that allows the microprocessor to perform all or most of the functions and operations attributed to data management unit 10 of the embodiments discussed relative to FIGS. 1-10. That is, the digitally encoded signal supplied by blood glucose monitor 16 (or one of the other monitors 20 and 22 of FIG. 1) can be directly coupled to the microprocessor included in game console 102 of FIG. 11 or handheld microprocessor 12 of FIG. 1. In such an arrangement, the data management unit is a relatively simple signal interface (e.g., interface unit 110 of FIG. 11) the primary purpose of which is carrying signals between the blood glucose monitor 16 (or other monitor) and the microprocessor of game console 102 (FIG. 11) or handheld unit (FIG. 1). In some situations, the interface unit may consist primarily or entirely of a conventional cable arrangement such as a cable for interconnection between RS232 data ports or other conventional connection arrangements. On the other hand, as is shown in FIG. 11, signal interface 110 can either internally include or be connected to a modem 52, which receives and transmits signals via a telephone line 50 in the manner described relative to FIGS. 1 and 2. It also should be noted that all or a portion of the functions and operations attributed to data management unit 10 of FIG. 1 can be performed by microprocessor circuitry located in blood glucose monitor 16 (or other monitor that is used with the system). For example, a number of commercially available blood glucose monitors include a clock/calendar circuit of the type described relative to FIG. 3 and, in addition, include microprocessor circuitry for generating visual display signals and signals representative of both current and past values of monitored blood glucose level. Conventional programming and design techniques can be employed to adapt such commercially available units for the performance of the various functions and operations attributed in the above discussion of FIGS. 1-11 to data management unit 10 and/or the microprocessors of handheld unit and compact video console 102. In arrangements in which the blood glucose monitor (or other system monitor) includes a microprocessor that is programmed to provide signal processing in the above-described manner, the invention can use a signal interface unit 110 of the above type. That is, depending upon the amount of signal processing effected by the monitoring unit (e.g., blood glucose monitor 16) and the amount of signal processing performed by the microprocessor of video game console 102 (or handheld unit the signal interface required ranges from a conventional cable (e.g., interconnection of RS232 ports) to an arrangement in which signal interface 110 is arranged for signal communication with an internal or external modem (e.g., modem 52 of FIG. 11) or an arrangement in which signal interface provides only a portion of the signal processing described relative to FIGS. 1-10. The invention also is capable of transmitting information to a remote location (e.g., clearinghouse 54 and/or a remotely located healthcare professional) by means other than conventional telephone lines. For example, a modem (52 in FIGS. 1 and 11) that is configured for use with a cellular telephone system can be employed to transmit the signals provided by the healthcare monitoring system to a remote location via modulated RF transmission. Moreover, the invention can be employed with various digital networks such as recently developed interactive voice, video and data systems such as television systems in which a television and user interface apparatus is interactively coupled to a remote location via coaxial or fiber optic cable and other transmission media (indicated in FIG. 11 by cable 112 which is connected to television or video monitor 106). In such an arrangement, compact video game controller 100 and the microprocessor of video game console 102 can be programmed to provide the user interface functions required for transmission and reception of signals via the interactive system. Alternatively, the signals provided by video game console 102 (or handheld unit 12 if FIG. 1) can be supplied to the user interface of the interactive system (not shown in FIG. 11) in a format that is compatible with the interactive system and allows the system user interface to be used to control signal transmission between the healthcare system and a remote facility such as clearinghouse 54, FIGS. 1 and 2.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF INVENTION <EOH>Controlling or curing conditions of ill health generally involves both establishing a therapeutic program and monitoring the progress of the afflicted person. Based on that progress, decisions can be made as to altering therapy to achieve a cure or maintain the affliction or condition at a controlled level. Successfully treating certain health conditions calls for rather frequent monitoring and a relatively high degree of patient participation. For example, in order to establish and maintain a regimen for successful diabetes care, a diabetic should monitor his or her blood glucose level and record that information along with the date and time at which the monitoring took place. Since diet, exercise, and medication all affect blood glucose levels, a diabetic often must record data relating to those items of information along with blood glucose level so that the diabetic may more closely monitor his or her condition and, in addition, can provide information of value to the healthcare provider in determining both progress of the patient and detecting any need to change the patient's therapy program. Advances in the field of electronics over the past several years have brought about significant changes in medical diagnostic and monitoring equipment, including arrangements for self-care monitoring of various chronic conditions. With respect to the control and monitoring of diabetes, relatively inexpensive and relatively easy-to-use blood glucose monitoring systems have become available that provide reliable information that allows a diabetic and his or her healthcare professional to establish, monitor and adjust a treatment plan (diet, exercise, and medication). More specifically, microprocessor-based blood glucose monitoring systems are being marketed which sense the glucose level of a blood sample that is applied to a reagent-impregnated region of a test strip that is inserted in the glucose monitor. When the monitoring sequence is complete, the blood glucose level is displayed by, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) unit. Typically, currently available self-care blood glucose monitoring units include a calendar/clock circuit and a memory circuit that allows a number of blood glucose test results to be stored along with the date and time at which the monitoring occurred. The stored test results (blood glucose level and associated time and date) can be sequentially recalled for review by the blood glucose monitor user or a health professional by sequentially actuating a push button or other control provided on the monitor. In some commercially available devices, the average of the blood glucose results that are stored in the monitor (or the average of the results for a predetermined period of time, e.g., fourteen days) also is displayed during the recall sequence. Further, some self-care blood glucose monitors allow the user to tag the test result with an “event code” that can be used to organize the test results into categories. For example, a user might use a specific event code to identify test results obtained at particular times of the day, a different event code to identify a blood glucose reading obtained after a period of exercise, two additional event codes to identify blood glucose readings taken during hypoglycemia symptoms and hyperglycemia symptoms, etc. When event codes are provided and used, the event code typically is displayed with each recalled blood glucose test result. Microprocessor-based blood glucose monitoring systems have advantages other than the capability of obtaining reliable blood glucose test results and storing a number of the results for later recall and review. By using low power microprocessor and memory circuits and powering the units with small, high capacity batteries (e.g., a single alkaline battery), extremely compact and light designs have been achieved that allow taking the blood glucose monitoring system to work, school, or anywhere else the user might go with people encountered by the user not becoming aware of the monitoring system. In addition, most microprocessor-based self-care blood glucose monitoring systems have a memory capacity that allows the system to be programmed by the manufacturer so that the monitor displays a sequence of instructions during any necessary calibration or system tests and during the blood glucose test sequence itself. In addition, the system monitors various system conditions during a blood glucose test (e.g., whether a test strip is properly inserted in the monitor and whether a sufficient amount of blood has been applied to the reagent impregnated portion of the strip) and if an error is detected generates an appropriate display (e.g., “retest”). A data port may be provided that allows test results stored in the memory of the microprocessor-based blood glucose monitoring system to be transferred to a data port (e.g., RS-232 connection) of a personal computer or other such device for subsequent analysis. Microprocessor-based blood glucose monitoring systems are a significant advance over previously available self-care systems such as those requiring a diabetic to apply a blood sample to reagent activated portions of a test strip; wipe the blood sample from the test strip after a predetermined period of time; and, after a second predetermined period of time, determine blood glucose level by comparing the color of the reagent activated regions of the test strip with a color chart supplied by the test strip manufacturer. Despite what has been achieved, numerous drawbacks and disadvantages still exist. For example, establishing and maintaining diabetic healthcare often requires the diabetic to record additional data pertaining to medication, food intake, and exercise. However, the event codes of currently available microprocessor blood glucose monitoring systems provide only limited capability for tagging and tracking blood glucose test results according to food intake and other relevant factors. For example, the event codes of currently available monitoring systems only allow the user to classify stored blood glucose readings in a manner that indicates blood glucose tests taken immediately after a heavy, light or normal meal. This method of recording information not only requires subjective judgment by the system user, but will not suffice in a situation in which successfully controlling the user's diabetes requires the recording and tracking of relatively accurate information relating to food intake, exercise, or medication (e.g., insulin dosage). An otherwise significant advantage of currently available blood glucose monitoring systems is lost when blood glucose test results must be recorded and tracked with quantitative information relating to medication, food intake, or exercise. Specifically, the system user must record the required information along with a time and date tagged blood glucose test result by, for example, writing the information in a log book. The use of event codes to establish subcategories of blood glucose test results has an additional disadvantage or drawback. In particular, although alphanumeric display devices are typically used in currently available microprocessor-based blood glucose monitoring systems, the display units are limited to a single line of information having on the order of six characters. Moreover, since the systems include no provision for the user to enter alphanumeric information, any event codes that are used must be indicated on the display in a generic manner, e.g., displayed as “EVENT 1”, EVENT 2” etc. This limitation makes the system more difficult to use because the diabetic must either memorize his or her assignment of event codes or maintain a list that defines the event codes. The limited amount of data that can be displayed at any one time presents additional drawbacks and disadvantages. First, instructions and diagnostics that are displayed to the user when calibrating the system and using the system to obtain a blood glucose reading must be displayed a line at a time and in many cases, the information must be displayed in a cryptic manner. The above-discussed display limitations and other aspects of currently available blood glucose monitoring systems is disadvantageous in yet another way. Little statistical information can be made available to the user. For example, in diabetic healthcare maintenance, changes or fluctuations that occur in blood glucose levels during a day, a week, or longer period can provide valuable information to a diabetic and/or his or her healthcare professional. As previously mentioned, currently available systems do not allow associating blood glucose test results with attendant quantitative information relating to medication, food intake, or other factors such as exercise that affect a person's blood glucose level at any particular point in time. Thus, currently available blood glucose monitoring systems have little or no capability for the generating and display of trend information that may be of significant value to a diabetic or the diabetic's healthcare professional. Some currently available blood glucose monitoring systems provide a data port that can be interconnected with and transfer data to a personal computer (e.g., via an RS-232 connection). With such a system and a suitable programmed computer, the user can generate and display trend information or other data that may be useful in administering his or her treatment plan. Moreover, in such systems, data also can be transferred from the blood glucose monitoring system to a healthcare professional's computer either directly or remotely by telephone if both the blood glucose monitoring system (or computer) to which the data has been downloaded and the healthcare professional's computer are equipped with modems. Although such a data transfer provision allows a healthcare professional to analyze blood glucose data collected by a diabetic, this aspect of currently available blood glucose monitoring systems has not found widespread application. First, the downloading and subsequent analysis feature can only be used by system users that have ready access to a computer that is programmed with appropriate software and, in addition, have both the knowledge required to use the software (and the inclination to do so). This same problem exists with respect to data transfer to (and subsequent analysis by) a healthcare professional. Moreover, various manufacturers of systems that currently provide a data transfer feature do not use the same data format. Therefore, if a healthcare professional wishes to analyze data supplied by a number of different blood glucose monitoring systems, he or she must possess software for each of the systems and must learn to conduct the desired analyses with each software system. The above-discussed disadvantages and drawbacks of microprocessor-based self-care health monitoring systems take on even greater significance with respect to children afflicted with diabetes, asthma and other chronic illnesses. In particular, a child's need for medication and other therapy changes as the child grows. Current microprocessor-based self-care health monitoring systems generally do not provide information that is timely and complete enough for a healthcare professional to recognize and avert problems before relatively severe symptoms develop. Too often, a need for a change in medication and/or other changes in therapeutic regimen is not detected until the child's condition worsens to the point that emergency room care is required. Further, currently available microprocessor-based health monitoring systems have not been designed with children in mind. As previously mentioned, such devices are not configured for sufficient ease of use in situations in which it is desirable or necessary to record and track quantitative information that affects the physical condition of the system user (e.g., medication dosage administered by a diabetic and food intake). Children above the age at which they are generally capable of obtaining blood samples and administering insulin or other medication generally can learn to use at least the basic blood glucose monitoring features of currently available microprocessor-based blood glucose monitoring systems. However, the currently available monitoring systems provide nothing in the way of motivation for a child to use the device and, in addition, include little or nothing that educates the child about his or her condition or treatment progress. The lack of provision for the entering of alphanumeric data also can be a disadvantage. For example, currently available blood glucose monitoring systems do not allow the user or the healthcare professional to enter information into the system such as medication dosage and other instructions or data that is relevant to the user's self-care health program. The above-discussed disadvantages and drawbacks of currently available microprocessor-based blood glucose monitoring systems also have been impediments to adopting the basic technology of the system for other healthcare situations in which establishing and maintaining an effective regimen for cure or control is dependent upon (or at least facilitated by) periodically monitoring a condition and recording that condition along with time and date tags and other information necessary or helpful in establishing and maintaining a healthcare program.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF INVENTION <EOH>This invention provides a new and useful system for healthcare maintenance in which the invention either serves as a peripheral device to (or incorporates) a small handheld microprocessor-based unit of the type that includes a display screen, buttons or keys that allow a user to control the operation of the device and a program cartridge or other arrangement that can be inserted in the device to adapt the device to a particular application or function. The invention in effect converts the handheld microprocessor device into a healthcare monitoring system that has significant advantages over systems such as the currently available blood glucose monitoring systems. To perform this conversion, the invention includes a microprocessor-based healthcare data management unit, a program cartridge and a monitoring unit. When inserted in the handheld microprocessor unit, the program cartridge provides the software necessary (program instructions) to program the handheld microprocessor unit for operation with the microprocessor-based data management unit. Signal communication between the data management unit and the handheld microprocessor unit is established by an interface cable. A second interface cable can be used to establish signal communication between the data management unit and the monitoring unit or, alternatively, the monitoring unit can be constructed as a plug-in unit having an electrical connector that mates with a connector mounted within a region that is configured for receiving the monitoring unit. In operation, the control buttons or keys of the handheld microprocessor-based unit are used to select the operating mode for both the data management unit and the handheld microprocessor-based unit. In response to signals generated by the control buttons or keys, the data management unit generates signals that are coupled to the handheld microprocessor unit and, under control of the program instructions contained in the program cartridge, establish an appropriate screen display on the handheld microprocessor-based unit display. In selecting system operating mode and other operations, the control buttons are used to position a cursor or other indicator in a manner that allows the system user to easily select a desired operating mode or function and provide any other required operator input. In the disclosed detailed embodiment of the invention several modes of operation are made available. In the currently preferred embodiments of the invention, the handheld microprocessor unit is a compact video game system such as the system manufactured by Nintendo of America Inc. under the trademark “GAME BOY.” Use of a compact video game system has several general advantages, including the widespread availability and low cost of such systems. Further, such systems include switch arrangements that are easily adapted for use in the invention and the display units of such systems are of a size and resolution that can advantageously be employed in the practice of the invention. In addition, such systems allow educational or motivational material to be displayed to the system user, with the material being included in the program cartridge that provides the monitor system software or, alternatively, in a separate program cartridge. The use of a compact video game system for the handheld microprocessor-based unit of the invention is especially advantageous with respect to children. Specifically, the compact video game systems of the type that can be employed in the practice of the invention are well known and well accepted by children. Such devices are easily operated by a child and most children are well accustomed to using the devices in the context of playing video games. Motivational and educational material relating to the use of the invention can be presented in game-like or animated format to further enhance acceptance and use of the invention by children that require self-care health monitoring. A microprocessor-based health monitoring system that is configured in accordance with the invention provides additional advantages for both the user and a healthcare professional. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, standardized reports are provided to a physician or other healthcare provider by means of facsimile transmission. To accomplish this, the data management unit of the currently preferred embodiments of the invention include a modem which allows test results and other data stored in system memory to be transmitted to a remote clearinghouse via a telephone connection. Data processing arrangements included in the clearinghouse perform any required additional data processing; format the standardized reports; and, transmit the reports to the facsimile machine of the appropriate healthcare professional. The clearinghouse also can fill an additional communication need, allowing information such as changes in medication dosage or other information such as modification in the user's monitoring schedule to be electronically sent to a system user. In arrangements that incorporate this particular aspect of the invention, information can be sent to the user via a telephone connection and the data management unit modem when a specific inquiry is initiated by the user, or when the user establishes a telephone connection with the clearinghouse for other purposes such as providing data for standardized reports. The clearinghouse-facsimile aspect of the invention is important because it allows a healthcare professional to receive timely information about patient condition and progress without requiring a visit by the patient (system user) and without requiring analysis or processing of test data by the healthcare professional. In this regard, the healthcare professional need not possess or even know how to use a computer and/or the software conventionally employed for analysis of blood glucose and other health monitoring data and information. The invention also includes provision for data analysis and memory storage of information provided by the user and/or the healthcare professional. In particular, the data management units of the currently preferred embodiments of the invention include a data port such as an RS-232 connection that allows the system user or healthcare professional to establish signal communication between the data management unit and a personal computer or other data processing arrangement. Blood glucose test data or other information can then be downloaded for analysis and record keeping purposes. Alternatively, information such as changes in the user's treatment and monitoring regimen can be entered into system memory. Moreover, if desired, remote communication between the data management unit and the healthcare professional's computer can be established using the clearinghouse as an element of the communications link. That is, in the currently preferred arrangements of the invention a healthcare professional has the option of using a personal computer that communicates with the clearinghouse via a modem and telephone line for purposes of transmitting instructions and information to a selected user of the system and/or obtaining user test data and information for subsequent analysis. The invention can be embodied in forms other than those described above. For example, although small handheld microprocessor units such as a handheld video game system or handheld microprocessor units of the type often referred to as “palm-computers provide many advantages, there are situations in which other compact microprocessor units can advantageously be used. Among the various types of units that can be employed are using compact video game systems of the type that employ a program cartridge, but uses a television set or video monitor instead of a display unit that is integrated into the previously described handheld microprocessor units. Those skilled in the art also will recognize that the above-described microprocessor-implemented functions and operations can be apportioned between one or more microprocessors in a manner that differs from the above-described arrangement. For example, in some situations, the programmable microprocessor unit and the program cartridge used in practicing the invention may provide memory and signal processing capability that is sufficient for practicing the invention. In such situations, the microprocessor of the microprocessor-based data management unit of the above embodiments in effect is moved into the video game system, palm-computer or programmable microprocessor device. In such an arrangement, the data management unit can be realized as a relatively simple interface unit that includes little or no signal processing capability. Depending upon the situation at hand, the interface unit may or may not include a telephone modem and/or an RS-232 connection (or other data port) for interconnecting the healthcare system with a computer or other equipment. In other situations, the functions and operations associated with processing of the monitored health care data may be performed by a microprocessor that is added to or already present in the monitoring device that is used to monitor blood glucose or other condition. Because the invention can be embodied to establish systems having different levels of complexity, the invention satisfies a wide range of self-care health monitoring applications. The arrangements that include a modem (or other signal transmission facility) and sufficient signal processing capability can be employed in situations in which reports are electronically transmitted to a healthcare professional either in hard copy (facsimile) form or in a signal format that can be received by and stored in the healthcare professional's computer. On the other hand, less complex (and, hence, less costly) embodiments of the invention are available for use in which transfer of system information need not be made by means of telephonic data transfer or other remote transmission methods. In these less complex embodiments, transfer of data to a healthcare professional can still be accomplished. Specifically, if the program cartridge includes a battery and suitable program instructions, monitored healthcare data can be stored in the program cartridge during use of the system as a healthcare monitor. The data cartridge can then be provided to the healthcare professional and inserted in a programmable microprocessor-based unit that is the same as or similar to that which was used in the healthcare monitoring system. The healthcare professional can then review the data, and record it for later use, and/or can use the data in performing various analyses. If desired, the microprocessor-based unit used by the healthcare professional can be programmed and arranged to allow information to be stored in the cartridge for return to and retrieval by the user of the healthcare monitoring system. The stored information can include messages (e.g., instructions for changes in medication dosage) and/or program instructions for reconfiguring the program included in the cartridge so as to effect changes in the treatment regimen, the analyses or reports to be generated by the healthcare monitoring system, or less important aspects such as graphical presentation presented during the operation of the healthcare system.
20041203
20110510
20050421
74300.0
2
GILLIGAN, CHRISTOPHER L
USER MONITORING
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,004,223
ACCEPTED
Substrate removal from polishing tool
Techniques for removing a substrate from a polishing pad are described. A substrate is pulled away from the polishing pad such that the edges of the substrate are pulled away from the polishing pad before the center of the substrate is pulled from the polishing pad.
1. A method of dechucking a substrate from a surface, comprising: applying a first pressure to a central portion of a first side of a substrate, wherein a second side of the substrate is in contact with a polishing surface; and applying a second pressure to the first side at an outer portion of the first side of the substrate, wherein the second pressure generates a force on the substrate away from the polishing surface; wherein applying the first and second pressures causes the substrate to move away from the polishing surface. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein applying a second pressure to the first side includes applying an absolute pressure that is less than the absolute pressure of the first pressure. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein applying a first pressure includes creating a first force that is a downward force. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first pressure is atmospheric pressure. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first pressure is less than atmospheric pressure. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first pressure is greater than atmospheric pressure. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second pressure is less than atmospheric pressure. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein: applying a second pressure includes applying pressure to an annular zone of the substrate. 9. The method of clam 1, further comprising: applying a third pressure on the first side, such that the third pressure places a downward force on the perimeter of the substrate. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein: applying the first pressure includes removing fluid from an area adjacent to the central portion of the substrate. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein: applying the first pressure includes venting an area adjacent to the central portion of the substrate to atmosphere. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein: applying the first pressure includes introducing fluid into an area adjacent to the central portion of the substrate. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein: applying the second pressure includes evacuating fluid from an area adjacent to an area surrounding the central portion of the substrate. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein: applying the second pressure includes evacuating fluid from a chamber between a membrane and a carrier head. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein: applying the first and second pressures includes applying no more than about twenty pounds across the substrate. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein: applying the first and second pressures includes applying no more than about ten pounds across the substrate. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein: applying the first and second pressures includes applying no more than about five pounds across the substrate. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein: applying the first pressure includes venting a central chamber to the ambient pressure, wherein the central chamber is between a membrane and a carrier head. 19. A method of dechucking a substrate from a surface, comprising: retaining a substrate within a retaining ring while applying a pressure to at least a portion of a first surface of the substrate at a time when a second surface of the substrate contacts a polishing surface; and causing the pressure applied to the first surface to vary so that a perimeter portion of the substrate is pulled away from the polishing pad before a center portion of the substrate is pulled from the polishing surface. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein: causing the pressure applied to the first surface includes applying an upward pressure at the perimeter portion of the substrate. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein: causing the pressure applied to the first surface includes applying an downward pressure at en edge portion of the substrate, wherein the perimeter portion is closer to the center portion of the substrate than the edge portion. 22. The method of claim 19, wherein: causing the pressure applied to the first surface includes removing the substrate from the polishing surface. 23. The method of claim 19, wherein: causing the pressure applied to the first surface includes applying a pressure of about twenty pounds or less across the substrate. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein: causing the pressure applied to the first surface includes applying a pressure of about ten pounds or less across the substrate. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein: causing the pressure applied to the first surface includes applying a pressure of about five pounds or less across the substrate.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/590,451, filed on Jul. 22, 2004, which is incorporated by reference herein. BACKGROUND This invention relates to transport of a substrate by a carrier in a semiconductor fabrication tool. An integrated circuit is typically formed on a substrate by the sequential deposition of conductive, semiconductive or insulative layers on a silicon substrate. One fabrication step involves depositing a filler layer over a non-planar surface, and planarizing the filler layer until the non-planar surface is exposed. For example, a conductive filler layer can be deposited on a patterned insulative layer to fill the trenches or holes in the insulative layer. The filler layer is then polished until the raised pattern of the insulative layer is exposed. After planarization, the portions of the conductive layer remaining between the raised pattern of the insulative layer form vias, plugs and lines that provide conductive paths between thin film circuits on the substrate. In addition, planarization is needed to planarize the substrate surface for photolithography. Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is one accepted method of planarization. This planarization method typically requires that the substrate be mounted on a carrier or polishing head of a CMP apparatus. The exposed surface of the substrate is placed against a rotating disk-shaped polishing pad or a linearly advancing belt-shaped polishing pad. The polishing pad can be either a “standard” pad or a fixed-abrasive pad. A standard pad has a durable roughened surface, whereas a fixed-abrasive pad has abrasive particles held in a containment media. The carrier head provides a controllable load on the substrate to push it against the polishing pad. A polishing liquid, such as a slurry including abrasive particles, is supplied to the surface of the polishing pad. SUMMARY In general, the invention provides techniques for removing a substrate from a polishing pad after the substrate has been polished. Removing the substrate from the polishing pad is sometimes called “substrate dechuck”. In general, in one aspect, the invention features methods of dechucking a substrate from a surface. One such method can include applying a first pressure to a central portion of a first side of a substrate, wherein a second side of the substrate is in contact with a polishing surface. A second pressure is applied to the first side at an outer portion of the first side of the substrate, wherein the second pressure generates a force on the substrate away from the polishing surface. Applying the first and second pressures causes the substrate to move away from the polishing surface. Applying pressure at the center of the substrate can create a force that is toward the polishing pad. Applying pressure at a perimeter of the substrate can create a force that is away from the polishing pad. Applying a pressure at an edge of the substrate can create a force toward the polishing pad, where the pressure seals the membrane to the substrate. Fluid can either be introduced or evacuated from chambers adjacent to the substrate in order to affect the pressures. Applying the first and second pressures causes the edge of the substrate to lift away from the polishing pad before the center of the substrate is lifted from the polishing pad. Implementations of this invention may include one or more of the following advantages. The likelihood of successfully lifting the substrate from the polishing pad may be less dependent on the surface characteristics of the polishing pad, such as the pad condition, e.g., the amount of glazing or compression of the polishing pad, or the pad topography. Similarly, the process steps needed to remove the substrate from the polishing pad may be less dependent on the condition of the polishing pad, e.g., removing a substrate from a compressed pad may not require more force than removing a substrate from an uncompressed pad. The suction between the substrate and the polishing pad that might otherwise be created if the carrier head applies an upward force to the center of the substrate can be reduced or eliminated. Consequently, the substrate dechuck process can be faster, be smoother, cause less stress on the substrate and be less likely to damage the substrate. Less force may be required to pull the substrate from the polishing pad and the substrate may be subjected to a bending force for a shorter duration. For example, the substrate can be removed from the polishing pad by applying as little as five pounds of force across the area of a 300 mm wafer, instead of the one-hundred pounds that can be required with a center lift method. Because less force is applied to the substrate and the substrate spends less time in a non-flat condition, the likelihood of defects or damage (including substrate breakage) in the substrate can be reduced. The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1A shows a schematic of a substrate carrier head. FIG. 1B shows a membrane with chambers behind the membrane. FIG. 2 shows a representation of a substrate being lifted from a polishing pad using a center lift dechuck method. FIG. 3 shows a representation of a substrate lifted from a polishing pad using an edge lift dechuck method. FIG. 4 shows a representation of a substrate being lifted from a polishing pad using a modified edge lift dechuck method. Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION As shown in FIG. 1A, an exemplary carrier head 100 includes a housing 102, a base assembly 104, a loading chamber 108, a retaining ring 110, and a substrate backing assembly 112 which includes two or more pressurizable chambers. A description of a similar carrier head may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,354, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/712,389, filed Nov. 13, 2000, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/810,784, filed Mar. 26, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The housing 102 can be generally circular in shape and can be connected to the drive shaft to rotate therewith during polishing. A vertical bore 120 can be formed through the housing 102, and five additional passages 122 (only two passages are illustrated) can extend through the housing 102 for pneumatic control of the carrier head. O-rings 124 can be used to form fluid-tight seals between the passages through the housing and passages through the drive shaft. The loading chamber 108 is located between the housing 102 and the base assembly 104 to apply a load, i.e., a downward pressure or weight, to the base assembly 104. The vertical position of the base assembly 104 relative to the polishing pad 32 is also controlled by the loading chamber 108. The retaining ring 110 can be a generally annular ring secured at the outer edge of the base assembly 104. When fluid is pumped into the loading chamber 108 and the base assembly 104 is pushed downwardly, the retaining ring 110 is also pushed downwardly to apply a load to the polishing pad 32. An inner surface 118 of the retaining ring 110 engages the substrate to prevent it from escaping from beneath the carrier head. The substrate backing assembly 112 includes a flexible membrane 140. The flexible membrane 140 is formed of a flexible and elastic fluid-impermeable material, such as neoprene, chloroprene, ethylene propylene rubber or silicone. For example, the flexible membrane 140 can be formed of either compression molded silicone or liquid injection molded silicone. The membrane 140 should be hydrophobic, durable, and chemically inert vis-à-vis the polishing process. The flexible membrane 140 includes a generally flat main portion 142. A lower surface 144 of the main portion 142 provides a mounting surface for the substrate 10. The membrane 140 can also include an annular perimeter portion 124 that extends away from the polishing surface for connection to the base. The flexible membrane 140 can be divided into separate areas, such as annular concentric portions. In one implementation, the concentric annular portions are created by forming chambers between the membrane 140 and the carrier head base assembly 104. The annular chambers can be created in one of various ways, such as with a second membrane, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,868, which is incorporated herein by reference, or by selecting a membrane with portions that extend from an upper surface of the membrane and connect to the carrier head such that the individual chambers formed between the extending portions are separated from one another. An example of such a portion that extends from the upper surface of the membrane is a flap, as described below. The mechanism for separating the annular chambers permits the volume in each chamber to be independently pressurizable. As shown in FIG. 1B, one or more concentric annular inner flaps extend from the inner surface 170 of the main portion 142 and are connected to the base 104 to divide the volume between the membrane and the base into the independently pressurizable chambers. The ends of the flaps can be secured to the base by an annular clamp ring (which can be considered part of the base). The end of the perimeter portion 124 can also be secured to the base assembly 104 by annular clamp ring (which also can be considered part of the base), or the end of the perimeter portion 124 can be clamped between the retaining ring 110 and the base 104. In a carrier head with five pressurizable chambers, a central pressurizeable chamber 160 can be centrally located and an edge pressurizeable chamber 168 can be located approximately at the perimeter of the back side of the flexible membrane 140. Concentric pressurizeable second 162, third 164 and fourth chambers 166 can be located between the central chamber 160 and the edge chamber 168. Each chamber is associated with a portion of the membrane 140 that is proximate to the chamber thereby defining central, second, third, fourth and perimeter portions of the membrane 140. Each chamber can be fluidly coupled by passages through the base assembly 104 and housing 102 to an associated pressure source, such as a pump or pressure or vacuum line. For example, one or more passages 122 in the base assembly 104 can be linked to passages in the housing by flexible tubing that extends inside the loading chamber 108 or outside the carrier head 100. Directing fluid into or evacuating fluid from that chamber controls the pressure in each chamber, and the load applied by the associated segment of the flexible membrane 140 on the substrate 10. Thus, the load applied to the different radial regions on the substrate can be independently controlled. This permits different forces to be applied to different radial regions of the substrate 10. The substrate is transferred to a polishing station and brought in contact with a polishing pad for polishing. During polishing, a polishing slurry is generally provided that has desirable polishing characteristics, such as, for example, being abrasive, non-abrasive, chemically reactive or selective to particular materials. In general, polishing slurries have a wetting characteristic. Once polishing is completed at one polishing station, the substrate is transferred from the polishing station to the next stage of the manufacturing process. The next stage might be at another polishing station in the CMP apparatus, at a different type of station, e.g., an electrodeposition station, in the apparatus or at a different apparatus. When the substrate is transferred, the substrate is dechucked from the polishing pad of the polishing station. Substrate dechuck can be performed by creating a low pressure pocket behind the carrier head's membrane in a chamber that is proximate to a central portion of the membrane. As shown in FIG. 2, in a conventional CMP system, a substrate is dechucked from the polishing pad 32 by applying an upward force 183 to the center of substrate 10 to pull the substrate 10 from polishing pad 32. The upward force 183 can be applied by evacuating fluid from the central chamber 160 behind the membrane 140, resulting in the membrane 140 bowing inwardly and lifting the center of the substrate 10 along with the membrane 140. The force applied to the center of the substrate 10 can cause the substrate 10 to form a suction cup shape with a low pressure pocket 117 between the substrate 10 and the polishing pad 32. The edge of the substrate 212 tends to adhere to the polishing pad 32 due to the wetting characteristic of the slurry. The edge 212 adhering to the polishing pad 32 in combination with the low pressure pocket 117 contributes to the amount of force required to pull the substrate 10 away from the polishing pad 32. When sufficient force is applied to cause a portion of the substrate's edge 212 to pull from the polishing pad 32, air enters the low pressure pocket 117. Air entering the low pressure pocket 117 releases the distorting pressure on the substrate 10 and the substrate 10 returns to its flat shape. The force that is generally required to pull a substrate 10, such as a 300 mm substrate, from a polishing pad 32 using the center lift technique can be around one-hundred pounds across the surface of the wafer. As an alternative to the conventional method of dechucking, the upward force can be moved toward the perimeter of the substrate while a downward force is applied to the center of the substrate. Using this method of substrate dechuck causes the substrate to deform into a bowl-like shape and allows air to enter between the substrate and the polishing pad during dechuck, eliminating the suction cup effect. As shown in FIG. 3, in one implementation, an upward force 185 is applied to the edges 212 of the substrate 10 to pull the substrate from the polishing pad 32. The edge chamber 168 can be evacuated of fluid, creating a low-pressure area behind the substrate's edge 212 and pulling the substrate's edge 212 in an upward direction. This technique can be used when the substrate adheres to the membrane more strongly than to the pad, which will depend on the composition of the pad, substrate, membrane and polishing environment, such as the slurry composition. Assuming the substrate adheres to the membrane, then air can enter the space 119 between the substrate 10 and the polishing pad 32 when the substrate 10 is pulled from the polishing pad 32 at the edges. Using this edge-lift technique, the amount of lift required to pull the substrate's edge 212 can be less than one-hundred pounds, such as, for example, less than twenty pounds, less than ten pounds, or around five pounds. In one implementation, a slight downward force, such as about one or two psi, is applied to the central portion of the substrate 10. Alternatively, the central portion can be vented to the atmosphere. In some instances, the substrate adheres to the polishing pad more strongly than to the membrane when the edge of the membrane is lifted. In this case, the substrate remains on the polishing pad 32 and releases from the membrane. Air enters the space between the membrane 140 and the substrate 10, allowing the membrane 140 to pull away from the substrate 10. A technique to compensate for this problem is to apply a downward force to the edge of the substrate 10 so as to seal the edge of the substrate against the membrane, and apply an upward force to an area just inside of the edge of the substrate 10. Moreover, if a downward force is applied to the center of the substrate 10, the suction cup shape is not formed, as in the conventional method of dechuck. As shown in FIG. 4, in one embodiment, a downward force is applied at the outer portion of the membrane, an upward force is applied to a chamber between the outer portion and the center of the substrate, such as at the second 162, third 164 or fourth chamber 166, and a downward force is applied at the central chamber 160. To apply the downward force, the central chamber 160 can be vented to the atmosphere or a fluid can be directed into the central chamber 160. The downward force need not be a great force, e.g., about zero to about two psi. The downward force only need be a force that causes the upward force to pull up on the substrate in comparison to the downward force. The chamber between the central chamber 160 and the edge chamber 168, can be evacuated to form a low-pressure area. The low-pressure area creates an upward force 193 on the substrate 10. Any chamber that is not involved in producing an upward or downward force can be vented to the atmosphere. Fluid is directed into the edge chamber 168 such that a slight downward force 195 is placed on the substrate's edge 212. The upward force in the fourth chamber 166 pulls up on the substrate 10 while the pressure applied to the edge of substrate 10 seals the edge of substrate 10 to the membrane 140. In one implementation, the seal at the edge is formed at the outer two to three millimeters of the substrate. The central downward pressure is adjacent to the center of the substrate and extends to about the twenty to thirty millimeters from the edge of the substrate. The low-pressure area is between the central downward pressure and the outer edge. In one implementation, the pressure that is applied to the edge of the substrate during dechuck are between about zero and three psi gauge pressure. In one implementation, the pressure that is applied at the low-pressure area is four psi gauge pressure, or between about eight and twelve psi absolute. In one implementation, the pressure applied to the center of the substrate is between zero and three psi gauge. Other appropriate pressures can also be used to dechuck the substrate so long as the pressure applied at the center portion of the substrate is a downward pressure relative to a pressure applied just outside of the center portion of the substrate. One element that typically can affect the ease of substrate dechuck from the polishing pad is the surface texture of the polishing pad. For example, grooves or surface topography in the pad can facilitate removing the substrate 10 from the polishing pad 32 because air can enter the space between the substrate 10 and the polishing pad 32 by way of the grooves or other topography on the polishing pad 32, preventing the formation of a vacuum. However, when slurry is used to polish the substrate 10, the slurry can fill the grooves or indentations in polishing pad 32, preventing air from passing beneath the substrate. Further, as the polishing pad 32 is frictionally heated, compressed and abrasively worn away, the surface of the polishing pad 32 becomes smoother. The smoother surface of the polishing pad 32 can require more force and/or more time can to pull the substrate 10 from the polishing pad 32. The greater the force applied to the substrate or the longer the substrate is deformed, the greater the likelihood of causing defects in the substrate. By lifting the edges 212 of the substrate 10 from the polishing pad 32, the dechuck method is less dependent on the surface condition of the polishing pad. The edge lift dechuck technique pulls the substrate from the edge, such that a low-pressure or vacuum pocket is not formed between the substrate and the polishing pad. With the center-lift technique, a low-pressure pocket can create a suction area that seals the substrate 10 to the polishing pad 32. The edge-lift technique avoids creating this seal between the substrate and the polishing pad and reduces the amount of force required to dechuck the substrate 10 from the polishing pad 32. Less force may be required to dechuck the substrate. Accordingly, less stress is placed on the substrate 10 than with the conventional center lift technique, decreasing the likelihood of defects in or breakage of the substrate 10. Further, the edge-lift technique can be faster than other removal techniques and the substrate may thus be placed under stress for less time than with other removal techniques. A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the pressurizable chambers can be annular, axial, randomly spaced, evenly spaced, or a combination thereof. There can be as few as two pressurizable chambers or any number of pressurizable chambers greater than two. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>This invention relates to transport of a substrate by a carrier in a semiconductor fabrication tool. An integrated circuit is typically formed on a substrate by the sequential deposition of conductive, semiconductive or insulative layers on a silicon substrate. One fabrication step involves depositing a filler layer over a non-planar surface, and planarizing the filler layer until the non-planar surface is exposed. For example, a conductive filler layer can be deposited on a patterned insulative layer to fill the trenches or holes in the insulative layer. The filler layer is then polished until the raised pattern of the insulative layer is exposed. After planarization, the portions of the conductive layer remaining between the raised pattern of the insulative layer form vias, plugs and lines that provide conductive paths between thin film circuits on the substrate. In addition, planarization is needed to planarize the substrate surface for photolithography. Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is one accepted method of planarization. This planarization method typically requires that the substrate be mounted on a carrier or polishing head of a CMP apparatus. The exposed surface of the substrate is placed against a rotating disk-shaped polishing pad or a linearly advancing belt-shaped polishing pad. The polishing pad can be either a “standard” pad or a fixed-abrasive pad. A standard pad has a durable roughened surface, whereas a fixed-abrasive pad has abrasive particles held in a containment media. The carrier head provides a controllable load on the substrate to push it against the polishing pad. A polishing liquid, such as a slurry including abrasive particles, is supplied to the surface of the polishing pad.
<SOH> SUMMARY <EOH>In general, the invention provides techniques for removing a substrate from a polishing pad after the substrate has been polished. Removing the substrate from the polishing pad is sometimes called “substrate dechuck”. In general, in one aspect, the invention features methods of dechucking a substrate from a surface. One such method can include applying a first pressure to a central portion of a first side of a substrate, wherein a second side of the substrate is in contact with a polishing surface. A second pressure is applied to the first side at an outer portion of the first side of the substrate, wherein the second pressure generates a force on the substrate away from the polishing surface. Applying the first and second pressures causes the substrate to move away from the polishing surface. Applying pressure at the center of the substrate can create a force that is toward the polishing pad. Applying pressure at a perimeter of the substrate can create a force that is away from the polishing pad. Applying a pressure at an edge of the substrate can create a force toward the polishing pad, where the pressure seals the membrane to the substrate. Fluid can either be introduced or evacuated from chambers adjacent to the substrate in order to affect the pressures. Applying the first and second pressures causes the edge of the substrate to lift away from the polishing pad before the center of the substrate is lifted from the polishing pad. Implementations of this invention may include one or more of the following advantages. The likelihood of successfully lifting the substrate from the polishing pad may be less dependent on the surface characteristics of the polishing pad, such as the pad condition, e.g., the amount of glazing or compression of the polishing pad, or the pad topography. Similarly, the process steps needed to remove the substrate from the polishing pad may be less dependent on the condition of the polishing pad, e.g., removing a substrate from a compressed pad may not require more force than removing a substrate from an uncompressed pad. The suction between the substrate and the polishing pad that might otherwise be created if the carrier head applies an upward force to the center of the substrate can be reduced or eliminated. Consequently, the substrate dechuck process can be faster, be smoother, cause less stress on the substrate and be less likely to damage the substrate. Less force may be required to pull the substrate from the polishing pad and the substrate may be subjected to a bending force for a shorter duration. For example, the substrate can be removed from the polishing pad by applying as little as five pounds of force across the area of a 300 mm wafer, instead of the one-hundred pounds that can be required with a center lift method. Because less force is applied to the substrate and the substrate spends less time in a non-flat condition, the likelihood of defects or damage (including substrate breakage) in the substrate can be reduced. The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
20041202
20060725
20060126
74097.0
B24B100
0
NGUYEN, DUNG V
SUBSTRATE REMOVAL FROM POLISHING TOOL
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
B24B
2,004
11,004,256
ACCEPTED
Transmitting apparatus, receiving apparatus, and communication system for formatting data
A transmitting apparatus, a receiving apparatus, and a communication system are provided that allow a reduction in a frame loss due to interference caused by use of the same channel. A transmitting apparatus disposed in a base station includes a GPS receiver for receiving a GPS signal, a timing generator for controlling respective function blocks in accordance with the GPS signal and an inter-base-station control signal so as to precisely synchronize the timing of frame transmission among base stations, the front-end transmission processing unit including for converting transmission information into transmission time slots, a frame generator for generating a frame including a plurality of time slots and one frame guard, and a back-end transmission processing unit for transmitting the generated frame as a radio signal.
1. A transmitting apparatus comprising a front-end transmission processing unit for converting transmission signal into a transmission time slot; and a frame generator for generating a frame including a series of n (integer equal to or greater than 1) time slots and a frame guard period added to the series of n time slots to suppress a frame loss due to interference; and a back-end transmission processing unit for transmitting the generated frame as a radio signal. 2. A transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the front-end transmission processing unit includes a modulator for modulating transmission information by means of a proper modulation scheme selected on the basis of electric field strength information received from a communication terminal to which the transmission information is transmitted. 3. A transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frame guard period is a non-signal period. 4. A transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the front-end transmission processing unit generates a time slot by adding a predetermined guard period to an effective symbol period. 5. A transmitting apparatus disposed in at least one of a plurality of base stations each of which has a capability of communicating, using a signal according to a predetermined modulation scheme, with a communication terminal being within an area assigned to the base station, the transmitting apparatus comprising: a front-end transmission processing unit for converting transmission signal into a transmission time slot; a frame generator for generating a frame including a series of n (integer equal to or greater than 1) time slots and a frame guard period added to the series of n time slots to suppress a frame loss due to interference; and a back-end transmission processing unit for transmitting the generated frame as a radio signal. 6. A transmitting apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a timing generator for generating a timing signal on the basis of a GPS signal and an inter-base-station control signal for achieving synchronization among base stations, thereby precisely synchronizing the timing of frame transmission among the base stations. 7. A transmitting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the front-end transmission processing unit includes a modulator for modulating transmission information by means of a proper modulation scheme selected on the basis of electric field strength information received from a communication terminal to which the transmission information is transmitted. 8. A transmitting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the front-end transmission processing unit includes a modulator for modulating transmission information by means of a proper modulation scheme selected on the basis of electric field strength information received from a communication terminal to which the transmission information is transmitted. 9. A transmitting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the frame guard period is a non-signal period. 10. A transmitting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the frame guard period is a non-signal period. 11. A transmitting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the front-end transmission processing unit generates a time slot by adding a predetermined guard period to an effective symbol period. 12. A transmitting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the front-end transmission processing unit generates a time slot by adding a predetermined guard period to an effective symbol period. 13. A receiving apparatus for receiving a radio signal, each frame of which includes a series of n (integer equal to or greater than 1) time slots and a frame guard period added to the series of n time slots to suppress a frame loss due to interference, each time slot including an effective symbol period and a guard period added to the effective symbol period, the receiving apparatus comprising: a front-end reception processing unit for receiving the radio signal; a synchronization position detector for detecting a starting position of an effective symbol period in the received signal; a timing generator for controlling an operation timing of a functional block, on the basis of synchronization position information supplied from the synchronization position detector; a reception windowing unit for extracting only an effective symbol period including no time guard period and no frame guard, under the control of the timing generator; and a back-end reception processing unit for reproducing desired information from a windowed signal supplied by the reception windowing unit. 14. A receiving apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the frame guard period is a non-signal period. 15. A receiving apparatus disposed in a communication terminal for receiving a radio signal transmitted from a base station each of which has a capability of communicating, using a signal according to a predetermined modulation scheme, with a communication terminal being within an area assigned to the base station, each frame of the radio signal including a series of n (integer equal to or greater than 1) time slots and a frame guard period added to the series of n time slots to suppress a frame loss due to interference, each time slot including an effective symbol period and a guard period added to the effective symbol period, the receiving apparatus comprising: a front-end reception processing unit for receiving the radio signal; a synchronization position detector for detecting a starting position of an effective symbol period in the received signal; a timing generator for controlling an operation timing of a functional block, on the basis of synchronization position information supplied from the synchronization position detector; a reception windowing unit for extracting only an effective symbol period including no time guard period and no frame guard, under the control of the timing generator; and a back-end reception processing unit for reproducing desired information from a windowed signal supplied by the reception windowing unit. 16. A receiving apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the frame guard period is a non-signal period. 17. A communication system comprising a transmitting apparatus and a receiving apparatus, the transmitting apparatus comprising: a front-end transmission processing unit for converting transmission signal into a transmission time slot; a frame generator for generating a frame including a series of n (integer equal to or greater than 1) time slots and a frame guard period added to the series of n time slots to suppress a frame loss due to interference, each time slot including an effective symbol period and a guard period added to the effective symbol period; and a back-end transmission processing unit for transmitting the generated frame as a radio signal, the receiving apparatus comprising: a front-end reception processing unit for receiving a radio signal transmitted from the transmitting apparatus; a synchronization position detector for detecting a starting position of an effective symbol period in the received signal; a timing generator for controlling an operation timing of a functional block, on the basis of synchronization position information supplied from the synchronization position detector; a reception windowing unit for extracting only an effective symbol period including no time guard period and no frame guard, under the control of the timing generator; and a back-end reception processing unit for reproducing desired information from a windowed signal supplied by the reception windowing unit. 18. A communication system according to claim 17, wherein the front-end transmission processing unit includes a modulator for modulating transmission information by means of a proper modulation scheme selected on the basis of electric field strength information received from a communication terminal to which the transmission information is transmitted. 19. A communication system according to claim 17, wherein the frame guard period is a non-signal period. 20. A communication system comprising: a plurality of communication terminals; and a plurality of base stations, each of which has a capability of communicating, using a signal according to a predetermined modulation scheme, with a communication terminal being within an area assigned to the base station, at least one of the plurality of base stations including a transmitting apparatus, the transmitting apparatus comprising: a front-end transmission processing unit for converting transmission signal into a transmission time slot; a frame generator for generating a frame including a series of n (integer equal to or greater than 1) time slots and a frame guard period added to the series of n time slots to suppress a frame loss due to interference, each time slot including an effective symbol period and a guard period added to the effective symbol period; and a back-end transmission processing unit for transmitting the generated frame as a radio signal, each communication terminal including a receiving apparatus comprising: a front-end reception processing unit for receiving a radio signal transmitted from the transmitting apparatus; a synchronization position detector for detecting a starting position of an effective symbol period in the received signal; a timing generator for controlling an operation timing of a functional block, on the basis of synchronization position information supplied from the synchronization position detector; a reception windowing unit for extracting only an effective symbol period including no time guard period and no frame guard, under the control of the timing generator; and a back-end reception processing unit for reproducing desired information from a windowed signal supplied by the reception windowing unit. 21. A communication system according to claim 20, wherein the transmitting apparatus further comprises a timing generator for generating a timing signal on the basis of a GPS signal and an inter-base-station control signal for achieving synchronization among base stations, thereby precisely synchronizing the timing of frame transmission among the base stations. 22. A communication system according to claim 20, wherein the front-end transmission processing unit of the transmitting apparatus includes a modulator for modulating transmission information by means of a proper modulation scheme selected on the basis of electric field strength information received from a communication terminal to which the transmission information is transmitted. 23. A communication system according to claim 21, wherein the front-end transmission processing unit of the transmitting apparatus includes a modulator for modulating transmission information by means of a proper modulation scheme selected on the basis of electric field strength information received from a communication terminal to which the transmission information is transmitted. 24. A communication system according to claim 20, wherein the frame guard period is a non-signal period. 25. A communication system according to claim 21, wherein the frame guard period is a non-signal period.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transmitting apparatus, a receiving apparatus, and a communication system, for use in a mobile communication system, and more specifically, to an improvement in a format of data that is modulated and transmitted using, for example, an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) technique. 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, mobile communication using a portable telephone or the like has become increasingly popular. Mobile communication is used to transmit not only information with a small data size such as voice data but also information with a large data size. In a mobile communication system, as shown in FIG. 16, a plurality of base stations BS are distributed in a ground plane so that a mobile station MS can communicate with a base station BS located near the mobile station MS. Herein, an area within which a base station can communicate with a mobile station is referred to as a cell. In such a mobile communication system, in order to avoid cross talk, each cell uses a frequency different from those used in adjacent cells. However, the same frequency channel can be used in a more distant cell outside the adjacent cells without encountering a significant problem, because, for a mobile station MS being in a cell, the strength of a signal received from a base station BS of that cell is greater than that of an interfering signal coming from a distant cell. If the distance among cells in which the same frequency channel is used is set to be very large, a large number of different frequency channels are necessary, and thus the spectrum efficiency becomes low. That is, there is a trade-off between the interference due to usage of same frequency channel and the spectrum efficiency. Thus, it is important to design a communication system such that the system has high resistance against interference thereby achieving an improvement in the spectrum efficiency. OFDM modulation is known as a technique having high resistance against multipath interference and having high spectrum efficiency. In the OFDM modulation, after performing first modulation (such as QPSK or 16 QAM), an inverse Fourier transform is performed on as many transmission signal symbols as 2n at a time thereby creating as many orthogonal subcarriers as 2n along a frequency axis as shown in FIG. 17. In a mobile communication system using the OFDM modulation technique, each mobile station communicates with a base station closest to the mobile station. More specifically, in a communication system using the OFDM modulation technique, a plurality of time slots TSLT each including an effective symbol period TSBL and a guard period TGD are combined into a frame FRM, as shown in FIG. 18, and transmitted from a base station BS. In the example shown in FIG. 18, each frame FRM includes three time slots. Base stations BS are synchronized in terms of transmission so that frames are transmitted with the same timing. The purpose of a guard period TGD added to each effective symbol period TSBL is to suppress intersymbol interference due to multipath transmission or fading. Each time slot including a guard period TGD is produced, as disclosed, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 7-99486, by connecting the same signal as a predetermined length of head or tail end part of a signal in an effective symbol period to an opposite end of that effective symbol period or by connecting the same signals as predetermined length of both head and tail end parts of a signal in an effective symbol period to opposite ends of the effective symbol period. More specifically, the same signal as a signal at a tail end part of an effective period is connected to the head end of the effective symbol period, or the same signal as a signal at a head end part of an effective period is connected to the tail end of the effective symbol period, or otherwise, the same signals as signals at head and tail end parts of an effective period are respectively connected to the tail and head ends of the effective symbol period. In a receiving system of a mobile station that receives such an OFDM signal, as shown in FIG. 19, the correlation is determined between the received OFDM signal and a signal obtained by delaying the OFDM signal by a time equal to one effective symbol period. The start positions of respective effective symbol periods are then determined from peak positions of detected in the correlation. That is, it is possible to determine the location of a guard period in each time slot. The detection of the start position of an effective symbol period allows an OFDM demodulator to perform an FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) operation. An example of such an OFDM demodulator is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 8-107431. In the OFDM demodulator disclosed in the Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 8-107431 cited above, the correlation between a received OFDM signal and a signal obtained by delaying the received OFDM signal by an effective symbol period, and the resultant correlation signal is subjected to an interval integration. In the above process, the interval integration is performed, as shown in FIG. 20, for intervals created by dividing the correlation signal into segments that is, intervals, each having a length equal to the time slot period. That is, the cumulative sum of the correlation signal is determined by repeatedly adding the correlation signal in the respective intervals. In the resultant signal, peaks appear at particular positions within the time slot period as shown in FIG. 20(E). In parts where there is no correlation, the values are averaged as the interval integration advances. As described above, the interval integration makes it possible to clearly distinguish a correlated period from an uncorrelated period, and the detection of a peak makes it possible to achieve synchronization in a more reliable fashion. In the communication system using an OFDM signal added with a guard period, as described above, although intersymbol interference due to multipath transmission or fading can be suppressed, there is still a possibility that a mobile station encounters interference when receiving the OFDM signal added with the guard period in some situations. A mobile station receives a signal in such a manner as described below. In addition to a desired wave DSW, a mobile station also receives an interfering wave IFW via the same channel. In most cases, the interfering wave IFW does not cause a problem, because the reception signal strength of the desired wave DSW is much greater than that of the interfering wave IFW. However, fading occurs as a mobile station moves, and thus the reception signal strength of the desired wave DSW and that of the interfering wave IFW frequently vary. In general, there is no correlation between fading of a desired wave DSW and that of an interfering wave IFW. That is, the desired wave DSW and the interfering wave IFW fluctuate independently of each other. This means that the reception signal strength of the interfering wave IFW can become high when that of the desired wave DSW becomes low. In such a case, there is a possibility that interference makes it impossible to receive the desired wave DSW. In general, an interfering wave IFW arrives at a mobile station slightly later than a desired wave DSW, because the interfering wave IFW is transmitted from a base station at a more distant location while the desired wave DSW is transmitted from a base station at a closer location. Referring to an example shown in FIG. 18, a possible reception of an interfering wave IFW is discussed below for a case in which a fluctuation in the reception signal strength due to fading causes a signal transmitted from a distant base station using the same channel to be received as an interfering wave IFW. It is assumed herein that only one frame is received as the interfering wave IFW as shown in FIG. 18(B). In contrast, in the case of a desired wave DSW, frames are successively received as shown in FIG. 18(A). Because the interfering wave IFW arrives slightly later than the desired wave DSW as shown in FIG. 18(B), the interfering wave IFW interferes with two frames, denoted by (i) and (ii) in FIG. 18, of the desired wave DSW. In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a transmitting apparatus, a receiving apparatus, and a communication system, which allow suppression of a frame loss due to interference caused by use of the same channel even in a system in which the number of repetition cells is set to be small, that is, the distance between cells where the same channel is used is set to be small to achieve high-efficiency use of radio channels. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to an aspect of the present invention, to achieve the above object, there is provided a transmitting apparatus comprising a front-end transmission processing unit for converting transmission signal into a transmission time slot; a frame generator for generating a frame including a series of n (integer equal to or greater than 1) time slots and a frame guard period added to the series of n time slots to suppress a frame loss due to interference; and a back-end transmission processing unit for transmitting the generated frame as a radio signal. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmitting apparatus disposed in at least one of a plurality of base stations each of which has a capability of communicating, using a signal according to a predetermined modulation scheme, with a communication terminal being within an area assigned to the base station, the transmitting apparatus comprising a front-end transmission processing unit for converting transmission signal into a transmission time slot; a frame generator for generating a frame including a series of n (integer equal to or greater than 1) time slots and a frame guard period added to the series of n time slots to suppress a frame loss due to interference; and a back-end transmission processing unit for transmitting the generated frame as a radio signal. The transmitting apparatus according to the present invention preferably further comprises a timing generator for generating a timing signal on the basis of a GPS signal and an inter-base-station control signal for achieving synchronization among base stations, thereby precisely synchronizing the timing of frame transmission among the base stations. In the transmitting apparatus according to the present invention, the front-end transmission processing unit includes a modulator for modulating transmission information by means of a proper modulation scheme selected on the basis of electric field strength information received from a communication terminal to which the transmission information is transmitted. In the transmitting apparatus according to the present invention, the frame guard period may be a non-signal period. In the transmitting apparatus according to the present invention, preferably, the front-end transmission processing unit generates a time slot by adding a predetermined guard period to an effective symbol period. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiving apparatus for receiving a radio signal, each frame of which includes a series of n (integer equal to or greater than 1) time slots and a frame guard period added to the series of n time slots to suppress a frame loss due to interference, each time slot including an effective symbol period and a guard period added to the effective symbol period, the receiving apparatus comprising: a front-end reception processing unit for receiving the radio signal; a synchronization position detector for detecting a starting position of an effective symbol period in the received signal; a timing generator for controlling an operation timing of a functional block, on the basis of synchronization position information supplied from the synchronization position detector; a reception windowing unit for extracting only an effective symbol period including no time guard period and no frame guard, under the control of the timing generator; and a back-end reception processing unit for reproducing desired information from a windowed signal supplied by the reception windowing unit. According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiving apparatus disposed in a communication terminal for receiving a radio signal transmitted from a base station each of which has a capability of communicating, using a signal according to a predetermined modulation scheme, with a communication terminal being within an area assigned to the base station, each frame of the radio signal including a series of n (integer equal to or greater than 1) time slots and a frame guard period added to the series of n time slots to suppress a frame loss due to interference, each time slot including an effective symbol period and a guard period added to the effective symbol period, the receiving apparatus comprising: a front-end reception processing unit for receiving the radio signal; a synchronization position detector for detecting a starting position of an effective symbol period in the received signal; a timing generator for controlling an operation timing of a functional block, on the basis of synchronization position information supplied from the synchronization position detector; a reception windowing unit for extracting only an effective symbol period including no time guard period and no frame guard, under the control of the timing generator; and a back-end reception processing unit for reproducing desired information from a windowed signal supplied by the reception windowing unit. According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication system comprising a transmitting apparatus and a receiving apparatus, wherein the transmitting apparatus comprises a front-end transmission processing unit for converting transmission signal into a transmission time slot; a frame generator for generating a frame including a series of n (integer equal to or greater than 1) time slots and a frame guard period added to the series of n time slots to suppress a frame loss due to interference, each time slot including an effective symbol period and a guard period added to the effective symbol period; and a back-end transmission processing unit for transmitting the generated frame as a radio signal, and wherein the receiving apparatus comprises a front-end reception processing unit for receiving a radio signal transmitted from the transmitting apparatus; a synchronization position detector for detecting a starting position of an effective symbol period in the received signal; a timing generator for controlling an operation timing of a functional block, on the basis of synchronization position information supplied from the synchronization position detector; a reception windowing unit for extracting only an effective symbol period including no time guard period and no frame guard, under the control of the timing generator; and a back-end reception processing unit for reproducing desired information from a windowed signal supplied by the reception windowing unit. According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication system comprising a plurality of communication terminals; and a plurality of base stations, each of which has a capability of communicating, using a signal according to a predetermined modulation scheme, with a communication terminal being within an area assigned to the base station, wherein at least one of the plurality of base stations includes a transmitting apparatus comprising a front-end transmission processing unit for converting transmission signal into a transmission time slot; a frame generator for generating a frame including a series of n (integer equal to or greater than 1) time slots and a frame guard period added to the series of n time slots to suppress a frame loss due to interference, each time slot including an effective symbol period and a guard period added to the effective symbol period; and a back-end transmission processing unit for transmitting the generated frame as a radio signal, and wherein each communication terminal includes a receiving apparatus comprising a front-end reception processing unit for receiving a radio signal transmitted from the transmitting apparatus; a synchronization position detector for detecting a starting position of an effective symbol period in the received signal; a timing generator for controlling an operation timing of a functional block, on the basis of synchronization position information supplied from the synchronization position detector; a reception windowing unit for extracting only an effective symbol period including no time guard period and no frame guard, under the control of the timing generator; and a back-end reception processing unit for reproducing desired information from a windowed signal supplied by the reception windowing unit. In the communication system according to the present invention, the transmitting apparatus preferably further comprises a timing generator for generating a timing signal on the basis of a GPS signal and an inter-base-station control signal for achieving synchronization among base stations, thereby precisely synchronizing the timing of frame transmission among the base stations. In the communication system according to the present invention, the front-end transmission processing unit of the transmitting apparatus includes a modulator for modulating transmission information by means of a proper modulation scheme selected on the basis of electric field strength information received from a communication terminal to which the transmission information is transmitted. In the present invention, for example, the timing generator of a transmitting apparatus disposed in a base station generates a timing signal from the GPS signal and the inter-base-station control signal so that frames can be transmitted from any base station with the precisely synchronized timing in accordance with the timing signal. In the transmitting apparatus, the front-end transmission processing unit produces a transmission time slot from transmission information and supplies the resultant transmission time slot to the frame generator. The frame generator generates a frame including a plurality of time slots and a non-signal period serving as a frame guard period, and the frame generator supplies the resultant frame to the back-end transmission processing unit. The back-end transmission processing unit transmits the supplied frame as a radio signal. From each base station, as described above, a frame guard period is produced in each transmission frame and the frame is transmitted with the precisely synchronized timing. If the front-end reception processing unit of the receiving apparatus disposed in a mobile station receives the radio signal transmitted from the transmitting apparatus, the received radio signal is supplied to the synchronization position detector. The synchronization position detector detects the start position of an effective symbol period from the received signal and outputs synchronization position information indicating the start position of the effective symbol period to the timing generator. The timing generator controls the operation timings of respective functional blocks on the basis of the synchronization position information. Under the control of the timing generator, the reception windowing unit extracts an effective symbol period including no time guard period and no frame guard period. Thereafter, in the back-end reception processing unit, desired information is reproduced from the windowed signal. Thus, the received frame signal including the frame guard period is demodulated and transmission information is reproduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a general construction of an OFDM communication system including a transmitting apparatus and a receiving apparatus according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of an OFDM communication system including a transmitting apparatus and a receiving apparatus according to the present invention; FIGS. 3A to 3F are diagrams illustrating manners of forming cells in the communication system shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a manner of assigning radio channels according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a format of an OFDM signal including a frame guard according to the present invention; FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method of forming a time slot of an OFDM signal so as to include a guard, in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a method of forming a time slot of an OFDM signal so as to include a guard, in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a method of forming a time slot of an OFDM signal so as to include a guard, in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a transmitting apparatus disposed in a base station, according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating symbol mapping according to 16 QAM; FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating symbol mapping according to QPSK; FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a process performed by a transmission windowing unit according to the present invention; FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process performed by a frame generator according to the present invention; FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a receiving apparatus used in a mobile station, according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an advantage obtained by using a frame guard; FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a mobile communication system; FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an OFDM modulation scheme; FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conventional format of an OFDM signal used in an OFDM transmission system; FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a signal processing performed by a receiving system in a conventional mobile station; and FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an interval integration performed by a conventional OFDM demodulator. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates a general construction of an OFDM communication system including a transmitting apparatus and a receiving apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates a specific example of an OFDM communication system including a transmitting apparatus and a receiving apparatus according to the present invention. In this OFDM communication system 1, as shown in FIG. 1, a high-speed downlink system is employed. As shown in FIG. 1, the OFDM communication system 1 includes a mobile station M1, a conventional base station B1, a high-speed downlink base station B2, an existing cellular network (existing cellular cable network) N1, a data communication network such as the Internet N2, and a high-speed downlink data communication network N3. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the high-speed downlink system is denoted by “W-OFDM.” In this OFDM communication system 1, as shown in FIG. 1, a control signal, such as an ARQ (Automatic Repeat Request) that is transmitted to request for retransmission of a packet when a data error occurs, is transmitted via the conventional base station B1 and the network (cellular network) N1. The high-speed downlink system has a very large transmission capacity compared with a conventional portable telephone system so that a mobile station M1 can download a digital content with a large data size, such as image data or moving image data, in a short time via the high-speed downlink system. Any information is transmitted in accordance with the IP. The data communication network N3 for the high-speed downlink system is connected to the data communication network N2 such as the Internet. The data communication network N3 for the high-speed downlink system is also connected to network N1 so that various control signals generated by the portable telephone base station B1 are transmitted to the data communication network N3 via the network N1. The OFDM communication system 1A shown in FIG. 2 mainly includes mobile stations (MS) M1 to M3, base satiations (BS) B1 to B4, an existing cellular cable network N1, a data communication network N2 such as the Internet, a data communication network N3 having a downlink database, and a control center (or mobile routing center) CTR for controlling the additional downlink network. The base station B1 functions as an existing cellular base station. The base station B2 has a capability of an additional downlink. The base station B3 functions as an existing cellular base station. The base station B4 has a capability of an additional downlink. The cable network N1 is connected to the base stations B1 and B3, for example, via cable communication lines L1 and L2. The control center CTR is connected to the base stations B2 and B4 via communication lines L3 and L4. The control center CTR is also connected to the network N1 via a communication line L5, to the data communication network N2 via a communication line L6, and to the data communication network N3 via a communication line L7. The OFDM communication system 1 or 1A is constructed so as to satisfy the following requirements. That is, in recent years, mobile communication using a portable telephone or the like has become increasingly popular, and mobile communication is used to transmit not only information with a small data size such as voice data but also information with a large data size such as a digital content. In transmission of such digital data, it is required to transmit information with a much greater data size than information transmitted from an individual. To handle such a large data size, an additional downstream line (i.e., a downlink for use of transmission in a direction from a base station to a mobile station) is provided in such a manner that the downlink line is overlaid on the existing cellular network. This downlink is designed to be capable of transmitting a greater amount of information than the existing cellular network. In this portable telephone communication system, a low bit rate signal such as a control signal from a mobile station of a user is transmitted using the existing cellular network, and a high bit rate signal such as digital data to be downloaded is transmitted at a high transmission rate via the additional downlink. In the OFDM communication system 1 or 1A, cells are constructed, for example, as shown in FIG. 3. In FIGS. 3(A) to 3(F), each solid line indicates an area (cell) within which a conventional portable telephone base station can communicate with a mobile station, and each dotted line indicates an area (cell) within which a wideband radio (W-OFDM) communication system, which is additionally provided for exclusive use of downlink communication, can communicate with a mobile station. More specifically, W-OFDM base stations may be disposed in the following manners. A first manner is, as shown in FIG. 3A, to dispose W-OFDM base stations in all cells where existing portable telephone base stations are disposed so that the cell structure of W-OFDM base stations become similar to the existing cell structure. A second manner is, as shown in FIG. 3B, to dispose W-OFDM base stations only in areas where there are many users. A third manner is, as shown in FIG. 3C, to dispose, in areas where there are many users, W-OFDM base stations whose output power is smaller than existing base stations, so that the cell sizes covered by W-OFDM base stations become smaller (that is, micro cells are formed) than the existing cell sizes. A forth manner is, as shown in FIG. 3D, to dispose W-OFDM base stations whose output power is greater than existing base stations so that greater-sized cells are formed. A fifth manner is, as shown in FIG. 3E, a mixture of manners shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C (overlay system). A sixth manner is, as shown in FIG. 3F, to form micro cells along main roads. In the present embodiment, for example, the manner shown in FIG. 3A is employed. That is, W-OFDM base stations are disposed in a similar manner as existing base stations so as to form cells similar to existing cells. In the W-OFDM communication system 1A using the high-speed downlink system, base stations B1 to B4 receive a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal thereby achieving precise synchronization among those base stations B1 to B4. An OFDM signal is transmitted in units of frames from a base station in the W-OFDM communication system 1A, as will be described in detail later, such that the timing of transmitting a frame is precisely synchronized among all base stations. In the W-OFDM communication system 1A, a frequency band is assigned that is different from a frequency band assigned to the existing portable telephone system. The frequency band assigned to the W-OFDM communication system 1A is divided into a plurality of radio channels, and divided radio channels are assigned to respective base stations, for example, as shown in FIG. 4 such that radio channels are used in an efficient manner while minimizing interference caused by use of the same channel. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the frequency band is divided into 12 radio channels and assigned to base stations (cells). In FIG. 4, numerals from 1 to 12 enclosed in regular hexagons denote radio channel numbers. An example of a communication process performed in the OFDM communication system 1A shown in FIG. 2 is described below. If a download request is issued from a mobile station, the download request is transmitted, via the existing cellular network N1 including portable telephone base stations B1 and B3, to the control center CTR in the network of the high-speed downlink system. Upon receiving the download request, the control center CTR transfer the download request to the data communication network N2 such as the Internet. In response to the download request, a digital data content is transmitted from the data communication network N2 to the control center CTR, which in turn transfers the digital data content to the mobile station via the network of the high-speed downlink system and further via the base stations B2 and B4. In the case where a data error occurs, an ARQ (Automatic Repeat Request) is issued from the mobile station and transmitted to the control center CTR in the network of the high-speed downlink system via the existing cellular network including existing cellular base stations. In response to the ARQ, the control center CTR re-transmits the requested digital data content to the mobile station via the network and base stations of the high-speed downlink system. More specifically, for example, if the mobile station M1 issues a data download request to the control center CTR, a signal (001) is outputted in a format adapted to the existing system from the mobile station M1 and transmitted to the base station B1. This request signal is then transmitted to the control center CTR via the existing cellular network N 1. In response to receiving the data download request, the control center CTR acquires the requested data (121) from the data communication network N2 via the communication line L6 and transmits the acquired data (121) as data (111), whose final destination is the mobile station M1, to the base station B2 via the communication line L3. If the base station B2 receives this data (111), the base station B2 transmits it as data (101) in a format adapted to the additional downlink to the mobile station M1. Thus, the mobile station M1 finally receives the requested data (101). In the case where, for example, a data download request to be transmitted to the control center CTR is issued by the mobile station M3, a signal (003) is outputted in the format adapted to the existing system from the mobile station M3 and transmitted to the base station B2. This request signal is then transmitted to the control center CTR via the existing cellular network N1. In response to receiving the data download request, the control center CTR acquires the requested data (123) from the data communication network N3 provided for exclusive use by the additional downlink via the communication line L7. To deliver the acquired data (123) to the mobile station M3, the control center CTR transmits the acquired data (123) as data (113) to the base station B4 provided for exclusive use by the additional downlink via the communication line L4. If the base station B3 receives the data (113), the base station B3 transmits it as data (103) in the format adapted to the additional downlink to the mobile station M3. Thus, the mobile station M3 finally receives the requested data (103). In the above-described OFDM communication system 1A, an OFDM signal transmitted from a transmitting apparatus disposed in a base station to one of mobile stations M1 to M3 is generated such that each frame FRM includes seven time slot periods TSLT and one frame guard period TFGD, as shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, TFRM, TSLT, and TFGD denote a frame period, a time slot period, and a frame guard period, respectively. The frame guard period includes no signal, and, in the present embodiment, is added to a frame FRM, at the end of a series of seven time slots. The respective base stations B1 to B3 transmits signals in units of frames each including seven time slots SLT and one frame guard FGD such that the transmission timings become coincident with each other. In the present embodiment, a frame guard period TFGD is placed at the end of a frame. Alternatively, a frame guard period TFGD may be placed at the beginning of a frame, or frame guard periods TFGD may be placed at both the beginning and the end of a frame. Each time slot SLT included in a frame FRM is produced by adding a guard GD to an effective symbol period TSBL. More specifically, each time slot SLT including an additional guard GD may be produced, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, by connecting the same signal as a predetermined length of head or tail end part of a signal in an effective symbol period to an opposite end of that effective symbol period or by connecting the same signals as predetermined length of both head and tail end parts of a signal in an effective symbol period to opposite ends of the effective symbol period. More specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the same signal as a signal at a tail end part of an effective period TSBL is connected to the head end of the effective symbol period. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the same signal as a signal at a head end part of an effective period TSBL is connected to the tail end of the effective symbol period, or otherwise. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the same signals as signals at head and tail end parts of an effective period are respectively connected to the tail and head ends of the effective symbol period. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the time slot is produced by the method shown in FIG. 7. As described above, the transmitting apparatus, for transmitting an OFDM signal including a frame constructed by adding a guard period TFGD to a series of time slots each including an effective symbol period TSBL and a guard period TGD added to the effective symbol period TSBL, is disposed in a base station, and the receiving apparatus capable of receiving, with exactly synchronized timing, the OFDM signal including the additional frame guard period transmitted from the transmitting apparatus is provided in each of mobile stations M1 to M3. Specific constructions and functions of a transmitting apparatus disposed in a base station and a receiving apparatus disposed in a mobile station are described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a transmitting apparatus disposed in a base station, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the transmitting apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a coder 101, an interleaver 102, a symbol mapper 103, a pilot signal inserter 104, a serial-parallel converter 105, an IFFT unit 106, a parallel-serial converter 107, a time slot generator 108, a transmission windowing unit 109, a frame generator 110, a GPS receiver 111, a timing generator 112, a digital-analog (D/A) converter 113, a quadrature modulator 114, and a frequency converter 115. In this transmission apparatus 100, a front-end transmission processing unit is formed of the coder 101, the interleaver 102, the symbol mapper 103, the pilot signal inserter 104, the serial-parallel converter 105, the IFFT unit 106, the parallel-serial converter 107, the time slot generator 108, and the transmission windowing unit 109, and a back-end transmission processing unit is formed of the digital-analog (D/A) converter 113, the quadrature modulator 114, and the frequency converter 115. The coder 101 performs convolution coding with a constraint length of, for example, K=9 on digital data received via the network of the high-speed downlink system. The resultant coded data is outputted to the interleaver 102. The mobile stations M1 to M3 monitor the strength of the electric field of a signal received from a base station of the high-speed downlink system. In accordance with the monitored electric field strength, the coder 101 adjusts the coding rate within the range, for example, from R=2176/2488=0.8764 to R=44/1370=0.397. The interleaver 102 interleaves the coded digital data supplied from the coder 101 and outputs the resultant interleaved data to the symbol mapper 103. The symbol mapper 103 determines the symbol mapping scheme (scheme of the first modulation) in accordance with the strength of the electric field, monitored by the mobile station, of the signal transmitted from the base station of the high-speed downlink system, and the symbol mapper 103 performs symbol mapping by the determined symbol mapping scheme. The resultant symbol-mapped data including an I-channel signal and a Q-channel signal is outputted to the pilot signal inserter 104. For example, when the electric field strength of the signal transmitted from the base station of the high-speed downlink system has a stable high value, the symbol mapper 103 employs, as the modulation scheme, the 16 QAM symbol mapping scheme. In the 16 QAM symbol mapping scheme, symbol mapping is performed as shown in FIG. 10. On the other hand, when the electric field strength is weak or unstable, the QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keying) or DQPSK (Differential QPSK) scheme is employed as the modulation scheme. In this case, symbol mapping is performed as shown in FIG. 11. The pilot signal inserter 104 inserts a pilot signal of “1” into the I-channel signal supplied from the symbol mapper 103 and a pilot signal of “0” into the Q-channel signal and outputs the resultant signals to the serial-parallel converter 105. The pilot signals inserted by the pilot signal inserter 104 are used by a receiving apparatus of a mobile station to estimate a transmission path and to make a phase compensation. The pilot signals are also used to calculate a threshold value used as a reference value of an amplitude in the first modulation process based on a modulation scheme such as 16 QAM in which information is represented by the amplitude. The serial-parallel converter 105 converts the symbol data including the inserted pilot signals from serial form into parallel form and outputs the resultant data to the IFFT unit 106. More specifically, the serial-parallel converter 105 divides the input symbol data into segments every 98 symbols, and adds one symbol to head and tail ends of each segment so that each segment includes 100 symbols. Furthermore, the serial-parallel converter 105 puts 1948 symbols of “0” before and after each segment including 100 symbols so that each segment includes a total of 2048 symbols and so that the resultant symbol data has a frequency spectrum in a radio channel band assigned to a base station. The resultant parallel symbol data is outputted to the IFFT unit 106. The IFFT unit 106 performs an IFFT operation for 2048 points. More specifically, the IFFT unit 106 performs an inverse fast Fourier transform on the parallel 2048 symbol data outputted from the serial-parallel converter 105 thereby making a conversion between time and frequency domains. The resultant data is outputted to the parallel-serial converter 107. In the OFDM signal used in the present embodiment, the subcarrier interval is, for example, 4 KHz and the effective symbol period is equal to the reciprocal of the subcarrier repetition frequency, that is, equal to 250 (s. The OFDM signal can include a variable number of subcarriers in units of 100 subcarriers (with a frequency bandwidth of 400 kHz) up to 1600 subcarriers (with a frequency bandwidth of 400 kHz (16=6.4 MHz) The IFFT unit performs the IFFT operation for 2048 points. Herein, we assume that a base station is assigned a radio channel with a bandwidth of 400 kHz. In this case, as described above, the symbol data inputted to the serial-parallel converter 105 is divided into segments every 98 symbols, and one symbol is added to the head end and also to the tail end of each segment so that each segment includes 100 symbols. Furthermore, 1948 symbols of “0” are put before and after each segment including 100 symbols so that each segment includes a total of 2048 symbols and so that the resultant symbol data has a frequency spectrum in a radio channel band assigned to the base station. The resultant parallel symbol data is inputted to the IFFT unit 106, which performs the IFFT operation for 2048 points, that is, performs the inverse fast Fourier transform on the inputted data thereby making a conversion between time and frequency domains. The parallel-serial converter 107 converts the parallel data supplied from the IFFT unit 106 into serial data thereby obtaining time series data including 2048 points. The resultant serial data is outputted to the time slot generator 108. In the present embodiment, the system clock is set to have a frequency of 8.192 MHz. Therefore, the length (effective symbol period) of time series data including 2048 points becomes (1/8.192 (106)(2048=250 (10-6 sec. The time slot generator 108 generates a time slot, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, by connecting data including 120 points (14.648 (s), which are the same as 120 points at the head end of the time series data including 2048 points in the effective symbol period, to the tail end and further connecting data including 120 points that are the same as 120 points at the tail end to the head end. The generated time slot is outputted to the transmission windowing unit 109. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, the time slot generator 108 generates a time slot by connecting data including 240 points (29.297 (s) that are the same as 240 points at the head end of the effective symbol period including 2048 points to the tail end of the effective symbol period and outputs the generated time slot to the transmission windowing unit 109. The transmission windowing unit 109 performs windowing on the time slot generated by the time slot generator 108, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, such that a ramp period dTx is added to the head end and also to the tail end of the time slot period TSLT. The resultant time slot is outputted to the frame generator 110. In the present embodiment, the ramp periods dTx put at the head ant tail ends each has a length of 2.44 (s, and thus the total length is equal to 4.88 (s. The purpose of these ramp periods dTx is to prevent undesirable leakage of spectrum to the outside of the assigned frequency band. The frame generator 110 generates one frame FRM, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, by combining seven time slots and putting, thereafter, a O-power non-signal period (frame guard period) with a length corresponding to 368 points (44.92 (s). The generated frame FRM is outputted to the digital-analog (D/A) converter 113. As shown in FIG. 13, the length of one time slot period TSLT is equal to 2288 points (279.3 (s), and thus the length of one frame period TFRM including seven time slots and one frame guard period TFGD becomes equal to 16384 points (2 ms). The GPS receiver 111 receives a GPS signal via a receiving antenna 111a and outputs the received GPS signal to the timing generator 112. On the basis of the GPS signal supplied from the GPS receiver 111 and the inter-base-station control signal CTL, the timing generator 112 generates a timing signal for controlling the transmission timing of the frame generator 110. The generated timing signal S112 is outputted to the frame generator 110. In the present embodiment, as described earlier, all base stations transmit frames so that the transmission timings become coincident with each other. To this end, each base station transmits frames in synchronization with the inter-base-station control signal CTL. This synchronization signal is transmitted via the cable communication network. However, in the case where only this synchronization signal is used, precise synchronization among base stations cannot be achieved, because the synchronization signal encounters a propagation delay when it is transmitted over the cable network. To achieve precise synchronization, each base station also receives the GPS signal and controls the frame transmission timing in accordance with the GPS signal and the inter-base-station control signal CTL. The D/A converter 113 converts the digital frame data generated by the frame generator 110 into an analog data and outputs the resultant analog data to the quadrature modulator 114. The quadrature modulator 114 performs quadrature modulation, in accordance with a predetermined scheme, on the frame data that is to be transmitted and that has been converted by the D/A converter 114 into analog form. The resultant data is outputted to the frequency converter 115. The frequency converter 115 converts the quadrature-modulated data supplied from the quadrature modulator 114 so as to have a frequency in a predetermined frequency band. The resultant signal is transmitted as a RF (Radio Frequency) signal. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a receiving apparatus used in a mobile station, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 14, the receiving apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment includes a frequency converter 201, a quadrature demodulator 202, an analog-digital (A/D) converter 203, a synchronization position detector 204, a timing generator 205, a reception windowing unit 206, a serial-parallel converter 207, a FFT unit 208, a parallel-serial converter 209, a transmission path estimator 210, a phase compensator 211, a demodulator 212, a deinterleaver 213, and a decoder 214. In this receiving apparatus 200, a front-end reception processing unit is formed of the frequency converter 201, the quadrature demodulator 202, and the A/D converter 203, and a back-end reception processing unit is formed of the serial-parallel converter 207, the FFT unit 208, the parallel-serial converter 209, the transmission path estimator 210, the phase compensator 211, the demodulator 212, the deinterleaver 213, and the decoder 214. The frequency converter 210 extracts only components within a necessary frequency band from an OFDM signal received via an antenna (not shown), that is, the frequency converter 210 removes noise components outside the necessary frequency bands, and then converts the resultant RF signal into an IF (Intermediate Frequency) signal. The resultant IF signal S201 is outputted to the quadrature demodulator 202. The quadrature demodulator 202 separates an in-phase signal I and a quadrature signal Q from the IF signal supplied from the frequency converter 201 and outputs them to the A/D converter 203. The A/D converter 203 converts the in-phase signal I and the quadrature signal Q supplied from the quadrature demodulator 202 from analog form into digital form. The resultant digital signals are outputted to the synchronization position detector 204 and the reception windowing unit 206. In the above process, the sampling rate employed by the A/D converter 203 is set to be equal to 8.192 MHz so that the sampling rate becomes equal to that employed by the transmitting apparatus 100 in the base station. The synchronization position detector 204 detects the FFT operation timing of the FFT unit 208, from the I- and Q-signals converted into digital form. That is, the synchronization position detector 204 detects the start position of an effective symbol period TSBL, in other words, the position of the first point in the digital signal in the effective symbol period TSBL. The synchronization position detector 204 outputs the resultant synchronization information to the timing generator 205. On the basis of the synchronization information supplied from the synchronization position detector 204, the timing generator 205 controls the start of the reception windowing operation performed by the reception windowing unit 206, the serial-parallel conversion position performed by the serial-parallel converter 207, the timing of the FFT operation performed by the FFT unit 208, and the timing of the parallel-serial conversion performed by the parallel-serial converter 209. On the basis of the digital signal supplied from the A/D converter 203 and the windowing start position information supplied from the timing generator 205, the reception windowing unit 206 extracts 2048 points of digital data (250 (s) starting from the synchronization point and outputs the extracted data to the serial-parallel converter 207. Compared with the transmission window (279.3 (s) provided by the transmission windowing unit 109 of the base station transmitting apparatus 100, the reception window (250 (s) provided by the reception windowing unit 206 is small in length. The serial-parallel converter 207 converts the 2048 points of digital data supplied from the reception windowing unit 206 from serial form into parallel form and outputs the resultant parallel data to the FFT unit 208. In accordance with the FFT timing information supplied from the timing generator 205, the FFT unit 208 performs a fast Fourier transform on the 2048 points of digital data thereby making a conversion between the frequency domain and the time domain. The resultant data is then supplied to the parallel-serial converter 209. Thus, via the fast Fourier transform, the signal in the form of a time series signal including 2048 points and having a spectrum of 100 (n (1 (n (16) subcarriers located in intervals of 4 KHz is converted into a digital signal including 100 (n (1 (n (16) points. In practice, a digital signal including 2048 points is obtained as a result of fast Fourier transform for 2048 points. However, the available system frequency bandwidth is limited to 6.4 MHz. Therefore, of 2048 subcarriers, up to 1600 subcarriers are used by the transmitting apparatus disposed in a base station, and the remaining 448 subcarriers are set to “0” in power. Thus, the digital signal, which is actually outputted, includes up to 1600 subcarriers, and the remaining subcarriers have a value of “0”. The parallel-serial converter 209 converts the parallel signal supplied from the FFT unit 208 into a serial signal and extracts only necessary points from the 2048 points. The resultant 2048 points of data are outputted to the transmission path estimator 210. For example, in the case where a frequency bandwidth of 400 kHz is assigned for communication between this mobile station and the base station, the parallel-serial converter 209 at a receiving end extracts only 100 points corresponding to the bandwidth of 400 kHz. The signal outputted from the parallel-serial converter 209 is outputted to the transmission path estimator 210. Upon receiving the signal from the parallel-serial converter 209, the transmission path estimator 210 extracts only the pilot signal from the received signal and calculates the phase shift from the I-channel and Q-channel components of the pilot signal. The signal indicating the phase shift is outputted to the phase compensator 211. More specifically, because the base station transmitting apparatus 100 transmits the pilot signal such that the I-channel component thereof has a level of “1”, and the Q-channel component has a level of “0”, the pilot signal represented in a complex plane has a magnitude of “1” and a phase angle of “0” with respect to the I axis. Therefore, the I and Q values in the complex plane obtained in receiving apparatus 200 of the mobile station directly indicate the phase shift. The information about the magnitude of the vector in the complex plane is used to determine the threshold value used in the demodulation of a signal modulated by means of a multilevel modulation such as 16 QAM. The phase compensator 211 corrects the phase of the received signal on the basis of the information about the phase shift detected by the transmission path estimator 210. The resultant phase-compensated signal is outputted to the demodulator 212. The demodulator 212 demodulates the signal in accordance with the demodulation scheme corresponding to the modulation scheme employed by the transmitting apparatus 100 of the base station. The demodulated signal is outputted to the deinterleaver 213. In the case where a modulation scheme such as 16 QAM in which information is represented by the amplitude (magnitude of the vector represented in the complex plane) is employed, the transmission path estimator 210 provides information about the reference reception power level (magnitude of the vector of the received pilot signal), and demodulation is performed using the reference reception power level provided by the transmission path estimator 210. The deinterleaver 213 deinterleaves the demodulated signal supplied from the demodulator 212 and outputs the resultant signal to the decoder 214. If the decoder 214 receives the signal that has been demodulated and deinterleaved, the decoder 214 performs, for example, Viterbi decoding on the received signal. Thus, a decoded signal is finally obtained. The operations of the transmitting apparatus and receiving apparatus used in the OFDM communication system constructed in the above-described manner are described below. When the transmitting apparatus 100 of a base station receives digital data via, for example, the high-speed downlink network, the coder 101 performs convolution coding with a constraint length of K=9 on the received digital data. The coded digital data outputted from the coder 101 is interleaved by the interleaver 102 and inputted to the symbol mapper 103. The symbol mapper 103 determines the symbol mapping scheme (scheme of the first modulation) in accordance with the strength of the electric field, monitored by the mobile station, of the signal transmitted from the base station of the high-speed downlink system, and the symbol mapper 103 performs symbol mapping by the determined symbol mapping scheme. The resultant symbol-mapped data including an I-channel signal and a Q-channel signal is outputted to the pilot signal inserter 104. The pilot signal inserter 104 inserts a pilot signal of “1” into the I-channel signal supplied from the symbol mapper 103 and a pilot signal of “0” into the Q-channel signal and outputs the resultant signals to the serial-parallel converter 105. The serial-parallel converter 105 divides the input symbol data into segments, for example, every 98 symbols, and adds one symbol to head and tail ends of each segment so that each segment includes 100 symbols. Furthermore, the serial-parallel converter 105 puts 1948 symbols of “0” before and after each segment including 100 symbols so that each segment includes a total of 2048 symbols and so that the resultant symbol data has a frequency spectrum in a radio channel band assigned to a base station. The resultant parallel symbol data is outputted to the IFFT unit 106. The IFFT unit 106 performs an inverse fast Fourier transform on the parallel 2048 symbol data outputted from the serial-parallel converter 105 thereby making a conversion between time and frequency domains. The resultant data is outputted to the parallel-serial converter 107. The parallel-serial converter 107 converts the parallel data outputted from the IFFT unit 106 into serial data thereby generating time series data including 2048 points. The resultant serial data is outputted to the time slot generator 108. The time slot generator 108 generates a time slot, for example, by connecting data including 120 points (14.648 (s), which are the same as 120 points at the head end of the time series data including 2048 points in the effective symbol period, to the tail end and further connecting data including 120 points that are the same as 120 points at the tail end to the head end. The generated time slot is outputted to the transmission windowing unit 109. The transmission windowing unit 109 performs windowing on the time slot generated by the time slot generator 108, for example, such that a ramp period dTx is added to the head end and also to the tail end of the time slot period TSLT to prevent undesirable leakage of spectrum to the outside of the assigned frequency band. The resultant time slot is outputted to the frame generator 110. The frame generator 110 generates one frame FRM, for example, by combining seven time slots and putting, thereafter, a O-power non-signal period (frame guard period) with a length corresponding to 368 points (44.92 (s). The generated frame FRM is outputted to the digital-analog (D/A) converter 113. Each base station transmits frames in synchronization with the inter-base-station control signal CTL. This synchronization signal is transmitted via the cable communication network. However, in the case where only this synchronization signal is used, precise synchronization among base stations cannot be achieved, because the synchronization signal encounters a propagation delay when it is transmitted over the cable network. Thus, in each base station, to achieve precise synchronization, the GPS receiver 111 receives the GPS signal, and, on the basis of the GPS signal and the inter-base-station control signal CTL, the timing generator 112 generates a timing signal for controlling the timing of frame transmission performed by the frame generator 110 and outputs the resultant timing signal S112 to the frame generator 110. The frame generator 110 generates a frame at a time specified by the timing signal S112 and outputs the generated frame to the D/A converter 113. The D/A converter 113 the digital frame data generated by the frame generator 110 into analog data. The resultant analog data is then transmitted after being quadrature-modulated by the quadrature modulator 114 in accordance with a predetermined modulation scheme and converted by the frequency converter 115 into a frequency in a predetermined frequency band. The OFDM signal transmitted by the transmitting apparatus 100 of the base station is received by the receiving apparatus 200 of a mobile station. The signal received by the receiving apparatus 200 is passed through a bandpass filter (not shown) to extract only components in a necessary frequency band and is converted into an IF signal by the frequency converter 201. Thereafter, the IF signal is separated by the quadrature demodulator into an I-signal and a Q-signal. The resultant I-signal and Q-signal are converted into digital form by the A/D converter 203. After analog-digital conversion, both the I-signal and the Q-signal are supplied to the synchronization position detector 204 and the reception windowing unit 206. The synchronization position detector 204 detects the timing of the FFT operation to be performed by the FFT unit 208. That is, the synchronization position detector 204 detects the start position of an effective symbol period TSBL, in other words, the position of the first point in the digital signal in the effective symbol period. The synchronization position detector 204 outputs the resultant synchronization information to the timing generator 205. On the basis of the synchronization information supplied from the synchronization position detector 204, the timing generator 205 controls the start of the reception windowing operation performed by the reception windowing unit 206, the serial-parallel conversion position performed by the serial-parallel converter 207, the timing of the FFT operation performed by the FFT unit 208, and the timing of the parallel-serial conversion performed by the parallel-serial converter 209. On the basis of the digital signal supplied from the A/D converter 203 and the windowing start position information supplied from the timing generator 205, the reception windowing unit 206 extracts 2048 points of digital data (250 (s) starting from the synchronization point and outputs the extracted data to the serial-parallel converter 207. The serial-parallel converter 207 converts the 2048 points of digital data supplied from the reception windowing unit 206 from serial form into parallel form and outputs the resultant parallel data to the FFT unit 208. In accordance with the FFT timing information supplied from the timing generator 205, the FFT unit 208 performs a fast Fourier transform on the 2048 points of digital data thereby making a conversion between the frequency domain and the time domain. The resultant data is then supplied to the parallel-serial converter 209. The parallel-serial converter 209 converts the parallel signal supplied from the FFT unit 208 into a serial signal. Via this process, particular points are extracted from 2048 points. The transmission path estimator 209 extracts only the pilot signal from the received signal and calculates the phase shift from the I-channel and Q-channel components of the pilot signal. The signal indicating the phase shift is outputted to the phase compensator 211. The phase compensator 211 corrects the phase of the received signal on the basis of the phase shift information and supplies the corrected signal to the demodulator 212. The demodulator 212 demodulates the signal in accordance with the demodulation scheme corresponding to the modulation scheme employed by the transmitting apparatus of the base station. In the case where a modulation scheme such as 16 QAM in which information is represented by the amplitude (magnitude of a vector represented in the complex plane) is employed, the transmission path estimator 210 provides information about the reference reception power level (magnitude of the vector of the received pilot signal), and demodulation is performed using the reference reception power level provided by the transmission path estimator 210. The deinterleaver 213 deinterleaves the demodulated signal supplied from the demodulator 212 and outputs the resultant signal to the decoder 214. The decoder 214 performs Viterbi decoding on the received signal. The contribution of an interfering wave in the present communication system is discussed below with reference to FIG. 15. Herein, we assume that one frame of interfering wave has arrived due to a fluctuation in the electric field strength of the reception signal caused by fading or multipath transmission. In this situation, a plurality of frames are being transmitted successively as a desired wave DSW. Because all base stations transmit frames with the precisely synchronized timing, the interfering wave IFW transmitted from a distant base station arrives slightly later than the desired wave DSW using the same channel transmitted from a base station at a closer location. In the convention technique in which no frame guard is used, the interfering wave IFW interferes with two frames of the desired wave DSW. In contrast, in the communication system according to the present embodiment of the invention, a frame guard included in an OFDM signal prevents the interfering wave IFW from interfering with the second frame, as shown in FIGS. 15(A) and 15(B). In the present embodiment, as described above, to transmit the frame including the additional frame guard with the precisely synchronized timing from each base station, the base-station transmitting apparatus 100 is constructed so as to include the inter-base-station control signal interface for achieving synchronization among base stations, the receiving antenna 111a for receiving the GPS signal, the GPS receiver 111 for receiving the GPS signal, the timing generator 112 for controlling the respective function blocks in accordance with the GPS signal and the inter-base-station control signal CTL so as to precisely synchronize the timing of frame transmission among the base stations, the front-end transmission processing unit including the blocks 101 to 109 for converting transmission information into transmission time slots, the frame generator 110 for generating a frame including a plurality of time slots and one frame guard, and the back-end transmission processing unit including the blocks 113 to 115 for transmitting the generated frame as a radio signal, and, to demodulate a received signal including a frame guard period thereby reproducing transmission information, the receiving apparatus 200 is constructed so as to include the front-end reception processing unit including blocks 201 to 203 for receiving a radio signal and converting the received radio signal into a digital signal; the synchronization position detector 204 for detecting the start position of an effective symbol period from the received signal; the timing generator 205 for controlling the operation timings of respective functional blocks on the basis of the synchronization position information; the reception windowing unit 206 for extracting only the effective symbol period including no time guard period and no frame guard period under the control of the timing generator; and the back-end reception processing unit including blocks 207 to 214 for reproducing desired information from the windowed signal, thereby ensuring that a frame loss due to interference caused by use of the same channel can be suppressed even in a system in which the number of repetition cells is set to be small, that is, the distance between cells where the same channel is used is set to be small to achieve high-efficiency use of radio channels. Thus, it is possible to reduce the number of repetition cells without causing an increase in a transmission error, thereby achieving efficient use of frequency resources. Furthermore, it is possible to achieve an improvement in synchronization in the OFDM radio communication system using a frame guard. Using the synchronization apparatus, it is possible to determine a point at which a frame guard should be inserted. This makes it unnecessary to transmit frame synchronization control information (indicating the start position of a frame), and thus it becomes possible to transmit an increased amount of information. As described above, the present invention provides great advantages. That is, a frame loss due to interference caused by use of the same channel can be suppressed even in a system in which the number of repetition cells is set to be small, that is, the distance between cells where the same channel is used is set to be small to achieve high-efficiency use of radio channels. Thus, it is possible to reduce the number of repetition cells without causing an increase in a transmission error, thereby achieving efficient use of frequency resources. Furthermore, the present invention makes it possible to achieve synchronization in a radio communication system using a frame guard. Furthermore, because it is possible to determine a point at which a frame guard should be inserted, it is unnecessary to transmit frame synchronization control information (indicating the start position of a frame), and thus it becomes possible to transmit an increased amount of information.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transmitting apparatus, a receiving apparatus, and a communication system, for use in a mobile communication system, and more specifically, to an improvement in a format of data that is modulated and transmitted using, for example, an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) technique. 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, mobile communication using a portable telephone or the like has become increasingly popular. Mobile communication is used to transmit not only information with a small data size such as voice data but also information with a large data size. In a mobile communication system, as shown in FIG. 16 , a plurality of base stations BS are distributed in a ground plane so that a mobile station MS can communicate with a base station BS located near the mobile station MS. Herein, an area within which a base station can communicate with a mobile station is referred to as a cell. In such a mobile communication system, in order to avoid cross talk, each cell uses a frequency different from those used in adjacent cells. However, the same frequency channel can be used in a more distant cell outside the adjacent cells without encountering a significant problem, because, for a mobile station MS being in a cell, the strength of a signal received from a base station BS of that cell is greater than that of an interfering signal coming from a distant cell. If the distance among cells in which the same frequency channel is used is set to be very large, a large number of different frequency channels are necessary, and thus the spectrum efficiency becomes low. That is, there is a trade-off between the interference due to usage of same frequency channel and the spectrum efficiency. Thus, it is important to design a communication system such that the system has high resistance against interference thereby achieving an improvement in the spectrum efficiency. OFDM modulation is known as a technique having high resistance against multipath interference and having high spectrum efficiency. In the OFDM modulation, after performing first modulation (such as QPSK or 16 QAM), an inverse Fourier transform is performed on as many transmission signal symbols as 2n at a time thereby creating as many orthogonal subcarriers as 2n along a frequency axis as shown in FIG. 17 . In a mobile communication system using the OFDM modulation technique, each mobile station communicates with a base station closest to the mobile station. More specifically, in a communication system using the OFDM modulation technique, a plurality of time slots TSLT each including an effective symbol period TSBL and a guard period TGD are combined into a frame FRM, as shown in FIG. 18 , and transmitted from a base station BS. In the example shown in FIG. 18 , each frame FRM includes three time slots. Base stations BS are synchronized in terms of transmission so that frames are transmitted with the same timing. The purpose of a guard period TGD added to each effective symbol period TSBL is to suppress intersymbol interference due to multipath transmission or fading. Each time slot including a guard period TGD is produced, as disclosed, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 7-99486, by connecting the same signal as a predetermined length of head or tail end part of a signal in an effective symbol period to an opposite end of that effective symbol period or by connecting the same signals as predetermined length of both head and tail end parts of a signal in an effective symbol period to opposite ends of the effective symbol period. More specifically, the same signal as a signal at a tail end part of an effective period is connected to the head end of the effective symbol period, or the same signal as a signal at a head end part of an effective period is connected to the tail end of the effective symbol period, or otherwise, the same signals as signals at head and tail end parts of an effective period are respectively connected to the tail and head ends of the effective symbol period. In a receiving system of a mobile station that receives such an OFDM signal, as shown in FIG. 19 , the correlation is determined between the received OFDM signal and a signal obtained by delaying the OFDM signal by a time equal to one effective symbol period. The start positions of respective effective symbol periods are then determined from peak positions of detected in the correlation. That is, it is possible to determine the location of a guard period in each time slot. The detection of the start position of an effective symbol period allows an OFDM demodulator to perform an FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) operation. An example of such an OFDM demodulator is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 8-107431. In the OFDM demodulator disclosed in the Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 8-107431 cited above, the correlation between a received OFDM signal and a signal obtained by delaying the received OFDM signal by an effective symbol period, and the resultant correlation signal is subjected to an interval integration. In the above process, the interval integration is performed, as shown in FIG. 20 , for intervals created by dividing the correlation signal into segments that is, intervals, each having a length equal to the time slot period. That is, the cumulative sum of the correlation signal is determined by repeatedly adding the correlation signal in the respective intervals. In the resultant signal, peaks appear at particular positions within the time slot period as shown in FIG. 20 (E). In parts where there is no correlation, the values are averaged as the interval integration advances. As described above, the interval integration makes it possible to clearly distinguish a correlated period from an uncorrelated period, and the detection of a peak makes it possible to achieve synchronization in a more reliable fashion. In the communication system using an OFDM signal added with a guard period, as described above, although intersymbol interference due to multipath transmission or fading can be suppressed, there is still a possibility that a mobile station encounters interference when receiving the OFDM signal added with the guard period in some situations. A mobile station receives a signal in such a manner as described below. In addition to a desired wave DSW, a mobile station also receives an interfering wave IFW via the same channel. In most cases, the interfering wave IFW does not cause a problem, because the reception signal strength of the desired wave DSW is much greater than that of the interfering wave IFW. However, fading occurs as a mobile station moves, and thus the reception signal strength of the desired wave DSW and that of the interfering wave IFW frequently vary. In general, there is no correlation between fading of a desired wave DSW and that of an interfering wave IFW. That is, the desired wave DSW and the interfering wave IFW fluctuate independently of each other. This means that the reception signal strength of the interfering wave IFW can become high when that of the desired wave DSW becomes low. In such a case, there is a possibility that interference makes it impossible to receive the desired wave DSW. In general, an interfering wave IFW arrives at a mobile station slightly later than a desired wave DSW, because the interfering wave IFW is transmitted from a base station at a more distant location while the desired wave DSW is transmitted from a base station at a closer location. Referring to an example shown in FIG. 18 , a possible reception of an interfering wave IFW is discussed below for a case in which a fluctuation in the reception signal strength due to fading causes a signal transmitted from a distant base station using the same channel to be received as an interfering wave IFW. It is assumed herein that only one frame is received as the interfering wave IFW as shown in FIG. 18 (B). In contrast, in the case of a desired wave DSW, frames are successively received as shown in FIG. 18 (A). Because the interfering wave IFW arrives slightly later than the desired wave DSW as shown in FIG. 18 (B), the interfering wave IFW interferes with two frames, denoted by (i) and (ii) in FIG. 18 , of the desired wave DSW. In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a transmitting apparatus, a receiving apparatus, and a communication system, which allow suppression of a frame loss due to interference caused by use of the same channel even in a system in which the number of repetition cells is set to be small, that is, the distance between cells where the same channel is used is set to be small to achieve high-efficiency use of radio channels.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>According to an aspect of the present invention, to achieve the above object, there is provided a transmitting apparatus comprising a front-end transmission processing unit for converting transmission signal into a transmission time slot; a frame generator for generating a frame including a series of n (integer equal to or greater than 1) time slots and a frame guard period added to the series of n time slots to suppress a frame loss due to interference; and a back-end transmission processing unit for transmitting the generated frame as a radio signal. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmitting apparatus disposed in at least one of a plurality of base stations each of which has a capability of communicating, using a signal according to a predetermined modulation scheme, with a communication terminal being within an area assigned to the base station, the transmitting apparatus comprising a front-end transmission processing unit for converting transmission signal into a transmission time slot; a frame generator for generating a frame including a series of n (integer equal to or greater than 1) time slots and a frame guard period added to the series of n time slots to suppress a frame loss due to interference; and a back-end transmission processing unit for transmitting the generated frame as a radio signal. The transmitting apparatus according to the present invention preferably further comprises a timing generator for generating a timing signal on the basis of a GPS signal and an inter-base-station control signal for achieving synchronization among base stations, thereby precisely synchronizing the timing of frame transmission among the base stations. In the transmitting apparatus according to the present invention, the front-end transmission processing unit includes a modulator for modulating transmission information by means of a proper modulation scheme selected on the basis of electric field strength information received from a communication terminal to which the transmission information is transmitted. In the transmitting apparatus according to the present invention, the frame guard period may be a non-signal period. In the transmitting apparatus according to the present invention, preferably, the front-end transmission processing unit generates a time slot by adding a predetermined guard period to an effective symbol period. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiving apparatus for receiving a radio signal, each frame of which includes a series of n (integer equal to or greater than 1) time slots and a frame guard period added to the series of n time slots to suppress a frame loss due to interference, each time slot including an effective symbol period and a guard period added to the effective symbol period, the receiving apparatus comprising: a front-end reception processing unit for receiving the radio signal; a synchronization position detector for detecting a starting position of an effective symbol period in the received signal; a timing generator for controlling an operation timing of a functional block, on the basis of synchronization position information supplied from the synchronization position detector; a reception windowing unit for extracting only an effective symbol period including no time guard period and no frame guard, under the control of the timing generator; and a back-end reception processing unit for reproducing desired information from a windowed signal supplied by the reception windowing unit. According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiving apparatus disposed in a communication terminal for receiving a radio signal transmitted from a base station each of which has a capability of communicating, using a signal according to a predetermined modulation scheme, with a communication terminal being within an area assigned to the base station, each frame of the radio signal including a series of n (integer equal to or greater than 1) time slots and a frame guard period added to the series of n time slots to suppress a frame loss due to interference, each time slot including an effective symbol period and a guard period added to the effective symbol period, the receiving apparatus comprising: a front-end reception processing unit for receiving the radio signal; a synchronization position detector for detecting a starting position of an effective symbol period in the received signal; a timing generator for controlling an operation timing of a functional block, on the basis of synchronization position information supplied from the synchronization position detector; a reception windowing unit for extracting only an effective symbol period including no time guard period and no frame guard, under the control of the timing generator; and a back-end reception processing unit for reproducing desired information from a windowed signal supplied by the reception windowing unit. According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication system comprising a transmitting apparatus and a receiving apparatus, wherein the transmitting apparatus comprises a front-end transmission processing unit for converting transmission signal into a transmission time slot; a frame generator for generating a frame including a series of n (integer equal to or greater than 1) time slots and a frame guard period added to the series of n time slots to suppress a frame loss due to interference, each time slot including an effective symbol period and a guard period added to the effective symbol period; and a back-end transmission processing unit for transmitting the generated frame as a radio signal, and wherein the receiving apparatus comprises a front-end reception processing unit for receiving a radio signal transmitted from the transmitting apparatus; a synchronization position detector for detecting a starting position of an effective symbol period in the received signal; a timing generator for controlling an operation timing of a functional block, on the basis of synchronization position information supplied from the synchronization position detector; a reception windowing unit for extracting only an effective symbol period including no time guard period and no frame guard, under the control of the timing generator; and a back-end reception processing unit for reproducing desired information from a windowed signal supplied by the reception windowing unit. According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication system comprising a plurality of communication terminals; and a plurality of base stations, each of which has a capability of communicating, using a signal according to a predetermined modulation scheme, with a communication terminal being within an area assigned to the base station, wherein at least one of the plurality of base stations includes a transmitting apparatus comprising a front-end transmission processing unit for converting transmission signal into a transmission time slot; a frame generator for generating a frame including a series of n (integer equal to or greater than 1) time slots and a frame guard period added to the series of n time slots to suppress a frame loss due to interference, each time slot including an effective symbol period and a guard period added to the effective symbol period; and a back-end transmission processing unit for transmitting the generated frame as a radio signal, and wherein each communication terminal includes a receiving apparatus comprising a front-end reception processing unit for receiving a radio signal transmitted from the transmitting apparatus; a synchronization position detector for detecting a starting position of an effective symbol period in the received signal; a timing generator for controlling an operation timing of a functional block, on the basis of synchronization position information supplied from the synchronization position detector; a reception windowing unit for extracting only an effective symbol period including no time guard period and no frame guard, under the control of the timing generator; and a back-end reception processing unit for reproducing desired information from a windowed signal supplied by the reception windowing unit. In the communication system according to the present invention, the transmitting apparatus preferably further comprises a timing generator for generating a timing signal on the basis of a GPS signal and an inter-base-station control signal for achieving synchronization among base stations, thereby precisely synchronizing the timing of frame transmission among the base stations. In the communication system according to the present invention, the front-end transmission processing unit of the transmitting apparatus includes a modulator for modulating transmission information by means of a proper modulation scheme selected on the basis of electric field strength information received from a communication terminal to which the transmission information is transmitted. In the present invention, for example, the timing generator of a transmitting apparatus disposed in a base station generates a timing signal from the GPS signal and the inter-base-station control signal so that frames can be transmitted from any base station with the precisely synchronized timing in accordance with the timing signal. In the transmitting apparatus, the front-end transmission processing unit produces a transmission time slot from transmission information and supplies the resultant transmission time slot to the frame generator. The frame generator generates a frame including a plurality of time slots and a non-signal period serving as a frame guard period, and the frame generator supplies the resultant frame to the back-end transmission processing unit. The back-end transmission processing unit transmits the supplied frame as a radio signal. From each base station, as described above, a frame guard period is produced in each transmission frame and the frame is transmitted with the precisely synchronized timing. If the front-end reception processing unit of the receiving apparatus disposed in a mobile station receives the radio signal transmitted from the transmitting apparatus, the received radio signal is supplied to the synchronization position detector. The synchronization position detector detects the start position of an effective symbol period from the received signal and outputs synchronization position information indicating the start position of the effective symbol period to the timing generator. The timing generator controls the operation timings of respective functional blocks on the basis of the synchronization position information. Under the control of the timing generator, the reception windowing unit extracts an effective symbol period including no time guard period and no frame guard period. Thereafter, in the back-end reception processing unit, desired information is reproduced from the windowed signal. Thus, the received frame signal including the frame guard period is demodulated and transmission information is reproduced.
20041203
20110719
20050714
60633.0
3
GESESSE, TILAHUN
TRANSMITTING APPARATUS, RECEIVING APPARATUS, AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR FORMATTING DATA
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,004,312
ACCEPTED
Methods for generating composite images including filtering and embroidery price calculation
Methods for generating composite images are disclosed. A first image is selected via a Web interface presented on a browser and a second image is selected via a Web interface presented on the browser. The selection of the first image and the second image is communicated to a server via a network. A composite image is automatically generated, which includes filtering to simulate an appearance of the second image as applied to the first image according to a manufacturing process associated with a filter selection. If applicable, an embroidery price of the composite image is automatically calculated, the embroidery price comprising an estimated price for the application of a design represented by the second image to a product represented by the first image. The composite image, along with the calculated embroidery price (if applicable), is communicated from the server to the browser via the network.
1. A method for generating a composite image including: presenting a first image via a Web interface presented on a browser; presenting a second image via a Web interface presented on the browser; communicating a selection of the first image and the second image to a server via a network; automatically generating a composite image of the first image and the second image at the server; and communicating the composite image from the server to the browser via the network; wherein the composite image further includes filtering to simulate an appearance of the second image as applied to the first image according to a manufacturing process associated with a filter selection. 2. A method for generating a composite image including: presenting a first image via a Web interface presented on a browser; presenting a second image via a Web interface presented on the browser; communicating a selection of the first image and the second image to a server via a network; automatically generating a composite image of the first image and the second image at the server; communicating the composite image from the server to the browser via the network; selecting a filter via a Web interface presented on the browser, the selection of the filter generating a filtering information; communicating the filtering information to the server via the network; and automatically generating the composite image at the server according to the filtering information to simulate an appearance of the second image as applied to the first image according to a manufacturing process associated with the filter. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the filter selection is embroidery. 4. The method of claim 3 further including automatically calculating a number of stitches. 5. The method of claim 2 wherein the filter selection is silk-screening. 6. A network-based method for generating a composite image, the method including: receiving a first image and a second image at a server from a browser responsive to a user-selection of the first image and the second image; automatically generating a composite image of the first image and the second image at the server; and communicating the composite image from the server to the browser via a network; wherein the composite image includes filtering to simulate an appearance of the second image as applied to the first image according to a manufacturing process associated with a filter selection. 7. A network-based method for generating a composite image, the method including: receiving a first image and a second image at a server from a browser responsive to a user-selection of the first image and the second image; automatically generating a composite image of the first image and the second image at the server; communicating the composite image from the server to the browser via a network; and receiving a filtering information from a client via the network and automatically generating the composite image at the server according to the filtering information to simulate an appearance of the second image as applied to the first image according to a manufacturing process associated with a filter selection. 8. A network-based method for generating a composite image, the method including: presenting a first image for user selection via a first Web interface presented on a browser; uploading a second image; communicating a selection of the first image and the second image to a server via a network; receiving a composite image of the first image and the second image from the server at the browser via the network; and displaying the composite image via a second Web interface presented on the browser; wherein the composite image further includes filtering to simulate an appearance of the second image as applied to the first image according to a manufacturing process associated with a filter selection. 9. A network-based method for generating a composite image, the method including: presenting a first image for user selection via a first Web interface presented on a browser; presenting a second image for user selection via a second Web interface presented on the browser; communicating a selection of the first image and the second image to a server via a network; receiving a composite image of the first image and the second image from the server at the browser via the network; and displaying the composite image via a third Web interface presented on the browser; wherein the composite image further includes filtering to simulate an appearance of the second image as applied to the first image according to a manufacturing process associated with a filter selection. 10. An apparatus for generating a composite image including: a first image database, the first image database to store at least one first image file; a second image database, said second image database to store at least one second image file; and a server to receive a user selection of the first image file and the second image file and to generate a composite image of a first image and a second image wherein the second image is positioned relative to the first image; and wherein the server is further configured to generate the composite image according to a filtering information to simulate an appearance of the second image as applied to the first image according to a manufacturing process associated with the filtering information. 11. An apparatus for generating a composite image including: means for presenting a first image via a Web interface presented on a browser; means for presenting a second image via a Web interface presented on the browser; means for communicating a selection of the first image and the second image to a server via a network; means for automatically generating a composite image of the first image and the second image at the server; and means for communicating the composite image from the server to the browser via the network; wherein the means for automatically generating a composite image are further configured to generate the composite image according to a filtering information to simulate an appearance of the second image as applied to the first image according to a manufacturing process associated with the filtering information. 12. A method for generating a composite image including: presenting a first image via a Web interface presented on a browser; presenting a second image via a Web interface presented on the browser; communicating a selection of the first image and the second image to a server via a network; automatically generating a composite image of the first image and the second image at the server; automatically calculating an embroidery price of the composite image, the embroidery price comprising an estimated price for the application of a design represented by the second image to a product represented by the first image; and communicating the composite image along with the calculated embroidery price from the server to the browser via the network. 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the automatically calculating the embroidery price includes calculating the second image area. 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the automatically calculating the embroidery price of the composite image further includes multiplying the second image area by an average number of stitches in a predefined area. 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the average number of stitches in the predefined area is stored in a product image file. 16. The method of claim 14 wherein the average number of stitches in the predefined area is modifiable by a user. 17. The method of claim 13 wherein the automatically calculating of the embroidery price of the composite image further includes utilizing an embroidery price of a number of stitches in a predefined area.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/758,648 filed on Jan. 10, 2001 entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR GENERATING COMPOSITE IMAGES;” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/176,956 filed on Jan. 18, 2000. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of computer-generated images. Particularly, the present invention relates to the generation of composite images at a server utilizing image selections communicated via a Web browser over a network, such as the Internet. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The sale of promotional products, also called advertising specialties, has traditionally been practiced as a broker-customer relationship where a commissioned broker presents, in-person, various product lines and decoration choices to a customer. For example, a customer may call a broker in regard to promoting their company at a client appreciation golf tournament. The broker presents the customer with various products, i.e., hats, shirts, mugs, etc., that can be decorated using selected decorative technologies, i.e., embroidery, silk-screening, etc. For example, the customer may select a green polo shirt with the intention that it be decorated with company logo, graphic, name or other text or symbol be in black embroidery above the shirt pocket. The broker then facilitates the coordination among the customer, product vendor, and decorators to supply the requested customized product by the time required by the customer. Due to the large number of product manufacturers and decorators, the broker usually carries a selected product line from various manufacturers and utilizes a selected group of decorators to apply the necessary decoration to the product. The customer, therefore, is presented a limited group of products and options for decorating the product. Moreover, when choosing the product, the customer generally is looking at catalog images or samples that are blank—that is, undecorated or decorated with the design of another company. In these cases, the customer is left to imagine the appearance of the decorated product until after placing an order. Thus, typically, the customer usually does not see the final product until it arrives. Furthermore, until the product arrives, the customer must depend upon the broker to ensure the order is delivered on time and appears as was anticipated. Thus, it would be desirable for a client to be able to select a product and a decoration at their convenience over a network, for example, the Internet, and to view the appearance of the final product. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention discloses methods for generating composite images via a network. In one embodiment, a first image is selected via a Web interface presented on a browser. A second image is selected via a Web interface presented on the browser. The selection of the first image and the second image is communicated to a server via the network. A composite image of the first image and second image is automatically generated at the server. The composite image is communicated from the server to the browser via the network, wherein selection of a filter via a Web interface presented on the browser is used in generating filtering information. The filtering information is communicated to the server via the network. A composite image is automatically generated at the server according to the filtering information to simulate an appearance of the second image as applied to the first image according to a manufacturing process associated with the filter. If the selection includes embroidery, an embroidery price is automatically calculated, the embroidery price comprising an estimate for the application of a design represented by the second image to a product represented by the first image. The server communicates the composite image, along with the calculated embroidery price (if embroidery price is applicable), to the browser via the network. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which: FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system architecture according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a product image processing according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 3A and 3B are a flow diagram illustrating server side processes and client side processes utilized in generating a composite image according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a Web interface presented on a browser that presents product details according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is illustrating a product image file structure according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a Web interface presented on the browser that enables selection of a decorative image according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of uploading the decorative image to a server according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a Web interface presented on the browser that presents a default composite image according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9 is a Web interface presented on the browser that presents a composite image generated according to a warp ratio according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a Web interface presented on the browser that enables positioning of the logo image relative to a product image according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of relative positioning of the logo image; FIG. 12 is a Web interface presented on the browser that presents a quote according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 13 is an example of a traditional client-server system upon which one embodiment of the present invention may be implemented. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Although the present invention is described below by way of various embodiments that include specific structures and methods, embodiments that include alternative structures and methods may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein. In general, embodiments described below feature a network-based application that prompts a user for a product image selection and a decorative image selection and displays a product image (e.g., a photograph) with the decorative image (e.g., a logo graphic or text graphic) placed on it. A preferred embodiment of the present invention features a network-based application for composite image generation. For the purposes of the present specification, the term “product image” shall be taken to include any image type and may depict any type, shape or construction of product. The term “decorative image” shall also be taken to include any image type, and may depict, for example, any logo, text, pattern, ornamentation, name, symbol, emblem or the like that may be applied to a product. In one embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a computer-based service that may be accessed through the Internet, for example, using a Web browser. The service provides an interface that allows a user to select a product and select and/or create decorative image information and view the composite image before ordering the promotional product. Internet-Related Technology As indicated above, one embodiment of the present invention provides an Internet-based implementation. Accordingly, some introduction to Internet-related technology is helpful in understanding the present invention. The Internet is a vast and expanding network of computers and other devices linked together by various telecommunications media, enabling the various components to exchange and share data. Sites (so-called Web sites), accessible through Internet, provide information about numerous corporations and products, as well as education, research, entertainment and services. A resource that is attached to the Internet is often referred to as a “host.” Examples of such resources include conventional computer systems that are made up of one or more processors, associated memory and other storage devices and peripherals, such as modems, networks interfaces and the like that allow for connection to the Internet or other networks. In most cases, the hosting resource may be embodied as hardware and/or software components of a server or other computer system that includes an interface module, which allows for some dialog with users and that may process information through the submission of Web forms completed by the user. Generally, such a server will be accessed through the Internet's graphical user interface, the World Wide Web, (e.g., via Web browsers) in the conventional fashion. In order to facilitate communications between hosts, each host has a numerical Internet Protocol (IP) address. The IP address of a hypothetical host computer might be 112.222.64.27. Each host also has a unique “fully qualified domain name.” In the case of the hypothetical host 112.222.64.27, the “fully qualified domain name” might be “computer.domain.com”, the three elements of which are the hostname (“computer”), a domain name (“domain”) and a top-level domain (“com”). A given host looks up the IP address of other hosts on the Internet through a system known as domain name service. As previously indicated, in order to access the Internet most users rely on computer programs known as “Web browsers.” Commercially available Web browsers include such well-known programs as Netscape's Navigator™ and Communicator™ and Microsoft's Internet Explorer™. If an Internet user desires to establish a connection with a Web page hosted at computer.domain.com, the Internet user might enter into a Web browser program the uniform resource locator (URL) “http://www.domain.com”. The first element of the URL is a transfer protocol, most commonly “http” standing for hypertext transfer protocol, but others include “mailto” for electronic mail, “ftp” for file transfer protocol, and “nntp” for network news transfer protocol. The remaining elements of this URL are an alias for the fully qualified domain name of the host. Once a URL is entered into the browser, the corresponding IP address is looked up in a process facilitated by a certain computer, called the top-level server. The top-level server matches the domain name to an IP address of a domain name server capable of directing the inquiry to the computer hosting the Web page. Thus, the domain name server ultimately matches an alphanumeric name such as www.domain.com with its numeric IP address 112.222.64.27. When a host receives an inquiry from the Internet, it returns the data in the file pointed to by the request to the computer making the inquiry. Such data may make up a Web page, which may include a textual message, sound, picture, or a combination of such elements. A user can move between Web pages through the use of hyperlinks, which are links from one site on the Internet to another. An integral component of the present invention is a computer server. Servers are computer programs that provide some service to other programs, called clients. A client 1305 and server 1310 of FIG. 13 communicate by means of message passing often over a network 1300, and use some protocol, a set of formal rules describing how to transmit data, to encode the client's requests and/or responses and the server's responses and/or requests. The server may run continually waiting for client's requests and/or responses to arrive or it may be invoked by some higher-level continually running server that controls a number of specific servers. Client-server communication is analogous to a customer (client) sending an order (request) on an order form to a supplier (server) dispatching the goods and an invoice (response). The order form and invoice are part of the protocol used to communicate in this case. Another component of the present invention is an alpha channel. An alpha channel is a portion of each pixel's data that is reserved for transparency information. Pixel is the smallest addressable unit on a display screen. Typically, the alpha channel is defined on a per object basis; different parts of the object have different levels of transparency depending on how much background needs to show through. In short, the alpha channel is a mask that specifies how the pixel's colors should be merged with another pixel when the two are overlaid, one on top of the other. Architecture With these concepts in mind, an embodiment of a system architecture of the present invention can be explored. A composite image generation service may be accessed through client machines 100 that run browser applications 105 to provide graphical interfaces for a user to effectively use the composite image generation service. The client machines 100 communicate with a server machine 120 via a network 110, e.g. Internet. The server machine 120 includes such components of the present invention as a web server 130, application sever 140 and database server 150. It will be appreciated that these servers may run on other machines that are accessible by the server machine 120. In an embodiment of the present invention, databases for storing customer information, product image information, decorative image information, etc. are also stored at the server machine 120. However, it will be appreciated that databases may be stored at other machines and database data may be uploaded to the server machine 120 when necessary. The application server 140 contains visualization server 150 that includes compositing engine 160, product image conversion engine 170 and artwork creation engine 180. Compositing engine 160 generates a composite image based on a first image and a second image selected by a user. A first image is, for example, uploaded by a manufacturer of a product depicted in the first image and processed by the product image conversion engine 170 for storage in a photo archive database 240. Of course, the first image may be obtained from the any number of sources. For example, an operator of a Web site that is it supported by the server machine 120 may employ an internal photographic (or art) department that is responsible for generating images of products that are supplied, together with pertinent product information, to the Web site operator by manufacturers of such products. These internally generated photographs may be stored in a photograph archive database 260. The second image is modified by the artwork creation engine 180 according to the user's operations in the Web browser. These image conversion processes are described in detail below. The database server 190 that communicates to the application server 140 contains databases 191 used for the composite image generation. As stated above the databases may be stored at another machine and accessed by the database server 190. Furthermore, the database server 190 may run at another machine and communicate with the application server 140 via the network 110. Methodology and User Interface With these concepts in mind, an embodiment of the present invention can be further explored. In order to produce a composite image, the first and the second images, for example product image and logo image respectively, must be processed for use by the compositing engine 160 of the visualization server 150. While the below exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described as utilizing “logo images”, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the utilization of such logo images, and may employ a decorative image representing any decoration (e.g., a graphic, logo or text) that may be applied to product. Before a product image and a logo image can be utilized by the composite image generator, in one embodiment, each is formatted as a raster file. It will be appreciated that the processing of the photo image need not occur at the server and may take place at another location with the processed product images that may be, for example, uploaded to the server via a network or generated by a Web site operator that operates the server machine 120. In one embodiment of the present invention, a product image file is submitted by a manufacturer. For example, the product manufacturer submits a high-resolution product photo file, such as a file of 1.3 mega-pixel resolution. In another embodiment of the present invention the manufacturer may submit a physical product sample at 210 of FIG. 2 with the product information, including size, imprint area, etc., that is stored in product receiving database by the compositing engine 160. Upon generation of photography instructions at 220, the digital photograph of the product is taken at 230 by, for example, a Web site operator that operates the server machine 120. The digital photograph is then uploaded to photo archive database 260. The coded photo with imprint area instructions in the header of a product image file is stored in product database 270. In one embodiment, the product image processing may be done utilizing a commercially available software package, such as Adobe Photoshop™ (available from Adobe Systems of San Jose, Calif.) on Windows™ operating system (available from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.). An alpha channel is defined using the selection tools in Photoshop™, and, at the same time, the diameter of the product is set and the warp ratio is automatically calculated based on the diameter of the product. The product photo export plug-in generates the product image file and product thumbnail file and saves it in the product image database, or saves it for uploading to the product image database by the product image conversion engine 170. In one embodiment, the product image database may be part of a product database where the product images are associated with a product; however, in other embodiments it may be a separate product image database associated with a product database. In an embodiment where the product images are processed at another system, the processed files are uploaded to the product image database. The product image file may be a .png file containing a high-resolution product image. It will be appreciated that product image files in addition to or other than the above image files may also be generated by the product photo export plug-in. The next embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the simplified flow diagram of FIGS. 3A and 3B. At operation 301, a customer on a client system 100 accesses the visualization server 150 via a network 110 (e.g., Internet), utilizing a network browser. The customer is presented on the browser with a Web interface (e.g., HTML document) communicated from the visualization server 150, and prompting the customer to enter a user identification (userid) and password in order to use the composite image generation service. First time users are prompted to enter customer information, e.g. name, address, phone number, billing address, payment information and are assigned a userid and password that are user-modifiable. Upon entering a userid and a password, the information is sent to the visualization server 150, where validation of the entered information is done against a customer database containing all the relevant customer information. Upon successful validation access to the composite image generation service is provided to the user at operation 302. At operation 303 the user may browse a virtual product catalog or search for a specific product. If the user selects a search option then the visualization server 150, upon getting a search request, conducts a search for a product against a product database that may be stored on the server machine 120 or on another machine that is accessible by the visualization server 150. The user is presented with a list of all the products stored in the database or the list of products identified by the visualization server 150 as the result of a specific product search, along with thumbnail image of each product next to its name. Upon clicking on a thumbnail image the user may be presented with the enlarged photograph 402 of a product with the detailed description. An exemplary user interface 400 to present the enlarged photograph 402 is shown in FIG. 4. At this point 305 the user may select a product for design. A unique product identification number gets sent to the visualization server 150, which allows the server to select the correct product photo with the specialized imprint instructions from the product database. In one embodiment of the invention each product image may be stored in a file 510 with the header 520 containing information about the image, such as size, imprint area, warp ratio, etc., as illustrated in FIG. 5. It will be appreciated that the selected product image is maintained as an image file accessible at the server machine 120 and may reside as an image file in a separate product image database or may reside as an image file in part of a larger database, such as the product database. After selecting a product for design, the user may select the second image, at operation 307, which may be artwork, such as a logo. It is customary for businesses to have several versions of a company's logo, these versions can be stored in the customer database, and upon customer login may be transferred to a Web browser for display. An exemplary user interface 600 to present user's logos 610 is shown in FIG. 6. In an alternative, the user may upload a logo from the client to the visualization server 150 through operations illustrated in FIG. 7. At 701 upon user's selection of upload option the user is presented with a form for browsing files stored at the local computer. At operation 702 the user selects a file that may be a .jpg, .bmp, .eps, or .tif and uploads it to the visualization server 150 where the number of colors and transparent area are detected by the artwork creation engine 180. The visualization server 150 displays the analyzed logo on the Web browser on a specialized background, at operation 703. At this point 704, the user may edit artwork transparency areas and submit changes to the visualization server 150. The server then, at 705, re-displays the logo with the changes on the Web browser. Upon satisfaction with the logo the user may save the logo and associated data in an artwork library database at the visualization server 150. Returning to FIGS. 3A and 3B, when the user finalizes the product choice and logo selection the server communicates the composite image to the browser via the network, illustrated as operation 309 of FIG. 3A, and the composite image of the product and the logo is displayed at the Web browser, where the logo is placed in a default position on the product, e.g. the logo will be placed in the center of a baseball cap as a default. An exemplary user interface 800 to present a default composite image 810 is shown in FIG. 8. Necessary warping is applied by the composite engine 160 when generating default composite image. The product image file selected by the user contains warping information, e.g. warp ratio, in the header of the file. The composite engine 160 places the logo image on the product image according to the warp ratio. An exemplary user interface 900 to present a composite image 910 containing warping is shown in FIG. 9. The warping may be cylindrical or spherical, however, it will be appreciated that the warping ratio may be further defined to address other types of product image topography, e.g. undulating, cubist, etc. However, the user is not limited by the default composite image. In one embodiment, the user can selectively position a logo image relative to the product image by selecting a position on a positioning grid 1006 presented, at 1110 of FIG. 11, via a Web interface on the browser, as illustrated in exemplary user interface of FIG. 10. For example, the user may select block 1008 in positioning grid 1006 by navigating a cursor over block 1008 and clicking on it. The selecting of block 1008 generates positioning information that is communicated to the visualization server. Upon the user changing relative position of artwork and text, new placement coordinates are calculated by the visualization server 150 based on the grid selection, size of the artwork and text and imprint area at 1120 of FIG. 11. This method would be best described by the following example. Let the grid be 5 blocks by 5 blocks, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The imprint algorithm 165 of FIG. 1 divides the imprint area by 5 and performs relative positioning upon the user selecting grid blocks. For example, if an imprint area is a 1-inch rectangle then a change by one block is 2/10 of an inch move. The changes are being sent to the visualization server 150, where the image 1004 is being re-composited and re-displayed on the screen at 1130 of FIG. 11. In addition, the visualization server 150 makes some assumptions about the size of the logo when generating the default composite image, and the user is given an option to modify it. The user may be presented with a drop down menu 1010, where the user may select the desired size by selecting and clicking on a small, medium or large option. Upon receiving the request the visualization server 150 re-sizes the image, re-composites the image and re-displays it on the Web browser. For example, if the user wants the logo to be of a small size, the visualization server 150 may re-size the logo to a 33% of an original logo image. FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a Web interface presented on a browser that allows the user at the client side to select a manufacturing process filter to use in generating a composite image. In one embodiment, the user is presented a selection of filters via a Web interface presented on the browser. For example, the user may be presented a display of manufacturing techniques or processes in a selection box 1001. For example, the selection box may display a drop down menu of options for selection by the user. The user may then select a filter 1002, for example, by scrolling down the drop down box and clicking on a selected filter. The selection of the filter generates filtering information that is communicated to the visualization server 150. This filtering information is used in generating the composite image so that the logo appears applied to the product image according to the selected filter, i.e., embroidery, silk-screening, engraving, etc. This technique is accomplished by the usage of filters that are well known in the art. Upon completion of operation 312 of FIG. 3A, the design is stored in a project folder database at the visualization server 150 and final artwork for production is generated and stored in an order database at 313. The user is then presented with a quotation form, illustrated in FIG. 12, where such information as quantity, color, decoration process, special instructions from the customer, etc. needs to be filled out. Upon the user completing the form the visualization server 150 calculates the price for the order at operation 315 of FIG. 3A. An automatic and accurate price calculation is one of the goals of the present invention. The price of the promotional product with the imprinted logo depends on the methods of manufacturing. For example, if imprint is done by the method of embroidery then the number of stitches determines the price of the order. When the final design is finalized by the user and the visualization server 150 is ready to calculate the quote, the number of stitches is calculated. The number of stitches is directly proportional to the size of the logo and depends on the ratio of non-blank pixels to the imprint area. The visualization server 150 measures the number of pixels occupied by the artwork and calculates this area in square inches, then multiplies the area by the average number of stitches per square inch that is stored in the header of the product image file. (Logo area in square inches)×(Average number of stitches per square inch) This calculation technique allows the user to rely on pricing before placing the order, rather than waiting for the embroider to apply the design and then determine the number of stitches used in making the final design. For example, if an imprint area is 200 pixels and it is 5 inches wide, and the logo is 100 pixels, then two and a half inches is going to be multiplied by the average number of stitches per square inch. In another embodiment of the present invention, the average number of stitches per square inch can be user-modified. The only change that needs to be made to the above calculation process is that instead of retrieving the average number of stitches from the header of the product image file, the value is sent to the visualization server 150 upon the user entering it at the Web browser. Based on the calculated or user-modified number of stitches per square inch and an embroidery price provided by various embroiders the fixed price quote may be calculated. The user is then presented with the fixed price quote and a photo sample according to the information stored in the databases (i.e. product database, order database). The photo sample addresses the need for a pre-production proof feature that is well known in the industry. Instead of waiting for a manufacturer to complete a sample of a promotional product, the user can view the final product on the Web browser in the comfort of his/her own office. In one embodiment of the present invention, the photo sample image may be generated to include filtering so that the composite image simulates the appearance of the logo applied to the product according to a selected manufacturing process or technology. In another embodiment of the present invention, the user may zoom in and out of the photo sample to view the image in greater detail. This feature is implemented using the techniques well known in the art. In one embodiment of the present invention, the user may choose to send a finalized image for approval to a supervisor. Upon selection of this option, the visualization server 150 compiles an e-mail message and sends it to a specified e-mail address with an image of the final design, or, in the alternative, with the URL of the Web site where the final design image may be viewed. Upon accepting the fixed price quote, operation 316 of FIG. 3B, the order details are written into the order database on the visualization server 150. The request for shipping and billing information is being displayed on the Web browser for the user to fill out. In the alternative, the customer shipping and billing information stored in the customer database may be displayed on the Web browser for validation. When shipping and billing information is validated or entered into the order database, the payment method is requested. Upon entering of the payment method at 320 and validation of it at 321, the transaction with the user is complete. At this point the order, shipping and billing information is formatted and sent to the supplier. In one embodiment of the present invention all the necessary information about the customer order is formatted into an email message form and sent to a supplier. In the foregoing specification the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to the specific exemplary embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The sale of promotional products, also called advertising specialties, has traditionally been practiced as a broker-customer relationship where a commissioned broker presents, in-person, various product lines and decoration choices to a customer. For example, a customer may call a broker in regard to promoting their company at a client appreciation golf tournament. The broker presents the customer with various products, i.e., hats, shirts, mugs, etc., that can be decorated using selected decorative technologies, i.e., embroidery, silk-screening, etc. For example, the customer may select a green polo shirt with the intention that it be decorated with company logo, graphic, name or other text or symbol be in black embroidery above the shirt pocket. The broker then facilitates the coordination among the customer, product vendor, and decorators to supply the requested customized product by the time required by the customer. Due to the large number of product manufacturers and decorators, the broker usually carries a selected product line from various manufacturers and utilizes a selected group of decorators to apply the necessary decoration to the product. The customer, therefore, is presented a limited group of products and options for decorating the product. Moreover, when choosing the product, the customer generally is looking at catalog images or samples that are blank—that is, undecorated or decorated with the design of another company. In these cases, the customer is left to imagine the appearance of the decorated product until after placing an order. Thus, typically, the customer usually does not see the final product until it arrives. Furthermore, until the product arrives, the customer must depend upon the broker to ensure the order is delivered on time and appears as was anticipated. Thus, it would be desirable for a client to be able to select a product and a decoration at their convenience over a network, for example, the Internet, and to view the appearance of the final product.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention discloses methods for generating composite images via a network. In one embodiment, a first image is selected via a Web interface presented on a browser. A second image is selected via a Web interface presented on the browser. The selection of the first image and the second image is communicated to a server via the network. A composite image of the first image and second image is automatically generated at the server. The composite image is communicated from the server to the browser via the network, wherein selection of a filter via a Web interface presented on the browser is used in generating filtering information. The filtering information is communicated to the server via the network. A composite image is automatically generated at the server according to the filtering information to simulate an appearance of the second image as applied to the first image according to a manufacturing process associated with the filter. If the selection includes embroidery, an embroidery price is automatically calculated, the embroidery price comprising an estimate for the application of a design represented by the second image to a product represented by the first image. The server communicates the composite image, along with the calculated embroidery price (if embroidery price is applicable), to the browser via the network.
20041202
20080101
20051027
92958.0
5
PATEL, KANJIBHAI B
METHODS FOR GENERATING COMPOSITE IMAGES INCLUDING FILTERING AND EMBROIDERY PRICE CALCULATION
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,004,733
ACCEPTED
Methods and apparatuses for generating composite images including warping
Methods and apparatuses for generating composite images are disclosed. A first image is selected via a Web interface presented on a browser and a second image is selected via a Web interface presented on the browser. The second image is positioned relative to the first image to generate relative positioning information. The selection of the first image and the second image and the relative positioning information is communicated to a sever via a network and a composite image is generated at the server. The composite image, which includes warping to simulate curvature of the second image as applied to the first image, is communicated from the server to the browser via the network.
1. A method for generating a composite image including: presenting a first image via a Web interface presented on a browser; presenting a second image via a Web interface presented on the browser; communicating a selection of the first image and the second image to a server via a network; automatically generating a composite image of the first image and the second image at the server; and communicating the composite image from the server to the browser via the network; wherein the composite image further includes warping to simulate curvature of the second image as applied to the first image. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the warping is determined according to a warp ratio. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the warping simulates spherical curvature of the second image as applied to the first image. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the warping simulates cylindrical curvature of the second image as applied to the first image. 5. A network-based method for generating a composite image, the method including: receiving a first image and a second image at a server from a browser responsive to a user-selection of the first image and the second image; automatically generating a composite image of the first image and the second image at the server; and communicating the composite image from the server to the browser via a network; wherein the composite image further includes warping to simulate curvature of the second image as applied to the first image. 6. The network-based method of claim 5 wherein the warping is determined according to a warp ratio. 7. The network-based method of claim 5 wherein the warping simulates spherical curvature of the second image as applied to the first image. 8. The network-based method of claim 5 wherein the warping simulates cylindrical curvature of the second image as applied to the first image. 9. A network-based method for generating a composite image, the method including: presenting a first image for user selection via a first Web interface presented on a browser; uploading a second image; communicating a selection of the first image and the second image to a server via a network; receiving a composite image of the first image and the second image from the server at the browser via the network; and displaying the composite image via a second Web interface presented on the browser; wherein the composite image further includes warping to simulate curvature of the second image as applied to the first image. 10. A network-based method for generating a composite image, the method including: presenting a first image for user selection via a first Web interface presented on a browser; presenting a second image for user selection via a second Web interface presented on the browser; communicating a selection of the first image and the second image to a server via a network; receiving a composite image of the first image and the second image from the server at the browser via the network; and displaying the composite image via a third Web interface presented on the browser; wherein the composite image further includes warping to simulate curvature of the second image as applied to the first image. 11. An apparatus for generating a composite image including: a first image database, the first image database to store at least one first image file; a second image database, said second image database to store at least one second image file; a server to receive a user selection of the first image file and the second image file and to generate a composite image of a first image and a second image wherein the second image is positioned relative to the first image; and wherein the server is further configured to generate the composite image according to a warping information to simulate curvature of the second image as applied to the first image. 12. An apparatus for generating a composite image including: means for presenting a first image via a Web interface presented on a browser; means for presenting a second image via a Web interface presented on the browser; means for communicating a selection of the first image and the second image to a server via a network; means for automatically generating a composite image of the first image and the second image at the server; and means for communicating the composite image from the server to the browser via the network; wherein the means for automatically generating a composite image are further configured to generate the composite image according to a warping information to simulate curvature of the second image as applied to the first image.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/758,648 filed on Jan. 10, 2001 entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR GENERATING COMPOSITE IMAGES;” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/176,956 filed on Jan. 18, 2000. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of computer-generated images. Particularly, the present invention relates to the generation of composite images at a server utilizing image selections communicated via a Web browser over a network, such as the Internet. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The sale of promotional products, also called advertising specialties, has traditionally been practiced as a broker-customer relationship where a commissioned broker presents, in-person, various product lines and decoration choices to a customer. For example, a customer may call a broker in regard to promoting their company at a client appreciation golf tournament. The broker presents the customer with various products, i.e., hats, shirts, mugs, etc., that can be decorated using selected decorative technologies, i.e., embroidery, silk-screening, etc. For example, the customer may select a green polo shirt with the intention that it be decorated with company logo, graphic, name or other text or symbol be in black embroidery above the shirt pocket. The broker then facilitates the coordination among the customer, product vendor, and decorators to supply the requested customized product by the time required by the customer. Due to the large number of product manufacturers and decorators, the broker usually carries a selected product line from various manufacturers and utilizes a selected group of decorators to apply the necessary decoration to the product. The customer, therefore, is presented a limited group of products and options for decorating the product. Moreover, when choosing the product, the customer generally is looking at catalog images or samples that are blank—that is, undecorated or decorated with the design of another company. In these cases, the customer is left to imagine the appearance of the decorated product until after placing an order. Thus, typically, the customer usually does not see the final product until it arrives. Furthermore, until the product arrives, the customer must depend upon the broker to ensure the order is delivered on time and appears as was anticipated. Thus, it would be desirable for a client to be able to select a product and a decoration at their convenience over a network, for example, the Internet, and to view the appearance of the final product. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention discloses methods and apparatuses for generating composite images via a network. In one embodiment, a first image is selected via a Web interface presented on a browser. A second image is selected via a Web interface presented on the browser. The selection of the first image and the second image is communicated to a server via the network. The server generates a composite image of the first image and the second image, which includes warping to simulate curvature of the second image as applied to the first image, and communicates the composite image to the browser via the network. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which: FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system architecture according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a product image processing according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 3A and 3B are a flow diagram illustrating server side processes and client side processes utilized in generating a composite image according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a Web interface presented on a browser that presents product details according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is illustrating a product image file structure according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a Web interface presented on the browser that enables selection of a decorative image according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of uploading the decorative image to a server according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a Web interface presented on the browser that presents a default composite image according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9 is a Web interface presented on the browser that presents a composite image generated according to a warp ratio according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a Web interface presented on the browser that enables positioning of the logo image relative to a product image according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of relative positioning of the logo image; FIG. 12 is a Web interface presented on the browser that presents a quote according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 13 is an example of a traditional client—server system upon which one embodiment of the present invention may be implemented. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Although the present invention is described below by way of various embodiments that include specific structures and methods, embodiments that include alternative structures and methods may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein. In general, embodiments described below feature a network-based application that prompts a user for a product image selection and a decorative image selection and displays a product image (e.g., a photograph) with the decorative image (e.g., a logo graphic or text graphic) placed on it. A preferred embodiment of the present invention features a network-based application for composite image generation. For the purposes of the present specification, the term “product image” shall be taken to include any image type and may depict any type, shape or construction of product. The term “decorative image” shall also be taken to include any image type, and may depict, for example, any logo, text, pattern, ornamentation, name, symbol, emblem or the like that may be applied to a product. In one embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a computer-based service that may be accessed through the Internet, for example, using a Web browser. The service provides an interface that allows a user to select a product and select and/or create decorative image information and view the composite image before ordering the promotional product. Internet-Related Technology As indicated above, one embodiment of the present invention provides an Internet-based implementation. Accordingly, some introduction to Internet-related technology is helpful in understanding the present invention. The Internet is a vast and expanding network of computers and other devices linked together by various telecommunications media, enabling the various components to exchange and share data. Sites (so-called Web sites), accessible through Internet, provide information about numerous corporations and products, as well as education, research, entertainment and services. A resource that is attached to the Internet is often referred to as a “host.” Examples of such resources include conventional computer systems that are made up of one or more processors, associated memory and other storage devices and peripherals, such as modems, networks interfaces and the like that allow for connection to the Internet or other networks. In most cases, the hosting resource may be embodied as hardware and/or software components of a server or other computer system that includes an interface module, which allows for some dialog with users and that may process information through the submission of Web forms completed by the user. Generally, such a server will be accessed through the Internet's graphical user interface, the World Wide Web, (e.g., via Web browsers) in the conventional fashion. In order to facilitate communications between hosts, each host has a numerical Internet Protocol (IP) address. The IP address of a hypothetical host computer might be 112.222.64.27. Each host also has a unique “fully qualified domain name.” In the case of the hypothetical host 112.222.64.27, the “fully qualified domain name” might be “computer.domain.com”, the three elements of which are the hostname (“computer”), a domain name (“domain”) and a top-level domain (“com”). A given host looks up the IP address of other hosts on the Internet through a system known as domain name service. As previously indicated, in order to access the Internet most users rely on computer programs known as “Web browsers.” Commercially available Web browsers include such well-known programs as Netscape's Navigator™ and Communicator™ and Microsoft's Internet Explorer™. If an Internet user desires to establish a connection with a Web page hosted at computer.domain.com, the Internet user might enter into a Web browser program the uniform resource locator (URL) “http://www.domain.com”. The first element of the URL is a transfer protocol, most commonly “http” standing for hypertext transfer protocol, but others include “mailto” for electronic mail, “ftp” for file transfer protocol, and “nntp” for network news transfer protocol. The remaining elements of this URL are an alias for the fully qualified domain name of the host. Once a URL is entered into the browser, the corresponding IP address is looked up in a process facilitated by a certain computer, called the top-level server. The top-level server matches the domain name to an IP address of a domain name server capable of directing the inquiry to the computer hosting the Web page. Thus, the domain name server ultimately matches an alphanumeric name such as www.domain.com with its numeric IP address 112.222.64.27. When a host receives an inquiry from the Internet, it returns the data in the file pointed to by the request to the computer making the inquiry. Such data may make up a Web page, which may include a textual message, sound, picture, or a combination of such elements. A user can move between Web pages through the use of hyperlinks, which are links from one site on the Internet to another. An integral component of the present invention is a computer server. Servers are computer programs that provide some service to other programs, called clients. A client 1305 and server 1310 of FIG. 13 communicate by means of message passing often over a network 1300, and use some protocol, a set of formal rules describing how to transmit data, to encode the client's requests and/or responses and the server's responses and/or requests. The server may run continually waiting for client's requests and/or responses to arrive or it may be invoked by some higher-level continually running server that controls a number of specific servers. Client-server communication is analogous to a customer (client) sending an order (request) on an order form to a supplier (server) dispatching the goods and an invoice (response). The order form and invoice are part of the protocol used to communicate in this case. Another component of the present invention is an alpha channel. An alpha channel is a portion of each pixel's data that is reserved for transparency information. Pixel is the smallest addressable unit on a display screen. Typically, the alpha channel is defined on a per object basis; different parts of the object have different levels of transparency depending on how much background needs to show through. In short, the alpha channel is a mask that specifies how the pixel's colors should be merged with another pixel when the two are overlaid, one on top of the other. Architecture With these concepts in mind, an embodiment of a system architecture of the present invention can be explored. A composite image generation service may be accessed through client machines 100 that run browser applications 105 to provide graphical interfaces for a user to effectively use the composite image generation service. The client machines 100 communicate with a server machine 120 via a network 110, e.g. Internet. The server machine 120 includes such components of the present invention as a web server 130, application sever 140 and database server 150. It will be appreciated that these servers may run on other machines that are accessible by the server machine 120. In an embodiment of the present invention, databases for storing customer information, product image information, decorative image information, etc. are also stored at the server machine 120. However, it will be appreciated that databases may be stored at other machines and database data may be uploaded to the server machine 120 when necessary. The application server 140 contains visualization server 150 that includes compositing engine 160, product image conversion engine 170 and artwork creation engine 180. Compositing engine 160 generates a composite image based on a first image and a second image selected by a user. A first image is, for example, uploaded by a manufacturer of a product depicted in the first image and processed by the product image conversion engine 170 for storage in a photo archive database 240. Of course, the first image may be obtained from the any number of sources. For example, an operator of a Web site that is it supported by the server machine 120 may employ an internal photographic (or art) department that is responsible for generating images of products that are supplied, together with pertinent product information, to the Web site operator by manufacturers of such products. These internally generated photographs may be stored in a photograph archive database 260. The second image is modified by the artwork creation engine 180 according to the user's operations in the Web browser. These image conversion processes are described in detail below. The database server 190 that communicates to the application server 140 contains databases 191 used for the composite image generation. As stated above the databases may be stored at another machine and accessed by the database server 190. Furthermore, the database server 190 may run at another machine and communicate with the application server 140 via the network 110. Methodology and User Interface With these concepts in mind, an embodiment of the present invention can be further explored. In order to produce a composite image, the first and the second images, for example product image and logo image respectively, must be processed for use by the compositing engine 160 of the visualization server 150. While the below exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described as utilizing “logo images”, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the utilization of such logo images, and may employ a decorative image representing any decoration (e.g., a graphic, logo or text) that may be applied to product. Before a product image and a logo image can be utilized by the composite image generator, in one embodiment, each is formatted as a raster file. It will be appreciated that the processing of the photo image need not occur at the server and may take place at another location with the processed product images that may be, for example, uploaded to the server via a network or generated by a Web site operator that operates the server machine 120. In one embodiment of the present invention, a product image file is submitted by a manufacturer. For example, the product manufacturer submits a high-resolution product photo file, such as a file of 1.3 mega-pixel resolution. In another embodiment of the present invention the manufacturer may submit a physical product sample at 210 of FIG. 2 with the product information, including size, imprint area, etc., that is stored in product receiving database by the compositing engine 160. Upon generation of photography instructions at 220, the digital photograph of the product is taken at 230 by, for example, a Web site operator that operates the server machine 120. The digital photograph is then uploaded to photo archive database 260. The coded photo with imprint area instructions in the header of a product image file is stored in product database 270. In one embodiment, the product image processing may be done utilizing a commercially available software package, such as Adobe Photoshop™ (available from Adobe Systems of San Jose, Calif.) on Windows™ operating system (available from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.). An alpha channel is defined using the selection tools in Photoshop™, and, at the same time, the diameter of the product is set and the warp ratio is automatically calculated based on the diameter of the product. The product photo export plug-in generates the product image file and product thumbnail file and saves it in the product image database, or saves it for uploading to the product image database by the product image conversion engine 170. In one embodiment, the product image database may be part of a product database where the product images are associated with a product; however, in other embodiments it may be a separate product image database associated with a product database. In an embodiment where the product images are processed at another system, the processed files are uploaded to the product image database. The product image file may be a .png file containing a high-resolution product image. It will be appreciated that product image files in addition to or other than the above image files may also be generated by the product photo export plug-in. The next embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the simplified flow diagram of FIGS. 3A and 3B. At operation 301, a customer on a client system 100 accesses the visualization server 150 via a network 110 (e.g., Internet), utilizing a network browser. The customer is presented on the browser with a Web interface (e.g., HTML document) communicated from the visualization server 150, and prompting the customer to enter a user identification (userid) and password in order to use the composite image generation service. First time users are prompted to enter customer information, e.g. name, address, phone number, billing address, payment information and are assigned a userid and password that are user-modifiable. Upon entering a userid and a password, the information is sent to the visualization server 150, where validation of the entered information is done against a customer database containing all the relevant customer information. Upon successful validation access to the composite image generation service is provided to the user at operation 302. At operation 303 the user may browse a virtual product catalog or search for a specific product. If the user selects a search option then the visualization server 150, upon getting a search request, conducts a search for a product against a product database that may be stored on the server machine 120 or on another machine that is accessible by the visualization server 150. The user is presented with a list of all the products stored in the database or the list of products identified by the visualization server 150 as the result of a specific product search, along with thumbnail image of each product next to its name. Upon clicking on a thumbnail image the user may be presented with the enlarged photograph 402 of a product with the detailed description. An exemplary user interface 400 to present the enlarged photograph 402 is shown in FIG. 4. At this point 305 the user may select a product for design. A unique product identification number gets sent to the visualization server 150, which allows the server to select the correct product photo with the specialized imprint instructions from the product database. In one embodiment of the invention each product image may be stored in a file 510 with the header 520 containing information about the image, such as size, imprint area, warp ratio, etc., as illustrated in FIG. 5. It will be appreciated that the selected product image is maintained as an image file accessible at the server machine 120 and may reside as an image file in a separate product image database or may reside as an image file in part of a larger database, such as the product database. After selecting a product for design, the user may select the second image, at operation 307, which may be artwork, such as a logo. It is customary for businesses to have several versions of a company's logo, these versions can be stored in the customer database, and upon customer login may be transferred to a Web browser for display. An exemplary user interface 600 to present user's logos 610 is shown in FIG. 6. In an alternative, the user may upload a logo from the client to the visualization server 150 through operations illustrated in FIG. 7. At 701 upon user's selection of upload option the user is presented with a form for browsing files stored at the local computer. At operation 702 the user selects a file that may be a .jpg, .bmp, .eps, or .tif and uploads it to the visualization server 150 where the number of colors and transparent area are detected by the artwork creation engine 180. The visualization server 150 displays the analyzed logo on the Web browser on a specialized background, at operation 703. At this point 704, the user may edit artwork transparency areas and submit changes to the visualization server 150. The server then, at 705, re-displays the logo with the changes on the Web browser. Upon satisfaction with the logo the user may save the logo and associated data in an artwork library database at the visualization server 150. Returning to FIGS. 3A and 3B, when the user finalizes the product choice and logo selection the server communicates the composite image to the browser via the network, illustrated as operation 309 of FIG. 3A, and the composite image of the product and the logo is displayed at the Web browser, where the logo is placed in a default position on the product, e.g. the logo will be placed in the center of a baseball cap as a default. An exemplary user interface 800 to present a default composite image 810 is shown in FIG. 8. Necessary warping is applied by the composite engine 160 when generating default composite image. The product image file selected by the user contains warping information, e.g. warp ratio, in the header of the file. The composite engine 160 places the logo image on the product image according to the warp ratio. An exemplary user interface 900 to present a composite image 910 containing warping is shown in FIG. 9. The warping may be cylindrical or spherical, however, it will be appreciated that the warping ratio may be further defined to address other types of product image topography, e.g. undulating, cubist, etc. However, the user is not limited by the default composite image. In one embodiment, the user can selectively position a logo image relative to the product image by selecting a position on a positioning grid 1006 presented, at 1110 of FIG. 11, via a Web interface on the browser, as illustrated in exemplary user interface of FIG. 10. For example, the user may select block 1008 in positioning grid 1006 by navigating a cursor over block 1008 and clicking on it. The selecting of block 1008 generates positioning information that is communicated to the visualization server. Upon the user changing relative position of artwork and text, new placement coordinates are calculated by the visualization server 150 based on the grid selection, size of the artwork and text and imprint area at 1120 of FIG. 11. This method would be best described by the following example. Let the grid be 5 blocks by 5 blocks, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The imprint algorithm 165 of FIG. 1 divides the imprint area by 5 and performs relative positioning upon the user selecting grid blocks. For example, if an imprint area is a 1-inch rectangle then a change by one block is 2/10 of an inch move. The changes are being sent to the visualization server 150, where the image 1004 is being re-composited and re-displayed on the screen at 1130 of FIG. 11. In addition, the visualization server 150 makes some assumptions about the size of the logo when generating the default composite image, and the user is given an option to modify it. The user may be presented with a drop down menu 1010, where the user may select the desired size by selecting and clicking on a small, medium or large option. Upon receiving the request the visualization server 150 re-sizes the image, re-composites the image and re-displays it on the Web browser. For example, if the user wants the logo to be of a small size, the visualization server 150 may re-size the logo to a 33% of an original logo image. FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a Web interface presented on a browser that allows the user at the client side to select a manufacturing process filter to use in generating a composite image. In one embodiment, the user is presented a selection of filters via a Web interface presented on the browser. For example, the user may be presented a display of manufacturing techniques or processes in a selection box 1001. For example, the selection box may display a drop down menu of options for selection by the user. The user may then select a filter 1002, for example, by scrolling down the drop down box and clicking on a selected filter. The selection of the filter generates filtering information that is communicated to the visualization server 150. This filtering information is used in generating the composite image so that the logo appears applied to the product image according to the selected filter, i.e., embroidery, silk-screening, engraving, etc. This technique is accomplished by the usage of filters that are well known in the art. Upon completion of operation 312 of FIG. 3A, the design is stored in a project folder database at the visualization server 150 and final artwork for production is generated and stored in an order database at 313. The user is then presented with a quotation form, illustrated in FIG. 12, where such information as quantity, color, decoration process, special instructions from the customer, etc. needs to be filled out. Upon the user completing the form the visualization server 150 calculates the price for the order at operation 315 of FIG. 3A. An automatic and accurate price calculation is one of the goals of the present invention. The price of the promotional product with the imprinted logo depends on the methods of manufacturing. For example, if imprint is done by the method of embroidery then the number of stitches determines the price of the order. When the final design is finalized by the user and the visualization server 150 is ready to calculate the quote, the number of stitches is calculated. The number of stitches is directly proportional to the size of the logo and depends on the ratio of non-blank pixels to the imprint area. The visualization server 150 measures the number of pixels occupied by the artwork and calculates this area in square inches, then multiplies the area by the average number of stitches per square inch that is stored in the header of the product image file. (Logo area in square inches)×(Average number of stitches per square inch) This calculation technique allows the user to rely on pricing before placing the order, rather than waiting for the embroider to apply the design and then determine the number of stitches used in making the final design. For example, if an imprint area is 200 pixels and it is 5 inches wide, and the logo is 100 pixels, then two and a half inches is going to be multiplied by the average number of stitches per square inch. In another embodiment of the present invention, the average number of stitches per square inch can be user-modified. The only change that needs to be made to the above calculation process is that instead of retrieving the average number of stitches from the header of the product image file, the value is sent to the visualization server 150 upon the user entering it at the Web browser. Based on the calculated or user-modified number of stitches per square inch and an embroidery price provided by various embroiders the fixed price quote may be calculated. The user is then presented with the fixed price quote and a photo sample according to the information stored in the databases (i.e. product database, order database). The photo sample addresses the need for a pre-production proof feature that is well known in the industry. Instead of waiting for a manufacturer to complete a sample of a promotional product, the user can view the final product on the Web browser in the comfort of his/her own office. In one embodiment of the present invention, the photo sample image may be generated to include filtering so that the composite image simulates the appearance of the logo applied to the product according to a selected manufacturing process or technology. In another embodiment of the present invention, the user may zoom in and out of the photo sample to view the image in greater detail. This feature is implemented using the techniques well known in the art. In one embodiment of the present invention, the user may choose to send a finalized image for approval to a supervisor. Upon selection of this option, the visualization server 150 compiles an e-mail message and sends it to a specified e-mail address with an image of the final design, or, in the alternative, with the URL of the Web site where the final design image may be viewed. Upon accepting the fixed price quote, operation 316 of FIG. 3B, the order details are written into the order database on the visualization server 150. The request for shipping and billing information is being displayed on the Web browser for the user to fill out. In the alternative, the customer shipping and billing information stored in the customer database may be displayed on the Web browser for validation. When shipping and billing information is validated or entered into the order database, the payment method is requested. Upon entering of the payment method at 320 and validation of it at 321, the transaction with the user is complete. At this point the order, shipping and billing information is formatted and sent to the supplier. In one embodiment of the present invention all the necessary information about the customer order is formatted into an email message form and sent to a supplier. In the foregoing specification the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to the specific exemplary embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The sale of promotional products, also called advertising specialties, has traditionally been practiced as a broker-customer relationship where a commissioned broker presents, in-person, various product lines and decoration choices to a customer. For example, a customer may call a broker in regard to promoting their company at a client appreciation golf tournament. The broker presents the customer with various products, i.e., hats, shirts, mugs, etc., that can be decorated using selected decorative technologies, i.e., embroidery, silk-screening, etc. For example, the customer may select a green polo shirt with the intention that it be decorated with company logo, graphic, name or other text or symbol be in black embroidery above the shirt pocket. The broker then facilitates the coordination among the customer, product vendor, and decorators to supply the requested customized product by the time required by the customer. Due to the large number of product manufacturers and decorators, the broker usually carries a selected product line from various manufacturers and utilizes a selected group of decorators to apply the necessary decoration to the product. The customer, therefore, is presented a limited group of products and options for decorating the product. Moreover, when choosing the product, the customer generally is looking at catalog images or samples that are blank—that is, undecorated or decorated with the design of another company. In these cases, the customer is left to imagine the appearance of the decorated product until after placing an order. Thus, typically, the customer usually does not see the final product until it arrives. Furthermore, until the product arrives, the customer must depend upon the broker to ensure the order is delivered on time and appears as was anticipated. Thus, it would be desirable for a client to be able to select a product and a decoration at their convenience over a network, for example, the Internet, and to view the appearance of the final product.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention discloses methods and apparatuses for generating composite images via a network. In one embodiment, a first image is selected via a Web interface presented on a browser. A second image is selected via a Web interface presented on the browser. The selection of the first image and the second image is communicated to a server via the network. The server generates a composite image of the first image and the second image, which includes warping to simulate curvature of the second image as applied to the first image, and communicates the composite image to the browser via the network.
20041202
20070626
20051124
92958.0
4
PATEL, KANJIBHAI B
METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR GENERATING COMPOSITE IMAGES INCLUDING WARPING
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,004,734
ACCEPTED
Methods for generating composite images including positioning grid
Methods for generating composite images are disclosed. A first image is selected via a Web interface presented on a browser and a second image is selected via a Web interface presented on the browser. The second image is positioned relative to the first image to generate relative positioning information, wherein generating relative positioning information includes selecting a location on a positioning grid via a Web interface presented on the browser. The selection of the first image and the second image and the relative positioning information is communicated to a sever via a network and a composite image is generated at the server. The composite image is communicated from the server to the browser via the network.
1. A method for generating a composite image including: presenting a first image via a Web interface presented on a browser; presenting a second image via a Web interface presented on the browser; communicating a selection of the first image and the second image to a server via a network; automatically generating a composite image of the first image and the second image at the server; communicating the composite image from the server to the browser via the network; positioning the second image relative to the first image via a Web interface presented on the browser to generate relative positioning information; communicating the relative positioning information to the server via the network; and automatically generating the composite image of the first image and the second image at the server according to the relative positioning information; wherein the positioning of the second image relative to the first image further includes selecting a location on a positioning grid via a Web interface presented on the browser, the selection generating the relative positioning information. 2. A network-based method for generating a composite image, the method including: presenting a first image for user selection via a first Web interface presented on a browser; uploading a second image; communicating a selection of the first image and the second image to a server via a network; receiving a composite image of the first image and the second image from the server at the browser via the network; displaying the composite image via a second Web interface presented on the browser; positioning the second image relative to the first image via a Web interface presented on the browser to generate a relative positioning information; communicating the relative positioning information to the server via the network; receiving the composite image of the first image and the second image from the server to the browser, the composite image generated according to the relative positioning information; and displaying the composite image at the browser; wherein positioning of the second image relative to the first image further includes selecting a location on a positioning grid via a Web interface presented on the browser, the selection generating the relative positioning information. 3. A network-based method for generating a composite image, the method including: presenting a first image for user selection via a first Web interface presented on a browser; presenting a second image for user selection via a second Web interface presented on the browser; communicating a selection of the first image and the second image to a server via a network; receiving a composite image of the first image and the second image from the server at the browser via the network; displaying the composite image via a third Web interface presented on the browser; positioning the second image relative to the first image via a Web interface presented on the browser to generate a relative positioning information; communicating the relative positioning information to the server via the network; receiving the composite image of the first image and the second image from the server to the browser, the composite image generated according to the relative positioning information; and displaying the composite image at the browser; wherein positioning of the second image relative to the first image further includes selecting a location on a positioning grid via a Web interface presented on the browser, the selection generating the relative positioning information.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/758,648 filed on Jan. 10, 2001 entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR GENERATING COMPOSITE IMAGES;” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/176,956 filed on Jan. 18, 2000. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of computer-generated images. Particularly, the present invention relates to the generation of composite images at a server utilizing image selections communicated via a Web browser over a network, such as the Internet. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The sale of promotional products, also called advertising specialties, has traditionally been practiced as a broker-customer relationship where a commissioned broker presents, in-person, various product lines and decoration choices to a customer. For example, a customer may call a broker in regard to promoting their company at a client appreciation golf tournament. The broker presents the customer with various products, i.e., hats, shirts, mugs, etc., that can be decorated using selected decorative technologies, i.e., embroidery, silk-screening, etc. For example, the customer may select a green polo shirt with the intention that it be decorated with company logo, graphic, name or other text or symbol be in black embroidery above the shirt pocket. The broker then facilitates the coordination among the customer, product vendor, and decorators to supply the requested customized product by the time required by the customer. Due to the large number of product manufacturers and decorators, the broker usually carries a selected product line from various manufacturers and utilizes a selected group of decorators to apply the necessary decoration to the product. The customer, therefore, is presented a limited group of products and options for decorating the product. Moreover, when choosing the product, the customer generally is looking at catalog images or samples that are blank—that is, undecorated or decorated with the design of another company. In these cases, the customer is left to imagine the appearance of the decorated product until after placing an order. Thus, typically, the customer usually does not see the final product until it arrives. Furthermore, until the product arrives, the customer must depend upon the broker to ensure the order is delivered on time and appears as was anticipated. Thus, it would be desirable for a client to be able to select a product and a decoration at their convenience over a network, for example, the Internet, and to view the appearance of the final product. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention discloses methods for generating composite images via a network. In one embodiment, a first image is selected via a Web interface presented on a browser. A second image is selected via a Web interface presented on the browser. The selection of the first image and the second image is communicated to a server via a network. A composite image of the first image and the second image is automatically generated at the server. The composite image is communicated from the server to the browser via the network, wherein positioning of the second image relative to the first image via a Web interface presented on the browser is used to generate relative positioning information. Positioning of the second image relative to the first image includes selecting a location on a positioning grid via a Web interface presented on the browser, the selection generating the relative positioning information. The relative positioning information is communicated to the server via the network. A composite image is automatically generated of the first image and the second image at the server according to the relative positioning information. The server communicates the composite image to the browser via the network. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which: FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system architecture according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a product image processing according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 3A and 3B are a flow diagram illustrating server side processes and client side processes utilized in generating a composite image according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a Web interface presented on a browser that presents product details according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is illustrating a product image file structure according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a Web interface presented on the browser that enables selection of a decorative image according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of uploading the decorative image to a server according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a Web interface presented on the browser that presents a default composite image according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9 is a Web interface presented on the browser that presents a composite image generated according to a warp ratio according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a Web interface presented on the browser that enables positioning of the logo image relative to a product image according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of relative positioning of the logo image; FIG. 12 is a Web interface presented on the browser that presents a quote according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 13 is an example of a traditional client-server system upon which one embodiment of the present invention may be implemented. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Although the present invention is described below by way of various embodiments that include specific structures and methods, embodiments that include alternative structures and methods may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein. In general, embodiments described below feature a network-based application that prompts a user for a product image selection and a decorative image selection and displays a product image (e.g., a photograph) with the decorative image (e.g., a logo graphic or text graphic) placed on it. A preferred embodiment of the present invention features a network-based application for composite image generation. For the purposes of the present specification, the term “product image” shall be taken to include any image type and may depict any type, shape or construction of product. The term “decorative image” shall also be taken to include any image type, and may depict, for example, any logo, text, pattern, ornamentation, name, symbol, emblem or the like that may be applied to a product. In one embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a computer-based service that may be accessed through the Internet, for example, using a Web browser. The service provides an interface that allows a user to select a product and select and/or create decorative image information and view the composite image before ordering the promotional product. Internet-Related Technology As indicated above, one embodiment of the present invention provides an Internet-based implementation. Accordingly, some introduction to Internet-related technology is helpful in understanding the present invention. The Internet is a vast and expanding network of computers and other devices linked together by various telecommunications media, enabling the various components to exchange and share data. Sites (so-called Web sites), accessible through Internet, provide information about numerous corporations and products, as well as education, research, entertainment and services. A resource that is attached to the Internet is often referred to as a “host.” Examples of such resources include conventional computer systems that are made up of one or more processors, associated memory and other storage devices and peripherals, such as modems, networks interfaces and the like that allow for connection to the Internet or other networks. In most cases, the hosting resource may be embodied as hardware and/or software components of a server or other computer system that includes an interface module, which allows for some dialog with users and that may process information through the submission of Web forms completed by the user. Generally, such a server will be accessed through the Internet's graphical user interface, the World Wide Web, (e.g., via Web browsers) in the conventional fashion. In order to facilitate communications between hosts, each host has a numerical Internet Protocol (IP) address. The IP address of a hypothetical host computer might be 112.222.64.27. Each host also has a unique “fully qualified domain name.” In the case of the hypothetical host 112.222.64.27, the “fully qualified domain name” might be “computer.domain.com”, the three elements of which are the hostname (“computer”), a domain name (“domain”) and a top-level domain (“com”). A given host looks up the IP address of other hosts on the Internet through a system known as domain name service. As previously indicated, in order to access the Internet most users rely on computer programs known as “Web browsers.” Commercially available Web browsers include such well-known programs as Netscape's Navigator™ and Communicator™ and Microsoft's Internet Explorer™. If an Internet user desires to establish a connection with a Web page hosted at computer.domain.com, the Internet user might enter into a Web browser program the uniform resource locator (URL) “http://www.domain.com”. The first element of the URL is a transfer protocol, most commonly “http” standing for hypertext transfer protocol, but others include “mailto” for electronic mail, “ftp” for file transfer protocol, and “nntp” for network news transfer protocol. The remaining elements of this URL are an alias for the fully qualified domain name of the host. Once a URL is entered into the browser, the corresponding IP address is looked up in a process facilitated by a certain computer, called the top-level server. The top-level server matches the domain name to an IP address of a domain name server capable of directing the inquiry to the computer hosting the Web page. Thus, the domain name server ultimately matches an alphanumeric name such as www.domain.com with its numeric IP address 112.222.64.27. When a host receives an inquiry from the Internet, it returns the data in the file pointed to by the request to the computer making the inquiry. Such data may make up a Web page, which may include a textual message, sound, picture, or a combination of such elements. A user can move between Web pages through the use of hyperlinks, which are links from one site on the Internet to another. An integral component of the present invention is a computer server. Servers are computer programs that provide some service to other programs, called clients. A client 1305 and server 1310 of FIG. 13 communicate by means of message passing often over a network 1300, and use some protocol, a set of formal rules describing how to transmit data, to encode the client's requests and/or responses and the server's responses and/or requests. The server may run continually waiting for client's requests and/or responses to arrive or it may be invoked by some higher-level continually running server that controls a number of specific servers. Client-server communication is analogous to a customer (client) sending an order (request) on an order form to a supplier (server) dispatching the goods and an invoice (response). The order form and invoice are part of the protocol used to communicate in this case. Another component of the present invention is an alpha channel. An alpha channel is a portion of each pixel's data that is reserved for transparency information. Pixel is the smallest addressable unit on a display screen. Typically, the alpha channel is defined on a per object basis; different parts of the object have different levels of transparency depending on how much background needs to show through. In short, the alpha channel is a mask that specifies how the pixel's colors should be merged with another pixel when the two are overlaid, one on top of the other. Architecture With these concepts in mind, an embodiment of a system architecture of the present invention can be explored. A composite image generation service may be accessed through client machines 100 that run browser applications 105 to provide graphical interfaces for a user to effectively use the composite image generation service. The client machines 100 communicate with a server machine 120 via a network 110, e.g. Internet. The server machine 120 includes such components of the present invention as a web server 130, application sever 140 and database server 150. It will be appreciated that these servers may run on other machines that are accessible by the server machine 120. In an embodiment of the present invention, databases for storing customer information, product image information, decorative image information, etc. are also stored at the server machine 120. However, it will be appreciated that databases may be stored at other machines and database data may be uploaded to the server machine 120 when necessary. The application server 140 contains visualization server 150 that includes compositing engine 160, product image conversion engine 170 and artwork creation engine 180. Compositing engine 160 generates a composite image based on a first image and a second image selected by a user. A first image is, for example, uploaded by a manufacturer of a product depicted in the first image and processed by the product image conversion engine 170 for storage in a photo archive database 240. Of course, the first image may be obtained from the any number of sources. For example, an operator of a Web site that is it supported by the server machine 120 may employ an internal photographic (or art) department that is responsible for generating images of products that are supplied, together with pertinent product information, to the Web site operator by manufacturers of such products. These internally generated photographs may be stored in a photograph archive database 260. The second image is modified by the artwork creation engine 180 according to the user's operations in the Web browser. These image conversion processes are described in detail below. The database server 190 that communicates to the application server 140 contains databases 191 used for the composite image generation. As stated above the databases may be stored at another machine and accessed by the database server 190. Furthermore, the database server 190 may run at another machine and communicate with the application server 140 via the network 110. Methodology and User Interface With these concepts in mind, an embodiment of the present invention can be further explored. In order to produce a composite image, the first and the second images, for example product image and logo image respectively, must be processed for use by the compositing engine 160 of the visualization server 150. While the below exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described as utilizing “logo images”, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the utilization of such logo images, and may employ a decorative image representing any decoration (e.g., a graphic, logo or text) that may be applied to product. Before a product image and a logo image can be utilized by the composite image generator, in one embodiment, each is formatted as a raster file. It will be appreciated that the processing of the photo image need not occur at the server and may take place at another location with the processed product images that may be, for example, uploaded to the server via a network or generated by a Web site operator that operates the server machine 120. In one embodiment of the present invention, a product image file is submitted by a manufacturer. For example, the product manufacturer submits a high-resolution product photo file, such as a file of 1.3 mega-pixel resolution. In another embodiment of the present invention the manufacturer may submit a physical product sample at 210 of FIG. 2 with the product information, including size, imprint area, etc., that is stored in product receiving database by the compositing engine 160. Upon generation of photography instructions at 220, the digital photograph of the product is taken at 230 by, for example, a Web site operator that operates the server machine 120. The digital photograph is then uploaded to photo archive database 260. The coded photo with imprint area instructions in the header of a product image file is stored in product database 270. In one embodiment, the product image processing may be done utilizing a commercially available software package, such as Adobe Photoshop™ (available from Adobe Systems of San Jose, Calif.) on Windows™ operating system (available from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.). An alpha channel is defined using the selection tools in Photoshop™, and, at the same time, the diameter of the product is set and the warp ratio is automatically calculated based on the diameter of the product. The product photo export plug-in generates the product image file and product thumbnail file and saves it in the product image database, or saves it for uploading to the product image database by the product image conversion engine 170. In one embodiment, the product image database may be part of a product database where the product images are associated with a product; however, in other embodiments it may be a separate product image database associated with a product database. In an embodiment where the product images are processed at another system, the processed files are uploaded to the product image database. The product image file may be a .png file containing a high-resolution product image. It will be appreciated that product image files in addition to or other than the above image files may also be generated by the product photo export plug-in. The next embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the simplified flow diagram of FIGS. 3A and 3B. At operation 301, a customer on a client system 100 accesses the visualization server 150 via a network 110 (e.g., Internet), utilizing a network browser. The customer is presented on the browser with a Web interface (e.g., HTML document) communicated from the visualization server 150, and prompting the customer to enter a user identification (userid) and password in order to use the composite image generation service. First time users are prompted to enter customer information, e.g. name, address, phone number, billing address, payment information and are assigned a userid and password that are user-modifiable. Upon entering a userid and a password, the information is sent to the visualization server 150, where validation of the entered information is done against a customer database containing all the relevant customer information. Upon successful validation access to the composite image generation service is provided to the user at operation 302. At operation 303 the user may browse a virtual product catalog or search for a specific product. If the user selects a search option then the visualization server 150, upon getting a search request, conducts a search for a product against a product database that may be stored on the server machine 120 or on another machine that is accessible by the visualization server 150. The user is presented with a list of all the products stored in the database or the list of products identified by the visualization server 150 as the result of a specific product search, along with thumbnail image of each product next to its name. Upon clicking on a thumbnail image the user may be presented with the enlarged photograph 402 of a product with the detailed description. An exemplary user interface 400 to present the enlarged photograph 402 is shown in FIG. 4. At this point 305 the user may select a product for design. A unique product identification number gets sent to the visualization server 150, which allows the server to select the correct product photo with the specialized imprint instructions from the product database. In one embodiment of the invention each product image may be stored in a file 510 with the header 520 containing information about the image, such as size, imprint area, warp ratio, etc., as illustrated in FIG. 5. It will be appreciated that the selected product image is maintained as an image file accessible at the server machine 120 and may reside as an image file in a separate product image database or may reside as an image file in part of a larger database, such as the product database. After selecting a product for design, the user may select the second image, at operation 307, which may be artwork, such as a logo. It is customary for businesses to have several versions of a company's logo, these versions can be stored in the customer database, and upon customer login may be transferred to a Web browser for display. An exemplary user interface 600 to present user's logos 610 is shown in FIG. 6. In an alternative, the user may upload a logo from the client to the visualization server 150 through operations illustrated in FIG. 7. At 701 upon user's selection of upload option the user is presented with a form for browsing files stored at the local computer. At operation 702 the user selects a file that may be a jpg, .bmp, eps, or .tif and uploads it to the visualization server 150 where the number of colors and transparent area are detected by the artwork creation engine 180. The visualization server 150 displays the analyzed logo on the Web browser on a specialized background, at operation 703. At this point 704, the user may edit artwork transparency areas and submit changes to the visualization server 150. The server then, at 705, re-displays the logo with the changes on the Web browser. Upon satisfaction with the logo the user may save the logo and associated data in an artwork library database at the visualization server 150. Returning to FIGS. 3A and 3B, when the user finalizes the product choice and logo selection the server communicates the composite image to the browser via the network, illustrated as operation 309 of FIG. 3A, and the composite image of the product and the logo is displayed at the Web browser, where the logo is placed in a default position on the product, e.g. the logo will be placed in the center of a baseball cap as a default. An exemplary user interface 800 to present a default composite image 810 is shown in FIG. 8. Necessary warping is applied by the composite engine 160 when generating default composite image. The product image file selected by the user contains warping information, e.g. warp ratio, in the header of the file. The composite engine 160 places the logo image on the product image according to the warp ratio. An exemplary user interface 900 to present a composite image 910 containing warping is shown in FIG. 9. The warping may be cylindrical or spherical, however, it will be appreciated that the warping ratio may be further defined to address other types of product image topography, e.g. undulating, cubist, etc. However, the user is not limited by the default composite image. In one embodiment, the user can selectively position a logo image relative to the product image by selecting a position on a positioning grid 1006 presented, at 1110 of FIG. 11, via a Web interface on the browser, as illustrated in exemplary user interface of FIG. 10. For example, the user may select block 1008 in positioning grid 1006 by navigating a cursor over block 1008 and clicking on it. The selecting of block 1008 generates positioning information that is communicated to the visualization server. Upon the user changing relative position of artwork and text, new placement coordinates are calculated by the visualization server 150 based on the grid selection, size of the artwork and text and imprint area at 1120 of FIG. 11. This method would be best described by the following example. Let the grid be 5 blocks by 5 blocks, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The imprint algorithm 165 of FIG. 1 divides the imprint area by 5 and performs relative positioning upon the user selecting grid blocks. For example, if an imprint area is a 1-inch rectangle then a change by one block is 2/10 of an inch move. The changes are being sent to the visualization server 150, where the image 1004 is being re-composited and re-displayed on the screen at 1130 of FIG. 11. In addition, the visualization server 150 makes some assumptions about the size of the logo when generating the default composite image, and the user is given an option to modify it. The user may be presented with a drop down menu 1010, where the user may select the desired size by selecting and clicking on a small, medium or large option. Upon receiving the request the visualization server 150 re-sizes the image, re-composites the image and re-displays it on the Web browser. For example, if the user wants the logo to be of a small size, the visualization server 150 may re-size the logo to a 33% of an original logo image. FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a Web interface presented on a browser that allows the user at the client side to select a manufacturing process filter to use in generating a composite image. In one embodiment, the user is presented a selection of filters via a Web interface presented on the browser. For example, the user may be presented a display of manufacturing techniques or processes in a selection box 1001. For example, the selection box may display a drop down menu of options for selection by the user. The user may then select a filter 1002, for example, by scrolling down the drop down box and clicking on a selected filter. The selection of the filter generates filtering information that is communicated to the visualization server 150. This filtering information is used in generating the composite image so that the logo appears applied to the product image according to the selected filter, i.e., embroidery, silk-screening, engraving, etc. This technique is accomplished by the usage of filters that are well known in the art. Upon completion of operation 312 of FIG. 3A, the design is stored in a project folder database at the visualization server 150 and final artwork for production is generated and stored in an order database at 313. The user is then presented with a quotation form, illustrated in FIG. 12, where such information as quantity, color, decoration process, special instructions from the customer, etc. needs to be filled out. Upon the user completing the form the visualization server 150 calculates the price for the order at operation 315 of FIG. 3A. An automatic and accurate price calculation is one of the goals of the present invention. The price of the promotional product with the imprinted logo depends on the methods of manufacturing. For example, if imprint is done by the method of embroidery then the number of stitches determines the price of the order. When the final design is finalized by the user and the visualization server 150 is ready to calculate the quote, the number of stitches is calculated. The number of stitches is directly proportional to the size of the logo and depends on the ratio of non-blank pixels to the imprint area. The visualization server 150 measures the number of pixels occupied by the artwork and calculates this area in square inches, then multiplies the area by the average number of stitches per square inch that is stored in the header of the product image file. (Logo area in square inches)×(Average number of stitches per square inch) This calculation technique allows the user to rely on pricing before placing the order, rather than waiting for the embroider to apply the design and then determine the number of stitches used in making the final design. For example, if an imprint area is 200 pixels and it is 5 inches wide, and the logo is 100 pixels, then two and a half inches is going to be multiplied by the average number of stitches per square inch. In another embodiment of the present invention, the average number of stitches per square inch can be user-modified. The only change that needs to be made to the above calculation process is that instead of retrieving the average number of stitches from the header of the product image file, the value is sent to the visualization server 150 upon the user entering it at the Web browser. Based on the calculated or user-modified number of stitches per square inch and an embroidery price provided by various embroiders the fixed price quote may be calculated. The user is then presented with the fixed price quote and a photo sample according to the information stored in the databases (i.e. product database, order database). The photo sample addresses the need for a pre-production proof feature that is well known in the industry. Instead of waiting for a manufacturer to complete a sample of a promotional product, the user can view the final product on the Web browser in the comfort of his/her own office. In one embodiment of the present invention, the photo sample image may be generated to include filtering so that the composite image simulates the appearance of the logo applied to the product according to a selected manufacturing process or technology. In another embodiment of the present invention, the user may zoom in and out of the photo sample to view the image in greater detail. This feature is implemented using the techniques well known in the art. In one embodiment of the present invention, the user may choose to send a finalized image for approval to a supervisor. Upon selection of this option, the visualization server 150 compiles an e-mail message and sends it to a specified e-mail address with an image of the final design, or, in the alternative, with the URL of the Web site where the final design image may be viewed. Upon accepting the fixed price quote, operation 316 of FIG. 3B, the order details are written into the order database on the visualization server 150. The request for shipping and billing information is being displayed on the Web browser for the user to fill out. In the alternative, the customer shipping and billing information stored in the customer database may be displayed on the Web browser for validation. When shipping and billing information is validated or entered into the order database, the payment method is requested. Upon entering of the payment method at 320 and validation of it at 321, the transaction with the user is complete. At this point the order, shipping and billing information is formatted and sent to the supplier. In one embodiment of the present invention all the necessary information about the customer order is formatted into an email message form and sent to a supplier. In the foregoing specification the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to the specific exemplary embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The sale of promotional products, also called advertising specialties, has traditionally been practiced as a broker-customer relationship where a commissioned broker presents, in-person, various product lines and decoration choices to a customer. For example, a customer may call a broker in regard to promoting their company at a client appreciation golf tournament. The broker presents the customer with various products, i.e., hats, shirts, mugs, etc., that can be decorated using selected decorative technologies, i.e., embroidery, silk-screening, etc. For example, the customer may select a green polo shirt with the intention that it be decorated with company logo, graphic, name or other text or symbol be in black embroidery above the shirt pocket. The broker then facilitates the coordination among the customer, product vendor, and decorators to supply the requested customized product by the time required by the customer. Due to the large number of product manufacturers and decorators, the broker usually carries a selected product line from various manufacturers and utilizes a selected group of decorators to apply the necessary decoration to the product. The customer, therefore, is presented a limited group of products and options for decorating the product. Moreover, when choosing the product, the customer generally is looking at catalog images or samples that are blank—that is, undecorated or decorated with the design of another company. In these cases, the customer is left to imagine the appearance of the decorated product until after placing an order. Thus, typically, the customer usually does not see the final product until it arrives. Furthermore, until the product arrives, the customer must depend upon the broker to ensure the order is delivered on time and appears as was anticipated. Thus, it would be desirable for a client to be able to select a product and a decoration at their convenience over a network, for example, the Internet, and to view the appearance of the final product.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention discloses methods for generating composite images via a network. In one embodiment, a first image is selected via a Web interface presented on a browser. A second image is selected via a Web interface presented on the browser. The selection of the first image and the second image is communicated to a server via a network. A composite image of the first image and the second image is automatically generated at the server. The composite image is communicated from the server to the browser via the network, wherein positioning of the second image relative to the first image via a Web interface presented on the browser is used to generate relative positioning information. Positioning of the second image relative to the first image includes selecting a location on a positioning grid via a Web interface presented on the browser, the selection generating the relative positioning information. The relative positioning information is communicated to the server via the network. A composite image is automatically generated of the first image and the second image at the server according to the relative positioning information. The server communicates the composite image to the browser via the network.
20041202
20060523
20060209
92958.0
G06F1516
4
PATEL, KANJIBHAI B
METHODS FOR GENERATING COMPOSITE IMAGES INCLUDING POSITIONING GRID
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
G06F
2,004
11,005,280
ACCEPTED
Initial cell search in mobile communications systems
An initial search for locating cells in a telecommunication system includes defining a set of carrier frequencies to be searched, and selecting as a cell search mode either a wide cell search mode or a narrow cell search mode, wherein selecting the cell search mode is based on a level of frequency generation accuracy. The wide cell search mode searches a wider frequency range than the narrow cell search mode searches. For each carrier frequency in the set of carrier frequencies to be searched, a most-recently selected cell search mode is used when searching for a cell transmitting on the carrier frequency. The narrow cell search mode is used only when the level of frequency generation accuracy is better than an expected worst level of frequency generation accuracy.
1. A method of locating cells in a telecommunication system, comprising: defining a set of carrier frequencies to be searched; selecting as a cell search mode either a wide cell search mode or a narrow cell search mode, wherein selecting the cell search mode is based on a level of frequency generation accuracy; for each carrier frequency in the set of carrier frequencies to be searched, using a most-recently selected cell search mode when searching for a cell transmitting on the carrier frequency, wherein: the wide cell search mode searches a wider frequency range than the narrow cell search mode searches; and the narrow cell search mode is used only when the level of frequency generation accuracy is better than an expected worst level of frequency generation accuracy. 2. The method of claim 1, comprising: initially selecting the wide cell search mode for use whenever searching for a cell transmitting on one of the carrier frequencies to be searched; locating a cell as a result of performing a cell search on one of the carrier frequencies to be searched; using a signal received from the located cell to improve the level of frequency generation accuracy; and in response to improving the level of frequency generation accuracy, selecting the narrow cell search mode for use when performing a next search for a cell transmitting on another one of the carrier frequencies to be searched. 3. The method of claim 1, comprising: arranging an order in which carrier frequencies are to be searched based on an expected likelihood of locating a cell associated with each of the carrier frequencies. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein carrier frequencies known to have been most recently associated with a suitable cell are searched before other carrier frequencies in the set of carrier frequencies to be searched. 5. The method of claim 1, comprising: initially selecting one of the wide cell search mode and the narrow cell search mode for use whenever searching for a cell transmitting on one of the carrier frequencies to be searched, wherein the initial selection is based on one or more parameters that are indicative of a present level of frequency generation accuracy; locating a cell as a result of performing a cell search on one of the carrier frequencies to be searched; using a signal received from the located cell to improve the level of frequency generation accuracy; and in response to improving the level of frequency generation accuracy, ensuring that the narrow cell search mode is selected for use when performing a next search for a cell transmitting on another one of the carrier frequencies to be searched. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the one or more parameters that are indicative of a present level of frequency generation accuracy include one or more automatic frequency control parameters. 7. An apparatus for locating cells in a telecommunication system, the apparatus comprising: logic that defines a set of carrier frequencies to be searched; logic that selects as a cell search mode either a wide cell search mode or a narrow cell search mode, wherein selection of the cell search mode is based on a level of frequency generation accuracy; logic that, for each carrier frequency in the set of carrier frequencies to be searched, uses a most-recently selected cell search mode when searching for a cell transmitting on the carrier frequency, wherein: the wide cell search mode searches a wider frequency range than the narrow cell search mode searches; and the narrow cell search mode is used only when the level of frequency generation accuracy is better than an expected worst level of frequency generation accuracy. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, comprising: logic that initially selects the wide cell search mode for use whenever searching for a cell transmitting on one of the carrier frequencies to be searched; logic that locates a cell as a result of performing a cell search on one of the carrier frequencies to be searched; logic that uses a signal received from the located cell to improve the level of frequency generation accuracy; and logic that, in response to improving the level of frequency generation accuracy, selects the narrow cell search mode for use when performing a next search for a cell transmitting on another one of the carrier frequencies to be searched. 9. The apparatus of claim 7, comprising: logic that arranges an order in which carrier frequencies are to be searched based on an expected likelihood of locating a cell associated with each of the carrier frequencies. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein carrier frequencies known to have been most recently associated with a suitable cell are searched before other carrier frequencies in the set of carrier frequencies to be searched. 11. The apparatus of claim 7, comprising: logic that initially selects one of the wide cell search mode and the narrow cell search mode for use whenever searching for a cell transmitting on one of the carrier frequencies to be searched, wherein the initial selection is based on one or more parameters that are indicative of a present level of frequency generation accuracy; logic that locates a cell as a result of performing a cell search on one of the carrier frequencies to be searched; logic that uses a signal received from the located cell to improve the level of frequency generation accuracy; and logic that, in response to improving the level of frequency generation accuracy, ensures that the narrow cell search mode is selected for use when performing a next search for a cell transmitting on another one of the carrier frequencies to be searched. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the one or more parameters that are indicative of a present level of frequency generation accuracy include one or more automatic frequency control parameters. 13. A machine readable storage medium having stored thereon a set of program instructions for causing a processor to locate cells in a telecommunication system, the set of program instructions comprising instructions that cause the processor to perform: defining a set of carrier frequencies to be searched; selecting as a cell search mode either a wide cell search mode or a narrow cell search mode, wherein selecting the cell search mode is based on a level of frequency generation accuracy; for each carrier frequency in the set of carrier frequencies to be searched, using a most-recently selected cell search mode when searching for a cell transmitting on the carrier frequency, wherein: the wide cell search mode searches a wider frequency range than the narrow cell search mode searches; and the narrow cell search mode is used only when the level of frequency generation accuracy is better than an expected worst level of frequency generation accuracy. 14. The machine readable storage medium of claim 13, comprising instructions that cause the processor to perform: initially selecting the wide cell search mode for use whenever searching for a cell transmitting on one of the carrier frequencies to be searched; locating a cell as a result of performing a cell search on one of the carrier frequencies to be searched; using a signal received from the located cell to improve the level of frequency generation accuracy; and in response to improving the level of frequency generation accuracy, selecting the narrow cell search mode for use when performing a next search for a cell transmitting on another one of the carrier frequencies to be searched. 15. The machine readable storage medium of claim 13, comprising instructions that cause the processor to perform: arranging an order in which carrier frequencies are to be searched based on an expected likelihood of locating a cell associated with each of the carrier frequencies. 16. The machine readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the set of program instructions cause the processor to perform searching carrier frequencies known to have been most recently associated with a suitable cell before searching other carrier frequencies in the set of carrier frequencies to be searched. 17. The machine readable storage medium of claim 13, comprising instructions that cause the processor to perform: initially selecting one of the wide cell search mode and the narrow cell search mode for use whenever searching for a cell transmitting on one of the carrier frequencies to be searched, wherein the initial selection is based on one or more parameters that are indicative of a present level of frequency generation accuracy; locating a cell as a result of performing a cell search on one of the carrier frequencies to be searched; using a signal received from the located cell to improve the level of frequency generation accuracy; and in response to improving the level of frequency generation accuracy, ensuring that the narrow cell search mode is selected for use when performing a next search for a cell transmitting on another one of the carrier frequencies to be searched. 18. The machine readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the one or more parameters that are indicative of a present level of frequency generation accuracy include one or more automatic frequency control parameters.
BACKGROUND The present invention relates to mobile communication systems, and more particularly to initial cell search techniques in mobile communication systems Mobile communication systems, such as cellular communication systems, allow mobile user equipment (UE) to communicate wirelessly by establishing a wireless (e.g., radio) link between the UE and one of a number of base stations (BS) which are geographically distributed throughout a service area. Mobility is provided by means of protocols that enable the UE to be handed off from a first BS to another as it moves from the coverage area of the first BS to the coverage area of the other BS. The various base stations are connected (e.g., by means of wireless and/or wired links) to a public land mobile network (PLMN), which provides the necessary infrastructure for servicing calls. The PLMN also typically has connections to public switched telephone networks (PSTNs) to enable calls to be routed to wireline communication devices not associated with the PLMN. Even when it is not actively engaged in a call, UE that has been switched on for a while typically “camps on” a control channel of a suitable base station. This enables the UE to be informed and to respond when it is the recipient of a call, and also enables the user to quickly initiate his or her own calls. However, when the UE is first switched on, or when the network has been lost for a long time (e.g., when the UE has been out of a coverage area for a long time), the terminal must perform an initial cell search procedure to identify which cells (each associated with a base station) are available. The UE will select the best of the available cells that it finds from the search. Because the UE might “wake up” essentially anywhere (e.g., in a country different from the one in which it was last switched on) the initial cell search typically involves searching for the presence of control channels throughout an entire available radiofrequency band. One hindrance in this respect is the fact that the accuracy of the UE's oscillator can vary, primarily due to temperature fluctuations of the frequency generating components. As long as the internal temperature is stable and nothing else happens that affects the frequency, the accuracy (and therefore also inaccuracy) of the generated frequency will be stable. Changes of the UE's internal temperature can be due to a change of activities in which the UE is engaged (e.g., the UE starting to receive or transmit data) and/or due to changes in the environment surrounding the UE. Because of the possibility of varying frequency inaccuracy, the conventional initial cell search procedure must monitor not only the center frequencies of potential control channels within the available radiofrequency band, but must also monitor some number of frequencies on either side of the “desired” center frequencies, in case frequency inaccuracy causes there to be a wide disparity between the UE's generated frequency and the accurate frequency being used by a transmitting base station. An example relating to the Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) standard of mobile communication will now be presented to illustrate a conventional initial cell search process. The invention to be presented herein should not be considered limited to use only in WCDMA systems, however, since it is equally applicable to other mobile communication systems as well. A conventional initial cell search technique typically assumes that the frequency inaccuracy is large, on the order of about 10 parts per million (ppm) which means ±20 kHz on the 2 GHz band, when searching for carriers. A good level of accuracy in frequency generation makes coherent integration of the received signal possible, and thereby good performance. But, when frequency inaccuracy is large, the coherence in the receiver is deteriorated, and thereby so is the receiver's performance. This leads to a long search time being required. To improve the search time, one approach involves using several searches with different center frequencies, where each of the searches assumes a better level of accuracy. For example, it is possible to compensate for a ±20 kHz inaccuracy by performing four searches, each assuming ±5 kHz inaccuracy. The searches are performed on the carriers ƒc=±5 kHz and ƒc=±15 kHz. This approach has a drawback in that it takes about four times as long as a single search with a frequency inaccuracy that is less than 5 kHz. FIGS. 1a through 1c are flow charts that illustrate a conventional initial cell search algorithm that utilizes the just-described approach of searching multiple center frequencies on either side of the actual desired center frequency. The initial cell search procedure may be applied, for example, in the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). FIG. 1a illustrates an overview of the entire procedure. The goal of the search is to identify a carrier frequency that is being used by a cell associated with a target PLMN. To start out this search, an initial search list is put together that includes all valid UMTS Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Numbers (UARFCNs) (block 101). One aspect of the approach is that discovering a cell on one center frequency may make it possible to eliminate other neighboring frequencies from a subsequent search, which has the effect of speeding up the overall search time. Accordingly, to increase the likelihood of finding a cell, the initial search procedure first performs a history list search (block 103). The history list may consist, for example, of some number (e.g., five, although this number is not essential) of most recent frequencies on which a suitable cell was found. FIG. 1b is a flowchart of an exemplary history list search algorithm 103. In this example, the history list consists of some number of the most recent frequencies on which a suitable cell was found. As shown in block 121, the list is continuously updated each time a new PLMN/frequency is found. Upon deactivation/powering off of the UE, the history list is stored in a non-volatile memory for later use when the UE is again powered on. To begin the actual searching, the first UARFCN in the history list is selected (block 123). Then a search loop is entered that runs a cell search on the selected UARFCN and removes the UARFCN from the initial search list (block 125). If a new cell is found, (“YES” path out of decision block 127), information received from the cell is used to determine whether it is from the target PLMN (decision block 129). If the cell is from the target PLMN (“YES” path out of decision block 129), then the search algorithm need not look further. If, however, the found cell is not from the target PLMN (“NO” path out of decision block 129), all UARFCNs that are ±3 MHz from the UARFCN associated with the found cell are removed from the initial search list (block 130). Since removing these UARFCNs from the initial search list will prevent these carriers from being searched in later passes of the initial cell search, this has the effect of speeding up the overall search time. Following block 130, or if a cell had not been found on the selected UARFCN (“NO” path out of decision block 127), a determination is made whether the last UARFCN in the history list had been selected (decision block 131). If not, (“NO” path out of decision block 131), the next UARFCN in the history list is selected (block 133), and the loop is repeated by returning processing to block 125. Determining that the last UARFCN in the history list had been selected (“YES” path out of decision block 131) constitutes the end of the history list search 103. Returning to FIG. 1a, upon completion of the history list search, the next activity involves processing the downlink (DL) frequency band as follows. First, the initial search list is reduced by filtering out frequencies based on their Received Signal Strength Indicators (RSSIs) (block 105). This filtering involves: making an RSSI scan on each UARFCN in the initial search list; for any of the frequencies that are ±100 kHz, ±300 kHz, ±500 kHz from the center frequencies in the DL frequency band, removing all UARFCNs from the initial search list that satisfy RSSI≦−100 dBm; for any of the frequencies that are not ±100 kHz, ±300 kHz, ±500 kHz from the center frequencies in the DL frequency band, removing all UARFCNs from the initial search list that satisfy RSSI≦−95 dBm. By removing frequencies that are not likely to result in a found cell, the searching effort is further reduced to testing only the most probable carriers in the band. Finally, the resulting (filtered) list is searched 107. FIG. 1c is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary searcher 107. The approach taken is to search the most probable frequencies first, and then to search all other frequencies in the search list. Referring now to FIG. 1c, the center frequency to be used, ƒc, is set equal to a carrier frequency in the DL frequency band (e.g., ƒc=2112.5 MHz ) and the UARFCN whose frequency is ƒc−100 kHz is selected (block 141). If the selected UARFCN is in the initial search list (“YES” path out of decision block 143), then a cell search is run on the selected UARFCN and the selected UARFCN is removed from the initial search list (block 145) in order to prevent if from being searched a second time. If the cell search found a new cell (“YES” path out of decision block 147), then information received from the cell is used to determine whether it is from the target PLMN (decision block 148). If it is (“YES” path out of decision block 148), then no further searching need be performed. However, if the found cell is not from the target PLMN (“NO” path out of decision block 148), then all UARFCNs that are ±3 MHz from the selected UARFCN associated with the found cell are removed from the initial search list (block 149). Following this, or if no new cell was found (“NO” path out of decision block 147) or if the selected UARFCN was not found to have been in the initial search list (“NO” path out of decision block 143), then an algorithm is performed that either selects a next UARFCN to be used in a subsequent pass of the loop, or else the initial search is terminated (block 151). To perform a next pass of the loop, processing returns to decision block 143. The processing associated with block 151 (i.e., either selecting a next UARFCN to be used in a subsequent pass of the loop, or else terminating the initial search) can be performed in any of a number of ways. For example, carriers can be sorted in RSSI order (with strongest carriers appearing first) and searched in that sort order until all carriers have been selected for searching, at which point the initial search is terminated). In one embodiment, the entire frequency band is divided up into a number of smaller frequency bands. For each of these smaller frequency bands, a known center frequency is selected, and then block 151 ensures that each of the carriers defined by ƒc±100 kHz, ƒc±300 kHz, and ƒc±500 kHz is at some point selected for searching. For more information about known initial cell search techniques, the interested reader is referred to US Pub. No. US 2004/0203839 A1, published on Oct. 14, 2004 (Ostberg et al., “Mobile Terminals and Methods for Performing Fast Initial Frequency Scans and Cell Searches”). One problem with the conventional initial cell search algorithm is that the search on all carriers takes a long time. In some cases it may take several minutes before it finds an allowable PLMN. One consequence this has on the UE is that time to registration to the network is long, which in turn means that the time from when the UE is first powered on until a call can be made is long. This negatively affects the user of the UE. Another affect on the UE is that electric current consumption when the initial cell search algorithm is performed is high. It is therefore desirable to provide initial cell search apparatuses and methods that are capable of more quickly identifying a cell associated with an allowable PLMN. SUMMARY It should be emphasized that the terms “comprises” and “comprising”, when used in this specification, are taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components; but the use of these terms does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the foregoing and other objects are achieved in methods, apparatuses and machine readable storage media for performing an initial search for locating cells in a telecommunication system. The initial cell search includes defining a set of carrier frequencies to be searched, and selecting as a cell search mode either a wide cell search mode or a narrow cell search mode, wherein selecting the cell search mode is based on a level of frequency generation accuracy. The wide cell search mode searches a wider frequency range than the narrow cell search mode searches. For each carrier frequency in the set of carrier frequencies to be searched, a most-recently selected cell search mode is used when searching for a cell transmitting on the carrier frequency. The narrow cell search mode is used only when the level of frequency generation accuracy is better than an expected worst level of frequency generation accuracy. In another aspect, the initial cell search includes initially selecting the wide cell search mode for use whenever searching for a cell transmitting on one of the carrier frequencies to be searched. When a cell is located as a result of performing a cell search on one of the carrier frequencies to be searched, a signal received from the located cell is used to improve the level of frequency generation accuracy. In response to improving the level of frequency generation accuracy, the narrow cell search mode is then selected for use when performing a next search for a cell transmitting on another one of the carrier frequencies to be searched. In alternative embodiments, the initial cell search includes initially selecting one of the wide cell search mode and the narrow cell search mode for use whenever searching for a cell transmitting on one of the carrier frequencies to be searched, wherein the initial selection is based on one or more parameters that are indicative of a present level of frequency generation accuracy. When a cell is located as a result of performing a cell search on one of the carrier frequencies to be searched, a signal received from the located cell is used to improve the level of frequency generation accuracy. In response to improving the level of frequency generation accuracy, the narrow cell search mode is then selected for use when performing a next search for a cell transmitting on another one of the carrier frequencies to be searched. In another aspect, the one or more parameters that are indicative of a present level of frequency generation accuracy include one or more automatic frequency control parameters. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The objects and advantages of the invention will be understood by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings in which: FIGS. 1a through 1c are flow charts that illustrate a conventional initial cell search algorithm. FIGS. 2a through 2c are flow charts that illustrate an improved initial cell search algorithm in accordance with the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The various features of the invention will now be described with reference to the figures, in which like parts are identified with the same reference characters. The various aspects of the invention will now be described in greater detail in connection with a number of exemplary embodiments. To facilitate an understanding of the invention, many aspects of the invention are described in terms of sequences of actions to be performed by elements of a computer system. It will be recognized that in each of the embodiments, the various actions could be performed by specialized circuits (e.g., discrete logic gates interconnected to perform a specialized function), by program instructions being executed by one or more processors, or by a combination of both. Moreover, the invention can additionally be considered to be embodied entirely within any form of computer readable carrier, such as solid-state memory, magnetic disk, optical disk or carrier wave (such as radio frequency, audio frequency or optical frequency carrier waves) containing an appropriate set of computer instructions that would cause a processor to carry out the techniques described herein. Thus, the various aspects of the invention may be embodied in many different forms, and all such forms are contemplated to be within the scope of the invention. For each of the various aspects of the invention, any such form of embodiments may be referred to herein as “logic configured to” perform a described action, or alternatively as “logic that” performs a described action. As explained in the Background section, the length of the initial cell search algorithm is directly related to the number of frequencies that have to be searched. In conventional techniques, the number of frequencies to be searched is set to a higher number than an ideal receiver would actually require because in practice, receivers are not ideal—they generate frequencies inaccurately. The accuracy of the UE's oscillator can vary, primarily due to temperature fluctuations of the frequency generating components. As long as the internal temperature is stable and nothing else happens that affects the frequency, the accuracy (and conversely, inaccuracy) of the generated frequency will be stable. Changes of the UE's internal temperature can be due to a change of activities in which the UE is engaged (e.g., the UE starting to receive or transmit data) and/or due to changes in the environment surrounding the UE. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, information about the frequency inaccuracy in the UE is taken into account in the cell search procedure. When inaccuracy is known to be low, fewer frequencies are searched, thereby speeding up the search without detrimentally affecting the search results. In another aspect of the invention, knowledge about frequency inaccuracy is inferred from the recent history of the UE's operation. For example, if the UE initially has but then loses a connection to the network by, for example, going out-of-coverage, the UE initially has accurate frequency generation. Therefore, a UE known to have recently gone out-of-coverage can be considered to still be generating relatively accurate frequencies, so the number of frequencies searched in a cell search operation can be reduced, thereby shortening the time spent searching for cells on each carrier and decreasing power consumption. In yet another aspect of the invention, steps are taken during the cell search procedure to improve the frequency accuracy. Knowledge that the frequency accuracy has been improved is then used to shorten the cell search time. For example, consider an example in the context of WCDMA systems. (The invention is not limited to WCDMA systems.) When the UE is performing initial cell search and finds a cell, the UE reads the broadcast channel (BCH) to determine whether the cell is associated with the target PLMN and also to determine other cell information. If the cell belongs to a PLMN other than the one being searched for, or alternatively if the UE is not allowed to connect to the cell, the UE continues to search other carriers for cells associated with the target PLMN. In an aspect of the invention, when the UE reads the BCH it synchronizes its frequency generation After the UE has connected to a network in this manner, it has a very good estimate of the frequency, which will in many cases be valid for a relatively long time, depending on temperature changes and long term stability of the crystal oscillator. During this time the UE can continue to search the rest of the spectrum using a smaller frequency inaccuracy. For example, by basing the cell search algorithm on a frequency inaccuracy equal to only a few kHz instead of, say, 10 ppm (e.g., 20 kHz in a 2 GHz band, as in conventional search algorithms), the cell search algorithm might be able to use only one cell search execution per carrier instead of four, thereby gaining a factor of 4 in the speed of the cell search. Even if the cell search algorithm has to perform two cell search executions per carrier, this still represents a speed improvement of a factor of 2. Thus, due to better coherence in the receiver to the received signal, the UE can have the capability to: 1. Shorten the cell search time, and consequently decrease the time until the UE is connected to a network. 2. Improve sensitivity when searching for new cells, making it possible to find weaker cells in the same time that the conventional techniques require just to find the stronger ones. This application of the inventive techniques would reduce the risk of not finding a proper network. 3. Improve the UE's power consumption when it is out of coverage, since its activities would decrease. An exemplary embodiment will now be described in connection with FIGS. 2a through 2d, which are flow charts that illustrate the new initial cell search algorithm. The initial cell search procedure may be applied, for example, in the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). The new initial cell search algorithm employs two different kinds of cell searches: a “wide” cell search and a “narrow” cell search. The wide cell search is employed when frequency accuracy is not know to be good, and in this example involves, for each searched carrier, using 100 ms per frequency bin and 4 frequency bins per carrier. This is the kind of search performed in conventional systems. The narrow cell search in this example involves, for each searched carrier, using 100 ms per frequency bin and only one frequency bin (i.e., one search) per carrier. It will be recognized that in other (alternative) embodiments, the specific duration per bin and number of frequency bins that define the wide and narrow cell searches may differ. However, in each embodiment the wide cell search will involve more frequency bins then the narrow cell search (i.e., more searches) or expressed more generally, the wide cell search will involve searching in a wider frequency range than the narrow cell search, so that the wide cell search takes more time and/or energy than a narrow cell search. In the logic flow to be presented, whether a wide cell search or a narrow cell search is performed is controlled by a parameter, “CS”, which can take on values representing either “wide” or “narrow”. The parameter CS is initially set to “wide”, but is then changed to “narrow” whenever a cell from any PLMN is found. As explained earlier, the finding of any cell is used by the UE as an opportunity to improve its frequency accuracy. This improved frequency accuracy is then considered to be maintained for the duration of the remainder of the cell search algorithm. Turning now to a description of the exemplary embodiment, FIG. 2a illustrates an overview of the entire procedure. The goal of the search is to identify a carrier frequency that is being used by a cell associated with a target PLMN. To start out this search, an initial search list is put together that includes all valid UMTS Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Numbers (UARFCNs), and the parameter, CS, is initialized to “wide” (block 201). One aspect of the approach is that discovering a cell on one center frequency may make it possible to eliminate other neighboring frequencies from a subsequent search, which has the effect of speeding up the overall search time. Accordingly, to increase the likelihood of finding a cell, the initial search procedure first performs a history list search based on frequency accuracy (block 203). The history list may consist, for example, of the five most recent frequencies on which a suitable cell was found. FIG. 2b is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of an improved history list search algorithm 203. In this example, the history list consists of a number of the most recent frequencies (e.g., five most recent frequencies) on which a suitable cell was found. As shown in block 221, the list is continuously updated each time a new PLMN/frequency is found. Upon deactivation/powering off of the UE, the history list is stored in a non-volatile memory for later use when the UE is again powered on. To begin the actual searching, the first UARFCN in the history list is selected (block 223). Then a search loop is entered that runs a cell search (either a wide search or a narrow search, as controlled by the present state of the CS parameter) on the selected UARFCN and removes the UARFCN from the initial search list (block 225). If a new cell is found, (“YES” path out of decision block 227), information received from the cell is used to determine whether it is from the target PLMN (decision block 229). If the cell is from the target PLMN (“YES” path out of decision block 229), then the search algorithm need not look further. If, however, the found cell is not from the target PLMN (“NO” path out of decision block 229), all UARFCNs that are ±3 MHz from the UARFCN associated with the found cell are removed from the initial search list (block 230). Since removing these UARFCNs from the initial search list will prevent these carriers from being searched in later passes of the initial cell search, this has the effect of speeding up the overall search time. In addition (also indicated in block 230), the UE takes advantage of its (temporary) connection to this cell by improving its frequency accuracy and setting the CS parameter equal to “narrow”, thereby ensuring that all further cell searches will be narrow cell searches. Following block 230, or if a cell had not been found on the selected UARFCN (“NO” path out of decision block 227), a determination is made whether the last UARFCN in the history list had been selected (decision block 231). If not, (“NO” path out of decision block 231), the next UARFCN in the history list is selected (block 233), and the loop is repeated by returning processing to block 225. Determining that the last UARFCN in the history list had been selected (“YES” path out of decision block 231) constitutes the end of the history list search 203. Returning to FIG. 2a, upon completion of the history list search, the next activity involves processing the downlink (DL) frequency band as follows. First, the initial search list is reduced by filtering out frequencies based on their Received Signal Strength Indicators (RSSIs) (block 205). In an exemplary embodiment, this filtering involves: making an RSSI scan on each UARFCN in the initial search list; for any of the frequencies that are ±100 kHz, ±300 kHz, ±500 kHz from the center frequencies in the DL frequency band, removing all UARFCNs from the initial search list that satisfy RSSI≦−100 dBm; for any of the frequencies that are not ±100 kHz, ±300 kHz, ±500 kHz from the center frequencies in the DL frequency band, removing all UARFCNs from the initial search list that satisfy RSSI≦−95 dBm. By removing frequencies that are not likely to result in a found cell, the searching effort is further reduced to testing only the most probable carriers in the band. Finally, the resulting (filtered) list is searched 207. FIG. 2c is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary improved searcher 207. The approach taken is to search the most probable frequencies first, and then to search all other frequencies in the search list. Referring now to FIG. 2c, the center frequency to be used, ƒc, is set equal to a carrier frequency in the DL frequency band (e.g., ƒc=2112.5 MHz ) and the UARFCN whose frequency is ƒc−100 kHz is selected (block 241). If the selected UARFCN is in the initial search list (“YES” path out of decision block 243), then a cell search is run on the selected UARFCN (either a wide search or a narrow search, as controlled by the present state of the CS parameter) and the selected UARFCN is removed from the initial search list (block 245) in order to prevent if from being searched a second time. If the cell search found a new cell (“YES” path out of decision block 247), then information received from the cell is used to determine whether it is from the target PLMN (decision block 248). If it is (“YES” path out of decision block 248), then no further searching need be performed. However, if the found cell is not from the target PLMN (“NO” path out of decision block 248), then all UARFCNs that are ±3 MHz from the selected UARFCN associated with the found cell are removed from the initial search list (block 249). In addition (also indicated in block 249), the UE takes advantage of its (temporary) connection to this cell by improving its frequency accuracy and, based on now having a good level of frequency accuracy, ensuring that the CS parameter is set equal to “narrow”, thereby ensuring that all further cell searches will be narrow cell searches. Following this, or if no new cell was found (“NO” path out of decision block 247) or if the selected UARFCN was not found to have been in the initial search list (“NO” path out of decision block 243), then an algorithm is performed that either selects a next UARFCN to be used in a subsequent pass of the loop, or else the initial search is terminated (block 251). To perform a next pass of the loop, processing returns to decision block 243. The processing associated with block 251 (i.e., either selecting a next UARFCN to be used in a subsequent pass of the loop, or else terminating the initial search) can be performed in any of a number of ways, none of which is essential to the invention. For example, carriers can be sorted in RSSI order (with strongest carriers appearing first) and searched in that sort order until all carriers have been selected for searching, at which point the initial search is terminated). In one embodiment, the entire frequency band is divided up into a number of smaller frequency bands. For each of these smaller frequency bands, a known center frequency is selected, and then block 151 ensures that each of the carriers defined by ƒc±100 kHz, ƒc±300 kHz, and ƒc500 kHz is at some point selected for searching. It can be seen, then, that in the exemplary embodiment, as well as in other embodiments, the initial cell search algorithm dynamically selects either a wide cell search or a narrow cell search for selected frequencies as a function of the accuracy of the UE's frequency generation. Also illustrated in the above described embodiment is an aspect in which the UE improves the accuracy of its frequency generation whenever it connects to a cell during the initial cell search algorithm, even if that cell is not associated with the target PLMN or is otherwise not one that the UE is allowed to access. Having improved the frequency generation accuracy, the UE then performs more efficient subsequent cell searches (each of which is performed on a selected carrier frequency) since it does not have to accommodate the possibility of low frequency generation accuracy. In alternative embodiments, increased sensitivity when searching for weak cells while maintaining speed performance comparable to (or still less than) that of conventional initial cell search routines is possible by modifying the initial search list filtering performed by block 205 to not remove weaker cells that are otherwise filtered out in the exemplary embodiment described above. For example, the RSSI threshold levels that determine whether a particular UARFCN will be removed may be set to lower values to permit some number of weaker cells to remain in the initial search list. Perhaps the most straightforward way to search deep in a cell is to have essentially no threshold at all. For practical purposes, this is the same as having the threshold set at −100 dBm because that level is normally triggered by the internal noise of the receiver. To just look for strong cells, the threshold could be from −95 dBm up to −80 dBm or even higher. The particular threshold levels that should be selected are application dependent, and so cannot be set forth here definitively. Those skilled in the art will readily be able to determine suitable values for accomplishing their intended level of performance. It will be observed that in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2a-2c, the initial cell search algorithm is initialized so that the default search mode is to perform a wide (i.e., more time consuming) search, and to only switch to performing the more efficient narrow cell search after the UE's level of frequency generation accuracy has been improved (i.e., by using a received signal from a found cell to improve frequency generation). In still another set of alternative embodiments, however, the initial cell search mode is set based on some other parameter that is indicative of the UE's present level of frequency generation accuracy. For example, in some UEs, previously determined automatic frequency control (AFC) settings may be indicative of the present level of performance of the UE's frequency generator. Thus, these parameters may be used to determine whether the initial cell search algorithm will start out performing wide cell searches or narrow cell searches. Whether such an approach is suitable for use in a particular UE will depend on the UE's particular design and construction—in some cases, the frequency accuracy of a UE will change very rapidly when it is first turned on due to, for example, heating of one or more chips and other effects on the frequency generation. In such cases, initializing the CS parameter to indicate a wide cell search may be preferred. An analysis of performance improvements that can be achieved using the new techniques described above will now be presented. The performance of the conventional cell search algorithm will be compared with that of an embodiment of the new cell search algorithm in connection with three different scenarios. In each scenario, it is assumed that both the conventional and the new techniques divide up the entire frequency band into a number of smaller frequency bands. For each of these smaller frequency bands, a known center frequency is selected, and then block 151 ensures that each of the carriers defined by ƒc±100 kHz, ƒc±300 kHz, and ƒc±500 kHz is at some point selected for searching. In a first scenario, only three carriers are available for the UE to detect. These carriers are transmitted on some of the most probable carriers. The measured RSSI of all remaining frequencies is presumed to be below −100 dBm. The UE will be presumed to be looking for a PLMN that is not reachable (i.e., the initial cell search algorithm will not be terminated early due to finding an acceptable cell). It will further be assumed that the history list is empty. Looking first at the conventional initial cell search algorithm, a search is started on the most probable carriers, ±100 kHz from the middle of the twelve 5 MHz channels in case the RSSI is larger than −95 dBm. This is true for only three of the 5 MHz channels. Cells are found in each of these three 5 MHz channels, and on average, the cell is found on the first carrier searched in 1.5 of the three channels. The remaining nine 5 MHz channels are not searched. The algorithm also removes those carriers that lie ±3 MHz from the carriers with a found cell from the search. Since the RSSI measurement shows measured values out to about ±4.5 MHz from the received carrier, there may, in the worst case, be about 1.5 MHz on either side of the carriers in which a search will also be performed. This means that in total, 4.5 carriers are searched from among the most probable carriers. Then an additional 7 carriers are searched on either side of each detected cell. Assuming 400 ms per search done 4 times per carrier (due to the wide search) plus approximately 1.5 s for reading BCH on each found carrier, the search will take, in the worst case: 0.4*4*4.5+0.4*4*7*2*3+3*1.5 s=7.2+67.2+4.5 s=78.9 s. Now, taking a look at the performance of the new initial search algorithm under this first scenario, even if the UE does not decide to camp on a found cell, the following estimates for identifying the frequency carriers associated with cells is obtained: The frequency will be locked after a maximum of carriers. After that, a search will take 400 ms instead of 1600 ms because narrow cell searches will be performed instead of wide cell searches. The search order is the same as before. Thus, using the new algorithm, a total of 4.5 carriers are searched from among the most probable carriers, and of these a wide search might be performed on 2 carriers. Then, an additional 7 carriers are searched on either side of each detected cell. Consequently, in the worst case the search will take: 0.4*4*2+0.4*2.5+0.4*7*2*3+3*1.5 s=4.2+16.8+4.5 s=25.5 s. The new initial cell search algorithm shows a clear improvement over the conventional approach. Consider now a second scenario in which there are only three carriers available for the UE to detect. Assume further that these three carriers are transmitted on some of the most probable carriers, and that the history list is empty. The measured RSSI is above −95 dBm for all other frequencies. The UE will be presumed to be looking for a PLMN that is not reachable (i.e., the initial cell search algorithm will not be terminated early due to finding an acceptable cell). These conditions can, for example, be valid for the 1900 MHz band but also due to nonlinearities in the receiver which leads to high RSSI levels for all frequencies in case the input signal from one carrier is very high. For the adjacent channel, it shall be 33 dB at a test point at −52 dBm, according to requirements. Even this leads to a RSSI level equal to −75 dBm on the adjacent channel. At higher input levels, where the linearity of the receiver is degraded, which means a level that is higher or approximately higher than −40 dBm, the RSSI level increases over the complete band. This may happen quite often in some environments where any operators have a micro cell, but a degradation where the RSSI level is greater than −95 dBm in a large part of the band is reasonable. Considering the conventional initial cell search algorithm first, the search is started on the most probable carriers, ±100 kHz from the middle of the twelve 5 MHz channels in case the RSSI is larger than −95 dBm. This is true for all of the 5 MHz channels. In these twelve 5 MHz channels, cells are found on three of the channels, and on average a cell is found on the first carrier searched in 1.5 of these channels. The carriers lying ±3 MHz from the carriers associated with a found cell are removed from the search. This means that 18 MHz (90 carriers) is excluded from the search after these three cells have been found. There then remains 277−90 carriers=187 carriers to search where there are no cells but the RSSI level is above the threshold. This means that in total, 4.5 carriers close to the used carriers will be searched. In addition, 187 other carriers will be searched. Assuming 400 ms per search plus a BCH reading time of 1.5 s on each found carrier, this conventional search will take: 0.4*4*4.5+0.4*4*187+3*1.5 s=18.6+4.5 s=306.4 s. Turning now to the new initial cell search algorithm performing under this second scenario, the search is started on the most probable carriers (if they are defined). There are three carriers with detectable cells, so the UE searches between 1 and 10 5 MHz channels, which means between 1 and 20 carriers before it finds the first cell; this takes between 1.6 s and 20*1.6 s=32 s, which on average is about 16.8 s. Then, the rest of the 5 MHz channels are searched, which is between 2 and 11 5 MHz channels; this takes between 2*0.4 s and 11*0.4 s, which on average is about 2.6 s . After these searches, the algorithm goes on to search 187−9*2 carriers=169 carriers (not most probable). This means that the total search will take 16.8+2.6+0.4*169+3*1.5 s=91.5 s. Again, the new initial cell search algorithm shows a clear improvement over the conventional technique. Consider now a third scenario in which there are twelve carriers available for the UE to detect. Assume that they are transmitted on some of the most probable carriers and that the history list is empty. The measured RSSI is assumed to be above −95 dBm for all frequencies. The UE is assumed to be looking for a home PLMN that is not reachable. Looking first at the conventional initial cell search algorithm, the search is started on the most probable carriers that are ±100 kHz from the middle of the twelve 5 MHz channels in case the RSSI is larger than −95 dBm. This is true for all of the 5 MHz channels. Cells are found on all of these twelve 5 MHz channels, and on average the cell is found on the first searched carrier on 6 of the channels; on the other channels a cell is found on the second search. The carriers lying ±3 MHz from the carriers associated with a found cell are removed from the search list. this means that all other carriers will be excluded from the search. Consequently, a total of 18 carriers are searched close to the used carriers. With four times 400 ms per search plus 1.5 s for BCH reading on each found carrier, the search can be estimated to take: 0.4*4*18+12*1.5 s=28.8+18 s=46.8 s. Considering now the expected performance of the new initial cell search algorithm operating under conditions defined by the third scenario, it can be seen that a total of 18 carriers will be searched close to the used carriers. The frequency is locked after a maximum of two carriers. Consequently, the search can be estimated to take: 0.4*4*2+0.4*16+12*1.5 s=27.6 s. These estimates are summarized in the following table: TABLE 1 Performance comparison between conventional and new initial cell search techniques. Conventional Algorithm New Cell Search Algorithm Scenario 1 78.9 s 25.5 s Scenario 2 306.4 s 91.5 s Scenario 3 46.8 s 27.6 s The invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that it is possible to embody the invention in specific forms other than those of the embodiment described above. The described embodiments are merely illustrative and should not be considered restrictive in any way. The scope of the invention is given by the appended claims, rather than the preceding description, and all variations and equivalents which fall within the range of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.
<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>The present invention relates to mobile communication systems, and more particularly to initial cell search techniques in mobile communication systems Mobile communication systems, such as cellular communication systems, allow mobile user equipment (UE) to communicate wirelessly by establishing a wireless (e.g., radio) link between the UE and one of a number of base stations (BS) which are geographically distributed throughout a service area. Mobility is provided by means of protocols that enable the UE to be handed off from a first BS to another as it moves from the coverage area of the first BS to the coverage area of the other BS. The various base stations are connected (e.g., by means of wireless and/or wired links) to a public land mobile network (PLMN), which provides the necessary infrastructure for servicing calls. The PLMN also typically has connections to public switched telephone networks (PSTNs) to enable calls to be routed to wireline communication devices not associated with the PLMN. Even when it is not actively engaged in a call, UE that has been switched on for a while typically “camps on” a control channel of a suitable base station. This enables the UE to be informed and to respond when it is the recipient of a call, and also enables the user to quickly initiate his or her own calls. However, when the UE is first switched on, or when the network has been lost for a long time (e.g., when the UE has been out of a coverage area for a long time), the terminal must perform an initial cell search procedure to identify which cells (each associated with a base station) are available. The UE will select the best of the available cells that it finds from the search. Because the UE might “wake up” essentially anywhere (e.g., in a country different from the one in which it was last switched on) the initial cell search typically involves searching for the presence of control channels throughout an entire available radiofrequency band. One hindrance in this respect is the fact that the accuracy of the UE's oscillator can vary, primarily due to temperature fluctuations of the frequency generating components. As long as the internal temperature is stable and nothing else happens that affects the frequency, the accuracy (and therefore also inaccuracy) of the generated frequency will be stable. Changes of the UE's internal temperature can be due to a change of activities in which the UE is engaged (e.g., the UE starting to receive or transmit data) and/or due to changes in the environment surrounding the UE. Because of the possibility of varying frequency inaccuracy, the conventional initial cell search procedure must monitor not only the center frequencies of potential control channels within the available radiofrequency band, but must also monitor some number of frequencies on either side of the “desired” center frequencies, in case frequency inaccuracy causes there to be a wide disparity between the UE's generated frequency and the accurate frequency being used by a transmitting base station. An example relating to the Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) standard of mobile communication will now be presented to illustrate a conventional initial cell search process. The invention to be presented herein should not be considered limited to use only in WCDMA systems, however, since it is equally applicable to other mobile communication systems as well. A conventional initial cell search technique typically assumes that the frequency inaccuracy is large, on the order of about 10 parts per million (ppm) which means ±20 kHz on the 2 GHz band, when searching for carriers. A good level of accuracy in frequency generation makes coherent integration of the received signal possible, and thereby good performance. But, when frequency inaccuracy is large, the coherence in the receiver is deteriorated, and thereby so is the receiver's performance. This leads to a long search time being required. To improve the search time, one approach involves using several searches with different center frequencies, where each of the searches assumes a better level of accuracy. For example, it is possible to compensate for a ±20 kHz inaccuracy by performing four searches, each assuming ±5 kHz inaccuracy. The searches are performed on the carriers ƒ c =±5 kHz and ƒ c =±15 kHz. This approach has a drawback in that it takes about four times as long as a single search with a frequency inaccuracy that is less than 5 kHz. FIGS. 1 a through 1 c are flow charts that illustrate a conventional initial cell search algorithm that utilizes the just-described approach of searching multiple center frequencies on either side of the actual desired center frequency. The initial cell search procedure may be applied, for example, in the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). FIG. 1 a illustrates an overview of the entire procedure. The goal of the search is to identify a carrier frequency that is being used by a cell associated with a target PLMN. To start out this search, an initial search list is put together that includes all valid UMTS Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Numbers (UARFCNs) (block 101 ). One aspect of the approach is that discovering a cell on one center frequency may make it possible to eliminate other neighboring frequencies from a subsequent search, which has the effect of speeding up the overall search time. Accordingly, to increase the likelihood of finding a cell, the initial search procedure first performs a history list search (block 103 ). The history list may consist, for example, of some number (e.g., five, although this number is not essential) of most recent frequencies on which a suitable cell was found. FIG. 1 b is a flowchart of an exemplary history list search algorithm 103 . In this example, the history list consists of some number of the most recent frequencies on which a suitable cell was found. As shown in block 121 , the list is continuously updated each time a new PLMN/frequency is found. Upon deactivation/powering off of the UE, the history list is stored in a non-volatile memory for later use when the UE is again powered on. To begin the actual searching, the first UARFCN in the history list is selected (block 123 ). Then a search loop is entered that runs a cell search on the selected UARFCN and removes the UARFCN from the initial search list (block 125 ). If a new cell is found, (“YES” path out of decision block 127 ), information received from the cell is used to determine whether it is from the target PLMN (decision block 129 ). If the cell is from the target PLMN (“YES” path out of decision block 129 ), then the search algorithm need not look further. If, however, the found cell is not from the target PLMN (“NO” path out of decision block 129 ), all UARFCNs that are ±3 MHz from the UARFCN associated with the found cell are removed from the initial search list (block 130 ). Since removing these UARFCNs from the initial search list will prevent these carriers from being searched in later passes of the initial cell search, this has the effect of speeding up the overall search time. Following block 130 , or if a cell had not been found on the selected UARFCN (“NO” path out of decision block 127 ), a determination is made whether the last UARFCN in the history list had been selected (decision block 131 ). If not, (“NO” path out of decision block 131 ), the next UARFCN in the history list is selected (block 133 ), and the loop is repeated by returning processing to block 125 . Determining that the last UARFCN in the history list had been selected (“YES” path out of decision block 131 ) constitutes the end of the history list search 103 . Returning to FIG. 1 a , upon completion of the history list search, the next activity involves processing the downlink (DL) frequency band as follows. First, the initial search list is reduced by filtering out frequencies based on their Received Signal Strength Indicators (RSSIs) (block 105 ). This filtering involves: making an RSSI scan on each UARFCN in the initial search list; for any of the frequencies that are ±100 kHz, ±300 kHz, ±500 kHz from the center frequencies in the DL frequency band, removing all UARFCNs from the initial search list that satisfy RSSI≦−100 dBm; for any of the frequencies that are not ±100 kHz, ±300 kHz, ±500 kHz from the center frequencies in the DL frequency band, removing all UARFCNs from the initial search list that satisfy RSSI≦−95 dBm. By removing frequencies that are not likely to result in a found cell, the searching effort is further reduced to testing only the most probable carriers in the band. Finally, the resulting (filtered) list is searched 107 . FIG. 1 c is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary searcher 107 . The approach taken is to search the most probable frequencies first, and then to search all other frequencies in the search list. Referring now to FIG. 1 c , the center frequency to be used, ƒ c , is set equal to a carrier frequency in the DL frequency band (e.g., ƒ c =2112.5 MHz ) and the UARFCN whose frequency is ƒ c −100 kHz is selected (block 141 ). If the selected UARFCN is in the initial search list (“YES” path out of decision block 143 ), then a cell search is run on the selected UARFCN and the selected UARFCN is removed from the initial search list (block 145 ) in order to prevent if from being searched a second time. If the cell search found a new cell (“YES” path out of decision block 147 ), then information received from the cell is used to determine whether it is from the target PLMN (decision block 148 ). If it is (“YES” path out of decision block 148 ), then no further searching need be performed. However, if the found cell is not from the target PLMN (“NO” path out of decision block 148 ), then all UARFCNs that are ±3 MHz from the selected UARFCN associated with the found cell are removed from the initial search list (block 149 ). Following this, or if no new cell was found (“NO” path out of decision block 147 ) or if the selected UARFCN was not found to have been in the initial search list (“NO” path out of decision block 143 ), then an algorithm is performed that either selects a next UARFCN to be used in a subsequent pass of the loop, or else the initial search is terminated (block 151 ). To perform a next pass of the loop, processing returns to decision block 143 . The processing associated with block 151 (i.e., either selecting a next UARFCN to be used in a subsequent pass of the loop, or else terminating the initial search) can be performed in any of a number of ways. For example, carriers can be sorted in RSSI order (with strongest carriers appearing first) and searched in that sort order until all carriers have been selected for searching, at which point the initial search is terminated). In one embodiment, the entire frequency band is divided up into a number of smaller frequency bands. For each of these smaller frequency bands, a known center frequency is selected, and then block 151 ensures that each of the carriers defined by ƒ c ±100 kHz, ƒ c ±300 kHz, and ƒ c ±500 kHz is at some point selected for searching. For more information about known initial cell search techniques, the interested reader is referred to US Pub. No. US 2004/0203839 A1, published on Oct. 14, 2004 (Ostberg et al., “Mobile Terminals and Methods for Performing Fast Initial Frequency Scans and Cell Searches”). One problem with the conventional initial cell search algorithm is that the search on all carriers takes a long time. In some cases it may take several minutes before it finds an allowable PLMN. One consequence this has on the UE is that time to registration to the network is long, which in turn means that the time from when the UE is first powered on until a call can be made is long. This negatively affects the user of the UE. Another affect on the UE is that electric current consumption when the initial cell search algorithm is performed is high. It is therefore desirable to provide initial cell search apparatuses and methods that are capable of more quickly identifying a cell associated with an allowable PLMN.
<SOH> SUMMARY <EOH>It should be emphasized that the terms “comprises” and “comprising”, when used in this specification, are taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components; but the use of these terms does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the foregoing and other objects are achieved in methods, apparatuses and machine readable storage media for performing an initial search for locating cells in a telecommunication system. The initial cell search includes defining a set of carrier frequencies to be searched, and selecting as a cell search mode either a wide cell search mode or a narrow cell search mode, wherein selecting the cell search mode is based on a level of frequency generation accuracy. The wide cell search mode searches a wider frequency range than the narrow cell search mode searches. For each carrier frequency in the set of carrier frequencies to be searched, a most-recently selected cell search mode is used when searching for a cell transmitting on the carrier frequency. The narrow cell search mode is used only when the level of frequency generation accuracy is better than an expected worst level of frequency generation accuracy. In another aspect, the initial cell search includes initially selecting the wide cell search mode for use whenever searching for a cell transmitting on one of the carrier frequencies to be searched. When a cell is located as a result of performing a cell search on one of the carrier frequencies to be searched, a signal received from the located cell is used to improve the level of frequency generation accuracy. In response to improving the level of frequency generation accuracy, the narrow cell search mode is then selected for use when performing a next search for a cell transmitting on another one of the carrier frequencies to be searched. In alternative embodiments, the initial cell search includes initially selecting one of the wide cell search mode and the narrow cell search mode for use whenever searching for a cell transmitting on one of the carrier frequencies to be searched, wherein the initial selection is based on one or more parameters that are indicative of a present level of frequency generation accuracy. When a cell is located as a result of performing a cell search on one of the carrier frequencies to be searched, a signal received from the located cell is used to improve the level of frequency generation accuracy. In response to improving the level of frequency generation accuracy, the narrow cell search mode is then selected for use when performing a next search for a cell transmitting on another one of the carrier frequencies to be searched. In another aspect, the one or more parameters that are indicative of a present level of frequency generation accuracy include one or more automatic frequency control parameters.
20041206
20110329
20080904
58269.0
H04Q720
0
HEIBER, SHANTELL LAKETA
INITIAL CELL SEARCH IN MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
H04Q
2,004
11,005,343
ACCEPTED
Athletic clothing with sting reduction padding
An article of athletic clothing is provided with at least one sting reducing multilayer laminate pad. Preferably the laminate pad comprises an inner layer made of vibration damping material such as an elastomeric material and preferably silicone gel. The pad also includes a layer of force dissipating stiffening material as an intermediate layer located outwardly of the inner layer of vibration damping material. The pad also includes an outermost cover layer.
1. An athletic glove that regulates and dissipates vibration, the athletic glove comprising: a glove body configured to cover at least a palm portion of a hand for placement thereover; the glove body including at least one pad, the at least one pad having a pad body having an outer perimeter and being formed by a reinforced elastomer material that regulates and dissipates vibration, the reinforced elastomer material comprising: first and second elastomer layers; and a reinforcement layer disposed between and generally separating the first and second elastomer layers, the reinforcement layer comprising a layer of high tensile strength fibrous material, the reinforcement layer being generally coextensive with the first and second elastomer layers such that the reinforcement layer extends generally throughout the entire area of the at least one pad as bounded by the outer perimeter of the pad body. 2. The athletic glove of claim 1, wherein the pad body defines a major material surface, the first and second elastomer layers being generally parallel thereto, the layer of high tensile strength fibrous material of the reinforcement layer generally prevents substantial elongation of the pad body in a first direction generally parallel to the major material surface during use. 3. The athletic glove of claim 1, wherein the layer of high tensile strength fibrous material is a woven sheet. 4. The athletic glove of claim 2, wherein the reinforcement layer is generally compliant only in a second direction that is generally perpendicular to the major material surface so that the at least one pad is non energy storing in the second direction, the reinforcement layer being generally resistant to elongation in the first direction so that vibrations are transferred to the first and second elastomer layers generally evenly throughout. 5. The athletic glove of claim 1, wherein the glove body is configured as one of a baseball glove and a softball glove, the glove body being configured to cover fingers and a palm portion of a hand therein. 6. The athletic glove of claim 1, wherein the glove body is configured as a golf glove. 7. The athletic glove of claim 1, wherein the glove body is configured as a batting glove. 8. The athletic glove of claim 1, wherein the glove body is configured as one of a hockey glove, a lacrosse glove, and a boxing glove. 9. A glove that regulates and dissipates vibration, the glove comprising: a glove body configured to cover at least a palm portion of a hand for placement thereover; the glove body including at least one pad, the at least one pad comprising a pad body having a major material surface and an outer perimeter, the pad body being formed by a reinforced elastomer material that regulates and dissipates vibration, the reinforced elastomer material comprising: first and second elastomer layers; and a reinforcement layer disposed between and generally separating the first and second elastomer layers, the reinforcement layer being generally coextensive with the pad body such that the reinforcement layer extends generally throughout the entire area of the pad body as bounded by the outer perimeter of the pad body, the reinforcement layer consisting of a plurality of high tensile strength fibrous material, the high tensile strength fibrous material being connected to the first and second elastomer layers generally uniformly throughout to provide substantially complete coverage between the first and second elastomer layers, the high tensile strength fibrous material being generally compliant only in a direction generally perpendicular to the major material surface so as to be generally non energy storing in the direction, the high tensile strength fibrous material is generally interlocked in and generally held in position by the first and second elastomer layers, wherein the high tensile strength fibrous material generally distributes impact energy parallel to the major material surface and into the first and second elastomer layers. 10. The glove of claim 9, wherein the high tensile strength fibrous material is formed by a plurality of strips. 11. The glove of claim 9, wherein the high tensile strength fibrous material is an imperforate sheet. 12. The glove of claim 9, wherein the high tensile strength fibrous material substantially prevents elongation of the pad body in a second direction generally parallel to the major material surface of the pad body in response to vibration exerted thereon. 13. The glove of claim 9, wherein the glove body is configured as one of a driving glove and a ski glove. 14. The glove of claim 9, wherein the glove body is configured as a woman's dress glove. 15. A pad that regulates and dissipates vibration, the pad comprising: a pad body having a major material surface and an outer perimeter, the pad body being formed by a reinforced elastomer material that regulates and dissipates vibration, the reinforced elastomer material comprising: first and second elastomer layers; and a reinforcement layer disposed between and generally separating the first and second elastomer layers, the reinforcement layer being generally coextensive with the pad body such that the reinforcement layer extends generally throughout the entire area of the pad body as bounded by the outer perimeter of the pad body, the reinforcement layer consisting of a plurality of high tensile strength fibrous material, the high tensile strength fibrous material being connected to the first and second elastomer layers generally uniformly throughout to provide substantially complete coverage between the first and second elastomer layers, the high tensile strength fibrous material being generally compliant only in a direction generally perpendicular to the major material surface so as to be generally non energy storing in the direction, the high tensile strength fibrous material is generally interlocked in and generally held in position by the first and second elastomer layers, wherein the high tensile strength fibrous material generally distributes impact energy parallel to the major material surface and into the first and second elastomer layers, the high tensile strength fibrous material of the reinforcement layer substantially prevents elongation of the pad in a second direction parallel to the major material surface of the pad during use. 16. The pad of claim 15, wherein the first and second elastomer layers are formed of thermoset silicone material. 17. The pad of claim 15, wherein the high tensile strength fibrous material is a woven sheet. 18. The pad of claim 17, wherein the woven sheet generally separates the first and second elastomer layers causing the material to have three generally distinct and separate layers. 19. The pad of claim 15, the reinforcement layer consisting of the high tensile strength fibrous material formed by an imperforate sheet. 20. The pad of claim 15, wherein the pad is positioned on a glove.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION When individuals participate in various athletic activities it is common that parts of the individual's body are subject to impact. Various attempts have been made through the years to provide padding as a means of protecting the participants. Such padding is well known for various organized sports as well as for individual athletic activities such as biking, skating, golfing, etc. The main thrust in the use of such padding is to provide a sufficiently thick layer of padding material to cushion any impact. Such approaches, however, do not take into account the problems and discomfort that result from the sting produced by such impact. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide a sting reduction padding for various articles of athletic clothing. In accordance with this invention a sting reducing laminate pad is provided which includes a layer of vibration damping material that would preferably be located toward the user's body. A further layer of force dissipating stiffening material would preferably be located against and outwardly of the vibration damping layer. An outer cover layer would be located outwardly of the intermediate layer. In a preferred practice of this invention the vibration damping material is a gel material such as a silicon gel. The layer of force dissipating stiffening material is preferably an aramid material. The outer cover layer could be made of any suitable material including a vibration damping gel. The sting reducing pad could be provided on various articles of athletic clothing such as bands, gloves, hats/helmets and various other conventional pads. THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a headband in accordance with this invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken through FIG. 1 along the line 2-2; FIGS. 3-6 are plan views of various forms of force dissipating layers which can be used in the practices of this invention; FIG. 7 is a side elevational view showing sting reducing pads in accordance with this invention incorporated in a batting helmet; FIG. 8 is a side elevational view partly broken away showing the practice of the invention in the helmet of a cyclist; FIG. 9 is a front elevational view showing the practice of the invention in a baseball fielder's glove; FIG. 10 is a front elevational view showing the practice of the invention in an athlete's glove; FIG. 11 is a front elevational view showing the practice of the invention in a shirt or jersey; FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken through FIG. 11 along the line 12-12; FIG. 13 is a top plan view showing the practice of the invention in a shoe pad; and FIG. 14 is a side elevational view showing practices of the invention at various portions of a pair of pants. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention is directed to sting reducing padding which would be incorporated in an article of athletic clothing. In general, the padding comprises a laminate of at least two layers. One layer is made of vibration damping or vibration absorbing material which could be of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,653,643 and 5,944,619, as well as co-pending, application Ser. No. 09/939,319, all of the details of these patents and the application are fully incorporated herein by reference thereto. Another layer of the sting reducing pad is made of force dissipating stiffening material which could be an aramid material such as Kevlar®. In the preferred practice of the invention the vibration damping material is located innermost so as to be closest to the user's body. Preferably, a cover layer is provided as the outermost layer of the laminate pad with the force dissipating stiffening layer being an intermediate layer. FIGS. 1-2 show one practice of the invention. As illustrated therein, a headband 10 is the article of athletic clothing. Headband 10 would have a peripheral outer fabric layer 12 forming a hollow envelope with the sting reducing pad 11 located within the fabric layer. The sting reducing pad 11 includes an innerlayer 14 made of vibration damping material with a very thin intermediate layer 16 made of force dissipating stiffening material. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 an outer cover layer 18 is also provided which could be of any suitable material. A preferred material for outer layer 18 is also a vibration damping material. If desired, the laminate could include more than the three illustrated layers. Thus, FIG. 2 shows a space 20 to schematically represent one or more additional layers. Such additional layers could be further force dissipating layers and/or further vibration damping layers or layers provided for any other purpose such as foam layers to provide a cushioning member. As described in copending application Ser. No. 09/939,319 the vibration damping material of layer 14 could be a silicone gel such as used for caulking purposes or any other suitable gel such as a foamed gel. The material could have the appropriate hardness and vibration damping characteristics to function in cooperation with the other layers of the laminate to provide the desired sting reduction. The intermediate layer 16 functions as a stiffening layer which dissipates the forces from impact if the user should fall or be struck by an object. The intermediate layer 16 could achieve its functions while being relatively thin as compared to the thicker vibration damping layer 14 and could also be substantially thinner than the outer cover layer 18. The intermediate layer 16 apparently functions to longitudinally spread the vibration resulting from impact forces. The linear spread of the vibration causes a rebound effect which dampens the vibration. FIGS. 3-6 show various possible forms that the intermediate force dissipating layer 16 can take. As shown in FIG. 3 the force dissipating stiffening layer 16A is in the form of a generally imperforate sheet. FIG. 4 illustrates a force dissipating layer 16B to be in the form of a scrim or an open mesh sheet made from, for example, Kevlar® fibers. FIG. 5 illustrates a variation where the force dissipating layer 16C is formed of a plurality of individual strips 22 which are parallel to each other and generally identical to each other in length and thickness as well as spacing. FIG. 6 shows a variation where the force dissipating layer 16D is made of individual strip's 24 of different sizes and which could be disposed in a more random fashion regarding their orientation. Although all of the strips' 24 are illustrated in FIG. 6 as being parallel, non-parallel arrangements could also be used. The effect of a laminate in accordance with this invention as regards sting reduction is described in co-pending application Ser. No. 09/939,319 with regard to tests performed on baseball bats. Such laboratory tests were carried out at a prominent university to evaluate various grips mounted on baseball bats. In the testing, baseball bats with various grips were suspended from the ceiling by a thin thread; this achieves almost a free boundary condition that is needed to determine the true characteristics of the bats. Two standard industrial accelerometers were mounted on a specially fabricated sleeve roughly in positions where the left hand and the right hand would grip the bat. A known force was delivered to the bat with a standard calibrated impact hammer at three positions, one corresponding to the sweet spot, the other two simulating “miss hits” located on the mid-point and shaft of the bat. The time history of the force as well as the accelerations were routed through a signal conditioning device and were connected to a data acquisition device. This was connected to a computer which was used to log the data. Two series of tests were conducted. In the first test, a control bat (with a standard rubber grip, WORTH Bat—model #C405) was compared to identical bats with several “Sting-Free” grips representing practices of the invention. These “Sting-Free” grips were comprised of two layers of pure silicone with various types of Kevlar® inserted between the two layers of silicone. The types of Kevlar® used in this test were referenced as follows: “005”, “645”, “120”, “909”. Also, a bat with-just a thick layer of silicone but no Kevlar® was tested. With the-exception-of the thick silicone (which was deemed impractical because of the excessive thickness), the “645” bat showed the best reduction in vibration magnitudes. The second series of tests were :conducted using EASTON Bats (model #BK8) with the “645” Kevlar® in different combinations with silicone layers: The first bat tested was comprised of one bottom layer of silicone with a middle layer of the “645” Kevlar® and one top layer of silicone referred to as “111”. The second bat test was comprised of two bottom layers of silicone with a middle layer of Kevlar® and one top layer of silicone referred to as “211”. The third bat tested was comprised of one bottom layer of silicone with a middle layer of Kevlar® and two top layers of silicone referred to as “112”. The “645” bat with the “111” configuration showed the best reduction in vibration magnitudes. In order to quantify the effect of this vibration reduction, two criteria were defined: (I) the time it takes for the vibration to dissipate to an imperceptible value; and, (2) the magnitude of vibration in the range of frequencies at which the human hand is most sensitive. The sting-free grips reduced the vibration in the baseball bats by both quantitative measures. In particular, the “645” Kevlar® in a “111” configuration was the best in vibration reduction. In the case of a baseball bat, the “645” reduced the bat*s vibration in about ⅕ the time it took the control rubber grip to do so. The reduction in peak magnitude of vibration ranged from 60% to 80%, depending on the impact location and magnitude. It was concluded that the “645” Kevlar® grip in a “111” combination reduces the magnitude of sensible vibration by 80% that is induced in a baseball bat when a player hits a ball with it. This was found to be true for a variety of impacts at different locations along the length of the bat. Hence, a person using the “Sting-Free” grips of the invention would clearly experience a considerable reduction in the sting effect (pain) when using the “Sting-free” grip than one would with a standard grip. In view of the above tests a particularly preferred practice of the invention involves a multilayer laminate having an aramid such as Kevlar®, sandwiched between layers of pure silicone. The above indicated tests show dramatic results with this embodiment of the invention. As also indicated above, however, the laminate could comprise other combinations of layers such as a plurality of inner layers of silicone or a plurality of outer layers of silicone. Other variations include a repetitive laminate assembly wherein a vibration damping layer is innermost with a force dissipating layer against the inner vibration damping layer and then with a second vibration damping layer against the force dissipating layer followed by a second force dissipating layer, etc. with the final laminate layer being a cover layer which could also be made of vibration damping material. Among the considerations in determining which laminate should be used would be the thickness limitations and the desired vibration damping properties. The various layers could have different relative thicknesses. Preferably, the vibration damping layer, such as layer 14, would be the thickest of the layers. The outermost cover layer, however, could be of the same thickness as the vibration damping layer, such as layer 18 shown in FIG. 2 or could be a thinner layer. A particularly advantageous feature of the invention where a force dissipating stiffening layer is used is that the force dissipating layer could be very thin and still achieve its intended results. Thus, the force dissipating layer would preferably be the thinnest of the layers, although it might be of generally the same thickness as the outer cover layer. If desired the laminate could also include a plurality of vibration damping layers (such as thin layers of gel material) and/or a plurality of stiffening force dissipating layers. Where such plural layers are used, the various layers could differ in the thickness from each other. In a preferred practice of the invention, a force dissipating stiffening layer is provided as an intermediate layer of a multilayer laminate where there is at least one inner layer of vibration damping material and an outer layer of cover material with the possibility of additional layers of vibration damping material and force dissipating layers of various thickness. As noted the force dissipating layer, however, could be innermost. The invention may also be practiced where the laminate includes one or more layers in addition to the cover layer and the stiffening layer and the vibration damping layer. Such additional layer(s) could be incorporated at any location in the laminate, depending on its intended function (e.g., an adhesive layer, a cushioning layer, a low friction layer, etc.). A preferred practice of this invention is to incorporate a force dissipating layer, particularly an aramid, such as Kevlar® fiber, or a suitable fiberglass material, into a composite with at least two elastomer layers. One elastomer layer would function as a vibration damping material and the other outer elastomer layer which would function as a cover layer. The outer elastomer layer could also be a vibration damping material. Preferably, the outer layer completely covers the composite. There are an almost infinite number of possible uses for the composite or laminate of this invention. In accordance with the various uses the elastomer layers may have different degrees of hardness, coefficient of friction and damping of vibration. Similarly, the thicknesses of the various layers could also vary in accordance with the intended use. Examples of ranges of hardness for the inner vibration damping layer and the outer cover layer (which may also be a vibration absorbing layer) are 5-70 Durometer Shore A. One of the layers may have a range of 5-20 Durometer Shore A and the other a range of 30-70 Durometer Shore A for either of these layers. The vibration damping layer could have a hardness of less than 5, and could even be a 000 Durometer reading. The vibration damping material could be a gel, such as a silicone gel or a gel of any other suitable material. The coefficient of friction as determined by conventional measuring techniques for the tacky and non-porous outer cover layer is preferably at least 0.5 and may be in the range of 0.6-1.5. A more preferred range is 0.7-1.2 with a still more preferred range being about 0.8-1. The outer cover layer, when also used as a vibration damping layer, could have the same thickness as the inner layer. When used solely as a cover layer the thickness could be generally the same as the intermediate layer, which might be about {fraction (1/20)} to ¼ of the thickness of the vibration damping layer. The sting reducing pad 11 of this invention could be incorporated in various articles of athletic clothing and could be incorporated in various manners within a particular article of clothing. FIG. 1, for example, illustrates the headband 10 to have the pad or laminate 11 be in the form of a strip wherein a gap 26 is left between the free ends 28,28 of the laminate 11. The gap 26 would permit the headband 10 to be adjustable in circumference for snugly and comfortably fitting on the user's head by providing an open area for expansion and contraction to conform to the size of the particular user. If desired, the laminate 11 could be in the form of spaced pads located at different spaced locations within the fabric cover 12. For example, it might be sufficient to provide the laminate 11 solely in the temple areas and/or in the forehead area of the headband. While the outer cover layer 18 could be made of a material similar to the vibration damping material of layer 14, in various practices of the invention the outer cover layer could be made of a low friction slippery material to facilitate inserting the pad 11 into proper position on the article of athletic clothing. If desired, a thin slippery layer could also be provided as the innermost layer so that the pad 11 would have slippery layers on both sides and could be easily inserted into and moved when necessary within the outer fabric 12 of headband 10. Thus, the layer 20 illustrated in FIG. 2 may incorporate a further layer having low friction characteristics. While FIG. 1 illustrates the practice of the invention in a headband 10, it is also to be understood that essentially the same structure could be used for other forms of bands such as worn on the wrist, legs and arms. A particular advantage of incorporating the laminate 11 in a band, such as headband 10, is that it would lend itself to more ready acceptance by users, particularly children who would prefer to avoid wearing large cumbersome protective equipment or padding. Although FIG. 1 shows the headband 10 to be a continuous endless flexible loop, it is to be understood that the invention could be incorporated in a headband or visor where the headband or visor does not extend completely around the head 360°. Instead the headband or visor could be made of a stiff springy material having a pair of spaced free ends. FIGS. 7-8 illustrate the incorporation of various sting reducing pads in different types of headwear. FIG. 7, for example, shows a baseball batting helmet 30 having a plurality of pads 11 mounted to different portions of the inner surface of helmet 30. These include pads 11A which would be located generally at the temple and ears on each side of the helmet 30. A forehead pad 11B is located above the brim of helmet 30. A neck pad 11C is located opposite the brim and a top pad 11D is located at the top of the helmet 30 at its inner surface. Each of these pads could be suitably dimensioned for providing the desired sting reduction characteristics. FIG. 8 illustrates a cyclist helmet 32 wherein a pad 11 is located on the inner surface of helmet 32. The pad 11 could be provided in a plurality of segments at different locations of the inner surface or could be a single pad covering substantially the entire inner surface. In such later case, however, it would be preferable for the pad 11 to include cutouts aligned with the air circulation openings 34 of helmet 32. FIGS. 7-8 are included merely to exemplify different forms of headwear which could include sting reducing pads. It is to be understood that the invention may be practiced with other types of caps, helmets or headwear such as football helmets, hockey helmets, baseball caps, golfer's caps and the like. Thus the pad could be a liner for a hard helmet or shell or for a soft cap. The pad could be in a sweatband/headband such as for a soccer player. Thus, when the player uses the head to strike the soccer ball the sting from the impact would be minimized. FIGS. 9-10 illustrate practices of the invention wherein the sting reducing laminate padding is used in various handwear. FIG. 9, for example, shows a baseball fielder's glove 36 which could be of generally conventional construction and could include padding, but would also include a pad 11 in the palm section preferably located directly against the outer leather layer of the glove where the ball would be caught. While the pad 11 may cover the entire palm area, it is preferred that pad 11 be ring shaped as illustrated in FIG. 9 so as to leave the central portion of the palm area thinner thereby giving the user a better feel for the ball. The laminate could also be included in other types of baseball gloves, such as catcher's mitts or first baseman's mitts. When the pad 11 is used in a catcher's mitt there would be the additional benefit of utilizing a pad such as pad 11 in that the pad could be made relatively thin thereby not interfering with the feel in the catcher's use of the mitt. The pads 11 may be incorporated in the gloves and in the other articles of athletic clothing in any suitable manner. FIG. 9, for example, shows the pad 11 secured to the glove 36 by lacing 37. Other forms of attachment could include stitching or adhesive attachments. The tackiness of an outer silicone gel layer in the pad could also be utilized to secure the pad in place. FIG. 10 illustrates an athletic glove 38 which incorporates one or more sting reducing pads 11. Athletic glove 38 may be of the type used by a cyclist wherein the glove is fingerless or at least exposes enough of the fingers to still permit the user's hands to properly grasp the handlebars. The glove is usually thin and usually not thickly padded. As illustrated in FIG. 10 the pads 11,11 are located over the ulnar and median nerves. Other forms of athletic gloves which could incorporate sting reducing pads of this invention could be the types of gloves worn by golfers, football players, baseball batters and the like. Sting reducing pads could also be used for otherwise ordinary gloves worn for warmth or various covering purposes, such as in shoveling or in the use of tools, such as jack hammers. Further types of athletic gloves which may incorporate the sting reducing pads could include other types of handwear worn for other types of activities. The sting reducing pads could be incorporated in other types of equipment such as articles of clothing worn by athletes, particularly by being incorporated in the jerseys or shirts of an athlete such as a soccer player or football player. FIGS. 11-12 show a unique incorporation of the sting reducing pad 11 in a shirt or jersey 40 wherein a layer of the jersey 40 itself forms part of the laminate. Thus, as shown therein, the pad 11 includes an inner layer 14 which would be disposed toward the user's body with the intermediate force dissipating layer 16 secured to the fabric of jersey 40. An outer layer 18 is located directly against jersey 40 in line with layers 14 and 16. Where outer cover layer 18 is made of a tacky material such as a silicone gel which could be used as a further vibration damping material. The portion of the jersey 40 incorporating the laminate 18 would thereby be somewhat tacky. This could have an advantage in various sports, such as for a soccer goalie or a football receiver. The tackiness created on the outer surface of jersey 40 (as a result of layer 18) could tend to prevent a ball from bouncing off the jersey and thus facilitate the wearer of the jersey better grasping the ball. When incorporated in a shirt or jersey article of clothing the sting reducing pad 11 could be placed at any desired location. Preferably, however, the pad is located in the rib area as illustrated in FIG. 11. Although FIGS. 11-12 show the pad 11 as comprising a multi-laminate wherein one of the layers of the laminate is the jersey 40 itself, it is to be understood that the invention could be practiced where the pad is simply secured to the jersey either on the outside or inside of the jersey without incorporating the jersey itself as a layer of the pad. When used on the inside of the jersey it would not be necessary to have an outer layer made of tacky material unless such is desired for the vibration damping characteristics of the layer. FIG. 13 illustrates yet another variation of the invention wherein the sting reducing pad would be incorporated as part of a pad 42 incorporated within or comprising the entire inner sole to be worn inside a shoe, sneaker, skate or other footwear. Where used as a footwear insert, the pad could be above the sole and heel portion so that the foot would be on and against the pad. The invention could also be practiced where the sting reducing pad is incorporated in footwear at locations other than directly below the foot. For example, the sting reducing pad could be placed as part of the footwear itself above the sole along the sides and/or front and/or heel and/or top of the footwear to protect other parts of the foot. Thus, when incorporated in a hockey skate, pad 11 would reduce sting from the player's skate being hit by a puck. Pad 11 would also reduce sting from a ball being fouled off a baseball batter's foot or from other athletes being stepped on such as from spikes or cleats or simply being stepped on or hit, etc. FIG. 14 is included to exemplify the practices of the invention wherein the sting reducing laminate pad could be incorporated as part of various conventional pads used for many different athletic activities. As shown therein, a pair of athletic pants 44 is illustrated as incorporating a plurality of sting reducing pads 11E, 11F and 11G. Pad 11E could be mounted to a hip pad wherein the laminate is secured, for example, to the inside surface of the pad so as to be disposed toward the body of the user. Pad 11F is mounted to a thigh pad, while pad 11G is mounted to a buttocks pad. Other possible protective pads that could include the sting reducing laminate are shoulder pads, shin pads, knee pads, chest protectors, elbow pads, etc. Alternatively, the laminate 11 could itself be the actual pad. The pads could be incorporated as part of a soft structure, such as gloves, headbands, etc. or parts of a hard structure such as batting helmets, motorcycle helmets, football helmets, etc. Preferably, the pad comprises at least three layers with the vibration damping layer innermost and with the force dissipating stiffening layer as an intermediate layer. In the preferred practice of the invention the force dissipating layer should have a layer on each side thereof so as to maximize the force dissipation. The pad could be located so as to be where there would likely be the contact or impact on the user. The pad could be an insert in the article of clothing where a fabric layer or other normal layer in an article of clothing is disposed against the body of the user and with the article of clothing having an outer layer so that the pad is between the inner and outer layers of the article of clothing. Alternatively, the pad could be mounted directly to the outside surface of the article of clothing or directly to the inside surface. While the invention has been described with regard to particular types of articles of athletic clothing, such specific examples are not intended to be limiting. Broadly, the invention could be used with such articles of clothing in groups of different types, namely: (1) different bands such as headbands, wristbands, arm bands, etc.; (2) different types of headwear such as hats, caps and helmets; (3) different types of handwear such as gloves, mitts,; (4) various body pads such as shoulder pads, hip pads, shin pads, etc.; (5) with footwear such as part of or being an insert for a sneaker, skate, or shoe and (6) as part of a shirt or pants.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>When individuals participate in various athletic activities it is common that parts of the individual's body are subject to impact. Various attempts have been made through the years to provide padding as a means of protecting the participants. Such padding is well known for various organized sports as well as for individual athletic activities such as biking, skating, golfing, etc. The main thrust in the use of such padding is to provide a sufficiently thick layer of padding material to cushion any impact. Such approaches, however, do not take into account the problems and discomfort that result from the sting produced by such impact.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>An object of this invention is to provide a sting reduction padding for various articles of athletic clothing. In accordance with this invention a sting reducing laminate pad is provided which includes a layer of vibration damping material that would preferably be located toward the user's body. A further layer of force dissipating stiffening material would preferably be located against and outwardly of the vibration damping layer. An outer cover layer would be located outwardly of the intermediate layer. In a preferred practice of this invention the vibration damping material is a gel material such as a silicon gel. The layer of force dissipating stiffening material is preferably an aramid material. The outer cover layer could be made of any suitable material including a vibration damping gel. The sting reducing pad could be provided on various articles of athletic clothing such as bands, gloves, hats/helmets and various other conventional pads.
20041206
20070206
20050602
58036.0
2
MORAN, KATHERINE M
ATHLETIC CLOTHING WITH STING REDUCTION PADDING
SMALL
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,005,459
ACCEPTED
Semiconductor radiation emitter package
A semiconductor optical radiation package includes a leadframe, at least one semiconductor optical radiation emitter, and an encapsulant. The leadframe has a heat extraction member, which supports the semiconductor optical emitter and provides one or more thermal paths for removing heat generated within the emitter to the ambient environment, as well as at least two electrical leads for providing electrical coupling to the semiconductor optical radiation emitter. The encapsulant covers and protects the emitter and optional wire bonds from damage and allows radiation to be emitted from the emitter into the ambient environment. The semiconductor optical radiation package provides high emitted flux and is preferably compatible with automated processing techniques.
1. A semiconductor radiation emitter package comprising: a heat extraction element; at least two electrical leads having a greater thermal resistance than said heat extraction element; at least one semiconductor radiation emitter mounted on a first surface of said heat extraction element, wherein when said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter is activated, the semiconductor radiation emitter package emits white light; and an encapsulant covering said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter, at least a portion of said encapsulant being substantially transparent to wavelengths emitted by said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter, said encapsulant material covering a portion of the first surface of said heat extraction element, while leaving exposed at least a portion of a second surface of said heat extraction element that is opposite the first surface, the exposed portion of the second surface being directly opposite an area of the first surface where said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter is mounted. 2. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein the exposed portion of the heat extraction member includes a region generally directly opposite a location on the first surface where said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter is mounted, and wherein said heat extraction member provides a primary thermal path out of the device from said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter and said electrical leads provide a secondary thermal path out of the device from said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter, said secondary thermal path possessing thermal resistance greater than said primary thermal path. 3. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein said heat extraction element has a thickness in a direction that is substantially parallel to the direction in which radiation is emitted from the semiconductor radiation emitter package that is greater than the thickness of said electrical leads. 4. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein said encapsulant comprises a first hard molding compound and a second hard molding compound, said first hard molding compound is substantially transparent to radiation emitted by said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter and is provided within the optical path of radiation emitted from said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter. 5. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 4, wherein said second hard molding compound covers a portion of the first surface of said heat extraction element, while leaving exposed at least a portion of a second surface of said heat extraction element that is opposite the first surface, the exposed portion of the second surface being directly opposite an area of the first surface where said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter is mounted. 6. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 5, wherein said second hard molding compound is substantially opaque. 7. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein the heat extraction member comprises a depression containing the at least one semiconductor radiation emitter. 8. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 7, wherein the depression is coated with an optically reflective coating. 9. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein the heat extraction member comprises at least one of fins, slots, and holes to increase surface area outside the portion of the heat extraction member covered with the encapsulant. 10. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein a portion of the encapsulant is formed as a lens. 11. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein the encapsulant comprises a filler component and a bulk component, the filler component lowering the thermal coefficient of expansion of the bulk component, the filler component having an index of refraction nearly matching the index of refraction of the bulk component. 12. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein the encapsulant comprises a filler component operative to diffuse semiconductor radiation emitter output radiation. 13. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor radiation emitter comprises a conductive base in electrical contact with the heat extraction member. 14. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein the at least one semiconductor radiation emitter comprises a light emitting diode. 15. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein the at least one semiconductor radiation emitter comprises a light emitting polymer. 16. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1 and further comprising a fluorescent material. 17. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1 further comprising a heat sink in thermal contact with the heat extraction member. 18. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein: said encapsulant forms a plurality of sides; each of said electrical leads extends through one of a first set of encapsulant sides; and said heat extraction member extends through at least one of a second set of encapsulant sides, the second set of encapsulant sides is different from the first set of encapsulant sides. 19. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 18, wherein the first set of encapsulant sides comprises a first side and the second set of encapsulant sides comprises a second side opposite the first side. 20. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 18, wherein the first set of encapsulant sides comprises opposing sides. 21. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 18, wherein the second set of encapsulant sides comprises opposing sides. 22. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein at least two of said electrical leads are retained by said encapsulant. 23. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein said encapsulant covers a portion of said heat extraction member equal to or less than 65% of the total surface area of said heat extraction member. 24. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein the bulk of said electrical leads and said heat extraction member are composed substantially of the same material. 25. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter includes two semiconductor radiation emitters that emit illumination having binary complementary hues that may mix to form white light. 26. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter includes three semiconductor radiation emitters that emit illumination having ternary complementary hues that may mix to form white light. 27. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 26, wherein a first one of said three semiconductor radiation emitters emits illumination having a red hue, a second one of said three semiconductor radiation emitters emits illumination having a green hue, and a third one of said three semiconductor radiation emitters emits illumination having a blue hue. 28. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor radiation emitter package has a power capacity of at least about 150 mW. 29. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, and further comprising at least one recessed optically reflective cup formed in the heat extraction member, said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter being mounted within said at least one recessed optically reflective cup, wherein the depth of said at least one recessed optically reflective cup is equal to or greater than the height of said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter, each measured in the dimension parallel to the optical axis of the reflective cup within which said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter is mounted. 30. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional area of said heat extraction element measured in a plane normal to the path between the at least one semiconductor radiation emitter and the nearest unencapsulated surface of said heat extraction element is greater than a cross-sectional area of each of said electrical leads measured in a plane that is normal to the path of heat flow between said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter and the nearest unencapsulated surface of said electrical leads during operation of the package. 31. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein said encapsulant includes a top surface through which radiation from said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter is emitted and further including a bottom surface, opposite said top surface, said encapsulant is formed to allow the exposed portion of the bottom surface of said heat extraction member to be exposed through the bottom surface of the encapsulant. 32. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein said heat extraction member is made of a material having a substantially high thermal conductivity. 33. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 32, wherein said material is selected from the group consisting of a ceramic material, copper, copper alloys, aluminum, soft steel, or other metal. 34. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein the thermal path from said semiconductor radiation emitter to the exposed portion of the bottom surface of said heat extraction member is shorter than the thermal path from said semiconductor radiation emitter to a location where said electrical leads emerge from said encapsulant. 35. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein the exposed portion of said heat extraction member is coated with a coating material having improved thermal emissivity. 36. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 35, wherein said coating material is selected from the group consisting of nichrome and black-oxide 37. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein the exposed portion of said heat extraction member is textured. 38. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 37, wherein the exposed portion of said heat extraction member has a matte finish. 39. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein the exposed portion of the heat extraction member includes a region opposite the primary direction of optical radiation emission from said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter. 40. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein said encapsulant comprises two different materials. 41. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 40, wherein one of said two different materials is a transparent epoxy. 42. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 40, wherein one of said two different materials is a stress relieving gel. 43. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 42, wherein the stress relieving gel is silicone. 44. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 42, wherein the stress relieving gel is applied over said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter. 45. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 44, wherein one of said two different materials is a hard molding compound that is formed over the stress relieving gel. 46. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 45, wherein said hard molding compound is epoxy. 47. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 40, wherein said two different materials include a first hard molding compound and a second hard molding compound. 48. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 47, wherein said first hard molding compound is substantially transparent to radiation emitted by said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter. 49. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 48, wherein said first hard molding compound is provided within an optical path of said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter and is shaped to define a lens. 50. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 49, wherein said second hard molding compound is provided in regions not within the optical path of said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter. 51. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 50, wherein said second hard molding component is substantially opaque. 52. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 47, wherein said second hard molding compound is provided where said encapsulant retains said electrical leads. 53. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein said encapsulant is molded directly onto a portion of said heat extraction element. 54. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein said encapsulant defines a plurality of sides and said heat extraction element extends out through two of said sides. 55. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein said second hard molding compound defines a plurality of sides and said heat extraction element extends out through two of said sides. 56. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 1, wherein said encapsulant is made of a single transparent material. 57. A semiconductor radiation emitter package comprising: a heat extraction element; at least two electrical leads having a greater thermal resistance than said heat extraction element; at least one semiconductor radiation emitter mounted on a first surface of said heat extraction element, wherein when said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter is activated, the semiconductor radiation emitter package emits white light; and a first hard molding compound and a second hard molding compound, said first hard molding compound is substantially transparent to radiation emitted by said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter and is provided within the optical path of radiation emitted from said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter, wherein said second hard molding compound covers a portion of the first surface of said heat extraction element, while leaving exposed at least a portion of a second surface of said heat extraction element that is opposite the first surface, the exposed portion of the second surface being directly opposite an area of the first surface where said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter is mounted. 58. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 57, wherein said heat extraction element having a thickness in a direction that is substantially parallel to the direction in which radiation is emitted from the semiconductor radiation emitter package that is greater than the thickness of said electrical leads. 59. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 57 and further comprising a second hard molding compound covering a portion of said heat extraction element, while leaving exposed a portion of said heat extraction element, said second hard molding compound being different from said first hard molding compound and encapsulating a portion of said electrical leads so as to retain said electrical leads. 60. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claims 57, wherein the heat extraction member comprises a depression containing the at least one semiconductor radiation emitter. 61. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 60, wherein the depression is coated with an optically reflective coating. 62. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 57, wherein the heat extraction member comprises at least one of fins, slots, and holes to increase surface area outside the portion of the heat extraction member covered with the encapsulant. 63. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 57, wherein a portion of the first hard molding compound is formed as a lens. 64. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claims 57, wherein the encapsulant comprises a filler component and a bulk component, the filler component lowering the thermal coefficient of expansion of the bulk component, the filler component having an index of refraction nearly matching the index of refraction of the bulk component. 65. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 57, wherein the semiconductor radiation emitter comprises a conductive base in electrical contact with the heat extraction member. 66. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 57, wherein the at least one semiconductor radiation emitter comprises a light emitting diode. 67. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 57 and further comprising a fluorescent material. 68. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 57, wherein the bulk of said electrical leads and said heat extraction member are composed substantially of the same material. 69. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 57, wherein said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter includes two semiconductor radiation emitters that emit illumination having binary complementary hues that may mix to form white light. 70. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 57, wherein said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter includes three semiconductor radiation emitters that emit illumination having ternary complementary hues that may mix to form white light. 71. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 57, wherein the semiconductor radiation emitter package has a power capacity of at least about 150 mW. 72. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 57, and further comprising at least one recessed optically reflective cup formed in the heat extraction member, said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter being mounted within said at least one recessed optically reflective cup, wherein the depth of said at least one recessed optically reflective cup is equal to or greater than the height of said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter, each measured in the dimension parallel to the optical axis of the reflective cup within which said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter is mounted. 73. A semiconductor radiation emitter package comprising: a heat extraction element; at least two electrical leads having a greater thermal resistance than said heat extraction element, said heat extraction element having a thickness in a direction that is substantially parallel to the direction in which radiation is emitted from the semiconductor radiation emitter package that is greater than the thickness of said electrical leads; at least one semiconductor radiation emitter mounted on said heat extraction element, wherein when said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter is activated, the semiconductor radiation emitter package emits white light; and a first hard molding compound covering said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter, at least a portion of said first hard molding compound being substantially transparent to wavelengths emitted by said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter. 74. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 73, wherein said first hard molding compound is part of an encapsulant that encapsulates said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter. 75. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 73, wherein the thickness of the heat extraction element is at least three times the thickness of the electrical leads. 76. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 73 and further comprising a second hard molding compound covering a portion of said heat extraction element, while leaving exposed a portion of said heat extraction element, said second hard molding compound being different from said first hard molding compound and encapsulating a portion of said electrical leads so as to retain said electrical leads. 77. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 73, wherein said first hard molding compound covers a portion of said heat extraction element and a portion of said electrical leads while leaving portions of both said heat extraction element and said electrical leads uncovered. 78. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 77, wherein a cross-sectional area of said heat extraction element measured in a plane normal to the path between said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter and the nearest uncovered surface of said heat extraction element is greater than a cross-sectional area of each of said electrical leads measured in a plane that is normal to the path of heat flow between said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter and the nearest unencapsulated surface of said electrical leads, during operation of the package. 79. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 73, wherein the heat extraction member comprises a depression containing the at least one semiconductor radiation emitter. 80. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 79, wherein the depression is coated with an optically reflective coating. 81. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 73, wherein a portion of the first hard molding compound is formed as a lens. 82. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 73, wherein the semiconductor radiation emitter comprises a conductive base in electrical contact with the heat extraction member. 83. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claims 73, wherein the at least one semiconductor radiation emitter comprises a light emitting diode. 84. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 73 and further comprising a fluorescent material. 85. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 73, wherein the bulk of said electrical leads and said heat extraction member are composed substantially of the same material. 86. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 73, wherein said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter includes two semiconductor radiation emitters that emit illumination having binary complementary hues that may mix to form white light. 87. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 73, wherein said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter includes three semiconductor radiation emitters that emit illumination having ternary complementary hues that may mix to form white light. 88. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 73, wherein the semiconductor radiation emitter package has a power capacity of at least about 150 mW. 89. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 73, and further comprising at least one recessed optically reflective cup formed in the heat extraction member, said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter being mounted within said at least one recessed optically reflective cup, wherein the depth of said at least one recessed optically reflective cup is equal to or greater than the height of said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter, each measured in the dimension parallel to the optical axis of the reflective cup within which said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter is mounted. 90. A semiconductor radiation emitter package comprising: a heat extraction element; at least two electrical leads having a greater thermal resistance than said heat extraction element; at least one semiconductor radiation emitter mounted on a first surface of said heat extraction element; and an encapsulant encapsulating said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter, a portion of said heat extraction element and a portion of said electrical leads, wherein a cross-sectional area of said heat extraction element measured in a plane normal to the path between said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter and the nearest unencapsulated surface of said heat extraction element is greater than a cross-sectional area of each of said electrical leads measured in a plane that is normal to the path of heat flow between said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter and the nearest unencapsulated surface of said electrical leads during operation of the package, wherein said encapsulant defines a plurality of sides and said heat extraction element extends out through two of said sides. 91. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 90, wherein said heat extraction element having a thickness in a direction that is substantially parallel to the direction in which radiation is emitted from the semiconductor radiation emitter package that is greater than the thickness of said electrical leads. 92. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 90, wherein said encapsulant comprises a first hard molding compound and a second hard molding compound, said first hard molding compound is substantially transparent to radiation emitted by said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter and is provided within the optical path of radiation emitted from said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter. 93. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 92, wherein said second hard molding compound covers a portion of the first surface of said heat extraction element, while leaving exposed at least a portion of a second surface of said heat extraction element that is opposite the first surface, the exposed portion of the second surface being directly opposite an area of the first surface where said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter is mounted. 94. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 90, wherein the heat extraction member comprises a depression containing the at least one semiconductor radiation emitter. 95. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 94, wherein the depression is coated with an optically reflective coating. 96. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 90, wherein a portion of the encapsulant is formed as a lens. 97. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 90, wherein the encapsulant comprises a filler component and a bulk component, the filler component lowering the thermal coefficient of expansion of the bulk component, the filler component having an index of refraction nearly matching the index of refraction of the bulk component. 98. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 90, wherein the semiconductor radiation emitter comprises a conductive base in electrical contact with the heat extraction member. 99. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 90, wherein the at least one semiconductor radiation emitter comprises a light emitting diode. 100. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 90 and further comprising a fluorescent material. 101. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 90, wherein at least two of said electrical leads are retained by said encapsulant. 102. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 90, wherein said encapsulant covers a portion of said heat extraction member equal to or less than 65% of the total surface area of said heat extraction member. 103. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 90, wherein the bulk of said electrical leads and said heat extraction member are composed substantially of the same material. 104. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 90, wherein said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter includes two semiconductor radiation emitters that emit illumination having binary complementary hues that may mix to form white light. 105. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 90, wherein said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter includes three semiconductor radiation emitters that emit illumination having ternary complementary hues that may mix to form white light. 106. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 90, wherein the semiconductor radiation emitter package has a power capacity of at least about 150 mW. 107. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 90, and further comprising at least one recessed optically reflective cup formed in the heat extraction member, said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter being mounted within said at least one recessed optically reflective cup, wherein the depth of said at least one recessed optically reflective cup is equal to or greater than the height of said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter, each measured in the dimension parallel to the optical axis of the reflective cup within which said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter is mounted. 108. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 90, wherein said encapsulant comprises two different materials. 109. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 108, wherein one of said two different materials is a transparent epoxy. 110. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 108, wherein one of said two different materials is a stress relieving gel. 111. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 110, wherein the stress relieving gel is silicone. 112. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 110, wherein the stress relieving gel is applied over said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter. 113. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 112, wherein one of said two different materials is a hard molding compound that is formed over the stress relieving gel. 114. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 113, wherein said hard molding compound is epoxy. 115. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 108, wherein said two different materials include a first hard molding compound and a second hard molding compound. 116. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 115, wherein said first hard molding compound is substantially transparent to radiation emitted by said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter. 117. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 116, wherein said first hard molding compound is provided within an optical path of said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter and is shaped to define a lens. 118. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 117, wherein said second hard molding compound is provided in regions not within the optical path of said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter. 119. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 118, wherein said second hard molding component is substantially opaque. 120. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 115, wherein said second hard molding compound is provided where said encapsulant retains said electrical leads. 121. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 90, wherein said encapsulant is molded directly onto a portion of said heat extraction element. 122. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 90, wherein said second hard molding compound is molded directly onto a portion of said heat extraction element. 123. A semiconductor radiation emitter package comprising: a heat extraction element; at least two electrical leads having a greater thermal resistance than said heat extraction element; at least one semiconductor radiation emitter mounted on a first surface of said heat extraction element, wherein when said at least one semiconductor emitter is activated, the semiconductor radiation emitter package emits white light; a first hard molding compound substantially transparent to radiation emitted by said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter, said first hard molding compound is provided within the optical path of radiation emitted from said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter; and a second hard molding compound covering a portion of said heat extraction element, while leaving exposed a portion of said heat extraction element, said second hard molding compound being different from said first hard molding compound and encapsulating a portion of said electrical leads so as to retain said electrical leads. 124. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 123, wherein said heat extraction element having a thickness in a direction that is substantially parallel to the direction in which radiation is emitted from the semiconductor radiation emitter package that is greater than the thickness of said electrical leads. 125. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 123, wherein said second hard molding compound is substantially opaque. 126. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 123, wherein said heat extraction element includes a first surface on which said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter is mounted, said second hard molding compound covers a portion of the first surface of said heat extraction element, while leaving exposed at least a portion of a second surface of said heat extraction element that is opposite the first surface, the exposed portion of the second surface being directly opposite an area of the first surface where said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter is mounted. 127. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 123, wherein the heat extraction member comprises a depression containing the at least one semiconductor radiation emitter. 128. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 127, wherein the depression is coated with an optically reflective coating. 129. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 123, wherein a portion of the first hard molding compound is formed as a lens. 130. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 123, wherein the semiconductor radiation emitter comprises a conductive base in electrical contact with the heat extraction member. 131. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 123, wherein the at least one semiconductor radiation emitter comprises a light emitting diode. 132. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 123 and further comprising a fluorescent material. 133. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 132, wherein said fluorescent material is dispersed in said encapsulant. 134. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 133, wherein said fluorescent material is one or more of a fluorescent dye, pigment and phosphor. 135. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 123, wherein: said second hard molding compound forms a plurality of sides; each of said electrical leads extends through one of a first set of the sides; and said heat extraction member extends through at least one of a second set of the sides, the second set of the sides different from the first set of the sides. 136. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 123, wherein the bulk of said electrical leads and said heat extraction member are composed substantially of the same material. 137. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 123, wherein said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter includes two semiconductor radiation emitters that emit illumination having binary complementary hues that may mix to form white light. 138. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 123, wherein said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter includes three semiconductor radiation emitters that emit illumination having ternary complementary hues that may mix to form white light. 139. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 123, wherein the semiconductor radiation emitter package has a power capacity of at least about 150 mW. 140. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 123, and further comprising at least one recessed optically reflective cup formed in the heat extraction member, said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter being mounted within said at least one recessed optically reflective cup, wherein the depth of said at least one recessed optically reflective cup is equal to or greater than the height of said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter, each measured in the dimension parallel to the optical axis of the reflective cup within which said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter is mounted. 141. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 123, wherein said second hard molding compound is molded directly onto a portion of said heat extraction element. 142. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 123, wherein said encapsulant defines a plurality of sides and said heat extraction element extends out through two of said sides. 143. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 123, wherein said second hard molding compound defines a plurality of sides and said heat extraction element extends out through two of said sides. 144. The semiconductor radiation emitter package of claim 123, wherein said encapsulant is made of a single transparent material. 145. An LED package comprising: a heat extraction element having a first surface and a second surface that is opposite the first surface; a first electrical lead and a second electrical lead; an LED chip mounted to the first surface of said heat extraction element for emitting light generally along an optical path, wherein said LED chip is energized via said first and second electrical leads, when said LED chip is energized, the LED package is capable of emitting white light; and an encapsulant covering a portion of said first and second electrical leads, said LED chip, and a portion of said heat extraction element, said encapsulant is formed to leave exposed at least a portion of the second surface of said heat extraction member, the exposed portion of said heat extraction member including a region generally directly opposite a location on the first surface where said LED chip is mounted, wherein said encapsulant comprises two different materials including a first hard molding compound and a second hard molding compound, said first hard molding compound is substantially transparent to light emitted by said LED chip and is provided within the optical path of light emitted from said LED chip and is shaped to define a lens, wherein said second hard molding compound is provided where said encapsulant covers said electrical leads and in regions generally not within the optical path of light emitted from said LED chip, said second hard molding compound is substantially opaque, wherein a cross-sectional area of said heat extraction element measured in a plane normal to the path between said LED chip and the nearest exposed surface of said heat extraction element is greater than a cross-sectional area of each of said electrical leads measured in a plane that is normal to the path of heat flow between said LED chip and the nearest exposed surface of said electrical leads, during operation of the package, wherein said encapsulant forms a plurality of sides, said first and second electrical leads extend through one of a first set of encapsulant sides, said heat extraction member extends through at least one of a second set of encapsulant sides including at least two sides, the second set of encapsulant sides different from the first set of encapsulant sides, and wherein said heat extraction element having a thickness in a direction that is substantially parallel to the direction in which light is emitted from the LED package that is greater than the thickness of said electrical leads. 146. The LED package of claim 145, wherein said first hard molding compound is a transparent epoxy. 147. The LED package of claim 145, wherein said encapsulant further comprises a stress relieving gel. 148. The LED package of claim 147, wherein the stress relieving gel is silicone. 149. The LED package of claim 147, wherein the stress relieving gel is applied over said LED chip. 150. The LED package of claim 145, wherein said first surface of said heat extraction element is a bottom surface that lies in a plane below a bottom-most surface of said electrical leads and wherein said second hard molding compound does not extend below the plane of the bottom surface of said heat extraction element. 151. The LED package of claim 145, wherein said second set of sides of said encapsulant includes adjacent sides, and wherein said first set of sides of said encapsulant includes a single side of said encapsulant. 152. The LED package of claim 145 and further comprising an additional LED chip, wherein said LED chip and said additional LED chip emit illumination having binary complementary hues that may mix to form white light. 153. The LED package of claim 145 and further comprising a fluorescent material. 154. The LED package of claim 153, wherein said fluorescent material is one or more of a fluorescent dye, pigment and phosphor. 155. The LED package of claim 145, wherein the LED package has a power capacity of at least about 150 mW. 156. The LED package of claim 145, wherein said second hard molding compound is molded directly onto a portion of said heat extraction element.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/935,443 filed on Aug. 23, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,828,170, which is divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/426,795 filed on Oct. 22, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,335,548, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/124,493 filed on Mar. 15, 1999. The entire disclosures of both of these applications are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to semiconductor radiation emitter packages such as, for example, light emitting diode (LED) packages. Semiconductor optical emitter components such as LED devices have become commonplace in a wide variety of consumer and industrial opto-electronic applications. Other types of semiconductor optical emitter components, including organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), light emitting polymers (LEPs), and the like may also be packaged in discrete components suitable as substitutes for conventional inorganic LEDs in these applications. Visible LED components of all colors are used alone or in small clusters as status indicators on such products as computer monitors, coffee makers, stereo receivers, CD players, VCRs, and the like. Such indicators are also found in a diversity of systems such as instrument panels in aircraft, trains, ships, cars, trucks, minivans and sport utility vehicles, etc. Addressable arrays containing hundreds or thousands of visible LED components are found in moving-message displays, such as those found in many airports and stock market trading centers, and also as high brightness, large-area outdoor TV screens found in many sports complexes and on some urban billboards. Amber, red, and red-orange emitting visible LEDs are used in arrays of up to 100 components in visual signaling systems such as vehicle center high mounted stop lamps (CHMSLs), brake lamps, exterior turn signals and hazard flashers, exterior signaling mirrors, and for roadway construction hazard markers. Amber, red, and blue-green emitting visible LEDs are increasingly being used in much larger arrays of up to 300 components as stop/slow/go lights at urban and suburban intersections. Multi-color combinations of pluralities of visible colored LEDs are being used as the source of projected white light for illumination in binary-complementary and ternary RGB illuminators. Such illuminators are useful as vehicle or aircraft maplights, for example, or as vehicle or aircraft reading or courtesy lights, cargo lights, license plate illuminators, backup lights, and exterior mirror puddle lights. Other pertinent uses include portable flashlights and other illuminator applications where rugged, compact, lightweight, high efficiency, long-life, low voltage sources of white illumination are needed. Phosphor-enhanced “white” LEDs may also be used in some of these instances as illuminators. Infrared (IR) emitting LEDs are being used for remote control and communication in such devices as VCR, TV, CD, and other audio-visual remote control units. Similarly, high intensity IR-emitting LEDs are being used for communication between IRDA devices such as desktop, laptop and palmtop computers, PDAs (personal digital assistants), and computer peripherals such as printers, network adapters, pointing devices (“mice,” trackballs, etc.), keyboards, and other computers. IR LED emitters and IR receivers also serve as sensors for proximity or presence in industrial control systems, for location or orientation within such opto-electronic devices such as pointing devices and optical encoders, and as read heads in such systems as barcode scanners. Blue, violet, and UV emitting LEDs and LED lasers are being used extensively for data storage and retrieval applications such as reading and writing to high-density optical storage disks. Billions of LED components are used in applications such as those cited hereinabove, in part because relatively few standardized LED configurations prevail and due to the fact that these configurations are readily processed by the automated processing equipment used almost universally by the world's electronic assembly industries. Automated processing via mainstream equipment and procedures contributes to low capital cost, low defect rates, low labor cost, high throughput, high precision, high repeatability, and flexible manufacturing practices. Without these attributes, the use of LEDs becomes cost prohibitive or otherwise unattractive from a quality standpoint for most high-volume applications. Two of the most important steps in modern electronic assembly processes are high-speed automated insertion and mass-automated soldering. Compatibility with automatic insertion or placement machines and one or more common mass-soldering process are critical to large-scale commercial viability of discrete semiconductor optical emitters (including LEDs). Thus, the vast majority of LEDs used take the form of discrete-packaged THD (through-hole device) or SMD (surface mount device) components. These configurations primarily include radial-lead THD configurations known as “T-1” and “T-1¾” or similar devices with rectangular shapes, all of which are readily adapted onto tape-and-reel or tape-and-ammo packaging for convenient shipment, handling, and high speed automated insertion into printed circuit boards on radial inserters. Other common discrete THD LED packages include axial components such as the “polyLED” which are readily adapted onto tape and reel for convenient shipment, handling, and high speed automated insertion into printed circuit boards on axial inserters. Common SMD LED components such as the “TOPLED” and Pixar are similarly popular as they are readily adapted into blister-pack reels for convenient shipment, handling, and high-speed automated placement onto printed circuit boards with chip shooters. Soldering is a process central to the manufacture of most conventional circuit assemblies using standardized discrete electronic devices, whether THD or SMD. By soldering the leads or contacts of a discrete electronic component such as an LED to a printed circuit board (PCB), the component becomes electrically connected to electrically conductive traces on the PCB and also to other proximal or remote electronic devices used for supplying power to, controlling or otherwise interacting electronically with the discrete electronic device. Soldering is generally accomplished by wave solder, IR reflow solder, convective IR reflow solder, vapor phase reflow solder, or hand soldering. Each of these approaches differ from one another, but they all produce substantially the same end effect—inexpensive electrical connection of discrete electronic devices to a printed circuit board by virtue of a metallic or inter-metallic bond. Wave and reflow solder processes are known for their ability to solder a huge number of discrete devices en masse, achieving very high throughput and low cost, along with superior solder bond quality and consistency. Widely available cost-effective alternatives to wave solder and reflow solder processes for mass production do not presently exist. Hand soldering suffers from inconsistency and high cost. Mechanical connection schemes are expensive, bulky and generally ill-suited for large numbers of electrical connections in many circuits. Conductive adhesives, such as silver-laden epoxies, may be used to establish electrical connections on some circuit assemblies, but these materials are more costly and expensive to apply than solder. Spot soldering with lasers and other selective-solder techniques are highly specialized for specific configurations and applications and may disrupt flexible manufacturing procedures preferred in automated electronic circuit assembly operations. Thus, compatibility with wave solder or reflow solder processes are de facto requirements of an effective semiconductor optical emitter component. The impact of this requirement is far reaching because these solder operations can introduce large thermal stresses into an electronic component sufficient to degrade or destroy the component. Thus, an effective semiconductor optical emitter component must be constructed in such a fashion as to protect the device's encapsulation and encapsulated wire bonds, die-attach, and chip from transient heat exposure during soldering. Conventional solder processes require that the ends of the leads of the device (below any standoff or at a point where the leads touch designated pads on the PCB) be heated to the melting point of the solder for a sustained period. This profile can include temperature excursions at the device leads as high as 230-300 degrees C. for as long as 15 seconds. Given that the leads of the device are normally constructed of plated metals or alloys, such as copper or steel, this high temperature transient poses no problems for the leads themselves. The problem instead is the ability of these leads to conduct heat along their length into the encapsulated body of the device. Since these heated leads are in contact with the interior of the body of the device, they temporarily raise the local internal temperature of the device during solder processing. This can harm the somewhat delicate encapsulation, encapsulated wire bonds, die-attach, and chip. This phenomenon represents one of the fundamental limitations of low-cost, opto-electronic semiconductor devices today. Keeping the body of an electronic component from rising excessively above the glass transition temperature of its encapsulating material during solder processing is critical, since the coefficient of thermal expansion of polymer encapsulating materials rises dramatically above their glass transition points, typically by a factor of 2 or more. Polymers will increasingly soften, expand, and plastically deform above their glass transition points. This deformation from polymer phase transition and thermal expansion in encapsulants can generate mechanical stress and cumulative fatigue severe enough to damage a discrete semiconductor device, resulting in poor performance of the device and a latent predisposition to premature field failure. Such damage typically consists of: 1) fatigue or fracture of electrical wire bonds (at the chip bond pads or at the leadframe); 2) partial delamination or decomposition of die-attach adhesive; 3) micro-fracture of the chip itself; and 4) degradation of the device encapsulant, especially near the entry points of the leads into the encapsulant, and a compromised ability to seal out environmental water vapor, oxygen, or other damaging agents. With regard to such thermal vulnerability, a crucial difference must be recognized between encapsulating materials suitable for non-optical electronic devices and those suitable for optical devices. The encapsulants used for non-optical devices may be opaque, whereas those used in constructing opto-electronic emitters and receivers must be substantially transparent in the operating wavelength band of the device. The side effects of this distinction are subtle and far ranging. Since there is no need for transparency in non-optical devices, encapsulating materials for non-optical semiconductor devices may include a wide range of compositions containing a variety of opaque polymer binders, cross-linking agents, fillers, stabilizers, and the like. Compositions of this type, such as heavily filled epoxy, may possess high glass transition temperatures (Tg), low thermal expansion coefficients (Cte), and/or elevated thermal conductivity such that they are suitable for transient exposures up to 175 degrees C. Opaque ceramic compositions may be thermally stable up to several hundred degrees C with no significant phase transition temperatures to worry about, extremely low Cte, and elevated thermal conductivity. For these reasons, exposure of conventional, opaque encapsulation materials for non-optical devices to electrical leads heated to 130 degrees C. or more for 10 seconds or so (by a solder wave at 230-300 degrees C.) is not normally a problem. However, the need for optical transparency in encapsulants for opto-electronic emitters and receivers obviates use of most high-performance polymer-filler blends, ceramics, and composites that are suitable for non-optical semiconductors. Without the presence of inorganic fillers, cross-linking agents, or other opaque additives, the clear polymer materials used to encapsulate most opto-electronic devices are varieties of epoxies having low Tg values, greater Cte, and low thermal conductivity. As such, they are not suitable for exposure to transient temperature extremes greater than about 130 degrees C. To compensate for the potentially severe effects of damage from solder processing, prior art opto-electronic devices have undertaken a variety of improvements and compromises. The most notable improvement has been the relatively recent introduction of clear epoxies for encapsulation capable of enduring temperatures 10 to 20 degrees C. higher than those previously available (up to 130 degrees C. now versus the previous 110 degrees C.). While useful, this has only partially alleviated the problems noted—the newest materials in use still fall 50 degrees C. or more short of parity with conventional non-optical semiconductor encapsulation materials. The most common compromise used to get around the transient temperature rise problem associated with soldering is to simply increase the thermal resistance of the electrical leads used in the device construction. By increasing the thermal resistance of these solderable leads, the heat transient experienced within the device body during soldering is minimized. Such an increase in thermal resistance can typically be accomplished in the following manner without appreciably affecting the electrical performance of the leads: 1) using a lead material with lower thermal conductivity (such as steel); 2) increasing the stand-off length of the leads (distance between solder contact and the device body); or 3) decreasing the cross-sectional area of the leads. Using these three techniques, prior art devices have been implemented with elevated thermal resistance of the electrical leads to provide the desired protection from the solder process. While effective at protecting prior art devices from thermal transients associated with soldering, there are limits to this approach, particularly in the application of high power semiconductor opto-electronic emitters. Increased lead thermal resistance results in elevated internal operating temperatures in prior art devices, severely compromising operational performance and reliability of these devices. The soldered electrical leads of most prior art LED devices conduct power to the device and serve as the primary thermal dissipation path for heat created within the device during operation. Thus, the electrical leads in prior art devices must be configured to possess thermal resistance as low as possible to facilitate heat extraction during normal operation. Radiation and natural convection from prior art devices play only a minor role in transferring internal heat to ambient, and thermal conduction through their encapsulating media is severely impeded by the low thermal conductivity of the optical materials used. Therefore, the electrically and thermally conductive metal leads must extract a majority of the heat to ambient by the mechanism of conduction. Greater thermal resistance in the solderable pins of these devices, necessary to protect the device from the transient thermal effects of soldering operations, therefore causes a higher internal temperature rise within the encapsulated device body during operation. The maximum temperature rise of a portion of the device body in contact with the semiconductor emitter under steady state is approximately equal to the product of the power dissipation of the emitter and the thermal resistance between the emitter and the ambient environment. As previously discussed, severe consequences will result if the device internal temperature rises substantially above the encapsulant Tg value. Above this temperature, the Cte of the encapsulant typically increases very rapidly, producing great thermo-mechanical stress and cumulative fatigue at the LED wirebond and attach. For most mobile applications, such as automobiles, aircraft and the like, ambient temperatures commonly reach 80 degrees C. With encapsulation maximum operating temperatures in the range of 130 degrees C., an opto-electronic emitter for these applications must therefore limit its operational ΔT to an absolute maximum of about 50 degrees C. This, in turn, limits the power that can be dissipated in a given component, and limits the current that may be passed through the component. Since the emitted flux of semiconductor optical emitters are typically proportional to the electrical current passed through them, limitations upon maximum electrical current also create limitations on flux generated. Other fundamental properties of LEDs place further restrictions on the useful ΔT for operation. Semiconductor LEDs including IR, visible, and UV emitters emit light via the physical mechanism of electro-luminescence. Their emission is characteristic of the band gap of the materials from which they are composed and their quantum efficiency varies inversely with their internal temperature. An increase in LED chip temperature results in a corresponding decrease in their emission efficiency. This effect is quite significant for all common types of LEDs for visible, UV, and IR emission. Commonly, a 1 degree C. increase (ΔT) in chip temperature results in a 1% reduction in useful radiation and a 0.1 nm shift in the peak wavelength of the emission, assuming operation is at a constant power. Thus, a ΔT of 40 degrees C. will typically result in a 40% reduction in emitted flux and a 4 nm shift in peak wavelength. Considering the effects discussed hereinabove, LED performance as a function of package thermal design may be approximated by Equation 1: ΦTa=I×eβ·R·(a·I2+b·1) (Equation 1) Where: ΦTa=Normalized LED Flux β=Coefficient for Change in LED emitted flux with respect to temperature (typically −0.011) I=the average current of the device at equilibrium R=the thermal resistance of the package a=Constant related to the equivalent series resistance of the emitter (ranging from 2.0-7.0, typically 5.5) b=Constant related to the minimum forward voltage of the emitter (ranging typically 1.2-5.0) Equation 1 is illustrated in FIG. 1 for various power levels and package designs. From the preceding discussion, it can be seen that to avoid thermal damage and achieve optimal LED emission performance, it is very important to minimize the ΔT experienced by the LED device chip and package during operation. This can only be achieved by limiting power or reducing thermal resistance. Limiting LED power, of course, is antithetical to the purpose of high power LEDs, i.e., to produce more useful radiation. Generating higher flux with an LED generally requires higher current (and therefore higher power). Most prior art devices, however, exhibit relatively high thermal resistance from their semiconductor radiation emitter to ambient and are compelled to limit power dissipation in order to avoid internal damage. Thus, the best 5 mm T-1¾ THD packages are limited to about 110 mW continuous power dissipation at 25 degrees C. ambient temperature. Other prior art devices have avoided these constraints, but have achieved high performance only by ignoring the needs of standardized, automated electronic assembly operations and adopting configurations incompatible with these processes. Still other prior art devices have achieved high performance by employing unusually expensive materials, sub-components, or processes in their own construction. For example, one prior art approach that has been used to overcome these limitations uses hermetic semiconductor packaging, hybrid chip-on-board techniques, exotic materials such as ceramics, KOVAR and glass, or complex assemblies instead of or in addition to polymer encapsulation. While relevant for certain high-cost aerospace and telecommunications applications (where component cost is not a significant concern), such devices require expensive materials and unusual assembly processes. This results in high cost and restricted manufacturing capacity—both of which effectively preclude the use of such components in mass-market applications. The device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,559 issued to Johnson et al. illustrates a good example of this. Johnson et al. discloses a device which includes both a TO-18 header component and a heat coupling means for mounting an LED chip thereto and transferring internally generated heat to external heat dissipating means. The header consists of several components including a KOVAR member, insulator sleeves and electrical posts, and is manufactured in a specialized process to ensure that the posts are electrically insulated as they pass through the header. The heat coupling means is a separate component from the header and is composed of copper, copper alloys, aluminum or other high thermal conductivity materials. According to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,559, the KOVAR header subassembly and copper heat coupling means must be bonded together with solder or electrically conductive adhesive for electrical continuity, allowing flow of electrical current into the heat coupling means and subsequently into the LED chip. Furthermore, the header and heat coupling means of U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,559 are made of completely dissimilar materials and must be so because of their unique roles in the described assembly. The header must be made of KOVAR in order that it may have a similar coefficient of thermal expansion to the insulator sleeves that run through it. At least one such sleeve is necessary to electrically isolate electrical pins from the header itself. However, KOVAR has relatively low thermal conductivity, necessitating the inclusion of a separate heat coupling means made of a material such as copper with a higher thermal conductivity. Since the header is a complex subassembly itself and is made of different materials than the heat coupling means, it must be made separately from the heat coupling means and then later attached to the heat coupling means with solder or an electrically-conductive adhesive. LED devices made similar to those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,559 are currently being marketed in specialized forms similar to a TO-66 package. These devices are complex and typically involve insulated pin and header construction, and/or include specialty sub-components such as ceramic isolation sheets within them. Another approach which has been used to avoid damage to opto-electronic emitters from soldering has been to prohibit soldering of the component altogether or to otherwise require use of laser spot soldering or other unusual electrical attachment method. This can allow construction of a device with low thermal resistance from the semiconductor within to the electrical pins without danger of device damage from soldering operations. The SnapLED and Super SnapLED devices made by Hewlett Packard illustrate this approach. In these devices, electrical connections are made to circuitry by mechanically stamping the leads to a simple circuit rather than soldering. The resultant devices are capable of continuous power dissipation as high as 475 mW at room temperature. This configuration, however, may complicate integration of such components with electronic circuits having higher complexity—such circuits are conventionally made using printed circuit boards, automated insertion equipment, and wave or reflow solder operations. A final approach is illustrated by an LED package called the SuperFlux package, available from Hewlett Packard. The SuperFlux device combines moderate thermal resistance between the encapsulated chip and the solder standoff on the pins with a high-grade optical encapsulant and specialized chip materials and optical design. It achieves a moderate power dissipation capability without resorting to a non-solderable configuration such as the SnapLED. However, there are several significant problems with this configuration that inhibit its broader use. The package geometry of the SuperFlux package renders it incompatible with conventional high-speed THD radial or axial insertion machinery or by SMT chip shooters known to the present inventors. Instead, it must be either hand-placed or placed by expensive, slow, robotic odd-form insertion equipment. The SuperFlux package geometry is configured for use as an “end-on” source only—no readily apparent convenient lead-bend technique can convert this device into a 90-degree “side-looker” source. The moderate thermal resistance of the solderable pins of this device and relatively low heat capacity may leave it vulnerable to damage from poorly controlled solder processes. It may be inconvenient or costly for some electronic circuit manufacturers to control their soldering operations to the degree needed for this configuration. Finally, there is no convenient mechanism known to the inventors to outfit a SuperFlux package with a conventional active or passive heat sink. A principle factor impeding further application of these and other LED devices in signaling, illumination, and display applications is that there is not currently available a device that has a high power capability with high emitted flux where the device is easily adaptable to automated insertion and/or mass soldering processes. These limitations have either impeded the practical use of LEDs in many applications requiring high flux emission, or they have mandated the use of arrays of many LED components to achieve desired flux emission. Consequently, it is desirable to provide a semiconductor optical emitter device that combines high emission output with thermal protection during automated processing. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of making a semiconductor radiation emitter package is provided that comprises the steps of: (a) forming a leadframe assembly from a sheet of electrically and thermally conductive material, the leadframe assembly having a heat extraction element and a plurality of thermally resistive leads, at least one tie-bar connecting at least one lead to another lead; (b) bonding at least one semiconductor radiation emitter to the heat extraction element, each emitter having a plurality of electrical connection points; (c) forming an electrical connection between at least one electrical connection point and at least one lead connected to the other lead by the at least one tie-bar; (d) encapsulating the at least one semiconductor radiation emitter with a material substantially transparent to wavelengths emitted by the at least one semiconductor radiation emitter; and (e) breaking each of the at least one tie-bar. According to another embodiment, a method of making a plurality of semiconductor radiation emitter packages is provided that comprises the steps of: (a) forming a leadframe assembly from a sheet of electrically and thermally conductive material, the leadframe assembly having a plurality of leadframes each including a heat extraction element and a plurality of thermally resistive leads, the leadframe assembly further including a plurality of tie-bars connecting said plurality of leadframes to one another; (b) bonding at least one semiconductor radiation emitter to each heat extraction element, each emitter having a plurality of electrical connection points; (c) forming an electrical connection between at least one electrical connection point of said at least one said semiconductor radiation emitter and at least one of said plurality of leads of a corresponding one of said leadframes; and (d) encapsulating said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter with a material substantially transparent to wavelengths emitted by the at least one semiconductor radiation emitter so as to create a plurality of interconnected semiconductor radiation emitter packages. These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a graph of current versus emitted flux for various theoretical package designs; FIG. 2 is a generalized schematic diagram of a semiconductor optical radiation emitter package; FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a semiconductor optical radiation emitter package without an encapsulant and prior to singulation; FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating an encapsulated and singulated package according to the embodiment of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration of an emitter; FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional illustration of an emitter; FIGS. 7a-7c are schematic diagrams of various emitter electrical configurations; FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of a semiconductor optical radiation emitter device; FIGS. 9a-9d are illustrations of various lens configurations; FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional drawing of a portion of a leadframe for use in a semiconductor optical radiation emitter package; FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the process for manufacturing a semiconductor optical radiation emitter package; FIGS. 12a-12c are perspective and cross-sectional drawings illustrating an integral metal strip for use in manufacture of a leadframe; FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating a set of leadframes connected by tie-bars; FIG. 14 is a graph of the relative irradiance versus power dissipation for a semiconductor optical radiation emitter device versus a prior art LED; FIG. 15 is a theoretical intensity versus angle plot for a semiconductor optical radiation emitter device; FIGS. 16a and 16b show an alternate embodiment of a semiconductor optical radiation emitter device with and without encapsulation; FIGS. 17a-17c show yet other various views of another alternate embodiment of a semiconductor optical radiation emitter device; FIG. 18 shows yet another alternate embodiment of a semiconductor optical radiation emitter device; FIGS. 19a and 19b show yet another alternate embodiment of a semiconductor optical radiation emitter device with and without encapsulation; FIG. 20 shows yet another alternate embodiment of a semiconductor optical radiation emitter device; FIG. 21 shows yet another alternate embodiment of a semiconductor optical radiation emitter device; FIG. 22 shows yet another alternate embodiment of a semiconductor optical radiation emitter device; FIG. 23 shows yet another alternate embodiment of a semiconductor optical radiation emitter device; and FIG. 24 shows a semiconductor optical radiation emitter device mounted on a heat sink. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring initially to FIG. 2, a semiconductor optical radiation device or package 200 according to the present invention contains three major components: a leadframe 201, at least one semiconductor optical radiation emitter 202, and an encapsulant 203. Each of these components shall now be described in detail. The leadframe 201 serves as a support for mounting a semiconductor optical radiation emitter 202, provides a mechanism for electrical connection to the semiconductor optical radiation emitter 202, and provides thermal paths for removing heat generated within the semiconductor optical radiation emitter 202 during operation and transferring this heat to adjacent media, adjacent structures, or the surrounding environment. The leadframe includes two primary elements: a heat extraction member 204 and a plurality of electrical leads, indicated collectively by 205; The heat extraction member 204 consists of a thermally conductive body, typically composed of metal but potentially composed of a thermally conductive ceramic or other material that provides a dominant path (distinct from the leads 205) to transfer heat generated by the emitter of the device into the ambient environment. Preferably, the heat extraction member 204 functions to transfer more of the heat generated by the emitter out of the device into the ambient environment than is transferred by the electrical leads 205. Most preferably, the heat extraction member 204 is constructed to transfer more than 75% to 90% of this heat out of the device into the ambient environment, adjacent structures, or surrounding media. In contrast to the complex subassembly of Johnson et al., which includes a TO-18 header component, a heat coupling means, and electrical pins that protrude through the header, no complicated header component is needed in the semiconductor optical radiation package 200 according to the present invention. Another distinguishing feature is that the heat extraction member 204 transfers heat out of the encapsulation 203 to the ambient environment via a path having a location separate from the points of entry into the encapsulation of the electrical leads 205. Thus, the heat extraction member 204 forms the dominant thermal conduit to and from the semiconductor optical emitter 202 within the device 200, a conduit that is substantially independent of the electrical conduits to and from the device. Broadly speaking, the heat extraction member 204 may range in thickness from 0.25 mm to 5.0 mm, in width (dimension 207) from 2 mm to 25 mm, and in length (dimension 208) from 2 mm to 25 mm. Preferably, the heat extraction member 204 is a modified rectangular solid approximately 1.0 to 2.0 mm thick, 9.5 to 12.0 mm wide (dimension 207), and 10.0 to 17.0 mm long (dimension 208). In another more preferred embodiment, the heat extraction member 204 is a modified rectangular solid approximately 1.625 mm thick, 11.0 mm wide (dimension 107), and 12.5 mm long (dimension 208). These dimensions ensure compatibility with standard auto-insertion equipment and standard mounting and heat-sink components. These ranges of dimensions yield a heat extraction member with a large cross-sectional area conducive to heat extraction. As discussed in greater detail hereinbelow, the heat extraction member 204 may be constructed with a generally elliptical, circular or other non-rectangular form, and may be chamfered, or otherwise contain extensions, slots, holes, grooves and the like, and may incorporate depressions such as a collimating cup or other form to enhance optical performance. The heat extraction member 204 may be composed of copper, copper alloys such as beryllium copper, aluminum, steel, or other metal, or alternatively of another high thermal conductivity material such as ceramic. Suitable leadframe materials are available from a wide variety of sheet metal companies including Olin Brass of East Alton, Ill. Portions of the surface of the heat extraction member 204 may be scored, textured, or embossed to enhance adhesion of the encapsulant of the component to the heat extraction member. The heat extraction member 204 is preferably plated to improve various physical properties of the base metal. Referring to FIG. 10, the region 1002 of the heat extraction member 204 directly underlying the point of attachment of the semiconductor optical radiation emitter 202 may be coated with nickel, palladium, gold, silver, or other materials including alloys in order to enhance the quality and reliability of the die-attach. Other thin-layered materials may be optionally inserted between the emitter and the heat extraction member to achieve a variety of desired effects without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. These materials may be adhesive, electrically insulative, conductive or a patterned composite of electrically insulative and conductive materials and, without significantly impeding thermal transfer, may be used to support, bond, electrically connect, or otherwise mount the emitter to the heat extraction member. The region 1004 of the heat extraction member 204 within any optical-enhancement cup feature 301 may be coated with silver, aluminum, gold, etc. to increase reflectance and improve the optical efficiency of the device. Referring again to FIG. 2, the region 222 of the heat extraction member 204 outside the encapsulant 203 may be coated with nichrome, black oxide, or other high emissivity treatment to improve radiative cooling. Other coatings may also be applied to various surfaces of the heat extraction member 204 to protect the device from environmental influences such as corrosion, or to improve adhesion of die-attach adhesives or encapsulants used within the semiconductor optical radiation package. Such coatings may be applied using a variety of anodizing, electro-plating, or other wet plating techniques and/or physical deposition methods such as E-beam evaporation, sputtering, and the like well known to those skilled in the art. The heat extraction member 204 provides a primary path out of the package for heat generated by the semiconductor optical radiation emitter 202 to the ambient environment or to structures or media adjacent the package 200. To accomplish this, the heat extraction member 204 must exhibit a low thermal resistance between the surface region where it is attached to the semiconductor optical emitter 202 and the ambient environment or adjacent structures. The heat extraction member 204 accomplishes low thermal resistance to ambient or adjacent structures by a combination of one or more of the following attributes: 1) construction with substantially high thermal conductivity material such as copper, copper alloys such as beryllium copper, aluminum, soft steel, or other metal, or alternatively of another high thermal conductivity material such as ceramic; 2) construction with a substantially high cross-sectional area in one or more directions leading away from the surface region where the semiconductor optical emitter is attached; 3) construction with a relatively short path length in one or more direction from the surface region where the semiconductor optical emitter is attached to the ambient environment or adjacent structures; 4) construction with structural details such as fins or perforations or other features yielding a high surface area exposed to air, surrounding media, or adjacent structures (outside the device encapsulant) relative to device power to enhance convective and radiative heat loss; and 5) treatment of surfaces exposed to air, surrounding media or adjacent structures (outside the device encapsulant) with textures or coating materials having improved emissivity such as nichrome, black-oxide, or matte finish to enhance radiative heat loss by emission. Another function of the heat extraction member 204 in some embodiments of the present invention is to dampen the effects of transient thermal exposure experienced by the device during soldering of the electrical leads 205. The heat extraction member 204 can accomplish this directly and indirectly. Direct dampening by the heat extraction member 204 of temperature extremes from soldering of electrical leads 205 is accomplished in embodiments of the present invention where the heat extraction member 204 is connected to or made integral with the one or more of the electrical leads 205 being soldered. Since the heat extraction member 204 is constructed with materials and geometry giving it a substantially high heat capacity, and the solderable electrical leads 205 are constructed with a relatively high thermal resistance between their standoff seating plane and the heat extraction member 204, temperature excursions caused by heat traveling up the electrical leads 205 during soldering are dampened. This function is analogous to that of an electrical “RC” filter for dampening voltage transients in an electrical circuit. Indirect dampening of temperature extremes from soldering of electrical leads 205 is accomplished by the heat extraction member 204 by providing a dominant low thermal resistance path out of the device 200 which is substantially independent of the thermal path represented by the electrical leads. This allows the electrical leads 205 to be constructed with relatively high thermal resistance without compromising LED operational performance. Such a compromise exists in solderable prior art devices that rely on their electrical leads for supplying electrical current and for heat extraction. In the present invention, since the electrical leads 205 may be constructed with arbitrarily high thermal resistance without regard to their thermal impact during operation, the device can be very effectively protected against thermal transients travelling up the electrical leads 205 during soldering. Their high thermal resistance reduces the temperature extreme that would otherwise be reached within the device encapsulant 203 at and beyond the points where the electrical leads 205 enter the encapsulant 203. Additional functions of the heat extraction member 204 may include: 1) means of mechanically gripping or placing the device; 2) means for attaching or registering to adjacent components such as secondary optics, support members, or secondary heat extractors; 3) partial optical collimation or other beam reformation of energy emitted by the semiconductor optical emitter; and 4) partial mixing of energy emitted by a plurality of semiconductor optical emitters if a plurality is present. To support these additional functions, additional characteristics may be required of the heat extraction member 204, some of which are illustrated in FIG. 3. Slots 230, through-holes 232, tabs 234, or standoffs (not shown) may be stamped directly into the metal of the heat extraction member 204 to facilitate handling by automated handling and placement in processing by mechanical grippers. Similar structural details may be incorporated for attachment of the device of the present invention to adjacent components. By attachment to a heat sink, housing, or other adjacent component or material, thermal extraction from the device may be further improved. Using similar features, secondary optical components may be readily snapped to or registered against devices of the present invention for superior optical performance and minimized variance. By stamping a depression or cup 301 into the heat extraction member 204 and subsequently mounting semiconductor optical emitters 202 within this recess, the depressed surface of the heat extraction member 204 may serve as an optical collector and reflector, thereby improving optical performance of the device. The surface of the heat extraction member 204 surrounding the semiconductor optical emitter 202, including surfaces of an optical cup or depression 301 if present, may be coated with a highly reflective coating such as silver, aluminum, gold, etc. to enhance optical efficiency. Such stamping and coating features can also provide a narrower and more powerful beam and/or provide a more evenly distributed beam. The surface of the heat extraction member 204 surrounding the semiconductor optical emitter 202, including surfaces of an optical cup or depression 301, if present, may additionally or alternately be coated or textured so as to increase diffuse reflectance or scattering. In devices which contain more than one semiconductor optical radiation emitter 202, these treatments can also improve the mixing of energy within the beam resulting from the combined emissions of the plurality of emitters contained therein. Referring again to FIG. 2, leadframe 201 contains a second primary element comprising a plurality of electrical leads referred to collectively as 205. For purposes of the present invention, electrical leads 205 refers to a metallic, electrical conductor component primarily configured for the purpose of establishing electrical connection between the semiconductor optical radiation emitter 202 and an external electrical circuit such as a power source (not shown). In addition to providing an electrical connection, the electrical leads 205 may serve as a method of mechanical retention to a circuit board, wire harness, connector or the like. Electrical leads 205 also provide a secondary thermal path out of the device, which is minor compared with the dominant thermal path defined by the heat extraction member 204. In fact, the minor thermal path formed by the leads 205 preferably possesses a high thermal resistance in order to isolate the device from thermal damage during soldering. Materials suitable for making electrical leads include copper, copper alloys such as beryllium copper, aluminum, steel, or other metals. These materials are available from a wide variety of sheet metal companies including Olin Brass of East Alton, Ill. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one or more electrical leads 209 is made as a narrow integral extension of the heat extraction member 204. This is illustrated by the direct physical connection between lead 209 and heat extraction member 204 at point 206 in FIG. 2. This physical connection 206 may occur either within the perimeter of the encapsulant 203 or exterior to the encapsulant. In this fashion, the integral electrical lead 209 is electrically continuous with the heat extraction member 204 such that electrical current may be delivered through a short portion of the heat extraction member 204 from the integral electrical lead 209 to contact at the base surface of the semiconductor optical radiation emitter 202. The remaining one or more isolated electrical leads 210 is not connected to heat extraction member 204. As discussed hereinabove, it is important in the present invention that the electrical leads 205 possess relatively high thermal resistance between portions of the integral electrical lead 209 exposed to solder and the semiconductor optical radiation emitter 202 within the device encapsulation. In some embodiments of the present invention, replacing integral electrical lead 209 with an isolated electrical lead electrically connected to the heat extraction member by a wire bond increases this thermal resistance. Electrical leads 205 are preferably made relatively low in a cross-sectional area to increase their thermal resistance, although the dimensions of the leads may vary depending on the final application of the device 200. Broadly speaking, the electrical leads 205 may be about ⅓ to ¼ the thickness of the heat extraction and may range in thickness from about 0.25 mm to 2.0 mm, in width from about 0.25 mm to 2.0 mm, and in length from about 2.0 mm to 25.0 mm. Presently preferred dimensions of electrical leads 205 are approximately 0.51 mm in thickness, approximately 0.87 mm in width (measured at the point that the leads exit the encapsulant 203), and approximately 9.0 mm in length (measured from the point that the leads exit the encapsulant to the standoff seating plane). This results in a cross-sectional area of 0.44 mm2 for each lead and a relatively high thermal resistance, given the length of the leads and copper alloys used to make the leads. For comparison, the tab of the heat extraction member 204 in the configuration shown in FIG. 4 and according to the presently preferred dimensions would have a cross-sectional area of 17.875 mm2 at the point where the tab exits the encapsulant 203. In a presently preferred embodiment, electrical leads 205 have a spacing of approximately 2.54 mm center to center to maintain standardization with many common electrical device configurations. The thermal resistance of the electrical leads 205 may be further increased by constructing the electrical leads 205 from a low thermal conductivity metal and constructing the heat extraction member 204 from a high thermal conductivity metal. For example, the electrical leads 205 may be constructed from steel and the heat extraction member 204 may be constructed from copper. In this case, an integral electrical lead 209 made from steel can be made integral with a heat extraction member 204 made from copper. A method for accomplishing this heterogeneous construction is described hereinbelow. For embodiments using a semiconductor radiation emitter 202 energized by a direct current (DC) power source, the electrical leads 205 are typically classified as anodic and cathodic electrical leads. A cathodic electrical lead refers to an electrical lead to be given a negative electrical potential (relative to an anodic electrical lead) upon electrical attachment to an external electrical circuit or connector. Similarly, an anodic electrical lead refers to an electrical lead to be given a positive electrical potential (relative to a cathodic electrical lead) upon attachment to an external electrical circuit or connector. Semiconductor radiation emitter packages 200 of the present invention will normally include at least one anodic and at least one cathodic electrical lead. If one of the electrical leads 205 of an embodiment is an integral electrical lead 209, and the semiconductor radiation emitter 202 is of the type including an electrical contact at its base, then the polarity of this lead 209 is typically configured to match that of the contact at the base of the semiconductor radiation emitter 202. In this case, at least one isolated electrical lead 210 with electrical polarity opposite of that of the integral electrical lead 209 is included in the package and is electrically connected to the top bond pad of the semiconductor radiation emitter 202 via a wire bond 211. This integral electrical lead 209 may thus be a cathodic or anodic lead electrically connected to the base of the semiconductor radiation emitter 202, depending on whether the semiconductor radiation emitter has a cathode or anode contact at its base, respectively. The isolated electrical lead 210 similarly may be an anodic or a cathodic lead electrically connected to the top bond pad of the semiconductor radiation emitter 202, depending on whether the semiconductor radiation emitter has an anode or cathode contact at its top bond pad, respectively. As is illustrated in FIG. 3, the present invention can be adapted to contain a plurality of semiconductor radiation emitters 202. In a preferred embodiment, two semiconductor optical radiation emitters are present and mounted in a cup 301 formed in heat extraction member 204. These two semiconductor optical radiation emitters both contain a cathodic contact on their base that is electrically connected to the heat extraction member 204. A single integral cathodic electrical lead 209 provides an electrical path to both semiconductor optical radiation emitters 202. Two separate isolated anodic electrical leads 210 provide an isolated anodic electrical path to each of semiconductor radiation emitters. As described above, wire bonds 302 provide electrical connection from the anodic electrical lead to each of the semiconductor radiation emitters 202. The use of two isolated anodic electrical leads 210 facilitates the use of two different semiconductor optical radiation emitters 202 by providing connection for an independent current supply for each emitter. In the event that each of the semiconductor radiation emitters 202 is of substantially the same configuration, a common anodic electrical lead may be used in addition to a common cathodic lead. Also, the invention can be modified to include more than two or three electrical leads to provide for more than two semiconductor radiation emitters of a variety of configurations. Referring to FIG. 4, in a preferred embodiment, the electrical leads 205 are all formed to be parallel to one another and contained substantially in the same plane or in parallel planes. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the plane of an electrical lead 205 is defined as the plane containing the top surface (209a and 210a) of the electrical lead at the point where the electrical lead exits the encapsulant 203, or alternatively the point where the wire bond is made to the lead, if the lead is bent prior to exiting the encapsulant. The top surface of the electrical lead 205 is defined as the surface perpendicular to and facing the primary direction of radiation emission from the semiconductor optical radiation emitter 202. In this embodiment, wire bond attachments 302 to isolated electrical leads 302 occur on the top surface of the electrical leads. The plane of the heat extraction member 204 is defined as the plane containing the surface onto which the semiconductor optical radiation emitter(s) 202 is bonded. As shown in FIG. 3, the plane of each electrical lead 205 is substantially parallel to the plane of the heat extraction member 204 in this embodiment. Although electrical leads 205 are shown and described thus far as having a rectangular cross section, it should be understood that leads with a circular cross section, varying cross section, or other cross section shape are still within the scope and spirit of the present invention so long as there is a feature of the lead appropriate for connection of a wire bond 302 when needed. Isolated electrical leads 210 are positioned external to the outer perimeter of the heat extraction member 204 and do not pass through the heat extraction member. The positioning of the isolated electrical leads 210 outside the outer perimeter of the heat extraction member 204 eliminates the need for insulating sleeves, bushings, and the like which are required for some prior art devices where electrical leads may penetrate through a heat extractor and thus must be electrically insulated from this extractor. Eliminating such an insulating bushing, sleeve, or the like reduces the number of components in the present invention relative to these prior art devices and thus may facilitate a more simple and cost effective manufacturing process than previously achievable for a high power LED device of comparable performance. In a preferred embodiment shown schematically in FIG. 2 and pictorially in FIG. 4, electrical leads 205 extend out of one surface of the encapsulant 203 and heat extraction member 204 extends out of the opposite surface of the encapsulant. The heat extraction member 204 may also be exposed solely or additionally through the bottom surface (surface opposite the primary direction of optical radiation emission) of the encapsulant 203. Electrical leads 205 may be straight or bent at various angles. Various lead bend options allow the use of the present invention in either end-looker or side-looker configurations. An end-looker configuration is defined as a configuration in which the primary direction of optical radiation is generally parallel to the axis of one or more electrical leads 205 at the point where the electrical leads make contact to a circuit board, connector, or the like. This is in contrast to a side-looker configuration wherein the primary direction of radiation is generally perpendicular to the axis of one or more electrical leads at the contact point to external media. Configuring electrical leads 205 to extend straight from a side of the encapsulant 203 allows use of the device in a side-looker configuration. Various applications may require the use of the device in side-looker or end-looker configurations or at angles between. A very useful aspect of the present invention is the ability to easily adapt the leadframe 201 to either configuration by a simple lead bend operation. Electrical leads 205 may contain various features to aid in the manufacture of systems containing the present invention. For example, electrical leads 205 may contain standoffs to aid in the registration of the leadframe 201 onto a printed circuit board. These standoffs may be bent to be perpendicular to the plane of the electrical leads to prevent the leadframe from tipping relative to a printed circuit board. Various lead bend, form, trim, and stamping options allow the leadframe in the present invention to be applied in a wide range of configurations including end-looker, side-looker, through-hole, surface-mount, connector-attach, or the like. Several examples of adaptations of the leadframe to these various configurations will be presented later in this disclosure. All or portions of electrical leads 205 may be plated or coated with a variety of materials to enhance various physical properties of functions of the leads. Commonly, the portion of these leads external to the component encapsulation 203 will be plated or coated with nickel, silver, gold, aluminum, metallic alloys and/or solder to improve resistance of the leads to corrosion and to improve the solderability of the leads of the finished component. Portions of the leads 205 internal to the component encapsulation 203 are commonly coated with these or other materials to improve wire-bond properties of surfaces of the leads where a wire-bond is made. For purposes of the present invention, semiconductor optical radiation emitters 202 comprise any component or material that emits electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between 100 nm and 2000 nm by the physical mechanism of electro-luminescence upon passage of electrical current through the component or material. The principle function of a semiconductor optical emitter 202 within the present invention is the conversion of conducted electrical power to radiated optical power. A semiconductor optical radiation emitter 202 may include a typical infrared, visible, or ultra-violet LED chip or die well known in the art and used in a wide variety of prior art devices. Alternate forms of semiconductor optical emitters which may be used in the present invention are LEPs, polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs), OLEDs and the like. Such materials and opto-electronic structures made from them are electrically similar to traditional inorganic LEDs, but rely on organic compositions such as derivatives of the conductive polymer polyaniline for electroluminescence. Such semiconductor optical emitters are relatively new, but may be obtained from sources such as Cambridge Display Technology, Ltd. of Cambridge, and from Uniax of Santa Barbara, Calif. If such materials are included in a binder and disposed directly onto the surface of the heat extraction member, then an attachment material may be unnecessary for electrical connection, thermal conductivity, or mechanical retention between the LEP semiconductor optical emitter and the heat extraction member. For brevity, the term “semiconductor optical radiation emitter” may be substituted with the term LED or the alternate forms of emitters described above or known in the art. Examples of emitters suitable for the present invention include varieties of LED chips with associated conductive vias and pads for electrical attachment and that are emissive principally at P-N junctions within doped inorganic compounds of AlGaAs, AlInGaP, GaAs, GaP, InGaN, GaN, SiC, and the like. Other varieties of LED chips included within the scope of the present invention include those whose emissions are enhanced via the physical mechanism of fluorescence by use of an organic or inorganic dye or phosphor. Representative LED chips are used within the wide variety of discrete prior art LED devices (SMD and THD) and hybrid LED arrays in widespread usage worldwide. Regardless of the semiconductor materials used, all LED chips suitable for the present invention provide means to electrically connect to either side of the junction responsible for optical emission. Referring to FIG. 5, such means usually take the form of a metallized bond pad 502 for one electrode on the topmost face of the chip and a conductive base for the other electrode. Commonly, the metallized bond pad 502 is an anode optimized for electrically continuous connection to a metallic anode wire by means of a ball wirebond 503 and 211. The conductive base of many LED chips is commonly the cathode, optimized for electrically continuous connection to a leadframe 201 by means of a die-attach 505. In some types of LEDs, the polarity is reversed such that the top bond pad 502 is the cathode and the conductive base is the anode. In another configuration, the topmost surface of the LED chip possesses two bondpads, and electrical connection to both the LED anode and cathode is made by wirebond 211. LED chips suitable for use in the present invention are made by companies such as Hewlett-Packard, Nichia Chemical, Siemens Optoelectronics, Sharp, Stanley, Toshiba, Lite-On, Cree Research, Toyoda Gosei, Showa Denko, Tyntec, and others. For normal operation, such chips are typically fashioned approximately in a tapered cubic shape having a square base between 0.008″ and 0.016″ long on each side, a height of about 0.008″ to 0.020″, and a taper angle of less than 15 degrees. In some embodiments of the present invention, however, larger chips (having a square base up to 0.025″ long on each side) are used to achieve various effects. FIG. 6 is a simplified diagram of a typical LED chip 202 construction suitable for use in the present invention. LED chip 202 contains a top electrode bonding pad 502 which is typically a circular metallized region about 0.1 mm to 0.15 mm in diameter centered on the top of the chip and suitable for attachment of a wire bond. However, the use of larger chips in some embodiments of the present invention may require bonding pads 502 as large as 0.3 mm in diameter. The metalization of such a pad typically comprises one or more layers of aluminum, silver, gold, ITO, alloys of these metals, or other conductive materials deposited onto the parent wafer of the chip in a vacuum physical vapor deposition process such as electron beam evaporation, ion-assisted deposition, ion-plating, magnetron sputtering, and the like. Finally, a plurality of redundant bond pads may be positioned across the chip with multiple wire bond connections to them. This configuration has the advantage of providing redundant connection and decreases the probability of catastrophic failure in the event of a wire bond break. However, the presence of multiple bond pads reduces the surface emission area of the chip making this technique appealing only for larger LED chips. As depicted in FIG. 5, bond pad 502 may contain extensions 504 for the purpose of improving the distribution of the current across the top surface of the chip 202. These extensions may be in a variety of patterns, such as honeycomb, grid, asterisk, etc. Optional current spreading layer 601 located under bonding pad 502 or coplanar with bonding pad 502 functions to distribute the flow of current through the die and provide uniform current density through the P-N junction. Current spreading layer 601 may be composed of a transparent conductive layer, such as ITO. Emission layer 602 represents the active junction region from which optical emission occurs. The emission layer may include one or more P- or N-doped semiconductor layers forming one more P-N junctions. The emission layer 602 may contain one or more differing semiconductors as is the case in a heterojunction device, or may contain a superlattice structure. In another common construction, the P-N junction is formed between a doped semiconductor layer 602 and a doped substrate 501. In this case, emission occurs not only from layer 602 but from a combination of layer 602 and the substrate 501; specifically from a depletion region formed surrounding the junction of layer 602 and substrate 501. Layer 602 may be N-doped with substrate 501 being P-doped or vice versa. As before, this construction may be combined with additional doped semiconductor layers to form additional homojunctions or heterojunctions. Substrate 501 is typically a doped, conductive, semiconductor substrate suitable for the epitaxial growth of emission layer 602. Substrate 501 may be opaque or transparent. Substrate 501 may be formed from semiconductor materials which are substantially the same or similar to those used to form the emission layer 602. In other configurations, the substrate 501 is composed of a material substantially different from the material of emission layer 602, in which case an intermediate buffering material may be placed between the emission layer 602 and the substrate 501. The emission layer 602 is not always epitaxially grown on the substrate 501, and in certain known configurations, the emission layer 602 is formed separate from the substrate 501 and later bonded to the substrate 501 using wafer bonding techniques. An optional metal coating 603 is typically formed on the back of the substrate 501 to improve contact consistency, improve stability, create ohmic contact, and reduce electrical resistance In some cases, the substrate 501 is non-conductive, for example, in InGaN LED chips formed on a sapphire substrate. In this situation, two bonding pads 502 are present on the top of the LED chip 202, one of which is constructed to form electrical contact with the back of the emission layer 602 and the other constructed to form electrical contact with the top. Many variations of the above constructions are known to those skilled in the art. LED chips incorporating additional features such as integral reflectors and light extraction surface treatments have been disclosed. Chips of varying size and different geometrical configurations are also known. The present invention is not indented to be limited to any particular construction or family of constructions of LED chips. Increasing the width and length of the chip 202 may reduce the current density flowing through the chip, allowing more total current to be passed when desired. More current generally allows for greater flux emission, a desired trait for high power LEDs. Increasing the base area of the LED chip 202 also increases the contact area of the adhesive or solder bond 505 between the chip and the leadframe 201. This reduces the thermal resistance of this boundary and allows the chip to maintain a cooler operating temperature for a given power dissipation (or alternately to maintain an equivalent operating temperature at higher power dissipation or higher ambient temperatures). As discussed hereinabove, lower operation temperature is critical to maintaining high emitted flux and component reliability. Increasing the base area of the LED chip 202 also increases the area of adhesion in the adhesive or solder bond between the LED chip and the heat extraction member 204. Such a larger bond area is stronger and more resistant to transient thermo-mechanical stress and accumulated fatigue from repeated thermo-mechanically induced stresses. Finally, increasing the base area of the LED chip 202 and the attendant contact area of the adhesive or solder bond 505 between the chip 202 and the heat extraction member 204 may also reduce the electrical resistance of the bond between the LED chip 202 and the heat extraction member 204. This is important for those LED chips constructed with cathodic or anodic contacts at the base surface. Reduced contact resistance through such base electrodes reduces excess ohmic power dissipation in the electrically conductive bond at elevated current levels. This allows the chip to maintain a cooler operating temperature for a given power dissipation (or alternately to maintain an equivalent operating temperature at higher power dissipation or higher ambient temperatures). Reducing the chip substrate 501 thickness can increase the performance of an LED chip when used in a high power device such as the present invention. Normal LED chips range in thickness from 0.010″ to 0.012″. Decreasing chip substrate 501 thickness to possibly as thin as 0.006″ or less reduces the electrical resistance through the substrate 501 and thereby reduces the ohmic heating of the substrate caused by current flowing from a base electrode contact to the emission layer 602. This results in reduced power dissipation, a lower junction temperature for a given operating current, and thus increased operating efficiency. Additionally, decreasing the thickness of substrate 501 reduces the thermal resistance between the emission layer 602 and the heat extraction member 204 to which the LED chip 202 is bonded, and thus improves the extraction of heat from the junction and improves the efficiency of this device. This is of particular relevance for chips constructed with rather high thermal resistance substrate materials such as GaAs. Electrical connection to top-side anode or cathode bond pads is normally made by a wire bond 211 that establishes electrical continuity between the top side electrode and an electrical lead 205, as well known in the art and described hereinafter. In alternate embodiments described hereinafter, this top-side wire bond 211 may be made in a chain fashion to the anode or cathode of another of a plurality of LED chips situated within a single LED device of the present invention. The wire bond 211 is of typical construction well known in the prior art LED devices, with the exception of size in the highest power embodiments. Wire bond 211 is included in most typical embodiments of the invention where the anode, cathode, or both electrodes of an LED chip 202 consist of a metallized bond pad 502 on the top of the chip. As described hereinbefore, the primary function of a wire bond 211 in the present invention is to establish electrical contact between an LED electrode and an appropriate electrical lead 205. The wire bond 211 and bond pad 502 must collectively establish a low electrical resistance path through which all of the current supplied to typical LED chips must flow. The wire used for wire bonding in the present invention is typically constructed of gold, aluminum, or alloys thereof with a diameter typically between 0.04 mm and 0.3 mm. Suitable wire for wire bonding is available from American Fine Wire, a division of Kulicke and Soffa Industries of Philadelphia, Pa. Electrical connection is normally made between the wire bond member 211 and a top-side bond pad 502 on an LED chip 202 using a thermo-sonic or ultrasonic ball-bond as is well known in the art; however, in some circumstances, a wedge or stitch bond may be preferred. Electrical connection at the other end of the wire bond member 211 is established to a portion of an electrical lead 205, to the heat extraction member 204, or alternatively to a top-side bond pad 502 of an adjacent LED chip within the device. Bonds made to electrical leads 205 or to the heat extraction member 204 are normally wedge or stitch bonds. The most common means of attachment of an LED chip 202 to the heat extraction member 204 is by the use of a special type of electrically conductive adhesive die-attach epoxy. These adhesives normally achieve good electrical conductivity by inclusion of metallic fillers, such as silver, in the adhesive. Suitable die-attach adhesives are well known in the art and may be obtained from Quantum Materials of San Diego, Calif., from Ablestik division of National Starch and Chemical, and EpoTek of Billerica, Mass. As an alternative to electrically conductive adhesive, solder may be used as a means of attaching the LED chip 202 to the heat extraction member 204 in some embodiments. Whether the LED chip 202 is attached with electrically conductive adhesive or solder, the bond establishes good electrical and thermal conductivity between the LED chip 202 and the heat extraction member 204. This facilitates the flow of electrical current from a base cathode of the LED chip through a portion of the heat extraction member 204 to or toward a cathodic electrical lead (or to an electrical wire conductor leading thereto). The die-attach or solder bond 505 also retains the LED chip 202 in a registered fashion relative to any optical features made integral with either the heat extraction member 204 or the device encapsulation 203. In the case of LED chips 202 with two top electrodes such as those operating on InGaN and GaN architectures on sapphire substrates, however, the die-attach 505 serves only two primary functions—thermal coupling and structural retention or registration as described above. This is because both of the electrodes (anode and cathode) of such chips are manifest as conductive bond pads 502 at the top of these LED chips 202 rather than at their base, such that electrical attachment is achieved by means of a wire bond 211 instead of a die-attach 505. In this situation, the attachment material may be electrically conductive (for the sake of process standardization and convenience), but such electrical conductivity is not necessary for proper function of the device. It should be noted that it is possible to construct LED chips 202 with electrical polarity that is reversed relative to the location of the anode and cathode connections. Such chips look substantially the same as conventional LED chips, with a bond pad 502 situated on the top surface and an electrical contact coextensive with their base surface. Such chips may be used in the present invention; however, care must be exercised to ensure proper polarity of electrical potential supplied to the device when placed in circuit. An alternative construction of an LED chip has recently been introduced that is known as a flip-chip LED. A flip-chip LED possesses an unusual internal and surface architecture such that both the anode and cathode are fashioned as isolated, metallized contacts disposed upon the base and or portions of the sides of the LED chip. Establishing electrical contact to both electrodes on such flip-chip LED chips is achieved by conductive die-attach adhesive or by solder—no wire bonds are necessary (or feasible for that matter). To utilize a flip-chip LED in the present invention, an additional isolation layer, such as a patterned metallized ceramic member, may be used between the flip-chip and the heat extraction member to ensure electrical isolation between the LED anode and cathode. While this does add complexity and cost to a device and may slightly compromise the otherwise superior thermal performance of the present invention, it may be desired in certain embodiments. Despite the likely compromise in emission efficacy attending this flip-chip adaptation, a flip-chip embodiment of the present invention would contain no wire-bonds and might therefore be capable of more extended operation in certain environments of extreme temperature cycling. A flip-chip adapter for use in the present invention consists of a small and thin, thermally conducting, electrically-insulating substrate upon which two electrically-isolated, electrically-conductive bond pads are disposed. The flip-chip adapter serves several functions: 1) support a flip-chip LED; 2) provide means for electrical connection to the flip-chip anode and cathode contacts; 3) maintain electrical isolation between flip-chip anode and cathode contacts upon attachment of the flip-chip LED to the adapter and of the adapter to the heat extraction member; and 4) provide an efficient thermal path between the flip chip LED and the heat extraction member. With understanding of the possible configurations of the semiconductor optical radiation emitter(s) 202 and the potential configurations of electrical leads 205 and heat extraction member 204, several electrical configurations become possible. Several potential configurations will be described in the following paragraphs. FIG. 7a schematically shows a single emitter electrical configuration. The semiconductor optical radiation emitter 202 is an LED chip mounted to the heat extraction member 204. In this embodiment, cathode contact is made through the base of the LED chip to the heat extraction emitter. An integral cathode electrical lead 209 provides cathode electrical path to external circuitry. The LED chip 202 has an anode bonding pad at the top of the chip which is wire bonded 211 to an isolated anode electrical lead 210 providing an anode electrical path. FIG. 7b illustrates schematically an embodiment containing two semiconductor optical radiation emitters 202 which are LED chips with cathode contact on the base of the chip. The chips 202 are mounted to the heat extraction member 204 with a common cathode contact. Integral cathode electrical lead 209 forms the cathode electrical path for both chips 202. Anode connection to each of the chips 202 is formed through wire bonds 211 to separate isolated electrical leads 210. LED chips 202 may be of the same or substantially different types. The isolation of the first and second anode electrical leads 210 allows independent control of the current flowing through each of the chips 202. The configuration in FIG. 7b can be slightly modified to facilitate the use of LED chips which do not have a cathode electrical contact on the back of the chip but rather possess both anode and cathode bonding pads on their top surface. Such is the case with the common InGaN on sapphire construction for blue and green emitting LEDs. In the event that either or both of LED chips 202 are constructed in this way, an additional bonding wire can be provided to connect the cathode bonding pad on the top of the chip to the heat extraction member 204 or the integral cathode electrical lead 209. The use of more than two chips 202 is facilitated by the addition of more isolated anodic electrical leads 210. An example of LED chips connected in series is shown is FIG. 7c. In this example, a first LED chip 701 is configured with a cathode connection made through its base and an anode connection made through a bonding pad at its top surface. Second LED chip 702 is configured with an anode connection made through its base and the cathode connection made with a bonding pad on the top surface of the chip. LEDs 701 and 702 are connected to the heat extraction member 204 with a conductive epoxy or solder. In this way, the cathode of LED chip 701 is electrically connected to the anode of LED chip 702, both of which are electrically connected through the heat extraction member 204 to an integral electrical lead 706. The anode bonding pad of LED chip 702 is connected to an isolated anode electrical lead 707 through wire bond 703. The cathode of LED chip 701 is electrically connected to isolated cathode electrical lead 705 through wire bond 704. Optional shunt resistor 708 may be provided by external circuitry to reduce the current through LED chip 701 relative to LED chip 702. Further external circuitry to control the current being supplied to two or more LEDs is outlined in co-filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/425,792 filed on Oct. 22, 1999, on behalf of John K. Roberts et al., which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. In another embodiment, it may be beneficial to electrically isolate the heat extraction member 204 from one or more of the LEDs 202 in the package 200. To accomplish this, an additional isolation layer, such as a patterned metallized ceramic member, may be used between the LED(s) and the heat extraction member to ensure electrical isolation. This may be useful in applications where several devices are used in series and mounted on a common metallic heat sink. In this embodiment, all electrical leads would be isolated from the heat extraction member. Anodic and cathodic connections to the isolated electrical leads can be made via wire bonds to the top of the die. In the case where electrical contact is made with the base of the LED, the insulating substrate can be metallized and a die-attach can be used to make electrical contact with the base and a wire bond can be used to make connection between an isolated electrical lead and the metallization on the insulating substrate. In several applications, it may be useful to provide current to the LEDs through a fixed voltage supply without the use of external ballast resistors electrically in series with the LED chips. The large area of the heat extraction member will allow for the mounting of a chip resistor onto the substrate. For example, the resistor can be placed in series with the LED chip and the anodic isolated electrical lead in order to provide an internal current limiting mechanism. An encapsulant is a material or combination of materials that serves primarily to cover and protect the semiconductor optical radiation emitter 202 and wire bonds 211. To be useful, at least a portion of encapsulant 203 must be transparent or translucent to the wavelengths of optical radiation emitted by the semiconductor optical radiation emitter 202. For purposes of the present invention, a substantially transparent encapsulant refers to a material that, in a flat thickness of 0.5 mm, exhibits greater than 10% total transmittance at any wavelength of energy between 100 nm and 2000 nm emitted by the one or more semiconductor optical radiation emitters it covers. The encapsulant material typically includes a clear epoxy or another thermoset material, silicone, or acrylate. Alternatively, the encapsulant may conceivably include glass or a thermoplastic such as acrylic, polycarbonate, COC, or the like. The encapsulant may include materials that are solid, liquid, or gel at room temperature. The encapsulant may include transfer molding compounds such as NT 300H, available from Nitto. Denko, or potting, encapsulation or other materials which start as a single part or multiple parts and are processed with a high temperature cure, two part cure, ultra-violet cure, microwave cure, or the like. Suitable clear encapsulants may be obtained from Epoxy Technology of Billerica, Mass., from Nitto Denko America, Inc., of Fremont, Calif., or from Dexter Electronic Materials of Industry, Calif. Encapsulant 203 provides structural integration for package 200, including retention of electrical leads 205, heat extraction member 204, emitters 202, and any conductive electrode wires 21 1. Encapsulant 203 covers emitters 202 and partially covers heat extraction member 204 and leads 205, permitting portions of heat extraction member 204 and leads 205 to extend through the sides or back of the encapsulant. Encapsulant 203 may provide partial optical collimation or other beam formation of electromagnetic energy emitted by emitter 202 and or reflected by the surface of heat extraction member 204. For example, this beam formation may include collimating diffusing, deviating, filtering, or other optical functions. If package 200 includes a plurality of emitters 202, encapsulant 203 may provide partial mixing of energy. Encapsulant 203 also serves as a chemical barrier, sealant, and physical shroud providing protection of emitters, internal adhesives such as bonds 505, bond pads 502, conductor wires, wire bonds 211, and internal surfaces of heat extraction member 204 and electrical leads 205 from environmental damage due to oxygen exposure, exposure to humidity or other corrosive vapors, solvent exposure, mechanical abrasion or trauma, and the like. Encapsulant 203 provides electrical insulation. Encapsulant 203 may also provide a location permitting mechanical gripping or placing of package 200. Further, encapsulant 203 may provide for attaching or registering to adjacent components such as secondary optics, support members, secondary heat extractors, and the like. In order to reduce the thermal coefficient of expansion of the encapsulant, increase the glass transition temperature of the encapsulant, or increase the thermal conductivity of the encapsulant, the encapsulant 203 may include a filler component. The filler type used depends somewhat on the optical effect that is desired, along with the physical properties desired. If optical diffusion of the semiconductor optical emitter beam is acceptable or desired, the filler component may be any material with a substantially different index of refraction from the encapsulant 203 which exhibits desired properties such as low thermal expansion, high melting point, high chemical inertness and/or low oxygen or moisture permeability relative to the encapsulant itself. Typical filler materials with these desired properties may include TiO2, glass, Nb2O5, Al2O3, diamond powder, and the like. The filler material may replace up to 70% by weight of the total encapsulant 203 in some cases, but is more typically in the range of 10% to 30%. If optical diffusion of the semiconductor optical emitter beam is to be avoided, the inventors have discovered that the filler may be a powdered material or beads of a substantially clear material having an index of refraction matched with that of the bulk encapsulant material, within approximately ±15%. In a preferred embodiment, this index-matched filler comprises 50-137 micron SiO2 beads mixed to 25% by weight of the total encapsulant. Alternatively, the filler material may be composed of nano-particles substantially smaller than the wavelength of light emitted by the emitter 202. In this embodiment, the nano-particles may not need to exhibit an index or refraction close to the bulk encapsulant. A nano-particle filler thus may provide the benefits of improving the thermal properties of the encapsulant 203 without substantially decreasing its transparency. The encapsulant 203 may comprise a heterogeneous mass of more than one material, wherein each material occupies a portion of the overall encapsulant volume and provides a specialized function or property. For example, a stress relieving gel such as a silicone “glob top” may be placed over the emitter 202 and wire bonds 211. Such a localized stress relieving gel remains soft and deformable and may serve to cushion the emitter 202 and wire bonds 211 from stresses incurred during subsequent processing of the component or due to thermal expansion or shock. A hard molding compound, such as an epoxy, may then be formed over the stress relieving gel to provide structural integration for the various features of the component, to retain the electrical leads 205, to protect internal mechanisms of the component from environmental influences, to electrically insulate the semiconductor radiation emitters 202, and to provide various optical moderation of radiant energy emitted from the emitter 202. If optical diffusion of the semiconductor optical emitter beam is acceptable or desired, the stress relieving gel may contain a diffusant for diffusing light from the emitter 202. Providing optical diffusion in the stress relieving gel portion of the encapsulant but not in the hard molding compound surrounding the gel may serve to provide for a smooth emission pattern and to mix light from multiple emitters, while still preserving the ability to substantially collimate light from the emitter 202 with a lens formed from the hard molding compound. The filler component to be mixed with the stress relieving gel may be any material with a substantially different index of refraction from the stress relieving gel which also exhibits desired properties such as low thermal expansion, high melting point, high chemical inertness and/or low oxygen or moisture permeability relative to the gel itself. Typical filler materials with these desired properties may include TiO2, glass, Nb2O5, Al2O3, diamond powder, and the like. The filler material may replace up to 70% by weight of the total gel in some cases, but is more typically in the range of 10% to 30%. Fillers used within the stress relieving gel may include a high thermal conductivity material such as diamond powder. Diamond is a chemically inert substance with an extremely high thermal conductivity. The presence of diamond in the stress relieving gel may significantly increase the thermal conductivity of the gel and provide an additional path for heat generated in an LED chip 202 to reach the heat extraction member 204 other than through the substrate of the chip. In many LED chips, the light emitting P-N junction is fabricated on a substrate with high thermal resistance, such as GaAs. Therefore, an additional path for heat generated at the junction to reach the heat extraction member 204 through the stress relieving gel will improve the efficiency of the emitter. In another embodiment, a portion of the overall encapsulant 203 may be composed of a substantially opaque material. As shown in FIG. 8, a first portion 801 of the encapsulant consists of a material that serves to cover a portion of each electrical lead 205 and retains the electrical leads 205 in position relative to the heat extraction member 204. This first portion does not cover the LED chip (hidden), the wire bonds (hidden) connected to the chip, and any critical optical enhancement surface of the heat extraction member 204 in the immediate vicinity of the chip. Therefore, this material need not be transparent or translucent to optical radiation emitted from the chip. A second portion 804 of encapsulant 203 is transparent or translucent and covers the LED chip and wire bonds. In this embodiment, an opaque encapsulant material may form the majority of encapsulant 203. As discussed herinabove, some opaque encapsulants may possess more superior mechanical, chemical, and thermal properties than clear encapsulants and may be useful for providing improved durability electrical lead retention in the harshest of applications. In this embodiment, many of the superior characteristics of some opaque encapsulants can be realized while still providing mechanism for light emitted from the LED chip to exit the device. In another embodiment, dyes or pigments may be blended or dispersed within clear portions of the encapsulant to alter the exterior appearance of the device or to tailor or augment the spectrum of radiation emitted by the radiation emitter and emanating from the device. Suitable dyes for these functions may include spectrally selective light absorbing dyes or tints well known to those skilled in the art. Fluorescent dyes, pigments, or phosphors may also be used within the encapsulant or more particularly in a stress relieving gel to absorb energy emitted by the optical radiation emitter and re-emit it at lower wavelengths as may be desirable in some embodiments of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2, energy radiated by emitter 202 travels through encapsulant surface 203a and exits the device into the ambient environment. Surface 203a may be formed as a plane as depicted in FIG. 2, or alternatively may take various shapes such as that of a dome as depicted at 401 in FIG. 4, depending on the desired emission pattern of the emitted optical radiation. It should be understood that most semiconductor optical radiation emitters radiate light in a substantially Lambertian pattern that must be optically modified for maximum device utility. To accomplish this, the encapsulant surface may be used as a collimator for the emitted radiation, for example, if shaped in the form of a spherical convex collimator as depicted in FIG. 9a, an aspheric convex collimator as depicted in FIG. 9d, or as a Fresnel lens, TIR lens, kinoform, binary optical element, HOE or the like as schematically illustrated in FIG. 9b. The encapsulant surface may alternately or additionally function as a diffuser if configured as a textured surface, a structured diffuser, stereographic diffuser, holographic diffuser, or the like as schematically depicted in FIG. 9c. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, optic 401 (FIG. 4) will function in conjunction with cup 301 (FIG. 3) to tailor the emission pattern of the device for the desired application. Method of Manufacturing the Invention A method for manufacturing the optical radiation emitter package will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2-4 and 10-13: Formation of the leadframe 1101 (FIG. 11) begins from a common strip or plate of metal 1200 as indicated in FIG. 12a. Metal strip 1200 preferably contains a thin portion 1202 and a thick portion 1201. The thin portion shall be used primarily for the formation of the electrical leads and the thick portion shall be used primarily to form the heat extraction member. A cross section of metal strip 1200 is shown in FIG. 12b. The differential thickness of the portions 1201 and 1202 may be formed in a variety of ways. For instance, a uniform thickness metal strip may be rolled through a die that selectively compresses a portion of the strip. A common solid metal strip with a variable thickness cross section as shown in FIG. 12b would result from such a process. Alternatively, two metal strips of different thickness can be bonded together as in FIG. 12c and connected at joint 1203. Joint 1203 may be formed by welding, soldering, and the like, and it should be understood that the transition between thicknesses at joint 1203 may be abrupt or smooth, depending on the intended application of the leadframe. Thick metal section 1201 and thin metal section 1202 need not necessarily be of the same composition. For example, thin metal section 1202 may be composed of steel and thick metal section 1201 may be composed of copper. Also, the use of a metallic material for metal sections 1202 and 1201 is usually preferable but not mandatory. Any electrically conductive material suitable for construction of the electrical leads 205 may be used for the thin metal section 1202 and any thermally conductive material (ceramic, for instance) suitable for construction of the heat extraction member 204 may be used for the thick metal section 1201. Finally, it should be noted that metal strip 1200 need not be composed of two differing thickness sections. A leadframe containing electrical leads of thickness similar to heat extraction member 204 is still within the scope and spirit of the present invention so long as electrical leads 205 do not form the dominant path for extraction of thermal energy from semiconductor optical radiation emitter 202. To facilitate the construction of alternative embodiments shown in FIGS. 16-19, 21, and 23, metal strip 1200 may be composed of more than two sections having multiple thicknesses. In any event, the construction of metal strip 1200 from one or more metallic or possibly non-metallic materials of uniform or varying thickness results in what will be defined to be an integral metal strip for the purpose of this invention. Formation of the leadframe from integral metal strip 1200 occurs by a common die stamping or rolling process. This process, well known to those skilled in the art of leadframe construction, involves various stages of stamping, coining, piercing and shearing to remove, shape, stamp, bend, compress or otherwise form the material from integral metal strip 1200 into the desired shape of leadframe 201 (FIG. 13). In particular, material is removed surrounding electrical leads (209 and 210) partially isolating them from one another and separating isolated electrical leads 210 from heat extraction member 204. Additionally, reflector cup 301, as well as slots, tabs, and through-holes described above, may be stamped into the thick metal section 1201 of integral metal strip 1200. At the time of construction of leadframe 201, various tie-bars 303 are left remaining on leadframe 201 to mechanically connect electrical leads (209 and 210) and heat extraction member 204 to one another and retain their relative positions during the subsequent assembly of the final device. Tie-bars 303 may be operative to connect several of leadframes 201 to one another. This facilitates the mass production of several devices simultaneously to reduce cost and improve the throughput of the manufacturing process of this device. After formation of the metal strip 1200 into a series of leadframes 201, these leadframes may be plated or coated 1102, completely or selectively, with a variety of materials to improve thermal emissivity, improve optical characteristics, improve solderability, or provide for corrosion resistance. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the some or all of this plating may take place prior to formation of the leadframes. Semiconductor optical radiation emitter(s) 202, assumed to be LED chips for this discussion, are mounted onto the leadframe 201 in the following manner. Preferably, a strip of leadframes attached by tie-bars 303 as shown in FIG. 13 is used for mass assembly of the device. A conductive epoxy or other material suitable for die-attach is then dispensed 1103 on to the heat extraction member 204 at the position where the LED chip(s) are to be attached, for example, in a reflective cup 301 stamped into the heat extraction member. The LED chip(s) are then placed onto the die-attach material preferably using automatic die placement equipment 1104. The die-attach material is then cured by the method appropriate for the material used. After the LED die 202 has been attached to the heat extraction member 204, wire bonds 1105 are made from the electrode bonding pads on the LED die to the electrical leads. Wire bonds are preferably made using thermosonic ball bonding with gold wire. However, use of aluminum or other wire material is also suitable as is the use of alternative bonding techniques such as ultrasonic wedge bonding. If a stress relieving gel is to be used (with any optional fillers, diffusants, and the like dispersed therein), the gel is then dispensed 1107 onto the LED chip(s) and wirebonds and then cured by a method appropriate for the gel material. Next, the encapsulant 203 (with any optional fillers, diffusants, and the like dispersed therein) is formed to cover the LED chip(s) 202 and wirebonds 211, and to partially cover the electrical leads 205 and heat extraction member 204 and provide the various integration, protection, optical and other functions described hereinbefore. The encapsulant 203 may be formed 1108 by a variety of processes well known to those skilled in the art such as encapsulation molding, potting, casting, resin transfer molding, insert molding and the like. After the molding process is completed, tie-bars 303 must be removed from the leadframe 201 to electrically isolate the electrical leads 205 and separate the individual packages from one another. This process, commonly known as singulation, occurs by shearing operations 1109 in which the devices are placed into a die or other clipping mechanism which shears away the tie-bars 303 at the points where they connect to the electrical leads 205 and the heat extraction member 204. A final step in the construction of this device that facilitates mass manufacturing of systems containing the device is to adhere the individual devices onto a continuous tape at evenly spaced intervals 1110. This method of packaging, commonly referred to as tape-and-reel or tape-and-ammo packaging, facilitates subsequent loading of the devices into automatic insertion or placement equipment configured to electronic assembly industry standards. The process for packaging the devices into a taped configuration is well understood in the industry. EXAMPLE An example of a specific embodiment illustrating the use of the invention follows: The leadframe 201 in this example was constructed with three leads 205 extending from one side of the encapsulant 203 and a portion of the heat extraction member 204 extending from the opposite side and exposed through the back of the encapsulant 203. This configuration is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The total heat extraction member 204 is a generally rectangular shape 13 mm long and 1.35 mm thick. A portion of the heat extraction member extends 6 mm from the encapsulant 203 and is 11 mm wide. The tab contains a mounting hole which is 2 mm in diameter. The remainder of the heat extraction member covered by the encapsulant 203 is a modified rectangular shape 8 mm wide and contains a cup 301 centered 2 mm up from the end of the heat extraction member nearest the leads. The cup is generally oval in shape being 0.64 mm wide and 1.3 mm long at the base, and 0.88 mm deep. The wall on the cup has a 32.6 degree draft as measured from the normal to the bottom surface. Three electrical leads 205 are present in the example, the middle cathodic electrical lead 209 being integral with the heat extraction member, and the remaining two leads 210 being electrically isolated. The leads are 0.51 mm thick by 0.87 mm wide and approximately 9.0 mm long as measured from the standoff seating plane to the point where the leads enter the encapsulant of the device. The leads 205 and the heat extraction member were formed from a single piece of copper. The entire leadframe 201 was coated with a nickel and palladium plating. Two red-orange LED emitters are used in this example. Each of these emitters is an AlInGaP LED die 0.016″ by 0.016″ in size formed on a GaAs substrate with a peak emission at a wavelength of about 615 nm. Both emitter dies 202 were bonded to the heat extraction member 204 at the base of the cup 301 using a conductive die-attach epoxy 6030 HK, available from Diemat, Mass. Cathodic contact is made at the base of both emitter dies 202 through the die-attach 505 which electrically connects the cathodes of both dies to the center integral cathodic electrical lead 209. A circular bonding pad 502 on the top of each die facilitates anodic connection to each die. An 0.003″ diameter aluminum/1% silicon wire was used to form a wire wedge bond connecting the anodes of each of the dies to the isolated electrical lead 210 nearest each die. The assembly was then encapsulated in a clear epoxy using an encapsulant molding process. Clear potting epoxy 301-2FL, available from Epoxy Technology, Inc., Massachusetts, was molded over the leadframe to the desired shape and cured. The shape of the resulting encapsulant is shown in FIG. 3. Specifically, the encapsulant is composed of a generally rectangular section 10 mm wide by 9 mm tall and 3.8 mm thick. The lens 401 positioned atop the rectangular section and centered over the cup in this example is a spherical convex surface having a radius of curvature of approximately 2.5 mm and an aperture of approximately 5.0 mm. The distance from the tip of the lens to the top of the die was approximately 4.9 mm. The performance of the device was measured by applying separately controlled positive voltages to each of the two isolated anodic electrical leads using two separate power supplies. Ten-ohm ballast resistors were placed in series between the positive terminal of the power supplies and each isolated anodic electrical lead 210 to establish the desired current through each emitter 202. The negative terminals of each supply were connected to each other and to the common center cathodic integral electrical lead 209. A plot of the total power dissipated versus relative irradiance of the device, compared with that of a commercially available prior art solderable power LED, is shown in FIG. 14. As illustrated, the current invention is capable of dissipating nearly five times the power of the prior art device. FIG. 15 is intensity versus angle plot showing the distribution of light emitting from the device 200. Referring again to FIG. 14, it should be noted that the relative irradiance of the plots exhibit a characteristic exponential rise up to an asymptotic maximum as power is increased. The asymptotic maximum reached in relative irradiance represents the maximum effective power capacity of the semiconductor optical radiation emitter under study. It should be understood that the relative irradiances shown in this figure are normalized at about 20 mW for comparative purposes. It should be further understood that the relative irradiance measurements were further made at thermal equilibrium, i.e., after the specified power was applied at steady state for an extended period of at least five minutes. The asymptotic maxima are shown as about 160 mW and 900 mW for the two devices studied, although it should be understood that these measurements apply to the devices under test by themselves, unattached to a printed circuit board or heat sink, and using high thermal resistance connections to thermally isolate the device. Practically speaking, a more useful rating of the power capacity of each device is the practical effective power capacity of the semiconductor optical radiation emitter, which we estimate equals the power at which the device emits about 75 percent of its peak relative irradiance. For the devices illustrated in FIG. 14, these practical effective power capacities are about 140 mW and 675 mW, respectively. The performance behavior illustrated is consistent with devices having thermal resistances between the junction and ambient of about 300 degrees C./W without heat sinking, and further correspond to practical electrical current capacities of about 65 mA and about 300 mA for devices containing emitters with about 2.1 volts forward voltage. Semiconductor radiation emitter packages may be made in a wide variety of leadframe, emitter and encapsulant configurations without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For purposes of comparison, devices made in accordance with the teachings contained herein are envisioned with maximum practical power capacities preferably ranging from about 150 mW to about 300 mW, more preferably ranging from about 600 mW to about 800 mW, and can range from more than about 1.0 W to 1.5 W for heatsinked versions. Devices made in accordance with the teachings contained herein may preferably exhibit thermal resistance from junction to ambient of less than about 200 degrees C./W to about 250 degrees C./W, more preferably range from less than about 100 degrees C./W to less than about 25 degrees C./W, and can be less than about 15 degrees C./W for heat-sinked versions. Devices made in accordance with the teachings contained herein and configured for emission of visible light may preferably radiate luminous flux greater than about 1 lumen to 2.5 lumens, more preferably may radiate 4.0 to 6.0 lumens, and may radiate greater than 10.0 lumens. Alternative Embodiments Upon consideration of the present invention, one skilled in the art will realize that many various configurations and embodiments of the present invention are possible in addition to the example just presented. By varying the number of electrical leads 205, the orientation of the electrical leads, employing different lead bend configurations, varying the size, shape, and orientation of the heat extraction member 204, using multiple emitters 202 of various types, and varying the encapsulant configuration 203, it is possible to configure the present invention for use in a side-looker configuration, end-looker configuration and as a through-hole device or surface-mount device. Alternative embodiments are presented below to illustrate the flexibility of the present invention to adapt to various system and assembly configurations. These embodiments represent only a subset of the possible alternative configurations and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention to those configurations explicitly described. FIG. 16a illustrates an embodiment in which two electrical leads extend from opposite sides of the heat extraction member 204. One electrical lead 209 is an integral electrical lead mechanically and electrically attached to the heat extraction member 204 while the opposite electrical lead 210 is an isolated electrical lead. Two LED chips 202 are mounted within a cup 301 stamped into the heat extraction member 204 forming an electrical contact between the cathode of each die 202, located at the base of the die, and the integral electrical lead 209. Both dies 202 are assumed to be of the same configuration and thus the anode of each die can be electrically connected to the same isolated electrical lead 210 via wire bonds 211. FIG. 16b illustrates an encapsulant 203 formed over the leadframe shown in FIG. 16a. As illustrated, the leads 209 and 210 extend from opposite sides of the encapsulant 203 and the heat extraction member 204 extends from the two opposite sides orthogonal to the sides through which the leads 209 and 210 extend. Cylindrical cutouts 1601 are present in the heat extraction member 204 and encapsulant to facilitate gripping by automatic insertion equipment. A lens 401 is present in the encapsulant 203 centered over the cup 301 in the heat extraction member 204 to provide partial collimation of light emitting from the LED chips 202. An embodiment similar to that of FIG. 16 is shown from three views in FIGS. 17a, 17b, and 17c. In this embodiment, four electrical leads 205 are provided instead of two. The electrical leads 205 are bent 90 degrees forward towards the direction of optical emission. The device is constructed to mount onto a printed circuit board and radiate light in the direction of the board. Standoffs 1701 allow precise registration of the distance between the top of the lens 401 and the plane of the circuit board. Typically, a hole would be present in the circuit board to allow the light to shine through. This configuration is occasionally useful when system constraints require light to shine through a circuit board. Bending the leads 205 in the opposite direction, as shown in FIG. 18, enables a typical end-looker configuration where the direction of radiation is away from the plane of the circuit board. As shown in FIG. 17c, a back view of the embodiment, the heat extraction member 204 extends from two sides of the encapsulant and is exposed through the rear of the encapsulant 203 allowing a large exposed surface area for the radiation of heat. An embodiment suitable for surface-mount assembly is shown is FIGS. 19a and 19b. The heat extraction member 204 is configured similarly to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 16 and 17; however, the cup 301 is enlarged to contain three emitters. All electrical leads are isolated electrical leads 210 to maximize the thermal resistance from the circuit board, through the leads, and to the emitter. Electrical contact to the cathode of each die is made through the base of the die, each of which is electrically and mechanically bonded to the heat extraction member, through a wire bond 1905, and through electrical lead 1901. The anode contact of each die 1909, 1910, and 1911, is made through wire bonds 1906, 1907, and 1908, and through electrical leads 1902, 1903, and 1904, respectively. The electrical leads are bent as shown to allow surface mount attachment to a circuit board. An encapsulant 203 covers the leadframe 201 with a lens 401 formed directly above the cup 301. The heat extraction member 204 extends out two sides of the encapsulant and is exposed from the back. This configuration is of particular interest when the three dies 1909, 1910, and 1911 emit at red, blue, and green wavelengths, respectively. The current to each die can be independently controlled through isolated electrical leads 1902, 1903, and 1904 allowing the emission of light formed by a combination of a ratio of red, blue, and green colors. As is well known, a combination of red, blue, and green colors can be used to produce light of any color desired. Therefore, the device of this example can be used to produce emitted light of any desired color. Such a device would be especially useful in the construction of large signs or TV screens for use in large stadiums or similar places. FIG. 20 shows an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 3, discussed hereinabove, with the exception that the leads 205 are bent 90 degrees away from the primary direction of optical emission. This simple lead bend configuration allows the use of the device in an end-looker configuration. Although shown for through-hole assembly, leads 205 could be bent similarly to those of FIG. 19 to support surface-mount assembly. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 21, two isolated electrical leads 210 extend from one side of the encapsulant 203 with the heat extraction member 204 extending from the opposite side. A third integral electrical lead 209 extends from the heat extraction member 204. The joint between the heat extraction member 204 and the integral electrical lead 209 occurs external to the encapsulant 203. This embodiment may be for end-looker applications when structural considerations dictate that the device be retained by a solder connection from at least two sides of the device. An embodiment illustrated in FIG. 22 shows many modifications that can be made to the heat extraction member 204 or the leads 205 to realize various benefits. Holes 2202 are present in the heat extraction member 204 for mounting of the device and to increase the surface area of the heat extraction member 204 and thus increase heat emission. Fins 2201 added to the heat extraction member 204 also increase the surface area of the heat extraction member 204. Tabs 2204 extend from the heat extraction member 204 to increase its volume and size. These tabs 2204 may be the remnants of the tie-bars 303 used to hold several leadframes 201 together during assembly. S-shaped bends 2203 in the leads 205 allow the leads to be bent to various angles without placing excessive stresses on the joints between the leads 205 and the encapsulant 203 which retains them. Finally, standoffs 1701 serve function to register the package at a certain height above the circuit board into which it is inserted. FIG. 23 shows yet another potential configuration similar to that of FIG. 17, except that in this figure, the heat extraction member 204 has an oval shape and is exposed solely though the backside of encapsulant 203. Referring to FIG. 24, an important feature of the present invention is the ability to easily attach a passive or active heat sink (generically referred to as 2402) to the package 200 and obtain a significant improvement in the performance of the device. The attachment of a passive heat sink to the heat extraction member of the device significantly increases the heat capacity of the system over that of the isolated device. Additionally, heat sinks incorporating fins 2404 to increase their surface area may serve to substantially improve the radiation of heat into the surrounding environment when attached to the heat extraction member of the package. Heat sinks suitable for this application are available from Aavid Thermal Products, Inc. of Concord, N.H. The addition of a heat sink to the package may increase its power dissipation capability by 50% or more. The use of an active cooling mechanism, such as a thermoelectric cooler based upon the Peltier effect, can increase the power dissipation capability of the system substantially. Again, configurations of the present invention such as those shown in FIG. 3 leave a large surface of the heat extraction member exposed onto which a thermoelectric cooler could be attached. In the present invention, a thermoelectric cooler can be attached to the package such that the cooler side of the thermoelectric cooler, for the given polarity, is thermally bonded to the heat extraction member. The other side of the cooler can be attached to a passive heat sink or other large heat capacity structure. Thermoelectric cooler modules are typically constructed by sandwiching an array P and N doped Bismuth Telluride dies between two ceramic plates, although different semiconductor materials may also be used. Alternating P and N dies are connected electrically in series by metallized traces on the inside surfaces of the ceramic and thermally in parallel by the ceramic itself. Passing current through the die results in a temperature differential between the two plates of ceramic. Thermoelectric coolers constructed in this manner are commonly used for the cooling of electronic components such as computer CPUs. Thermoelectric coolers are commercially available from Advanced Thermoelectric Products, Inc. of Nashua, N.H. To facilitate effective thermal coupling of the heat extraction member to such passive or active heat sinks, an alternative embodiment of the present invention may include an additional heat sink pad or thermally activated heat sink compound attached to or disposed on an exposed surface of the heat extraction member. Such thermal coupling agents or layers may take the form of a gel or solid and may play an additional role as an adhesive. Addition of such a layer could be incorporated into the manufacturing process disclosed hereinabove for semiconductor optical radiation emitters of the present invention at any point after the device encapsulation is formed. In the case where such heat coupling layer takes the form of a gel, a heat activated phase-change thermal coupling pad, or a solid material carrying a pressure sensitive adhesive, a release liner could be employed to cover the layer at the time of device manufacture until application of the device in assembly at a later time. The unique high power capacity, manufacturability, and thermal efficiency of devices of the current invention, in combination with their inherent amenability to incorporate more than two electrical leads having independent functions and two or more semiconductor optical radiation emitters of differing types, make the present invention particularly useful for semiconductor illumination and power signaling applications. In a related embodiment of the current invention, the semiconductor optical radiation device functions as an LED white light source. Devices of this construction may be used alone or in arrays as the white light illumination source for lamps or alternately as very high brightness, direct-view white indicators. Three ways of accomplishing this are of particular importance. In the first version of the white illuminator embodiment, the device contains a plurality of visible light emitting LED chips as emitters such that the light emitted by at least one of the LED chips is projected and mixed with the light emitted and projected by another of the LED chips to form binary complementary white illumination, in accordance with the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,579 to Turnbull et al., hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. LED chips having a peak emission wavelength between about 580 and 610 nm may be used in conjunction with LED chips having a peak emission wavelength between about 480 and 510 nm to achieve such a binary complementary additive color mixture. Devices of this construction may be used alone or in arrays as the white light source for lamps or alternately as very high brightness, direct-view indicators. If the two chips are of inverted electrical polarity relative to one another, as discussed hereinabove, and electrically configured in the device as depicted in FIG. 7c, then the chromaticity and color temperature of the white illumination projected by the device may be adjusted by adjusting the value of optional shunt resistor 708 or by omitting the shunt resistor and manipulating the relative current drawn through electrical leads 705 and 706 via an external circuit (not shown). In a second version of the white illuminator embodiment, the device contains a plurality of visible LED chips as emitters such that the light emitted by at least one of the LED chips is projected and mixed with the light emitted and projected by two other of the LED chips to form ternary complementary white illumination, such as RGB. Devices of this construction may be used alone or in arrays as the white light source for luminaires or alternately as very high brightness, direct-view indicators. If two of the three chips are of inverted electrical polarity relative to one another, as discussed hereinabove, and electrically configured in the device as depicted in FIG. 7c, then the chromaticity and color temperature of the white illumination projected by the device may be adjusted by adjusting the value of optional shunt resistor 708 or by omitting the shunt resistor and manipulating the relative current drawn through electrical leads 705 and 706 via an external circuit (not shown). In a third version of the white illuminator embodiment, the device contains one or more LED chips with peak emission less than 550 nm as emitters in combination with a fluorescent media (e.g., a fluorescent dye or phosphor) contained within the device encapsulant. In this version, some light emitted by at least one of the LED chips is absorbed by the fluorescent media and re-emitted at one or more longer visible wavelengths such that the re-emitted light alone or in combination with emitted light not absorbed by the media is projected from white illumination. In the first and second version of white light embodiments of the present invention discussed hereinabove, the inventors have discovered optical configurations of particular utility. Referring to FIGS. 4, 16b, 17, 9b, and 22, for example, lens surface 401 may be optimized to provide collimation and mixing of the visible light emitted by the plurality of emitters in the device. This optimization involves: 1) increasing intensity of the beam emanating from the package by reducing the outward-convex radius of curvature of the lens surface or by disposing this surface at a distance from the emitters close to the focal length of the lens surface; and 2) increasing the imaging spot size of the lens surface and improving beam mixing by increasing the outward-convex radius of curvature of the lens surface or by disposing this surface at a distance from the emitters as far as practical from the focal length of the lens surface. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, lens surface 401 is a convex lens with a radius of curvature of about 4.25 mm ±1.0 mm, the aperture of the lens is about 6.5 to 10.5 mm, and the distance between the top or crown of lens surface 401 to the top of the emitters is about 5.5 mm ±1.0 mm. While the invention has been described in detail herein in accordance with certain preferred embodiments thereof, many modifications and changes therein may be effected by those skilled in the art without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims and, therefore, it is our intent to be limited only by the scope of the appending claims and not by way of the details and instrumentalities describing the embodiments shown herein.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention relates to semiconductor radiation emitter packages such as, for example, light emitting diode (LED) packages. Semiconductor optical emitter components such as LED devices have become commonplace in a wide variety of consumer and industrial opto-electronic applications. Other types of semiconductor optical emitter components, including organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), light emitting polymers (LEPs), and the like may also be packaged in discrete components suitable as substitutes for conventional inorganic LEDs in these applications. Visible LED components of all colors are used alone or in small clusters as status indicators on such products as computer monitors, coffee makers, stereo receivers, CD players, VCRs, and the like. Such indicators are also found in a diversity of systems such as instrument panels in aircraft, trains, ships, cars, trucks, minivans and sport utility vehicles, etc. Addressable arrays containing hundreds or thousands of visible LED components are found in moving-message displays, such as those found in many airports and stock market trading centers, and also as high brightness, large-area outdoor TV screens found in many sports complexes and on some urban billboards. Amber, red, and red-orange emitting visible LEDs are used in arrays of up to 100 components in visual signaling systems such as vehicle center high mounted stop lamps (CHMSLs), brake lamps, exterior turn signals and hazard flashers, exterior signaling mirrors, and for roadway construction hazard markers. Amber, red, and blue-green emitting visible LEDs are increasingly being used in much larger arrays of up to 300 components as stop/slow/go lights at urban and suburban intersections. Multi-color combinations of pluralities of visible colored LEDs are being used as the source of projected white light for illumination in binary-complementary and ternary RGB illuminators. Such illuminators are useful as vehicle or aircraft maplights, for example, or as vehicle or aircraft reading or courtesy lights, cargo lights, license plate illuminators, backup lights, and exterior mirror puddle lights. Other pertinent uses include portable flashlights and other illuminator applications where rugged, compact, lightweight, high efficiency, long-life, low voltage sources of white illumination are needed. Phosphor-enhanced “white” LEDs may also be used in some of these instances as illuminators. Infrared (IR) emitting LEDs are being used for remote control and communication in such devices as VCR, TV, CD, and other audio-visual remote control units. Similarly, high intensity IR-emitting LEDs are being used for communication between IRDA devices such as desktop, laptop and palmtop computers, PDAs (personal digital assistants), and computer peripherals such as printers, network adapters, pointing devices (“mice,” trackballs, etc.), keyboards, and other computers. IR LED emitters and IR receivers also serve as sensors for proximity or presence in industrial control systems, for location or orientation within such opto-electronic devices such as pointing devices and optical encoders, and as read heads in such systems as barcode scanners. Blue, violet, and UV emitting LEDs and LED lasers are being used extensively for data storage and retrieval applications such as reading and writing to high-density optical storage disks. Billions of LED components are used in applications such as those cited hereinabove, in part because relatively few standardized LED configurations prevail and due to the fact that these configurations are readily processed by the automated processing equipment used almost universally by the world's electronic assembly industries. Automated processing via mainstream equipment and procedures contributes to low capital cost, low defect rates, low labor cost, high throughput, high precision, high repeatability, and flexible manufacturing practices. Without these attributes, the use of LEDs becomes cost prohibitive or otherwise unattractive from a quality standpoint for most high-volume applications. Two of the most important steps in modern electronic assembly processes are high-speed automated insertion and mass-automated soldering. Compatibility with automatic insertion or placement machines and one or more common mass-soldering process are critical to large-scale commercial viability of discrete semiconductor optical emitters (including LEDs). Thus, the vast majority of LEDs used take the form of discrete-packaged THD (through-hole device) or SMD (surface mount device) components. These configurations primarily include radial-lead THD configurations known as “T-1” and “T-1¾” or similar devices with rectangular shapes, all of which are readily adapted onto tape-and-reel or tape-and-ammo packaging for convenient shipment, handling, and high speed automated insertion into printed circuit boards on radial inserters. Other common discrete THD LED packages include axial components such as the “polyLED” which are readily adapted onto tape and reel for convenient shipment, handling, and high speed automated insertion into printed circuit boards on axial inserters. Common SMD LED components such as the “TOPLED” and Pixar are similarly popular as they are readily adapted into blister-pack reels for convenient shipment, handling, and high-speed automated placement onto printed circuit boards with chip shooters. Soldering is a process central to the manufacture of most conventional circuit assemblies using standardized discrete electronic devices, whether THD or SMD. By soldering the leads or contacts of a discrete electronic component such as an LED to a printed circuit board (PCB), the component becomes electrically connected to electrically conductive traces on the PCB and also to other proximal or remote electronic devices used for supplying power to, controlling or otherwise interacting electronically with the discrete electronic device. Soldering is generally accomplished by wave solder, IR reflow solder, convective IR reflow solder, vapor phase reflow solder, or hand soldering. Each of these approaches differ from one another, but they all produce substantially the same end effect—inexpensive electrical connection of discrete electronic devices to a printed circuit board by virtue of a metallic or inter-metallic bond. Wave and reflow solder processes are known for their ability to solder a huge number of discrete devices en masse, achieving very high throughput and low cost, along with superior solder bond quality and consistency. Widely available cost-effective alternatives to wave solder and reflow solder processes for mass production do not presently exist. Hand soldering suffers from inconsistency and high cost. Mechanical connection schemes are expensive, bulky and generally ill-suited for large numbers of electrical connections in many circuits. Conductive adhesives, such as silver-laden epoxies, may be used to establish electrical connections on some circuit assemblies, but these materials are more costly and expensive to apply than solder. Spot soldering with lasers and other selective-solder techniques are highly specialized for specific configurations and applications and may disrupt flexible manufacturing procedures preferred in automated electronic circuit assembly operations. Thus, compatibility with wave solder or reflow solder processes are de facto requirements of an effective semiconductor optical emitter component. The impact of this requirement is far reaching because these solder operations can introduce large thermal stresses into an electronic component sufficient to degrade or destroy the component. Thus, an effective semiconductor optical emitter component must be constructed in such a fashion as to protect the device's encapsulation and encapsulated wire bonds, die-attach, and chip from transient heat exposure during soldering. Conventional solder processes require that the ends of the leads of the device (below any standoff or at a point where the leads touch designated pads on the PCB) be heated to the melting point of the solder for a sustained period. This profile can include temperature excursions at the device leads as high as 230-300 degrees C. for as long as 15 seconds. Given that the leads of the device are normally constructed of plated metals or alloys, such as copper or steel, this high temperature transient poses no problems for the leads themselves. The problem instead is the ability of these leads to conduct heat along their length into the encapsulated body of the device. Since these heated leads are in contact with the interior of the body of the device, they temporarily raise the local internal temperature of the device during solder processing. This can harm the somewhat delicate encapsulation, encapsulated wire bonds, die-attach, and chip. This phenomenon represents one of the fundamental limitations of low-cost, opto-electronic semiconductor devices today. Keeping the body of an electronic component from rising excessively above the glass transition temperature of its encapsulating material during solder processing is critical, since the coefficient of thermal expansion of polymer encapsulating materials rises dramatically above their glass transition points, typically by a factor of 2 or more. Polymers will increasingly soften, expand, and plastically deform above their glass transition points. This deformation from polymer phase transition and thermal expansion in encapsulants can generate mechanical stress and cumulative fatigue severe enough to damage a discrete semiconductor device, resulting in poor performance of the device and a latent predisposition to premature field failure. Such damage typically consists of: 1) fatigue or fracture of electrical wire bonds (at the chip bond pads or at the leadframe); 2) partial delamination or decomposition of die-attach adhesive; 3) micro-fracture of the chip itself; and 4 ) degradation of the device encapsulant, especially near the entry points of the leads into the encapsulant, and a compromised ability to seal out environmental water vapor, oxygen, or other damaging agents. With regard to such thermal vulnerability, a crucial difference must be recognized between encapsulating materials suitable for non-optical electronic devices and those suitable for optical devices. The encapsulants used for non-optical devices may be opaque, whereas those used in constructing opto-electronic emitters and receivers must be substantially transparent in the operating wavelength band of the device. The side effects of this distinction are subtle and far ranging. Since there is no need for transparency in non-optical devices, encapsulating materials for non-optical semiconductor devices may include a wide range of compositions containing a variety of opaque polymer binders, cross-linking agents, fillers, stabilizers, and the like. Compositions of this type, such as heavily filled epoxy, may possess high glass transition temperatures (T g ), low thermal expansion coefficients (C te ), and/or elevated thermal conductivity such that they are suitable for transient exposures up to 175 degrees C. Opaque ceramic compositions may be thermally stable up to several hundred degrees C with no significant phase transition temperatures to worry about, extremely low C te , and elevated thermal conductivity. For these reasons, exposure of conventional, opaque encapsulation materials for non-optical devices to electrical leads heated to 130 degrees C. or more for 10 seconds or so (by a solder wave at 230-300 degrees C.) is not normally a problem. However, the need for optical transparency in encapsulants for opto-electronic emitters and receivers obviates use of most high-performance polymer-filler blends, ceramics, and composites that are suitable for non-optical semiconductors. Without the presence of inorganic fillers, cross-linking agents, or other opaque additives, the clear polymer materials used to encapsulate most opto-electronic devices are varieties of epoxies having low T g values, greater C te , and low thermal conductivity. As such, they are not suitable for exposure to transient temperature extremes greater than about 130 degrees C. To compensate for the potentially severe effects of damage from solder processing, prior art opto-electronic devices have undertaken a variety of improvements and compromises. The most notable improvement has been the relatively recent introduction of clear epoxies for encapsulation capable of enduring temperatures 10 to 20 degrees C. higher than those previously available (up to 130 degrees C. now versus the previous 110 degrees C.). While useful, this has only partially alleviated the problems noted—the newest materials in use still fall 50 degrees C. or more short of parity with conventional non-optical semiconductor encapsulation materials. The most common compromise used to get around the transient temperature rise problem associated with soldering is to simply increase the thermal resistance of the electrical leads used in the device construction. By increasing the thermal resistance of these solderable leads, the heat transient experienced within the device body during soldering is minimized. Such an increase in thermal resistance can typically be accomplished in the following manner without appreciably affecting the electrical performance of the leads: 1) using a lead material with lower thermal conductivity (such as steel); 2) increasing the stand-off length of the leads (distance between solder contact and the device body); or 3) decreasing the cross-sectional area of the leads. Using these three techniques, prior art devices have been implemented with elevated thermal resistance of the electrical leads to provide the desired protection from the solder process. While effective at protecting prior art devices from thermal transients associated with soldering, there are limits to this approach, particularly in the application of high power semiconductor opto-electronic emitters. Increased lead thermal resistance results in elevated internal operating temperatures in prior art devices, severely compromising operational performance and reliability of these devices. The soldered electrical leads of most prior art LED devices conduct power to the device and serve as the primary thermal dissipation path for heat created within the device during operation. Thus, the electrical leads in prior art devices must be configured to possess thermal resistance as low as possible to facilitate heat extraction during normal operation. Radiation and natural convection from prior art devices play only a minor role in transferring internal heat to ambient, and thermal conduction through their encapsulating media is severely impeded by the low thermal conductivity of the optical materials used. Therefore, the electrically and thermally conductive metal leads must extract a majority of the heat to ambient by the mechanism of conduction. Greater thermal resistance in the solderable pins of these devices, necessary to protect the device from the transient thermal effects of soldering operations, therefore causes a higher internal temperature rise within the encapsulated device body during operation. The maximum temperature rise of a portion of the device body in contact with the semiconductor emitter under steady state is approximately equal to the product of the power dissipation of the emitter and the thermal resistance between the emitter and the ambient environment. As previously discussed, severe consequences will result if the device internal temperature rises substantially above the encapsulant T g value. Above this temperature, the C te of the encapsulant typically increases very rapidly, producing great thermo-mechanical stress and cumulative fatigue at the LED wirebond and attach. For most mobile applications, such as automobiles, aircraft and the like, ambient temperatures commonly reach 80 degrees C. With encapsulation maximum operating temperatures in the range of 130 degrees C., an opto-electronic emitter for these applications must therefore limit its operational ΔT to an absolute maximum of about 50 degrees C. This, in turn, limits the power that can be dissipated in a given component, and limits the current that may be passed through the component. Since the emitted flux of semiconductor optical emitters are typically proportional to the electrical current passed through them, limitations upon maximum electrical current also create limitations on flux generated. Other fundamental properties of LEDs place further restrictions on the useful ΔT for operation. Semiconductor LEDs including IR, visible, and UV emitters emit light via the physical mechanism of electro-luminescence. Their emission is characteristic of the band gap of the materials from which they are composed and their quantum efficiency varies inversely with their internal temperature. An increase in LED chip temperature results in a corresponding decrease in their emission efficiency. This effect is quite significant for all common types of LEDs for visible, UV, and IR emission. Commonly, a 1 degree C. increase (ΔT) in chip temperature results in a 1% reduction in useful radiation and a 0.1 nm shift in the peak wavelength of the emission, assuming operation is at a constant power. Thus, a ΔT of 40 degrees C. will typically result in a 40% reduction in emitted flux and a 4 nm shift in peak wavelength. Considering the effects discussed hereinabove, LED performance as a function of package thermal design may be approximated by Equation 1: in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"? Φ Ta =I×e β·R·(a·I 2 +b·1) (Equation 1) in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"? Where: Φ Ta =Normalized LED Flux β=Coefficient for Change in LED emitted flux with respect to temperature (typically −0.011) I=the average current of the device at equilibrium R=the thermal resistance of the package a=Constant related to the equivalent series resistance of the emitter (ranging from 2.0-7.0, typically 5.5) b=Constant related to the minimum forward voltage of the emitter (ranging typically 1.2-5.0) Equation 1 is illustrated in FIG. 1 for various power levels and package designs. From the preceding discussion, it can be seen that to avoid thermal damage and achieve optimal LED emission performance, it is very important to minimize the ΔT experienced by the LED device chip and package during operation. This can only be achieved by limiting power or reducing thermal resistance. Limiting LED power, of course, is antithetical to the purpose of high power LEDs, i.e., to produce more useful radiation. Generating higher flux with an LED generally requires higher current (and therefore higher power). Most prior art devices, however, exhibit relatively high thermal resistance from their semiconductor radiation emitter to ambient and are compelled to limit power dissipation in order to avoid internal damage. Thus, the best 5 mm T-1¾ THD packages are limited to about 110 mW continuous power dissipation at 25 degrees C. ambient temperature. Other prior art devices have avoided these constraints, but have achieved high performance only by ignoring the needs of standardized, automated electronic assembly operations and adopting configurations incompatible with these processes. Still other prior art devices have achieved high performance by employing unusually expensive materials, sub-components, or processes in their own construction. For example, one prior art approach that has been used to overcome these limitations uses hermetic semiconductor packaging, hybrid chip-on-board techniques, exotic materials such as ceramics, KOVAR and glass, or complex assemblies instead of or in addition to polymer encapsulation. While relevant for certain high-cost aerospace and telecommunications applications (where component cost is not a significant concern), such devices require expensive materials and unusual assembly processes. This results in high cost and restricted manufacturing capacity—both of which effectively preclude the use of such components in mass-market applications. The device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,559 issued to Johnson et al. illustrates a good example of this. Johnson et al. discloses a device which includes both a TO-18 header component and a heat coupling means for mounting an LED chip thereto and transferring internally generated heat to external heat dissipating means. The header consists of several components including a KOVAR member, insulator sleeves and electrical posts, and is manufactured in a specialized process to ensure that the posts are electrically insulated as they pass through the header. The heat coupling means is a separate component from the header and is composed of copper, copper alloys, aluminum or other high thermal conductivity materials. According to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,559, the KOVAR header subassembly and copper heat coupling means must be bonded together with solder or electrically conductive adhesive for electrical continuity, allowing flow of electrical current into the heat coupling means and subsequently into the LED chip. Furthermore, the header and heat coupling means of U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,559 are made of completely dissimilar materials and must be so because of their unique roles in the described assembly. The header must be made of KOVAR in order that it may have a similar coefficient of thermal expansion to the insulator sleeves that run through it. At least one such sleeve is necessary to electrically isolate electrical pins from the header itself. However, KOVAR has relatively low thermal conductivity, necessitating the inclusion of a separate heat coupling means made of a material such as copper with a higher thermal conductivity. Since the header is a complex subassembly itself and is made of different materials than the heat coupling means, it must be made separately from the heat coupling means and then later attached to the heat coupling means with solder or an electrically-conductive adhesive. LED devices made similar to those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,559 are currently being marketed in specialized forms similar to a TO-66 package. These devices are complex and typically involve insulated pin and header construction, and/or include specialty sub-components such as ceramic isolation sheets within them. Another approach which has been used to avoid damage to opto-electronic emitters from soldering has been to prohibit soldering of the component altogether or to otherwise require use of laser spot soldering or other unusual electrical attachment method. This can allow construction of a device with low thermal resistance from the semiconductor within to the electrical pins without danger of device damage from soldering operations. The SnapLED and Super SnapLED devices made by Hewlett Packard illustrate this approach. In these devices, electrical connections are made to circuitry by mechanically stamping the leads to a simple circuit rather than soldering. The resultant devices are capable of continuous power dissipation as high as 475 mW at room temperature. This configuration, however, may complicate integration of such components with electronic circuits having higher complexity—such circuits are conventionally made using printed circuit boards, automated insertion equipment, and wave or reflow solder operations. A final approach is illustrated by an LED package called the SuperFlux package, available from Hewlett Packard. The SuperFlux device combines moderate thermal resistance between the encapsulated chip and the solder standoff on the pins with a high-grade optical encapsulant and specialized chip materials and optical design. It achieves a moderate power dissipation capability without resorting to a non-solderable configuration such as the SnapLED. However, there are several significant problems with this configuration that inhibit its broader use. The package geometry of the SuperFlux package renders it incompatible with conventional high-speed THD radial or axial insertion machinery or by SMT chip shooters known to the present inventors. Instead, it must be either hand-placed or placed by expensive, slow, robotic odd-form insertion equipment. The SuperFlux package geometry is configured for use as an “end-on” source only—no readily apparent convenient lead-bend technique can convert this device into a 90-degree “side-looker” source. The moderate thermal resistance of the solderable pins of this device and relatively low heat capacity may leave it vulnerable to damage from poorly controlled solder processes. It may be inconvenient or costly for some electronic circuit manufacturers to control their soldering operations to the degree needed for this configuration. Finally, there is no convenient mechanism known to the inventors to outfit a SuperFlux package with a conventional active or passive heat sink. A principle factor impeding further application of these and other LED devices in signaling, illumination, and display applications is that there is not currently available a device that has a high power capability with high emitted flux where the device is easily adaptable to automated insertion and/or mass soldering processes. These limitations have either impeded the practical use of LEDs in many applications requiring high flux emission, or they have mandated the use of arrays of many LED components to achieve desired flux emission. Consequently, it is desirable to provide a semiconductor optical emitter device that combines high emission output with thermal protection during automated processing.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of making a semiconductor radiation emitter package is provided that comprises the steps of: (a) forming a leadframe assembly from a sheet of electrically and thermally conductive material, the leadframe assembly having a heat extraction element and a plurality of thermally resistive leads, at least one tie-bar connecting at least one lead to another lead; (b) bonding at least one semiconductor radiation emitter to the heat extraction element, each emitter having a plurality of electrical connection points; (c) forming an electrical connection between at least one electrical connection point and at least one lead connected to the other lead by the at least one tie-bar; (d) encapsulating the at least one semiconductor radiation emitter with a material substantially transparent to wavelengths emitted by the at least one semiconductor radiation emitter; and (e) breaking each of the at least one tie-bar. According to another embodiment, a method of making a plurality of semiconductor radiation emitter packages is provided that comprises the steps of: (a) forming a leadframe assembly from a sheet of electrically and thermally conductive material, the leadframe assembly having a plurality of leadframes each including a heat extraction element and a plurality of thermally resistive leads, the leadframe assembly further including a plurality of tie-bars connecting said plurality of leadframes to one another; (b) bonding at least one semiconductor radiation emitter to each heat extraction element, each emitter having a plurality of electrical connection points; (c) forming an electrical connection between at least one electrical connection point of said at least one said semiconductor radiation emitter and at least one of said plurality of leads of a corresponding one of said leadframes; and (d) encapsulating said at least one semiconductor radiation emitter with a material substantially transparent to wavelengths emitted by the at least one semiconductor radiation emitter so as to create a plurality of interconnected semiconductor radiation emitter packages. These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
20041206
20070807
20050414
72292.0
1
HA, NATHAN W
SEMICONDUCTOR RADIATION EMITTER PACKAGE
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,005,495
ACCEPTED
Processing a workpiece using water, a base, and ozone
Contaminants such as photoresist are quickly removed from a wafer having metal features, using water, ozone and a base such as ammonium hydroxide. Processing is performed at room temperature to avoid metal corrosion. Ozone is delivered into a stream of process liquid or into the process environment or chamber. Steam may alternatively be used. A layer of liquid or vapor forms on the wafer surface. The ozone moves through the liquid layer via diffusion, entrainment, jetting/spraying or bulk transfer, and chemically reacts with the photoresist, to remove it.
1. A method for cleaning at least one workpiece, comprising: placing the workpiece into a chamber; applying a liquid onto the workpiece, with the liquid including water and ammonium hydroxide; and providing ozone in the chamber. 2. The method of claim 1 with the cleaning liquid having a concentration of ammonium hydroxide ranging from about 1500:1 to 3000:1. 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising heating one or more of the liquid, the workpiece, and the chamber. 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising forming the liquid into a layer on the workpiece and controlling the thickness of the liquid layer by one or more of rotating the workpiece, adding a surfactant, or controlling the flow rate of the liquid. 5. The method of claim 1 where the liquid is applied to the workpiece by spraying the liquid onto the surface of the workpiece at a controlled flow rate. 6. A method for removing photoresist from a surface of a workpiece, comprising: applying a liquid onto a surface of the workpiece having a coating of photoresist, with the liquid including water and a base at a water to base concentration ranging from about 1000:1 to 5000:1; forming the liquid into a layer on the workpiece; controlling the thickness of the liquid layer; and providing ozone to the liquid layer, with the ozone oxidizing the photoresist in the presence of the liquid, and removing the photoresist. 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising heating the liquid to about 30-100° C. 8. The method of claim 6 where the liquid is applied to the photoresist by spraying the liquid at a controlled flow rate. 9. The method of claim 6 further including placing the workpiece into a chamber, closing the chamber, and providing ozone into the chamber as a gas separate from the liquid. 10. The method of claim 6 further including placing the workpiece into a chamber, closing the chamber, and providing ozone into the chamber along with the liquid. 11. The method of claim 6 where the photoresist is a negative photoresist. 12. A method for reducing corrosion of metal features on a wafer during cleaning of the wafer, comprising: contacting the wafer with a liquid including water and ammonium hydroxide; contacting the wafer with ozone; and with the ammonium hydroxide acting to reduce corrosion of the metal features, in the presence of water and ozone. 13. The method of claim 12 further comprising: placing the wafer into a chamber; forming the heated liquid into a liquid layer on the wafer; controlling the thickness of the liquid layer; and introducing ozone into the chamber. 14. The method of claim 12 further including heating the liquid to 30-100° C. 15. The method of claim 12 with the concentration of ammonium hydroxide weight in the liquid ranging from about 20:1 to about 250:1. 16. The method of claim 12 wherein at least one of the metal features comprises NiCr. 17. The method of claim 12 wherein at least one of the metal features comprises silver. 18. The method of claim 12 wherein the workpiece includes one or more MEMS devices. 19. The method of claim 12 further comprising spinning the workpiece. 20. (canceled) 21. (canceled) 22. (canceled) 23. The method of claim 6 wherein the workpiece has one or more metal features and with the liquid at about 15-29° C. to avoid substantial corrosion of the metal features. 24. (canceled) 25. (canceled) 26. (canceled) 27. The method of claim 6 where the base comprises tetra-methyl ammonium hydroxide, KOH or NaOH. 28. (canceled) 29. (canceled) 30. (canceled) 31. (canceled) 32. (canceled) 33. (canceled) 34. (canceled) 35. (canceled) 36. A method for cleaning a workpiece having an NiCr film, comprising: placing the workpiece into a chamber; heating a liquid including water and ammonium hydroxide to a temperature ranging from about 30-100° C.; introducing the liquid onto the workpiece; and introducing ozone to the workpiece.
This Application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/621,028, filed Jul. 21, 2000 and now pending and incorporated herein by reference, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. PCT/US99/08516, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/061,318, filed Apr. 16,1998 and now abandoned, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/853,649, filed May 9, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,933. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/621,028 is also a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/145,350, filed Jul. 23, 1999. FIELD OF THE INVENTION Semiconductor devices are the basic building blocks of most electronic products. They are widely used in almost all consumer electronic products, such as cell phones, computers, televisions, etc. as well as in communications, medical, industrial, military, and office products and equipment. Semiconductor devices are manufactured from semiconductor wafers. The cleaning of semiconductor wafers is a critical step in the manufacturing semiconductor devices. The semiconductor devices on wafers are microscopic, often fractions of a micron, while the film thicknesses may be on the order of 20 Angstroms. This makes the devices manufactured from the wafers highly susceptible to performance degradation or failure due to even the tiniest amounts of organic, particulates or metallic/ionic contamination. For many years, wafers were cleaned in typically three or four separate steps using strong acids, such as sulfuric acid, and using strong caustic solutions, such as mixtures of hydrogen peroxide or ammonium hydroxide. These are highly reactive and toxic chemicals. While these methods achieved varying degrees of success, they had certain disadvantages, including the high cost of the process chemicals, the relatively long time required to get wafers through the various cleaning steps, high consumption of water due to the need for extensive rinsing between chemical steps, and high disposal costs. As a result, extensive research and development efforts have been made not only in the United States, but also in Europe and in Japan, to find better wafer cleaning techniques. Several years ago, after extensive research, the Inventor developed a revolutionary new process for cleaning wafers, using ozone and heated water or water vapor. In recognition of this breakthrough achievement, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office awarded the Inventor several pioneering U.S. Patents on his ozone and water process. The ozone and water process is now widely used in the semiconductor industry. This ozone and water process has proven to be remarkably effective in rapidly cleaning contamination and organic films off of wafers, while avoiding many of the disadvantages of the older methods using acids and caustics. Among the advantages of the ozone and water process is that it is fast, and requires no expensive and toxic liquid acids or caustics. It can also operate effectively as a spray process, which greatly reduces water consumption and space requirements. The water and ozone process can be performed in various ways. In one form of the process, ozone gas diffuses through a thin layer of heated water or water vapor on the wafers. The water and ozone can be applied in various ways. These include spraying water onto the workpiece while injecting ozone into the water, spraying water on the workpiece while separately delivering ozone to the workpiece or delivering a combination of steam or water vapor and ozone to the workpiece. Spray techniques using hot water have been especially successful at increasing the removal rates of various organic films and contaminants from workpiece surfaces. One advantage of the water and ozone process is that it is generally carried out at temperatures above room temperature. This provides for faster processing or cleaning, because the chemical reactions between the layer, film or contaminants to be removed, and the water and ozone, occur faster at higher temperatures. However, notwithstanding the phenomenal success of the water and ozone process, some disadvantages have remained in highly unique and specialized applications, such as in removing certain types of photoresist, or in processing workpieces having features of certain metals, such as NiCr or silver. With additional research and testing, the Inventor has now overcome the disadvantages of using the water and ozone process in these applications as well. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A novel wafer cleaning solution, application technique, system, and methods are used to speed up processing in the manufacturing of semiconductor wafers, memory disks, photomasks, optical media, and on other substrates which microelectronic, micromechanical, or micro-electromechanical devices can be or are formed (collectively referred to here as “workpieces” or “wafers”). Wafers are processed or cleaned by applying a chemical stream to the wafer surface. Ozone is delivered either into the liquid stream or into the environment around the wafer. The chemical stream, which may be in the form of a liquid or vapor, can be applied to the wafer via spraying, immersion, bulk transfer, flowing, etc. In general, a liquid layer is formed and the thickness of the liquid layer is controlled. The chemical stream may include ammonium hydroxide. The Inventor has discovered that ammonium hydroxide is surprisingly effective in removing certain photoresists. He has also discovered that when used with the water and ozone methods, ammonium hydroxide reduces corrosion of certain metals used on wafers. These discoveries now allow the novel water and ozone process to be used on more different kinds of wafers. In one aspect of the invention, the chemical stream is a processing liquid. The liquid may be heated and applied onto the wafer surface. Heating speeds up the process. The processing solution is formed into a thin liquid layer on the wafer surface. The thickness of the liquid layer is advantageously controlled through the use of one or more of the rotation rate, the flow rate of the processing solution, and/or the injection technique (nozzle design) used to deliver the liquid (or steam) stream to the surfaces of the wafers. Ozone chemically reacts with the contaminant to be removed. The contaminant may be a film or layer intentionally applied to the wafer in an earlier manufacturing step, such as photoresist. Alternatively, the contaminant may be undesirable particles or residues or films that get onto or form on the wafer during the manufacturing process. Both types are referred to here as contaminants. The ozone is brought into contact with the contaminants by diffusion through a liquid layer on the wafer, by bulk transfer, via jetting or spraying, by entrainment or dissolution in a liquid stream, or in other ways. Heated water vapor or steam can be used instead of or in addition to liquid. With steam, is possible to achieve wafer surface temperatures well over 100° C., thereby further accelerating the processing or cleaning chemical reactions. A steam generator may be used to pressurize the process chamber to achieve the desired temperatures. The increased pressure within the processing chamber can also provide for use of higher ozone concentrations, thereby further speeding up processing. The rate of oxidation provided by the ozone may also be improved by irradiating the surfaces of the wafers with ultra-violet light. The water and ozone process, when run at higher temperatures, is very fast and efficient in removing contaminants, such as photoresist. However, some wafers may have metal features or surfaces that are corroded by hot water. To avoid corrosion, these wafers are typically run at lower temperatures. However, this slows processing in general. And with some types of photoresist, the strip or etch rate of water and ozone process at lower temperatures becomes especially slow. The Inventor has now discovered that using ammonium hydroxide with the water and ozone process quickly and completely removes photoresist, even at lower temperatures. As a result, the water and ozone process can now be used on wafers having metals that are otherwise subject to corrosion. The invention resides as well in sub-combinations of the methods, and apparatus described. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram of one embodiment of an apparatus for cleaning a workpiece in which ozone is injected into a line containing a pressurized liquid. FIG. 2 is a diagram of one embodiment of an apparatus for cleaning a workpiece in which the workpiece is indirectly heated by heating a liquid that is sprayed on the surface of the workpiece. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a process flow for cleaning a workpiece with a fluid and ozone. FIG. 4 is a diagram of an alternative embodiment of the system set forth in FIG. 2 wherein the ozone and fluid are provided to the workpiece along different flow paths. FIG. 5 is a diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus for cleaning a workpiece in which pressurized steam and ozone are provided in a pressurized chamber. FIG. 6 is a diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus for cleaning a workpiece in which an ultra violet lamp is used to enhance the kinetic reactions at the surface of the workpiece. DETAILED DESCRIPTION A wafer is processed or cleaned via ozone diffusing through an aqueous layer or in an aqueous vapor/gas environment, to oxidize contaminants. Additives in the aqueous layer enhance or enable the desired etching action, such as removal of films or layers including photoresist, germanium, hafnium, copper, aluminum, titanium, tungsten, nichrome, silicon dioxide, and silicon films or layers. Use of ammonium hydroxide or other bases, in the water and ozone process, allows the process to remove even very hardened photoresists. Use of bases with the water and ozone process also provides for very fast removal of photoresists from wafers having metal surfaces or features, while at room temperature, to avoid metal corrosion. Referring to FIG. 1, a system 10 includes a process chamber 15 that can hold one or more workpieces 20, such as semiconductor wafers. Although the illustrated system is primarily directed to a batch workpiece apparatus, it is readily adaptable for use in single workpiece processing as well. The workpieces 20 are preferably supported within the chamber 15 by one or more supports 25 extending from, for example, a rotor assembly 30. Rotor assembly 30 may seal with the housing of the process chamber 15 to form a closed processing environment. Alternatively, a door may close off or seal the chamber. The rotor assembly 30 spins the workpieces 20 about axis 35 during, and/or after process with the ozone and process liquid. The chamber 15 has a volume which is as small as permitted by design considerations for any given capacity (i.e., the number and size of the wafers to be cleaned). The chamber 15 is preferably cylindrical for processing multiple wafers in a batch. A flatter disk-shaped chamber may be used for single wafer processing. Typically, the chamber volume will range from about 2-8, 3-6, or 5 liters, (for a single wafer) to about 10-80, 20-70, 30-60, or 50 liters (for a 50 wafer system). One or more nozzles 40 in the process chamber 15 direct a spray of ozone and process liquid onto the surfaces of the wafers 20. The spray may be directed to the upper surface of the workpiece 20 or the lower surface (or both). The liquid may also be applied in other ways besides spraying, such as flowing, bulk deposition, immersion, etc. A pump 55 provides the liquid under pressure along a flow path, shown generally at 60, for ultimate supply to the input of the nozzles 40. The liquid is at ambient temperature, e.g., 15-30° C. Most often, the process liquid used is deionized water. Other process fluids, such as other aqueous or non aqueous solutions, may also be used. The flow path 60 may include a filter 65 to filter out microscopic contaminants from the process liquid. Ozone is injected along fluid flow line 70. The ozone is generated by ozone generator 75. It is supplied along fluid flow line 80 under pressure to fluid flow line 70. Optionally, the process liquid, now injected with ozone, is supplied to the input of a mixer 90 that mixes the ozone and the process liquid. The mixer 90 may be static or active. From the mixer 90, the process liquid and ozone are provided to be input of nozzles 40. The nozzles spray the liquid on the surface of the workpieces 20. Ozone is also introduced into the process chamber 15 from the nozzles. To further concentrate the ozone in the process liquid, an output of the ozone generator 75 may be supplied to a dispersion unit 95 in the reservoir 45. The dispersion unit 95 provides a dispersed flow of ozone through the process liquid to thereby add ozone to the fluid stream prior to injection of a further amount of ozone along the fluid path 60. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, spent liquid in the chamber 15 is provided along fluid line 105 to, for example, a valve mechanism 110. The valve mechanism 110 may be operated to provide the spent liquid to either a drain output 115 or back to the liquid chamber 50 of the reservoir 45. Repeated cycling of the process liquid through the system and back to the reservoir 45 assists in elevating the ozone concentration in the liquid through repeated ozone injection and/or ozone dispersion. FIG. 1, (as well as the other Figures) illustrates various components and connections. While showing preferred designs, the drawings include elements which may or may not be essential to the invention. The elements essential to the invention are set forth in the claims. The drawings show both essential and non-essential elements. Another system 120 shown in FIG. 2 involves heating the surfaces of the workpieces 20 with a heated liquid that is supplied along with a flow of ozone. The system 120 optionally includes one or more heaters 125 used to heat the process liquid. The workpieces can also be heated directly via conduction heaters. Such heating may take place in addition to or instead of the indirect heating of the workpieces through contact with the heated process liquid. For example, supports 25 may include heating elements that may be used to heat the workpieces 20. The chamber 15 may optionally include a heater 27, inside or outside of the chamber. FIG. 3 illustrates a process that may be performed in the system of FIG. 2 when the system 120 is used, for example, to strip photoresist from the surfaces of wafers. At step 200, the wafers 20 are placed in, for example, a wafer cassette or carrier. This cassette is placed in a closed environment, such as in chamber 15. Alternatively, the workpieces 20 may be disposed in chamber 15 in a carrierless manner, with an automated processing system, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,784,797. At step 205, heated deionized water is sprayed onto the surfaces of the workpieces 20. The heated deionized water heats the surfaces of the workpieces 20 as well as the enclosed environment of the chamber 15. When the spray is discontinued, a thin liquid film remains on the workpiece surfaces. If the surface is hydrophobic, a surfactant may be added to the deionized water to assist in creating a thin liquid layer on the workpiece surfaces. The surfactant may be used with hydrophilic surfaces as well. Corrosion inhibitors may also be used with the aqueous ozone, thin liquid layer process. The thickness of the liquid layer is controlled at step 210 using one or more techniques. By reducing the liquid layer thickness, the ozone is better allowed to diffuse to the wafer surface where it reacts with and removes contaminants. The workpieces 20 may be rotated about axis 35 by rotor 30 to thereby generate centrifugal force that thins the liquid layer. The flow rate of the liquid (or vapor) may also be used to control the thickness of the liquid layer. Lowering the flow rate results in decreased liquid layer thickness. Nozzles 40 may be designed to provide the deionized water as micro droplets thereby resulting in a thin liquid layer. Hence, rotating the wafer is not essential. At step 215, ozone is injected into the fluid flow path 60 during the water spray, or otherwise provided to the internal chamber environment of chamber 15. If the apparatus of FIG. 2 is utilized, the injection of the ozone continues after the spray has shut off. If the wafer surface begins to dry, a brief spray is preferably activated to replenish the liquid film. This keeps the wafer wet. It also helps keep the wafer at the desired elevated temperature. The liquid layer thickness may range from a few molecular layers (e.g., about 1 micron), up to 100 microns, (typically 50-100 microns), or greater. While ozone has a limited solubility in the heated deionized water, the ozone is able to diffuse through the water and react with photoresist at the liquid/photoresist interface. The deionized water appears to assist in the reactions by hydrolyzing the carbon-carbon bonds of molecules of organic contaminants, such as photoresist. The higher temperature speeds up the chemical reaction cleaning, while the high concentration of ozone in the gas phase promotes diffusion of ozone through the liquid layer even though the liquid layer may not actually have a high concentration of dissolved ozone. Elevated or higher temperatures means temperatures above ambient or room temperature, that is temperatures above 20 or 250 and up to about 200° C., with typical temperatures ranging from 25-150°; 55-120°; 75-115° C., or 85-105° C. In the specific methods described, temperatures of 90-100° C., may be used. With temperatures above 100 C, liquid is used in a pressurized chamber, or steam may be used. Use of lower temperatures (between 25 and 75° C. and preferably from 25-65° C. (rather than at e.g., 95° C. as described above) may be useful where higher temperatures are undesirable. Still lower temperatures, e.g., 15-25° C., may be used to avoid corrosion, as described below. After processing, the wafers may be rinsed at 220 and are dried at step 225. For example, the workpieces may be sprayed with a flow of deionized water during the rinse at step 220. They may then be subject to any one or more known drying techniques thereafter at step 225. To conserve water and achieve a very thin liquid layer, a “pulsed flow” of liquid or steam may be used. If the “pulsed flow” cannot maintain the desired elevated wafer surface temperatures, heaters 27, for example, one or more embedded heated recirculating coils, a heating blanket, or irradiation from a thermal source (e.g., an infrared lamp), etc. may be used. Corrosion of metal features, areas or films on a wafer may occur if the metal films are exposed to high temperature de-ionized water. This situation may arise with back end of the line (BEOL) wafers, i.e., wafers which have already been plated or otherwise provided with metal layers. These types of wafers have therefore been processed at lower or at ambient temperatures, to avoid corrosion. However, in the past, at low or ambient temperatures, fast strip rates generally could not be achieved with the water and ozone processes. In some cases, faster strip rates could sometimes still be achieved by using increased ozone flow rates and concentrations. Nevertheless, wafers subject to metal corrosion have generally required more time, as they necessarily have been cleaned at lower temperatures. Ammonium hydroxide has now also been discovered to be advantageous in performing the water and ozone process at lower temperatures. More specifically, the Inventor has discovered that ammonium hydroxide enables stripping of certain photoresists at ambient temperature, which otherwise are not removed satisfactorily using the water and ozone process. Testing shows that one or more components of photoresist (for example Shipley 712, Shipley 718 and Shipley 1815 photoresist) are not readily stripped at room temperature. With these and other similar photoresists, a residual film of photoresist remains on the wafer, when processed at room temperature. While the bulk of the photoresist layer (the bulk photoresist layer) may be reduced from e.g., 18,000 or 14,000 A to 2000 A in less than about 4, 5 or 6 minutes (when using the water and ozone process at room temperature), the final film or residue having a thickness of e.g., 3000 A, 2000 A, or 1000 A may take in the range of 10-30, 12-25, 15 or 20 minutes longer (sometimes even more) to be removed. The addition of ammonium hydroxide during the water and ozone process enables complete removal of all photoresist in about 3:00 to 15:00; 4:00 to 12:00; 5:00 to 10:00 or 6:00 to 8:00 minutes. The same result can also be achieved via immersion. Immersing a wafer in very dilute solutions of ammonia will remove photoresist film or residue. Diluting a 30% (weight) solution of NH3 in water to the following concentrations enabled removal of the 2000 A residue in the following times: H2O:NH3 (30% wt.) Residue removal Time Test Dilution (minutes:seconds) 1 2000:1 <0:15 2 10,000:1 0:30 3 20,000:1 1:00 4 40,000:1 1:45 5 80,000:1 3:00 6 100,000:1 3:00 7 160,000:1 >6:00 A 30% (weight) solution of NH3 results in a 60% solution of water and NH4OH. Volume ratios and weight percent ratios for NH4OH can be calculated directly from the data listed above. As shown, use of even extremely dilute NH4OH can enable the removal of photoresist and subsidiary components of photoresist even at ambient temperatures. Other additives may be used instead of ammonium hydroxide for removing photoresist or other organic contaminants. The principal goal of the additive is to elevate the pH of the solution that is applied to the wafer surface. The pH should be raised so that it is between about 8.5 and 11. Although bases such as sodium hydroxide and/or potassium hydroxide may be used here, TMAH (tetra-methyl ammonium hydroxide) may be even better in some cases because it avoids concerns over mobile ion contamination. Ionized water that is rich in hydroxyl radicals may also be used. HF and/or HCl may be used as additives for removal of organic contaminants, particles and/or metals, or for removal of oxide and regeneration of a controlled chemical oxide. The dilute ammonium hydroxide solution may be applied in the photoresist removing process in various ways. For example, syringe pumps, or other precision chemical applicators, can be used to enable single-use of the solution stream. Photoresist may be stripped or cleaned away by using a deionized water stream with ozone, and can conclude the strip with a brief period during which ammonium hydroxide is injected into the aqueous stream. This assists in minimizing chemical usage and waste generation. The system may optionally monitor and control the pH the using the appropriate sensors and actuators, for example, by use of microprocessor control. Ammonium hydroxide has also been found to be especially advantageous in stripping negative photoresist. Testing has shown that the water and ozone process (using hot water) removed negative photoresist in about one hour. The addition of a 30% (wt. NH3 in H2O) solution of NH4OH to the water at a dilution ratio of 2000:1 decreased the strip time by roughly 60%, to about 20:00 minutes. This also proved to be successful in stripping a negative photoresist which had been implanted with boron at 100 KeV and a dosage of 1E16 atoms/cm2. Previously, the water and ozone process had not been successful in removing positive photoresist implanted at dosages above about 4E14 atoms/cm2. Test results show also that silicon wafers can be processed using a 4:1 water: ammonium hydroxide solution at 95 C and experience an increase surface roughness (RMS) of less than 2 angstroms. When this same solution is applied in an immersion system or in a conventional spray system, RMS surface roughness as measured by atomic force microscopy increases by more than 20 angstroms and the maximum surface roughness exceeds 190 angstroms. Additionally, while a conventional process will pit the surface to such a degree as to render the surface unreadable by a light-scattering particle counter, the water with ammonium hydroxide and ozone process has actually shown particle reductions of up to 50% on the wafer surface. Aluminum, Al/Si, Al/Cu and Al/Si/Cu alloys are commonly used in the semiconductor industry. However, the water and ozone process can attack these metal films, especially if a galvanic potential is established between these metals and some other metal or doped regions on the wafer surface. To run the water and ozone process at high temperatures and at high strip rates, without substantial corrosion of these metals, certain corrosion inhibitors can be used. These include nitrates, especially aluminum nitrate and ammonium nitrate. These corrosion inhibitors are used at concentrations in the range of 0.5 to 5 or 1 to 3 grams per liter. Benzotriazole and sodium orthosilicate may also be used. While some inhibitors are preferred over others, due to concerns over metal or mobile ion contamination, these corrosion inhibitors may be used singly or in combinations with each other to control corrosion. Phosphates may be used on silver and copper films, and sulfates used on silver as well. Nickel chromium (NiCr) is a metal which may be used on wafers. While either Ni or Cr alone show significant corrosion resistance to the water and ozone process even at temperatures up to 95 C, the alloy of NiCr is surprisingly completely corroded or removed by the water and ozone process, even when run at ambient temperature. However, when ammonium hydroxide is added to the water at ambient temperature (e.g., 15-30° C.), the corrosion is eliminated. Ammonia dilutions in the range of 20:1 (starting with a 30% weight solution of ammonium hydroxide) have been successful. The use of ammonium hydroxide is also useful in reducing corrosion on silver. Ammonium hydroxide may also be added to the process liquid (e.g., deionized water) to reduce particle counts on the wafers, with the ozone preventing pitting of the silicon surface by the ammonium hydroxide. The water and ozone process alone has been shown to provide etch capability on certain films, including metal films such as aluminum and alloys of aluminum as well as silver, copper, tungsten, germanium, germanium/silicon, titanium, and nichrome. In addition, additives such as ammonium hydroxide can be used to enhance this etch capability, as well as provide etch capability on films such as thermal (silicon di-) oxide, TEOS, etc. These oxides are generally not attacked by the water and ozone process. However, the lack of oxide etch may cause a parametric shift in certain devices which have been optimized as regards to processes such as ammonium hydroxide hydrogen peroxide mixtures (APM) which do remove small amounts of oxide. The water and ozone process with 2000:1 ammonia will etch thermal oxide at around 0.4 to 0.8 A/minute. While the etch is significantly less than the APM process, it can be boosted by increasing the ammonia concentration in order to comply better with device requirements. Continuing now with FIG. 3, steps 205-215 may be executed in a substantially concurrent manner. Steps 205-215 may be sequentially repeated using different processing liquids. In such instances, each of the processing liquids that are used may be specifically tailored to remove a respective set of contaminants. Preferably, however, it is desirable to use as few different processing liquids as possible. By reducing the number of different processing liquids utilized, the overall cleaning process is simplified and reducing the number of different processing liquids utilized minimizes chemical consumption. It has been found that the process of FIG. 3 may be used with a processing liquid comprised of water and ammonium hydroxide to remove photoresist (and any anti-reflective coating) in a single processing step (e.g., the steps illustrated at 210-215). Although this has been demonstrated at concentrations between 0.02% and 0.04% ammonium hydroxide by weight in water, other concentrations may be used. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, a system 227 has one or more nozzles 230 within the chamber 15 to provide ozone from ozone generator 75 directly into the chamber. The heated liquid is provided to the chamber 15 through nozzles 40. The liquid supply line is separate from the ozone supply line. Injection of ozone in fluid path 60 is optional. In FIG. 5, a system 250 has a steam boiler 260 that supplies steam under pressure to the process chamber 15. The chamber 15 is preferably sealed to thereby form a pressurized atmosphere. Steam or saturated steam at 100 or 110° C. up to about !50 or 200° C., typically about 110-130 or 140° C. is generated by the steam boiler 260 and supplied to the chamber 15. Pressure in the chamber generally ranges from 16, 18 or 20 up to about 90 psia, usually in the range of about 20-70; 25-50; and 30-45 psia, with 35 psia typical during the wafer processing. Ozone may be directly injected into the chamber 15 as shown, and/or may be injected into the path 60 for concurrent supply with the steam. With this system, wafer surface temperatures in excess of 100° C. can be achieved, thereby further accelerating the chemical reactions and reducing required process times. The steam generator in FIG. 5 may be replaced with a heater(s) as shown in FIGS. 1-4. While FIGS. 4 and 5 show the liquid and ozone delivered via separate nozzles 40, they may also be delivered from the same nozzles, using appropriate valves. In the case of oxidizing and removing organic contamination, conventional aqueous ozone processes show a strip rate on photoresist (a hydrocarbon film) of around 200-700 angstroms per minute. In the liquid layer controlled system of the disclosed processes, the rate is accelerated to 2500 to 8800 angstroms per minute in a spray controlled liquid layer, or higher when the liquid layer is generated and controlled using steam. In the system shown in FIG. 6, an ultra-violet or infrared lamp 300 is used to irradiate the surface of the wafer 20 during processing, to enhance the reaction kinetics. Although this irradiation technique may be applicable to batch wafer processing, it is more easily and economically implemented for single wafer processing where the wafer is more easily completely exposed to the UV radiation. Megasonic or ultrasonic nozzles 40 may also be used. FIG. 6 shows single wafer processing. However, the embodiments of FIGS. 1-6 may each be used with single wafer processing, or with batch processing. In addition, use of base additives to improve cleaning or to reduce corrosion, as described above, can be performed in any of the systems shown in FIGS. 1-6, or in immersion systems. In each of the systems shown in FIGS. 1-6, the ozone gas may be separately sprayed, jetted, entrained in a carrying liquid or gas, or otherwise introduced as a gas into the process chamber, where it can diffuse, impact or displace through, the liquid layer on the wafer. The liquid may be heated and sprayed or otherwise applied to the wafer, without ozone injected into the liquid before the liquid is applied to the wafer. Alternatively, the ozone may be injected into the liquid, and then the ozone containing liquid applied to the wafer. If the liquid is heated, the heating is better performed before the ozone is injected into the liquid to reduce the amount of ozone breakdown in the liquid during heating. Typically, due to the larger amounts of ozone desired to be injected into the liquid and the low solubility of the ozone gas in the heated liquid the liquid will contain some dissolved ozone, and may also contain ozone bubbles. It is also possible to use both ozone gas injection directly into the process chamber, and to also introduce ozone into the liquid before the liquid is delivered into the process chamber. Thus, novel method and systems have been shown and described. Various changes and substitutions can of course be made, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The invention, therefore, should not be limited, except by the following claims and their equivalents.
<SOH> FIELD OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Semiconductor devices are the basic building blocks of most electronic products. They are widely used in almost all consumer electronic products, such as cell phones, computers, televisions, etc. as well as in communications, medical, industrial, military, and office products and equipment. Semiconductor devices are manufactured from semiconductor wafers. The cleaning of semiconductor wafers is a critical step in the manufacturing semiconductor devices. The semiconductor devices on wafers are microscopic, often fractions of a micron, while the film thicknesses may be on the order of 20 Angstroms. This makes the devices manufactured from the wafers highly susceptible to performance degradation or failure due to even the tiniest amounts of organic, particulates or metallic/ionic contamination. For many years, wafers were cleaned in typically three or four separate steps using strong acids, such as sulfuric acid, and using strong caustic solutions, such as mixtures of hydrogen peroxide or ammonium hydroxide. These are highly reactive and toxic chemicals. While these methods achieved varying degrees of success, they had certain disadvantages, including the high cost of the process chemicals, the relatively long time required to get wafers through the various cleaning steps, high consumption of water due to the need for extensive rinsing between chemical steps, and high disposal costs. As a result, extensive research and development efforts have been made not only in the United States, but also in Europe and in Japan, to find better wafer cleaning techniques. Several years ago, after extensive research, the Inventor developed a revolutionary new process for cleaning wafers, using ozone and heated water or water vapor. In recognition of this breakthrough achievement, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office awarded the Inventor several pioneering U.S. Patents on his ozone and water process. The ozone and water process is now widely used in the semiconductor industry. This ozone and water process has proven to be remarkably effective in rapidly cleaning contamination and organic films off of wafers, while avoiding many of the disadvantages of the older methods using acids and caustics. Among the advantages of the ozone and water process is that it is fast, and requires no expensive and toxic liquid acids or caustics. It can also operate effectively as a spray process, which greatly reduces water consumption and space requirements. The water and ozone process can be performed in various ways. In one form of the process, ozone gas diffuses through a thin layer of heated water or water vapor on the wafers. The water and ozone can be applied in various ways. These include spraying water onto the workpiece while injecting ozone into the water, spraying water on the workpiece while separately delivering ozone to the workpiece or delivering a combination of steam or water vapor and ozone to the workpiece. Spray techniques using hot water have been especially successful at increasing the removal rates of various organic films and contaminants from workpiece surfaces. One advantage of the water and ozone process is that it is generally carried out at temperatures above room temperature. This provides for faster processing or cleaning, because the chemical reactions between the layer, film or contaminants to be removed, and the water and ozone, occur faster at higher temperatures. However, notwithstanding the phenomenal success of the water and ozone process, some disadvantages have remained in highly unique and specialized applications, such as in removing certain types of photoresist, or in processing workpieces having features of certain metals, such as NiCr or silver. With additional research and testing, the Inventor has now overcome the disadvantages of using the water and ozone process in these applications as well.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>A novel wafer cleaning solution, application technique, system, and methods are used to speed up processing in the manufacturing of semiconductor wafers, memory disks, photomasks, optical media, and on other substrates which microelectronic, micromechanical, or micro-electromechanical devices can be or are formed (collectively referred to here as “workpieces” or “wafers”). Wafers are processed or cleaned by applying a chemical stream to the wafer surface. Ozone is delivered either into the liquid stream or into the environment around the wafer. The chemical stream, which may be in the form of a liquid or vapor, can be applied to the wafer via spraying, immersion, bulk transfer, flowing, etc. In general, a liquid layer is formed and the thickness of the liquid layer is controlled. The chemical stream may include ammonium hydroxide. The Inventor has discovered that ammonium hydroxide is surprisingly effective in removing certain photoresists. He has also discovered that when used with the water and ozone methods, ammonium hydroxide reduces corrosion of certain metals used on wafers. These discoveries now allow the novel water and ozone process to be used on more different kinds of wafers. In one aspect of the invention, the chemical stream is a processing liquid. The liquid may be heated and applied onto the wafer surface. Heating speeds up the process. The processing solution is formed into a thin liquid layer on the wafer surface. The thickness of the liquid layer is advantageously controlled through the use of one or more of the rotation rate, the flow rate of the processing solution, and/or the injection technique (nozzle design) used to deliver the liquid (or steam) stream to the surfaces of the wafers. Ozone chemically reacts with the contaminant to be removed. The contaminant may be a film or layer intentionally applied to the wafer in an earlier manufacturing step, such as photoresist. Alternatively, the contaminant may be undesirable particles or residues or films that get onto or form on the wafer during the manufacturing process. Both types are referred to here as contaminants. The ozone is brought into contact with the contaminants by diffusion through a liquid layer on the wafer, by bulk transfer, via jetting or spraying, by entrainment or dissolution in a liquid stream, or in other ways. Heated water vapor or steam can be used instead of or in addition to liquid. With steam, is possible to achieve wafer surface temperatures well over 100° C., thereby further accelerating the processing or cleaning chemical reactions. A steam generator may be used to pressurize the process chamber to achieve the desired temperatures. The increased pressure within the processing chamber can also provide for use of higher ozone concentrations, thereby further speeding up processing. The rate of oxidation provided by the ozone may also be improved by irradiating the surfaces of the wafers with ultra-violet light. The water and ozone process, when run at higher temperatures, is very fast and efficient in removing contaminants, such as photoresist. However, some wafers may have metal features or surfaces that are corroded by hot water. To avoid corrosion, these wafers are typically run at lower temperatures. However, this slows processing in general. And with some types of photoresist, the strip or etch rate of water and ozone process at lower temperatures becomes especially slow. The Inventor has now discovered that using ammonium hydroxide with the water and ozone process quickly and completely removes photoresist, even at lower temperatures. As a result, the water and ozone process can now be used on wafers having metals that are otherwise subject to corrosion. The invention resides as well in sub-combinations of the methods, and apparatus described.
20041206
20070116
20050623
84540.0
1
EL ARINI, ZEINAB
PROCESSING A WORKPIECE USING WATER, A BASE, AND OZONE
SMALL
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,005,564
ACCEPTED
Versatile lighting apparatus and associated kit
A lighting apparatus comprises a light panel having a panel frame, and a plurality of LEDs or other light elements secured to the panel frame. A self-contained battery unit securably attaches to the outside of the panel frame. The light panel may have a dimmer switch, and may also be capable of receiving power from a source other than the self-contained battery unit. The lighting apparatus can be mounted to a camera or a stand through adapters. Diffusion lenses or color gels can be integrated with or detachable from the light panel. The lighting apparatus may conveniently be provided in the form of a kit, with one or more of a light panel, self-contained battery unit, compact stand, connecting cable(s), adapter(s), lenses or color gels, and so on, provided in a single package.
1. An illumination system, comprising: a light panel comprising a panel frame; a plurality of semiconductor light elements secured to the panel frame; and a self-contained battery unit capable of securably attaching to the outside of the panel frame; wherein the light panel comprises a power source receptor capable of receiving power input from a source other than the self-contained battery unit. 2. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of semiconductor light elements comprise light emitting dioides (LEDs) outputting light over a color temperature range suitable for image capture. 3. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein said light panel is adapted for being mounted to a camera. 4. The illumination system of claim 3, wherein said light panel is also adapted for being mounted on a stand.
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/238,973 filed Sep. 2, 2002, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/949,206 filed Sep. 7, 2001, hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1) Field of the Invention The field of the present invention relates to lighting apparatus and systems as may be used in film, television, photography, and other applications. 2) Background Lighting systems are an integral part of the film and photography industries. Proper illumination is necessary when filming movies, television shows, or commercials, when shooting video clips, or when taking still photographs, whether such activities are carried out indoors or outdoors. A desired illumination effect may also be desired for live performances on stage or in any other type of setting. A primary purpose of a lighting system is to illuminate a subject to allow proper image capture or achieve a desired effect. Often it is desirable to obtain even lighting that minimizes shadows on or across the subject. It may be necessary or desired to obtain lighting that has a certain tone, warmth, or intensity. It may also be necessary or desired to have certain lighting effects, such as colorized lighting, strobed lighting, gradually brightening or dimming illumination, or different intensity illumination in different fields of view. Various conventional techniques for lighting in the film and television industries, and various illustrations of lighting equipment, are described, for example, in Lighting for Television and Film by Gerald Millerson (3rd ed. 1991),.hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, including pages 96-131 and 295-349 thereof, and in Professional Lighting Handbook by Verne Carlson (2nd ed. 1991), also hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, including pages 15-40 thereof. As one example illustrating a need for an improved lighting effects system, it can be quite challenging to provide proper illumination for the lighting of faces in television and film, especially for situations where close-ups are required. Often, certain parts of the face must be seen clearly. The eyes, in particular, can provide a challenge for proper lighting. Light reflected in the eyes is known as “eye lights” or “catch lights.” Without enough reflected light, the eyes may seem dull. A substantial amount of effort has been expended in constructing lighting systems that have the proper directivity, intensity, tone, and other characteristics to result in aesthetically pleasing “eye lights” while also meeting other lighting requirements, and without adversely impacting lighting of other features. Because of the varied settings in which lighting systems are used, the conventional practice in the film, commercial, and related industries is for a lighting system, when needed, to be custom designed for each shoot. This practice allows the director or photographer to have available a lighting system that is of the necessary size, and that provides the desired intensity, warmth, tone and effects. Designing and building customized lighting systems, however, is often an expensive and time-consuming process. The most common lighting systems in film, commercial, and photographic settings use either incandescent or fluorescent light elements. However, conventional lighting systems have drawbacks or limitations which can limit their flexibility or effectiveness. For example, incandescent lights have been employed in lighting systems in which they have been arranged in various configurations, including on ring-shaped mounting frames. However, the mounting frames used in incandescent lighting systems are often large and ponderous, making them difficult to move around and otherwise work with. A major drawback of incandescent lighting systems is the amount of heat generating by the incandescent bulbs. Because of the heat intensity, subjects cannot be approached too closely without causing discomfort to the subject and possibly affecting the subject's make-up or appearance. Also, the heat from the incandescent bulbs can heat the air in the proximity of the camera; cause a “wavering” effect to appear on the film or captured image. Incandescent lighting may cause undesired side effects when filming, particularly where the intensity level is adjusted. As the intensity level of incandescent lights change, their hue changes as well. Film is especially sensitive to these changes in hue, significantly more so than the human eye. In addition to these problems or drawbacks, incandescent lighting systems typically draw quite a bit of power, especially for larger lighting systems which may be needed to provide significant wide area illumination. Incandescent lighting systems also generally require a wall outlet or similar standard source of alternating current (AC) power. Fluorescent lighting systems generate much less heat than incandescent lighting systems, but nevertheless have their own drawbacks or limitations. For example, fluorescent lighting systems, like incandescent lighting systems, are often large and cumbersome. Fluorescent bulbs are generally tube-shaped, which can limit the lighting configuration or mounting options. Circular fluorescent bulbs are also commercially available, and have been used in the past for motion picture lighting. A major drawback with fluorescent lighting systems is that the low lighting levels can be difficult or impossible to achieve due to the nature of fluorescent lights. When fluorescent lights are dimmed, they eventually begin to flicker or go out as the supplied energy reaches the excitation threshold of the gases in the fluorescent tubes. Consequently, fluorescent lights cannot be dimmed beyond a certain level, greatly limiting their flexibility. In addition, fluorescent lights suffer from the same problem as incandescent lights when their intensity level is changed; that is, they tend to change in hue as the intensity changes, and film is very sensitive to alterations in lighting hue. Typically, incandescent or fluorescent lighting systems are designed to be placed off to the side of the camera, or above or below the camera. Because of such positioning, lighting systems may provide uneven or off-center lighting, which can be undesirable in many circumstances. Because of their custom nature, both incandescent lighting systems and fluorescent lighting systems can be difficult to adapt to different or changing needs of a particular film project or shoot. For example, if the director or photographer decides that a different lighting configuration should be used, or wants to experiment with different types of lighting, it can be difficult, time-consuming, and inconvenient to re-work or modify the customized lighting setups to provide the desired effects. Furthermore, both incandescent lighting systems and fluorescent lighting systems are generally designed for placement off to the side of the camera, which can result in shadowing or uneven lighting. A variety of lighting apparatus have been proposed for the purpose of inspecting objects in connection with various applications, but these lighting apparatus are generally not suitable for the movie, film or photographic industries. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,417, hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes a surface illuminator for directing illumination on an object (i.e., a single focal point). The surface illuminator has a number of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in concentric circles on a lamp-supporting housing having a circular bore through which a microscope or other similar instrument can be positioned. The light from the LEDs is directed to a single focal point by either of two methods. According to one technique disclosed in the patent, a collimating lens is used to angle the light from each ring of LEDs towards the single focal point. According to another technique disclosed in the patent, each ring of LEDs is angled so as to direct the light from each ring on the single focal point. Other examples of lighting apparatus used for the purpose of inspecting objects are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,893,223 and 5,038,258, both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In both of these patents, LEDs are placed on the interior of a spherical surface, so that their optical axes intersect at a desired focal point. Lighting apparatus specially adapted for illumination of objects to be inspected are generally not suitable for the special needs of the film, commercial, or photographic industries, or with live stage performances, because the lighting needs in these fields differs substantially from what is offered by object inspection lighting apparatus. For example, movies and commercials often require illumination of a much larger area that what object inspection lighting systems typically provide, and even still photography often requires that a relatively large subject be illuminated. In contrast, narrow-focus lighting apparatuses are generally designed for an optimum working distance of only a few inches (e.g., 3 to 4 inches) with a relatively small illumination diameter. Still other LED-based lighting apparatus have been developed for various live entertainment applications, such as theaters and clubs. These lighting apparatus typically include a variety of colorized LEDs in hues such as red, green, and blue (i.e., an “RGB” combination), and sometimes include other intermixed bright colors as well. These types of apparatus are not well suited for applications requiring more precision lighting, such as film, television, and so on. Among other things, the combination of red, green, and blue (or other) colors creates an uneven lighting effect that would generally be unsuitable for most film, television, or photographic applications. Moreover, most of these LED-based lighting apparatus suffer from a number of other drawbacks, such as requiring expensive and/or inefficient power supplies, incompatibility with traditional AC dimmers, lack of ripple protection (when connected directly to an AC power supply), and lack of thermal dissipation. In the context of film and television, various attempts have been made to develop camera-mounted lighting fixtures; however, prior attempts to provide a suitable camera-mounted lighting fixture suffer from a variety of potential drawbacks. For example, conventional camera-mounted lighting fixtures using incandescent or fluorescent lighting elements suffer from the same drawbacks as described above, and can cause undesirable shadowing or other side effects. Also, camera-mounted lighting fixtures which are designed to connect to the camera's battery can cause premature depletion of the battery. Other lighting fixtures are designed to be powered by a battery pack which is worn, typically on a belt, by the camera operator. Such battery belts are often heavy and cumbersome, and may require lengthy power cords that can interfere with camera maneuverability. It would therefore be advantageous to provide a lighting apparatus or lighting effects system that is versatile and portable, and may find use in a variety of applications. It would further be advantageous to provide a lighting apparatus or lighting effects system that is well suited for use in the film, commercial, and/or photographic industries, and/or with live stage performances, that overcomes one or more of the foregoing disadvantages, drawbacks, or limitations. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is generally directed in one aspect to a novel and versatile lighting apparatus. According to one embodiment as disclosed herein, a lighting apparatus comprises a light panel having a panel frame, with a plurality of semiconductor light elements, such as LEDs, secured to the panel frame. A self-contained battery unit securably attaches to the outside of the panel frame. When attached together, the light panel and self-contained battery unit function as an integrated lighting apparatus. Optionally, the light panel may have an integrated dimmer switch, and may also be capable of receiving power from a source other than the self-contained battery unit. In various forms and embodiments, the lighting apparatus may be adapted for being mounted to a camera or a stand, and may include adapters for such a purpose. The lighting apparatus may also be provided with a diffusion lens or color gels, which may be integrated with or detachable from the light panel. The lighting apparatus may conveniently be provided in the form of a kit, with one or more of a light panel, self-contained battery unit, compact stand, connecting cable(s), adapter(s), lenses or color gels, and so on, being provided in a single package to allow flexibility and versatility to users in the field. Further embodiments, variations and enhancements are also disclosed herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of a lighting effects system in accordance with one embodiment as disclosed herein, illustrating placement of a camera relative to a lighting frame. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a lighting effects system showing various components of a preferred system. FIG. 3 is an oblique view diagram illustrating an example of attachment of one type of camera mounting assembly to a particular type of lighting assembly frame. FIG. 4 is a front view diagram of a lighting assembly frame with small, low-power lamps to provide illumination arranged in a preferred pattern. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating aspects of the lighting effect provided by a lighting assembly such as, for example, shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating various human eye features that may be of interest in providing illumination for films, commercials or photography. FIG. 7 is a diagram of a light segment as may be used, for example, with the lighting assembly of FIG. 4, along with filtering lens(es). FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the effect of a filtering lens on an individual light element. FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating a frequency distribution of light in accordance with one lighting effects system embodiment as disclosed herein. FIGS. 10A and 10B are a block diagrams of two different types of electronic controllers as may be employed, for example, in the lighting effects system illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 11 is an oblique view diagram of another embodiment of a lighting assembly frame as disclosed herein. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating various options and accessories as may be used in connection with the lighting assembly frame depicted in FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a diagram of electronic control circuitry as may be employed, for example, with the lighting effects system illustrated in FIG. 11. FIG. 14 is a graph illustrating a frequency distribution of light in accordance with another lighting effects system embodiment as disclosed herein. FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams showing an oblique view and a top view, respectively, of a portion of a lighting assembly frame. FIG. 15C is a diagram illustrating assembly of a lighting assembly frame from two halves thereof. FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams showing an oblique view and a top view, respectively, of the backside of the lighting assembly frame portion illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B, while FIGS. 16C, 16D and 16E are diagrams showing details of the lighting assembly frame portion shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B. FIG. 17 is a diagram of a cover as may be used in connection with the lighting effects system of FIG. 2 or the frame assembly of FIG. 4. FIG. 18 is a diagram of a portion of a preferred camera mounting assembly. FIGS. 19A and 19B are diagrams collectively illustrating another portion of a preferred camera mounting assembly. FIG. 20 is a diagram of a retention clip for a camera mounting assembly. FIG. 21 is a diagram of a plunger used in connection with attaching a mounting assembly to a lighting frame, in accordance with one technique as disclosed herein. FIG. 22 is a diagram of a mounting assembly with components from FIGS. 18 and 19 shown assembled. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating one technique for attaching a camera mounting assembly to a lighting frame. FIGS. 24, 25 and 26 are diagram of components relating to another type of camera mounting assembly. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing components of FIGS. 24, 25 and 26 assembled together. FIG. 28 and 29 are diagrams of alternative embodiments of integral or semi-integral camera mounting assemblies. FIGS. 30A, 30B and 30C are diagrams illustrating various alternative lamp patterns. FIG. 31 is a diagrams of an LED suitable for surface mounting. FIG. 32 is a diagram of a lighting array mounted atop a circuit board. FIG. 33 is a diagram of one embodiment of a lighting effects system having at least two different lamp colors. FIG. 34 is a diagram of another embodiment of a lighting effects system having at least two different lamp colors. FIG. 35 is a diagram of a lighting apparatus embodied as a panel having lighting arrays mounted thereon. FIGS. 36A and 36B are side-view diagrams of two different types of surface-mount LEDs, and FIG. 36C is an oblique image of the LED shown in FIG. 36A. FIG. 37A is a diagram of one embodiment of a lens cap for an LED, and FIGS. 37B and 37C are diagrams illustrating placement of the lens cap with respect to a particular type of LED. FIGS. 37D and 37E are diagrams illustrating another embodiment of a lens cap for an LED, and placement thereof with respect to a particular type of LED. FIG. 38A is a front view diagram of a ring-shaped lighting frame assembly with surface-mount LEDs arranged on the lighting frame. FIG. 38B is a side view diagram of one embodiment of the lighting frame assembly illustrated in FIG. 36A, showing backside fins for heat dissipation. FIGS. 39 and 40 are diagrams illustrating examples of a panel light with surface mount LEDs. FIG. 41A is an oblique view diagram of a panel light illustrating backside fins and a groove for attachment to a multi-panel lighting assembly, and FIG. 41B is a diagram of a multi-panel lighting assembly illustrating attachment of the panel light shown in FIG. 41A. FIG. 42A is a diagram of a detachable integrated lens sheet for a panel light, and FIGS. 42B-42D are more detailed diagrams of portions of the integrated lens sheet. FIG. 43 is a diagram of a multi-panel lighting assembly employed on a lighting stand. FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating an adjustable lens cover of the type shown in FIG. 12, and an optional mechanism for securing interiorly positioned color gel(s) and/or lens filter(s). FIG. 45 is a diagram of a flexible LED strip with surface mount LEDs. FIG. 46 is a diagram of a ring-shaped lighting frame assembly with multiple fluorescent lights. FIGS. 47A and 47B are diagrams of a lighting apparatus in accordance with one embodiment as disclosed herein. FIGS. 48A and 48B are diagrams of the lighting apparatus in FIGS. 47A-B together with an attachable battery unit. FIGS. 49A and 49B are diagrams showing attachment of the lighting apparatus in FIGS. 47A-B and 48A-B to the attachable battery unit of FIGS. 48A-B. FIG. 50A is a diagram illustrating placement of a lens and optional color gel on the integrated light panel and battery apparatus of FIGS. 48A-B, and FIG. 50B is a side view diagram illustrating the lens in place. FIG. 51 is a diagram showing one possible means for mounting an LED light panel to a camera. FIGS. 52A, 52B and 52C are diagrams illustrating attachment of various mounting pins to the lighting apparatus shown in FIGS. 47A-B. FIGS. 53A through 53D are diagrams showing different views of an integrated LED light panel and battery apparatus mounted on a stand. FIG. 54 is a diagram showing details of one possible mounting arm configuration for the stand illustrated in FIGS. 53A-D. FIG. 55 is a diagram of a light panel attached to a stand. FIG. 56 is a simplified block diagram illustrating components of a battery unit in accordance with one embodiment as disclosed herein. FIG. 57 is a functional block diagram illustrating circuits or components of an LED light panel in accordance with one embodiment as disclosed herein. FIG. 58 is a diagram of an alternative embodiment of a battery unit, including an adapter panel and at least one attachable battery. FIG. 59 is a diagram illustrating a panel light with one or more adapters for mounting or affixing the panel light. FIGS. 60 and 61 are diagrams of a panel light mounted to different types of tripods. FIG. 62 is a diagram of a stackable panel light, shown mounted on a stand. FIGS. 63A and 63B are diagrams of an embodiment of a camera-mountable lighting apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) Before describing preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention, an explanation is provided of several terms used herein. The term “lamp element” is intended to refer to any controllable luminescent device, whether it be a light-emitting diode (“LED”), light-emitting electrochemical cell (“LEC”), a fluorescent lamp, an incandescent lamp, or any other type of artificial light source. The term “semiconductor light element” or “semiconductor light emitter” refers to any lamp element that is manufactured in whole or part using semiconductor techniques, and is intended to encompass at least light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and light-emitting electrochemical cell (LECs). The term “light-emitting diode” or “LED” refers to a particular class of semiconductor devices that emit visible light when electric current passes through them includes both traditional low power versions (operating in, e.g., the 20 mW range) as well as high output versions such as those operating in the range of 3 to 5 Watts, which is still substantially lower in wattage than a typical incandescent bulb, and so-called superluminescent LEDs. Many different chemistries and techniques are used in the construction of LEDs. Aluminum indium gallium phosphide and other similar materials have been used, for example, to make warm colors such as red, orange, and amber. A few other examples are: indium gallium nitride (InGaN) for blue, InGaN with a phosphor coating for white, and Indium gallium arsenide with Indium phoshide for certain infrared colors. A relatively recent LED composition uses Indium gallium nitride (InGaN) with a phosphor coating. It should be understood that the foregoing LED material compositions are mentioned not by way of limitation, but merely as examples. The term “light-emitting electrochemical cell” or LEC” refers to any of a class of light emitting optoelectronic devices comprising a polymer blend embeded between two electrodes, at least one of the two electrodes being transparent in nature. The polymeric blend may be made from a luminescent polymer, a sale, and an ion-conducting polymer, and various different colors are available. Further background regarding LECs may be found, for example, in the technical references D. H. Hwang et al, “New Luminescent Polymers for LEDs and LECs,” Macromolecular Symposia 125, 111 (1998), M. Gritsch et al, “Investigation of Local Ions Distributions in Polymer Based Light Emitting Cells,” Proc. Current Developments of Microelectronics, Bad Hofgastein (March 1999), and J. C. deMello et al, “The Electric Field Distribution in Polymer LECs,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 85(2), 421 (2000), all of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein. The term “color temperature” refers to the temperature at which a blackbody would need to emit radiant energy in order to produce a color that is generated by the radiant energy of a given source, such as a lamp or other light source. A few color temperatures are of particular note because they relate to the film and photographic arts. A color temperature in the range of 3200° Kelvin (or 3200° K) is sometimes referred to as “tungsten” or “tungsten balanced.” A color temperature of “tungsten” as used herein means a color temperature suitable for use with tungsten film, and, depending upon the particulars of the light source and the film in question, may generally cover the color temperature range anywhere from about 1000° Kelvin to about 4200° Kelvin. A color temperature in the range of 5500° Kelvin (or 5500° K) is sometimes referred to as “daylight” or “daylight balanced.” Because the color of daylight changes with season, as well as changes in altitude and atmosphere, among other things, the color temperature of “daylight” is a relative description and varies depending upon the conditions. A color temperature of “daylight” as used herein means a color temperature suitable for use with daylight film, and, depending upon the particulars of the light source and the film in question, may generally cover the color temperature range anywhere from about 4200° Kelvin to about 9500° Kelvin. In one embodiment, a lighting effects system comprises an arrangement of lamp elements on a panel or frame. The lamp elements may be embodied as low power lights such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or light emitting electrochemical cells (LECs), for example, and may be arranged on the panel or frame in a pattern so as to provide relatively even, dispersive light. The panel or frame may be relatively lightweight, and may include one or more circuit boards for direct mounting of the lamp elements. A power supply and various control circuitry may be provided for controlling the intensities of the various lamp elements, either collectively, individually, or in designated groups, and, in some embodiments, through pre-programmed patterns. In another embodiment, a lighting effects system comprises an arrangement of low power lights mounted on a frame having an opening through which a camera can view. The low power lights may be embodied as LEDs or LECs, for example, arranged on the frame in a pattern of concentric circles or other uniform or non-uniform pattern. The frame preferably has a circular opening through which a camera can view, and one or more mounting brackets for attaching the frame to a camera. The low power lights may be electronically controllable so as to provide differing intensity levels, either collectively, individually, or in designated groups, and, in some embodiments, may be controlled through pre-programmed patterns. FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of a preferred lighting effects system 100 in accordance with one embodiment as disclosed herein, illustrating placement of a camera 140 relative to a lighting frame 102. The lighting frame 102 shown in FIG. 1 may be generally ring-shaped (as shown in, for example, FIGS. 3 and 4, and later described herein), and may define a central hole 103 through which the camera 140 can view. The camera 140 itself, while illustrated in FIG. 1 as a motion picture type camera, may be embodied as any type of image capture or optical viewing device, whether analog or digital in nature. For example, the camera 140 may use film or solid state image capture circuitry (e.g., CCDs), and may be a still photography camera or a motion picture camera. In a preferred embodiment, the lighting frame 102 is physically attached to the camera 140 using a camera mounting, as further described herein. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a lighting effects system 200 that may, if desired, be constructed in accordance with various principles illustrated in or described with respect to FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the lighting effects system 200 comprises a lighting frame 202 upon which are mounted or otherwise affixed a plurality of lamps 205. Preferred arrangements of the lamps 205 are described further herein. The lighting frame 202 may include a mounting assembly receptor 220 for receiving a mounting assembly 230 (preferably removable in nature), and an electrical socket 215 for receiving a cable 213 providing electrical power to the lamps 205 from a power source 210, although in alternative embodiments battery power may be used. A power controller 212 is preferably interposed between the power source 210 and the electrical socket 215, for providing various lighting effect functions described in more detail hereinafter, such as, for example, dimming, strobing, selective activation, pulsation, and so on, or combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the lighting frame 202 is ring-shaped, and the lamps 205 are arranged in a pattern around the center hole of the lighting frame 202 so as to provide the desired lighting condition—typically, the lamps 205 will be arranged in a symmetrical, regular pattern so as to provide relatively even lighting over the area of interest. The lighting frame 202 is preferably comprised of a lightweight, durable material, such as thermoplastic and/or aluminum, with a flat black finish (either paint, coating or material) so as to eliminate any reflections from the front of the lighting frame 202 that might cause ghosts to the final image. An example of a preferred lighting frame 302 is depicted from various angles in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 4 shows a front view of a lighting frame 302, illustrating the preferred ring-shaped nature thereof. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a number of lamp segments 306 are arranged in a radial or arrayed pattern around the center hole 303 of the lighting frame 302. The lamp segments 306 are positioned along rays 308 emanating from a center point 307 of the lighting frame 302, and are preferably equidistant from one another (i.e., the rays 308 are preferably defined such that all of the angles between neighboring rays 308 are equal). The equidistant placement of the lamp segments 306 results in a symmetrical, even pattern that advantageously provides even lighting over an area of interest. The density of the lamp pattern may vary, and is dictated in part by the particular lighting needs. Examples of alternative lamp arrangement patterns are shown in FIGS. 30A-30C. FIGS. 30A and 30B show the lighting frame 302 with different pattern densities of lamp segments 306. FIG. 30C illustrates a lamp pattern in which pairs 309 of lamp segments 306 are arranged near adjacent to one another, while each pair 309 of lamp segments 306 is positioned further away from its neighboring pair 309 than from the other lamp segment 306 that is part of the lamp segment pair 309. The lamp patterns shown in FIGS. 30A, 30B and 30C are meant to be merely illustrative and not exhaustive. Other lamp patterns might involve, for example, triplets of lamp segments (rather than pairs or singles), or alternating single lamps with pairs and/or triplets, or lamp segments which have gradually increasing or decreasing spacing between them, or lamp segment clusters having the same or different numbers of lamp segments in each cluster, to name a few. The lamp pattern can thus be varied to suit the particular lighting needs, but is preferably symmetric at least in those situations calling for even lighting over the area of interest. Each of the lamp segments 306 preferably comprises a plurality of low power lamps 305, such as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 4. The low power lamps are preferably solid state in nature and may comprise, for example, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), light-emitting crystals (LECs), or other low power, versatile light sources. Alternatively, fluorescent lamps may be used instead of lamp segments, as described later herein, for example, with respect to, e.g., FIG. 13. Fluorescent lights are power efficient and tend to have high concentrations or spikes of blue, green, and ultraviolet wavelength light. Most white LEDs have color spikes as well. These spikes of color combined with improper proportions of other wavelengths can render the colors of objects seen or photographed as incorrect or odd in hue. Slight color variations may be added relatively easily to the lenses of LEDs to compensate for these deficiencies without significantly impacting the overall light output. Colored LED lenses may also be used to generate a desired color (such as red, green, etc.), but, since colored lenses are subtractive in nature, the stronger the color, generally the more the output of the LED will be dimmed. White LEDs typically utilize clear or nearly clear lenses; however, in any of the embodiments described herein, a clear LED lens may be manufactured with slight subtractive characteristics in order to minimize any color spikes and/or non-linearities in the output of an LED. The number of low power lamps 305 in each lamp segment 306 may be the same or may vary among lamp segments 306. If the number of low power lamps 305 is the same in each lamp segment 306 and are spaced the same (for example, equidistant from one another) within each lamp segment 306, then the resulting pattern will be a plurality of concentric circles of low power lamps 305 radiating outward from the inner circular portion to the outer circular portion of the lighting frame 302. It will be appreciated, however, that the low power lamps 305 need not be arranged in segments 306 as illustrated in FIG. 4, but may be arranged in clusters or other patterns, whether uniform or non-uniform, over the lighting frame 302. However, a symmetrical, regular pattern of low power lamps 305 is preferred, at least where uniform lighting is desired over an area of interest. FIG. 5 illustrates the effect of a lighting frame assembly such as light frame 302 with low power lamps 305 arranged as shown in FIG. 4, in illuminating a subject 646. As shown in FIG. 5, radiating light regions 620, 621 from lamps arranged on the front surface of the lighting frame 302 (as illustrated in FIG. 4, for example) overlap one another in a manner so as to provide lighting from multiple angles. With a radial or arrayed pattern of lamp segments 306 as shown in FIG. 4, a subject 646 may be relatively evenly illuminated from every angle. FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred placement of a camera 140 (including any type of image capture device, whether film based, solid state/CCD, or otherwise) with respect to a lighting frame 102 (which may be embodied, for example, as lighting frame 302). As illustrated in FIG. 1, the camera 140 may be positioned so that its lens or optical front-end peers through the central hole 103 of the lighting frame 102, thus allowing the lighting to be presented from the same angle and direction as the camera viewpoint. FIG. 6 illustrates how the lighting frame assembly with the pattern of lamp segments 306 as shown in FIG. 4 may advantageously illuminate a human subject's eyes. In FIG. 6, the iris 650 of the subject's eye 654 is illustrated showing a circular pattern of reflected light segments 652 around the iris 650. A lighting pattern of a lighting system such as illustrated in FIG. 4 can illuminate the iris 650 of the subject's eye 654 from multiple angles, thus helping provide desirable “eye lights” or “catch lights” with respect to a human subject 546, as well as providing uniform, even lighting over the area of interest. Turning once again to FIG. 3, an oblique view of the lighting frame 302 is shown illustrating an example of attachment of one type of camera mounting assembly 330 to the lighting frame 302. In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, a mounting assembly receptor 320 is affixed to, molded as part of, or otherwise attached to the lighting frame 302. The camera mounting assembly 330 is preferably configured so as to attach securely to the mounting assembly receptor 320. The mounting assembly receptor 320 may, for example, include a socket 323 or similar indentation adapted to receive a corresponding member 335 on the camera mounting assembly 330. The member 335 may be attached to an elongated rod or arm 332, along which a camera clamp 334 may be slidably engaged. The camera clamp 334 preferably includes a generally U-shaped clamping portion 336 which may be securely attached along the housing of a camera, and may advantageously be moved along the elongated rod or arm 332 and clamped into a suitable position using a clamping screw or other fastening mechanism. FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams showing an oblique view and a frontal view, respectively, of one portion of a lighting assembly frame 1502 in accordance with one or more of the concepts or principles explained with respect to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. As illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the lighting assembly frame portion 1502 is generally ring-shaped in nature, having a central hole 1503 for allowing a camera or other image capture device to view through the lighting assembly frame. The lighting assembly frame portion 1502 may be reinforced, if desired, with ribs 1560, and may include, as noted with respect to FIG. 3, a mounting assembly receptor 1520 for receiving a camera mounting assembly (not shown in FIG. 15A), and an electrical socket 1515 for receiving a cable or wires for providing power to the lamps of the lighting assembly. The lighting frame portion 1502 illustrated in FIG. 15A comprises one half (specifically, the backside half) of a complete lighting frame assembly. A corresponding lighting frame portion 1592 (e.g., printed circuit board), as shown in FIG. 15C, may be adapted to fit securely to the lighting frame portion 1502 (e.g., injected molded poly-carbonate), and may attach thereto by, for example, exterior locking tabs 1564 and/or interior locking tabs 1567, which are shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B. Alternatively, other means for fastening together the lighting frame assembly 1501 may be used, such as screws, glue, etc. Likewise, the mounting assembly receptor 1520 may comprise any suitable mechanism for securing a camera mounting assembly to the lighting frame portion 1502 of the lighting frame assembly 1501. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the mounting assembly receptor 1520 may comprise a raised, slightly tapered cylindrical housing, defining a hollow cylindrical chamber in which the camera mounting assembly may be fitted. If the lighting frame portion 1502 is formed of plastic, for example, then the mounting assembly receptor 1520 may be formed through an injection molding process. FIG. 18 depicts an example of a portion of a camera mounting assembly 1801 as may be affixed to the lighting frame portion 1502 using the mounting assembly receptor 1520. The camera mounting assembly 1801 in FIG. 18 comprises an elongated rod or arm 1832, at the end of which is affixed an attachment member 1835 having a generally circular body portion with two wing-like protruding tabs 1838. The tabs 1838 may be fitted into two corresponding indentations 1524 in the ring-shaped top surface of the cylindrical housing of the mounting assembly receptor 1520. The camera mounting assembly 1801 may then be twisted in a clockwise direction to cause the tabs 1838 to slide through the slits adjacent to the indentations 1524 in the mounting assembly receptor 1520, allowing the camera mounting assembly 1801 to be slid downward, then twisted in a counter-clockwise direction and locked into place in the mounting assembly receptor 1520. The camera mounting assembly 1801 may be disengaged from the lighting frame portion 1501 by manually applying pressure to release the locking tabs and twisting the camera mounting assembly 1801 in the opposite (i.e., clockwise in this example) direction from that originally used to bring it into a locking position. The camera mounting assembly 1801 may then be raised upwards and twisted in a counter-clockwise direction to cause the tabs 1838 to slide back through the slits adjacent to the indentations 1524 in the mounting assembly receptor 1520, thereby completely releasing the camera mounting assembly 1801. A variety of other means may alternatively be used to affix a camera mounting assembly to the lighting frame portion 1502, but the mechanism used in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 15A and 15B has the advantage of not requiring additional pieces (such as screws), and being relatively simple and quick to use. A main purpose of the camera mounting assembly 1801 is to allow the lighting frame assembly to be secured to a camera or other image capture device, thus providing even lighting from all directions surrounding the camera or other image capture device, and allowing, for example, the lighting frame assembly to follow the motion of the camera or other image capture device as it is moved. An example of additional components allowing the camera mounting assembly 1801 to be secured to a camera are shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B. In particular, FIGS. 19A and 19B depict two halves 1902, 1912 of a camera clamp which may be joined together and attached to the elongated rod or arm 1832 of the camera mounting assembly 1801, arriving at a complete camera mounting assembly such as illustrated in FIG. 3 (i.e., camera mounting assembly 330) or, in more detail, in FIG. 22. The rectangular openings 1903, 1913 in the two halves 1902 and 1912, respectively, of the camera clamp allow it to be slid onto the elongated rod or arm 1832. A spring-loaded retention clip, as shown in FIG. 20, may be used to help secure the camera clamp to the elongated rod or arm 1832. In alternative embodiments, the camera clamp (comprising the combination of two halves 1902, 1912) may be permanently affixed and/or integrally formed with the elongated rod or arm 1832. An attachment member, such as pre-molded clamping member 1916 shown in FIG. 19B, may be used to slide onto an appropriate feature of the camera (such as a Panavision®) type motion picture camera), e.g., a rod or other feature of the camera. Other types of attachment members may be used, depending upon the particular nature of the camera or other image capture device. The camera mounting assembly 1801, in conjunction with the preferred camera clamp illustrated in FIGS. 19A and 19B, thereby allow a lighting frame assembly to be secured to a camera or other image capture device. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating one technique for attaching a camera mounting assembly to a lighting frame. As shown in FIG. 23, a lighting frame 1302 may comprise a mounting assembly receptor 1320, similar to as described with respect to FIG. 3 and FIGS. 15A-15B, for example. In connection with attaching a camera mounting assembly 2328, a spring 2305 is first positioned in the mounting assembly receptor 2320, atop of which is then placed a plunger 2308 (such as illustrated in FIG. 21). Then, the camera mounting assembly 2328 is attached, by, e.g., inserting the attachment member into the mounting assembly receptor 2320. In essence, the application of the attachment member to the mounting assembly receptor 2320 may be viewed analogously to inserting and twisting a “key” in a keyhole. The spring 2305 effectively locks the camera mounting assembly 2328 in place against the back “keyplate” surrounding the keyhole, thus allowing the camera mounting assembly 2328 to be “twist-locked” into place. The assembly structure shown in FIG. 23 allows relatively easy attachment and detachment of the camera mounting assembly 2328. Other attachment techniques may also be used. Another embodiment of a camera mounting assembly, as may be used to attach a lighting frame to a camera or other image capture device, is illustrated in FIG. 27, and various components thereof are illustrated individually in FIGS. 24, 25 and 26. With reference first to FIG. 24, two halves 2415, 2418 of a camera clamp may be joined together to form a main camera clamp body the two halves 2415, 2418 may be secured together by screws or any other suitable fastening means. A slot in the camera clamp body may be provided to allow placement of a thumbwheel 2604 (illustrated in FIG. 26) which allows tightening of a clamping member 2437. Several holes 2430 are provided in camera clamp portion 2415, which receive corresponding protrusions 2511 from an attachment member 2501, illustrated in FIG. 25, which has a generally circular body portion 2519 with two wing-like protruding tabs 2586. The completed camera mounting assembly 2701 appears as in FIG. 27. The tabs 2586 of the camera mounting assembly 2701 shown in FIG. 27 may be fitted into the two corresponding indentations 1524 in the ring-shaped top surface of the cylindrical housing of the mounting assembly receptor 1520 shown in FIG. 15, as described previously with respect to the FIG. 22 camera mounting assembly. As before, the camera mounting assembly may be twisted in a clockwise direction to cause the tabs 2586 to slide through the slits adjacent to the indentations 1524 in the mounting assembly receptor 1520, allowing the camera mounting assembly 2701 to be slid downward, then twisted in a counter-clockwise direction and locked into place in the mounting assembly receptor 1520. The camera mounting assembly 2701 may be disengaged from the lighting frame portion 1501 by manually applying pressure to release the locking tabs and twisting the camera mounting assembly 2701 in the opposite (i.e., clockwise in this example) direction from that originally used to bring it into a locking position. The camera mounting assembly 2701 may then be raised upwards and twisted in a counter-clockwise direction to cause the tabs 2586 to slide back through the slits adjacent to the indentations 1524 in the mounting assembly receptor 1520, thereby completely releasing the camera mounting assembly 2701. As noted previously, a variety of other means may alternatively be used to affix a camera mounting assembly 2701 of FIG. 27 to the lighting frame portion 1502. As with the camera mounting assembly 1801 shown in FIG. 18, the camera mounting assembly of FIG. 27 functions to allow a lighting frame assembly to be secured to a camera or other image capture device, thus allowing, for example, the lighting frame assembly to follow the motion of the camera or other image capture device as it is moved. An attachment member, such as pre-molded clamping member 2437 shown in FIG. 24, may be used to slide onto an appropriate feature, such as a rod or other feature, of the camera (for example, an Arri® type motion picture camera). FIG. 28 and 29 are diagrams of alternative embodiments of camera mounting assemblies having certain integral components. FIG. 28 illustrates a camera mounting assembly 2801 as may be used, for example, to secure a lighting frame to a Panavision® type camera. As shown in FIG. 28, an attachment member 2838 (or “key”) connects with, and integrally attaches to, a camera clamp plate 2802, in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 18, but eliminating the elongated rod or arm shown therein. A pair of cylindrically-shaped lock lever “screws” 2851, 2852 enable the camera mounting assembly 2801 to attach to an appropriate feature of the camera. Lock levers 2855, 2856 connected to each of the lock lever screws 2851, 2852 can be flipped (e.g., a quarter turn) in order to lock the screws 2851, 2852 into place, thus securing the camera mounting assembly 2801 to the camera. The lock lever screws 2851, 2852 can be flipped the opposite direction to unlock the screws 2851, 2852 and thereby release the camera mounting assembly 2801 from the camera. FIG. 29 illustrates a camera mounting assembly 2901 as may be used, for example, to secure a lighting frame to an Arri® type camera. As shown in FIG. 29, an attachment member 2938 (or “key”) connects with, and attaches to, a camera clamp plate 2902, by way of, e.g., screws 2940. A cylindrically-shaped lock lever screw 2951 enables the camera mounting assembly 2901 to attach to an appropriate feature of the camera. A lock lever 2855 connected to the lock lever screw 2851 can be flipped (e.g., a quarter turn) in order to lock the screw 2851 into place, thus securing the camera mounting assembly 2901 to the camera. The lock lever screw 2851 can be flipped the opposite direction to unlock the screw 2851 and thereby release the camera mounting assembly 2901 from the camera. Additional details of the particular lighting frame portion 1501 of FIGS. 15A and 15B are illustrated in FIGS. 16A through 16E. FIGS. 16A and 16B, for example, are diagrams showing an oblique view and a top view, respectively, of the backside of the lighting frame portion 1501 illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B. In FIGS. 16A and 16B can more clearly be seen, for example, the interior locking tabs 1567 and exterior locking tabs 1564 that can be used to secure the lighting frame portion 1501 to its corresponding half, as previously described with respect to FIG. 15C. In FIG. 16C is depicted a close-up illustration of the backside of the mounting assembly receptor 1520 and electrical socket 1515 illustrated from the opposite side in FIGS. 15A and 15B. In FIGS. 16D and 16E can be seen additional details of both the mounting assembly receptor 1520 (FIG. 16D) and the interior locking tabs 1567 and exterior locking tabs 1564. As shown in FIGS. 16D and 16E, the interior locking tabs 1567 may include a protruding locking member 1570 for securing the lighting frame portion 1501 to its counterpart by, e.g., snapping it into place, and the exterior locking tabs 1564 may likewise include protruding locking members 1568 having a similar function. The frame wall 1562 between the two nearby exterior locking tabs 1564 may be reinforced with a supporting rib 1569, to provide added counter-force when the lighting frame assembly is put together. The camera mounting assemblies shown in FIGS. 18, 23, 27, 28 and 29 are merely examples of camera mounting assemblies that may be utilized in various embodiments described herein. Other camera mounting assemblies may be specifically adapted to the particular camera of interest. The mounting assembly receptor 320 (or 1520) may in one aspect be viewed as a universal receptor, allowing different camera mounting assemblies to be connected to the lighting frame, provided that they are compatible with the mounting assembly receptor (such as the example shown in FIGS. 15A-15BB and elsewhere). A single lighting frame may thus be used with any of a variety of different cameras or other image capture devices. Although examples have been explained with respect to certain camera types (that is, a Panavision® camera or an Arri® camera), the camera may be of any type, whether for film or still photograph, and may be based upon either analog or digital imaging techniques. Moreover, while preferred dimensions are illustrated in some of the figures, the mounting assemblies and components thereof may be of any appropriate size and shape. Further description will now be provided concerning various preferred light elements as may be used in connection with one or more embodiments as disclosed herein. While generally discussed with reference to FIG. 3, the various light elements described below may be used in other embodiments as well. When embodied as LEDs, the low power lamps 305 typically will emit light at approximately 7400-7500K degrees when at full intensity, which is white light approximating daylight conditions. However, LEDs of a different color, or one or more different colors in combination, may also be used. FIG. 9 is an energy spectrum graph showing a typical frequency distribution (in terms of light wavelength) of light output from white-light, low voltage LEDs, and illustrating a main peak at about 600 nanometers. A color correction mechanism, such as a color correction gel or lens filter, may be used to alter the color of the LED light. For example, the LED light could be converted to “tungsten daylight” (similar in hue to an incandescent bulb) by use of a color gel or colored lens. A diffusion lens or filter may also be used, by itself or in conjunction with a color gel or colored lens, to diffuse or soften the outgoing light. A diffusion lens or filter may be formed of, e.g., clear or white opaque plastic, and may be configured in a ring-shaped pattern of similar dimension to the light frame 302 to facilitate mounting thereon. FIG. 17, for example, shows a diagram of an opaque, ring-shaped cover 1701 as may be used in connection with the lighting frame assembly depicted in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a more detailed diagram of a light segment 792 (e.g., an array) as may be used, for example, in connection with the lighting frame 302 shown in FIG. 4. The light segment 792 may correspond to each of the individual light segments 306 shown in FIG. 4, and the various light elements (i.e., LEDs) 790 in FIG. 7 may correspond to the individual low power lamps 305 shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 illustrates a straight row of LEDs 790 as may comprise the lighting segment 790. Although fifteen LEDs 790 are illustrated in the example shown in FIG. 7, any number of LEDs 790 may be used, subject to physical space limitations and lighting intensity requirements. In addition, a set of filtering lenses 794 (which are preferably formed as a single, collective lens comprised of individual lens elements 795 connected together) may be placed over the light segment 792 as shown, such that each lens element 795 is positioned in the light path of one of the LEDs 790. The overall effect can be, for example, to focus or spread the light according to a specifically desired pattern, such as the exemplary light pattern 796 shown in FIG. 7. A variety of other light filtering techniques may also be used. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the effect of a filtering lens element (e.g., wave guide) 876 on an individual light element (e.g., LED) 872. As shown in FIG. 8, light 874 emanates from the LED 872 in a generally even pattern, but can be focused or otherwise filtered by the filtering lens element 876. FIG. 7 illustrates an example of collectively filtering all of the LEDs 790 of the light segment 792. Various embodiments of lighting apparatus as described herein utilize different color lamp elements in order to achieve, for example, increased versatility or other benefits in a single lighting mechanism. Among the various embodiments described herein are lamp apparatuses utilizing both daylight and tungsten lamp elements for providing illumination in a controllable ratio. Such apparatuses may find particular advantage in film-related applications where it can be important to match the color of lighting with a selected film type, such as daylight or tungsten. Alternatively, or in addition, lamp elements of other colorations may be utilized. It is known, for example, to use colored lamp elements such as red, green, and blue LEDs on a single lighting fixture. Selective combinations of red, green, and blue (“RGB”) lamp elements can generally be used to generate virtually any desired color, at least in theory. Lighting systems that rely upon RGB lamp elements can potentially used as primary illumination devices for an image capture system, but suffer from drawbacks. One such problem is that the red, green, and blue colors generated by the light elements do not necessary mix completely. The discrete RGB lamp elements (e.g., LEDs) each project a localized “pool” of its individual primary color. This manifests as spots of color, or bands of individual or partially mixed colors. One of the only presently available solutions to correct for this problem is mixing the colors using a diffusion technique. Diffusion mixing can be accomplished by adding detractors, gratings, or white opal-appearing filters, for example. Unfortunately, these techniques end up reducing the overall output of the lighting apparatus and, more importantly, severely reduce the ability of the LEDs to “project” light in a direct fashion. Another problem for illumination systems which rely upon RGB color mixing is that not all of the LEDs are generally used at full power for most lighting situations. One or two of the LED color groups typically have to be dimmed in order for the desired color to be generated, which can further reduce the overall light output. When these factors are considered in combination, RGB based lighting apparatus may not be well suited for providing primary illumination for image capture applications (such as film). While the foregoing discussion has principally focused on RGB based lighting apparatus, similar problems and drawbacks may be experienced when employing lamp elements in other color combinations as well. In various embodiments as disclosed herein, a lighting apparatus is provided which utilizes two or more complementary colored lamp elements in order to achieve a variety of lighting combinations which, for example, may be particularly useful for providing illumination for film or other image capture applications. A particular example will be described with respect to a lighting apparatus using lamp elements of two different colors, herein referred to as a “bi-color” lighting apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the bi-color lighting apparatus utilizes light elements of two different colors which (unlike red, green, and blue) are separated by a relatively small difference in their shift or color balance. When reference is made herein to light elements of two different colors, the light elements may, for example, include a first group which provide light output at a first color and a second group which provide light output at a second color, or else the light elements may all output light of a single color but selected ones of the light elements may be provided with colored LED lenses or filtering to generate the second color. In a preferred embodiment, as will be described, the bi-color lighting apparatus uses lamp elements having daylight and tungsten hues (for example, 5200° K and 3200° K color temperatures, respectively). Other bi-color combinations may also be used and, preferably, other combinations of colors which are closely in hue or otherwise complementary in nature. One possible advantage of a bi-color lighting system as will be described in certain embodiments below is the ability to more easily blend two similar colors (e.g., 5500 K and 3200 K color temperature hues), particularly when compared to a tri-color (e.g., RGB) lighting system that relies upon opposing or widely disparate colors. The blending process of two similar colors is not nearly as apparent to the eye, and more importantly in certain applications, is a more suitable lighting process for film or video image capture devices. In contrast, attempting to blend 3 primary or highly saturated (and nearly opposite colors) is much more apparent to the eye. In nature one may visually perceive the blending of bi-colors, for example, from an open sky blue in the shade, to the warmth of the direct light at sunset. Such colors are generally similar, yet not the same. Their proportion in relation to each other is a naturally occurring gradient in most every naturally lit situation. This difference is the basis of most photographic and motion picture lighting hues. These hues give viewers clues as to time of day, location and season. Allowing separate control of the two different color lamp elements (such as LEDs), through two separate circuit/dimmer controls or otherwise, provides the ability to easily adjust (e.g., cross-fade, cross-dim, etc.) between the two colors because they do not have significant color shifts when dimmed and blend in a visually pleasing manner, allowing the type of color gradients that occur in nature. In addition, virtually all still and motion picture film presently used in the industry is either tungsten or daylight balanced, such that various combinations of daylight and tungsten (including all one color) are well matched directly to the most commonly used film stocks. These features make various of the lighting apparatus described herein particularly well suited for wide area still, video, and motion picture usage, especially as compared to RGB-based or other similar lighting apparatus. The above principles may also be extended to lighting systems using three or more lamp element colors. FIG. 33 is a diagram of one embodiment of a lighting effects system 3300 having at least two different lamp element colors. As illustrated in FIG. 33, the lighting effects system 3300 comprises a lighting frame mounting surface 3302 having a plurality of lamp elements 3305 which, in this example, include daylight LEDs 3304 and tungsten LEDs 3303, although different lamp elements and/or different colors could be chosen. The lighting effects system 3300 further comprises various control electronics for controlling the illumination provided by the lamp elements 3305. In particular, the lighting effects system 3300 comprises an intensity control adjustment 3342, an intensity control circuit 3345, a ratio control adjustment 3341, and a ratio control circuit 3346. The intensity control adjustment 3342 and ratio control adjustment 3341 may each be embodied as, e.g., manual control knobs, dials, switches, or other such means, or alternatively may be embodied as a digital keypad, a set of digital buttons, or the like. A visual display (not shown) such as an LCD display may be provided to allow the operator to view the settings of the intensity control adjustment 3342 and ratio control adjustment 3341. Alternatively, the ratio control adjustment 3341 and/or intensity control adjustment 3342 may comprise digital commands or values received from a computer or similar device. In operation, setting the intensity control adjustment 3342 selects the illumination level for the lamp elements 3305, while setting the ratio control adjustment 3341 selects the relative intensities between, in this example, the daylight LEDs 3304 and the tungsten LEDs 3303. The intensity control circuit 3352 and ratio control circuit 3346 may comprise analog and/or digital circuitry, and the output of the ratio control circuit 3346 modifies the incoming power supply separately for the daylight LEDs 3304 and the tungsten LEDs 3303 in a manner dictated by the setting of the ratio control adjustment 3341. Accordingly, by use of the ratio control adjustment 3341, the operator may select more daylight illumination by increasing the relative intensity of the daylight LEDs 3304 or may select more tungsten illumination by increasing the relative intensity of the tungsten LEDs 3303. To increase or decrease the overall light output intensity, the operator may adjust the intensity control adjustment 3342. The lighting effects system 3300 thereby may provide different combinations of daylight/tungsten coloration to match a wide variety of settings and circumstances, with the two colors being generally complementary in nature and thus providing a balanced, well blended illumination effect. FIG. 34 is a diagram of another embodiment of a lighting effects system having at least two different lamp colors. As illustrated in FIG. 34, and similar to FIG. 33, the lighting effects system 3400 comprises a lighting frame mounting surface 3402 having a plurality of lamp elements 3405 which, in this example, include daylight LEDs 3404 and tungsten LEDs 3403, although different lamp elements and/or different colors could be chosen. The lighting effects system 3400, as with that of FIG. 33, further comprises various control electronics for controlling the illumination provided by the lamp elements 3405. In particular, the lighting effects system 3400 comprises individual intensity control adjustments 3451, 3452 for daylight and tungsten lamp elements (e.g., (LEDs) 3403, 3404, and individual intensity control circuits 3456, 3457 also for the daylight and tungsten LEDs 3403, 3404. The tungsten intensity control adjustment 3451 and daylight intensity control adjustment 3452 may, similar to FIG. 33, each be embodied as, e.g., manual control knobs, dials, switches, or other such means, or alternatively may be embodied as a digital keypad, a set of digital buttons, or the like. A visual display (not shown) such as an LCD display may be provided to allow the operator to view the settings of the two intensity control adjustments 3451, 3452. Alternatively, the intensity control adjustments 3451, 3452 may comprise digital commands or values received from a computer or similar device. In operation, setting the tungsten intensity control adjustment 3451 selects the illumination level for the tungsten LEDs 3403 via the tungsten intensity control circuit 3456, and setting the daylight intensity control adjustment 3452 selects the illumination level for the daylight LEDs 3404 via the daylight intensity control circuit 3457. The relative settings of the tungsten intensity control adjustment 3451 and the daylight intensity control adjustment 3452 generally determine the relative intensities between, in this example, the daylight LEDs 3404 and the tungsten LEDs 3403. The intensity control circuits 3456, 3457 may comprise analog and/or digital circuitry, and the relative outputs of the tungsten intensity control circuit 3456 and the daylight intensity control circuit 3456 generally determine the illumination level and composition. The operator may select more daylight illumination by increasing the relative intensity of the daylight LEDs 3304 or may select more tungsten illumination by increasing the relative intensity of the tungsten LEDs 3303. The lighting effects system 3400 thereby may provide different combinations of daylight/tungsten coloration to match a wide variety of settings and circumstances, as with the FIG. 33 embodiment. Because the two different colors of LEDs (e.g., daylight and tungsten) can be controlled separately (through common or separate circuitry), and because these particular LEDs, or other similar complementary colors, do not have significant color shifts when dimmed, it would be relatively straightforward to adjust (e.g., cross-fade, cross-dim) between the two colors and, for example, provide a variety of natural light illumination effects for various types of common film stock. The lighting apparatuses of FIGS. 33 and 34 may, if desired, be physically embodied in a manner as described elsewhere herein; for example, the lighting apparatus may be embodied with a generally ring-shaped lighting frame as illustrated in and/or described with respect to FIG. 4, or with a portable frame such as generally illustrated in and/or described with respect to FIG. 35. The principles and underlying concepts associated with the embodiments of FIGS. 33 and 34 may be extended to support more than two colors of lamp elements 3305 or 3405. Moreover, the lighting apparatuses of FIGS. 33 and 34 may utilize any number of lamp elements in a bi-color or other multi-color arrangement, in any desired pattern. Returning now to the general diagram of a lighting effects system 201 illustrated in FIG. 2 (although the following comments will apply to various other embodiments such as the lighting frame assembly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4), the LEDs or other low power lamps 205 may be operated at a standard direct current (DC) voltage level, such as, e.g., 12 volts or 24 volts, and may be powered by a power source 210 controlled by a power controller 212 such as generally shown in FIG. 2. The power source 210 can generally comprise a standard electrical outlet (i.e., nominal 110 volt AC power line), although in various embodiments the power source 210 could also be a battery having sufficient current to drive the LEDs or other low power lamps 205. In some embodiments, the power controller 212 may be omitted, and the lighting frame 202 may be connected directly to the power source 210. Block diagrams of two different types of power controllers 212 as may be used in various embodiments as described herein are illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B, respectively. With reference to FIG. 10A, a first type of power controller 1012 has an input for receiving an AC power source 1003, and outputs a plurality of power wires 1047 preferably through a cable (e.g., cable 213 shown in FIG. 2) for connection to the lighting frame 202. The power controller 1012 may further comprise a power converter 1020, the nature of which depends upon the type of power source 210. If the power source is an AC source, the power converter 1020 may comprise an AC-to-DC converter and appropriate step-down power conversion circuitry (e.g., a step-down transformer). On the other hand, if the power source is a DC source (e.g., a battery), the power converter 1020 may comprise a DC-to-DC converter, if necessary. The design and construction of power converters is well known in the field of electrical engineering, and therefore is not be described herein in detail. The power converter 1020 is preferably connected to a plurality of switches 1022, which may be solid state devices (e.g., transistors) or analog devices (e.g., relays), each switch controlling power delivered by the power converter 1020 to one of the wires 1047 output by the power controller 1012. A switch selector 1042 controls the on/off state each switch (or group) in the set of switches 1022. A manual interface 1030 is provided to allow operation of the switches 1022 according to manual selection. The manual interface 1030 may include a master power switch 1031, switch controls 1032, and, optionally, an effects selector 1033. The switch controls 1032 may include an individual manual switch, button or other selection means for each individual switch provided in the set of switches 1022, or else may comprise a control mechanism (such as knob or reduced number of manual switches, buttons or other selection means) for selecting groups of switches 1022 according to predesignated arrangements. As but one example, assuming a light arrangement such as shown in FIG. 4, a knob provided as part of the switch controls 1032 could have a first setting to select all of the light segments 306, a second setting to select every other light segment 306, and a third setting to select every fourth light segment 306, thus providing options of 100%, 50% and 25% total light output. The switch selector 1042 would then convert each knob setting to a set of control signals to the appropriate switches 1022, which in turn would control power to the wires 1047 supplying power to the light segments 306. As another example, the switch controls 1032 could include an individual manual switch, button or other selection means for each light segment 306 or group of light segments 306 in the lighting arrangement. An effects generator 1043 may optionally be included in the power controller 1012, along with an effects selector 1033 which forms part of the manual interface 1030. The effects generator 1043 may provide the ability to create various lighting effects, such as, e.g., dimming, strobing, pulsation, or pattern generation. The effects selector 1043 may affect all of the switches 1022 simultaneously, or else may affect individual switches or groups of switches 1022, depending upon the desired complexity of the lighting effects. Dimming may be accomplished, for example, through a manual control knob or multi-position switch on the effects selector 1033. The dimming control may be electronically implemented, for example, in an analog fashion through a variable resistive element, or in a digital fashion by detecting the selected manual setting and converting it to selecting power setting through, e.g., selected resistive elements in a resistive ladder circuit. Where the switches 1022 are implemented, for example, as controllable variable amplifiers, the selectable resistance may be used to control the output of each amplifier and thereby the light output by the amplifier's respective light segment 306 (or group of light segments 306). In other embodiments, the dimming control may optionally be applied to the output of switches 1022. Where dimming control is applied collectively, it may be implemented by applying the selected dimming control level to the incoming signal from the power converter 1020, which is supplied to all of the switches 1022 collectively. Other variations for implementing dimming control are also possible and will be apparent to those skilled in the art of electrical engineering. Strobing may be accomplished by generating an oscillating signal and applying it as a control signal either upstream or downstream from the switch selector 1042. The frequency of oscillation may be selectable via a manual knob, switch or other selection means as part of the effects selector 1033. Pattern generation may be accomplished by, e.g., manual selection from a number of predefined patterns, or else through an interface allowing different pattern sequencing. Patterns may include, for example, strobing or flashing different groups of light segments 306 (given the example of FIG. 3) in a predefined sequence (which may be a pseudo-random sequence, if desired), strobing or flashing different low power lamps 305 of the light segments 306 in a predefined (or pseudo-random) sequence, gradually dimming or brightening the light segments 306 (individually, in groups, or collectively), or various combinations of these effects. Alternatively, rather than providing a separate effects selector 1033, certain effects may be combined with the switch controls 1032. For example, a dimmer switch (knob) could be used to both activate a light segment 306, or group of light segments 306, and also control light output via rotation of the dimmer switch (knob). FIG. 10B is a block diagram showing another example of a power controller 1052 as may be used, for example, in the lighting effects system 200 of FIG. 2 or other embodiments described herein. Like the power controller 1012 shown in FIG. 10A, the power controller 1052 shown in FIG. 10B includes a power source input 1053 connected to a power converter 1060. It further includes a set of switches 1062 receiving power from the power converter 1060, and providing power to individual wires 1097 which are conveyed, preferably by cable, to the lighting frame assembly 201 of the lighting effects system 200. The power controller 1052 also includes a switch selector 1072, which may comprise, for example, a set of registers which provide digital signals to the switches 1062 to control their on/off state. The power controller 1052 includes a processor 1074 which may be programmed to provide various lighting effects by manipulating the switch selector 1072 (for example, by changing values in registers which control the on/off states of the switches 1062). The processor 1074 may interface with a memory 1075, which may comprise a volatile or random-access memory (RAM) portion and a non-volatile portion (which may comprise, e.g., ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, and/or flash-programmable ROM), the latter of which may contain programming instructions for causing the processor 1074 to execute various functions. The memory 1075 may be loaded through an I/O port 1076, which may include an electrical serial or parallel interface, and/or an infrared (IR) reader and/or bar code scanner for obtaining digital information according to techniques well known in the field of electrical engineering and/or electro-optics. An interface 1080 may also be provided for programming or otherwise interfacing with the processor 1074, or manually selecting various lighting effects options through selectable knobs, switches or other selection means, as generally explained previously with respect to FIG. 10A. The processor-based control system illustrated in FIG. 10B may also include other features and components which are generally present in a computer system. In operation, the processor 1074 reads instructions from the memory 1075 and executes them in a conventional manner. The instructions will generally cause the processor 1074 to control the switch selector by, e.g., setting various digital values in registers whose outputs control the switches 1062. The programming instructions may also provide for various lighting effects, such as dimming, strobing, pulsation, or pattern generation, for example. To accomplish dimming, the processor 1074 may be programmed select binary-encoded values to load into registers of the switch selector 1072, which in turn select a variable resistance value which controls the output from each individual or group of switches 1062. To accomplish strobing, the processor 1074 may be programmed to turn the switches 1062 on and off according to a predesignated pattern dictated by the programming instructions. The processor 1074 may make use of one or more electronic timers to provide timing between on and off events. The programming instructions may provide that the switches 1062 are turned on and off according to designated sequences, thus allowing the capability of pattern generation via the processor 1074. As mentioned before, patterns may include, for example, strobing or flashing different groups of light segments 306 (given the example of FIG. 3) in a predefined (or pseudo-random) sequence, strobing or flashing different low power lamps 305 of the light segments 306 in a predefined (or pseudo-random) sequence, gradually dimming or brightening the light segments 306 (individually, in groups, or collectively), or various combinations of these effects. Although the lighting frame 302 and lighting arrangement illustrated in FIG. 3 provides various advantages, other lighting frames and other lighting arrangements may also be used in a lighting effects system, and may be employed in connection with various techniques as described herein. Another embodiment of a lighting frame 1101, for example, is illustrated in FIG. 11. The lighting frame 1101 shown in FIG. 11 may be used in connection with a lighting effects system 201 such as shown in and previously described with respect to FIG. 2, and may be constructed according to general principles described previously with respect to FIGS. 15A-15C and 16A-16E. As shown in FIG. 11, a lighting frame 1101 is generally ring-shaped and has an opening 1107 through which a camera or other image capture device can view. On the lighting frame 1101 may be mounted a plurality of lamps 1112 or in some instances even a single lamp 1112. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the lamps 1112 may be embodied as slim, narrow fluorescent “cold cathode” tubes with an internal phosphorous coating emitting visible light of certain wavelength (for example, a color temperature of around 3200 deg. K or 5500 deg. K, both of which temperatures are commonly used in film and photography applications). FIG. 14 is a graph illustrating an example of a spectral distribution of light (in terms of light wavelength) in accordance with such a lighting effects system. The lamps 1112 are preferably oriented as illustrated in FIG. 11—that is, in a radial pattern, emanating from a centerpoint 1119 of the opening 1107 in the middle of the lighting frame 1101. Where embodied as cold cathode tubes, the lamps 1112 may be of any suitable size, such as, e.g., 3 to 10 millimeters in diameter and 25 to 250 millimeters in length. Preferably, the lamps 1112 are controllable such that they can produce higher intensity or lower intensity light, and/or can be turned on or off in selected groups to adjust the overall light level provided by the lighting system. One possible means for controlling the light intensity of lamps 1112 is illustrated in FIG. 13. As shown therein, a light control system 1301 includes a selector switch 1310 which has a plurality of settings 1312, each of the settings 1312, in this example, providing a different combination of lamps 1112 (shown as elements 1322 in FIG. 13). By way of illustration, a first setting may illuminate all of the lamps 1322; a second setting may illuminate every other lamp 1322; and a third setting may illuminate every fourth lamp 1322, in each case providing a relatively even distribution of light but of a different overall intensity. For example, if 24 lamps were used, then the first setting would illuminate all 24 lamps, the second setting would illuminate 12 of the 24 lamps, and the third setting would illuminate six of the 24 lamps. The settings may correspond to any desired combination of lamps 1112. For example, each setting may be designed to control an equal number of lamps 1112, but in a different combination. The settings may be selected by any type of analog or digital input means (e.g., a manual knob, a set of switches or buttons, or a programmable interface), and any number of settings or programmable patterns may be offered. Power for the lighting control system 1301 may be supplied by a battery 1305, which may have a voltage rating of, e.g., 12 volts. The battery 1305 may be rechargeable in nature. Alternatively, or in addition, power may be provided from an alternating current (AC) source, such as a standard 120 volt electrical outlet, connected to an AC-to-DC power converter. The output of the battery 1305 may be controlled by a dimmer switch (not shown), to allow the light intensity level of lamps 1312 to be reduced. Alternatively, or in addition, dimming and/or pulsing can be controlled through a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit 1317. A first control means (e.g., a manual switch or knob, or programmable interface) (not shown) may be provided for dimming the lamps 1322. For example, a manual knob may control the conductance of a variable resistor, thus allowing more power or less power to reach the lamps 1322. In this way, the selected lamps 1322 may be brightened or dimmed, down to around 20% of their total light output. The PWM circuit 1317 may also, through a second control means (e.g., a manual switch or knob, or a programmable interface) allow pulsing of the light (i.e., a strobing effect) by adjustment of a pulse width modulation frequency. For example, a manual knob may control a variable resistive element, which in turn controls the width of pulses being generated by the PWM circuit 1317. Various techniques for generating pulses of different widths using a variable resistive element to control the selection of the width are well known in the electrical arts. Energy is preferably delivered to the various lamps 1322 in FIG. 13 through a plurality of high frequency (HF) ballasts 1325, which are capable of converting low DC voltage of the battery 1305 to high DC voltage (e.g., 800 to 1500 volts) for starting the lamp, and mid-level voltage (e.g., 170 to 250 volts) for sustaining lamp operation. Other techniques may also be used to deliver energy to the lamps 1322. While shown in a radial pattern in FIG. 13, the lamps 1322 (e.g., fluorescent tubes) may also be arranged in other patterns, such as patterns similar to those depicted, for example, in FIGS. 30A, 30B and 30C. FIG. 46 illustrates one example of a pattern of arranging fluorescent tubes (in this case, circular fluorescent tubes) on a lighting frame 4602. In FIG. 46, a lighting assembly 4600 includes a ring-shaped lighting frame 4602 with two fluorescent lamps 4605, an inner (small circumference) fluorescent lamp and an outer (larger circumference) fluorescent lamp. Additional fluorescent lamps (circular or otherwise) may also be added to the lighting frame 4202, or else a single fluorescent lamp may in some cases be utilized. The lighting frame 4602 may, as previously described, be constructed of a lightweight, durable material, and it may have a bracket or other mounting mechanism for mounting to a camera frame or lens (with the camera lens preferably viewing through the generally central hole 4613 in the lighting frame 4602), and/or a bracket or other mounting mechanism for allowing the lighting frame 4602 to be connected to a yoke or stand (such as conceptually represented by arm 4619 in FIG. 46). Energy for the fluorescent lamps 4605 may be provided as previously described herein, such that the lighting assembly 4600 can provide continuous light or, if applicable, various lighting effects. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating various options and accessories as may be used in connection with the lighting assembly frame depicted in FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 12, the lighting frame 1101 may be augmented with a diffusion filter 1205 and/or a color filter 1215, which may, if desired, be secured into place through a cover 1218 (e.g., a clear plastic cover) which locks or snaps onto the lighting frame 1101. Similar accessories may be utilized, for example, in connection with the lighting frame 302 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Illustrations of filtering techniques, through the use of waveguides and other means, are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,272,269 and 6,270,244, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. FIG. 44 illustrates, among other things, an adjustable lens cover 4418 similar in general nature to the cover 1218 shown in FIG. 12. In the particular example illustrated in FIG. 44, threading 4491 is provided on the outer surface of the lighting frame 4402 (which may be generally analogous to lighting frame 1101 shown in FIG. 12), and matching threading 4492 is provided on the interior surface of the adjustable lens cover 4418. The adjustable lens cover 4418 may be formed of clear plastic or a similar material and may be constructed with lenslike attributes (e.g., focal, diffusion) and/or may also be colorized if desired. The adjustable lens cover 4418 is secured to the lighting frame 4402 by twisting the cover 4418 onto the lighting frame 4402 in a screw-like fashion, thereby causing the threadings 4491, 4492 to interlock. By the number of rotations of the lens cover 4418 with respect to the lighting frame 4402, the distance of the “top” surface of the lens cover 4418 to the lighting elements 4405 on the lighting frame 4402 may be varied, thus allowing different lens effects. As further illustrated in FIG. 44, one or more coiled springs 4492 or other similar elements may be provided atop the lighting frame 4402, to secure one or more color gels 4415 or other filtering objects against the inner “top” surface of the adjustable lens frame 4418, when such objects are placed within the cover 4418 in the manner shown, for example, in FIG. 12. As an alternative to the complementary threading provided on the lens cover 4418 and the lighting frame 4402, other adjustment means may be provided. For example, the lens cover 4418 may be secured to the lighting frame 4402 by one or more adjustable screws which dictate the distance of the “top” surface of the lens cover 4418 from the lighting frame 4402. Also, slide-and-lock mechanisms may be used as well. It will be appreciated that, in various embodiments, a flexible, lightweight and functional lighting effects system is provided, whereby relatively uniform light may be used in illumination of a subject or area. The lighting effects system may, in various embodiments, allow a lighting frame to be secured to a camera or other image capture device, so as to permit the lighting system to be mobile and move in tandem with the camera or other image capture device, if desired. Also, in various embodiments, the lighting effects system may provide a variety of lighting patterns, including programmable patterns by which individual or groups of lights can be controlled for different lighting effects. The lighting frame may, in certain instances, be formed in multiple sections and hinged to allow the lighting frame to fold, or else snapped apart section by section, for ease of transport. In various alternative embodiments, the lighting frame need not be ring-shaped in nature, as shown in FIG. 3 and 4, for example, but could have other shapes as well. For example, the lighting frame may be square, hexagonal, octagonal, or other polygonal, or could, for instance, have a partially polygonal shape. Preferably, the lighting frame is relatively thin, as compared to its overall size, although it need not be. Also, the lighting frame preferably has a hole generally centered therein to allow a camera or other image capture device to view through the frame, although in some embodiments a viewing hole may not be present. The exterior portion of the lighting frame, or at least the exterior portion thereof, is preferably made of a lightweight, durable material such as plastic and/or lightweight metal (e.g., aluminum), optionally anodized, although in various embodiments it can be made of other materials as well, including any type of metal, wood, plastic, or combination thereof. The interior lighting frame portion may advantageously comprise a printed circuit board. Other variations may pertain to the manner of attaching the lighting frame to a camera or other image capture device. Rather than using a single mounting bracket or assembly, for example, multiple mounting brackets or assemblies may be used. Also, the mounting bracket or assembly may be permanently attached or affixed to the lighting frame, and may be, for example, retractable or foldable for convenience of transportation. The lighting frame may attach either to the camera body or to the lens portion of the camera. The lighting frame may attach to the camera lens through any of a variety of means, such as by engaging an outer camera lens threading through a threading on the interior circular hole of the lighting frame, engaging an inner camera lens threading by providing a complementary threaded extension for that purpose, by a strap means to secure the lighting frame to the camera and/or stand, or by a “hose-clamp” type strap which grips the outer cylinder of the camera lens. Also, rather than attaching to the camera, the lighting frame may be portable, and may be outfitted with handles for lighting crew to manually carry or hold the lighting frame, or may be adapted to attach to a stand or fixture for providing stationary illumination. The lighting frame may also be adapted to attach to a machine arm or other contrivance for allowing the lighting effects system to be moved as needed for filming or other desired purposes. Further embodiments, variations, and modifications pertain to the type of lamp elements that may be utilized in a lighting effects system and/or the manner of constructing a lighting frame particularly well suited for placing numerous lamp elements thereon. One method of construction involves the use of surface mount LEDs of the type illustrated, for example, in FIG. 31. As shown therein, a surface mount LED 3100 comprises a body 3104 having a thermal shoe on the bottom surface 3103 and a pair of soldering tabs 3102 for securing the surface mount LED 3100 to a circuit board (e.g., an aluminum core circuit board) or other suitable surface. A lens 3101 atop the body 3104 directs the light generated by the surface mount LED 3100 outwards. While the body 3104 and the lens 3101 of the surface mount LED 3100 radiate heat, the soldering tabs 3102 as well as the thermal shoe on the bottom surface 3103 assist in conducting heat to the mounting surface (e.g., circuit board) and thus may provide advantageous heat dissipation capabilities, particularly as compared to non-surface mount LEDs which tend to dissipate heat typically through their leads. Use of surface mount LEDs provides a larger and more direct heat conduction path to the mounting surface (e.g., circuit board), and may also provide advantages in ease of fabrication and improved durability. In various embodiments as described herein, the lamp elements used in a lighting effects system or lighting apparatus may comprise high output semiconductor lights such as, for example, high output LEDs. Such high output LEDs are available from Lumileds Lighting, LLC of San Jose, Calif. under the product brand name Luxeon™. High output LEDs are presently available in white as well as colors such as green, blue, red, amber, and cyan, are fully dimmable, and generally operate at about one to several Watts (e.g., 5 Watts), outputting in certain devices approximately 24 lumens per Watt. The high output LEDs may be mounted upon, e.g., a metal printed circuit board (PCB) such as an aluminum core circuit board. High output LEDs may be used in connection with any of the embodiments previously described herein, and may provide advantages of increased lighting output with fewer lamp elements and, hence, reduced cost of construction in certain cases. However, the driving circuitry for the high output LEDs would generally need to have a higher output rating than the circuitry used for lower power LEDs. FIGS. 36A and 36B are diagrams of two other types of high output surface-mount LEDs, both of which are commercially available from Lumileds Lighting, LLC under the brand name Luxeon™. In FIG. 36A, the surface mount LED 3600 comprises an aluminum bottom plate 3611 atop of which is a printed circuit board (PCB) 3608 (e.g., a fiberglass board such as a standard FR4 board). A high output light source 3605 is mounted atop the PCB 3608. The aluminum bottom plate 3611 acts as a thermal conveyance which assists in conduction of heat to a mounting surface (e.g., circuit board) for thermal dissipation. FIG. 36C shows an oblique view of the surface mount LED 3600 shown in FIG. 36A, illustrating, in this example, the relatively wide bottom plate 3611 relative to the size of the light source 3605. The bottom plate 3611 and PCB 3608 preferably have notches 3615 through which screws may be placed to secure the surface mount LED 3600 to a mounting surface. FIG. 36B illustrates another surface mount LED 3650 that is similar in certain respects to the surface mount LED 3650 shown in FIG. 36A, with an aluminum bottom plate 3661 and printed circuit board 3658 (e.g., fiberglass board such as a standard FR4 board). However, in contrast to the surface mount LED 3600 shown in FIG. 36A, which is Lambertian (domed) in nature, the high output light source 3655 of surface mount LED 3650 is a side emitting light source. Other alternative types of surface mount LEDs, with similar or alternative mounting mechanisms, may also be utilized in various embodiments described herein. FIG. 37A is a diagram of one embodiment of a lens cap 3702 for a single LED. The lens cap 3702 may act as a focusing lens to direct the light output from an LED in a forward (or other) direction. FIG. 37B and 37C illustrate placement of the lens cap 3702 with respect to the surface mount LED 3600 of FIG. 36A. As illustrated, the protruding tabs 3704 on the base of the lens cap 3702 may be used to lock the lens cap 3702 into place by snugly residing in the holes 3615 of the base of the surface mount LED 3600. A similar type of lens cap may be used for other types of LEDs. While six tabs 3704 are shown in the example of FIGS. 37A-37C, the number of tabs, or the nature and/or shape of other alternative securing means, may depend upon the particular size, shape, and configuration of the LED base. Also, fewer tabs may be used if there is a desire leave some holes 3615 in the LED base available for receiving securing screws to hold the LED to a mounting surface. In such a case, the lens cap 3702 may be indented or otherwise shaped to allow relatively convenient access to the holes 3615 needed for attaching screws. The lens cap 3702 is illustrated as domed, but may be of any suitable shape for focusing light in a desired manner. The lens cap 3702 may have an advantage in providing local effects on an individual basis for LEDs. Also, where different color lighting elements are placed within a single high output LED 3600, the lens cap 3702 may be configured to provide local blending of the different colors according to a desired mix. FIGS. 37D and 37E are diagrams illustrating another embodiment of a lens cap 3752 for an LED, and placement thereof with respect to a particular type of LED 3600. With reference first to FIG. 37E, an illustrated embodiment of lens cap 3752 is shown from an oblique viewpoint in a generally funnel shape, with a cone-like or tapered portion 3753 and a short cylindrical portion 3754 at the apex (i.e., narrow end) of the tapered portion 3753. The lens cap 3752, including the cone-like tapered portion 3753, is preferably transmissive in nature such that light travels through it substantially unimpeded. FIG. 37D, which is a side profile diagram, illustrates preferred placement of the lens cap 3752 with respect to a particular type of LED (that is, the LED 3600 illustrated in FIGS. 36A and 36C). The cylindrical portion 3754 of the lens cap 3752 rests atop the LED 3600, with the tapered portion 3753 gradually widening away from the LED 3600. A concave recess 3755 within the cylindrical portion 3754 may be provided, and is adapted to receive the curved lens 3605 of the LED 3600, as illustrated in FIG. 36D. Light from the LED 3600 enters through the short cylindrical portion 3754 of the lens cap 3752, and exits through the top surface 3759 (see FIG. 37E) thereof. The particular shape of the lens cap 3752 in FIGS. 37D and 37E serves to collect light from the LED 3600 that would otherwise emanate omnidirectionally, and focus the light in a generally conical beam emanating from the top of the lens cap 3752, thus providing a light source with greater directivity. The lens cap 3752 may be formed of, e.g., glass, plastic, or other suitable material or compound/layers of material, with any desired refractive index(es). One type of lens cap is commercially available, for example, from Lumileds Lighting, LLC. FIG. 32 is a generalized diagram of an array of surface mount LEDs 3202 (of the type such as shown, for example, in FIG. 31, 36A, or 36B) mounted atop a circuit board 3204, as may be used in various embodiments as described herein (for example, the lighting effects system illustrated in FIG. 4). The circuit board 3204 may comprise rigid fiberglass or phenolic planes with electrically conductive tracks etched on them, and/or may be metallic in nature (such as aluminum core PCBs). The term “circuit board” as used herein is meant to encompass the foregoing structures as well as various other types mounting apparatus, including flexible electrical interconnects such as conductive membranes made on thin Mylar, silicone, or other similar materials. The surface mount LEDs 3202 may be connected together in series and/or in parallel by electrical traces 3203 on the circuit board 3200. While the LEDs 3202 are illustrated in FIG. 32 as being in a straight line array, other LED patterns may also be utilized. As previously mentioned, the soldering tabs and thermal shoe on the bottom each of the surface mount LEDs 3202 generally assist in conducting heat to the circuit board 3204, thus providing advantageous heat dissipation capabilities. FIG. 35 is a diagram of a lighting apparatus 3500 embodied as a panel 3502 having lighting arrays mounted thereon or therewith, in accordance with various embodiments as described herein. As illustrated in FIG. 35, the lighting apparatus 3500 comprises a panel 3502 which is preferably flat and provides suitable surface area for mounting a set of lamp elements, such as lamp elements 3505 on circuit board assemblies 3506. The circuit board assemblies 3506 may generally be constructed in accordance with the principles described with respect to FIG. 32 above, and the lamp elements 3505 may comprise, for example, surface mount LEDs such as illustrated in FIG. 31. In the example shown, the lamp elements 3505 are generally arranged in series in a straight array formation, but the lamp elements 3505 may be arranged in other patterns as well. Likewise, the circuit board assemblies 3606 are illustrated in FIG. 35 as being arranged in a symmetrical pattern of rows thus providing relatively even illumination in many scenarios, the circuit board assemblies 360 may be arranged in other symmetrical or non-symmetrical patterns, and may be grouped or clustered as well. Furthermore, while the panel 3202 is shown in FIG. 35 as being generally rectangular in shape, the panel 3202 may take any suitable shape, including, for example, hexagonal, octagonal, or other polygonal or semi-polygonal, or round, oval, or ring-shaped (such as illustrated in FIG. 4 for example). Surface mount technology for the LEDs used in various embodiments as disclosed herein may simplify replacement of the LEDs (allowing “drop in” replacements for example) or else may allow easy replacement of an entire row or array of LEDs should it be desired to change the color of a particular group of LEDs. Also, the LED arrays may be constructed such that the LEDs have screw-in bases or other similar physical attachment means, such that the LEDs can be easily removed and replaced. Various controls, power supply, and camera mounting means are not shown in FIG. 35, but may be employed in a manner similar to the various other embodiments as described herein. It will be appreciated that the control electronics, power supply, and other electrical components may be part of the panel 3202 or else may be separate therefrom. Furthermore, the lighting apparatus described with respect to FIG. 35 may be embodied as a bi-color or other multi-color lighting system, as described with respect to, e.g., FIGS. 33 and 34. The lighting apparatus 3500 of FIG. 35 or other various lighting effects systems and apparatuses as described herein may include means for directing light at different angles. Such means may include, for example, pivotable light arrays which physically alter the angle of the lamp elements with respect to the frame (e.g., mounting) surface. The pivoting light arrays may be either manually controllable (via, e.g., a rotatable knob or crank) or electronically controllable through standard electronic input means (e.g., buttons or control knob). Such means may alternatively include adjustable lens elements (either individual or collective for an entire lens array or other group of lamp elements) for redirecting the illumination in a desired direction. Such means may further alternatively include, for example, groups of lamp elements wherein each group has a predetermined angle or range of angles with respect to the frame surface. Each group of lamp elements may be separately controllable, so that different groups can be separately activated or de-activated, or separately intensified or dimmed. With the ability to vary the angle of the lamp elements, the lighting effects system may, for example, allow the abrupt or gradual switching from one angle of illumination to another, or from a more targeted to a more dispersive illumination pattern (or vice versa). FIGS. 39 and 40 illustrate various panel light embodiments using surface mount LEDs. In FIG. 39, a panel light 3900 comprises one or more rows or arrays (in this example, two rows or arrays) of surface mount LEDs 3905 secured to a mounting surface 3902. Screws 3996 are used in this example to secure the bases of the surface mount LEDs 3905 to the mounting surface 3902. FIG. 40 is similar, with a penal light 4001 having, in this example, four rows or arrays of surface mount LEDs 4005 securing to a mounting surface 4002 with, e.g., screws 4096. The mounting surfaces 3902 or 4002 may comprise a circuit board, and thus LEDs 3905 or 4005 may be mounted directly to a circuit board type mounting surface. The circuit board may be attached to an outer frame of aluminum or another preferably lightweight material, to provide a solid structural support for the circuit board. Panel lights 3900 or 4001 such as shown in FIG. 39 and 40 may be used as relatively lightweight, portable lighting fixtures that generate less heat than incandescent lighting fixtures, and may be provided with handles for manual manipulation or with brackets or other means to connect to a yoke, stand, or other mechanical contraption. The panel lights 3900 and 4001 may use a ballast to supply power or, in some instances, may be directly connected to an AC electrical outlet (e.g., wall socket). FIG. 41A illustrates a panel light 4100 of the general type shown, for example, in FIGS. 39 and 40, further illustrating a number of heat conductive fins 4112 which serve to assist with heat dissipation. The panel light 4100 may optionally include a means for facilitating attachment to a single- or multi-panel lighting assembly. In the present example, the panel light 4100 has a pair of T-shaped cutouts 4116 located in each of the fins 4112, such that the T-shaped cutouts 4116 form a pair of straight line, T-shaped grooves through the series of fins 4112. The T-shaped cutouts 4116 may be slid over a T-shaped bar to attach the panel light 4100 to a lighting assembly. FIG. 41B is a diagram of an example of a multi-panel lighting assembly 4150, illustrating attachment of a panel light 4100 as shown in FIG. 41A to the lighting assembly 4150. In the example of FIG. 41B, the lighting assembly 4150 includes a pair of T-shaped bars 4165 which protrude from a lighting assembly frame 4160, and which are matched to the T-shaped cutouts 4116 in the lighting panel 4100 of FIG. 41A. Once the lighting panel 4100 is slid into place along the T-shaped bars 4165, they securely hold the lighting panel 4100 in place. Insulated caps (not shown), made of rubber or plastic for example, or other such means may be place on the ends of the T-shaped bars 4165 to prevent the lighting panel 4100 from sliding out of place. In the particular example shown, the multi-panel lighting assembly 4150 is configured to receive up to two lighting panels 4100 of the type shown in FIG. 41A, although such an assembly may be configured to receive any number of lighting panels 4100 depending upon the particular needs of the application. The multi-panel lighting assembly 4150 also has another lighting panel 4167 that may be “permanently” attached to or integral with the multi-panel lighting assembly 4150, or else may likewise be attachable and detachable in the manner of lighting panel 4100. The multi-panel lighting assembly 4150 thereby provides a lighting operator with a variety of lighting configurations in a single unit. Other similar modular multi-panel lighting assemblies may be constructed according to the same or similar principles, having any number of panel lights in a variety of different sizes and/or shapes. The multi-panel lighting assembly 4150 may, in certain embodiments, be used in connection with a lighting stand such as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 43 and described elsewhere herein. Attachment of panel lights (such as, e.g., panel lights 4100) to a of a multi-panel lighting assembly (such as, e.g., multi-panel lighting assembly 4150) may be accomplished by a variety of means. For example, rather than using complementary bars 4165 and cutouts 4116, the panel light 4100 may drop down and lock into an opening in the multi-panel lighting assembly 4150. In such a case, the housing or frame of the multi-panel lighting assembly 4150 may have a molded beam with traverses the outer edge of the opening in which the panel light 4100 would be positioned. Locking tabs, for example, or other such means may be used to secure the dropped-in panel light 4100 within the opening if the multi-panel lighting assembly 4150. FIG. 38A is a diagram of ring-shaped lighting panel 3800 having surface mount LEDs 3805 (such as, e.g., the high output surface mount LEDs shown in FIG. 36A or 36B) attached to a mounting surface of a frame 3802 which, as with the panel lights described before, may comprise a circuit board. The ring-shaped lighting panel 3800 may have a camera mounting bracket (not shown in FIG. 38A) and generally be utilized in a manner similar to the ring-shaped lighting assembly shown in FIG. 4 and described in various places herein. The surface mount LEDs 3805 in the example of FIG. 38A are arranged in a plurality of rows or arrays 3806 emanating from the center of the hole or cutout region 3803 of the lighting panel 3800. While a relatively dense pattern of LEDs 3805 is illustrated in FIG. 38A, the pattern may be less dense, and the LEDs 3805 need not necessarily be deployed in rows or arrays. Because the LEDs 1305 in this example are high output, the lighting panel 3800 outputs a greater total amount of light than with ordinary LEDs. Also, fewer LEDs need to be physically mounted on the lighting panel 3800, which can reduce cost of construction. FIG. 38B is a cross-sectional view of the lighting panel 3800 showing the inclusion of optional fins 3812 on the backside of the frame 3802, to assist with heat dissipation. The fins 3812 are shown in cross-section, and form a set of parallel members similar to the fins 4112 shown in FIG. 41A. FIG. 42A illustrates an integrated lens cover 4200 which can be placed atop, e.g., a panel light 4202 for providing focusing for a plurality of LEDs simultaneously. The panel light 4202 has rows of LEDs 4205, similar to FIGS. 39 and 40, and the integrated lens cover 4210 may be placed atop the panel light 4202 and, e.g., snapped into place by taps 4212, or otherwise secured to the frame of the panel light 4202. FIG. 42B shows additional detail of the integrated lens cover 4210. The integrated lens cover may be formed of any suitable lightweight, durable material (such as plastic) and preferably has a number of focal lens portions 4219 which, when the unit is placed atop the panel light 4202, act as focal lenses for LEDs 4205 which are positioned directly beneath the focal lens portions 4219. The integrated focal lens 4210 may thus allow the panel light 4202 to provide more directed, focused light (e.g., in a forward direction), rather than allowing the light to diffuse in an omnidirectional fashion. Alternatively, the integrated focal lens 4210 may provide other focusing effects that can be done with lenses. The focal lens portions 4219 may be domed or semi-domed, or else any other shape sufficient to serve their intended purpose. FIGS. 42C and 42D are side profile diagrams illustrating further details of alternative embodiments of an integrated focal lens. FIG. 42C illustrates an integrated focal lens 4265 with tapered focal lenses 4251 emanating from the underside of the sheet-like surface 4250 of the integrated focal lens 4265. In the instant example, the tapered focal lenses 4251 appear as inverted cone-like projections, with small concave recesses 4252 for receiving the dome-like lenses 4255 of LEDs 4256, which are mounted to a mounting surface 4260. The tapered focal lenses 4251 may be constructed in a manner as generally described previously with respect to FIGS. 37D and 37E, and may also have a short cylindrical portion 3754 such as illustrated in those figures, for resting atop the LEDs 4256 and providing added support to the top surface 4250 of the integrated focal lens 4265. Alternatively, separate struts (not shown) may be molded to the underside of the integrated focal lens 4265 to provide such support. The integrated focal lens 4265 may, in certain embodiments, be constructed by attaching (using glue or solvent) individual, tapered focal lenses of the type illustrated in FIGS. 37D and 37E to the underside of a clear plastic sheet, and then providing securing means for the overall resulting lens device to allow it to secure to, e.g., a panel lighting fixture. FIG. 42D illustrates an alternative embodiment of an integrated focal lens 4285, with bubble-shaped or domed focal lenses 4271 on the topside of the sheet-like surface 4250 of the integrated focal lens 4285. The focal lenses 4271 may be constructed in a manner as generally described previously with respect to FIGS. 37A-37C, and may also have one or more projecting members or struts (not shown) on the underside of the integrated focal lens 4285 to provide support for the top surface 4270 thereof. Other shapes and styles of integrated focal lenses (or other lenses) may also be utilized for an integrated focal lens. FIG. 43 illustrates a panel lighting assembly 4300 in which a panel light frame 4302 is attached to a stand 4380. The panel light frame 4302 may include multiple panel light sections 4303, 4304, or may be a single unitary panel light. The stand 4380 may be of a conventional nature, with a C-shaped yoke 4381 for securing the panel light frame 4302 crossbar and allowing it to tilt for directional lighting. A twisting handle 4317 may be used to lock the panel light frame 4302 at a particular tilting angle. The C-shaped yoke 4381 may be rotatable or pivotable by placement atop a fluid head 4382, which in turn is positioned atop a stem 4384 and tripod 4386. The panel lighting assembly 4300 thus conveniently provides a variety of directional lighting options for the panel light frame 4302. In alternative embodiments, a ball-and-socket mechanism may be used to rotate/pivot an attached lighting panel, using socket joints similar to those used for, e.g., computer monitors. Likewise, in any of the foregoing embodiments, motorization may be employed to control the movement of the lighting yokes or stands. Motorized control is well known in the art for lighting apparatus (particularly in the performing arts field), and the motorized control may be either automated or manual in nature. FIG. 45 is a diagram of another embodiment of a lighting fixture 4500 employing semiconductor light elements. In FIG. 45 is shown a flexible strip 4502 with an array of surface mount LEDs 4505 mounted on the flexible strip 4502. The flexible strip 4502 preferably comprises a circuit board that may be comprised, for example, of a material such as mylar or composite material, of sufficient thinness to allow the circuit board to be bent and/or twisted. The circuit board may be at least partially encased in an insulated (e.g., rubberized) material or housing that is likewise flexible and thin. Heat dissipating fins (not shown in FIG. 45) may protrude from the backside of the flexible strip 4502, to assist with cooling of the surface mount LEDs 4505. While a single array of surface mount LEDs 4505 is illustrated in the example of FIG. 45, two or more arrays of LEDs 4505 may be used, and may be positioned, e.g., side by side. An electrical connector 4540 with electrical contact receptacles 4541 is also illustrated in the example of FIG. 45, for receiving an electrical cord (not shown) supplying power for the LEDs 4505. Other alternative means for providing electrical power, such as a battery located in an integrated battery housing, may also be used. According to one or more embodiments as disclosed herein, a versatile lighting apparatus in the form of an LED-based light panel is provided, preferably having a variety of mounting options or configurations, an attachable or integrated battery unit, and alternative means for receiving a power supply input. In a preferred embodiment, the versatile LED-based light panel includes a panel frame, and a plurality of LEDs or other light elements secured to the panel frame. A self-contained battery unit securably attaches to the outside of the panel frame. The light panel may have a dimmer switch, and may also be capable of receiving power from a source other than the self-contained battery unit. The lighting apparatus can be mounted to a camera or a stand through adapters. Diffusion lenses or color gels can be integrated with or detachable from the light panel. The lighting apparatus may conveniently be provided in the form of a kit, with one or more of a light panel, self-contained battery unit, compact stand, connecting cable(s), adapter(s), lenses or color gels, and so on, provided in a single package. FIGS. 47A and 47B are diagrams of a lighting apparatus 4700 in accordance with one or more embodiments as disclosed herein. The lighting apparatus 4700 is preferably portable and versatile in nature, as further described herein. The lighting apparatus 4700 in this example includes a panel, fixture or frame (hereinafter “panel”) 4702 having a plurality of semiconductor light elements (such as LEDs or LECs) 4705 mounted on a mounting surface 4704 of the panel 4702. As illustrated in FIG. 47A, the semiconductor light elements 4705 may be disposed in uniform arrays to provide a broad light source. The mounting surface 4704 may includes one or more circuit board assemblies, generally constructed in accordance with the principles described previously with respect to FIG. 32. Although the semiconductor light elements 4705 are illustrated as being arranged in uniform arrays, they may be arranged in other patterns as well. Furthermore, while the panel 4702 is shown in FIG. 47A as being generally rectangular in shape, the panel 4702 may alternatively be of any suitable shape, including, for example, hexagonal, octagonal, or other polygonal or semi-polygonal, or round, oval, square, or ring-shaped (such as illustrated in FIG. 4, for example). The semiconductor light elements 4705 may be surface mounted (e.g., surface mount LEDs), which may have the advantage, for example, of simplifying replacement of the LEDs (allowing “drop in” replacements for example) or else may allow easy replacement of an entire row (e.g., inter-connect set, etc.) or array of LEDs should it be desired, for example, to change the color, size, shape, or other characteristics of a particular group of LEDs. The light elements or LEDs may have screw-in bases or other similar physical attachment means, such that the LEDs can be easily removed and replaced. The panel 4702 may further include an integrated dimmer control 4726, in the form of a knob, switch, or other mechanism, to allow the intensity of the semiconductor light elements 4715 to be adjusted. As one example of an implementation, a dimmer control 4726 in the form of a manual knob may control the conductance of a potentiometer or variable resistor (similar to 5735 in FIG. 57), to adjust the amount of current reaching the semiconductor light elements 4705. More than one dimmer control 4726, and/or switches, may optionally be provided, so as to control groups of semiconductor light elements 4705, for example, or to turn on or off certain groups of the semiconductor light elements 4705. An example of electronic circuitry as may be used in connection with dimmer control 4726 is described with respect to FIG. 57. As illustrated in FIG. 47B, the panel 4702 preferably further includes a socket 4724 or other input for receiving a power connection (e.g., cable) to provide electrical power to the semiconductor light elements 4705. The panel 4702 may also include various heat dissipating fins 4712, which may be arranged, for example, in arrays of metal or heat conductive rods, integrated on the back side of the panel 4702, in order to efficiently dissipate heat generated by the semiconductor light elements 4705. The heat dissipating fins 4712 may generally be similar to those described elsewhere herein, for example, with respect to FIG. 38A or 41A. The heat dissipating fins 4712 may be of any suitable size or shape, and may be extended, for example, to accommodate higher wattage LEDs or light elements. Other types of heat dissipation mechanisms may also be used. The lighting apparatus 4700 of FIGS. 47A and 47B may be particularly adapted to receive an attachable/detachable battery unit, so as to provide a self-contained unit having its own power source. FIGS. 48A and 48B are diagrams of a panel-based lighting apparatus 4802 such as illustrated in FIGS. 47A-B, together with an attachable battery unit 4830, to form a self-contained, self-powered lighting apparatus 4800. The battery unit 4830 may be attachable to the panel 4802 in any of a variety of manners. In the particular example shown in FIGS. 48A and 48B, the battery unit 4830 comprises a set of struts 4832 that attach to corresponding receptacles 4836 of the panel 4802. FIG. 48A shows a perspective view of the light panel 4802 and battery unit 4830 slightly separated, while FIG. 48B shows a side view of them attached to one another, with the struts 4832 inserted in the receptacles 4836 of the panel 4802. FIGS. 49A and 49B are diagrams showing attachment of the light panel 4802 to the attachable battery unit 4830. FIG. 49A in particular is a simplified diagram omitting certain details such as the heat dissipating fins. A wide variety of alternative means may be used to attach the battery unit 4830 to the panel 4802; by way merely of example, the battery unit 4830 may slidably attach and engage with the panel 4802, or may have external tabs that grip the panel 4802, or may have pins or screws that engage with the panel 4802. The battery unit 4830 preferably delivers power to the light panel 4802 through an electrical connector 4840, which may take the form of, e.g., a jumper cord, and may insert into electrical sockets 4834 (in the battery unit 4830) and 4824 (in the panel 4802). Alternatively, the front side of the battery unit 4830 and backside of the panel 4802 may be provided with a mating male/female electrical plug and socket, which automatically engage when the battery unit 4830 is attached to the panel 4802. As with the lighting apparatus 4700 of FIGS. 47A-B, a dimmer switch 4826 may be provided in a convenient location on the panel 4802, to adjust the light intensity. One or more batteries, possibly replaceable, may be integrated with battery unit 4830. The battery, or batteries, may have a nominal voltage rating of appropriate level, such as 12 volts. The battery, or batteries, of battery unit 4730 is/are preferably rechargeable in nature. A diffusion lens or filter may also be used, by itself or in conjunction with a color gel or colored lens, to diffuse or soften the outgoing light. A diffusion lens or filter may be formed of, e.g., clear or white opaque plastic, and may be configured in a shape of similar dimension to the panel 4702 or 4802 to facilitate mounting thereon. One such diffusion filter 5029 is shown in FIG. 50A. A preferred diffusion filter/lens would be a Light Shaping Diffusor material (e.g., holographic, etc.). A color correction mechanism, such as a lens filter and/or color gel, may be used to alter the color of the light elements of a lighting apparatus such as depicted in FIGS. 47A-B or 48A-B. For example, LED light sources could, if necessary, be converted to “tungsten daylight” (similar in hue to an incandescent bulb) by use of a color gel and/or colored lens. The lighting apparatuses 4700 and 4800 are preferably adapted to be utilized in conjunction with various lenses and/or color gels, to increase their versatility. FIG. 50A is a diagram illustrating one embodiment having a lens 5010 and optional color gel 5029 used with the lighting apparatus 4800 illustrated in FIGS. 48A-B, and FIG. 50B is a side view diagram illustrating the lens 5020 in place. The lens 5010 is preferably readily attachable to the panel 4802 of the lighting apparatus 4800, by fastening means such as complementary Velcro patches 5022, 5012. Alternatively, the lens 5010 could snap or slide on to the panel 4802, or be attached using screws, nuts/bolts, pins, or other such means. The filter/lens 5010 (as with 6327, described later herein) may comprise, e.g., a Fresnel lens, a holographic lens, or any other type of lens, or combinations thereof. The color gel 5029 is preferably inserted beneath the lens 5010 and is secured beneath it. As depicted in FIG. 50A, the color gel 5029 has cutouts on each of the corners so as not to interfere with the Velcro patches 5022, 5012. The lighting apparatus 4700 is preferably portable in nature and can be adapted for use in a variety of ways. To facilitate mounting of the lighting apparatus 4700 (whether or not attached to a battery unit, as depicted in FIGS. 48A-B), the lighting apparatus 4700 may be provided with one or more adapters. FIG. 59 is a diagram illustrating an example of a lighting apparatus 4700 in the form of a panel 4702 with one or more adapters 5906, 5907 for mounting or affixing the panel 4702 to a camera, stand, or other object or surface. In the example depicted in FIG. 59, the adapters 5906, 5907 are in the form of receptacles suitable for receiving a mechanical pin (or a similar fastener such as a screw or bolt), allowing convenient and rapid deployment of the lighting apparatus 4700 on, e.g., a camera or stand. Other adapters or fastening means (e.g., hinged tabs, sliding/coupling members, etc.) may also be used. Examples of ways in which the light apparatus 4700 can be mounted on a camera, stand or other object or surface are illustrated in FIGS. 51 through 55, and 60 through 63B. For example, the lighting apparatus 4700 may be mounted to a camera, directly to the camera housing or to an arm attached to the camera housing. FIG. 51 is a diagram showing one possible mechanism for mounting a lighting apparatus 4700 in the form of a light panel to a camera 5107. While the description below is explained in terms of lighting apparatus 4700, it also applies to the lighting apparatus 4800 having an attachable battery unit, as well as other possible lighting apparatuses as well. In FIG. 51, the camera 5107 includes or is configured with an attachment arm 5110 which may be used for mounting the lighting apparatus 4700. The attachment arm 5110 may, for example, be an articulated arm system of the type commercially available from, e.g., Noga of Israel, sold under the trade name “Hold-It.” The attachment arm 5110 comprises a ball joint 5120 attached to the housing (or shoe) of the camera 5107, a second ball joint 5125 attached to the lighting apparatus 4700 (via, e.g., an adapter 5906 such as shown in FIG. 59), and a pair of arms 5121, 5124 meeting at an adjustable knob interface 5129. The knob 5129 in this particular example allows the ball joints 5120, 5125 to loosen so that the arms 5121, 5124 can be positioned as desired, and again tightened with the knob 5129. In this example, the lighting apparatus 4700 preferably includes a pin receptacle for receiving a threaded pin from the ball joint 5125 of the attachment arm 5110. FIGS. 52A through 52C are diagrams illustrating other attachment options, using various mounting pins, in connection with the lighting apparatus 4700 of FIGS. 47A-B. FIG. 52A, for example, illustrates a mounting pin 5210 that may be used to allow the lighting apparatus 4700 to attach to a stand or tripod. The mounting pin 5210 in this example includes a threaded pin 5219, a cylindrical body 5212, and a grooved depression 5223 for providing a gripping region for a clamp or other attachment mechanism. The lighting apparatus includes a threaded receptacle (of the type shown in, e.g., FIG. 59, as adapter 5906) for receiving the threaded pin 5219. FIG. 55 depicts the lighting apparatus 4700 attached to a stand 5500 using a mounting pin such as 5210. The stand 550 has a base 5512, a main arm 5512 (possibly telescoping in nature), and an adjustable swing arm 5519 connected to a clamp member 5514. The clamp member 5524 in this example comprises a knob 5525 which loosens and tightens two opposing plates that grip the mounting pin 5210 between them. Alternatively, or in addition, the lighting apparatus 4700 may have a threaded receptacle on its shorter side instead of, or in addition to, a threaded receptable on its longer side, to provide an alternative mounting option. FIG. 52C illustrates attachment of the lighting apparatus 4700 to a mounting pin 5210 similar to that shown in FIG. 52A, but in this instance being coupled to an adapter on the narrow side of the lighting apparatus 4700 instead of its long side (i.e., using an adapter 5907 such as shown in FIG. 59). In FIG. 52B, the lighting apparatus 4700 is attached to a stand or camera using a mounting pin 5250. The mounting pin 5250 in this example also includes a threaded pin 5269 and a cylindrical body 5262. In this case, the mounting pin 5250 may have a T-bar 5259 that is securably attached to the cylindrical body 5262, or else fits into a hollow receptacle to secure it to the cylindrical body 5262 of the mounting pin 5250, thereby allowing it to slide onto a camera having curved fins or other members for receiving the wings of the T-bar 5259. The mounting pin 5250 may alternatively have a pin, receptacle, or other member for mounting into a camera shoe or a stand, thus securing the lighting apparatus 4700 to the camera or stand. The lighting apparatuses 4700 or 4800 may also be adapted to be placed on a compact stand. FIGS. 53A through 53D are diagrams showing different views of the lighting apparatus 4800 mounted on one possible type of stand 5310. In this example, the stand 5310 comprises a base plate 5320 with mounting arms 5325, one on each side, attached to L-shaped struts on the base plate 5320. The mounting arms 5325 preferably allow the lighting apparatus 4800 (comprised of the panel 4802 and battery unit 4830 in this example, although the same principles would apply to a lighting apparatus 4700 having only a panel 4702) to tilt forward and backward, thus allowing rapid adjustment of the angle of light provided. The stand 5310 is preferably of sufficient weight or bulk to keep the entire unit stable, and to prevent it from falling over regardless of the angle of tilt. FIG. 54 is a diagram showing details of one possible mounting arm 5325 configuration for the stand 5310 illustrated in FIGS. 53A-D. As shown in FIG. 54, the mounting arm 5320 is attached to the top of the L-shaped strut 5410 of the base plate, and includes a rotatable rod 5415 having a pin 5421 mounted on a base 5419 attached to the rotatable rod 5415. The pin 5421 in this example includes a spring-loaded ball bearing 5424. The lighting apparatus 4700 or 4800 preferably has a pin receptacle complementary to the pin 5421 with ball bearing 5425, on each side of the base plate, allowing the lighting apparatus 4700 or 4800 to be slid down the pin(s) 5421, with the spring-loaded ball bearings 5424 allowing the pins 5421 to lock into place within the pin receptacles. The lighting apparatus 4700 or 4800 can be removed by pulling it firmly while holding the base plate 5320 in place. Of course, other attachment means can be used to allow the lighting apparatus 4700 or 4800 to be attached to a stand, including mounting pins, screws, nuts/bolts, sliding tabs, snapping fasteners, and so on. The lighting apparatuses 4700 or 4800 in certain embodiments may also be stackable to allow convenient expansion of the lighting source area. FIG. 62 illustrates an example of a stackable panel light 6200, shown mounted on a stand 6220 (similar to stand 5320 of FIGS. 53A-D). In FIG. 62, two panel-type lighting apparatuses 4700 are vertically stacked, being held together by one or more front brackets 6205, 6206 and/or one or more side brackets 6225, which can conveniently be secured to adapters of the type shown in FIG. 59 (i.e., adapters 5906, 5907) using pins or screws 6226. In the example of FIG. 62, a side bracket is only placed on one side because of the presence of dimmer switches on the opposite side. The front bracket(s) 6205, 6206 may be placed anywhere along the border between the two lighting apparatuses 4700 so long as they sufficiently secure them together (for example, a single bracket may be centered). Also the brackets may be placed on the backside rather than the front. In any of the embodiments using stacked light panels, power may be provided to both of the lighting apparatuses 4700 using, for example, a split cable or Y-cable that emanates from a single power source. The lighting apparatuses 4700 or 4800 may also be adapted to be placed on a tripod type stand. FIGS. 60 and 61 are diagrams showing different types of tripod configurations. In FIG. 60, the lighting apparatus 4700 is placed on a compact tripod stand 6013 having a ball joint 6016 allowing flexible tilting and angling of the lighting apparatus 4700. In FIG. 61, a tripod 6113 supports an arm (in this example, a telescoping arm 6122) which in turn supports a ball joint 6116 similar to that of FIG. 60, thereby allowing flexible tiling and angling of the lighting apparatus 4700. FIGS. 63A and 63B are diagrams illustrating another embodiment of a camera-mountable lighting apparatus 6310. In FIGS. 63A-B, the camera-mountable lighting apparatus 6310 includes a lighting frame or housing 6302 in the general nature of a panel light, and is attachable to a camera 6307 using, e.g., a mounting bracket 6355. The lighting apparatus 6310 may include a number of semiconductor light elements 6305 arranged in a suitable pattern on a front mounting surface of the panel 6302. The panel 6302 may, as described previously, be configured with heat dissipating fins 6312 to allow cooling of the light elements 6305 and any other resident electronics. A dimmer switch 6326 having functionality as previously described herein may optionally be provided. A lens cover 6328, of the type generally described with respect to FIGS. 42A through 42D, may be placed in front of the light elements 6305. The lens cover 6328 may be comprised of individual lenses 6327, as illustrated in FIG. 63B, of a type similar to that described with respect to FIG. 43C (i.e., generally conical in shape). The lenses 6327 may be a focusing lens, such as a Fresnel lens, and may be positioned so as to abut one another, thereby providing a more contiguous light source as generated from the various light elements 6305. The mounting bracket 6355 may be hinged to allow the panel 6302 to tilt backward or forward, and may also allow the panel 6302 to swivel right or left. A mounting pin 6371 may be provided to allow it to affix to the camera 6355, or else a T-bar may be used similar to that shown in FIG. 52B. A lighting apparatus may conveniently be packaged in the form of a kit that includes a number of components providing increased convenience, flexibility, and adaptability to operators in the field. For example, a lighting apparatus kit may include one or more lighting panels 4702, as well as one or more battery units 4830 (and/or battery adapters such as described with respect to FIG. 58), power jumper cable (for connecting the power between the panel(s) 4702 and battery unit(s) 4830), an AC adapter and power/recharging cable, one or more lenses 5010, a set of colored or diffusion gels 5029 of various tints and hues, or providing light shaping or diffusion (such as with a Fresnel lens or holographic lens), and/or one or more compact mounting stands 5310 (or other accessories described herein), all of which can be packaged conveniently in a portable case. The colored or diffusion gels 5029 may be integrated with the panel 4802, or else detachable as depicted in the example of FIGS. 50A-B. The lighting apparatus and/or battery unit may have electronics which also provide increased performance, versatility, and/or flexibility. FIG. 56 is a simplified block diagram illustrating, for example, components of one possible embodiment of a battery unit 5600, which may be physically constructed in accordance with the battery unit 4830 of FIGS. 48A-B or otherwise. The battery unit 5600 illustrated in FIG. 56 includes a recharging circuit 5615 in addition to one or more batteries 5609. A socket 5619 is provided for either receiving an output electrical connector 5612 intended to be connected to a light panel (e.g., 4802), or an input electrical connector 5626 which provides a DC voltage source. In the latter case, the input electrical connector 5626 may be connected to a wall source via, e.g., an AC-to-DC adapter. The battery or batteries 5609 may be of any suitable type, for example, Lithium-ion, Nickel-metal-hydride (NIMH), Nickel-cadmium, or any other suitable type. The kit may also include a DC-to-DC adapter to provide a more suitable voltage (e.g,. 7.2 V to 12V, which may be attached between the camera and its battery). The battery unit 5600 may optionally include one or more LED indicators for indicating the state of charging (e.g., when the battery or batteries 5609 is/are being recharged), and/or act as a meter to indicate the remaining battery charge. For example, the battery unit 5600 may have five LED indicators—two green (e.g., full or almost full), one amber (e.g., warning), and two red (e.g., approaching empty and virtually empty), to indicate the amount of remaining battery charge as it gradually depletes. FIG. 57 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of circuits or components of an LED-based light panel 5700, as may be constructed in accordance with, e.g., light panel 4702 or 4802 described elsewhere herein. The LED-based light panel 5700 in this example includes a power regulator 5710 which preferably provides a relatively constant or stabilized current output to one or more arrays or series of LEDs 5740 (or other semiconductor light elements). Details of possible embodiments of a power regulator 5710 are described in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/708,717 filed Mar. 19, 2004, entitled “Omni-Voltage Direct Current Power Supply,” hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein. The power regulator 5710 preferably includes a switched power supply 5720 under control of a control circuit 5725, such as a PIC microcontroller 5725. The switched power supply 5720 may be a buck/boost power supply, or else simply a buck or boost power supply, or other type of power supply. A buck/boost power supply allows the most flexibility, in that the input voltage could vary over a relatively wide range; a particular example is described in application Ser. No. 10/708,717 referred to above. A voltage sense circuit 5731 and current sense circuit 5732 provide feedback information to the PIC microcontroller 5725, which information is used in maintaining the output current to the LEDs 5740 at a stable level, and thereby reducing undesirable artifacts such as flicker. In FIG. 57, a dimmer switch 5726 adjusts a potentiometer or variable resistor 5735, which in turn provides a dimming control input signal 5737 to the power regulator 5710. In a preferred embodiment, the dimmer control input signal 5737 adjusts the level of gain in a feedback loop for the PIC microcontroller 5725, thus allowing adjustment of the amount of output current for the LEDs 5740. The circuitry of FIG. 57 can allow, for example, the adjustment of light intensity without a substantial change in the output color temperature of the light source (i.e., the LEDs), and again, without flicker even at relatively low light output levels. These can be significant advantages to those working in the field. The battery unit 4830 described previously herein may take on various different forms and configurations. In alternative embodiments, for example, the battery unit 4830 may, for example, comprise one or more “standard” or conventional camera batteries, as may be obtained by companies such as, e.g., Sony, Panasonic, Canon, and the like. FIG. 58 is a diagram of an embodiment of a battery unit 5800, including an adapter panel 5830 for receiving at least one attachable battery 5850, such as a DV (“digital video”) battery. A DV type battery typically has a battery casing designed to be snapped directly into the camera, although DV batteries may differ from camera manufacturer to manufacturer. The adapter panel 5830 is preferably constructed to mate to a particular type or brand of battery, and thus different adapter panels 5830 may be made available, each suited to a particular battery or family of batteries. At least some DV batteries output less than 12 volts—for example, a typical output voltage is 7.2 volts. The battery unit 5800 may, as illustrated in FIG. 58, comprise two receptor plates 5840 each adapted to securably attach a battery 5850 to the adapter panel 5830. Electrical contacts 5842 provide electrical connection from the battery 5830 to downstream electronics or a power output source. The two batteries 5850 may be electrically connected in series via electronics integrated in the adapter panel 5830, thus doubling the voltage to, e.g., 14.4 volts. Alternatively, the adapter panel 5830 could include a transformer of other type of DC-DC conversion circuitry to step up the voltage to 12 volts or some other appropriate level. The battery unit 5800 preferably includes struts 5832 or other attachment means similar to those of battery unit 4830, in order to allow the battery unit 5800 to readily attach to, e.g., an LED based light panel 4802, in a manner similar to the way in which battery unit 4830 may connect to the panel 4802. Certain embodiments have been described with respect to the placement of lamp elements (e.g., LEDs) on a “mounting surface” or similar surface or area. It will be appreciated that the term “mounting surface” and other such terms encompass not only flat surfaces but also contoured, tiered, or multi-level surfaces. Further, the term covers surfaces which allow the lamp elements to project light at different angles. Various embodiments have been described as having particular utility to film and other-image capture applications. However, the various embodiments may find utility in other areas as well, such as, for example, automated manufacturing, machine vision, and the like. While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein, many variations are possible which remain within the concept and scope of the invention. Such variations would become clear to one of ordinary skill in the art after inspection of the specification and the drawings. The invention therefore is not to be restricted except within the spirit and scope of any appended claims.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1) Field of the Invention The field of the present invention relates to lighting apparatus and systems as may be used in film, television, photography, and other applications. 2) Background Lighting systems are an integral part of the film and photography industries. Proper illumination is necessary when filming movies, television shows, or commercials, when shooting video clips, or when taking still photographs, whether such activities are carried out indoors or outdoors. A desired illumination effect may also be desired for live performances on stage or in any other type of setting. A primary purpose of a lighting system is to illuminate a subject to allow proper image capture or achieve a desired effect. Often it is desirable to obtain even lighting that minimizes shadows on or across the subject. It may be necessary or desired to obtain lighting that has a certain tone, warmth, or intensity. It may also be necessary or desired to have certain lighting effects, such as colorized lighting, strobed lighting, gradually brightening or dimming illumination, or different intensity illumination in different fields of view. Various conventional techniques for lighting in the film and television industries, and various illustrations of lighting equipment, are described, for example, in Lighting for Television and Film by Gerald Millerson (3 rd ed. 1991),.hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, including pages 96-131 and 295-349 thereof, and in Professional Lighting Handbook by Verne Carlson (2 nd ed. 1991), also hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, including pages 15-40 thereof. As one example illustrating a need for an improved lighting effects system, it can be quite challenging to provide proper illumination for the lighting of faces in television and film, especially for situations where close-ups are required. Often, certain parts of the face must be seen clearly. The eyes, in particular, can provide a challenge for proper lighting. Light reflected in the eyes is known as “eye lights” or “catch lights.” Without enough reflected light, the eyes may seem dull. A substantial amount of effort has been expended in constructing lighting systems that have the proper directivity, intensity, tone, and other characteristics to result in aesthetically pleasing “eye lights” while also meeting other lighting requirements, and without adversely impacting lighting of other features. Because of the varied settings in which lighting systems are used, the conventional practice in the film, commercial, and related industries is for a lighting system, when needed, to be custom designed for each shoot. This practice allows the director or photographer to have available a lighting system that is of the necessary size, and that provides the desired intensity, warmth, tone and effects. Designing and building customized lighting systems, however, is often an expensive and time-consuming process. The most common lighting systems in film, commercial, and photographic settings use either incandescent or fluorescent light elements. However, conventional lighting systems have drawbacks or limitations which can limit their flexibility or effectiveness. For example, incandescent lights have been employed in lighting systems in which they have been arranged in various configurations, including on ring-shaped mounting frames. However, the mounting frames used in incandescent lighting systems are often large and ponderous, making them difficult to move around and otherwise work with. A major drawback of incandescent lighting systems is the amount of heat generating by the incandescent bulbs. Because of the heat intensity, subjects cannot be approached too closely without causing discomfort to the subject and possibly affecting the subject's make-up or appearance. Also, the heat from the incandescent bulbs can heat the air in the proximity of the camera; cause a “wavering” effect to appear on the film or captured image. Incandescent lighting may cause undesired side effects when filming, particularly where the intensity level is adjusted. As the intensity level of incandescent lights change, their hue changes as well. Film is especially sensitive to these changes in hue, significantly more so than the human eye. In addition to these problems or drawbacks, incandescent lighting systems typically draw quite a bit of power, especially for larger lighting systems which may be needed to provide significant wide area illumination. Incandescent lighting systems also generally require a wall outlet or similar standard source of alternating current (AC) power. Fluorescent lighting systems generate much less heat than incandescent lighting systems, but nevertheless have their own drawbacks or limitations. For example, fluorescent lighting systems, like incandescent lighting systems, are often large and cumbersome. Fluorescent bulbs are generally tube-shaped, which can limit the lighting configuration or mounting options. Circular fluorescent bulbs are also commercially available, and have been used in the past for motion picture lighting. A major drawback with fluorescent lighting systems is that the low lighting levels can be difficult or impossible to achieve due to the nature of fluorescent lights. When fluorescent lights are dimmed, they eventually begin to flicker or go out as the supplied energy reaches the excitation threshold of the gases in the fluorescent tubes. Consequently, fluorescent lights cannot be dimmed beyond a certain level, greatly limiting their flexibility. In addition, fluorescent lights suffer from the same problem as incandescent lights when their intensity level is changed; that is, they tend to change in hue as the intensity changes, and film is very sensitive to alterations in lighting hue. Typically, incandescent or fluorescent lighting systems are designed to be placed off to the side of the camera, or above or below the camera. Because of such positioning, lighting systems may provide uneven or off-center lighting, which can be undesirable in many circumstances. Because of their custom nature, both incandescent lighting systems and fluorescent lighting systems can be difficult to adapt to different or changing needs of a particular film project or shoot. For example, if the director or photographer decides that a different lighting configuration should be used, or wants to experiment with different types of lighting, it can be difficult, time-consuming, and inconvenient to re-work or modify the customized lighting setups to provide the desired effects. Furthermore, both incandescent lighting systems and fluorescent lighting systems are generally designed for placement off to the side of the camera, which can result in shadowing or uneven lighting. A variety of lighting apparatus have been proposed for the purpose of inspecting objects in connection with various applications, but these lighting apparatus are generally not suitable for the movie, film or photographic industries. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,417, hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes a surface illuminator for directing illumination on an object (i.e., a single focal point). The surface illuminator has a number of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in concentric circles on a lamp-supporting housing having a circular bore through which a microscope or other similar instrument can be positioned. The light from the LEDs is directed to a single focal point by either of two methods. According to one technique disclosed in the patent, a collimating lens is used to angle the light from each ring of LEDs towards the single focal point. According to another technique disclosed in the patent, each ring of LEDs is angled so as to direct the light from each ring on the single focal point. Other examples of lighting apparatus used for the purpose of inspecting objects are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,893,223 and 5,038,258, both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In both of these patents, LEDs are placed on the interior of a spherical surface, so that their optical axes intersect at a desired focal point. Lighting apparatus specially adapted for illumination of objects to be inspected are generally not suitable for the special needs of the film, commercial, or photographic industries, or with live stage performances, because the lighting needs in these fields differs substantially from what is offered by object inspection lighting apparatus. For example, movies and commercials often require illumination of a much larger area that what object inspection lighting systems typically provide, and even still photography often requires that a relatively large subject be illuminated. In contrast, narrow-focus lighting apparatuses are generally designed for an optimum working distance of only a few inches (e.g., 3 to 4 inches) with a relatively small illumination diameter. Still other LED-based lighting apparatus have been developed for various live entertainment applications, such as theaters and clubs. These lighting apparatus typically include a variety of colorized LEDs in hues such as red, green, and blue (i.e., an “RGB” combination), and sometimes include other intermixed bright colors as well. These types of apparatus are not well suited for applications requiring more precision lighting, such as film, television, and so on. Among other things, the combination of red, green, and blue (or other) colors creates an uneven lighting effect that would generally be unsuitable for most film, television, or photographic applications. Moreover, most of these LED-based lighting apparatus suffer from a number of other drawbacks, such as requiring expensive and/or inefficient power supplies, incompatibility with traditional AC dimmers, lack of ripple protection (when connected directly to an AC power supply), and lack of thermal dissipation. In the context of film and television, various attempts have been made to develop camera-mounted lighting fixtures; however, prior attempts to provide a suitable camera-mounted lighting fixture suffer from a variety of potential drawbacks. For example, conventional camera-mounted lighting fixtures using incandescent or fluorescent lighting elements suffer from the same drawbacks as described above, and can cause undesirable shadowing or other side effects. Also, camera-mounted lighting fixtures which are designed to connect to the camera's battery can cause premature depletion of the battery. Other lighting fixtures are designed to be powered by a battery pack which is worn, typically on a belt, by the camera operator. Such battery belts are often heavy and cumbersome, and may require lengthy power cords that can interfere with camera maneuverability. It would therefore be advantageous to provide a lighting apparatus or lighting effects system that is versatile and portable, and may find use in a variety of applications. It would further be advantageous to provide a lighting apparatus or lighting effects system that is well suited for use in the film, commercial, and/or photographic industries, and/or with live stage performances, that overcomes one or more of the foregoing disadvantages, drawbacks, or limitations.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The invention is generally directed in one aspect to a novel and versatile lighting apparatus. According to one embodiment as disclosed herein, a lighting apparatus comprises a light panel having a panel frame, with a plurality of semiconductor light elements, such as LEDs, secured to the panel frame. A self-contained battery unit securably attaches to the outside of the panel frame. When attached together, the light panel and self-contained battery unit function as an integrated lighting apparatus. Optionally, the light panel may have an integrated dimmer switch, and may also be capable of receiving power from a source other than the self-contained battery unit. In various forms and embodiments, the lighting apparatus may be adapted for being mounted to a camera or a stand, and may include adapters for such a purpose. The lighting apparatus may also be provided with a diffusion lens or color gels, which may be integrated with or detachable from the light panel. The lighting apparatus may conveniently be provided in the form of a kit, with one or more of a light panel, self-contained battery unit, compact stand, connecting cable(s), adapter(s), lenses or color gels, and so on, being provided in a single package to allow flexibility and versatility to users in the field. Further embodiments, variations and enhancements are also disclosed herein.
20041204
20091020
20051013
72518.0
2
MACCHIAROLO, LEAH SIMONE
VERSATILE LIGHTING APPARATUS AND ASSOCIATED KIT
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,006,180
ACCEPTED
Electric ARC welding system
An electric arc welding system for creating a first AC welding arc with a first current waveform between a first electrode and a workpiece by a first power supply and a second AC welding arc with a second current waveform between a second electrode and a workpiece by a second power supply as the first and second electrodes are moved in unison along a welding path, where the first and second power supply each comprising a high speed switching inverter creating its waveform by a number of current pulses occurring at a frequency of at least 18 kHz with the magnitude of each current pulse controlled by a wave shaper and the polarity of the waveforms is controlled by a signal. The first AC waveform has a positive portion substantially different in energy than its negative portion and/or has either a different shape and/or a synthesized sinusoidal portion.
1-92. (canceled) 93. An electric arc welding system for creating a first AC welding arc with a first current waveform between a first electrode and a workpiece by a first power supply and a second AC welding arc with a second current waveform between a second electrode and a workpiece by a second power supply as said first power supply and said second electrodes are moved in unison along a welding path, said first and second power supply each comprising a high speed switching inverter creating its waveform by a number of current pulses, wherein a positive polarity of said waveforms control penetration and a negative polarity of said waveforms control deposition. 94. An electric arc welder system as defined in claim 93 configured wherein the amount of energy exerted during penetration and deposition are different. 95. An electric arc welder system as defined in claim 93 wherein the current pulses created by the high speed switch inverter have a frequency of approximately 18 kHz. 96. An electric arc welding system as defined in claim 93 wherein said first current waveform is phase shifted from said second current waveform. 97. An electric arc welding system as defined in claim 93 wherein at least the first current waveform has a positive portion of substantially less energy than its negative portion. 98. An electric arc welding system as defined in claim 93 wherein said second current waveform has a negative portion of substantially less energy than its positive portion. 99. An electric arc welding system as defined in claim 93 further including a wave shaper configured for control of magnitude of each current pulse. 100. An electric arc welding system as defined in claim 93 further including periods of concurrent polarity relationships between the first and second waveforms, defined as like polarities and opposite polarities with the period of any one of said concurrent polarity relationship being less than 20 ms. 101. An electric arc welding system as defined in claim 93, wherein a weld puddle formed by operation of said first and second waveforms is a quiescent weld puddle during the welding operation. 102. An electric arc welding system as defined in claim 93 wherein said first current waveform is generally sinusoidal in at least one polarity. 103. An electric arc welder system as defined in claim 93 wherein said first current waveform is generally sinusoidal in both polarities. 104. An electric arc welding system as defined in claim 93 wherein said second current waveform is generally sinusoidal in at least one polarity. 105. An electric arc welding system as defined in claim 93 wherein said second AC waveform is generally sinusoidal in both polarities. 106. An electric arc welding system for creating a first AC welding arc with a first current waveform between a first electrode and a workpiece by a first power supply and a second AC welding arc with a second current waveform between a second electrode and a workpiece by a second power supply as said first and second electrodes are moved in unison along a welding path, said first power supply and said second power supply each comprising a high speed switching inverter creating its waveform by a number of current pulses, a positive polarity of said waveforms configured to control penetration and a negative polarity of said waveforms control deposition, configured to said first and second waveforms having different shapes and where there are periods of concurrent polarity relationships defined as like polarities and opposite polarities with the period of any one of said concurrent polarity relationship being less than 20 ms. 107. An electric arc welder system as defined in claim 106 wherein the amount of energy exerted during penetration and deposition are different. 108. An electric arc welder system as defined in claim 106 wherein the current pulses created by the high speed switch inverter have a frequency of approximately 18 kHz. 109. An electric arc welding system as defined in claim 106 wherein first AC welding waveform is phase shifted from said second AC welding waveform. 110. An electric arc welding system for creating a first AC welding arc with a first current waveform between a first electrode and a workpiece by a first power supply and a second AC welding arc with a second current waveform between a second electrode and a workpiece by a second power supply as said first and second electrodes are moved in unison along a welding path, said first and second power supply each comprising an high speed switching inverter creating its waveform by a number of current pulses with the magnitude of each current pulse controlled by a wave shaper and the polarity of said waveforms controlled by a logic signal, wherein each waveform has a positive polarity portion and a negative polarity portion, with a time length and maximum amplitude with the time length of one polarity portion of one waveform being substantially less than the time length of the other polarity portion of said one waveform, and wherein the positive polarity portion of said waveforms control penetration and negative polarity portion of said waveforms control deposition. 111. An electric arc welder system as defined in claim 110 configured wherein the amount of energy exerted during penetration and deposition are different. 112. An electric arc welding system as defined in claim 110 wherein first AC welding waveform is phase shifted from said second AC welding waveform.
The present invention relates to the art of electric arc welding and more particularly to an electric arc welding system to operate tandem electrodes. INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE The present invention is directed to an electric arc welding system utilizing high capacity alternating circuit power supplies for driving two or more tandem electrodes of the type used in seam welding of large metal blanks. Although the invention can be used with any standard AC power supply with switches for changing the output polarity, it is preferred that the power supplies use the switching concept disclosed in Stava U.S. Pat. No. 6,111,216 wherein the power supply is an inverter having two large output polarity switches with the arc current being reduced before the switches reverse the polarity. Consequently, the term “switching point” is a complex procedure whereby the power supply is first turned off awaiting a current less than a preselected value, such as 100 amperes. Upon reaching the 100 ampere threshold, the output switches of the power supply are reversed to reverse the polarity from the D.C. output link of the inverter. Thus, the “switching point” is an off output command, known as a “kill” command, to the power supply inverter followed by a switching command to reverse the output polarity. The kill output can be a drop to a decreased current level. This procedure is duplicated at each successive polarity reversal so the AC power supply reverses polarity only at a low current. In this manner, snubbing circuits for the output polarity controlling switches are reduced in size or eliminated. Since this switching concept is preferred to define the switching points as used in the present invention, Stava U.S. Pat. No. 6,111,216 is incorporated by reference. The concept of an AC current for tandem electrodes is well known in the art U.S. Pat. No. 6,207,929 discloses a system whereby tandem electrodes are each powered by a separate inverter type power supply. The frequency is varied to reduce the interference between alternating current in the adjacent tandem electrodes. Indeed, this prior patent of assignee relates to single power sources for driving either a DC powered electrode followed by an AC electrode or two or more AC driven electrodes. In each instance, a separate inverter type power supply is used for each electrode and, in the alternating current high capacity power supplies, the switching point concept of Stava U.S. Pat. No. 6,111,216 is employed. This system for separately driving each of the tandem electrodes by a separate high capacity power supply is background information to the present invention and is incorporated herein as such background. In a like manner, U.S. Pat. No. 6,291,798 discloses a further arc welding system wherein each electrode in a tandem welding operation is driven by two or more independent power supplies connected in parallel with a single electrode arc. The system involves a single set of switches having two or more accurately balanced power supplies forming the input to the polarity reversing switch network operated in accordance with Stava U.S. Pat. No. 6,111,216. Each of the power supplies is driven by a single command signal and, therefore, shares the identical current value combined and directed through the polarity reversing switches. This type system requires large polarity reversing switches since all of the current to the electrode is passed through a single set of switches. U.S. Pat. No. 6,291,798 does show a master and slave combination of power supplies for a single electrode and discloses general background information to which the invention is directed. For that reason, this patent is also incorporated by reference. An improvement for operating tandem electrodes with controlled switching points is disclosed in Houston U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,634. This patent is incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Welding applications, such as pipe welding, often require high currents and use several arcs created by tandem electrodes. Such welding systems are quite prone to certain inconsistencies caused by arc disturbances due to magnetic interaction between two adjacent tandem electrodes. A system for correcting the disadvantages caused by adjacent AC driven tandem electrodes is disclosed in Stava U.S. Pat. No. 6,207,929. In that prior patent, each of the AC driven electrodes has its own inverter based power supply. The output frequency of each power supply is varied so as to prevent interference between adjacent electrodes. This system requires a separate power supply for each electrode. As the current demand for a given electrode exceeds the current rating of the inverter based power supply, a new power supply must be designed, engineered and manufactured. Thus, such system for operating tandem welding electrodes require high capacity or high rated power supplies to obtain high current as required for pipe welding. To decrease the need for special high current rated power supplies for tandem operated electrodes, assignee developed the system disclosed in Stava U.S. Pat. No. 6,291,798 wherein each AC electrode is driven by two or more inverter power supplies connected in parallel. These parallel power supplies have their output current combined at the input side of a polarity switching network. Thus, as higher currents are required for a given electrode, two or more parallel power supplies are used. In this system, each of the power supplies are operated in unison and share equally the output current. Thus, the current required by changes in the welding conditions can be provided-only by the over current rating of a single unit. A current balanced system did allow for the combination of several smaller power supplies; however, the power supplies had to be connected in parallel on the input side of the polarity reversing switching network. As such, large switches were required for each electrode. Consequently, such system overcame the disadvantage of requiring special power supplies for each electrode in a tandem welding operation of the type used in pipe welding; but, there is still the disadvantage that the switches must be quite large and the input, paralleled power supplies must be accurately matched by being driven from a single current command signal. Stava U.S. Pat. No. 6,291,798 does utilize the concept of a synchronizing signal for each welding cell directing current to each tandem electrode. However, the system still required large switches. This type of system was available for operation in an ethernet network interconnecting the welding cells. In ethernet interconnections, the timing cannot be accurately controlled. In the system described, the switch timing for a given electrode need only be shifted on a time basis, but need not be accurately identified for a specific time. Thus, the described system requiring balancing the current and a single switch network has been the manner of obtaining high capacity current for use in tandem arc welding operations when using an ethernet network or an internet and ethernet control system. There is a desire to control welders by an ethernet network, with or without an internet link. Due to timing limitation, these networks dictated use of tandem electrode systems of the type using only general synchronizing techniques. Such systems could be controlled by a network; however, the parameter to each paralleled power supply could not be varied. Each of the cells could only be offset from each other by a synchronizing signal. Such systems were not suitable for central control by the internet and/or local area network control because an elaborate network to merely provide offset between cells was not advantageous. Houston U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,634 discloses the concept of a single AC arc welding cell for each electrode wherein the cell itself includes one or more paralleled power supplies each of which has its own switching network. The output of the switching network is then combined to drive the electrode. This allows the use of relatively small switches for polarity reversing of the individual power supplies paralleled in the system. In addition, relatively small power supplies can be paralleled to build a high current input to each of several electrodes used in a tandem welding operation. The use of several independently controlled power supplies paralleled after the polarity switch network for driving a single electrode allows advantageous use of a network, such as the internet or ethernet. In Houston U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,634, smaller power supplies in each system are connected in parallel to power a single electrode. By coordinating switching points of each paralleled power supply with a high accuracy interface, the AC output current is the sum of currents from the paralleled power supplies without combination before the polarity switches. By using this concept, the ethernet network, with or without an internet link, can control the weld parameters of each paralleled power supply of the welding system. The timing of the switch points is accurately controlled by the novel interface, whereas the weld parameters directed to the controller for each power supply can be provided by an ethernet network which has no accurate time basis. Thus, an internet link can be used to direct parameters to the individual power supply controllers of the welding system for driving a single electrode. There is no need for a time based accuracy of these weld parameters coded for each power supply. In the preferred implementation, the switch point is a “kill” command awaiting detection of a current drop below a minimum threshold, such as 100 amperes. When each power supply has a switch command, then they switch. The switch points between parallel power supplies, whether instantaneous or a sequence involving a “kill” command with a wait delay, are coordinated accurately by an interface card having an accuracy of less than 10 μs and preferably in the range of 1-5 μs. This timing accuracy coordinates and matches the switching operation in the paralleled power supplies to coordinate the AC output current. By using the internet or ethernet local area network, the set of weld parameters for each power supply is available on a less accurate information network, to which the controllers for the paralleled power supplies are interconnected with a high accuracy digital interface card. Thus, the switching of the individual, paralleled power supplies of the system is coordinated. This is an advantage allowing use of the internet and local area network control of a welding system. The information network includes synchronizing signals for initiating several arc welding systems connected to several electrodes in a tandem welding operation in a selected phase relationship. Each of the welding systems of an electrode has individual switch points accurately controlled while the systems are shifted or delayed to prevent magnetic interference between different electrodes. This allows driving of several AC electrodes using a common information network. The Houston U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,634 system is especially useful for paralleled power supplies to power a given electrode with AC current. The switch points are coordinated by an accurate interface and the weld parameter for each paralleled power supply is provided by the general information network. This background is technology developed and patented by assignee and does not necessarily constitute prior art just because it is herein used as “background.” As a feature of the system in Stava U.S. Pat. No. 6,207,929, two or more power supplies can drive a single electrode. Thus, the system comprises a first controller for a first power supply to cause the first power supply to create an AC current between the electrode and workpiece by generating a switch signal with polarity reversing switching points in general timed relationship with respect to a given system synchronizing signal received by the first controller. This first controller is operated at first welding parameters in response to a set of first power supply specific parameter signals directed to the first controller. There is provided at least one slave controller for operating the slave power supply to create an AC current between the same electrode and workpiece by reversing polarity of the AC current at switching points. The slave controller operates at second weld parameters in response to the second set of power supply specific parameter signals to the slave controller. An information network connected to the first controller and the second or slave controller contains digital first and second power supply specific parameter signals for the two controllers and the system specific synchronizing signal. Thus, the controllers receive the parameter signals and the synchronizing signal from the information network, which may be an ethernet network with or without an internet link, or merely a local area network. The invention involves a digital interface connecting the first controller and the slave controller to control the switching points of the second or slave power supply by the switch signal from the first or master controller. In practice, the first controller starts a current reversal at a switch point. This event is transmitted at high accuracy to the slave controller to start its current reversal process. When each controller senses an arc current less than a given number, a “ready signal” is created. After a “ready” signal from all paralleled power supplies, all power supplies reverse polarity. This occurs upon receipt of a strobe or look command each 25 μs. Thus, the switching is in unison and has a delay of less than 25 μs. Consequently, both of the controllers have interconnected data controlling the switching points of the AC current to the single electrode. The same controllers receive parameter information and a synchronizing signal from an information network which in practice comprises a combination of internet and ethernet or a local area ethernet network. The timing accuracy of the digital interface is less than about 10 μs and, preferably, in the general range of 1-5 μs. Thus, the switching points for the two controllers driving a single electrode are commanded within less than 5 μs. Then, switching actually occurs within 25 [μs. At the same time, relatively less time sensitive information is received from the information network also connected to the two controllers driving the AC current to a single electrode in a tandem welding operation. The 25 μs maximum delay can be changed, but is less than the switch command accuracy. The unique control system disclosed in Houston U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,634 is used to control the power supply for tandem electrodes used primarily in pipe seam welding and disclosed in Stava U.S. Pat. No. 6,291,798. This Stava patent relates to a series of tandem electrodes movable along a welding path to lay successive welding beads in the space between the edges of a rolled pipe or the ends of two adjacent pipe sections. The individual AC waveforms used in this unique technology are created by a number of current pulses occurring at a frequency of at least 18 kHz with a magnitude of each current pulse controlled by a wave shaper. This technology dates back to Blankenship U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,390. Shaping of the waveforms in the AC currents of two adjacent tandem electrodes is known and is shown in not only the patents mentioned above, but in Stava U.S. Pat. No. 6,207,929. In this latter Stava patent, the frequency of the AC current at adjacent tandem electrodes is adjusted to prevent magnetic interference. All of these patented technologies by The Lincoln Electric Company of Cleveland, Ohio have been advances in the operation of tandem electrodes each of which is operated by a separate AC waveform created by the waveform technology set forth in these patents. These patents are incorporated by reference herein. However, these patents do not disclose the present invention which is directed to the use of such waveform technology for use in tandem welding by adjacent electrodes each using an AC current. This technology, as the normal transformer technology, has experienced difficulty in controlling the dynamics of the weld puddle. Thus, there is a need for an electric arc welding system for adjacent tandem electrodes which is specifically designed to control the dynamics and physics of the molten weld puddle during the welding operation. These advantages can not be obtained by merely changing the frequency to reduce the magnetic interference. THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improvement in the waveform technology disclosed in Blankenship U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,390 and used for tandem electrode welding systems by several patents, including Stava U.S. Pat. No. 6,207,929; Stava U.S. Pat. No. 6,291,798; and, Houston U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,634. The improvement over this well developed technology is the control of the AC waveforms generated by adjacent tandem electrodes in a manner where the weld puddle is quiescent during the welding operation. This objective is accomplished by using a system that controls the relationship between the AC current of adjacent tandem electrodes to limit the time of concurrent polarity relationships, such as like polarity and opposite polarity, while obtaining a difference in penetration and deposition. It has been found that during the times of like polarity in the waveforms of two adjacent tandem electrodes the molten metal weld pool physically collapses whereas during opposite polarity of the waveforms for adjacent tandem electrodes the weld pool is repelled. If the adjacent AC pulses have a long time, exceeding 20 ms, with a concurrent polarity relationship, the collapsing or repelling action of the molten metal in the weld pool is disruptive to the welding process. The resulting weld bead that subsequently solidifies is not uniform. In using an AC current for adjacent electrodes, the invention assures that there is no long term concurrence of any one specific polarity relationship. This is one aspect of the invention. Another aspect of the invention is forming the waveform of an AC welding operation at each of the adjacent tandem electrodes where the waveforms are sinusoidal in one or both polarities. In the past, sinusoidal waveforms were created by transformers and not used in welding systems of the waveform technology type, as shown in the patents so far discussed and owned by Lincoln Electric. Consequently, another aspect of the invention is the creation of waveforms in an AC welding operation by the waveform technology utilizing a wave shaper and a pulse width modulator incorporated in the standard controller of a welder or obtained as a standard off the shelf pulse width modulator chip used in a controller for a welder. Consequently, the present invention relates to controlling the dynamics of the weld puddle by selection and creation of specific AC waveforms in adjacent tandem electrodes operated by the Lincoln waveform technology and the implementation of waveforms having sinusoidal configurations in either the positive or negative polarity and/or in both polarities. These two aspects of the invention are unique and allow operation of tandem electrodes with waveforms defining AC welding without agitation of the molten metal and obtaining the advantages of an AC waveform. In accordance with the invention, an electric arc welding system is developed for creating a first AC welding arc with a first current waveform between a first electrode and a workpiece by a first power supply and a second AC welding arc with a second current waveform between a second electrode and a workpiece by a second power supply as the first and second electrodes are moved in unison. The tandem electrodes are each driven by an AC current having a created waveform with a specific shape. Creation of the waveform is by a power supply comprising a high speed switching inverter to create its waveform by a number of current pulses occurring at a frequency of at least 18 kHz with the magnitude of each of the current pulses controlled by a wave shaper and the polarity of the waveforms controlled by a logic signal. Each of the power supplies is the general type shown in various prior patents where the waveform across the electrode is controlled by a wave shaper. The switching between polarities is controlled by a signal, such as a logic signal, as disclosed in Houston U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,634. This type of power supply produces waveforms having a shape determined by a wave shaper, which is sometimes referred to as a waveform generator. The invention relates to this type of power supply used for tandem electrodes each of which is driven by an AC current. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, at least the first AC waveform has a positive portion of substantially less energy than its negative portion and is phase shifted from the second AC waveform. Consequently, the penetration caused by the positive portion of the waveform employs a different energy than the deposition caused by the negative portion of the waveform. The waveforms are shifted so that the AC waveforms of adjacent tandem electrodes do not correspond and thus cause long periods of polarity concurrence, where either like polarity opposite polarities occur for a long time during the welding operation. In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, the waveforms include sinusoidal shapes which are generated by a wave shaper utilizing a rapidly created series of current pulses. The sinusoidal current can be during the positive portion of the waveform, during the negative portion of the waveform or during both portions of the waveform. Heretofore tandem operation of electrodes each driven by an AC current of the type created by waveforms from a wave shaper have not created sinusoidal shapes nor limited the time of concurrent polarity relationships. These are advantages obtained by the present invention. In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, the negative portion of one or more of the AC waveforms has substantially less energy than its positive portion. In this manner, the waveform is tailored to increase the penetration over the deposition by the waveform during the welding operation. The energy difference can be accomplished by increasing the maximum magnitude of either the positive or the negative portion of the waveform or by adjusting the time of the negative portion compared to the positive portion. Thus, energy control of the negative and positive polarity in the created waveform is either by magnitude or by time of one portion with respect to the other portion. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the first AC waveform created by the wave shaper has a positive portion substantially different in length than the negative portion. This procedure accomplishes a trade off between penetration and deposition for use by adjacent tandem electrodes each operated by an AC current, wherein each current is created waveforms by a wave shaper or waveform generator. Still a further aspect of the present invention is the provision of an electric arc welding system, as defined in the previous aspects, wherein the periods of concurrent polarity relationships defined as like polarities and opposite polarities are less than 20 ms. Preferably, these periods are less than the length of any one of the two waveforms. Preferably, the concurrent relationship is less than the length of time of one-half the time of a created waveform. By using the present invention, the weld puddle is controlled and/or the AC currents for adjacent tandem electrodes can be formed into sinusoidal portions. This is the primary object of the present invention. A further primary object of the present invention is the provision of an electric arc welding system for creating two AC welding arcs at adjacent tandem electrodes, which welding system limits the time when there is a concurrence of a specific polarity relationship. Still another object of the present invention is the provision of an electric arc welding system, as defined above, which welding system utilizes the created sinusoidal wave shapes in either the positive, negative or both portions of the created waveforms. Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of an electric arc welding system, as defined above, which system controls the dynamics of the weld puddle to prevent puddle agitation and obtain a uniform weld bead. Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of an electric arc welding system, as defined above, which system utilizes waveform technology while obtaining the advantages of weld puddle control as well as a sinusoidal profile for the created waveforms. These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a wiring diagram of two paralleled power supplies, each of which include a switching output which power supplies are used in practicing the invention; FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side view of three tandem electrodes operated in accordance with the present invention for welding the seam of a pipe; FIG. 4 is a schematic layout in block form of a welding system for three electrodes using the disclosure in Houston U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,634 and Stava U.S. Pat. No. 6,291,798; FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a single electrode driven by the system as shown in FIG. 4 with a variable pulse generator disclosed in Houston U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,634; FIG. 6 is a current graph for one of two illustrated synchronizing pulses and showing a balanced AC waveform for one tandem electrode; FIG. 7 is a current graph superimposed upon a signal having logic to determine the polarity of the waveform as used in practicing the present invention; FIG. 8 is a current graph showing a broad aspect of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematic drawings illustrating the dynamics of the weld puddle during concurrent polarity relationships of tandem electrodes to explain the advantage of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a pair of current graphs showing the waveforms on two adjacent tandem electrodes employing the present invention; FIG. 12 is a pair of current graphs of the AC waveforms on adjacent tandem electrodes with areas of concurring polarity relationships; FIG. 13 are current graphs of the waveforms on adjacent tandem electrodes wherein the AC waveform of one electrode is substantially different waveform of the other electrode to limit the time of concurrent polarity relationships; FIG. 14 are current graphs of two sinusoidal waveforms for adjacent electrodes operated by a system in accordance with the present invention to use different shaped wave forms for the adjacent electrodes; FIG. 15 are current graphs showing waveforms at four adjacent AC arcs of tandem electrodes shaped and synchronized in accordance with an aspect of the invention; and, FIG. 16 is a schematic layout of the software program to cause switching of the paralleled power supplies as soon as the coordinated switch commands have been processed and the next coincident signal has been created. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting same, the system for implementing the invention is shown in detail in FIGS. 1, 2 AND 16. In FIG. 1 there is a single electric arc welding system S in the form of a single cell to create an alternating current as an arc at weld station WS. This system or cell includes a first master welder A with output leads 10, 12 in series with electrode E and workpiece W in the form of a pipe seam joint or other welding operation. Hall effect current transducer 14 provides a voltage in line 16 proportional to the current of welder A. Less time critical data, such as welding parameters, are generated at a remote central control 18. In a like manner, a slave following welder B includes leads 20, 22 connected in parallel with leads 10, 12 to direct an additional AC current to the weld station WS. Hall effect current transducer 24 creates a voltage in line 26 representing current levels in welder B during the welding operation. Even though a single slave or follower welder B is shown, any number of additional welders can be connected in parallel with master welder A to produce an alternating current across electrode E and workpiece W. The AC current is combined at the weld station instead of prior to a polarity switching network. Each welder includes a controller and inverter based power supply illustrated as a combined master controller and power supply 30 and a slave controller and power supply 32. Controllers 30, 32 receive parameter data and synchronization data from a relatively low level logic network. The parameter information or data is power supply specific whereby each of the power supplies is provided with the desired parameters such as current, voltage and/or wire feed speed. A low level digital network can provide the parameter information; however, the AC current for polarity reversal occurs at the same time. The “same” time indicates a time difference of less than 10 μs and preferably in the general range of 1-5 μs. To accomplish precise coordination of the AC output from power supply 30 and power supply 32, the switching points and polarity information can not be provided from a general logic network wherein the timing is less precise. The individual AC power supplies are coordinated by high speed, highly accurate DC logic interface referred to as “gateways.” As shown in FIG. 1, power supplies 30, 32 are provided with the necessary operating parameters indicated by the bi-directional leads 42m, 42s, respectively. This non-time sensitive information is provided by a digital network shown in FIG. 1. Master power supply 30 receives a synchronizing signal as indicated by unidirectional line 40 to time the controllers operation of its AC output current. The polarity of the AC current for power supply 30 is outputted as indicated by line 46. The actual switching command for the AC current of master power supply 30 is outputted on line 44. The switch command tells power supply S, in the form of an inverter, to “kill,” which is a drastic reduction of current. In an alternative, this is actually a switch signal to reverse polarity. The “switching points” or command on line 44 preferably is a “kill” and current reversal commands utilizing the “switching points” as set forth in Stava U.S. Pat. No. 6,111,216. Thus, timed switching points or commands are outputted from power supply 30 by line 44. These switching points or commands may involve a power supply “kill” followed by a switch ready signal at a low current or merely a current reversal point. The switch “ready” is used when the “kill” concept is implemented because neither inverters are to actually reverse until they are below the set current. This is described in FIG. 16. The polarity of the switches of controller 30 controls the logic on line 46. Slave power supply 32 receives the switching point or command logic on line 44b and the polarity logic on line 46b. These two logic signals are interconnected between the master power supply and the slave power supply through the highly accurate logic interface shown as gateway 50, the transmitting gateway, and gateway 52, the receiving gateway. These gateways are network interface cards for each of the power supplies so that the logic on lines 44b, 46b are timed closely to the logic on lines 44, 46, respectively. In practice, network interface cards or gateways 50, 52 control this logic to within 10 μs and preferably within 1-5 μs. A low accuracy network controls the individual power supplies for data from central control 18 through lines 42m, 42s, illustrated as provided by the gateways or interface cards. These lines contain data from remote areas (such as central control 18) which are not time sensitive and do not use the accuracy characteristics of the gateways. The highly accurate data for timing the switch reversal uses interconnecting logic signals through network interface cards 50, 52. The system in FIG. 1 is a single cell for a single AC arc; however, the invention is directed to tandem electrodes wherein two or more AC arcs are created to fill the large gap found in pipe welding. Thus, the master power supply 30 for the first electrode receives a synchronization signal which determines the timing or phase operation of the system S for a first electrode, i.e. ARC 1. System S is used with other identical systems to generate ARCs 2, 3, and 4 timed by synchronizing outputs 84, 86 and 88. This concept is schematically illustrated in FIG. 5. The synchronizing or phase setting signals 82-88 are shown in FIG. 1 with only one of the tandem electrodes. An information network N comprising a central control computer and/or web server 60 provides digital information or data relating to specific power supplies in several systems or cells controlling different electrodes in a tandem operation. Internet information is directed to a local area network in the form of an ethernet network 70 having local interconnecting lines 70a, 70b, 70c. Similar interconnecting lines are directed to each power supply used in the four cells creating ARCs 1, 2, 3 and 4 of a tandem welding operation. The description of system or cell S applies to each of the arcs at the other electrodes. If AC current is employed, a master power supply is used. In some instances, merely a master power supply is used with a cell specific synchronizing signal. If higher currents are required, the systems or cells include a master and slave power supply combination as described with respect to system S of FIG. 1. In some instances, a DC arc is used with two or more AC arcs synchronized by generator 80. Often the DC arc is the leading electrode in a tandem electrode welding operation, followed by two or more synchronized AC arcs. A DC power supply need not be synchronized, nor is there a need for accurate interconnection of the polarity logic and switching points or commands. Some DC powered electrodes may be switched between positive and negative, but not at the frequency of an AC driven electrode. Irrespective of the make-up of the arcs, ethernet or local area network 70 includes the parameter information identified in a coded fashion designated for specific power supplies of the various systems used in the tandem welding operation. This network also employs synchronizing signals for the several cells or systems whereby the systems can be offset in a time relationship. These synchronizing signals are decoded and received by a master power supply as indicated by line 40 in FIG. 1. In this manner, the AC arcs are offset on a time basis. These synchronizing signals are not required to be as accurate as the switching points through network interface cards or gateways 50, 52. Synchronizing signals on the data network are received by a network interface in the form of a variable pulse generator 80. The generator creates offset synchronizing signals in lines 84, 86 and 88. These synchronizing signals dictate the phase of the individual alternating current cells for separate electrodes in the tandem operation. Synchronizing signals can be generated by interface 80 or actually received by the generator through the network 70. In practice, network 70 merely activates generator 80 to create the delay pattern for the many synchronizing signals. Also, generator 80 can vary the frequency of the individual cells by frequency of the synchronizing pulses if that feature is desired in the tandem welding operation. A variety of controllers and power supplies could be used for practicing the system as described in FIG. 1; however, preferred implementation of the system is set forth in FIG. 2 wherein power supply PSA is combined with controller and power supply 30 and power supply PSB is combined with controller and power supply 32. These two units are essentially the same in structure and are labeled with the same numbers when appropriate. Description of power supply PSA applies equally to power supply PSB. Inverter 100 has an input rectifier 102 for receiving three phase line current L1, L2, and L3. Output transformer 110 is connected through an output rectifier 112 to tapped inductor 120 for driving opposite polarity switches Q1, Q2. Controller 140a of power supply PSA and controller 140b of PSB are essentially the same, except controller 140a outputs timing information to controller 140b. Switching points or lines 142, 144 control the conductive condition of polarity switches Q1, Q2 for reversing polarity at the time indicated by the logic on lines 142, 144, as explained in more detail in Stava U.S. Pat. No. 6,111,216 incorporated by reference herein. The control is digital with a logic processor; thus, A/D converter 150 converts the current information on feedback line 16 or line 26 to controlling digital values for the level of output from error amplifier 152 which is illustrated as an analog error amplifier. In practice, this is a digital system and there is no further analog signal in the control architecture. As illustrated, however, amplifier has a first input 152a from converter 150 and a second input 152b from controller 140a or 140b. The current command signal on line 152b includes the wave shape or waveform required for the AC current across the arc at weld station WS. This is standard practice as taught by several patents of Lincoln Electric, such as Blankenship U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,390, incorporated by reference. See also Stava U.S. Pat. No. 6,207,929, incorporated by reference. The output from amplifier 152 is converted to an analog voltage signal by converter 160 to drive pulse width modulator 162 at a frequency controlled by oscillator 164, which is a timer program in the processor software. The shape of the waveform at the arcs is the voltage or digital number at lines 152b. The frequency of oscillator 164 is greater than 18 kHz. The total architecture of this system is digitized in the preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not include reconversion back into analog signal. This representation is schematic for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting of the type of power supply used in practicing the present invention. Other power supplies could be employed. The practice of the present invention utilizing the concepts of FIGS. 1 and 2 are illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Workpiece 200 is a seam in a pipe which is welded together by tandem electrodes 202, 204 and 206 powered by individual power supplies PS1, PS2, PS3, respectively. The power supplies can include more than one power source coordinated in accordance with the technology in Houston U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,634. The illustrated embodiment involves a DC arc for lead electrode 202 and an AC arc for each of the tandem electrodes 204, 206. The created waveforms of the tandem electrodes are AC currents and include shapes created by a wave shaper or wave generator in accordance with the previously described waveform technology. As electrodes 202, 204 and 206 are moved along weld path WP a molten metal puddle P is deposited in pipe seam 200 with an open root portion 210 followed by deposits 212, 214 and 216 from electrodes 202, 204 and 206, respectively. As previously described more than two AC driven electrodes as will be described and illustrated by the waveforms of FIG. 15, can be operated by the invention relating to AC currents of adjacent electrodes. The power supplies, as shown in FIG. 4, each include an inverter 220 receiving a DC link from rectifier 222. In accordance with Lincoln waveform technology, a chip or internal programmed pulse width modulator stage 224 is driven by an oscillator 226 at a frequency greater than 18 kHz and preferably greater than 20 kHz. As oscillator 226 drives pulse width modulator 224, the output current has a shape dictated by the wave shape outputted from wave shaper 240 as a voltage or digital numbers at line 242. The shape in real time is compared with the actual arc current in line 232 by a stage illustrated as comparator 230 so that the outputs on line 234 controls the shape of the AC waveforms. The digital number or voltage on line 234 determines the output signal on line 224a to control inverter 220 so that the waveform of the current at the arc follows the selected profile outputted from wave shaper 240. This is standard Lincoln waveform technology, as previously discussed. Power supply PS1 creates a DC arc at lead electrode 202; therefore, the output from wave shaper 240 of this power supply is a steady state indicating the magnitude of the DC current. The present invention does not relate to the formation of a DC arc. To the contrary, the present invention is the control of the current at two adjacent AC arcs for tandem electrodes, such as electrodes 204, 206. In accordance with the invention, wave shaper 240 involves an input 250 employed to select the desired shape or profile of the AC waveform. This shape can be shifted in real time by an internal programming schematically represented as shift program 252. Wave shaper 240 has an output which is a priority signal on line 254. In practice, the priority signal is a bit of logic, as shown in FIG. 7. Logic 1 indicates a negative polarity for the waveform generated by wave shaper 240 and logic 0 indicates a positive polarity. This logic signal or bit controller 220 directed to the power supply is read in accordance with the technology discussed in FIG. 16. The inverter switches from a positive polarity to a negative polarity, or the reverse, at a specific “READY” time initiated by a change of the logic bit on line 254. In practice, this bit is received from variable pulse generator 80 shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 5. The welding system shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is used in practicing the invention wherein the shape of AC arc currents at electrodes 204 and 206 have novel shapes to obtain a beneficial result of the present invention, i.e. a generally quiescent molten metal puddle P and/or synthesized sinusoidal waveforms compatible with transformer waveforms used in arc welding. The electric arc welding system shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 have a program to select the waveform at “SELECT” program 250 for wave shaper 240. In this manner the unique waveforms of the present invention are used by the tandem electrodes. One of the power supplies to create an AC arc is schematically illustrated in FIG. 5. The power supply or source is controlled by variable pulse generator 80, shown in FIG. 1. Signal 260 from the generator controls the power supply for the first arc. This signal includes the synchronization of the waveform together with the polarity bit outputted by the wave shaper 240 on line 254. Lines 260a-260n control the desired subsequent tandem AC arcs operated by the welding system of the present invention. The timing of these signals shifts the start of the other waveforms. FIG. 5 merely shows the relationship of variable pulse generator 80 to control the successive arcs as explained in connection with FIG. 4. In the welding system of Houston U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,634, the AC waveforms are created as shown in FIG. 6 wherein the wave shaper for arc AC1 at electrode 204 creates a signal 270 having positive portions 272 and negative portions 274. The second arc AC2 at electrode 206 is controlled by signal 280 from the wave shaper having positive portions 282 and negative portions 284. These two signals are the same, but are shifted by the signal from generator 80 a distance x, as shown in FIG. 6. The waveform technology created current pulses or waveforms at one of the arcs are waveforms having positive portions 290 and negative portions 292 shown at the bottom portion of FIG. 6. A logic bit from the wave shaper determines when the waveform is switched from the positive polarity to the negative polarity and the reverse. In accordance with the disclosure in Stava U.S. Pat. No. 6,111,216 (incorporated by reference herein) pulse width modulator 224 is generally shifted to a lower level at point 291a and 291b. Then the current reduces until reaching a fixed level, such as 100 amps. Consequently, the switches change polarity at points 294a and 294b. This produces a vertical line or shape 296a, 296b when current transitioning between positive portion 290 and negative portion 292. This is the system disclosed in the Houston patent where the like waveforms are shifted to avoid magnetic interference. The waveform portions 290, 292 are the same at arc AC1 and at arc AC2. This is different from the present invention which relates to customizing the waveforms at arc AC1 and arc AC2 for purposes of controlling the molten metal puddle and/or synthesizing a sinusoidal wave shape in a manner not heretofore employed. The disclosure of FIG. 6 is set forth to show the concept of shifting the waveforms, but not the invention which is customizing each of the adjacent waveforms. The same switching procedure to create a vertical transition between polarities is used in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Converting from the welding system shown in FIG. 6 to the present invention is generally shown in FIG. 7. The logic on line 254 is illustrated as being a logic 1 in portions 300 and a logic 0 in portions 302. The change of the logic or bit numbers signals the time when the system illustrated in FIG. 16 shifts polarity. This is schematically illustrated in the lower graph of FIG. 6 at points 294a, 294b. In accordance with the invention, wave shaper 240 for each of the adjacent AC arcs has a first wave shape 310 for one of the polarities and a second wave shape 312 for the other polarity. Each of the waveforms 310, 312 are created by the logic on line 234 taken together with the logic on line 254. Thus, pulses 310, 312 as shown in FIG. 7, are different pulses for the positive and negative polarity portions. Each of the pulses 310, 312 are created by separate and distinct current pulses 310a, 312a as shown. Switching between polarities is accomplished as illustrated in FIG. 6 where the waveforms generated by the wave shaper are shown as having the general shape of waveforms 310, 312. Positive polarity controls penetration and negative polarity controls deposition. In accordance with the invention, the positive and negative pulses of a waveform are different and the switching points are controlled so that the AC waveform at one arc is controlled both in the negative polarity and the positive polarity to have a specific shape created by the output of wave shaper 240. The waveforms for the arc adjacent to the arc having the current shown in FIG. 7 is controlled differently to obtain the advantages of the present invention. This is illustrated best in FIG. 8. The waveform at arc AC1 is in the top part of FIG. 8. It has positive portions 320 shown by current pulses 320a and negative portions 322 formed by pulses 322a. Positive portion 320 has a maximum magnitude a and width or time period b. Negative portion 322 has a maximum magnitude d and a time or period c. These four parameters are adjusted by wave shaper 240. In the illustrated embodiment, arc AC2 has the waveform shown at the bottom of FIG. 8 where positive portion 330 is formed by current pulses 330a and has a height or magnitude a′ and a time length or period b′. Negative portion 332 is formed by pulses 332a and has a maximum amplitude b′ and a time length c′. These parameters are adjusted by wave shaper 240. In accordance with the invention, the waveform from the wave shaper on arc AC1 is out of phase with the wave shape for arc AC2. The two waveforms have parameters or dimensions which are adjusted so that (a) penetration and deposition is controlled and (b) there is no long time during which the puddle P is subjected to a specific polarity relationship, be it a like polarity or opposite polarity. This concept in formulating the wave shapes prevents long term polarity relationships as explained by the showings in FIGS. 9 and 10. In FIG. 9 electrodes 204, 206 have like polarity, determined by the waveforms of the adjacent currents at any given time. At that instance, magnetic flux 350 of electrode 204 and magnetic flux 352 of electrode 206 are in the same direction and cancel each other at center area 354 between the electrodes. This causes the molten metal portions 360, 362 from electrodes 204, 206 in the molten puddle P to move together, as represented by arrows c. This inward movement together or collapse of the molten metal in puddle P between electrodes 204 will ultimately cause an upward gushing action, if not terminated in a very short time, i.e. less than about 20 ms. As shown in FIG. 10, the opposite movement of the puddle occurs when the electrodes 204, 206 have opposite polarities. Then, magnetic flux 370 and magnetic flux 372 are accumulated and increased in center portion 374 between the electrodes. High forces between the electrodes causes the molten metal portions 364, 366 of puddle P to retract or be forced away from each other. This is indicated by arrows r. Such outward forcing of the molten metal in puddle P causes disruption of the weld bead if it continues for a substantial time which is generally less than 10 ms. As can be seen from FIGS. 9 and 10, it is desirable to limit the time during which the polarity of the waveform at adjacent electrodes is either the same polarity or opposite polarity. The present invention utilizes the waveform, such as shown in FIG. 6, to accomplish this objective of preventing long term concurrence of specific polarity relationships, be it like polarities or opposite polarities. Both of these relationships are detrimental to quality welding and are avoided when using the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, like polarity and opposite polarity is retained for a very short time less than the cycle length of the waveforms at arc AC1 and arc AC2. This positive development of preventing long term occurrence of polarity relationships together with the novel concept of pulses having different shapes and different proportions in the positive and negative areas combine to control the puddle, control penetration and control deposition in a manner not heretofore obtainable in welding with a normal transformer power supplies or normal use of Lincoln waveform technology. An implementation of the present invention is shown in FIG. 11 wherein the positive and negative portions of the AC waveform from the wave shaper 240 are synthesized sinusoidal shapes with a different energy in the positive portion as compared to the negative portion of the waveforms. The synthesized sine wave or sinusoidal portions of the waveforms is novel. It allows the waveforms to be compatible with transformer welding circuits and compatible with evaluation of sine wave welding. In FIG. 11, waveform 370 is at arc AC1 and waveform 372 is at arc AC2. These tandem arcs utilize the AC welding current shown in FIG. 11 wherein a small positive sinusoidal portion 370a controls penetration at arc AC1 while the larger negative portion 370b controls the deposition of metal at arc AC1. There is a switching between the polarities with a change in the logic bit, as discussed in FIG. 7. Sinusoidal waveform 370 plunges vertically from approximately 100 amperes through zero current as shown in by vertical line 370c. Transition between the negative portion 370b and positive portion 370a also starts a vertical transition at the switching point causing a vertical transition 370d. In a like manner, phase shifted waveform 372 of arc AC2 has a small penetration portion 372a and a large negative deposition portion 372b. Transition between polarities is indicated by vertical lines 372c and 372d. Waveform 372 is shifted with respect to waveform 370 so that the dynamics of the puddle are controlled without excessive collapsing or repulsion of the molten metal in the puddle caused by polarities of adjacent arcs AC1, AC2. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the sine wave shapes are the same and the frequencies are the same. They are merely shifted to prevent a long term occurrence of a specific polarity relationship. Another aspect of the invention is schematically illustrated in FIG. 12 wherein waveform 380 is used for arc AC1 and waveform 372 is used for arc AC2. Portions 380a, 380b, 382a, and 382b are sinusoidal synthesized and are illustrated as being of the same general magnitude. By shifting these two waveforms 90°, areas of concurrent polarity are identified as areas 390, 392, 394 and 396. By using the shifted waveforms with sinusoidal profiles, like polarities or opposite polarities do not remain for any length of time. Thus, the molten metal puddle is not agitated and remains quiescent. This advantage is obtained by using the present invention which also combines the concept of a difference in energy between the positive and negative polarity portions of a given waveform. FIG. 12 is illustrative in nature to show the definition of concurrent polarity relationships and the fact that they should remain for only a short period of time. To accomplish this objective, another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 13 wherein previously defined waveform 380 is combined with waveform 400, shown as the sawtooth waveform of arc AC2(a) or the pulsating waveform 402 shown as the waveform for arc AC2(b). Combining waveform 380 with the different waveform 400 of a different waveform 402 produces very small areas or times of concurrent polarity relationships 410, 412, 414, etc. The invention illustrated in FIG. 14 has the AC waveform generated at one arc drastically different than the AC waveform generated at the other arc. This same concept of drastically different waveforms for use in the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 14 wherein waveform 420 is an AC pulse profile waveform and waveform 430 is a sinusoidal profile waveform having about one-half the period of waveform 420. Waveform 420 includes a small penetration positive portion 420a and a large deposition portion 420b with straight line polarity transitions 420c. Waveform 430 includes positive portion 430a and negative portion 430b with vertical polarity transitions 430c. By having these two different waveforms, both the synthesized sinusoidal concept is employed for one electrode and there is no long term concurrent polarity relationship. Thus, the molten metal in puddle P remains somewhat quiescent during the welding operation by both arcs AC1, AC2. Another aspect of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 15 wherein waveforms 450, 452, 454 and 456 are generated by the wave shaper 240 of the power supply for each of four tandem arcs, arc AC1, arc AC2, arc AC3 and arc AC4. The adjacent arcs are aligned as indicated by synchronization signal 460 defining when the waveforms correspond and transition from the negative portion to the positive portion. This synchronization signal is created by generator 80 shown in FIG. 1, except the start pulses are aligned. In this embodiment of the invention first waveform 450 has a positive portion 450a, which is synchronized with both the positive and negative portion of the adjacent waveform 452, 454 and 456. For instance, positive portion 450a is synchronized with and correlated to positive portion 452a and negative portion 452b of waveform 452. In a like manner, the positive portion 452a of waveform 452 is synchronized with and correlated to positive portion 454a and negative portion 454b of waveform 454. The same relationship exist between positive portion 454a and the portions 456a, 456b of waveform 456. The negative portion 450b is synchronized with and correlated to the two opposite polarity portions of aligned waveform 452. The same timing relationship exist between negative portion 452b and waveform 454. In other words, in each adjacent arc one polarity portion of the waveform is correlated to a total waveform of the adjacent arc. In this manner, the collapse and repelling forces of puddle P, as discussed in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10, are dynametically controlled. In this embodiment of the invention, one or more of the positive or negative portions can be synthesized sinusoidal waves as discussed in connection with an aspect of the invention disclosed in FIGS. 11 and 12. As indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the master controller of switches is to switch, a switch command is issued to master controller 140a of power supply 30. This causes a “kill” signal to be received by the master so a kill signal and polarity logic is rapidly transmitted to the controller of one or more slave power supplies connected in parallel with a single electrode. If standard AC power supplies are used with large snubbers in parallel with the polarity switches, the slave controller or controllers are immediately switched within 1-10 μs after the master power supply receives the switch command. This is the advantage of the high accuracy interface cards or gateways. In practice, the actual switching for current reversal of the paralleled power supplies is not to occur until the output current is below a given value, i.e. about 100 amperes. This allows use of smaller switches. The implementation of the switching for all power supplies for a single AC arc uses the delayed switching technique where actual switching can occur only after all power supplies are below the given low current level. The delay process is accomplished in the software of the digital processor and is illustrated by the schematic layout of FIG. 16. When the controller of master power supply 500 receives a command signal as represented by line 502, the power supply starts the switching sequence. The master outputs a logic on line 504 to provide the desired polarity for switching of the slaves to correspond with polarity switching of the master. In the commanded switch sequence, the inverter of master power supply 500 is turned off or down so current to electrode E is decreased as read by hall effect transducer 510. The switch command in line 502 causes an immediate “kill” signal as represented by line 512 to the controllers of paralleled slave power supplies 520, 522 providing current to junction 530 as measured by hall effect transducers 532, 534. All power supplies are in the switch sequence with inverters turned off or down. Software comparator circuits 550, 552, 554 compare the decreased current to a given low current referenced by the voltage on line 556. As each power supply decreases below the given value, a signal appears in lines 560, 562, and 564 to the input of a sample and hold circuits 570, 572, and 574, respectively. The circuits are outputted by a strobe signal in line 580 from each of the power supplies. When a set logic is stored in a circuit 570, 572, and 574, a YES logic appears on lines READY1, READY2, and READY3 at the time of the strobe signal. This signal is generated in the power supplies and has a period of 25 μs; however, other high speed strobes could be used. The signals are directed to controller C of the master power supply, shown in dashed lines in FIG. 8. A software ANDing function represented by AND gate 580 has a YES logic output on line 582 when all power supplies are ready to switch polarity. This output condition is directed to clock enable terminal ECLK of software flip flop 600 having its D terminal provided with the desired logic of the polarity to be switched as appearing on line 504. An oscillator or timer operated at about 1 MHz clocks flip flop by a signal on line 602 to terminal CK. This transfers the polarity command logic on line 504 to a Q terminal 604 to provide this logic in line 610 to switch slaves 520, 522 at the same time the identical logic on line 612 switches master power supply 500. After switching, the polarity logic on line 504 shifts to the opposite polarity while master power supply awaits the next switch command based upon the switching frequency. Other circuits can be used to effect the delay in the switching sequence; however, the illustration in FIG. 16 is the present scheme. The present application relates to the waveforms controlled by a wave shaper or waveform generator of an electric arc power supply including a single power source or multiple power sources correlated as disclosed in Houston U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,634 or Stava U.S. Pat. No. 6,291,798. The invention relates to tandem electrodes powered by an AC waveform. The two adjacent electrodes have waveforms that control the dynamics of the molten metal puddle between the electrodes and/or uses synthesized sine waves to correlate the operation of the tandem welding system with standard transformer welding operations. The invention involves controlling the energy of the positive and negative portions in each of the AC waveforms created by a wave shaper or waveform generator through the use of a high speed switching inverter in accordance with standard practice. Different energy in the positive portion and negative portion controls the relationship of the amount of penetration to the amount of deposition by a particular electrode. This allows operation of adjacent electrodes in a manner to maintain the weld puddle generally quiescent. This action improves the resulting weld bead and the efficiency of the welding operation. To control the weld puddle, adjacent waveforms generated by the wave shaper have different shapes to control the length of time during which a given polarity relationship exist between the adjacent electrodes. In other words, the time that the waveforms of adjacent electrodes have like polarity or opposite polarity is limited by using different shapes and different relationships between the two adjacent AC waveforms generated by the waveform technology using a wave shaper or waveform generator. As disclosed in FIG. 15, synchronizing the wave shapes of adjacent generated waveforms having a frequency of adjacent electrodes which is essentially a multiple of two. All of these unique waveforms are novel and provide beneficial results in an electric arc welding using tandem electrodes, especially for seam welding of pipes in making pipeline sections. Various waveforms disclosed in this invention can be correlated to mix the relationship of the generated waveforms in a manner defined in the attached claims.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF INVENTION <EOH>Welding applications, such as pipe welding, often require high currents and use several arcs created by tandem electrodes. Such welding systems are quite prone to certain inconsistencies caused by arc disturbances due to magnetic interaction between two adjacent tandem electrodes. A system for correcting the disadvantages caused by adjacent AC driven tandem electrodes is disclosed in Stava U.S. Pat. No. 6,207,929. In that prior patent, each of the AC driven electrodes has its own inverter based power supply. The output frequency of each power supply is varied so as to prevent interference between adjacent electrodes. This system requires a separate power supply for each electrode. As the current demand for a given electrode exceeds the current rating of the inverter based power supply, a new power supply must be designed, engineered and manufactured. Thus, such system for operating tandem welding electrodes require high capacity or high rated power supplies to obtain high current as required for pipe welding. To decrease the need for special high current rated power supplies for tandem operated electrodes, assignee developed the system disclosed in Stava U.S. Pat. No. 6,291,798 wherein each AC electrode is driven by two or more inverter power supplies connected in parallel. These parallel power supplies have their output current combined at the input side of a polarity switching network. Thus, as higher currents are required for a given electrode, two or more parallel power supplies are used. In this system, each of the power supplies are operated in unison and share equally the output current. Thus, the current required by changes in the welding conditions can be provided-only by the over current rating of a single unit. A current balanced system did allow for the combination of several smaller power supplies; however, the power supplies had to be connected in parallel on the input side of the polarity reversing switching network. As such, large switches were required for each electrode. Consequently, such system overcame the disadvantage of requiring special power supplies for each electrode in a tandem welding operation of the type used in pipe welding; but, there is still the disadvantage that the switches must be quite large and the input, paralleled power supplies must be accurately matched by being driven from a single current command signal. Stava U.S. Pat. No. 6,291,798 does utilize the concept of a synchronizing signal for each welding cell directing current to each tandem electrode. However, the system still required large switches. This type of system was available for operation in an ethernet network interconnecting the welding cells. In ethernet interconnections, the timing cannot be accurately controlled. In the system described, the switch timing for a given electrode need only be shifted on a time basis, but need not be accurately identified for a specific time. Thus, the described system requiring balancing the current and a single switch network has been the manner of obtaining high capacity current for use in tandem arc welding operations when using an ethernet network or an internet and ethernet control system. There is a desire to control welders by an ethernet network, with or without an internet link. Due to timing limitation, these networks dictated use of tandem electrode systems of the type using only general synchronizing techniques. Such systems could be controlled by a network; however, the parameter to each paralleled power supply could not be varied. Each of the cells could only be offset from each other by a synchronizing signal. Such systems were not suitable for central control by the internet and/or local area network control because an elaborate network to merely provide offset between cells was not advantageous. Houston U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,634 discloses the concept of a single AC arc welding cell for each electrode wherein the cell itself includes one or more paralleled power supplies each of which has its own switching network. The output of the switching network is then combined to drive the electrode. This allows the use of relatively small switches for polarity reversing of the individual power supplies paralleled in the system. In addition, relatively small power supplies can be paralleled to build a high current input to each of several electrodes used in a tandem welding operation. The use of several independently controlled power supplies paralleled after the polarity switch network for driving a single electrode allows advantageous use of a network, such as the internet or ethernet. In Houston U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,634, smaller power supplies in each system are connected in parallel to power a single electrode. By coordinating switching points of each paralleled power supply with a high accuracy interface, the AC output current is the sum of currents from the paralleled power supplies without combination before the polarity switches. By using this concept, the ethernet network, with or without an internet link, can control the weld parameters of each paralleled power supply of the welding system. The timing of the switch points is accurately controlled by the novel interface, whereas the weld parameters directed to the controller for each power supply can be provided by an ethernet network which has no accurate time basis. Thus, an internet link can be used to direct parameters to the individual power supply controllers of the welding system for driving a single electrode. There is no need for a time based accuracy of these weld parameters coded for each power supply. In the preferred implementation, the switch point is a “kill” command awaiting detection of a current drop below a minimum threshold, such as 100 amperes. When each power supply has a switch command, then they switch. The switch points between parallel power supplies, whether instantaneous or a sequence involving a “kill” command with a wait delay, are coordinated accurately by an interface card having an accuracy of less than 10 μs and preferably in the range of 1-5 μs. This timing accuracy coordinates and matches the switching operation in the paralleled power supplies to coordinate the AC output current. By using the internet or ethernet local area network, the set of weld parameters for each power supply is available on a less accurate information network, to which the controllers for the paralleled power supplies are interconnected with a high accuracy digital interface card. Thus, the switching of the individual, paralleled power supplies of the system is coordinated. This is an advantage allowing use of the internet and local area network control of a welding system. The information network includes synchronizing signals for initiating several arc welding systems connected to several electrodes in a tandem welding operation in a selected phase relationship. Each of the welding systems of an electrode has individual switch points accurately controlled while the systems are shifted or delayed to prevent magnetic interference between different electrodes. This allows driving of several AC electrodes using a common information network. The Houston U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,634 system is especially useful for paralleled power supplies to power a given electrode with AC current. The switch points are coordinated by an accurate interface and the weld parameter for each paralleled power supply is provided by the general information network. This background is technology developed and patented by assignee and does not necessarily constitute prior art just because it is herein used as “background.” As a feature of the system in Stava U.S. Pat. No. 6,207,929, two or more power supplies can drive a single electrode. Thus, the system comprises a first controller for a first power supply to cause the first power supply to create an AC current between the electrode and workpiece by generating a switch signal with polarity reversing switching points in general timed relationship with respect to a given system synchronizing signal received by the first controller. This first controller is operated at first welding parameters in response to a set of first power supply specific parameter signals directed to the first controller. There is provided at least one slave controller for operating the slave power supply to create an AC current between the same electrode and workpiece by reversing polarity of the AC current at switching points. The slave controller operates at second weld parameters in response to the second set of power supply specific parameter signals to the slave controller. An information network connected to the first controller and the second or slave controller contains digital first and second power supply specific parameter signals for the two controllers and the system specific synchronizing signal. Thus, the controllers receive the parameter signals and the synchronizing signal from the information network, which may be an ethernet network with or without an internet link, or merely a local area network. The invention involves a digital interface connecting the first controller and the slave controller to control the switching points of the second or slave power supply by the switch signal from the first or master controller. In practice, the first controller starts a current reversal at a switch point. This event is transmitted at high accuracy to the slave controller to start its current reversal process. When each controller senses an arc current less than a given number, a “ready signal” is created. After a “ready” signal from all paralleled power supplies, all power supplies reverse polarity. This occurs upon receipt of a strobe or look command each 25 μs. Thus, the switching is in unison and has a delay of less than 25 μs. Consequently, both of the controllers have interconnected data controlling the switching points of the AC current to the single electrode. The same controllers receive parameter information and a synchronizing signal from an information network which in practice comprises a combination of internet and ethernet or a local area ethernet network. The timing accuracy of the digital interface is less than about 10 μs and, preferably, in the general range of 1-5 μs. Thus, the switching points for the two controllers driving a single electrode are commanded within less than 5 μs. Then, switching actually occurs within 25 [μs. At the same time, relatively less time sensitive information is received from the information network also connected to the two controllers driving the AC current to a single electrode in a tandem welding operation. The 25 μs maximum delay can be changed, but is less than the switch command accuracy. The unique control system disclosed in Houston U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,634 is used to control the power supply for tandem electrodes used primarily in pipe seam welding and disclosed in Stava U.S. Pat. No. 6,291,798. This Stava patent relates to a series of tandem electrodes movable along a welding path to lay successive welding beads in the space between the edges of a rolled pipe or the ends of two adjacent pipe sections. The individual AC waveforms used in this unique technology are created by a number of current pulses occurring at a frequency of at least 18 kHz with a magnitude of each current pulse controlled by a wave shaper. This technology dates back to Blankenship U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,390. Shaping of the waveforms in the AC currents of two adjacent tandem electrodes is known and is shown in not only the patents mentioned above, but in Stava U.S. Pat. No. 6,207,929. In this latter Stava patent, the frequency of the AC current at adjacent tandem electrodes is adjusted to prevent magnetic interference. All of these patented technologies by The Lincoln Electric Company of Cleveland, Ohio have been advances in the operation of tandem electrodes each of which is operated by a separate AC waveform created by the waveform technology set forth in these patents. These patents are incorporated by reference herein. However, these patents do not disclose the present invention which is directed to the use of such waveform technology for use in tandem welding by adjacent electrodes each using an AC current. This technology, as the normal transformer technology, has experienced difficulty in controlling the dynamics of the weld puddle. Thus, there is a need for an electric arc welding system for adjacent tandem electrodes which is specifically designed to control the dynamics and physics of the molten weld puddle during the welding operation. These advantages can not be obtained by merely changing the frequency to reduce the magnetic interference.
<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a wiring diagram of two paralleled power supplies, each of which include a switching output which power supplies are used in practicing the invention; FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side view of three tandem electrodes operated in accordance with the present invention for welding the seam of a pipe; FIG. 4 is a schematic layout in block form of a welding system for three electrodes using the disclosure in Houston U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,634 and Stava U.S. Pat. No. 6,291,798; FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a single electrode driven by the system as shown in FIG. 4 with a variable pulse generator disclosed in Houston U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,634; FIG. 6 is a current graph for one of two illustrated synchronizing pulses and showing a balanced AC waveform for one tandem electrode; FIG. 7 is a current graph superimposed upon a signal having logic to determine the polarity of the waveform as used in practicing the present invention; FIG. 8 is a current graph showing a broad aspect of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematic drawings illustrating the dynamics of the weld puddle during concurrent polarity relationships of tandem electrodes to explain the advantage of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a pair of current graphs showing the waveforms on two adjacent tandem electrodes employing the present invention; FIG. 12 is a pair of current graphs of the AC waveforms on adjacent tandem electrodes with areas of concurring polarity relationships; FIG. 13 are current graphs of the waveforms on adjacent tandem electrodes wherein the AC waveform of one electrode is substantially different waveform of the other electrode to limit the time of concurrent polarity relationships; FIG. 14 are current graphs of two sinusoidal waveforms for adjacent electrodes operated by a system in accordance with the present invention to use different shaped wave forms for the adjacent electrodes; FIG. 15 are current graphs showing waveforms at four adjacent AC arcs of tandem electrodes shaped and synchronized in accordance with an aspect of the invention; and, FIG. 16 is a schematic layout of the software program to cause switching of the paralleled power supplies as soon as the coordinated switch commands have been processed and the next coincident signal has been created. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?
20041207
20061212
20050505
68571.0
1
SHAW, CLIFFORD C
ELECTRIC ARC WELDING SYSTEM
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,006,225
ACCEPTED
Power output device of a computer power supply
A power output device of the present invention comprises a power supply having an input end for conducting electric current and an output device for supplying power to a computer. The output device has the following elements. A main cable and a sub-cable are connected to a bus on a circuit board of the power supply. An external module is formed by a substrate, a plurality of receptacles and at least one conductive wire. The substrate is connected to the power output bus of the circuit board through a bank of wires. The receptacles are positioned on the substrate and pass out of a back plate of the power supply; each receptacle being electrically connected to the printed circuits of the substrate. One end of the conductive wire has a joint for being received by the receptacle; another end of the conductive wire having a plug as a power supply end.
1. A power output device of the present invention comprising: a power supply having an input end for conducting electric current and an output device for supplying power to a computer; the output device having the following elements; a main cable connected to a bus on a circuit board of the power supply; the main cable having a plug with 20 or 24 pins for supplying power; a sub-cable connected to the bus of the circuit board of the power supply; the sub-cable having a plug of 4 pins for supplying power; an external module being formed by a substrate, a plurality of receptacles and at least one conductive wire; the substrate having printed circuits; the substrate being connected to the power output bus of the circuit board through a bank wire so as to supply power; the receptacles being positioned on the substrate and passing out of a back plate of the power supply; each receptacle being electrically connected to the printed circuits of the substrate; power output of each receptacle being independent to each other; one end of the conductive wire having a joint for being received by the receptacle; another end of the conductive wire having a plug as a power supply end. 2. The power output device of a computer power supply as claimed in claim 1, wherein one side of each receptacle having a block; the joint having a buckle ear; the conductive wire can be received into the receptacle as the buckle ear is pressed. 3. The power output device of a computer power supply as claimed in claim 1, wherein a second conductive wire is extended from the plug connected to the conductive plug and one end of the second conductive wire is connected to a second plug as a power supply end, other conductive wire can be further connected to the second plug; the structure is repeated so that a plurality of conductive wires are connected to provide more power supply ends. 4. The power output device of a computer power supply as claimed in claim 2, wherein a second conductive wire is extended from the plug connected to the conductive plug and one end of the second conductive wire is connected to a second plug as a power supply end, other conductive wire can be further connected to the second plug; the structure is repeated so that a plurality of conductive wires are connected to provide more power supply ends.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to power supplies, and in particular a power output device of a computer power supply, wherein the output wires of the power supply are arranged in order and the wire connection is improved. As a result the airflow within a computer casing is also improved so as to have a preferred heat dissipation effect. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the prior art, the personal computer includes a mainframe, a central processing unit (CPU), interface cards, and data accessing units (such as, a hard disk, a compact disk driver, a card reader), etc. All these need power supply for supplying power to the electronic devices. Referring to FIG. 1 a prior art power supply 1 is illustrated. The power supply 1 has an output wire set 11. The output wire set 11 includes a main cable 12, a sub-cable 13 and a plurality of auxiliary wires 14 for supplying power to the mainframe and central processing unit, and interface cards. A plurality of plugs 15 are connected to the auxiliary wires 14 for supplying power to data processing units, etc. However in the prior art, the cables and wires are arranged disorderly. Moreover, the computer casing is smaller and smaller, the wires and cables in the casing will interfere the airflow so that the heat dissipation in the casing is not preferred. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to a power output device of a computer power supply, wherein the output wires of the power supply are arranged in order and the wire connection is improved. As a result the airflow within a computer casing is also improved so as to have a preferred heat dissipation effect. To achieve above objects, the present invention provides a power output device of the present invention which comprises a power supply having an input end for conducting electric current and an output device for supplying power to a computer. The output device has the following elements. A main cable and a sub-cable are connected to a bus on a circuit board of the power supply. An external module is formed by a substrate, a plurality of receptacles and at least one conductive wire. The substrate is connected to the power output bus of the circuit board through a bank of wires. The receptacles are positioned on the substrate and pass out of a back plate of the power supply; each receptacle being electrically connected to the printed circuits of the substrate. One end of the conductive wire has a joint for being received by the receptacle; another end of the conductive wire having a plug as a power supply end. The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art power supply. FIG. 2 is a structural perspective view of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an assembled schematic view showing the assembly of the buckle ear and the block of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a view of the conductive wire according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In order that those skilled in the art can further understand the present invention, a description will be described in the following in details. However, these descriptions and the appended drawings are only used to cause those skilled in the art to understand the objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention, but not to be used to confine the scope and spirit of the present invention defined in the appended claims. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the structure of the power output device of a computer power supply of the present invention is illustrated. The power output device of the present invention has the following elements. A power supply 2 has an input end for conducting electric current and an output device 3 for supplying power to a computer. The output device 3 has the following elements. A main cable 31 is connected to a bus 22 on a circuit board 21 of the power supply 2. The main cable 31 has a plug 310 with 20 or 24 pins for supplying power (in the drawing, a 24 pin plug is used as an example, but this is not used to confine the scope of the present invention). A sub-cable 32 is also connected to the bus 22 of the circuit board 21 of the power supply 2. The sub-cable 32 has a plug 320 of 4 pins for supplying power. An external module 33 is formed by a substrate 34, a plurality of receptacle 35 and at least one conductive wire 36. The substrate 34 has printed circuits thereon. The substrate 34 is connected to the power output bus 22 of the circuit board 21 through a bank of wires 37 so as to supply power. The receptacles 35 are positioned on the substrate 34 and pass out of a back plate 23 of the power supply 2. One side of each receptacle 35 has a block 351. Each receptacle 35 is electrically connected to the printed circuits of the substrate 34. Power output of each receptacle 35 is independent to each other. One end of the conductive wire 36 has a joint 36a for being received by the receptacle 35. The joint 36a has a buckle ear 361. The conductive wire 36 can be received into the receptacle 35 as the buckle ear 361 is pressed. Another end of the conductive wire 36 is a plug 360 as a power supply end. In use, other than using single one plug 360, the conductive wire 36 can be connected to the sub-conductive wire 362, 362a in parallel by using the plugs 363, 363a as power supply end (referring to FIG. 4). Thereby one conductive wire 36 can provide at least two plugs, 360, 363, and 363a as power supply ends so as to be connected to data access units or other devices. The present invention is thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In the prior art, the personal computer includes a mainframe, a central processing unit (CPU), interface cards, and data accessing units (such as, a hard disk, a compact disk driver, a card reader), etc. All these need power supply for supplying power to the electronic devices. Referring to FIG. 1 a prior art power supply 1 is illustrated. The power supply 1 has an output wire set 11 . The output wire set 11 includes a main cable 12 , a sub-cable 13 and a plurality of auxiliary wires 14 for supplying power to the mainframe and central processing unit, and interface cards. A plurality of plugs 15 are connected to the auxiliary wires 14 for supplying power to data processing units, etc. However in the prior art, the cables and wires are arranged disorderly. Moreover, the computer casing is smaller and smaller, the wires and cables in the casing will interfere the airflow so that the heat dissipation in the casing is not preferred.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to a power output device of a computer power supply, wherein the output wires of the power supply are arranged in order and the wire connection is improved. As a result the airflow within a computer casing is also improved so as to have a preferred heat dissipation effect. To achieve above objects, the present invention provides a power output device of the present invention which comprises a power supply having an input end for conducting electric current and an output device for supplying power to a computer. The output device has the following elements. A main cable and a sub-cable are connected to a bus on a circuit board of the power supply. An external module is formed by a substrate, a plurality of receptacles and at least one conductive wire. The substrate is connected to the power output bus of the circuit board through a bank of wires. The receptacles are positioned on the substrate and pass out of a back plate of the power supply; each receptacle being electrically connected to the printed circuits of the substrate. One end of the conductive wire has a joint for being received by the receptacle; another end of the conductive wire having a plug as a power supply end. The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawing.
20041207
20070306
20060518
64530.0
H02M100
2
NGUYEN, MATTHEW VAN
POWER OUTPUT DEVICE OF A COMPUTER POWER SUPPLY
SMALL
0
ACCEPTED
H02M
2,004
11,006,388
ACCEPTED
Apparatus and method for encoding/decoding transport format combination indicator in CDMA mobile communication system
An apparatus and method for encoding/decoding a transport format combination indicator (TFCI) in a CDMA mobile communication system. In the TFCI encoding apparatus, a one-bit generator generates a sequence having the same symbols. A basis orthogonal sequence generator generates a plurality of basis orthogonal sequences. A basis mask sequence generator generates a plurality of basis mask sequences. An operation unit receives TFCI bits that are divided into a first information part representing biorthogonal sequence conversion, a second information part representing orthogonal sequence conversion, and a third information part representing mask sequence conversion and combines an orthogonal sequence selected from the basis orthogonal sequence based on the second information, a biorthogonal sequence obtained by combining the selected orthogonal sequence with the same symbols selected based on the first information part, and a mask sequence selected based on the biorthogonal sequence and the third information part, thereby generating a TFCI sequence.
1. A TFCI encoding apparatus in a CDMA mobile communication system, comprising: an orthogonal sequence generator for generating a plurality of basis biorthogonal sequences; a mask sequence generator for generating a plurality of basis mask sequences; and an operation unit for adding a basis biorthogonal sequence and a basis mask sequence selected among the basis biorthogonal sequences and the basis mask sequences according to TFCI bits. 2. The TFCI encoding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of basis biorthogonal sequences are a first Walsh code, a second Walsh code, a fourth Walsh code, an eighth Walsh code, a sixteenth Walsh code and an all “1” sequence which converts the orthogonal sequences to the biorthogonal sequences. 3. The TFCI encoding apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of biorthogonal sequences are Walsh codes and bi-orthogonal complement sequences of the Walsh codes. 4. The TFCI encoding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mask sequence generator has a first m-sequence and a second m-sequence which can be added together to form a Gold code, forms a first sequence group having sequences formed by cyclically shifting the first m-sequence and a second sequence group having sequences formed by cyclically shifting the second m-sequence, generates and applies a column transposition function to the sequences in the first group to convert the sequences in the first group to orthogonal sequences, inserts a column of ‘0’ in the front of the sequences in the second group, and generates and applies a reverse column transposition function to the sequences in the second group to convert the sequences in the second group to mask sequences. 5. The TFCI encoding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the basis mask sequences are a first mask sequence “00101000011000111111000001110111”, a second mask sequence “00000001110011010110110111000111”, a fourth mask sequence “00001010111110010001101100101011”, and an eighth mask sequence “00011100001101110010111101010001”. 6. The TFCI encoding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the operation unit comprises: a plurality of first multipliers for multiplying the basis biorthogonal sequences by corresponding TFCI bits; a plurality of second multipliers for multiplying the basis mask sequences by corresponding TFCI bits; and an adder for adding the outputs of the first and second multipliers and generating the sum as the TFCI sequence. 7. The TFCI encoding apparatus of claim 6, wherein the same symbols are Is. 8. The TFCI encoding apparatus of claim 6, wherein the plurality of basis orthogonal sequences are a first Walsh code, a second Walsh code, a fourth Walsh code, an eighth Walsh code, and a sixteenth Walsh code. 9. An apparatus for encoding TFCI bits including first information bits and second information bits in a CDMA mobile communication system, comprising: an orthogonal sequence generator for generating a plurality of biorthogonal sequences and outputting a biorthogonal sequence selected based on the first information bits among the plurality of biorthogonal sequences; a mask sequence generator for generating a plurality of mask sequences and outputting a mask sequence selected based on the second information bits among the plurality of mask sequences; and an adder for adding the biorthogonal sequence and the mask sequence received from the orthogonal sequence generator. 10. The TFCI encoding apparatus of claim 9, wherein the mask sequence generator has a first m-sequence and a second m-sequence which can be added together to form a Gold code, forms a first sequence group having sequences formed by cyclically shifting the first m-sequence and a second sequence group having sequences formed by cyclically shifting the second m-sequence, generates and applies a column transposition function to the sequences in the first group to convert the sequences in the first group to orthogonal sequences, inserts a column of ‘0’ in the front of the sequences in the second group, and generates and applies a reverse column transposition function to the sequences in the second group to convert the sequences in the second group to the mask sequences. 11. A TFCI encoding method in a CDMA mobile communication system, comprising the steps of: generating a plurality of basis biorthogonal sequences; generating a plurality of basis mask sequences; and adding a basis biorthogonal sequence and a basis mask sequence selected among the basis biorthogonal sequences and the basis mask sequences according to TFCI bits. 12. The TFCI encoding method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of basis biorthogonal sequences are a first Walsh code, a second Walsh code, a fourth Walsh code, an eighth Walsh code, a sixteenth Walsh code and an all “1” sequence which converts the orthogonal sequences to the biorthogonal sequences. 13. The TFCI encoding apparatus of claim 11, wherein the mask sequence generator has a first m-sequence and a second m-sequence which can be added together to form a Gold code, forms a first sequence group having sequences formed by cyclically shifting the first m-sequence and a second sequence group having sequences formed by cyclically shifting the second m-sequence, generates and applies a column transposition function to the sequences in the first group to convert the sequences in the first group to orthogonal sequences, inserts a column of ‘0’ in the front of the sequences in the second group, and generates and applies a reverse column transposition function to the sequences in the second group to convert the sequences in the second group to the mask sequences. 14. The TFCI encoding method of claim 11, wherein the basis mask sequences are a first mask sequence “00101000011000111111000001110111”, a second mask sequence “00000001110011010110110111000111”, a fourth mask sequence “00001010111110010001101100101011”, and an eighth mask sequence “00011100001101110010111101010001”. 15. The TFCI encoding method of claim 11, wherein the basis orthogonal sequences are multiplied by corresponding TFCI bits, the basis mask sequences are multiplied by corresponding TFCI bits, and the multiplication results are added to the TFCI sequence in the TFCI sequence generating step. 16. A method of encoding TFCI bits including first information bits and second information bits in a CDMA mobile communication system, comprising the steps of: generating a plurality of biorthogonal sequences and outputting a biorthogonal sequence selected based on the first information bits among the plurality of biorthogonal sequences; generating a plurality of mask sequences and outputting a mask sequence selected based on the second information bits among the plurality of mask sequences; and adding the selected biorthogonal sequence and the selected mask sequence. 17. The TFCI encoding method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of biorthogonal sequences are Walsh codes and complement codes of the Walsh codes. 18. The TFCI encoding apparatus of claim 16, wherein the mask sequence generator has a first m-sequence and a second m-sequence which can be added together to form a Gold code, forms a first sequence group having sequences formed by cyclically shifting the first m-sequence and a second sequence group having sequences formed by cyclically shifting the second m-sequence, generates and applies a column transposition function to the sequences in the first group to convert the sequences in the first group to orthogonal sequences, inserts a column of ‘0’ in the front of the sequences in the second group, and generates and applies a reverse column transposition function to the sequences in the second group to convert the sequences in the second group to the mask sequences. 19. A TFCI encoding method in a CDMA mobile communication system, comprising the steps of: generating the same symbols; generating a plurality of basis orthogonal sequences; generating a plurality of basis mask sequences; receiving TFCI bits and multiplying the same symbols by corresponding TFCI bits, the plurality of basis orthogonal sequences by corresponding TFCI bits, and the plurality of basis mask sequences by corresponding TFCI bits; and adding the multiplication results. 20. The TFCI encoding method of claim 19, wherein the same symbols are Is. 21. The TFCI encoding method of claim 19, wherein the plurality of basis orthogonal sequences are a first Walsh code, a second Walsh code, a fourth Walsh code, an eighth Walsh code, and a sixteenth Walsh code. 22. The TFCI encoding apparatus of claim 19, wherein the mask sequence generator has a first m-sequence and a second m-sequence which can be added together to form a Gold code, forms a first sequence group having sequences formed by cyclically shifting the first m-sequence and a second sequence group having sequences formed by cyclically shifting the second m-sequence, generates and applies a column transposition function to the sequences in the first group to convert the sequences in the first group to the orthogonal sequences, inserts a column of ‘0’ in the front of the sequences in the second group, and generates and applies a reverse column transposition function to the sequences in the second group to convert the sequences in the second group to the mask sequences. 23. The TFCI encoding method of claim 19, wherein the basis mask sequences are a first mask sequence “00101000011000111111000001110111”, a second mask sequence “00000001110011010110110111000111”, a fourth mask sequence “00001010111110010001101100101011”, and an eighth mask sequence “00011100001101110010111101010001”. 24. A TFCI decoding apparatus in a CDMA mobile communication system, comprising: a mask sequence generator for generating at least one mask sequence; at least one operation circuit for receiving an input signal and the generated mask sequence and removing the mask sequences from the input signal by multiplying the mask sequence by the input signal; and at least one correlator for receiving the signal from the operation circuit, calculating correlation values of the received signal with a plurality of orthogonal sequences numbered with corresponding indexes, and selecting the largest of the calculated correlation value and the orthogonal sequence index corresponding to the largest correlation value. 25. The TFCI encoding apparatus of claim 24, wherein the mask sequence generator has a first m-sequence and a second m-sequence which can be added together to form a Gold code, forms a first sequence group having sequences formed by cyclically shifting the first m-sequence and a second sequence group having sequences formed by cyclically shifting the second m-sequence, generates and applies a column transposition function to the sequences in the first group to convert the sequences in the first group to orthogonal sequences, inserts a column of ‘0’ in the front of the sequences in the second group, and generates and applies a reverse column transposition function to the sequences in the second group to convert the sequences in the second group to the mask sequences. 26. The TFCI decoding apparatus of claim 24, wherein the operation circuit is a multiplier. 27. The TFCI decoding apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a correlation comparator for determining the largest correlation value received from a plurality of correlators and generating an orthogonal sequence index and a mask sequence index corresponding to the largest correlation value. 28. The TFCI decoding apparatus of claim 27, wherein the mask sequence index is the index of the mask sequence used to remove a mask sequence from the input signal. 29. A TFCI decoding method in a CDMA mobile communication system, comprising the steps of: generating at least one mask sequence; receiving an input signal and the mask sequence and removing a mask sequence from the input signal by multiplying the mask sequence by the input signal; receiving the product signal, calculating correlation values of the product signal with a plurality of orthogonal sequences having corresponding indexes; and selecting the largest correlation value from the calculated correlation values and outputting an orthogonal sequence index corresponding to the largest correlation value. 30. The TFCI encoding apparatus of claim 29, wherein the mask sequence generator has a first m-sequence and a second m-sequence which can be added together to form a Gold code, forms a first sequence group having sequences formed by cyclically shifting the first m-sequence and a second sequence group having sequences formed by cyclically shifting the second m-sequence, generates and applies a column transposition function to the sequences in the first group to convert the sequences in the first group to orthogonal sequences, inserts a column of ‘0’ in the front of the sequences in the second group, and generates and applies a reverse column transposition function to the sequences in the second group to convert the sequences in the second group to the mask sequences. 31. The TFCI decoding method of claim 29, further comprising the step of determining the highest correlation value from the selected largest correlation values obtained by selecting the largest correlation value from the calculated correlation values; and outputting an orthogonal sequence index and a mask sequence index corresponding to the determined highest correlation value. 32. The TFCI decoding apparatus of claim 31, wherein the mask sequence index is the index of the mask sequence used to remove a mask sequence from the input signal corresponding to the highest correlation value. 33. A TFCI decoding method in a CDMA mobile communication system, comprising the steps of: generating a plurality of mask sequences; receiving an input signal and the mask sequences and removing a mask sequence from the input signal by multiplying the mask sequences by the input signal; receiving the product signals, calculating correlation values of each of the product signals with a plurality of orthogonal sequences having corresponding indexes, and selecting the largest correlation values and orthogonal sequence indexes corresponding to the largest correlation values; and determining the highest correlation value from the largest correlation values and outputting an orthogonal sequence index and a mask sequence index corresponding to the determined highest correlation value. 34. The TFCI encoding apparatus of claim 33, wherein the mask sequence generator has a first m-sequence and a second m-sequence which can be added together to form a Gold code, forms a first sequence group having sequences formed by cyclically shifting the first m-sequence and a second sequence group having sequences formed by cyclically shifting the second m-sequence, generates and applies a column transposition function to the sequences in the first group to convert the sequences in the first group to orthogonal sequences, inserts a column of ‘0’ in the front of the sequences in the second group, and generates and applies a reverse column transposition function to the sequences in the second group to convert the sequences in the second group to the mask sequences. 35. The TFCI decoding method of claim 33, wherein the mask sequence index is the index of the mask sequence used to remove a mask sequence from the input signal corresponding to the highest correlation value. 36. A TFCI decoding method in a CDMA mobile communication system, comprising the steps of: generating a plurality of mask sequences; receiving an input signal and the mask sequences and multiplying each mask sequence by the input signal; receiving the multiplied signals and calculating correlation values of each of the received multiplied signals with a plurality of orthogonal sequences having corresponding indexes; selecting the largest correlation value among the calculated correlation values for each of the multiplied signals and an orthogonal sequence index corresponding to the largest correlation value; and; determining the highest correlation value from all of the largest correlation values and an orthogonal code index corresponding to the highest correlation value. 37. The TFCI encoding apparatus of claim 36, wherein the mask sequence generator has a first m-sequence and a second m-sequence which can be added together to form a Gold code, forms a first sequence group having sequences formed by cyclically shifting the first m-sequence and a second sequence group having sequences formed by cyclically shifting the second m-sequence, generates and applies a column transposition function to the sequences in the first group to convert the sequences in the first group to orthogonal sequences, inserts a column of ‘0’ in the front of the sequences in the second group, and generates and applies a reverse column transposition function to the sequences in the second group to convert the sequences in the second group to the mask sequences. 38. The TFCI decoding method of claim 26, wherein the mask sequence index is the index of the mask sequence used to remove a mask sequence from the input signal corresponding to the highest correlation value.
PRIORITY This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/611,069, filed Jul. 6, 2000, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to an application entitled “Apparatus And Method For Encoding/Decoding Transport Format Combination Indicator In CDMA Mobile Communication System” filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jul. 6, 1999 and assigned Serial No. 1999-27932, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to an information transmitting apparatus and method in an IMT 2000 system, and in particular, to an apparatus and method for transmitting a transport format combination indicator (TFCI). 2. Description of the Related Art A CDMA mobile communication system (hereinafter, referred to as an IMT 2000 system) generally transmits frames that provide a voice service, an image service, a character service on a physical channel such as a dedicated physical data channel (DPDCH) at a fixed or variable data rate. In the case where the data frames which include that sort of services are transmitted at a fixed data rate, there is no need to inform a receiver of the spreading rate of each data frame. On the other hand, if the data frames are transmitted at a variable data rate, which implies that each data frame has a different data rate, a transmitter should inform the receiver of the spreading rate of each data frame determined by its data rate. A data rate is proportional to a data transmission rate and the data transmission rate is inversely proportional to a spreading rate in a general IMT 2000 system. For transmission of data frames at a variable data rate, a TFCI field of a DPCCH informs a receiver of the data rate of the current service frame. The TFCI field includes a TFCI indicating a lot of information including the data rate of a service frame. The TFCI is information that helps a voice or data service to reliably be provided. FIGS. 1A to 1D illustrate examples of applications of a TFCI. FIG. 1A illustrates application of the TFCI to an uplink DPDCH and an uplink dedicated physical control channel (DPCCH). FIG. 1B illustrates application of the TFCI to a random access channel (RACH). FIG. 1C illustrates application of the TFCI to a downlink DPDCH and a downlink DPCCH. FIG. 1D illustrates application of the TFCI to a secondary common control physical channel (SCCPCH). Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1D, one frame is comprised of 16 slots and each slot has a TFCI field. Thus, one frame includes 16 TFCI fields. A TFCI field includes NTFCI bits and a TFCI generally has 32 bits in a frame. To transmit the 32-bit TFCI in one frame, 2 TFCI bits can be assigned to each of the 16 slots (Tslot=0.625 ms). FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a base station transmitter in a general IMT 2000 system. Referring to FIG. 2, multipliers 211, 231, and 232 multiply input signals by gain coefficients G1, G3, and G5. Multipliers 221, 241, and 242 multiply TFCI codewords (TFCI code symbols) received from corresponding TFCI encoders by gain coefficients G2, G4, and G6. The gain coefficients G1 to G6 may have different values according to service types or handover situations. The input signals include pilots and power control signals (TPCs) of a DPCCH and a DPDCH data. A multiplexer 212 inserts 32 bit TFCI code symbols(TFCI codeword) received from the multiplier 221 into the TFCI fields as shown in FIG 1C. A multiplexer 242 inserts 32-bit TFCI code symbols received from the multiplier 241 into the TFCI fields. A multiplexer 252 inserts 32-bit TFCI code symbols received from the multiplier 242 into the TFCI fields. Insertion of TFCI code symbols into TFCI fields is shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D. The 32 code symbols are obtained by encoding TFCI bits(information bits) that define the data rate of a data signal on a corresponding data channel. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd serial to parallel converters (S/Ps) 213, 233, and 234 separate the outputs of the multiplexers 212, 242, and 252 into I channels and Q channels. Multipliers 214, 222, and 235 to 238 multiply the outputs of the S/Ps 213, 233, and 234 by channelization codes Cch1, Cch2, and Cch3. The channelization codes are orthogonal codes. A first summer 215 sums the outputs of the multipliers 214, 235, and 237 and generates an I channel signal and a second summer 223 sums the outputs of the multipliers 222, 236, and 238 and generates a Q channel signal. A phase shifter 224 shifts the phase of the Q channel signal received from the second summer 223 by 90°. A summer 216 adds the outputs of the first summer 215 and the phase shifter 224 and generates a complex signal I+jQ. A multiplier 217 scrambles the complex signal with a complex PN sequence Cscramb assigned to the base station. A signal processor(S/P) 218 separates the scrambled signal into an I channel and a Q channel. Low-pass filters (LPFs) 219 and 225 limits the bandwidths of the I channel and Q channel signals received from the S/P 218 by low-pass-filtering. Multipliers 220 and 226 multiply the outputs of the LPFs 219 and 225 by carriers cos(2πfct) and sin(2πfct), respectively, thereby transforming the outputs of the LPFs 219 and 225 to an RF (Radio Frequency) band. A summer 227 sums the RF I channel and Q channel signals. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a mobile station transmitter in the general IMT 2000 system. Referring to FIG. 3, multipliers 311, 321, and 323 multiply corresponding signals by channelization codes Cch1, Cch2, and Cch3. Signals 1, 2, 3 are first, second and third DPDCH signal. An input signal 4 includes pilots and TPCs of a DPCCH.TFCI information bits are encoded into 32 bit TFCI code symbols by a TFCI encoder 309. A multiplier 310 inserts a 32 bit TFCI code symbols into the signal 4 as shown in FIG. 1A. A multiplier 325 multiplies a DPCCH signal which include TFCI code symbol received from the multiplier 310 by a channelization code Cch4. The channelization codes Cch1 to Cch4 are orthogonal codes. The 32 TFCI code symbols are obtained by encoding TFCI information bits that define the data rate of the DPDCH signals. Multipliers 312, 322, 324, and 326 multiply the outputs of the multipliers 311, 321, 323, and 325 by gain coefficients G1to G4, respectably. The gain coefficients G1 to G4 may have different values. A first summer 313 generates an I channel signal by adding the outputs of the multipliers 312 and 322. A second summer 327 generates a Q channel signal by adding the outputs of the multipliers 324 and 326. A phase shifter 328 shifts the phase of the Q channel signal received from the second summer 327 by 90°. A summer 314 adds the outputs of the first summer 313 and the phase shifter 328 and generates a complex signal I+jQ. A multiplier 315 scrambles the complex signal with a PN sequence Cscramb assigned to a base station. An S/P 329 divides the scrambled signal into an I channel and a Q channel. LPFs 316 and 330 low-pass-filter the I channel and Q channel signals received from the S/P 329 and generate signals with limited bandwidths. Multipliers 317 and 331 multiply the outputs of the LPFs 316 and 330 by carriers cos(2πfct) and sin(2πfct), respectively, thereby transforming the outputs of the LPFs 316 and 330 to an RF band. A summer 318 sums the RF I channel and Q channel signals. TFCIs are categorized into a basic TFCI and an extended TFCI. The basic TFCI represents 1 to 64 different information including the data rates of corresponding data channels using 6 TFCI information bits, whereas the extended TFCI represents 1 to 128, 1 to 256, 1 to 512, or 1 to 1024 different information using 7, 8, 9 or 10 TFCI information bits. The extended TFCI has been suggested to satisfy the requirement of the IMT 2000 system for more various services. TFCI bits are essential for a receiver to receive data frames received from a transmitter. That is the reason why unreliable transmission of the TFCI information bits due to transmission errors lead to wrong interpretation of the frames in the receiver. Therefore, the transmitter encodes the TFCI bits with an error correcting code prior to transmission so that the receiver can correct possibly generated errors in the TFCI. FIG. 4A conceptionally illustrates a basic TFCI bits encoding structure in a conventional IMT 2000 system and FIG. 4B is an exemplary encoding table applied to a biorthogonal encoder shown in FIG. 4A. As stated above, the basic TFCI has 6 TFCI bits (hereinafter, referred to as basic TFCI bits) that indicate 1 to 64 different information. Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a biorthogonal encoder 402 receives basic TFCI bits and outputs 32 coded symbols(TFCI codeword or TFCI code symbol). The basic TFCI is basically expressed in 6 bits. Therefore, in the case where a basic TFCI bits of less than 6 bits are applied to the biorthogonal encoder 402, 0s are added to the left end, i.e., MSB (Most Significant Bit) of the basic TFCI bits to increase the number of the basic TFCI bits to 6. The biorthogonal encoder 402has a predetermined encoding table as shown in FIG. 4B to output 32 coded symbols for the input of the 6 basic TFCI bits. As shown in FIG. 4B, the encoding table lists 32(32-symbol) orthogonal codewords c32.1 to c32.32 and 32 biorthogonal codewords {overscore (c32.1)} to {overscore (c32.32)} that are the complements of the codewords c32.1 to c32.32. If the LSB (Least Significant Bit) of the basic TFCI is 1, the biorthogonal encoder 402 selects out of the 32 biorthogonal codewords. If the LSB is 0, the biorthogonal encoder 402 selects out of the 32 orthogonal codewords. One of the selected orthogonal codewords or biorthogonal codewords is then selected based on the other TFCI bits. A TFCI codeword should have powerful error correction capability as stated before. The error correction capability of binary linear codes depends on the minimum distance (dmin) between the binary linear codes. A minimum distance for optimal binary linear codes is described in “An Updated Table of Minimum-Distance Bounds for Binary Linear Codes”, A. E. Brouwer and Tom Verhoeff, IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, vol. 39, No. 2, March 1993 (hereinafter, referred to as reference 1). Reference 1 gives 16 as a minimum distance for binary linear codes by which 32 bits are output for the input of 6 bits. TFCI codewords output from the biorthogonal encoder 402 has a minimum distance of 16, which implies that the TFCI codewords are optimal codes. FIG. 5A conceptionally illustrates an extended TFCI bits encoding structure in the conventional IMT 2000 system, FIG. 5B is an exemplary algorithm of distributing TFCI bits in a controller shown in FIG. 5A, and FIG. 5C illustrates an exemplary encoding table applied to biorthogonal encoders shown in FIG. 5A. An extended TFCI is also defined by the number of TFCI bits. That is, the extended TFCI includes 7, 8, 9 or 10 TFCI bits (hereinafter, referred to as extended TFCI bits) that represent 1 to 128, 1 to 256, 1 to 512, or 1 to 1024 different information, as stated before. Referring to FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, a controller 500 divides TFCI bits into two halves. For example, for the input of 10 extended TFCI bits, the controller 500 outputs the first half of the extended TFCI as first TFCI bits (word 1) and the last half as second TFCI bits (word 2). The extended TFCI are basically expressed in 10 bits. Therefore, in the case where an extended TFCI bits of less than 10 bits are input, the controller 500 adds 0s to the MSB of the extended TFCI bits to represent the extended TFCI in 10 bits. Then, the controller 500 divides the 10 extended TFCI bits into word 1 and word 2. Word 1 and word 2 are fed to biorthogonal encoders 502 and 504, respectively. A method of separating the extended TFCI bits a1 to a10 into word 1 and word 2 is illustrated in FIG. 5B. The biorthogonal encoder 502 generates a first TFCI codeword having 16 symbols by encoding word 1 received from the controller 500. The biorthogonal encoder 504 generates a second TFCI codeword having 16 symbols by encoding word 2 received from the controller 500. The biorthogonal encoders 502 and 504 have predetermined encoding tables to output the 16-symbol TFCI codewords for the two 5-bit TFCI inputs (word 1 and word 2). An exemplary encoding table is illustrated in FIG. 5C. As shown in FIG. 5C, the encoding table lists 16 orthogonal codewords of length 16 bits c16.1 to c16.16 and biorthogonal codewords {overscore (c16.1)} to {overscore (c16.16)} that are the complements of the 16 orthogonal codewords. If the LSB of 5 TFCI bits is 1, a biorthogonal encoder (502 or 504) selects the 16 biorthogonal codewords. If the LSB is 0, the biorthogonal encoder selects the 16 orthogonal codewords. Then, the biorthogonal encoder selects one of the selected orthogonal codewords or biorthogonal codewords based on the other TFCI bits and outputs the selected codeword as the first or second TFCI codeword. A multiplexer 510 multiplexes the first and second TFCI codewords to a final 32-symbol TFCI codeword. Upon receipt of the 32-symbol TFCI codeword, a receiver decodes the TFCI codeword separately in halves (word 1 and word 2) and obtains 10 TFCI bits by combining the two decoded 5-bit TFCI halves. In this situation, a possible error even in one of the decoded 5-bit TFCI output during decoding leads to an error over the 10 TFCI bits. An extended TFCI codeword also should have a powerful error correction capability. To do so, the extended TFCI codeword should have the minimum distance as suggested in reference 1. In consideration of the number 10 of extended TFCI bits and the number 32 of the symbols of a TFCI codeword, reference 1 gives 12 as a minimum distance for an optimal code. Yet, a TFCI codeword output from the structure shown in FIG. SA has a minimum distance of 8 because an error in at least one of word 1 and word 2 during decoding results in an error in the whole 10 TFCI bits. That is, although extended TFCI bits are encoded separately in halves, a minimum distance between final TFCI codewords is equal to a minimum distance 8 between codeword outputs of the biorthogonal encoders 502 and 504. Therefore, a TFCI codeword transmitted from the encoding structure shown in FIG. 5A is not optimal, which may increase an error probability of TFCI bits in the same radio channel environment. With the increase of the TFCI bit error probability, the receiver misjudges the data rate of received data frames and decodes the data frames with an increased error rate, thereby decreasing the efficiency of the IMT 2000 system. According to the conventional technology, separate hardware structures are required to support the basic TFCI and the extended TFCI. As a result, constraints are imposed on implementation of an IMT 2000 system in terms of cost and system size. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for encoding an extended TFCI in an IMT 2000 system. It is also an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for encoding a basic TFCI and an extended TFCI compatibly in an IMT 2000 system. It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for decoding an extended TFCI in an IMT 2000 system. It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for decoding a basic TFCI and an extended TFCI compatibly in an IMT 2000 system. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for generating an optimal code by encoding an extended TFCI in an IMT 2000 system. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of generating mask sequences for use in encoding/decoding an extended TFCI in an IMT 2000 system. To achieve the above objects, there is provided a TFCI encoding/decoding apparatus and method in a CDMA mobile communication system. In the TFCI encoding apparatus, a one-bit generator generates a sequence having the same symbols. A basis orthogonal sequence generator generates a plurality of basis orthogonal sequences. A basis mask sequence generator generates a plurality of basis mask sequences. An operation unit receives TFCI bits that are divided into a 1st information part representing biorthogonal sequence conversion, a 2nd information part representing orthogonal sequence conversion, and a 3rd information part representing mask sequence conversion and combines an orthogonal sequence selected from the basis orthogonal sequence based on the 2nd information, a biorthogonal sequence obtained by combining the selected orthogonal sequence with the same symbols selected based on the 1st information part, and a mask sequence selected based on the biorthogonal code sequence and the 3rd information part, thereby generating a TFCI sequence. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: FIGS. 1A to 1D illustrate exemplary applications of a TFCI to channel frames in a general IMT 2000 system; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a base station transmitter in the general IMT 2000 system; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a mobile station transmitter in the general IMT 2000 system; FIG. 4A conceptionally illustrates a basic TFCI encoding structure in a conventional IMT 2000 system; FIG. 4B is an example of an encoding table used in a biorthogonal encoder shown in FIG. 4A; FIG. 5A conceptionally illustrates an extended TFCI encoding structure in the conventional IMT 2000 system; FIG. 5B is an example of an algorithm of distributing TFCI bits in a controller shown in FIG. 5A; FIG. 5C is an example of an encoding table used in biorthogonal encoders shown in FIG. 5A; FIG. 6 conceptionally illustrates a TFCI encoding structure in an IMT 2000 system according to the present invention; FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a mask sequence generating procedure for TFCI encoding in the IMT 2000 system according to the present invention; FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a TFCI encoding apparatus in the IMT 2000 system according to the present invention; FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a TFCI decoding apparatus in the IMT 2000 system according to the present invention; FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of a correlation comparator shown in FIG.9; FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a TFCI encoding procedure in the IMT 2000 system according to the present invention; FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of the TFCI encoding procedure in the IMT 2000 system according to the present invention; FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of the structures of orthogonal sequences and mask sequences determined by a TFCI according to the present invention; FIG. 14 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the TFCI encoding apparatus in the IMT 2000 system according to the present invention; FIG. 15 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the TFCI decoding apparatus in the IMT 2000 system according to the present invention; FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of the TFCI encoding procedure in the IMT 2000 system according to the present invention; and FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the TFCI decoding apparatus in the IMT 2000 system according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail. The present invention is directed to a TFCI encoding concept of outputting final code symbols (a TFCI codeword) by adding first code symbols (a first TFCI codeword) resulting from first TFCI bits and second code symbols (a second TFCI codeword) resulting from second TFCI bits in an IMT 2000 system. The TFCI encoding concept is shown in FIG. 6. Here, a biorthogonal sequence and a mask sequence are given as the first TFCI codeword and the second TFCI codeword, respectively. Referring to FIG. 6, TFCI bits are separated into the first TFCI bits and the second TFCI bits. A mask sequence generator 602 generates a predetermined mask sequence by encoding the second TFCI bits and a biorthogonal sequence generator 604 generates a predetermined biorthogonal sequence by encoding the first TFCI bits. An adder 610 adds the mask sequence and the biorthogonal sequence and outputs final code symbols (a TFCI codeword). The mask sequence generator 602 may have an encoding table that lists mask sequences for all possible second TFCI bits. The biorthogonal sequence generator 604 may also have an encoding table that lists biorthogonal sequences for all possible first TFCI bits. As described above, mask sequences and a mask sequence generating method should be defined to implement the present invention. Walsh codes are given as orthogonal sequences by way of example in embodiments of the present invention. 1. Mask Sequence Generating Method The present invention pertains to encoding and decoding of TFCI bits and use of an extended Reed Muller code in an IMT 2000 system. For this purpose, predetermined sequences are used and the sequences should have a minimum distance that ensures excellent error correction performance. A significant parameter that determines the performance or capability of a linear error correcting code is a minimum distance between codewords of the error correcting code. The Hamming weight of a codeword is the number of its symbols other than 0. If a codeword is given as “0111”, its Hamming weight is 3. The smallest Hamming weight of a codeword except all “0” codeword is called a minimum weight and the minimum distance of each binary linear code is equal to the minimum weight. A linear error correcting code has a better error correcting performance as its minimum distance is increased. For details, see “The Theory of Error-Correcting Codes”, F. J. Macwilliams and N. J. A. Sloane, North-Holland (hereinafter, referred to as reference 2). An extended Reed Muller code can be derived from a set of sequences each being the sum of the elements of an m-sequence and a predetermined sequence. To use the sequence set as a linear error correcting code, the sequence set should have a large minimum distance. Such sequence sets include a Kasami sequence set, a Gold sequence set, and a Kerdock sequence set. If the total length of a sequence in such a sequence set is L=22m, a minimum distance=(22m−2m)/2. For L=22m+1, the minimum distance=(22m+1−22m)/2. That is, if L=32, the minimum distance=12. A description will be made of a method of generating a linear error correcting code with excellent performance, i.e., an extended error correcting code (Walsh codes and mask sequences). According to a coding theory, there is a column transposition function for making Walsh codes from m-sequences in a group which has been formed by cyclically shifting an originating m-sequence by one to ‘n’ times, where the ‘n’ is a length of the m-sequence. In other words, each of the m-sequences is formed by cyclically shifting the originating m-sequence by a particular number of times. The column transposition function is a converting function which converts the sequences in the m-sequence group to Walsh codes. We assume there is a sequence such as a Gold sequence or a Kasami sequence which is formed by adding the originating m-sequence with another originating m-sequence. Another group of m-sequences is similarly formed by cyclically shifting the other originating m-sequence one to ‘n’ times, where ‘n’ is the length of the predetermined sequence. Afterwards, a reverse column transposition function is applied to the second group of m-sequences formed from the other originating m-sequence. The application of the reverse column transposition function to the second group of m-sequences creates another set of sequences which shall be defined as mask sequences. In an embodiment of the present invention, a mask sequence generating method is described in connection with generation of a (2n, n+k) code (extended Reed Muller code) (here, k=1, . . . , n+1) using a Gold sequence set. The (2n, n+k) code represents output of a 2n-symbol TFCI codeword for the input of (n+k) TFCI bits (input information bits). It is well known that a Gold sequence can be expressed as the sum of two different m-sequences. To generate the (2n, n+k) code, therefore, Gold sequences of length (2n−1) should be produced. Here, a Gold sequence is the sum of two m-sequences m1(t) and m2(t) that are generated from generator polynomials f1(x) and f2(x). Given the generator polynomials f1(x) and f2(x), the m-sequences m1(t) and m2(t) are computed using a Trace function. m 1 ⁡ ( t ) = Tr ⁡ ( A ⁢ ⁢ α t ) ⁢ ⁢ t = 0 , 1 , … ⁢ , 30 ⁢ ⁢ and Tr ⁡ ( a ) = ∑ k = 0 n - 1 ⁢ a 2 ⁢ k , ⁢ a ∈ G ⁢ ⁢ F ⁡ ( 2 n ) ( Eq . ⁢ 1 ) where A is determined by the initial value of an m-sequence, α is the root of the polynomial, and n is the order of the polynomial. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a mask sequence generating procedure for use in generating a (2n, n+k) code from a Gold sequence set. Referring to FIG. 7, m-sequences m1(t) and m2(t) are generated in Eq. 1 using the generator polynomials f1(x) and f2(x), respectively in step 710. In step 712, a sequence transposition function σ(t) is calculated to make Walsh codes from a sequence set having m-sequences formed by cyclically shifting m2(t) 0 to n-2 times where all ‘0’ column is inserted in front of the m-sequences made from m2(t), as shown below: σ ⁢ : ⁢ ⁢ { 0 , 1 , 2 , … ⁢ , 2 n - 2 } -> { 1 , 2 , 3 , … ⁢ , 2 n - 1 } σ ⁡ ( t ) = ∑ i = 0 n - 1 ⁢ m 2 ⁡ ( t + i ) ⁢ 2 n - 1 - i ⁢ ⁢ t = 0 , 1 , 2 , … ( Eq . ⁢ 2 ) A set of 31 sequences produced by cyclically shifting the m-sequence m1(t) 0 to 30 times are column-transposed with the use of σ−1(t)+2 derived from the reverse function of σ(t) in step 730. Then, 0s are added to the start of each of the resulting column-transposed sequences to make the length of the sequence 2n. Thus, a set di(t) of (2n−1) sequences of length 2n (i=0, . . . , 2n−2, t=1, . . . , 2n) are generated. { d i ⁡ ( t ) ❘ t = 1 , … ⁢ , 2 n , i = 0 , … ⁢ , 2 n - 2 } d i ⁡ ( t ) = ( 0 , if , t = 1 m 1 ⁡ ( σ - 1 ⁡ ( t + i ) + 2 ) , if , t = 2 , 3 , … ⁢ , 2 n ) ( Eq . ⁢ 3 ) A plurality of di(t) are mask functions that can be used as 31 masks. di(t) is characterized in that two different masks among the above masks are added to one of (2n−1) masks except for the two masks. To further generalize it, each of the (2n−1) masks can be expressed as the sum of at least two of particular n masks. The n masks are called basis mask sequences. When the (2n, n+k) code is to be generated, the total number of necessary codewords is 2n+k for n+k input information bits (TFCI bits). The number of 2n orthogonal sequences (Walsh sequences) and their complements, i.e. biorthogonal sequences, is 2n×2=2n+1. 2k−1−1(=(2n+k/2n+1)−1) masks that are not 0s are needed for generation of the (2n, n+k) code. Here, the 2k−1−1 masks can be expressed by the use of k−1 basis mask sequences, as stated before. Now, a description will be given of a method of selecting the k−1 basis mask sequences. The m-sequence m1(t) is cyclically shifted 0 to 2n−1 times to generate a set of sequences in step 730 of FIG. 7. Here, an m-sequence obtained by cyclically shifting the m-sequence m1(t) i times is expressed as Tr(αi·αt) according to Eq. 1. That is, a set of sequences are generated by cyclically shifting the m-sequence m1(t) 0 to 30 times with respect to an initial sequence A={1, α, . . . , α2n−2. Here, linearly independent k−1 basis elements are found from the Galois elements 1, α, . . . , α2n−2 and mask sequences corresponding to the output sequences of a Trace function with the k−1 basis elements as an initial sequence become basis mask sequences. A linear independence condition is expressed as α, . . . , αk−1: linearly independent c1α1+c2α2+ . . . +ck−1αk−1≠0, ∀c1, c2, . . . , ck−1 (Eq. 4) To describe the above generalized mask function generation method in detail, how to generate a (32, 10) code using a Gold sequence set will be described referring to FIG. 7. It is well known that a Gold sequence is expressed as the sum of different predetermined m-sequences. Therefore, a Gold sequence of length 31 should be generated first in order to generate the intended (32, 10) code. The Gold sequence is the sum of two m-sequences generated respectively from polynomials x5+x2+1 and x5+x4+x+1. Given a corresponding generator polynomial, each of the m-sequences m1(t) and m2(t) is computed using a Trace function by m 1 ⁡ ( t ) = Tr ⁡ ( A ⁢ ⁢ α t ) ⁢ ⁢ t = 0 , 1 , … ⁢ , 30 ⁢ ⁢ and Tr ⁡ ( a ) = ∑ n = 0 n - 1 ⁢ a 2 ⁢ n , ⁢ a ∈ G ⁢ ⁢ F ⁡ ( 2 5 ) ( Eq . ⁢ 5 ) where A is determined by the initial value of the m-sequence, α is the root of the polynomial, and n is the order of the polynomial, here 5. FIG. 7 illustrates the mask function generating procedure to generate the (32, 10) code. Referring to FIG. 7, m-sequences m1(t) and m2(t) are generated in Eq. 1 using the generator polynomials f1(x) and f2(x), respectively in step 710. In step 712, the column transposition function σ(t) is calculated to make a Walsh code of the m-sequence m2(t) by σ ⁢ : ⁢ ⁢ { 0 , 1 , 2 , … ⁢ , 30 } -> { 1 , 2 , 3 , … ⁢ , 31 } σ ⁡ ( t ) = ∑ i = 0 4 ⁢ m 2 ⁡ ( t - i ) ⁢ 2 4 - i ( Eq . ⁢ 6 ) Then, a set of 31 sequences produced by cyclically shifting the m-sequence m1(t) 0 to 30 times are column-transposed with the use of σ−1(t)+2 derived from the reverse function of σ(t) in step 730. Then, 0s are added to the start of each of the resulting sequence-transposed sequences to make the length of the sequence 31. Thus, 31 di(t) of length 32 are generated. Here, if i =0, . . . , 31, t=1, . . . , 32. The sequences set generated in step 730 can be expressed as { d i ⁡ ( t ) ❘ t = 1 , … ⁢ , 32 , i = 0 , … ⁢ , 30 } d i ⁡ ( t ) = ( 0 , if , t = 1 m 1 ⁡ ( σ - 1 ⁡ ( t + i ) + 2 ) , if , t = 2 , 3 , … ⁢ , 32 ) ( Eq . ⁢ 7 ) A plurality of di(t) obtained from Eq. 7 can be used as 31 mask sequences. di(t) is characterized in that two different masks among the above masks are added to one of the 31 masks except for the two masks. In other words, each of the 31 masks can be expressed as a sum of 5 particular masks. These 5 masks are basis mask sequences. When the (32, 10) code is to be generated, the total number of necessary codewords is 2n=1024 for all possible 10 input information bits (TFCI bits). The number of biorthogonal sequences of length 32 is 32×2=64. 15 masks are needed to generate the (32, 10) code. The 15 masks can be expressed as combinations of 4 basis mask sequences. Now, a description will be given of a method of selecting the 4 basis mask sequences. An m-sequence obtained by cyclically shifting the m-sequence m1(t) i times is expressed as Tr(αi·αi) according to Eq. 1. That is, a set of sequences are generated by cyclically shifting the m-sequence m1(t) 0 to 30 times with respect to an initial sequence A={1, α, . . . , α2n−2}. Here, 4 linearly independent basis elements are found from the Galois elements 1, α, . . . , α2n−2 and mask sequences corresponding to the output sequences of a Trace function with the 4 basis elements as an initial sequence becoming basis mask sequences. A linear independence condition, is expressed as α, β, γ, δ: linearly independent c1α+c2β+c3γ, +c4δ≠0, ∀c1, c2, c3, c4 (Eq. 8) In fact, 1, α, α2, α3 in the Galois GF(25) are polynomial sub-bases that are well known as four linearly independent elements. By replacing the variable A in Eq. 1 with the polynomial bases, four basis mask sequences M1, M2, M4, and M8 are achieved. M1=00101000011000111111000001110111 M2=00000001110011010110110111000111 M4=00001010111110010001101100101011 M8=00011100001101110010111101010001 There will herein below be given a description of an apparatus and method for encoding/decoding a TFCI using basis mask sequences as obtained in the above manner in an IMT 2000 system according to embodiments of the present invention. 2. First Embodiment of Encoding/Decoding Apparatus and Method FIGS. 8 and 9 are block diagrams of TFCI encoding and decoding apparatuses in an IMT 2000 system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8, 10 TFCI bits a0 to a9 are applied to corresponding multipliers 840 to 849. A one-bit generator 800 continuously generates a predetermined code bit. That is, since the present invention deals with biorthogonal sequences, necessary bits are generated to make a biorthogonal sequence out of an orthogonal sequence. For example, the one-bit generator 800 generates bits having is to inverse an orthogonal sequence (i.e., a Walsh code) generated from a basis Walsh code generator 810 and thus generate a biorthogonal sequence. The basis Walsh code generator 810 generates basis Walsh codes of a predetermined length. The basis Walsh codes refer to Walsh codes from which all intended Walsh codes can be produced through arbitrary addition. For example, when Walsh codes of length 32 are used, the basis Walsh codes are 1st, 2nd, 4th, 8th, and 16th Walsh codes W1, W2, W4, W8, and W16, wherein: W1:01010101010101010101010101010101 W2:00110011001100110011001100110011 W4:00001111000011110000111100001111 W8:00000000111111110000000011111111 W16 00000000000000001111111111111111. A basis mask sequence generator 820 generates a basis mask sequence of a predetermined length. A basis mask sequence generating method has already been described before and its details will not be described. If a mask sequence of length 32 is used, basis mask sequences are 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 8th mask sequences M1, M2, M4, M8, wherein: M1:00101000011000111111000001110111 M2:00000001110011010110110111000111 M4:00001010111110010001101100101011 M8:00011100001101110010111101010001. The multiplier 840 multiplies 1s output from the one-bit generator 800 by the input information bit a0 on a symbol basis. The multiplier 841 multiplies the basis Walsh code W1 received from the basis Walsh code generator 810 by the input information bit al. The multiplier 842 multiplies the basis Walsh code W2 received from the basis Walsh code generator 810 by the input information bit a2. The multiplier 843 multiplies the basis Walsh code W4 received from the basis Walsh code generator 810 by the input information bit a3. The multiplier 844 multiplies the basis Walsh code W8 received from the basis Walsh code generator 810 by the input information bit a4. The multiplier 845 multiplies the basis Walsh code W16 received from the basis Walsh code generator 810 by the input information bit a5. The multipliers 841 to 845 multiply the received basis Walsh codes W1, W2, W4, W8, and W16 by their corresponding input information bits symbol by symbol. Meanwhile, the multiplier 846 multiplies the basis mask sequence M1 by the input information bit a6. The multiplier 847 multiplies the basis mask sequence M2 by the input information bit a7. The multiplier 848 multiplies the basis mask sequence M4 by the input information bit a8. The multiplier 849 multiplies the basis mask sequence M8 by the input information bit a9. The multipliers 846 to 849 multiply the received basis mask sequences M1, M2, M4, and M8 by their corresponding input information bits symbol by symbol. An adder 860 adds the encoded input information bits received from the multipliers 840 to 849 and outputs final code symbols of length 32 bits (a TFCI codeword). The length of the final code symbols (TFCI codeword) is determined by the lengths of the basis Walsh codes generated from the basis Walsh code generator 810 and the basis mask sequences generated from the basis mask sequence generator 820. For example, if the input information bits a0 to a9 are “0111011000”, the multiplier 840 multiplies 0 as a0 by is received from the one-bit generator 800 and generates 32 code symbols being all “0s”. The multiplier 841 multiplies 1 as a1 by W1 received from the basis Walsh code generator 810 and generates code symbols “01010101010101010101010101010101”. The multiplier 842 multiplies 1 as a2 by W2 received from the basis Walsh code generator 810 and generates code symbols “00110011001100110011001100110011”. The multiplier 843 multiplies 1 as a3 by W4 received from the basis Walsh code generator 810 and generates code symbols “00001111000011110000111100001111”. The multiplier 844 multiplies 0 as a4 by W8 received from the basis Walsh code generator 810 and generates 32 code symbols being all “0s”. The multiplier 845 multiplies 1 as a5 by W16 received from the basis Walsh code generator 810 and generates “00000000000000001111111111111111”. The multiplier 846 multiplies 1 as a6 by M1 received from the basis mask sequence generator 820 and generates “00101000011000111111000001110111”. The multiplier 847 multiplies 0 as a7 by M2 received from the basis mask sequence generator 820 and generates 32 code symbols being all 0s. The multiplier 848 multiplies 0 as a8 by M4 received from the basis mask sequence generator 820 and generates 32 code symbols being all 0s. The multiplier 849 multiplies 0 as a9 by M8 received from the basis mask sequence generator 820 and generates 32 code symbols being all 0s. The adder 860 adds the code symbols received from the multipliers 840 to 849 and outputs final code symbols “01000001000010100110011011100001”. The final code symbols can be achieved by adding the basis Walsh codes W1, W2, W4 and W16 corresponding to the information bits 1s to the basis mask sequence M1 symbol by symbol. In other words, the basis Walsh codes W1, W2, W4 and W16 are summed to W23 and the Walsh code W23 and the basis mask sequence M1 are added to form the TFCI codeword (final code symbols) (=W23+M1) which is outputted from the adder 860. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a TFCI encoding procedure in an IMT 2000 system according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 11, 10 input information bits (i.e., TFCI bits) are received and variables sum and j are set to an initial value 0 in step 1100. The variable sum indicates final code symbols, and j indicates the count number of final code symbols output after symbol-basis addition. In step 1110, it is determined whether j is 32 in view of the length 32 symbols of Walsh codes and mask sequences used for encoding the input information bits. Step 1110 is performed in order to check whether the input information bits are all encoded with the Walsh codes and the mask sequences symbol by symbol. If j is not 32 in step 1110, which implies that the input information bits are not encoded completely with respect to all symbols of the Walsh codes, the mask sequences, jth symbols W1(j), W2(j), W4(j), W8(j), and W16(j) of the basis Walsh codes W1, W2, W4, W8, and W16 and jth symbols M1(j), M2(j), M4(j), and M8(j) of the basis mask sequences M1, M2, M4, and M8 are received in step 1120. Then, the received symbols are multiplied by the input information bits on a symbol basis and the symbol products are summed in step 1130. The sum becomes the variable sum. Step 1130 can be expressed as sum=a0+a1·W1(j)+a2·W2(j)+a3·W4(j)+a4·W8(j)+a5·W16(j)+a6·M1(j)+a7·M2(j)+a8·M4(j)+a9·M8(j) (Eq. 9) As noted from Eq. 9, the input information bits are multiplied by corresponding symbols of the basis Walsh codes and basis mask sequences, symbol products are summed, and the sum becomes an intended code symbol. In step 1140, sum indicating the achieved jth code symbol, is output. j is increased by 1 in step 1150 and then the procedure returns to step 1110. Meanwhile, if j is 32 in step 1110, the encoding procedure ends. The encoding apparatus of FIG. 8 according to the embodiment of the present invention can support extended TFCIs as well as basic TFCIs. Encoders for supporting an extended TFCI include a (32, 10) encoder, a (32, 9) encoder, and a (32, 7) encoder. For the input of 10 input information bits, the (32, 10) encoder outputs a combination of 32 Walsh codes of length 32, 32 bi-orthogonal codes inverted from the Walsh codes, and 15 mask sequences. The 32 Walsh codes can be generated from combinations of 5 basis Walsh codes. The 32 bi-orthogonal codes can be obtained by adding 1 to the 32 symbols of each Walsh code. This results has the same effect as multiplication of −1 by the 32 Walsh codes viewed as real numbers. The 15 mask sequences can be achieved through combinations of 5 basis mask sequences. Therefore, a total of 1024 codewords can be produced from the (32, 10) encoder. The (32, 9) encoder receives 9 input information bits and outputs a combination of 32 Walsh codes of length 32, 32 bi-orthogonal codes inverted from the Walsh codes, and 4 mask sequences. The 4 mask sequences are obtained by combing two of 4 basis mask sequences. The (32, 7) encoder receives 7 input information bits and outputs a combination of 32 Walsh codes of length among the 1024 codewords, 32 bi-orthogonal codes inverted from the Walsh codes, and one of 4 basis mask sequences. The above encoders for providing extended TFCIs have a minimum distance 12 and can be implemented by blocking input and output of at least of the 4 basis mask sequences generated from the basis mask sequences 820. That is, the (32, 9) encoder can be implemented by blocking input and output of one of the four basis mask sequences generated from the basis mask sequence generator 820 shown in FIG. 8. The (32, 8) encoder can be implemented by blocking input and output of two of the basis mask sequences generated from the basis mask sequence generator 820. The (32, 7) encoder can be implemented by blocking input and output of three of the basis mask sequences generated from the basis mask sequence generator 820. As described above, the encoding apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention can encode flexibly according to the number of input information bits, that is, the number of TFCI bits to be transmitted and maximizes a minimum distance that determined the performance of the encoding apparatus. Codewords in the above encoding apparatus are sequences obtained by combining 32 Walsh codes of length 32, 32 bi-orthogonal codes resulting from adding 1s to the Walsh codes, and 15 mask sequences of length 15. The structure of the codewords is shown in FIG. 13. For better understanding of the TFC bits encoding procedure, Tables 1a to 1f list code symbols (TFCI codewords) versus 10 TFCI bits. TABLE 1a 0000000000: 00000000000000000000000000000000 0000000001: 11111111111111111111111111111111 0000000010: 01010101010101010101010101010101 0000000011: 10101010101010101010101010101010 0000000100: 00110011001100110011001100110011 0000000101: 11001100110011001100110011001100 0000000110: 01100110011001100110011001100110 0000000111: 10011001100110011001100110011001 0000001000: 00001111000011110000111100001111 0000001001: 11110000111100001111000011110000 0000001010: 01011010010110100101101001011010 0000001011: 10100101101001011010010110100101 0000001100: 00111100001111000011110000111100 0000001101: 11000011110000111100001111000011 0000001110: 01101001011010010110100101101001 0000001111: 10010110100101101001011010010110 0000010000: 00000000111111110000000011111111 0000010001: 11111111000000001111111100000000 0000010010: 01010101101010100101010110101010 0000010011: 10101010010101011010101001010101 0000010100: 00110011110011000011001111001100 0000010101: 11001100001100111100110000110011 0000010110: 01100110100110010110011010011001 0000010111: 10011001011001101001100101100110 0000011000: 00001111111100000000111111110000 0000011001: 11110000000011111111000000001111 0000011010: 01011010101001010101101010100101 0000011011: 10100101010110101010010101011010 0000011100: 00111100110000110011110011000011 0000011101: 11000011001111001100001100111100 0000011110: 01101001100101100110100110010110 0000011111: 10010110011010011001011001101001 0000100000: 00000000000000001111111111111111 0000100001: 11111111111111110000000000000000 0000100010: 01010101010101011010101010101010 0000100011: 10101010101010100101010101010101 0000100100: 00110011001100111100110011001100 0000100101: 11001100110011000011001100110011 0000100110: 01100110011001101001100110011001 0000100111: 10011001100110010110011001100110 0000101000: 00001111000011111111000011110000 0000101001: 11110000111100000000111100001111 0000101010: 01011010010110101010010110100101 0000101011: 10100101101001010101101001011010 0000101100: 00111100001111001100001111000011 0000101101: 11000011110000110011110000111100 0000101110: 01101001011010011001011010010110 0000101111: 10010110100101100110100101101001 0000110000: 00000000111111111111111100000000 0000110001: 11111111000000000000000011111111 0000110010: 01010101101010101010101001010101 0000110011: 10101010010101010101010110101010 0000110100: 00110011110011001100110000110011 0000110101: 11001100001100110011001111001100 0000110110: 01100110100110011001100101100110 0000110111: 10011001011001100110011010011001 0000111000: 00001111111100001111000000001111 0000111001: 11110000000011110000111111110000 0000111010: 01011010101001011010010101011010 0000111011: 10100101010110100101101010100101 0000111100: 00111100110000111100001100111100 0000111101: 11000011001111000011110011000011 0000111110: 01101001100101101001011001101001 0000111111: 10010110011010010110100110010110 0001000000: 00101000011000111111000001110111 0001000001: 11010111100111000000111110001000 0001000010: 01111101001101101010010100100010 0001000011: 10000010110010010101101011011101 0001000100: 00011011010100001100001101000100 0001000101: 11100100101011110011110010111011 0001000110: 01001110000001011001011000010001 0001000111: 10110001111110100110100111101110 0001001000: 00100111011011001111111101111000 0001001001: 11011000100100110000000010000111 0001001010: 01110010001110011010101000101101 0001001011: 10001101110001100101010111010010 0001001100: 00010100010111111100110001001011 0001001101: 11101011101000000011001110110100 0001001110: 01000001000010101001100100011110 0001001111: 10111110111101010110011011100001 0001010000: 00101000100111001111000010001000 0001010001: 11010111011000110000111101110111 0001010010: 01111101110010011010010111011101 0001010011: 10000010001101100101101000100010 0001010100: 00011011101011111100001110111011 0001010101: 11100100010100000011110001000100 0001010110: 01001110111110101001011011101110 0001010111: 10110001000001010110100100010001 0001011000: 00100111100100111111111110000111 0001011001: 11011000011011000000000001111000 0001011010: 01110010110001101010101011010010 0001011011: 10001101001110010101010100101101 0001011100: 00010100101000001100110010110100 0001011101: 11101011010111110011001101001011 0001011110: 01000001111101011001100111100001 0001011111: 10111110000010100110011000011110 0001100000: 00101000011000110000111110001000 0001100001: 11010111100111001111000001110111 0001100010: 01111101001101100101101011011101 0001100011: 10000010110010011010010100100010 0001100100: 00011011010100000011110010111011 0001100101: 11100100101011111100001101000100 0001100110: 01001110000001010110100111101110 0001100111: 10110001111110101001011000010001 0001101000: 00100111011011000000000010000111 0001101001: 11011000100100111111111101111000 0001101010: 01110010001110010101010111010010 0001101011: 10001101110001101010101000101101 0001101100: 00010100010111110011001110110100 0001101101: 11101011101000001100110001001011 0001101110: 01000001000010100110011011100001 0001101111: 10111110111101011001100100011110 0001110000: 00101000100111000000111101110111 0001110001: 11010111011000111111000010001000 0001110010: 01111101110010010101101000100010 0001110011: 10000010001101101010010111011101 0001110100: 00011011101011110011110001000100 0001110101: 11100100010100001100001110111011 0001110110: 01001110111110100110100100010001 0001110111: 10110001000001011001011011101110 0001111000: 00100111100100110000000001111000 0001111001: 11011000011011001111111110000111 0001111010: 01110010110001100101010100101101 0001111011: 10001101001110011010101011010010 0001111100: 00010100101000000011001101001011 0001111101: 11101011010111111100110010110100 0001111110: 01000001111101010110011000011110 0001111111: 10111110000010101001100111100001 0010000000: 00000001110011010110110111000111 0010000001: 11111110001100101001001000111000 0010000010: 01010100100110000011100010010010 0010000011: 10101011011001111100011101101101 0010000100: 00110010111111100101111011110100 0010000101: 11001101000000011010000100001011 0010000110: 01100111101010110000101110100001 0010000111: 10011000010101001111010001011110 0010001000: 00001110110000100110001011001000 0010001001: 11110001001111011001110100110111 0010001010: 01011011100101110011011110011101 0010001011: 10100100011010001100100001100010 0010001100: 00111101111100010101000111111011 0010001101: 11000010000011101010111000000100 0010001110: 01101000101001000000010010101110 0010001111: 10010111010110111111101101010001 0010010000: 00000001001100100110110100111000 0010010001: 11111110110011011001001011000111 0010010010: 01010100011001110011100001101101 0010010011: 10101011100110001100011110010010 0010010100: 00110010000000010101111000001011 0010010101: 11001101111111101010000111110100 0010010110: 01100111010101000000101101011110 0010010111: 10011000101010111111010010100001 0010011000: 00001110001111010110001000110111 0010011001: 11110001110000101001110111001000 0010011010: 01011011011010000011011101100010 0010011011: 10100100100101111100100010011101 0010011100: 00111101000011100101000100000100 0010011101: 11000010111100011010111011111011 0010011110: 01101000010110110000010001010001 0010011111: 10010111101001001111101110101110 0010100000: 00000001110011011001001000111000 0010100001: 11111110001100100110110111000111 0010100010: 01010100100110001100011101101101 0010100011: 10101011011001110011100010010010 0010100100: 00110010111111101010000100001011 0010100101: 11001101000000010101111011110100 0010100110: 01100111101010111111010001011110 0010100111: 10011000010101000000101110100001 0010101000: 00001110110000101001110100110111 0010101001: 11110001001111010110001011001000 0010101010: 01011011100101111100100001100010 0010101011: 10100100011010000011011110011101 0010101100: 00111101111100011010111000000100 0010101101: 11000010000011100101000111111011 0010101110: 01101000101001001111101101010001 0010101111: 10010111010110110000010010101110 0010110000: 00000001001100101001001011000111 0010110001: 11111110110011010110110100111000 0010110010: 01010100011001111100011110010010 0010110011: 10101011100110000011100001101101 0010110100: 00110010000000011010000111110100 0010110101: 11001101111111100101111000001011 0010110110: 01100111010101001111010010100001 0010110111: 10011000101010110000101101011110 0010111000: 00001110001111011001110111001000 0010111001: 11110001110000100110001000110111 0010111010: 01011011011010001100100010011101 0010111011: 10100100100101110011011101100010 0010111100: 00111101000011101010111011111011 0010111101: 11000010111100010101000100000100 0010111110: 01101000010110111111101110101110 0010111111: 10010111101001000000010001010001 0011000000: 00101001101011101001110110110000 0011000001: 11010110010100010110001001001111 0011000010: 01111100111110111100100011100101 0011000011: 10000011000001000011011100011010 0011000100: 00011010100111011010111010000011 0011000101: 11100101011000100101000101111100 0011000110: 01001111110010001111101111010110 0011000111: 10110000001101110000010000101001 0011001000: 00100110101000011001001010111111 TABLE 1b 0011001001: 11011001010111100110110101000000 0011001010: 01110011111101001100011111101010 0011001011: 10001100000010110011100000010101 0011001100: 00010101100100101010000110001100 0011001101: 11101010011011010101111001110011 0011001110: 01000000110001111111010011011001 0011001111: 10111111001110000000101100100110 0011010000: 00101001010100011001110101001111 0011010001: 11010110101011100110001010110000 0011010010: 01111100000001001100100000011010 0011010011: 10000011111110110011011111100101 0011010100: 00011010011000101010111001111100 0011010101: 11100101100111010101000110000011 0011010110: 01001111001101111111101100101001 0011010111: 10110000110010000000010011010110 0011011000: 00100110010111101001001001000000 0011011001: 11011001101000010110110110111111 0011011010: 01110011000010111100011100010101 0011011011: 10001100111101000011100011101010 0011011100: 00010101011011011010000101110011 0011011101: 11101010100100100101111010001100 0011011110: 01000000001110001111010000100110 0011011111: 10111111110001110000101111011001 0011100000: 00101001101011100110001001001111 0011100001: 11010110010100011001110110110000 0011100010: 01111100111110110011011100011010 0011100011: 10000011000001001100100011100101 0011100100: 00011010100111010101000101111100 0011100101: 11100101011000101010111010000011 0011100110: 01001111110010000000010000101001 0011100111: 10110000001101111111101111010110 0011101000: 00100110101000010110110101000000 0011101001: 11011001010111101001001010111111 0011101010: 01110011111101000011100000010101 0011101011: 10001100000010111100011111101010 0011101100: 00010101100100100101111001110011 0011101101: 11101010011011011010000110001100 0011101110: 01000000110001110000101100100110 0011101111: 10111111001110001111010011011001 0011110000: 00101001010100010110001010110000 0011110001: 11010110101011101001110101001111 0011110010: 01111100000001000011011111100101 0011110011: 10000011111110111100100000011010 0011110100: 00011010011000100101000110000011 0011110101: 11100101100111011010111001111100 0011110110: 01001111001101110000010011010110 0011110111: 10110000110010001111101100101001 0011111000: 00100110010111100110110110111111 0011111001: 11011001101000011001001001000000 0011111010: 01110011000010110011100011101010 0011111011: 10001100111101001100011100010101 0011111100: 00010101011011010101111010001100 0011111101: 11101010100100101010000101110011 0011111110: 01000000001110000000101111011001 0011111111: 10111111110001111111010000100110 0100000000: 00001010111110010001101100101011 0100000001: 11110101000001101110010011010100 0100000010: 01011111101011000100111001111110 0100000011: 10100000010100111011000110000001 0100000100: 00111001110010100010100000011000 0100000101: 11000110001101011101011111100111 0100000110: 01101100100111110111110101001101 0100000111: 10010011011000001000001010110010 0100001000: 00000101111101100001010000100100 0100001001: 11111010000010011110101111011011 0100001010: 01010000101000110100000101110001 0100001011: 10101111010111001011111010001110 0100001100: 00110110110001010010011100010111 0100001101: 11001001001110101101100011101000 0100001110: 01100011100100000111001001000010 0100001111: 10011100011011111000110110111101 0100010000: 00001010000001100001101111010100 0100010001: 11110101111110011110010000101011 0100010010: 01011111010100110100111010000001 0100010011: 10100000101011001011000101111110 0100010100: 00111001001101010010100011100111 0100010101: 11000110110010101101011100011000 0100010110: 01101100011000000111110110110010 0100010111: 10010011100111111000001001001101 0100011000: 00000101000010010001010011011011 0100011001: 11111010111101101110101100100100 0100011010: 01010000010111000100000110001110 0100011011: 10101111101000111011111001110001 0100011100: 00110110001110100010011111101000 0100011101: 11001001110001011101100000010111 0100011110: 01100011011011110111001010111101 0100011111: 10011100100100001000110101000010 0100100000: 00001010111110011110010011010100 0100100001: 11110101000001100001101100101011 0100100010: 01011111101011001011000110000001 0100100011: 10100000010100110100111001111110 0100100100: 00111001110010101101011111100111 0100100101: 11000110001101010010100000011000 0100100110: 01101100100111111000001010110010 0100100111: 10010011011000000111110101001101 0100101000: 00000101111101101110101111011011 0100101001: 11111010000010010001010000100100 0100101010: 01010000101000111011111010001110 0100101011: 10101111010111000100000101110001 0100101100: 00110110110001011101100011101000 0100101101: 11001001001110100010011100010111 0100101110: 01100011100100001000110110111101 0100101111: 10011100011011110111001001000010 0100110000: 00001010000001101110010000101011 0100110001: 11110101111110010001101111010100 0100110010: 01011111010100111011000101111110 0100110011: 10100000101011000100111010000001 0100110100: 00111001001101011101011100011000 0100110101: 11000110110010100010100011100111 0100110110: 01101100011000001000001001001101 0100110111: 10010011100111110111110110110010 0100111000: 00000101000010011110101100100100 0100111001: 11111010111101100001010011011011 0100111010: 01010000010111001011111001110001 0100111011: 10101111101000110100000110001110 0100111100: 00110110001110101101100000010111 0100111101: 11001001110001010010011111101000 0100111110: 01100011011011111000110101000010 0100111111: 10011100100100000111001010111101 0101000000: 00100010100110101110101101011100 0101000001: 11011101011001010001010010100011 0101000010: 01110111110011111011111000001001 0101000011: 10001000001100000100000111110110 0101000100: 00010001101010011101100001101111 0101000101: 11101110010101100010011110010000 0101000110: 01000100111111001000110100111010 0101000111: 10111011000000110111001011000101 0101001000: 00101101100101011110010001010011 0101001001: 11010010011010100001101110101100 0101001010: 01111000110000001011000100000110 0101001011: 10000111001111110100111011111001 0101001100: 00011110101001101101011101100000 0101001101: 11100001010110010010100010011111 0101001110: 01001011111100111000001000110101 0101001111: 10110100000011000111110111001010 0101010000: 00100010011001011110101110100011 0101010001: 11011101100110100001010001011100 0101010010: 01110111001100001011111011110110 0101010011: 10001000110011110100000100001001 0101010100: 00010001010101101101100010010000 0101010101: 11101110101010010010011101101111 0101010110: 01000100000000111000110111000101 0101010111: 10111011111111000111001000111010 0101011000: 00101101011010101110010010101100 0101011001: 11010010100101010001101101010011 0101011010: 01111000001111111011000111111001 0101011011: 10000111110000000100111000000110 0101011100: 00011110010110011101011110011111 0101011101: 11100001101001100010100001100000 0101011110: 01001011000011001000001011001010 0101011111: 10110100111100110111110100110101 0101100000: 00100010100110100001010010100011 0101100001: 11011101011001011110101101011100 0101100010: 01110111110011110100000111110110 0101100011: 10001000001100001011111000001001 0101100100: 00010001101010010010011110010000 0101100101: 11101110010101101101100001101111 0101100110: 01000100111111000111001011000101 0101100111: 10111011000000111000110100111010 0101101000: 00101101100101010001101110101100 0101101001: 11010010011010101110010001010011 0101101010: 01111000110000000100111011111001 0101101011: 10000111001111111011000100000110 0101101100: 00011110101001100010100010011111 0101101101: 11100001010110011101011101100000 0101101110: 01001011111100110111110111001010 0101101111: 10110100000011001000001000110101 0101110000: 00100010011001010001010001011100 0101110001: 11011101100110101110101110100011 0101110010: 01110111001100000100000100001001 0101110011: 10001000110011111011111011110110 0101110100: 00010001010101100010011101101111 0101110101: 11101110101010011101100010010000 0101110110: 01000100000000110111001000111010 0101110111: 10111011111111001000110111000101 0101111000: 00101101011010100001101101010011 0101111001: 11010010100101011110010010101100 0101111010: 01111000001111110100111000000110 0101111011: 10000111110000001011000111111001 0101111100: 00011110010110010010100001100000 0101111101: 11100001101001101101011110011111 0101111110: 01001011000011000111110100110101 0101111111: 10110100111100111000001011001010 0110000000: 00001011001101000111011011101100 0110000001: 11110100110010111000100100010011 0110000010: 01011110011000010010001110111001 0110000011: 10100001100111101101110001000110 0110000100: 00111000000001110100010111011111 0110000101: 11000111111110001011101000100000 0110000110: 01101101010100100001000010001010 0110000111: 10010010101011011110111101110101 0110001000: 00000100001110110111100111100011 0110001001: 11111011110001001000011000011100 0110001010: 01010001011011100010110010110110 0110001011: 10101110100100011101001101001001 0110001100: 00110111000010000100101011010000 0110001101: 11001000111101111011010100101111 0110001110: 01100010010111010001111110000101 0110001111: 10011101101000101110000001111010 0110010000: 00001011110010110111011000010011 0110010001: 11110100001101001000100111101100 TABLE 1c 0110010010: 01011110100111100010001101000110 0110010011: 10100001011000011101110010111001 0110010100: 00111000111110000100010100100000 0110010101: 11000111000001111011101011011111 0110010110: 01101101101011010001000001110101 0110010111: 10010010010100101110111110001010 0110011000: 00000100110001000111100100011100 0110011001: 11111011001110111000011011100011 0110011010: 01010001100100010010110001001001 0110011011: 10101110011011101101001110110110 0110011100: 00110111111101110100101000101111 0110011101: 11001000000010001011010111010000 0110011110: 01100010101000100001111101111010 0110011111: 10011101010111011110000010000101 0110100000: 00001011001101001000100100010011 0110100001: 11110100110010110111011011101100 0110100010: 01011110011000011101110001000110 0110100011: 10100001100111100010001110111001 0110100100: 00111000000001111011101000100000 0110100101: 11000111111110000100010111011111 0110100110: 01101101010100101110111101110101 0110100111: 10010010101011010001000010001010 0110101000: 00000100001110111000011000011100 0110101001: 11111011110001000111100111100011 0110101010: 01010001011011101101001101001001 0110101011: 10101110100100010010110010110110 0110101100: 00110111000010001011010100101111 0110101101: 11001000111101110100101011010000 0110101110: 01100010010111011110000001111010 0110101111: 10011101101000100001111110000101 0110110000: 00001011110010111000100111101100 0110110001: 11110100001101000111011000010011 0110110010: 01011110100111101101110010111001 0110110011: 10100001011000010010001101000110 0110110100: 00111000111110001011101011011111 0110110101: 11000111000001110100010100100000 0110110110: 01101101101011011110111110001010 0110110111: 10010010010100100001000001110101 0110111000: 00000100110001001000011011100011 0110111001: 11111011001110110111100100011100 0110111010: 01010001100100011101001110110110 0110111011: 10101110011011100010110001001001 0110111100: 00110111111101111011010111010000 0110111101: 11001000000010000100101000101111 0110111110: 01100010101000101110000010000101 0110111111: 10011101010111010001111101111010 0111000000: 00100011010101111000011010011011 0111000001: 11011100101010000111100101100100 0111000010: 01110110000000101101001111001110 0111000011: 10001001111111010010110000110001 0111000100: 00010000011001001011010110101000 0111000101: 11101111100110110100101001010111 0111000110: 01000101001100011110000011111101 0111000111: 10111010110011100001111100000010 0111001000: 00101100010110001000100110010100 0111001001: 11010011101001110111011001101011 0111001010: 01111001000011011101110011000001 0111001011: 10000110111100100010001100111110 0111001100: 00011111011010111011101010100111 0111001101: 11100000100101000100010101011000 0111001110: 01001010001111101110111111110010 0111001111: 10110101110000010001000000001101 0111010000: 00100011101010001000011001100100 0111010001: 11011100010101110111100110011011 0111010010: 01110110111111011101001100110001 0111010011: 10001001000000100010110011001110 0111010100: 00010000100110111011010101010111 0111010101: 11101111011001000100101010101000 0111010110: 01000101110011101110000000000010 0111010111: 10111010001100010001111111111101 0111011000: 00101100101001111000100101101011 0111011001: 11010011010110000111011010010100 0111011010: 01111001111100101101110000111110 0111011011: 10000110000011010010001111000001 0111011100: 00011111100101001011101001011000 0111011101: 11100000011010110100010110100111 0111011110: 01001010110000011110111100001101 0111011111: 10110101001111100001000011110010 0111100000: 00100011010101110111100101100100 0111100001: 11011100101010001000011010011011 0111100010: 01110110000000100010110000110001 0111100011: 10001001111111011101001111001110 0111100100: 00010000011001000100101001010111 0111100101: 11101111100110111011010110101000 0111100110: 01000101001100010001111100000010 0111100111: 10111010110011101110000011111101 0111101000: 00101100010110000111011001101011 0111101001: 11010011101001111000100110010100 0111101010: 01111001000011010010001100111110 0111101011: 10000110111100101101110011000001 0111101100: 00011111011010110100010101011000 0111101101: 11100000100101001011101010100111 0111101110: 01001010001111100001000000001101 0111101111: 10110101110000011110111111110010 0111110000: 00100011101010000111100110011011 0111110001: 11011100010101111000011001100100 0111110010: 01110110111111010010110011001110 0111110011: 10001001000000101101001100110001 0111110100: 00010000100110110100101010101000 0111110101: 11101111011001001011010101010111 0111110110: 01000101110011100001111111111101 0111110111: 10111010001100011110000000000010 0111111000: 00101100101001110111011010010100 0111111001: 11010011010110001000100101101011 0111111010: 01111001111100100010001111000001 0111111011: 10000110000011011101110000111110 0111111100: 00011111100101000100010110100111 0111111101: 11100000011010111011101001011000 0111111110: 01001010110000010001000011110010 0111111111: 10110101001111101110111100001101 1000000000: 00011100001101110010111101010001 1000000001: 11100011110010001101000010101110 1000000010: 01001001011000100111101000000100 1000000011: 10110110100111011000010111111011 1000000100: 00101111000001000001110001100010 1000000101: 11010000111110111110001110011101 1000000110: 01111010010100010100100100110111 1000000111: 10000101101011101011011011001000 1000001000: 00010011001110000010000001011110 1000001001: 11101100110001111101111110100001 1000001010: 01000110011011010111010100001011 1000001011: 10111001100100101000101011110100 1000001100: 00100000000010110001001101101101 1000001101: 11011111111101001110110010010010 1000001110: 01110101010111100100011000111000 1000001111: 10001010101000011011100111000111 1000010000: 00011100110010000010111110101110 1000010001: 11100011001101111101000001010001 1000010010: 01001001100111010111101011111011 1000010011: 10110110011000101000010100000100 1000010100: 00101111111110110001110010011101 1000010101: 11010000000001001110001101100010 1000010110: 01111010101011100100100111001000 1000010111: 10000101010100011011011000110111 1000011000: 00010011110001110010000010100001 1000011001: 11101100001110001101111101011110 1000011010: 01000110100100100111010111110100 1000011011: 10111001011011011000101000001011 1000011100: 00100000111101000001001110010010 1000011101: 11011111000010111110110001101101 1000011110: 01110101101000010100011011000111 1000011111: 10001010010111101011100100111000 1000100000: 00011100001101111101000010101110 1000100001: 11100011110010000010111101010001 1000100010: 01001001011000101000010111111011 1000100011: 10110110100111010111101000000100 1000100100: 00101111000001001110001110011101 1000100101: 11010000111110110001110001100010 1000100110: 01111010010100011011011011001000 1000100111: 10000101101011100100100100110111 1000101000: 00010011001110001101111110100001 1000101001: 11101100110001110010000001011110 1000101010: 01000110011011011000101011110100 1000101011: 10111001100100100111010100001011 1000101100: 00100000000010111110110010010010 1000101101: 11011111111101000001001101101101 1000101110: 01110101010111101011100111000111 1000101111: 10001010101000010100011000111000 1000110000: 00011100110010001101000001010001 1000110001: 11100011001101110010111110101110 1000110010: 01001001100111011000010100000100 1000110011: 10110110011000100111101011111011 1000110100: 00101111111110111110001101100010 1000110101: 11010000000001000001110010011101 1000110110: 01111010101011101011011000110111 1000110111: 10000101010100010100100111001000 1000111000: 00010011110001111101111101011110 1000111001: 11101100001110000010000010100001 1000111010: 01000110100100101000101000001011 1000111011: 10111001011011010111010111110100 1000111100: 00100000111101001110110001101101 1000111101: 11011111000010110001001110010010 1000111110: 01110101101000011011100100111000 1000111111: 10001010010111100100011011000111 1001000000: 00110100010101001101111100100110 1001000001: 11001011101010110010000011011001 1001000010: 01100001000000011000101001110011 1001000011: 10011110111111100111010110001100 1001000100: 00000111011001111110110000010101 1001000101: 11111000100110000001001111101010 1001000110: 01010010001100101011100101000000 1001000111: 10101101110011010100011010111111 1001001000: 00111011010110111101000000101001 1001001001: 11000100101001000010111111010110 1001001010: 01101110000011101000010101111100 1001001011: 10010001111100010111101010000011 1001001100: 00001000011010001110001100011010 1001001101: 11110111100101110001110011100101 1001001110: 01011101001111011011011001001111 1001001111: 10100010110000100100100110110000 1001010000: 00110100101010111101111111011001 1001010001: 11001011010101000010000000100110 1001010010: 01100001111111101000101010001100 1001010011: 10011110000000010111010101110011 1001010100: 00000111100110001110110011101010 1001010101: 11111000011001110001001100010101 1001010110: 01010010110011011011100110111111 1001010111: 10101101001100100100011001000000 1001011000: 00111011101001001101000011010110 1001011001: 11000100010110110010111100101001 1001011010: 01101110111100011000010110000011 TABLE 1d 1001011011: 10010001000011100111101001111100 1001011100: 00001000100101111110001111100101 1001011101: 11110111011010000001110000011010 1001011110: 01011101110000101011011010110000 1001011111: 10100010001111010100100101001111 1001100000: 0110100010101000010000011011001 1001100001: 11001011101010111101111100100110 1001100010: 1100001000000010111010110001100 1001100011: 10011110111111101000101001110011 1001100100: 00000111011001110001001111101010 1001100101: 1111000100110001110110000010101 1001100110: 01010010001100100100011010111111 1001100111: 10101101110011011011100101000000 1001101000: 00111011010110110010111111010110 1001101001: 1000100101001001101000000101001 1001101010: 01101110000011100111101010000011 1001101011: 10010001111100011000010101111100 1001101100: 0001000011010000001110011100101 1001101101: 11110111100101111110001100011010 1001101110: 01011101001111010100100110110000 1001101111: 10100010110000101011011001001111 1001110000: 0110100101010110010000000100110 1001110001: 11001011010101001101111111011001 1001110010: 01100001111111100111010101110011 1001110011: 10011110000000011000101010001100 1001110100: 0000111100110000001001100010101 1001110101: 11111000011001111110110011101010 1001110110: 1010010110011010100011001000000 1001110111: 10101101001100101011100110111111 1001111000: 00111011101001000010111100101001 1001111001: 11000100010110111101000011010110 1001111010: 01101110111100010111101001111100 1001111011: 0010001000011101000010110000011 1001111100: 00001000100101110001110000011010 1001111101: 11110111011010001110001111100101 1001111110: 01011101110000100100100101001111 1001111111: 10100010001111011011011010110000 1010000000: 00011101111110100100001010010110 1010000001: 1100010000001011011110101101001 1010000010: 01001000101011110001011111000011 1010000011: 0110111010100001110100000111100 1010000100: 0101110110010010111000110100101 1010000101: 1010001001101101000111001011010 1010000110: 01111011100111000010010011110000 1010000111: 10000100011000111101101100001111 1010001000: 0010010111101010100110110011001 1010001001: 1101101000010101011001001100110 1010001010: 1000111101000000001100011001100 1010001011: 10111000010111111110011100110011 1010001100: 00100001110001100111111010101010 1010001101: 1011110001110011000000101010101 1010001110: 01110100100100110010101111111111 1010001111: 0001011011011001101010000000000 1010010000: 0011101000001010100001001101001 1010010001: 11100010111110101011110110010110 1010010010: 1001000010100000001011100111100 1010010011: 10110111101011111110100011000011 1010010100: 0101110001101100111000101011010 1010010101: 1010001110010011000111010100101 1010010110: 01111011011000110010010000001111 1010010111: 10000100100111001101101111110000 1010011000: 0010010000010100100110101100110 1010011001: 11101101111101011011001010011001 1010011010: 01000111010111110001100000110011 1010011011: 10111000101000001110011111001100 1010011100: 00100001001110010111111001010101 1010011101: 1011110110001101000000110101010 1010011110: 01110100011011000010101100000000 1010011111: 10001011100100111101010011111111 1010100000: 00011101111110101011110101101001 1010100001: 1100010000001010100001010010110 1010100010: 01001000101011111110100000111100 1010100011: 0110111010100000001011111000011 1010100100: 0101110110010011000111001011010 1010100101: 1010001001101100111000110100101 1010100110: 01111011100111001101101100001111 1010100111: 0000100011000110010010011110000 1010101000: 0010010111101011011001001100110 1010101001: 1101101000010100100110110011001 1010101010: 01000111101000001110011100110011 1010101011: 0111000010111110001100011001100 1010101100: 0100001110001101000000101010101 1010101101: 11011110001110010111111010101010 1010101110: 1110100100100111101010000000000 1010101111: 10001011011011000010101111111111 1010110000: 00011101000001011011110110010110 1010110001: 1100010111110100100001001101001 1010110010: 1001000010100001110100011000011 1010110011: 10110111101011110001011100111100 1010110100: 0101110001101101000111010100101 1010110101: 1010001110010010111000101011010 1010110110: 01111011011000111101101111110000 1010110111: 0000100100111000010010000001111 1010111000: 0010010000010101011001010011001 1010111001: 11101101111101010100110101100110 1010111010: 01000111010111111110011111001100 1010111011: 0111000101000000001100000110011 1010111100: 0100001001110011000000110101010 1010111101: 11011110110001100111111001010101 1010111110: 01110100011011001101010011111111 1010111111: 0001011100100110010101100000000 1011000000: 00110101100110011011001011100001 1011000001: 1001010011001100100110100011110 1011000010: 01100000110011001110011110110100 1011000011: 0011111001100110001100001001011 1011000100: 0000110101010101000000111010010 1011000101: 11111001010101010111111000101101 1011000110: 01010011111111111101010010000111 1011000111: 0101100000000000010101101111000 1011001000: 00111010100101101011110111101110 1011001001: 1000101011010010100001000010001 1011001010: 01101111110000111110100010111011 1011001011: 0010000001111000001011101000100 1011001100: 00001001101001011000111011011101 1011001101: 1110110010110100111000100100010 1011001110: 01011100111100001101101110001000 1011001111: 10100011000011110010010001110111 1011010000: 00110101011001101011001000011110 1011010001: 1001010100110010100110111100001 1011010010: 01100000001100111110011101001011 1011010011: 10011111110011000001100010110100 1011010100: 0000110010101011000000100101101 1011010101: 11111001101010100111111011010010 1011010110: 1010011000000001101010001111000 1011010111: 10101100111111110010101110000111 1011011000: 00111010011010011011110100010001 1011011001: 1000101100101100100001011101110 1011011010: 01101111001111001110100001000100 1011011011: 10010000110000110001011110111011 1011011100: 0001001010110101000111000100010 1011011101: 11110110101001010111000111011101 1011011110: 01011100000011111101101101110111 1011011111: 10100011111100000010010010001000 1011100000: 00110101100110010100110100011110 1011100001: 11001010011001101011001011100001 1011100010: 01100000110011000001100001001011 1011100011: 10011111001100111110011110110100 1011100100: 00000110101010100111111000101101 1011100101: 11111001010101011000000111010010 1011100110: 01010011111111110010101101111000 1011100111: 10101100000000001101010010000111 1011101000: 00111010100101100100001000010001 1011101001: 11000101011010011011110111101110 1011101010: 01101111110000110001011101000100 1011101011: 10010000001111001110100010111011 1011101100: 00001001101001010111000100100010 1011101101: 11110110010110101000111011011101 1011101110: 01011100111100000010010001110111 1011101111: 10100011000011111101101110001000 1011110000: 00110101011001100100110111100001 1011110001: 11001010100110011011001000011110 1011110010: 01100000001100110001100010110100 1011110011: 10011111110011001110011101001011 1011110100: 00000110010101010111111011010010 1011110101: 11111001101010101000000100101101 1011110110: 01010011000000000010101110000111 1011110111: 10101100111111111101010001111000 1011111000: 00111010011010010100001011101110 1011111001: 11000101100101101011110100010001 1011111010: 01101111001111000001011110111011 1011111011: 10010000110000111110100001000100 1011111100: 00001001010110100111000111011101 1011111101: 11110110101001011000111000100010 1011111110: 01011100000011110010010010001000 1011111111: 10100011111100001101101101110111 1100000000: 00010110110011100011010001111010 1100000001: 11101001001100011100101110000101 1100000010: 01000011100110110110000100101111 1100000011: 10111100011001001001111011010000 1100000100: 00100101111111010000011101001001 1100000101: 11011010000000101111100010110110 1100000110: 01110000101010000101001000011100 1100000111: 10001111010101111010110111100011 1100001000: 00011001110000010011101101110101 1100001001: 11100110001111101100010010001010 1100001010: 01001100100101000110111000100000 1100001011: 10110011011010111001000111011111 1100001100: 00101010111100100000100001000110 1100001101: 11010101000011011111011110111001 1100001110: 01111111101001110101110100010011 1100001111: 10000000010110001010001011101100 1100010000: 00010110001100010011010010000101 1100010001: 11101001110011101100101101111010 1100010010: 01000011011001000110000111010000 1100010011: 10111100100110111001111000101111 1100010100: 0100101000000100000011110110110 1100010101: 11011010111111011111100001001001 1100010110: 01110000010101110101001011100011 1100010111: 10001111101010001010110100011100 1100011000: 00011001001111100011101110001010 1100011001: 11100110110000011100010001110101 1100011010: 01001100011010110110111011011111 1100011011: 10110011100101001001000100100000 1100011100: 0101010000011010000100010111001 1100011101: 11010101111100101111011101000110 1100011110: 01111111010110000101110111101100 1100011111: 10000000101001111010001000010011 1100100000: 00010110110011101100101110000101 1100100001: 11101001001100010011010001111010 1100100010: 01000011100110111001111011010000 1100100011: 10111100011001000110000100101111 TABLE 1e 1100100100: 00100101111111011111100010110110 1100100101: 11011010000000100000011101001001 1100100110: 01110000101010001010110111100011 1100100111: 10001111010101110101001000011100 1100101000: 00011001110000011100010010001010 1100101001: 11100110001111100011101101110101 1100101010: 01001100100101001001000111011111 1100101011: 10110011011010110110111000100000 1100101100: 00101010111100101111011110111001 1100101101: 11010101000011010000100001000110 1100101110: 01111111101001111010001011101100 1100101111: 10000000010110000101110100010011 1100110000: 00101100011000111001101101111010 1100110001: 11101001110011100011010010000101 1100110010: 01000011011001001001111000101111 1100110011: 10111100100110110110000111010000 1100110100: 00100101000000101111100001001001 1100110101: 11011010111111010000011110110110 1100110110: 011100000010101111010110100011100 1100110111: 10001111101010000101001011100011 1100111000: 00011001001111101100010001110101 1100111001: 11100110110000010011101110001010 1100111010: 01001100011010111001000100100000 1100111011: 10110011100101000110111011011111 1100111100: 00101010000011011111011101000110 1100111101: 11010101111100100000100010111001 1100111110: 01111111010110001010001000010011 1100111111: 10000000101001110101110111101100 1101000000: 00111110101011011100010000001101 1101000001: 11000001010100100011101111110010 1101000010: 01101011111110001001000101011000 1101000011: 10010100000001110110111010100111 1101000100: 00001101100111101111011100111110 1101000101: 11110010011000010000100011000001 1101000110: 01011000110010111010001001101011 1101000111: 10100111001101000101110110010100 1101001000: 00110001101000101100101100000010 1101001001: 11001110010111010011010011111101 1101001010: 01100100111101111001111001010111 1101001011: 10011011000010000110000110101000 1101001100: 00000010100100011111100000110001 1101001101: 11111101011011100000011111001110 1101001110: 01010111110001001010110101100100 1101001111: 10101000001110110101001010011011 1101010000: 00111110010100101100010011110010 1101010001: 11000001101011010011101100001101 1101010010: 01101011000001111001000110100111 1101010011: 10010100111110000110111001011000 1101010100: 00001101011000011111011111000001 1101010101: 11110010100111100000100000111110 1101010110: 01011000001101001010001010010100 1101010111: 10100111110010110101110101101011 1101011000: 00110001010111011100101111111101 1101011001: 11001110101000100011010000000010 1101011010: 01100100000010001001111010101000 1101011011: 10011011111101110110000101010111 1101011100: 00000010011011101111100011001110 1101011101: 11111101100100010000011100110001 1101011110: 01010111001110111010110110011011 1101011111: 10101000110001000101001001100100 1101100000: 00111110101011010011101111110010 1101100001: 11000001010100101100010000001101 1101100010: 01101011111110000110111010100111 1101100011: 10010100000001111001000101011000 1101100100: 00001101100111100000100011000001 1101100101: 11110010011000011111011100111110 1101100110: 01011000110010110101110110010100 1101100111: 10100111001101001010001001101011 1101101000: 00110001101000100011010011111101 1101101001: 11001110010111011100101100000010 1101101010: 01100100111101110110000110101000 1101101011: 10011011000010001001111001010111 1101101100: 00000010100100010000011111001110 1101101101: 111111010110111011111000000110001 1101101110: 01010111110001000101001010011011 1101101111: 10101000001110111010110101100100 1101110000: 00111110010100100011101100001101 1101110001: 11000001101011011100010011110010 1101110010: 01101011000001110110111001011000 1101110011: 10010100111110001001000110100111 1101110100: 00001101011000010000100000111110 1101110101: 11110010100111101111011111000001 1101110110: 01011000001101000101110101101011 1101110111: 10100111110010111010001010010100 1101111000: 00110001010111010011010000000010 1101111001: 11001110101000101100101111111101 1101111010: 01100100000010000110000101010111 1101111011: 10011011111101111001111010101000 1101111100: 00000010011011100000011100110001 1101111101: 11111101100100011111100011001110 1101111110: 01010111001110110101001001100100 1101111111: 10101000110001001010110110011011 1110000000: 00010111000000110101100110111101 1110000001: 11101000111111001010011001000010 1110000010: 01000010010101100000110011101000 1110000011: 10111101101010011111001100010111 1110000100: 00100100001100000110101010001110 1110000101: 11011011110011111001010101110001 1110000110: 01110001011001010011111111011011 1110000111: 10001110100110101100000000100100 1110001000: 00011000000011000101011010110010 1110001001: 11100111111100111010100101001101 1110001010: 01001101010110010000001111100111 1110001011: 10110010101001101111110000011000 1110001100: 00101011001111110110010110000001 1110001101: 1101010011000000100110100111110 1110001110: 01111110011010100011000011010100 1110001111: 10000001100101011100111100101011 1110010000: 0001011111111000101100101000010 1110010001: 1110100000000111010011010111101 1110010010: 01000010101010010000110000010111 1110010011: 10111101010101101111001111101000 1110010100: 00100100110011110110101001110001 1110010101: 11011011001100001001010110001110 1110010110: 01110001100110100011111100100100 1110010111: 10001110011001011100000011011011 1110011000: 00011000111100110101011001001101 1110011001: 11100111000011001010100110110010 1110011010: 01001101101001100000001100011000 1110011011: 10110010010110011111110011100111 1110011100: 00101011110000000110010101111110 1110011101: 11010100001111111001101010000001 1110011110: 01111110100101010011000000101011 1110011111: 10000001011010101100111111010100 1110100000: 00010111000000111010011001000010 1110100001: 11101000111111000101100110111101 11101000010: 1000010010101101111001100010111 1110100011: 10111101101010010000110011101000 1110100100: 00100100001100001001010101110001 1110100101: 11011011110011110110101010001110 1110100110: 01110001011001011100000000100100 1110100111: 10001110100110100011111111011011 1110101000: 00011000000011001010100101001101 1110101001: 11100111111100110101011010110010 1110101010: 01001101010110011111110000011000 1110101011: 10110010101001100000001111100111 1110101100: 00101011001111111001101001111110 1110101101: 11010100110000000110010110000001 1110101110: 01111110011010101100111100101011 1110101111: 10000001100101010011000011010100 1110110000: 00010111111111001010011010111101 1110110001: 11101000000000110101100101000010 1110110010: 01000010101010011111001111101000 1110110011: 10111101010101100000110000010111 1110110100: 00100100110011111001010110001110 1110110101: 11011011001100000110101001110001 1110110110: 01110001100110101100000011011011 1110110111: 10001110011001010011111100100100 1110111000: 00011000111100111010100110110010 1110111001: 11100111000011000101011001001101 1110111010: 01001101101001101111110011100111 1110111011: 10110010010110010000001100011000 1110111100: 00101011110000001001101010000001 1110111101: 11010100001111110110010101111110 1110111110: 01111110100101011100111111010100 1110111111: 10000001011010100011000000101011 1111000000: 00111111011000001010100111001010 1111000001: 11000000100111110101011000110101 1111000010: 01101010001101011111110010011111 1111000011: 1001010111001010000000110110000 1111000100: 00001100010100111001101011111001 1111000101: 11110011101011000110010100000110 1111000110: 01011001000001101100111110101100 1111000111: 10100110111110010011000001010011 1111001000: 00110000011011111010011011000101 1111001001: 11001111100100000101100100111010 1111001010: 01100101001110101111001110010000 1111001011: 10011010110001010000110001101111 1111001100: 00000011010111001001010111110110 1111001101: 11111100101000110110101000001001 1111001110: 01010110000010011100000010100011 1111001111: 101010011111011000011111101011100 1111010000: 00111111100111111010100100110101 1111010001: 11000000011000000101011011001010 1111010010: 01101010110010101111110001100000 1111010011: 10010101001101010000001110011111 1111010100: 00001100101011001001101000000110 1111010101: 11110011010100110110010111111001 1111010110: 01011001111110011100111101010011 1111010111: 10100110000001100011000010101100 1111011000: 00110000100100001010011000111010 1111011001: 11001111011011110101100111000101 1111011010: 01100101110001011111001101101111 1111011011: 10011010001110100000110010010000 1111011100: 00000011101000111001010100001001 1111011101: 11111100010111000110101011110110 1111011110: 010101101111011011000000011100 1111011111: 10101001000010010011111110100011 1111100000: 00111111011000000101011000110101 1111100001: 11000000100111111010100111001010 1111100010: 01101010001101010000001101100000 1111100011: 10010101110010101111110010011111 1111100100: 00001100010100110110010100000110 1111100101: 11110011101011001001101011111001 1111100110: 01011001000001100011000001010011 1111100111: 10100110111110011100111110101100 1111101000: 00110000011011110101100100111010 1111101001: 11001111100100001010011011000101 1111101010: 01100101001110100000110001101111 1111101011: 10011010110001011111001110010000 1111101100: 00000011010111000110101000001001 TABLE 1f 1111101101: 11111100101000111001010111110110 1111101110: 01010110000010010011111101011100 1111101111: 10101001111101101100000010100011 1111110000: 00111111100111110101011011001010 1111110001: 11000000011000001010100100110101 1111110010: 01101010110010100000001110011111 1111110011: 10010101001101011111110001100000 1111110100: 00001100101011000110010111111001 1111110101: 11110011010100111001101000000110 1111110110: 01011001111110010011000010101100 1111110111: 10100110000001101100111101010011 1111111000: 00110000100100000101100111000101 1111111001: 11001111011011111010011000111010 1111111010: 01100101110001010000110010010000 1111111011: 10011010001110101111001101101111 1111111100: 00000011101000110110101011110110 1111111101: 11111100010111001001010100001001 1111111110: 01010110111101100011111110100011 1111111111: 10101001000010011100000001011100 The decoding apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to FIG. 9. An input signal r(t) is applied to 15 multipliers 902 to 906 and a correlation calculator 920. The input signal r(t) was encoded with a predetermined Walsh code and a predetermined mask sequence in a transmitter. A mask sequence generator 910 generates all possible 15 mask sequences M1 to M15. The multipliers 902 to 906 multiply the mask sequences received from the mask sequence generator 910 by the input signal r(t). The multiplier 902 multiplies the input signal r(t) by the mask sequence M1 received from the mask sequence generator 910. The multiplier 904 multiplies the input signal r(t) by the mask sequence M2 received from the mask sequence generator 910. The multiplier 906 multiplies the input signal r(t) by the mask sequence M15 received from the mask sequence generator 910. If the transmitter encoded TFCI bits with the predetermined mask sequence, one of the outputs of the multipliers 902 to 906 is free of the mask sequence, which means the mask sequence has no effect on the correlations calculated by one of the correlation calculators. For example, if the transmitter used the mask sequence M2 for encoding the TFCI bits, the output of the multiplier 904 that multiplies the mask sequence M2 by the input signal r(t) is free of the mask sequence. The mask sequence-free signal is TFCI bits encoded with the predetermined Walsh code. Correlation calculators 920 to 926 calculate the correlations of the input signal r(t) and the outputs of the multipliers 902 to 906 to 64 bi-orthogonal codes. The 64 bi-orthogonal codes have been defined before. The correlation calculator 920 calculates the correlation values of the input signal r(t) to the 64 bi-orthogonal codes of length 32, selects the maximum correlation value from the 64 correlations, and outputs the selected correlation value, a bi-orthogonal code index corresponding to the selected correlation value, and its unique index “0000” to a correlation comparator 940. The correlation calculator 922 calculates the correlation values of the output of the multiplier 902 to the 64 bi-orthogonal codes, selects the maximum value of the 64 correlations, and outputs the selected correlation value, a bi-orthogonal code index corresponding to the selected correlation, and its unique index “0001” to the correlation comparator 940. The correlation calculator 924 calculates the correlation values of the output of the multiplier 904 to the 64 bi-orthogonal codes, selects the maximum of the 64 correlation values, and outputs the selected correlation value, a bi-orthogonal code index corresponding to the selected correlation value, and its unique index “0010” to the correlation comparator 940. Other correlation calculators(not shown) calculate the correlation values of the outputs of the correspondent multipliers to the 64 bi-orthogonal codes and operate similar to the above described correlation calculators, respectively. Finally, the correlation calculator 926 calculates the correlation values of the output of the multiplier 906 to the 64 bi-orthogonal codes, selects the maximum value of the 64 correlations, and outputs the selected correlation value, a bi-orthogonal code index corresponding to the selected correlation value, and its unique index “1111” to the correlation comparator 940. The unique indexes of the correlation calculators 920 to 926 are the same as the indexes of the mask sequences multiplied by the input signal r(t) in the multipliers 902 to 906. Table 2 lists the 15 mask indexes multiplied in the multipliers and a mask index assigned to the case that no mask sequence is used, by way of example. TABLE 2 mask sequence mask sequence index not used 0000 M1 0001 M2 0010 M3 0011 M4 0101 M5 0101 M6 0110 M7 0111 M8 1000 M9 1001 M10 1010 M11 1011 M12 1100 M13 1101 M14 1110 M15 1111 As shown in Table 2, the correlation calculator 922, which receives the signal which is the product of the input signal r(t) and the mask sequence M1, outputs “0001” as its index. The correlation calculator 926, which receives the signal which is the product of the input signal r(t) and the mask sequence M15, outputs “1111” as its index. The correlation calculator 920, which receives only the input signal r(t), outputs “0000” as its index. Meanwhile, the bi-orthogonal code indexes are expressed in a binary code. For example, if the correlation to {overscore (W4)} which is the complement of W4 is the largest correlation value, a corresponding bi-orthogonal code index (a0 to a9) is “001001”. The correlation comparator 940 compares the 16 maximum correlation values received from the correlation calculators 920 to 926, selects the highest correlation value from the 16 received maximum correlation values, and outputs TFCI bits based on the bi-orthogonal code index and the mask sequence index(the unique index) received from the correlation calculator that corresponds to the highest correlation value. The TFCI bits can be determined by combining the bi-orthogonal code index and the mask sequence index. For example, if the mask sequence index is that of M4(0100) and the bi-orthogonal code index is that of {overscore (W4)}(001001), the TFCI bits(a9 to a0) are “the M4 index(0100)+the {overscore (W4)} index(001001)”. That is, the TFCI bits(a9 to a0) are “0100001001” Assuming that the transmitter transmitted code symbols corresponding to TFCI bits (a0 to a9) “1011000010”, it can be said that the transmitter encoded the TFCI bits with {overscore (W6)} and M4 according to the afore-described encoding procedure. The receiver can determine that the input signal r(t) is encoded with the mask sequence M4 by multiplying the input signal r(t) by all the mask sequences and that the input signal r(t) is encoded with {overscore (W6)} by calculating the correlations of the input signal r(t) to all the bi-orthogonal codes. Based on the above example, the fifth correlation calculator(not shown) will output the largest correlation value, the index of {overscore (W6)} (101100) and its unique index(0010). Then, the receiver outputs the decoded TFCI bits(a0 to a9) “1011000010” by adding the index of {overscore (W6)} “101100” and the M4 index “0010”. In the embodiment of the decoding apparatus, the input signal r(t) is processed in parallel according to the number of mask sequences. It can be further contemplated that the input signal r(t) is sequentially multiplied by the mask sequences and the correlations of the products are sequentially calculated in another embodiment of the decoding apparatus. FIG. 17 illustrates another embodiment of the decoding apparatus. Referring to FIG. 17, a memory 1720 stores an input 32-symbol signal r(t). A mask sequence generator 1710 generates 16 mask sequences that were used in the transmitter and outputs them sequentially. A multiplier 1730 multiplies one of the 16 mask sequences received from the mask sequence generator 1710 by the input signal r(t) received from the memory 1720. A correlation calculator 1740 calculates the output of the multiplier 1730 to 64 biorthogonal codes bi-orthogonal of length 32 and outputs the maximum correlation value and the index of a biorthogonal code corresponding to the largest correlation value to a correlation comparator 1750. The correlation comparator 1750 stores the maximum correlation value and the biorthogonal code index received from the correlation calculator 1740, and the index of the mask sequence received from the mask sequence generator 1710. Upon completion of above processing with the mask sequence, the memory 1720 outputs the stored input signal r(t) to the multiplier 1730. The multiplier 1730 multiplies the input signal r(t) by one of the other mask sequences. The correlation calculator 1740 calculates correlation of the output of the multiplier 1730 to the 64 biorthogonal codes of length 32 and outputs the maximum correlation value and the index of a biorthogonal code corresponding to the maximum correlation value. The correlation comparator 1750 stores the maximum correlation value, the biorthogonal code index corresponding to the maximum correlation value, and the mask sequence index received from the mask sequence generator 1710. The above procedure is performed on all of the 16 mask sequences generated from the mask sequence generator 1710. Then, 16 maximum correlation values the indexes of biorthogonal codes corresponding to the maximum correlation value are stored in the correlation comparator 1750. The correlation comparator 1750 compares the stored 16 correlation values and selects the one with the highest correlation and outputs TFCI bits by combining the indexes of the biorthogonal code and mask sequence index corresponding to the selected maximum correlation value. When the decoding of the TFCI bits is completed, the input signal r(t) is deleted from the memory 1720 and the next input signal r(t+1) is stored. While the correlation comparator 1750 compares the 16 maximum correlation values at one time in the decoding apparatus of FIG. 17, real-time correlation value comparison can be contemplated. That is, the first input maximum correlation value is compared with the next input maximum correlation value and the larger of the two correlation values and a mask sequence index and a biorthogonal code index corresponding to the correlation are stored. Then, the thirdly input maximum correlation is compared with the stored correlation and the larger of the two correlations and a mask sequence index and a biorthogonal code index corresponding to the selected correlation are stored. This comparison operation occurs 15 times which is the number of mask sequences generated from the mask sequence generator 1710. Upon completion of all the operations, the correlation comparator 1710 output the finally stored biorthogonal index(a0 to a6) and mask sequence index(a7 to a9) and outputs the added bits as TFCI bits. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the correlation comparator 940 shown in FIG. 9. The correlation comparator 940 stores the sixteen maximum correlation values, selects a highest correlation value out of the 16 maximum correlation values and output TFCI bits based on the indexes of a bi-orthogonal code and a mask sequence corresponding to the selected highest correlation value. The sixteen correlation values are compared, and TFCI bits are outputted based on the indexes of a bi-orthogonal code and a mask sequence corresponding to the highest correlation value. Referring to FIG. 10, a maximum correlation index i is set to 1 and the indices of a maximum correlation value, a biorthogonal code, and a mask sequence to be checked are set to 0s in step 1000. In step 1010, the correlation comparator 940 receives a 1st maximum correlation value, a 1st bi-orthogonal code index, and a 1st mask sequence index from the correlation calculator 920. The correlation comparator 940 compares the 1st maximum correlation with an the previous maximum correlation value in step 1020. If the 1st maximum correlation is greater than the previous maximum correlation, the procedure goes to step 1030. If the 1st maximum correlation is equal to or smaller than the previous maximum correlation, the procedure goes to step 1040. In step 1030, the correlation comparator 940 designates the 1st maximum correlation as a final maximum correlation and stores the 1st bi-orthogonal code and mask sequence indexes as final bi-orthogonal code and mask sequence indexes. In step 1040, the correlation comparator 940 compares the index i with the number 16 of the correlation calculators to determine whether all 16 maximum correlations are completely compared. If i is not 16, the index i is increased by 1 in step 1060 and the procedure returns to step 1010. Then, the above procedure is repeated. In step 1050, the correlation comparator 940 outputs the indexes of the bi-orthogonal code and the mask sequence that correspond to the final maximum correlation as decoded bits. The bi-orthogonal code index and the mask sequence index corresponding to the decoded bits are those corresponding to the final maximum correlation among the 16 maximum correlation values received from the 16 correlation calculators. 3. Second Embodiment of Encoding/Decoding Apparatus and Method The (32, 10) TFCI encoder that outputs a 32-symbol TFCI codeword in view of 16 slots has been described in the first embodiment of the present invention. Recently, the IMT-2000 standard specification dictates having 15 slots in one frame. Therefore, the second embodiment of the present invention is directed to a (30, 10) TFCI encoder that outputs a 30-symbol TFCI codeword in view of 15 slots. Therefore, the second embodiment of the present invention suggests an encoding apparatus and method for outputting 30 code symbols by puncturing two symbols of 32 coded symbols(codeword) as generated from the (32, 10) TFCI encoder. The encoding apparatuses according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention are the same in configuration except that sequences output from a one-bit generator, a basis Walsh code generator, and a basis mask sequence generator. The encoder apparatus outputs coded symbols of length 30 with symbol #0(1st symbol) and symbol #16(17th symbol) are punctured in the encoding apparatus of the second embodiment. Referring to FIG. 8, 10 input information bits a0 to a9 are applied to the input of the 840 to 849. The one-bit generator 800 outputs symbols 1s(length 32) to the multiplier 840. The multiplier 840 multiplies the input information bit a0 by each 32 symbol received from the one-bit generator 800. The basis Walsh code generator 810 simultaneously generates basis Walsh codes W1, W2, W4, W8, and W16 of length 32. The multiplier 841 multiplies the input information bit a1 by the basis Walsh code W1 “01010101010101010101010101010101”. The multiplier 842 multiplies the input information bit a2 by the basis Walsh code W2 “00110011001100110011001100110011”. The multiplier 843 multiplies the input information bit a3 by the basis Walsh code W4 “00001111000011110000111100001111”. The multiplier 844 multiplies the input information bit a4 by the basis Walsh code W8 “00000000111111110000000011111111”. The multiplier 845 multiplies the input information bit a5 by the basis Walsh code W16 “00000000000000001111111111111111”. The basis mask sequence generator 820 simultaneously generates basis mask sequences M1, M2, M4, and M8 of length 32. The multiplier 846 multiplies the input information bit a6 by the basis mask sequence M1 “00101000011000111111000001110111”. The multiplier 847 multiplies the input information bit a7 by the basis mask sequence M2 “00000001110011010110110111000111”. The multiplier 848 multiplies the input information bit a8 by the basis mask sequence M4 “00001010111110010001101100101011”. The multiplier 849 multiplies the input information bit a9 by the basis mask sequence M8 “00011100001101110010111101010001”. The multipliers 840 to 849 function like switches that control the output of or the generation of the bits from the one-bit generator, each of the basis Walsh codes and each of the basis mask sequences. The adder 860 sums the outputs of the multipliers 840 to 849 symbol by symbol and outputs 32 coded symbols (i.e., a TFCI codeword). Out of the 32 coded symbols, two symbols will be punctured at predetermined positions (i.e. the symbol #0(the first symbol) and symbol #16(the 17th symbol) of the adder 860 output are punctured). The remaining 30 symbols will become the 30 TFCI symbols. It will be easy to modify the second embodiment of present invention. For example, the one-bit generator 800, basis Walsh generator 810, basis mask sequence generator 820 can generate 30 symbols which excludes the #0 and #16 symbols. The adder 860 then adds the output of the one-bit generator 800, basis Walsh generator 810 and basis mask sequence generator 820 bit by bit and output 30 encoded symbols as TFCI symbols. FIG. 12 is a encoding method for the second embodiment of present invention. The flowchart illustrating the steps of the encoding apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention when the number of slots is 15. Referring to FIG. 12, 10 input information bits a0 to a9 are received and variables sum and j are set to an initial value 0 in step 1200. In step 1210, it is determined whether j is 30. If j is not 30 in step 1210, the jth symbols W1(j), W2(j), W4(j), W8(j), and W16(j) of the basis Walsh codes W1, W2, W4, W8, and W16 (each having two punctured bits) and the jth symbols M1(j), M2(j), M4(j), and M8(j) of the basis mask sequences M1, M2, M4, and M8 (each having two punctured bits) are received in step 1220. Then, the received symbols are multiplied by the input information bits on a symbol basis and the multiplied symbols are summed in step 1230. In step 1240, sum indicating the achieved jth code symbol is output. j is increased by 1 in step 1250 and then the procedure returns to step 1210. Meanwhile, if j is 30 in step 1210, the encoding procedure ends. The (30, 10) encoder outputs 1024 codewords equivalent to the codewords of the (32, 10) encoder with symbols #0 and #16 punctured. Therefore, the total number of information can be expressed is 1024. The output of a (30, 9) encoder is combinations of 32 Walsh codes of length 30 obtained by puncturing symbols #0 and #16 of each of 32 Walsh codes of length 32, 32 bi-orthogonal codes obtained by adding 1 to each symbol of the punctured Walsh codes (by multiplying −1 to each symbol in the case of a real number), and 8 mask sequences obtained by combining any three of the four punctured basis mask sequences. The output of a (30, 8) encoder is combinations of 32 Walsh codes of length 30 obtained by puncturing #0 and #16 symbols from each of 32 Walsh codes having a length 32 symbols, 32 bi-orthogonal codes obtained by adding 1 to each symbol of the punctured Walsh codes (by multiplying −1 to each symbol in the case of a real number), and 4 mask sequences obtained by combining any two of the four punctured basis mask sequences. The output of a (30, 7) encoder is combinations of 32 Walsh codes of length 30 obtained by puncturing #0 and #16 symbols from each of 32 Walsh codes having a length 32 symbols, 32 bi-orthogonal codes obtained by adding I to each symbol of the punctured Walsh codes (by multiplying −1 to each symbol in the case of a real number), and one of the four punctured basis mask sequences. All the above encoders for providing an extended TFCI have a minimum distance of 10. The (30, 9), (30, 8), and (30, 7) encoders can be implemented by blocking input and output of at least one of the four basis mask sequences generated from the basis mask sequence generator 820 shown in FIG. 8. The above encoders flexibly encode TFCI bits according to the number of the TFCI bits and has a maximized minimum distance that determines encoding performance. A decoding apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same in configuration and operation as the decoding apparatus of the first embodiment except for different signal lengths of the encoded symbols. That is, after (32,10) encoding, two symbols out of the 32 encoded symbols are punctured, or basis Walsh codes with two punctured symbols and basis mask sequences with two punctured symbols are used for generating the 30 encoded symbols. Therefore, except for the received signal r(t) which includes a signal of 30 encoded symbols and insertion of dummy signals at the punctured positions, all decoding operations are equal to the description of the first embodiment of present invention. As FIG. 17, this second embodiment of decoding also can be implemented by a single multiplier for multiplying the masks with r(t) and a single correlation calculator for calculating correlation values of bi-orthogonal codes. 4. Third Embodiment of Encoding/Decoding Apparatus and Method The third embodiment of the present invention provides an encoding apparatus for blocking the output of a one-bit generator in the (30, 7), (30, 8), (30, 9) or (30, 10) (hereinafter we express (30, 7-10))encoder of the second embodiment and generating another mask sequence instead in order to set a minimum distance to 11. The encoders refer to an encoder that outputs a 30-symbol TFCI codeword for the input of 7, 8, 9 or 10 TFCI bits. FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the encoding apparatus for encoding a TFCI in the IMT 2000 system. In the drawing, a (30, 7-10) encoder is configured to have a minimum distance of 11. The encoding apparatus of the third embodiment is similar in structure to that of the second embodiment except that a mask sequence generator 1480 for generating a basis mask sequence M16 and a switch 1470 for switching the mask sequence generator 1480 and a one-bit generator 1400 to a multiplier 1440 are further provided to the encoding apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The two bit punctured basis mask sequences M1, M2, M4, M8, and M16 as used in FIG. 14 are M1=000001011111000010110100111110 M2=000110001100110001111010110111 M4=010111100111101010000001100111 M8=011011001000001111011100001111 M16=100100011110011111000101010011 Referring to FIG. 14, when a (30, 6) encoder is used, the switch 1470 switches the one-bit generator 1400 to the multiplier 1440 and blocks all the basis mask sequences generated from a basis mask sequence generator 1480. The multiplier 1440 multiplies the symbols from the one-bit generator 1400 with the input information bit a0, symbol by symbol. If a (30, 7-10) encoder is used, the switch 1470 switches the mask sequence generator 1480 to the multiplier 1440 and selectively uses four basis mask sequences generated from a basis mask sequence generator 1420. In this case, 31 mask sequences M1 to M31 can be generated by combining 5 basis mask sequences. The structure and operation of outputting code symbols for the input information bits a0 to a9 using multipliers 1440 to 1449 are the same as the first and second embodiments. Therefore, their description will be omitted. As stated above, the switch 1470 switches the mask sequence generator 1480 to the multiplier 1440 to use the (30, 7-10) encoder, whereas the switch 1470 switches the one-bit generator 1400 to the multiplier 1440 to use the (30, 6) encoder. For the input of 6 information bits, the (30, 6) encoder outputs a 30-symbol codeword by combining 32 Walsh codes of length 30 with 32 bi-orthogonal codes obtained by inverting the Walsh codes by the use of the one-bit generator 1400. For the input of 10 information bits, the (30, 10) encoder outputs a 30-symbol codeword by combining 32 Walsh codes of length 30 and 32 mask sequences generated using five basis mask sequences. Here, the five basis mask sequences are M1, M2, M4, M8, and M16, as stated above and the basis mask sequence M16 is output from the mask sequence generator 1480 that is added for the encoding apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Hence, 1024 codewords can be achieved from the (30, 10) encoder. The (30, 9) encoder outputs a 30-symbol codeword by combining 32 Walsh codes and 16 mask sequences, for the input of 9 information bits. The 16 mask sequences are achieved by combining four of five basis mask sequences. The (30, 8) encoder outputs a 30-symbol codeword by combining 32 Walsh codes and 8 mask sequences, for the input of 8 information bits. The 8 mask sequences are obtained by combining three of five basis mask sequences. For the input of 7 information bits, the (30, 7) encoder outputs a 30-symbol codeword by combining 32 Walsh codes of length 30 and four mask sequences. The four mask sequences are obtained by combining two of five basis mask sequences. All the above (30, 7-10) encoders have a minimum distance of 11 to provide extended TFCIs. The (32, 7-10) encoders can be implemented by controlling use of at least one of the five basis mask sequences generated from the basis mask sequence generator 1420 and the mask sequence generator 1480 shown in FIG. 14. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment of the TFCI encoding procedure in the IMT 2000 system according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 16, 10 information bits (TFCI bits) a0 to a9 are received and variables sum and j are set to initial values 0s in step 1600. The variable sum indicates a final code symbol output after symbol-basis addition and the variable j indicates the count number of final code symbols output after the symbol-basis addition. It is determined whether j is 30 in step 1610 in view of the length 30 of punctured Walsh codes and mask sequences used for encoding. The purpose of performing step 1610 is to judge whether the input information bits are encoded with respect to the 30 symbols of each Walsh code and the 30 symbols of each mask sequence. If j is not 30 in step 1610, which implies that encoding is not completed with respect to all the symbols of the Walsh codes and mask sequences, the jth symbols W1(j), W2(j), W4(j), W8(j), and W16(j) of the basis Walsh codes W1, W2, W4, W8, and W16 and the jth symbols M1(j), M2(j), M4(j), M8(j), and M16(j) of the basis mask sequences M1, M2, M4, M8, and M16 are received in step 1620. In step 1630, the input information bits are multiplied by the received symbols symbol by symbol and the symbol products are summed. Step 1630 can be expressed as sum=a0·M16(j)+a1·W1(j)+a2·W2(j)+a3·W4 (j)+a4·W8(j)+a5·W16(j)+a6·M1(j)+a7·M2(j)+a8·M4(j)+a9·M8(j) (Eq. 10) As noted from Eq.10, an intended code symbol is obtained by multiplying each input information bit by the symbols of a corresponding basis Walsh code or basis mask sequence and summing the products. In step 1640, sum indicating the achieved jth code symbol is output. j is increased by 1 in step 1650 and then the procedure returns to step 1610. Meanwhile, if j is 30 in step 1610, the encoding procedure ends. Now there will be given a description of the third embodiment of the decoding apparatus referring to FIG. 15. An input signal r(t) which includes the 30 encoded symbols signal transmitted by a transmitter and two dummy symbols which have been inserted at the positions that have been punctured by the encoder is applied to 31 multipliers 1502 to 1506 and a correlation calculator 1520. A mask sequence generator 1500 generates all possible 31 mask sequences of length 32 M1 to M31. The multipliers 1502 to 1506 multiply the mask sequences received from the mask sequence generator 1500 by the input signal r(t). If a transmitter encoded TFCI bits with a predetermined mask sequence, one of the outputs of the multipliers 1502 to 1506 is free of the mask sequence, which means the mask sequence has no effect on the following correlation calculator. For example, if the transmitter used the mask sequence M31 for encoding the TFCI bits, the output of the multiplier 1506 that multiplies the mask sequence M31 by the input signal r(t) is free of the mask sequence. However, if the transmitter did not use a mask sequence, the input signal r(t) itself applied to a correlation calculator 1520 is a mask sequence-free signal. Each correlation calculators 1520 to 1526 calculates the correlation values of the outputs of the multipliers 1502 to 1506 with 64 bi-orthogonal codes of length 32, determines maximum correlation value among the 64-correlation sets, and outputs the determined maximum correlation values, the indexes of each bi-orthogonal codes corresponding to the determined maximum correlation values, and each index of the mask sequences to a correlation comparator 1540, respectively. The correlation comparator 1540 compares the 32 maximum correlation values received from the correlation calculators 1520 to 1526 and determines the largest of the maximum correlation values as a final maximum correlation. Then, the correlation comparator 1540 outputs the decoded TFCI bits transmitted by the transmitter on the basis of the indexes of the bi-orthogonal code and mask sequence corresponding to the final maximum correlation value. As in FIG. 17, the third embodiment of present invention can be also implemented by a single multiplier for multiplying the masks with r(t) and a single correlation calculator for calculating correlation values of bi-orthogonal codes. As described above, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for encoding and decoding a basic TFCI and an extended TFCI variably so that hardware is simplified. Another advantage is that support of both basic TFCI and extended TFCI error correcting coding schemes increases service stability. Furthermore, a minimum distance, a factor that determined the performance of an encoding apparatus, is large enough to satisfy the requirement of an IMT 2000 system, thereby ensuing excellent performance. While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to an information transmitting apparatus and method in an IMT 2000 system, and in particular, to an apparatus and method for transmitting a transport format combination indicator (TFCI). 2. Description of the Related Art A CDMA mobile communication system (hereinafter, referred to as an IMT 2000 system) generally transmits frames that provide a voice service, an image service, a character service on a physical channel such as a dedicated physical data channel (DPDCH) at a fixed or variable data rate. In the case where the data frames which include that sort of services are transmitted at a fixed data rate, there is no need to inform a receiver of the spreading rate of each data frame. On the other hand, if the data frames are transmitted at a variable data rate, which implies that each data frame has a different data rate, a transmitter should inform the receiver of the spreading rate of each data frame determined by its data rate. A data rate is proportional to a data transmission rate and the data transmission rate is inversely proportional to a spreading rate in a general IMT 2000 system. For transmission of data frames at a variable data rate, a TFCI field of a DPCCH informs a receiver of the data rate of the current service frame. The TFCI field includes a TFCI indicating a lot of information including the data rate of a service frame. The TFCI is information that helps a voice or data service to reliably be provided. FIGS. 1A to 1 D illustrate examples of applications of a TFCI. FIG. 1A illustrates application of the TFCI to an uplink DPDCH and an uplink dedicated physical control channel (DPCCH). FIG. 1B illustrates application of the TFCI to a random access channel (RACH). FIG. 1C illustrates application of the TFCI to a downlink DPDCH and a downlink DPCCH. FIG. 1D illustrates application of the TFCI to a secondary common control physical channel (SCCPCH). Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1 D, one frame is comprised of 16 slots and each slot has a TFCI field. Thus, one frame includes 16 TFCI fields. A TFCI field includes N TFCI bits and a TFCI generally has 32 bits in a frame. To transmit the 32-bit TFCI in one frame, 2 TFCI bits can be assigned to each of the 16 slots (T slot =0.625 ms). FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a base station transmitter in a general IMT 2000 system. Referring to FIG. 2 , multipliers 211 , 231 , and 232 multiply input signals by gain coefficients G 1 , G 3 , and G 5 . Multipliers 221 , 241 , and 242 multiply TFCI codewords (TFCI code symbols) received from corresponding TFCI encoders by gain coefficients G 2 , G 4 , and G 6 . The gain coefficients G 1 to G 6 may have different values according to service types or handover situations. The input signals include pilots and power control signals (TPCs) of a DPCCH and a DPDCH data. A multiplexer 212 inserts 32 bit TFCI code symbols(TFCI codeword) received from the multiplier 221 into the TFCI fields as shown in FIG 1 C. A multiplexer 242 inserts 32-bit TFCI code symbols received from the multiplier 241 into the TFCI fields. A multiplexer 252 inserts 32-bit TFCI code symbols received from the multiplier 242 into the TFCI fields. Insertion of TFCI code symbols into TFCI fields is shown in FIGS. 1A to 1 D. The 32 code symbols are obtained by encoding TFCI bits(information bits) that define the data rate of a data signal on a corresponding data channel. 1 st , 2 nd , and 3 rd serial to parallel converters (S/Ps) 213 , 233 , and 234 separate the outputs of the multiplexers 212 , 242 , and 252 into I channels and Q channels. Multipliers 214 , 222 , and 235 to 238 multiply the outputs of the S/Ps 213 , 233 , and 234 by channelization codes C ch1 , C ch2 , and C ch3 . The channelization codes are orthogonal codes. A first summer 215 sums the outputs of the multipliers 214 , 235 , and 237 and generates an I channel signal and a second summer 223 sums the outputs of the multipliers 222 , 236 , and 238 and generates a Q channel signal. A phase shifter 224 shifts the phase of the Q channel signal received from the second summer 223 by 90°. A summer 216 adds the outputs of the first summer 215 and the phase shifter 224 and generates a complex signal I+jQ. A multiplier 217 scrambles the complex signal with a complex PN sequence C scramb assigned to the base station. A signal processor(S/P) 218 separates the scrambled signal into an I channel and a Q channel. Low-pass filters (LPFs) 219 and 225 limits the bandwidths of the I channel and Q channel signals received from the S/P 218 by low-pass-filtering. Multipliers 220 and 226 multiply the outputs of the LPFs 219 and 225 by carriers cos(2πf c t) and sin(2πf c t), respectively, thereby transforming the outputs of the LPFs 219 and 225 to an RF (Radio Frequency) band. A summer 227 sums the RF I channel and Q channel signals. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a mobile station transmitter in the general IMT 2000 system. Referring to FIG. 3 , multipliers 311 , 321 , and 323 multiply corresponding signals by channelization codes C ch1 , C ch2 , and C ch3 . Signals 1 , 2 , 3 are first, second and third DPDCH signal. An input signal 4 includes pilots and TPCs of a DPCCH.TFCI information bits are encoded into 32 bit TFCI code symbols by a TFCI encoder 309 . A multiplier 310 inserts a 32 bit TFCI code symbols into the signal 4 as shown in FIG. 1A . A multiplier 325 multiplies a DPCCH signal which include TFCI code symbol received from the multiplier 310 by a channelization code C ch4 . The channelization codes C ch1 to C ch4 are orthogonal codes. The 32 TFCI code symbols are obtained by encoding TFCI information bits that define the data rate of the DPDCH signals. Multipliers 312 , 322 , 324 , and 326 multiply the outputs of the multipliers 311 , 321 , 323 , and 325 by gain coefficients G 1 to G 4 , respectably. The gain coefficients G 1 to G 4 may have different values. A first summer 313 generates an I channel signal by adding the outputs of the multipliers 312 and 322 . A second summer 327 generates a Q channel signal by adding the outputs of the multipliers 324 and 326 . A phase shifter 328 shifts the phase of the Q channel signal received from the second summer 327 by 90°. A summer 314 adds the outputs of the first summer 313 and the phase shifter 328 and generates a complex signal I+jQ. A multiplier 315 scrambles the complex signal with a PN sequence C scramb assigned to a base station. An S/P 329 divides the scrambled signal into an I channel and a Q channel. LPFs 316 and 330 low-pass-filter the I channel and Q channel signals received from the S/P 329 and generate signals with limited bandwidths. Multipliers 317 and 331 multiply the outputs of the LPFs 316 and 330 by carriers cos(2πf c t) and sin(2πf c t), respectively, thereby transforming the outputs of the LPFs 316 and 330 to an RF band. A summer 318 sums the RF I channel and Q channel signals. TFCIs are categorized into a basic TFCI and an extended TFCI. The basic TFCI represents 1 to 64 different information including the data rates of corresponding data channels using 6 TFCI information bits, whereas the extended TFCI represents 1 to 128, 1 to 256, 1 to 512, or 1 to 1024 different information using 7, 8, 9 or 10 TFCI information bits. The extended TFCI has been suggested to satisfy the requirement of the IMT 2000 system for more various services. TFCI bits are essential for a receiver to receive data frames received from a transmitter. That is the reason why unreliable transmission of the TFCI information bits due to transmission errors lead to wrong interpretation of the frames in the receiver. Therefore, the transmitter encodes the TFCI bits with an error correcting code prior to transmission so that the receiver can correct possibly generated errors in the TFCI. FIG. 4A conceptionally illustrates a basic TFCI bits encoding structure in a conventional IMT 2000 system and FIG. 4B is an exemplary encoding table applied to a biorthogonal encoder shown in FIG. 4A . As stated above, the basic TFCI has 6 TFCI bits (hereinafter, referred to as basic TFCI bits) that indicate 1 to 64 different information. Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B , a biorthogonal encoder 402 receives basic TFCI bits and outputs 32 coded symbols(TFCI codeword or TFCI code symbol). The basic TFCI is basically expressed in 6 bits. Therefore, in the case where a basic TFCI bits of less than 6 bits are applied to the biorthogonal encoder 402 , 0s are added to the left end, i.e., MSB (Most Significant Bit) of the basic TFCI bits to increase the number of the basic TFCI bits to 6. The biorthogonal encoder 402 has a predetermined encoding table as shown in FIG. 4B to output 32 coded symbols for the input of the 6 basic TFCI bits. As shown in FIG. 4B , the encoding table lists 32(32-symbol) orthogonal codewords c 32.1 to c 32.32 and 32 biorthogonal codewords {overscore (c 32.1 )} to {overscore (c 32.32 )} that are the complements of the codewords c 32.1 to c 32.32 . If the LSB (Least Significant Bit) of the basic TFCI is 1, the biorthogonal encoder 402 selects out of the 32 biorthogonal codewords. If the LSB is 0, the biorthogonal encoder 402 selects out of the 32 orthogonal codewords. One of the selected orthogonal codewords or biorthogonal codewords is then selected based on the other TFCI bits. A TFCI codeword should have powerful error correction capability as stated before. The error correction capability of binary linear codes depends on the minimum distance (dmin) between the binary linear codes. A minimum distance for optimal binary linear codes is described in “An Updated Table of Minimum-Distance Bounds for Binary Linear Codes”, A. E. Brouwer and Tom Verhoeff, IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, vol. 39, No. 2, March 1993 (hereinafter, referred to as reference 1). Reference 1 gives 16 as a minimum distance for binary linear codes by which 32 bits are output for the input of 6 bits. TFCI codewords output from the biorthogonal encoder 402 has a minimum distance of 16, which implies that the TFCI codewords are optimal codes. FIG. 5A conceptionally illustrates an extended TFCI bits encoding structure in the conventional IMT 2000 system, FIG. 5B is an exemplary algorithm of distributing TFCI bits in a controller shown in FIG. 5A , and FIG. 5C illustrates an exemplary encoding table applied to biorthogonal encoders shown in FIG. 5A . An extended TFCI is also defined by the number of TFCI bits. That is, the extended TFCI includes 7, 8, 9 or 10 TFCI bits (hereinafter, referred to as extended TFCI bits) that represent 1 to 128, 1 to 256, 1 to 512, or 1 to 1024 different information, as stated before. Referring to FIGS. 5A, 5B , and 5 C, a controller 500 divides TFCI bits into two halves. For example, for the input of 10 extended TFCI bits, the controller 500 outputs the first half of the extended TFCI as first TFCI bits (word 1 ) and the last half as second TFCI bits (word 2 ). The extended TFCI are basically expressed in 10 bits. Therefore, in the case where an extended TFCI bits of less than 10 bits are input, the controller 500 adds 0s to the MSB of the extended TFCI bits to represent the extended TFCI in 10 bits. Then, the controller 500 divides the 10 extended TFCI bits into word 1 and word 2 . Word 1 and word 2 are fed to biorthogonal encoders 502 and 504 , respectively. A method of separating the extended TFCI bits a 1 to a 10 into word 1 and word 2 is illustrated in FIG. 5B . The biorthogonal encoder 502 generates a first TFCI codeword having 16 symbols by encoding word 1 received from the controller 500 . The biorthogonal encoder 504 generates a second TFCI codeword having 16 symbols by encoding word 2 received from the controller 500 . The biorthogonal encoders 502 and 504 have predetermined encoding tables to output the 16-symbol TFCI codewords for the two 5-bit TFCI inputs (word 1 and word 2 ). An exemplary encoding table is illustrated in FIG. 5C . As shown in FIG. 5C , the encoding table lists 16 orthogonal codewords of length 16 bits c 16.1 to c 16.16 and biorthogonal codewords {overscore (c 16.1 )} to {overscore (c 16.16 )} that are the complements of the 16 orthogonal codewords. If the LSB of 5 TFCI bits is 1, a biorthogonal encoder ( 502 or 504 ) selects the 16 biorthogonal codewords. If the LSB is 0, the biorthogonal encoder selects the 16 orthogonal codewords. Then, the biorthogonal encoder selects one of the selected orthogonal codewords or biorthogonal codewords based on the other TFCI bits and outputs the selected codeword as the first or second TFCI codeword. A multiplexer 510 multiplexes the first and second TFCI codewords to a final 32-symbol TFCI codeword. Upon receipt of the 32-symbol TFCI codeword, a receiver decodes the TFCI codeword separately in halves (word 1 and word 2 ) and obtains 10 TFCI bits by combining the two decoded 5-bit TFCI halves. In this situation, a possible error even in one of the decoded 5-bit TFCI output during decoding leads to an error over the 10 TFCI bits. An extended TFCI codeword also should have a powerful error correction capability. To do so, the extended TFCI codeword should have the minimum distance as suggested in reference 1. In consideration of the number 10 of extended TFCI bits and the number 32 of the symbols of a TFCI codeword, reference 1 gives 12 as a minimum distance for an optimal code. Yet, a TFCI codeword output from the structure shown in FIG. SA has a minimum distance of 8 because an error in at least one of word 1 and word 2 during decoding results in an error in the whole 10 TFCI bits. That is, although extended TFCI bits are encoded separately in halves, a minimum distance between final TFCI codewords is equal to a minimum distance 8 between codeword outputs of the biorthogonal encoders 502 and 504 . Therefore, a TFCI codeword transmitted from the encoding structure shown in FIG. 5A is not optimal, which may increase an error probability of TFCI bits in the same radio channel environment. With the increase of the TFCI bit error probability, the receiver misjudges the data rate of received data frames and decodes the data frames with an increased error rate, thereby decreasing the efficiency of the IMT 2000 system. According to the conventional technology, separate hardware structures are required to support the basic TFCI and the extended TFCI. As a result, constraints are imposed on implementation of an IMT 2000 system in terms of cost and system size.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for encoding an extended TFCI in an IMT 2000 system. It is also an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for encoding a basic TFCI and an extended TFCI compatibly in an IMT 2000 system. It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for decoding an extended TFCI in an IMT 2000 system. It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for decoding a basic TFCI and an extended TFCI compatibly in an IMT 2000 system. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for generating an optimal code by encoding an extended TFCI in an IMT 2000 system. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of generating mask sequences for use in encoding/decoding an extended TFCI in an IMT 2000 system. To achieve the above objects, there is provided a TFCI encoding/decoding apparatus and method in a CDMA mobile communication system. In the TFCI encoding apparatus, a one-bit generator generates a sequence having the same symbols. A basis orthogonal sequence generator generates a plurality of basis orthogonal sequences. A basis mask sequence generator generates a plurality of basis mask sequences. An operation unit receives TFCI bits that are divided into a 1 st information part representing biorthogonal sequence conversion, a 2 nd information part representing orthogonal sequence conversion, and a 3 rd information part representing mask sequence conversion and combines an orthogonal sequence selected from the basis orthogonal sequence based on the 2 nd information, a biorthogonal sequence obtained by combining the selected orthogonal sequence with the same symbols selected based on the 1 st information part, and a mask sequence selected based on the biorthogonal code sequence and the 3 rd information part, thereby generating a TFCI sequence.
20041207
20100427
20050421
79326.0
2
LY, ANH VU H
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ENCODING/DECODING TRANSPORT FORMAT COMBINATION INDICATOR IN CDMA MOBILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,006,486
ACCEPTED
Computer navigation
An electronic device comprises a display for displaying data stored on said electronic device; input means; sensing means for sensing the three-dimensional position of the input means relative to said device; and control means for controlling the data displayed on said display in dependence on the three-dimensional position of the input means relative to said device. The input means includes a source of electromagnetic radiation for directing an infrared conical beam onto the display. The sensing means can sense the elliptical eccentricity of the electromagnetic radiation incident on the display to determine the angle at which it strikes the display, and can sense the area of the electromagnetic radiation incident on the display to determine the distance of the input means from the display.
1. An electronic input device comprising an input object; a sensor array operative to sense and provide an output indication of position and at least two of orientation; shape and size of an electromagnetic radiation pattern on said sensor array produced by said input object; and input circuitry receiving said output indication and providing an electronic input representing at least one of two-dimensional position, three-dimensional position, and orientation of said input object. 2. An electronic input device according to claim 1 and wherein said electronic input representing orientation includes an electronic input representing angular orientation of said input object relative to said sensor array. 3. An electronic input device according to claim 1 and also comprising a display providing a visually sensible output which is responsive to said electronic input. 4. An electronic input device according to claim 3 and wherein said display is generally coextensive with said sensor array. 5. An electronic input device according to claim 3 and wherein said display is generally non-coextensive with said sensor array. 6. An electronic input device according to claim 1 and wherein said sensor array is also operative to sense and provide an output indication of intensity of electromagnetic radiation in said electromagnetic radiation pattern. 7. An electronic input device according to claim 6 and wherein said input circuitry is operative to provide an electronic input which is at least partially based on the sensed intensity of electromagnetic radiation in said electromagnetic radiation pattern. 8. An electronic input device according to claim 1 and also comprising interface circuitry operative in response to said output indication for providing continuously variable user inputs based on at least one of said two-dimensional position, three dimensional position, and orientation of said input object. 9. An electronic input device according to claim 1 and wherein said sensor array is operative to provide an output indication of at least three of position, orientation; shape and size of a electromagnetic radiation pattern on said sensor array produced said input object. 10. An electronic input device according to claim 1 and wherein said sensor array is operative to provide an output indication of position, orientation; shape and size of a electromagnetic radiation pattern on said sensor array produced said input object. 11. An electronic input device according to claim 1 and where said input object comprises a source of said electromagnetic radiation. 12. An electronic input device according to claim 11 and wherein said source of said electromagnetic radiation produces a conical beam which is sensed by said sensor array, producing said electromagnetic radiation pattern on said sensor array in the form of an ellipse having elliptical eccentricity which is a function of orientation of said input object in a plane perpendicular to said sensor array. 13. An electronic input device according to claim 12 and wherein said input circuitry is operative to calculate said orientation of said input object from said elliptical eccentricity, based on said output indication from said sensor array. 14. An electronic input device according to clam 10 and wherein said sensor army is also operative to sense and provide an output indication of intensity of electromagnetic radiation in said electromagnetic radiation pattern. 15. An electronic input device according to claim 10 and wherein said input object comprises a source of said electromagnetic radiation. 16. An electronic input device according to claim 15 and wherein said source of said electromagnetic radiation process a conical beam which impinges on said sensor array, producing said electromagnetic radiation pattern on said sensor array in the form of an ellipse having elliptical eccentricity which is a function of orientation of said input object in a plane other than a plane parallel to said sensor array. 17. An electronic device according to claim 15 and wherein said input circuitry is operative to calculate said orientation of said input object from said elliptical eccentricity, based on said output indication from said sensor array. 18. An electronic device according to claim 10 and wherein said sensor array is also operative to sense and provide an output indication of intensity of electromagnetic radiation in said electromagnetic radiation pattern and wherein said input circuitry is operative to provide an electronic input which is at least partially based on the sensed intensity of electromagnetic radiation in said electromagnetic radiation pattern. 19. An electronic input device according to claim 10 and also comprising a display providing a visually sensible output which is responsive to said electronic input. 20. An electronic input device according to claim 19 and wherein said display is generally coextensive with said sensor array.
The present invention relates to computer navigation and particularly, but not exclusively, to an apparatus which facilitates navigation of software stored on the apparatus even where the display for the apparatus is small. It is known to provide small, hand-held computer devices such as pocket organisers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's), cellular phones or the like. The current trend is to manufacture such devices to be as small in size as possible. Smaller devices are more easily carried and generally require a reduced power supply. However, a significant disadvantage of such devices is that the reduced size forces a reduction in the size of the user interface, and particularly in the size of the screen or display used to display information or data stored on or processed by the device. Many such devices have the processing power of conventional desktop or laptop computers or of similar devices many times their size and a number of products, such as the Wacom and Sony Vaio pocket computers, are fully operable portable computers which use operating systems such as Microsoft Windows or the like. Those familiar with such pocket devices will appreciate the problem of displaying all of the necessary information on a relatively small display, particularly where the user is able to select specific functions from a large number of options. Conventionally, the selection of one option, for example, results in a new “window” opening which displays further options and sub options. Whilst devices having large displays are able to organise the data so that it is displayed in a more easily understood manner, devices having smaller screens tend to use data “layers” or “levels” whereby the selection of one option having a number of sub options causes the full screen to display the sub options fully eclipsing the original menu. The accidental selection of the wrong option requires a number of steps to return the display to the original list of options. It would be advantageous to provide a pocket computer or hand held device which incorporates means for enabling easier access to data on the device and improves the user interface of the device. According to one aspect of the present invention, therefore, there is provided an electronic device having a display for displaying data stored thereon, input means and control means for controlling the data displayed on said display in dependence on the three-dimensional position of the input means with respect to said device. Preferably, the device includes means for sensing or monitoring the position of the input means relative to the device. In one embodiment, the input means includes a transmitter for transmitting a signal and the display includes sensing means for sensing the position at which the signal strikes the display. The signal may be in the form of a conical or circular infrared beam and the sensing means may be operable to sense the area and/or the intensity of the beam as it strikes the display thereby to determine the three dimensional position of the input device relative to the display. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an input device for a computer or the like having a display for displaying data stored thereon, the input device comprising input means, and sensing means for sensing the three dimensional position of the input means relative thereto and applying a position signal to said computer or the like in dependence on said three dimensional position thereby to control the data displayed on said display. The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 shows illustratively a device according to the invention; FIG. 2 shows illustratively the concept of data “levels”; and FIG. 3 shows illustratively a cross-section through a device according to one embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic device according to the invention is shown generally at 10. The device 10 may be, for example, a hand-held or “palm-top” computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA) or a mobile communication device such as a mobile telephone. The device 10 is capable of storing and displaying data from a display or screen 12 which may be a liquid crystal display, a dot matrix display or a TFT (thin film transistor) display. Conventionally, the user of the device 10 controls the data displayed on the display 12 by means of a number of buttons 14 located on the device or by an input device such as a scratch pad or tracker ball. Alternatively, many such devices incorporate touch-sensitive displays which permit the user to select options or to change the data on the display 12 by means of a pencil-shaped pointing device which is physically pressed against the display at the required position thereby to select the required option. Such touch sensitive displays are able only to determine the two-dimensional, X-Y position of the pointing device relative to the display 12 when the pointing device is pressed against the surface of the display. A disadvantage of such devices is that in order to achieve the required reduction in size to enable the device to be used as a hand-held device or pocket computer, the display 12 is made correspondingly smaller in size. However, depending on the application for which the device is intended, the display 12 may be required to display similar amounts of data to that of a conventional desktop or lap-top computer having a display which may be an order of magnitude larger in size. The small size of the display 12 reduces the amount of data which can be displayed at any given time. To minimise the effects of this, the device is programmed to display data in a number of “levels” whereby the display 12 initially displays, for example, four options which are selectable by the user. Selecting one of these options, by means of the pointing device for example, may cause the display 12 to display a second “level” of options, for example in the form of a drop down list or menu commonly used in conventional computers. Each option displayed in the list may produce a further drop down list. It will be appreciated that the number of levels used by the device is generally proportional to the number of options available to the user and inversely proportional to the size of the display. It is therefore quite common to find that a user may be required to select several options in order to activate a particular function of the device. This is time consuming and can be irritating to the user. Moreover, the generating of a drop down list or the like may obscure completely the original list so that an erroneous selection may require the user to manually exit from the current list in order to return to the original set of options. This may significantly increase the number of operations required to be made by the user. According to the preferred form of the invention, the device 10 has a display 12 for displaying data stored on the device 10 which can be controlled by input means in the form of an input device 16. In the preferred embodiment, the input device 16 takes the form of a pen-shaped instrument, hereafter termed a “stylus” which allows the user to select various options displayed on the display 12. The concept of the invention is that the electronic device 10 is able to detect or monitor the three dimensional position of the stylus 16 relative to the device 10, and in particular relative to the display. This permits, effectively “three-dimensional control” of the display 12 which can be used, for example, to achieve the following control functions. Movement of the stylus 16 in the X or Y directions relative to the display 12 causes the cursor on the display 12 (for example the mouse pointer or equivalent) to move accordingly, in the manner of a conventional mouse. Importantly, however, movement of the stylus 16 in the Z direction, i.e. in a direction generally perpendicular to the display 12, performs a “zoom” function which, depending on the direction of movement of the stylus 16, either towards or away from the display, causes the display 12 either to zoom in or to zoom out. In one embodiment, for example, movement of the stylus 16 in a direction towards the display 12 causes the data in the region of the display 12 corresponding to the X-Y position of the stylus 16 to be magnified in a manner similar to that achieved by the “zoom in” function of conventional computers and computer programs. Thus, the data in the region of the display 12 corresponding to the X-Y position of the stylus 16 is enlarged as the stylus 16 is moved closer to the display 12. This zooming in of the display 12 permits data relating to sub options to be displayed in place of the original option. However, whereas conventional software offers an “incremental zoom” with each discrete selection, the device described with reference to the drawings provides continuous zoom through constantly refreshed information based on the computed trajectory of the stylus. Continuous zoom makes possible an intuitive and responsive user interface. When “zoom in” or “zoom out” reaches a pre-determined threshold, data relating to sub-options is displayed in addition to, or in place of (or first one then the other), the original option. FIG. 2 illustrates the concept of “levels” of information to be displayed by the display 12. Initially, the displays “level 1” data which, as illustrated in FIG. 3, may give the user two choices, OPTION 1 and OPTION 2, which are selectable by the user. OPTION 1 represents specific “level 2” data which may, for example, include a further two choices, OPTION A and OPTION B. OPTIONs A and B represent respective “level 3” data which may, for example, represent different functions which the device 10 can perform, for example to send an e-mail or to access the internet. Similarly, OPTION 2 in the level 1 data may correspond to OPTIONS C and D in the second level data, each of which represents different functions which may be performed by the device 10, for example opening a calendar or opening a diary. In conventional devices, to select the internet function from the above example, the user would be required to press the stylus 16 onto the screen at OPTION 1 and then again at OPTION B and finally on the internet option. Thus, three separate operations are required. An incorrect selection, for example selection of OPTION A instead of OPTION B requires the user to select an “exit” option (not shown) in order to return to the level 1 data. The present invention, on the other hand, permits the user to select, for example, the internet, with a minimum of individual operations. For example, in one embodiment, the user moves the stylus 16 over the part of the display 12 containing OPTION 1 and then moves the stylus 16 towards the display. The device 10 interprets the movement of the stylus 16 towards the screen as a “zoom in” operation which zooms the display 12 through the level 1 data towards the level 2 data until OPTION A and OPTION B are displayed on the screen. The user then alters the position of the stylus 16 in the X-Y plane until the stylus 16 is positioned over the OPTION B icon and again moves the stylus 16 towards the display. This movement “zooms in” through the level 2 data towards the level 3 data until the internet icon appears on the screen. This can then be selected by the user in the conventional manner, for example, by pressing the stylus 16 onto the screen at the required location. It will be understood that the present invention relies on the ability of the device 10 to monitor, track or otherwise detect the X-Y-Z, three-dimensional position of the stylus 16 relative to the display 12 whilst the stylus 16 is not in contact with the display 12 itself, unlike conventional touch-sensitive displays. This may be achieved in a number of ways. In one embodiment, the stylus 16 is a so-called “smart stylus” which contains a source of electromagnetic radiation, for example an infrared emitter, an LED or other such light emitting device (not shown). The stylus 16 emits a beam of light, for example infrared or other spectrum light, from a circular, spherical, or other shaped tip. The light is sensed by a sensitive layer (not shown) positioned over, or incorporate in, the display 12. The light sensitive layer may, for example, be in the form of a CCD or CMOS infrared sensitive array or the like. As the stylus 16 is moved across the display 12, only certain parts of the sensitive layer will be illuminated by the beam of light emitted by the stylus 16 and this will be detected by the sensitive layer. The sensitive layer determines the appropriate X-Y coordinates of the stylus 16 and sends a corresponding position signal to the central processing unit or similar of the device 10 which adjusts the display 12 accordingly. FIG. 4 is an example of this embodiment. The stylus 16 when moved closer to the display produces a circle or ellipse 30 of smaller dimensions than the circle or ellipse 32 formed when the stylus is moved away. The same eccentricity of the ellipse means that the input stylus is at the same angle to the display and the size of the area indicates the distance of the stylus from the display. In an alternative embodiment, the stylus 16 operates in the manner of a conventional light pen and contains a light sensor or photodiode therein which senses the light given off by the display. The display 12 is scanned as in a conventional television screen so that the image is continually refreshed across and down the display 12 in a so-called raster scan. This continual refreshing causes the pixels in the display 12 to alternatively brighten and then dim at a very high frequency such that the effect is invisible to the naked eye. However, the photodiode is able to detect this bright/dim effect and when the light received by the photodiode steps from dim to light, the stylus 16 sends a signal to the display controller in the device 10. Since the display controller creates the display signal, it knows the position of the current raster line and so it can determine which pixel on the display 12 is being refreshed when the stylus 16 sends the signal to the controller. The display controller then sets a latch which feeds two numbers, representative of the X and Y coordinates of the pixel, to the central processing unit or similar of the device 10 which is therefore able to determine where on the screen the stylus 16 is pointed. The above examples describe only how the device 10 determines the X-Y coordinates of the stylus 16 relative to the display 12. It will be understood that the device 10 must also determine the Z-coordinate, i.e. the distance of the stylus 16 from the display. Again this can be achieved in a number of ways. In one embodiment, the stylus 16 emits a beam of electromagnetic radiation, for example infrared or other spectrum light which is transmitted in a conical beam which widens in diameter with distance from the tip of the stylus 16. The light incident on the display 12 and hence the sensitive layer is in the form of an ellipse, the eccentricity of which depends on the angle at which the light strikes the display 12 and hence the stylus 16 is being held. An eccentricity of 1, for example, is indicative of a circle of incident light and a vertically held stylus 16. The distribution of the light incident on the sensitive layer will vary with distance from the light source in the stylus 16. When the stylus 16 is positioned at a distance from the sensitive layer of the display, the total area of the sensitive layer illuminated will be relatively large but the intensity of the incident light will be low. As the stylus 16 is moved closer to the display, the area the light incident upon the sensitive layer will decrease but the intensity will increase. At very short distances from the display, the area of the display 12 illuminated by the light from the stylus 16 will be small but the intensity will be high. In order to measure the intensity of the incident light the continuous range of possible intensities may be divided into a number of thresholds of stimulation. Hence, the intensity of the light may be calculated according to which thresholds it falls between. In operation, the sensitive layer detects the light incident on the display 12 and sends appropriate signals to the processing unit of the device 10. The elliptical eccentricity of the light incident on the display 12 is then calculated and from this the angle at which the stylus 16 is determined. The total area of light incident on the display 12 may also be calculated and from this the distance of the stylus 16 from the display 12 may be determined. Alternatively or additionally, the intensity of the incident light may be measured and used either to independently determine the distance of the stylus 16 from the display 12 or to refine the result of the calculation based on the measured area. The angle of the stylus 16, in conjunction with the distance of the stylus 16 from the display 12 are then used to determine the vertical height of the stylus 16 above the display 12. Hence the position of the stylus 16, in the Z-dimension, is determined by the device 10. Repetitive calculation of the stylus position, several times a second, as the stylus 16 is moved allows a stylus trajectory to be recorded. The stylus trajectory may then be used to assist in anticipating the intentions of the user. The location and angle of the stylus 16 may also be used to determine when the user makes a selection without physical contact between the stylus 16 and the display. A simple dipping motion, for example, could be used to represent the selection. Alternatively or additionally the area and/or intensity of the light may also be used to represent a contactless selection. Such a selection may be indicated, for example, by the area of incident light falling below a certain minimum threshold and/or the intensity rising above a certain maximum threshold. In a different embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 3, the device 10 is provided with a plurality of light sensors 20 positioned around the perimeter of the display 12. The light sensors are segmented or layered in the Z-direction such that as the stylus 16 moves towards or away from the display 12, different or segments or layers of the light sensors will be illuminated by the conical beam emitted by the stylus 16. In particular, as the stylus 16 moves closer to the screen, fewer of the light sensors around the display 12 will be illuminated, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The signals from the sensors are interpreted by the processing unit of the device 10, which thus calculates the distance of the stylus 16 from the display 12. In yet a further embodiment, not shown, the display 12 is inset or sunk into the body of the device 10 to provide a surrounding wall. The wall is provided on two faces with a plurality of light emitting devices and on the other two faces by a corresponding number of light sensing devices. The light emitted by the light emitters are sensed by the opposing light sensors such that if the stylus 16 is moved towards the display 12, it will interrupt the light transmitted between some of the light emitters and the corresponding light sensors which will indicate to the device 10 that the stylus 16 has moved closer to the display. If the light emitters and sensors are layered in the Z-direction, this can provide an indication of the distance of the stylus 16 from the display. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that there are a number of possible ways of sensing the X-Y-Z, three-dimensional position of the stylus 16 relative to the display, the above examples representing particularly simple and advantageous techniques. The important feature of the invention is that the user is able to alter the data displayed by the device 10 by moving the stylus 16 or other input device in three dimensions relative to the device 10 or the display 12 of the device 10. It will be further understood that there are a number of modifications or improvements or variations on the above described invention which may provide particular advantages. Where the stylus 16 incorporates a light emitting device to produce a conical beam, the power of the device may be selected to produce a beam which is of a predetermined length and conical angle to restrict the amount of movement in the Z-direction required by the user to perform the zoom in or zoom out functions. The type of light emitter can be selected as desired to provide infrared or visible light or other forms of electromagnetic radiation may be used. The stylus 16 may alternatively include both a photodiode, to enable its use similar to a light pen, and a light emitter for establishing the Z-coordinate information. The stylus 16 may be connected to the device 10 by means of a cable for transmitting or receiving signals to and from the electronic device 10. Alternatively, the stylus 16 may be remotely linked to the device 10 or no data link may be provided at all. The latter situation is possible where a light emitting device is employed in the stylus 16. The stylus could optionally be attached to the device with a simple tether (spiral plastic cord, etc.) simply to prevent its loss from a place where many people might use it often, such as a refrigerator, computer or a commercial site. The device 10 may incorporate a touch-sensitive screen or a conventional screen by which a selection is achieved by means of a button or the like located on the stylus 16 which causes a signal to be sent to the electronic device 10, similar to conventional light guns or the like. Where a sensitive layer is used, this may be formed of any suitable material, which may additionally or alternatively be heat-sensitive. The sensitive layer may be layered above or below the screen of the display 12 or integrated therewith. The sensitivity and qualities of the material chosen can be selected as desired. While the above described embodiments talk of sensing the position of the stylus 16 relative to the display 12 of the device 10, it will be appreciated that the three dimensional position of the stylus 16 relative to any other part of the device 10 or relative to any fixed location could be used for the same purpose. In this regard, the invention may provide only a stylus 16 and a sensing “pad” or the like which is able to determine the three dimensional position of the stylus 16 relative thereto. The pad could be connected for communication with the electronic device 10 by any suitable means which will be well understood. Such an embodiment may enable the stylus 16 and “pad” to be used with conventional desk top or laptop computers in place of the more conventional mouse, scratch pad or tracker ball. It will be appreciated that the device 10 of the invention provides a number of advantages over existing systems. In particular, depth/height coordinates of the stylus 16 can be calculated from the device 10 and enable software on the device 10 to adapt the contents of the display 12 as the distance from the display 12 or device 10 changes. When the stylus 16 is brought closer to the display, the device 10 interprets this movement as an intention to select a coordinate within a specific range and zoom all of the information displayed within that coordinate to fill a larger part of the display. This enables the information display to intuitively come “closer” to meet the intention of the user. In addition, more space becomes available on the display 12 because fewer of the level 1 choices are shown and additional layers of choices, such as contextual menus, could be selectively added permitting more selections to be made with fewer “clicks” or selections of the stylus 16. Where two or more levels of selection are required, movement of the stylus 16 may permit the device 10 to anticipate the selection required by the user to allow the selection to be made with only a single operation of the stylus 16.
20041206
20110531
20050721
78035.0
1
SNYDER, ADAM J
COMPUTER NAVIGATION
SMALL
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,006,610
ACCEPTED
Height adjuster mechanism for a dishwasher dish rack
A vertical height adjustment mechanism for a dish rack includes a slide member fixedly mounted relative to a support member, a housing secured to the dish rack, and a latch member. The housing includes a central guide channel that slidably receives the slide member. The latch member includes a support leg, an actuating arm and an intermediate portion joining the support leg and actuating arm. The sliding element includes an end portion that receives and retains the support leg of the latch when the dish rack is in the raised position.
1. A dishwasher comprising: a tub having integral top, bottom, rear and side walls that collectively define a washing chamber; a door pivotally mounted relative to the tub, said door being adapted to selectively close the washing chamber; at least one support member mounted to the side wall of the tub, said at least one support member being shiftable between a first position wherein the at least one support member is entirely within the washing chamber and a second position wherein a portion of the at least one support member extends from the washing chamber; a dish rack supported by the at least one support member for movement into and out of the washing chamber; and an adjustment mechanism for vertically shifting the dish rack between a lowered position and a raised position relative to the at least one support member, said adjustment mechanism including: a slide member mounted to the at least one support member; a housing secured to the dish rack, said housing including a guide channel slidably receiving the slide member; and a latch member including a support leg, an actuating arm and an intermediate portion joining the support leg to the actuating arm, said latch member being pivotally mounted relative to the housing at the intermediate portion, said support leg engaging the slide member to maintain the dish rack in the raised position, wherein shifting of the dish rack from the raised position to the lowered position requires actuation of the latch member, while shifting the dish rack from the lowered position to the raised position does not require actuation of the latch member. 2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the latch member also includes a spring member, said spring member engaging the housing to provide a biasing force to the latch member. 3. The dishwasher according to claim 2, wherein the latch member includes a metal core, said metal core being over molded with a plastic covering. 4. The dishwasher according to claim 3, wherein the metal core includes a first segment that extends along the support leg and a second segment that extends along a section of the intermediate portion. 5. The dishwasher according to claim 2, wherein the latch member further includes a mounting bracket, said spring member being retained by the mounting bracket. 6. The dishwasher according to claim 5, wherein the mounting bracket includes a tab element and the spring member includes a clip element, said clip element engaging the tab element to attach the spring member to the mounting bracket. 7. The dishwasher according to claim 2, wherein the latch member includes a tab protruding from the intermediate portion, said tab being engaged by the spring element. 8. The dishwasher according to claim 7, wherein the tab has a generally T-shaped cross-section. 9. The dishwasher according to claim 7, wherein the spring element includes a first end provided with an aperture and a second end, said first end being mounted to the tab and the second end being cantilevered. 10. The dishwasher according to claim 9, wherein the latch member includes a locating element arranged adjacent to the aperture for locating the spring element relative to the latch member. 11. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the slide member includes a first end fixedly mounted to the support member, a second end for engaging the latch member, and an intermediate section. 12. The dishwasher according to claim 11, wherein the second end of the slide member includes an end stop adapted to engage with the latch member when the dish rack is in the lowered position. 13. The dishwasher according to claim 12, wherein the end stop defines a generally arcuate rest portion. 14. The dishwasher according to claim 13, wherein the latch member includes at least one generally cylindrical pivot hub adapted to seat in the rest portion of the end stop when the dish rack is in the lowered position. 15. The dishwasher according to claim 11, wherein the intermediate section is generally T-shaped in cross-section and said second end includes a central raised tab element separating two supporting lands. 16. The dishwasher according to claim 15, wherein the intermediate section includes a sliding surface adapted to ride within the guide channel. 17. The dishwasher according to claim 15, wherein the support leg of the support member rests upon one of the two supporting lands when the dish rack is in the raised position. 18. The dishwasher according to claim 11, wherein the slide member is box-shaped in cross-section, with the second end including a concave surface defining a support cup. 19. The dishwasher according to claim 18, wherein the slide member includes a metal core. 20. The dishwasher according to claim 18, wherein the support leg of the support member rests within the support cup when the dish rack is in the raised position. 21. The dishwasher according to claim 11, wherein the second end includes a travel stop provided on the housing, said slide member being adapted to engage the travel stop to limit movement of the dish rack beyond the raised position. 22. The dishwasher according to claim 11, wherein the at least one support member includes a wheeled base member. 23. The dishwasher according to claim 22, wherein the first end of the slide member is secured to the wheeled base member. 24. The dishwasher according to claim 22, further comprising: a stabilizer member secured to the wheeled base member, said stabilizer member being adapted to partially guide the dish rack between the lowered position and the raised position. 25. The dishwasher according to claim 24, wherein the stabilizer member includes at least one guide element, said dish rack being formed from a plurality of wire members with at least one of the plurality of wire members being received by the at least one guide element. 26. The dishwasher according to claim 11, wherein the housing includes a main body portion extending to a top portion, said main body portion having integrally formed therewith the guide channel, said top portion pivotally supporting the latch member. 27. The dishwasher according to claim 26, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a cover member detachably secured to the housing. 28. The dishwasher according to claim 27, wherein the cover member includes a clip element, said cover member being detachably secured to the top portion of the housing through the clip element. 29. The dishwasher according to claim 27, wherein the cover member is detachably secured to the housing through a plurality of mechanical fasteners. 30. The dishwasher according to claim 27, wherein the cover member includes at least one travel stop, said travel stop being adapted to engage with the second end of the slide member to prevent the dish rack from being lifted significantly beyond the raised position. 31. A method of vertically shifting a dish rack carried by at least one support member for movement into and out of a washing chamber of a dishwasher comprising: guiding a dish rack along a slide member attached to the at least one support member to raise the dish rack from a lowered position to a raised position; resting a support leg of a latch member attached to the dish rack on the slide member to maintain the dish rack in the raised position; shifting an actuation arm portion of the latch member against a biasing force of a spring to deflect the support leg of the latch member away from the slide member; and guiding the dish rack along the slide member to shift the dish rack from the raised position back to the lowered position. 32. The method of claim 31, further comprising: positioning the support leg on an arcuate surface formed on an end portion of the slide member when the dish rack is in the raised position. 33. The method of claim 31, further comprising: pivoting the latch member about a hub positioned between the support leg and the actuation arm. 34. The method of claim 31, further comprising: limiting upward movement of the dish rack by engaging a travel stop, provided for movement with the dish rack, with the slide member. 35. The method of claim 34, further comprising: supporting the dish rack on an end stop of the slide member when the dish rack is in the lowered position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention pertains to the art of dishwashers and, more particularly, to a vertical height adjuster mechanism for a dishwasher dish rack. 2. Discussion of the Prior Art A front loading dishwasher typically includes a tub having an open front. The tub defines a washing chamber into which items, such as kitchenware, glassware and the like, are placed to undergo a washing operation. The dishwasher is generally provided with a door, pivotally mounted to the tub, that closes the open front, and upper and lower extensible dish racks for supporting items during the washing operation. Typically, the upper and lower dish racks are separated by a defined vertical spacing that limits the overall size of items that can be placed in the dishwasher. In order to provide more flexibility to consumers, manufacturers have developed adjustment mechanisms that enable the dish rack to be vertically adjustable. That is, the dish rack can be vertically shifted to increase the defined vertical spacing between the upper and lower dish racks. Typically, the adjustment mechanisms are mounted on opposing sides of the dish rack and connect to extensible support rails that permit the dish rack to move in and out of the washing chamber. In most cases, the adjustment mechanisms have complicated structure including ratchet and pawl elements that make up latch/release and support portions of the adjustment mechanism. Over time, the ratchet and pawls will wear and require service and/or replacement. Furthermore, the complicated structure used in many prior art adjustment mechanisms adds to the overall manufacturing costs in that separate components are required for each side of the dish rack. In addition to increasing service and manufacturing costs, the latching mechanisms used by prior art adjustment mechanisms can be difficult to operate. Hidden buttons, sticky latches, and the like can make it difficult to transition from one height position to another. In some cases, the adjustment mechanisms are unstable. That is, when in a raised position, the adjustment mechanism creates a moment arm that will limit the size/weight of items placed on the dish rack. Based on the above, there still exists a need in the art for a vertical height adjustment mechanism for a dishwasher dish rack. More specifically, there exists a need for a vertical height adjustment mechanism that is simple to manufacture, easy to use and provides support in all height positions. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a dishwasher including an open front tub that defines a washing chamber, a door pivotally mounted relative to the tub for closing the washing chamber and a dish rack for supporting items to be washed in the washing chamber. The dish rack is mounted to horizontally extensible support members that permit the dish rack to be horizontally shifted in and out of the washing chamber. Preferably, the dish rack is provided with an adjustment mechanism that enables the dish rack to also be vertically shifted between first and second positions. In accordance with a preferred form of the invention, the adjustment mechanism includes a slide member fixedly mounted relative to the support members, a housing secured to the dish rack, and a generally L-shaped latch member. In the most preferred form of the invention, the housing includes a central guide channel that slidably receives the slide member. The L-shaped latch member includes a support leg, an actuating arm and an intermediate portion that joins the support leg and actuating arm. More specifically, the intermediate portion includes a hub element for pivotally mounting the latch member relative to the housing. The latch member further includes a spring element that engages with the housing to bias the latch member in a home or lowered position. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the spring member can be detachably secured to the latch member to allow easy replacement in the event that service is required. Moreover, the latch member preferably includes an integral metal (e.g., steel) core to increase its overall strength and add to the service life. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, the slide member includes a first end fixedly mounted relative to the support member, a second end for engaging the latch and an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion is generally T-shaped in cross-section and provided with a sliding surface with the second end including a central raised tab element separating two supporting lands. The two supporting lands are provided to engage with the support leg of the latch member (depending on the particular orientation of the adjustment mechanism, e.g., left or right) when the dish rack is in a raised position. The raised tab element prevents the support leg from slipping off the slide member causing the dish rack to fall from the raised position. In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate portion of the slide member is generally rectangular or box-shaped in cross-section with the second end being formed with a concave surface that defines a support cup. When the dish rack is shifted to the raised position, the support leg of the latch member rests within the support cup. With this construction, up-turned edge portions, formed with the concave surface, prevent the support leg of the latch from slipping off the support member and inadvertently allowing the dish rack to fall from the raised position. In either case, the slide member can be provided with an integral metal core similar to that described above with respect to the latch member. Additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts in the several views. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dishwasher incorporating a dish rack having a vertical height adjustment mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the dish rack of FIG. 1 including the vertical height adjustment mechanism of the present invention shown in a home or lowered position; FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the dish rack of FIG. 1 including the vertical height adjustment mechanism constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention shown in raised position; FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the vertical height adjustment mechanism of FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the vertical height adjustment mechanism of FIG. 3; FIG. 6 is a reverse view of the vertical height adjustment mechanism of FIG. 4; FIG. 7 is a reverse view of the vertical height adjustment mechanism of FIG. 5; FIG. 8 is a partial elevational view of the vertical height adjustment mechanism constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention shown with the dish rack in the home position; FIG. 9 is a partial elevational view of the vertical height adjustment mechanism constructed in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention shown with the dish rack in the raised position; FIG. 10 is a partial, cross-sectional view of a latch member having a metal core constructed in accordance with one form of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a latch member having a detachable spring element constructed in accordance with another form of the present invention; FIG. 12 is a detailed view of the detachable spring element of the latch member of FIG. 1 1; FIG. 13 is a plan view of a latch member having a detachable spring element constructed in accordance with still another form of the present invention; FIG. 14 is a detailed view of a mounting arrangement for the spring element illustrated in FIG. 13; FIG. 15 is a partially cross-sectioned, perspective view of a slide member including an integral metal core constructed in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; and FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of a vertical height adjustment mechanism incorporating the slide member of FIG. 15. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With initial reference to FIG. 1, a dishwasher constructed in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated at 2. As shown, dishwasher 2 includes a tub 5, which is preferably injection molded of plastic, so as to include integral bottom, side, rear and top walls 8-12 respectively. Within the confines of walls 8-12, tub 5 defines a washing chamber 14 within which soiled kitchenware is adapted to be placed on a lower dish rack 15 and/or an adjustable upper dish rack 16 which, as will be detailed more fully below, includes an adjustment mechanism 17 for vertically shifting dish rack 16 between a first or home position and a second or raised position. As shown in this figure, a utensil basket 18, which contains a utensil 19, is preferably positioned within lower rack 15. Tub 5 has associated therewith a frontal portion 20 at which is pivotally supported a door 21 used to seal washing chamber 14 during a washing operation. Door 21 has an exterior panel 22 and an interior panel 23 preferably provided with a dispensing assembly 24 within which a consumer can place liquid or particulate washing detergent for dispensing at predetermined periods of the washing operation. In a manner known in the art, upper dish rack 16 is horizontally shiftable between a first position wherein upper dish rack 16 is entirely within the confines of washing chamber 14 and a second position, wherein upper dish rack 16 extends, at least partially outward, from washing chamber 14. Toward that end, dishwasher 2 is provided with extensible support members, one of which is indicated generally at 26. In a similar manner, lower dish rack 15 is selectively, horizontally shiftable between first and second positions. However, when in the second position, lower dish rack 15 rests upon an open door 21 on guide elements (not separately labeled) formed on interior panel 23. Disposed within tub 5 and, more specifically, mounted within a central opening formed in bottom wall 8 of tub 5, is a pump and filter assembly 30. Extending about a substantial portion of pump and filter assembly 30, at a position raised above bottom wall 8, is a heating element 44. In a manner known in the art, heating element 44 preferably takes the form of a sheathed, electric resistance-type heating element. In general, pump and filter assembly 30 is adapted to direct washing fluid to a lower wash arm 47 and an upper wash arm (not shown). Dishwasher 2 has associated therewith a drain hose 85 including at least one corrugated or otherwise curved portion 89 that extends about an arcuate hanger 92 provided on an outside surface of side wall 10. Drain hose 85 is also preferably secured to tub 5 through various clips, such as that indicated at 94. In any event, in this manner, an upper loop is maintained in drain hose 85 to assure proper drainage in a manner known in the art. Actually, the detailed description of the exact structure and operation of pump and filter assembly 30 of dishwasher 2 does not form part of the present invention, but is rather set forth in pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/186,739 entitled “Dishwasher Pump and Filtration System” filed Jul. 2, 2002, incorporated herein by reference. Instead, the present invention is directed to particulars of height adjustment mechanism 17. Reference will now be made to FIGS. 2-7 in describing the particular details of height adjustment mechanism 17. As shown, height adjustment mechanism 17 includes a slide member 120, a housing 122, a generally L-shaped latch member 124 and a cover 126. In accordance with the preferred form of the invention, height adjustment mechanism 17 couples upper dish rack 16 to extensible support member 26. More specifically, a wheeled base member 128, adapted to ride within extensible support member 26, is joined to height adjustment mechanism 17. In the embodiment shown, wheeled base member 128 includes a generally horizontally extending strut member 129 having arranged thereon a pair of wheels 130 and 131 adapted to ride or travel within extensible support member 26. In the most preferred form of the invention, wheeled base member 128 includes a stabilizer member 134 secured to strut member 129. Stabilizer member 134 includes a pair of guide elements 136 and 137 each having an associated central channel 139 and 140 through which passes wire members of upper dish rack 16. With this construction, stabilizer member 134 prevents, or at least substantially eliminates, any cocking when upper dish rack 16 is shifted vertically. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, slide member 120 is generally T-shaped in cross-section and includes a first end 145 and a second end 146 separated by an intermediate section 147 (FIGS. 6 and 7). In the embodiment shown, an end stop member 150 constituted by a generally-horizontally extending support element 152 is provided at second end 146. Support element 152 includes a semi-circular central rest 154 which, as will be discussed more fully below, engages with latch member 124 when upper dish rack 16 is in the home position. In addition, projecting from second end 146 of slide member 120 is a central, raised tab element 158. Tab element 158 separates or divides second end 146 into first and second support lands 159 and 160 which provide a supporting surface for latch 124 when dish rack 16 is in the second or raised position. Finally, extending along and preferably integrally formed with intermediate section 147 is a sliding surface 162 which contributes to the overall ease of shifting dish rack 16 between the first and second positions. Latch member 124 includes a support leg 176 that extends to an actuating arm 178 through an intermediate section 180. The ergonomic design of actuation arm 178 provides easy access that enables a user to vertically shift dish rack 16 by simply depressing actuation arm 178 and guiding dish rack down as represented in FIGS. 6 and 7. In the most preferred form of the invention, latch member 124 is pivotal about intermediate section 180 and thus is provided with central pivot hubs 182 and 183 that project substantially perpendicularly outwardly from opposing side surfaces of intermediate section 180. In still further accordance with the most preferred embodiment, support leg 176 terminates in a support surface 185 adapted to engage with first and second support lands 159 and 160 when upper dish rack 16 is in the raised position. More specifically, supporting surface 185 of latch member 124 rests upon either first support land 159 or second support land 160 depending upon the particular orientation, e.g., left or right, of height adjustment mechanism 17. Finally, in order to provide a biasing force to latch member 124, a spring element 188 extends from intermediate section 180 and provides a biasing force that is overcome only upon engagement of actuating arm 178 to deflect latch member 124 and enable dish rack 16 to be lowered from the raised position to the home position. As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, housing member 122 of height adjustment mechanism 17 includes a main body portion 201 having a first end 203 that leads to a second end 204 through an intermediate surface 205. Formed on intermediate surface 205 is a central guide channel 210 adapted to slidingly receive slide member 120. Preferably, guide channel 210 is sized to snugly fit between two upstanding wire members (not separately labeled) of dish rack 16 to provide a positive engagement for adjustment mechanism 17. Actually, the wire members are received and retained by raised sections, indicated generally at 213, provided on intermediate surface 205. Also arranged on intermediate surface 205 are a plurality of stiffening members, such as those indicated at 214, as well as a plurality of mounting lugs 215-218 for securing housing 122 to dish rack 16, as well as cover 126. Additionally, formed at an outward corner portion of second end 204 is a guide pin 220 adapted to engage and support spring 188 of latch 124. Also formed on second end 204 of housing 122 are first and second recessed portions 223 and 224 that further aid the connectivity of housing 122 to cover 126. Referring again to FIGS. 6 and 7, cover member 126 includes a main body portion 227 including a main surface portion 229, opposing side edge portions 231 and 232 and a top edge portion 233. In accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, arranged on main surface portion 229 are a pair of travel stops 236 and 237 that are adapted to engage with support element 152 of travel stop 150 (as represented in FIG. 7) to limit the overall extension of dish rack 16. That is, travel stops 236 and 237 prevent dish rack 16 from being raised beyond the second or raised position. Opposing side edge members 231 and 232 have formed thereon mounting lugs 239 and 240 which correspond to mounting and support lugs 215 and 217 of housing 122. Of course it should be noted that an additional pair of mounting lugs (not shown) are also formed on cover 126 that correspond to mounting and support lugs 216 and 218. In order to further aid the connectivity and add to the aesthetics of adjustment mechanism 17 as well as positioning cover 126 with respect to housing 122, top edge 233 is provided with clip elements 243 and 244 which interconnect with recessed portions 223 and 224 of housing 122. In addition, top edge 233 is provided with a down-turned edge member 246 that engages with spring 188 of latch member 124. Finally, cover 126 is provided with a pair of opposing notches 249 and 250 arranged below down-turned portion 246. Notches 249 and 250 provide an opening through which extend actuating arm 178 of latch member 124. Notches 249 and 250 are provided on either side of cover 126 so that cover 126 can be used irrespective of the particular orientation, e.g., left or right of height adjustment mechanism 17. Reference will now be made to FIGS. 8 and 9 in describing a second embodiment of height adjustment mechanism 17. As shown, a slide member 276, constructed in accordance with the second embodiment, includes a first end (not shown) that extends to a second end 278 through an intermediate section 279. Preferably, slide member 276 is formed from a plastic material having a generally rectangular or box-shaped cross-section wherein second end 278 forms a combination support surface/travel stop 285. In accordance with this embodiment, travel stop/supporting surface 285 is concave in shape so as to define a central receiving cup (not separately labeled) extending to opposing raised end sections (also not labeled). Thus, in accordance with the invention, when adjustment mechanism 17 is in a home or lowered position, central pivot hub 182 of latch member 124 rests upon, and is supported by, travel stop 285 and, when adjustment mechanism 17 is in a raised position, support surface 185 of support leg 176 rests on travel stop 285, with the raised end sections preventing latch member 124 from slipping out of engagement, thereby preventing rack 16 from inadvertently falling. In further accordance with the present invention, latch member 124 can be constructed in a variety of different forms. For example, as best shown in FIG. 10, latch member 124 preferably includes an integral metal (e.g., steel) core 300. Metal core 300 includes a first segment 302 that extends through a curved portion 303 to a second segment 304. As shown, second segment 304 projects into intermediate portion 180 about central pivot hub 182. In addition, metal core 300 is provided with a plurality of openings, one of which is indicated at 306. With this particular arrangement, latch member 124 is actually formed by over molding metal core 300 with a plastic covering. During the molding process, the plastic covering flows through openings 306 to increase the overall structural integrity and strength of latch member 124, thereby reinforcing and extending an overall service life of height adjustment mechanism 17. In another embodiment as represented in FIGS. 11 and 12, latch member 124 includes a mounting bracket 310 integrally formed on an upper portion of support leg 176. As shown, mounting bracket 310 includes a main body portion 312 from which extend upper and lower support struts 314 and 315. In addition, main body portion 312 is provided with a central opening 317 and, as will be discussed more fully below, a tab element 320. With this particular arrangement, a spring member 330 can be inserted into central opening 317 to provide a biasing force to latch member 124. As shown, spring member 330 includes a first end 332 that extends into central opening 317 of mounting bracket 310. In the embodiment shown, first end 332 leads to a curved portion 334 which in turn extends to a cantilevered end portion 335. In a manner similar to that described above with respect to spring member 188, cantilevered end portion 335 engages with down-turned edge member 246 provided on housing 122. In addition, spring member 330 is provided with a clip element 340 adapted to engage with tab element 320. Clip element 340 includes a first portion 341 that extends from first end 332 of spring member 330 and leads to a second portion 342. Second portion 342 extends to, and terminates in, a locking tab, indicated at 344, which is adapted to engage with tab element 320. With this arrangement, spring member 339 can be easily assembled and even replaced if necessary. In accordance with a still further embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, latch member 124 is provided with a tab 360 that projects upward from intermediate portion 180 proximate to actuating arm 178. Tab 360 exhibits a generally T-shaped cross-section that includes a base or stem portion 362 and a head portion 364. With this particular arrangement, a spring element 370 can be detachably secured to latch member 124. In the embodiment shown, spring element 370 is formed from spring steel and includes a first end 374 and a second, cantilevered end 375, between which is a bent portion (not separately labeled) that conforms to the shape of latch member 124. Second cantilevered end 375 can be biased against a pin, such as illustrated in FIG. 5, or other such structure provided on a cover (not shown). First end 374 is provided with a generally rectangular opening 384 that is sized to receive head portion 364 of tab 360. In this manner, spring element 370 can be placed over tab 360 such that head portion 364 passes through opening 384. At this point, spring element 370 can be rotated, as represented in FIG. 14, through approximately 90° to the position represented in FIG. 13. In accordance with one aspect of the present embodiment, latch member 124 is also provided with a locating element 387 positioned adjacent to tab 360. Locating element 387 includes a semi-circular profile that is adapted to cooperate with an opening 389 having a corresponding shape provided in spring element 370. Locating element 387 ensures proper orientation and position of spring element 370 on latch member 124. In this particular form of the invention, a relatively simple, yet wear-resistant spring is formed for latch member 124 that, if needed, can also be easily replaced. Reference will now be made to FIG. 15 in describing yet another aspect of the present invention. In order to further extend service life, height adjustment mechanism 17 includes a slide member 400 having a metal (e.g., steel) core 401. In a manner similar to that described above with respect to slide member 276, slide member 400 includes a first end 404 that extends to a second end 406 through an intermediate portion 408. Second end 406 defines a support surface 410 having first and second raised sections 412 and 413 that cooperate with, for example, pivot hub 182 to prevent latch member 124 from slipping from support surface 410 when dish rack 16 is in the lowered position. As shown, intermediate portion 408 is provided with a plurality of raised sections 420-423. Each raised section 420-423 is provided with a corresponding opening 430-433 for receiving a respective mechanical fastener (not shown) to secure slide member 400 to wheeled base member 128. In addition, raised portion 420 includes a support portion 438 that engages with support surface 185 of latch member 124 when dish rack 16 is moved to the raised position. At this point, it should be understood that, while slide member 400 appears similar to slide member 276, slide member 120 could also be provided with a metal core. In any event, metal core 401 is over-molded with a plastic coating. Preferably, the plastic coating is constituted by TEFLON filled NORYL. NORYL is employed as it possesses a low coefficient of friction. However, NORYL does not possess a high creep strength. Thus, to assure the overall structural stability of slide member 400, as well as to prevent the plastic coating from changing shape at elevated temperatures, metal core 401 is employed to increase the overall strength of support member 400. As best shown in FIG. 16, slide member 400 is secured to a strut member 460 through a housing 475 in a manner similar to that described above. Housing 475 includes a main body portion 480 having a first end 482 that leads to a second end 483 through an intermediate section 485. A central guide channel 490 is established along intermediate section 485, with guide channel 40 being sized to extend between two upstanding wire members (not separately labeled) of dish rack 16. Actually, the wire members are retained by raised sections, indicated generally at 500, provided on intermediate section 485 to establish a positive engagement for the overall adjuster mechanism 17. Also arranged on intermediate section 485 are a plurality of stiffening members, one of which is indicated at 505, as well as a plurality of mounting lugs 507-510 for securing a cover (not shown). With this construction, slide member 400 can ride within guide channel 490 as rack 16 is transitioned between raised and lowered positions. With this overall construction, it should be readily apparent that height adjustment mechanism 17 provides a simple, cost-effective means of selectively increasing the defined vertical spacing between upper and lower dish racks in a dishwasher. More specifically, as height adjustment mechanism 17 is formed from components that are adaptable to be placed in either orientation, e.g., left or right side of the dish rack, the overall cost of manufacturing, that is the need to produce different parts for different sides of the dish rack, is eliminated. In addition, the particular manner in which height adjustment mechanism 17 interacts with the dish rack provides for a smooth and easy transition between the lower and raised positions and further provides a stable foundation in the raised position so that the height adjustment mechanism does not become a limiting factor in the amount of dishware capable of being placed in the dish rack when in the raised position. Height adjustment mechanism 17 constructed in accordance with the present invention provides a simple, easy to operate, stable device that enables a user to vertically shift a dish rack. Although described with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention, it should be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. For instance, the reinforcing structure defined by core 300 and/or 401 could be made of a material other than metal. In addition, while shown with reference to height adjustment mechanism 17 being located on a left side of dish rack 16, a second, opposing height adjustment mechanism is provided on the right side. It should also be noted that, if the dishwasher includes three dish racks, more than one rack could be provided with vertical adjustment capabilities. In general, the invention is only intended to be limited by the scope of the following claims.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The present invention pertains to the art of dishwashers and, more particularly, to a vertical height adjuster mechanism for a dishwasher dish rack. 2. Discussion of the Prior Art A front loading dishwasher typically includes a tub having an open front. The tub defines a washing chamber into which items, such as kitchenware, glassware and the like, are placed to undergo a washing operation. The dishwasher is generally provided with a door, pivotally mounted to the tub, that closes the open front, and upper and lower extensible dish racks for supporting items during the washing operation. Typically, the upper and lower dish racks are separated by a defined vertical spacing that limits the overall size of items that can be placed in the dishwasher. In order to provide more flexibility to consumers, manufacturers have developed adjustment mechanisms that enable the dish rack to be vertically adjustable. That is, the dish rack can be vertically shifted to increase the defined vertical spacing between the upper and lower dish racks. Typically, the adjustment mechanisms are mounted on opposing sides of the dish rack and connect to extensible support rails that permit the dish rack to move in and out of the washing chamber. In most cases, the adjustment mechanisms have complicated structure including ratchet and pawl elements that make up latch/release and support portions of the adjustment mechanism. Over time, the ratchet and pawls will wear and require service and/or replacement. Furthermore, the complicated structure used in many prior art adjustment mechanisms adds to the overall manufacturing costs in that separate components are required for each side of the dish rack. In addition to increasing service and manufacturing costs, the latching mechanisms used by prior art adjustment mechanisms can be difficult to operate. Hidden buttons, sticky latches, and the like can make it difficult to transition from one height position to another. In some cases, the adjustment mechanisms are unstable. That is, when in a raised position, the adjustment mechanism creates a moment arm that will limit the size/weight of items placed on the dish rack. Based on the above, there still exists a need in the art for a vertical height adjustment mechanism for a dishwasher dish rack. More specifically, there exists a need for a vertical height adjustment mechanism that is simple to manufacture, easy to use and provides support in all height positions.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention is directed to a dishwasher including an open front tub that defines a washing chamber, a door pivotally mounted relative to the tub for closing the washing chamber and a dish rack for supporting items to be washed in the washing chamber. The dish rack is mounted to horizontally extensible support members that permit the dish rack to be horizontally shifted in and out of the washing chamber. Preferably, the dish rack is provided with an adjustment mechanism that enables the dish rack to also be vertically shifted between first and second positions. In accordance with a preferred form of the invention, the adjustment mechanism includes a slide member fixedly mounted relative to the support members, a housing secured to the dish rack, and a generally L-shaped latch member. In the most preferred form of the invention, the housing includes a central guide channel that slidably receives the slide member. The L-shaped latch member includes a support leg, an actuating arm and an intermediate portion that joins the support leg and actuating arm. More specifically, the intermediate portion includes a hub element for pivotally mounting the latch member relative to the housing. The latch member further includes a spring element that engages with the housing to bias the latch member in a home or lowered position. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the spring member can be detachably secured to the latch member to allow easy replacement in the event that service is required. Moreover, the latch member preferably includes an integral metal (e.g., steel) core to increase its overall strength and add to the service life. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, the slide member includes a first end fixedly mounted relative to the support member, a second end for engaging the latch and an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion is generally T-shaped in cross-section and provided with a sliding surface with the second end including a central raised tab element separating two supporting lands. The two supporting lands are provided to engage with the support leg of the latch member (depending on the particular orientation of the adjustment mechanism, e.g., left or right) when the dish rack is in a raised position. The raised tab element prevents the support leg from slipping off the slide member causing the dish rack to fall from the raised position. In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate portion of the slide member is generally rectangular or box-shaped in cross-section with the second end being formed with a concave surface that defines a support cup. When the dish rack is shifted to the raised position, the support leg of the latch member rests within the support cup. With this construction, up-turned edge portions, formed with the concave surface, prevent the support leg of the latch from slipping off the support member and inadvertently allowing the dish rack to fall from the raised position. In either case, the slide member can be provided with an integral metal core similar to that described above with respect to the latch member. Additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts in the several views.
20041208
20080812
20060608
62323.0
A47B8800
0
TRAN, HANH VAN
HEIGHT ADJUSTER MECHANISM FOR A DISHWASHER DISH RACK
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
A47B
2,004
11,007,064
ACCEPTED
Method and system for switching antenna and channel assignments in broadband wireless networks
A method and apparatus for antenna switching, grouping, and channel assignments in wireless communication systems. The invention allows multiuser diversity to be exploited with simple antenna operations, therefore increasing the capacity and performance of wireless communications systems. Channel characteristics indicative of signal reception quality for downlink or bi-directional traffic for each channel/antenna resource combination are measured or estimated at a subscriber. Corresponding channel characteristic information is returned to the base station. Channel characteristics information may also be measured or estimated for uplink or bi-directional signals received at each of multiple receive antenna resources. The base station employs channel allocation logic to assign uplink, downlink and/or bi-directional channels for multiple subscribers based on channel characteristics measured and/or estimated for the uplink, downlink and/or bi-directional channels.
1. A method for assigning channels to support communication between subscribers and a base station in a broadband wireless network, comprising: for each of multiple antenna resources at the base station, obtaining one or more channel characteristics for each channel hosted by each antenna resource, the channel characteristics indicative of reception quality for a corresponding channel; and assigning one or more channels to subscribers based on the one or more channel characteristics that are obtained. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more channels assigned comprise one or more downlink channels for use with transmissions sent from the base station to the subscribers. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more channel assigned comprise one or more uplink channels for use with transmissions sent from subscribers to the base station. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more channel assigned comprise one or more bi-directional link channels employed for both uplink and downlink transmissions between the base station and the subscribers. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the channel characteristics are measured by performing operations comprising: broadcasting a respective beacon signal from each of the antenna resources at the base station, each beacon signal including transmissions over multiple channels; measuring channel characteristics indicative of signal quality for each of the multiple channels at a subscriber; and sending data corresponding to the channel characteristics that are measured from the subscriber to the base station. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the respective beacon signals that are broadcast from each of the antenna resources comprise orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) signals including OFDMA pilot symbols. 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the subscriber using information from pilot symbol periods and data periods to measure channel and interference information. 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the pilot symbols occupy an entire OFDM frequency bandwidth. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the channel characteristics are measured by performing operations comprising: performing ranging operations between a subscriber and a base station over one of an uplink or bi-directional link, the ranging operations including transmissions sent from the subscriber station and received by each antenna resource, the transmissions carried over multiple channels; and obtaining, at each antenna resource, channel characteristics indicative of signal quality for each of the multiple channels. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the multiple antenna resources comprises multiple individual antennas. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one antenna resource comprises a set of antennas that are operated collectively to perform at least one of transmit and receive radio frequency transmissions. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless broadband network supports OFDMA (orthogonal frequency division multiple access) transmissions, and the channels comprise combinations of OFDMA subchannels and antenna resources. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising switching antennas by adjusting the inputs to fast Fourier transform (FFT) blocks in an OFDMA transmitter module at the base-band. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein each subscriber is assigned to a single OFDMA channel, transmission for the single channel provided by a single antenna resource. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the channel assignment operations are employed to assign respective channels for downlink and uplink transmissions. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the channel characteristic measurements comprise at least one of Signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (SINR), carrier-to-interference plus noise ratio (CINR) and relative-signal strength indicator (RSSI) measurements. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the channel characteristic measurements comprise bit error rate (BER) measurements. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the channel characteristic measurements comprise measurement of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters. 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the channels comprise one of channels or subchannels corresponding to at least one of a FDMA (frequency division multiple access), TDMA (time division multiple access), CDMA (code division multiple access), OFDMA (orthogonal frequency division multiple access), and SDMA (space division multiple access) channel schemes. 20. The method of claim 1, further comprising: periodically updating channel characteristics information for one or more subscribers; and reassigning channels for at least one subscriber in view of changed channel characteristics. 21. A base station, comprising: multiple antenna resources to support wireless communications system transmissions; a transmission module to generate signals over various downlink or bi-directional channels via which data may be transmitted via the multiple antenna resources to multiple subscribers; a reception module to extract data from signals received at the multiple antenna resources over various uplink or the bi-directional channels from the subscribers; and channel allocation logic to assign at least one of uplink, downlink and the bi-directional channels for the multiple subscribers based on channel characteristics obtained for the uplink, downlink and/or bi-directional channels. 22. The base station of claim 21, wherein the channel allocation logic assigns one of an uplink channel or bi-directional channel to a subscriber based on channel characteristics measured or estimated at the subscribers in response to beacon signals broadcast from each of the antenna resources, the apparatus further comprising: a beacon signal generator. 23. The base station of claim 22, wherein the beacon signal generator generates orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) signals including OFDMA pilot symbols. 24. The base station of claim 23, wherein the pilot symbols occupy an entire OFDM frequency bandwidth. 25. The base station of claim 21, wherein the multiple antenna resources comprise multiple individual antennas. 26. The base station of claim 21, wherein at least one antenna resource comprises a set of antennas that are operated collectively to transmit and/or receive radio frequency transmissions. 27. The base station of claim 21, further comprising: means for measuring and/or estimating channel characteristics in response to ranging signals sent from the subscribers. 28. The base station of claim 21, further comprising: a subscribers' channel profile register to store channel characteristics information for the subscribers; and an ongoing traffic register to store channel assignment information. 29. A wireless communications system, comprising: a plurality of subscriber units, each configured to support wireless communication; and a base station including, multiple antenna resources, including transmit antenna resources to transmit wireless communication transmission signals and receive antenna resource to receive wireless communication transmission signals; a transmission module, to generate signals over various downlink or bi-directional channels via which data may be transmitted via the transmit antenna resources to the plurality of subscribers; a reception module, to extract data from signals received at the receive antenna resources over various uplink or the bi-directional channels from the plurality of subscribers; and channel allocation logic to assign at least one of uplink, downlink and the bi-directional channels for the plurality of subscribers based on channel characteristics measured and/or estimated for the uplink, downlink and/or bi-directional channels, each of the plurality of subscribers to measure or estimate channel characteristic information indicative of channel signal quality at the subscriber and provide feedback to the base station containing the channel characteristic information. 30. The system of claim 29, wherein the base station channel allocation logic assigns one of an uplink channel or bi-directional channel to a subscriber based on channel characteristics measured or estimated at the subscribers in response to beacon signals broadcast from each of the transmit antenna resources, the apparatus further comprising: a beacon signal generator. 31. The system of claim 30, wherein the beacon signal generator generates orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) signals including OFDMA pilot symbols occupy an entire OFDM frequency bandwidth. 32. The system of claim 29, wherein at least one of the subscribers to generate ranging signals to be received at respective receive antenna resources for the base station, and wherein the base station further includes means for measuring channel characteristics indicative of signal quality of ranging signals received at the respective receive antenna resources, the channel allocation logic to assign one of an uplink or bi-directional channel for each of said at least one subscriber based on the channel characteristics that are measured and channel availability.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of communications systems; more particularly, the present invention relates to techniques for switching channel and antenna assignments in wireless networks. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Spatial processing with antenna arrays is one of the most used techniques in wireless communications. Among many schemes developed to date, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) and beamforming are often studied and have been proved to be effective in increasing the capacity and performance of a wireless network (see, e.g., Ayman F. Naguib, Vahid Tarokh, Nambirajan Seshadri, A. Robert Calderbank, “A Space-Time Coding Modem for High-Data-Rate Wireless Communications”, IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, vol. 16, no. 8, October 1998 pp. 1459-1478). On the other hand, realization of MIMO or beamforming often means higher complexity and cost on the system side. In particular, MIMO operations entail complicated signal processing and decoding, while beamforming involves hardware calibrations and multi-dimensional data processing. Over the years, orthogonal division multiple-access (OFDMA) has become the access scheme of choice for almost all broadband wireless networks (e.g., WiMAX, WiFi, and 4G cellular systems). In OFDMA, multiple subscribers are allocated to different subcarriers, in a fashion similar to frequency division multiple access (FDMA). For more information, see Sari and Karam, “Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access and its Application to CATV Networks,” European Transactions on Telecommunications, Vol. 9 (6), pp. 507-516, November/December 1998 and Nogueroles, Bossert, Donder, and Zyablov, “Improved Performance of a Random OFDMA Mobile Communication System,” Proceedings of IEEE VTC'98, pp. 2502-2506. The fundamental phenomenon that makes reliable wireless transmission difficult to achieve is time-varying multipath fading. Increasing the quality or reducing the effective error rate in a multipath fading channel may be extremely difficult. For instance, consider the following comparison between a typical noise source in a non-multipath environment and multipath fading. In environments having additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN), it may require only 1- or 2-db higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) using typical modulation and coding schemes to reduce the effective bit error rate (BER) from 10−2 to 10−3. Achieving the same reduction in a multipath fading environment, however, may require up to 10 db improvement in SNR. The necessary improvement in SRN may not be achieved by simply providing higher transmit power or additional bandwidth, as this is contrary to the requirements of next generation broadband wireless systems. Multipath phenomena causes frequency-selective fading. In a multiuser fading environment, the channel gains are different for different subcarriers. Furthermore, the channels are typically uncorrelated for different subscribers. This leads to a so-called “multiuser diversity” gain that can be exploited through intelligent subcarrier allocation. In other words, it is advantageous in an OFDMA system to adaptively allocate the subcarriers to subscribers so that each subscriber enjoys a high channel gain. For more information, see Wong et al., “Multiuser OFDM with Adaptive Subcarrier, Bit and Power Allocation,” IEEE J. Select. Areas Commun., Vol. 17(10), pp. 1747-1758, October 1999. Within one cell, the subscribers can be coordinated to have different subcarriers in OFDMA. The signals for different subscribers can be made orthogonal and there is little intracell interference. However, with an aggressive frequency reuse plan, e.g., the same spectrum is used for multiple neighboring cells, the problem of intercell interference arises. It is clear that the intercell interference in an OFDMA system is also frequency selective and it is advantageous to adaptively allocate the subcarriers so as to mitigate the effect of intercell interference. One approach to subcarrier allocation for OFDMA is a joint optimization operation, not only requiring the activity and channel knowledge of all the subscribers in all the cells, but also requiring frequent rescheduling every time an existing subscribers is dropped off the network or a new subscribers is added onto the network. This is often impractical in real wireless system, mainly due to the bandwidth cost for updating the subscriber information and the computation cost for the joint optimization. Existing approaches for wireless traffic channel assignment are subscriber-initiated and single-subscriber (point-to-point) in nature. Since the total throughput of a multiple-access network depends on the channel fading profiles, noise-plus-interference levels, and in the case of spatially separately transceivers, the spatial channel characteristics, of all active subscribers, distributed or subscriber-based channel loading approaches are fundamentally sub-optimum. Furthermore, subscriber-initiated loading algorithms are problematic when multiple transceivers are employed as the base-station, since the signal-to-noise-plus-interference ratio (SINR) measured based on an omni-directional sounding signal does not reveal the actual quality of a particular traffic channel with spatial processing gain. In other words, a “bad” traffic channel measured at the subscriber based on the omni-directional sounding signal may very well be a “good” channel with proper spatial beamforming from the base-station. For these two reasons, innovative information exchange mechanisms and channel assignment and loading protocols that account for the (spatial) channel conditions of all accessing subscribers, as well as their QoS requirements, are highly desirable. Such “spatial-channel and QoS-aware” allocation schemes can considerably increase the spectral efficiency and hence data throughput in a given bandwidth. Thus, distributed approaches, i.e., subscriber-initiated assignment are fundamentally sub-optimum. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for antenna switching and channel assignments in wireless communication systems. Channel characteristics indicative of signal reception quality are obtained for each of multiple channels hosted by each antenna resource at a base station. Channels are assigned to subscribers based on the channel characteristics. base station, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the invention, which, however, should not be taken to limit the invention to the specific embodiments, but are for explanation and understanding only. FIG. 1 shows a base station employing a pair of switched antennas that are used to communicate with various subscribers, wherein each subscriber is assigned to a channel corresponding to a respective subchannel/antenna combination. FIG. 2 shows an OFDMA subchannel allocation for the subscribers shown in FIG. 1 prior to the entry of a new subscriber. FIG. 3a shows a beacon signal sent out by each of the antennas in FIG. 1 that is received by a new subscriber and contains various channels via which the new subscriber can measure downlink or bi-directional link channel characteristics that are returned to the base station. FIG. 3b shows a ranging signal sent out by the new subscriber and containing test data sent over various channels via which uplink or bi-directional channel characteristics can be measured at each of the switched antennas of FIG. 1. FIG. 4a is a flowchart illustrating operations performed to obtain downlink or bi-directional link channel characteristics using the beacon signal scheme of FIG. 3a. FIG. 4b is a flowchart illustrating operations performed to obtain uplink or bi-directional link channel characteristics using the ranging signal scheme of FIG. 3b. FIG. 5 depicts exemplary subscriber's channel responses corresponding to channel characteristics for the switched antennas of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart illustrating operations performed to assign channels to various users for a base station having multiple antenna resources, wherein a channel comprising the best available subchannel/antenna combination is assigned to a new user based on measured or estimated subchannel characterstics for each antenna. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of one embodiment of an OFDMA/SDMA base-station. FIG. 8 shows an architecture for a OFDMA transmitter module employing multiple switched antennas. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The marriage of OFDMA and spatial processing provides powerful platform for multiuser broadband communications. The present invention describes a method, apparatus, and system for easy integration of OFDMA with antenna arrays of various configurations. The method and apparatus allows multiuser diversity to be exploited with simple antenna operations, therefore increasing the capacity and performance of wireless communications systems. In one embodiment, Channel characteristics indicative of signal reception quality for downlink or bi-directional traffic for each channel (e.g., OFDMA subchannel/antenna resource combination) are measured or estimated at a subscriber. Corresponding channel characteristic information is returned to the base station. Channel characteristics information may also be measured or estimated for uplink or bi-directional signals received at each of multiple receive antenna resources. The base station employs channel allocation logic to assign uplink, downlink and/or bi-directional channels for multiple subscribers based on channel characteristics measured and/or estimated for the uplink, downlink and/or bi-directional channels. The benefits of the present invention include simpler hardware (much less expensive than beamforming antenna arrays) and easier processing (much less complicated than MIMO), without sacrificing the overall system performance. In addition to OFDMA implementation, the general principles may be utilized in FDMA (frequency division multiple access), TDMA (time division multiple access), CDMA (code division multiple access), OFDMA, and SDMA (space division multiple access) schemes, as well as combinations of these multiple-access schemes. In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide a more thorough explanation of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. Some portions of the detailed descriptions which follow are presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or “determining” or “displaying” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices. The present invention also relates to apparatus for performing the operations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes, or it may comprise a general-purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as, but is not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, and each coupled to a computer system bus. The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general-purpose systems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. The required structure for a variety of these systems will appear from the description below. In addition, the present invention is not described with reference to any particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the invention as described herein. A machine-readable medium includes any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). For example, a machine-readable medium includes read only memory (“ROM”); random access memory (“RAM”); magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; flash memory devices; electrical, optical, acoustical or other form of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.); etc. Overview Efficient exploitation of spatial diversity in a high-speed wireless network is a challenging task due to the broadband nature of spatial channel characteristics. In OFDMA networks, the wide spectrum is partitioned into parallel narrowband traffic channels (commonly referred to as “sub-channels”). The methodology described herein provides a means for allocating traffic channels through intelligent traffic channel assignment. In the communication system described herein, channel allocation logic performs “channel-aware” traffic channel allocation. In one embodiment, the channel allocation logic provides bandwidth on demand and efficient use of spectral resources (e.g., OFDMA traffic channels) and spatial resources (e.g., the physical location of subscribers as it pertains to spatial beamforming) and performs traffic channel assignment based on broadband spatial channel characteristics of a requesting subscriber and on-going subscribers. Furthermore, channels are allocated to subscribers based on the best antenna resources for those subscribers. Thus, the channel allocation provides enhanced performance over a larger number of subscribers than might be typically obtained using conventional channel assignment approaches. In responding to a link request from a new subscriber, or when the base-station has data to transmit to a standby subscriber, the logic first estimates the channel characteristics of transmissions received over all, or a selected portion of OFDMA traffic channels for each antenna resource. As used herein, an antenna resource may comprise a single antenna, or a sub-array of antennas (from an array of an antennas for a given base station) that are collectively used to transmit and/or receive signals from subscribers. For example, multiple antennas may be configured to function (effectively) as a single antenna resource with improved transmission characteristics (when compared with a single antenna) by using one or more signal diversity schemes (spatial, frequency, and/or time). In one embodiment, the channel characteristics, along with channel assignment for on-going subscribers are used to determine which antenna resource is optimum for each subscriber. The channel characteristic data may be stored in a register or other type of storage location (e.g., a database, file, or similar data structure). In one embodiment, traffic channels corresponding to antenna resources that have the best communication characteristics are assigned to the accessing subscriber to satisfy the service request of the accessing subscriber. An exemplary portion of a broadband wireless network 100 including a base station 102 that implements the channel selection techniques described herein is shown in FIG. 1. Base station 102 includes facilities to support communication with various subscribers, as depicted by a mobile (phone) subscribers 104 and 106, fixed (location) subscribers 108 and 110, and a mobile (PDA) subscriber 112. These facilities include a receive module 114, a transmit module 116, and channel management component 118, as well as antennas 120A (also referred to herein as antenna #1) and 120B (also referred to herein as antenna #2). Generally, a base station communicates with a subscriber in the following manner. Data bursts, such as cellular packets, IP packets or Ethernet frames, are encapsulated into an appropriate data frame format (e.g., IEEE 802.16 for WiMAX networks) and forwarded from a network component, such as a radio access node (RAN), to an appropriate base station within a given cell. The base station then transmits to a selected subscriber (identified by the data frame) using a unidirectional wireless link, which is referred to as a “downlink.” Transmission of data from a subscriber to network 100 proceeds in the reverse direction. In this case, the encapsulated data is transmitted from a subscriber to an appropriate base station using a unidirectional wireless link referred to as an “uplink.” The data packets are then forwarded to an appropriate RAN, converted to IP Packets or Ethernet frames, and transmitted henceforth to a destination node in network 100. Under some types of broadband wireless networks, data bursts can be transmitted using either Frequency-Division-Duplexing (FDD) or Time-Division-Duplexing (TDD) schemes. In the TDD scheme, both the uplink and downlink share the same RF (radio frequency) channel, but do not transmit simultaneously, and in the FDD scheme, the uplink and downlink operate on different RF channels, but the channels may be transmitted simultaneously. In general, the unidirection wireless downlinks may comprise a point-to-point (PP) link, a point-to-multiple (PMP), or a MIMO link. Uplinks typically comprise PP or PMP links, although MIMO links may also be used. Multiple base stations are configured to form a cellular-like wireless network, wherein one or more base stations may be accessible to a given subscriber at any given location using a shared medium (space (air) through which the radio waves propagate). A network that utilizes a shared medium requires a mechanism to efficiently share it. Sharing of the air medium as enabled via an appropriate channel-based scheme, wherein respective channels are assigned to each subscriber within the access range of a given base station. Typical channel-based transmission schemes include FDMA, TDMA, CDMA, OFDMA, and SDMA, as well as combination of these multiple access schemes. Each of these transmission schemes are well-known in the wireless networking arts. To facilitate downlink and uplink communications with the various subscribers, base station 102 provides multiple antennas. For illustrative purposes, these are depicted as antenna 120A and antenna 120B (antennas #1 and #2) in FIG. 1. Signals from two or more of the multiple antennas may be combined to support beam forming or spatial multiplexing, or may be used individually for different groups of subscribers using well-known techniques. The multiple antennas may also be configured in one or more clusters. In general, antennas 120A and 120B are representative of various antenna types employed in wireless broadband network, including sectorized antennas and omni-directional antennas. Under one embodiment, each subscriber is assigned to a respective channel or subchannel provided by one of the antennas at a given base station (or antenna resources, when multiple antennas may be combined to transmit or receive signals). For example, in the illustrated configuration of FIG. 1, mobile subscriber 104 and fixed subscriber 110 are assigned to respective channels facilitated by antenna 120A, while fixed subscriber 108, and mobile subscribers 106 and 112 are assigned to respective channels facilitated by antenna 120B. As described in further detail below, the channel/antenna or subchannel/antenna selection for each subscriber is based on the best available channel characteristics at the point at which a new subscriber enters the network via a given base station (e.g., base station 102). In addition, channels may be re-assigned to on-going subscribers based on changes in measured channel characteristics. By way of illustration, the following discussion concerns allocation of channels for an OFDMA network. However, this is not meant to be limiting, as similar principles may be applied to wireless networks employing other channel-based transmission schemes, including FDMA, TDMA, CDMA, SDMA, and OFDMA/SDMA, as well as other combinations of these schemes. In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a channel allocation scheme is now disclosed that allocates downlink and/or uplink or shared (bi-directional) channels for respective subscribers to selected antenna resources based on current channel characteristics. The overall approach is to assign channel/antenna or subchannel/antenna combinations having the best channel characteristics to new and on-going subscribers. FIG. 2 shows an exemplary set of initial OFDMA channel assignments for the various subscribers shown in FIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, each of antennas #1 and #2 (120A and 120B) supports N subchannels. Typically, a respective subchannel for a given antenna or antenna resource is assigned to each subscriber. In some cases, multiple subchannels may be assigned for the same subscriber. For illustrative purposes, only a single set of subchannel assignments in FIG. 2 are shown, wherein the single set is illustrative of uplink, downlink, or shared (same channel for uplink and downlink) channel assignments. It will be understood that another set of channel assignments will also exist for transmission schemes that employ separate channels for downlink and uplink traffic. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3a, now suppose that a new mobile subscriber 122 attempts to initiate service with base station 102, either by originating a new service request or in connection with a hand-over from another (currently) serving base station (not shown) to base station 102. As discussed above, it is desired to assign a best available channel to the new user. Accordingly, a mechanism for determining the best available channel is provided. With further reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4a, one embodiment of a process for determining the channel characteristics begins at a block 400, wherein a base station broadcasts a beacon signal covering all sub-channels over the frequency bandwidth allocated to that station from each of its antenna resources. For example, under an FDMA scheme, the broadcast signal may comprise a signal that varies in frequency over the allocated bandwidth using a pre-determined cycle. Under a CDMA scheme, a test signal transmitted over various CDMA channels that are changed in a cyclic manner may be used. Under a channel scheme that supports multiple channels operating on the same frequencies (such as OFDMA), the broadcast signal will include applicable sub-channel/frequency combination per antenna resource. (Further details of one embodiment of an OFDMA beacon signal scheme are described below.) As a result, the broadcast beacon signal will provide information from which spatial and frequency channel characteristics may be determined. In one embodiment, the beacon signal is broadcast over a management channel on an ongoing basis. In the case of some channel schemes based on time slots (e.g., OFDMA, CDMA, TDMA), it may be necessary to first perform timing synchronization between a base station and subscriber to enable the subscriber to adequately tune into (e.g., synchronize with) the broadcast beacon signal. In response to the beacon signal, the subscriber (device) tunes its receiving unit to cycle through the various channels (in synchrony with the channel changes in the beacon signal) while measuring channel characteristics. For example, in one embodiment, signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (SINR, also commonly referred to as carrier-to-interference plus noise ratio (CINR) for some types of wireless networks) and/or relative-signal strength indicator (RSSI) measurements are performed at the subscriber to obtain the channel characteristic measurements or estimates. In one embodiment, the channel characteristic measurement pertains to data rates that can reliably be obtained for different channels, as exemplified by the sets of channel characteristic measurement data corresponding to antennas #1 and #2 shown in FIG. 5 (with reduced versions shown in FIG. 3a). For example, it is common to measure such data rates in Bits per second per Hertz (Bit/s/Hz), as shown in FIG. 5. In another embodiment, BER measurements are made for each channel/antenna resource combination. In yet another embodiment, Quality of Service (QoS) parameters, such as delay and jitter are measured to obtain the channel characteristic data. In still other embodiments, various indicia of signal quality/performance may be measured and/or estimated to obtain the channel characteristic data. Continuing at a block 404 in FIG. 4a, after, or as channel characteristic measurements are taken, corresponding data is returned to the base station. In one embodiment, this information is returned via a management channel employed for such purposes. In response, a best available channel is selected to be assigned to the subscriber in view of current channel availability information and the channel characteristic data. Details of the selection process are described below with reference to FIG. 6. Exemplary OFDMA Downlink/Bi-Directional Link Channel Characterization Under one embodiment employed for OFDMA networks, each base station periodically broadcasts pilot OFDM symbols to every subscriber within its cell (or sector). The pilot symbols, often referred to as a sounding sequence or signal, are known to both the base station and the subscribers. In one embodiment, each pilot symbol covers the entire OFDM frequency bandwidth. The pilot symbols may be different for different cells (or sectors). The pilot symbols can serve multiple purposes: time and frequency synchronization, channel estimation and SINR measurement for subchannel allocation. In one embodiment, each of multiple antenna resources transmits pilot symbols simultaneously, and each pilot symbol occupies the entire OFDM frequency bandwidth. In one embodiment, each of the pilot symbols have a length or duration of 128 microseconds with a guard time, the combination of which is approximately 152 microseconds. After each pilot period, there are a predetermined number of data periods followed by another set of pilot symbols. In one embodiment, there are four data periods used to transmit data after each pilot, and each of the data periods is 152 microseconds in length. As the pilot OFDM symbols are broadcast, each subscriber continuously monitors the reception of the pilot symbols and measures (e.g., estimates) the SINR and/or other parameters, including inter-cell interference and intra-cell traffic, for each subchannel. In one embodiment, the subscriber first estimates the channel response, including the amplitude and phase, as if there is no interference or noise. Once the channel is estimated, the subscriber calculates the interference/noise from the received signal. During data traffic periods, the subscribers can determine the level of interference again. The data traffic periods are used to estimate the intra-cell traffic as well as the subchannel interference level. Specifically, the power difference during the pilot and traffic periods may be used to sense the (intra-cell) traffic loading and inter-subchannel interference to select the desirable subchannel. In one embodiment, each subscriber measures the SINR of each subchannel (or a set of subchannels corresponding to available subchannels) and reports these SINR measurements to their base station through an access channel. The feedback of information from each subscriber to the base station contains an SINR value (e.g., peak or average) for each subchannel. A channel indexing scheme may be employed to identify the feedback data for each subchannel; no indexing is needed if the order of information in the feedback is known to the base station in advance. Upon receiving the feedback from a subscriber, the base station selects a subchannel to assign to the subscriber in a manner similar to that described below. After subchannel selection, the base station notifies the subscriber about the subchannel assignment through a downlink common control channel or through a dedicated downlink traffic channel if the connection to the subscriber has already been established. In one embodiment, the base station also informs the subscriber about the appropriate modulation/coding rates. Once the basic communication link is established, each subscriber can continue to send the feedback to the base station using a dedicated traffic channel (e.g., one or more predefined uplink access channels). The foregoing scheme determines channel characteristics for downlink and shared bi-directional link channels. However, it may be inadequate for predicting uplink channel characteristics. The reason for this is that multipath fading is generally unidirectional. As a result, a channel that produces good downlink channel characteristics (as measured at a receiving subscriber) may not provide good uplink channel characteristics (as measured at a receiving base station). With reference to FIGS. 3b and 4b, one embodiment of a process for determining channel characteristics for uplink channels (or optionally, bi-directional shared channels) begins at a block 450 (FIG. 4b), wherein a subscriber performs ranging with each antenna resource at the base station. The term “ranging” is used by the WiMAX (IEEE 802.16) standard to define a set of operations used by a subscriber station to obtain service availability and signal quality information from one or more base stations. During this process, a subscriber station synchronizes with a base station and a series of messages are exchanged between the subscriber station and the base station. Also, signal quality measurements may be obtained by performing CINR and/or RSSI measurements at the base station and/or the subscriber station. As used herein, “ranging” generally concerns transmission activities initiated by a subscriber to enable uplink channel characteristics to be measured by a base station; thus, ranging includes the aforementioned ranging operations defined by the WiMAX specification for WiMAX networks, as well as other techniques used to obtain uplink channel characteristics. For example, similar operations to those employed during WiMAX ranging may be employed for other types of broadband wireless networks. In one embodiment, a subscriber and base station exchange information relating to a channel sequence over which channel characteristic measurements will be made. For example, in some implementations a base station may only identify unused uplink channels to measure, thus reducing the number of measurements that will be performed. Optionally, the channel sequence may be known in advance. Continuing at a block 452, in view of the channel sequence information, the subscriber cycles through the applicable uplink channels while transmitting test data to each base station antenna resource. In general, this may be performed concurrently for all individual antennas or combined antenna resources, or may be performed separately for each antenna resource. In connection with the transmission of the test data via each uplink channel, channel characteristic measurements are made by the base station in block 452 and stored in block 454. In general, the channel characteristic measurements performed in block 452 are analogous to those performed in block 402 (FIG. 4a), except now the measurements are made at the base station rather than at the subscriber. The best available uplink channel to assign the subscriber is then selected in a block 456 in the manner now described with reference to the operations of FIG. 6. In further detail, FIG. 6 depicts a process for channel assignment under a generic configuration for a base station having a variable number of users (subscribers), antennas (individual antennas or combined antenna resources), and subchannels for each antenna or combined antenna resource. Accordingly, a set of data 600 comprising an initial input defining the number of users, antennas, number of subchannels, and maximum number of subchannels per antenna is provided to the processing operations depicted below data 600 in FIG. 6. As depicted by start and end loop blocks 602 and 612, the operations depicted in the blocks 604, 606, and 610 are performed for each of users 1 to P. First, in block 604, the available subchannel with the highest gain is selected among all available antennas (or combined antenna resources, if applicable). As depicted by input data block 606, the set of available subchannels for each of antennas is maintained and updated on an ongoing basis to provide current subchannel allocation information to block 604. In addition, channel characteristic profile data measured in blocks 402 and/or 452 (as applicable) is stored in a subscribers' channel profile register 608 and updated on an ongoing basis. During channel selection for a particular subscriber, corresponding channel characteristic profile data is retrieved from subscribers' channel profile register 608 as an input to block 604. In view of input data from data blocks 606 and 608, a subchannel k and antenna j are assigned to the user i in block 610. The process then moves to the next user (e.g., user i+1) to assign a channel comprising a subchannel/antenna combination for that user via the operations of block 604 in view of updated input data from data blocks 606 and 608. In general, these operations are repeated on an ongoing basis. These concepts may be more clearly understood from exemplary channel assignment parameters in accordance with network participants shown in the figures herein. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates an initial condition wherein mobile subscriber 106 and fixed subscriber 110 are respectively assigned channels comprising subchannels 1 and 6 for antenna #1, while fixed subscriber 108 is assigned a channel comprising subchannel 2 for antenna #2 and mobile subscribers 104 and 112 are respectively assigned channels comprising subchannels 5 and M-1 for antenna #2. For point of illustration, these channel assignments are representative of uplink, downlink, or bi-directional link channel assignments. For the following example it is presumed that corresponding channel assignment information is present in data block 606. Now suppose that mobile subscriber 122 (FIGS. 1, 3a, and 3b) attempts to enter the network. First, channel characteristic measurement data will be collected in accordance with the operations of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4a and/or 4b, as applicable. This will update subscribers' channel profile register 608. During the processing of block 604, antenna channel characteristic data for each of antennas #1 and #2 will be retrieved from subscribers' channel profile register 608. As discussed above, exemplary channel characteristic data are depicted in FIG. 5. In view of this channel characteristic data in combination with available subchannel information shown in FIG. 2 and retrieved from data block 606, a new channel for mobile subscriber 122 is selected in block 610. In the view of the exemplary channel characteristic data and subchannel assignment data in respective FIGS. 5 and 2, subchannel 3 for antenna #2 should be assigned to mobile subscriber 122, which represents the available channel with the highest gain (e.g., available channel with the best channel characteristics). In one embodiment, this may be determined in the following manner. First, the channel with the highest gain is selected for each antenna resource. In the present example, this corresponds to channel 1 for antenna #1 and subchannel 3 for antenna #2. Next, a determination is made to whether that subchannel is available. In the case of subchannel 1 for antenna #1, this subchannel is already assigned, so it is not available. The channel corresponding to the next best gain is then selected for antenna #1, which corresponds to subchannel 5. Likewise, a similar determination is made for channel 2. In the present example, subchannel 3, which represents the subchannel for antenna #2 with the highest gain, is available. The gains for subchannel 5 for antenna #1 and subchannel 3 for antenna #2 are then compared. The subchannel/antenna combination with the highest gain is then selected for assignment to the new subscriber. This results in the selection of subchannel 3 for antenna #2 as the new channel to be assigned to mobile subscriber 122. From time to time, processing logic may perform channel reassignment by repeating the process described above with reference to FIG. 6. This channel reassignment compensates for subscriber movement and any changes in interference. In one embodiment, each subscriber reports its channel characteristics data. The base station then performs selective reassignment of subchannel and antenna resources. That is, in one embodiment some of the subscribers may be reassigned to new channels, while other channel assignments will remain as before. In one embodiment, retraining is initiated by the base station, and in which case, the base station requests a specific subscriber or subscribers to report its updated channel characteristics data. A channel reassignment request may also be submitted by a subscriber when it observes channel deterioration. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of base station 700 that communicates with multiple subscribers through OFDMA and spatial multiplexing. The base-station 700 comprises receiving antenna array 702, a receiver module 703 including a set of down-converters 704 coupled to receiving antenna array 700 and an OFDM demodulator 706, a channel characteristics module 708, an on-going traffic register 710, OFDMA subchannel channel allocation logic 712, a subscribers's channel profile register 608, an OFDMA medium access controller (MAC) 714, an OFDM modem 716, a beacon signal generator, an OFDMA transmitter module 718 including a sub-channel formation block 720, and a set of up-converters 722 that provide inputs to respective antenna resources in a transmission antenna array 724. Uplink signals, including the accessing signal from a requesting subscriber, are received by receiving antenna array 702 and down-converted to the base-band by down-converters 704. The base-band signal is demodulated by OFDM demodulator 706 and also processed by channel characteristics block 708 for estimation of the accessing subscriber's uplink channel characteristics using one of the techniques described above or other well-known signal quality estimation algorithms. The estimated or measured channel characteristics data, along with channel characteristics corresponding to channels assigned to ongoing traffic that is stored in subscribers channel profile register 608 and on-going traffic information stored in the on-going traffic register 710, are fed to OFDMA subchannel allocation logic 712 to determine a channel assignment for the accessing subscriber, and possibly partial or all of the on-going subscribers. The results are sent to OFDMA MAC 714, which controls the overall traffic. Control signals from OFDMA MAC 714 and downlink data streams 726 are mixed and modulated by OFDM modulator 716 for downlink transmission. Subchannel formation (such as the antenna beamforming/switching operations described below with reference to FIG. 8) is performed by subchannel formation block 720 using subchannel definition information stored in the subscribers' channel profile register 608. The output of subchannel formation block 720 is up-converted by the set of up-converters 722, and transmitted through transmission antenna array 724. Beacon signal generator 717 is used to generate a beacon signal appropriate to the underlying transmission scheme. For example, for an OFDMA transmission scheme, beacon signal generator 717 generates a signal including OFDMA pilot symbols interspersed among test data frames. Details of functional blocks corresponding to one embodiment of an OFDMA transmitter module 800 for a base station having N antennas are shown in FIG. 8. A MAC dynamic channel allocation block 802 is used to select an appropriate antenna resource and subchannel for each of P users, as depicted by selection inputs to modem and subchannel allocation blocks 8041-P. Based on the modem and subchannel allocation for each user, a corresponding OFDMA baseband signal is generated, up-converted, and transmitted over an appropriate antenna using signal-processing techniques that are well-known in the OFDMA transmission arts. The process is depicted by Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) blocks 8041-N, parallel to serial (P/S) conversion blocks 8061-N, and add cyclic prefix (CP) blocks 8041-N. OFDMA transmitter module 800 performs antenna switching operations by adjusting the FFT inputs. For example, for a given subscriber channel, certain FFT inputs are set to 1 (meaning use), while other FFT inputs are set to 0 (meaning ignore). OFDMA transmitter module 800 also support channels that are facilitated by concurrently sending signals over multiple antennas. In general, the operations performed by the process and functional blocks illustrated in the figures herein and described above are performed by processing logic that may comprise hardware (circuitry, dedicated logic, etc.), software (such as is run on a general purpose computer system or a dedicated machine), or a combination of both. Whereas many alterations and modifications of the present invention will no doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after having read the foregoing description, it is to be understood that any particular embodiment shown and described by way of illustration is in no way intended to be considered limiting. Therefore, references to details of various embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claims which in themselves recite only those features regarded as essential to the invention.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Spatial processing with antenna arrays is one of the most used techniques in wireless communications. Among many schemes developed to date, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) and beamforming are often studied and have been proved to be effective in increasing the capacity and performance of a wireless network (see, e.g., Ayman F. Naguib, Vahid Tarokh, Nambirajan Seshadri, A. Robert Calderbank, “A Space-Time Coding Modem for High-Data-Rate Wireless Communications”, IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, vol. 16, no. 8, October 1998 pp. 1459-1478). On the other hand, realization of MIMO or beamforming often means higher complexity and cost on the system side. In particular, MIMO operations entail complicated signal processing and decoding, while beamforming involves hardware calibrations and multi-dimensional data processing. Over the years, orthogonal division multiple-access (OFDMA) has become the access scheme of choice for almost all broadband wireless networks (e.g., WiMAX, WiFi, and 4G cellular systems). In OFDMA, multiple subscribers are allocated to different subcarriers, in a fashion similar to frequency division multiple access (FDMA). For more information, see Sari and Karam, “Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access and its Application to CATV Networks,” European Transactions on Telecommunications, Vol. 9 (6), pp. 507-516, November/December 1998 and Nogueroles, Bossert, Donder, and Zyablov, “Improved Performance of a Random OFDMA Mobile Communication System,” Proceedings of IEEE VTC'98, pp. 2502-2506. The fundamental phenomenon that makes reliable wireless transmission difficult to achieve is time-varying multipath fading. Increasing the quality or reducing the effective error rate in a multipath fading channel may be extremely difficult. For instance, consider the following comparison between a typical noise source in a non-multipath environment and multipath fading. In environments having additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN), it may require only 1- or 2-db higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) using typical modulation and coding schemes to reduce the effective bit error rate (BER) from 10 −2 to 10 −3 . Achieving the same reduction in a multipath fading environment, however, may require up to 10 db improvement in SNR. The necessary improvement in SRN may not be achieved by simply providing higher transmit power or additional bandwidth, as this is contrary to the requirements of next generation broadband wireless systems. Multipath phenomena causes frequency-selective fading. In a multiuser fading environment, the channel gains are different for different subcarriers. Furthermore, the channels are typically uncorrelated for different subscribers. This leads to a so-called “multiuser diversity” gain that can be exploited through intelligent subcarrier allocation. In other words, it is advantageous in an OFDMA system to adaptively allocate the subcarriers to subscribers so that each subscriber enjoys a high channel gain. For more information, see Wong et al., “Multiuser OFDM with Adaptive Subcarrier, Bit and Power Allocation,” IEEE J. Select. Areas Commun., Vol. 17(10), pp. 1747-1758, October 1999. Within one cell, the subscribers can be coordinated to have different subcarriers in OFDMA. The signals for different subscribers can be made orthogonal and there is little intracell interference. However, with an aggressive frequency reuse plan, e.g., the same spectrum is used for multiple neighboring cells, the problem of intercell interference arises. It is clear that the intercell interference in an OFDMA system is also frequency selective and it is advantageous to adaptively allocate the subcarriers so as to mitigate the effect of intercell interference. One approach to subcarrier allocation for OFDMA is a joint optimization operation, not only requiring the activity and channel knowledge of all the subscribers in all the cells, but also requiring frequent rescheduling every time an existing subscribers is dropped off the network or a new subscribers is added onto the network. This is often impractical in real wireless system, mainly due to the bandwidth cost for updating the subscriber information and the computation cost for the joint optimization. Existing approaches for wireless traffic channel assignment are subscriber-initiated and single-subscriber (point-to-point) in nature. Since the total throughput of a multiple-access network depends on the channel fading profiles, noise-plus-interference levels, and in the case of spatially separately transceivers, the spatial channel characteristics, of all active subscribers, distributed or subscriber-based channel loading approaches are fundamentally sub-optimum. Furthermore, subscriber-initiated loading algorithms are problematic when multiple transceivers are employed as the base-station, since the signal-to-noise-plus-interference ratio (SINR) measured based on an omni-directional sounding signal does not reveal the actual quality of a particular traffic channel with spatial processing gain. In other words, a “bad” traffic channel measured at the subscriber based on the omni-directional sounding signal may very well be a “good” channel with proper spatial beamforming from the base-station. For these two reasons, innovative information exchange mechanisms and channel assignment and loading protocols that account for the (spatial) channel conditions of all accessing subscribers, as well as their QoS requirements, are highly desirable. Such “spatial-channel and QoS-aware” allocation schemes can considerably increase the spectral efficiency and hence data throughput in a given bandwidth. Thus, distributed approaches, i.e., subscriber-initiated assignment are fundamentally sub-optimum.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for antenna switching and channel assignments in wireless communication systems. Channel characteristics indicative of signal reception quality are obtained for each of multiple channels hosted by each antenna resource at a base station. Channels are assigned to subscribers based on the channel characteristics. base station,
20041207
20090811
20060608
64220.0
H04H104
7
PHAM, BRENDA H
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SWITCHING ANTENNA AND CHANNEL ASSIGNMENTS IN BROADBAND WIRELESS NETWORKS
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
H04H
2,004
11,007,069
ACCEPTED
Seating system
A seating system is provided including a beam for supporting seats, wherein the seats are individually mounted to the beam at any selected longitudinal position along the beam. The system facilitates seat positioning and repositioning in a manner that optimizes seating adaptability and ease of installation. The beam preferably includes integral first and second track portions. The first track portion includes a channel that receives bracket-mounted connectors by which the beam is fixed relative to the ground. Each of the seats has at least one seat support with a clamp portion that secures to the second track portion of the beam, free from the channel to avoid interfering with the connectors, regardless of the point at which the support is clamped to the beam. The second track portion is preferably shaped to include a rear overhang and front overhang defining oppositely directed undercut surfaces on which the seat support is securely mounted.
1. A seating system comprising: an elongate beam including: a first track portion configured to be secured to a series of fixed connectors at any position along a length of the beam; and a second track portion extending integrally parallel to the first portion; a plurality of seats, each of the seats including at least one support with a clamp portion configured to mount to the second track portion of the beam at any position along the length of the beam, the clamp portion being removable from the second track portion to facilitate repositioning along the beam after installation; wherein the clamp portion remains free from the first track portion so as to avoid interfering with any of the fixed connectors; and wherein the fixed connectors remain free from the second track portion to avoid interfering with any of the supports. 2. The seating system of claim 1, wherein the first and second track portions are unitarily formed. 3. The seating system of claim 1, wherein the first track portion forms a channel, the channel shaped to cooperatively receive the series of connectors. 4. The seating system of claim 3, wherein the first track portion includes a slot-shaped opening to the channel and a pair of inwardly turned ribs disposed along opposite sides of the opening, the ribs contacting against the connectors within the channel. 5. The seating system of claim 4, wherein the connector includes an aperture therethrough and a bolt having a head that contacts against an upper side of the connector and a shaft that extends through the aperture and through the opening, the bolt being securable to the bracket to hold the connector against the ribs from within the channel. 6. The seating system of claim 4, wherein opposite ends of the beam include an opening to the channel sized to slidably receive the connectors into the channel. 7. The seating system of claim 4, wherein the channel opening faces generally downwardly, and wherein the first track portion is formed by a lower portion of the beam, and wherein the second track portion is formed by an upper portion of the beam. P231 I CON 8. The seating system of claim 1, wherein the second track portion includes a pair of overhangs that extend outwardly along opposite elongate sides of the beam. 9. The seating system of claim 8, wherein the clamp portion of the support includes a return portion shaped to cooperatively fit over one of the overhangs. 10. The seating system of claim 9, further including a fastener that is mounted to the clamp portion such that the fastener can selectively secure under the overhang opposite the overhang engaged by the return portion. 11. The seating system of claim 10, wherein the overhang to be gripped by the fastener has an angular cross-sectional profile. 12. The seating system of claim 9, wherein the overhang to be gripped by the cooperatively shaped return portion has a rounded cross-sectional profile. 13. The seating system of claim 1, wherein the support is removably mountable to the second track portion. 14. The seating system of claim 1, wherein each of the seats includes a seat portion and two of said supports, wherein each of the supports includes a seat pivot mechanism, the seat portion being mounted to the respective seat pivot mechanisms. 15. The seating system of claim 14, wherein each of the seats includes a back portion mounted to the respective supports. 16. A seating system comprising: a plurality of brackets mounted to a fixed surface; a plurality of connectors, each of the connectors being mountable to a respective one of the brackets; an elongate beam adapted to be mounted to the connectors in a generally horizontal orientation, the beam including a lower portion defining a channel, the channel being shaped to slidably receive the connectors from an end of the beam, the beam also including an elongate upper portion having a rear overhang with a rear undercut surface that projects in a first direction and a front overhang having an undercut surface that extends in a generally opposite direction from the rear overhang; and at least one seat support, each support including a clamp portion adapted to be removably mounted to the upper portion free of the lower portion so that the seat base can be mounted at any position along a length of the beam free from interference with the connectors and brackets, the clamp portion including a return portion that is cooperatively shaped to fit against the upper portion and over the rear overhang in contact with the undercut surface, the support further including movable fastener mounted to the return such that the fastener grips over the front overhang in contact with the front undercut surface. 17. The seating system according to claim 16, the lower portion including a pair of parallel, opposed ribs that are inwardly directed relative to the channel, the ribs defining an opening to the channel, the ribs contacting against the connectors within the channel. 18. The seating system of claim 16, wherein the connector includes an aperture therethrough and a bolt having a head that contacts against an upper side of the connector and a shaft that extends through the aperture and through the opening, the bolt being securable to the bracket to hold the connector against the ribs from within the channel. 19. The seating system of claim 18, wherein the connector has a recess to receive the head of the bolt in a recessed matter, the connector fitting closely within a cross-sectional profile of the channel. 19. The seating system of claim 16, wherein each of the seats includes a seat portion and two of said supports, wherein each of the supports includes a seat pivot mechanism, the seat portion being mounted to the respective seat pivot mechanisms. 20 The seating system of claim 16, wherein each of the seats further includes a back portion mounted to the respective supports. 21. The seating system of claim 16, wherein at least one of the seats includes an arm rest, the arm rest being mounted to the support.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This patent application is a continuation of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/914,231, filed Sep. 14, 2001, which claims the benefit of International Application No. PCT/AU00/01150, filed Sep. 21, 2000, which claims priority to Australian Patent Application No. PQ 2970 99, filed Sep. 21, 1999, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a seating system and in particular, for a system which is adpated for use in stadiums and in auditoriums. In our description we will refer, generally, to stadium seating but this is not to limit the concept of the invention in any way. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Stadium seating is usually based about beams or the like which are connected either directly or indirectly to a floor or vertical riser in the stadium, individual seats are then connected to the beam by way of a clamp or the like which clamp has one component on the seat and one component which can be placed thereover on the other side of the beam and the two can be interconnected. Generally this means that the system is designed for a particular seating arrangement and although individual seats can be removed and replaced, the actual arrangment of seats is basically fixed. In an alternative arrangement the beam has been provided with plates or the like which are welded or otherwise permanently attached thereto to which individual seats are connected. In a still further arrangement, individual seats can be connected to the floor or riser. These arrangements are very inflexible and are usually designed for the particular stadium in a particular configuration and can not be varied from this. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of the invention is to provide a seating system whereby the location of the seats is very much more flexible than has previously been the case. The invention, in one aspect, comprises a seating system having a beam which is adapted to be connected to a surface adjacent the position at which seats are to be located, means whereby at least one seat can be connected to the beam characterized in that the beam is so formed as to be adapted to receive a formation on the base of a seat whereby the seat can be located at any required position along the beam. The beam may comprise an extrusion having two spaced parts one of which is adapted to receive means whereby the extrusion can be connected directly or indirectly to a support and the other part provides means whereby seats can be connected to the extrusion, the two portions of the beam being arranged that connection of seats to the extrusion is in no way obstructed by the connection of the beam to supports. Then a third aspect of the invention we provide a seat for a seating system which has a back member which is adapted to carry the load of the seat and a seat support which has two arms which are adapted for connection to the back member at two spaced positions so that effectively a truss is formed, one of the arms of the support being adapted to be connected to a beam to locate the seat and the support also having means whereby a seat assembly can be connected thereto. The seat support may include a pivot so the seat can be pivotally connected thereto. The invention also provides a seat having means whereby identification can readily be provided it may also be provided with means whereby a writing tablet or an audio/visual display can be associated therewith. Seats can also be provided with means whereby they can be readily upholstered and re-upholstered can be supplied with arms, extended backs and have other modifications associated therewith without any necessity for re-engineering. In an embodiment, a seating system is provided a plurality of brackets mounted to a fixed surface, and a plurality of connectors, each of the connectors being mountable to a respective one of the brackets. Additionally, the seating system includes an elongate beam adapted to be mounted to the connectors in a generally horizontal orientation. The beam includes a lower portion defining a channel, the channel being shaped to slidably receive the connectors from an end of the beam. The beam includes an elongate upper portion having a rear overhang with a rear undercut surface that projects in a first direction and a front overhang with an undercut surface that extends in a generally opposite direction from the rear overhang. Also, the seating system includes at least one seat support. Each of the supports includes a clamp portion adapted to be removably mounted to the upper portion free of the lower portion so that the seat base can be mounted at any position along a length of the beam, free from interference with the connectors and brackets. The clamp portion being removable in order to facilitate selective repositioning after installation. The clamp portion includes a return portion that is cooperatively shaped to fit against the upper portion and over the rear overhang in contact with the undercut surface. The support further has movable fastener mounted to the return such that the fastener grips over the front overhang in contact with the front undercut surface. In order that the invention may be more readily understood we shall describe, in relation to the accompanying drawings, one particular embodiment of the invention together with certain modifications that can be made to it. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In these drawings: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat of the invention and the beam to which it is attached; FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 which the seat portion raised; FIG. 3 is a perspective of the beam and its attachment to a riser and the attachment of one side of a seat thereto; FIG. 4 is a perspective of the beam extrusion; FIG. 5 is an end view of the extrusion, showing a connector therein and being connected to a bracket; FIG. 6 is a side view of the seat assembly with the seat lowered; FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 with the seat raised; FIG. 8 shows a seat support arrangement; FIG. 9 shows the attachment of a seat to beams at an angle to each other; FIG. 10 shows a first form of arm rest used with the invention; FIG. 11 shows a second form of arm rest; FIG. 12 shows a form of writing tablet suitable for use with the invention; and FIG. 13 demonstrated a possible connection of a video and/or audio/video arrangement. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES AND THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Seats of the invention are adapted to be connected to a beam 10 which in the preferred, illustrated, form is an aluminum extrusion which is adapted to be connected to fittings located on a riser behind the required position for the seats or on the floor where the seats are to be located. When one considers stadium seats it will be appreciated that these are normally located on a flat portion 31 of the stadium floor with a riser 32 directly behind so that the seats are stepped to enable good vision from all seats. In some arrangements, there may be two or more rows of seats between each riser. Where there is such a riser it is often convenient to attach the beam to this as shown in FIG. 7. Alternatively, if it is attached to a flat portion of the floor, the arrangement can be as shown in FIG. 6. There are provided mounting brackets 20, which may are preferably made of steel but could be of a glass reinforced plastics material or the like. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7, the bracket 20 is designed to be connected to a riser 32 and has a plate 21 which abuts the riser and is connected thereto by bolts 22. A plate 23 which receives the beam 10 may be supported by a fillet 24. The connection of the beam to the plates 23 will be described in greater detail below. As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the beam includes lower portion or first track portion 18 and an upper portion or second track portion 19. The first track portion 18 is configured to be mounted to the brackets 20 with connectors 30 (FIG. 5). The second track portion 19 is configured so that seat supports 60 can be mounted thereon. One aspect of the invention is that the portion 19 of the beam 10 to which the seats 50 are connected is distinct from the portion 18 which is connected to the mounting brackets 20, the mounting of the beam does not in any way adversely effect the positioning of the seats on the beam. In other words, the seat supports, mounted to the second track portion of the beam, remain free from the first track portion so as to avoid interfering with any of the fixed connections at the brackets, and likewise the connection of the bracket to the first track portion of the beam is free from the second track portion to avoid interfering with any of the seat supports. Thus, the mounting brackets 20 can be fitted at positions which are desirable to the fitter and are not constrained to be fitted to specific positions, to enable the seats to be connected where required, which has been the case in the past. That is, should there be any flaw in the concrete or other surface where a mounting bracket is to be connected, or should there be a ventilating duct or cable duct or the like, the mounting brackets can simply be located in a position adjacent this obstruction. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the beam 10, has, at its lower end in the second track portion 18, a pair of inwardly turned ribs 11, 12 which define opposite sides of a slot shaped opening to the cavity or channel 13 which is adapted to receive the connector 30. The first track portion 18 defines a channel 13, viewable in FIG. 4. As is illustrated in FIG. 5, the channel 13 is shaped to cooperatively receive a series of respective connectors 30 fixed to the brackets 20. Turning to FIG. 5, it is illustrated that the ribs 11, 12 contact against the connectors 30 within the channel. It will be appreciated that the connectors 30 can be inserted into the channel 13 from an opening at the end of the beam 10, and the ribs 11, 12 contact the connectors at an interior of the channel. As illustrated, the connectors 30 fit closely within a cross-sectional profile of the channel. The connector 30 may be of aluminium, has an external shape to be received in and moved along the channel. As shown in FIG. 5, a central aperture 31 is disposed through the connector 30 to receive a bolt 35. The connector 30 includes an upwardly facing recess 32 to receive a head of the bolt 35, and the recess is so formed as to closely receive the bolt head to prevent the bolt from rotating relative thereto. When locating the beam, the required number of mounting brackets 20 are provided and an equivalent number of connectors 30 are located in the beam and each is associated with a mounting bracket. Before locating a connector 30 into the channel 13 in the beam, the bolt 35 is passed through the aperture 31 in the connector. These bolts are passed through corresponding apertures in the mounting brackets 20 as can be seen from FIG. 5. It is only necessary to then place a nut 36 on the respective bolt, tighten the nut and the connector pulls downwardly onto the ribs 11, 12, thereby securely fixing the beam 10 relative to the bracket 20. However should it ever be necessary to remove the beam this can readily be done simply by removing the nuts holding the connectors down and this permits the beam to be removed or, alternatively, the nuts can be loosened and the beam can be moved longitudinally. It will be seen that as the connectors are located in the channel of the lower track portion 18 of the beam 10 the upper track portion 19 of the extrusion is remote from the connectors so there is no obstruction caused by them to the seats. The seats 50 of the system may have a complete body shell or, preferably, may have a back portion 51 and a seat portion 52, with the seat portion pivotally connected to the back portion so that when the seat is not being used it can be biassed to rotate upwardly adjacent the back portion to provide minimal obstruction to persons moving along the aisle of the stadium. The positions of the seat can be seen from FIGS. 6 and 7. This of course is conventional in the art. In the seat of the invention the back portion 51 may be basically structural and be adapted to carry the weight of the seat. This can be provided by providing a reinforcing beam passing basically around the periphery of the back and by using an engineering grade plastic of the required thickness to give the strength needed. Both seat 52 and backrest 51 are provided with an innovative system of structural support. This takes the form in both cases of a large section perimeter beam 120, molded integrally with the more generally membranous form of the seating and back surface. Conventional injection molding processes cannot efficiently create large section details on thin parts due to problems with excessive deformation due to differential shrinkage related to the varying cross section. Heavy sections also require longer cooling times, extending the machine cycle rate beyond cost effective limits. In our design, nitrogen is introduced into the large section beam during the molding process, the gas pressure forcing the interior material to be displaced into an overflow located at the end of the beam. This creates a hollow beam section with a wall thickness similar to the remainder of the part, eliminating differential shrinkage and maintaining a cost effective machine cycle time. The seat and backrest of the invention are unique in the application of gas to remove large amounts of material from secondary features of the part. There is an enormous degree of difficulty in achieving this as the features are distributed around the part and large amounts of plastic material must be made to flow in various directions from one area to another. Associated with the back, there may be a pair of seat supports 60, one on each side thereof. As illustrated in FIG. 8, each seat support 60 may include a clamp portion 68 configured to be mounted to the beam and a seat rotation mechanism 63. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the seat support 60 includes a first support member 62 extending from the clamp portion 68 to the seat rotation mechanism 63, and a second support member 61 extending away from the seat rotation mechanism 63. The support can be injection molded and could be a glass reinforced plastics material which can have the required strength characteristics. As illustrated, a free end 64 of the support member 61 is upwardly directed and can be adapted to contact a complimentary shaped part of the seat back 51 within which it can be received and can be held in position by a screw or the like passing through the back into a threaded insert 65 in the free end of the member 61. By placing this member into the complimentary recess of the seat back, the load is passed through the material of the back rather than the screw which is effectively simply to hold the components together. A free end 67 of the member 62 is formed as the clamp member 68 which is complimentary to the upwardly directed portion 19 of the beam. We previously stated that the extrusion comprising the beam has two effectively separate portions 18, 19. The upper portion (as illustrated), referred to herein as the second track portion 19, includes a nose or front overhang 15 which has an undercut surface that is directed inwardly, a curved upper surface 16 forming having at its free end a rear overhang 17 or return that forms another inwardly directed undercut surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the corresponding clamp portion 68 of the seat support 60 is shaped to have a return portion 69 which is adapted to pass over the rear overhang 17 to grip the beam. The clamp portion 60 further includes an intermediate portion 70 which is curved to correspond with the curved portion 16 of the extrusion and a further forwardly directed portion 71, as shown in FIG. 8. Provided on the forwardly directed portion 71 of the support member there can be a toggle fastener 72 which is selectively movable from a position where it is free of the beam 10 to a position such that the fastener 72 fits under the nose or front overhang 1 5 of the beam. The fastener 72 can be tightened by way of a bolt 73 through the clamp portion 68 into a threaded aperture 74 in the fastener 72 to prevent any movement of the seat. This arrangement is most satisfactory as it means there are no free components which have to be handled separately from the rest of the seat. The seat can simply be brought into position, the return portions 69 on each side passed over the rear overhang 17 of the extrusion, the seat moved downwardly about the track portion 19 until the intermediate portion 70 of the clamp portion abuts the curved portion 16 of the beam 10, the toggle fastener 72 is rotated to lock the seat into position, and the bolt 73 tightened. This arrangement gives the seat of the invention one of its major advantages. Firstly, at any time, the seat can be removed from the beam simply by releasing the two toggle fasteners 72 and lifting the seat away from the beam 10. Further, if it is required to vary the spacing of seats, it is relatively simple to loosen the toggle fasteners and simply slide the seats along the beam so that they are either spaced a greater or lesser distance from each other. There are specific applications, as will be described hereinafter where it is essential that the spacing of the seats be greater than in the basic configuration and it means that if it is required to change the configuration of the seats at any time there is no necessity to make any alteration to the beam or to the seats to permit the adjustment. Specifically, the seats can be moved past the mounting brackets without having to be disconnected from the beam. This provides a substantial advantage to the stadium operator as these modifications can be done by unskilled or semi-skilled persons without the necessity of the use of any tools other than a spanner to release the tension on the toggle fastener 74. The seat component itself, where this is pivoted, is connected to the seat rotation mechanism 63 at the junction of the two support members 61 and 62 and may be provided with a two stage action such that the seat lifts automatically when vacated, to an initial position 56 in FIG. 7, somewhat less than vertical and upon application of rearwardly directed pressure, is able to move to a full vertical position or beyond, 57 in FIG. 7. The purpose of this arrangement is to provide an initial position, which provides for ease of returning the seat to it's downward position, (this is particularly important when the user has stood up quickly and maybe unaware that the seat has automatically risen) and a secondary position that maximizes room in front of the seat so that should the occupant be required to stand to make room for a person passing in front, the seat may be moved to it's most rearward position with out a deliberate effort by the occupant. In the invention the automatic travel to the initial position, shown as 56 in FIG. 7, may be effected by means of a counterweight positioned at the rear 55 of the seat, while the motion to the secondary position, shown as 57 in FIG. 7, may take place against the force of an helical spring located in the pivot mechanism 63. The purpose of this spring is to return the seat from the secondary position 57 to the initial position 56 once pressure is removed, enhancing the safety and convenience. It will be seen from the foregoing that the whole of the seat assembly, with the exception of the mounting brackets (which may be steel), the inserted threaded portion at the free end of the upwardly directed arm which is connected to the back, the spring for the return of the seat and a further inserted thread which can be used to hold the seat in position and the toggle are made of plastics material. The plastics material used may be varied, we have made certain statements about the structural parts in the back and seat members themselves can be made out of engineering grade plastics material by injection molding. It is preferred that the material is either black or of a dark color to minimize degradation after long contact with ultra-violet light and the material may include additives which increase resistance to ultra-violet light. There can be associated with the ends of the beam, end caps 80 which ensure no sharp edges of the extrusion are directed outwardly and if required these end caps may incorporate material, such as row numbers. Also, if required these could be illuminated by cabling passing through the aperture 14 in the body of the beam. It is also possible to provide further cabling associated with the beam whereby audio/visual or other signals are also transmitted, this will be described hereinafter. Another aspect of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 9, is that seats can be located so that one seat support 60 is connected to one beam 10 and the other to a second beam with the beams at an angle to each other. The clamp portion 68 on the lower member 62 of the seat support 60 can have a degree of movement relative to the beam or can be provided with means whereby a portion can be removed to give such a degree of movement so that one member is connected to one beam and another member is connected to an adjacent beam with there being an angle of, say, up to 10 degrees between the two beams. This is a particularly useful aspect where the location of the stadium seats are required to be curved, say to follow a boundary of the stadium, as, if a number of relatively short beams are used there is no restriction on the location of the seats as, should it be required, they can span two adjacent beams. This means there does not have to be a gap in the seating where the different beams are located. The seat of the invention may be provided with a large number of variations. For example, the seat portion may be provided with upwardly directed mushroom type extensions which are adapted to receive keyed slots in a cushion portion so this can be located on the seat simply by passing a larger diameter portion of the slot over the mushroom head and then moving the cushion towards the back of the seat. This cushion can then be located by one screw or the like. Thus, should there be any damage to the cushion at any time it is simple to replace the cushion portion and it is unnecessary to move the seat. Also, if required, on the front of the seat portions there can be a cut out recess into which can be passed a corresponding member which can incorporate a seat number 81 (see FIG. 2) and, if required, can be color coded. Similarly we may prefer to provide a recess in the seat back which is on the forwardly directed part of the back but is basically in alignment with the recess which receives the free end 64 of the member 61 of the seat support 60 which may incorporate the aperture through which the screw holding the support in position is passed. This recess can be provided with a cover member 82 which is of the same color as the remainder of the back or, if required, could be of an identifying color which could be the same as that used on the seat number on the seat portion. Thus, it is possible to define positions in the stadium by the use of a color to indicate whereabout on the boundary of the stadium the seat is located, the row, which can be provided in the cover at the end of the beam at the aisles and the seat number. Each seat can be modified in a substantial number of different ways. For example, if it is required to have arm rests on the seat these can simply be located in position at the pivot area of seat supporting pivots and can readily be fitted by the stadium operator after the seats have been located. Examples of suitable arm rests 83, 84 are illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. If the seats were originally located very close together it may be necessary to move or to space them somewhat to provide room for the arms but as described earlier this is a simple and non-skilled operation. We can provide high backs, not illustrated, for the seats. These can serve two purposes. Firstly, they can give an impression of additional value and can add to comfort and secondly, they can provide additional height to the seat back as far as a person walking along the row behind is concerned. This can be particularly valuable in stadiums which rise steeply as persons could suffer vertigo or discomfort whilst walking along a row of seats where there appears to be no form of support on the low side. These additional seat backs can take any required form but we do prefer to leave a space between the original back and the additional back to permit circulation of air behind the user. We can, if required, provide writing tablets associated with each seat, although these would normally be used in auditoria rather than in stadiums and in each case the tablet can fold away to a position beside the seat when not being used. It can be raised upwardly and positioned in front of the user when it is being used. One particular arrangement is shown in FIG. 12 where there is a writing tablet assembly 85 which has an arm 86, which may be connected to the beam 10 and a writing surface 87 which can be rotatable abut the arm to adopt a use position, shown in full line in the Figure and a stowed position, shown in dotted line. The writing tablet can be provided with connections for power and data so the occupier could connect a laptop computer or other device to power for extended operations and/or to a data line for direct transmission of data. Again, these use additional space and if the seats were originally closely spaced they can simply be moved outwardly to permit the location of the writing tablets after the seats are already in position. Also, if required, we can space the seats and locate beam mounted tables between the seats. This can be useful in suites in hospitality areas where space is not necessary of a premium but where it is desired to make the users feel comfortable. Each seat may be provided with its own video screen 90 so that replays of just completed portions of the game or other material such as a concurrent television broadcast of the event being watched, or even another event, can readily be viewed by the user which screens may be normally located in an arm 91 associated with the seat and which may be brought into position in front of the occupier of the seat. Associated with these screens there may be an audio arrangement, which can have a speaker or speakers on the screen assembly or elsewhere on, or associated with, the seat. In one particular form of the invention, the screen 90 is movable from a position at which it is located in a casing 91 or the like beside the seat and which may be connected to the beam 10. The casing may act as an arm rest and has an upper portion 100 which can be hingedly connected thereto, the upper portion acting as the arm rest portion when the screen is within the casing. The screen can be moved outwardly from the casing when it is to be used. The arrangement comprises an arm 92 which is pivotally connected at one end 93 so that it can be rotated from a first position where it is within the casing or the like to a second position where it extends outwardly therefrom as shown in FIG. 13. The arm 92 has, at its outer end, an elbow member 94 one end 95 of which is rotatable about the axis of the arm 92 and the other end 96 of which is rotatably connected to the screen assembly 90. The movement of the arm 92 about its pivot 93 is controlled to a degree by a gas strut 95. The gas strut is connected between the casing and the arm and the location of the strut is such that, on movement of the arm from the position at which it is received within the casing 91 to the position at which is extends fully outwardly therefrom, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the strut is first compressed until it is part way our of the casing and then extends. That is, at the two extremes of movement it acts to hold the arm in the required position and between these it moves over centre. That is, there is initially a positive force to maintain the screen in position within the casing and when the screen 90 is being deployed the arm 92 initially moves outwardly against the pressure of the strut 95 until it reaches part way along its movement when the strut goes over centre and then assists in causing the arm to move outwardly to its final position and to retain it in this position. To return the arm to the casing it is necessary to work against the strut during the first part of the movement and then the strut acts positively to finalize the movement. The end 96 of the elbow, as previously mentioned is rotatable about the axis of the arm and can move between two positions. In one of these, the screen assembly can be able to be located in the recess in the casing, and this can be controlled by a form of positive engagement to ensure that the screen is in the required position to be placed in the recess. This is the position marked A on FIG. 13. Rotation of the screen assembly about the arm can bring the screen into the position illustrated at B and this by simply e controlled by a limiting abutment or the like in the assembly. The screen assembly 90 is rotatably connected to the other end 94 of the elbow and this rotation may have a stop, preferably a positive stop or detent at the position illustrated at B and the rotational movement my be basically frictional to enable the screen to adopt the position shown at C, the angle of which can readily be adjusted so that the screen angle is correct for the particular user. In order to stow the screen, it is first moved from position C to position B, by rotation of the screen about the end 96 of the elbow, the end 95 of the elbow is then rotated about the arm 92 to the position illustrated as A and then the assembly is rotated about pivot 93 causing the screen to enter the recess in casing. The elbow member 94 has an aperture passing directly therethrough and the arm 92 is hollow so that the necessary cabling for the screen is passed through the arm, through the elbow to the screen itself. It will be seen that such an arrangement is both aesthetically pleasing but also provides protection for the cabling against accidental or deliberate damage. The form of casing into which the screen passes and its method of connection to either the seat or itself or the beam on which the seat is mounted can be varied depending upon the particular requirements. The arrangement could be such that there is a micro switch associated with one of the components so that when the screen is moved to the exposed position, it is automatically caused to operate. Alternatively, there could be a user operated switch on the screen. Also, if required the screen may have brightness and contrast controls which are operable by the user, or these can be located in the recess for adjustment by a technician. A volume control for the speakers) can also be provided at some appropriate position. If required, the seats themselves could be arranged to be folded and moved under a cover or otherwise located when not required. Generally, it is required that this be more or less weather proof, although the seats having the screens would normally be under cover, and also be provided with surfaces which cannot readily be manipulated by users. It is also possible to provide seats which are able to be pivoted away from the beam to open a space for, for example, a person in a wheelchair to be able to have access to an area in their chair. In the specification we have described one particular form of seat and many possible variations in this and it is to be understood that these are not exhaustive but other variations can be provided without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Stadium seating is usually based about beams or the like which are connected either directly or indirectly to a floor or vertical riser in the stadium, individual seats are then connected to the beam by way of a clamp or the like which clamp has one component on the seat and one component which can be placed thereover on the other side of the beam and the two can be interconnected. Generally this means that the system is designed for a particular seating arrangement and although individual seats can be removed and replaced, the actual arrangment of seats is basically fixed. In an alternative arrangement the beam has been provided with plates or the like which are welded or otherwise permanently attached thereto to which individual seats are connected. In a still further arrangement, individual seats can be connected to the floor or riser. These arrangements are very inflexible and are usually designed for the particular stadium in a particular configuration and can not be varied from this.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>One object of the invention is to provide a seating system whereby the location of the seats is very much more flexible than has previously been the case. The invention, in one aspect, comprises a seating system having a beam which is adapted to be connected to a surface adjacent the position at which seats are to be located, means whereby at least one seat can be connected to the beam characterized in that the beam is so formed as to be adapted to receive a formation on the base of a seat whereby the seat can be located at any required position along the beam. The beam may comprise an extrusion having two spaced parts one of which is adapted to receive means whereby the extrusion can be connected directly or indirectly to a support and the other part provides means whereby seats can be connected to the extrusion, the two portions of the beam being arranged that connection of seats to the extrusion is in no way obstructed by the connection of the beam to supports. Then a third aspect of the invention we provide a seat for a seating system which has a back member which is adapted to carry the load of the seat and a seat support which has two arms which are adapted for connection to the back member at two spaced positions so that effectively a truss is formed, one of the arms of the support being adapted to be connected to a beam to locate the seat and the support also having means whereby a seat assembly can be connected thereto. The seat support may include a pivot so the seat can be pivotally connected thereto. The invention also provides a seat having means whereby identification can readily be provided it may also be provided with means whereby a writing tablet or an audio/visual display can be associated therewith. Seats can also be provided with means whereby they can be readily upholstered and re-upholstered can be supplied with arms, extended backs and have other modifications associated therewith without any necessity for re-engineering. In an embodiment, a seating system is provided a plurality of brackets mounted to a fixed surface, and a plurality of connectors, each of the connectors being mountable to a respective one of the brackets. Additionally, the seating system includes an elongate beam adapted to be mounted to the connectors in a generally horizontal orientation. The beam includes a lower portion defining a channel, the channel being shaped to slidably receive the connectors from an end of the beam. The beam includes an elongate upper portion having a rear overhang with a rear undercut surface that projects in a first direction and a front overhang with an undercut surface that extends in a generally opposite direction from the rear overhang. Also, the seating system includes at least one seat support. Each of the supports includes a clamp portion adapted to be removably mounted to the upper portion free of the lower portion so that the seat base can be mounted at any position along a length of the beam, free from interference with the connectors and brackets. The clamp portion being removable in order to facilitate selective repositioning after installation. The clamp portion includes a return portion that is cooperatively shaped to fit against the upper portion and over the rear overhang in contact with the undercut surface. The support further has movable fastener mounted to the return such that the fastener grips over the front overhang in contact with the front undercut surface. In order that the invention may be more readily understood we shall describe, in relation to the accompanying drawings, one particular embodiment of the invention together with certain modifications that can be made to it.
20041208
20060711
20050707
66081.0
2
BROWN, PETER R
SEATING SYSTEM
SMALL
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,007,268
ACCEPTED
Hinge coupling
Disclosed is a hinge coupling comprising a first connective section comprising a hollow first cylinder at one end with a first piece fastened therein, two parallel projections at the other end, each projection having a bent end, a bore in an intermediate portion open to the external, and a bar interconnected the bent ends, the bar being not aligned with rest of the first connective section, and a second connective section comprising an extension at one end, a hollow second cylinder substantially passed from one end to the other end, an intermediate recess, and a groove formed at bottom of the recess. The bar is fastened in the groove by snapping through the recess, a second piece is inserted into the second cylinder by passing over the bar, and the extension is inserted into the bore by counterclockwise pivoting about the bar. Both sections are parallel after folding.
1. A hinge coupling, comprising: a first connective section comprising a first hollow cylinder at one end with a first piece fastened therein, two parallel projections extending from one end to the other end thereof, each projection at its free end having a bent end, a channel defined by the projections, an upper opening and a lower opening at an inner end of the channel and in communication with the external, a bore in an intermediate portion of the upper opening and the lower opening, and a bar interconnected the bent ends, the bar being not aligned with the first piece, the bore, and the projections; and a second connective section comprising an extension at one end, a second hollow cylinder substantially passed from one end to the other end, an intermediate recess for interrupting the second hollow cylinder, and a groove formed at a bottom of the recess wherein the bar is fastened in the groove by snapping through the recess, a second piece is inserted into the second hollow cylinder by passing over the bar, and the extension is inserted into the bore by counterclockwise pivoting about the bar and locking in the bore of the first connective section, whereby removing the extension from the bore by pressing the second connective section until the extension releasing from the bore, and clockwise pivoting the second connective section about the bar to a limit will dispose the second connective section to be parallel with the first connective section with a distance therebetween being minimum. 2. The hinge coupling of claim 1, wherein the opening has a width smaller than a diameter of the bore. 3. The hinge coupling of claim 1, wherein the bore further comprises an arcuate neck formed at a joining portion of itself and the opening for fastening the inserted extension. 4. The hinge coupling of claim 1, wherein the first or second piece is implemented as a portion of a rib of an umbrella. 5. The hinge coupling of claim 1, wherein the bore further comprises a blind end proximate the first cylinder. 6. The hinge coupling of claim 1, wherein the second cylinder comprises a blind end proximate extension. 7. The hinge coupling of claim 1, wherein each of the bore, the first cylinder, and the second cylinder is cylindrical. 8. The hinge coupling of claim 1, wherein the groove is substantially of half-circular section. 9. The hinge coupling of claim 8, wherein the bar is cylindrical. 10. The hinge coupling of claim 1, wherein each of the projection is of wall-shaped. 11. The hinge coupling of claim 1, wherein the first or second piece is implemented as a portion of a rod of a tent.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to couplings and more particularly to one of at least one improved hinge coupling of, for example, a rib of an umbrella in which one of two sections of the coupling is adapted to fold toward the other to be parallel therewith for saving storage space. 2. Description of Related Art Foldable products are well known. For example, ribs of an umbrella are foldable toward its shank. Moreover, in another example one of at least one coupling of the rib is formed as a hinge one (i.e., foldable). Typically, the hinge coupling comprises a flat portion at one end of its either section. A hole is formed at either end. A fastener (e.g., rivet) is driven through the holes for hingedly coupling them together. However, the prior art is disadvantageous since (i) the rivet fastening is a time consuming and low yield process and (ii) a parallel folding of the sections is not possible. This in turn compromises the purpose of saving storage space. U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,155 disclosed a hinge coupling of FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastics) umbrella rib having the advantage of eliminating the above (i) drawback. However, the above (ii) drawback is still not addressed. Thus, the need for improvement still exists. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a hinge coupling comprising a first connective section comprising a hollow first cylinder at one end with a first piece fastened therein, two parallel projections at the other end, each projection having a bent end, a channel defined by the projections, a bore in an intermediate portion, the bore including an opening in communication with the external, and a bar interconnected the bent ends, the bar being not aligned with the first piece, the bore, and the projections; and a second connective section comprising an extension at one end, a hollow second cylinder substantially passed from one end to the other end, an intermediate recess for interrupting the second cylinder, and a groove formed at a bottom of the recess wherein the bar is fastened in the groove by snapping through the recess, a second piece is inserted into the second cylinder by passing over the bar, and the extension is inserted into the bore by counterclockwise pivoting about the bar and passing the opening, whereby removing the extension from the bore by pressing the second connective section until the extension passes the opening, and clockwise pivoting the second connective section about the bar to a limit will dispose the second connective section to be parallel with the first connective section with a distance therebetween being minimum. By incorporating this hinge coupling in, for example, a rib of an umbrella, the storage space thereof can be saved significantly. The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of hinge coupling according to the invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the assembled coupling where the other section is about to fold toward one section by pivoting; FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 where the sections are coupled together; FIG. 4A is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 4; and FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective and sectional views showing two parallel sections being formed by folding respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4A, there is shown a hinge coupling in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. The coupling is one of at least one such coupling formed at, for example, a rib of an umbrella taken as an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Note that the hinge coupling is applicable to an umbrella or a tent structure or the like in certain embodiments. The coupling comprises two sections in which the left one comprises a first piece 3 and a first connective member 1 and the right one comprises a second piece 4 and a second connective member 2. The first connective member 1 comprises a hollow cylinder 11 at one end with the first piece 3 fastened therein, two parallel wall-shaped projections 12 and 13 at the other end, each projection 12 or 13 having a bent end 120 or 130, a channel 14 defined by the projections 12 and 13, a cylindrical bar 15 interconnected the bent ends 120 and 130 of the projections 12 and 13, the bar 15 being not aligned with the first piece 3, the projections 12 and 13 and other portions of the first connective member 1, a cylindrical bore 16 in the intermediate portion of an upper opening 17 and a lower opening 17A, the bore 16 having a blind end proximate a blind end of the cylinder 11, two openings 17 and 17A each in communication with one of two opposite peripheral portions of the bore 16 and the external, as shown in FIG. 4A, each opening 17 having a width smaller than a diameter of the bore 16, and two arcuate necks 18 each formed at a joining portion of the bore 16 and the upper opening 17. The width of the upper opening 17 is larger than that of the lower opening 17A. The second connective member 2 comprises a cylindrical extension 24 at one end, the extension 24 adapted to insert into the bore 16 by passing the upper opening 17 in an upper portion of the first connective member 1 and fastened by the necks 18, a hollow tube-shaped body 20 including a sleeve 21 at the other end, the sleeve 21 having a blind end proximate the extension 24, the blind end being engaged with the second piece 4 inserted into the sleeve 21, an intermediate recess 22 for dividing the body 20 into two parts, and a groove 23 of half-circular section formed at bottom of the recess 22, the bar 15 being disposed and fastened in the groove 23 by snapping through a joining portion of the recess 22 and the groove 23 prior to inserting the second piece 4 into the sleeve 21 by passing over the bar 15. Also, the insertion of the extension 24 into the bore 16 is carried out by counterclockwise pivoting after inserting the second piece 4 into the sleeve 21 (see FIG. 3). The necks 18 are adapted to fasten the inserted extension 24. Portion of the second connective member 2 between the extension 24 and the groove 23 is substantially disposed in the channel 14. In short, FIGS. 4 and 4A show the hinge coupling in a position ready to use. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, for folding the hinge coupling prior to storage a user may perform the steps discussed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4A in the opposite direction. In detail, remove the extension 24 from the bore 16 by pressing the right section of the coupling until the extension 24 passes the neck 18 and the opening 17 in an upper portion of the first connective member 1 (see FIG. 1 or FIG. 4). Next, pivot the right section clockwise about the bar 15 until a limit is reached (see arrow indicated in FIG. 6). At this position, both sections of the coupling are parallel with a distance therebetween being minimum (see FIGS. 5 and 6). In view of the above, storage space is saved significantly. Also, as mentioned above, the folding or unfolding operations of the hinge coupling of the present invention is readily and quickly made without need of any tool. It is to be noted that the first or second pieces 3 and 4 may be implemented as a portion of a rib of an umbrella or a portion of a rob of a tent when it is applicable. While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to couplings and more particularly to one of at least one improved hinge coupling of, for example, a rib of an umbrella in which one of two sections of the coupling is adapted to fold toward the other to be parallel therewith for saving storage space. 2. Description of Related Art Foldable products are well known. For example, ribs of an umbrella are foldable toward its shank. Moreover, in another example one of at least one coupling of the rib is formed as a hinge one (i.e., foldable). Typically, the hinge coupling comprises a flat portion at one end of its either section. A hole is formed at either end. A fastener (e.g., rivet) is driven through the holes for hingedly coupling them together. However, the prior art is disadvantageous since (i) the rivet fastening is a time consuming and low yield process and (ii) a parallel folding of the sections is not possible. This in turn compromises the purpose of saving storage space. U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,155 disclosed a hinge coupling of FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastics) umbrella rib having the advantage of eliminating the above (i) drawback. However, the above (ii) drawback is still not addressed. Thus, the need for improvement still exists.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>It is an object of the present invention to provide a hinge coupling comprising a first connective section comprising a hollow first cylinder at one end with a first piece fastened therein, two parallel projections at the other end, each projection having a bent end, a channel defined by the projections, a bore in an intermediate portion, the bore including an opening in communication with the external, and a bar interconnected the bent ends, the bar being not aligned with the first piece, the bore, and the projections; and a second connective section comprising an extension at one end, a hollow second cylinder substantially passed from one end to the other end, an intermediate recess for interrupting the second cylinder, and a groove formed at a bottom of the recess wherein the bar is fastened in the groove by snapping through the recess, a second piece is inserted into the second cylinder by passing over the bar, and the extension is inserted into the bore by counterclockwise pivoting about the bar and passing the opening, whereby removing the extension from the bore by pressing the second connective section until the extension passes the opening, and clockwise pivoting the second connective section about the bar to a limit will dispose the second connective section to be parallel with the first connective section with a distance therebetween being minimum. By incorporating this hinge coupling in, for example, a rib of an umbrella, the storage space thereof can be saved significantly. The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.
20041209
20070814
20060615
99754.0
E05D1110
0
KYLE, MICHAEL J
HINGE COUPLING
SMALL
0
ACCEPTED
E05D
2,004
11,007,479
ACCEPTED
Outdoor menu display device
An improved outdoor illuminated display device. The device generally comprises a modular housing, a base member and a plurality of lights positioned in the housing—either horizontally or vertically. A plurality of display modules are positioned on the housing and backlit by the lights. A door member is pivotally connected along its upper edge to the housing covering the modules. A pair of gas-assisted spring members are provided between the door member and the housing. Air gaps or air vents are provided in order to allow air circulation in the housing. A second member above the door member is provided for holding and displaying posters and other advertising and promotional is materials. A plurality of clamping members hold the display materials in place. The second member can be illuminated or non-illuminated. Various modular units can be provided to increase the size and display space provided by the device. The display modules include a plurality of horizontal divider members removably secured to retainer members. Menu strips, pricing units and display members can be positioned between channels in the divider members and/or the frame members forming the display modules. The pricing units are adapted to be backlit by lights in the display device.
1. A display device having a housing with a first illuminated portion and a second illuminated portion, said display device comprising: a) said first illuminated portion comprising: a generally rectangular first housing portion; said first housing portion having a rower wall member, an upper wall member, two side wall members, a rear wall member, and a front section; an illumination means positioned within said first housing portion for projecting light through said front section; display means positioned in said front section; said display means having at least one partially transparent or translucent portion in order to allow light from said illumination means to project through said front section; transparent door member covering said display means; air vent means in said rear wall member to allow circulation of air in said housing and venting of high temperature air; at least one hinge mechanism hingedly connecting said door member to said upper wall member; and b) said second illuminated portion comprising: a second housing portion positioned adjacent to and contiguous with said upper wall member of said first housing portion; said second housing portion comprising a front member, at least two sidewall members and a rear member; an illumination means positioned within said second housing portion for projecting light through said front member and backlighting display members positioned on said second housing portion; first display securing means on said upper wall member of said first housing portion and on said two sidewall members for securing display members in said second housing portion; said first display securing means having biased clamping members hingedly secured to said upper wall member of said first housing portion and to said sidewall members for securing said display members in place. 2. The display device of claim 1 further comprising at least one gas-assisted spring member secured at one end to said first housing and secured at the other end to said door member. 3. The display device of claim 1 further comprising at least one latching means, said latching means being positioned on said lower wall member of said first housing and releasably securing said door member to said first housing. 4. The display device of claim 1, wherein said hinge mechanism comprises a first forwardly projecting mating hinge member positioned on said door member and a second rearwardly facing mating channel hinge member positioned on said upper wall member of said first housing, said first hinge member and said second hinge member being hidden from view. 5. The display device of claim 1, wherein said clamping members are biased with spring members. 6. The display device of claim 1 further comprising second display securing means on said second housing for assisting said first display securing means in securing display means in said second housing. 7. The display device of claim 6, wherein said secured display means comprises at least one turn-lock mechanism. 8. The display device of claim 1, wherein said display means comprises a frame made from a plurality of frame members, a plurality of graphic display members, and a plurality of retention members securing said graphic display members in position. 9. A display module for an illuminated display device, said display device comprising a housing and light means positioned in said housing and projecting light through a portion of said housing, said display module comprising: a generally rectangular frame made from a plurality of frame members, said frame-having first and second opposed vertically disposed frame members and third and fourth opposed horizontally disposed frame members; a plurality of retention members, said retention members provided on said first and second opposed frame members; a plurality of horizontally disposed divider members positioned on said frame, each of said divider members being individually removably held in place by opposed pairs of retention members; first channel means in said divider members for securing portions of display members; second channel means in said third and fourth opposed frame members, said second channel means for securing portions of display members; and a plurality of display members positioned between opposed sets of channel means, said display members having translucent portions thereon; wherein said display members allow light from said light means to be projected therethrough and can be provided in various vertical dimensions in order to be positioned on said frame between any opposed sets of channel means. 10. The display module as set forth in claim 9, wherein each of said divider members have recesses therein and each of said retention members have projection means thereon for mating with said recesses and thereby removably securing said divider members to said frame. 11. The display module as set forth in claim 9, wherein said display means can be positioned between one of said first channel means and one of said second channel means.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/283,069, filed on Mar. 31, 1999, which in turn is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/893,603 filed on Jul. 14, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,543, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/702,101, filed on Aug. 23, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,682,694, which in turn is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/317,690, filed on Oct. 5, 1994, now abandoned. TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to illuminated display devices which include one or more housings, interior lights, and translucent panels for presentation of a backlit advertisement or promotional item, particularly for outdoor environments. BACKGROUND ART Illuminated outdoor signs and display devices are commonly in use for many purposes today, particularly for presenting advertising and promotional materials relative to various businesses. Fast-food restaurants in particular use illuminated signs on their premises adjacent pathways leading to the restaurant or along their vehicle drive-through service lanes. The devices are used to display various menu items and/or to provide information and prices for consumers. In addition, the marketing of “specials” are often promoted by these devices. Restaurants and other businesses utilize a number of various types of signs, both lighted and unlighted, and both indoors and outdoors, for promotion of their goods and services. These signs are often lighted for nighttime viewing, either in the front by flood lights or overhead lighting, or from the back through transparent panels. These types of signs have various concerns and problems relative to providing devices which are economical, aesthetic and durable. When used outdoors, the displays must also be able to withstand environmental conditions, such as wind, rain, snow, sun, freezing temperatures and elevated temperatures, and still maintain their integrity and usefulness for their intended purposes. Outdoor sign devices which have enclosed housings with transparent members covering and protecting the promotional materials, often have condensation and moisture problems. Moisture which enters the device or is created by condensation is often difficult to remove and frequently adversely affects the aesthetics and visibility of the displays. Lighted signs, particularly those that are internally backlit, often have an increased problem from moisture and condensation due to the heat generated by the lights. The lights also can accentuate any distortions or warping of the advertising materials, creating additional concerns. It is also important with outdoor signs that security procedures of some type be taken so that the messages and pricing materials on the signs cannot be tampered with or vandalized. At the same time, it is also necessary to allow frequent and easy access to the displays by authorized personnel in order to change the promotional items or add additional current items. Further, it is of interest to businesses to include additional advertising and promotional posters and items on the device housings to advertise and promote “specials” or other current matters. It is an object of the present invention to provide improved outdoor illuminated sign devices, particularly for holding and displaying advertising and promotional materials. It is another object of the present invention to provide illuminated sign devices which create airflows inside the structure to minimize or prevent moisture and condensation problems, and to minimize heat build-up. It is an additional object of the present invention to provide illuminated devices which have transparent doors on the front for protecting advertising and promotional materials from environmental elements and for preventing unauthorized or inadvertent access to the materials. At the same time, it is an object of the present invention to provide illuminated devices which are readily accessible by authorized personnel to change, remove or add to the displayed materials. It is a still further object of the invention to provide illuminated devices which have one or more areas or portions for presentation of price and menu items behind a transparent door, and other areas or portions for direct display of posters and other displays. Other objects of the present invention include providing a more stable illuminated sign system, providing a modular sign system which allows flexibility in the size and display of the advertising portions, and providing unique backlit display modules for displaying prices and menu items inside illuminated sign devices. These and other objects, features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the following description of the invention is viewed in accordance with the attached drawings and appended claims. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides illuminated display devices which are improvements over known illuminated display devices. An enclosed housing containing a plurality of lights, particularly fluorescent lights, has a first area or portion with a transparent cover for placement of the pricing, advertising and promotional materials, and a second display area or portion for additional posters and displays. The first area is typically divided into a number of sections, each section displaying a separate advertising or promotional material or a menu board with prices thereon. The pricing members preferably have the ability to be changed quickly and easily. The materials in the second area are held in place by clamping members positioned around one or more edges of the display materials and by extrusions with display channels. A transparent door is provided on the front of the device to protect the advertising and promotional materials in the first area from the elements and also from vandalism. A frame is provided around the perimeter of the door made from extrusion members. The door is hinged to the housing along its upper edge. A latching mechanism is utilized to secure the door to the housing when it is closed. A latching/unlatching mechanism, preferably hidden from view of customers, allows the door to be opened for change of the messages on the surface of the menu and display board. A pair of gas-assisted springs positioned between the door and the housing permit the door to be opened and closed in an efficient manner. A space or gap can be provided around the perimeter of the door of the display device to allow air to flow between the door and the menu and display materials. Alternatively, the door can be sealed against the display device and one or more vents provided in the back of the device in order to allow circulation of air and venting of any hot air build up inside the device. The menu and display portion of the housing allows quick and easy change of the advertising and menu sections. A plurality of lights, such as vertical or horizontal fluorescent lights positioned in the housing provide light through the advertising and menu displays in order to make them visible to the public. In this regard, the advertising and promotional materials, as well as the members forming the price and menu signage, are at least partially transparent or translucent in order to allow the light from the fluorescent lamps to pass through them. The two outer sides of the housing can be provided with rounded extrusions. These extrusions are adapted to blend with the door member when the door member is closed in order to provide a smooth appearance without any sharp angles or corners. Alternatively, the sign device can have a plurality of modular members which are adapted to be secured to the sides or top of the display device to increase the advertising and promotional size and value of the device. The second area or portion for display of advertising and promotional materials is provided adjacent the upper edge of the door member. This second area can be non-unilluminated or backlit for better effect at night or in other lowlight conditions. Clamping members are provided along one or more edges of these display sections. Also, one or more channel extrusion members can be provided in the area to divide it into separate areas for display of separate advertising and promotional materials. The clamping members and extrusions can hold advertising and promotional materials in an upright manner and allow them to extend above the upper surface of the housing. If desired, additional securing mechanisms can be provided to help hold the display materials in place. The menu boards for the display can comprise backlit modular members having a frame with a plurality of horizontal track members positioned therein. The track members preferably have elongated slots or channels for holding display materials (prices, menu items, etc.) and are releasably retained in the frame by retention members. The slots or channels can be overlapped and ramp areas can be provided to assist in positioning display materials between adjacent track members. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illuminated lightbox device in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the illuminated lightbox device as shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the illuminated lightbox device; FIG. 3A depicts a latching member used with the present invention and as indicated by the circle 3A in FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the lightbox device of FIG. 1 when taken along lines 4-4 in FIG. 2 and in the direction of the arrows; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the illuminated lightbox device as shown in FIG. 2 when taken along lines 5-5 in FIG. 2 and in the direction of the arrows; FIG. 6 depicts a spring clip utilized with the present invention as indicated by the circle 6 in FIG. 1; FIGS. 7-9 are enlarged partial cross-sectional views depicting a first hinging mechanism for the door member in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 10 is an enlarged view partially in cross-section of the lower portion of the housing shown in FIG. 2 and depicting the door latching mechanism; FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines 11-11 in FIG. 10 and in the direction of the arrows; FIG. 12 depicts a menu/graphics module in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view of the module of FIG. 12, when taken along lines 13A-13A in FIG. 12 and in the direction of the arrows; FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view of the module of FIG. 12, when taken along lines 13B-13B in FIG. 12 and in the direction of the arrows; FIG. 14 is an enlarged exploded view of a divider member and retainer member as utilized in the module of FIGS. 12 and 13; FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a changeable price module for use with the menu/graphic module of FIGS. 12-15; FIGS. 16-18 are cross-sectional views illustrating various details of the display device, the cross-sections being taken along lines 16-16, 17-17 and 18-18, respectively, in FIG. 2 and in the direction of the arrows; FIG. 19 illustrates an alternate embodiment of an illuminated lightbox device in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 19A is a perspective view of the frame used to support the lightbox device shown in FIG. 19; FIG. 19B illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention which utilizes point light sources and light diffuser members to backlight the menu displays in the housing; FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the lightbox device shown in FIG. 19, the cross-section being taken along line 20-20 in FIG. 19 and in the direction of the arrows; FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the lightbox device shown in FIG. 19, the cross-section being taken along line 21-21 in FIG. 19 and in the direction of the arrows; FIGS. 22-24 are enlarged, perspective, partial cross-sectional views depicting a second hinging mechanism for the door member in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 25 depicts a turn-lock fastening mechanism as depicted in area 25′ in FIG. 19; FIGS. 26 and 27 are cross-sectional views, similar to FIGS. 13A and 13B, of an alternate embodiment of a menu/graphic module in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a preferred retainer member as utilized with the menu/graphic module of FIGS. 26 and 27; FIG. 29 illustrates menu strip ramps used with the menu/graphic module shown in FIGS. 26-27; FIG. 29A depicts an alternate embodiment of retainer members which can be used with the present invention; FIG. 30 is a perspective view of another changeable price device for use with the menu/graphic modules of FIG. 12 or FIGS. 26-27; and FIGS. 31-36 depict various embodiments of illuminated lightbox devices in accordance with the present invention and illustrate the modularity features of the alternate embodiments. BEST MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION One preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted and illustrated in FIGS. 1-18 of the drawings. The illuminated lightbox or display device is referred generally by the reference numeral 20. FIGS. 1-3 depict the size, shape and configuration of the illuminated display device 20. The present invention preferably has use as an outdoor illuminated sign box device at drive-through lanes at fast-food restaurants. It is understood, however, that the illuminated device in accordance with the present invention can be used for other purposes and in other environments, such as indoors. As illustrated, the device 20 includes a housing 22 which has a front surface 24, a rear surface 26, an upper surface 28, a lower surface 30 and two side surfaces 32 and 34. The housing is attached to a base 40. The base 40 is comprised of a series of aluminum panel members formed in the configuration shown and which surround a pair of steel pedestals 42 and 44. The pedestals 42,44 are attached to base plates 43 and 45 which are secured in any conventional manner, such as by bolts or other fasteners, to a concrete base footing or the like (not shown). The pedestals 42,44 also have plates 46,47 at their upper ends which are attached to a torsional tubular member 48 in the lower portion of the housing 22. The tubular member 48 is attached to the lower surface or panel member 30 of the housing and in turn connected to the plates 46,47 by bolts or other conventional fastening means. The two side surfaces or members 32,34 of the housing 22 also have a shape and configuration which matches that of the base cabinet 40. In this regard, the side members 32,34 are made from aluminum extrusions formed in a rounded or bullnosed shape. Not only does the rounded shape of the sides provide a pleasing and aesthetic configuration for the device 20, but it also provides for a smooth transition from the side surfaces to the front and rear members 24,26 without sharp angles or corners. The rear surface or member 26 of the housing is a panel of aluminum sheet material. It is connected to the extruded side members 32,34 by rivets or other conventional fasteners 27 (see FIG. 5). Inside the housing and adjacent the rear panel are positioned a plurality of horizontally disposed fluorescent lamps 50. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, six lamps 50 are provided, although it is understood that any number can be utilized depending on the size and configuration of the housing and the desired illumination. The fluorescent lamps can be of any conventional type and preferably are six feet long. A six lamp ballast member 52, which can be of any conventional type but preferably made by Magnetec, is provided to operate the lamps 50. The lamps are positioned in conventional fixture members 54 positioned in interior side members 56 as shown in FIG. 18. The fixtures are connected to the ballast member by appropriate wiring (not shown) and the ballast in turn is connected by appropriate wiring to a power source (again not shown), both as conventionally known in the art. The front surface 24 of the housing 22 is open in order to allow illumination from the lamps 50 to project outwardly for viewing by the passing public. A plurality of menu and graphic modules, or advertising and promotional modules are positioned covering the front surface. The modules and display are illuminated from the rear so that the graphic materials, displays and prices on the modules will be visible to the viewing public. The front surface 24 can be utilized to provide one large graphic message to the passing public, or can be divided into a number of sections or areas. The latter is preferable and six sections are shown in the FIGS. 1-2 of the drawings. As shown, the areas 54,55,56,57,58 and 59 comprise pictures or photographs of various food items, various menu items, various pricing numbers relative to the menu items, and other conventional advertising and promotional items. Preferably, the sections or areas 54-59 of the present invention are covered by frames or modules which can be prepared off site and then installed or assembled in place in the housing for display. This also allows the modular units to be moved around and positioned at any location on the front surface as desired by the business establishment. One of the embodiments of menu/graphic frame modules 70 for use with the present invention are shown in FIGS. 12-15. The manner in which the modules 70 are positioned in the display 20 is shown in FIGS. 16-18. A horizontal aluminum extrusion member 80 divides the front surface into two equal areas. Divider member 80 has a pair of flanges 82 and 84 which hold the outer edges of the menu/graphic frame modules 70 in place. Vertical divider member 90 is used to divide the front area into a series of separate sections, preferably four vertical divider members 90 are utilized, each being an aluminum extrusion in the configuration shown in FIG. 16. Channels 92 and 94 on the vertical divider member hold the edges of the menu/graphic frame modules 70 in position. Also, as shown in FIG. 18, vertical extrusion members 98 are provided along the two outer vertical edges of the front surface area 24. These are adapted to hold the edges of the menu/graphic frame modules 70 in place. The menu/graphic frame modules 70 shown in FIGS. 12-15 have an outer frame 210 comprised of four frame sections 211-214. The frame sections are mitered at 45° at each end and held together by corner key members 216 to form the frame 210. The frame sections preferably are made from aluminum extruded in the cross-sectional shape shown in the drawings, and the corner key can be made of metal with locking tangs 218 used to hold the key in place in channels 220 in the frame sections. It is understood that the frame sections and key members could also be made of other configurations and from other materials, such as suitable plastic materials, although it is believed that metal members work better in accordance with the present invention. The corner key members could also be attached to the frame sections by screws or other fasteners. The modules 70 have a plurality of divider members 224 positioned horizontally at predetermined positions on the frame 210. The divider members 224 are elongated aluminum extrusions having a cross-sectional shape shown in FIGS. 13A and 14. The divider members have a U-shaped opening 226 formed by two leg members 228 and 230. The free ends of the leg members 228,230 have locking ridges 232 and 234, respectively. A pair of channels 236 and 238 are present in the other end 240 of the divider members. Although the divider members preferably are made of an extruded aluminum material, other materials of suitable durability could also be utilized. A plurality of retainer members 250 are secured on the inner edge or surface of two opposed frame sections 211 and 213. The retainer members are preferably made from a plastic material, such as acetal, but any other material could be utilized which can perform the same function and purpose. The retainer members 250 have an angled or sloped end 252 and a pair of grooves 254,256 at the other end. The grooves are adapted to mate with the locking ridges 232,234 of the divider members when the divider members are installed on the module. The retainer members also have nubs or projections 260 which are adapted to mate with recessor or holes 262 in the frame sections 211, 213. Fasteners 262, such a pop rivets, positioned in openings 264 in the retainer members, secure each of the retainer members to the frame sections. The retainer members also have slits or channels 266 which fit over flanges 268 on the frame sections. The divider members 224 are used to divide the open face of the module into a plurality of horizontal areas 270 for placement of various menu strips 275 and price modules 280. The menu strips 275 are elongated thin strips of plastic or metal and fit within channels 236,238 between adjacent divider members. The strips 275 can be one space 270 in width, or can span several spaces and divider members. Of course, if the strip 275 is positioned to span several areas, it may not be necessary to provide divider strips beneath the strips, unless they are needed for support. In this regard, strip 275 in FIG. 13A is positioned between adjacent divider members, while strip 275A is positioned spanning over one divider member which has been removed. The frame sections 212 and 214 are provided with channels 219 and 221 in order to hold an edge of a strip positioned between a divider member and a frame section. In this regard, it is also possible to position a single graphic or display panel covering the entire open front surface of the module 70, the panel being positioned in channel 219 in frame section 212 and in the corresponding channel 221 in frame section 214 (see FIG. 13A). Frame sections 211 and 213 also have strip channels in them in order to hold the ends of the strips. It is also possible to position one or more price modules 280 in between adjacent divider members 224. One embodiment of price modules which can be used is shown in FIG. 15 and is available from Wolfe Merchandising, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The price modules 280 comprise plastic housings 282 with a series of adjustable number strips 284 so that the price shown to the public can be changed as desired by the business. Of course, other conventional pricing strips or devices for displaying prices of the menu items to the public could be utilized. Spring locking tabs 286 on the sides of the price modules 280 hold the modules in place between adjacent divider members. Another pricing strip which can be used with the present invention is shown in FIG. 30. This module 300, which is made of plastic or equivalent materials, has a flat body member 302 with a plurality of windows or openings 304 (four being shown for illustration purposes). Overlapping light blocking flange members 303 and 305 are provided on the two opposite ends of the body member 302. Small individual number (or blank) members 306 are adapted to be positioned in front of each of the windows 304 and can be easily removed for replacement. Rail members 308 are positioned on the sides of each of the windows and used to hold the number members 306 in place. The actual number, letter or other graphic symbol 307 on the members 306 are made from a clear or translucent material so that they will be visible when the modules 300 are backlit. One or more price modules 300 can be positioned in each of the spaces 270 between adjacent divider members. The body member 302 is sufficiently thin in order to fit in channels 236 and 238 in the divider members. The modules 70 could be positioned in all or any number of the areas 54-59 of the device 20. Typically, a restaurant will have a few modules which display menu items, with assorted prices, while other modules will have graphic displays of some of the food items themselves. Also, as indicated, the present invention can be used either indoors or outdoors and thus the modules 70 have application in both environments. Another preferred embodiment of a menu/graphic module is shown in FIGS. 26-29 and indicated generally by reference numeral 320. A planar elevational view of the module 320 would be the same as that illustrated by module 70 in FIG. 12. FIGS. 26 and 27 are cross-sectional views of module 320 taken along the same lines and in the same manner as FIGS. 13A and 13B with respect to FIG. 12. FIG. 28 depicts a preferred retainer member utilized with module 320 and is positioned in a similar manner and has the same function as retainer members 250 with respect to module 70. FIG. 29 is a perspective view depicting the insertion channels 358 for menu strips between adjacent divider members and highlights the angled surface 364 (ramp member) used to aid in the insertion and placement of such menu strips. Module 320 has four frame members forming an integral rectangular modular frame 322. Three of the frame members 324, 326 and 328 are shown in FIG. 26. The fourth frame member 330 is shown in FIG. 27. Frame members 324, 326, 328 and 330 correspond to frame members 211-214 in FIG. 12 and are held together in the same manner. Side frame members 326 and 330 have a plurality of retainer members 332 which are spaced uniformly along the inside edges thereof. The members 332 are preferably made of DELRIN®, acetal, or a similar engineering grade plastic material. The retainer members have a sloped end 334 and a pair of grooves 336 and 337. A protruding locking member 338 having a pair of locking tangs 339 and 340 allows the retainer members 332 to be securely attached to the frame members. Slot 342 positioned between the locking tangs allows the tangs to be squeezed together sufficiently to allow the protruding member 338 to be inserted through openings 344 in the frame members. End surface 346 abuts the frame member and holds the retainer members firmly in position. Channel 348 is adapted to mate with flange 350 on the frame members and assist in holding retainer members in fixed position and orientation. A plurality of elongated divider members 352 are positioned horizontally in the module 320 and secured to pairs of retainer members 332. Locking ridges 353 and 354 on leg members 355 and 356, respectively, are adapted to mate with grooves 336 and 337 on the retainer members 332 and thereby releasably retain the divider members in place. A pair of channels 357 and 358 are provided in each of the divider members and used to hold and display menu strips 360 or other display materials 362, as shown in FIG. 26. In contrast with channels 236,238 in the divider member 224 discussed above with reference to FIGS. 12-15, the channels 357 and 358 are overlapped and staggered in the vertical direction on each of the divider members 352. In this manner, a larger number of menu strips or a greater area of display materials can be positioned in each of the modules 320. Slots or channels 219′ and 221′ are provided in the two horizontally disposed frame members 328 and 324, respectively, and are utilized to retain edges of menu strips or display materials in the same manner as channels 219 and 221 discussed above with reference to FIG. 13A. Channel or slot 363 is provided along frame member 326 for essentially the same purpose, namely to hold and retain the ends of menu strips and display materials positioned in the module 320 between adjacent divider members. Angled surface or ramp member 364 is provided in frame member 330 in order to assist in introducing a menu strip or display member between pairs of adjacent channels 357 and 358 (see FIGS. 27 and 29). In addition, angled surface or ramp member 366 is provided in frame member 326 adjacent channel 363 in order to assist in positioning the ends of the menu strips and display members in the channel 363 (see FIG. 27). Although the invention has been described with reference to use of a plurality of individual retainer members (members 332 in FIG. 26 and members 250 in FIG. 13A), it is also possible in accordance with the present invention to utilize other mechanisms for releasably retaining the elongated divider members in the modular frame device. For example, as shown in FIG. 29A, an elongated formed (cast, molded, extruded, cut) strip member 380 could be provided with a plurality of retainer projections 382 thereon, and the formed strip member could be secured to the two inside vertical sides of the modular frame device. Grooves 336′ and 337′ would act to hold the horizontal divider members 352 in place. As another alternative, a plurality of retainer projections or members could be formed integrally as part of one or both of the vertical side frame members. Combinations of these various alternatives could also be utilized (e.g. with individual retainer members on one frame member and formed retainer projections on the opposed frame member). A door member 100 is attached to the front of the housing 22 (see FIGS. 1-4 and 18). The door member 100 is pivoted about hinge mechanism 102 and also attached to the housing by a pair of gas-assisted spring members 104. The spring members 104 allow the door member 100 to rise slowly once it is unlatched. The spring members 104 also hold the door member in place when it is open and prevent it from being raised too high. Spring members could also be provided which simply pop the door open slightly (a few inches) and then assist persons manually opening the door to its maximum extent. With these spring members, opening of the door to its full extent is not automatic. A frame 106 consisting of a plurality of frame extrusion members 108 is provided around the edges of the door member 100. A piece of tempered glass 110 held in the frame members with vinyl glazing 112 is positioned inside the frame 106 to form the door member 100. The upper edge of the door member 100 that forms part of the hinge mechanism 102 has a separate extrusion 112, as shown in FIGS. 7-9. The hinge member 112 has a rounded pintle portion 114 which mates with a circular socket 116 on mating hinge extrusion member 1i which is connected to the upper panel member 120. In order to prevent the door from being improperly removed, hinge members 112 and 118 are formed in the configuration shown so that they can only be assembled and disassembled in the manner shown in FIG. 7. The installed hinge mechanism 102 is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 with the door being in an open position in FIG. 8 and in a closed position in FIG. 9. Once the door 100 is assembled on the housing as shown in FIG. 7, and the spring members 104 are connected to the door and secured to the housing, the door member 100 cannot be disassembled from the housing. In this regard, the curved portion of the pintle member 114 is dimensioned such that it will fit within the socket 116 in the direction shown by the arrow 122 in FIG. 7, but cannot be disassembled when the door member 100 is in either of the positions shown in FIG. 8 or 9 or anywhere between those two positions. The socket 116 is curved more than 180° in order to retain the pintle member 114 in it. The pintle member 114 also has a curved member of more than 180°, but also has an open portion 115 which allows assembly with the socket member as shown in FIG. 7. Several hinge members 112 on the order of 6-8 inches in width are provided along the top edge of the door 100. Preferably about 2-4 hinge members 112 are needed for the display device. As indicated, the door extrusion members 108 are positioned along the four exterior front edges of the glass 110 forming the frame 106. The plurality of hinge extrusion members 112 are positioned along the upper edge of the door member. The hinge extrusion members are formed from an extruded aluminum material and are provided in the size and shape shown in the drawings, particularly FIGS. 7-9. The hinge extrusion members are secured to the door member along the upper edge in any conventional manner, such as welding, rivets, or other fasteners. When the hinge extrusion members are secured to the door extrusion member along the upper edge of the door member, the door assembly can be rotated to its open and closed in order to provide access to the advertising and promotional materials and to prevent their exposure to environmental elements and vandalism. FIGS. 22-24 illustrate the assembly and the open and closed positions of door member 400 in a perspective manner. Once the pintle member 414 on hinge member 412 is assembled together with socket member 416 on hinge member 418, as shown in FIG. 22, and the spring members are attached to the housing and door member, then the door member 400 cannot be removed or disassembled in any unauthorized manner. This prevents unauthorized entry into the housing and also provides a display device having a more aesthetic, smooth exterior surface without any visible or protruding hinges. Also, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention which is shown and disclosed with reference to FIGS. 19-21, the hinge member 412 extends is across the entire width of the housing. A sealing member 420 can be used to seal the top outer visual edge of the door member 400 with hinge member 418, but is not preferred. The sealing member 420 can be of any conventional type and can be made of any conventional sealing material, such as rubber or another elastomer. With the present invention, the door member can be more easily removed for service or change without having to unscrew or disconnect a hinge mechanism, as with conventional doors on conventional box-like products. A latching mechanism 130 (as shown in FIGS. 3A, 10 and 11) is used to secure the door member 100 to the housing 22 when the door member is in its closed position. The latching mechanism includes a pair of C-shaped latch members 132 attached to the lower corners of the door 100. The members 132 have U-shaped openings 133 in them and a spring activated finger member 134 which only can be moved in one direction. The latch members 132 are secured to the opposite lower corners of the frame 106 on the door member 100. The latch mechanism 130 also includes a pair of pin members 136 on the housing 22. The pin members 136 are positioned on the opposite inside corners of the housing and are positioned to mate with the U-shaped openings 133 in the latch members 132 when the door member 100 is in its closed position. The pin members 136 are positioned in a U-shaped brackets 138 and are spring biased by coil springs 140. The pin members 136 slide or move in the direction of the arrow 142 (FIG. 11). The pin members 136 are attached to elongated rod members 144 and 146 which are activated by turn lock mechanism 148. The turn lock mechanism 148 has a socket 150 for an allen wrench or key 152. When the key 152 is inserted in the socket 150 and turned or rotated, this in turn rotates the turn lock mechanism 148 in the direction of the arrow 154 shown in FIG. 11. This in turn operates to move the rods 144,146 which in turn move the pin members 136 out of engagement with the latch member 132 on the door member 100 thereby allowing the door to open. When the door is in a closed position, the glass member 110 and frame 106 are positioned flush with the front surface of the housing 22. In this position, the latch members 132 are held in place by the pin members 134 which are positioned in the U-shaped openings 133 of the latch members 132. When it is desired to release the latching mechanism and allow the door 100 to be opened, turn lock mechanism 148 is activated by key member 152 and the pin members 136 are released from engagement with the latch members 132. The assistance provided by the spring members 104 moves the door member 100 a short distance away from the front surface of the housing in order to allow the door to be manually opened to its full open position (as shown in FIG. 3). In one preferred embodiment of the invention, an air space 140 is provided around at least the two side and bottom edges of the door frame 106 when the door is in the closed position. This is shown in FIG. 18. A similar air gap 142 can be provided along the upper edge of the door member 100, as shown in FIG. 9. Since hinge members 112 are on the order of 6 to 8 inches in width and only 2-4 of them are provided across the several foot width of the housing 22, the air gap 142 allows sufficient quantities of air to pass through it along the top edge of the door 100. The air gaps 140,142 allow air to circulate behind the glass door member 100 and in front of the menu/graphic frame modules 70. This allows any buildup of heat to escape from the area 150 between the door member and the displays and also prevents a buildup of water vapor and condensation which may adversely affect the graphic materials. Any buildup of condensation or water vapor on the inside of the glass 110 could also blur or distort a clear view of the menu and graphic materials displayed in the illuminated lightbox device. Another preferred lightbox device in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIGS. 19, 19A, 20 and 21, and indicated by the reference numeral 500. The device 500 has a housing 502 formed in a rectangular box shape with six outer surfaces (top member 503, bottom member 504, front member 505, back member 506, and two side members 507 and 508). The door member 400 is attached to the front member 505. The door is sealed by sealing members 510 to the front member along the two sides and lower edge of the door. The door is hinged to the top member 503 by the hinge mechanism shown in FIGS. 22-24. In contrast to the fluorescent lamps positioned horizontally in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the fluorescent lamps 512 positioned in housing 502 are positioned vertically. This is shown in FIGS. 19-21. In addition, the supporting framework 501 for the device 500 includes a pair of vertically upright steel support members 514 and 516, and a plurality of horizontal steel support members 518-523 welded to the vertical members. This is shown in FIGS. 19 and 19A. Steel plate members 524 are welded to the outer ends of the horizontal members to add stability and fastening surfaces for the outer surface members of the housing. The steel supporting framework, as shown in FIGS. 19-21, may provide a more stable display device 500 than the supporting framework for the display device 20 as described above. The lower ends 514a and 516a of the framework 501 are attached or secured in any conventional manner to an appropriate concrete base or other equivalent member 530. An alternate embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 19B. In this embodiment 570, a plurality of point light sources 572, such as halogen lamps, are provided in the housing 574 in order to backlight the menu modules and other display materials. Diffuser members 576 are positioned in between the point light sources and the backlit displays in order to spread out the illumination evenly on the display. The diffuser members preferably have a plurality of patterned openings or spaces, the openings being spaced to even out the light distribution. Illumination systems and light diffusers of this type are shown, for example, in co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,381,324, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 19-21, the sides of the housing can have square edges, or can be provided with bullnose cover members 532, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. Also, the portions of support members 514 and 516 which extend below the bottom member 504 can be covered with a housing with square or rounded edges. Fresh cooling air is circulated through the housing 502 through openings in the back member 506. One or more air vents 540 are provided in the back member adjacent the lower or bottom member 504 in order to allow fresh air to enter the housing. The air vents 540 are covered with cap members 542. Filter members 544 are positioned in the cap member to prevent dust and other impurities from entering the inside of the housing. One or more exit openings 546 are provided in the back member 506 in order to allow hot air to escape from the housing. The openings 546 are covered by cap members 548. Cap members 542 and 548 prevent unauthorized entry into the housing and also keep rain, snow, debris and other environmental elements from entering the housing. Louvers could also be provided on the housing for air circulation in place of the cap members and openings. The rear panel of the housing could be provided with a plurality of slits and openings, and louvers could be formed around them. Conventional filter materials, such as foam members, could be secured inside the housing covering the openings. A second area or portion 160 is provided on the housing 22 for display of additional advertising and promotional materials. The advertising and promotional materials are designated generally by the numbers 162 and 164 in FIG. 1. The materials are also shown in FIG. 5. Spring-type clamping members 166 are provided along the lower edges and two side edges of the area 160. The clamping members 166 are preferably of the type described and shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,145,828 which is assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. The clamping members 166 comprise an external cover member-168 which has an elongated circular hinge formation 170 at one end and mates with a pintle formation 172 on the base member 174. Cover member 168 is adapted to rotate between an open position in which the advertising and promotional materials 162,164 can be inserted or changed in space 160, and a closed position in which the cover member 168 rests on the materials 162,164 and holds them in place along two of their edges. A plurality of leaf spring members 176 are used to bias the clamping cover members 168 in an over-center manner and allow the covers 168 to be snapped and held in their open and closed positions. This is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,145,828 and/or 3,310,901, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference. An extruded T-shaped divider member 190 is positioned on the panel member 180 and secured thereto by any conventional fastening means. The divider member 190 has a pair of channel members 192,194 which allow placement of the materials 162,164 and holds them in place. The divider member 190 can be positioned at any convenient position along the panel member 180. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the divider member is preferably positioned such that one large display member 162 can be utilized, together with one smaller display member 164. To assure that the advertising and promotional materials 162,164 remain in place in the section 160 of the housing 22, a plurality of spring clips 200 are provided along the upper surface 28 of the housing. The spring clips are provided at certain locations along the upper surface 28 and are adapted to be positioned through openings 202 provided in the display materials 162,164. The spring clips are secured to the upper surface in any conventional manner, such as by rivets 204. The spring clips have a downwardly extending flange member 206 on the outer end which hooks over the promotional materials 162,164 to help hold them in place. With use of the spring clips and the clamping members 166, the poster display materials 162,164 are placed on the housing 22 in the following manner. First, the cover members 168 of the clamping members 166 are all rotated to their open positions. The display materials 162,164 are then positioned in place against the panel members 180. In this regard, the edges of the materials 162,164 are positioned in the channels 192,194 of the divider member 190 and the spring clips 200 are inserted through the openings 202. Thereafter, the cover members 168 are snapped to their closed positions, as shown in FIG. 5, securely holding the display materials 162,164 in place. Another mechanism for holding the display materials 162,164 in place on the housing is shown in FIG. 25. The mechanism 550 is a turn-lock device with a stationary base member 552 which protrudes slightly through opening 202 in the display materials and a rotating locking member 554 which can be rotated 90° relative to the base member. The locking member 554 is rotated to a first position in alignment with the base member 552 in order to remove and replace display materials on the housing. Once the display materials are situated in their desired positions, the locking member 554 is rotated 90° relative to the base member, thereby securely holding the display materials in position. In another preferred form of the present invention, both portions of the lightbox are illustrated. In contrast to the embodiment shown above which has a non-illuminated second area or portion 160, the device 500 can have a second illuminated lightbox member 560′ positioned on the top member 503. The member 560′ can have one or more fluorescent lamps 562 positioned in it and provide illumination to backlight the display materials 162 and 164. The lightbox member 560′ can be a separate modular member which is fastened to the housing 502 by any appropriate or conventional means. Also, if a second illuminated lightbox member is provided, then the front of the lightbox comprises a transparent panel. Rotating locking members, such as 554, are not utilized. Instead, the display piece is preferably attached around all four sides or edges with biasing clamping frame members. With the present invention, it is possible to provide an illuminated lightbox device which is versatile and adaptable to numerous forms and configurations. The device has a central or main illuminated lightbox which can have modular members attached to it to increase its size and advertising capacity. These additional members can be illuminated or non-illuminated as desired. The device also can be provided with rounded end caps in order to provide a different aesthetic appearance. These aspects of the invention are illustrated schematically in FIGS. 31-36. In FIG. 31, a main illuminated lightbox housing 600 is provided with square edges. The housing 600 can be similar to housing 20 or housing 502 described above. A pair of panel members 601 and 602 are used to box in the lower ends of the support members 603 and 604. A plurality of rounded (bullnose) cap members 605, 606, 607 and 608 can be used to provide a rounded appearance to the housing. In a second configuration illustrated in FIG. 32, a non-illuminated box-shaped housing 610 is assembled on top of the main housing 600. The housings 600 and 610 can be connected together in any conventional manner, such as with screws, bolts, or other fasteners. End caps 611 and 612 can be added if the main housing 600 also has end caps. In FIG. 33, a second illuminated housing 615 is attached to housing 600. End caps 616 and 617 can be provided as desired. If more display space or area is desired, then another housing 620 can be attached to one of the sides of the main housing 600. This is shown in FIG. 34. If an end cap 621 is present on the side of housing 600, it can be easily removed and placed on the side of the added housing 620. In order to “center” the configuration of the base for the combined housings 600 and 620, extended panel members 622 and 623 can be provided. FIG. 35 depicts the combined modular housings 600 and 620 when they are in turn combined with non-illuminated upper or second modular housings 630 and 640. FIG. 36 illustrates the similar situation in which illuminated modular housings 650 and 660 are attached to housings 600 and 620. As shown in FIGS. 31-36, the present invention allows use of numerous combinations of modular units—both illuminated and non-illuminated—which can be provided in various configurations as desired. Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to just the embodiments disclosed, but that they are capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the claims hereafter.
<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>Illuminated outdoor signs and display devices are commonly in use for many purposes today, particularly for presenting advertising and promotional materials relative to various businesses. Fast-food restaurants in particular use illuminated signs on their premises adjacent pathways leading to the restaurant or along their vehicle drive-through service lanes. The devices are used to display various menu items and/or to provide information and prices for consumers. In addition, the marketing of “specials” are often promoted by these devices. Restaurants and other businesses utilize a number of various types of signs, both lighted and unlighted, and both indoors and outdoors, for promotion of their goods and services. These signs are often lighted for nighttime viewing, either in the front by flood lights or overhead lighting, or from the back through transparent panels. These types of signs have various concerns and problems relative to providing devices which are economical, aesthetic and durable. When used outdoors, the displays must also be able to withstand environmental conditions, such as wind, rain, snow, sun, freezing temperatures and elevated temperatures, and still maintain their integrity and usefulness for their intended purposes. Outdoor sign devices which have enclosed housings with transparent members covering and protecting the promotional materials, often have condensation and moisture problems. Moisture which enters the device or is created by condensation is often difficult to remove and frequently adversely affects the aesthetics and visibility of the displays. Lighted signs, particularly those that are internally backlit, often have an increased problem from moisture and condensation due to the heat generated by the lights. The lights also can accentuate any distortions or warping of the advertising materials, creating additional concerns. It is also important with outdoor signs that security procedures of some type be taken so that the messages and pricing materials on the signs cannot be tampered with or vandalized. At the same time, it is also necessary to allow frequent and easy access to the displays by authorized personnel in order to change the promotional items or add additional current items. Further, it is of interest to businesses to include additional advertising and promotional posters and items on the device housings to advertise and promote “specials” or other current matters. It is an object of the present invention to provide improved outdoor illuminated sign devices, particularly for holding and displaying advertising and promotional materials. It is another object of the present invention to provide illuminated sign devices which create airflows inside the structure to minimize or prevent moisture and condensation problems, and to minimize heat build-up. It is an additional object of the present invention to provide illuminated devices which have transparent doors on the front for protecting advertising and promotional materials from environmental elements and for preventing unauthorized or inadvertent access to the materials. At the same time, it is an object of the present invention to provide illuminated devices which are readily accessible by authorized personnel to change, remove or add to the displayed materials. It is a still further object of the invention to provide illuminated devices which have one or more areas or portions for presentation of price and menu items behind a transparent door, and other areas or portions for direct display of posters and other displays. Other objects of the present invention include providing a more stable illuminated sign system, providing a modular sign system which allows flexibility in the size and display of the advertising portions, and providing unique backlit display modules for displaying prices and menu items inside illuminated sign devices. These and other objects, features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the following description of the invention is viewed in accordance with the attached drawings and appended claims.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention provides illuminated display devices which are improvements over known illuminated display devices. An enclosed housing containing a plurality of lights, particularly fluorescent lights, has a first area or portion with a transparent cover for placement of the pricing, advertising and promotional materials, and a second display area or portion for additional posters and displays. The first area is typically divided into a number of sections, each section displaying a separate advertising or promotional material or a menu board with prices thereon. The pricing members preferably have the ability to be changed quickly and easily. The materials in the second area are held in place by clamping members positioned around one or more edges of the display materials and by extrusions with display channels. A transparent door is provided on the front of the device to protect the advertising and promotional materials in the first area from the elements and also from vandalism. A frame is provided around the perimeter of the door made from extrusion members. The door is hinged to the housing along its upper edge. A latching mechanism is utilized to secure the door to the housing when it is closed. A latching/unlatching mechanism, preferably hidden from view of customers, allows the door to be opened for change of the messages on the surface of the menu and display board. A pair of gas-assisted springs positioned between the door and the housing permit the door to be opened and closed in an efficient manner. A space or gap can be provided around the perimeter of the door of the display device to allow air to flow between the door and the menu and display materials. Alternatively, the door can be sealed against the display device and one or more vents provided in the back of the device in order to allow circulation of air and venting of any hot air build up inside the device. The menu and display portion of the housing allows quick and easy change of the advertising and menu sections. A plurality of lights, such as vertical or horizontal fluorescent lights positioned in the housing provide light through the advertising and menu displays in order to make them visible to the public. In this regard, the advertising and promotional materials, as well as the members forming the price and menu signage, are at least partially transparent or translucent in order to allow the light from the fluorescent lamps to pass through them. The two outer sides of the housing can be provided with rounded extrusions. These extrusions are adapted to blend with the door member when the door member is closed in order to provide a smooth appearance without any sharp angles or corners. Alternatively, the sign device can have a plurality of modular members which are adapted to be secured to the sides or top of the display device to increase the advertising and promotional size and value of the device. The second area or portion for display of advertising and promotional materials is provided adjacent the upper edge of the door member. This second area can be non-unilluminated or backlit for better effect at night or in other lowlight conditions. Clamping members are provided along one or more edges of these display sections. Also, one or more channel extrusion members can be provided in the area to divide it into separate areas for display of separate advertising and promotional materials. The clamping members and extrusions can hold advertising and promotional materials in an upright manner and allow them to extend above the upper surface of the housing. If desired, additional securing mechanisms can be provided to help hold the display materials in place. The menu boards for the display can comprise backlit modular members having a frame with a plurality of horizontal track members positioned therein. The track members preferably have elongated slots or channels for holding display materials (prices, menu items, etc.) and are releasably retained in the frame by retention members. The slots or channels can be overlapped and ramp areas can be provided to assist in positioning display materials between adjacent track members.
20041208
20070213
20051020
59588.0
2
SILBERMANN, JOANNE
OUTDOOR MENU DISPLAY DEVICE
SMALL
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,007,635
ACCEPTED
Systems and methods for improving electrochemical analyte sensors
An analyte-measuring device, particularly an electrochemical sensor, is provided for measuring current values at multiple bias potential settings to assess the quality of the analyte measurement, identify interference in the signal, and calculate substantially interference-free analyte concentration measurements. The device and method are suitable for calculating substantially interference-free analyte concentration measurements when glucose is the analyte and acetaminophen is an interfering species.
1. A method for identifying an interfering species using an analyte-measuring device, the method comprising: providing at least one electrochemical sensor; measuring a first signal output obtained at a first bias potential setting; measuring a second signal output obtained at a second bias potential setting; and comparing the first signal output with the second signal output to determine a differential measurement, thereby identifying a presence of an interfering species in a liquid. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the interfering species is negatively identified when the differential measurement is below a set threshold. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the interfering species is positively identified when the differential measurement is above a set threshold. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising calculating an analyte concentration from the differential measurement, wherein the step of calculating is performed when interfering species are positively identified. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to switch between the first bias potential setting and the second bias potential setting. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing comprises providing a first sensor at the first bias potential setting and a second sensor at the second bias potential setting. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the interfering species is acetaminophen. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the analyte measuring device is a glucose sensor. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid is a bodily fluid. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the bodily fluid is interstitial fluid. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid is interstitial fluid, the analyte measuring device is a glucose sensor, and the interfering species is acetaminophen. 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising deriving an analyte concentration from the first signal output and the second signal output to determine an analyte concentration. 13. An analyte-measuring device for measuring a concentration of an analyte and identifying an interfering species, the device comprising at least one electrochemical sensor configured to provide a differential measurement of a current output signal at a first bias potential and at a second bias potential, wherein the differential measurement is employed to identify a species interfering with the analyte concentration. 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the electrochemical sensor is configured to switch between the first bias potential setting and the second bias potential setting. 15. The device of claim 13, further comprising a first sensor at the first bias potential setting and a second sensor at the second bias potential setting. 16. The device of claim 13, wherein the analyte comprises glucose and the interfering species comprises acetaminophen. 17. A method for identifying a signal interference in an analyte-measuring device, the method comprising: providing at least one electrochemical sensor; measuring a first signal output obtained at a first bias potential setting; measuring a second signal output at a second bias potential setting; comparing the first signal output with the second signal output to determine a differential measurement, thereby identifying an interference in the signal outputs. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising deriving an analyte concentration from the first signal output and the second signal output to determine an analyte concentration. 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising measuring a third signal output at a third bias potential setting indicative of an additional interference in the signal outputs. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the analyte comprises glucose and the interfering species comprises acetaminophen.
RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/527892, filed Dec. 8, 2003, U.S. Provisional Application 60/587787, filed Jul. 13, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Application 60/614683, filed Sep. 30, 2004. All above-referenced prior applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to systems and methods involving the electrochemical detection or measurement of analytes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A variety of sensors are known that use an electrochemical cell to provide output signals by which the presence or absence of an analyte in a sample can be determined. For example in an electrochemical cell, an analyte (or a species derived from it) that is electro-active generates a detectable signal at an electrode, and this signal can be used to detect or measure the presence and/or amount within a biological sample. In some conventional sensors, an enzyme is provided that reacts with the analyte to be measured, and the byproduct of the reaction is qualified or quantified at the electrode. An enzyme has the advantage that it can be very specific to an analyte and also, when the analyte itself is not sufficiently electro-active, can be used to interact with the analyte to generate another species which is electro-active and to which the sensor can produce a desired output. In one conventional amperometric glucose oxidase-based glucose sensor, immobilized glucose oxidase catalyses the oxidation of glucose to form hydrogen peroxide, which is then quantified by amperometric measurement (for example, change in electrical current) through a polarized electrode. One problem with electrochemical sensors is that they can electrochemically react not only with the analyte to be measured (or by-product of the enzymatic reaction with the analyte), but additionally can react with other electroactive species that are not intentionally being measured (for example, interfering species), which causes an increase in signal strength due to these “interfering species”. In other words, interfering species are compounds with an oxidation or reduction potential that overlaps with the analyte to be measured (or by product of the enzymatic reaction with the analyte). For example, in a conventional amperometric glucose oxidase-based glucose sensor wherein the sensor measures hydrogen peroxide, interfering species such as acetaminophen, ascorbate, and urate, are known to produce inaccurate signal strength when they are not properly controlled. Moreover, signal interference can result from effects, such as local ischemia, or the like, which cause the signal to produce erroneous output. Some glucose sensors utilize a membrane system that blocks at least some interfering species, such as ascorbate and urate. In some such examples, at least one layer of the membrane assembly includes a porous structure that has a relatively impermeable matrix with a plurality of “micro holes” or pores of molecular dimensions, such that transfer through these materials is primarily due to passage of species through the pores (for example, the layer acts as a microporous barrier or sieve blocking interfering species of a particular size). In other such examples, at least one layer of the membrane assembly defines a permeability that allows selective dissolution and diffusion of species as a solute through the layer. Unfortunately, it is difficult to find membranes that are satisfactory or reliable in use, especially in vivo, which effectively block all interferants and/or interfering species. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the preferred embodiments provide systems and methods for improving the quality of analyte-measuring devices by identifying interfering species on an analyte signal. The preferred embodiments further provide systems and methods for reducing or eliminating the effects of interfering species on an analyte signal by obtaining differential measurements based on multiple bias potential settings. In a first embodiment, a method for identifying an interfering species using an analyte-measuring device is provided, the method comprising providing at least one electrochemical sensor; measuring a first signal output obtained at a first bias potential setting; measuring a second signal output obtained at a second bias potential setting; and comparing the first signal output with the second signal output to determine a differential measurement, thereby identifying a presence of an interfering species in a liquid. In an aspect of the first embodiment, the interfering species is negatively identified when the differential measurement is below a set threshold. In an aspect of the first embodiment, the interfering species is positively identified when the differential measurement is above a set threshold. In an aspect of the first embodiment, the method further comprises calculating an analyte concentration from the differential measurement, wherein the step of calculating is performed when interfering species are positively identified. In an aspect of the first embodiment, the sensor is configured to switch between the first bias potential setting and the second bias potential setting. In an aspect of the first embodiment, the step of providing comprises providing a first sensor at the first bias potential setting and a second sensor at the second bias potential setting. In an aspect of the first embodiment, the interfering species is acetaminophen. In an aspect of the first embodiment, the analyte measuring device is a glucose sensor. In an aspect of the first embodiment, the liquid comprises blood. In an aspect of the first embodiment, the liquid is a bodily fluid, such as interstitial fluid. In an aspect of the first embodiment, the method further comprises deriving an analyte concentration from the first signal output and the second signal output to determine an analyte concentration. In a second embodiment, an analyte-measuring device for measuring a concentration of an analyte and identifying an interfering species is provided, the device comprising at least one electrochemical sensor configured to provide a differential measurement of a current output signal at a first bias potential and at a second bias potential, wherein the differential measurement is employed to identify a species interfering with the analyte concentration. In an aspect of the second embodiment, the electrochemical sensor is configured to switch between the first bias potential setting and the second bias potential setting. In an aspect of the second embodiment, the device further comprises a first sensor at the first bias potential setting and a second sensor at the second bias potential setting. In an aspect of the second embodiment, the analyte comprises glucose and the interfering species comprises acetaminophen. In a third embodiment, a method for identifying a signal interference in an analyte-measuring device is provided, the method comprising providing at least one electrochemical sensor; measuring a first signal output obtained at a first bias potential setting; measuring a second signal output at a second bias potential setting; comparing the first signal output with the second signal output to determine a differential measurement, thereby identifying an interference in the signal outputs. In an aspect of the third embodiment, the method further comprises deriving an analyte concentration from the first signal output and the second signal output to determine an analyte concentration. In an aspect of the third embodiment, the method further comprises measuring a third signal output at a third bias potential setting indicative of an additional interference in the signal outputs. In an aspect of the third embodiment, the analyte comprises glucose and the interfering species comprises acetaminophen. In a fourth embodiment, an analyte-measuring device for measuring a concentration of analyte and identifying interference in signal output is provided, the device comprising the device comprising at least one electrochemical sensor configured to provide a differential measurement of a current output signal at a first bias potential setting and at a second bias potential setting, whereby an interference within the analyte concentration measurement signal is determined. In an aspect of the fourth embodiment, the device is configured to derive an analyte concentration from the measurements at the first potential bias setting and at the second bias potential setting. In an aspect of the fourth embodiment, the analyte comprises glucose and the interfering species comprises acetaminophen. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a potentiostat that controls a typical three-electrode system. FIG. 2 is a schematic graph of current vs. voltage obtained from cyclic voltammetry of hydrogen peroxide and acetaminophen. FIG. 3 is a graph that shows the effects of bias potential on the measurement of glucose and acetaminophen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The following description and examples illustrate some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed invention in detail. Those of skill in the art will recognize that there are numerous variations and modifications of this invention that are encompassed by its scope. Accordingly, the description of a certain exemplary embodiment should not be deemed to limit the scope of the present invention. DEFINITIONS In order to facilitate an understanding of the disclosed invention, a number of terms are defined below. The term “sensor,” as used herein, is a broad term and is used in its ordinary sense, including, without limitation, the portion or portions of an analyte-monitoring device that detect an analyte. In one embodiment, the sensor includes an electrochemical cell that has a working electrode (anode), a reference electrode and a counter electrode (cathode) passing through and secured within the sensor body forming an electrochemically reactive surface at one location on the body, an electronic connection at another location on the body, and a membrane system affixed to the body and covering the electrochemically reactive surface. The counter electrode typically has a greater electrochemically reactive surface area than the working electrode. During general operation of the sensor, a biological sample (for example, blood or interstitial fluid), or a portion thereof, contacts (directly or after passage through one or more membranes or domains) an enzyme (for example, glucose oxidase); the reaction of the biological sample (or portion thereof) results in the formation of reaction products that allow a determination of the analyte level in the biological sample. The term “signal output,” as used herein, is a broad term and is used in its ordinary sense, including, without limitation, an analog or digital signal directly related to the measured analyte from the analyte-measuring device. The term broadly encompasses a single point, or alternatively, a plurality of time spaced data points from a substantially continuous glucose sensor, which comprises individual measurements taken at time intervals ranging from fractions of a second up to, for example, 1, 2, or 5 minutes or longer. The term “electrochemical cell,” as used herein, is a broad term and is used in its ordinary sense, including, without limitation, a device in which chemical energy is converted to electrical energy. Such a cell typically consists of two or more electrodes held apart from each other and in contact with an electrolyte solution. Connection of the electrodes to a source of direct electric current renders one of them negatively charged and the other positively charged. Positive ions in the electrolyte migrate to the negative electrode (cathode) and there combine with one or more electrons, losing part or all of their charge and becoming new ions having lower charge or neutral atoms or molecules; at the same time, negative ions migrate to the positive electrode (anode) and transfer one or more electrons to it, also becoming new ions or neutral particles. The overall effect of the two processes is the transfer of electrons from the negative ions to the positive ions, a chemical reaction. The term “potentiostat,” as used herein, is a broad term and is used in its ordinary sense, including, without limitation, an electrical system that controls the potential between the working and reference electrodes of a three-electrode cell at a preset value independent of resistance changes between the electrodes. It forces whatever current is necessary to flow between the working and counter electrodes to keep the desired potential, as long as the needed cell voltage and current do not exceed the compliance limits of the potentiostat. The term “bias potential,” as used herein, is a broad term and is used in its ordinary sense, including, without limitation, the voltage difference between two points in a circuit, which is the cause of the flow of a current, if sufficient analyte is present. The term “differential measurement,” as used herein, is a broad term and is used in its ordinary sense, including, without limitation, the difference between multiple signal output measurements at different bias potential settings. The terms “interferants” and “interfering species,” as used herein, are broad terms and are used in their ordinary sense, including, without limitation, effects and/or species that interfere with the measurement of an analyte of interest in a sensor to produce a signal that does not accurately represent the analyte measurement. In one example of an electrochemical sensor, interfering species are compounds with an oxidation or reduction potential that overlaps with the analyte to be measured. In another example of an enzyme-based electrochemical sensor, local ischemia is an interferant that produces error in the output signal due to lack of sufficient oxygen to react with the enzyme. OVERVIEW The preferred embodiments relate to the use of an analyte-measuring device that measures a concentration of analyte or a substance indicative of the concentration or presence of the analyte. In some embodiments, the analyte-measuring device measures glucose, lactate, oxygen, or the like. In some embodiments, the analyte-measuring device is a continuous device, for example a subcutaneous, transdermal, or intravascular device. In some embodiments, the device can analyze a plurality of intermittent blood samples. In some embodiments, the device can analyze a single blood sample. The analyte-measuring device can use any method of analyte-measurement, including enzymatic, chemical, physical, electrochemical, or the like. The analyte-measuring device uses any known method, including invasive, minimally invasive, and non-invasive sensing techniques, to provide an output signal indicative of the concentration of the analyte. The output signal is typically a raw signal that is used to provide a useful value of the analyte to a user, such as a patient or doctor, who may be using the device. In one embodiment, the analyte-measuring device measures glucose using a transcutaneous glucose sensor, such as described in co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/587,787 and 60/614,683. In another embodiment, the analyte-measuring device measures glucose using an electrochemical cell with a membrane system, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,001,067 and U.S. Published Patent Application 2003/0032874, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. In this embodiment, the membrane system provides an interference domain including a thin membrane that can limit diffusion of high molecular weight species. The interference domain serves to allow certain analytes and other substances that are to be measured by the electrodes to pass through, while preventing passage of other substances, including interfering species, such as ascorbate and urate. In one exemplary embodiment, the interference domain is constructed from polyurethane and has a thickness of about 0.1 to 5 microns. Although the interference domain does successfully block some interfering species described above, it does not sufficiently block other interfering species, such as acetaminophen. 4-Acetaminophenol (4-AAP, common name acetaminophen or paracetamol) is a nonprescription medication useful in the treatment of mild pain or fever, for example, acetaminophen can be found in Tylenol®. Acetaminophen is a commonly taken medication, and when ingested, can cause transient, non-glucose related signal artifacts in a glucose-measurement device. It is noted that much of the description of the preferred embodiments focuses on identifying acetaminophen, a known interfering species in the art of amperometric glucose sensors because it generates a positive signal independent of glucose concentration (for example, when measuring hydrogen peroxide). However, the preferred embodiments can be implemented to identify numerous other known interfering species in other known electrochemically-based analyte-measuring devices. Description FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a conventional potentiostat that controls a typical three-electrode system of an electrochemical cell, which can be employed with an electrochemical sensor such as described above. The potentiostat includes a working electrode 10, a reference electrode 12, and a counter electrode 14. Conventionally, the voltage applied to the working electrode 10 is a constant value (for example, +1.2V with respect to battery ground) and the voltage applied to the reference electrode 12 is also set at a constant value (for example, +0.6V with respect to battery ground) such that the bias potential (VBIAS) applied between the working and reference electrodes is set at a constant value (for example, +0.6V). The counter electrode is configured to have a constant current (equal to the current being measured by the working electrode), which is accomplished by driving the voltage at the counter electrode 14 to a potential that balances the current going through the working electrode 10 such that current does not pass through the reference electrode 12. In addition, the counter electrode acts as a negative feedback circuit to maintain the desired voltage at the reference electrode. In one embodiment of a glucose sensor such as described herein, a membrane system that contains glucose oxidase catalyzes the conversion of oxygen and glucose to hydrogen peroxide and gluconate, such as described above. Therefore, for each glucose molecule metabolized there is an equivalent change in molecular concentration in the co-reactant O2 and the product H2O2. Consequently, one can use an electrode (for example, working electrode 10) to monitor the concentration-induced current change in either the co-reactant or the product (for example, H2O2) to determine glucose concentration. However, if an interfering species exists with an oxidation or reduction potential that overlaps with the co-reactant or the product (for example, H2O2), then the current change does not accurately reflect glucose concentration. Additionally, if an oxygen deficiency exists, such that insufficient oxygen is present to react with an analyte at the enzyme for example, then the current change similarly does not accurately reflect glucose concentration. It is noted that a glucose sensor signal obtained from glucose when the bias potential is set between about +0.35V and about +0.75V is substantially constant under standard physiologic conditions. In contrast, a glucose sensor signal obtained from interfering species when the same bias potentials are set (between about +0.35V and about +0.75V) is not substantially constant under standard physiologic conditions. Current-voltage curves are known for various analytes and are available in the literature, for example such as described by Lemer, H.; Giner, J.; Soeldner, J. S.; Colton, C. K. An implantable electrochemical glucose sensor. Ann NY Acad Sci 1984, 428, 263-278, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIG. 2 is a schematic graph of current vs. voltage obtained from cyclic voltammetry (also known as a CV-curve) for hydrogen peroxide and acetaminophen. The x-axis represents bias potential applied to an electrochemical cell in Volts (V); the y-axis represents current output measured by the working electrode of the electrochemical cell in nanoAmps (nA). The schematic graph generally shows current output of an electrochemical enzyme-based glucose sensor as the bias potential is varied from about O.1V to about 1.0V. Current output is shown without units because it is the differential response, rather than the actual measurement, of signal output that is being generally taught herein. As illustrated by the graph, acetaminophen 22 increases the total signal 24, resulting in an inaccurate glucose measurement that is significantly higher than the actual value. The hydrogen peroxide curve 20 can be obtained by exposing an electrochemical sensor to glucose (without acetaminophen) and varying the bias potential from about 0.1V to about 1.0V. The graph shows the response of the glucose sensor to hydrogen peroxide; generally, the current increases at a relatively constant rate from about 0.1V to about 0.4V, after which it plateaus until about 0.6V, and then continues to increase at a slightly slower rate. The acetaminophen curve 22 can be obtained by exposing an electrochemical sensor to acetaminophen (without glucose), and varying the bias potential from about 0.1V to about 1.0V. The graph shows the response of the glucose sensor to acetaminophen; generally, the acetaminophen curve 22 increases relatively slowly from about 0.1V to about 0.4V, showing a minimal current output of the acetaminophen signal (at 0.4V) relative to the higher glucose signal (at 4.0V). From 0.4V to 0.6V, the acetaminophen curve 22 increases to a value at 0.6V approximately equal to the value of the hydrogen peroxide signal at that same bias potential, after which the acetaminophen curve 22 continues to increase at a slightly slower rate. The total signal 24 shows the curve that can be obtained by exposing an electrochemical sensor to glucose and acetaminophen. It is particularly noted that at 0.6 V, acetaminophen adds significantly to the signal output, which cause erroneously high readings of the glucose concentration when a presence or amount of acetaminophen is unknowingly introduced. In other words, the output signal of an electrochemical sensor may not be indicative of the actual glucose concentration due to signal interference from acetaminophen. Therefore, the preferred embodiments provide systems and methods for identifying the presence of an interfering species and optionally deriving and analyte value therefrom. In general, the preferred embodiments measure the difference between the sensor signal at low and high bias potential settings, hereinafter referred to as the “differential measurement,” which at the minimum enables identification of signal contribution from the interfering species. A differential measurement that is relatively low or shows substantial equivalence (for example, below a set threshold) identifies a substantially glucose-only signal. In contrast, a differential measurement that is relatively higher or does not show substantial equivalence (for example, above a set threshold) identifies the presence of interfering species (for example, acetaminophen) on a glucose signal. In some embodiments, the differential measurement can be obtained from a single analyte-measuring device with multiple sensors. In one such example, the first sensor can be biased at a voltage of about +0.4V and the second sensor can be biased at a voltage about +0.6V. The two sensors can be provided under the same membrane system or separate membrane systems. The two sensors can share the same reference and/or counter electrodes or can utilize separate reference and/or counter electrodes. In some embodiments, the differential measurement can be obtained by switching the bias potential of a single sensor between the two measurement potentials. The bias potentials can be held at each respective setting (high and low bias settings) for as short as milliseconds to as long as minutes or hours. Pulsed amperometric detection (PED) is one method of quickly switching voltages, such as described in Bisenberger, M.; Brauchle, C.; Hampp, N. A triple-step potential waveform at enzyme multisensors with thick-film gold electrodes for detection of glucose and sucrose. Sensors and Actuators 1995, B, 181-189, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In some embodiments, bias potential settings are held long enough to allow equilibration. FIG. 3 is a graph that illustrates an experiment wherein acetaminophen was identified as an interfering species during glucose measurements. The experiment measured glucose and glucose with acetaminophen at different bias potential settings. The x-axis represents bias potential (V); the y-axis represents the sensor signal (current) measured by the sensor in nanoAmps (nA). The glucose sensor was constructed such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,001,067 and U.S. Published Patent Application 2003-0032874 A1, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Initially, the glucose sensor was set with a bias potential of about +0.6V and placed in a solution with a glucose concentration of 400 mg/dL (no acetaminophen). The resulting current output was about 9.2 nA. Then, the bias potential of the glucose sensor was set to +0.4V and maintained with the sensor in the 400-mg/dL glucose solution. The resulting current output settled at about 8.7 nA. Next, 3.0 mg/dL acetaminophen was added to the 400 mg/dL glucose solution with the +0.4V bias potential maintained on the sensor. The resulting current output increased slightly and settled at about 9.9 nA. Finally, the bias potential was returned to +0.6V while the glucose sensor remained in the glucose and acetaminophen solution. The resulting current output settled at about 16.2nA. Table 1 shows a comparison of the signal at the two bias potentials in the presence of glucose only and in the presence of glucose and acetaminophen. A small differential measurement is observed in the presence of glucose only (about 0.5 nA or 6%). In contrast, a large differential measurement is observed in the presence of glucose and acetaminophen (about 6.3 nA or 71%). Therefore, by measuring current at +0.4 V and +0.6 V bias, a quality assessment of the glucose measurement can be obtained from the measurement differential (delta) in current. TABLE 1 Bias Glucose Glucose and Acetaminophen +0.4 V 8.7 nA 9.9 nA +0.6 V 9.2 nA 16.2 nA Differential Measurement 0.5 nA 6.3 nA In some embodiments, the device can utilize the differential measurements as a measure of accuracy for the device. If interfering species (for example, acetaminophen or interference from low oxygen, for example) is observed, the device can be programmed to discontinue glucose information to the patient until an insignificant differential measurement is restored, for example. In some embodiments, when the device measures a level of inaccuracy, the signal measurements can be adjusted to provide a more accurate glucose signal. Namely, the measured difference in current between the signals can be utilized to calculate the glucose signal without the interfering species. For example, the following first and second equations represent the relationship between the glucose and acetaminophen signal at first and second bias potentials, respectively: Y0.4V=α[A]+β[B] (Equation 1) Y0.6V=δ[A]+γ[B] (Equation 2) In these equations, Y represents the total current of the signal output of the sensor in nanoAmps at each respective bias potential setting, [A] represents the concentration of glucose, [B] represents the concentration of acetaminophen, and α, β, δ, and γ represent constants associated with glucose and acetaminophen at each respective bias potential setting. When these constants are known, glucose measurements can be taken at 0.4V and 0.6V, after which Equations 1 and 2 can be solved to determine the signal concentration due to glucose and acetaminophen separately, thereby enabling the reporting of the true glucose signal. In some embodiments, these constants (α, β, δ, and γ) can be obtained by in vitro and/or in vivo calibration. In vitro calibration of α and δ can be accomplished by measuring a sensor exposed to a known concentration of glucose solution [A] (namely, without acetaminophen) at bias potential settings of 0.4V and 0.6V to obtain Y0.4V and Y0.6V, respectively; by knowing [A], Y0.4V, and Y0.6V, the glucose-specific portions of Equations 1 and 2 (Y0.4V=α[A] and Y0.66V=δ[A]) can be solved to determine α and δ. Similarly, in vitro calibration of β and γ can be accomplished by measuring a sensor exposed to a known concentration of acetaminophen solution [B] (namely, without glucose) at bias potential settings of 0.4V and 0.6V to obtain Y0.4V and Y0.6V, respectively; by knowing [B], Y0.4V, and Y0.6V, the acetaminophen-specific portions of Equations 1 and 2 (Y0.4V=β[B] and Y0.6V=γ[B]) can be solved to determine β and γ. In some embodiments, the device can benefit from in vivo calibration of the constants. In one such example, an acetaminophen-free in vivo environment is created. The glucose concentration is then measured (for example, using a blood glucose meter, Yellow Springs Instrument (YSI), or the like), from which α and δ can be calculated such as described with reference to the in vitro glucose constants calibration, above. Similarly, acetaminophen constants β and γ can be calculated empirically (in vivo) and the ratio of glucose constants (α and δ) to acetaminophen constants (β and γ) in vivo can be determined. Using the known ratio of glucose constants to acetaminophen constants, Equations 1 and 2 can be solved to determine the glucose signal without the interfering species. While certain examples of calibration in vitro and in vivo have been provided, other calibration methods can be applied to the preferred embodiments to determine glucose and acetaminophen concentrations. Additionally, although specific examples have been drawn toward a glucose sensor that eliminates acetaminophen as an interfering species, the concepts can by applied to other analyte sensors with other interfering species. Furthermore, multiple (more than two) analytes and/or interfering species can be determined using the concepts described here by increasing the number of measurements taken. Even more, the bias potentials settings can be altered and/or optimized using information obtained from CV-curve for the various analytes being measured. In some embodiments, Equations 1 and 2 can further include a baseline, (for example, (Y0.4V=α[A]+β[B]+C) and (Y0.6V=δ[A]+γ[B]+C)). Howe embodiments, other processes can be used to compensate for baseline (for example, during calibration of the sensor). While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that a wide variety of interfering species for a wide variety of analyte-measuring devices can utilize methods described herein, including comparing current values at multiple bias potential settings to assess the quality of the analyte measurement, identify interfering species, and calculate substantially interference-free analyte concentration measurements. In some embodiments, periodic or regular cyclic voltammograms are performed (scanned) to determine information about a variety of interferants based on the shape of the curve or the data that forms the curve. This embodiment can be advantageous for determining the optimal bias potential setting for measurement of the analyte of interest, or settings for identifying and/or reducing signal effects of one or multiple interferants. Additionally, this embodiment provides a means by which the sensor can periodically or regularly scan for a variety of transient interferants (for example, acetaminophen). In another aspect of the preferred embodiments, measurements taken at different bias potential settings are used to measure interference in the signal due to low oxygen levels. In one embodiment, H2O2 concentration (analyte byproduct of glucose and oxygen) is measured with a first bias potential (for example, about 0.6V). The O2 concentration can then be measured at a second bias potential that is set much lower than the first (for example, about −0.6V). In practice, the first bias potential can be set to measure H2O2 on a regular basis, while the second bias potential measures O2 periodically or intermittently (for example, about −0.6 V). The first and second measurements can be made using two distinct sensors or by switching the bias potential of one sensor, for example using pulsed amperometric detection (PED). In one such example, the first and second bias potentials can be set by controlling the reference electrode set potential using a resistor switch network, digital-to-analog converter (DAC), or the like. Consequently in this alternative embodiment, by monitoring both H2O2 and O2, including one analyte being measured either on demand or on both analytes being measured periodically, the two measurements can be utilized to determine interference due to transient ischemic conditions, for example. Namely, local ischemia can affect sensor performance in vivo due to low O2 levels that compromise the glucose oxidase reaction and thus signal output of the sensor. If a simultaneous drop of sufficient magnitude and rate are noticed in both signals, an ischemic event is likely occurring. If a drop in H2O2 (namely, of sufficient magnitude and rate) is noticed without a similar drop in O2, then no ischemic event is likely, but rather a true glucose concentration change. Conversely, if a drop in O2 (namely, of sufficient magnitude and rate) is noticed without a similar drop in H2O2, then an ischemic event is likely, but not significant enough to compromise the integrity of the H2O2 measurement via the glucose oxidase reaction. Consequently, detection of low O2 (ischemia) and its resulting effects on the sensor signal output can be used to cease data output (for example, because the output may be erroneous and result in misdiagnosis), trigger a message to the user (for example, to suggest a change of position and/or caution them about the data output), or compensate for the signal loss due to the effects of local ischemia (for example, using algorithms that measure and eliminate the signal error due to ischemia). While the methods herein have been described in relation to acetaminophen as an interfering species, the methods can be modified so as to apply to a wide variety of interfering species and to a wide variety of analyte-measuring devices. Methods and devices that are suitable for use in conjunction with aspects of the preferred embodiments are disclosed in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/695,636 filed Oct. 28, 2003 and entitled, “SILICONE COMPOSITION FOR BIOCOMPATIBLE MEMBRANE”; U.S. application Ser. No. 10/648,849 filed Aug. 22, 2003 and entitled, “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REPLACING SIGNAL ARTIFACTS IN A GLUCOSE SENSOR DATA STREAM”; U.S. application Ser. No. 10/646,333 filed Aug. 22, 2003 entitled, “OPTIMIZED SENSOR GEOMETRY FOR AN IMPLANTABLE GLUCOSE SENSOR”; U.S. application Ser. No. 10/647,065 filed Aug. 22, 2003 entitled, “POROUS MEMBRANES FOR USE WITH IMPLANTABLE DEVICES”; U.S. application Ser. No. 10/633,367 filed Aug. 1, 2003 entitled, “SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING ANALYTE SENSOR DATA”; U.S. application Ser. No. 09/916,386 filed Jul. 27, 2001 and entitled “MEMBRANE FOR USE WITH IMPLANTABLE DEVICES”; U.S. application Ser. No. 09/916,711 filed Jul. 27, 2001 and entitled “SENSOR HEAD FOR USE WITH IMPLANTABLE DEVICE”; U.S. application Ser. No. 09/447,227 filed Nov. 22, 1999 and entitled “DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING ANALYTE LEVELS”; U.S. application Ser. No. 10/153,356 filed May 22, 2002 and entitled “TECHNIQUES TO IMPROVE POLYURETHANE MEMBRANES FOR IMPLANTABLE GLUCOSE SENSORS”; U.S. application Ser. No. 09/489,588 filed Jan. 21, 2000 and entitled “DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING ANALYTE LEVELS”; U.S. application Ser. No. 09/636,369 filed Aug. 11, 2000 and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REMOTE MONITORING AND MODULATION OF MEDICAL DEVICES”; and U.S. application Ser. No. 09/916,858 filed Jul. 27, 2001 and entitled “DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING ANALYTE LEVELS,” as well as issued patents including U.S. Pat. No. 6,001,067 issued Dec. 14, 1999 entitled “DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING ANALYTE LEVELS”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,167 issued Feb. 19, 1991 and entitled “BIOLOGICAL FLUID MEASURING DEVICE”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,757,022 filed Jul. 12, 1988 and entitled “BIOLOGICAL FLUID MEASURING DEVICE.” All of the above references are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. The above description provides several methods and materials of the invention. This invention is susceptible to modifications in the methods and materials, as well as alterations in the fabrication methods and equipment. Such modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this application or practice of the invention provided herein. Consequently, it is not intended that this invention be limited to the specific embodiments provided herein, but that it cover all modifications and alternatives coming within the true scope and spirit of the invention as embodied in the attached claims. All patents, applications, and other references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. All numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number of significant digits and ordinary rounding approaches.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>A variety of sensors are known that use an electrochemical cell to provide output signals by which the presence or absence of an analyte in a sample can be determined. For example in an electrochemical cell, an analyte (or a species derived from it) that is electro-active generates a detectable signal at an electrode, and this signal can be used to detect or measure the presence and/or amount within a biological sample. In some conventional sensors, an enzyme is provided that reacts with the analyte to be measured, and the byproduct of the reaction is qualified or quantified at the electrode. An enzyme has the advantage that it can be very specific to an analyte and also, when the analyte itself is not sufficiently electro-active, can be used to interact with the analyte to generate another species which is electro-active and to which the sensor can produce a desired output. In one conventional amperometric glucose oxidase-based glucose sensor, immobilized glucose oxidase catalyses the oxidation of glucose to form hydrogen peroxide, which is then quantified by amperometric measurement (for example, change in electrical current) through a polarized electrode. One problem with electrochemical sensors is that they can electrochemically react not only with the analyte to be measured (or by-product of the enzymatic reaction with the analyte), but additionally can react with other electroactive species that are not intentionally being measured (for example, interfering species), which causes an increase in signal strength due to these “interfering species”. In other words, interfering species are compounds with an oxidation or reduction potential that overlaps with the analyte to be measured (or by product of the enzymatic reaction with the analyte). For example, in a conventional amperometric glucose oxidase-based glucose sensor wherein the sensor measures hydrogen peroxide, interfering species such as acetaminophen, ascorbate, and urate, are known to produce inaccurate signal strength when they are not properly controlled. Moreover, signal interference can result from effects, such as local ischemia, or the like, which cause the signal to produce erroneous output. Some glucose sensors utilize a membrane system that blocks at least some interfering species, such as ascorbate and urate. In some such examples, at least one layer of the membrane assembly includes a porous structure that has a relatively impermeable matrix with a plurality of “micro holes” or pores of molecular dimensions, such that transfer through these materials is primarily due to passage of species through the pores (for example, the layer acts as a microporous barrier or sieve blocking interfering species of a particular size). In other such examples, at least one layer of the membrane assembly defines a permeability that allows selective dissolution and diffusion of species as a solute through the layer. Unfortunately, it is difficult to find membranes that are satisfactory or reliable in use, especially in vivo, which effectively block all interferants and/or interfering species.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Accordingly, the preferred embodiments provide systems and methods for improving the quality of analyte-measuring devices by identifying interfering species on an analyte signal. The preferred embodiments further provide systems and methods for reducing or eliminating the effects of interfering species on an analyte signal by obtaining differential measurements based on multiple bias potential settings. In a first embodiment, a method for identifying an interfering species using an analyte-measuring device is provided, the method comprising providing at least one electrochemical sensor; measuring a first signal output obtained at a first bias potential setting; measuring a second signal output obtained at a second bias potential setting; and comparing the first signal output with the second signal output to determine a differential measurement, thereby identifying a presence of an interfering species in a liquid. In an aspect of the first embodiment, the interfering species is negatively identified when the differential measurement is below a set threshold. In an aspect of the first embodiment, the interfering species is positively identified when the differential measurement is above a set threshold. In an aspect of the first embodiment, the method further comprises calculating an analyte concentration from the differential measurement, wherein the step of calculating is performed when interfering species are positively identified. In an aspect of the first embodiment, the sensor is configured to switch between the first bias potential setting and the second bias potential setting. In an aspect of the first embodiment, the step of providing comprises providing a first sensor at the first bias potential setting and a second sensor at the second bias potential setting. In an aspect of the first embodiment, the interfering species is acetaminophen. In an aspect of the first embodiment, the analyte measuring device is a glucose sensor. In an aspect of the first embodiment, the liquid comprises blood. In an aspect of the first embodiment, the liquid is a bodily fluid, such as interstitial fluid. In an aspect of the first embodiment, the method further comprises deriving an analyte concentration from the first signal output and the second signal output to determine an analyte concentration. In a second embodiment, an analyte-measuring device for measuring a concentration of an analyte and identifying an interfering species is provided, the device comprising at least one electrochemical sensor configured to provide a differential measurement of a current output signal at a first bias potential and at a second bias potential, wherein the differential measurement is employed to identify a species interfering with the analyte concentration. In an aspect of the second embodiment, the electrochemical sensor is configured to switch between the first bias potential setting and the second bias potential setting. In an aspect of the second embodiment, the device further comprises a first sensor at the first bias potential setting and a second sensor at the second bias potential setting. In an aspect of the second embodiment, the analyte comprises glucose and the interfering species comprises acetaminophen. In a third embodiment, a method for identifying a signal interference in an analyte-measuring device is provided, the method comprising providing at least one electrochemical sensor; measuring a first signal output obtained at a first bias potential setting; measuring a second signal output at a second bias potential setting; comparing the first signal output with the second signal output to determine a differential measurement, thereby identifying an interference in the signal outputs. In an aspect of the third embodiment, the method further comprises deriving an analyte concentration from the first signal output and the second signal output to determine an analyte concentration. In an aspect of the third embodiment, the method further comprises measuring a third signal output at a third bias potential setting indicative of an additional interference in the signal outputs. In an aspect of the third embodiment, the analyte comprises glucose and the interfering species comprises acetaminophen. In a fourth embodiment, an analyte-measuring device for measuring a concentration of analyte and identifying interference in signal output is provided, the device comprising the device comprising at least one electrochemical sensor configured to provide a differential measurement of a current output signal at a first bias potential setting and at a second bias potential setting, whereby an interference within the analyte concentration measurement signal is determined. In an aspect of the fourth embodiment, the device is configured to derive an analyte concentration from the measurements at the first potential bias setting and at the second bias potential setting. In an aspect of the fourth embodiment, the analyte comprises glucose and the interfering species comprises acetaminophen.
20041207
20060725
20050728
75934.0
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OLSEN, KAJ K
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING ELECTROCHEMICAL ANALYTE SENSORS
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
2,004
11,007,782
ACCEPTED
Private entity profile network
In private equity and debt funding operations, resource providers define electronic data collection templates to be filled in by prospective resource consumers to form semi-homogeneous profiles. Providers and/or consumers can assign themselves and/or third parties various individualized levels of permissions to access and to perform activities on the profiles. Providers can organize profiles into portfolios to further manage the data. All accesses and activities, such as changes to the data, are tracked and recorded in logs useful for audit purposes.
1. A method of managing resource consumer information, comprising the steps of: enabling a resource provider to define requirements of, and to name, at least one profile group; enabling the resource provider to define a data collection template of fields for a semi-homogenous profile of desired resource consumer information according to requirements of a selected profile group; enabling at least one user to input information into the fields; storing the information as a semi-homogenous profile record in an electronic database system; enabling the resource provider to associate the profile record with the selected profile group; and enabling at least one authorized party to access information stored in the system and associated with a selected profile group. 2. A method of managing resource consumer information, comprising the steps of: storing the information as one or more profile or portfolio records in an electronic database system; permitting at least one UserName to access and perform certain activities on records stored in the system; establishing UserName permissions for taking SnapShots of profile or portfolio records; enabling a permitted UserName to identify elements of a profile or portfolio record, including file attachments and comments, to be archived in a SnapShot; scheduling when to automatically take a SnapShot; enabling a permitted UserName to manually take a SnapShot; enabling permitted UserNames to retrieve SnapShots; and making an entry in a Change History log that indicates all accesses, activities and changes and the date and time that they are made, and what UserName made them, to each record or SnapShot of a record. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein a trusted third party, who is neutral to resource providers and to resource consumers, manages the SnapShots and the associated permissions in the electronic database system. 4. A method of managing resource consumer information, comprising the steps of: defining a data collection template of fields for a semi-homogenous profile of resource consumer information desired by a resource provider; allowing at least one user to input information into the fields; storing the information input into the template as a profile in an electronic database system; defining profile groups and, for each profile group, the requirements for a profile to meet the definition of the profile group; associating profiles with profile groups whose definitions the profiles meet; and allowing at least one authorized party to access profile group information stored in the system.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/870,732, filed Jun. 17, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/528,749, filed Dec. 10, 2003. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Technical Field This invention relates generally to private equity and debt markets, and more particularly to managing, tracking, distributing and syndicating resource consumers' account, company, and relationship information in such markets. 2. Discussion of Prior Art In the equity and debt funding business a “resource provider” (provider) is a party, who may be a venture capitalist, a bank, an accounting firm, advisor or Board member, a law firm or other business partner, that provides capital, assets or services. A “resource consumer” (consumer) is a party, typically an emerging growth company, that is seeking these resources. Resource providers and consumers agree what information the consumers are to deliver in exchange for being considered to receive resources from the providers. However, the formatting of information and the delivery mechanisms are not standardized. Currently, consumers may deliver information via ground mail, e-mail, online forms, FAX, teletext, etc. Current methods and processes typically require duplicative and costly data entry by both providers and consumers. To homogenize data, providers currently must collect, re-enter, and format data submitted by consumers. The problem is illustrated in FIG. 1. Consumers often receive resources from multiple providers. Consumers receiving duplicative information requests from different resource providers must duplicate their efforts of producing and delivering the same information to the different resource providers. Current methods do not allow an individual consumer to use a single platform and/or user interface to efficiently distribute and/or syndicate the same digital information and updates to multiple providers. Despite growing demand for more digital information, attempts to automate the digital distribution and syndication of consumer information have fallen short. This is largely because individual software or system deployments by providers currently require consumers to re-enter and/or resubmit their same data into multiple stand-alone systems that do not share information. This means additional time-consuming and expensive work for consumers who do not have sufficient resources to enter and re-enter the same data multiple times in order to satisfy the providers. It is currently difficult to retrieve, share, distribute and/or syndicate current or previous versions of consumer information among providers because: 1) the desired data may not be available in digital format; 2) the data is not semi-homogeneous; 3) providers often have additional and special information requests; 4) no common platform is available upon which to submit, track, manage, and retrieve successive versions of submitted data; and 5) there exists no independent, neutral third party administrator to regulate and control interested parties' access to, and sharing of, data submitted by consumers. Because the submission of data on multiple systems is time and labor intensive, many consumers refuse to submit their data electronically using each provider's separate platform. Thus, there is a growing need to obtain more semi-homogeneous and digital data directly from consumers. Conventional methods of obtaining and managing original and revised versions of consumer data include: paper files and binders; microfilm, external research; proprietary information databases or exchanges (e.g., M&A transactions, IPO data, deal listings, Lotus Notes, etc.); portals (e.g., MSN, Yahoo); collaboration tools (e.g., file sharing services, chat boards); secure file transfer and management services; virtual data rooms; work flow products; contact management platforms (e.g., Outlook, Onyx); customer and sales force relationship management tools; and large back-end systems (e.g., SAP, Peoplesoft). These methods do not provide sufficient functionality or controls to adequately and efficiently capture, track and manage the submissions of and changes to data made by providers and consumers. Conventional solutions have not allowed providers and other interested parties to efficiently organize and track specific groups of profiles in real-time. Resource providers need to be able to see and understand how an associated resource consumer's data has changed over time. Providers are often mobile and when they travel do not have access to previous paper versions of information submitted by their fiduciary relationships. Additionally, Providers often operate under tight time constraints requiring rapid decisions and as such do not have the time to compare one version of consumer data to another. Public equity and debt market needs are addressed by services such as Edgar, Hoovers, Bloomberg, and Yahoo, whose on-line sites post information for retrieval, sometimes for a fee, through web browsers. However, these public market solutions do not address business processes by which private equity firms and debt providers manage and control consumer information on a relationship-by-relationship basis. For example, these solutions do not align data collection and management responsibilities in an efficient and auditable manner. In short, there is not a comparable “private” equity or debt marketplace solution to capture, collect, organize, maintain, monitor, and control access to information flowing into a provider organization. Instead, previous solutions often contain secondary data resulting from efforts of individuals who research and collect information on a company (aka consumer), e.g., Venture Source. For providers, secondary data is not reliable for evaluating or managing the performance of prospect and/or portfolio of relationships. There is also a growing demand for stricter controls over the tracking, monitoring and oversight of submitted data and changes made to data. Companies, investment mangers, plan sponsors, investors, board members, advisors, banks, venture capitalists, and fiduciaries of all types are under increasing pressure to demonstrate that they are actively tracking and monitoring their fiduciary relationships, at the risk of being liable to criminal and civil penalties. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other acts require greater levels of fiduciary oversight for alternative asset classes, e.g., venture capital, hedge funds, private equity, etc. ERISA standards require managers to demonstrate adequate fiduciary oversight of capital deployed in private equity investment vehicles. In addition, the SEC is evaluating new tracking and governance legislation for venture capital, private equity, and related firms. Proposed SEC rules intended to facilitate the institutionalization of the private equity and venture capital processes through record keeping and maintenance could create administrative challenges and increase costs. Compounding these problems, providers must adequately oversee and track the progress of their fiduciary relationships with both reduced budgets and resources. The Private Equity Industry Guidelines Group (PEIGG) noted that general partner firms, i.e. providers, often have small investment management staffs available. There is therefore a need for a more automated system which will help providers collect, input, manage, track and syndicate authorized consumer data, to exercise greater levels of due diligence on prospective and existing portfolio companies, and to do so with fewer management dollars. SUMMARY A method of using an electronic database system for collecting resource consumer information, organizing the information into standardized profiles and managing the profiles, to enable accessing the information as desired, comprises the steps of: defining a data collection template of fields for a standardized profile of resource consumer information desired by a resource provider; allowing at least one user to input information into the fields; storing the information as a profile in an electronic database system; and allowing at least one authorized party to access information stored in the system. The method(s) reduce cost or enable real-time tracking and syndication of information preferably by: 1) aligning the responsibilities of consumers and providers; 2) enabling the semi-homogenous capture of information; 3) reducing the need for duplicative data entry; 4) streamlining data management, tracking, and syndication; and 5) utilizing a neutral third party platform administrator to oversee the business rules, intra- and inter-firm data sharing permissions, and compliance requirements. In one approach aligning data entry and management duties, consumers accept lead responsibility for the entry and update of their digital “primary data” into semi-homogenous data collection templates specified by providers. This can reduce the need for duplicative data entry by recipients, i.e. providers and investors. It also may help providers to more rapidly compare consumer profiles within and among various industries or other groupings. Providers may use and/or edit the data submitted by consumers to conduct their analyses, track progress, and report results as appropriate. This allows providers to spend more of their time on tracking down new investment ideas, raising additional capital, and reporting out to investors. Finally, providers, investors, regulators, etc. can use the data that has been submitted to exercise fiduciary oversight and track and document the progress of portfolio companies. The platform can enable exchange of digital data with users or directly with other applications, via XML, SQL, etc. All changes are preferably reflected in real-time, which permits interested parties to instantly access updated and timely information, which enables more timely oversight of consumers. Efficient management, tracking, distribution, and syndication of consumer information is facilitated by the use of semi-homogenous profiles. A profile is created for each consumer who enters their data on the platform. Profiles for each consumer relationship contain the semi-homogenous information along with optionally associated files (e.g., models, presentations), comments, and an auditable change history. Profiles consolidate the critically important information that providers need in order to exercise appropriate diligence, track investments, and demonstrate appropriate fiduciary oversight of investments. This aspect allows providers to expand their oversight capabilities while reducing the expense and time requirements of doing so. The system's software allows consumers to attach multiple, customized provider information request sections to their semi-homogenous profile data. In one aspect a designated administrator can act as a neutral third party that manages the business rules and data sharing, distribution/syndication permissions among and between consumers and providers. Thus, consumers can submit their baseline and additional information requested by their providers on a single platform that intelligently parses and controls the distribution and syndication of their digital information in real-time. Access to their data and any other data on the platform is controlled at the individual UserName level. The system is flexible enough to allow a resource consumer, resource provider, or third party administrator to manage the access and activity rights for each discrete UserName. In one embodiment, only authorized UserNames are allowed to access specific pieces of data. In another embodiment, UserNames are controlled by the administrator for a managed service offering. Enterprise license deployments may require the licensee to coordinate with the third party administrator. To enable the efficient tracking and management of related profiles and recording evidence of how providers have supervised groups of related profiles, one aspect of the method provides a capability called “portfolios,” by enabling the definition and deployment of real-time, customizable, management audit, tracking and compliance portfolio data collection templates by the steps of: defining portfolio groups; enabling, for each defined portfolio group the creation of portfolio records; the association of profiles with portfolio records; defining, for each portfolio group, items that will be contained in a portfolio record; allowing a party to input information into the records, and storing the information in the electronic database system; associating and appending profiles with Pending Changes or Active profiles to appropriate portfolio records; and allowing the party to access, via the Internet, information stored in the system. Portfolio groups can contain one or more populated “portfolio record” data templates. Detailed portfolio records contain preferably five key components, including: 1) a semi-homogenous group data collection and tracking template per unique, named portfolio group; 2) associated tracking and oversight file attachments; 3) comments log; 4) change history; and 5) the ability to associate specific consumer profiles with specific portfolio records within a given portfolio group. To begin with, the platform aids providers because the underlying profile information is being supplied, updated, and inputted directly by the consumers. As this “primary” information is reviewed by providers they can input information and comments on the portfolio record that documents their oversight of the collection of profiles. Providers often need to use specific profile data templates for a given group of profiles, e.g., software industry profiles. Providers need to be able to design data collection profile templates based upon characteristics unique to a given profile group. A Provider may also wish to create profile groups that describe an overall affiliation, e.g. “active investments.” For management purposes, Providers will likely need to be able to move individual profiles between groups, e.g. from the “new and high probability investment profiles” group to the “active list” group. A preferred embodiment can support multiple profile group designations. A preferred embodiment enables providers to efficiently track prior versions or “snapshots” of submitted resource consumer data, so that they can compare current consumer data to previous versions. One aspect of the method can reduce the time each party spends on data collection entry, re-entry, tracking and distribution and syndication of data, and deliver to consumers and providers a tangible return on investment (ROI). The ability to track submitted information via independently managed and auditable change history and site audit records provide a compliance control mechanism. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a labor intensive prior art process used by providers to create digitized and semi-homogenized consumer data; FIG. 2 is a screenshot of a semi-homogenous profile or data template along with a list of representative sections as used in one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3 is a screenshot of a semi-homogenous profile that highlights the fields within a profile section; FIG. 4 is a screenshot of a portfolio record data template including a list of sample and representative portfolio record sections produced by the procedure of FIG. 67; FIG. 5 is a screenshot of preferred portfolio record fields within a portfolio record section; FIG. 6a is a screenshot enabled by the site level activity entitlements showing a list of portfolio group names, and FIG. 6b is a screenshot produced by the procedure of FIG. 24 of a list of portfolio record names associated within a given portfolio group; FIG. 7a is a screenshot produced by the procedure of FIG. 25 showing a portfolio record and FIG. 7b is a screenshot of a consumer profile, like FIG. 2, associated with a specific FIG. 7a portfolio record; FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the logical architecture of the invention in one embodiment; FIG. 9 is a block diagram of preferred physical architecture supporting the FIG. 8 logical architecture; FIG. 10 is a management and administration tools site map; FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a preferred detailed profile level access and activity entitlements/permissions identification procedure for a UserName; FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a preferred procedure for loading accessible sections in FIG. 11; FIG. 13 illustrates preferred major components of profile; FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an investment information management process enabled by the invention in one embodiment; FIG. 15 is a screenshot of a preferred login page; FIG. 16 is a preferred consumer UserName and profile self-registration screen shot; FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a preferred consumer UserName and profile self-creation, registration procedure; FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a preferred profile creation procedure used by providers and other authorized UserNames; FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a preferred edit procedure; FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a preferred file manager procedure; FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a preferred add file procedure; FIG. 22 is a screenshot of a preferred file manager dialog box produced by the FIG. 20 procedure; FIG. 23 illustrates how providers and consumers can self-regulate the level of profile information shared among authorized UserNames via the disclosure level setting; FIG. 24 is a flowchart of preferred site level procedure for populating and displaying a FIG. 6b summary of portfolios; FIG. 25 is a flowchart of preferred portfolio record level procedure for populating and displaying (FIG. 4, 5 or 7a) a single portfolio; FIG. 26 contains screen shots of a preferred change history log display that is produced by the FIG. 36 procedure; FIG. 27 is an illustration of a preferred cascading UserName permissions/entitlements structure in one embodiment; FIG. 28 is a flowchart of an application site map; FIG. 29 is a flowchart of a preferred site level summary profile access and activity entitlements/permissions procedure; FIG. 30 is a flowchart of a preferred site audit history log procedure; FIG. 31 is a flowchart of a preferred reports procedure; FIG. 32 is a flowchart of a preferred support procedure; FIG. 33 is a flowchart of a preferred password reset procedure; and FIG. 34 is a flowchart of a preferred view comments procedure; FIG. 35 is a flowchart of a preferred add comments procedure; FIG. 36 is a flowchart of a preferred change history log procedure; FIG. 37 is a flowchart of a preferred profile metrics summary procedure; FIG. 38 is a flowchart of a preferred profile metrics detail procedure; FIG. 39 is a flowchart of a preferred file metrics summary procedure; FIG. 40 is a flowchart of a preferred file metrics detail procedure; FIG. 41 is a flowchart of a preferred profile permitted users procedure; FIG. 42 is a table showing preferred flexible and granular access and activity permissions/entitlements for a single UserName; FIG. 43 is a screenshot of a preferred guest UserName self-registration page; FIG. 44 is a flowchart of a preferred guest UserName registration procedure; FIG. 45 is a flowchart of a preferred login procedure; FIG. 46 is a screenshot of a preferred site audit history log produced by the procedure of FIG. 30; FIG. 47 is a preferred summary profile screen for a provider type UserName produced by the FIG. 29 procedure; FIG. 48 is a screenshot of a preferred profile for a consumer type UserName produced by the FIG. 17 procedure; FIG. 49 shows screenshots of two representative edit boxes produced by FIG. 19 procedure; FIG. 50 is a screenshot of a preferred view comments display produced by the FIG. 34 procedure; FIGS. 51a and 51b are screenshots of preferred add file dialog boxes produced by the FIG. 21 procedure; FIG. 52 is a screenshot of a preferred profile metrics summary produced by the procedure of FIG. 37; FIG. 53 is a screenshot of a preferred profile metrics detail produced by the procedure of FIG. 38; FIG. 54 is a screenshot of a preferred file metrics summary produced by the procedure of FIG. 39; FIG. 55 is a screenshot of a preferred file metrics detail produced by the procedure of FIG. 40; FIG. 56 is a screenshot of a preferred profile permitted users produced by the procedure of FIG. 41; FIG. 57 shows screenshots of preferred reports tools and representative output produced by the procedure of FIG. 31; FIG. 58 is a screenshot of a preferred support page produced by the procedure of FIG. 32; FIG. 59 is a screenshot of the Manage Profile Groups screen produced by the procedure of FIG. 60; FIG. 60 is a flowchart of a preferred Profile Groups summary procedure; FIG. 61 is a screenshot of the Add, Edit Profile Group Manager screen produced by the procedure of FIG. 62; FIG. 62 is a flowchart of a preferred Add, Edit Profile Group procedure; FIG. 63 is a screenshot showing the Icon users select to take a SnapShot of a Profile or Portfolio Record, along with the drop down list of previously taken SnapShots produced by the FIG. 64 procedure; FIG. 64 is a flowchart of a preferred Take SnapShot procedure that makes a historical copy of a profile or portfolio record; FIG. 65 is a flowchart of a preferred Portfolio Group Summary procedure; FIG. 66 is a flowchart of a preferred Add, Edit Portfolio Group procedure; and FIG. 67 is a flowchart of a preferred Create Portfolio Record procedure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION An embodiment of the invention uses customizable data collection templates on a scalable hardware and software platform to collect and manage resource consumer information and to build “semi-homogenous profiles” as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 7b, and “portfolio records” as illustrated in FIGS. 4-7a. Phase I: Setting up the Platform The system software (FIG. 8) and hardware (FIG. 9), as explained below, are set up preferably to meet specifications of the particular resource provider's deployment. Preferably, a neutral third party administrator, rather than the resource provider, has custody, and maintains security, of the platform, as explained further below. Management procedures and their associated user interface screens (FIG. 10 box 10a) are used in configuring the deployment. Profile Templates A blank default information collection template including compartmentalized sections (FIG. 2) and fields (FIG. 3), generated by the procedures of FIGS. 11 and 12, is adopted and typically modified by a deploying provider, to be filled in by a resource consumer to form a semi-homogenous profile. The default template sections include a company logo, a company name, address, company/consumer contact information, partner/provider contact information, general business descriptors, description of the company, description of their associated markets and products, current status, management team, advisory board and board composition, funding and capitalization table information, list of intellectual property, financial information, comments, lists of the names of vendors who are providing services to the firm, and specialized and/or confidential information sections which have restricted access. A profile's composition can be tailored by an individual consumer or provider. Fields or entire sections may be added or removed. Preferably an embodiment can accommodate a practically unlimited number of profiles. As illustrated in FIG. 13 and further explained below, a profile preferably consolidates into one auditable record 1) the semi-homogenous data template, 2) file attachments which can be added and viewed e.g. models, presentations, 3) the profile's change history, detailing any changes made to any sections and/or fields, and 4) profile-specific comments which may be added and viewed as needed. A consolidated profile gives providers information with which to exercise and demonstrate fiduciary oversight of their consumers, investments, etc. Certain required information (e.g., business plans, valuation data) is confidential. Consumers and providers are very concerned about potential data loss or unauthorized access by others to their data. Consumers and providers often need to parse and send varying levels of detailed information to many different audiences or constituents. The release of such information should be strictly controlled and recorded. UserNames To protect the integrity of collected information, the invention preferably defines UserNames and associated access and activity entitlements (FIG. 10 box 10b). Each person who uses the system preferably is assigned a unique UserName entitling that person to specific access and activities. Preferably, varying levels of access and activity entitlements can be granted to each UserName. Three preferred types or groups of UserNames are: consumers, providers, and guests (e.g., third party partners, vendors, conference attendees, etc.). Preferably an embodiment can accommodate a practically unlimited number of UserName groups. Each group of UserNames is assigned default access and activity entitlements or permissions, further described below, typically modified by the provider. Group entitlements may be further modified for each UserName within the group. A deploying provider typically submits UserName setup instructions to a neutral third party administrator who implements the instructions. Phase II: Establishing UserNames and Submitting Information The embodiment preferably accommodates computer terminals where consumers, FIG. 14, can register their UserNames and submit their profile information. FIG. 15 is a screenshot of the sign-in page of an example provider's website. Consumers and guests typically self-register and establish their own UserName and password credentials. A new consumer clicks on “register new account” which brings up a registration page, as shown in FIG. 16, generated by the FIG. 17 “Consumer UserName and Profile Self-registration” procedure. The FIG. 16 registration page prompts the new consumer to provide a UserName and password, select disclosure levels for third party UserNames, and pay by credit card for submitting his company profile. At the bottom of the page, the consumer clicks “yes” to accept the terms and conditions for use of the service and then clicks “submit” to complete the UserName and payment portion of the registration process. The FIG. 16 form is checked by the FIG. 17 procedure. If the form was filled out correctly and the credit card payment processed properly, the procedure creates a new UserName. In some cases, a fee from a registering consumer may be waived. Upon creation of a UserName, a blank template, as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, is opened and displayed for completion by the just-registered consumer. The newly created—but so far empty—profile is associated with the provider's deployment or site and the UserName is added to the list of valid active users for the provider site. The UserName is preferably assigned an authorization token which establishes that UserName as a valid user of the specific provider's embodiment. The FIG. 11 “profile detail” procedure applies the access and activity entitlements established for each UserName, identifying what sections and fields for a specific profile a UserName may access and the activities they may perform. The consumer inputs their information. Thus, profiles are populated with information primarily from the owners of data, e.g., resource consumers, and only afterwards secondarily from outside parties, e.g., resource providers. Data contributed directly by the originating source is known as “primary data” and is relied upon to attest to consumer performance. The ability to work with primary data is valuable to resource providers. “Ownership” of the newly submitted profile is initially conveyed to the provider and its internal users. A provider or other authorized party that deploys an embodiment may wish to create profiles for consumers, possibly as an incentive to attract business. An authorized provider selecting the “actions” item on the menu bar highlighted in FIG. 2 and then selecting “create profile” invokes the FIG. 18 procedure. A provider may create UserName and password credentials for each profile they create, and distribute these credentials to a consumer for a particular profile so that the consumer can login and update the profile as appropriate later. A provider does not have to establish credentials for the consumer. Next, a blank profile is opened and added to that provider's list of available profiles. The FIG. 11 “profile detail” procedure enforces the access and activity rights that have been established for each UserName and UserName type (i.e. consumer, provider, and guest) for that particular profile. The provider then uses the FIG. 19 edit procedure to populate the form, and the FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 procedures to view and add files to the newly created profile. Profile data collection templates are intended to collect summary information on consumers. As providers and consumers often need more detailed information, an embodiment can enable consumers to append file attachments to their profiles. To initiate the FIG. 20 file manager procedure, consumer or provider clicks on the view/add/manage icon/link on the profile. The FIG. 20 procedure opens the FIG. 22 file manager box and a user may add as many files as they wish. They may also specify individual file access rights right for various UserNames. When the consumer completes the initial input of their data, their submitted profile is placed into the “pending” category on the provider's site. To strengthen the security, accuracy, scalability and reliability of the entitlement system, the invention preferably assigns a unique numeric identification number (ID) to each: profile, portfolio record, section, field, deploying provider site (login site or web page), UserName (i.e., consumers, providers, third parties), and UserName group. One embodiment uses these ID numbers to associate trusted relationships between authorized UserNames, specific provider sites, consumer UserNames, provider UserNames, guest UserNames, profiles, portfolio records, file attachment types, file attachment access levels, sections, fields, etc. These ID identifiers enable an embodiment to deliver a granular UserName entitlement system. Phase III: Platform Use, Features, & Functionality Providers, guests, and authorized third party UserNames may login from their respective locations to access available profiles. Their access and activity entitlements are managed by the neutral third party administrator based initially on their UserName group entitlements. The business rules that define each UserName's entitlements are established by the resource consumer, resource provider, and/or a third party user. These entitlements may be negotiated independently or collaboratively. The neutral third party administrator will initially implement the entitlements as stipulated by the various parties. If requested, the third party administrator can enable a resource consumer and/or resource provider to self administer and manage any UserName that has access to profiles to which they have final and absolute duly authorized accountability, responsibility and control. Resource providers, guests, and partners can use an embodiment to track, monitor, and report the information provided by the consumers. When a consumer uses the FIG. 16 registration page to register and submit his or her information to a provider's deployment, their profile is initially associated solely with that provider. The provider and its associated internal UserNames are granted ownership rights for that particular profile, and can directly control access to that and all other consumer profiles registered on their deployment. At a later time, the provider with current ownership rights and/or the consumer may grant ownership privileges to additional third party UserNames, e.g., other resource providers. Consumers and providers may negotiate control of the granting of sharing permissions. A preferred embodiment may allow either party the right to control this and other sensitive access and activity entitlements. States “State” categories are used to control access to profiles. A profile may at any given time be in one of two “states”: “pending” or “active.” The pending state is typically used for newly registered profiles or for profiles that have been modified by either the consumer or provider. Providers who have primary “ownership” rights for a given profile may acknowledge and accept profiles that are in the pending state. Only a provider UserName with the appropriate activity entitlement is allowed to accept a profile in the pending state. The provider's internal UserNames can see profiles that they own regardless of what state the profile may be in. Other UserNames, e.g. third party and/or guest UserNames, that have been granted access to a provider's profile(s) can only see profiles that have been accepted by owners and are in the active state. If necessary, exceptions can be granted. Consumers are not allowed to see, and are unaware of, the state of their particular profile. Providers value this feature because they want and need to screen and release profile data to the active state before any third parties or guests see the data. Disclosure Levels As depicted in FIG. 23, a consumer or provider granting an access entitlement to a third party UserName can independently and directly control the level of information that is shared with newly entitled third party UserName by selecting one of the following three disclosure levels associated with each profile: “general information and high level financials,” “general information no financials,” and “none.” The disclosure setting is circled on the right side in FIG. 23. Each profile may have preferably only one of the three possible disclosure levels at any given time. A provider can designate a different sharing level for each of the profiles which it owns. If the disclosure level for a profile is set at general information, high level financials, then all information on the profile and all file attachments can be accessed by any of the UserNames that have been granted access to it. If the disclosure level for a profile is set at general information no financials, all guest and third party UserNames with access to the profile will be precluded from accessing any financial information (income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, capitalization table) in the profile. They will also be unable to access any file attachment with a designated file access right of “financial.” Additional sections and file types can be included in the “financial” exclusion list if desired by either the consumers or provider. If the disclosure level for a profile is none, then the consumer who registered the profile and the provider with ownership rights are the only UserNames who can see the profile. As a profile owner, the provider's internal UserNames can see all of the profile's data, e.g., financial information, regardless of the disclosure level set for that profile. Other UserNames granted access to a provider's profile(s) can only see the level of information allowed, if any, stipulated by the disclosure level on a profile. Embodiments can grant exceptions to these rules. The disclosure level of profiles preferably can be changed at any time and the new disclosure settings reflected in real time. The ability to individually adjust disclosure levels is an important profile level activity entitlement. Portfolios Having defined, semi-homogenous data templates facilitates comparing profiles. Comparing similar opportunities against a standard can help resource providers make consistent decisions. As noted in FIG. 10 box 10a, one embodiment builds on FIG. 7b consumer profiles by associating a profile to a specific portfolio record (FIG. 7a). Resource providers can develop and deploy customizable portfolio records (management data templates) to facilitate tracking and oversight of specific portfolios of profiles. To create a portfolio record, a provider would choose the “create portfolio record” option under the action button on the menu bar illustrated in FIG. 2, which initiates the FIG. 67 procedure that enables creating a new portfolio record. FIGS. 4 and 5 show a partially blank example of a semi-homogenous portfolio record template with which providers can begin. The portfolio record template includes compartmentalized sections. As shown in FIG. 4 default sections include: profile owner contact information, general information, description, provider investment monitoring activities, management teams, and links to the profiles which have been associated with the portfolio. As shown in FIG. 5, portfolio record sections can contain one or more fields. A provider can tailor portfolio records to his requirements by adding or removing entire portfolio record sections and/or removing fields within portfolio record sections. Having created a portfolio record the provider can associate profiles with it as shown in FIG. 7a. The FIG. 25 procedure generates the FIG. 4, 5 and 7a screenshots of a portfolio record. During the portfolio record creation process, the provider is prompted to specify a group (names in the circle on FIG. 6a) into which to place the newly created portfolio record. If a suitable group does not already exist, then to create a portfolio group, a provider would click on the “create portfolio group” option under the action button on the menu bar illustrated in FIG. 2, which initiates the FIG. 66 procedure that enables creating a new portfolio group. A portfolio group may contain one or more portfolio records, as indicated by the portfolio record names in the FIG. 6b screenshot, which is generated by the procedure of FIG. 24. The portfolio group (FIG. 6b) and portfolio record (FIG. 7a) functionality are helpful for compliance, control, and auditing. FIG. 6a shows representative portfolio group names which providers could create to track and monitor specific collections of profiles. To edit a portfolio group a user selects the “view portfolio group” option under the action button on the menu bar, which initiates the FIG. 65 procedure that returns the names of the available portfolio groups as shown in FIG. 6a. A user clicking on one of the FIG. 6a available portfolio group names initiates the FIG. 66 procedure which allows the user to make the requested changes to specific portfolio groups. A provider can drill down from a FIG. 6a generic group name (e.g., Investment Banks) to a FIG. 7a specific portfolio record in that group (e.g., Acme Investment Banking) and then ultimately to a FIG. 7b profile directly associated with Acme (e.g., ABC Taiwan Electronics Corp.). The underlying FIG. 7b profile in the FIG. 7a portfolio record (in this case ABC Taiwan) preferably automatically reflect any updates made by authorized users (e.g., Acme or ABC Taiwan or other authorized UserNames) in real time. This functionality enables a provider to document and track via an auditable record his oversight of his various consumer relationships. A neutral third party administrator preferably will take the specifications (group names, portfolio record group templates, association of consumer profiles to portfolio records) and implement them. Each portfolio record also preferably includes a file folder which can be used to hold related oversight and monitoring files for identified collections of profiles, e.g., term sheets, performance reviews, monitoring records, etc. One embodiment also allows providers to attach and associate comments directly to portfolio records. One embodiment further allows providers to track in a change history log (FIG. 26) all the changes made to a portfolio record. As illustrated in FIG. 13, a portfolio record, like a profile, preferably consolidates into a auditable record 1) the semi-homogenous data template, 2) file attachments which can be added and viewed e.g. performance results, 3) a portfolio record's specific and individual change history detailing any changes made to any section and/or fields, and 4) portfolio record-specific comments which may be added and viewed as needed. The consolidated elements of a portfolio record give providers the information they need in order to further exercise and demonstrate fiduciary oversight of their consumers, investments, etc. UserName Access and Activity Entitlements Providers deploying an embodiment will typically define UserName entitlements for their internal users, consumers receiving resources from them, guests, and potentially third party partners. Providers usually grant varying permission entitlements to various UserNames. Consumers may request sole responsibility over a particular entitlement, e.g., the ability to change the disclosure level on their profile. The preferred neutral third party administrator will implement only entitlements that have been properly approved and validated by all affected parties. As illustrated in FIG. 27, one embodiment uses cascading access and activity entitlements to permit differentiated, broad or narrow, tunable entitlements to individual UserNames. A specific group of UserNames or an individual UserName's aggregation of entitlements can include any combination of the access and activity permissions outlined in FIG. 27. Access Entitlements Access entitlements allow a given UserName to gain entry to a specific provider's site or deployment. For control and security purposes, each UserName preferably may only log in at a single provider deployment location. As indicated in the FIG. 28 Application Site Map box 27a, the “access” entitlements also allow an authorized UserName to gain entry to specific access related pages, e.g., profiles summary (FIG. 29), portfolios summary (FIG. 24), portfolio detail (FIG. 25), and profile detail (FIG. 11). From these pages, an authorized UserName can see the names of profiles and portfolio records. Users can be granted access to one or all of these pages. One embodiment also preferably utilizes a system of “access” inclusion or exclusion entitlements to ensure that UserName access can be tuned to the finest level of granularity. The inclusions and exclusions apply to individual profiles, portfolio records, sections, and fields within sections. For example, a UserName may be granted access to all enterprise software profiles but be explicitly excluded from seeing a specific enterprise software profile, e.g., Oracle, because of a conflict of interest. Conversely, another UserName may be generally excluded from all enterprise software profiles but be included to see a single software profile, e.g., Microsoft. Site Level Activity Entitlements As further illustrated in FIG. 27, there are preferably two levels or cascades of “activity” entitlements. Activity entitlements allow users to manipulate and interact with the data to which they have been granted access. The first level entitlements or permissions are “site” level activities that control a UserName's ability to get to specific pages of the database and to perform specific activities. Permissions can be adjusted by UserName on a profile-by-profile basis. As indicated in the FIG. 28 Application Site Map box 27b, site level activity entitlements control a UserName's ability to navigate to preferably the following pages: create profile/portfolio records (FIG. 18), site audit history (FIG. 30), reports (FIG. 31), support (FIG. 32), password reset (FIG. 33), profile groups summary (FIG. 60), add, edit profile group (FIG. 62), portfolio group summary (FIG. 65), add, edit portfolio groups (FIG. 66), and create portfolio record (FIG. 67). As indicated in FIG. 28 box 27c, site level activity entitlements give the UserName the ability, if authorized, to: access lists of portfolio and profile groups, access lists of profiles and portfolio records, access detailed profiles, access portfolio groups, access portfolio records, access profile groups, add/delete profiles, add/delete portfolio records, add/edit profile groups, add/edit portfolio groups, create profile groups, create portfolio groups, create a profile, create a portfolio record, view site audit history, view and run reports, conduct searches, access file tools (e.g., export profiles via XML, send profiles via e-mail, and convert profiles to Word®, Excel®, or PDF formats), manage UserNames, add a UserName, edit UserNames, and assign and/or move a profile to a specific profile group. An embodiment can accommodate an unlimited number of additional “site” level activity entitlements. If desired, specific site level activity entitlements can be converted into profile level activity entitlements. Profile and Portfolio Level Activity Entitlements Referring again to FIG. 27, the second level of activity entitlements are “profile” level activities that control a UserName's ability to navigate to preferably the following pages indicated in FIG. 28 box 27d: edit sections (FIG. 19), file manager (FIG. 20), add file (FIG. 21), view comments (FIG. 34), add comments (FIG. 35), change history (FIG. 36), profile metrics (FIG. 37), profile metrics detail (FIG. 38), file metrics (FIG. 39), file metrics detail (FIG. 40), and permitted profile users (FIG. 41). These pages and functionality are used to control the activities that authorized UserNames may perform on data to which they have been granted access. Permissions can be adjusted by UserName on a profile-by-profile basis. As indicated in FIG. 28 box 27e, access to the profile related activity pages enables a given UserName the ability to access various profile level activity functions and entitlements which give the UserName the ability, if authorized, to: see a list of names of authorized profiles and portfolio records, edit profiles, edit portfolio records, change a profile's disclosure level, change a profile's state, delete a profile, delete a portfolio record, access change history, view comments, add comments, edit comments, delete comments, view authorized file attachment by file access type and permitted access right, add files, delete files, view file metrics summary, view file metrics detail, view profile metrics summary, view profile metrics detail, view the permitted UserNames for a profile, take a snapshot of the profile for compliance and tacking purposes, view historical images of previous snapshots, delete snapshots, and restore previous versions of snapshots to the active state. FIG. 42 illustrates a single, representative UserName's access and activity entitlements that have been “tuned” to enable differentiated access and activity entitlements for three different sets of profiles located on three different deployments by three different providers. The specific deployments include: a deployment at his site/enrolling location, a deployment by Partner #1, and a deployment by Partner #N. It is assumed that Partner #1 and Partner #N have elected to share profiles with john@doe.com subject to the restrictions outlined in FIG. 42. This capability is important because it allows a single UserName to have differentiated edit rights for consumer profiles which have been entered via the UserName's deployment site while precluding that same UserName from editing consumer profiles which a business partner may have allowed them to access and view. Default UserName Groups and Related Entitlements A preferred embodiment uses several default UserName groups including: consumers, providers, guests, third parties. This preferred embodiment utilizes these UserName groups to assign initial default access and activity entitlements. The default entitlements can be modified by consumers and/or providers as required. Individual UserName adjustments may also be made to specific UserNames within the default UserName groups by consumers and/or providers. The adjustments may be implemented by the third party administrator and/or directly by the consumers and providers themselves. Consumer UserName Group The default access entitlements for a “consumer” group UserName only allow it to access the profile that corresponds directly to the UserName's company's submitted profile. Consumers may be allowed to see confidential sections from any provider that is requesting specific information from them. The provider preferably must instruct the neutral third party administrator as to what confidential sections they would like a consumer to have access to view and/or edit. The administrator will implement the entitlements which will allow consumers to see the selected and confidential provider sections. The default consumer group UserName “site level activity” entitlements include: access to the goto navigation tools and file tools (e.g., export profiles via XML, send profiles via e-mail, and convert profiles to Word, Excel, or PDF formats). The “profile level activity” entitlements for a consumer UserName include: the ability to change their profile's disclosure level, edit their profile, view their file attachments, add a file attachment, delete a file attachment, access change history, and access permitted users. The consumer can only edit the contents of their profile and add, remove, or delete files associated with their profiles. To meet some providers' requirements, some consumers may also be granted the right to manage all editing of, and UserName entitlements to, their respective profiles, be granted access to reports, and be given the ability to access all related audit capabilities, e.g. change history, permitted UserName list, etc. Providers may make this accommodation because they do not want to be responsible for any changes or accesses to the profile by any UserNames outside of their immediate organization. The provider deploying the invention in one embodiment has the right to modify the default entitlements for consumers who will be registering on their deployment. Provider UserName Group The default entitlements for a “provider” group UserName are typically more robust and include more site and profile activity entitlements than a consumer group UserName. The default access entitlements for a provider UserName give it the capability to see any consumer profiles which have been registered on that provider's site. They may also see any portfolio group names and their associated portfolio records. A provider is only entitled to access their confidential sections on profiles to which they have access. No provider may see the confidential sections of another provider that may be contained on profiles to which the provider has access. A default provider UserName may not see any profiles from any other provider unless they have been granted explicit and documented access authorization. Access to other provider's profiles is an entitlement that is preferably implemented by the neutral third party administrator for the invention in one embodiment. In some instances, the resource consumer may be given the authority to grant others access to their specific profile. The invention in one embodiment currently prohibits the sharing of portfolio groups and records between firms. The default provider group UserName “site level activity” entitlements include: access to profile names, access to portfolio record names, access to portfolio group names, create a profile, create a portfolio record, view site audit history, view and run reports, conduct searches, file tools (e.g., export profiles via XML, send profiles via e-mail, and convert profiles to Word, Excel, or PDF formats), access profile groups, create profile groups, assign profile to a profile group, add UserName, and manage and edit UserName entitlements. The default provider group UserName “profile level activity” entitlements include: access detailed profiles, access portfolio records, edit profiles, edit portfolio records, change a profile's disclosure level, change a profile's state, delete a profile, delete a portfolio record, view the profile's associated change history detail, view change history information for portfolio records, view authorized file attachment by file access type and permitted access right, add a file attachment, delete a file attachment, view file metrics, view file metrics detail, view profile metrics, view profile metrics detail, view comments, add a comment, view the permitted UserNames for a profile, take a snapshot, view a snapshot, delete a snapshot, and restore a snapshot. The provider deploying the invention in one embodiment has the right to modify the default entitlements for each of their internal users who will be using the invention. Guest UserName Group The default access entitlements for a “guest” group UserName only allow it to access the specific profiles, sections, fields, file attachments etc. that a provider has allowed it to access. A guest UserName is specific to a given provider's login site. A guest UserName can only access profiles specifically authorized and designated by providers. They cannot see or access any confidential sections which have been appended to various profiles by either consumers or providers. The default site level activity entitlements include access to the goto navigation tools, file tools (e.g., export profiles via XML, send profiles via e-mail, and convert profiles to Word, Excel, or PDF formats) and view and run reports. The profile level activity entitlements for a guest UserName include only access to view authorized file attachments by file access type and permitted access right. The guest UserName group does not have any edit or destructive rights, e.g., delete file capabilities. The provider deploying the invention in one embodiment has the right to modify the default entitlements for guest group UserNames. Providers may also designate the specific activity entitlements that the guest UserName type may have. Guest UserName types typically will have “view” only rights for selected profiles and associated file attachments. The neutral third party administrator will set up the access and activity entitlements for guest UserName types on the invention in one embodiment. The administrator can allow each resource consumer to control and/or override access to their profile by guests who have been granted by resource providers, et al. If requested and negotiated, the administrator can implement such instructions. The administrator will preferably also provide a special link to enable the self-registration of guests on the platform. A guest who wishes to access a set of designated profiles on a specific provider's deployment of the invention in one embodiment clicks on “guest registration” in FIG. 15 which brings up a guest registration page, as shown in the FIG. 43 screenshot, that is generated by the FIG. 44 “guest UserName registration” procedure. The FIG. 43 registration page prompts the guest to provide a UserName and password and pay by credit card for accessing the profiles authorized and designated by the provider. The provider may or may not require a fee from the guest. At the bottom of that page, the guest clicks “yes” to accept the terms and conditions and then clicks “submit” to complete the UserName and payment portion of the registration process. The procedure outlined in FIG. 29, which is enabled by the access entitlements, identifies the profile or profile group which the UserName may access. Third Party UserName Group Consumers and providers often need to share their information with multiple providers that have granted, or are considering granting, resources to them, so one embodiment allows consumers and providers to share profiles with third party UserNames, e.g., other providers, business partners, vendors, banks, accounting firms, law firms, etc. Providers may grant sharing or access entitlement to other third party UserNames for profiles that have registered on their deployment. It is anticipated that consumers and providers will negotiate control of the sharing entitlements. In some situations, resource consumers may negotiate full control over the access and activities rights for their profile submissions. The third party administrator can accommodate and implement any and all negotiated rules. Preferably only profiles may be shared. Because portfolio records contain sensitive internal information, the ability to share portfolio records among and between different UserNames is preferably disabled. The neutral third party administrator will only implement sharing entitlements that have been properly authorized and requested by the respective parties. In general, to share a profile, a consumer or provider who has ownership rights to a profile preferably must first advise the neutral third party administrator that they wish to share the profile with a third party UserName. The profile owner preferably must specify what access and activities entitlements they wish to grant to each UserName with which they wish to share. For example, Provider X who has ownership rights for Profile Z may wish to share it with UserName Y (from Provider Y). Provider X advises the third party administrator that UserName Y should not have access to any confidential section appended by Provider X on Profile Z. Provider X further stipulates that UserName Y should only have the site level activity entitlement to the goto navigation. Finally Provider X advises that UserName Y should only have the profile activity of view authorized file attachment by file access type and permitted access right and no destructive capabilities, e.g., delete a file, profile, etc. The administrator then implements the UserName Y entitlements stipulated by Provider X for profile Z. Sharing requests preferably must be made in writing by individuals authorized by their respective organizations. Profile Groups (FIGS. 60 and 69) Providers occasionally need to share their information and profiles with selected individuals, conference attendees, etc. The invention in one embodiment allows providers to create specific “profile groups” to which they may then grant access to by any internal or external usernames and/or default UserName group. One embodiment of the invention allows the grouping of profiles in default or user-defined profile groups. The invention preferably has several default profile groups including: new profiles, trash, and pipeline. New and additional profile groups can be created by duly entitled UserNames. The newly created profile groups are specific to each provider's deployment. The profile groups are anticipated to be used by deploying providers to better organize and track various classes of profiles, e.g. newly registered profiles, software profiles, hardware profiles, life sciences profiles, etc. In contrast to Portfolio groups and records, which are anticipated to typically be kept internal to a provider (not syndicated), profile groups and related profiles can be useful for managing and controlling the external distribution of profile data. Preferably, the embodiment enables the use of customized data templates for each unique profile group. For example, the data collection template for a software profile in the software profile group may include software specific data items, e.g. software license sales. The hardware data template may be completely different than the software template. The use of profile group specific data collection templates allows users to better accommodate each group's unique data collection requirements. A given profile may be moved from one profile group to another. To move a given profile, a duly authorized UserName clicks on the “move profile to” item under the actions menu bar of FIG. 59. The user is then prompted to select a new profile group for the profile. After the selection is made the profile is then moved to the new group. An authorized provider UserName can manage the profile groups by selecting the “manage profile groups” which is listed under the “actions” item on the menu bar of FIG. 59. An authorized UserName clicking on the “manage profile groups” option under the “Action” item initiates the FIG. 60 procedure which produces FIG. 59 screenshot that lists the profile groups associated with that provider's deployment. An authorized provider selecting the add group icon or clicking on an existing profile group to edit that profile group initiates the FIG. 62 procedure which produces the FIG. 61 screenshot. Upon editing the data for the new or existing group, the authorized UserName would select either update or add group and the changes would preferably be reflected in real-time. Preferably, the embodiment's use of profile groups allows authorized providers to specify which sets of profiles may be accessed by “guest” UserNames. When a profile group is established, a provider has the option of allowing guest access to specific groups of profiles. A provider can remove this access entitlement by using the manage profile groups option under actions on the menu bar. UserName Groups Login, Entitlements and Use Authorized UserNames (e.g., consumer, provider, and guest) may access one embodiment using the provider's login page as depicted in FIG. 15, which prompts the individual to enter their UserName and password. Three failed attempts to login will cause the system to disable the UserName. The UserName will then need to be reset by the neutral third party administrator. Assuming the user has a valid and authorized UserName and password, the logging-in user preferably must accept any and all disclaimers by checking “yes” and then clicking the login button in FIG. 15, which initiates the FIG. 45 login procedure. This procedure validates that the UserName is authorized for that provider's site and that any required disclaimers have been accepted. It also displays any warning or alert messages. Only valid UserNames that have accepted any and all disclaimers will be granted an authorization token, without which a UserName will not be admitted onto the provider's deployment. Upon successful completion of the FIG. 45 login procedure an entry is made in the site's audit history recording the UserName and date and time of login. Additional information is also collected and tracked, e.g., which profiles a UserName accesses. The audit history log also records the acceptance of any and all disclaimers. FIG. 46 is a screenshot of some of the site audit history entries generated during the FIG. 45 login procedure. Preferably, system alerts and other parameter driven UserName alerts can be set up. The system alerts can also be used for compliance tracking purposes, e.g., to track the acceptance of disclaimers, etc. Preferably, an unlimited number of system alerts can be accommodated. The number of alerts can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of each deploying provider. An embodiment can be configured to deliver notifications to specific UserNames based upon pre-determined parameters. To utilize these capabilities, a provider should deliver to the neutral third party administrator a list specifying which UserNames should be notified along with their e-mail address and the parameter that should be used to trigger an alert message, e.g., a change to a profile. Providers have a strong desire and need to control which profiles and related information may be accessed and what activities are performed on that accessed data. Confidentiality agreements, regulatory requirements, and other compliance mandates require providers to exercise tight controls over their data. To accommodate these requirements, the invention in one embodiment tests each UserName's entitlements to determine: 1) what profiles may be accessed (FIG. 29); 2) what portfolio records may be accessed (FIG. 24); 3) what site-level activity pages may be accessed that enable the user to perform various site-level activities (FIG. 28 boxes 27b and 27c); and 4) what profile-level activity pages may be accessed that enable the user to perform various profile-level activities (FIG. 28 boxes 27d and 27e). Once a user has successfully logged onto the platform using the FIG. 15 login page and received its authorization token, then if the UserName is either a “provider” or “guest” type, they will be directed to the summary list of “active” profiles page as depicted in FIG. 47 (a provider type screen shot) or, if the UserName is a “consumer” type, they will be directed to their specific profile as depicted in FIG. 48. Both the consumer and guest UserName classifications types are set when they self register their UserNames on the platform. When the provider UserNames and any authorized partners are established on the platform by the neutral third party administrator, they are initially designated as provider type UserNames. Typically providers and guests will choose one of the available profiles from the summary “active” profile page and thereby move from the “active” summary list to the detail associated with a given consumer profile. When a provider or guest clicks on the name of a profile displayed on the summary, the entire profile is loaded and displayed on their screen. The FIG. 29 and FIG. 1 processes validate a UserName's access and activity entitlements. Provider UserNames that have been properly validated may access the list of profiles in either the pending or active state for which they are an owner by clicking on the “profile groups” menu item on the bar depicted in FIG. 47. Selecting a profile with pending changes or an active profile with no pending changes from the default or any other profile group will initiate the FIG. 29 procedure which will display authorized profiles. These procedures are described in greater detail below. A guest or provider UserName type that successfully logs into the system and is issued an authorization token is directed to the FIG. 29 profiles summary procedure. The first step in the multi-step procedure ensures that the UserName is properly authorized. The access entitlements provide the profile and portfolio access rights for each authorized UserName. The next step is to establish and enable the set of site level activity entitlements and related pages that a UserName may access. The neutral third party administrator implements the initial UserName entitlements and exclusions/inclusions established by providers and/or resource consumers that the procedures in FIG. 29 and FIG. 11 execute to deliver the appropriate output or HTML. To test a UserName's site-level activity entitlements (detailed in FIG. 28 boxes 27b and 27c), it proceeds from UserName specific activity entitlements, to UserName type entitlements, and then to site default entitlements. Each level of entitlements is defined by providers and/or resource consumers and initially implemented by the neutral third party administrator. This allows the deploying organization and/or consumer to establish flexible and granular entitlements based upon the needs of their diverse users. Once the site-level activity entitlements have been established, the invention in one embodiment determines and loads the set of profile names for both the provider's deployment and any authorized partner profiles for each UserName. Finally, the system in one embodiment tests whether the UserName is authorized to access any portfolio records and if so loads the appropriate portfolio group names as well as the names of the portfolio records for each group. The use of the various access entitlements, site-level activity entitlements, and the exclusion/inclusions enables providers to offer highly differentiated and granular UserName entitlements. For a representative UserName the FIG. 29 procedure produces a FIG. 47 screen shot listing profile groups and profiles that the UserName may access and, across the menu bar, the site-level activity functionality to which the UserName has been granted access. A consumer UserName type will be directed by the FIG. 29 procedure to their profile. The consumer's UserName is logged as audit entry in the site audit history and the profile is temporarily “locked” which prevents it from being edited by another UserName which may also have access to it. In addition, a clock is started which records the period of time that the profile is being updated and/or observed by the consumer's UserName. FIG. 48 shows a screenshot of a detailed profile which is accessed by a consumer type UserName. They may not access any other profiles or portfolio records, etc. As illustrated in FIG. 48, the site-level activity entitlements are preferably limited to access to the goto navigation, reports, and file tools functionality (e.g., save their profile as an MS Word file). The profile-level activity entitlements for a consumer type UserName are preferably limited to editing their own profile and using the file attachment manager (e.g., to attach a copy of their detailed financial model, etc.). Consumers may negotiate the right to take snapshots, access historical snapshots, delete snapshots, and access the change history logs for their given profile. The neutral third party administrator can enable these entitlements for consumer UserNames. In addition, the administrator has the ability to remove these activities and any other entitlements from any and all other UserNames who have access to a given consumer's profiles. A guest or provider UserName clicking on a name of a profile listed on their profile summary list initiates the FIG. 11 procedure, which first validates that the UserName is entitled to access the detailed profile. If so, an audit entry is made in the site audit history and the profile is temporarily “locked” which prevents it from being edited by another UserName. A clock is started which records the period of time that the profile is observed by the UserName. The procedure then tests the activity entitlements defined by either or both the provider and consumer. To test a UserName's profile-level activity entitlements (detailed in FIG. 28 boxes 27d and 27e), it proceeds from UserName specific activity entitlements, to UserName type entitlements, and then to site default entitlements. The site level activities (FIG. 28, box 27c) are then revalidated. The activities are then loaded. The next step determines which sections of a specific profile a UserName may see. The initial section access rights are defined by UserName type. Exceptions are then used to exclude sections on a UserName basis. For example, a provider UserName may be allowed to access all sections on all profiles for a provider's deployment. However, for a single profile, a given UserName may be excluded from accessing the “confidential items” section. The FIG. 11 procedure then invokes the FIG. 12 procedure to determine which sections to load as well as whether specific fields within the various sections should be loaded. A test then determines, based upon the disclosure level for a profile, whether a UserName may access various sections. The authorized sections are then loaded. As a final test, the procedure checks to see if the UserName is entitled to see “board member” section(s). If the UserName is authorized, the board member section(s) are loaded. Only UserNames from a particular provider's deployment may access portfolio groups and portfolio records. Guests and consumers are preferably prohibited from accessing the portfolio records. To access the list of portfolio group names and portfolio records names within each group, an authorized UserName clicks on “portfolios” in the menu bar in FIG. 47, which initiates the FIG. 24 procedure. Once again, the system conducts a series of tests using the defined entitlements, etc. To test a UserName's profile-level page and activity entitlements (detailed in FIG. 28 boxes 27d and 27e), it proceeds from UserName specific portfolio record activity entitlements, to UserName type entitlements, and then to site default entitlements. The site level activities (FIG. 28, box 27c) are then revalidated. The activities are then loaded. Then the procedure determines which portfolio group names and associated names of portfolio records, if any, the UserName is entitled to access. The appropriate portfolio group names as well as the names of the portfolio records for each group are then loaded. A provider UserName clicking on a name of a portfolio record within a portfolio group initiates the FIG. 25 procedure, which first validates that the UserName is entitled to access the portfolio record. If the UserName is authorized to see the portfolio record, an audit entry is made in the site audit history and the portfolio record is “locked.” A clock is started which records the period of time that the portfolio record is observed by the UserName. The procedure then uses a series of profile-level activity tests using the entitlements defined by the provider. To test a UserName's portfolio-level activity entitlements (detailed in box 27e in FIG. 28), it proceeds from UserName specific activity entitlements, to UserName type entitlements, and then to site default entitlements. The site level activities (FIG. 28, box 27c) are then revalidated. The activities are then loaded. The next step determines which sections of a portfolio record a UserName may see. Exceptions are then used to exclude various sections. The FIG. 25 procedure then uses the FIG. 12 procedure to determine which sections and fields to load. The sections for the portfolio record are then loaded and displayed. The entitlement algorithm is used by various procedures to establish the specific access and activity entitlements for each and every UserName. As outlined above, the entitlement algorithm determines which profiles and/or portfolio records a specific UserName may access. The entitlement algorithm also establishes the profile-level and site-level activity entitlements for each UserName. Profile Level Activity “Pages”—Detailed Discussion There are preferably eleven profile-level activity related pages (see FIG. 28 box 27d) which entitle an authorized user to perform the various profile-level activities outlined in FIG. 28 box 27e. These activities may be performed on profiles or portfolio records to which a given UserName has been granted access. Each UserName may be granted access to all or any combination of profile and portfolio level activity pages listed in FIG. 28, box 27d: edit section (FIG. 19), view comments (FIG. 34), add comment (FIG. 35), file manager (FIG. 20), add file (FIG. 21), profile metrics (FIG. 37), profile metrics detail (FIG. 38), file metrics (FIG. 39), file metrics detail (FIG. 40), permitted users (FIG. 41), and change history (FIG. 36). An authorized UserName may access these profile-level activities by selecting an item listed on the menu bar circled in FIG. 2 located at the top of each open profile. The significance and functionality of each profile-level activity page is outlined below. Edit (FIG. 19) Access to the edit page allows a UserName to input data and update data on profiles and/or portfolio records. A single UserName may be entitled to access the edit page for a single profile, multiple profiles, a single portfolio record, multiple portfolio records, or both profiles and portfolio records. The user interface for the edit page allows for compartmentalized data entry and edits for various sections via individually organized edit boxes. To submit data, the consumer clicks on the “edit” button on the menu bar located at the top of their profile. Before displaying any edit dialog box, the FIG. 19 edit procedure validates what sections and fields a particular UserName is allowed to edit. A list of available sections is then displayed. The consumer may then select which section he wishes to edit. When a user clicks on the name of a section the FIG. 19 edit procedure displays an edit dialog box for that section. The user then enters data and clicks the update button to submit the data. The server processes received data as shown by the FIG. 19 flowchart of the edit procedure. Changes are then updated on the profile preferably in real-time. The UserName may enter data or update additional sections if desired. FIG. 49 contains screenshots of two representative edit boxes that may be used by the consumer to initially fill out a profile and/or to update their profile. Providers and other authorized UserNames may also use these boxes and others to update information on behalf of their respective consumers. FIG. 49 shows representative edit dialog boxes for two different profile sections, namely the general business descriptor section and the disclosure level setting. The edit boxes can be configured to provide explicit answers among which a person must choose for a particular item, e.g., development stage in FIG. 49. The use of the compartmentalized edit boxes saves time, cost (e.g., bandwidth), and overhead by reducing the amount of information which must be sent back to the server. In addition, application response times are improved because the amount of data which must be processed by the browser is reduced. Furthermore, the amount of data which can be lost due to power interruptions or PC and/or application problems is reduced. The edit procedures outlined in FIG. 19 allow for both section-by-section and field-by-field edit rights for each profile and portfolio record on the platform. This allows a deploying provider to establish which UserNames may change highly sensitive items, e.g., a profile's disclosure level, confidential sections, and/or board member sections. The section-by-section and/or field-by-field edit rights enable flexibility and control for profiles that are shared between providers, consumers, and guests. For example, it may be the case that Provider A shares Profile C with Provider B but does not allow Provider B to edit Profile C's sections. However, Provider B may wish to append his own confidential section to Profile C. The invention's ability in one embodiment to offer section by section edit entitlements on a profile-by-profile basis precludes Provider B from editing any section on Profile C except for his own appended sections. The FIG. 19 edit procedure can initiate the sending of change notifications via e-mail to specified recipients. Preferably, the third party administrator sets up and manages the UserName based notifications. The parameters are established by the provider and/or consumer. When a particular parameter is met, e.g., change to a specific section on a profile, a numeric value reaches a threshold (e.g., cash balance), the registration of a new profile, etc., a notification is sent via e-mail to the designated recipient's UserName/e-mail address. Comments (FIGS. 34 and 35) Providers and consumers also need to occasionally append comments or reminders to their profiles. These comments could include reminders to follow-up based upon key consumer milestones, e.g., customer wins, or the hiring of key staff. The ability to append comments directly to each consumer profile is valuable to both providers and consumers because it enables comments to be tracked and recorded. Access to comments can be granted to providers, consumers, or both, on a UserName basis. To view comments for a profile, a UserName clicks on the comments menu item on the bar and selects “view comments,” which initiates the FIG. 34 procedure to display a FIG. 50 comment screen that enables the authorized UserName to view comments appended to the profile. The ability to add a comment is also controlled at the UserName level. A UserName may have the ability to view comments but not add a comment. To add a comment, an authorized UserName clicks on the comment menu item and selects add comment. A UserName clicking on “add comment” invokes the FIG. 35 procedure which brings up a dialog box that enables the UserName to add a comment. The UserName would click the add comment to post the comment to the profile. The comment will be reflected preferably in real-time. Any UserName appending a comment must specify the level of access for each comment that they append to any profiles. Preferably, a UserName may choose one of three comment designations: private, internal, or public. If necessary, additional designations (e.g. Board) may be added as requested. A comment designated as private may only be viewed by the submitting UserName. No other UserName who may access the profile can access comments labeled as private. A comment designated as internal may only be viewed by the submitting UserName and any UserName directly affiliated with the submitting UserName's specific firm, e.g. a colleague from that UserName's firm. A comment designated as public may be viewed by any UserName who has been granted access to the profile to which the public comment has been appended. File Management (FIGS. 20 and 21) Providers and consumers preferably can append file attachments to specific profiles. Providers can also attach files to portfolio records. This facilitates both providers and consumers supplying one another with greater levels of detailed information than they wish to post on the semi-homogenous profile template. Each profile includes a secure file folder which can be used to hold related file attachments, e.g., business plans, customer contracts, executive summaries, investor presentations, term sheets, sales pipeline reports, deal related documents, compliance documents, financials, capitalization tables, etc. FIG. 20 shows the procedure used to manage files for profile or portfolio records. FIG. 21 shows the procedure used to add a file to the file folder for a profile or portfolio record. Authorized UserNames may view, add, or delete files by utilizing the file manager functionality. Authorized users will see the view/add/manage file icon on the profile illustrated in the upper right hand corner of FIG. 2. A user clicking on the view/add/manage file icon invokes the FIG. 20 file manager procedure which produces the FIG. 22 file manager dialog box. The FIG. 20 procedure checks to see what file attachments a particular UserName may access. Access to file attachments can be restricted based upon the file type (business plan, financial projections, resumes, term sheet, etc.) and/or permitted access rights (board item, financial, general, internal, etc.). If the access settings for a file are changed, the access rights for that file will preferably be reflected in real time. A user may select and open a file attachment they have been authorized to view. The file access authorization can be stipulated by either or both consumers and providers. The neutral third party administrator implements the UserName file entitlements for the various profiles. Permissions can vary from profile to profile for each and every UserName. Providers and consumers may also control which UserNames may add and delete file attachments. UserNames may be granted the right to add files but not delete and vice versa. The third party administrator implements the instructions of the providers and consumers. An authorized UserName may delete a file by clicking on the delete link located to the right of the file name which is listed on the file manager box depicted in FIG. 22. To add a file, an authorized UserName would click on the add file link on the file manager box located in the upper lefthand corner in FIG. 22. When a UserName clicks on the add file link, the add file procedure in FIG. 21 is initiated and a file add box like one of the boxes in FIG. 51 is displayed. The UserName may add a file by specifying its location or using the browse button to locate and select a desired file attachment. The UserName wishing to add a file preferably must specify both the file's type as depicted in FIG. 51a and a permitted access right as depicted in FIG. 51b. A file may not be uploaded unless both items have been specified for each and every file. For each specific profile, UserNames may be excluded from seeing specific file types, e.g., term sheets. Only the UserName that has appended a given file to a specific profile may change that file's type and access rights. The permitted access rights for file attachments are tied to both specific UserNames and various profile settings. For example, if a UserName is a non-owner of a profile then that UserName may see file attachments that have a “financial” permitted access right designation if and only if the profile's disclosure level is designated as “general information and financial.” Any file attachment with a permitted access right of financial will be removed and added back based upon the setting of the disclosure level for a given profile. Similarly, any file which carries a “board item” permitted access right can only be seen by UserNames with a board member designation Profile Metrics (FIGS. 37 and 38) Providers and/or consumers often need to monitor which UserNames are accessing various profiles and their associated file attachments. One embodiment can allow providers to see exactly which UserNames have accessed specific profiles. To access the record of which UserNames have accessed a particular profile, the UserName would first open the desired profile. The authorized UserName would then click on the audit menu item on the profile and then click on profile metrics. A user clicking on the profile metrics link invokes the FIG. 37 procedure which brings up the profile metrics summary depicted in FIG. 52. This displays the UserNames who have accessed the profile, the date and time of their last view of the profile, and the total time they spent on that particularly profile. To obtain more detail, the UserName could then click on one of the UserNames depicted in the FIG. 52 profile metrics summary. By doing so, the FIG. 38 profile metrics detail procedure is initiated which brings up the profile metrics detail page depicted in FIG. 53 showing the exact number as well as the dates and times that a UserName has accessed a particular profile. It also shows the elapsed time that a UserName spent observing a profile on each occasion. This capability enables a provider to better track which UserNames have accessed their respective profiles. Access to the profile metric summary and profile metric detail can be granted on a UserName basis. Providers and/or consumers will likely restrict the use of this functionality to internal and selected UserNames. Preferably provider UserNames will be restricted to seeing the metrics for their internal users and guests. Preferably, consumers will be allowed to see metrics for any UserName which has been granted access to their profile. File Metrics (FIGS. 39 and 40) The invention in one embodiment can also allow providers and/or consumers to see exactly which UserNames have accessed specific file attachments for each and every profile. To access a record of which UserNames have accessed various file attachments for a given profile, an authorized UserName first opens the desired profile. The UserName then clicks on the audit menu item on the profile and then clicks on file metrics. A user clicking on the file metrics link invokes the FIG. 39 procedure which brings up the file metrics summary depicted in FIG. 54. This displays the names of all the file attachments for a given profile, the number of times each attachment has been accessed, the name of the person who last accessed the file attachment, and the date and time that the file was last accessed. To obtain more detail, an authorized UserName could then click on one of the names of the file attachments depicted in FIG. 54 which invokes the FIG. 40 procedure which brings up the file metrics detail page depicted in FIG. 55 showing the names of each person who has accessed that particular file attachment along with the date and time that they accessed the file attachment. Access to the file metrics summary and file metrics detail can be granted on a UserName basis. Providers and/or consumers will likely restrict the use of this functionality to internal and selected users. Preferably provider UserNames will be restricted to seeing the metrics for their internal users and guests. Preferably, consumers will be allowed to see metrics for any UserName which has been granted access to their profile. Permitted Users (FIG. 41) The permitted users page is a profile-level activity page that enables an authorized UserName to see what firms and associated UserNames have access to a given profile. Providers and/or consumers wish to strictly control which internal and external UserNames have access to a given profile. It is often difficult for a provider to know exactly who may have access to a given profile which they own or are responsible for. To address this requirement, one embodiment can display the UserNames and the names of the respective firms along with a contact number for each UserName which has been granted access to a given profile, and indicates whether a particular UserName that has access to a given profile is allowed to “edit” that profile. The platform can display additional information if desired. To access the permitted users log for a given profile, an authorized UserName first opens the desired profile. The UserName then clicks on the audit menu item on the profile and then clicks on the permitted users option, invoking the FIG. 41 procedure which brings up the permitted users summary depicted in FIG. 56. This enables a provider and/or consumer to better track which UserNames have accessed a particular profile at any given time. Access to the permitted users functionality can be granted on a UserName basis. Providers and/or consumers will likely restrict the use of this functionality to internal and selected users. Preferably, consumers will be allowed to see the names of all providers, guests, etc. who may have been granted access to their profiles. Preferably, each provider will only be allowed to see the UserNames from their organization that have been granted access to a given profile. Preferably, guests and others will not be allowed to see any of the permitted users for a given profile. Change History (FIG. 36) The FIG. 36 procedure tracks, in a separate and discrete change history log as shown in FIG. 26, the changes made to a specific profile. Entries are made in the change history log whenever a change is made, e.g., any field is changed within a section on a profile or portfolio record, a file is added to a profile or portfolio record, a profile is e-mailed to someone, etc. When any field for a profile section is edited or changed using the FIG. 19 procedure, an entry is made in the change history log as shown in FIG. 26 for a representative profile. The entry in the change history log details: the UserName making a change, the field or item that was changed, the value before the change was made, the value after the change was made, and the date and time the change was made. When the UserName has completed entering or updating data for the various sections on their profile, they may then click the logout button on the profile to exit the system and end their session. Preferably, consumers will be allowed to see only the change history for their specific profiles. Preferably, each provider will be allowed to see the change history for all profiles for which they are a designated owner. Preferably, a provider will not be allowed to see the changes made by another provider on a mutually shared profile. Preferably, guests and others will not be to see the change history for any profile. Preferably, consumers can see any change made by any UserName that has access to their profile. Monitoring and compliance tracking are increasingly important. Consumers and providers must increasingly demonstrate that they have exercised appropriate fiduciary oversight of data which they submit, update, manage, and control. Consumers and providers should discretely track each individual UserName's access to data along with the activities they perform on the data which they have accessed. The UserName entitlement system enables consumers and providers to track individual UserName accesses and activities. Every piece of information that is accessed by each UserName along with any activities performed are preferably recorded in the change history and site audit (described below) logs for each provider's deployment. The value of the change history log is enhanced because it is administered by the neutral third party and the entries cannot be altered in any way by any UserName. As such, a change made by any UserName cannot be repudiated. External auditors can validate when and how often particular profiles have been updated, by whom, and when. This log of information can also provide independent validation as to how well the activities and progress of a consumer have been monitored by various providers. The ability to demonstrate and offer an independent and non-repudiatable record that can attest to appropriate fiduciary oversight is valuable to providers. The change history record also enables providers to observe and monitor the activities of internal users, partners, and consumers to evaluate their performances. Providers and/or consumers may select which UserNames may have access to the change history log. Authorized UserNames can access the change history by selecting the audit menu item on the menu bar and then selecting the change history item. Clicking on “change history” in the menu bar initiates the FIG. 36 procedure which validates that the UserName is authorized to see the change history and display the change history items for a particular profile. The change history algorithm used by the FIG. 36 procedure assures that only UserNames that are authorized to see selected and/or restricted sections (e.g., mutual consumer and provider confidential sections, board items sections, provider specific confidential sections, etc.) may also see the change history entries for those fields. This assures the ability to accurately track changes associated with specific profiles and portfolio records without the need to sacrifice or jeopardize the security and confidentiality of sensitive data. A given provider cannot see any change history items for confidential sections owned by other providers. Site-level Activity “Pages”—Detailed Discussion There are preferably ten site-level activity pages (see FIG. 28, box 27b) which enable an authorized UserName to perform various site-level activities as outlined in FIG. 28 box 27c. These activities may be performed on profiles or portfolio records to which a given UserName has been granted access. Each UserName may be granted access to all or any combination of ten site-level activity pages in FIG. 28, Box 27c including: create profile (FIG. 18), site audit history (FIG. 30), reports (FIG. 31), support (FIG. 32), password reset (FIG. 33), profile groups (FIG. 60), add, edit profile group (FIG. 62), portfolio group summary (FIG. 65), add edit portfolio groups (FIG. 66), and create portfolio record (FIG. 67). An authorized UserName may access these site-level activities by selecting an item listed on the menu bar circled in FIG. 2 or on the related sub-menus located at the top of each open profile. Site Audit History (FIG. 30) For control and audit purposes, providers should be able to attest as to exactly who has accessed their information and the date and time. As is the case with the change history associated with profiles, site monitoring and tracking are emerging as important compliance items. The value of the site audit log is enhanced because it is also administered by the neutral third party and the entries made in the log cannot be altered in any way by any UserName. As such, the site audit entries made by any UserName that accesses a provider's application or site cannot be repudiated. External auditors can validate when and how often particular UserNames have accessed a provider's deployment. The ability to demonstrate and offer an independent and non-repudiatable site audit log that can attest to appropriate fiduciary oversight is valuable to providers. The site audit record enables providers to observe and monitor the activities of internal users, partners, and of course consumers, to evaluate their performances. Providers may select which UserNames may have access to the site audit log. Authorized UserNames can access the site audit log by selecting the audit menu item from the menu bar and then selecting the site audit log item. Clicking on the site audit history log item initiates the FIG. 30 procedure which validates that the UserName is authorized to see the site audit history and display the site audit history log for that provider's site. A UserName cannot see any entries for any other site. UserNames accessing the site audit log are limited strictly to the entries that pertain to the location from which they logged into the platform. The FIG. 30 procedure produces the audit log displayed in FIG. 46. Each entry in the site audit log includes the activity performed (login, view profile, create profile, delete profile), the UserName performing the activity, the IP address of the UserName, and the data and time that the entry was made. Preferably, each provider will only be allowed to see their specific site audit log for their given deployment of the PEPn platform. The combination of the change history log and the site audit log provides each resource provider with a comprehensive view of what changes have been made and by who for the profiles and portfolio records for which they have a fiduciary responsibility. The resource provider can better assess which profiles are being most actively and accurately maintained. In addition, the resource providers are in a better position to track how the specific individuals responsible for various profiles are managing their oversight and compliance monitoring capabilities. As such, resource providers deploying the invention in one embodiment can better demonstrate that they are exercising adequate oversight which can be attested to by an independent third party administrator. Report, Search (FIG. 31) Resource providers need to run reports for various purposes, e.g., weekly meetings, monthly meetings, annual meetings. They also need to search for information that has been submitted by various consumers. The ability to retrieve real time reports that reflect information that contains information that is directly updated by consumers is highly valuable to providers. Providers often have tight turn around times for reporting back to their internal and external partners, investor, regulators, etc. Providers and their authorized UserNames can use reporting tools to run reports and conduct searches for profiles and/or portfolios by name, geography, industry, sector, profitability, etc. To access the report functionality an authorized UserName would select reports from the menu bar. Clicking on the reports item on the menu bar invokes the FIG. 31 procedure which displays the FIG. 57a report creation and search tools screen. An authorized UserName can then select and run a report from the list of available reports or they may run a search. FIG. 57b shows the output of a representative search. The neutral third party administrator can create custom reports on behalf of the provider. The administrator can also deliver the raw consumer data to providers so that they can generate reports using standard packages, e.g., Crystal Reports. Additional reports can be created if necessary. If needed, the invention in one embodiment can also be configured to produce system performance and utilization reports as outlined in FIG. 10 box 10c. Support (FIG. 32) Providers typically expect and need access to support from the third party administrator. To access the support page an authorized UserName would select support from the menu bar. Clicking on the support menu item initiates the FIG. 32 procedure which in turn displays the FIG. 58 support page. The support page includes the contact information for designated support staff. Password Reset (FIG. 33) If a user forgets his password he can request an automatic reset and delivery of a new password to the e-mail address associated with his UserName. To do so, the user clicks the “lost password” link on the screen shot in FIG. 15 which invokes the FIG. 33 procedure to bring up a password reset screen. The user is prompted to supply the e-mail address or UserName they use to log into the system. The user then clicks on the “reset password” button and their new password will be encrypted and sent via e-mail to them. SnapShots: Compliance, Change Control, and Audit Tracking Consumers and providers need to track changes made to profiles and/or portfolio records over time. Increasing compliance and audit tracking requirements have been imposed by new and proposed regulations, e.g. the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, PEIGG requirements, etc. Currently, the process of tracking changes is labor intensive and is often done manually. One embodiment of the invention allows consumers and/or providers to take non-editable snapshot images of profiles and/or portfolio records at discrete times. The consumer and provider(s) for a given profile both may be entitled to take snapshots as needed. Snapshots can be taken manually or automatically at user defined and scheduled intervals. One or both parties may also be excluded from taking snapshots of a mutually shared profile. Authorized UserNames may be allowed to delete various snapshots associated with a profile. The abilities to take, view, and delete snapshots are profile/portfolio level activity entitlements. These entitlements can be assigned by profile and UserName. When a profile and/or portfolio record is opened an authorized UserName may take an archive image or “snapshot” of that profile and/or portfolio record. Preferably the snapshot contains the contents of the underlying data collection template along with copies of all file attachments and associated comments at that specific time. To take a snapshot of a profile or portfolio record, a user can click on the camera icon illustrated in FIG. 63, which initiates the FIG. 64 procedure/function that captures a historical archive image or snapshot. To access a historical image of a profile or portfolio record, a user selects the specific date of the snapshot they desire from the dropdown menu listed on each profile or portfolio record. A user selecting a date for a snapshot from the dropdown list depicted on FIG. 63 initiates the FIG. 11 procedure which starts the view profile function and produces the desired snapshot and its associated file attachments and comments. If necessary, one embodiment allows for the restoration of a snapshot. The FIG. 11 procedure contains the restore profile and portfolio functions that allow a UserName to replace the current and most recent version of a given profile and/or portfolio record with the selected and dated historical snapshot. The snapshot functionality is useful because it helps Consumers and providers to more efficiently track reported results and accomplishments over time. Snapshots enable consumers and providers to efficiently assemble reports that compare current results and projections to historically reported and projected results, preferably in real time. Snapshots provide an independent and non-repudiatable record that consumers and providers can use to demonstrate their fiduciary oversight and tracking. Architecture FIG. 8 is a high level architectural block diagram of the logic of an embodiment of the method, which includes three layers or tiers: a presentation tier, a business tier, and a data tier. The presentation tier provides the graphical user interface that displays templates that either request the user to provide data or displays information that has been requested. The presentation layer could reside on a PC, cell phone, pager, telephone, etc. The business tier contains the business rules of the embodiment and provides the entry point for all presentation tier requests, and preferably utilizes Microsoft's Internet Information Server (IIS) to handle incoming client requests and to host the ASP.Net controls. The business tier logic is written preferably in C#.Net and interoperates with IIS to manage and coordinate the execution of the business rules of the invention. Communication between the presentation tier and the business tier is accomplished preferably over a secure 128-bit SSL connection. The SSL certificate state of authority is preferably provided by Verisign (www.verisign.com). The data tier contains the information that has been supplied by providers, consumers, guests, partners, etc. The database is created and managed preferably using Microsoft's SQL Server 2000. The embodiment can accommodate other databases as well, e.g. Oracle. Communication between the business tier and the data tier is handled preferably by Microsoft's ADO.Net data access objects. Data exchanged throughout each of the logical tiers is formatted preferably using industry standardized XML. Providers will appreciate one embodiment's use preferably of open standards and proven infrastructure elements, e.g., Microsoft 2000, Verisign encryption, etc. The three logical tiers map or correspond directly to the three similarly named tiers in the physical architecture as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 9. The logical and physical tiers are separated to ensure the scalability and performance of the invention in one embodiment. Scalability is achieved because the underlying logical layer does not need to be adjusted in response to increases in the number of users, system loads, or utilization levels. The physical layer can accommodate load changes because each physical tier may contain any number of computers, servers, load balancers, or other devices needed. The physical tiers provide the computing and control resources which the logical layers use. Software Deployment Options An embodiment is preferably customized to meet the often unique requirements of each provider that elects to deploy the invention. The provider preferably has the option of deploying the invention as either an enterprise software license or on an Application Service Provider (ASP) basis. If a provider elects to deploy the invention on an enterprise license basis, the provider assumes responsibility for the management and administration of the physical infrastructure or tiers, the logical tiers, operating system, UserNames, system administration, security, report creation and management, setup and integration, and management of the underlying database of data collected by the invention. Providers who deploy the invention on an enterprise licenses basis preferably must coordinate directly with the neutral third party administrator if they wish to share information via the invention outside of their organization. Most providers are anticipated to choose to deploy the invention in an embodiment on an ASP basis. An ASP deployment may require a neutral third party administrator and enforcement authority for the platform. The third party will assume the responsibility for the management and maintenance of the physical tiers, the logical tiers, operating system, security, system administration, setup and integration of the platform, the administration of the UserNames, setup and administration of profile and portfolio record templates, association of profiles to portfolio records, management of the UserName and system alerts, report configuration and administration, and management of the underlying database of information collected by the invention. If desired, providers can be supplied with the system tools needed to allow them to self-administer some portions of the invention in one embodiment. However, the neutral third party administrator will always administer the sharing permissions entitlements among and between UserNames. Providers are likely to choose the ASP model because it can be implemented much more rapidly and without the need for them to buy equipment, software, and hire additional technical resources to mange the deployment. In addition, providers have expressed a desire to jointly deploy an ASP version of the invention with other industry providers and/or partners. While the present invention is described in terms of a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this embodiment may be modified without departing from the essence of the invention. It is therefore intended that the following claims be interpreted as covering any modifications falling within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Technical Field This invention relates generally to private equity and debt markets, and more particularly to managing, tracking, distributing and syndicating resource consumers' account, company, and relationship information in such markets. 2. Discussion of Prior Art In the equity and debt funding business a “resource provider” (provider) is a party, who may be a venture capitalist, a bank, an accounting firm, advisor or Board member, a law firm or other business partner, that provides capital, assets or services. A “resource consumer” (consumer) is a party, typically an emerging growth company, that is seeking these resources. Resource providers and consumers agree what information the consumers are to deliver in exchange for being considered to receive resources from the providers. However, the formatting of information and the delivery mechanisms are not standardized. Currently, consumers may deliver information via ground mail, e-mail, online forms, FAX, teletext, etc. Current methods and processes typically require duplicative and costly data entry by both providers and consumers. To homogenize data, providers currently must collect, re-enter, and format data submitted by consumers. The problem is illustrated in FIG. 1 . Consumers often receive resources from multiple providers. Consumers receiving duplicative information requests from different resource providers must duplicate their efforts of producing and delivering the same information to the different resource providers. Current methods do not allow an individual consumer to use a single platform and/or user interface to efficiently distribute and/or syndicate the same digital information and updates to multiple providers. Despite growing demand for more digital information, attempts to automate the digital distribution and syndication of consumer information have fallen short. This is largely because individual software or system deployments by providers currently require consumers to re-enter and/or resubmit their same data into multiple stand-alone systems that do not share information. This means additional time-consuming and expensive work for consumers who do not have sufficient resources to enter and re-enter the same data multiple times in order to satisfy the providers. It is currently difficult to retrieve, share, distribute and/or syndicate current or previous versions of consumer information among providers because: 1) the desired data may not be available in digital format; 2) the data is not semi-homogeneous; 3) providers often have additional and special information requests; 4) no common platform is available upon which to submit, track, manage, and retrieve successive versions of submitted data; and 5) there exists no independent, neutral third party administrator to regulate and control interested parties' access to, and sharing of, data submitted by consumers. Because the submission of data on multiple systems is time and labor intensive, many consumers refuse to submit their data electronically using each provider's separate platform. Thus, there is a growing need to obtain more semi-homogeneous and digital data directly from consumers. Conventional methods of obtaining and managing original and revised versions of consumer data include: paper files and binders; microfilm, external research; proprietary information databases or exchanges (e.g., M&A transactions, IPO data, deal listings, Lotus Notes, etc.); portals (e.g., MSN, Yahoo); collaboration tools (e.g., file sharing services, chat boards); secure file transfer and management services; virtual data rooms; work flow products; contact management platforms (e.g., Outlook, Onyx); customer and sales force relationship management tools; and large back-end systems (e.g., SAP, Peoplesoft). These methods do not provide sufficient functionality or controls to adequately and efficiently capture, track and manage the submissions of and changes to data made by providers and consumers. Conventional solutions have not allowed providers and other interested parties to efficiently organize and track specific groups of profiles in real-time. Resource providers need to be able to see and understand how an associated resource consumer's data has changed over time. Providers are often mobile and when they travel do not have access to previous paper versions of information submitted by their fiduciary relationships. Additionally, Providers often operate under tight time constraints requiring rapid decisions and as such do not have the time to compare one version of consumer data to another. Public equity and debt market needs are addressed by services such as Edgar, Hoovers, Bloomberg, and Yahoo, whose on-line sites post information for retrieval, sometimes for a fee, through web browsers. However, these public market solutions do not address business processes by which private equity firms and debt providers manage and control consumer information on a relationship-by-relationship basis. For example, these solutions do not align data collection and management responsibilities in an efficient and auditable manner. In short, there is not a comparable “private” equity or debt marketplace solution to capture, collect, organize, maintain, monitor, and control access to information flowing into a provider organization. Instead, previous solutions often contain secondary data resulting from efforts of individuals who research and collect information on a company (aka consumer), e.g., Venture Source. For providers, secondary data is not reliable for evaluating or managing the performance of prospect and/or portfolio of relationships. There is also a growing demand for stricter controls over the tracking, monitoring and oversight of submitted data and changes made to data. Companies, investment mangers, plan sponsors, investors, board members, advisors, banks, venture capitalists, and fiduciaries of all types are under increasing pressure to demonstrate that they are actively tracking and monitoring their fiduciary relationships, at the risk of being liable to criminal and civil penalties. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other acts require greater levels of fiduciary oversight for alternative asset classes, e.g., venture capital, hedge funds, private equity, etc. ERISA standards require managers to demonstrate adequate fiduciary oversight of capital deployed in private equity investment vehicles. In addition, the SEC is evaluating new tracking and governance legislation for venture capital, private equity, and related firms. Proposed SEC rules intended to facilitate the institutionalization of the private equity and venture capital processes through record keeping and maintenance could create administrative challenges and increase costs. Compounding these problems, providers must adequately oversee and track the progress of their fiduciary relationships with both reduced budgets and resources. The Private Equity Industry Guidelines Group (PEIGG) noted that general partner firms, i.e. providers, often have small investment management staffs available. There is therefore a need for a more automated system which will help providers collect, input, manage, track and syndicate authorized consumer data, to exercise greater levels of due diligence on prospective and existing portfolio companies, and to do so with fewer management dollars.
<SOH> SUMMARY <EOH>A method of using an electronic database system for collecting resource consumer information, organizing the information into standardized profiles and managing the profiles, to enable accessing the information as desired, comprises the steps of: defining a data collection template of fields for a standardized profile of resource consumer information desired by a resource provider; allowing at least one user to input information into the fields; storing the information as a profile in an electronic database system; and allowing at least one authorized party to access information stored in the system. The method(s) reduce cost or enable real-time tracking and syndication of information preferably by: 1) aligning the responsibilities of consumers and providers; 2) enabling the semi-homogenous capture of information; 3) reducing the need for duplicative data entry; 4) streamlining data management, tracking, and syndication; and 5) utilizing a neutral third party platform administrator to oversee the business rules, intra- and inter-firm data sharing permissions, and compliance requirements. In one approach aligning data entry and management duties, consumers accept lead responsibility for the entry and update of their digital “primary data” into semi-homogenous data collection templates specified by providers. This can reduce the need for duplicative data entry by recipients, i.e. providers and investors. It also may help providers to more rapidly compare consumer profiles within and among various industries or other groupings. Providers may use and/or edit the data submitted by consumers to conduct their analyses, track progress, and report results as appropriate. This allows providers to spend more of their time on tracking down new investment ideas, raising additional capital, and reporting out to investors. Finally, providers, investors, regulators, etc. can use the data that has been submitted to exercise fiduciary oversight and track and document the progress of portfolio companies. The platform can enable exchange of digital data with users or directly with other applications, via XML, SQL, etc. All changes are preferably reflected in real-time, which permits interested parties to instantly access updated and timely information, which enables more timely oversight of consumers. Efficient management, tracking, distribution, and syndication of consumer information is facilitated by the use of semi-homogenous profiles. A profile is created for each consumer who enters their data on the platform. Profiles for each consumer relationship contain the semi-homogenous information along with optionally associated files (e.g., models, presentations), comments, and an auditable change history. Profiles consolidate the critically important information that providers need in order to exercise appropriate diligence, track investments, and demonstrate appropriate fiduciary oversight of investments. This aspect allows providers to expand their oversight capabilities while reducing the expense and time requirements of doing so. The system's software allows consumers to attach multiple, customized provider information request sections to their semi-homogenous profile data. In one aspect a designated administrator can act as a neutral third party that manages the business rules and data sharing, distribution/syndication permissions among and between consumers and providers. Thus, consumers can submit their baseline and additional information requested by their providers on a single platform that intelligently parses and controls the distribution and syndication of their digital information in real-time. Access to their data and any other data on the platform is controlled at the individual UserName level. The system is flexible enough to allow a resource consumer, resource provider, or third party administrator to manage the access and activity rights for each discrete UserName. In one embodiment, only authorized UserNames are allowed to access specific pieces of data. In another embodiment, UserNames are controlled by the administrator for a managed service offering. Enterprise license deployments may require the licensee to coordinate with the third party administrator. To enable the efficient tracking and management of related profiles and recording evidence of how providers have supervised groups of related profiles, one aspect of the method provides a capability called “portfolios,” by enabling the definition and deployment of real-time, customizable, management audit, tracking and compliance portfolio data collection templates by the steps of: defining portfolio groups; enabling, for each defined portfolio group the creation of portfolio records; the association of profiles with portfolio records; defining, for each portfolio group, items that will be contained in a portfolio record; allowing a party to input information into the records, and storing the information in the electronic database system; associating and appending profiles with Pending Changes or Active profiles to appropriate portfolio records; and allowing the party to access, via the Internet, information stored in the system. Portfolio groups can contain one or more populated “portfolio record” data templates. Detailed portfolio records contain preferably five key components, including: 1) a semi-homogenous group data collection and tracking template per unique, named portfolio group; 2) associated tracking and oversight file attachments; 3) comments log; 4) change history; and 5) the ability to associate specific consumer profiles with specific portfolio records within a given portfolio group. To begin with, the platform aids providers because the underlying profile information is being supplied, updated, and inputted directly by the consumers. As this “primary” information is reviewed by providers they can input information and comments on the portfolio record that documents their oversight of the collection of profiles. Providers often need to use specific profile data templates for a given group of profiles, e.g., software industry profiles. Providers need to be able to design data collection profile templates based upon characteristics unique to a given profile group. A Provider may also wish to create profile groups that describe an overall affiliation, e.g. “active investments.” For management purposes, Providers will likely need to be able to move individual profiles between groups, e.g. from the “new and high probability investment profiles” group to the “active list” group. A preferred embodiment can support multiple profile group designations. A preferred embodiment enables providers to efficiently track prior versions or “snapshots” of submitted resource consumer data, so that they can compare current consumer data to previous versions. One aspect of the method can reduce the time each party spends on data collection entry, re-entry, tracking and distribution and syndication of data, and deliver to consumers and providers a tangible return on investment (ROI). The ability to track submitted information via independently managed and auditable change history and site audit records provide a compliance control mechanism.
20041208
20101207
20050630
97520.0
12
KAZIMI, HANI M
PRIVATE ENTITY PROFILE NETWORK
SMALL
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,007,798
ACCEPTED
Circovirus sequences associated with piglet weight loss disease (PWD)
The genome sequences and the nucleotide sequences coding for the PWD circovirus polypeptides, such as the circovirus structural and non-structural polypeptides, vectors including the sequences, and cells and animals transformed by the vectors are provided. Methods for detecting the nucleic acids or polypeptides, and kits for diagnosing infection by a PWD circovirus, also are provided. Method for selecting compounds capable of modulating the viral infection is further provided. Pharmaceutical, including vaccines, compositions for preventing and/or treating viral infections caused by PWD circovirus and the use of vectors for preventing and/or treating diseases also are provided.
1. An isolated porcine circovirus type B. 2. The isolated porcine circovirus type B according to claim 1 which is inactivated. 3. An immunogenic composition comprising the isolated porcine circovirus type B of claim 2. 4. The isolated porcine circovirus type B according to claim 1 which is attenuated. 5. An immunogenic composition comprising the isolated porcine circovirus type B according to claim 4. 6. An immunogenic composition comprising an isolated porcine circovirus type B. 7. The immunogenic composition of claim 6, wherein said isolated porcine circovirus type B is an attenuated porcine circovirus type B. 8. The immunogenic composition of claim 7, comprising from 10−3 to 106 TCID50 of attenuated porcine circovirus type B. 9. The immunogenic composition of claim 7, which is in freeze-dried form. 10. The immunogenic composition of claim 9, further comprising a freeze-drying stabilizer. 11. The immunogenic composition of claim 10, wherein said freeze-drying stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of SPGA, sorbitol, mannitol, starch, sucrose, dextran, glucose, albumin, casein, and alkali metal phosphate. 12. The immunogenic composition of claim 7, further comprising an adjuvant. 13. The immunogenic composition of claim 12, wherein said adjuvant is selected from the group consisting of aluminum hydroxide, saponin, avridine (N,N-dioctadecyl-N′,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-propanediamine), and DDA. 14. The immunogenic composition of claim 7, wherein said composition is in the form of an emulsion. 15. The immunogenic composition of claim 14, wherein said emulsion is a water-in-oil emulsion. 16. The immunogenic composition of claim 14, wherein said emulsion is an oil-in-water emulsion. 17. The immunogenic composition of claim 6, wherein said isolated porcine circovirus type B is inactivated isolated porcine circovirus type B. 18. The immunogenic composition of claim 17, comprising about 106 to 108 TCID50 of isolated porcine circovirus type B. 19. The immunogenic composition of claim 17, further comprising a culture of porcine circovirus type B. 20. The immunogenic composition of claim 17, further comprising an adjuvant. 21. The immunogenic composition of claim 20, wherein said adjuvant is selected from the group consisting of aluminum hydroxide, saponin, avridine (N,N-dioctadecyl-N′,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-propanediarnine), and DDA. 22. The immunogenic composition of claim 20, wherein said composition is in the form of an emulsion. 23. The immunogenic composition of claim 22, wherein the emulsion is a water-in-oil emulsion. 24. The immunogenic composition of claim 22, wherein the emulsion is an oil-in-water emulsion. 25. The immunogenic composition of claim 17, wherein the porcine circovirus has been inactivated by a chemical agent. 26. The immunogenic composition of claim 25, wherein the chemical agent is selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, beta-propiolactone, and ethyleneimine. 27. The immunogenic composition of claim 26, wherein the chemical agent is ethyleneimine. 28. The immunogenic composition of claim 26, wherein the chemical agent is beta-propiolactone. 29. The immunogenic composition of claim 6, which comprises porcine circovirus type B propagated in porcine cells. 30. The immunogenic composition of claim 6, which comprises porcine circovirus type B propagated in a cell line. 31. The immunogenic composition of claim 6, which comprises porcine circovirus type B propagated in PK/15 cells. 32. The immunogenic composition of claim 7, comprising about 104.53 TCID50 of attenuated porcine circovirus type B. 33. The immunogenic composition of claim 12, wherein said adjuvant is selected from the group consisting of aluminum hydroxide, muramyl peptides, and Freund's incomplete adjuvants. 34. The immunogenic composition of claim 17, comprising from about 15 TCID50 of isolated porcine circovirus type B. 35. The immunogenic composition of claim 20, wherein said adjuvant is selected from the group consisting of aluminum hydroxide, muramyl peptides, and Freund's incomplete adjuvants. 36. The isolated porcine circovirus type B of claim 1, comprising a nucleotide sequence identified as SEQ ID NO:15 or SEQ ID NO:19.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/682,420, filed Oct. 10, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/637,011, filed Aug. 8, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/514,245, filed Feb. 28, 2000, which is a 35 U.S.C. §120 continuation-in-part of International Application No. PCT/FR98/02634, filed Dec. 4, 1998, published in a non-English language, all of which are incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to the genomic sequence and nucleotide sequences coding for polypeptides of PWD circovirus, such as the structural and nonstructural polypeptides of said circovirus, as well as vectors including said sequences and cells or animals transformed by these vectors. The invention likewise relates to methods for detecting these nucleic acids or polypeptides and kits for diagnosing infection by the PWD circovirus. The invention is also directed to a method for selecting compounds capable of modulating the viral infection. The invention further comprises pharmaceutical compositions, including vaccines, for the prevention and/or the treatment of viral infections by PWD circovirus as well as the use of a vector according to the invention for the prevention and/or the treatment of diseases by gene therapy. Piglet weight loss disease (PWD), alternatively called fatal piglet wasting (FPW) has been widely described in North America (Harding, J. C., 1997), and authors have reported the existence of a relationship between this pathology and the presence of porcine circovirus (Daft, B. et al., 1996; Clark, E. G., 1997; Harding, J. C., 1997; Harding, J. C. and Clark, E. G., 1997; Nayar, G. P. et al., 1997). A porcine circovirus has already been demonstrated in established lines of cell cultures derived from pigs and chronically infected (Tischer, I., 1986, 1988, 1995; Dulac, G. C., 1989; Edwards, S., 1994; Allan, G. M., 1995 and McNeilly, F., 1996). This virus, during experimental infection of piglets, does not prove pathogenic for pigs (Tischer, I., 1986, Homer, G. W., 1991) and its nucleotide sequence has been determined and characterized (Tischer, I., 1982; Meehan, B. M. et al., 1997; Mankertz., A., 1997). The porcine circovirus, called PCV virus, is part of the circovirus genus of the circoviridae family (Murphy, F. A. et al., 1995) whose virion has a circular DNA of size between 1.7 and 2.3 kb, which DNA comprises three open reading frames (ORF1 to ORF3), coding for a replication protein REP involved in the initiation and termination phase of rolling circular replication (RCR) (Heyraud-Nitschke, F., et al., 1995; Harding, M. R. et al., 1993; Hanson, S. F. et al., 1995; Fontes, E. P. B. et al., 1994), coding for a capsid protein (Boulton, L. H. et al., 1997; Hackland, A. F. et al., 1994; Chu, P. W. G. et al., 1993) and coding for a nonstructural protein called a dissemination protein (Lazarowitz., S. G. et al., 1989). The inventors of the present invention have noticed that the clinical signs perceptible in pigs and linked to infection by the PWD circovirus are very distinctive. These manifestations in general appear in pigs of 8 to 12 weeks of age, weaned for 4 to 8 weeks. The first signs are hypotonia without it being possible to speak of prostration. Rapidly (48 hours), the flanks hollow, the line of the spine becomes apparent, and the pigs “blanch.” These signs are in general accompanied by hyperthermia, anorexia and most often by respiratory signs (coughing, dyspnea, polypnea). Transitory diarrhea can likewise appear. The disease state phase lasts approximately one month at the end of which the rate of mortality varies from 5 to 20%. To these mortalities, it is expedient to add a variable proportion (5-10%) of cadaveric animals which are no longer able to present an economic future. It is to be noted that outside of this critical stage of the end of post-weaning, no anomaly appears on the farms. In particular, the reproductive function is totally maintained. On the epidemiological level, the first signs of this pathology appeared at the start of 1995 in the east of the C6tes d'Armor region in France, and the farms affected are especially confined to this area of the region. In December 1996, the number of farms concerned could not be evaluated with precision because of the absence of a specific laboratory diagnostic method or of an epidemiological surveillance system of the livestock. Based on the clinical facts as well as on results of postmortem examinations supplied by veterinarians, it is possible to estimate this number as several dozen (80-100). The contagiousness of the disease is weak to moderate. Cases are being reported outside the initial area and for the majority are following the transfer of animals coming from farms familiar with the problem. On the other hand, a characteristic of the condition is its strong remanence. Thus, farms which have been affected for a year are still affected in spite of the massive administration of therapeutics. Farms with clinical expression are drawn from various categories of specialization (breeders/fatteners, post-weaners/fatteners) and different economic structures are concerned. In addition, the disorders appear even in farms where the rules of animal husbandry are respected. Numerous postmortem examinations have been carried out either on farms or in the laboratory. The elements of the lesional table are disparate. The most constant macroscopic lesions are pneumonia which sometimes appears in patchy form as well as hypertrophy of the lymphatic ganglia. The other lesions above all affect the thoracic viscera including, especially, pericarditis and pleurisy. However, arthritis and gastric ulcers are also observed. The lesions revealed in the histological examination are essentially situated at the pulmonary level (interstitial pneumonia), ganglionic level (lymphoid depletion of the lymph nodes, giant cells) and renal level (glomerulonephritis, vasculitis). The infectious agents have been the subject of wide research. It has been possible to exclude the intervention of pestiviruses and Aujeszky's disease. The disorders appear in the seropositive PDRS (Porcine Dysgenic and Respiratory Syndrome, an infection linked to an arteriovirus) herds, but it has not been possible to establish the role of the latter in the genesis of the disorders (the majority of the farms in Brittany are PDRS seropositive). The inventors of the present invention, with the aim of identifying the etiological agent responsible for PWD, have carried out “contact” tests between piglets which are obviously “ill” and SPF pigs (specific pathogen-free) from CNEVA (Centre National d'Etudes Vétérinaires et Alimentaires, France). These tests allow the development of signs comparable to those observed on the farm to be observed in protected animal houses. The discrete signs such as moderate hyperthermia, anorexia and intermittent diarrhea appeared after one week of contact. It must be noted that the PDRS virus only diffused subsequent to the clinical signs. In addition, inoculations of organ homogenates of sick animals to healthy pigs allowed signs related to those observed on the farms to be reproduced, although with a lower incidence, linked to the favorable conditions of upkeep of the animals in the experimental installations. Thus, the inventors of the present invention have been able to demonstrate that the pathological signs appear as a well-defined entity affecting the pig at a particular stage of its growth. This pathology has never been described in France. However, sparse information, especially Canadian, relates to similar facts. The disorders cannot be mastered with the existing therapeutics. The data collected both on the farm and by experimentation have allowed the following points to be highlighted: PWD is transmissible but its contagiousness is not very high, its etiological origin is of infectious and probably viral nature, PWD has a persistent character in the affected farms. Considerable economic consequences ensue for the farms. Thus, there is currently a significant need for a specific and sensitive diagnostic, whose production is practical and rapid, allowing the early detection of the infection. A reliable, sensitive and practical test which allows the distinction between strains of porcine circovirus (PCV) is thus strongly desirable. On the other hand, a need for efficient and well-tolerated treatment of infections with PWD circovirus likewise remains desirable, no vaccine currently being available against PWD circovirus. Concerning PWD circovirus, it will probably be necessary to understand the role of the immune defense in the physiology and the pathology of the disease to develop satisfactory vaccines. Fuller information concerning the biology of these strains, their interactions with their hosts, the associated infectivity phenomena and those of escape from the immune defenses of the host especially, and finally their implication in the development of associated pathologies, will allow a better understanding of these mechanisms. Taking into account the facts which have been mentioned above and which show in particular the limitations of combating infection by the PWD circovirus, it is thus essential today on the one hand to develop molecular tools, especially starting from a better genetic knowledge of the PWD circovirus, and likewise to perfect novel preventive and therapeutic treatments, novel methods of diagnosis and specific, efficacious and tolerated novel vaccine strategies. This is precisely the subject of the present invention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to vaccines comprising a nucleotide sequence of the genome of Porcine circovirus type B, or a homologue or fragment thereof, and an acceptable pharmaceutical or veterinary vehicle. In one embodiment of the invention, the nucleotide sequence is selected from SEQ ID No. 15, SEQ ID No. 19 SEQ ID No. 23, or SEQ ID No. 25, or a homologue or fragment thereof. In another embodiment of the invention, the homologue has at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID No. 15, SEQ ID No. 19, SEQ ID No. 23 or SEQ ID No. 25. In yet another embodiment, the vaccines further comprising an adjuvant The present invention also relates to vaccines comprising a polypeptide encoded by a nucleotide sequence of the genome of PCVB, or a homologue or fragment thereof, and an acceptable pharmnaceutical or veterinary vehicle. In one embodiment, the homologue has at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID No. 15, SEQ ID No. 19, SEQ ID No. 23 or SEQ ID No. 25. In another embodiment of the invention, the nucleotide sequence is selected from SEQ ID No. 23 or SEQ ID No. 25, or a homologue or fragment thereof. In still another embodiment, the polypeptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 24 or SEQ ID No. 26. In yet another embodiment, the homologue has at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID No. 24 or SEQ ID No. 26. In another embodiment, the polypeptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 29, SEQ ID No. 30, SEQ ID No. 3 1, or SEQ ID No. 32. A further aspect of the invention relates to vaccines comprising a vector and an acceptable pharmaceutical or veterinary vehicle, the vector comprising a nucleotide sequence of the genome of Porcine circovirus type B, or a homologue or fragment thereof. In one embodiment, the vaccine further comprises a gene coding for an expression product capable of inhibiting or retarding the establishment or development of a genetic or acquired disease. The present invention also relates to vaccines comprising a cell and an acceptable pharmaceutical or veterinary vehicle, wherein the cell is transformed with a nucleotide sequence of the genome of Porcine circovirus type B, or a homologue or fragment thereof. Still further, the present invention relates to vaccines comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle and a single polypeptide, wherein the single polypeptide consists of SEQ ID No. 26. Additionally, the present invention relates to methods of immunizing a mammal against piglet weight loss disease comprising administering to a mammal an effective amount of the vaccines described above. These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent to the skilled artisan in view of the teachings contained herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1: Experimental scheme which has made it possible to bring about the isolation and the identification of the circovirus associated with PWD of type A and B. Test 1: experimental reproduction of the PWD by inoculation of pig organ homogenates from farms affected by PWD. Test 2: experimental reproduction of PWD. Test 3: experimental reproduction of PWD. Test 4: no experimental reproduction of PWD. FIG. 2: Organization of the genome of the circovirus associated with PWD of type A (PCVA) strand of (+) polarity (SEQ ID No. 1); strand of (−) polarity (SEQ ID No.5, represented according to the orientation 3′→5′); sequences of amino acids of proteins encoded by the two DNA strands in the three possible reading frames SEQ ID NOS: 2-4 and 6-8 respectively. FIG. 3: Alignment of the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID No. 1 of the PWD circovirus of type A (PCVA) and of the MEEHAN SEQ ID No. 163 strain and MANKERTZ SEQ ID No. 164 strain circoviruses of the porcine cell lines. FIG. 4: Alignment of the sequence of amino acids SEQ ID No. 10 of a polypeptide encoded by the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID No. 9 (ORF1) of the PWD circovirus of type A (PCVA) and of corresponding nucleotide sequences of the MEEHAN SEQ ID No. 165 strain and MANKERTZ SEQ ID No. 166 strain circoviruses of the porcine cell lines. FIG. 5: Alignment of the sequence of amino acids SEQ ID No. 12 of a polypeptide encoded by the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID No. 11 (ORF2) of the PWD circovirus of type A (PCVA) and of corresponding nucleotide sequences of the MEEHAN SEQ ID No. 167 strain and MANKERTZ SEQ ID No. 168 strain circoviruses of the porcine cell lines. FIG. 6: Alignment of the sequence of amino acids SEQ ID No. 14 of a polypeptide encoded by the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID No. 13 (ORF3) of the PWD circovirus of type A (PCVA) and of corresponding nucleotide sequences of the MEEHAN SEQ ID No. 169 strain and MANKERTZ SEQ ID No. 170 strain circoviruses of the porcine cell lines. FIG. 7: Western blot analysis of recombinant proteins of the PWD circovirus of type A (PCVA). The analyses were carried out on cell extracts of Sf9 cells obtained after infection with recombinant baculovirus PCF ORF 1. FIG. 8: Organization of the genome of the circovirus associated with the PWD of type B (PCVB) strand of (+) polarity (SEQ ID No. 15); strand of (−) polarity (SEQ ID No. 19, represented according to the orientation 3′→5′); sequence of amino acids of proteins encoded by the two DNA strands in the three possible reading frames SEQ ID NOS: 16-18 and 20-22 respectively. FIG. 9: Evolution of the daily mean gain (DMG) of pig farms affected by piglet weight loss disease (PWD), placed under experimental conditions. FIG. 10: DMG compared for the 3 batches of pigs (F1, F3 and F4) calculated over a period of 28 days, after vaccination test. FIG. 11: Hyperthermia greater than 41° C., expressed as a percentage compared for the 3 batches of pigs (F1, F3 and F4) calculated per week over a period of 28 days, after vaccination test. FIG. 12: Membranes of peptide spots corresponding to the ORF2s revealed with the aid of an infected pig serum, originating from a conventional farm. The numbers of specific peptides of the circovirus of type B as well as their nonreactive homologs (type A) are indicated in bold. The nonspecific immunogenic peptides are indicated in italics. FIG. 13: Alignment of amino acid sequences of proteins encoded by the ORF2 of the PWD circovirus of type A SEQ ID No. 12 and by the ORF′2 of the PWD circovirus of type B SEQ ID No. 26. The position of 4 peptides corresponding to specific epitopes of the PWD circovirus of type B is indicated on the corresponding sequence by a bold line, their homolog on the sequence of the PWD circovirus of type A is likewise indicated by an ordinary line. FIG. 14: Charts the results of experiments that demonstrate, in terms of percent hyperthermia, that vaccination with ORF′1 and ORF′2 of PCV-B enhances the level of protection in swine challenged with PCV-B (Percent hyperthermia: >40.5 C, control: not vaccinated and not challenged, ORF′1: vaccinated and challenged, ORF′2: vaccinated and challenged, ORF: not vaccinated, challenged). FIG. 15: Charts the results of experiments that demonstrate, in terms of animal growth, that vaccination with ORF′1 and ORF′2 of PCV-B enhances the level of protection in swine challenged with PCV-B (Control: not vaccinated, not challenged, ORF′1: vaccinated and challenged, ORF′2: vaccinated and challenged, ORF: not vaccinated, challenged). FIG. 16: Immunoperoxidase staining of PK15 cells at 24 h post-transfection with the pcDNA3/ORF′2 plasmid. Expression of PCVB ORF′2 was confirmed by IPMA following incubation in the presence of the swine anti-PCVB monospecific serum. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to nucleotide sequences of the genome of PWD circovirus selected from the sequences SEQ ID No. 1, SEQ ID No. 5, SEQ ID No. 15, SEQ ID No. 19 or one of their fragments. The nucleotide sequences of sequences SEQ ID No. 1 and SEQ ID No. 5 correspond respectively to the genome sequence of the strand of (+) polarity and of the strand of (−) polarity of the PWD circovirus of type A (or PCVA), the sequence SEQ ID No. 5 being represented according to the orientation 5′→3′. The nucleotide sequences of sequences SEQ ID No. 15 and SEQ ID No. 19 correspond respectively to the genome sequence of the strand of (+) polarity and of the strand of (−) polarity of the PWD circovirus of type B (or PCVB), the sequence SEQ ID No. 19 being represented according to the orientation 5′→3′. The present invention likewise relates to nucleotide sequences, characterized in that they are selected from: a) a nucleotide sequence of a specific fragment of the sequence SEQ ID No. 1, SEQ ID No. 5, SEQ ID No. 15, SEQ ID No. 19 or one of their fragments; b) a nucleotide sequence homologous to a nucleotide sequence such as defined in a); c) a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence such as defined in a) or b), and a nucleotide sequence of their corresponding RNA; d) a nucleotide sequence capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions with a sequence such as defined in a), b) or c); e) a nucleotide sequence comprising a sequence such as defined in a), b), c) or d); and f) a nucleotide sequence modified by a nucleotide sequence such as defined in a), b), c), d) or e). Nucleotide, polynucleotide or nucleic acid sequence will be understood according to the present invention as meaning both a double-stranded or single-stranded DNA in the monomeric and dimeric (so-called in tandem) forms and the transcription products of said DNAs. It must be understood that the present invention does not relate to the genomic nucleotide sequences taken in their natural environment, that is to say in the natural state. It concerns sequences which it has been possible to isolate, purify or partially purify, starting from separation methods such as, for example, ion-exchange chromatography, by exclusion based on molecular size, or by affinity, or alternatively fractionation techniques based on solubility in different solvents, or starting from methods of genetic engineering such as amplification, cloning and subcloning, it being possible for the sequences of the invention to be carried by vectors. The nucleotide sequences SEQ ID No. 1 and SEQ ID No. 15 were obtained by sequencing of the genome by the Sanger method. Nucleotide sequence fragment according to the invention will be understood as designating any nucleotide fragment of the PWD circovirus, type A or B, of length of at least 8 nucleotides, preferably at least 12 nucleotides, and even more preferentially at least 20 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence from which it originates. Specific fragment of a nucleotide sequence according to the invention will be understood as designating any nucleotide fragment of the PWD circovirus, type A or B, having, after alignment and comparison with the corresponding fragments of known porcine circoviruses, at least one nucleotide or base of different nature. For example, the specific nucleotide fragments of the PWD circovirus of type A can easily be determined by referring to FIG. 3 of the present invention in which the nucleotides or bases of the sequence SEQ ID No. 1 (circopordfp) are shown which are of different nature, after alignment of said sequence SEQ ID No. 1 with the other two sequences of known porcine circovirus (circopormeeh and circopormank). Homologous nucleotide sequence in the sense of the present invention is understood as meaning a nucleotide sequence having at least a percentage identity with the bases of a nucleotide sequence according to the invention of at least 80%, preferably 90% or 95%, this percentage being purely statistical and it being possible to distribute the differences between the two nucleotide sequences at random and over the whole of their length. Specific homologous nucleotide sequence in the sense of the present invention is understood as meaning a homologous nucleotide sequence having at least one nucleotide sequence of a specific fragment, such as defined above. Said “specific” homologous sequences can comprise, for example, the sequences corresponding to the genomic sequence or to the sequences of its fragments representative of variants of PWD circovirus of type A or B. These specific homologous sequences can thus correspond to variations linked to mutations within strains of PWD circovirus of type A and B, and especially correspond to truncations, substitutions, deletions and/or additions of at least one nucleotide. Said homologous sequences can likewise correspond to variations linked to the degeneracy of the genetic code. The term “degree or percentage of sequence homology” refers to “degree or percentage of sequence identity between two sequences after optimal alignment” as defined in the present application. Two amino-acids or nucleotidic sequences are said to be “identical” if the sequence of amino-acids or nucleotidic residues, in the two sequences is the same when aligned for maximum correspondence as described below. Sequence comparisons between two (or more) peptides or polynucleotides are typically performed by comparing sequences of two optimally aligned sequences over a segment or “comparison window” to identify and compare local regions of sequence similarity. Optimal alignment of sequences for comparison may be conducted by the local homology algorithm of Smith and Waterman, Ad. App. Math 2: 482 (1981), by the homology alignment algorithm of Neddleman and Wunsch, J. Mol. Biol. 48: 443 (1970), by the search for similarity method of Pearson and Lipman, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (U.S.A.) 85: 2444 (1988), by computerized implementation of these algorithms (GAP, BESTFIT, FASTA, and TFASTA in the Wisconsin Genetics Software Package, Genetics Computer Group (GCG), 575 Science Dr., Madison, Wis.), or by visual inspection. “Percentage of sequence identity” (or degree or identity) is determined by comparing two optimally aligned sequences over a comparison window, where the portion of the peptide or polynucleotide sequence in the comparison window may comprise additions or deletions (i.e., gaps) as compared to the reference sequence (which does not comprise additions or deletions) for optimal alignment of the two sequences. The percentage is calculated by determining the number of positions at which the identical amino-acid residue or nucleic acid base occurs in both sequences to yield the number of matched positions, dividing the number of matched positions by the total number of positions in the window of comparison and multiplying the result by 100 to yield the percentage of sequence identity. The definition of sequence identity given above is the definition that would use one of skill in the art. The definition by itself does not need the help of any algorithm, said algorithms being helpful only to achieve the optimal alignments of sequences, rather than the calculation of sequence identity. From the definition given above, it follows that there is a well defined and only one value for the sequence identity between two compared sequences which value corresponds to the value obtained for the best or optimal alignment. In the BLAST N or BLAST P “BLAST 2 sequence”, software which is available in the web site http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gorf/b12.html, and habitually used by the inventors and in general by the skilled man for comparing and determining the identity between two sequences, gap cost which depends on the sequence length to be compared is directly selected by the software (i.e. 11.2 for substitution matrix BLOSUM-62 for length >85). In the present description, PWD circovirus will be understood as designating the circoviruses associated with piglet weight loss disease (PWD) of type A (PCVA) or type B (PCVB), defined below by their genomic sequence, as well as the circoviruses whose nucleic sequences are homologous to the sequences of PWD circoviruses of type A or B, such as in particular the circoviruses corresponding to variants of the type A or of the type B. Complementary nucleotide sequence of a sequence of the invention is understood as meaning any DNA whose nucleotides are complementary to those of the sequence of the invention, and whose orientation is reversed (antiparallel sequence). Hybridization under conditions of stringency with a nucleotide sequence according to the invention is understood as meaning a hybridization under conditions of temperature and ionic strength chosen in such a way that they allow the maintenance of the hybridization between two fragments of complementary DNA. By way of illustration, conditions of great stringency of the hybridization step with the aim of defining the nucleotide fragments described above are advantageously the following. The hybridization is carried out at a preferential temperature of 65° C. in the presence of SSC buffer, 1×SSC corresponding to 0.15 M NaCl and 0.05 M Na citrate. The washing steps, for example, can be the following: 2×SSC, at ambient temperature followed by two washes with 2×SSC, 0.5% SDS at 65° C; 2×0.5×SSC, 0.5% SDS; at 65° C. for 10 minutes each. The conditions of intermediate stringency, using, for example, a temperature of 42° C. in the presence of a 2×SSC buffer, or of less stringency, for example a temperature of 37° C. in the presence of a 2×SSC buffer, respectively require a globally less significant complementarity for the hybridization between the two sequences. The stringent hybridization conditions described above for a polynucleotide with a size of approximately 350 bases will be adapted by the person skilled in the art for oligonucleotides of greater or smaller size, according to the teaching of Sambrook et al., 1989. Among the nucleotide sequences according to the invention, those are likewise preferred which can be used as a primer or probe in methods allowing the homologous sequences according to the invention to be obtained, these methods, such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), nucleic acid cloning and sequencing, being well known to the person skilled in the art. Among said nucleotide sequences according to the invention, those are again preferred which can be used as a primer or probe in methods allowing the presence of PWD circovirus or one of its variants such as defined below to be diagnosed. The nucleotide sequences according to the invention capable of modulating, of inhibiting or of inducing the expression of PWD circovirus gene, and/or capable of modulating the replication cycle of PWD circovirus in the host cell and/or organism are likewise preferred. Replication cycle will be understood as designating the invasion and the multiplication of PWD circovirus, and its propagation from host cell to host cell in the host organism. Among said nucleotide sequences according to the invention, those corresponding to open reading frames, called ORF sequences, and coding for polypeptides, such as, for example, the sequences SEQ ID No. 9 (ORF1), SEQ ID No. 11 (ORF2) and SEQ ID No. 13 (ORF3) respectively corresponding to the nucleotide sequences between the positions 47 and 985 determined with respect to the position of the nucleotides on the sequence SEQ ID No. 1, the positions 1723 and 1022 and the positions 658 and 38 with respect to the position of the nucleotides on the sequence SEQ ID No. 5 (represented according to the orientation 3′→5′), the ends being included, or alternatively the sequences SEQ ID No. 23 (ORF′1), SEQ ID No. 25 (ORF′2) and SEQ ID No. 27 (ORF′3), respectively corresponding to the sequences between the positions 51 and 995 determined with respect to the position of the nucleotides on the sequence SEQ ID No. 15, the positions 1734 and 1033 and the positions 670 and 357, the positions being determined with respect to the position of the nucleotides on the sequence SEQ ID No. 19 (represented according to the orientation 3′→5′), the ends being included, are finally preferred. The nucleotide sequence fragments according to the invention can be obtained, for example, by specific amplification, such as PCR, or after digestion with appropriate restriction enzymes of nucleotide sequences according to the invention, these methods in particular being described in the work of Sambrook et al., 1989. Said representative fragments can likewise be obtained by chemical synthesis when their size is not very large and according to methods well known to persons skilled in the art. Modified nucleotide sequence will be understood as meaning any nucleotide sequence obtained by mutagenesis according to techniques well known to the person skilled in the art, and containing modifications with respect to the normal sequences according to the invention, for example mutations in the regulatory and/or promoter sequences of polypeptide expression, especially leading to a modification of the rate of expression of said polypeptide or to a modulation of the replicative cycle. Modified nucleotide sequence will likewise be understood as meaning any nucleotide sequence coding for a modified polypeptide such as defined below. The present invention relates to nucleotide sequences of PWD circovirus according to the invention, characterized in that they are selected from the sequences SEQ ID No. 9, SEQ ID No. 11, SEQ ID No. 13, SEQ ID No. 23, SEQ ID No. 25, SEQ ID No. 27 or one of their fragments. The invention likewise relates to nucleotide sequences characterized in that they comprise a nucleotide sequence selected from: a) a nucleotide sequence SEQ ID No. 9, SEQ ID No. 11, SEQ ID No. 13, SEQ ID No. 23, SEQ ID No. 25, SEQ ID No. 27 or one of their fragments; b) a nucleotide sequence of a specific fragment of a sequence such as defined in a); c) a homologous nucleotide sequence having at least 80% identity with a sequence such as defined in a) or b); d) a complementary nucleotide sequence or sequence of RNA corresponding to a sequence such as defined in a), b) or c); and e) a nucleotide sequence modified by a sequence such as defined in a), b), c) or d). As far as homology with the nucleotide sequences SEQ ID No. 9, SEQID No. 11, SEQ ID No. 13, SEQ ID No. 23, SEQ ID No. 25, SEQ ID No. 27 or one of their fragments is concerned, the homologous, especially specific, sequences having a percentage identity with one of the sequences SEQ ID No. 9, SEQ ID No. 11, SEQ ID No. 13, SEQ ID No. 23, SEQ ID No. 25, SEQ ID No. 27 or one of their fragments of at least 80%, preferably 90% or 95%, are preferred. Said specific homologous sequences can comprise, for example, the sequences corresponding to the sequences ORF1, ORF2, ORF3, ORF′1, ORF′2 and ORF′3 of PWD circovirus variants of type A or of type B. In the same manner, these specific homologous sequences can correspond to variations linked to mutations within strains of PWD circovirus of type A or of type B and especially correspond to truncations, substitutions, deletions and/or additions of at least one nucleotide. Among nucleotide sequences according to the invention, the sequence SEQ ID No. 23 which has a homology having more than 80% identity with the sequence SEQ ID No. 9, as well as the sequence SEQ ID No. 25, are especially preferred. Preferably, the invention relates to the nucleotide sequences according to the invention, characterized in that they comprise a nucleotide sequence selected from the following sequences: a) SEQ ID No. 33 170 5′ TGTGGCGA 3′; b) SEQ ID No. 34 450 5′ AGTTTCCT 3′; c) SEQ ID No. 35 1026 5′ TCATTTAGAGGGTCTTTCAG 3′; d) SEQ ID No. 36 1074 5′ GTCAACCT 3′; e) SEQ ID No. 37 1101 5′ GTGGTTGC 3′; f) SEQ ID No. 38 1123 5′ AGCCCAGG 3′; g) SEQ ID No. 39 1192 5′ TTGGCTGG 3′; h) SEQ ID No. 40 1218 5′ TCTAGCTCTGGT 3′; i) SEQ ID No. 41 1501 5′ ATCTCAGCTCGT 3′; j) SEQ ID No. 42 1536 5′ TGTCCTCCTCTT 3′; k) SEQ ID No. 43 1563 5′ TCTCTAGA 3′; l) SEQ ID No. 44 1623 5′ TGTACCAA 3′; m) SEQ ID No. 45 1686 5′ TCCGTCTT 3′; and their complementary sequences. In the list of nucleotide sequences a)-m) above, the underlined nucleotides are mutated with respect to the two known sequences of circovirus which are nonpathogenic to pigs. The number preceding the nucleotide sequence represents the position of the first nucleotide of said sequence in the sequence SEQ ID No. 1. The invention comprises the polypeptides encoded by a nucleotide sequence according to the invention, preferably a polypeptide whose sequence is represented by a fragment, especially a specific fragment, of one of the six sequences of amino acids represented in FIG. 2, these six amino acid sequences corresponding to the polypeptides which can be encoded according to one of the three possible reading frames of the sequence SEQ ID No. 1 or of the sequence SEQ ID No. 5, or a polypeptide whose sequence is represented by a fragment, especially a specific fragment, of one of the six sequences of amino acids shown in FIG. 8, these six sequences of amino acids corresponding to the polypeptides which can be encoded according to one of the three possible reading frames of the sequence SEQ ID No. 15 or of the sequence SEQ ID No. 19. The invention likewise relates to the polypeptides, characterized in that they comprise a polypeptide selected from the amino acid sequences SEQ ID No. 10, SEQ ID No. 12, SEQ ID No. 14, SEQ ID No. 24, SEQ ID No. 26, SEQ ID No. 28 or one of their fragments. Among the polypeptides according to the invention, the polypeptide of amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. 24 which has a homology having more than 80% identity with the sequence SEQ ID No. 10, as well as the polypeptide of sequence SEQ ID No. 26, are especially preferred. The invention also relates to the polypeptides, characterized in that they comprise a polypeptide selected from: a) a specific fragment of at least 5 amino acids of a polypeptide of an amino acid sequence according to the invention; b) a polypeptide homologous to a polypeptide such as defined in a); c) a specific biologically active fragment of a polypeptide such as defined in a) or b); and d) a polypeptide modified by a polypeptide such as defined in a), b) or c). Among the polypeptides according to the invention, the polypeptides of amino acid sequences SEQ ID No. 29, SEQ ID No. 30, SEQ ID No. 31 and SEQ ID No. 32 are also preferred, these polypeptides being especially capable of specifically recognizing the antibodies produced during infection by the PWD circovirus of type B. These polypeptides thus have epitopes specific for the PWD circovirus of type B and can thus be used in particular in the diagnostic field or as immunogenic agent to confer protection in pigs against infection by PWD circovirus, especially of type B. In the present description, the terms polypeptide, peptide and protein are interchangeable. It must be understood that the invention does not relate to the polypeptides in natural form, that is to say that they are not taken in their natural environment but that they can be isolated or obtained by purification from natural sources, or else obtained by genetic recombination, or alternatively by chemical synthesis and that they can thus contain unnatural amino acids, as will be described below. Polypeptide fragment according to the invention is understood as designating a polypeptide containing at least 5 consecutive amino acids, preferably 10 consecutive amino acids or 15 consecutive amino acids. In the present invention, specific polypeptide fragment is understood as designating the consecutive polypeptide fragment encoded by a specific fragment nucleotide sequence according to the invention. Homologous polypeptide will be understood as designating the polypeptides having, with respect to the natural polypeptide, certain modifications such as, in particular, a deletion, addition or substitution of at least one amino acid, a truncation, a prolongation, a chimeric fusion, and/or a mutation. Among the homologous polypeptides, those are preferred whose amino acid sequence has at least 80%, preferably 90%, homology with the sequences of amino acids of polypeptides according to the invention. Specific homologous polypeptide will be understood as designating the homologous polypeptides such as defined above and having a specific fragment of polypeptide according to the invention. In the case of a substitution, one or more consecutive or nonconsecutive amino acids are replaced by “equivalent” amino acids. The expression “equivalent” amino acid is directed here at designating any amino acid capable of being substituted by one of the amino acids of the base structure without, however, essentially modifying the biological activities of the corresponding peptides and such that they will be defined by the following. These equivalent amino acids can be determined either by depending on their structural homology with the amino acids which they substitute, or on results of comparative tests of biological activity between the different polypeptides, which are capable of being carried out. By way of example, the possibilities of substitutions capable of being carried out without resulting in an extensive modification of the biological activity of the corresponding modified polypeptides will be mentioned, the replacement, for example, of leucine by valine or isoleucine, of aspartic acid by glutamic acid, of glutamine by asparagine, of arginine by lysine etc., the reverse substitutions naturally being envisageable under the same conditions. The specific homologous polypeptides likewise correspond to polypeptides encoded by the specific homologous nucleotide sequences such as defined above and thus comprise in the present definition the polypeptides which are mutated or correspond to variants which can exist in PWD circovirus, and which especially correspond to truncations, substitutions, deletions and/or additions of at least one amino acid residue. Specific biologically active fragment of a polypeptide according to the invention will be understood in particular as designating a specific polypeptide fragment, such as defined above, having at least one of the characteristics of polypeptides according to the invention, especially in that it is: capable of inducing an immunogenic reaction directed against a PWD circovirus; and/or capable of being recognized by a specific antibody of a polypeptide according to the invention; and/or capable of linking to a polypeptide or to a nucleotide sequence of PWRD circovirus; and/or capable of exerting a physiological activity, even partial, such as, for example, a dissemination or structural (capsid) activity; and/or capable of modulating, of inducing or of inhibiting the expression of PWD circovirus gene or one of its variants, and/or capable of modulating the replication cycle of PWD circovirus in the cell and/or the host organism. The polypeptide fragments according to the invention can correspond to isolated or purified fragments naturally present in a PWD circovirus or correspond to fragments which can be obtained by cleavage of said polypeptide by a proteolytic enzyme, such as trypsin or chymnotrypsin or collagenase, or by a chemical reagent, such as cyanogen bromide (CNBr) or alternatively by placing said polypeptide in a very acidic environment, for example at pH 2.5. Such polypeptide fragments can likewise just as easily be prepared by chemical synthesis, from hosts transformed by an expression vector according to the invention containing a nucleic acid allowing the expression of said fragments, placed under the control of appropriate regulation and/or expression elements. “Modified polypeptide” of a polypeptide according to the invention is understood as designating a polypeptide obtained by genetic recombination or by chemical synthesis as will be described below, having at least one modification with respect to the normal sequence. These modifications will especially be able to bear on amino acids at the origin of a specificity, of pathogenicity and/or of virulence, or at the origin of the structural conformation, and of the capacity of membrane insertion of the polypeptide according to the invention. It will thus be possible to create polypeptides of equivalent, increased or decreased activity, and of equivalent, narrower, or wider specificity. Among the modified polypeptides, it is necessary to mention the polypeptides in which up to 5 amino acids can be modified, truncated at the N- or C-terminal end, or even deleted or added. As is indicated, the modifications of the polypeptide will especially have as objective: to render it capable of modulating, of inhibiting or of inducing the expression of PWD circovirus gene and/or capable of modulating the replication cycle of PWD circovirus in the cell and/or the host organism, of allowing its incorporation into vaccine compositions, of modifying its bioavailability as a compound for therapeutic use. The methods allowing said modulations on eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells to be demonstrated are well known to the person skilled in the art. It is likewise well understood that it will be possible to use the nucleotide sequences coding for said modified polypeptides for said modulations, for example through vectors according to the invention and described below, in order, for example, to prevent or to treat the pathologies linked to the infection. The preceding modified polypeptides can be obtained by using combinatorial chemistry, in which it is possible to systematically vary parts of the polypeptide before testing them on models, cell cultures or microorganisms for example, to select the compounds which are most active or have the properties sought. Chemical synthesis likewise has the advantage of being able to use: unnatural amino acids, or nonpeptide bonds. Thus, in order to improve the duration of life of the polypeptides according to the invention, it may be of interest to use unnatural amino acids, for example in D form, or else amino acid analogs, especially sulfur-containing forms, for example. Finally, it will be possible to integrate the structure of the polypeptides according to the invention, its specific or modified homologous forms, into chemical structures of polypeptide type or others. Thus, it may be of interest to provide at the N- and C-terminal ends compounds not recognized by the proteases. The nucleotide sequences coding for a polypeptide according to the invention are likewise part of the invention. The invention likewise relates to nucleotide sequences utilizable as a primer or probe, characterized in that said sequences are selected from the nucleotide sequences according to the invention. Among the pairs of nucleotide sequences utilizable as a pair of primers according to the invention, the pairs of primers selected from the following pairs are preferred: a) SEQ ID No. 46 5′ GTG TGC TCG ACA TTG GTG TG 3′, and SEQ ID No. 47 5′ TGG AAT GTT AAC GAG CTG AG 3′; b) SEQ ID No. 46 5′ GTG TGC TCG ACA TTG GTG TG 3′, and SEQ ID No. 48 5′ CTC GCA GCC ATC TTG GAA TG 3′; c) SEQ ID No. 49 5′ CGC GCG TAA TAC GAC TCA CT 3′, and SEQ ID No. 46 5′ GTG TGC TCG ACA TTG GTG TG 3′; d) SEQ ID No. 49 5′ CGC GCG TAA TAC GAC TCA CT 3′, and SEQ ID No. 48 5′ CTC GCA GCC ATC TTG GAA TG 3′; and e) SEQ ID No. 50 5′ CCT GTC TAC TGC TGT GAG TAC CTT GT 3′, and SEQ ID No. 51 5′ GCA GTA GAC AGG TCA CTC CGT TGT CC 3′. The cloning and the sequencing of the PWD circovirus, type A and B, has allowed it to be identified, after comparative analysis with the nucleotide sequences of other porcine circoviruses, that, among the sequences of fragments of these nucleic acids, were those which are strictly specific to the PWD circovirus of type A, of type B or of type A and B, and those which correspond to a consensus sequence of porcine circoviruses other than the PWD circoviruses of type A and/or B. There is likewise a great need for nucleotide sequences utilizable as a primer or probe specific to the whole of the other known and nonpathogenic porcine circoviruses. Said consensus nucleotide sequences specific to all circoviruses, other than PWD circovirus of type A and B, are easily identifiable from FIG. 3 and the sequence SEQ ID No. 15, and are part of the invention. Among said consensus nucleotide sequences, that which is characterized in that it is part of the following pair of primers is preferred: a) SEQ ID No. 46 5′ GTG TGC TCG ACA TTG GTG TG 3′, and SEQ ID No. 52 5′ TGG AAT GTT AAC TAC CTC AA 3′. The invention likewise comprises a nucleotide sequence according to the invention, characterized in that said sequence is a specific consensus sequence of porcine circovirus other than PWD circovirus of type B and in that it is one of the primers of the following pairs of primers: a) SEQ ID No. 53 5′ GGC GGC GCC ATC TGT AAC GGT TT 3′, and SEQ ID No. 54 5′ GAT GGC GCC GAA AGA CGG GTA TC 3′. It is well understood that the present invention likewise relates to specific polypeptides of known porcine circoviruses other than PWD circovirus, encoded by said consensus nucleotide sequences, capable of being obtained by purification from natural polypeptides, by genetic recombination or by chemical synthesis by procedures well known to the person skilled in the art and such as described in particular below. In the same manner, the labeled or unlabeled mono- or polyclonal antibodies directed against said specific polypeptides encoded by said consensus nucleotide sequences are also part of the invention. It will be possible to use said consensus nucleotide sequences, said corresponding polypeptides as well as said antibodies directed against said polypeptides in procedures or sets for detection and/or identification such as described below, in place of or in addition to nucleotide sequences, polypeptides or antibodies according to the invention, specific to PWD circovirus type A and/or B. These protocols have been improved for the differential detection of the circular monomeric forms of specific replicative forms of the virion or of the DNA in replication and the dimeric forms found in so-called in-tandem molecular constructs. The invention additionally relates to the use of a nucleotide sequence according to the invention as a primer or probe for the detection and/or the amplification of nucleic acid sequences. The nucleotide sequences according to the invention can thus be used to amplify nucleotide sequences, especially by the PCR technique (polymerase chain reaction) (Erlich, 1989; Innis et al., 1990; Rolfs et al., 1991; and White et al., 1997). These oligodeoxyribonucleotide or oligoribonucleotide primers advantageously have a length of at least 8 nucleotides, preferably of at least 12 nucleotides, and even more preferentially at least 20 nucleotides. Other amplification techniques of the target nucleic acid can be advantageously employed as alternatives to PCR. The nucleotide sequences of the invention, in particular the primers according to the invention, can likewise be employed in other procedures of amplification of a target nucleic acid, such as: the TAS technique (Transcription-based Amplification System), described by Kwoh et al. in 1989; the 3SR technique (Self-Sustained Sequence Replication), described by Guatelli et al. in 1990; the NASBA technique (Nucleic Acid Sequence Based Amplification), described by Kievitis et al. in 1991; the SDA technique (Strand Displacement Amplification) (Walker et al., 1992); the TMA technique (Transcription Mediated Amplification). The polynucleotides of the invention can also be employed in techniques of amplification or of modification of the nucleic acid serving as a probe, such as: the LCR technique (Ligase Chain Reaction), described by Landegren et al. in 1988 and improved by Barany et al. in 1991, which employs a thermostable ligase; the RCR technique (Repair Chain Reaction), described by Segev in 1992; the CPR technique (Cycling Probe Reaction), described by Duck et al. in 1990; the amplification technique with Q-beta replicase, described by Miele et al. in 1983 and especially improved by Chu et al. in 1986, Lizardi et al. in 1988, then by Burg et al. as well as by Stone et al. in 1996. In the case where the target polynucleotide to be detected is possibly an RNA, for example an mRNA, it will be possible to use, prior to the employment of an amplification reaction with the aid of at least one primer according to the invention or to the employment of a detection procedure with the aid of at least one probe of the invention, an enzyme of reverse transcriptase type in order to obtain a cDNA from the RNA contained in the biological sample. The cDNA obtained will thus serve as a target for the primer(s) or the probe(s) employed in the amplification or detection procedure according to the invention. The detection probe will be chosen in such a manner that it hybridizes with the target sequence or the amplicon generated from the target sequence. By way of sequence, such a probe will advantageously have a sequence of at least 12 nucleotides, in particular of at least 20 nucleotides, and preferably of at least 100 nucleotides. The invention also comprises the nucleotide sequences utilizable as a probe or primer according to the invention, characterized in that they are labeled with a radioactive compound or with a nonradioactive compound. The unlabeled nucleotide sequences can be used directly as probes or primers, although the sequences are generally labeled with a radioactive element (32P, 35S, 3H, 125I) or with a nonradioactive molecule (biotin, acetylaminofluorene, digoxigenin, 5-bromodeoxyuridine, fluorescein) to obtain probes which are utilizable for numerous applications. Examples of nonradioactive labeling of nucleotide sequences are described, for example, in French Patent No. 78.10975 or by Urdea et al. or by Sanchez-Pescador et al. in 1988. In the latter case, it will also be possible to use one of the labeling methods described in patents FR-2 422 956 and FR-2 518 755. The hybridization technique can be carried out in various manners (Matthews et al., 1988). The most general method consists in immobilizing the nucleic acid extract of cells on a support (such as nitrocellulose, nylon, polystyrene) and in incubating, under well-defined conditions, the immobilized target nucleic acid with the probe. After hybridization, the excess of probe is eliminated and the hybrid molecules formed are detected by the appropriate method (measurement of the radioactivity, of the fluorescence or of the enzymatic activity linked to the probe). The invention likewise comprises the nucleotide sequences according to the invention, characterized in that they are immobilized on a support, covalently or noncovalently. According to another advantageous mode of employing nucleotide sequences according to the invention, the latter can be used immobilized on a support and can thus serve to capture, by specific hybridization, the target nucleic acid obtained from the biological sample to be tested. If necessary, the solid support is separated from the sample and the hybridization complex formed between said capture probe and the target nucleic acid is then detected with the aid of a second probe, a so-called detection probe, labeled with an easily detectable element. Another subject of the present invention is a vector for the cloning and/or expression of a sequence, characterized in that it contains a nucleotide sequence according to the invention. The vectors according to the invention, characterized in that they contain the elements allowing the expression and/or the secretion of said nucleotide sequences in a determined host cell, are likewise part of the invention. The vector must then contain a promoter, signals of initiation and termination of translation, as well as appropriate regions of regulation of transcription. It must be able to be maintained stably in the host cell and can optionally have particular signals specifying the secretion of the translated protein. These different elements are chosen as a function of the host cell used. To this end, the nucleotide sequences according to the invention can be inserted into autonomous replication vectors within the chosen host, or integrated vectors of the chosen host. Such vectors will be prepared according to the methods currently used by the person skilled in the art, and it will be possible to introduce the clones resulting therefrom into an appropriate host by standard methods, such as, for example, lipofection, electroporation and thermal shock. The vectors according to the invention are, for example, vectors of plasmid or viral origin. A preferred vector for the expression of polypeptides of the invention is baculovirus. The vector pBS KS in which is inserted the in-tandem DNA sequence of the PWD circovirus type A (or DFP) as deposited at the CNCM on 3 Jul. 1997, under the number I-1891, is likewise preferred. These vectors are useful for transforming host cells in order to clone or to express the nucleotide sequences of the invention. The invention likewise comprises the host cells transformed by a vector according to the invention. These cells can be obtained by the introduction into host cells of a nucleotide sequence inserted into a vector such as defined above, then the culturing of said cells under conditions allowing the replication and/or expression of the transfected nucleotide sequence. The host cell can be selected from prokaryotic or eukaryotic systems, such as, for example, bacterial cells (Olins and Lee, 1993), but likewise yeast cells (Buckholz, 1993), as well as animal cells, in particular the cultures of mammalian cells (Edwards and Aruffo, 1993), and especially Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, but likewise the cells of insects in which it is possible to use procedures employing baculoviruses, for example (Luckow, 1993). A preferred host cell for the expression of the proteins of the invention is constituted by sf9 insect cells. A more preferred host cell according to the invention is E. coli, such as deposited at the CNCM on 3 Jul. 1997, under the number I-1891. The invention likewise relates to animals comprising one of said transformed cells according to the invention. The obtainment of transgenic animals according to the invention overexpressing one or more of the genes of PWD circovirus or part of the genes will be preferably carried out in rats, mice or rabbits according to methods well known to the person skilled in the art, such as by viral or nonviral transfections. It will be possible to obtain the transgenic animals overexpressing one or more of said genes by transfection of multiple copies of said genes under the control of a strong promoter of ubiquitous nature, or selective for one type of tissue. It will likewise be possible to obtain the transgenic animals by homologous recombination in embryonic cell strains, transfer of these cell strains to embryos, selection of the affected chimeras at the level of the reproductive lines, and growth of said chimeras. The transformed cells as well as the transgenic animals according to the invention are utilizable in procedures for preparation of recombinant polypeptides. It is today possible to produce recombinant polypeptides in relatively large quantity by genetic engineering using the cells transformed by expression vectors according to the invention or using transgenic animals according to the invention. The procedures for preparation of a polypeptide of the invention in recombinant form, characterized in that they employ a vector and/or a cell transformed by a vector according to the invention and/or a transgenic animal comprising one of said transformed cells according to the invention, are themselves comprised in the present invention. Among said procedures for preparation of a polypeptide of the invention in recombinant form, the preparation procedures employing a vector, and/or a cell transformed by said vector and/or a transgenic animal comprising one of said transformed cells, containing a nucleotide sequence according to the invention coding for a polypeptide of PWD circovirus, are preferred. The recombinant polypeptides obtained as indicated above can just as well be present in glycosylated form as in nonglycosylated form and can or cannot have the natural tertiary structure. A preferred variant consists in producing a recombinant polypeptide used to a “carrier” protein (chimeric protein). The advantage of this system is that it allows a stabilization of and a decrease in the proteolysis of the recombinant product, an increase in the solubility in the course of renaturation in vitro and/or a simplification of the purification when the fusion partner has an affinity for a specific ligand. More particularly, the invention relates to a procedure for preparation of a polypeptide of the invention comprising the following steps: a) culture of transformed cells under conditions allowing the expression of a recombinant polypeptide of nucleotide sequence according to the invention; b) if need be, recovery of said recombinant polypeptide. When the procedure for preparation of a polypeptide of the invention employs a transgenic animal according to the invention, the recombinant polypeptide is then extracted from said animal. The invention also relates to a polypeptide which is capable of being obtained by a procedure of the invention such as described previously. The invention also comprises a procedure for preparation of a synthetic polypeptide, characterized in that it uses a sequence of amino acids of polypeptides according to the invention. The invention likewise relates to a synthetic polypeptide obtained by a procedure according to the invention. The polypeptides according to the invention can likewise be prepared by techniques which are conventional in the field of the synthesis of peptides. This synthesis can be carried out in homogeneous solution or in solid phase. For example, recourse can be made to the technique of synthesis in homogeneous solution described by Houben-Weyl in 1974. This method of synthesis consists in successively condensing, two by two, the successive amino acids in the order required, or in condensing amino acids and fragments formed previously and already containing several amino acids in the appropriate order, or alternatively several fragments previously prepared in this way, it being understood that it will be necessary to protect beforehand all the reactive functions carried by these amino acids or fragments, with the exception of amine functions of one and carboxyls of the other or vice-versa, which must normally be involved in the formation of peptide bonds, especially after activation of the carboxyl function, according to the methods well known in the synthesis of peptides. According to another preferred technique of the invention, recourse will be made to the technique described by Merrifield. To make a peptide chain according to the Merrifield procedure, recourse is made to a very porous polymeric resin, on which is immobilized the first C-terminal amino acid of the chain. This amino acid is immobilized on a resin through its carboxyl group and its amine function is protected. The amino acids which are going to form the peptide chain are thus immobilized, one after the other, on the amino group, which is deprotected beforehand each time, of the portion of the peptide chain already formed, and which is attached to the resin. When the whole of the desired peptide chain has been formed, the protective groups of the different amino acids forming the peptide chain are eliminated and the peptide is detached from the resin with the aid of an acid. The invention additionally relates to hybrid polypeptides having at least one polypeptide according to the invention, and a sequence of a polypeptide capable of inducing an immune response in man or animals. Advantageously, the antigenic determinant is such that it is capable of inducing a humoral and/or cellular response. It will be possible for such a determinant to comprise a polypeptide according to the invention in glycosylated form used with a view to obtaining immunogenic compositions capable of inducing the synthesis of antibodies directed against multiple epitopes. Said polypeptides or their glycosylated fragments are likewise part of the invention. These hybrid molecules can be formed, in part, of a polypeptide carrier molecule or of fragments thereof according to the invention, associated with a possibly immunogenic part, in particular an epitope of the diphtheria toxin, the tetanus toxin, a surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus (patent FR 79 21811), the VP1 antigen of the poliomyelitis virus or any other viral or bacterial toxin or antigen. The procedures for synthesis of hybrid molecules encompass the methods used in genetic engineering for constructing hybrid nucleotide sequences coding for the polypeptide sequences sought. It will be possible, for example, to refer advantageously to the technique for obtainment of genes coding for fusion proteins described by Minton in 1984. Said hybrid nucleotide sequences coding for a hybrid polypeptide as well as the hybrid polypeptides according to the invention characterized in that they are recombinant polypeptides obtained by the expression of said hybrid nucleotide sequences are likewise part of the invention. The invention likewise comprises the vectors characterized in that they contain one of said hybrid nucleotide sequences. The host cells transformed by said vectors, the transgenic animals comprising one of said transformed cells as well as the procedures for preparation of recombinant polypeptides using said vectors, said transformed cells and/or said transgenic animals are, of course, likewise part of the invention. The polypeptides according to the invention, the antibodies according to the invention described below and the nucleotide sequences according to the invention can advantageously be employed in procedures for the detection and/or identification of PWD circovirus, or of porcine circovirus other than a PWD circovirus, in a biological sample (biological tissue or fluid) capable of containing them. These procedures, according to the specificity of the polypeptides, the antibodies and the nucleotide sequences according to the invention which will be used, will in particular be able to detect and/or to identify a PWD circovirus or a porcine circovirus other than a PWD circovirus or other than the PWD circovirus of type B. The polypeptides according to the invention can advantageously be employed in a procedure for the detection and/or the identification of PWD circovirus of type A, of type B. of type A or B, or porcine circovirus other than the PWD circovirus of type B, or of porcine circovirus other than the PWD circovirus of type A or B, in a biological sample (biological tissue or fluid) capable of containing them, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) contacting of this biological sample with a polypeptide or one of its fragments according to the invention (under conditions allowing an immunological reaction between said polypeptide and the antibodies possibly present in the biological sample); b) demonstration of the antigen-antibody complexes possibly formed. In the present description, PWD circovirus, except if a particular mention is indicated, will be understood as designating a PWD circovirus of type A or of type B, and porcine circovirus other than PWD, except if a particular mention is indicated, will be understood as designating a porcine circovirus other than a PWD circovirus of type A and B. Preferably, the biological sample is formed by a fluid, for example a pig serum, whole blood or biopsies. Any conventional procedure can be employed for carrying out such a detection of the antigen-antibody complexes possibly formed. By way of example, a preferred method brings into play immunoenzymatic processes according to the ELISA technique, by immunofluorescence, or radioimmunological processes (RIA) or their equivalent. Thus, the invention likewise relates to the polypeptides according to the invention, labeled with the aid of an adequate label such as of the enzymatic, fluorescent or radioactive type. Such methods comprise, for example, the following steps: deposition of determined quantities of a polypeptide composition according to the invention in the wells of a microtiter plate, introduction into said wells of increasing dilutions of serum, or of a biological sample other than that defined previously, having to be analyzed, incubation of the microplate, introduction into the wells of the microtiter plate of labeled antibodies directed against pig immunoglobulins, the labeling of these antibodies having been carried out with the aid of an enzyme selected from those which are capable of hydrolyzing a substrate by modifying the absorption of the radiation of the latter, at least at a determined wavelength, for example at 550 nm, detection, by comparison with a control test, of the quantity of hydrolyzed substrate. The invention likewise relates to a kit or set for the detection and/or identification of PWD circovirus, of porcine circovirus other than a PWD circovirus or of porcine circovirus other than the PWD circovirus of type B, characterized in that it comprises the following elements: a polypeptide according to the invention, if need be, the reagents for the formation of the medium favorable to the immunological or specific reaction, if need be, the reagents allowing the detection of the antigen-antibody complexes produced by the immunological reaction between the polypeptide(s) of the invention and the antibodies possibly present in the biological sample, these reagents likewise being able to carry a label, or to be recognized in their turn by a labeled reagent, more particularly in the case where the polypeptide according to the invention is not labeled, if need be, a biological reference sample (negative control) devoid of antibodies recognized by a polypeptide according to the invention, if need be, a biological reference sample (positive control) containing a predetermined quantity of antibodies recognized by a polypeptide according to the invention. The polypeptides according to the invention allow monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies to be prepared which are characterized in that they specifically recognize the polypeptides according to the invention. It will advantageously be possible to prepare the monoclonal antibodies from hybridomas according to the technique described by Kohler and Milstein in 1975. It will be possible to prepare the polyclonal antibodies, for example, by immunization of an animal, in particular a mouse, with a polypeptide or a DNA, according to the invention, associated with an adjuvant of the immune response, and then purification of the specific antibodies contained in the serum of the immunized animals on an affinity column on which the polypeptide which has served as an antigen has previously been immobilized. The polyclonal antibodies according to the invention can also be prepared by purification, on an affinity column on which a polypeptide according to the invention has previously been immobilized, of the antibodies contained in the serum of pigs infected by a PWD circovirus. The invention likewise relates to mono- or polyclonal antibodies or their fragments, or chimeric antibodies, characterized in that they are capable of specifically recognizing a polypeptide according to the invention. It will likewise be possible for the antibodies of the invention to be labeled in the same manner as described previously for the nucleic probes of the invention, such as a labeling of enzymatic, fluorescent or radioactive type. The invention is additionally directed at a procedure for the detection and/or identification of PWD circovirus, of porcine circovirus other than a PWD circovirus, or other than the PWD circovirus of type B, in a biological sample, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) contacting of the biological sample (biological tissue or fluid) with a mono- or polyclonal antibody according to the invention (under conditions allowing an immunological reaction between said antibodies and the polypeptides of PWD circovirus, of porcine circovirus other than a PWD circovirus, of porcine circovirus other than the PWD circovirus of type B, possibly present in the biological sample); b) demonstration of the antigen-antibody complex possibly formed. Likewise within the scope of the invention is a kit or set for the detection and/or the identification of PWD circovirus, of porcine circovirus other than a PWD circovirus or of porcine circovirus other than the PWD circovirus of type B, characterized in that it comprises the following components: a polyclonal or monoclonal antibody according to the invention, if need be labeled; if need be, a reagent for the formation of the medium favorable to the carrying out of the immunological reaction; if need be, a reagent allowing the detection of the antigen-antibody complexes produced by the immunological reaction, this reagent likewise being able to carry a label, or being capable of being recognized in its turn by a labeled reagent, more particularly in the case where said monoclonal or polyclonal antibody is not labeled; if need be, reagents for carrying out the lysis of cells of the sample tested. The present invention likewise relates to a procedure for the detection and/or the identification of PWD, of porcine circovirus other than a PWD circovirus or of porcine circovirus other than the PWD circovirus of type B, in a biological sample, characterized in that it employs a nucleotide sequence according to the invention. More particularly, the invention relates to a procedure for the detection and/or the identification of PWD circovirus, of porcine circovirus other than a PWD circovirus or of porcine circovirus other than the PWD circovirus of type B, in a biological sample, characterized in that it contains the following steps: a) if need be, isolation of the DNA from the biological sample to be analyzed; b) specific amplification of the DNA of the sample with the aid of at least one primer, or a pair of primers, according to the invention; c) demonstration of the amplification products. These can be detected, for example, by the technique of molecular hybridization utilizing a nucleic probe according to the invention. This probe will advantageously be labeled with a nonradioactive (cold probe) or radioactive element. For the purposes of the present invention, “DNA of the biological sample” or “DNA contained in the biological sample” will be understood as meaning either the DNA present in the biological sample considered, or possibly the cDNA obtained after the action of an enzyme of reverse transcriptase type on the RNA present in said biological sample. Another aim of the present invention consists in a procedure according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) contacting of a nucleotide probe according to the invention with a biological sample, the DNA contained in the biological sample having, if need be, previously been made accessible to hybridization under conditions allowing the hybridization of the probe with the DNA of the sample; b) demonstration of the hybrid formed between the nucleotide probe and the DNA of the biological sample. The present invention also relates to a procedure according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) contacting of a nucleotide probe immobilized on a support according to the invention with a biological sample, the DNA of the sample having, if need be, previously been made accessible to hybridization, under conditions allowing the hybridization of the probe with the DNA of the sample; b) contacting of the hybrid formed between the nucleotide probe immobilized on a support and the DNA contained in the biological sample, if need be after elimination of the DNA of the biological sample which has not hybridized with the probe, with a nucleotide probe labeled according to the invention; c) demonstration of the novel hybrid formed in step b). According to an advantageous embodiment of the procedure for detection and/or identification defined previously, this is characterized in that, prior to step a), the DNA of the biological sample is first amplified with the aid of at least one primer according to the invention. The invention is additionally directed at a kit or set for the detection and/or the identification of PWD circovirus, of porcine circovirus other than the PWD circovirus or of porcine circovirus other than the PWD circovirus of type B, characterized in that it comprises the following elements: a) a nucleotide probe according to the invention; b) if need be, the reagents necessary for the carrying out of a hybridization reaction; c) if need be, at least one primer according to the invention as well as the reagents necessary for an amplification reaction of the DNA. The invention likewise relates to a kit or set for the detection and/or the identification of PWD circovirus, of porcine circovirus other than a PWD circovirus or of porcine circovirus other than the PWD circovirus of type B, characterized in that it comprises the following components: a) a nucleotide probe, called a capture probe, according to the invention; b) an oligonucleotide probe, called a revealing probe, according to the invention, c) if need be, at least one primer according to the invention, as well as the reagents necessary for an amplification reaction of the DNA. The invention also relates to a kit or set for the detection and/or identification of PWD circovirus, of porcine circovirus other than a PWD circovirus or of porcine circovirus other than the PWD circovirus of type B, characterized in that it comprises the following elements: a) at least one primer according to the invention; b) if need be, the reagents necessary for carrying out a DNA amplification reaction; c) if need be, a component allowing the sequence of the amplified fragment to be verified, more particularly an oligonucleotide probe according to the invention. The invention additionally relates to the use of a nucleotide sequence according to the invention, of a polypeptide according to the invention, of an antibody according to the invention, of a cell according to the invention, and/or of an animal transformed according to the invention, for the selection of an organic or inorganic compound capable of modulating, inducing or inhibiting the expression of genes, and/or of modifying the cellular replication of PWD circovirus or capable of inducing or of inhibiting the pathologies linked to an infection by a PWD circovirus. The invention likewise comprises a method of selection of compounds capable of binding to a polypeptide or one of its fragments according to the invention, capable of binding to a nucleotide sequence according to the invention, or capable of recognizing an antibody according to the invention, and/or capable of modulating, inducing or inhibiting the expression of genes, and/or of modifying the cellular replication of PWD circovirus or capable of inducing or inhibiting the pathologies linked to an infection by a PWD circovirus, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) contacting of said compound with said polypeptide, said nucleotide sequence, or with a cell transformed according to the invention and/or administration of said compound to an animal transformed according to the invention; b) determination of the capacity of said compound to bind to said polypeptide or said nucleotide sequence, or to modulate, induce or inhibit the expression of genes, or to modulate the growth or the replication of PWD circovirus, or to induce or inhibit in said transformed animal the pathologies linked to an infection by PWD circovirus (designated activity of said compound). The compounds capable of being selected can be organic compounds such as polypeptides or carbohydrates or any other organic or inorganic compounds already known, or novel organic compounds elaborated by molecular modeling techniques and obtained by chemical or biochemical synthesis, these techniques being known to the person skilled in the art. It will be possible to use said selected compounds to modulate the cellular replication of PWD circovirus and thus to control infection by this virus, the methods allowing said modulations to be determined being well known to the person skilled in the art. This modulation can be carried out, for example, by an agent capable of binding to a protein and thus of inhibiting or of potentiating its biological activity, or capable of binding to an envelope protein of the external surface of said virus and of blocking the penetration of said virus into the host cell or of favoring the action of the immune system of the infected organism directed against said virus. This modulation can likewise be carried out by an agent capable of binding to a nucleotide sequence of a DNA of said virus and of blocking, for example, the expression of a polypeptide whose biological or structural activity is necessary for the replication or for the proliferation of said virus host cells to host cells in the host animal. The invention relates to the compounds capable of being selected by a selection method according to the invention. The invention likewise relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound selected from the following compounds: a) a nucleotide sequence according to the invention; b) a polypeptide according to the invention; c) a vector, a viral particle or a cell transformed according to the invention; d) an antibody according to the invention; e) a compound capable of being selected by a selection method according to the invention; possibly in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle and, if need be, with one or more adjuvants of the appropriate immunity. The invention also relates to an immunogenic and/or vaccine composition, characterized in that it comprises a compound selected from the following compounds: a) a nucleotide sequence according to the invention; b) a polypeptide according to the invention; c) a vector or a viral particle according to the invention; and d) a cell according to the invention. In one embodiment, the vaccine composition according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a mixture of at least two of said compounds a), b), c) and d) above and in that one of the two said compounds is related to the PWD circovirus of type A and the other is related to the PWD circovirus of type B. In another embodiment of the invention, the vaccine composition is characterized in that it comprises at least one compound a), b), c), or d) above which is related to PWD circovirus of type B. In still another embodiment, the vaccine composition is characterized in that it comprises at least one compound a), b), c), or d) above which is related to PWD circovirus of type B ORF′2. A compound related to the PWD circovirus of type A or of type B is understood here as respectively designating a compound obtained from the genomic sequence of the PWD circovirus of type A or of type B. The invention is additionally aimed at an immunogenic and/or vaccine composition, characterized in that it comprises at least one of the following compounds: a nucleotide sequence SEQ ID No. 23, SEQ ID No. 25, or one of their fragments or homologues; a polypeptide of sequence SEQ ID No. 24, SEQ ID No. 26, or one of their fragments, or a modification thereof; a vector or a viral particle comprising a nucleotide sequence SEQ ID No. 23, SEQ ID No. 25, or one of their fragments or homologues; a transformed cell capable of expressing a polypeptide of sequence SEQ ID No. 24, SEQ ID No. 26, or one of their fragments, or a modification thereof; or a mixture of at least two of said compounds. The invention also comprises an immunogenic and/or vaccine composition according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises said mixture of at least two of said compounds as a combination product for simultaneous, separate or protracted use for the prevention or the treatment of infection by a PWD circovirus, especially of type B. In a preferred embodiment, the vaccine composition according to the invention comprises the mixture of the following compounds: a pcDNA3 plasmid containing a nucleic acid of sequence SEQ ID No. 23; a pcDNA3 plasmid containing a nucleic acid of sequence SEQ ID No. 25; a pcDNA3 plasmid containing a nucleic acid coding for the GM-CSF protein; a recombinant baculovirus containing a nucleic acid of sequence SEQ ID No. 23; a recombinant baculovirus containing a nucleic acid of sequence SEQ ID No. 25; and if need be, an adjuvant of the appropriate immunity, especially the adjuvant AIFT. The invention is likewise directed at a pharmaceutical composition according to the invention, for the prevention or the treatment of an infection by a PWD circovirus. The invention is also directed at a pharmaceutical composition according to the invention for the prevention or the treatment of an infection by the PWD circovirus of type B. The invention likewise concerns the use of a composition according to the invention, for the preparation of a medicament intended for the prevention or the treatment of infection by a PWD circovirus, preferably by the PWD circovirus of type B. Under another aspect, the invention relates to a vector, a viral particle or a cell according to the invention, for the treatment and/or the prevention of a disease by gene therapy. Finally, the invention comprises the use of a vector, of a viral particle or of a cell according to the invention for the preparation of a medicament intended for the treatment and/or the prevention of a disease by gene therapy. The polypeptides of the invention entering into the immunogenic or vaccine compositions according to the invention can be selected by techniques known to the person skilled in the art such as, for example, depending on the capacity of said polypeptides to stimulate the T cells, which is translated, for example, by their proliferation or the secretion of interleukins, and which leads to the production of antibodies directed against said polypeptides. In pigs, as in mice, in which a weight dose of the vaccine composition comparable to the dose used in man is administered, the antibody reaction is tested by taking of the serum followed by a study of the formation of a complex between the antibodies present in the serum and the antigen of the vaccine composition, according to the usual techniques. The pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention will contain an effective quantity of the compounds of the invention, that is to say in sufficient quantity of said compound(s) allowing the desired effect to be obtained, such as, for example, the modulation of the cellular replication of PWD circovirus. The person skilled in the art will know how to determine this quantity, as a function, for example, of the age and of the weight of the individual to be treated, of the state of advancement of the pathology, of the possible secondary effects and by means of a test of evaluation of the effects obtained on a population range, these tests being known in these fields of application. According to the invention, said vaccine combinations will preferably be combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle and, if need be, with one or more adjuvants of the appropriate immunity. Today, various types of vaccines are available for protecting animals or man against infectious diseases: attenuated living microorganisms (M. bovis—BCG for tuberculosis), inactivated microorganisms (influenza virus), acellular extracts (Bordetella pertussis for whooping cough), recombined proteins (surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus), polysaccharides (pneumococcal). Vaccines prepared from synthetic peptides or genetically modified microorganisms expressing heterologous antigens are in the course of experimentation. More recently still, recombined plasmid DNAs carrying genes coding for protective antigens have been proposed as an alternative vaccine strategy. This type of vaccination is carried out with a particular plasmid originating from a plasmid of E.coli which does not replicate in vivo and which codes uniquely for the vaccinating protein. Animals have been immunized by simply injecting the naked plasmid DNA into the muscle. This technique leads to the expression of the vaccine protein in situ and to an immune response of cellular type (CTL) and of humoral type (antibody). This double induction of the immune response is one of the principal advantages of the vaccination technique with naked DNA. The vaccine compositions comprising nucleotide sequences or vectors into which are inserted said sequences are especially described in the international application No. WO 90/11092 and likewise in the international application No. WO 95/11307. The constitutive nucleotide sequence of the vaccine composition according to the invention can be injected into the host after having been coupled to compounds which favor the penetration of this polynucleotide into the interior of the cell or its transport to the cell nucleus. The resultant conjugates can be encapsulated in polymeric microparticles, as described in the international application No. WO 94/27238 (Medisorb Technologies International). According to another embodiment of the vaccine composition according to the invention, the nucleotide sequence, preferably a DNA, is complexed with DEAE-dextran (Pagano et al., 1967) or with nuclear proteins (Kaneda et al., 1989), with lipids (Felgner et al., 1987) or encapsulated in liposomes (Fraley et al., 1980) or else introduced in the form of a gel facilitating its transfection into the cells (Midoux et al., 1993, Pastore et al., 1994). The polynucleotide or the vector according to the invention can also be in suspension in a buffer solution or be combined with liposomes. Advantageously, such a vaccine will be prepared according to the technique described by Tacson et al. or Huygen et al. in 1996 or alternatively according to the technique described by Davis et al. in the international application No. WO 95/11307. Such a vaccine can likewise be prepared in the form of a composition containing a vector according to the invention, placed under the control of regulation elements allowing its expression in man or animal. It will be possible, for example, to use, by way of in vivo expression vector of the polypeptide antigen of interest, the plasmid pcDNA3 or the plasmid pcDNA1/neo, both marketed by Invitrogen (R&D Systems, Abingdon, United Kingdom). It is also possible to use the plasmid VlJns.tPA, described by Shiver et al. in 1995. Such a vaccine will advantageously comprise, apart from the recombinant vector, a saline solution, for example a sodium chloride solution. Pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle is understood as designating a compound or a combination of compounds entering into a pharmaceutical composition or vaccine which does not provoke secondary reactions and which allows, for example, the facilitation of the administration of the active compound, an increase in its duration of life and/or its efficacy in the body, an increase in its solubility in solution or alternatively an improvement in its conservation. These pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles are well known and will be adapted by the person skilled in the art as a function of the nature and of the mode of administration of the chosen active compound. As far as the vaccine formulations are concerned, these can comprise adjuvants of the appropriate immunity which are known to the person skilled in the art, such as, for example, aluminum hydroxide, a representative of the family of muramyl peptides such as one of the peptide derivatives of N-acetyl muramyl, a bacterial lysate, or alternatively Freund's incomplete adjuvant. These compounds can be administered by the systemic route, in particular by the intravenous route, by the intramuscular, intradermal or subcutaneous route, or by the oral route. In a more preferred manner, the vaccine composition comprising polypeptides according to the invention will be administered by the intramuscular route, through the food or by nebulization several times, staggered over time. Their administration modes, dosages and optimum pharmaceutical forms can be determined according to the criteria generally taken into account in the establishment of a treatment adapted to an animal such as, for example, the age or the weight, the seriousness of its general condition, the tolerance to the treatment and the secondary effects noted. Preferably, the vaccine of the present invention is administered in an amount that is protective against piglet weight loss disease. For example, in the case of a vaccine according to the present invention comprising a polypeptide encoded by a nucleotide sequence of the genome of PCV, or a homologue or fragment thereof, the polypeptide will be administered one time or several times, spread out over time, directly or by means of a transformed cell capable of expressing the polypeptide, in an amount of about 0.1 to 10 μg per kilogram weight of the animal, preferably about 0.2 to about 5 μg/kg, more preferably about 0.5 to about 2 μg/kg for a dose. The present invention likewise relates to the use of nucleotide sequences of PWD circovirus according to the invention for the construction of autoreplicative retroviral vectors and the therapeutic applications of these, especially in the field of human gene therapy in vivo. The feasibility of gene therapy applied to man no longer needs to be demonstrated and this relates to numerous therapeutic applications like genetic diseases, infectious diseases and cancers. Numerous documents of the prior art describe the means of employing gene therapy, especially through viral vectors. Generally speaking, the vectors are obtained by deletion of at least some of the viral genes which are replaced by the genes of therapeutic interest. Such vectors can be propagated in a complementation line which supplies in trans the deleted viral functions in order to generate a defective viral vector particle for replication but capable of infecting a host cell. To date, the retroviral vectors are amongst the most widely used and their mode of infection is widely described in the literature accessible to the person skilled in the art. The principle of gene therapy is to deliver a functional gene, called a gene of interest, of which the RNA or the corresponding protein will produce the desired biochemical effect in the targeted cells or tissues. On the one hand, the insertion of genes allows the prolonged expression of complex and unstable molecules such as RNAs or proteins which can be extremely difficult or even impossible to obtain or to administer directly. On the other hand, the controlled insertion of the desired gene into the interior of targeted specific cells allows the expression product to be regulated in defined tissues. For this, it is necessary to be able to insert the desired therapeutic gene into the interior of chosen cells and thus to have available a method of insertion capable of specifically targeting the cells or the tissues chosen. Among the methods of insertion of genes, such as, for example, microinjection, especially the injection of naked plasmid DNA (Derse, D. et al., 1995, and Zhao, T. M. et al., 1996), electroporation, homologous recombination, the use of viral particles, such as retroviruses, is widespread. However, applied in vivo, the gene transfer systems of recombinant retroviral type at the same time have a weak infectious power (insufficient concentration of viral particles) and a lack of specificity with regard to chosen target cells. The production of cell-specific viral vectors, having a tissue-specific tropism, and whose gene of interest can be translated adequately by the target cells, is realizable, for example, by fusing a specific ligand of the target host cells to the N-terminal part of a surface protein of the envelope of PWD circovirus. It is possible to mention, for example, the construction of retroviral particles having the CD4 molecule on the surface of the envelope so as to target the human cells infected by the HIV virus (YOUNG, J. A. T. et al., Sciences 1990, 250, 1421-1423), viral particles having a peptide hormone fused to an envelope protein to specifically infect the cells expressing the corresponding receptor (KASAHARA, N. et al., Sciences 1994, 266, 1373-1376) or else alternatively viral particles having a fused polypeptide capable of immobilizing on the receptor of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) (COSSET, F. L. et al., J. of Virology 1995, 69, 10, 6314-6322). In another approach, single-chain fragments of antibodies directed against surface antigens of the target cells are inserted by fusion with the N-terminal part of the envelope protein (VALSESIA-WITTMAN, S. et al., J. of Virology 1996, 70, 3, 2059-2064; TEARINA CHU, T. H. et al., J. of Virology 1997, 71, 1, 720-725). For the purposes of the present invention, a gene of interest in use in the invention can be obtained from a eukaryotic or prokaryotic organism or from a virus by any conventional technique. It is, preferably, capable of producing an expression product having a therapeutic effect and it can be a product homologous to the cell host or, alternatively, heterologous. In the scope of the present invention, a gene of interest can code for an (i) intracellular or (ii) membrane product present on the surface of the host cell or (iii) secreted outside the host cell. It can therefore comprise appropriate additional elements such as, for example, a sequence coding for a secretion signal. These signals are known to the person skilled in the art. In accordance with the aims pursued by the present invention, a gene of interest can code for a protein corresponding to all or part of a native protein as found in nature. It can likewise be a chimeric protein, for example arising from the fusion of polypeptides of various origins or from a mutant having improved and/or modified biological properties. Such a mutant can be obtained, by conventional biological techniques, by substitution, deletion and/or addition of one or more amino acid residues. It is very particularly preferred to employ a gene of therapeutic interest coding for an expression product capable of inhibiting or retarding the establishment and/or the development of a genetic or acquired disease. A vector according to the invention is in particular intended for the prevention or for the treatment of cystic fibrosis, of hemophilia A or B, of Duchenne's or Becker's myopathy, of cancer, of AIDS and of other bacteria or infectious diseases due to a pathogenic organism: virus, bacteria, parasite or prion. The genes of interest utilizable in the present invention are those which code, for example, for the following proteins: a cytokine and especially an interleukin, an interferon, a tissue necrosis factor and a growth factor and especially a hematopoietic growth factor (G-CSF, GM-CSF), a factor or cofactor involved in clotting and especially factor VifI, von Willebrand's factor, antithrombin imi, protein C, thrombin and hirudin, an enzyme or an enzyme inhibitor such as the inhibitors of viral proteases, an expression product of a suicide gene such as thymidine kinase of the HSV virus (herpesvirus) of type 1, an activator or an inhibitor of ion channels, a protein of which the absence, the modification or the deregulation of expression is responsible for a genetic disease, such as the CFTR protein, dystrophin or minidystrophin, insulin, ADA (adenosine diaminose), glucocerebrosidase and phenylhydroxylase, a protein capable of inhibiting the initiation or the progression of cancers, such as the expression products of tumor suppressor genes, for example the P53 and Rb genes, a protein capable of stimulating an immune or an antibody response, and a protein capable of inhibiting a viral infection or its development, for example the antigenic epitopes of the virus in question or altered variants of viral proteins capable of entering into competition with the native viral proteins. The invention thus relates to the vectors characterized in that they comprise a nucleotide sequence of PWD circovirus according to the invention, and in that they additionally comprise a gene of interest. The present invention likewise relates to viral particles generated from said vector according to the invention. It additionally relates to methods for the preparation of viral particles according to the invention, characterized in that they employ a vector according to the invention, including viral pseudoparticles (VLP, virus-like particles). The invention likewise relates to animal cells transfected by a vector according to the invention. Likewise comprised in the invention are animal cells, especially mammalian, infected by a viral particle according to the invention. The present invention likewise relates to a vector, a viral particle or a cell according to the invention, for the treatment and/or the prevention of a genetic disease or of an acquired disease such as cancer or an infectious disease. The invention is likewise directed at a pharmaceutical composition comprising, by way of therapeutic or prophylactic agent, a vector or a cell according to the invention, in combination with a vehicle acceptable from a pharmaceutical point of view. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention appear in the examples and the figures. The invention is described in more detail in the following illustrative examples. Although the examples may represent only selected embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the following examples are illustrative and not limiting. EXAMPLES Example 1 Cloning, Sequencing and Characterization of the PWD Circovirus of Type A (PCVA) 1. Experimental Procedures Experimental reproduction of the infection and its syndrome are provided (cf. FIG. 1). A first test was carried out with pigs from a very well-kept farm, but affected by piglet weight loss disease (PWD), likewise called fatal piglet wasting (FPW). Tests carried out with SPF (specific pathogen-free) pigs showed a transfer of contaminant(s) finding expression in a complex pathology combining hyperthernia, retardation of growth, diarrhea and conjunctivitis. The PDRS (porcine dysgenic and respiratory syndrome) virus, an infectious disease due to an arteriovirus) was rapidly isolated from breeding pigs and contact pigs. It should have been possible to attribute all the clinical signs to the presence of the PDRS virus. However, two farm pigs presented signs of FPW without the PDRS virus being isolated. The histological analyses and blood formulas, however, showed that these pigs were suffering from an infectious process of viral origin. In a second test, 8-week SPF pigs were inoculated by the intratracheal route with organ homogenates of two farm pigs suffering from FPW. The inoculated pigs exhibited hyperthermia 8 to 9 days post-infection, then their growth was retarded. Other SPF pigs, placed in contact, had similar, attenuated signs 30 days after the initial experiment. No seroconversion with respect to a European or Canadian strain of PDRS virus was recorded in these animals. A third test allowed the syndrome to be reproduced from samples taken from the pigs of the second test. Conclusion The syndrome is reproduced under the experimental conditions. It is determined by at least one infectious agent, which is transmittable by direct contact. The clinical constants are a sometimes high hyperthermia (greater than or equal to 41.5° C.) which develops 8 to 10 days after infection. Retardation of the growth can be observed. The other signs are a reversal of the blood formula (reversal of the lymphocyte/polynuclear ratio from 70/30 to 30/70) and frequent lesions on the ganglia, especially those draining the respiratory apparatus (ganglionic hypertrophy, loss of structure with necrosis and infiltration by mononucleated or plurinucleated giant cells). 2. Laboratory Studies Various cell supports including primary pig kidney cells or cell lines, pig testicle cells, monkey kidney cells, pig lymphocytes, pig alveolar macrophages and circulating blood monocytes were used to demonstrate the possible presence of a virus. No cytopathic effect was demonstrated in these cells. On the other hand, the use of a serum of a pig sick after experimental infection allowed an intracellular antigen to be revealed in the monocytes, the macrophages and approximately 10% of pig kidney (PK) cells infected with organ homogenates. This indirect revealing was carried out kinetically at different culture times. It is evident from this that the antigen initially appears in the nucleus of the infected cells before spreading into the cytoplasm. The successive passages in cell culture did not allow the signal to be amplified. Under electron microscopy on organ homogenates, spherical particles labeled specifically by the serum of sick pigs, infected under the experimental conditions, were visualized. The size of these particles is estimated at 20 nm. After two passages of these organ homogenates over pig lymphocytes and then three passages over pig kidney or testicle cells, a cytopathic effect developed and was amplified. An adenovirus was visualized in the electron microscope, which, under the experimental conditions, did not reproduce FPW (only a hyperthermia peak was noted 24 to 48 hours after infection, and then nothing more). It has been possible to demonstrate DNA bands in certain samples of pigs infected under the experimental conditions and having exhibited signs of the disease (results not shown). A certain connection exists between the samples giving a positive result in cell culture and those having a DNA band. Conclusion At least two types of virus were demonstrated in the organ homogenates from pigs suffering from FPW. One is an adenovirus, but by itself alone it does not reproduce the disease. The other type of virus is a circovirus and is associated with FPW. This circovirus, of which two types have been isolated and sequenced, designated below PWD circovirus type A (or PCVA) and PWD circovirus of type B (or PCVB) have mutations with respect to the known sequences of circovirus which are nonpathogenic for the pig. 3. Cloning and Sequencing of the DNA of the PWD Circovirus of Type A Cloning and sequencing of the DNA of PHD circovirus Type A is accomplished by extraction of the replicative form (RF) DNA, followed by cleavage by the Kpn I enzyme and amplification by a pair of primers flanking the Kpn I restriction site. The two strands of DNA are sequenced at least twice by the Sanger method. The nucleic sequence of the strand of (+) polarity of the genome of the PWD circovirus of type A (or PCVA), strain FPW, is represented by the sequence SEQ ID No. 1 in the list of sequences, the nucleic acid sequence of the strand of (−) polarity of the genome of the PWD circovirus of type A (or PCVA) being represented by the nucleic acid sequence 3′→5′ of FIG. 3 or by the sequence SEQ ID No. 5 (represented according to the orientation 5′→3′) in the list of sequences. The amino acid sequences SEQ ID No. 10, SEQ ID No. 12 and SEQ ID No. 14 of the list of sequences respectively represent the sequences of proteins encoded by the nucleic sequences of the 3 open reading frames SEQ ID No. 9 (ORF1), corresponding to the REP protein, SEQ ID No. 11 (ORF2) and SEQ ID No. 13 (ORF3), determined from the sequence SEQ ID No. 1 of the strand of (+) polarity or of the nucleic sequence SEQ ID No. 5 of the strand of (−) polarity of the genome of the PWD circovirus of type A. 4. Comparison of the Nucleotide Sequences and Amino Acids of the PWD Circovirus of Type A (or Associated With PWD) Which are Obtained With the Corresponding Sequences of MEEHAN and MANKERTZ Circoviruses of Porcine Cell Lines. DNA sequences are analyzed using, DNASIS software. Sequences of Oligonucleotides Used as Primers or Probes in the Detection and/or Identification Procedures 1. Specific Detection of the PWD Circovirus of Type A: primer PCV 5: SEQ ID No. 46 5′ GTG TGC TCG ACA TTG GTG TG 3′; primer PCV 10: SEQ ID No. 47 5′ TGG AAT GTT AAC GAG CTG AG 3′; 2. Specific Detection of the Circovirus of the Cell Lines: primer PCF 5: SEQ ID No. 46 5′ GTG TGC TCG ACA TTG GTG TG 3′; primer MEE 1: SEQ ID No. 52 5′ TGG AAT GTT AAC TAC CTC AA 3′; 3. Differential Detection: the pairs of primers used are those described, for example, in the paragraphs 1 and 2 above; 4. Detection of the Monomeric Circular Replicative Forms RF: primer PCV 5: SEQ ID No. 46 5′ GTG TGC TCG ACA TTG GTG TG 3′; primer PCV 6: SEQ ID No. 48 5′ CTC GCA GCC ATC TTG GAA TG 3′; 5. Detection of the Vectors Carrying the Dimers in Tandem: Nar Dimer: primer KS 620: SEQ ID No. 49 5′ CGC GCG TAA TAC GAC TCA CT 3′; primer PCV 5: SEQ ID No. 46 5′ GTG TGC TCG ACA TTG GTG TG 3′; Kpn Dimer: primer KS 620: SEQ ID No. 49 5′ CGC GCG TAA TAC GAC TCA CT 3′; primer PCV 6: SEQ ID No. 48 5′ CTC GCA GCC ATC TTG GAA TG 3′; 6. Differential Detection: The pairs of primers used are those described, for example, in paragraphs 4 and 5 above. The procedures using the pairs or primers described in paragraphs 4 and 5 are of particular interest for differentially detecting the circular monomeric forms of specific replicative forms of the virion or of the DNA in replication and the dimeric forms found in the so-called in-tandem molecular constructs. The in-tandem constructs of the viral genome (dimers) such as the constructs used for the preparation of the pBS KS+tandem PCV Kpn I vector, deposited at the CNCM under the number I-1891, 3 Jul. 1997 (E. coli transformed by said vector) are very interesting for their use in methods of production of sufficient quantity of an inoculum formed of DNA, intended for the virus production, this in the absence of a satisfactory virus production protocol in a cell system. These said methods of production using in-tandem constructs of the viral genome will allow the virulence factors to be studied by mutation and by way of consequence will be able to be used for the production of a collection of viruses carrying the mutations indicated in the construction of vectors which will have the appropriate tropism and virulence. These vectors with autoreplicative structure have the sought gene transfer properties, especially for their applications in gene therapy, and in vaccinology. Western-blot Analysis of Recombinant Proteins of the PWD Circovirus of Type A The results were obtained using a specific antiserum of the PWD circovirus produced during test 1 (cf. FIG. 1). Type of Products Analyzed The analyses were carried out on cell extracts of Sf9 cells obtained after infection by the recombinant baculovirus PCV ORF 1. The culture of Sf9 cells was carried out in a 25 cm2 Petri dish according to the standard culture methods for these-cells. After centrifugation, the cell pellets are taken up with 300 μl of PBS buffer (phosphate saline buffer). Electrophoresis (PAGE-SDS) The electrophoresis is carried out on the cell extracts of Sf9 cells obtained previously on 5 samples (cf. Table 1 below) under the following conditions: % polyacrylamide gel: 8%; conditions: denaturing Voltage: 80 V; duration: 135 mn. TABLE 1 Nature of the samples subjected to electrophoresis Well No. 1 2 3 4 5 PM Raoul Raoul Raoul Raoul Sample applied Rainbow 24 h 48 h 72 h 96 h μl of sample 10 15 15 15 15 μl of Laemmli 4× 0 5 5 5 5 Legends to Table 1: Laemmli 4×: loading buffer PM Rainbow: molecular-weight markers (35, 52, 77, 107, 160 and 250 kD) Raoul 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h: expression products of the ORF1 of the PWD circovirus of type A. Western Blot After electrophoresis, the bands obtained in the different wells are transferred to nitrocellulose membrane for 1 h at 100 v in a TGM buffer (tris-glycine-methanol). The Western blot is carried out under the following conditions: 1) Saturation with a solution containing 5% of skimmed milk; 0.05% of Tween 20 in a TBS 1× buffer (tris buffer saline) for 30 min. 2) 1st antibody: 10 ml of PWD anticircovirus antibody of type A are added diluted to 1/100, then the reaction mixture is incubated for one night at 4° C. Three washes of 10 min in TBS 1× are carried out. 3) 2nd antibody: 10 ml of pig rabbit P164 antibody anti-immunoglobulins, coupled to peroxidase (Dakopath), are added diluted to 1/100, then the reaction medium is incubated for 3 hours at 37° C. Three washes of 10 min in TBS 1× are carried out. 4) Visualization The substrate 4-chloro-1-naphthol in the presence of oxygenated water is used for visualization. Results The results are shown in FIG. 7. Kinetics of Appearance of Antibodies Specific for the REP Recombinant Protein of the PWD Circovirus of Type A Expressed in Baculovirus After Infection of Pigs by the PWD Circovirus of Type A (Test 4, cf. FIG. 1) After infection of the pigs, a sample of serum of each of the infected pigs is taken at different periods expressed in the table by the date of taking (carried out here in the same year) and is then analyzed by Western blot. The visualization of the specific antibodies is carried out in the manner described previously. The results obtained are shown by Table 2 below. TABLE 2 Kinetics of appearance of specific antibodies Sample Pigs 10/6 16/06 23/06 01/07 08/07 15/07 21/07 A3 Control 1 Neg. 2 Neg. B2 Infec. RP+ 1 Neg. Neg. Neg. + + ++ +++ 2 Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 3 Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. + + + 4 Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. ++ Legends to Table 2: A3 control: uninfected control animals; B2 Infec. RP+: animals infected with pig kidney (PK) cells containing the circovirus; Neg.: negative; +, ++, +++: intensity scale of the positive reaction; 10/06, 16/06, 23/06, 01/07, 08/07, 15/07, 21/07: dates expressed in day/month on which the different withdrawals of serum were carried out. Example 2 Cloning, Sequencing and Characterization of the Type B PWD Circovirus (PCVB) The techniques used for cloning, sequencing and characterization of the type B PWD circovirus (PCVB) are those used in Example 1 above for the type A PWD circovirus (PCVA). The nucleic acid sequence of the strand of (+) polarity of the genome of the PWD circovirus of type B (or PCVB) is represented by the sequence SEQ ID No. 15 in the sequence listing, the nucleic acid sequence of the strand of (−) polarity of the genome of the PWD circovirus of type B (or PCVB) being represented by the nucleic acid sequence 3′→5′ of FIG. 8 or by the sequence SEQ ID No. 19 (represented according to the orientation 5′→3′) in the sequence listing. The amino acid sequences, SEQ ID No. 24, SEQ ID No. 26 and SEQ ID No. 28 of the sequence listing, respectively, represent the sequences of the proteins encoded by the nucleic sequences of the 3 open reading frames SEQ ID No. 23 (ORF′1), corresponding to the REP protein, SEQ ID No. 25 (ORF′2) and SEQ ID No. 27 (ORF′3), determined from the sequence SEQ ID No. 15 of the strand of (+) polarity or from the nucleic sequence SEQ ID No. 19 of the strand of (−) polarity of the genome of the PWD circovirus of type B. Example 3 Comparative Analysis of Nucleotide Sequences (ORF1, ORF2 and Genomic) and Amino Acid Sequences Encoded by the ORF1 and the ORF2 of the PWD Circoviruses of Type A (PCVA) and of Type B (PCVB) The results expressed in % of homology are shown in Tables 3 and 4 below. TABLE 3 Compared analysis of the amino acid sequences % homology ORF1 ORF2 PCVA/PCVB 80.4 56.2 TABLE 4 Compared analysis of the nucleotide sequences % homology Genomic ORF1 ORF2 The remainder PCVA/PCVB 70.4 80.4 60.1 66.1 Example 4 Observation of the Disease and Reproduction of the Disease Under Experimental Conditions a) Test No. 1: Observation of the Disease The objective is to take breeding animals at the start of disease and to place them under experimental conditions to follow the progression of the pathology and describe all the clinical signs thereof. This first test was carried out on 3 breeding pigs aged 10 weeks of which 2 were already ill (suffering from wasting), and on 3 other pigs aged 13 weeks, not having signs of disease. The clinical observation was spread over a period of 37 days. Two pigs of 10 weeks wasted rapidly (pigs 1 and 2, FIG. 9) and had to be painlessly killed 5 and 6 days after their arrival. A single pig exhibited hyperthermia over 5 days and diarrhea. Two other pigs exhibited dyspnea and cough, of which one additionally had hyperthermia, greater than 41° C., for the two first days of its stay. Another pig had retarded growth in the second week (pig 6, FIG. 9), without any other clinical sign being recorded. On the lesional level, 5 pigs out of 6 exhibited macroscopic lesions of gray pneumonia, the sixth exhibited cicatricial lesions on the lung. b) Test No. 2: Reproduction of the Disease from Inocula Prepared in Farm Pigs. The two sick pigs in test 1 served to prepare inocula which were tested in test 2 on specific-pathogen-free (SPF) pigs. The SPF pigs were aged 9 weeks at the time of inoculation. The clinical and lesional results are shown in Table 5. TABLE 5 Summary of the measurements carried out during experimental reproduction of PWD. (The values of the control animals are reported in brackets, the underlined values indicate a difference between infected animals and control animals) Test Measurement 2 3 4 5 6 7 Status of SPF SPF SPF SPF Conventional Conventional the pigs CNEVA field CNEVA CNEVA Age 9 weeks 6 weeks 5 weeks 5 weeks 5 weeks 6-7 weeks Number 4 6 12 8 8 8 Inoculation Intratracheal Intratracheal Intratracheal + Intratracheal + Intratracheal + Intratracheal + route route route intramuscular intramuscular intramuscular intramuscular route route route route Inoculum titer ND* ND* 104.53 TCID50 104.53 TCID50 104.53 TCID50 104.53 TCID50 per pig per ml: 1 ml per ml: 1 ml per ml: 1 ml per ml: 1 ml IM + 5 ml IT IM + 5 ml IT IM + 5 ml IT IM + 5 ml IT Start of 10 days 9-13 days 12-13 days 9-14 days 8-12 days 12 days hyperthermia post-infection post-infection post-infection post-infection post-infection post-infection % of pigs in 100% 83% 92% 100% 75% 88% hyperthermia** Number of 7 4.5 3.3 5.8 7.5 11.6 days of hyperthermia per pig** Maximum temperatures *** 40.4 to 40.6 to 40.2 to 40.3 to 40.6 to 40.2 to 41.7° C. 42.3° C. 41.6° C. 40.8° C. 42° C. 41.9° C. Hyperthermia**** % per week W1 3.5 (3.5) 17 (36) 7 (5) 37 (17) 16 (17) 20 (28) W2 42 (3.5) 7 (13) 13 (1) 21 (3) 52 (10) 37 (28) W3 35 (3.5) 33 (10) 28 (7) 62 (2) 34 (12) 79 (17) W4 21 (3.5) 28 (7) 5 (0) 6 (3) 25 (22) 55 (3) DMG: W1 928 (1053) 417 (357) 564 (620) 650 (589) 401 (407) 509 (512) W2 678 (1028) 428 (617) 503 (718) 612 (584) 294 (514) 410 (310) W3 661 (1000) 771 (642) 381 (657) 520 (851) 375 (586) 435 (440) W4 786 (1100) 550 (657) 764 (778) 641 (696) 473 (610) 451 (681) Contact pigs Yes to 100% Yes to 75% Not tested Not tested Not tested Not tested transmission % of pulmonary 25 75 0 25 25 12 lesions % of ganglionic 17 33 67 25 50 12 lesions *ND: not determined, **hyperthermia when the temperature is greater than 40° C., *** range of maximum temperatures recorded at the individual level, ****the percentage corresponds to the number of temperature recordings greater than 40° C. divided by the total number of temperature recordings in the week on all of the pigs. In this test, there was no wasting, at the very most a retardation of the growth in the second, third or fourth week after infection. These data illustrate that certain breeding conditions probably favor the expression of the disease. c) Tests No. 3 to No. 7: Reproduction of the Experimental Tests The increase in the number of the experimental tests on pigs had the mastering and better characterization of the experimental model as an objective. All of the results are presented in Table 5. Under the experimental conditions, PWD is thus characterized by a long incubation, of 8 to 14 days, true hyperthermia over 2 to 8 days, a decrease in food consumption and a retardation of the increase in weight on the second, third or fourth week post-infection. The lesional table associated with this clinical expression includes, in the main, ganglionic hypertrophy and lesions of pneumonia. Conclusion The perfection of this experimental model allows the direct etiological role of the PWD circovirus in the disease to be indisputably demonstrated. In addition, this model is an indispensable tool for the understanding of pathogenic mechanisms and the study of future vaccine candidates. Example 5 Demonstration of the Vaccine Composition Protective Efficacy Produced from Nucleic Fragments of PWD Circovirus Sequence 1) Animals Used for the Study Piglets having the PWD disease, reproduced under experimental conditions described in paragraph c) of Example 4, were used in a protocol for evaluating the vaccine composition efficacy, comprising nucleic fragments of PWD circovirus sequence. 2) Tested Vaccine Composition and Vaccination Protocol a) Components Used for the Study The plasmids were obtained from the pcDNA3 plasmid of INVITROGENE pcDNA30RF−Plasmids These plasmids are plasmids which do not carry a PWD circovirus nucleic acid insert and are used as a negative control plasmid. pcDNA30RFI+Plasmid and pcDNA30RF2+Plasmid The pcDNA3ORF1+ and pcDNA30RF2+plasmids are plasmids which carry a nucleic acid insert of the sequence of the PWD circovirus of TYPE B, and an insert comprising the nucleic acid fragment SEQ ID No. 23 (ORF′1) coding for the Rep protein of sequence SEQ ID No. 24 and an insert comprising the nucleic acid fragment SEQ ID No. 25 (ORF′2) coding for the protein of sequence SEQ ID No. 26, probably corresponding to the capsid protein, respectfully. These nucleic constructs further comprise the ATG initiation codon of the coding sequence of the corresponding protein. GMCSF+Plasmid GM-CSF (granulocyte/macrophage colony stimulating factor) is a cytokine which occurs in the development, the maturation and the activation of macrophages, granulocytes and dendritic cells which present an antigen. The beneficial contribution of the GM-CSF in vaccination is considered to be a cellular activation with, especially, the recruitment and the differentiation of cells which present an antigen. This pcDNA3-GMCSF+plasmid carries a nucleic acid insert coding for the granulocyte/macrophage colony stimulation factor, the GM-CSF protein. The gene coding for this GM-CSF protein was cloned and sequenced by Inumaru et al. (Immunol. Cell Biol., 1995, 73 (5), 474-476). The pcDNA3-GMCSF+plasmid was obtained by Dr. B. Charley of INRA of Jouy-en-Josas (78, France). Recombinant Baculoviruses The so-called ORF− baculoviruses are viruses not carrying any insert comprising a nucleic acid fragment capable of expressing a PWD circovirus protein. The so-called ORF1+(BAC ORF1+) or ORF2+(BAC ORF2+) baculoviruses are recombinant baculoviruses carrying an insert comprising a nucleic acid fragment SEQ ID No. 23 (ORF′1) and an insert comprising the nucleic acid fragment SEQ ID No. 25 (ORF′2), respectively. Adjuvant The adjuvant supplied by the Seppic Company, a subsidiary of AIR LIQUIDE, is the adjuvant corresponding to the reference AIF SEPPIC. b) Vaccination Protocol Weaned piglets aged 3 weeks are divided into four batches A, B, C and D each comprising 8 piglets. Batches A, B and C, aged 3 weeks, each receive a first injection (injection M1) of 1 ml containing 200 micrograms of plasmids (naked DNA) in PBS, pH: 7.2, by the intramuscular route for each of the plasmids mentioned below for each batch, then, at the age of 5 weeks, a second injection (injection M2) comprising these same plasmids. A third injection is carried out simultaneously on the other side of the neck. This third injection comprises 1 ml of a suspension containing 5×106 cells infected by recombinant baculoviruses and 1 ml of AIF SEPPIC adjuvant. Batch A (F1) (Control Batch): First Injection pcDNA30RF1−plasmid, pcDNA30RF2−plasmid and GMCSF+plasmid. Second and Third Injection (Simultaneous) pcDNA30RF1−plasmid, pcDNA30RF2−plasmid and GMCSF+plasmid; Cells transformed by baculoviruses not containing any nucleic acid insert coding for a PWD circovirus protein; AIF SEPPIC adjuvant. Batch B (F2) (Control Batch): First Injection pcDNA30RF1−plasmid, pcDNA30RF2−plasmid and GMCSF+plasmid; Second and Third Injection (Simultaneous) pcDNA30RF1−plasmid, pcDNA30RF2−plasmid and GMCSF+plasmid; Cells transformed by baculoviruses not containing any nucleic acid insert coding for a PWD circovirus protein; AIF SEPPIC adjuvant. Batch C (F3): First Injection pcDNA30RF1+plasmid, pcDNA30RF2+plasmid and GMCSF+plasmid; Second and Third Injection (Simultaneous) pcDNA30RF1+plasmid, pcDNA30RF2+plasmid and GMCSF+plasmid; Cells transformed by BAC ORF1+and BAC ORF2+recombinant baculoviruses capable of respectively expressing the Rep protein of sequence SEQ ID No. 24 and the protein of sequence SEQ ID No. 26 of the PWD circovirus of TYPE B. Batch D (F4) (Control Batch): No Injection The batches of piglets B, C and D are infected (tested) at the age of 6 weeks although batch A is not subjected to the test. 3) Observation of the Batches counting of coughing/sneezing: 15 minutes/batch/day; consistency of fecal matter: every day; regular recordings: weekly taking of blood, weighing; weighing of food refuse: 3 times per week; calculation of the daily mean gain in weight (dmg); The daily mean gains were calculated for each of the batches over a period of 28 days following testing (cf. FIG. 10), an intermediate calculation of the dmg was likewise carried out for each of the batches over the first and second periods of 14 days. The results obtained are reported below in Table 6. TABLE 6 Daily mean gains F1 F2 F3 F4 d0-d14 411 g 450 g 511 g 461 g d14-d28 623 g 362 g 601 g 443 g d0-d28 554 g 406 g 556 g 452 g Measurement of Hyperthermia The measurement of hyperthermia, of greater than 41° C. (cf. FIG. 11) and greater than 40.2° C., was carried out for each of the batches over a total period of 28 days following testing. The results obtained, corresponding to the ratio expressed as a percentage between the number of temperature recordings of greater than 41° C. (or greater than 40.2° C.) and the total number of temperature recordings carried out on all of the pigs per one-week period are reported below in Tables 7 and 8, respectively, for the hyperthermia measurements of greater than 41° C. and greater than 40.2° C. TABLE 7 Hyperthermia >41° C. F1 F2 F3 F4 W1 4.1 0 0 0 W2 10.7 16. 0 8.9 W3 4.7 27. 0 45. W4 0 0 0 7.5 TABLE 8 Hyperthermia >40.2 F1 F2 F3 F4 W1 29.1 10.41 29.1 20.8 W2 28.5 39.2 10.7 37.5 W3 14.3 68.7 25.0 81.2 W4 3.3 17.5 20.0 55 4) Conclusion The recordings carried out clearly show that the animals which received the three injections of a vaccine composition comprising nucleic acid fragments of PWD circovirus according to the invention and/or capable of expressing recombinant proteins of PWD circovirus, in particular of type B, did not exhibit hyperthermia (cf. FIG. 10). These animals additionally did not experience a decline in their growth, the dmgs being comparable to those of uninfected control animals (cf. FIG. 9). They did not exhibit any particular clinical sign. These results demonstrate the efficacious protection of the piglets against infection with a PWD circovirus of the invention, the primary agent responsible for PWD or FPW, provided by a vaccine composition prepared from a nucleic acid fragment of the nucleic sequence of PWD circovirus according to the invention, in particular of type B, and/or from recombinant proteins encoded by these nucleic acid fragments. These results in particular show that the proteins encoded by the ORF1 and ORF2 of PWD circovirus according to the invention are immunogenic proteins inducing an efficacious protective response for the prevention of infection by a PWD circovirus. Example 6 Serological Diagnosis of PWD Circovirus by Immunodetermination Using Recombinant Proteins or Synthetic Peptides of PWD Circovirus A. Serological Diagnosis With Recombinant Proteins The identification and the sequencing of porcine PWD circovirus allow recombinant proteins of PWD circovirus to be produced by the techniques of genetic recombination well known to the person skilled in the art. Using these techniques, recombinant proteins encoded, in particular, by the ORF′2 of the PWD circovirus, type B, were expressed by transformed Sf9 insect cells and then isolated. These recombinant proteins encoded by the ORF′2 are extracted, after culture of the transformed Sf9 cells, by thermal cell lysis by means of 3 cycles of freezing/thawing to −70° C./+37° C. Healthy Sf9 cells or nontransformed control Sf9 cells are also lysed. Two antigenic fractions originating from nontransformed control Sf9 cells and Sf9 cells expressing the ORF′2 are precipitated at 4° C. by a 60% plus or minus 5% saturated ammonium sulfate solution. Determination of total proteins is carried out with the aid of the Biorad kit. 500 ng of control Sf9 proteins and of semipurified Sf9 proteins expressing the ORF′2, in solution in 0.05 M bicarbonate buffer pH 9.6, are passively adsorbed at the bottom of 3 different wells of a Nunc Maxisorp microplate by incubation for one night at +4° C. The reactivity of pig sera with respect to each of these antigenic fractions is evaluated by an indirect ELISA reaction of which the experimental protocol is detailed below: Saturation step: 200 μl/well of PBS1×/3% semi-skimmed milk, 1 h 30 incubation at 37° C. Washing: 200 μl/well of PBS1×/Tween 20: 0.05%, 3 rapid washes. Serum incubation step: 100 μl/well of serum diluted to 1/100 in PBS1×/semi-skimmed milk, 1%/Tween 20: 0.05%, 1 h incubation at 37° C. Washing: 200 μl/well of PBS1×/Tween 20: 0.05%, 2 rapid washes followed by 2 washes of 5 min. Conjugate incubation step: 50 μl/well of rabbit anti-pig conjugate diluted to 1/1000 in PBS1×/semi-skimmed milk, 1%/Tween 20: 0.05%, 1 h incubation at 37° C. Washing: 200 μl/well of PBS1×/Tween 20: 0.05%, 2 rapid washes followed by 2 washes of 5 min. Visualization step: 100 μl/well of OPD substrate/citrate buffer/H2O2, 15 min incubation at 37° C. Termination: 50 μl/well of 1 N H2SO4. Read optical density in a spectrophotometer at 490 nm. Results The results obtained are shown below in Table 9. TABLE 9 Reactivity of Pig Serum Reactivity of Pig Serum not inoculated with inoculated with Antigens Circovirus Circovirus Purified Sf9 control 0.076 0.088 Sf9 expressing 0.071 1.035 purified ORF′2 The results are expressed in optical density measured in a spectrophotometer at 490 nm during analysis by ELISA of the reactivity of pig sera which are or are not inoculated with the type B PWD circovirus according to the protocol indicated above. B. Serological Diagnosis by Synthetic Peptide The epitopic mapping of the proteins encoded, for example, by the nucleic sequences ORF1 and ORF2 of the two types of PWD circovirus (types A and B) additionally allowed immunogenic circoviral epitopes to be identified on the proteins encoded by the nucleic sequences ORF′1 and ORF′2 as well as the specific epitopes of the protein encoded by the nucleic acid sequence ORF′2 of the type B PWD circovirus. Four specific epitopes of the type B PWD circovirus and one epitope common to the two types of PWD circovirus situated on the protein encoded by the nucleic sequence ORF′2 were synthesized in peptide form. The equivalent peptides in the circovirus of type A were likewise synthesized. All peptides were evaluated as diagnostic antigens within the context of carrying out a serological test. Results The results obtained are shown in Table 10, below. TABLE 10 Results of the evaluation as a diagnostic antigen of synthetic peptides encoded by the nucleic sequences ORF2 and ORF'2 of PWD circovirus of type A and B. Type Infected pig serum reactivity PWD Circovirus B Pep- circo- SPF Conventional 1 Conventional 2 Epitopic tide virus Position AA sequence D0/D54 D0/D42 D0/D42 specificity SEQ ID NO:29 121 B 71-85 VDMMRFNINDFLPPG +/−, +++ +/−, +++ −, +++ Circovirus B SEQ ID NO:55 177 B 70-84 NVNELRFNIGQFLPP +/−, + +/−, +/− +/−, − SEQ ID NO:30 131 B 115-129 QGDRGVGSSAVILDD +/−, +/− ++, ++ +/−, + Circovirus B SEQ ID NO:56 188 A 114-127 TSNQRGVGSTVVIL +/−, − −, +/− +/−, +/− SEQ ID NO:31 133 B 119-134 GVGSSAVILDDNVFTK −, ++ ++, +++ +/−, ++ SEQ ID NO:57 189 A 118-132 RGVGSTVVILDANFV +/−, − −, +/− +/−,+/− SEQ ID NO:58 146 B 171-185 FTIDYFQPNNKRNQL −, +/− −, ++ −, ++ Circovirus A & B SEQ ID NO:59 202 A 170-184 DQTIDWFQPNNKRNQ +++, +++ +/−, ++ +, ++ SEQ ID NO:32 152 B 195-209 VDHVGLGTAFENSIY −, ++ +++, +++ +/−, + Circovirus B SEQ ID NO:60 208 A 194-208 NVEHTGLGYALQNAT −, − −, − −, − +/−, +, ++, +++. Increasing intensities of the reactivities observed in Spot peptides on a nitrocellulose membrane. The porcine sera tested are from animals experimentally infected with the circovirus of type B within the animal houses of the CNEVA. Samples are taken from the animals before inoculation on d0 and 42 days or 54 days after inoculation, on d42, d54. Example 7 Characterization of the Specific Epitopes of the PWD Circovirus of Type B The proteins encoded by the ORF2 of the porcine circoviruses of type A and B were chosen for this study. For each of the ORF2s (types A and B), 56 peptides of 15 amino acids which overlap every 4 amino acids were synthesized, thus covering the whole of the protein (cf. Table 11 below). TABLE 11 Sequence of amino acids of the 56 peptides of 15 amino acids synthesized from the nucleic sequence ORF'2 (type B) and ORF2 (type A) of PWD circovirus with their corresponding spot number (cf. Figure 12) Type B ORF'2 Type A ORF2 Spot No. Sequence Spot No. Sequence SEQ ID NO:61 107 HRPRSHLGQILRRRP SEQ ID NO:84 163 TRPRSHLGNILRRRP SEQ ID NO:62 108 SHLGQILRRRPWLVH SEQ ID NO:85 164 SHLGNILRRRPYLVH SEQ ID NO:63 109 QILRRRPWLVHPRHR SEQ ID NO:86 165 NILRRRPYLVHPAFR SEQ ID NO:64 110 RRPWLVHPRHRYRWR SEQ ID NO:87 166 RRPYLVHPAFRNRYR SEQ ID NO:65 111 LVHPRHRYRWRRKNG SEQ ID NO:88 167 LVHPAFRNRYRWRRK SEQ ID NO:66 112 RHRYRWRRKNGIFNT SEQ ID NO:89 168 AFRNRYRWRRKTGIF SEQ ID NO:67 113 RWRRKNGIFNTRLSR SEQ ID NO:90 169 RYRWRRKTGIFNSRL SEQ ID NO:68 114 KNGIFNTRLSRTFGY SEQ ID NO:91 170 RRKTGIFNSRLSREF SEQ ID NO:69 115 FNTRLSRTFGYTVKR SEQ ID NO:92 171 GIFNSRLSREFVLTI SEQ ID NO:70 116 LSRTFGYTVKRTTVR SEQ ID NO:93 172 SRLSREFVLTIRGGH SEQ ID NO:71 117 FGYTVKRTTVRTPSW SEQ ID NO:94 173 REFVLTIRGGHSQPS SEQ ID NO:72 118 VKRTTVRTPSWAVDM SEQ ID NO:95 174 LTIRGGHSOPSWNVN SEQ ID NO:73 119 TVRTPSWAVDMMRFN SEQ ID NO:96 175 GGHSQPSWNVNELRF SEQ ID NO:74 120 PSWAVDMMRFNINDF SEQ ID NO:97 176 QPSWNVNELRFNIGO SEQ ID NO:29 121 VDMMRFNINDFLPPG SEQ ID NO:98 177 NVNELRFNIGQFLPP SEQ ID NO:75 122 RFNINDFLPPGGGSN SEQ ID NO:99 178 LRFNIGQFLPPSGGT SEQ ID NO:76 123 NDFLPPGGGSNPRSV SEQ ID NO:100 179 IGQFLPPSGGTNPLP SEQ ID NO:77 124 PPGGGSNPRSVPFEY SEQ ID NO:101 180 LPPSGGTNPLPLPFQ SEQ ID NO:78 125 GSNPRSVPFEYYRIR SEQ ID NO:102 181 GGTNPLPLPFQYYRI SEQ ID NO:79 126 RSVPFEYYRIRKVKV SEQ ID NO:103 182 PLPLPFQYYRIRKAK SEQ ID NO:80 127 FEYYRIRKVKVEFWP SEQ ID NO:104 183 PFQYYRIRKAKYEFY SEQ ID NO:81 128 RIRKVKVEFWPCSPI SEQ ID NO:105 184 YRIRKAKYEFYPRDP SEQ ID NO:82 129 VKVEFWPCSPITQGD SEQ ID NO:106 185 KAKYEFYPRDPITSN SEQ ID NO:83 130 FWPCSPITQGDRGVG SEQ ID NO:107 186 EFYPRDPITSNQRGV SEQ ID NO:30 131 SPITQGDRGVGSSAV SEQ ID NO:108 187 RDPITSNQRGVGSTV SEQ ID NO:31 132 QGDRGVGSSAVILDD SEQ ID NO:109 188 TSNQRGVGSTVVILD SEQ ID NO:110 133 GVGSSAVILDDNFVT SEQ ID NO:136 189 RGVGSTVVILDANFV SEQ ID NO:111 134 SAVILDDNFVTKATA SEQ ID NO:137 190 STVVILDANFVTPST SEQ ID NO:112 135 LDDNFVTKATALTYD SEQ ID NO:138 191 ILDANFVTPSTNLAY SEQ ID NO:113 136 FVTKATALTYDPYVN SEQ ID NO:139 192 NFVTPSTNLAYDPYI SEQ ID NO:114 137 ATALTYDPYVNYSSR SEQ ID NO:140 193 PSTNLAYDPYINYSS SEQ ID NO:115 138 TYDPYVNYSSRIITIT SEQ ID NO:141 194 LAYDPYINYSSRHTI SEQ ID NO:116 139 YVNYSSRHTITQPFS SEQ ID NO:142 195 PYINYSSRHTIRQPF SEQ ID NO:117 140 SSRHTITQPFSYHSR SEQ ID NO:143 196 YSSRIITIRQPFTYHS SEQ ID NO:118 141 TITQPFSYHSRYFTP SEQ ID NO:144 197 HTIRQPFTYHSRYFT SEQ ID NO:119 142 PFSYHSRYFTPKPVL SEQ ID NO:145 198 QPFTYHSRYFTPKPE SEQ ID NO:120 143 HSRYFTPKPVLDFTI SEQ ID NO:146 199 YHSRYFTPKPELDQT SEQ ID NO:121 144 FTPKPVLDFTIDYYFQ SEQ ID NO:147 200 YFTPKPELDQTIDWF SEQ ID NO:122 145 PVLDFTIDYFQPNNK SEQ ID NO:148 201 KPELDQTIDWFQPNN SEQ ID NO:123 146 FTIDYFQPNNKRNQL SEQ ID NO:149 202 DQTIDWFQPNNKRNQ SEQ ID NO:124 147 YFQPNNKRNQLWLRL SEQ ID NO:150 203 DWFQPNNKRNQLWLH SEQ ID NO:125 148 NNKRNQLWLRLQTAG SEQ ID NO:151 204 PNNKRNQLWLHLNTH SEQ ID NO:126 149 NQLWLRLQTAGNVDH SEQ ID NO:152 205 RNQLWLHLNTHTNVE SEQ ID NO:127 150 LRLQTAGNVDHVGLG SEQ ID NO:153 206 WLHLNTHTNVEHTGL SEQ ID NO:128 151 TAGNVDHVGLGTAFE SEQ ID NO:154 207 NTHTNVEHTGLGYAL SEQ ID NO:32 152 VDHVGLGTAFENSIY SEQ ID NO:155 208 NVEHTGLGYALQNAT SEQ ID NO:129 153 GLGTAFENSIYDQEY SEQ ID NO:156 209 TGLGYALQNATTAQN SEQ ID NO:130 154 AFENSIYDQEYNIRV SEQ ID NO:157 210 YALQNATTAQNYVVR SEQ ID NO:131 155 SIYDQEYNIRVTMYV SEQ ID NO:158 211 NATTAQNYVVRLTIY SEQ ID NO:132 156 QEYNIRVTMYVQFRE SEQ ID NO:159 212 AQNYVVRLTIYVQFR SEQ ID NO:133 157 IRVTMYVQFREFNFK SEQ ID NO:160 213 VVRLTIYVQFREFIL SEQ ID NO:134 158 MYVQFREFNFKDPPL SEQ ID NO:161 214 TIYVQFREFILKDPL SEQ ID NO:135 159 VQFREFNFKDPPLNP SEQ ID NO:162 215 YVQFREFILKDPLNE These peptides were synthesized according to the “spot” method which consists of simultaneous synthesis of a large number of peptides on a cellulose solid support, each site of synthesis of a peptide constituting a spot (System, NIMES). This method involves orientation of the peptides on the plate, these being fixed covalently by the carboxy-terminal end. A spot represents approximately 50 nmol of peptide. The reference of the spots and corresponding peptide sequences is given in Table 11. These membranes were used for immunoreactivity tests with respect to serum of SPF pigs which were or were not infected experimentally with the type B PWD circoviral strain as well as with respect to sera of infected pigs from conventional farms (conventional farms 1 or 2). This study allowed specific immunoreactive peptides of the circovirus of type B corresponding to the spots No. 121, No. 132, No. 133 and No. 152 (respectively of amino acid sequences SEQ ID No. 29, SEQ ID No. 30, SEQ ID No. 31 and SEQ ID No. 32) to be demonstrated. An illustration is shown in FIG. 12 where the membranes are visualized with an infected pig serum coming from a conventional farm. Nonspecific immunoreactive peptides of type [lacuna] were likewise demonstrated, among which we shall keep the peptide No. 146 SEQ ID No. 123 which is strongly immunogenic. A comparison between the peptide sequences of circoviruses of type A and B (FIG. 13) indicates a divergence ranging from 20 to 60% for the specific immunoreactive peptides of the type B, and a weaker divergence (13%) between the nonspecific peptides. Example 8 Protection of Swine From Post-Weaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS) Conferred by Procine Circovirus Type B (PCV-B) ORF′2 Protein The ORF′1-encoded protein (REP) and ORF′2-encoded putative capsid protein of PCV-B were expressed, either in insect cells by recombinant baculovirus vectors, or in mammalian cell lines by transfection with plasmidic expression vectors. These two circovirus-derived proteins were detectable in both expression systems. As evaluated by weight gains, hyperthermia and absence of lesions following challenge, the pigs were protected against a virulent circovirus challenge after one first DNA immunization with plasmids directing ORF′2 protein and GM-CSF expression and a second injection, 15 days later, with the same plasmid preparation plus the ORF′2 recombinant protein. A lower level of protection was observed when the pigs were vaccinated with ORF′1 protein, as opposed to pigs vaccinated with ORF′2 protein. A. Development of an Experimental Model of PMWS in Swine: Eight 3 week-old SPF pigs were inoculated intratracheally (5 ml) and intramuscularly (1 ml). B. Production and Control of PCV-B Plasmids: PCV-B ORF′1 and ORF′2 genes , isolated from PCV-B challenge strain, was cloned into vector plasmid pcDNA3.1. All constructs were validated through a partial sequencing of the PCV-B genes in the final plasmids and expression control by immunoperoxidase on PK15 cells respectively transfected with each plasmid, using swine polyclonal antibodies. Plasmid encoding GM-CSF has been co-administered. C. Construction of Recombinant Baculoviruses: ORF′1 and ORF′2 proteins were expressed under polyhedrin promoter control. Recombinant proteins were detected by western-blot using swine polyclonal antibodies. D. Vaccination and Challenge: Four groups of 7 pigs were vaccinated intramuscularly at day 0 (Do), two weeks later, they received the same plasmid preparation plus the recombinant baculovirus. E. Monitoring: All groups of pigs were housed in isolated experimental units with air filtration and low air pressure. Clinical observations and rectal temperatures were recorded every day. The pigs were weighed weekly. F. Conclusions Expression of PCV-B ORF′2 or PCV-B ORF′1 in swine resulted in a significantly enhanced level of protection as evaluated by weight evolution and body temperature evolution following challenge with PCV-B circovirus. These results are summarized in FIGS. 14 and 15. The invention described herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The specific embodiments previously described are therefore to be considered as illustrative of, and not limiting, the scope of the invention. Additionally, the disclosure of all publications and patent applications cited above and below, including International Patent Application No. PCT/FR98/02634, filed Dec. 4, 1998, and published as International Publication No. WO 99/29871 on Jun. 17, 1999, are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entireties to the same extent as if each were incorporated by reference individually. BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES Allan, G. 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<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The invention relates to the genomic sequence and nucleotide sequences coding for polypeptides of PWD circovirus, such as the structural and nonstructural polypeptides of said circovirus, as well as vectors including said sequences and cells or animals transformed by these vectors. The invention likewise relates to methods for detecting these nucleic acids or polypeptides and kits for diagnosing infection by the PWD circovirus. The invention is also directed to a method for selecting compounds capable of modulating the viral infection. The invention further comprises pharmaceutical compositions, including vaccines, for the prevention and/or the treatment of viral infections by PWD circovirus as well as the use of a vector according to the invention for the prevention and/or the treatment of diseases by gene therapy. Piglet weight loss disease (PWD), alternatively called fatal piglet wasting (FPW) has been widely described in North America (Harding, J. C., 1997), and authors have reported the existence of a relationship between this pathology and the presence of porcine circovirus (Daft, B. et al., 1996; Clark, E. G., 1997; Harding, J. C., 1997; Harding, J. C. and Clark, E. G., 1997; Nayar, G. P. et al., 1997). A porcine circovirus has already been demonstrated in established lines of cell cultures derived from pigs and chronically infected (Tischer, I., 1986, 1988, 1995; Dulac, G. C., 1989; Edwards, S., 1994; Allan, G. M., 1995 and McNeilly, F., 1996). This virus, during experimental infection of piglets, does not prove pathogenic for pigs (Tischer, I., 1986, Homer, G. W., 1991) and its nucleotide sequence has been determined and characterized (Tischer, I., 1982; Meehan, B. M. et al., 1997; Mankertz., A., 1997). The porcine circovirus, called PCV virus, is part of the circovirus genus of the circoviridae family (Murphy, F. A. et al., 1995) whose virion has a circular DNA of size between 1.7 and 2.3 kb, which DNA comprises three open reading frames (ORF1 to ORF3), coding for a replication protein REP involved in the initiation and termination phase of rolling circular replication (RCR) (Heyraud-Nitschke, F., et al., 1995; Harding, M. R. et al., 1993; Hanson, S. F. et al., 1995; Fontes, E. P. B. et al., 1994), coding for a capsid protein (Boulton, L. H. et al., 1997; Hackland, A. F. et al., 1994; Chu, P. W. G. et al., 1993) and coding for a nonstructural protein called a dissemination protein (Lazarowitz., S. G. et al., 1989). The inventors of the present invention have noticed that the clinical signs perceptible in pigs and linked to infection by the PWD circovirus are very distinctive. These manifestations in general appear in pigs of 8 to 12 weeks of age, weaned for 4 to 8 weeks. The first signs are hypotonia without it being possible to speak of prostration. Rapidly (48 hours), the flanks hollow, the line of the spine becomes apparent, and the pigs “blanch.” These signs are in general accompanied by hyperthermia, anorexia and most often by respiratory signs (coughing, dyspnea, polypnea). Transitory diarrhea can likewise appear. The disease state phase lasts approximately one month at the end of which the rate of mortality varies from 5 to 20%. To these mortalities, it is expedient to add a variable proportion (5-10%) of cadaveric animals which are no longer able to present an economic future. It is to be noted that outside of this critical stage of the end of post-weaning, no anomaly appears on the farms. In particular, the reproductive function is totally maintained. On the epidemiological level, the first signs of this pathology appeared at the start of 1995 in the east of the C6tes d'Armor region in France, and the farms affected are especially confined to this area of the region. In December 1996, the number of farms concerned could not be evaluated with precision because of the absence of a specific laboratory diagnostic method or of an epidemiological surveillance system of the livestock. Based on the clinical facts as well as on results of postmortem examinations supplied by veterinarians, it is possible to estimate this number as several dozen (80-100). The contagiousness of the disease is weak to moderate. Cases are being reported outside the initial area and for the majority are following the transfer of animals coming from farms familiar with the problem. On the other hand, a characteristic of the condition is its strong remanence. Thus, farms which have been affected for a year are still affected in spite of the massive administration of therapeutics. Farms with clinical expression are drawn from various categories of specialization (breeders/fatteners, post-weaners/fatteners) and different economic structures are concerned. In addition, the disorders appear even in farms where the rules of animal husbandry are respected. Numerous postmortem examinations have been carried out either on farms or in the laboratory. The elements of the lesional table are disparate. The most constant macroscopic lesions are pneumonia which sometimes appears in patchy form as well as hypertrophy of the lymphatic ganglia. The other lesions above all affect the thoracic viscera including, especially, pericarditis and pleurisy. However, arthritis and gastric ulcers are also observed. The lesions revealed in the histological examination are essentially situated at the pulmonary level (interstitial pneumonia), ganglionic level (lymphoid depletion of the lymph nodes, giant cells) and renal level (glomerulonephritis, vasculitis). The infectious agents have been the subject of wide research. It has been possible to exclude the intervention of pestiviruses and Aujeszky's disease. The disorders appear in the seropositive PDRS (Porcine Dysgenic and Respiratory Syndrome, an infection linked to an arteriovirus) herds, but it has not been possible to establish the role of the latter in the genesis of the disorders (the majority of the farms in Brittany are PDRS seropositive). The inventors of the present invention, with the aim of identifying the etiological agent responsible for PWD, have carried out “contact” tests between piglets which are obviously “ill” and SPF pigs (specific pathogen-free) from CNEVA (Centre National d'Etudes Vétérinaires et Alimentaires, France). These tests allow the development of signs comparable to those observed on the farm to be observed in protected animal houses. The discrete signs such as moderate hyperthermia, anorexia and intermittent diarrhea appeared after one week of contact. It must be noted that the PDRS virus only diffused subsequent to the clinical signs. In addition, inoculations of organ homogenates of sick animals to healthy pigs allowed signs related to those observed on the farms to be reproduced, although with a lower incidence, linked to the favorable conditions of upkeep of the animals in the experimental installations. Thus, the inventors of the present invention have been able to demonstrate that the pathological signs appear as a well-defined entity affecting the pig at a particular stage of its growth. This pathology has never been described in France. However, sparse information, especially Canadian, relates to similar facts. The disorders cannot be mastered with the existing therapeutics. The data collected both on the farm and by experimentation have allowed the following points to be highlighted: PWD is transmissible but its contagiousness is not very high, its etiological origin is of infectious and probably viral nature, PWD has a persistent character in the affected farms. Considerable economic consequences ensue for the farms. Thus, there is currently a significant need for a specific and sensitive diagnostic, whose production is practical and rapid, allowing the early detection of the infection. A reliable, sensitive and practical test which allows the distinction between strains of porcine circovirus (PCV) is thus strongly desirable. On the other hand, a need for efficient and well-tolerated treatment of infections with PWD circovirus likewise remains desirable, no vaccine currently being available against PWD circovirus. Concerning PWD circovirus, it will probably be necessary to understand the role of the immune defense in the physiology and the pathology of the disease to develop satisfactory vaccines. Fuller information concerning the biology of these strains, their interactions with their hosts, the associated infectivity phenomena and those of escape from the immune defenses of the host especially, and finally their implication in the development of associated pathologies, will allow a better understanding of these mechanisms. Taking into account the facts which have been mentioned above and which show in particular the limitations of combating infection by the PWD circovirus, it is thus essential today on the one hand to develop molecular tools, especially starting from a better genetic knowledge of the PWD circovirus, and likewise to perfect novel preventive and therapeutic treatments, novel methods of diagnosis and specific, efficacious and tolerated novel vaccine strategies. This is precisely the subject of the present invention.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention relates to vaccines comprising a nucleotide sequence of the genome of Porcine circovirus type B, or a homologue or fragment thereof, and an acceptable pharmaceutical or veterinary vehicle. In one embodiment of the invention, the nucleotide sequence is selected from SEQ ID No. 15, SEQ ID No. 19 SEQ ID No. 23, or SEQ ID No. 25, or a homologue or fragment thereof. In another embodiment of the invention, the homologue has at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID No. 15, SEQ ID No. 19, SEQ ID No. 23 or SEQ ID No. 25. In yet another embodiment, the vaccines further comprising an adjuvant The present invention also relates to vaccines comprising a polypeptide encoded by a nucleotide sequence of the genome of PCVB, or a homologue or fragment thereof, and an acceptable pharmnaceutical or veterinary vehicle. In one embodiment, the homologue has at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID No. 15, SEQ ID No. 19, SEQ ID No. 23 or SEQ ID No. 25. In another embodiment of the invention, the nucleotide sequence is selected from SEQ ID No. 23 or SEQ ID No. 25, or a homologue or fragment thereof. In still another embodiment, the polypeptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 24 or SEQ ID No. 26. In yet another embodiment, the homologue has at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID No. 24 or SEQ ID No. 26. In another embodiment, the polypeptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 29, SEQ ID No. 30, SEQ ID No. 3 1, or SEQ ID No. 32. A further aspect of the invention relates to vaccines comprising a vector and an acceptable pharmaceutical or veterinary vehicle, the vector comprising a nucleotide sequence of the genome of Porcine circovirus type B, or a homologue or fragment thereof. In one embodiment, the vaccine further comprises a gene coding for an expression product capable of inhibiting or retarding the establishment or development of a genetic or acquired disease. The present invention also relates to vaccines comprising a cell and an acceptable pharmaceutical or veterinary vehicle, wherein the cell is transformed with a nucleotide sequence of the genome of Porcine circovirus type B, or a homologue or fragment thereof. Still further, the present invention relates to vaccines comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle and a single polypeptide, wherein the single polypeptide consists of SEQ ID No. 26. Additionally, the present invention relates to methods of immunizing a mammal against piglet weight loss disease comprising administering to a mammal an effective amount of the vaccines described above. These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent to the skilled artisan in view of the teachings contained herein.
20041209
20070529
20051027
79990.0
2
SALIMI, ALI REZA
CIRCOVIRUS SEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH PIGLET WEIGHT LOSS DISEASE (PWD)
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,007,887
ACCEPTED
Abuse-proofed dosage form
The invention relates to a solid administration form, protected from parenteral abuse and containing at least one viscosity-increasing agent in addition to one or more active substances that have parenteral abuse potential. The agent forms, when a necessary minimum amount of an aqueous liquid is added, on the basis of an extract obtained from the administration form, a preferably injectable gel that remains visually distinct when introduced into another quantity of an aqueous liquid.
1. A parenteral abuse-proofed solid dosage form, characterised in that, in addition to one or more active ingredients with potential for abuse, it comprises at least one viscosity-increasing agent in a quantity such that the extract obtained from the dosage form with the assistance of a necessary minimum quantity of an aqueous liquid forms a gel which can still pass through a needle and remains visually distinguishable when introduced into a further quantity of an aqueous liquid. 2. (canceled) 3. A dosage form according to claim 1, characterised in that the active ingredient is a pharmaceutical active ingredient selected from the group consisting of opiates, opioids, tranquillisers, preferably benzodiazepine, stimulants and further narcotics. 4. A dosage form according to claim 3, characterised in that the active ingredient is an opiate, opioid, tranquilliser or a further narcotic selected from the group consisting of N-{1-[2-(4-Ethyl-5-oxo-2-tetrazolin-1-yl)ethyl]-4-methoxymethyl-4-piperidyl}propionanilide(alfentanil), 5,5-diallylbarbituric acid(allobarbital), allylprodine, alphaprodine, 8-chloro-1-methyl-6-phenyl-4H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepine(alprazolam), 2-diethylaminopropiophenone(amfepramone), (±)-α-methylphenethylamine(amphetamine), 2-(α-methylphenethylamino)-2-phenylacetonitrile(amphetaminil), 5-ethyl-5-isopentylbarbituric acid(amobarbital), anileridine, apocodeine, 5,5-diethylbarbituric acid(barbital), benzylmorphine, bezitramide, 7-bromo-5-(2-pyridyl)-1H-1,4-benzodiazepine-2(3H)-one (bromazepam), 2-bromo-4-(2-chlorophenyl)-9-methyl-6H-thieno[3,2-f][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]diazepine(brotizolam), 17-cyclopropylmethyl-4,5a-epoxy-7a[(S)-1-hydroxy-1,2,2-trimethyl-propyl]-6-methoxy-6,14-endo-ethanomorphinan-3-ol(buprenorphine), 5-butyl-5-ethylbarbituric acid(butobarbital), butorphanol, (7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-2-oxo-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-3-yl)dimethylcarbamate(camazepam), (1S,2S)-2-amino-1-phenyl-1-propanol(cathine/D-norpseudoephedrine), 7-chloro-N-methyl-5-phenyl-3H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-ylamine 4-oxide(chlordiazepoxide), 7-chloro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-1,5-benzodiazepine-2,4(3H,5H)-dione(clobazam), 5-(2-chlorophenyl)-7-nitro-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(clonazepam), clonitazene, 7-chloro-2,3-dihydro-2-oxo-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepine-3-carboxylic acid(clorazepate), 5-(2-chlorophenyl)-7-ethyl-1-methyl-1H-thieno[2,3-e][1,4]diazepin-2(3H)-one(clotiazepam), 10-chloro-11b-(2-chlorophenyl)-2,3,7,11b-tetrahydrooxazolo[3,2-d][1,4]benzodiazepin-6 (5H)-one(cloxazolam), (−)-methyl -[3β-benzoyloxy-2β(1αH,5αH)-tropane carboxylate](cocaine), 4,5α-epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methyl-7-morphinen-6α-ol(codeine), 5-(1-cyclohexenyl)-5-ethyl barbituric acid(cyclobarbital), cyclorphan, cyprenorphine, 7-chloro-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(delorazepam), desomorphine, dextromoramide, (+)-(1-benzyl-3-dimethylamino-2-methyl-1-phenylpropyl)propionate(dextropropoxyphene), dezocine, diampromide, diamorphone, 7-chloro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one (diazepam), 4,5α-epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methyl-6α-morphinanol(dihydrocodeine), 4,5α-epoxy-17-methyl-3,6a-morphinandiol(dihydromorphine), dimenoxadol, dimephetamol, dimethylthiambutene, dioxaphetyl butyrate, dipipanone, (6aR,10aR)-6,6,9-trimethyl-3-pentyl-6a,7,8,10a-tetrahydro-6H-benzo[c]chromen-1-ol(dronabinol), eptazocine, 8-chloro-6-phenyl-4H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-(a)][1,4]benzodiazepine(estazolam), ethoheptazine, ethylmethylthiambutene, ethyl[7-chloro-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-2,3-dihydro-2-oxo-1H-1,4-benzodiazepine-3-carboxylate](ethyl loflazepate), 4,5α-epoxy-3-ethoxy-17-methyl-7-morphinen-6α-ol(ethylmorphine), etonitazene, 4,5α-epoxy-7α-(1-hydroxy-1-methylbutyl)-6-methoxy-17-methyl-6,14-endo-etheno-morphinan-3-ol(etorphine), N-ethyl-3-phenyl-8,9,10-trinorbornan-2-ylamine (fencamfamine), 7-[2-(α-methylphenethylamino)ethyl]-theophylline)(fenethylline), 3-(α-methylphenethylamino)propionitrile(fenproporex), N-(1-phenethyl-4-piperidyl)propionanilide(fentanyl), 7-chloro-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-methyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one (fludiazepam), 5-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-methyl-7-nitro-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(flunitrazepam), 7-chloro-1-(2-diethylaminoethyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(flurazepam), 7-chloro-5-phenyl-1-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(halazepam), 10-bromo-11b-(2-fluorophenyl)-2,3,7,11b-tetrahydro[1,3]oxazolyl[3,2-d][1,4]benzodiazepin-6(5H)-one (haloxazolam), heroin, 4,5α-epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methyl-6-morphinanone(hydrocodone), 4,5α-epoxy-3-hydroxy-17-methyl-6-morphinanone(hydromorphone), hydroxypethidine, isomethadone, hydroxymethylmorphinan, 11-chloro-8,12b-dihydro-2,8-dimethyl-12b-phenyl-4H-[1,3]oxazino[3,2-d][1,4]benzodiazepine-4,7(6H)-dione(ketazolam), 1-[4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methyl-4-piperidyl]-1-propanone(ketobemidone), (3S,6S)-6-dimethylamino-4,4-diphenylheptan-3-yl acetate (levacetylmethadol(LAAM)), (−)-6-dimethylamino-4,4-diphenol-3-heptanone(levomethadone), (−)-17-methyl-3-morphinanol (levorphanol), levophenacylmorphane, lofentanil, 6-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(4-methyl-1-piperazinylmethylene)-8-nitro-2H-imidazo[1,2-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-1(4H)-one(loprazolam), 7-chloro-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-hydroxy-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(lorazepam), 7-chloro-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-hydroxy-1-methyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(lormetazepam), 5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,5-dihydro-3H-imidazo[2,1-a]isoindol-5-ol (mazindol), 7-chloro-2,3-dihydro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepine(medazepam), N-(3-chloropropyl)-α-methylphenethylamine(mefenorex), meperidine, 2-methyl-2-propyltrimethylene dicarbamate(meprobamate), meptazinol, metazocine, methylmorphine, N,α-dimethylphenethylamine(metamphetamine), (±)-6-dimethylamino-4,4-diphenol-3-heptanone(methadone), 2-methyl-3-o-tolyl-4(3H)-quinazolinone(methaqualone), methyl [2-phenyl-2-(2-piperidyl)acetate](methylphenidate), 5-ethyl-1-methyl-5-phenylbarbituric acid(methylphenobarbital), 3,3-diethyl-5-methyl-2,4-piperidinedione(methyprylon), metopon, 8-chloro-6-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-methyl-4H-imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]benzodiazepine(midazolam), 2-(benzhydrylsulfinyl)acetamide(modafinil), 4,5α-epoxy-17-methyl-7-morphinen-3,6α-diol(morphine), myrophine, (±)-trans-3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-7,8,10,10α-tetrahydro-1-hydroxy-6,6-dimethyl-6H-dibenzo-[b,d]pyran-9(6αH)-one(nabilone), nalbuphene, nalorphine, narceine, nicomorphine, 1-methyl-7-nitro-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(nimetazepam), 7-nitro-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(nitrazepam), 7-chloro-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(nordazepam), norlevorphanol, 6-dimethylamino-4,4-diphenyl-3-hexanone(normethadone), normorphine, norpipanone, the exudation from plants belonging to the species Papaver somniferum (opium), 7-chloro-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(oxazepam), (cis-trans)-10-chloro-2,3,7,11b-tetrahydro-2-methyl-11b-phenyloxazolo[3,2-d][1,4]benzodiazepin-6-(5H)-one(oxazolam), 4,5α-epoxy-14-hydroxy-3-methoxy-17-methyl-6-morphinanone(oxycodone), oxymorphone, plants and parts of plants belonging to the species Papaver somniferum (including the subspecies setigerum) (Papaver somniferum), papaveretum, 2-imino-5-phenyl-4-oxazolidinone(pernoline), 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-6,11-dimethyl-3-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-2,6-methano-3-benzazocin-8-ol(pentazocine), 5-ethyl-5-(1-methylbutyl)-barbituric acid(pentobarbital), ethyl-(1-methyl-4-phenyl-4-piperidinecarboxylate)(pethidine), phenadoxone, phenomorphane, phenazocine, phenoperidine, piminodine, pholcodeine, 3-methyl-2-phenylmorpholine(phenmetrazine), 5-ethyl-5-phenylbarbituric acid(phenobarbital), α,α-dimethylphenethylamine(phentermine), 7-chloro-5-phenyl-1-(2-propynyl)-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(pinazepam), α-(2-piperidyl)benzhydryl alcohol(pipradrol), 1′-(3-cyano-3,3-diphenylpropyl)[1,4′-bipiperidine]-4′-carboxamide(piritramide), 7-chloro-1-(cyclopropylmethyl)-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(prazepam), profadol, proheptazine, promedol, properidine, propoxyphene, N-(1-methyl -2-piperidinoethyl)-N-(2-pyridyl)propionamide, methyl {3-[4-methoxycarbonyl-4-(N-phenylpropanamido)piperidino]propanoate}(remifentanil), 5-sec-butyl-5-ethylbarbituric acid (secbutabarbital), 5-allyl-5-(1-methylbutyl)-barbituric acid(secobarbital), N-{4-methoxymethyl-1-[2-(2-thienyl)ethyl]-4-piperidyl}propionanilide (sufentanil), 7-chloro-2-hydroxy-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(temazepam), 7-chloro-5-(1-cyclohexenyl)-1-methyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(tetrazepam), ethyl (2-dimethylamino-1-phenyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxylate)(tilidine (cis and trans)), tramadol, 8-chloro-6-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-methyl-4H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]benzodiazepine(triazolam), 5-(1-methylbutyl)-5-vinylbarbituric acid(vinylbital), (1R*,2R*)-3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)-phenol, (1R,2R,4S)-2-(dimethylamino)methyl-4-(p-fluorobenzyloxy)-1-(m-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexanol and corresponding stereoisomeric compounds in each case and the corresponding derivatives thereof in each case, in particular esters or ethers, and the physiologically acceptable compounds thereof in each case, in particular salts and solvates. 5. A dosage form according to claim 3, characterised in that it comprises a stimulant selected from the group consisting of amphetamine, norpseudoephedrine, methylphenidate and in each case optionally the corresponding physiological compounds thereof, in particular the bases, salts and solvates thereof. 6. A dosage form according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises one or more viscosity-increasing agents selected from the group consisting of microcrystalline cellulose with 11 wt. % carboxymethylcellulose sodium (Avicel® RC 591), carboxymethylcellulose sodium (Blanose®, CMC—Na C300P®, Frimulsion BLC-5®, Tylose C300 P®), polyacrylic acid (Carbopol® 980 NF, Carbopol® 981), locust bean flour (Cesagum® LA-200, Cesagum® LID/150, Cesagum® LN-1), citrus pectin (Cesapectin® HM Medium Rapid Set), waxy maize starch (C*Gel 04201®), sodium alginate (Frimulsion ALG (E401)®), guar flour (Frimulsion BM®, Polygum 26/1-75®), iota-carrageenan (Frimulsion D021®), karaya gum, gellan gum (Kelcogel F®, Kelcogel LT100®), galactomannan (Meyprogat 150®), tara stone flour (Polygum 43/1®), propylene glycol alginate (Protanal-Ester SDLB®), apple pectin, lemon peel pectin, sodium hyaluronate, tragacanth, tara gum (Vidogum SP 200®), fermented polysaccharide welan gum (K1A96) and xanthan gum (Xantural 180®). 7. A dosage form according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises the viscosity-increasing agents in a quantity of ≧=5 mg per dosage form, i.e. per administration unit. 8. A dosage form according to claim 1 for oral administration. 9. A dosage form according to claim 8, characterised in that it assumes the form of a tablet, a capsule or of an oral osmotic therapeutic system (OROS). 10. A dosage form according to claim 8, characterised in that it assumes multiparticulate form, preferably in the form of microtablets, microcapsules, micropellets, granules, spheroids, beads or pellets, preferably packaged in capsules or press-moulded into tablets. 11. A dosage form according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises at least one active ingredient at least partially in controlled release form. 12. A dosage form according to claim 8, characterised in that it comprises a coating resistant to gastric juices.
The present invention relates to a solid dosage form with reduced parenteral abuse containing, in addition to one or more active ingredients with potential for abuse, at least one viscosity-increasing agent in quantities such that, on extraction with the assistance of a necessary minimum quantity of aqueous liquid, a gel is formed which can still preferably pass through a needle, which gel, however, remains visually distinguishable even after being introduced into a further quantity of an aqueous liquid. Many pharmaceutical active ingredients, in addition to having excellent activity in their appropriate application, also have potential for abuse, i.e. they can be used by an abuser to bring about effects other than those intended. Opiates, for example, which are highly active in combating severe to very severe pain, are frequently used by abusers to induce a state of narcosis or euphoria. Dosage forms which contain active ingredients with potential for abuse, even when taken orally in an abusively large quantity, do not usually give rise to the result desired by the abuser, namely a rapid rush or “kick”, because blood levels of the active ingredients increase only slowly. In order nevertheless to achieve the desired effects and enable abuse, the corresponding dosage forms are comminuted, for example ground, by the abuser and the active ingredient is extracted from the powder obtained by comminution of the dosage form with the assistance of a preferably aqueous liquid, preferably the minimum quantity necessary, and the resultant solution, optionally after filtration through cotton wool or cellulose wadding, is administered parenterally, in particular intravenously. Due to this parenteral administration, only the smallest possible quantities of an aqueous liquid are used for extraction, in particular so as to obtain the smallest possible injection volume with active ingredient which results in the desired rapid rush or “kick”. In this manner, parenteral administration, in comparison with oral administration, tends to give rise to an accelerated rise in levels of the active ingredient providing the abuser with the desired result. In order to prevent this form of abuse, it has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,070,494 to prevent the extraction of an active ingredient from a dosage form by the addition of a swellable agent. On addition of water, this agent swells and ensures that only a small quantity of active ingredient containing liquid is obtained which can be administered parenterally by the abuser. The majority of this dosage form which has swollen is cannot be administered. A corresponding approach to the prevention of parenteral abuse also underlies the multilayer tablet disclosed in WO 95120947 which contains the active ingredient with potential for abuse and one or more gel formers each in different layers. According to this prior art teaching, the viscosity-increasing agents are added in quantities such that the corresponding gel cannot be administered with the assistance of conventional hypodermic needles. The object of the present invention was to provide a dosage form with at least reduced potential for abuse for active ingredients having with such potential, which dosage form prevents any preferably still possible parenteral, in particular intravenous, abuse of the active ingredients. This object has been achieved by the provision of the solid dosage form according to the invention with at least reduced potential for parenteral abuse, which dosage form, in addition to one or more active ingredients with potential for abuse, comprises at least one viscosity-increasing agent in a quantity such that a gel which may preferably still pass through a needle is formed in an extract obtained from the dosage form with the assistance of a necessary minimum quantity of an aqueous liquid, which gel remains visually distinguishable when introduced into a further quantity of an aqueous liquid. For the purposes of the present invention, visually distinguishable means that the active ingredient-containing gel formed by extraction from the dosage form with the assistance of a necessary minimum quantity of aqueous liquid, when introduced with a hypodermic needle with a diameter of 0.9 mm into a further quantity of aqueous liquid at 37° C., remains substantially insoluble and cohesive and cannot straightforwardly be dispersed in such a manner that it can safely be administered parenterally, in particular intravenously. The material preferably remains visually distinguishable for at least one minute, preferably for at least 10 min. The increase in viscosity of the gel with the assistance of the selected viscosity-increasing agent means that, although this has been rendered more difficult, the gel may still be passed through a needle or injected. It also means that when the resultant extract or gel is introduced at 37° C. into a further quantity of aqueous liquid, for example also by injection into blood, a largely cohesive thread is initially obtained which, while it may be broken up into smaller fragments by mechanical action, it cannot be dispersed or even dissolved in such a manner that it may safely be administered parenterally, in particular intravenously. Intravenous administration of such an extract would most probably result in obstruction of blood vessels, associated with serious embolism or even death of the abuser. For the purposes of the present invention, an extract or gel obtained from the dosage form according to the invention with the assistance of a necessary minimum quantity of an aqueous liquid, preferably water, is deemed to be passable through a needle if the gel formed in this manner can still be drawn up and injected back out of a hypodermic needle with a diameter of 2 mm, preferably of 1.5 mm, particularly preferably of 0.6 mm. Pharmaceutical active ingredients with potential for abuse are known to the person skilled in the art, as are the quantities thereof to be used and processes for the production thereof, and may be present in the dosage form according to the invention as such, in the form of corresponding derivatives, in particular esters or ethers, or in each case in the form of corresponding physiologically acceptable compounds, in particular in the form of the salts or solvates thereof. The dosage form according to the invention is also suitable for the administration of a plurality of active ingredients. It is preferably used for the administration of a single active ingredient. The dosage form according to the invention is in particular suitable for preventing abuse of a pharmaceutical active ingredient selected from the group consisting of opiates, opioids, tranquillisers, preferably benzodiazepines, stimulants and other narcotics. The dosage form according to the invention is very particularly preferably suitable for preventing abuse of an opiate, opioid, tranquilliser or another narcotic, which is selected from the group consisting of N-{1-[2-(4-Ethyl-5-oxo-2-tetrazolin-1-yl)ethyl]-4-methocxymethly-4-piperidyl}propionanilide(alfentanil), 5,5-diallylbarbituric acid(allobarbital, allylprodine, alphaprodine, 8-chloro-1-methyl-6-phenyl-4H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepine(alprazolam), 2-diethylaminopropiophenone(amfepramone), (±)-a-methylphenethylamine (amphetamine), 2-(a-methylphenethylamino)-2-phenylacetonitrile(amphetaminil), 5-ethyl-5-isopentylbarbituric acid(amobarbital), anileridine, apocodeine, 5,5-diethylbarbituric acid(barbital), benzylmorphine, bezitramide, 7-bromo-5-(2-pyridyl)-1H-1,4-benzodiazepine-2(3H)-one(bromazepam), 2-bromo-4-(2-chlorophenyl)-9-methyl-6H-thieno[3,2-n][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]diazepine(brotizolam), 17-cyclopropylmethyl-4,5a-epoxy-7a[(S)-1-hydroxy-1,2,2-trimethyl-propyl]-6-methoxy-6,14-endoethanomorphinan-3-ol(buprenorphine), 5-butyl-5-ethylbarbituric acid(butobarbitol), butorphanol, (7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-2-oxo-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-3-yl) dimethylcarbamate(camazepam), (1S,2S)-2-amino-1-phenyl-1-propanol (cathine/D-norpseudoephedrine), 7-chloro-N-methyl-5-phenyl-3H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-ylamine 4-oxide(chlordiazepoxide), 7-chloro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-1,5-benzodiazepine-2,4(3H,5H)-dione(clobazam), 5-(2-chlorophenyl)-7-nitro-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(clonazepam), clonitazene, 7-chloro-2,3-dihydro-2-oxo-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepine-3-carboxylic acid(clorazepate), 5-(2-chlorophenyl)-7-ethyl-1-methyl-1H-thieno[2,3-e][1,4]diazepin-2(3H)-one(clotiazepam), 10-chloro-11b-(2-chlorophenyl)-2,3,7,11b-tetrahydrooxazolo[3,2-d][1,4]benzodiazepin-6(5H)-one(cloxazolam), (−)-methyl-[3βbenzoyloxy-2β(1aH,5aH)-tropane carboxylate](cocaine), 4,5a-epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methyl-7-morphinen-6a-ol(codeine), 5-(1-cyclohexenyl)-5-ethyl barbituric acid(cyclobarbital), cyclorphan, cyprenorphine, 7-chloro-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(delorazepam), desomorphine, dextromoramide, (+)-(1-benzyl-3-dimethylamino-2-methyl-1-phenylpropyl)propionate(dextropropoxyphene), dezocine, diampromide, diamorphone, 7-chloro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(diazepam), 4,5a-epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methyl-6a-morphinanol(dihydrocodeine), 4,5a-epoxy-17-methyl-3,6a-morphinandiol(dihydromorphine), dimenoxadol, dimephetamol, dimethylthiambutene, dioxaphetyl butyrate, dipipanone, (6aR,10aR)-6,6,9-trimethyl-3-pentyl-6a,7,8,10a-tetrahydro-6H-benzo[c]chromen-1-ol(dronabinol), eptazocine, 8-chloro-6-phenyl-4H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-(a)][1,4]benzodiazepine(estazolam), ethoheptazine, ethylmethylthiambutene, ethyl [7-chloro-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-2,3-dihydro-2-oxo-1H-1,4-benzodiazepine-3-carboxylate](ethyl loflazepate), 4,5a-epoxy-3-ethoxy-17-methyl-7-morphinen-6a-ol(ethylmorphine), etonitazene, 4,5a-epoxy-7a-(1-hydroxy-1-methylbutyl)-6-methoxy-17-methyl-6,1 4-endoetheno-morphinan-3-ol(etorphine), N-ethyl-3-phenyl-8,9,10-trinorbornan-2-ylamine(fencamfamine), 7-[2-(a-methylphenethylamino)ethyl]-theophylline)(fenethylline), 3-(a-methylphenethylamino)propionitrile(fenproporex), N-(1-phenethyl-4-piperidyl)propionanilide(fentanyl), 7-chloro-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-methyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(fludiazepam), 5-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-methyl-7-nitro-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(flunitrazepam), 7-chloro-1-(2-diethylaminoethyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(flurazepam), 7-chloro-5-phenyl-1-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(halazepam), 10-bromo-11b-(2-fluorophenyl)-2,3,7,11b-tetrahydro[1,3]oxazolyl[3,2-d][1,4]benzodiazepin-6(5H)-one(haloxazolam), heroin, 4,5a-epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methyl-6-morphinanone(hydrocodone), 4,5a-epoxy-3-hydroxy-17-methyl-6-morphinanone(hydromorphone), hydroxypethidine, isomethadone, hydroxymethylmorphinan, 11-chloro-8,1 2b-dihydro-2,8-dimethyl-1 2b-phenyl-4H-[1,3]oxazino[3,2-d][1,4]benzodiazepine-4,7(6H)-dione(ketazolam), 1-[4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methyl-4-piperidyl]-1-propanone(ketobemidone), (3S,6S)-6-dimethylamino-4,4-diphenylheptan-3-yl acetate(levacetylmethadol(LAAM)), (−)-6-dimethylamino-4,4-diphenol-3-heptanone(levomethadone), (−)-17-methyl-3-morphinanol(levorphanol), levophenacylmorphane, lofentanil, 6-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(4-methyl-1-piperazinylmethylene)-8-nitro-2H-imidazo[1,2-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-1(4H)-one(loprazolam), 7-chloro-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-hydroxy-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(lorazepam), 7-chloro-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-hydroxy-1-methyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(lormetazepam), 5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,5-dihydro-3H-imidazo[2,1-a]isoindol-5-ol(mazindol), 7-chloro-2,3-dihydro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepine(medazepam), N-(3-chloropropyl)-a-methylphenethylamine(mefenorex), meperidine, 2-methyl-2-propyltrimethylene dicarbamate(meprobamate), meptazinol, metazocine, methylmorphine, N,a-dimethylphenethylamine(metamphetamine), (±)-6-dimethylamino-4,4-diphenol-3-heptanone(methadone), 2-methyl-3-o-tolyl-4(3H)-quinazolinone(methaqualone), methyl[2-phenyl-2-(2-piperidyl)acetate](methylphenidate), 5-ethyl-1-methyl-5-phenylbarbituric acid(methylphenobarbital), 3,3-diethyl-5-methyl-2,4-piperidinedione(methyprylon), metopon, 8-chloro-6-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-methyl-4H-imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]benzodiazepine(midazolam), 2-(benzhydrylsulfinyl)acetamide(modafinil), 4,5a-epoxy-17-methyl-7-morphinen-3,6a-diol(morphine), myrophine, (±)-trans-3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-7,8,10,10a-tetrahydro-1-hydroxy-6,6-dimethyl-6H-dibenzo-[b,d]pyran-9(6aH)-one(nabilone), nalbuphene, nalorphine, narceine, nicomorphine, 1-methyl-7-nitro-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(nimetazepam), 7-nitro-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(nitrazepam), 7-chloro-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(nordazepam), norlevorphanol, 6-dimethylamino-4,4-diphenyl-3-hexanone(normethadone), normorphine, norpipanone, the exudation from plants belonging to the species Papaver somniferum (opium), 7-chloro-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(oxazepam), (cis-trans)-10-chloro-2,3,7,11b-tetrahydro-2-methyl-11b-phenyloxazolo[3,2-d][1,4]benzodiazepin-6-(5H)-one(oxazolam), 4,5a-epoxy-1 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-17-methyl-6-morphinanone(oxycodone), oxymorphone, plants and parts of plants belonging to the species Papaver somniferum (including the subspecies setigerum) (Papaver somniferum), papaveretum, 2-imino-5-phenyl-4-oxazolidinone(pernoline), 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-6,11-dimethyl-3-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-2,6-methano-3-benzazocin-8-ol(pentazocine), 5-ethyl-5-(1-methylbutyl)-barbituric acid(pentobarbital), ethyl-(1-methyl-4-phenyl-4-piperidinecarboxylate)(pethidine), phenadoxone, phenomorphane, phenazocine, phenoperidine, piminodine, pholcodeine, 3-methyl-2-phenylmorpholine (phenmetrazine), 5-ethyl-5-phenylbarbituric acid(phenobarbital), a,a-dimethylphenethylamine(phentermine), 7-chloro-5-phenyl-1-(2-propynyl)-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(pinazepam), a-(2-piperidyl)benzhydryl alcohol(pipradrol), 1′-(3-cyano-3,3-diphenylpropyl)[1,4′-bipiperidine]-4′-carboxamide(piritramide), 7-chloro-1-(cyclopropylmethyl)-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(prazepam), profadol, proheptazine, promedol, properidine, propoxyphene, N-(1-methyl -2-piperidinoethyl)-N-(2-pyridyl)propionamide, methyl {3-[4-methoxycarbonyl-4-(N-phenylpropanamido)piperidino]propanoate}(remifentanil), 5-sec-butyl-5-ethylbarbituric acid(secbutabarbital), 5-allyl-5-(1-methylbutyl)-barbituric acid(secobarbital), N-{4-methoxymethyl-1-[2-(2-thienyl)ethyl]-4-piperidyl}propionanilide (sufentanil), 7-chloro-2-hydroxy-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one (temazepam), 7-chloro-5-(1-cyclohexenyl)-1-methyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one(tetrazepam), ethyl(2-dimethylamino-1-phenyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxylate)(tilidine, cis and trans)), tramadol, 8-chloro-6-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-methyl-4H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]benzodiazepine(triazolam), 5-(1-methylbutyl)-5-vinylbarbituric acid(vinylbital), (1R*,2R*)-3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)-phenol, (1R,2R,4S)-2-(dimethylamino)methyl-4-(p-fluorobenzyloxy)-1-(m-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexanol and for corresponding stereoisomeric compounds, the corresponding derivatives thereof in each case, in particular esters or ethers, and the physiologically acceptable compounds thereof in each case, in particular the salts and solvates thereof. The compounds (1R,2R*)-3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)-phenol and (1R,2R,4S)-2-(dimethylamino)methyl-4-(p-fluorobenzyloxy)-1-(m-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexanol, the physiologically acceptable compounds thereof, in particular the hydrochlorides thereof and processes for the production thereof are respectively known, for example, from EP-A-693475 and EP-A-780369. The corresponding descriptions are hereby introduced as a reference and are deemed to be part of the disclosure. In order to verify whether a viscosity-increasing agent is suitable for use in the dosage form according to the invention, said agent is first formulated in a corresponding dosage form in quantities such that there is no appreciable (±5%) influence on active ingredient release relative to a dosage form without viscosity-increasing agent. The corresponding dosage form is moreover comminuted, preferably ground, and extracted with 10 ml water at 25° C. If a gel is furthermore formed which meets the above-stated conditions, the corresponding viscosity-increasing agent is suitable for the production of a dosage form according to the invention. Preferably, one or more viscosity-increasing agents are used in the dosage form according to the invention, said agents being selected from the group consisting of microcrystalline cellulose with 11 wt. % carboxymethylcellulose sodium (Avicel® RC 591), carboxymethylcellulose sodium (Blanose®, CMC—Na C3001P®, Frimulsion BLC-5®, Tylose C300 P®), polyacrylic acid (Carbopol® 980 NF, Carbopol® 981), locust bean flour (Cesagum® LA-200, Cesagum® LID/150, Cesagum® LN-1), pectins, preferably from citrus fruits or apples (Cesapectin® HM Medium Rapid Set), waxy maize starch (C*Gel 04201®), sodium alginate (Frimulsion ALG (E401)®), guar flour (Frimulsion BM®, Polygum 2611-75®), iota-carrageenan (Frimulsion D021®), karaya gum, gellan gum (Kelcogel F®, Kelcogel LT100®), galactomannan (Meyprogat 150®), tara stone flour (Polygum 4311®), propylene glycol alginate (Protanal-Ester SD-LB®), sodium hyaluronate, tragacanth, tara gum (Vidogum SP 200®), fermented polysaccharide welan gum (K1A96), xanthans such as xanthan gum (Xantural 180®). The names stated in brackets are the trade names by which the materials are known commercially. In general, a quantity of 0.1 to 25 wt. %, preferably of 0.5 to 15 wt. %, particularly preferably of 1-10 wt. % of the viscosity-increasing agent, relative to the total formulation, is sufficient in order to meet the above-stated conditions. The viscosity-increasing agents are preferably present in the dosage form according to the invention in quantities of=5 mg, particularly preferably of=10 mg per dosage form, i.e. per administration unit. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the viscosity-increasing agents used are those which, in addition to the above-stated conditions, also form a gel which encloses air bubbles on extraction from the dosage form with the necessary minimum quantity of aqueous liquid. The resultant gels are distinguished by a turbid appearance, which provides the potential abuser with an additional optical warning and discourages him/her from administering the gel parenterally. The active ingredient or ingredients with potential for abuse and the viscosity-increasing agents and optionally physiologically acceptable auxiliary substances may be formulated to yield the dosage form according to the invention in accordance with conventional methods known to the person skilled in the art. Corresponding methods for formulating the dosage form according to the invention are known per se to the person skilled in the art, for example from “Coated Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms—Fundamentals, Manufacturing Techniques, Biopharmaceutical Aspects, Test Methods and Raw Materials” by Kurt H. Bauer, K. Lehmann, Hermann P. Osterwald, Rothgang, Gerhart, 1st edition, 1998, Medpharm Scientific Publishers. The corresponding literature description is hereby introduced as a reference and is deemed to be part of the disclosure. Surprisingly, due to the inventive selection of the viscosity-increasing agents, it is possible to combine the active ingredients and the viscosity-increasing agents in the dosage form according to the invention without spatial separation from one another, without there being any impairment of release of the active ingredient from the correctly administered dosage form relative to a corresponding dosage form which does not comprise the viscosity-increasing agent. Obviously, however, it is also possible to combine the viscosity-increasing agents and the active ingredients in the dosage form in a mutually spatially separated arrangement. The parenteral abuse-proofed solid dosage forms according to the invention are preferably suitable for oral or rectal administration, particularly preferably for oral administration. Where the dosage form according to the invention is intended for rectal administration, it preferably assumes the form of a suppository. If the dosage form according to the invention is intended for oral administration, it preferably assumes the form of a tablet, a capsule or of an oral osmotic therapeutic system (OROS). Oral osmotic therapeutic systems and suitable materials and processes for the production thereof are known per se to the person skilled in the art, for example from U.S. Pat. No. 4,612,008, U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,989 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,783,337. The corresponding descriptions are hereby introduced as a reference and are deemed to be part of the disclosure. The corresponding oral osmotic therapeutic system may preferably assume the form of a single or twin chamber system, in each case with a single layer or multilayer structure. In these systems, the push layer, i.e. the layer which produces the osmotic pressure by swelling, by means of which the overlying layer is expelled from the system, preferably at least in part consists of the viscosity-increasing agents used according to the invention. In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the orally administrable dosage form according to the invention assumes multiparticulate form containing in each case the complete mixture of active ingredient and viscosity-increasing agent, preferably in the form of microtablets, microcapsules, micropellets, granules, spheroids, beads or pellets, preferably packaged in capsules or press-moulded into tablets The multiparticulate forms preferably have a size in the range from 0.1 to 3 mm, particularly preferably in the range from 0.5 to 2 mm. The dosage form according to the invention may preferably also comprise one or more active ingredients, blended with the viscosity-increasing agent, at least in part in delayed-release form, wherein delayed release may be achieved with the assistance of conventional materials and processes known to the person skilled in the art, for example by embedding the active ingredient in a delayed-release matrix or by applying one or more delayed-release coatings. Delayed release of the active ingredient may preferably also be achieved by purposeful selection of one or more of the above-stated viscosity-increasing agents in suitable quantities as the matrix material. The person skilled in the art may determine the agents and the quantity thereof suitable for the particular desired release by simple preliminary testing, wherein it must, of course, be ensured that, as described above, gel formation occurs when the attempt is made to abuse the resultant dosage form. In any event, it must be ensured that the delayed-release auxiliary substances, and likewise further optionally present auxiliary substances, do not interfere with gel formation or impair the stability of the gel which is formed. If the dosage form according to the invention is intended for oral administration, it may also comprise a coating which is resistant to gastric juices and dissolves as a function of the pH value of the release environment. By means of this coating, it is possible to ensure that, when correctly administered, the dosage form according to the invention passes through the stomach undissolved and the active ingredient is only released in the intestines. The coating which is resistant to gastric juices preferably dissolves at a pH value of between 5 and 7.5. Corresponding materials and methods for the controlled release of active ingredients and for the application of coatings which are resistant to gastric juices are known to the person skilled in the art, for example from “Coated Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms—Fundamentals, Manufacturing Techniques, Biopharmaceutical Aspects, Test Methods and Raw Materials” by Kurt H. Bauer, K. Lehmann, Hermann P. Osterwald, Rothgang, Gerhart, 1st edition, 1998, Medpharm Scientific Publishers. The corresponding literature description is hereby introduced as a reference and is deemed to be part of the disclosure. In a further preferred embodiment, the dosage form according to the invention contains the active ingredient not only in its delayed-release form, but also in its non-delayed-release form. By combination with the immediately released active ingredient, it is possible to obtain an initial dose for rapid pain relief. The slow release from the delayed-release form then prevents any rapid decline in action. The invention is explained below with reference to Examples. These explanations are given merely by way of example and do not restrict the general concept of the invention. EXAMPLES Example 1 Matrix tablets with the following composition per tablet (−)-(1R,2R)-3-(3-Dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2- 100 mg methyl-propyl)phenol hydrochloride Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (Metolose 90 70 mg SH 100,000 from Shinetsu), 100,000 mPa · s Xanthan, NF 10 mg Microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel PH 102 from FMC) 123 mg Highly disperse silicon dioxide 4 mg Magnesium stearate 3 mg Total quantity 310 mg were produced in the following manner in a batch size of 1000 tablets: All the constituents were weighed out and screened in Quadro Comil U10 screening machine using a screen size of 0.813 mm, mixed in a container mixer (Bohle LM 40) for 15 min±15 s at a rotational speed of 20±1 rpm and pressed on a Korsch EKO eccentric press to form biconvex tablets with a diameter of 10 mm, a radius of curvature of 8 mm and an average tablet weight of 310 mg. In vitro release was determined using the Ph. Eur. paddle method at 75 rpm in 900 ml of pH 6.8 buffer to Ph. Eur. at 37° C., with detection by UV spectrometry, and is shown in the following Table, together with a comparison with a corresponding tablet with 80 mg of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (“HPMC”) without addition of xanthan. Total quantity of active ingredient released [%] Total quantity of active from tablets according ingredient released [%] Time to Example 1 (70 mg from tablets with 80 mg [min] HPMC + 10 mg xanthan) HPMC (without xanthan) 0 0 0 30 19 18 240 62 59 480 83 80 600 88 87 720 93 93 One of the tablets containing xanthan was ground and shaken with 10 ml of water. A viscous, turbid suspension formed. Once the coarse, solid components of the suspension had settled out, the gel which had formed was drawn up into a syringe with a 0.9 mm diameter needle. The drawn up gel was injected into water at 37° C. and threads, which did not mix with the water, with the diameter of the needle remained clearly discernible While the threads could be broken up by stirring, they could not be dissolved and the thread fragments remained visible to the naked eye. Were such an extract to be injected into blood vessels, vessel blockages would occur. Example 2 Comparative Example Regarding Very Poor Needle Passage Properties? Matrix tablets with the following composition per tablet (−)-(1R,2R)-3-(3-Dimethylamino-1- 100 mg ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol hydrochloride Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (Metolose 90 SH 40 mg 100,000 from Shinetsu), 100,000 mPa · s Xanthan, NF 40 mg 12% ? Microcrystalline cellulose 123 mg (Avicel PH 102 from FMC) Highly disperse silicon dioxide 4 mg Magnesium stearate 3 mg Total quantity 310 mg were produced as stated in Example 1 and their release characteristics were investigated. Total quantity of active ingredient Time [min] released [%] 0 0 30 19 240 61 480 81 600 87 720 91 One of the tablets was ground and shaken with 10 ml of water. A viscous, turbid suspension with enclosed air bubbles formed, the viscosity of which was greater than in Example 1. Once the coarse, solid components of the suspension had settled out, the gel which had formed was drawn up into a syringe with a 0.9 mm diameter needle. The drawn up gel was injected into water at 37° C. and threads, which did not mix with the water, with the diameter of the needle were clearly discernible. While the threads could be broken up by stirring, they could not be dissolved and the thread fragments remained visible to the naked eye. Were such a gel to be injected into blood vessels, vessel blockages would occur. Example 3 Matrix tablets with the following composition per tablet (−)-(1R,2R)-3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2- 100 mg methyl-propyl)phenol hydrochloride Xanthan, NF 80 mg Microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel PH 102 from FMC) 123 mg Highly disperse silicon dioxide 4 mg Magnesium stearate 3 mg Total quantity 310 mg were produced as stated in Example 1. One of these tablets was ground and shaken with 10 ml of water. A viscous, turbid suspension, which had enclosed air bubbles, formed, the viscosity of which was higher than in Example 1. Once the coarse, solid components of the suspension had settled out, the gel which had formed was drawn up into a syringe with a 0.9 mm diameter needle. The drawn up gel was injected into water at 37° C. and clearly discernible threads, which did not mix with the water, with the diameter of the needle were visible. While the threads could be broken up by stirring, they could not be dissolved and the thread fragments remained visible to the naked eye. Were such a gel to be injected into blood vessels, vessel blockages would occur. Examples 4-7 Matrix tablets with the following composition per tablet Example 4 5 6 7 (−)-(1R,2R)-3-(3-Dimethylamino-1-ethyl- 100 mg 100 mg 100 mg 100 mg 2-methyl-propyl)phenol hydrochloride Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (Metolose 80 mg 80 mg 80 mg 80 mg 90 SH 100,000 from Shinetsu), 100,000 mPa · s Carboxymethylcellulose (Tylose C300) 10 mg Carboxymethylcellulose (Tylose C600) 10 mg Hydroxyethylcellulose (Tylose H300) 10 mg Hydroxyethylcellulose (Tylose H4000) 10 mg Microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel PH 102 from FMC) 123 mg 123 mg 123 mg 123 mg Highly disperse silicon dioxide 4 mg 4 mg 4 mg 4 mg Magnesium stearate 3 mg 3 mg 3 mg 3 mg Total quantity 320 mg 320 mg 320 mg 320 mg were produced as stated in Example 1. One of each of these tablets was ground and shaken with 10 ml of water. A viscous, turbid suspension with enclosed air bubbles formed. Once the coarse, solid components of the suspension had settled out, the [gel] was drawn up into a syringe with a 0.9 mm diameter needle. The drawn up gel was injected into water at 37° C. and clearly visible threads, which did not mix with the water, with the diameter of the needle remained discernible. While the threads could be broken up by stirring, they could not be dissolved and the thread fragments remained visible to the naked eye. Were such a gel to be injected into blood vessels, vessel blockages would occur. Examples 8-13 Matrix tablets with the following composition per tablet Example 8 9 10 11 12 13 Morphine sulfate 60 mg 60 mg 60 mg 60 mg 60 mg 60 mg pentahydrate Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose 60 mg 60 mg 60 mg 60 mg 60 mg 60 mg (Metolose 90 SH 15,000 from Shinetsu), 15,000 mPa · s Xanthan, NF 10 mg 30 mg Carboxymethylcellulose (Tylose C300) 10 mg Carboxymethylcellulose (Tylose C600) 10 mg Hydroxyethylcellulose (Tylose H300) 10 mg Hydroxyethylcellulose (Tylose H4000) 10 mg Microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel PH 102 123 mg 123 mg 123 mg 123 mg 123 mg 123 mg from FMC) Highly disperse silicon dioxide 4 mg 4 mg 4 mg 4 mg 4 mg 4 mg Magnesium stearate 3 mg 3 mg 3 mg 3 mg 3 mg 3 mg One of each of these tablets was ground and shaken with 10 ml of water. A viscous, turbid suspension with enclosed air bubbles formed. Once the coarse, solid components of the suspension had settled out, the [gel] was drawn up into a syringe with a 0.9 mm diameter needle. The drawn up gel was injected into water at 37° C. and clearly visible threads, which did not mix with the water, with the diameter of the needle remained discernible. While the threads could be broken up by stirring, they could not be dissolved and the thread fragments remained visible to the naked eye. Were such a gel to be injected into blood vessels, vessel blockages would occur. Examples 14-18 Capsules with the following composition of the simple powder mixture per capsule (size 4 capsule) Example 14 15 16 17 18 Morphine sulfate pentahydrate 20 mg 20 mg 20 mg 20 mg 20 mg Xanthan, NF 10 mg Carboxymethylcellulose (Tylose C300) 10 mg Carboxymethylcellulose (Tylose C600) 10 mg Hydroxyethylcellulose (Tylose H300) 10 mg Hydroxyethylcellulose (Tylose H4000) 10 mg Microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel PH 102 68 mg 68 mg 68 mg 68 mg 68 mg from FMC) Highly disperse silicon dioxide 1 mg 1 mg 1 mg 1 mg 1 mg Magnesium stearate 1 mg 1 mg 1 mg 1 mg 1 mg One of each of these tablets was ground and shaken with 10 ml of water. A viscous, turbid suspension with enclosed air bubbles formed. Once the coarse, solid components of the suspension had settled out, the [gel] was drawn up into a syringe with a 0.9 mm diameter needle. The drawn up gel was injected into water at 37° C. and clearly visible threads, which did not mix with the water, with the diameter of the needle remained discernible. While the threads could be broken up by stirring, they could not be dissolved and the thread fragments remained visible to the naked eye. Were such a gel to be injected into blood vessels, vessel blockages would occur.
20041209
20100817
20050714
62168.0
11
SHEIKH, HUMERA N
ABUSE-PROOFED DOSAGE FORM
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,008,182
ACCEPTED
Process for the manufacturing of panels having a decorative surface
A process for the manufacturing of panels having a decorative surface whereby the decor of the panels is achieved by means of printing a plurality of different decor sections (1n) on a web (1). Each decor section (1n) being intended to constitute the decor of a panel. Each decor section (1n) having a beginning (1B) and an end (1E). At least the end (1E) of a first decor section (11) is made to match the beginning (1B) of a second decor section (12) so that when the first decor section (11) and the second decor section (11) is arranged in a row, the decor of the first decor section (11) will give the impression of continuing on the second decor section (12).
1. A process for the manufacturing of panels having a decorative surface whereby the decor of the panels is achieved by means of printing a plurality of different decor sections (1n) on a web (1), each decor section (1n) being intended to constitute the decor of a panel, each decor section (1n) having a beginning (1B) and an end (1E) wherein at least the end (1B) of a first decor section (11) is made to match the beginning (1b) of a second decor section (12) so that when the first decor section (11) and the second decor section (12) is arranged in a row, the decor of the first decor section (11) will give the impression of continuing on the second decor section (12). 2. A process according to claim 1, wherein the decorative surface is patterned in predetermined fixed positions (P) on the beginning (1B) and end (1E) of each decor section (1n), that the first edge pattern positions (PL) and the second edge pattern positions (PR) are matched so that the pattern continues over the first and second edges of adjacent panels. 3. A process according to claim 1, wherein predetermined fixed positions (P) extends over a matching tolerance distance (D). 4. A process according to claim 3, wherein the matching tolerance distance (D) is in the range 1-20 mm. 5. A process according to claim 3, wherein the matching tolerance distance (D) is in the range 1-10 mm. 6. A process according to claim 3, wherein the matching tolerance distance (D) is in the range 1-5 mm. 7. A process according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of decor sections (1n) are arranged parallel to each other on the web (1). 8. A process according to claim 7, wherein the end (1E) of the first decor section (11) matches the beginning (1B) of the second decor section (12), an end (1E) of the second decor section (12) matching a beginning (1B) of a third decor section (13) and so on, and that an end (1E) of a final decor section (1n) matches a beginning (1B) of the first decor section (11). 9. A process according to claim 2, wherein predetermined fixed positions (P) extends over a matching tolerance distance (D). 10. A process according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of decor sections (1n) are arranged parallel to each other on the web (1).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the process for manufacturing a set of decorative panels provided with a decor which is matching over two opposite edges of the panels when the panels are arranged in a predetermined order. 2. Description of Related Prior Art Panels coated with thermosetting laminates have been present on the market for some time now. They are foremost used where the demand for abrasion resistance is high, but also where resistance towards different chemicals and moisture is required. As an example of such products floors, floor beadings, table tops, work tops and wall panels can be mentioned. The thermosetting laminate mostly consists of a base layer with a decor sheet placed closest to the surface. The decor sheet can be provided with a desired decor or pattern. The most frequent patterns usually represent the image of different kinds of wood, or minerals such as marble or granite. The surface of the laminate can be provided with a structure during the laminating procedure which will make the decor more realistic. Press plates with structure or structure foils are frequently used when manufacturing such a laminate. A negative reproduction of the structure in the press plate or the foil will be imprinted into the laminate during the laminating procedure. One panel format which is rather common on the market is approximately 1.2×0.2 m. This format, and formats close to this, have the advantage that a package of a number of such panels is easy to handle and will be possible to transport in most cars. The format is still large enough to reduce the time used for installation of the panels. Formats much larger would be difficult to transport and formats much smaller would consume more time during installation. As said earlier, the decor of these panels most often depicts products like wood and minerals. The wood decor may for example be constituted by a number of wood blocks arranged in parallel rows on each panel. Popular designs show two and three parallel rows of such blocks on each panel. It is important to design the decor so that the panels will give a continuos impression when installed. The design of parallel row wood block pattern can be designed as shown in WO 9301378 and the result on an installed floor will make the short side edges more or less disappear. The decor of these panels are most often printed on a continuous web by means of one or more printing cylinders. It is understood that these printing cylinders have a repetition frequency which is depending on the diameter, or actually the circumference of the cylinder. The cost of such a cylinder is of course depending on the size i.e. diameter of the cylinder. A longer repetition distance will also add problems with format change of the decor. The format of the decor is caused by the different treatments the decor web is subjected to such as the printing itself, changes in moisture and temperature, impregnation, curing and the laminating process. Another popular decor is when each panel depicts a wood plank or in other words that the panel have a decor which gives the impression that it is a single piece of solid wood. This makes it different from the blocked wood design described above. Here the length of 1.2 metre or so, seems a bit short and it wood be more pleasing to the eye to have a panel length of 2 metres or more. However, this would give other problems like the transportability, the printing cost and the decor matching discussed above. It has for a long time been a great need to be able to manufacture a decorative thermosetting laminate with a decor pattern with a surface structure as life like as the decor reproduced. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention the above mentioned needs have been met and a decorative board with a decorative surface with a matching decor that overlaps the joints of adjacent boards has been achieved. The invention relates to a process for the manufacturing of panels having a decorative surface. The decor of the panels is achieved by means of printing a plurality of different decor sections on a web, each decor section being intended to constitute the decor of a panel, each decor further having a beginning and an end. The invention is characterised in that at least the end of a first decor section is made to match the beginning of a second decor section so that when the first decor section and the second decor section is arranged in a row, the decor of the first section will give the impression of continuing on the second decor section. It is advantageous to provide the decorative surface with a pattern in predetermined fixed positions on at least the first and the second edges. The first edge pattern positions and the second edge pattern positions are then matched so that the pattern continues over the first and second edges of adjacent panels. As discussed earlier there are problems with change in format of the decor due to the treatment the decor is subjected to. This may cause problems with the intended matching. This may be overcome by arranging the predetermined fixed positions so that it extends over a matching tolerance distance. How to achieve this is further described in connection to enclosed figures. The matching tolerance distance is in preferred embodiment suitably in the range 1-20 mm. It might however be possible to use a matching tolerance distance in the range 1-10 mm or even in the range 1-5 mm, much depending on well controlled the format changes of the decor is. The plurality of decor sections are suitably arranged parallel to each other on the web. According to one embodiment of the invention the first decor section matches the beginning of the second decor section, an end of the second decor section matching a beginning of a third decor section and so on. An end of a final decor section then matches a beginning of the first decor section. This implies that the impression of an infinite wood plank can be achieved. However, as discussed earlier in the present invention the decor is most often achieved by means of a printing cylinder having a circumference corresponding to the length of a panel+machining tolerances this will mean an effective decor length of 1.2 m for each decor section. It is common to have 6 such decor sections arranged next to each other on the printing cylinder. If the end of the first decor section is designed to match the beginning of the second decor section, the end of the second matches the beginning of the third and so on, until the sixth and last section having an end matching the beginning of the first decor section, an effective length of an assembled row of panels may have a length of 7.2 metre in the given example without any repetition of the decor pattern. It is of course also possible to have two or three different sets of such matching resulting in two different sets with each a length of 3.6 metre or three different sets with each a length of 2.4 metre without any repetition in the decor. It is also advantageous to provide the panels with a surface structure which matches and is in register with the decor. This may be achieved by any known means of surface structuring or embossing. The surface grades used for achieving the structure pattern may be selected from the group consisting of; groups of small oblong indentations, different grades of gloss to flat surface finish, ridges and recesses and combinations thereof. The panels achieved through means of the present invention is suitably provided with identification means so that it will be easy for the installer to arrange the panels in the desired sequence. It is also possible to pack the panels so that the stacked in sequence. The panel may according to certain embodiment of the invention be constituted by a base layer, the decor layer as described above and a wear layer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is further explained in connection to the accompanying drawings showing different embodiments of the invention where, FIG. 1 shows schematically decor sections 1n of a decor web 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2. shows schematically end parts 1E and 1B of two decor sections 1n according to an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT EXAMPLES Accordingly, FIG. 1 schematically shows decor sections 1n of a decor web 1 intended to be used when manufacturing panels having a decorative surface. The decor of the panels is achieved by means of printing a plurality of different decor sections 1n in the form of a first to a sixth decor section 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 on a web 1. Each of the decor sections 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are intended to constitute the decor of a panel. Each of the decor sections 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 is having a beginning 1B and an end 1E. The end 1E of the first decor section 11 is made to match the beginning 1B of the second decor section 12 so that when the first decor section 11 and the second decor section 12 is arranged in a row, the decor of the first decor section 11 will give the impression of continuing on the second decor section 12. The beginning 1B and end 1E of the decor sections 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 that follows are suitably also arranged to match as described above. Finally the end 1E of the sixth and last decor section 16 is suitably made to match the beginning 1B of the first decor section 11. FIG. 2 show schematically the beginning 1B part of a second decor section 12 and the, matching, end 1E part of a first decor section 11 before they are cut into panels. The decorative surface is patterned in predetermined fixed positions P on the end 1E and the beginning 1B. A first edge pattern positions pL and a second edge pattern positions PR are matched so that the pattern continues over the edges of adjacent panels. The predetermined fixed positions P extends over a matching tolerance distance D. A majority of this matching tolerance distance D is cut away when the panels are provided with edges. The invention is not limited by the shown embodiments since they can be varied in different ways within the scoop of the invention. It is for example possible to provide panels with a surface structure that matches the decor described. It is also possible to simulate the structure of other materials and match them in a way as described above. Such pattern may be fabric, minerals like polished marble or even completely fantasy based patterns. It is further possible to make other combinations of panels intended to have matching decor when joined together as for example having two panels not intended for such matching while the rest are. Also other amounts of different decor sections than the six discussed in embodiments of the present invention is of course possible to make.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the process for manufacturing a set of decorative panels provided with a decor which is matching over two opposite edges of the panels when the panels are arranged in a predetermined order. 2. Description of Related Prior Art Panels coated with thermosetting laminates have been present on the market for some time now. They are foremost used where the demand for abrasion resistance is high, but also where resistance towards different chemicals and moisture is required. As an example of such products floors, floor beadings, table tops, work tops and wall panels can be mentioned. The thermosetting laminate mostly consists of a base layer with a decor sheet placed closest to the surface. The decor sheet can be provided with a desired decor or pattern. The most frequent patterns usually represent the image of different kinds of wood, or minerals such as marble or granite. The surface of the laminate can be provided with a structure during the laminating procedure which will make the decor more realistic. Press plates with structure or structure foils are frequently used when manufacturing such a laminate. A negative reproduction of the structure in the press plate or the foil will be imprinted into the laminate during the laminating procedure. One panel format which is rather common on the market is approximately 1.2×0.2 m. This format, and formats close to this, have the advantage that a package of a number of such panels is easy to handle and will be possible to transport in most cars. The format is still large enough to reduce the time used for installation of the panels. Formats much larger would be difficult to transport and formats much smaller would consume more time during installation. As said earlier, the decor of these panels most often depicts products like wood and minerals. The wood decor may for example be constituted by a number of wood blocks arranged in parallel rows on each panel. Popular designs show two and three parallel rows of such blocks on each panel. It is important to design the decor so that the panels will give a continuos impression when installed. The design of parallel row wood block pattern can be designed as shown in WO 9301378 and the result on an installed floor will make the short side edges more or less disappear. The decor of these panels are most often printed on a continuous web by means of one or more printing cylinders. It is understood that these printing cylinders have a repetition frequency which is depending on the diameter, or actually the circumference of the cylinder. The cost of such a cylinder is of course depending on the size i.e. diameter of the cylinder. A longer repetition distance will also add problems with format change of the decor. The format of the decor is caused by the different treatments the decor web is subjected to such as the printing itself, changes in moisture and temperature, impregnation, curing and the laminating process. Another popular decor is when each panel depicts a wood plank or in other words that the panel have a decor which gives the impression that it is a single piece of solid wood. This makes it different from the blocked wood design described above. Here the length of 1.2 metre or so, seems a bit short and it wood be more pleasing to the eye to have a panel length of 2 metres or more. However, this would give other problems like the transportability, the printing cost and the decor matching discussed above. It has for a long time been a great need to be able to manufacture a decorative thermosetting laminate with a decor pattern with a surface structure as life like as the decor reproduced.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>According to the present invention the above mentioned needs have been met and a decorative board with a decorative surface with a matching decor that overlaps the joints of adjacent boards has been achieved. The invention relates to a process for the manufacturing of panels having a decorative surface. The decor of the panels is achieved by means of printing a plurality of different decor sections on a web, each decor section being intended to constitute the decor of a panel, each decor further having a beginning and an end. The invention is characterised in that at least the end of a first decor section is made to match the beginning of a second decor section so that when the first decor section and the second decor section is arranged in a row, the decor of the first section will give the impression of continuing on the second decor section. It is advantageous to provide the decorative surface with a pattern in predetermined fixed positions on at least the first and the second edges. The first edge pattern positions and the second edge pattern positions are then matched so that the pattern continues over the first and second edges of adjacent panels. As discussed earlier there are problems with change in format of the decor due to the treatment the decor is subjected to. This may cause problems with the intended matching. This may be overcome by arranging the predetermined fixed positions so that it extends over a matching tolerance distance. How to achieve this is further described in connection to enclosed figures. The matching tolerance distance is in preferred embodiment suitably in the range 1-20 mm. It might however be possible to use a matching tolerance distance in the range 1-10 mm or even in the range 1-5 mm, much depending on well controlled the format changes of the decor is. The plurality of decor sections are suitably arranged parallel to each other on the web. According to one embodiment of the invention the first decor section matches the beginning of the second decor section, an end of the second decor section matching a beginning of a third decor section and so on. An end of a final decor section then matches a beginning of the first decor section. This implies that the impression of an infinite wood plank can be achieved. However, as discussed earlier in the present invention the decor is most often achieved by means of a printing cylinder having a circumference corresponding to the length of a panel+machining tolerances this will mean an effective decor length of 1.2 m for each decor section. It is common to have 6 such decor sections arranged next to each other on the printing cylinder. If the end of the first decor section is designed to match the beginning of the second decor section, the end of the second matches the beginning of the third and so on, until the sixth and last section having an end matching the beginning of the first decor section, an effective length of an assembled row of panels may have a length of 7.2 metre in the given example without any repetition of the decor pattern. It is of course also possible to have two or three different sets of such matching resulting in two different sets with each a length of 3.6 metre or three different sets with each a length of 2.4 metre without any repetition in the decor. It is also advantageous to provide the panels with a surface structure which matches and is in register with the decor. This may be achieved by any known means of surface structuring or embossing. The surface grades used for achieving the structure pattern may be selected from the group consisting of; groups of small oblong indentations, different grades of gloss to flat surface finish, ridges and recesses and combinations thereof. The panels achieved through means of the present invention is suitably provided with identification means so that it will be easy for the installer to arrange the panels in the desired sequence. It is also possible to pack the panels so that the stacked in sequence. The panel may according to certain embodiment of the invention be constituted by a base layer, the decor layer as described above and a wear layer.
20041210
20070814
20050707
91477.0
1
HA, NGUYEN Q
PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURING OF PANELS HAVING A DECORATIVE SURFACE
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
2,004
11,008,386
ACCEPTED
Agitator assisted bulk product dispenser
A dispenser having an agitator for bulk product. The dispenser comprises a housing, a handle pivotally connected to the housing, a door connected to the handle and adapted to pivot between a closed position and an open position to selectively dispense the bulk product through an opening in the housing, and an agitator disposed within the housing and connected to the door. The agitator moves when the handle is pivoted, enabling the bulk product to flow by gravity toward the opening.
1. A dispenser for bulk product, comprising: a housing having an opening; a handle pivotally connected to the housing; a door connected to the handle and adapted to pivot between a closed position and an open position when actuated to selectively dispense the bulk product through the opening; and an agitator in contact with the bulk product and disposed within the housing and connected to the door, wherein the agitator moves when the handle is pivoted, enabling the bulk product to flow toward the opening. 2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the agitator moves slidably and reciprocably as the handle is pivoted. 3. The dispenser of claim 2 wherein the agitator further includes at least one face oriented generally perpendicular to a bottom surface of the housing. 4. The dispenser of claim 3 wherein: the face moves toward a front of the housing as the door pivots to the open position; and the face moves toward a rear of the housing as the door pivots to the closed position. 5. The dispenser of claim 3 wherein: the face moves toward a rear of the housing as the door pivots to the open position; and the face moves toward a front of the housing as the door pivots to the closed position. 6. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the agitator is connected to the door by at least one link. 7. The dispenser of claim 6 wherein the link is pivotally coupled to the door at one of a first position or a second position, the first position causing the agitator to move slidably toward a rear of the housing as the door pivots to the open position, and move slidably toward a front of the housing as the door pivots to the closed position; and the second position causing the agitator to move slidably toward the front of the housing as the door pivots to the open position, and move slidably toward the rear of the housing as the door pivots to the closed position. 8. The dispenser of claim 7 wherein the coupling of the link with the door is selectable between the first and second positions. 9. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a baffle in contact with the product to limit the flow of product toward a front of the housing. 10. The dispenser of claim 9 wherein the baffle is adjustable to adjust the flow of product from the housing. 11. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a chute to guide and direct bulk product being dispensed. 12. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a base. 13. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a biasing element to bias the door in the closed position. 14. A dispenser for bulk product, comprising: a housing having an opening; a handle pivotally connected to the housing; a door connected to the handle and adapted to pivot between a closed position and an open position when actuated to selectively dispense the bulk product through the opening; at least one link connected to the door; and an agitator disposed within the housing, in contact with the bulk product and connected to the link, wherein the link is pivotally coupled to the door at one of a first position or a second position, the first position causing the agitator to move slidably toward a rear of the housing as the door pivots to the open position, and move slidably toward a front of the housing as the door pivots to the closed position, and the second position causing the agitator to move slidably toward the front of the housing as the door pivots to the open position, and move slidably toward the rear of the housing as the door pivots to the closed position, the agitator enabling the bulk product to flow toward the opening. 15. A method for dispensing bulk product, comprising the steps of: providing a housing having an opening; connecting a door to the housing, the door being pivotable with a handle and actuable between a closed position and an open position to selectively allow bulk product through the opening; and placing an agitator within the housing in contact with the bulk product and connecting the agitator to the door such that the agitator moves when the door is pivoted, enabling the bulk product to flow toward the opening. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of moving the agitator slidably and reciprocably as the handle is pivoted. 17. The method of claim 16, further including the step of adding at least one face to the agitator and orienting the face generally perpendicular to a bottom surface of the housing. 18. The method of claim 17, further including the step of moving the face toward a front of the housing as the door pivots to the open position and moving the face toward a rear of the housing as the door pivots to the closed position. 19. The method of claim 17, further including the step of moving the face toward a rear of the housing as the door pivots to the open position and moving the face toward a front of the housing as the door pivots to the closed position. 20. The method of claim 15, further including the step of connecting the agitator to the door with at least one link. 21. The method of claim 20, further including the step of pivotally coupling the link to the door at one of a first position or a second position, the first position causing the agitator to move slidably toward a rear of the housing as the door pivots to the open position, and move slidably toward a front of the housing as the door pivots to the closed position; and the second position causing the agitator to move slidably toward the front of the housing as the door pivots to the open position, and move slidably toward the rear of the housing as the door pivots to the closed position. 22. The method of claim 21, further including the step of making the coupling of the link to the door selectable between the first and second positions.
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application 60/572,539, filed May 19, 2004, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. RELATED PATENTS U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,182,864 and 6,241,123 to Elmore, both of which teach general gravity fed dispensing systems. The teachings of both patents are incorporated herein by reference. FIELD The invention relates generally to a bulk material dispensing apparatus and, more particularly, to a gravity fed dispensing apparatus with agitation means. The apparatus allows stored bulk material, including difficult-to-dispense items, to flow under the force of gravity with the assistance of an agitator. The items are then dispensed through a chute. BACKGROUND Gravity fed bins for dispensing bulk materials are used to dispense a wide variety of materials having a range of sizes and aggregate make-ups as diverse as hardware components, e.g., nuts and bolts, to food, e.g., pastas, cereals, nuts, coffee (either beans or ground), dried soup mixes, candies, spices, and the like. Generally, the bins are comprised of enclosures having an inlet at an upper end utilized to fill a cavity, an outlet or chute at its lower end utilized to dispense the material, and a flow control device located between the upper and lower openings for controlling the amount of material being dispensed during the time the control device is actuated. In operation, as the material is being dispensed, gravity pulls the remaining material in the cavity towards the lower end to replace the dispensed material. These types of bins generally include a downwardly angled or curving inner wall that forms a slide to channel the dispensed materials into a receptacle adjacent the outlet. Examples of prior art gravity fed bins can be found in the above-mentioned U.S. Patents to Elmore, U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,866 to Loew, NewLeaf Designs' Vita-Bin® gravity bin product, and BestBins Corporation's gravity bins product. Gravity fed bins offer a multitude of advantages compared to other dispensing means, such as scoop bins, including convenience, ease of use and hygiene. Even so, gravity fed bins are not suited for all types of materials, thus preventing them from being more widely adopted. Specifically, gravity fed dispensers are not generally well suited for dispensing sticky products, such as dried fruits and gummy candies or bulk materials that tend to bridge over the dispensing area, such as ground foods and wrapped candies, for example. Heretofore, the most practical means for dispensing such difficult to dispense product was to employ a bulk food dispenser generally known as a “scoop bin.” As the name suggests, a scoop bin typically comprises a plastic bin, often having a hinged lid that is lifted to provide the consumer access to the stored contents. A hand scoop is then employed to gather the bulk product for placement into a container. While scoop bins are effective for dispensing a wider variety of product than a gravity type dispenser, they suffer from several major disadvantages, particularly in the area of hygiene, because of the contamination that can take place in these types of dispensers. Sources of contamination include germs that may be attached to the scoop or scoop handle being transferred to the stored product during dispensing or from external debris falling into the bin cavity when the bin's lid is lifted. Lastly, since the nature of scoop bins requires their openings to be located closer to the floor for access reasons, they are generally within the reach of children and others who are not hesitant to reach into the unsecured bins with potentially unclean hands in order to extract a sample, or even play with the bin contents. Attempts have been made to address one or more of these problems. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,577 to Vona shows bins for displaying such things as buns wherein the bins include a sneeze shield and a lower cleaning tray. U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,991 to Johnson shows a relatively hygienic system incorporating a rake with an externally accessible handle. U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,578 to Radek et al., shows another such rake system, as does U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,494 to Ellis et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,609 to Morse et al. shows yet another variation, in which an auger is used to draw material out of a hopper or receptacle. U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,604 to Kern et al. shows a relatively hygienic system that uses a wiping paddle arrangement and flexible chute walls to accommodate sticky foods. Unfortunately, each of these attempts have failed to become widely used because of a number of shortcomings, including difficulty in use and cleaning, which renders them impractical for their intended purpose. There remains a need for a reliable bulk product dispenser that can be easily cleaned, whose contents are not easily accessible nor prone to external contamination, that can accommodate a wide variety of product shapes and is suitable for dispensing product portions that tend to clump or otherwise stick together and resist gravity-fed flow. SUMMARY The invention disclosed herein addresses and overcomes the shortcomings inherent in previous attempts in the art to dispense difficult product. In particular, the present invention overcomes the tendency of components of the stored product to exert tactile pressure upon each other such that the components bridge a dispensing opening in the housing or clump together. The present invention provides for an agitation means located within the bin and which is actuated upon pulling the dispensing handle. One important aspect of the invention is that the agitator is configured so that the direction of the agitation is reversible. For example, the agitator may be configured to either draw product toward the dispensing chute when the dispensing handle is actuated or to push it away, the particular configuration depending upon the type and physical characteristics of the product being dispensed. Another aspect of the invention is a movable baffle plate that is adjustable to reduce the tendency of stored product to resist the force of gravity through bridging of a dispensing opening. It may also be adjusted to regulate the flow rate of dispensed product when the handle is actuated. The bulk product dispenser according to the present invention is preferably constructed of molded clear plastic, such as polycarbonate, but other materials and color configurations are anticipated. For food related dispensers, it is also preferable to utilize materials that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and constructed in accordance with food service specifications issued by NSF International of Ann Arbor, Mich. One aspect of the invention is an embodiment of a dispenser for bulk product. The dispenser comprises a housing having an opening, a handle pivotally connected to the housing, a door connected to the handle and adapted to pivot between a closed position and an open position when actuated to selectively dispense the bulk product through the opening, and an agitator in contact with the bulk product and disposed within the housing and connected to the door. The agitator moves when the handle is pivoted, breaking up the product and enabling the bulk product to flow by gravity toward the opening. Another aspect of the invention is another embodiment of a dispenser for bulk product. The dispenser comprises a housing having an opening, a handle pivotally connected to the housing, a door connected to the handle and adapted to pivot between a closed position and an open position when actuated to selectively dispense the bulk product through the opening, at least one link connected to the door, and an agitator disposed within the housing, in contact with the bulk product and being connected to the link. The link is pivotally coupled to the door at one of a first position or a second position. Coupling to the first position causes the agitator to move slidably toward a rear of the housing as the door pivots to the open position, and move slidably toward a front of the housing as the door pivots to the closed position. Coupling to the second position causes the agitator to move slidably toward the front of the housing as the door pivots to the open position, and move slidably toward the rear of the housing as the door pivots to the closed position. The agitator breaks up and/or loosens and/or repositions the bulk product, enabling it to flow by gravity toward the opening. Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method for dispensing bulk product. The method comprises the steps of providing a housing having an opening, connecting a door to the housing, the door being pivotable with a handle and actuable between a closed position and an open position to selectively allow bulk product through the opening, and placing an agitator within the housing in contact with the bulk product and connecting the agitator to the door such that the agitator moves when the door is pivoted, enabling the bulk product to flow toward the opening. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further features of the inventive embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the embodiments relate from reading the specification and claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bulk product dispenser with agitator according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown in cutaway; FIG. 2A depicts an elevational view in section of the bulk product dispenser of FIG. 1, showing the dispenser at rest; FIG. 2B shows an elevational view in section of the bulk product dispenser of FIG. 1, showing the dispenser in a dispensing state; FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the agitator of FIG. 1; FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of component parts of the bulk product dispenser, configured to agitate the product toward the front of the housing according to an embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 4B is an exploded perspective view of component parts of the bulk product dispenser configured to agitate the product toward the rear of the housing according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION A bulk product dispenser 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B. Dispenser 10 includes a housing 12 for storing bulk product. Housing 12 is mounted to a base 14, and may include a holder 15 for a label (not shown) to identify and describe bulk product stored therein. A lid 16 fits onto a top 17 of housing 12 to keep out dirt and debris and to provide access to the interior of the housing for replenishing bulk product. Lid 16 may be removable or hinged, and may be held in place in any conventional manner, such as mating projections on the lid and housing 12. A handle 18 is pivotally attached to housing 12. A door 22 is attached to handle 18 such that the door pivots when the handle is pivoted. Door 22 is arranged to selectively block an opening 24 of housing 12, preventing the discharge of product (not shown for clarity) stored in the housing. Handle 18 and door 22 are held in a predetermined (closed) position by a biasing element 20 such that the door blocks opening 24 when the handle is not being actuated by a user. Biasing element 20 may be any conventional structure effective to hold handle 18 in the predetermined position including, without limitation, elastic materials, helical springs and leaf springs. An agitator 26 is positioned proximate a bottom surface 28 of housing 12 and is coupled to door 22 by a pair of links 30 such that the agitator moves slidably and reciprocably along the bottom surface when handle 18 is pivoted reciprocably away from and toward housing 12. Agitator 26, shown in greater detail in FIGS. 3, 4A and 4B, includes a pair of openings 32 and one or more ribs 34 forming one or more faces 36. Faces 36 are oriented generally perpendicular to bottom surface 28, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. With reference to FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, a baffle 38 is generally vertically disposed within housing 12 and is vertically adjustable to control or limit the flow of product from the housing. The vertical adjustment may be accomplished in any conventional manner including, without limitation, stays, stops, snaps, connectors, slots and tabs. In one embodiment, baffle 38 moves generally vertically through a pair of guides 46 on each sidewall 54, 56 of housing 12 and is held in one of a number of predetermined positions by a pair of tabs 48 of the baffle in cooperation with two of a plurality of projections 50, each being located on or molded into one of the sidewalls. Baffle 38 is in contact with the stored bulk product and provides a damming effect to control or limit the flow of product from housing 12. Baffle 38 additionally serves to effectively adjust the size and shape of housing 12 proximate opening 24 to accommodate various types and shapes of bulk product so as to prevent bridging of the product, i.e., product spanning across the opening in such a way that a “logjam” blockage occurs, preventing dispensing of the product. Housing 12 may also include a detachable false front portion 52. False front 52 forms a cavity 60 within housing 12. When dispenser 10 is filled with bulk product, a portion of the product is placed into cavity 60, giving consumers a visual indication of the product stored within the dispenser. False front 52 may further include a removable drain door 62, closing off a lower portion of cavity 60. If drain door 62 is installed, the bulk product in cavity 60 will be retained in the cavity regardless of the amount of product in housing 12, making dispenser 10 always appear to be full. If drain door 62 is removed, product in cavity 60 will be dispensed along with product in housing 12, such that no product will be in the cavity when the housing is empty. Drain door 62 is preferably installed in the present invention so as to prevent product flow from cavity 60 from interfering with product flow from housing 12 when product is being dispensed. With continued reference to FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, in operation, lid 16 is separated from housing 12 and baffle 38 is vertically adjusted such that opening 24 is sized for a desired product type (i.e., gummy, wrapped, etc.), shape and dispensing flow rate. Housing 12 is filled with a bulk product to be dispensed, then lid 16 is reattached to housing 12. A user pulls on handle 18, causing the handle to pivot as it moves away from housing 12. Door 22 likewise pivots, moving to an open position and exposing opening 24, allowing bulk product to flow through the opening for dispensing. A chute 40 may be used to guide and direct the bulk product into a container (not shown) as it exits housing 12. As handle 18 and door 22 pivot, agitator 26 moves slidably along bottom surface 28 of housing 12, causing faces 36 of the agitator to contact the bulk product, aiding to loosen and enable the bulk product to flow toward opening 24. Handle 18 may be repeatedly actuated by the user, causing agitator 26 to reciprocably move along bottom surface 28 as door 22 opens and closes such that faces 36 repeatedly contact the bulk product to further aid in loosening and enabling its flow. The inventors have found that it is advantageous to tailor the movement of agitator 26 for differing types of bulk product to optimize the effectiveness of the agitator. With continued reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, an exploded view of agitator 26 coupled to door 22 by links 30 is shown in FIG. 4A. A first end of each link 30 is pivotally attached to agitator 26 at openings 32. A second end of each link 30 is pivotally attached to openings 42 of door 22. When handle 18 is pulled by a user (i.e., pivoted away from housing 12), door 22 will pivot in axis “A.” Movement of door 22 causes links 30 to move generally axially, pulling agitator 26 in direction “B,” generally toward the door. In this configuration, faces 36 of agitator 26 push against the bulk product when handle 18 is pulled, loosening the bulk product and enabling its flow. Agitation in this manner is particularly effective for aiding to dispense soft and “gummy” bulk product. The present invention may also be configured as depicted in FIG. 4B. A first end of each link 30 is pivotally attached to agitator 26 at openings 32. A second end of each link 30 is pivotally attached to openings 44 of door 22. In this configuration, when handle 18 (see generally FIG. 1) is pulled by a user, door 22 will pivot in axis “A.” Movement of door 22 causes links 30 to move generally axially, pushing agitator 26 in direction “C,” generally toward a rear 58 of housing 12. In this configuration, faces 36 of agitator 26 push against the bulk product when handle 18 is urged to its resting position proximate housing 12 by biasing element 20 and/or pushed by the user, loosening the bulk product and enabling its flow. Agitation in this manner is particularly effective for aiding to dispense dry or wrapped bulk product that has a tendency to bridge. As can be seen, dispenser 10 may be adapted to function in the manner described above for either FIG. 4A or FIG. 4B by simply positioning the second ends of links 30 in either openings 42 or openings 44 of door 22. No further modification of dispenser 10 is required. Any suitable materials may be selected for dispenser 10 and its associated components. For example, housing 12 may be a clear plastic including, without limitation, “food-safe” plastics, polycarbonates and acrylics, allowing a user to view the contents of dispenser 10. Other components, such as base 14 (see FIG. 1) may be a colored plastic. For example, in some embodiments it may be desirable to color-code portions of dispenser 10 so that dispensers containing similar bulk products, such as types of candy, may be grouped together for the convenience of the user. Another criterion for dispenser 10 is selecting materials compatible with the bulk product to be dispensed, such as materials of sufficient strength and durability to bear the weight of heavy bulk product. Yet another criterion is selecting materials of a chemical composition that is compatible with the bulk product, such as avoiding materials that support galvanic corrosion in certain metal bulk products. While this invention has been shown and described with respect to a detailed embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and detail thereof may be made without departing from the scope of the claims of the invention.
<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>Gravity fed bins for dispensing bulk materials are used to dispense a wide variety of materials having a range of sizes and aggregate make-ups as diverse as hardware components, e.g., nuts and bolts, to food, e.g., pastas, cereals, nuts, coffee (either beans or ground), dried soup mixes, candies, spices, and the like. Generally, the bins are comprised of enclosures having an inlet at an upper end utilized to fill a cavity, an outlet or chute at its lower end utilized to dispense the material, and a flow control device located between the upper and lower openings for controlling the amount of material being dispensed during the time the control device is actuated. In operation, as the material is being dispensed, gravity pulls the remaining material in the cavity towards the lower end to replace the dispensed material. These types of bins generally include a downwardly angled or curving inner wall that forms a slide to channel the dispensed materials into a receptacle adjacent the outlet. Examples of prior art gravity fed bins can be found in the above-mentioned U.S. Patents to Elmore, U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,866 to Loew, NewLeaf Designs' Vita-Bin® gravity bin product, and BestBins Corporation's gravity bins product. Gravity fed bins offer a multitude of advantages compared to other dispensing means, such as scoop bins, including convenience, ease of use and hygiene. Even so, gravity fed bins are not suited for all types of materials, thus preventing them from being more widely adopted. Specifically, gravity fed dispensers are not generally well suited for dispensing sticky products, such as dried fruits and gummy candies or bulk materials that tend to bridge over the dispensing area, such as ground foods and wrapped candies, for example. Heretofore, the most practical means for dispensing such difficult to dispense product was to employ a bulk food dispenser generally known as a “scoop bin.” As the name suggests, a scoop bin typically comprises a plastic bin, often having a hinged lid that is lifted to provide the consumer access to the stored contents. A hand scoop is then employed to gather the bulk product for placement into a container. While scoop bins are effective for dispensing a wider variety of product than a gravity type dispenser, they suffer from several major disadvantages, particularly in the area of hygiene, because of the contamination that can take place in these types of dispensers. Sources of contamination include germs that may be attached to the scoop or scoop handle being transferred to the stored product during dispensing or from external debris falling into the bin cavity when the bin's lid is lifted. Lastly, since the nature of scoop bins requires their openings to be located closer to the floor for access reasons, they are generally within the reach of children and others who are not hesitant to reach into the unsecured bins with potentially unclean hands in order to extract a sample, or even play with the bin contents. Attempts have been made to address one or more of these problems. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,577 to Vona shows bins for displaying such things as buns wherein the bins include a sneeze shield and a lower cleaning tray. U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,991 to Johnson shows a relatively hygienic system incorporating a rake with an externally accessible handle. U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,578 to Radek et al., shows another such rake system, as does U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,494 to Ellis et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,609 to Morse et al. shows yet another variation, in which an auger is used to draw material out of a hopper or receptacle. U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,604 to Kern et al. shows a relatively hygienic system that uses a wiping paddle arrangement and flexible chute walls to accommodate sticky foods. Unfortunately, each of these attempts have failed to become widely used because of a number of shortcomings, including difficulty in use and cleaning, which renders them impractical for their intended purpose. There remains a need for a reliable bulk product dispenser that can be easily cleaned, whose contents are not easily accessible nor prone to external contamination, that can accommodate a wide variety of product shapes and is suitable for dispensing product portions that tend to clump or otherwise stick together and resist gravity-fed flow.
<SOH> SUMMARY <EOH>The invention disclosed herein addresses and overcomes the shortcomings inherent in previous attempts in the art to dispense difficult product. In particular, the present invention overcomes the tendency of components of the stored product to exert tactile pressure upon each other such that the components bridge a dispensing opening in the housing or clump together. The present invention provides for an agitation means located within the bin and which is actuated upon pulling the dispensing handle. One important aspect of the invention is that the agitator is configured so that the direction of the agitation is reversible. For example, the agitator may be configured to either draw product toward the dispensing chute when the dispensing handle is actuated or to push it away, the particular configuration depending upon the type and physical characteristics of the product being dispensed. Another aspect of the invention is a movable baffle plate that is adjustable to reduce the tendency of stored product to resist the force of gravity through bridging of a dispensing opening. It may also be adjusted to regulate the flow rate of dispensed product when the handle is actuated. The bulk product dispenser according to the present invention is preferably constructed of molded clear plastic, such as polycarbonate, but other materials and color configurations are anticipated. For food related dispensers, it is also preferable to utilize materials that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and constructed in accordance with food service specifications issued by NSF International of Ann Arbor, Mich. One aspect of the invention is an embodiment of a dispenser for bulk product. The dispenser comprises a housing having an opening, a handle pivotally connected to the housing, a door connected to the handle and adapted to pivot between a closed position and an open position when actuated to selectively dispense the bulk product through the opening, and an agitator in contact with the bulk product and disposed within the housing and connected to the door. The agitator moves when the handle is pivoted, breaking up the product and enabling the bulk product to flow by gravity toward the opening. Another aspect of the invention is another embodiment of a dispenser for bulk product. The dispenser comprises a housing having an opening, a handle pivotally connected to the housing, a door connected to the handle and adapted to pivot between a closed position and an open position when actuated to selectively dispense the bulk product through the opening, at least one link connected to the door, and an agitator disposed within the housing, in contact with the bulk product and being connected to the link. The link is pivotally coupled to the door at one of a first position or a second position. Coupling to the first position causes the agitator to move slidably toward a rear of the housing as the door pivots to the open position, and move slidably toward a front of the housing as the door pivots to the closed position. Coupling to the second position causes the agitator to move slidably toward the front of the housing as the door pivots to the open position, and move slidably toward the rear of the housing as the door pivots to the closed position. The agitator breaks up and/or loosens and/or repositions the bulk product, enabling it to flow by gravity toward the opening. Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method for dispensing bulk product. The method comprises the steps of providing a housing having an opening, connecting a door to the housing, the door being pivotable with a handle and actuable between a closed position and an open position to selectively allow bulk product through the opening, and placing an agitator within the housing in contact with the bulk product and connecting the agitator to the door such that the agitator moves when the door is pivoted, enabling the bulk product to flow toward the opening.
20041209
20070220
20051208
79819.0
1
WILLIAMS, STEPHANIE ELAINE
AGITATOR ASSISTED BULK PRODUCT DISPENSER
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
2,004
11,008,530
ACCEPTED
Item information system and method
An item price notification system automatically interrogates product labels to determine product, pricing, and other unique data. The system uses a radio frequency (RF) radio frequency transceiver to generate an RF field to communicate with radio frequency identification (radio frequency transponders) transponders mountable to product display shelves. The radio frequency transponders contain information such as pricing information, nutritional information, and other unique data about the various products. As the RF radio frequency transceiver moves into proximity to various radio frequency transponders for a variety of products, the unique data are received by the RF radio frequency transceiver and are displayed for the user. The displayed data allows a user to make comparisons between products, and the system display and memory allow a user to store the unique data for those products and to make instant and cumulative product, price, and other comparisons.
1. An item information for items stored in groups on display shelves, the system comprising: a plurality of radio frequency transponders each having item information stored therein that is related to items stored on the display shelves proximate to the transponder; and a portable item information device having: a radio frequency transceiver circuit adapted to generate an interrogation signal that that has sufficient power so that the polling signal can be received by any of the plurality of radio frequency transponders within a proximate distance and further supplying sufficient power to said transponders so that the transponders can use the supplied power to generate responsive signals having data indicative of the item information stored therein; said radio frequency transceiver circuit further being adapted to sense the responsive signals and to provide item data to a control circuit based upon the data in the responsive signals; said control circuit being adapted to receive the item data, to determine output information based upon the received item data and to cause a display to generate an image based upon the output information. 2. The item information system of claim 1, further comprising a memory, operatively connected to the display screen and the control circuit for storing data based upon the received item data. 3. The item information system of claim 1, wherein each radio frequency transponder includes a passive transponder. 4. The item information system of claim 1, wherein item data includes data from which the control circuit can determine at least one an item description, an item package size, an item package price, and a unit price of the item. 5. The item information system of claim 1, wherein the output data includes at least an advertisement for at least one item for which item data is received. 6. The item information system of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency transceiver, the control circuit and the display screen are mounted to a shopping cart. 7. The item information system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of radio frequency transponders within proximity to the radio frequency transceiver each provide a responsive signal having unique item data to the radio frequency transceiver, the radio frequency transceiver communicates the unique data to the control circuit and the control circuit is adapted to generate a output data for presentation as an image on the display screen substantially simultaneously, thereby allowing a comparison of the item data received from each of the plurality of radio frequency transponders. 8. The item information system of claim 7, wherein the image does not include output data for an item when the radio frequency transponder is beyond the proximate distance. 9. The item information system of claim 2, further comprising a user interface adapted to sense a user action designating output data from at least one of the plurality of radio frequency transponders and storing the item data in the memory indicative of the selection, the item selected, or the type of information selected. 10. The item information system of claim 9, further comprising a means for manipulating the selected item data using mathematical operations. 11. The item information system of claim 9, wherein the display screen further comprises a flexible cholesteric liquid crystal display. 12. A method of shopping and product comparison using a plurality of radio frequency transponders, each associated with particular portion of display shelves having items thereon wherein each radio frequency transponder stores unique item data for items located proximate thereto in a remotely readable form, the method comprising the steps of: transmitting a radio frequency interrogation signal adapted to cause ones of the plurality of radio frequency transponders that are proximate to location at which the radio frequency transceiver signal is transmitted to respond with a unique signal having item data therein; receiving each of the unique signals and extracting item data therefrom; converting the unique item data into a viewable form; and displaying the viewable form. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the radio frequency interrogation signal is adapted to generate a signal having a strength that is adapted to be usable only by transponders that are within a range of positions proximate to the location at which the radio frequency transceiver signal is generated. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the radio frequency transponders are adapted to generate responsive signals using power supplied by the radio frequency interrogation signals, so that the radio frequency transponder will not generate a responsive signal if a radio frequency interrogation signal is sensed by the radio frequency transponder lacks sufficient power to enable the radio frequency transponder to generate a responsive signal. 15. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of storing received item data in a memory. 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of transmitting an interrogation signal comprises the step of using an antenna operatively connected to a transceiver to generate an interrogation signal in the form of a radio frequency field in proximity to each of the radio frequency transponders on the display shelves. 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the displaying step further comprises the steps of displaying at least an item description, an item package size, an item package price, and an item unit price. 18. The method of claim 12, wherein the displaying step further comprises the step of displaying an advertisement for the item. 19. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of displaying the item information from each of the plurality of radio frequency transponders within proximity to the radio frequency transceiver occurs substantially simultaneously, thereby allowing a displayed comparison of product related information based upon the item data received from each of the plurality of radio frequency transponders. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the displayed information is adjusted so that item information that is based upon data obtained from a transponder that is beyond a proximate distance from a source of the interrogation signal is no longer displayed on the display screen when that radio frequency transponder. 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the steps of sensing a user action designating item data from at least one of the plurality of radio frequency transponders and storing the item data in the memory indicative of the selection, the item selected, or the type of information selected. 22. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of using the display screen to manipulate the item data using mathematical operations. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the mathematical operation is calculating a running total of the price of items selected by a user. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the mathematical operation is calculating a running total of the calories present in items selected by a user. 25. The method claim 12, further comprising the step of creating a shopping list of items by receiving external consumer preference data and adapting the viewable form based upon the consumer preference data to display items for which a shopper is searching. 26. The method of claim 12, wherein the unique item data comprises an item identification code, and wherein the step of converting the unique item data into a viewable form comprises using the item identification code to obtain other information relevant to the item from a memory and to present a viewable form indicative of the obtained information. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of using the item data to obtain other information comprises transmitting a signal having the item data to a remote memory and receiving other information relevant to the item from the remote memory. 28. An item information device for use with item storage areas and a plurality of radio frequency transponders associated with the storage areas, the transponders having item data stored therein, the item information device comprising: a display for presenting formed images; and a radio frequency circuit adapted to receive radio frequency signals having item data from at least one radio frequency transponder and to communicate the item data to a control circuit with the control circuit adapted to form images for presentation on the display based upon the received item data and to cause the display to present the formed images; wherein the radio frequency circuit is further adapted to transmit a radio frequency signal that causes the radio frequency transponders associated with storage areas proximate to the item price notification device to transmit radio frequency signals having item data, so that item data presented on the display represents items that are proximate to the item information device. 29. The item information device of claim 28, wherein the radio frequency circuit comprises: a transceiver, including a transmission portion and a reception portion; and an antenna, operatively connected to the transceiver, for generating a radio frequency field in proximity to at least one radio frequency transponder located proximate to at least one item on a shelf. 30. The item information device as in claim 28, wherein the item data presented on the display includes at least an item description, an item package size, an item package price, and a unit price of the item. 31. The item information device of claim 28, wherein the item data displayed on the display includes at least an advertisement for the item. 32. The item information device of claim 28, wherein the radio frequency circuit, the control circuit, and the display are mounted to a shopping cart. 33. The item information device of claim 28, further comprising a power supply for supplying power to the radio frequency circuit, the control circuit and the display wherein at least one radio frequency transponder within a proximate distance to the radio frequency circuit each communicate unique data to the radio frequency circuit and the radio frequency circuit communicates the item data to the display substantially simultaneously, thereby allowing a comparison of the item data received from each of the at least one radio frequency transponders. 34. The item information device as in claim 33, wherein the item data is no longer displayed on the display when a radio frequency transponder is beyond a proximate distance. 35. The item information device as in claim 22, wherein the display comprises means for selecting the item data from each of the at least one radio frequency transponders and storing the item data in a memory. 36. The item information device of claim 35, wherein the display further comprises means for manipulating the item data using mathematical operations. 37. The item information device as in claim 36, wherein the display further comprises a flexible cholesteric liquid crystal display. 38. The item information device comprising: a plurality of radio frequency transponder means each having memory means therein adapted to store item data indicative of items proximate to the transponder and for receiving an interrogation signal and transmitting, in response thereto a responsive signal having stored item data therein; a radio frequency transceiver means having a radio frequency transmitting means for sending an interrogation signal within a range of positions proximate to the radio frequency transceiver means and a radio frequency receiving means for receiving responsive signals from proximate radio frequency transponders and for providing a signal indicative of the item data in the responsive signals; a control means adapted to receive the signal from the radio receiver means and further adapted to determine an output based upon the received signal from the radio frequency receiver means; and a display means for generating an output in a human visible form; wherein said control means is further adapted for causing said display to present an output is based upon the received signal from the radio receiver means, said output being indicative of proximate items.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention generally relates to retail pricing systems, and methods for managing pricing, consumer comparisons, and inventory of goods. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The traditional method for informing consumers of item prices in a retail setting is to place price labels on the shelves under the items. These labels are normally made of paper or of another single-use material and must be manually updated when prices change or when an item goes on sale. There are many advantages to making this item information available electronically including greater accuracy, lower labor costs, greater flexibility, and more timely and responsive pricing practices. To achieve these advantages, electronic shelf labels may be placed on the shelves. Retailer merchandisers place electronic shelf labels on stock shelves to display item information such as the regular product price, any promotional pricing, and the unit price of the item, as well as any other advertising or consumer information. Electronic shelf labels may also be remotely updated from a central pricing database. Electronic shelf labels enable merchants to update price changes on the shelves and checkout stands of multiple stores at the same time. These electronic shelf labels are programmed using radio frequency or infrared (IR) interfaces, or by wiring the shelves to accept periodic inputs from another device. But there are disadvantages to pricing methods using electronic shelf labels. Power and communication means must be provided to the individual labels. If batteries are used to provide power to each label, they must be changed on a regular basis. With 30,000 items in a supermarket, this could be prohibitive. Wired shelves do not require the routine change of batteries, but they limit a store's ability to reallocate shelf space and reconfigure the shopping aisles by moving display shelves since each shelf is now specifically wired for a particular product. Additionally, electronic shelf labels do not provide the consumer with item information in a side-by-side comparison of similar products. The consumer must manually locate and inspect each individual electronic shelf label and use these individual labels to mentally track and compare quantities, pricing, and other unique item data. Similar products may be located further down the aisle or on a shelf higher or lower than the consumer is able to properly perceive or comfortably investigate. Comparisons are often made only between two adjacent items, and the consumer is not able to adequately evaluate his retail alternatives. In fact, suppliers pay thousands of dollars in slotting allowances to distributors for product placement on store shelves. Premiums are paid for eye-level shelves or special displays, and an entire science of shelf space allocation has evolved so suppliers may increase the likelihood that consumers will consider their products and ultimately select those products for purchase. However, neither electronic shelf labels nor paper labels adequately provide consumers with readily comparable item data from which to base their purchase decisions. What is needed is a new type of item information system that provides consumers with unique item data and enables consumers to make immediate comparisons between similar items resulting in an informed purchase decision. In another approach, price-checking stations have been provided in retail environments that are adapted to read a barcode and provide price information. More recently, radio frequency transponders have been proposed to replace barcodes in a wide variety of applications. Such radio frequency transponders are typically capable of receiving a radio frequency interrogation signal and automatically generating a responsive radio frequency signal. In many applications, the responsive signal contains some form of data that identifies the transponder or that identifies items associated with the transponder. Radio frequency transponders are often embedded in products or product containers and are used to track items for inventory control, for performing security operations and anti-theft measures, for collecting tolls and other payments, and for many other purposes. Radio frequency transponders can be active devices that have internal power source and have their own radio frequency transmitters that can generate signals using the internal power source, or passive devices, that do not have an internal power source and that can provide responsive signals only when sufficient power is supplied by an interrogation signal. Radio frequency transponders may have a range from several millimeters to many meters depending upon the available transmission power and antenna size. Radio frequency transponders employing on-board power supplies have a life limited by the life of the power supply. Passive radio frequency transponders have a longer useful life and are typically less expensive than radio frequency transponders with on-board power supplies. However, since radio frequency transponders without their own power source use some of the energy of the radio frequency transceiver as their source of their power, these radio frequency transponders typically require a more powerful radio frequency interrogating signal than a system that employs active radio frequency transponders. A radio frequency transceiver transmits an interrogation signal, for example, in the form of continuous electromagnetic wave or a series of waves to sense an object containing a radio frequency transponder. When the radio frequency transceiver and a radio frequency transponder are brought into proximity so that the radio frequency field generated by the radio frequency transceiver reaches the radio frequency transponder, the receiving radio frequency transponder transmits a modulated signal in response to the radio frequency transceiver's interrogation signal. The radio frequency transceiver receives this information and decodes it. Depending upon the configuration of the radio frequency transceiver, this decoded information may then be stored or re-transmitted to a host computer for further processing and action. While the potential convenience of placing such radio frequency transponders on individual products to replace barcodes, for example in retail environments, is well appreciated, the cost of providing such transponders for each product is currently prohibitive. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a system and method of alerting consumers to the presence of nearby items and providing item information that can be reviewed while the consumers are shopping. In certain aspects of the invention, this allows, for example, a direct comparison of similar goods and products. The present invention provides an item information device that utilizes a radio frequency transceiver to automatically transmit interrogation signals to radio frequency transponders that are located proximate to retail shelves having items thereon and to allow the consumers to access unique item data that is stored in the radio frequency transponders. When interrogated, radio frequency transponders associated with the items on the retail shelves respond with the Universal Product Code (UPC) and other unique data of the products with which the radio frequency transponders are associated. As the radio frequency transceiver is moved into proximity to various radio frequency transponders, the unique data are displayed for the user. The system and method of the present invention allows a user to make comparisons between products based upon a variety of criteria associated with the products. Some embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, further allow a user to store the unique data for those products and to make preliminary and ultimate product and price comparisons and purchase decisions. The present invention uses radio frequency transponders that, once placed on the shelves, no longer require a power source and can easily be moved with the product or display area as needed and can easily be up. In certain embodiments, a portable item information device is provided and can, for example, be joined to a shopping cart or like customer item carrier. The portable item information device contains a radio frequency transceiver, which sends interrogation signals that solicits responses from proximate transponders from which the item information device can identify items in its vicinity as the shopping cart is moved about. The portable item information device has a display that that can be used to provide an image having graphics and text or other content, and a controller that is adapted to determine output data for presentation on the display, and to cause the display to show such item information such as item names, prices, unit prices and other unique data such as pictorial or graphic representations associated with the items. Sale items may be indicated by a flashing display or some other attention-getting graphic. In some embodiments, the display program may show a running total price of the items selected or a running total of calories or other unique data inherent to the individual product. The consumer may select any number of criteria to compare similar products. In this fashion, the system and method of the present invention gives the consumer immediate feedback regarding which items are nearby, which items are available as potential purchases, allows consumers to compare similar items prior to purchase selection, and gives consumers information to avoid potential discrepancies and expedite checkout. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent, and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures where: FIG. 1 is an overview block diagram of the invention in use in a typical retail environment; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the interaction between radio frequency transponders, a radio frequency transceiver, and computer system of the present invention; FIG. 3 shows an exterior view of one embodiment of a portable item information system presenting an image; FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C show examples of the present invention in use in a retail environment; and FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C show examples of display screens of the present invention in use in a retail environment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention is described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments, but within the spirit and scope of the invention, it is not limited to such embodiments. It will be apparent to those of skill in the art that various features, variations, and modifications of the invention can be included or excluded, within the limits defined by the claims and the requirements of a particular use. The present invention extends the capabilities of shoppers in a retail environment to locate goods and to compare characteristics of similar goods and products. The various embodiments of the present invention have particular advantages over prior systems such as those providing basic pricing information of goods selected and placed in a shopping cart, because a direct comparison of similar goods is now possible without removing the various products under consideration from their display shelves or display areas. In addition to a comparison of similar products, the present invention is a system and method for item price notification that provides a shopper with numerous customizable comparison points. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a sales environment 100 adapted with one embodiment of the item information system of the invention. Sales environment 100 is shown having multiple display shelves 190, each outfitted with shelf tags 101. Display shelves 190 may also be cabinets, racks, kiosks, or any other type of storage unit that permits customer and employee access to inventory items. Each shelf tag 101 contains a radio frequency transponder 105. In this embodiment, each type of unique item 107 stored on display shelves 190 is associated with a passive radio frequency transponder 105, which has item information stored therein and which generates a responsive signal indicative of the item information when a radio frequency transceiver that is within a proximate distance generates an appropriate interrogation signal. That is, each unique item 107 does not have a radio frequency transponder 105, but rather there is a single radio frequency transponder 105 for the shelf space 106 dedicated to stocking unique item 107. It will be appreciated that, in other embodiments, one transponder 105 can be associated with more than one unique item that is located proximate to transponder 105. For example, cans of one vendor's (Vendor E) tomato soup can be stored in shelf space 106, on display shelf 190 with radio frequency transponder 105e. When interrogated, radio frequency transponder 105e having data therein that is indicative of the item information, transmits a responsive signal that is indicative of the item information such as information used to denote the vendor, the price of the can of soup, the volume or weight of the soup, the per unit price of the soup, the recommended serving size, the number of calories in each serving, and other item information for which consumers may be interested. Similarly, radio frequency transponder 105d will be adapted to transmit similar information regarding unique items 107d stored in shelf space 106d. While the above list of item information may contain many of the most desired data regarding the product, it is by no means inclusive, and other item information may be transmitted by radio frequency transponders 105 to provide consumers with additional information. One of ordinary skill in the art would be expected to customize the transmitted information based upon consumer's preferences, vendor's needs, and/or proprietor's differences. This information would then be stored as information fields in radio frequency transponder 105. The block diagram of FIG. 1 further shows shopping cart 170 equipped with a portable item information device 150 having, in this embodiment, a display screen 175, memory 135, a control circuit 140 and radio frequency transceiver circuit 120 adapted to generate an interrogation signal that has sufficient power so that the polling signal can be received by any of the plurality of radio frequency transponders within a proximate distance and further supplying sufficient power to the transponders so that the transponders can use the supplied power to generate responsive signals having data indicative of the item information stored therein; the radio frequency transceiver circuit further being adapted to sense the responsive signals and to provide item data to a control circuit based upon the data in the responsive signals. Control circuit 140 is operably connected to radio frequency transceiver circuit 120, memory 135 and display screen 175. Control circuit 140 can comprise a micro-processor, micro-controller, application specific integrated circuit and/or other conventional control circuit structures. Control circuit 140 is adapted to receive the item data from transceiver circuit 120 to determine output information based upon the received item data and to cause display screen 175 to present an image based upon the output information. FIG. 2 illustrates interaction between portable item information device 150 as a customer moves shopping cart 170 down aisle 185 in sales environment 100. As shown in FIG. 2, radio frequency transponder 105 stores information related to items in the form of an entry 252, and other information fields 255 that correspond to entry 252. While only a single entry 252 and field 255 is shown for each radio frequency transponder 105, many more entries and fields may be stored in each radio frequency transponder. These entries 252 and information fields 255 are used to convey necessary item information regarding each unique item 107. While many more shelf tags 101 and corresponding radio frequency transponders 105 may be used on any display shelf 190, for illustrative purposes as shown in FIG. 2, and for brevity, three shelf tags 101a, 101b, 101c, and three corresponding radio frequency transponders 105a, 105b, and 105c are shown. As further shown in FIG. 2, radio frequency transceiver circuit 120 transmits an interrogation signal 210 which is also tuned to the detection frequency of radio frequency transponder 105. As shopping cart 170 is pushed down aisle 185, it is brought into proximity with radio frequency transponders 105a, 105b, 105c which are thereby subjected to interrogating signals 210a, 210b, 210c. In response to the interrogation signals, radio frequency transponders 105a, 105b, 106c generate responsive signals 215a, 215b and 215c respectively. Responsive signals 215a-215c are detected by radio frequency transceiver circuit 120 thereby indicating the presence of shelf tags 101 within the proximate distance of radio frequency transceiver circuit 120. Typically, the proximate distance is controlled by three factors, the strength of the interrogation signals 210, the efficiency with which transponders 105 convert energy from an interrogation signal into a responsive signal, and the receptive sensitivity of radio frequency transceiver circuit 120. Responsive signals 215 received by radio frequency transceiver circuit 120 are converted into item data that is provided to control circuit 140 which determines output information based upon the received item data. The output information can contain item data or be derived from item data, and the prepared image can be formed to show the data received, a summary of the item data received, and/or to show output information obtained from a database 245 having one or more records 250 that have such output information stored therein in association with the item data so that output information, such as an advertisement for a product can be obtained from database 245 using received item data. The item data received from radio frequency transceiver circuit 120 can also be channeled to external devices, such as a remote server 144, which can have database 245 from which a control circuit 140 can receive other output information and can prepare an image based upon the available output information. Display screen 175 then shows the prepared image, including item data, in a readable format that a consumer may readily manipulate via input keys (not shown) on display screen 175. Display screen 175 can be any suitable display screen including a touch screen device or a display screen manufactured by using coated cholesteric LCD technology. Coated cholesteric displays have the advantages of size, flexibility, ease of replacement, and durability since they are glass-free which is a safety consideration in a consumer environment. Since radio frequency transceiver circuit 120 continually transmits interrogation signals 210 to radio frequency transponders 105, and thereby continually receives responsive signals 215 from radio frequency transponders 105, a steady stream of item information is received and images can be prepared based upon this and displayed as a consumer moves shopping cart 170 down aisle 185. Based upon the sensitivity and transmission power of radio frequency transceiver circuit 120 and the ability to multiplex transmission and reception of interrogation signals 210 and responsive signals 215, a plurality of radio frequency transponders 105 may be read substantially simultaneously. Because the transmission interaction between radio frequency transceiver circuit 120 and radio frequency transponders 105 is substantially continuous, item updated images can be presented on display screen 175 based upon data stored by radio frequency transponders 105 as entry 252 and fields 255. Referring back to FIG. 1, when a consumer moves or parks his shopping cart 170 in front of the shelf tag 101e, control circuit 140 prepares an image that presents information regarding a plurality of unique items 107d, 107e and causes this image to be displayed as shown in the example of display screen 175 in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows an exterior view of one embodiment of a portable item information device 150 presenting an image 276 that is the result of the transmission interaction between radio frequency transceiver circuit 120 and radio frequency transponder 105e corresponding to Vendor E's tomato soup, and between radio frequency transceiver circuit 120 and radio frequency transponder 105d corresponding to Vendor D's tomato soup. The exchange of interrogation signal 210 and responsive signal 215 results in the generation of image 276 based upon data that was previously stored by corresponding radio frequency transponder 105 in entry 252 and fields 255. Shopping cart 170 can be moved down aisle 185 at different speeds or linger in front of display shelf 190 and shelf tag 101 for different periods of time. Regardless of the speed movement, as shopping cart 170 is moved through aisle 185, radio frequency transceiver circuit 120 is brought into a proximate distance with different shelf tags 101 along aisle 185 and image 276 presented on display screen 175 reflects unique items 107d, 107e within the proximity distance of shopping cart 170 and radio frequency transceiver circuit 120. As shopping cart 170 is further moved along aisle 185, radio frequency transceiver circuit 120 is brought into proximity with different unique items 107 and different shelf tags 101, and control circuit 140 can adjust image 276 to reflect such newly proximate items. Such movement also adjusts the position of proximate distance so that radio frequency transponders 105 previously detected, are now outside of the proximate distance since their shelf tags 101 are now beyond the distance where transceiver circuit 120 will receive a responsive signal 215 from radio frequency transponder 105, when radio frequency transceiver circuit 120 does not sense previously detected shelf tags 101, control circuit 140 will adjust the appearance of image 276 so that it is no longer based upon item information from transponders 105 on such shelf tags. As shown in FIG. 3, regardless of the structure upon which the invention is incorporated, once image 276 is presented on display screen 175, the user may manipulate the viewable image 276 by performing a number of operations on the information. For example, a user may use scroll-up bar 277 and scroll-down bar 278 and then the select key 280 to store a displayed item in memory for later recall to determine a running total of the price of goods selected for purchase by using the total key 282. Additionally, one or more sections of image 276 can be selected using select key 280 and operated upon using programmable hot keys 281 to store and track information to provide a total number of calories for a consumer planning a menu. Image 276 can be displayed on display screen 175, and programmable hot keys 281 can be programmed by the seller of goods or by the user to provide consumers' with manipulation options to further enhance the shopping experience and to provide valuable information. For example, responsive signals may be received from a radio frequency transponder associated with a shopper prior to beginning the shopping journey through a store. The radio frequency identification input from the shopper can be used to upload a shopping list or a list of favorite items or additional information unique to the shopper. This type of external input can be facilitated through the use of programmable hot keys. Keyboard 283 can be used to provide input to assist in setting up programmable hot keys 281 and to otherwise edit information shown on display screen 175. In this fashion, a consumer could use display screen 175 to view a running total of the price of items selected, a running calorie count for items selected, or as a display point to compare any information presented by display screen 175 with stored information pertinent to items the consumer is considering for purchase. FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C show an example of radio frequency transponders 105 in shelf tags 101 that come within a proximate distance 299 (shown by dotted line around shopping cart 170) of radio frequency transceiver circuit 120 in a portable item information device 150. For clarity, reference numerals are shown in FIG. 4A only, and FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C show the travel of shopping cart 170 and the corresponding change in proximate distance 299. The objects depicted in FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C are identical to those shown and denoted by reference numerals in FIG. 4A. FIG. 4A shows shopping cart 170 in an initial position where proximate distance 299 encompasses shelf tags 101d, 101e, 101i, 101j. In this initial position, radio frequency transceiver circuit 120 transmits radio frequency interrogation signals, and radio frequency transponders 105d, 105e, 105i, 105j answer by providing responsive signals as described previously. The responsive signals are detected by radio frequency transceiver circuit 120 indicating the presence of shelf tags 101d, 101e, 101i, 101j. Image 276 is presented on display screen 175 based upon these responsive signals from shelf tags 101d, 101e, 101i, 101j. Since shelftags 101a, 101b, 101c, 101f, 101g, 101h are beyond proximate distance 299, radio frequency transponders 105a, 105b, 105c, 105f, 105g, 105h do not receive interrogation signals, do not generate a responsive signal, or alternatively do not generate a responsive signal that can be sensed by radio frequency transceiver circuit 120. FIG. 5A shows an example image 176 corresponding to the shopping cart position shown in FIG. 4A. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 5A, unique item 107e is a can of Vendor E tomato soup, while unique item 107d is a can of Vendor D tomato soup. Additionally, proximate distance 299 also encompasses the other side of aisle and thereby receives data from radio frequency transponders 105i, 105j located in shelf tags 101i, 101j. While these unique items 107i, 107j may be of a completely different food group and genre, since these radio frequency transponders 105i, 105j respond to an interrogation signal from radio frequency transceiver circuit 120, image 276a also reflects these items as well as shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. 4B shows shopping cart 170 in an intermediate position as it is moved further along aisle 185. Since shopping cart 170 is now in a new position, proximate distance 299 now encompasses shelf tags 101c, 101d, 101h, 101i. In this intermediate position, radio frequency transceiver circuit 120 transmits interrogation signals, and radio frequency transponders 105c, 105d, 105h, 105i answer by providing responsive signal that are detected by radio frequency transceiver circuit 120 indicating the presence of shelf tags 101c, 101d, 101h, 101i. Control circuit 140 determines new output information based upon item data in responsive signals detected by radio frequency transceiver circuit 120 from radio frequency transponders 105c, 105d, 105h, 105i. An image 276b is then prepared by control circuit 140 based upon this output information and image 276b is shown on display screen 175. Since shelf tags 101a, 101b, 101e, 101f, 101g, 101j are now beyond the proximate distance 299 of radio frequency transceiver circuit 120. Radio frequency transponders 105a, 105b, 106e, 105f, 105g, 105j do not receive interrogation signals, do not generate a responsive signal or, alternatively, they do not answer in a manner that radio frequency transceiver 120 can sense. FIG. 5B shows an image 176b presented on display screen 175 corresponding to the shopping cart position shown in FIG. 4B. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 4B and 5B, unique item 107c is a can of Vendor C chicken-noodle soup, while unique item 107d is a can of Vendor D tomato soup. Additionally, proximate distance 299 also encompasses the other side of aisle 185 and thereby receives data from radio frequency transponders 105h, 105i located in shelf tags 101h, 101i. While these unique items 107h, 107i may be of a completely different food group and genre, since these radio frequency transponders 105h, 105i respond to interrogation signals from radio frequency transceiver circuit 120, viewable image information 176b is also generated and displayed based upon the detected presence of these items as well as shown in FIG. 5B. Finally, FIG. 4C shows shopping cart 170 in a final position as it is moved further along aisle 185. Since shopping cart 170 is now in a new position, proximate distance 299 now encompasses shelf tags 101b, 101c, 101g, 101h. In this position, radio frequency transceiver circuit 120 transmits interrogation signals, and radio frequency transponders 105b, 105c, 105g, 105h answer by providing data in the form of an output signal. Responsive signals detected by radio frequency transceiver circuit 120 are then used to form an image 276c which is then presented on display screen 175. Since shelf tags 101a, 101d, 101e, 101f, 101i, 101j are now beyond the proximate distance 299 of radio frequency transceiver circuit 120, radio frequency transponders 105a, 105d, 105e, 105f, 105i, 105j do not receive interrogation signals, do not generate a responsive signal or alternatively, do not generate a response signal that can be sensed by radio frequency transceiver circuit 120. FIG. 5C shows image 276c presented on display screen 175 when shopping cart 170 is positioned as shown in FIG. 4C. In an example illustrated in FIGS. 4C and 5c, unique item 107b is a can of Vendor B chicken-noodle soup, while unique item 107c is a can of Vendor C chicken-noodle soup. Additionally, proximate distance 299 also encompasses the other side of aisle 185 and thereby receives data from radio frequency transponders 105g, 105h located in shelf tags 101g, 101h. While these unique items 107g, 107h may be of a completely different food group and genre, since these radio frequency transponders 105g, 105h respond to an interrogation signal from radio frequency transceiver circuit 120, image 176c reflects these items as well, as shown in FIG. 5C. As may be apparent from the above example, and as discussed above with regard to transmission power and reception sensitivity, the orientation of antennae in radio frequency transponder 105 and radio frequency transceiver circuit 120 may be modified to alter the shape, direction, and distance of proximate distance 299 to optimize the exchange of interrogation signals and responsive signals indicative of item information and characteristics of unique items in the store. By modifying the shape and size of proximate distance 299, different retail establishments may optimize displays based upon consumer preferences, relative sizes of items and display shelves, width of aisles, and any number of other variables in a sales environment. Additionally, portable item information device 150 can be mounted in structures other than shopping carts to permit users more freedom of movement in a sales environment. For example, portable item information device 150 may be mounted in a plastic shopping basket or incorporated in a handheld device such as a personal digital assistant or other mobile computing device. The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention. PARTS LIST 100 sales environment 101 shelf tag 101a-101j shelf tag 105 radio frequency transponder 105a-105j radio frequency transponder 106 shelf space 106a-106j shelf space 107 unique item 107a-107j unique item 120 radio frequency transceiver circuit 135 memory 140 control circuit 144 remote server 150 item information device 170 shopping cart 175 display screen 176 display image 176a-176c display image 185 aisle 190 display shelf 210 interrogation signal 215 responsive signal 215a-215c responsive signal 245 database 250 record 252 entry 255 field 276 image 276a-276c image 277 scroll-up bar 278 scroll-down bar 280 select key 281 hotkey 282 total key 283 keyboard 299 proximate distance
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The traditional method for informing consumers of item prices in a retail setting is to place price labels on the shelves under the items. These labels are normally made of paper or of another single-use material and must be manually updated when prices change or when an item goes on sale. There are many advantages to making this item information available electronically including greater accuracy, lower labor costs, greater flexibility, and more timely and responsive pricing practices. To achieve these advantages, electronic shelf labels may be placed on the shelves. Retailer merchandisers place electronic shelf labels on stock shelves to display item information such as the regular product price, any promotional pricing, and the unit price of the item, as well as any other advertising or consumer information. Electronic shelf labels may also be remotely updated from a central pricing database. Electronic shelf labels enable merchants to update price changes on the shelves and checkout stands of multiple stores at the same time. These electronic shelf labels are programmed using radio frequency or infrared (IR) interfaces, or by wiring the shelves to accept periodic inputs from another device. But there are disadvantages to pricing methods using electronic shelf labels. Power and communication means must be provided to the individual labels. If batteries are used to provide power to each label, they must be changed on a regular basis. With 30,000 items in a supermarket, this could be prohibitive. Wired shelves do not require the routine change of batteries, but they limit a store's ability to reallocate shelf space and reconfigure the shopping aisles by moving display shelves since each shelf is now specifically wired for a particular product. Additionally, electronic shelf labels do not provide the consumer with item information in a side-by-side comparison of similar products. The consumer must manually locate and inspect each individual electronic shelf label and use these individual labels to mentally track and compare quantities, pricing, and other unique item data. Similar products may be located further down the aisle or on a shelf higher or lower than the consumer is able to properly perceive or comfortably investigate. Comparisons are often made only between two adjacent items, and the consumer is not able to adequately evaluate his retail alternatives. In fact, suppliers pay thousands of dollars in slotting allowances to distributors for product placement on store shelves. Premiums are paid for eye-level shelves or special displays, and an entire science of shelf space allocation has evolved so suppliers may increase the likelihood that consumers will consider their products and ultimately select those products for purchase. However, neither electronic shelf labels nor paper labels adequately provide consumers with readily comparable item data from which to base their purchase decisions. What is needed is a new type of item information system that provides consumers with unique item data and enables consumers to make immediate comparisons between similar items resulting in an informed purchase decision. In another approach, price-checking stations have been provided in retail environments that are adapted to read a barcode and provide price information. More recently, radio frequency transponders have been proposed to replace barcodes in a wide variety of applications. Such radio frequency transponders are typically capable of receiving a radio frequency interrogation signal and automatically generating a responsive radio frequency signal. In many applications, the responsive signal contains some form of data that identifies the transponder or that identifies items associated with the transponder. Radio frequency transponders are often embedded in products or product containers and are used to track items for inventory control, for performing security operations and anti-theft measures, for collecting tolls and other payments, and for many other purposes. Radio frequency transponders can be active devices that have internal power source and have their own radio frequency transmitters that can generate signals using the internal power source, or passive devices, that do not have an internal power source and that can provide responsive signals only when sufficient power is supplied by an interrogation signal. Radio frequency transponders may have a range from several millimeters to many meters depending upon the available transmission power and antenna size. Radio frequency transponders employing on-board power supplies have a life limited by the life of the power supply. Passive radio frequency transponders have a longer useful life and are typically less expensive than radio frequency transponders with on-board power supplies. However, since radio frequency transponders without their own power source use some of the energy of the radio frequency transceiver as their source of their power, these radio frequency transponders typically require a more powerful radio frequency interrogating signal than a system that employs active radio frequency transponders. A radio frequency transceiver transmits an interrogation signal, for example, in the form of continuous electromagnetic wave or a series of waves to sense an object containing a radio frequency transponder. When the radio frequency transceiver and a radio frequency transponder are brought into proximity so that the radio frequency field generated by the radio frequency transceiver reaches the radio frequency transponder, the receiving radio frequency transponder transmits a modulated signal in response to the radio frequency transceiver's interrogation signal. The radio frequency transceiver receives this information and decodes it. Depending upon the configuration of the radio frequency transceiver, this decoded information may then be stored or re-transmitted to a host computer for further processing and action. While the potential convenience of placing such radio frequency transponders on individual products to replace barcodes, for example in retail environments, is well appreciated, the cost of providing such transponders for each product is currently prohibitive.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention is a system and method of alerting consumers to the presence of nearby items and providing item information that can be reviewed while the consumers are shopping. In certain aspects of the invention, this allows, for example, a direct comparison of similar goods and products. The present invention provides an item information device that utilizes a radio frequency transceiver to automatically transmit interrogation signals to radio frequency transponders that are located proximate to retail shelves having items thereon and to allow the consumers to access unique item data that is stored in the radio frequency transponders. When interrogated, radio frequency transponders associated with the items on the retail shelves respond with the Universal Product Code (UPC) and other unique data of the products with which the radio frequency transponders are associated. As the radio frequency transceiver is moved into proximity to various radio frequency transponders, the unique data are displayed for the user. The system and method of the present invention allows a user to make comparisons between products based upon a variety of criteria associated with the products. Some embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, further allow a user to store the unique data for those products and to make preliminary and ultimate product and price comparisons and purchase decisions. The present invention uses radio frequency transponders that, once placed on the shelves, no longer require a power source and can easily be moved with the product or display area as needed and can easily be up. In certain embodiments, a portable item information device is provided and can, for example, be joined to a shopping cart or like customer item carrier. The portable item information device contains a radio frequency transceiver, which sends interrogation signals that solicits responses from proximate transponders from which the item information device can identify items in its vicinity as the shopping cart is moved about. The portable item information device has a display that that can be used to provide an image having graphics and text or other content, and a controller that is adapted to determine output data for presentation on the display, and to cause the display to show such item information such as item names, prices, unit prices and other unique data such as pictorial or graphic representations associated with the items. Sale items may be indicated by a flashing display or some other attention-getting graphic. In some embodiments, the display program may show a running total price of the items selected or a running total of calories or other unique data inherent to the individual product. The consumer may select any number of criteria to compare similar products. In this fashion, the system and method of the present invention gives the consumer immediate feedback regarding which items are nearby, which items are available as potential purchases, allows consumers to compare similar items prior to purchase selection, and gives consumers information to avoid potential discrepancies and expedite checkout.
20041209
20080513
20060615
65497.0
H04Q100
0
HOLLOWAY III, EDWIN C
ITEM INFORMATION SYSTEM AND METHOD
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
H04Q
2,004
11,008,882
ACCEPTED
Method for utilizing gas reserves with low methane concentrations for fueling gas turbines
The invention is directed to a method of fueling gas turbines from natural gas reserves with relatively low methane concentrations. The invention permits the use of such reserves to be used to fuel gas turbines to generate electric power. The method of the invention includes providing a natural gas comprising not more than about 40 percent methane on a volume basis and mixing the methane of the natural gas with hydrogen gas to provide a hydrogen enhanced methane/hydrogen gas blend which has sufficient hydrogen to provide flame stability during burning. Thereafter, if required, the hydrogen enhanced methane/hydrogen gas blend is dehydrated to remove a sufficient amount of water to provide a flame stable hydrogen enhanced dehydrated methane/hydrogen gas blend. The hydrogen enhanced natural gas blend is used to fuel gas turbine generators.
1. A method for fueling a gas turbine with methane from natural gas reserves having relatively low concentrations of methane, the method comprising: mixing natural gas and hydrogen gas, the natural gas having not more than about 40 volume percent methane gas to provide a hydrogen enhanced methane gas blend, the hydrogen gas being in an amount effective for providing flame stability for the hydrogen enhanced methane gas blend; and fueling a gas turbine with the hydrogen enhanced methane gas blend. 2. The method for fueling a gas turbine as recited in claim 1 wherein the hydrogen enhanced methane gas blend comprises at least about 6 volume percent hydrogen gas. 3. The method for fueling a gas turbine as recited in claim 1 wherein the method further includes dehydrating the natural gas or hydrogen enhanced methanol gas blend, the dehydration effective for providing the hydrogen enhanced methane gas blend with at least about 110 BTUs per standard cubic foot of gas. 4. The method for fueling gas turbine as recited in claims 1 or 3 wherein the natural gas has less than about 35 volume percent methane and the hydrogen enhanced methane gas blend has from about 6 to about 10 volume percent hydrogen gas. 5. The method for fueling a gas turbine as recited in claims 1 or 3 wherein the natural gas has less than 20 volume percent methane and the hydrogen enhanced methane gas blend has from about 6 to about 10 weight percent hydrogen gas. 6. A method for fueling a gas turbine with methane from natural gas reserves having relatively low concentrations of methane, the method comprising: removing at least one acid component from natural gas having not more than about 40 volume percent methane gas to provide a sweet natural gas; mixing the sweet natural gas and water to provide a hydrated sweet natural gas, the water in the hydrated sweet natural gas being in amount effective for permitting the conversion of a portion of the methane in the sweet natural gas to hydrogen gas and effective for providing a flame stable dehydrated hydrogen enhanced natural gas; catalytically converting a portion of the methane to hydrogen gas in the hydrated sweet natural gas to provide a hydrated hydrogen enhanced natural gas, the conversion effective for providing the flame stable dehydrated hydrogen enhanced natural gas; dehydrating hydrated hydrogen enhanced natural gas to provide the flame stable dehydrated hydrogen enhanced natural gas; and fueling a gas turbine with the dehydrated hydrogen enhanced natural gas. 7. The method for fueling a gas turbine as recited in claim 6 wherein removing the acid component from the natural gas includes removing hydrogen sulfide from the natural gas. 8. The method for fueling a gas turbine as recited in claim 6 wherein the hydrated hydrogen enhanced natural gas is dehydrated in an amount effective for providing the dehydrated hydrogen enhanced natural gas with at least about 110 BTUs per standard cubic foot of gas. 9. The method for fueling a gas turbine as recited in claim 7 wherein the hydrogen sulfide is removed from the natural gas with a physical solvent while minimizing removal of any inert gas. 10. The method for fueling a gas turbine as recited in claim 9 wherein the physical solvent is selected from the group consisting of methanol, a blend of dimethyl ethers of polyethylene glycol, propylene carbonate, N-methyl-2-pryrrolidone, a blend of oligoethlene glycol methyl isopropyl ethers, tri-n-butyl phosponate, methyl cyano-acetate and mixtures thereof. 11. The method for fueling a gas turbine as recited in claim 6 wherein the dehydrated hydrogen rich natural gas comprises at least 6 volume percent hydrogen gas. 12. The method for fueling a gas turbine as recited in claim 6 wherein the methane in the hydrated sweet natural gas is catalytically converted using a shift catalyst selected from the group consisting of iron/chrome/copper, copper/zinc/aluminum and mixtures thereof. 13. The method as recited in claims 6 or 8 wherein the natural gas does not have more than about 35 volume percent methane and they dehydrated hydrogen enhanced natural gas comprises from about 6 to about 10 volume percent hydrogen gas. 14. The method as recited in claims 6 or 8 wherein the natural gas does not have more than about 20 volume percent methane gas and the dehydrated hydrogen enhanced natural gas comprises from about 6 to about 10 volume percent hydrogen gas. 15. A method for fueling a gas turbine with methane from natural gas reserves having relatively low concentrations of methane, the method comprising: mixing the sour natural gas and water to provide a hydrated sour natural gas, the water in the hydrated sour natural gas being in amount effective for permitting the conversion of a portion of the methane in the sour natural gas to hydrogen gas and effective for providing a flame stable dehydrated hydrogen enhanced natural gas, the sour natural gas having not more than about 40 volume percent methane; catalytically converting a portion of the methane to hydrogen in the hydrated sour natural gas to provide a hydrated hydrogen enhanced natural gas, the conversion effective for providing the flame stable dehydrated hydrogen enhanced natural gas; dehydrating hydrated hydrogen enhanced natural gas to provide the flame stable dehydrated hydrogen enhanced natural gas; and fueling a gas turbine with the dehydrated hydrogen enhanced natural gas. 16. The method for fueling a gas turbine as recited in claim 15 wherein the hydrated hydrogen enhanced natural gas is dehydrated in an amount effective for providing the dehydrated hydrogen enhanced natural gas with at least about 110 BTUs per standard cubic foot of gas. 17. The method for fueling a gas turbine as recited in claim 15 wherein the hydrated hydrogen enhanced natural gas comprises at least 6 volume percent hydrogen gas. 18. The method for fueling a gas turbine as recited in claim 15 wherein the methane in the hydrated sour natural gas is catalytically converted using a chrome/molybdenum catalyst. 19. The method as recited in claims 15 or 16 wherein the natural gas does not have more than about 35 volume percent methane gas and the dehydrated hydrogen enhanced natural gas comprises from about 6 to about 10 volume percent hydrogen gas. 20. The method as recited in claims 15 or 16 wherein the natural gas does not have more than about 20 volume percent methane gas and the dehydrated hydrogen enriched natural gas comprises from about 6 to about 10 volume percent hydrogen gas. 21. The method as recited in claim 6 where the method further includes injecting into the turbine an inert gas with the dehydrated hydrogen enhanced natural gas. 22. The method as recited in claim 15 wherein the method further includes injecting into the turbine an inert gas with the dehydrated hydrogen enhanced natural gas.
This invention relates to the combustion of natural gas having low methane concentrations and, without the invention, having a low heating value for the economic generation of power from gas turbines. More particularly, this invention relates to the combustion of a gas blend with a methane gas concentration of not more than about 40 volume percent, based upon the total volume of the gas. The gas blend includes hydrogen gas to increase the combustibility of the gas blend BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Currently there are substantial methane gas reserves with relatively low methane gas concentrations. Many of these reserves have methane gas concentrations below 40 volume percent. Currently, impurities are removed from natural gas to make pipeline quality natural gas which normally have methane concentrations of from about 95+ to about 99+ volume percent. To fuel gas turbines to make electric power, converting natural gas having methane concentrations of not more than about 40 volume percent methane to pipeline quality natural gas becomes economically impractical because the conversion is capital intensive. Moreover, natural gas with methane concentrations of not more than 40 volume percent does not provide a reliable fuel source for gas turbines to generate power because natural gas with such low methane concentrations will not provide a stable flame for fuel combustion without special catalysts and without special balancing of oxygen with other combustibles. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to a method of fueling gas turbines from natural gas reserves with relatively low methane concentrations. The invention permits the use of such reserves to be used to fuel gas turbines to generate electric power. As described, these reserves currently can be used only after the removal of impurities to produce suitable gas turbine fuel. Also as previously described, the latter current technology is capital intensive, and at current natural gas prices, economically unattractive. The process of the invention can remove the impurities necessary for protection of the environment, leaves inert gasses, such as carbon dioxide, in the fuel to maximize mass flow through the gas turbine, and uses hydrogen gas or shifts just enough methane to hydrogen gas to produce a gas fuel blend of hydrogen and methane gas that not only is an acceptable fuel for gas turbines, but the blend is effective for providing flame stability (such as providing the gas with at least 110 BTUs per standard cubic foot of gas) and for producing more power than a standard natural gas having from about 95+ to about 99+ volume percent methane. The method of the invention includes providing a natural gas comprising not more than about 40 percent methane on a volume basis and mixing the methane of the natural gas with hydrogen gas to provide a hydrogen enhanced methane/hydrogen gas blend (which also may be called a hydrogen enhanced natural gas) which has sufficient hydrogen to provide flame stability during burning. Thereafter, if required, the hydrogen enhanced methane/hydrogen gas blend is dehydrated to remove a sufficient amount of water to provide a flame stable hydrogen enhanced dehydrated methane/hydrogen gas blend. In an important aspect, the hydrogen enhanced methane/hydrogen gas blend has at least about 6 volume percent hydrogen. The flame stable hydrogen enhanced dehydrated methane/hydrogen gas blend then is used to fuel an electric power producing gas turbine. The method of the invention is effective for increasing the power output of a gas turbine by at least about 10 percent as compared to gas turbine using a standard natural gas which comprises from about 95 to about 99+ volume percent methane. In most cases, output may be increased by at least about 20 and up to about 30 percent with these latter limits being imposed by the mechanical design limitations of the gas turbine. In an important aspect, a portion of the methane from natural gas is catalytically converted or reformed into hydrogen gas which then forms the hydrogen enhanced methane/hydrogen gas blend. The reactions which to obtain this conversion include: CH4+CO2→2CO+2H2 CH4+2H2O→CO2+4H2 In an another important aspect, prior to the conversion reaction, hydrogen sulfide and other acid components such as COS, RSH and RSSR are removed from the natural gas using a physical solvent to provide a sweet natural gas. A physical solvent selectively removes hydrogen sulfide and other acid gases, but minimizes the removal of carbon dioxide and other inert gases such as helium, aragon, and nitrogen. In this aspect, the physical solvent is selected from the group consisting of methanol, a blend of dimethyl ethers of polyethylene glycol (molecular weight about 280), propylene carbonate (b.p. of 240 EC, N-methyl-2-pryrrolidone (b.p. 202 EC), a blend of oligoethlene glycol methyl isopropyl ethers (b.p. about 320 EC), tri-n-butyl phosphonate (b.p. 180 EC at 30 mm Hg) and methyl cyano-acetate (b.p. 202 EC). The sweet natural gas is mixed with sufficient water to permit sufficient production of hydrogen from the methane to achieve flame stability or a BTU/Scf value of at least about 110. In this aspect, it is important that the hydrogen sulfide and other acid gases are removed prior to reforming a portion of the methane to hydrogen because the reformation is a catalyzed reaction where the catalyst may be poisoned by the hydrogen sulfide gas and other acid gases. Catalysts which are sensitive to the acid conditions and which may be used in this aspect of the invention include the C11 Series catalyst from United Catalyst Inc., R67 from Haldor Topsoe and G1-25 from BASF. High temperature Ashift catalysts@ for sweet natural gas generally are iron, chrome and copper. Low temperature Ashift catalysts@ for sweet natural gas generally are made from copper, zinc and aluminum. In another important aspect, the reformation reaction is done under acid or sour conditions using catalysts such as a C25 Series catalyst from United Catalyst Inc., K8-11 catalyst from BASF and SSK catalyst from Haldor Topsoe. In general these catalysts are chrome molybdenum catalysts. In this aspect of the invention, the sour natural gas and water are mixed with the water being in amount which will result in a methane gas/water blend which will permit the formation or reformation of sufficient hydrogen gas to provide flame stability for the hydrogen rich methane/hydrogen gas blend which does not have in excess of 40 volume percent methane. In another aspect, the natural gas reserves may have as low as 35, 25 or even less than 20 volume percent methane and still provide more power than pipeline quality methane. In practicing the invention, sufficient methane should be converted into hydrogen to produce a methane/hydrogen gas blend with at least 6 volume percent, and preferably from about 6 to about 10 volume percent hydrogen. This will produce a hydrogen enhanced methane/hydrogen gas blend with stable flammability that is very effective for fueling gas turbines for the generation of electric power. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a flow plan illustrating the process of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1 natural gas having a methane concentration of not more than about 40 volume percent is moved from the well and treated with a physical solvent such as methanol, a blend of dimethyl ethers of polyethylene glycol, propylene carbonate, N-methyl-2-pryrrolidone, a blend of oligoethlene glycol methyl isopropyl ethers, tri-n-butyl phosponate, and methyl cyano-acetate to remove hydrogen sulfide gas and other acid gas components without removing inert gases to provide a sweet natural gas with not more than about 40 volume percent methane. The sweet natural gas then is conveyed via line 1 to a zinc oxide guard bed 2 to prevent the emissions of hydrogen sulfide gas. The sweet natural gas is conveyed from the zinc oxide bed and mixed with water in line 3 to provide a methane gas/water blend. The gas/water blend is conveyed at about 70 EF and at about 355 psig in line 3 to a feed effluent heat exchange 4 where the temperature of the sweet natural gas/water blend is raised to about 800 EF. Sufficient water to be mixed with the natural gas to permit sufficient conversion to hydrogen to provide flame stability to a hydrogen enhanced dehydrated methane/hydrogen gas blend when it is delivered to the gas turbine generator for the generation of power. After the sweet natural gas is mixed with water and heated in the feed effluent exchanger, the heated sweet natural gas/water blend is conveyed via line 5 at about 345 psig and about 800 EF to a heat recovery steam generator coil (HRSG coil) to further raise the temperature of the sweet natural gas/water blend and provide a hot sweet gas/water blend having a temperature of about 950 EF in line 3. The hot sweet gas/water blend then is conveyed via line 7 to a reforming reaction chamber 8 at about 340 psig for converting a part of the methane in the sweet gas/water blend to a hydrogen enhanced methane/hydrogen gas/water blend. The methane in the sweet gas/water blend undergoes a catalyzed reaction to react the methane and water to produce hydrogen gas at least about 700° F. and preferably from about 900 to about 950 EF and about 340 psig. Higher temperatures facilitate the conversion, while higher pressures adversely affect the conversion. Pressure should not exceed 1500 psig. After conversion of sufficient methane to hydrogen to provide at least about 6 volume percent hydrogen in the gas present after dehydration (hereinafter described), the hydrogen enhanced methane/hydrogen gas/water blend is conveyed back to the feed effluent exchanger via line 9 at about 855 EF and 335 psig to transfer heat to the water and methane gas entering the feed effluent exchanger. After the temperature of the hydrogen enhanced methane/hydrogen gas/water blend is reduced, it is conveyed via line 10 to a dehydrating knockout drum (KO drum) 12 to reduce the water content of the hydrogen enhanced methane/hydrogen gas blend. The dew point is lowered in the KO drum to permit water to condense and separate from the gas. Sufficient water is removed to permit flame stability and provide the gas with at least about 110 BTUs per standard cubic foot of gas. In general, from about 97 to about 99 or more weight percent of the water is removed from the gas. The water resulting from dehydrating the hydrogen enhanced methane/hydrogen gas/water blend is removed from the KO drum 12 via line 14 using condensate pump 16 and is conveyed back to the feed effluent exchanger 4 via line 18 at about 100 EF at about 500 psig. The dehydrated hydrogen enhanced methane/hydrogen gas blend which now has at least 6 volume percent hydrogen or sufficient hydrogen gas to provide flame stability is fed from the KO drum to a gas turbine generator via line 20 at about 100 EF at about 325 psig. There the gas has at least about 110 BTUs per standard cubic foot of gas and provides a stable flame for the gas turbine generator. The same process may be used in utilizing a sour natural gas using a catalyst which will not be sensitive or poisoned by the acid gases in the natural gas. To keep the process compatible with the environment, however, at least some of the acid gases such as H2S may be removed at least in part. In another embodiment not shown in the drawings, the power generated by the dehydrated hydrogen enhanced methane/hydrogen gas blend may be augmented by the injection of inert gases to increase the mass flowing through the gas turbine generator. In this aspect, the total amount of gas supplied as fuel still must have flame stability and have at least about 110 BTUs/Scf. In general, the inert gases are injected after the hydrogen enhanced methane gas blend is combusted in the turbine, but before the hot gas enters the expander of the turbine. Defending upon the amount of hydrogen gas is in the methane, the output of the turbine may be raised by about 0.5 to about 9%. The power is increase is about equal to the percentage of mass flow increase through the expander of the turbine. The invention is illustrated by the following example. EXAMPLE I GAS TURBINE PERFORMANCE Units No Aug Power Aug Site Conditions Ambient Temperature ° F. 60 60 Ambient Pressure psia 11.57 11.57 Ambient Relative Humidity % 60 60 Inlet Pressure Drop In H2O 3.0 3.0 Performance Gross Generator Output kW 156,100 157,100 Heat Consumption (LHV) Btu/h × 10−8 1,477.1 1,486.9 Heat Rate (LHV) Btu/kWh 9,461 9,462 Fuel 1 Conditions Composition % Vol Carbon Dioxide 62.5 62.5 Hydrogen 10.0 10.0 Nitrogen 5.4 5.4 Methane 20.3 20.3 Misc. 1.8 1.8 LHV Btu/Lb 2,424.0 2,424.0 Btu/Scf 212.5 212.5 Fuel Gas Flowrate lb/s 169.3 170.4 Pressure psia 325 325 Temperature ° F. 80 80 Power Aug Inj Conditions Composition % Vol Carbon Dioxide 100.0 100.0 Flowrate lb/s 0.0 4.0 Pressure psia 285 285 Temperature ° F. 300 300 Exhaust Gas Conditions Exhaust Gas Flow lb/s 925.3 930.4 Exhaust Gas Temperature ° F. 1,093.1 1,095.1 Exhaust Gas Composition % Vol Carbon Dioxide 13.79 14.12 Argon 1.07 1.07 Nitrogen 65.78 65.53 Oxygen 9.83 9.74 Water 9.53 9.55 Exhaust Pressure Drop In H2O 15.0 15.0 Nox (Thermal) ppmvd @ <10 <10 15% O2
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Currently there are substantial methane gas reserves with relatively low methane gas concentrations. Many of these reserves have methane gas concentrations below 40 volume percent. Currently, impurities are removed from natural gas to make pipeline quality natural gas which normally have methane concentrations of from about 95+ to about 99+ volume percent. To fuel gas turbines to make electric power, converting natural gas having methane concentrations of not more than about 40 volume percent methane to pipeline quality natural gas becomes economically impractical because the conversion is capital intensive. Moreover, natural gas with methane concentrations of not more than 40 volume percent does not provide a reliable fuel source for gas turbines to generate power because natural gas with such low methane concentrations will not provide a stable flame for fuel combustion without special catalysts and without special balancing of oxygen with other combustibles.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The invention is directed to a method of fueling gas turbines from natural gas reserves with relatively low methane concentrations. The invention permits the use of such reserves to be used to fuel gas turbines to generate electric power. As described, these reserves currently can be used only after the removal of impurities to produce suitable gas turbine fuel. Also as previously described, the latter current technology is capital intensive, and at current natural gas prices, economically unattractive. The process of the invention can remove the impurities necessary for protection of the environment, leaves inert gasses, such as carbon dioxide, in the fuel to maximize mass flow through the gas turbine, and uses hydrogen gas or shifts just enough methane to hydrogen gas to produce a gas fuel blend of hydrogen and methane gas that not only is an acceptable fuel for gas turbines, but the blend is effective for providing flame stability (such as providing the gas with at least 110 BTUs per standard cubic foot of gas) and for producing more power than a standard natural gas having from about 95+ to about 99+ volume percent methane. The method of the invention includes providing a natural gas comprising not more than about 40 percent methane on a volume basis and mixing the methane of the natural gas with hydrogen gas to provide a hydrogen enhanced methane/hydrogen gas blend (which also may be called a hydrogen enhanced natural gas) which has sufficient hydrogen to provide flame stability during burning. Thereafter, if required, the hydrogen enhanced methane/hydrogen gas blend is dehydrated to remove a sufficient amount of water to provide a flame stable hydrogen enhanced dehydrated methane/hydrogen gas blend. In an important aspect, the hydrogen enhanced methane/hydrogen gas blend has at least about 6 volume percent hydrogen. The flame stable hydrogen enhanced dehydrated methane/hydrogen gas blend then is used to fuel an electric power producing gas turbine. The method of the invention is effective for increasing the power output of a gas turbine by at least about 10 percent as compared to gas turbine using a standard natural gas which comprises from about 95 to about 99+ volume percent methane. In most cases, output may be increased by at least about 20 and up to about 30 percent with these latter limits being imposed by the mechanical design limitations of the gas turbine. In an important aspect, a portion of the methane from natural gas is catalytically converted or reformed into hydrogen gas which then forms the hydrogen enhanced methane/hydrogen gas blend. The reactions which to obtain this conversion include: in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"? CH 4 +CO 2 →2CO+2H 2 in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"? in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"? CH 4 +2H 2 O→CO 2 +4H 2 in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"? In an another important aspect, prior to the conversion reaction, hydrogen sulfide and other acid components such as COS, RSH and RSSR are removed from the natural gas using a physical solvent to provide a sweet natural gas. A physical solvent selectively removes hydrogen sulfide and other acid gases, but minimizes the removal of carbon dioxide and other inert gases such as helium, aragon, and nitrogen. In this aspect, the physical solvent is selected from the group consisting of methanol, a blend of dimethyl ethers of polyethylene glycol (molecular weight about 280), propylene carbonate (b.p. of 240 EC, N-methyl-2-pryrrolidone (b.p. 202 EC), a blend of oligoethlene glycol methyl isopropyl ethers (b.p. about 320 EC), tri-n-butyl phosphonate (b.p. 180 EC at 30 mm Hg) and methyl cyano-acetate (b.p. 202 EC). The sweet natural gas is mixed with sufficient water to permit sufficient production of hydrogen from the methane to achieve flame stability or a BTU/Scf value of at least about 110. In this aspect, it is important that the hydrogen sulfide and other acid gases are removed prior to reforming a portion of the methane to hydrogen because the reformation is a catalyzed reaction where the catalyst may be poisoned by the hydrogen sulfide gas and other acid gases. Catalysts which are sensitive to the acid conditions and which may be used in this aspect of the invention include the C11 Series catalyst from United Catalyst Inc., R67 from Haldor Topsoe and G1-25 from BASF. High temperature Ashift catalysts@ for sweet natural gas generally are iron, chrome and copper. Low temperature Ashift catalysts@ for sweet natural gas generally are made from copper, zinc and aluminum. In another important aspect, the reformation reaction is done under acid or sour conditions using catalysts such as a C25 Series catalyst from United Catalyst Inc., K8-11 catalyst from BASF and SSK catalyst from Haldor Topsoe. In general these catalysts are chrome molybdenum catalysts. In this aspect of the invention, the sour natural gas and water are mixed with the water being in amount which will result in a methane gas/water blend which will permit the formation or reformation of sufficient hydrogen gas to provide flame stability for the hydrogen rich methane/hydrogen gas blend which does not have in excess of 40 volume percent methane. In another aspect, the natural gas reserves may have as low as 35, 25 or even less than 20 volume percent methane and still provide more power than pipeline quality methane. In practicing the invention, sufficient methane should be converted into hydrogen to produce a methane/hydrogen gas blend with at least 6 volume percent, and preferably from about 6 to about 10 volume percent hydrogen. This will produce a hydrogen enhanced methane/hydrogen gas blend with stable flammability that is very effective for fueling gas turbines for the generation of electric power.
20041210
20110816
20050908
59943.0
1
YOUNG, NATASHA E
METHOD FOR UTILIZING GAS RESERVES WITH LOW METHANE CONCENTRATIONS FOR FUELING GAS TURBINES
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,009,116
ACCEPTED
RAINPROOF RECESSED OUTLET BOX
A recessed electrical box with a closeable cover member and at least one outward extending flange. The flange serves as a positioning arrangement to recess the electrical box at the correct depth with respect to the surface in which it will be mounted. The recessed electrical box is includes of two pieces, including a one-piece electrical box and a one-piece cover member. The cover member is of minimal size with respect to the electrical box to minimize the cost of construction. The electrical box can be installed on an exterior wall, including either a finished or an unfinished wall. The outward extending flange may include an inner flange for positioning the recessed electrical box with respect to the outer surface of the substrate on an unfinished building. The inner flange is removable to facilitate installation on a finished building, in which the finish layer such as siding or stucco is installed. The recessed electrical box may include a second, outer flange, for recessing the box at the correct depth with respect to a finished surface and to occlude from view the sidewalls of the box at their juncture with the finished surface.
1. A recessed electrical box for installation on a surface and comprising: a first box having side walls, a back wall, a front opening, a front edge surrounding said front opening, and a cavity for receiving an electrical device therein; a transverse wall portion extending outwards from said front edge and forming a partial back wall of a second box; said second box including side walls and a front opening; said side walls of said second box of a depth that said front edge of said first box is positioned substantially behind said surface; a securement arrangement on said side walls of said first box for securing said electrical device thereto; and a cover arrangement for closing said front opening of said second box in a rain tight closure. 2. The recessed electrical box of claim 1 including at least one flange extending outwardly from said side walls of said second box. 3. The recessed electrical box of claim 2 wherein said flange extends orthogonally from said side walls of said second box. 4. The recessed electrical box of claim 1 wherein said second box includes two flanges extending outwardly from said side walls of said second box; said flanges are in parallel planes defining a gap therebetween; and the size of said gap is between 0.7 and 0.9 inch. 5. The recessed electrical box of claim 1 wherein said cover arrangement includes integral posts on said side walls of said second box; and a cover member pivotally connected to said posts. 6. The recessed electrical box of claim 5 including ears extending from said cover member; apertures in said ears; and said apertures of said ears received on said posts. 7. The recessed electrical box of claim 5 wherein said cover member includes a front wall; and a stiffening side wall orthogonal to said front wall. 8. The recessed electrical box of claim 7 wherein said stiffening side wall extends no more than 0.30 inch from said front wall. 9. The recessed electrical box of claim 7 wherein said front wall of said cover member is no greater than 3.5 inches width by 6.0 inches length. 10. The recessed electrical box of claim 5 wherein said first box and said second box are integrally molded of plastic in one-piece; said cover member is molded of plastic in one-piece; and said recessed electrical box comprises two pieces with said cover member connected to said box member. 11. The recessed electrical box of claim 1 wherein said cover arrangement includes apertures in said side walls of said second box; inward-extending posts on said cover member; and said cover member pivotally connected to said electrical box by said posts on said cover member extending through said apertures in said side walls. 12. The recessed electrical box of claim 1 wherein said cover arrangement includes apertures in said side walls of said second box; apertures on said cover member; and a bolt disposed through said apertures in said side walls and said apertures in said cover member thereby pivotally connecting said electrical box to said cover member. 13. The recessed electrical box of claim 1 wherein said first box and said second box are constructed of metal. 14. The recessed electrical box of claim 1 wherein said electrical device mounted within said recessed electrical box places said electrical device substantially behind said surface. 15. The recessed electrical box of claim 1 wherein said recessed electrical box is gasketless. 16. The recessed electrical box of claim 7 wherein said second box includes one or more U-shaped slots in said side walls connecting with said front opening; said cover member includes one or more U-shaped slots in said stiffening side wall; and closure of said cover member on said opening of said second box mates said U-shaped slots of said second box with said U-shaped slots of said cover member thereby providing a substantially circular cord opening therein. 17. The recessed electrical box of claim 16 wherein positioning of said recessed electrical box on the wall of a building with said circular cord opening oriented downward vertically creates a rainproof electrical box. 18. The recessed electrical box of claim 1 wherein said securement arrangement includes a top boss integral with said side wall of said first box; a bottom boss integral with said side wall of said first box; and bores in each of said bosses. 19. A recessed electrical box for installation on the outer wall of a structure comprising: a box member comprising: a box having side walls, a back wall for recessing inward of said outer wall of said structure, a front opening, a front edge surrounding said front opening, and a cavity for receiving an electrical device therein; a flange extending outwardly from said side walls, said flange positioned interior of said front edge of said box; said side walls of said box being of a depth that a rear portion of said box is recessed substantially inward of the outer wall of a structure; a securement arrangement on said box for securing an electrical device thereto, said securement arrangement positioned interior of said front edge of said box; and a cover member for covering said front opening of said box and for projecting outward of the outer wall of a structure and comprising: a front wall; and a stiffening side wall on said front wall. 20. The recessed electrical box of claim 19 wherein said cover member is pivotally attached to said box member. 21. The recessed electrical box of claim 19 wherein said stiffening side wall extends no more than 0.30 inch from said front wall. 22. The recessed electrical box of claim 19 wherein said box member is molded in one piece from plastic; said cover member is molded in one piece from plastic; and said cover member is pivotally connected to said box member. 23. The recessed electrical box of claim 19 wherein said securement arrangement includes a top boss integral with one of said side walls of said box; a bottom boss integral with said side wall one of said side walls of said box; and bores in each of said bosses.
This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/863,942 filed Jun. 9, 2004 and still pending. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to electrical junction boxes and specifically to a recessed outlet box that secures an electrical device substantially behind the exterior of a building for accommodating and protecting a duplex outlet or other electrical device therein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the mounting of outlets to the exterior of a building, covered electrical boxes are commonly used for providing a rainproof electrical enclosure. These outdoor electrical enclosures are typically multi-piece structures, typically comprising three or more separate pieces to provide a weatherproof enclosure. U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,135 (hereinafter the '135 patent), for example, discloses an outdoor weatherproof electrical outlet cover adapted to be attached in weatherproof connection to an electrical outlet. The outlet cover includes a base plate, insert, gasket, and protective housing that are used in conjunction with an electrical box to provide a weatherproof enclosure for an electrical outlet. Although the outlet cover disclosed in this patent provides adequate protection for the outlet against the weather, it is inordinately complex, requiring a four-piece assembly, in addition to the electrical box. The protective housing itself is quite large, in fact the largest piece in the assembly, as it must project beyond the front of the base plate to allow space for accommodating a couple of three-prong plugs therein. As protective housings or covers for electrical outlets must pass a cold impact test to meet established electrical codes, they are typically constructed of high impact resistant plastics. Therefore the protective housing of the '135 patent, which is a relatively large piece in the assembly described therein, must be constructed of impact resistant plastic, which is significantly more expensive than non-impact resistant plastics. Additionally, the outlet cover of the '135 patent provides for coverage of a standard electrical box in which the outlet is mounted even with the wall surface. In case of a hard impact that breaks the protective housing, there is no additional protection to the outlet, which being mounted at the surface, is subject to impact once the protective housing is broken. Accordingly, what is needed is an outlet box that is recessed to place the outlet substantially behind the wall surface, thereby providing additional protection to the outlet from hard impacts capable of breaking the protective cover. Additionally the outlet box should be of simple construction and assembled from a minimum number of separate parts. Furthermore, the construction should be such that the size of the cover is minimized, to limit the cost of producing the outlet box. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is a recessed electrical box with a closeable cover member. The box may include a flange that serves as a positioning arrangement to recess the electrical box at the correct depth with respect to the surface in which it will be mounted. The recessed electrical box is comprised of two pieces, including a one-piece electrical box and a one-piece cover member. The cover member is of minimal size with respect to the electrical box to minimize the cost of construction. The electrical box can be installed on an exterior wall, including either as a retrofit on a finished building or as an installation on the wall of a building under construction. The outward extending flange may include an inner flange for positioning the recessed electrical box with respect to the outer surface of the substrate on a building under construction. The inner flange is removable to facilitate installation in a retrofit situation, in which the finish layer such as siding, stucco, or masonry is installed. The recessed electrical box may include a second, outer flange, for recessing the box at the correct depth with respect to a finished surface and to occlude from view the sidewalls of the box at their juncture with the finished surface. OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES A first advantage of the recessed electrical box is that it properly recesses or positions the box at the proper depth with respect to the outer surface of the building. The electrical box may include one or more outward extending flanges that provide a positioning mechanism to recess the electrical box at the correct depth within the building's surface. The positioning mechanism is functional for both a retrofit situation, in which the finished layer such as siding or stucco is installed, or in a building under construction in which the finished layer has not been installed. A second advantage is that a while-in-use cover member, which renders the recessed electrical box rainproof, is minimal in size with respect to the box. Cover members are typically molded of expensive impact resistant plastic to meet electrical code. Keeping the cover minimal in size with respect to the box lowers the cost of production of the outlet box. A further advantage is that the recessed electrical box positions an enclosed electrical device substantially behind the outer surface of the building. This provides added protection to the electrical device and insures that any hard impacts that destroy the cover member do not also damage the electrical device. The recessed electrical box furthermore provides the advantage of being constructed of a minimal number of parts. It includes only two separately molded pieces, including the electrical box and the cover member. Construction of the box is therefore simplified and production costs are minimized as compared to similar prior art electrical boxes. A further advantage of the recessed electrical box is that the cover member is a while-in-use cover, allowing electrical cords to remain connected to the electrical outlet within the box with the cover member closed thereon. Therefore the recessed electrical box provides rainproof protection to the outlets even while electrical cords are connected to the electrical outlets therein. The electrical box furthermore includes integral bosses with bores therein, which may be smooth or threaded bores, for accepting fasteners from standard wall-mounted electrical devices, such as outlets or switches. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following description along with reference to the drawings. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of a first and preferred embodiment of a recessed electrical box according to the present invention. FIG. 2A is a sectional view of the recessed electrical box taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and shown mounted to the substrate of a newly constructed building. FIG. 2B is a sectional view of the recessed electrical box taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and shown mounted to the siding of an existing building. FIG. 3 is back view of the electrical box of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the electrical box of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a front view of a second embodiment of a recessed electrical box according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a side view of the recessed electrical box taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is back view of the electrical box of FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a front view of a third embodiment of a recessed electrical box according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a side view of the recessed electrical box taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a back view of the electrical box of FIG. 8. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cover member used with the electrical box of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a front view of the cover member of FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a side view of the cover member of FIG. 11. FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the cover member of FIG. 11. FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the recessed electrical box of FIG. 1 shown with a duplex receptacle installed therein and secured to an unfinished exterior wall. FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the recessed electrical box of FIG. 1 shown with a duplex receptacle installed therein and secured to a finished exterior wall. FIG. 17. is a conceptual view depicting the first and second embodiments of the recessed outlet box installed on a wall portion finished with siding and depicting the third embodiment of the recessed outlet box installed on a wall portion finished with stucco. FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the recessed electrical box of FIG. 4 with the cover member attached thereto. FIG. 19 is a sectional view of a top portion of the sidewalls of the second box and the cover member taken along line 19-19 of FIG. 9 and depicting an alternate cover arrangement for the recessed electrical box. FIG. 20 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 19 but showing a second alternate cover arrangement for the recessed electrical box of the present invention. TABLE OF NOMENCLATURE The following is a listing of part numbers used in the drawings along with a brief description: Part Number Description 20 recessed electrical box, preferred embodiment 22 first box 24 back wall of first box 26 peripheral sidewalls of first box 28 front opening of first box 30 cavity or first enclosure 32 front edge of first box 34 transverse wall portion 36 second peripheral sidewalls 38 second box 40 second enclosure 41 box member 42 planar front edge of second box 44 front opening of second box 45 securement arrangement 46 inner flange 47 cover member 48 outer flange 50 outer edge of inner flange 52 ear on inner flange 54 slot 56 back surface of inner flange 58 groove 60 first side of inner flange 62 second side of inner flange 64 third side of inner flange 66 fourth side of inner flange 68 outer periphery of second box 70 outer periphery of first box 72 plane of inner flange 74 plane of outer flange 76 apertures in outer flange 80 removable wall portion 81 circular cord opening 84 integral projections 86 inner surface of peripheral sidewalls 88 threaded bore 89 top end of cover member 90 bottom end of cover member 91 ear of cover member 92 aperture 93 front wall of cover member 94 post 95 stiffening side wall 96 cover arrangement 97 gap 100 recessed electrical box, second embodiment 102 hole in substrate, siding, or both 104 siding 106 substrate 107 caulking 110 recessed electrical box, third embodiment 112 stucco finish layer 114 holes in inner flange 118 fastener 120 hole in outer flange 122 back surface of outer flange 124 hole in outer flange 126 duplex outlet 128 device fasteners 130 face plate 132 terminal of duplex outlet 134 plug end 136 electrical cord 138 outside surface of building 139 positioning arrangement 140 outer surface of substrate 142 U-shaped slots in box member 144 U-shaped slots in cover member 146 top boss 148 bottom boss 150 aperture in sidewalls of second box 152 inward-extending post on cover member 154 aperture in cover member 156 bolt 158 nut DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a recessed electrical box for securing an electrical device on the exterior wall of a building. The recessed electrical box has features that allow it to be easily recessed to the correct depth on either a new building or on an existing building. It can be installed on a new building having unfinished walls, in which the finishing surface, such as siding or stucco, will be installed later, or as a retrofit on an existing building. With reference to FIGS. 1-4, a first and preferred embodiment of a recessed electrical box 20 according to the present invention is shown. The recessed electrical box includes a first box 22 having a back wall 24, peripheral sidewalls 26 extending orthogonally to the back wall 24, and a front opening 28 defining a cavity or first enclosure 30 therein. The peripheral sidewalls 26 of the first box 22 include a front edge 32 at the front opening 28. A transverse wall portion 34 extends outwardly and orthogonally from the peripheral sidewalls 26 at the front edge 32. Second peripheral sidewalls 36 extend orthogonally from the transverse wall portion 34 and form a second box 38 and a second enclosure 40 therein. The first box 22 and second box 38 may be molded in one piece from plastic and form a one-piece box member 41. Alternatively, the first box 22 and second box 38 may be formed of metal in one piece, or each box 22, 38 formed of metal and then secured together by conventional means. The second peripheral sidewalls 36 terminate in a planar front edge 42. The planar front edge 42 includes a front opening 44 therein leading into the second enclosure 40. A securement arrangement 45 at the front opening 28 of the first enclosure 30 is capable of accepting an electrical device (not shown) therein. A cover member 47 is pivotally attached to the box member 41 to form a recessed electrical box 20 according to the present invention. The recessed electrical box of the present invention may include at least one flange integral with and extending outwardly and orthogonally from the second peripheral sidewalls. For the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 4, the recessed electrical box 20 includes an inner flange 46 and an outer flange 48. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the inner flange 46 extends transversely substantially beyond the outer flange 48. The outer flange 48 extends transversely substantially beyond the second peripheral sidewalls 36. The inner flange 46 includes an outer edge 50 and a plurality of ears 52 extending beyond the outer edge 50. A slot 54 is included in each of the ears 52 of the inner flange 46. Referring to FIGS. 2A and 3, the back surface 56 of the inner flange 46 includes grooves 58 adjacent each of the second peripheral sidewalls 36. The grooves 58 extend from one side 60, 62 of the outer edge 50 to the corresponding opposing side 64, 66 of the outer edge 50. The grooves 58 form reduced thickness flange portions to allow scoring therein to remove the inner flange 46 adjacent the second peripheral sidewalls 36. With reference to FIG. 4, the second box 38 has an outer periphery 68 that, as a result of the outwardly extending transverse wall portion 34, is larger than the outer periphery 70 of the first box 22. The inner 46 and outer 48 flanges are in parallel planes 72, 74. Removal of the inner flange 46 creates an outer surface substantially equal to the outer periphery 68 of the second box 38 or, in other words, scoring along the grooves 58 adjacent the outer periphery 68 and subsequently breaking off the inner flange 46 creates a smooth outer periphery with the inner flange 46 completely removed therefrom. The outer flange 48, as shown in FIG. 4, extends substantially beyond the second peripheral sidewalls 36. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the back wall 24 and the peripheral sidewalls 26 of the first box 22 include one or more removable wall portions 80 or knockouts, which may be removed to provide a passage for wiring into the first box 22. The second peripheral sidewalls 36 of the second box 38 also include one or more U-shaped slots 142 extending therein from the front edge 42 at the front opening 44. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2A, the recessed electrical box further includes a securement arrangement 45. The securement arrangement 45 includes integral projections 84 from the inner surface 86 of the peripheral sidewalls 26 that extend transversely into the first enclosure 30. The integral projections 84 include bores 88 therein, which may be smooth bores or threaded. The recessed electrical box can further include a cover member 47 having a top end 89, bottom end 90, ears 91 extending from the top end 89, and apertures 92 within the ears 91 as shown in FIGS. 11-14. The cover member 47 includes a front wall 93 and a stiffening side wall 95 that rigidifies and provides structural support to the front wall portion 93. The cover member 47, which much pass an impact test according to the electrical code, is typically constructed of high impact resistant plastic. The high impact resistant plastic is more expensive than typical non-impact resistant plastics that are used to construct the electrical box. The cover member 47 of the present invention is therefore made as small in size as possible to lower production costs. To lower the weight of high impact resistant plastic used, the stiffening side wall 95 extends no more than 0.30 inch from the front wall 93 and the front wall 93 is no greater than 3.5 inches width by 6.0 inches length. Therefore the largest volume component of the present invention consists of the box member 41, which is constructed of cheaper non-impact resistant plastics. The box member 41 is typically molded of non-impact resistant plastic in one piece. The cover member 47 is typically molded of high impact resistant plastic in one piece. The recessed electrical box of the present invention is therefore of two-piece construction, which is much simpler construction than the three or more piece prior art boxes. With reference to FIG. 18, the recessed electrical box 20 is provided with posts 94 near the planar front edge 42 of the second box 38 upon which the ears 91 of the cover member 47 are snapped thereover, with the posts 94 protruding through the apertures 92 in the ears 91, to cover the outer front opening 44 of the recessed electrical box 20. The cover member 47 is then pivotable on the posts 94. The posts 94 and cover member 47 comprise a cover arrangement 96 for closing the front opening 44 of the second box 38 in a rainproof closure. The inner 46 and outer 48 flanges of the recessed electrical box 20 reside in parallel planes 72, 74 and form a gap 97 therebetween around all four sides of the electrical box 20. The size of the gap 97 is between 0.7 to 0.9 inch to allow it to accept siding of most standard thicknesses. Referring to FIGS. 8-10, there is shown a third embodiment 110 of a recessed electrical box according to the present invention. The third embodiment of the recessed electrical box 110 is for use on a new building that is to be finished with a stucco layer 112. Electrical box 110 includes a removable inner flange 46 but no outer flange. As shown in FIG. 9, on an unfinished building, the box 110 is simply pushed into an appropriately sized hole 102 that has been cut in the substrate 106. There is no need for an outer flange, as a stucco layer will later be applied over the inner flange 46. All of the embodiments of the recessed electrical box as presented herein are preferably integrally formed in one piece. Therefore the first box 22, the second box 38, and the flange or flanges, including the inner flange 46 and the outer flange 48, are integrally molded in one piece. The recessed electrical box is preferably formed by injection molding of plastic. The plastic used to form the recessed electrical box is preferably polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, or polypropylene. Alternatively, the electrical box may be formed of metal. The first box 22 and second box 38 may be formed of metal in one piece or the boxes 22, 38 formed separately of metal and secured together by conventional means such as screws and nuts to form the electrical box of the present invention. The recessed electrical box of the present invention simplifies the installation of electrical devices on all types of finished exteriors, including siding or stucco. It is adaptable to being installed on an unfinished wall or as a retrofit on an existing finished wall. Operation of the recessed electrical box is accomplished by first determining whether it will be used in new construction, in which the building substrate is installed but not the siding or other finish layer, or it will be used on an existing building. The reader is referred to FIG. 2A for an understanding of the installation procedure for the recessed electrical box on a building under construction and to FIG. 2B for an understanding of the installation procedure for the recessed electrical box on an existing building. If the building is under construction, with the substrate installed but no finished layer, the recessed electrical box is installed by first cutting an appropriately sized and shaped hole 102 in the substrate to accept the electrical box, as shown in FIG. 2A. The recessed electrical box 20 is then inserted into the hole 102 until the back surface 56 of the inner flange 46 is flush against the substrate 106. Fasteners 118 are then inserted through the slots 54 and tightened to secure the electrical box 20 to the substrate. Installing siding 104 on the substrate 106 then finishes the exterior of the building. The ends of the siding are placed flush with the second peripheral sidewalls 36 in the gap 97. Caulking 107 is then applied at the juncture of the electrical box 20 with the siding 104 to seal against rain and the elements. With reference to FIG. 2B, if the building is an existing building, with both the siding and substrate installed, this is termed a “retrofit” of an electrical box to an existing building. In this situation, the recessed electrical box 20 is installed by first cutting an appropriately sized and shaped hole 102 in both the substrate 106 and the outer covering 104, which may be siding, stucco, or any other conventional outer covering material, to accept the electrical box 20. If the building is an existing building, the inner flange 46 is removed by cutting along the grooves 58 (see FIG. 4) that are adjacent the outer periphery 68 of the second box 38. With the inner flange 46 removed, the electrical box 20 is inserted into the hole 102 until the back surface 122 of the outer flange 48 is flush against the siding 104. Holes 120 are then drilled in the outer flange 48 and fasteners 118 inserted therethrough. Alternatively, the holes 120 can be preformed in the outer flange 48. The fasteners 118 are then tightened into the siding 104 and the substrate 106 to secure the recessed electrical box 20 to the siding and the substrate. Caulking 107 is then applied at the juncture of the electrical box 20 with the siding 104 to seal against rain and the elements. The second embodiment of the recessed electrical box 100, shown in FIG. 6, simplifies installation of an electrical box on an existing building having any type of outer covering, including siding, stucco, or masonry. As shown in FIG. 6, both the substrate 106 and the siding 104 are installed. As the second embodiment 100 includes an outer flange 48 but no inner flange, the installer is saved the extra effort of having to remove an unneeded flange. To operate the second embodiment of the recessed electrical box 100, the installer cuts an appropriately sized and shaped hole 102 in the siding 104 and substrate 106. The recessed electrical box 100 is then inserted into the hole 102 until the back surface 122 of the outer flange 48 is flush against the siding 104. In the second embodiment of the recessed electrical box 100, holes 124 are included in the outer flange 48. The fasteners 118 are then are then inserted through the holes 124 and tightened into the siding 104 and the substrate 106 to secure the recessed electrical box 100 to the siding and the substrate. Caulking 107 is then applied in the same manner as for the preferred embodiment. Although FIG. 6 depicts a retrofit on a building having siding for an outer wall covering, the same procedure can be followed to install a retrofit on a building having an outer wall covering of stucco or masonry. As described above, the third embodiment of the recessed electrical box 110 is for use on a building under construction that will be finished with a stucco layer 112. With reference to FIG. 9, electrical box 110 includes a removable inner flange 46 but no outer flange. To install the third embodiment 110 on a building under construction, the box 110 is simply pushed into an appropriately sized hole 102 that has been cut in the substrate 106. Fasteners 118 are then placed through the slots 54 in the ears 52 of the inner flange 46 and tightened into the substrate 106. There is no need for an outer flange, as a stucco layer will later be applied over the inner flange 46 and no unsightly gap will exist between the stucco and the electrical box. The inner flange 46, as shown in FIG. 10, includes a plurality of holes 114 that allow stucco to flow through the inner flange 46 and thereby form a better adhesion to the inner flange 46 and to the substrate 106. FIG. 15 depicts installation of the preferred embodiment of the recessed electrical box 20 on a building under construction having an unfinished wall or substrate 106. For installation on the building under construction, a hole is made in the substrate 106 and the recessed box 20 is inserted until the inner flange 46 contacts the substrate 106. To secure the electrical box 20 to the building, fasteners 118 are driven through the slots 54 provided in the inner flange 46 and into the substrate 106. The finish layer 104, consisting of lapped siding or any appropriate siding material, is installed within the gap 97 and placed snug against the second peripheral sidewalls 36. A duplex outlet 126 or other electrical device is then secured therein by device fasteners 128. A face plate 130 is fastened to the electrical device or duplex outlet 126 to close the first box 22 and thereby seal the first enclosure 30 to protect the terminals 132 of the duplex outlet 126 and any wiring therein. The plug ends 134 of two electrical cords 136 are shown plugged into the duplex outlet 126 and run from the outlet 126 through the second enclosure 40 of the recessed electrical box 20 and through the circular cord openings 81 in the electrical box. FIG. 16 depicts installation of the preferred embodiment of the recessed electrical box 20 on a finished wall or siding 104. For installation on a finished wall 104, the inner flange is removed and a hole 102 cut in the siding 104 or other finish layer to a size large enough to accommodate the outer periphery of the second peripheral sidewalls 36. The outer periphery of the outer flange 48 can be provided with apertures 76 to accommodate fasteners 118. The electrical box 20, with the inner flange removed, is fitted into the hole 102 and pushed therein until the outer flange 48 is flush with the outer surface of the siding 104. Fasteners 118 are inserted therein through apertures 76 to secure the recessed electrical box 20 to the siding 104 and substrate 106 and thereby to the building. As illustrated in FIG. 16, the recessed outlet box 20 recesses the electrical device 126 well behind the outside surface 138 of the building and protects it from impacts. With the recessed electrical box 20 secured to the outside surface 138 and caulking 107 applied between the outer surface 138 and the box 20, the box member 41 and cover member 47 provide a rainproof electrical box. With the cover 47 closed, rain is prevented from entering the box member 41. When the cover member 47 is open, the box member 41 easily sheds any water that enters the box, as the second enclosure 40 is larger than the first enclosure 30, and the water will run out of the circular cord openings 81. The large second enclosure 40 and circular cord openings insure that water will run out and not build up to a level that will contact the electrical device 126 or the wiring therein. Referring to FIG. 17, the three embodiments of the recessed electrical box 20, 100, and 110 are shown installed on the outside surface 138 of a building. The flanges 46, 48 serve as a positioning arrangement 139 for positioning the electrical box 20, 100, 110 at the correct depth with respect to the wall. For the first embodiment of the recessed electrical box 20, shown at the top of the figure, either the inner 46 or outer 48 flange serves as the positioning arrangement, depending on the application. If the siding 104 has not been installed, the installer simply makes a hole in the substrate 106 and pushes the box 20 into the hole until the rear surface of the inner flange 46 contacts the outer surface 140 of the substrate 106. Fasteners 118 are then driven through the inner flange 46 to secure the recessed electrical box 20 to the substrate 106. Siding 104 is then inserted into the gap 97 surrounding all four sides of the electrical box 20 and the siding 104 is then fastened to the substrate 106. Alternately, if it is a retrofit situation, the inner flange 46 of recessed outlet box 20 can be broken or cut away at the grooves 58 shown in FIG. 3. The outer flange 48 then serves as a positioning arrangement to achieve the proper depth of mounting of the electrical box 20. A hole is made in the substrate 106 and siding 104, and the electrical box 20 is pushed into the hole until the back surface of the outer flange 48 contacts the siding 104. Fasteners 118 are then driven through the outer flange 48 and into the substrate 106 to secure the electrical box 20 to the outside surface 138 of the building. The resultant secured and anchored electrical box 20 is shown in the middle of FIG. 17. Reference numeral 100 is also shown in FIG. 17 referring to the middle electrical box as the second embodiment of the electrical box described herein is identical to the first embodiment except that no inner flange is included thereon. Therefore, in a retrofit application, the second embodiment of the recessed electrical box 100 is installed in the same manner as the first embodiment except there is no need to break off an inner flange. The third embodiment of the recessed electrical box 110, shown at the bottom of FIG. 17, includes only a breakaway inner flange 46. If the building is under construction and the substrate 106 exposed, the inner flange 46 serves as a positioning arrangement for mounting the electrical box 110 at the proper depth. Fasteners 118 can then be driven through the inner flange 46 of the recessed electrical box 110 to secure it to the substrate 106. Regardless of which embodiment of the recessed electrical box 20, 100, 110 is used, the electrical device will be positioned substantially behind the outside surface 138 of the building, thereby providing a great deal of protection to the electrical device. As shown in FIG. 4, the planar front edge 42 of the recessed electrical box 20 further includes one or more U-shaped slots 142 in the side walls 36 of the second box 38. As shown in FIG. 13, the cover member 47 also includes one or more U-shaped slots 144 in the stiffening side wall 95. When the cover member 47 is pivotally connected to the box member 41 and the cover member 47 is closed upon the box member 41, as shown in FIG. 18, the second box 38 mates the U-shaped slots 142 of the second box 38 with the U-shaped slots 144 of the cover member 47 thereby providing a substantially circular cord opening 81 therein. The circular cord openings 81 thereby form a passageway for electrical cords. When the recessed outlet box of the present invention is mounted on a building with the cord openings 81 oriented downward vertically, the recessed outlet box creates a rainproof electrical box that effectively shields the electrical device from rainfall. With reference to FIG. 1, the securement arrangement for securing an electrical device (not shown) to the recessed electrical box 20 includes a top boss 146 integral with the side wall 26 of the first box 22 and a bottom boss 148 integral with the side wall 26 of the first box 22. Bores 88 are included in each boss 146, 148 and may be smooth bores or threaded bores. Referring to FIG. 19, an alternate cover arrangement 96 is shown for pivotally connecting the cover member 47 to the sidewalls 36 of the second box 38. The alternate cover arrangement 96 includes apertures 150 in the sidewalls 36 of the second box 38 and inward-extending posts 152 on the cover member 47. The inward-extending posts 152 extend through the apertures 150 in the sidewalls 36 of the second box 38 thereby pivotally connecting the cover member 47 to the second box 38. With reference to FIG. 20, a second alternate cover arrangement 96 for pivotally connecting the cover member 47 to the sidewalls 36 of the second box 38 includes apertures 150 in the sidewalls 36 of the second box 38, apertures 154 in the cover member 47, and a bolt 156 disposed through the apertures 150, 154. A nut 158 secures the bolt 156 within the apertures 150, 154 thereby pivotally connecting the second box 38 to the cover member 47. Having thus described the invention with reference to a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not so limited by the description herein but is defined as follows by the appended claims.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In the mounting of outlets to the exterior of a building, covered electrical boxes are commonly used for providing a rainproof electrical enclosure. These outdoor electrical enclosures are typically multi-piece structures, typically comprising three or more separate pieces to provide a weatherproof enclosure. U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,135 (hereinafter the '135 patent), for example, discloses an outdoor weatherproof electrical outlet cover adapted to be attached in weatherproof connection to an electrical outlet. The outlet cover includes a base plate, insert, gasket, and protective housing that are used in conjunction with an electrical box to provide a weatherproof enclosure for an electrical outlet. Although the outlet cover disclosed in this patent provides adequate protection for the outlet against the weather, it is inordinately complex, requiring a four-piece assembly, in addition to the electrical box. The protective housing itself is quite large, in fact the largest piece in the assembly, as it must project beyond the front of the base plate to allow space for accommodating a couple of three-prong plugs therein. As protective housings or covers for electrical outlets must pass a cold impact test to meet established electrical codes, they are typically constructed of high impact resistant plastics. Therefore the protective housing of the '135 patent, which is a relatively large piece in the assembly described therein, must be constructed of impact resistant plastic, which is significantly more expensive than non-impact resistant plastics. Additionally, the outlet cover of the '135 patent provides for coverage of a standard electrical box in which the outlet is mounted even with the wall surface. In case of a hard impact that breaks the protective housing, there is no additional protection to the outlet, which being mounted at the surface, is subject to impact once the protective housing is broken. Accordingly, what is needed is an outlet box that is recessed to place the outlet substantially behind the wall surface, thereby providing additional protection to the outlet from hard impacts capable of breaking the protective cover. Additionally the outlet box should be of simple construction and assembled from a minimum number of separate parts. Furthermore, the construction should be such that the size of the cover is minimized, to limit the cost of producing the outlet box.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The invention is a recessed electrical box with a closeable cover member. The box may include a flange that serves as a positioning arrangement to recess the electrical box at the correct depth with respect to the surface in which it will be mounted. The recessed electrical box is comprised of two pieces, including a one-piece electrical box and a one-piece cover member. The cover member is of minimal size with respect to the electrical box to minimize the cost of construction. The electrical box can be installed on an exterior wall, including either as a retrofit on a finished building or as an installation on the wall of a building under construction. The outward extending flange may include an inner flange for positioning the recessed electrical box with respect to the outer surface of the substrate on a building under construction. The inner flange is removable to facilitate installation in a retrofit situation, in which the finish layer such as siding, stucco, or masonry is installed. The recessed electrical box may include a second, outer flange, for recessing the box at the correct depth with respect to a finished surface and to occlude from view the sidewalls of the box at their juncture with the finished surface.
20041210
20060228
20051215
57556.0
1
PATEL, DHIRUBHAI R
RAINPROOF RECESSED OUTLET BOX
SMALL
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,009,707
ACCEPTED
Food supplemented with a carnitine, suitable for stimulating the biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids from the saturated fatty acids contained in the food
A food selected from the group comprising milk and dairy products derived from milk, comprising a carnitine in an effective amount to stimulate, through the natural fatty acid metabolic processes that take place in a consumer of said food, the synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids from the saturated fatty acids originally contained in the food.
1-14. (canceled) 15. A food consisting of milk, and comprising a carnitine selected from the group consisting of L-carnitine, acetyl L-carnitine, propionyl L-carnitine, a mixture thereof, and a pharmacologically acceptable salt of the carnitine, in an effective amount of from 400 mg to 9,000 mg/L or mg/kg of milk or food product to stimulate upon ingestion, through the natural fatty acid metabolic processes that take place in a consumer of said food, the synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids from the saturated fatty acids originally contained in the food. 16. The food of claim 15, wherein the food is cow's milk, skimmed cow's milk, delactosed milk, condensed milk, powder milk, cow-buffalo's milk, goat's milk or sheep's milk. 17. The food of claim 16, comprising from 400 to 8,000 mg/L of a carnitine selected from the group consisting of L-carnitine, acetyl L-carnitine, propionyl L-carnitine, a mixture thereof and a pharmacologically acceptable salt of the carnitine. 18. The food of claim 17, comprising from 1,000 to 4,000 mg/L of a carnitine selected from the group consisting of L-carnitine, acetyl L-carnitine, propionyl L-carnitine and a mixture thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable salt of the carnitine. 19. The food of claim 15, further comprising vitamins, coenzymes, mineral substances, amino acids and antioxidants. 20. A method of stimulating in a consumer of a food comprising milk, through the natural fatty acid metabolic processes of said consumer, the synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids from the saturated fatty acids originally contained in the food, which comprises administering to the consumer a food consisting of milk to which has been added a carnitine selected from the group consisting of L-carnitine, acetyl L-carnitine, propionyl L-carnitine, a mixture thereof and a pharmacologically acceptable salt of the carnitine, in an effective amount to stimulate said synthesis. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the food is milk and the carnitine quantity added to the food is of 400-8,000 mg/L of milk.
The present invention relates to milk and food stuffs derived from the processing of milk (i.e. dairy products) supplemented with an agent suitable for stimulating, through the natural metabolic processes that take place in the body, the synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids starting from the saturated fatty acids originally contained in the above-mentioned foods. In the context of the present invention what is meant by “milk”, which by definition is the integral product of a complete, uninterrupted milking of a healthy, well nourished milk-bearing female, obtained by manual or mechanical milking, is not only cow's milk and the skimmed milk, delactosed milk, powder milk and condensed milk derived from it, but also cow-buffalo's milk, goat's milk and sheep's milk. Therefore, in the context of the present invention, what is meant by “food stuffs derived from the processing of milk” are not only butter, cream, cottage cheese, yoghurt, kefir, milk cheese (i.e. cow's milk mozzarella) and fresh and ripened cheeses (such as, for example, grana padano and Parmesan cheese) derived from the processing of cow's milk, but also cheese products derived from the processing of cow-buffalo's, goat's and sheep's milk, such as, for example, buffalo milk cheese or mozzarella, provola, ewe cheese or Pecorino (e.g. Roman Pecorino, Sicilian Pecorino), Sardinian milk cheese, Urbino sheep's milk cheese, blue cheese, etc. Fresh milk, i.e. milk from animals that have just been milked, consists essentially, with more or less minor variations of the various components from one animal species to another, of 87-88% water, 4.5-4.8% sugars, 3.5-7.5% lipids, 3.2-6% proteins and traces of mineral salts and vitamins. Milk lipids consist substantially in fatty acid triglycerides which constitute 96-99% of total lipids (the remaining fraction being mainly composed of diglycerides, phospholipids, sterols and cerebrosides). Fatty acids are classified as saturated and unsaturated on the basis of the presence or otherwise of double bonds in their chain. Saturated fatty acids (whose synthesis is catalysed by different enzyme systems such as acetyl-CoA-carboxylase, fatty acid synthetase and citrate synthetase) do not contain double bonds, while the unsaturated fatty acids present one or more double bonds between the carboxyl and the terminal methyl at the opposite end of the chain. Whereas a role in energy metabolism is mainly attributed to the saturated fatty acids, the unsaturated fatty acids also have important biological functions as structural components of the membranes, as precursors of the eicosanoids, such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes, and as cholesterol transport agents. Starting from acetyl-coenzyme A, the body, by means of a synthetase enzyme system, is capable of synthesizing fatty acids with up to 16 carbon atoms, elongating their chain and desaturating them at the microsomal level. This desaturation does not occur in man between the methyl and seventh carbon atom proceeding towards the carboxyl, and the essentiality of polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3 (n3) and omega 6 (n6) is due precisely to this inability. Two important polyunsaturated essential fatty acids such as linoleic acid (c18:2n6) and linolenic acid (c18:3n3) therefore have to be ingested with the diet. The table here below presents the fatty acid percentage composition of the lipids of cow's milk. Cow's milk lipids Fatty acids I.M.* R** Saturated fatty acids Butyric 4:0 3.3 2.3-5.2 Caproic 6:0 2.1 1.4-4.0 Caprylic 8:0 1.4 0.9-2.2 Capric 10:0 3.0 2.2-4.2 Lauric 12:0 3.6 2.4-4.6 Myristic 14:0 11.5 8.4-13.6 Palmitic 16:0 30.8 24.0-36.9 Stearic 18:0 9.5 6.6-13.2 Arachic 20:0 Other 2.4 Monounsaturated fatty acids Myristoleic 14:1 1.9 1.4-2.2 Palmitoleic 16:1 2.8 2.2-3.3 Oleic 18:1 22.5 25.9-18.8 Other 1.3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids Linoleic 18:2 2.3 1.4-3.6 Linolenic 18:3 1.5 0.6-2.8 *Indicative mean **Range Palmitic acid is the most important fatty acid produced by most of the biosynthesis systems, and other saturated or unsaturated long-chain fatty acids can be derived from it. The fatty acid desaturation site for the formation of unsaturated fatty acids is located in the microsomes and the introduction of a double bond in a preformed fatty acid requires the intervention of molecular oxygen as an electron acceptor. This system, which is called mixed-function oxygenase, in the presence of O2 and NADHP, catalyzes the desaturation of preformed fatty acids in the form of acyl-CoA. Undergoing various processes of elongation and desaturation, palmitic acid plays a central role in the formation of unsaturated fatty acids. The fats contained in milk and its derivatives also undergo the metabolism common to all fatty acids, in which the presence of L-carnitine is of fundamental importance for their utilisation. The role of L-carnitine and alkanoyl L-carnitines, particularly of acetyl L-carnitine is, in fact, essential in the processes of fatty acid beta-oxidation which takes place above all in the mitochondria with prior transformation to the thioesters of Coenzyme A catalyzed by acyl-CoA-thiokinase. The transport of acyl-CoAs from the activation sites to the oxidation sites is carried out by L-carnitine by means of an enzyme, acyl-CoA carnitine acyltransferase, located on the inner membrane of the mitochondria which is permeable to the carnitine esters but not to the acyl-CoAs, CoASH or free L-carnitine. As can be seen in the table above, the quantity of essential fatty acids present in cow's milk is very low: 2.3% for linoleic acid and 1.5% for linolenic acid, as against 23% for oleic acid, 30% for palmitic acid, 11% for myristic acid and 9.5 for stearic acid. These low concentrations of the essential fatty acids, linoleic and linolenic acid, are totally inadequate for balanced nutrition based on the intake of milk, as is the case above all in infant children, but also in the elderly and in convalescent subjects. Nor, obviously, can the intake of essential fatty acids be increased by introducing into the diet products (dairy products) obtained from the processing of milk. In the past, milk was produced supplemented with factors which are not present or are present in inadequate amounts in normal cow's milk (e.g. vitamins, nitrogenous substances, etc.) bearing in mind not only the particular dietetic requirements of infants, but also those of elderly subjects, sick people and convalescent subjects. More recently, in the wake of the interest aroused by extensive clinical studies which have proved the therapeutic efficacy, in cardiovascular disease, of polyunsaturated fatty acids of the omega-3 and omega-6 series, which are particularly present in the fish-rich diets of certain Nordic peoples, types of milk supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids have been marketed for general consumption. The addition of these fatty acids to the milk, however, entails a number of technological problems due to the need to obtain a product which maintains the characteristics of stability and conservability and, above all, the agreeable organoleptic properties of natural milk. It is well known, in fact, that the omega-3 series fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are extracted from fish oil and present a substantial tendency to oxidation in air with the result that the milk turns rancid, converting to oxidized sideproducts with an irritating and distinctly disagreeable odour and taste. It has now surprisingly been found that the addition of a carnitine (a term which will be defined here below) to the above-mentioned milk and dairy products powerfully stimulates, through the natural metabolism of fatty acids that occurs in a consumer of such foods, the synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids starting from the saturated fatty acids originally contained in such foods. The object of the present invention is, therefore, a food selected from the group comprising milk and dairy products, characterized in that it comprises a carnitine selected from the group comprising of L-carnitine, acetyl L-carnitine, propionyl L-carnitine or their pharmacologically acceptable salts, or mixtures thereof, in an effective amount for stimulating the synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids from the saturated fatty acids originally contained in said food, in the course of the natural metabolic processes that take place in a consumer of said food. The milk can be selected from cow's milk (or skimmed milk, delactosed milk, powder milk or condensed milk obtained from cow's milk), cow-buffalo milk, goat's milk or sheep's milk. The dairy products obtained from the above-mentioned milks include products such as butter, cream, cottage cheese, yoghurt, kefir, milk cheese or cow's milk mozzarella, fresh and ripened cheeses (e.g. grana padano or Parmesan cheese), cow-buffalo milk cheese or mozzarella, provola, ewe cheese or Pecorino, Roman Pecorino, Sicilian Pecorino, Sardinian milk cheese, Urbino sheep's milk cheese and the like. The amount of L-carnitine, acetyl L-carnitine and propionyl L-carnitine (alone or in various mixtures) added to the milk or dairy products obtained from milk may vary within broad limits owing to the substantial non-toxicity of these compounds. In the case of “milk”, the amount may range from 400 mg to 8,000 mg/L of food product, and preferably from 1,000 mg to 4,000 mg/L. In the case of butter, yoghurt, kefir and both fresh and ripened cheeses, such amount may range from 500 mg 70 9,000 mg/kg of food products, and preferably from 1,500 to 4,500 mg/kg of food product. Both the “milk” and the products derived from milk processing can be supplemented with other substances selected from the group comprising vitamins (e.g. vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin B6), coenzymes, mineral substances, amino acids and antioxidants, polyphenols (of grapes), catechins (of tea), anthocyanins, selenium (methionine), calcium salts and the like. A number of pharmacological tests illustrating the invention described herein are reported here below. Plasma Lipid Tests in Animals on a Diet Consisting of Milk Alone or Milk Plus Carnitines For these tests a batch of New Zealand male rabbits with a mean body weight of 3.7 kg was used, which, after a period of acclimatisation on a standard diet for eight days, were divided into different groups. One group received standard diet alone, while a second group received unskimmed milk mixed with pellets of the normal diet whose final composition was as follows: 4% fats, 24% proteins, 58% carbohydrates, 0.7% fibre, 10% water, 3% minerals and 1% vitamins. Another group of animals was administered a milk diet supplemented with L-carnitine, acetyl L-carnitine or propionyl L-carnitine in amounts such that, on the basis of the food intake, the daily administration was 200 mg/kg body weight of L-carnitine, acetyl L-carnitine or propionyl L-carnitine. After four weeks of treatment, blood samples were taken from the marginal vein of the ear and the plasma lipids obtained were subjected to measurement of the percentages of both saturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The percentage amounts of unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids present in liver samples taken from the same animals were also measured. While total lipids were measured according to the method described by Schanfeld (Schanfeld G., J. Clin. Invest., 226:497, 1957) and Folch (Folch J., J. Biol. Chem., 226:497, 1957), the triglycerides and phospholipids were measured according to the method described by Terstra (Terstra A. H. M., Anal. Biochem., 11:149, 1981) and the n-3 and n-6 fatty acids according to the method described by Nestel (Nestel P. J., Ann. Rev. Nutr., 10:149, 1990) and Cevec (Cevec G., Biochemistry, 30:7:7186, 1991). The data reported in Table 1 demonstrate that the milk diet does not improve the ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids, which appears unchanged or slightly worsened as compared to controls. In those animals in which carnitines were administered together with the same milk diet, the ratio was distinctly improved due to an increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids, and this was particularly evident following administration of acetyl L-carnitine and propionyl L-carnitine. This new particular and unexpected activity of the carnitines added to the milk was also evident in the examinations performed on the liver specimens taken from the animals on the different diets. The data in Table 2, in fact, show a surprising increase in n-3 fatty acids, resulting in the improvement of the ratio of n-3 to n-6 fatty acids. In these tests, too, propionyl L-carnitine proved to be the most active compound. TABLE 1 P/S (polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids) ratio in basal conditions and after 30 days on various diets. day 0 day30 Standard diet 0.55 0.52 Milk diet 0.59 0.47 Milk diet + L-carnitine 0.52 0.72 Milk diet + acetyl L-carnitine 0.56 0.85 Milk diet + propionyl L-carnitine 0.55 0.88 TABLE 2 n-3 and n-6 fatty acids present in hepatic phospholipids. Percentage values of total Lipids at baseline and after 30 days on diet. Phospholipid baseline values n-6 = 20.5 n-3 = 76.9 n-6:n-3 ratio = 1.215 Phospholipid values after 30 days n-6 = 13.5 n-3 = 35.6 n-6:n-3 ratio = 0.38 The milks supplemented with carnitine according to the present invention are not to be confused, either as regards composition or as regards aims, with the “infant formulas”, possibly containing carnitine, already on the market or described in the literature. The infant formulas are artificial milks in which the manufacturer's primary aim is to reproduce the composition of mother's milk (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,542,560, 4,282,265, 4,614,663, 4,721,626 and 4,879,131). More recently, infant formulas have been proposed, supplemented with substances suitable to prevent or cure even severe diseases typical of neonates or suckling infants. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,686,491 discloses an infant formula containing 2.5-3.5 g of proteins/kg body weight, carbohydrates, lipids and at least 50-150 mg of L-carnitine/kg body weight, in which the carbohydrate:lipid ratio is equal to or greater than 60:40. This infant formula is particularly suitable for the nutrition of suckling infants suffering from fatty acid catabolism disorders such as medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCAD), long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (LCAD), short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (SCAD) and multiple-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD) and for the prevention of cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and growth failure syndrome (FITS). The marked differences in composition, destination and aims between the infant formulas and the milks according to the present invention are therefore evident. Also evident are the advantages which can be achieved with the foods according to the invention, which, after being ingested and in conjunction with the natural metabolic processes of the consumer, make it possible to increase the endogenous amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids with an attendant reduction in the saturated fatty acids in which these foods, especially butter and ripened cheeses, are rich. This is particularly significant in view of the growing attention which is being justifiably accorded to diet, also by perfectly healthy individuals, and to the care taken to avoid foods with a high content of saturated fatty acids for the purposes of preventing various diseases including most notably metabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases. The present invention makes available dairy products which, whilst fully conserving their nutritional and organoleptic properties, are equivalent to products with a higher content of unsaturated fatty acids and a lower content of saturated fatty acids, thus assuring safer and wider consumption. Furthermore, from the technological standpoint, the addition of carnitine to milk and its derivatives presents none of the above-mentioned operational difficulties caused by the addition to milk of substances which easily turn the milk rancid, such as fatty acids of the omega-3 series, with the consequent hazard of altering the organoleptic properties of the resulting food product which, despite such addition, maintains its original disadvantageously high content of saturated fatty acids. Illustrative, non-limiting examples of compositions according to the invention are reported hereinbelow. 1) Whole cow's milk ml 100 L-carnitine mg 100 2) Skimmed or partially skimmed cow's milk ml 100 L-carnitine mg 50 3) Whole cow's milk ml 100 Acetyl L-carnitine mg 100 4) Skimmed or partially skimmed cow's milk ml 100 Acetyl L-carnitine mg 50 5) Whole cow's milk ml 100 Propionyl L-carnitine mg 100 6) Skimmed or partially skimmed cow's milk ml 100 Propionyl L-carnitine mg 50 7) Whole cow's milk ml 100 L-carnitine mg 50 Acetyl L-carnitine mg 50 Propionyl L-carnitine mg 50 8) Skimmed or partially skimmed cow's milk ml 100 L-carnitine mg 25 Acetyl L-carnitine mg 25 Propionyl L-carnitine mg 25 9) Yoghurt g 100 L-carnitine mg 50 Acetyl L-carnitine mg 50 Propionyl L-carnitine mg 50 10) Butter g 100 L-carnitine mg 100 Acetyl L-carnitine mg 100 Propionyl L-carnitine mg 100 11) Whole cow's milk ml 100 L-carnitine mg 100 Acetyl L-carnitine mg 100 Propionyl L-carnitine mg 100 Vit. E mg 2 Vit. C mg 30 Vit. B6 mg 0.5 12) Whole cow's milk ml 100 L-carnitine mg 50 Acetyl L-carnitine mg 50 Propionyl L-carnitine mg 50 Grape's polyphenols mg 100 Catechins (derived from tea) mg 100 Calcium mg 100 13) Yoghurt g 100 L-carnitine mg 50 Acetyl L-carnitine mg 50 Propionyl L-carnitine mg 50 Polyphenols mg 100 Catechins mg 100 Anthocyanins mg 20 Selenium methionine μg 50
20041213
20091027
20050512
94855.0
1
WONG, LESLIE A
FOOD SUPPLEMENTED WITH A CARNITINE, SUITABLE FOR STIMULATING THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS FROM THE SATURATED FATTY ACIDS CONTAINED IN THE FOOD
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,009,921
ACCEPTED
Method and apparatus for maintaining multiple sets of identity data
A method of assigning the UNIX computers in a network to one of a plurality of groups called zones, of creating independent sets of UNIX identity information for each network entity (user or group) for separate zones, and of associating an entity's sets of UNIX entity information with a single global entity record for the entity in the network's identity resolver. A further method of allowing a UNIX computer to request entity information from the identity resolver, and of the identity resolver returning resolved entity information appropriate for the requesting computer's zone. A further method of managing sets of zone-specific UNIX identity information in the identity resolver to ensure that entity names and entity identification numbers are not duplicated within a zone and to all the same names and numbers to be duplicated across zones. Other embodiments are also described.
1. A computer-readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by a general-purpose computing system, cause the system to perform operations comprising: obtaining an entity identifier from a UNIX client; determining a zone of the client from zone identity information received from the client; retrieving a global entity record corresponding to the entity identifier and the zone; communicating at least one item of data from the global entity record to the client. 2. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the zone identity information identifies one zone of a plurality of zones, said plurality including at least a first zone and a second zone, where a first entity record of the first zone may conflict with a second entity record of the second zone. 3. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the zone identity information is an explicit zone identifier obtained with the entity identifier. 4. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the zone identity information is implicit in a method by which entity identifier was obtained. 5. The computer-readable medium of claim 4 wherein the zone identity information is an Internet Protocol address of the client. 6. The computer-readable medium of claim 4 wherein the zone identity information may be inferred from a method by which the entity identifier was received. 7. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the entity identifier is a global entity name. 8. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the entity identifier is at least one of a UNIX username, a UNIX UID, a UNIX group name and a UNIX GID. 9. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the at least one item from the global entity record is at least one of a global entity name, a password, a real name, a preferred shell, a home directory location, a UNIX username, a UNIX UID, a UNIX group name and a UNIX GID. 10. A method comprising: obtaining an entity identifier from a UNIX client; determining a zone of the client from zone identity information received from the client; retrieving a global entity record corresponding to the entity identifier and the zone; communicating at least one item of data from the global entity record to the client. 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the zone identity information identifies one zone of a plurality of zones, said plurality including at least a first zone and a second zone, where a first entity record of the first zone may conflict with a second entity record of the second zone. 12. The method of claim 10 wherein the zone identity information is an explicit zone identifier obtained with the entity identifier. 13. The method of claim 10 wherein the zone identity information is implicit in an Internet Protocol address obtained with the entity identifier. 14. The method of claim 10 wherein the entity identifier is a global entity name. 15. A computer-readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by a general-purpose UNIX computing system, cause the system to perform operations comprising: communicating an entity identifier and zone identity information to an identity resolver; obtaining a response containing resolved entity information from the identity resolver; and providing a portion of the resolved entity information to a process executing on the general-purpose UNIX computing system. 16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15 wherein the resolved entity information is at least one of a password, a preferred shell, a home directory, a UNIX username, a UNIX UID, a UNIX group name, and a UNIX GID. 17. The computer-readable medium of claim 15 wherein the entity identifier is a global entity name. 18. The computer-readable medium of claim 15 wherein the entity identifier is a UNIX entity identifier. 19. The computer-readable medium of claim 15 wherein the zone identity information is an explicit zone identifier. 20. The computer-readable medium of claim 15 wherein the zone identity information is implicit computer identity information associated with the communicating step. 21. A computer-readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by a general-purpose UNIX computing system, cause the system to perform operations comprising: communicating a global entity identifier and zone identity information to an identity resolver; obtaining a response containing local entity information from the identity resolver; and providing a portion of the local entity information to a process executing on the general-purpose UNIX computing system. 22. The computer-readable medium of claim 21 wherein the local entity information is at least one of a password, a preferred shell, a home directory, a UNIX username, a UNIX UID, a UNIX group name, and a UNIX GID. 23. A method comprising: communicating a global entity identifier and zone identity information to an identity resolver; obtaining a response containing local entity information from the identity resolver; and providing a portion of the local entity information to a process executing on a general-purpose UNIX computing system. 24. A computer-readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by a general-purpose computing system, cause said system to perform operations comprising: accepting a global entity name; locating a global entity record corresponding to the global entity name in a database; accepting a zone identifier; accepting data to form a zone entity record; verifying that a UNIX entity name and a UNIX entity ID of the zone entity record are unique among all zone entity records corresponding to the zone identifier in the database; and storing the zone entity record. 25. The computer-readable medium of claim 24 wherein the UNIX entity name is a UNIX user name and the UNIX entity ID is a UID. 26. The computer-readable medium of claim 24 wherein the UNIX entity name is a UNIX group name and the UNIX entity ID is a GID.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of this invention work with computers running UNIX (or a variation of UNIX) and an identity resolver (such as a directory server) within a network of computers. Embodiments of the invention allow the association of multiple sets of UNIX identity information (user or group names, user or group identification numbers, and similar data) with a single global entity record in an identity resolver database. When the user logs on to a UNIX computer, an embodiment of the invention selects the correct set of UNIX identity information based on the logical grouping of computers (called a zone) to which that UNIX computer belongs. The UNIX computer also uses the UNIX identity information at other times for identity lookup such as when the computer looks up the UNIX user name associated with a given UNIX user identification number. BACKGROUND Any network of UNIX computers relies on identity information to identify computer users and groups of computer users on the network. For example, when a user logs onto a network computer, he provides a user name to identify himself. Once the user is logged in, he is associated with a pre-assigned user identification number (UID) that is used within any computer on the network to identify that user. Files use UIDs to indicate file ownership, and UNIX operations use UIDs to report user activity. Other user identity information may specify the user's real name, the user's home directory, the type of shell he prefers to use, and the primary group of users to which he belongs. Groups of users within a network likewise have identity information: a group name and an associated group identification number (GID). Identity information is typically stored by an identity resolver (usually a directory server) attached to the network. The resolver stores the data in user records and group records, known collectively as entity records. The resolver may be an Active Directory (AD) server, a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) server, or other type of identity resolver such as a relational database. Any computer can request identity information from the resolver by supplying an entity identifier (typically a user name, UID, group name, or GID). When a user logs on to a UNIX computer and supplies a user name, for example, the computer can request the UID, home directory, preferred shell, and principal group associated with that user name. Or a computer can ask the directory server to find the user name associated with the UID indicated as the owner of a file. Entity identifiers used within a single network of UNIX computers must be unique for each entity within the network. If, for example, two users have the same user name, or if a single user name is associated with two different UIDs, then computers in the network cannot establish identity for a user name or UID. The same is true for group names and GIDs. When a single UNIX network grows from scratch into a full network, entity name and ID duplication is generally not a problem. Each newly generated user name, UID, group name, and GID is checked against existing names and IDs to make sure it is not a duplicate. Problems frequently arise, however, when two or more existing UNIX networks are linked together and their directories are consolidated into a single master directory for all networks. Because the original directories have developed names and IDs in ignorance of each other, it is not only possible but likely that they have used the same entity names and ID numbers. When the directories are consolidated, these identical names and IDs conflict, make user and group identity uncertain, and require that many user and group records be reassigned unique names and IDs. This creates a significant amount of work for system administrators and often confuses users who may be forced to use a new name for log-on. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of this invention provide methods of creating multiple sets of UNIX identity information for each network entity, one information set for each group of UNIX computers (called a zone) in the network. Each of these information sets is a zone entity record. A zone entity record contains zone-specific information for an entity. That information identifies and defines the entity within a single zone of computers. For example, a zone entity record may contain UNIX identity information such as a UNIX user name, UID, preferred shell, primary group, and a home directory that identifies a user within a single zone. An embodiment of the invention stores zone entity records in the identity resolver for the network. The embodiment also stores a set of global entity records there. A global entity record contains identity information that identifies an entity across all zones and any other computers in the network, including non-UNIX computers. A global entity record contains a global entity name and other identity information. A global user record, for example, contains a global user name that identifies a user throughout the entire network, and might also contain a password for the user, the user's real name, and other user information. Embodiments of the invention associate all zone entity records for a single entity with the global entity record for the same entity. The identity resolver can use the associations in a global entity record to find zone entity records for an entity. For example, a directory server can find a global user record and examine an associated zone user record that contains UNIX identity information for the user within a particular zone. It is convenient to think of the global entity record as containing all its associated zone entity records, but these records need not be kept together physically in a single database. All that is necessary is that the zone data associated with a global entity record be accessible given a global entity identifier and a zone identifier, and vice versa: that a zone record contain enough information to locate its associated global record. All the computers in a zone use a common set of user names, UIDs, group names, and GIDs. These identifiers are unique and non-conflicting within the zone. Computers in a second, different zone also use a common set of identity data for that second zone. However, identity data may conflict between zones. For example, the computers of a first zone may learn from the resolver that UID 504 identifies files and processes in the first zone that belong to John Doe, while the computers of a second zone may learn that the same UID, 504, identifies files and processes in the second zone that belong to a different entity, Mary Smith. John Doe and Mary Smith will possess unique, non-conflicting global entity identifiers, but (as this example shows) they may be associated with conflicting zone entity records. Embodiments of this invention also provide methods of dividing the UNIX computers in a network into one or more groups called zones. A single zone is specified for each UNIX computer. The methods of an embodiment of this invention allow a UNIX computer in a network to make an identity query about an entity and receive resolved entity information that is appropriate for the entity within the computer's zone. The UNIX computer specifies an entity using an entity identifier (a user name or a UID, for example) in an identity query to the identity resolver. The query also communicates zone identity information from which the identity resolver can determine the querying computer's zone. When the identity resolver receives an identity query from a UNIX computer in a zone, it locates a global entity record that corresponds to the query-specified entity, along with the zone entity records associated with the global entity record. The identity resolver then finds the zone entity record that corresponds to the inquiring computer's zone and returns resolved entity information that contains zone-specific information for the entity. That information will be appropriate for use on all computers that are members of the querying computer's zone. This type of identity query may occur, for example, when a UNIX computer performs a system lookup of a UID, user name, GID, or group name to determine identity information for a user or group in that zone. An identity query may also occur during a user log-on, when the computer uses the supplied user name as an entity identifier in a query to find the appropriate global user record in a directory server and return the corresponding UID, home directory, preferred shell, and primary group for that user in the computer's zone. The methods of embodiments of this invention allow a user to log on to a computer by providing a zone user name that is specific to the zone or by providing a global user name that is recognized for all computers in the network. The methods of this invention provide tools within the identity resolver to manage zone-specific information within each zone entity record. They allow duplicate entity names and entity identification numbers across different zones within the same network but prohibit duplication within each zone. The methods allow an administrator to restrict an entity's access to one or more zones by not providing zone entity records for those zones for the entity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean “at least one.” FIG. 1A illustrates a computer network organized into zones in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1B illustrates how a user may log on to computers in different zones in the network defined in FIG. 1A. FIG. 2 illustrates a UNIX computer configured to operate in a zone in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 illustrates an identity resolver and workstation configured to supply resolved entity information to requesting computers in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 illustrates a global user record stored in an identity resolver with associated zone user records in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 illustrates a global group record stored in an identity resolver with associated zone group records in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6A illustrates a global user record associated with a single zone user record in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6B illustrates a global user record associated with an additional zone user record filled with default zone data in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6C illustrates a global user record with administrator-edited zone data in a zone user record accordance with one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7A illustrates a global group record associated with two zone group records in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7B illustrates a global group record with an additional zone group record filled with default zone data in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8 illustrates the process that occurs when a user attempts log-on through a UNIX computer in the network in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 9 illustrates the process that occurs when a process running on a UNIX computer requests a group information lookup from the identity resolver in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This disclosure refers to UNIX user and group data at several levels of abstraction. For precision and ease of reference, Applicant provides the following definitions, which will be used throughout the specification and in the claims. UNIX is defined to be the UNIX operating system, a UNIX-like operating system, or variants of the UNIX operating system such as the Linux operating system or the Macintosh OS X operating system. Entity is defined to be either a user or a user group. Identifier is either a name or an identification number that unambiguously identifies an entity. FIG. 1A illustrates a network of computers that may be operated in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The network includes an identity resolver (20) in communication through a transmission channel (30) with a set of UNIX computers such as that specified by label (40). The computers in the network can number from several to a great number. The identity resolver (20) can use any directory technology. This description uses Microsoft's Active Directory (AD) as an example, but the identity resolver might also be an LDAP server, a relational database, or other directory technology. The identity resolver can be a single server or a set of servers that supply unified identity resolution service to the network. The transmission channel (30) can be any wired or wireless transmission channel. The computers (40) in this network have each been assigned to a single zone such as Zone 1 shown by label (50). The number of zones in the network can range from one to as many zones as there are computers. In this example, Zone 1 includes computers A and B, Zone 2 includes computers C and D, and Zone 3 includes computers E, F, and G. FIG. 1B illustrates how a computer user (60) can log on to any UNIX computer in the network illustrated in FIG. 1A. In this example, Alex Hsu logs on to computer B in Zone 1, then later logs on to computer F in Zone 3 and later still into computer D in Zone 2. At each log-on, the user must supply a user name to identify himself. That user name may be a zone-specific user name or a global user name. FIG. 2 illustrates a UNIX computer (100) configured to operate in a zone. The computer is connected by the network's transmission channel (110) to the identity resolver (120). In this embodiment of the invention, the identity resolver contains a computer record (130) that stores information about the computer (100). The computer record contains zone configuration data (140) that specifies the zone to which the computer belongs. This zone configuration data (140) may also be stored in any other location accessible by the computer or identity resolver, whether it is on the computer itself or elsewhere in the network. The computer contains zone logic (150) that is part of embodiments of the invention. The logic is used whenever a process running on the computer (100) requests user or group information from the identity resolver (120). This logic (150) consults the computer record (130) to determine the computer's zone, adds zone identity data to the request to identify the computer's zone, then sends the request to the identity resolver (120). The logic receives resolved entity information from the identity resolver in response. Although the zone logic in this example resides on each UNIX computer, it does not have to reside there. It may also reside on the identity resolver where it determines a zone for a computer requesting identity information and then returns identity information appropriate for that zone. The resolver may determine the zone through an explicit zone identifier contained in a computer's request, or it may determine the zone through an implicit zone identifier accompanying the request. For example, an implicit zone identifier may be the Internet Protocol (IP) address, or another type of network address, of the requesting computer; or the method in which the request was received. The identity resolver can use the implicit zone identifier to determine the requesting computer's zone. FIG. 3 illustrates an identity resolver (200) used to supply zone-specific entity information to requesting computers. The identity resolver is connected via the network's transmission channel (205) to other computers. In this example, the identity resolver is a domain controller for Active Directory (AD), a Microsoft product that can provide directory information for both Windows and UNIX computers, but it might also be any directory server such as LDAP or a relational database. The identity resolver stores global entity records, zone entity records, and computer records on an accompanying database (210). The information stored by this particular embodiment of the invention for entity records is shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6. In this implementation, the identity resolver (200) used for the invention requires no special alterations or additions except for modified records. In other implementations of this invention, the zone logic that—in this implementation—resides on each UNIX computer in the network may reside instead on the identity resolver. The identity resolver in this implementation is managed by an administrator (220) through a separate workstation (230) that is connected to the identity resolver via the network's transmission channel (205). This workstation provides the Active Directory Users and Computers console (ADUC) (240), a user interface that the administrator can use to manage records stored in the identity resolver. The workstation also provides a zone management console in the form of a snap-in component (250) for the Microsoft Management Console (MMC). The administrator can use this snap-in in as an alternative to the ADUC to managed stored records. The administrator can also use the MMC snap-in (250) to manage the zones themselves as described later. The ADUC (240) has been customized with a set of zone extensions (260), a part of this invention that provides additional user interface controls to work with zone data within identity resolver records. The MMC snap-in (250) is a completely customized component, also a part of this embodiment, that provides the same additional user interface controls for working with zone data within identity resolver records. Both the ADUC and the MMC snap-in work with zone record logic (270) installed on the workstation to help manage zone-specific information within records. The logic adds default zone-specific information to a zone entity record when requested. The logic also checks to ensure that when zone-specific information is added to a zone entity record that the entity name (user name or group name) and entity identification number (UID or GID) for the zone entity record are unique among all zone entity records affiliated with the same zone. The MMC snap-in (250) supplies additional zone-management features. The snap-in displays the computers in each zone, reports on zone status, and allows an administrator (230) to create and remove zones and to set zone names. The ADUC (240) and MMC snap-in (250) are just an example for this description. The administration console could just as well be one or more standard or custom consoles for any other identity resolution technology. To implement the methods of an embodiment of this invention, the console or consoles would be extended to handle zone-specific data within identity resolver records, to manage zones, and to ensure that entity names and entity identification numbers within a single zone are unique. FIG. 4 shows a global user record (300) that is—in this example—an Active Directory user record. The global user record (300) is associated with zone user records (310) that contain additional zone-specific identity information. (This record could also be an LDAP record or any other standard record used by the identity resolver.) The zone user records (310) may be associated with the global user record (300) either by extending the existing global user record (300) if the identity resolver permits such extension or by other methods such as creating additional records or attaching external files. The global user record (300) contains the global user name (320), which in this implementation is the user name provided in an Active Directory user record. The record contains other standard user record information (330) such as a password and a real user name that are typically stored in an Active Directory user record. The record is associated with a set of zone user records (310) that each contain the following information for a single zone in the network: a UNIX user name (340), a UID (350), the user's preferred shell (360), the user's home directory (370), and the name of the user's primary group (380). Each zone user record (310) may contain additional zone-specific information as well. The zone user records (310) associated with the global user record (300) provide discrete sets of zone-specific information for the user in zero or more zones. In this example, there are zone entity records for zone 1 (390) and zone 2 (395). If the global user record (300) is not associated with a zone user record (310) for a zone defined in the network, the user has no account in that zone and cannot log into a computer belonging to that zone. In this example, Alex Hsu's global user record is not associated with a zone user record for zone 3 and so he cannot log into that zone. Adding zone user records (310) to an Active Directory record (300) in this implementation of the invention involves creating child instances of an object that defines zone user information. Each Active Directory user record contains one child instance for each zone user record. Adding zone user records (310) to an LDAP record typically involves adding a multi-valued attribute to each LDAP user record. Each row in the attribute contains the information for a zone user record. Adding zone user records (310) to a relational database typically involves creating a new table for each zone. Each table contains zone-specific data for all users enabled for a zone. The key to retrieving zone-specific data for a single user (which constitutes a zone user record) is the global user name and the zone identity information. The key for UID lookup is the UID and the zone identity information. FIG. 5 shows a global group record (400) that is—in this example—an Active Directory group record. The global group record (400) is associated with zone group records (410) that contain additional zone-specific identity information. These zone group records (410) are associated with the global group record using the same methods described previously in the description of a global user record. (The global group record could also be an LDAP record or any other standard record used by the identity resolver.) The global group record (400) contains the global group name (420), which in this implementation is the group name provided in an Active Directory directory group record. The global group record (400) contains other standard group record information (430). The record is associated with a set of zone group records (410) that each contain the following information for a single zone in the network: a UNIX group name (440) and a GID (450). Each zone group record (410) may contain additional zone-specific information as well. If the global group record (400) is not associated with a zone group record (410) for a zone defined in the network, the group does not exist in that zone. In this example, there is no associated zone group record for zone 2 for this group, so the group does not exist in zone 2. Adding zone-specific data to a global group record uses the same techniques for AD, LDAP or an identity resolver as described for global user records in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 illustrates the process that occurs when an administrator sets up a global user record (500) in the identity resolver to include a zone user record for a zone in the network. The global user record in this implementation is an Active Directory user record. The administrator begins by running the enhanced ADUC and finding an appropriate global user record (500), in this case for Alex Hsu of FIG. 1. Although this example uses the ADUC to work with a user record, other types of identity resolvers would supply an alternate form of record management. FIG. 6A shows the original global user record (500): the global user name (510) for the record is “alex.hsu@acme.com”. The administrator looks at the zone user records (520) associated with the global user record (500), and sees that Alex is enabled to log on to zone 2, but not zone 3 or zone 1 because there are no zone user records for those zones. FIG. 6B shows the global user record after the administrator asks the enhanced ADUC to enable Alex Hsu for zone 1. The ADUC creates a new zone user record for zone 1 (540), associates the new record with the global user record, and fills in default information in the zone user record for zone 1. It also generates a UID (550) for the zone user record (540) and ensures that the UID (550) is unique within zone 1. FIG. 6C shows the global user record after the administrator edits the default zone information in the new zone user record. If the administrator attempts to create a UNIX user name (560) or UID (550) that is not unique for the zone, the enhanced ADUC will not allow it. Once the administrator is finished and the modified record is stored, Alex Hsu is now enabled to log on and work in all the computers in zone 1. Because there is no zone user record for zone 3 associated with the global user record, Hsu cannot log on to any computers in zone 3. FIG. 7 illustrates the process that occurs when an administrator sets up a global group record in the identity resolver to include information for a zone in the network. In this implementation, the global group record is an Active Directory group record. Although this example uses the ADUC to work with a group record, other types of identity resolvers would supply an alternate form of record management. FIG. 7A shows the global group record (600): the global group name (610) for the record is “operators”. The administrator looks at the zone group records associated with the global group record and finds them for zones 1 (620) and 2 (630) but not for zone 3. This means that the group exists in zones 1 and 2, but not in zone 3. FIG. 7B shows the zone group records after the administrator asks the enhanced ADUC to enable the group for zone 3. The ADUC creates a new zone group record (640) for zone 3, attaches it to the global group record, generates a GID (650) for the zone that is unique within the zone, and uses the directory group name for the UNIX group name (660) within the zone group record after ensuring that the name is unique in the zone. FIG. 8 illustrates the process that occurs when a user (700) attempts log-on through a UNIX computer (710) in the network. For this example, the user enters his UNIX user name (740) for zone 2, of which the computer (710) is a member. In another case the user might enter his global user name instead. The UNIX user name in this example is “ahsu”. The computer (710), while in the process of authenticating the log-on, executes its zone logic (720) to retrieve resolved entity information for the supplied UNIX user name (740). The zone logic (720) reads the zone configuration data and retrieves the name of its computer's zone (750)—in this case, “zone 2.” The logic (720) queries the identity resolver (730) for resolved entity information that is appropriate for the user in zone 2. To do so, the logic (720) requests that the identity resolver (730) look through all UNIX user names specified in zone user records for zone 2 to find a match for the supplied UNIX user name (740) and, if that fails, to search for the supplied user name among all global user names—in other words, to search outside zone-specific UNIX user names. If the identity resolver (730) finds a match either in zone 2 UNIX user names or in the global user names for all zones, it returns resolved entity information (760) from the global user record where the match was found. The resolved entity information (760) may include information necessary for user authentication. It may also include global user information and zone-specific information such as UID, home directory, preferred shell, and primary group. If the user (700) had provided a global user name and the identity resolver (730) found a matching global user record but could not find a zone user record for zone 2, then the look-up would have failed. If the look-up succeeds, the zone logic (720) returns the information (760) to the computer (710), which can proceed with authentication and can use the resolved entity information as necessary for future interactions with the user. Note that because the logic (720) looks for a user name (740) in both zone user records and in global user records, a user (700) may log on successfully using either his UNIX user name for the zone or his global user name. For example, Alex Hsu can log into a UNIX computer (710) in zone 2 using either his zone user name “ahsu” (740) or his global user name “alex.hsu@acme.com”. His UNIX user name (740) is not guaranteed to work in other zones, because he might have different UNIX user names defined in those zones. His global user name, however, will work for log-on in any zone in which he is enabled. FIG. 9 illustrates the actions that occur when a process (800) running on a UNIX computer requests a group information lookup from the identity resolver (830). The process supplies a GID number (840) and requests the corresponding group name from the UNIX operating system (810). The UNIX OS executes the zone logic (820), which looks up the computer's zone in the zone configuration data, finds “zone 1”, then queries the identity resolver (830) to find any zone group record specifying the GID 11000 (840) for zone 1. The identity resolver (830) finds the GID in a zone group record associated with a global group record using the global group name “operators”. The identity resolver (830) looks up the UNIX group name (850) in the associated zone record for zone 1, finds “staff”, and returns that name to the zone logic (820). The zone logic (820) returns “staff” to the UNIX OS (810), which returns it to the requesting process (800). The foregoing description of specific embodiments of the present invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents. An embodiment of the invention may be a machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions which cause a processor to perform operations as described above. In other embodiments, the operations might be performed by specific hardware components that contain hardwired logic. Those operations might alternatively be performed by any combination of programmed computer components and custom hardware components. A machine-readable medium may include any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer), not limited to Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROMs), Read-Only Memory (ROMs), Random Access Memory (RAM), Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), and a transmission over the Internet.
<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>Any network of UNIX computers relies on identity information to identify computer users and groups of computer users on the network. For example, when a user logs onto a network computer, he provides a user name to identify himself. Once the user is logged in, he is associated with a pre-assigned user identification number (UID) that is used within any computer on the network to identify that user. Files use UIDs to indicate file ownership, and UNIX operations use UIDs to report user activity. Other user identity information may specify the user's real name, the user's home directory, the type of shell he prefers to use, and the primary group of users to which he belongs. Groups of users within a network likewise have identity information: a group name and an associated group identification number (GID). Identity information is typically stored by an identity resolver (usually a directory server) attached to the network. The resolver stores the data in user records and group records, known collectively as entity records. The resolver may be an Active Directory (AD) server, a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) server, or other type of identity resolver such as a relational database. Any computer can request identity information from the resolver by supplying an entity identifier (typically a user name, UID, group name, or GID). When a user logs on to a UNIX computer and supplies a user name, for example, the computer can request the UID, home directory, preferred shell, and principal group associated with that user name. Or a computer can ask the directory server to find the user name associated with the UID indicated as the owner of a file. Entity identifiers used within a single network of UNIX computers must be unique for each entity within the network. If, for example, two users have the same user name, or if a single user name is associated with two different UIDs, then computers in the network cannot establish identity for a user name or UID. The same is true for group names and GIDs. When a single UNIX network grows from scratch into a full network, entity name and ID duplication is generally not a problem. Each newly generated user name, UID, group name, and GID is checked against existing names and IDs to make sure it is not a duplicate. Problems frequently arise, however, when two or more existing UNIX networks are linked together and their directories are consolidated into a single master directory for all networks. Because the original directories have developed names and IDs in ignorance of each other, it is not only possible but likely that they have used the same entity names and ID numbers. When the directories are consolidated, these identical names and IDs conflict, make user and group identity uncertain, and require that many user and group records be reassigned unique names and IDs. This creates a significant amount of work for system administrators and often confuses users who may be forced to use a new name for log-on.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Embodiments of this invention provide methods of creating multiple sets of UNIX identity information for each network entity, one information set for each group of UNIX computers (called a zone) in the network. Each of these information sets is a zone entity record. A zone entity record contains zone-specific information for an entity. That information identifies and defines the entity within a single zone of computers. For example, a zone entity record may contain UNIX identity information such as a UNIX user name, UID, preferred shell, primary group, and a home directory that identifies a user within a single zone. An embodiment of the invention stores zone entity records in the identity resolver for the network. The embodiment also stores a set of global entity records there. A global entity record contains identity information that identifies an entity across all zones and any other computers in the network, including non-UNIX computers. A global entity record contains a global entity name and other identity information. A global user record, for example, contains a global user name that identifies a user throughout the entire network, and might also contain a password for the user, the user's real name, and other user information. Embodiments of the invention associate all zone entity records for a single entity with the global entity record for the same entity. The identity resolver can use the associations in a global entity record to find zone entity records for an entity. For example, a directory server can find a global user record and examine an associated zone user record that contains UNIX identity information for the user within a particular zone. It is convenient to think of the global entity record as containing all its associated zone entity records, but these records need not be kept together physically in a single database. All that is necessary is that the zone data associated with a global entity record be accessible given a global entity identifier and a zone identifier, and vice versa: that a zone record contain enough information to locate its associated global record. All the computers in a zone use a common set of user names, UIDs, group names, and GIDs. These identifiers are unique and non-conflicting within the zone. Computers in a second, different zone also use a common set of identity data for that second zone. However, identity data may conflict between zones. For example, the computers of a first zone may learn from the resolver that UID 504 identifies files and processes in the first zone that belong to John Doe, while the computers of a second zone may learn that the same UID, 504 , identifies files and processes in the second zone that belong to a different entity, Mary Smith. John Doe and Mary Smith will possess unique, non-conflicting global entity identifiers, but (as this example shows) they may be associated with conflicting zone entity records. Embodiments of this invention also provide methods of dividing the UNIX computers in a network into one or more groups called zones. A single zone is specified for each UNIX computer. The methods of an embodiment of this invention allow a UNIX computer in a network to make an identity query about an entity and receive resolved entity information that is appropriate for the entity within the computer's zone. The UNIX computer specifies an entity using an entity identifier (a user name or a UID, for example) in an identity query to the identity resolver. The query also communicates zone identity information from which the identity resolver can determine the querying computer's zone. When the identity resolver receives an identity query from a UNIX computer in a zone, it locates a global entity record that corresponds to the query-specified entity, along with the zone entity records associated with the global entity record. The identity resolver then finds the zone entity record that corresponds to the inquiring computer's zone and returns resolved entity information that contains zone-specific information for the entity. That information will be appropriate for use on all computers that are members of the querying computer's zone. This type of identity query may occur, for example, when a UNIX computer performs a system lookup of a UID, user name, GID, or group name to determine identity information for a user or group in that zone. An identity query may also occur during a user log-on, when the computer uses the supplied user name as an entity identifier in a query to find the appropriate global user record in a directory server and return the corresponding UID, home directory, preferred shell, and primary group for that user in the computer's zone. The methods of embodiments of this invention allow a user to log on to a computer by providing a zone user name that is specific to the zone or by providing a global user name that is recognized for all computers in the network. The methods of this invention provide tools within the identity resolver to manage zone-specific information within each zone entity record. They allow duplicate entity names and entity identification numbers across different zones within the same network but prohibit duplication within each zone. The methods allow an administrator to restrict an entity's access to one or more zones by not providing zone entity records for those zones for the entity.
20041210
20110920
20060615
91165.0
G06F700
1
DARNO, PATRICK A
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAINTAINING MULTIPLE SETS OF IDENTITY DATA
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
G06F
2,004
11,010,072
ACCEPTED
Method and apparatus for stimulating hydrocarbon wells
One or more flapper valve assemblies are placed in a casing string extending through one or more hydrocarbon bearing intervals. The flapper valve assemblies are placed between some of the hydrocarbon bearing intervals. In an open or inoperative position, the flapper valve assemblies are full opening compared to the casing string. The hydrocarbon bearing intervals are stimulated, typically by fracing, starting with the bottom zone. The flapper valve assembly immediately above the stimulated interval is manipulated to allow it to close, preventing downward flow in the well and thereby isolating the lower stimulated interval so an upper interval can be stimulated. The well is easy to put on production because the flapper valves will normally open simply by opening the well at the surface.
1. A well comprising a bore hole extending from a surface location and penetrating a hydrocarbon bearing interval, a casing string in the bore hole having a predetermined minimum internal diameter, a flapper valve assembly having an internal diameter at least as large as the casing internal diameter and providing a tubular housing providing part of the casing string and being at a location between the hydrocarbon bearing interval and the surface location, a flapper valve member movable between a first inoperative position allowing upward and downward flow through the casing string and a second operative position allowing upward flow and preventing downward flow through the casing string and a manipulable device for holding the flapper valve member in the first position. 2. The well of claim 1 wherein the manipulable device comprises a sliding sleeve having a lower position holding the flapper valve in a stowed position and an upper position allowing the flapper valve to move to the operative positioning allowing upward flow and preventing downward flow through the casing string, the sliding sleeve protecting the flapper valve from accumulating debris in the stowed position. 3. The well of claim 1 wherein the well includes a section deviating substantially from the vertical and passing a substantial distance in the hydrocarbon bearing interval, the flapper valve assembly being intermediate the ends of the hydrocarbon bearing formation and separating the casing into two treatment zones. 4. The well of claim 3 comprising a multiplicity of flapper valve assemblies intermediate the ends of the hydrocarbon bearing formation separating the casing into a multiplicity of treatment zones. 5. (canceled) 6. (canceled) 7. The well of claim 1 wherein the flapper valve member is of a frangible material. 8. The well of claim 7 wherein the flapper valve members are made of a material selected from the group consisting of cast aluminum, cast iron and ceramics. 9. The well of claim 1 wherein the flapper valve member is of an acid soluble material. 10. A method of completing a hydrocarbon well extending from a surface location and penetrating at least one hydrocarbon bearing zone, comprising cementing a casing string in the well through the at least one zone, the casing string including a series of pipe joints having a predetermined minimum internal diameter and a flapper valve assembly having an internal diameter at least as large as the casing internal diameter and providing a tubular housing comprising part of the casing string and being at a location between the hydrocarbon bearing zone to be stimulated and the surface location, a flapper valve member movable between a first inoperative position allowing upward and downward flow through the casing string and a second operative position preventing downward flow and allowing upward flow through the casing string and a manipulable device for holding the flapper valve member in the first inoperative position; stimulating the hydrocarbon bearing zone with the flapper valve member in the first position; manipulating the device and positioning the flapper valve member in the second position thereby isolating the stimulated hydrocarbon bearing zone; stimulating a hydrocarbon bearing interval closer to the surface location than the flapper valve member; and placing the well on production and allowing hydrocarbons to pass through the flapper valve assembly to the surface location. 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the manipulable device comprises a sliding sleeve having a lower position holding the flapper valve in a stowed position and an upper position allowing the flapper valve to move to the operative positioning allowing upward flow and preventing downward flow through the casing string, the sliding sleeve protecting the flapper valve from accumulating debris in the stowed position and further comprising the step of pumping cement down the casing string in the well and the sliding sleeve keeps cement off of the flapper valve. 12. The method of claim 10 wherein the manipulable device comprises a sliding sleeve having a lower position holding the flapper valve in a stowed position and an upper position allowing the flapper valve to move to the operative positioning allowing upward flow and preventing downward flow through the casing string, the sliding sleeve protecting the flapper valve from accumulating debris in the stowed position and further comprising the step of pumping a frac slurry down the casing string in the well and the sliding sleeve keeps frac slurry off the flapper valve. 13. (canceled) 14. The method of claim 10 wherein the placing step comprises bailing debris off the top of the flapper valve member and then opening the well at the surface location and allowing the flapper valve member to move to the second position. 15. The method of claim 10 wherein the flapper valve member is of a frangible material and the placing step comprises breaking the frangible flapper valve member and then opening the well at the surface location. 16. (canceled) 17. The method of claim 10 wherein the well includes a generally horizontal section and the hydrocarbon bearing intervals are horizontally spaced. 18. A method of producing a hydrocarbon well of the type having a casing string having a predetermined minimum internal diameter cemented in a bore hole leading from a surface location to penetrate at least three stimulated productive intervals spaced along the casing string and at least two flapper valves having an internal diameter at least as large as the casing internal diameter and in the casing string in an operative position preventing flow in the casing string away from the surface location into a lower interval and an intermediate interval and allowing flow in the casing string toward the surface location thereby isolating the lower stimulated interval from the intermediate stimulated interval and isolating the intermediate stimulated interval from an upper stimulated interval, comprising placing the well on production with the flapper valves in the operative position and allowing a pressure differential across the flapper valves to open the flapper valves to allow flow toward the surface location and produce a commingled stream of hydrocarbons from the stimulated intervals. 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the stimulated intervals are fraced with a proppant and proppant from a fraced interval lies on top of at least one of the flapper valves and the step of placing the well on production fluidizes the proppant on top of at least one of the flapper valves whereby the proppant is produced at the surface location. 20. The method of claim 18 wherein the at least one of the flapper valves comprises a flapper valve member movable between a first inoperative position allowing upward and downward flow through the casing string and a second operative position allowing upward flow and preventing downward flow through the casing string and a manipulable device for holding the flapper valve member in the first position, the manipulable device comprises a sliding sleeve having a lower position holding the flapper valve in a stowed position and an upper position allowing the flapper valve to move to the operative positioning allowing upward flow and preventing downward flow through the casing string, the sliding sleeve protecting the flapper valve from accumulating debris in the stowed position and further comprising the step of pumping cement down the casing string in the well while the sliding sleeve keeps cement off of the flapper valve. 21. (canceled) 22. The method of claim 18 wherein the well includes a generally horizontal section, the stimulated intervals being in the horizontal section. 23. A flapper valve assembly comprising a tubular housing having an upper end, a lower end, a pocket between the upper and lower ends for receiving a flapper valve member and an upwardly facing valve seat; a flapper valve member mounted for movement between a first valve member position in the pocket for allowing upward and downward flow through the valve assembly and a second valve member position abutting the valve seat and preventing flow toward the lower housing end; and a shiftable sleeve for holding the flapper valve member in the first position while closing the pocket and for releasing the flapper valve member for movement to the second valve member position, the shiftable sleeve having an end for sealing engagement with the upwardly facing valve seat when the flapper valve member is in the first valve member position, the sleeve and sleeve end sealing the pocket against entry of debris. 24. The flapper valve assembly of claim 23 wherein the upwardly facing valve seat provides an O-ring seal and the shiftable sleeve end provides a surface sealing thereagainst. 25. The flapper valve assembly of claim 24 wherein the upwardly facing valve seat is of frustoconical shape and the sealing surface of the shiftable sleeve end is of complementary frustoconical shape. 26. The flapper valve member of claim 23 wherein the shiftable sleeve is mounted for movement toward the upper housing end thereby allowing movement of the flapper valve member toward the second valve member position. 27. The well of claim 1 wherein the tubular housing comprises a lower section providing an upwardly facing frustoconical valve seat having an O-ring thereon for sealing against the flapper valve member when preventing downward flow through the casing string, and the manipulable device comprises a sleeve shiftable between a first sleeve position holding the flapper valve member in the first valve member position and a second sleeve position allowing the flapper valve member to move against the valve seat, the sleeve providing a frustoconical end for sealing against the O-ring.
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for completing hydrocarbon wells and more particularly to a technique for stimulating multiple zones in a single well and then cleaning up the well in preparation for production. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION An important development in natural gas production in recent decades, at least in the continental United States, has been the improvement of hydraulic fracturing techniques for stimulating production from previously uneconomically tight formations. For example, the largest gas field put on production in the lower forty eight states in the last twenty years is the Bob West Field in Zapata County, Tex. This field was discovered in the 1950's but was uneconomic using the fracturing techniques of the time where typical frac jobs injected 5,000-20,000 pounds of proppant into a well. It was not until the 1980's that large frac jobs became feasible where in excess of 300,000 pounds of proppant were routinely injected into wells. The production from wells in the Bob West Field increased from a few hundred MCF per day to thousands of MCF per day. Without the development of high volume frac treatments, there would be very little deep gas produced in the continental United States. The fracing of deep, high pressure gas zones has continued to develop or evolve. More recently, multiple gas bearing zones encountered in deep vertical wells are fraced one after another. This is accomplished by perforating and then fracing a lower zone, placing a bridge plug in the casing immediately above the fraced lower zone thereby isolating the fraced lower zone and allowing a higher zone to be perforated and fraced. This process is repeated until all of the desired zones have been fraced. Then, the bridge plugs between adjacent zones are drilled out and gas from the fraced zones produced in a commingled stream. The result is a well with a very high production rate and thus a very rapid payout. Another situation where multizone fracing has created commercial wells from previously non-commercial zones is in relatively shallow, moderately pressured tight gas bearing sands and shales, of which the Barnett Shale west of Fort Worth, Tex., is a leading example. By fracing multiple zones of the Barnett Shale, commercial wells are routinely made where, in the past, only non-economic production was obtained. It is no exaggeration to say that the future of gas production in the continental United States is from heretofore uneconomically tight gas bearing formations. Accordingly, a development that allows effective frac jobs at overall lower costs is important. Disclosures of interest relative to this invention are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,368,428; 3,289,762; 4,427,071; 4,444,266; 4,637,468; 4,813,481; 5,012,867; 6,227,299; 6,575,249 and 6,732,803. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In this invention, one or more check valves, preferably in the form of full opening flapper valves, are provided in a casing string cemented in the earth. When it is desired to conduct sequential stimulation operations in the well, such as fracing, acidizing or otherwise treating a series of spaced hydrocarbon bearing zones, a lowermost zone, in the case of a vertical well, or a most distant zone, in the case of a horizontal well, is perforated and treated. The check valve is then manipulated or installed to isolate the lower zone by preventing downward flow in the well and allowing upward flow. The advantage of the check valves, as contrasted to prior art bridge plugs, is the potential for putting the well on production, simply by opening the casing string to the atmosphere or to production equipment at the surface. Provided that the pressure below a particular check valve is sufficient to crack open the check valve, gas from below will fluidize any sand or debris on top of the check valve and then blow it out of the well so the check valve can fully open and provide a minimum hindrance to the flow of hydrocarbons in the well. The preferred flapper valves are run on the casing string and cemented in the earth. The flapper valves are initially held in a retracted or stowed position providing an opening therethrough the same size as the internal diameter of the casing string, allowing the expeditious circulation of cement, frac slurry or other materials down the casing string. The flapper valve is later manipulated to move to an operative position allowing upward flow in the casing string and preventing downward flow to isolate a lower stimulated zone and thereby allowing stimulation of an upper zone. An upper zone in the case of a vertical well or zone less distant from the surface in the case of a horizontal well is then perforated and treated. A flapper valve above the second treated zone is manipulated to prevent pumping into the second zone. This process is repeated until all of the desired zones have been treated. The well is then put onto production, either by drilling out or breaking the check valves and opening the well at the surface, or simply by opening the well to the atmosphere or to production equipment at the surface. In the absence of sand or other debris on top of a check valve, the pressure differential across the check valve is sufficient to open it and allow the treated zones to produce formation contents, thereby cleaning up the well and allowing it to be put on production. Even if debris is on top of the check valve, there is usually enough pressure differential to lift the valve member slightly, thereby allowing hydrocarbons from below to fluidize the debris above the valve and thereby allow it to open, whereupon the fluidized debris will be produced at the surface. The preferred flapper valves are preferably made of a material which is readily disintegrated, e.g. it may be frangible so it is easily drilled or broken or may be digestible, such as acid soluble. In the best case scenario, the well is put onto production after multiple sequential stimulation jobs simply by opening the well at the surface and allowing the flapper valves to open, allowing upward flow in the well. In the worst case scenario, debris above one more flapper valves will have to be cleaned out and the flapper valve drilled out or broken. Although a coiled tubing unit may be used to drill out or break a flapper valve of this invention, a much less expensive alternative is available. If there is debris on top of the flapper valve, it may be bailed out using a simple slickline unit with a bailer on the bottom of the wireline. If, after bailing, the flapper valve will not open, it may be broken with a sinker bar or other impact device dropped or run in the well with a slickline. Because the flapper valves are full opening, working below one of the valves is easily done because necessary tools pass through the valved opening. It is an object of this invention to provide an improved well configuration allowing expeditious stimulation of multiple zones in a vertical or horizontal well. A further object of this invention is to provide an improved valve for use in a vertical or horizontal well to prevent downward flow in the well. Another object of this invention is to provide an improved method of stimulating multiple zones in a horizontal or vertical well. These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent as this description proceeds, reference being made to the accompanying drawings and appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vertical well extending into the earth; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a horizontal or deviated well in the earth; FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a flapper valve assembly of this invention, illustrating the flapper valve in a stowed or retracted position; FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, illustrating the flapper valve in an operative position blocking flow downwardly into a well; FIG. 5 is an exploded top view of the flapper valve member, pivot pin and spring of this invention; FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the flapper valve member of FIG. 5; and FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve seat of FIG. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a vertical hydrocarbon producing well 10 comprising a bore hole 12 extending from a surface location through the earth to penetrate a series of hydrocarbon bearing intervals or formations 14, 16, 18, 20. A casing string 22 comprises a series of pipe joints 24 having a threaded coupling 26 connecting adjacent joints 24 together. The casing string 22 is permanently placed in the bore hole 12 in any suitable manner, as the conventional cementing to provide a cement sheath 28 preventing communication between adjacent zones. Flapper valve assemblies 30 are positioned in the casing string 22 at locations between the hydrocarbon bearing intervals 14, 16, 18 for the purpose of isolating any lower zone from zones above it so the upper zone can be stimulated without affecting, or being affected by, the lower zone. Thus, a flapper valve assembly 30 is placed above every zone, except the uppermost zone, to be stimulated in order to isolate the zone immediately below the flapper valve assembly 30. After the casing string 22 is cemented in place, access to the lowermost zone 14 is provided in any suitable manner. For example, a shiftable sleeve may be provided in the casing string 22 to provide access to the zone 14. More normally, the lowermost zone 14 is perforated with suitable perforating equipment to produce passages or perforations 32 communicating between the formation 14 and the interior of the casing string 22. The formation 14 is then stimulated in any suitable manner, such as by the injection of acid or more typically by fracing in which a proppant laden slurry is pumped through the casing string 22 and perforations 32 to create a fraced area 34 in the formation 14. In a conventional manner, the fraced area 34 may extend many hundreds of feet away from the casing string 22 to produce a high permeability path from the formation 14 to the well 10. In a manner more fully explained hereafter, the lowermost flapper valve assembly 30 is then manipulated to allow a flapper valve member 36 to move to an operative position preventing downward flow in the casing string 22 and allowing upward flow. This isolates the zone 14 and allows the next adjacent interval 16 to be perforated and stimulated, typically but not necessarily by fracing. After the interval 16 is treated, the flapper valve assembly 30 above the interval 16 is manipulated to isolate the interval 16 and allow the zone 18 to be perforated and treated if necessary. After the interval 18 is treated, the flapper valve assembly 30 above the interval 18 is manipulated to isolate the interval 18 and allow the interval 20 to be perforated and stimulated. It will accordingly be seen that any number of intervals may be selectively perforated and stimulated by the use of this invention. After all of the intervals have been stimulated, the well 10 is initially produced in order to clean up the well, i.e. produce any frac liquid or flowable proppant, produce any mud filtrate or other by-products of the drilling or completion operation from adjacent the well bore 12 and the like. Initially, this is attempted simply by opening the well 10 to the atmosphere or to surface production equipment (not shown) by opening one or more valves 38. If there is no debris on top of the flapper valve members 36, the pressure differential across the valve members causes the members to open thereby allowing upward flow of formation contents to the surface. The well 10 is accordingly put on production without any further substantial cost relating to cleaning up the well. This is in contrast to the current practice of drilling out bridge plugs with a coiled tubing unit which is a costly and not riskless endeavor. If there is some debris on top of the flapper valve members 36, but not too much, the pressure differential across the flapper valve members 36 is sufficient to partly open the valve members 36 allowing formation contents from below any particular flapper valve assembly to fluidize the debris and flow it to the surface. The well 10 is accordingly put on production without any further substantial cost relating to cleaning up the well. If there is enough debris on top of any particular flapper valve member to prevent it from opening, the debris must be removed. This may be accomplished in a variety of ways, the simplest and least expensive of which is to rig up a wireline unit and bail out enough of the debris to allow the flapper valve member 36 to open. If the flapper valve member 36 won't open, it may be broken by placing a sinker bar on the end of the wireline and dropping the sinker bar on the closed flapper valve member 36. Because the flapper valve member 36 is preferably made of a frangible material, the member 36 will shatter thereby permanently opening the flapper valve assembly 30. In the alternative, the valve member 36 may be digestible, e.g. made of an acid soluble material, such as aluminum or its alloys, so the member 36 may be chemically digested rather than mechanically broken. An important feature of the flapper valve assembly 30 is that it is full opening, by which is meant that the internal passage through the assembly 30 is at least approximately the same diameter, or cross-sectional area, of the pipe joints 24. This allows operations below one or more of the flapper valve assemblies 30 because anything that will pass through the pipe joints 24 will pass through the flapper valve assemblies 30. Referring to FIG. 2, operation of this invention in a horizontal leg 40 of a deviated well 42. In FIG. 2, a bore hole 44 is drilled from a surface location through the earth and deviated to pass for a long distance, e.g. more-or-less horizontally, into a hydrocarbon bearing formation 46. A casing string 48 is cemented in the well bore 44 and includes a series of pipe joints 50 connected by threaded couplings or collars 52 and a series of spaced apart flapper valve assemblies 54, which are conveniently identical to the flapper valve assemblies 30 and will be more fully described hereinafter. The flapper valve assemblies 54 are spaced apart by a distance generally equal to the desired distance between stimulated zones in the formation 46. For example, it is common to frac horizontal wells at 100-300′ intervals along the length of the casing string 22 so the flow path from low permeability rock to a high permeability fraced area is decreased significantly. In any event, the most distant flapper valve assembly 54 is spaced between the most distant intended fraced area 56 and the next adjacent intended frac area 58. Additional flapper valve assemblies 54 are placed between adjacent intended frac areas 58, 60, 62 in order to isolate the next zone to be stimulated from affecting any more distant fraced zone or being affected by, the more distant zone. It will be recognized that the most distant zone in a horizontal well is analogous to the deepest zone in a vertical well. After the casing string 48 is cemented in place, the most distant zone 58 is perforated with suitable perforating equipment to produce passages or perforations 64 communicating between the formation 46 and the interior of the casing string 48. The formation 46 is then stimulated in any suitable manner, typically by fracing in which a proppant laden slurry is pumped through the casing string 48 and perforations 64 to create a fraced area in the intended zone 56 of the formation 46. In a conventional manner, the fraced area may extend many hundreds of feet away from the casing string 48 to produce a high permeability path from the formation 48 to the well 42. In a manner more fully explained hereafter, the most distant flapper valve assembly 54 is then manipulated to allow a flapper valve member to move to an operative position preventing downward flow in the casing string 48 and allowing upward flow. This isolates the zone 56 and allows the next adjacent interval 58 to be perforated and stimulated, typically but not necessarily by fracing. After the interval 58 is treated, the flapper valve assembly above the interval 58, which is more accurately described as nearer the surface or well head 66, is manipulated to isolate the interval 58 and allow the zone 60 to be perforated and treated. After the interval 60 is treated, the flapper valve assembly above the interval 60 is manipulated to isolate the interval 60 and allow the interval 62 to be perforated and stimulated. It will accordingly be seen that any number of intervals may be selectively perforated and stimulated in a horizontal well by the use of this invention. After all of the intervals have been stimulated, the well 42 is initially produced in order to clean up the well. Initially, this is attempted simply by opening the well 42 to the atmosphere or to surface production equipment (not shown) by opening one or more valves at the well head 66. If there is no debris on top of the flapper valve members, the pressure differential across the valve members causes the members to open thereby allowing flow of formation contents to the surface. The well 42 is accordingly put on production without any further substantial cost relating to cleaning up the well. This is in contrast to the current practice of drilling out bridge plugs with a coiled tubing unit which is a costly and not riskless endeavor. If there is some debris on top of the flapper valve members, but not too much, the pressure differential across the flapper valve members is sufficient to partly open the valve members allowing formation contents from below any particular flapper valve assembly to fluidize the debris and flow it to the surface. The well 42 is accordingly put on production without any further substantial cost relating to cleaning up the well. If there is enough debris on top of any particular flapper valve member to prevent it from opening, the debris must be removed. Because the well 42 is highly deviated, it is generally not possible to drop gravity propelled tools to the bottom of the horizontal leg 40. Thus, it is likely necessary to use a coiled tubing unit or workover rig to pass a conduit through the casing string 48 to circulate the debris out of the well and break the flapper valve members. Because the flapper valve members are frangible and of relatively short length, drilling them out is much simpler, easier and less expensive than drilling out a bridge plug. Referring to FIGS. 3-5, there is illustrated an exemplary flapper valve assembly 30 that may be used in the operation of this invention, as described above in connection with vertical or horizontal wells. The flapper valve assembly 30 comprises, as major components, a tubular housing or sub 68, the flapper valve member 36 and a sliding sleeve 70 or other suitable mechanism for holding the valve member 36 in a stowed or inoperative position. As will be explained more fully hereinafter, any conventional device may be used to shift the sliding sleeve 70 between the position shown in FIG. 3 where the valve member 36 is held in an operative position to the position shown in FIG. 4 where the valvae member 36 is free to move to a closed position blocking downward movement of pumped materials through the flapper valve assembly 30. Although the mechanism disclosed to shift the sleeve 70 is mechanical in nature, it will be apparent that hydraulic means are equally suitable. The tubular housing 68 comprises a lower section 72 having a threaded lower end 74 matching the threads of the collars in the casing strings 22, 48, a central section 76 threaded onto the lower section 72 and providing one or more seals 78 and an upper section 80. The upper section 80 is threaded onto the central section 76, provides one or more seals 82 and a threaded box end 84 matching the threads of the pins of the pipe joints 24, 50. The upper section 80 also includes a smooth walled portion 86 on which the sliding sleeve 70 moves. The function of the sliding sleeve 70 is to keep the flapper valve member 36 in a stowed or inoperative position while the casing string is being run and cemented until such time as it is desired to isolate a formation below the flapper valve member 30. There are many arrangements in flapper valves that are operable and suitable for this purpose but a sliding sleeve is preferred because it presents a smooth interior that is basically a continuation of the interior wall of the casing string thereby allowing normal operations to be easily conducted inside the casing string and it prevents the entry of cement or other materials into a cavity 88 in which the valve member 36 is stowed. The sliding sleeve 70 accordingly comprises an upper section 90 sized to slide easily on the smooth wall portion 86 and provides an O-ring seal 92 which also acts as a friction member holding the sleeve 70 in its upper position. The upper section 80 of the tubular housing and the upper section 90 of the sliding sleeve 70 accordingly provide aligned partial grooves 94 receiving the O-ring seal 92. When the sleeve 70 is pulled upwardly against the shoulder 96, the O-ring seal 92 passes into the groove 94 and frictionally holds the sleeve 70 in its upper position. The upper section 90 of the sliding sleeve 70 provides a downwardly facing shoulder 98 and an inclined upwardly facing shoulder 100 providing a profile for receiving the operative elements of a setting tool of conventional design so the sliding sleeve 70 may be shifted from the stowing position of FIG. 3 to the position of FIG. 4, allowing the valve member 36 to move to its operative position. The sliding sleeve 70 includes a lower section 102 of smaller external diameter than the upper section 90 thereby providing the cavity 88 for the flapper valve member 36. In the down or stowing position, the sliding sleeve 70 seals against the lower section 72 of the tubular housing 68 so that cement or other materials do not enter the cavity 88 and interfere with operation of the flapper valve member 36. The flapper valve member 36 is shown best in FIGS. 5 and 6 and is made of a frangible material, such as cast aluminum, ceramics, cast iron or the like and may have an upper face 104 crossed by grooves 106 which act as score lines thereby weakening the member 36 against impact forces. The member 36 preferably includes a lower face 108 of downwardly concave configuration in order to increase its ability to withstand high pressure. The flapper valve member 36 is pivoted to the tubular housing 68 in any suitable manner, as by the provision of a pivot pin 110 extending through a spring 112 which acts to bias the flapper valve member 36 downwardly into sealing engagement with the lower housing section 68 thereby sealing the assembly 30 and casing strings against downward fluid flow and allowing upward fluid flow. The sliding sleeve 70 is manipulated in any suitable manner, as by the provision of the setting or shifting tool of any suitable type. A preferred setting tool is available from Tools International, Inc. of Lafayette, La. under the tradename B Shifting Tool. Referring to FIG. 7, the lower end 114 of the sleeve section 102 is tapered to cover and protect an O-ring 116 located in a groove 118 in a valve seat 120 provided by the lower housing section 72. In this manner, cement or frac slurry does not contact or damage the O-ring 116. In a preferred manner, when the valve member 36 abuts the O-ring 116 at a low pressure differential, the valve member 36 seals against the O-ring 116. When subjected to a high pressure differential, the O-ring 116 is essentially compressed into the groove 118 and the valve member 36 seals against the valve seat 120 in a surface-to-surface type seal. Operation of the flapper valve assembly 30 should now be apparent. Each flapper valve assembly 30 is assembled in the casing string 22, 48 as it is being run into the hole in the process of cementing. The sliding sleeve 70 is in the down or stowing position so the valve member 36 is not operative. This allows conventional operations to be conducted in the casing string 22, 48. An important feature of the valve assembly 30 is that it is full opening, i.e. the unobstructed inside diameter is at least substantially as large as the internal diameter of the pipe joints 24, 50. When the flapper valve member 36 is stowed in the position of FIG. 3, conventional operations are easily conducted. When the sleeve 70 has been pulled up to allow the flapper valve member 36 to close, and the valve member 36 has been broken, the full opening feature of this invention allows well tools, such as bailers, sinker bars or other tools to pass through the valve assembly 30 and conduct operations below the valve assembly 30. Normally, communication between the interior of the casing strings 22, 28 and the adjacent hydrocarbon zones is accomplished by perforating. It will be evident, of course, that the casing strings 22, 48 may be provided with subs including a slotted or perforated tubular housing closed off by a slidable sleeve. After the casing string is cemented in the well, the slidable sleeve may be shifted to expose the hydrocarbon zones for fracing or other stimulation. It may be desirable, particularly in horizontal wells, to orient the flapper valve assemblies 54 so the flapper valve members open in a particular directions, e.g. with the hinge pins 110 uniformly at the top or at the bottom of the wellbore. This may be accomplished in any suitable manner, such as by using a gyroscopic orientation technique, as is well known in the art. Although this invention has been disclosed and described in its preferred forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred forms is only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of operation and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>An important development in natural gas production in recent decades, at least in the continental United States, has been the improvement of hydraulic fracturing techniques for stimulating production from previously uneconomically tight formations. For example, the largest gas field put on production in the lower forty eight states in the last twenty years is the Bob West Field in Zapata County, Tex. This field was discovered in the 1950's but was uneconomic using the fracturing techniques of the time where typical frac jobs injected 5,000-20,000 pounds of proppant into a well. It was not until the 1980's that large frac jobs became feasible where in excess of 300,000 pounds of proppant were routinely injected into wells. The production from wells in the Bob West Field increased from a few hundred MCF per day to thousands of MCF per day. Without the development of high volume frac treatments, there would be very little deep gas produced in the continental United States. The fracing of deep, high pressure gas zones has continued to develop or evolve. More recently, multiple gas bearing zones encountered in deep vertical wells are fraced one after another. This is accomplished by perforating and then fracing a lower zone, placing a bridge plug in the casing immediately above the fraced lower zone thereby isolating the fraced lower zone and allowing a higher zone to be perforated and fraced. This process is repeated until all of the desired zones have been fraced. Then, the bridge plugs between adjacent zones are drilled out and gas from the fraced zones produced in a commingled stream. The result is a well with a very high production rate and thus a very rapid payout. Another situation where multizone fracing has created commercial wells from previously non-commercial zones is in relatively shallow, moderately pressured tight gas bearing sands and shales, of which the Barnett Shale west of Fort Worth, Tex., is a leading example. By fracing multiple zones of the Barnett Shale, commercial wells are routinely made where, in the past, only non-economic production was obtained. It is no exaggeration to say that the future of gas production in the continental United States is from heretofore uneconomically tight gas bearing formations. Accordingly, a development that allows effective frac jobs at overall lower costs is important. Disclosures of interest relative to this invention are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,368,428; 3,289,762; 4,427,071; 4,444,266; 4,637,468; 4,813,481; 5,012,867; 6,227,299; 6,575,249 and 6,732,803.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In this invention, one or more check valves, preferably in the form of full opening flapper valves, are provided in a casing string cemented in the earth. When it is desired to conduct sequential stimulation operations in the well, such as fracing, acidizing or otherwise treating a series of spaced hydrocarbon bearing zones, a lowermost zone, in the case of a vertical well, or a most distant zone, in the case of a horizontal well, is perforated and treated. The check valve is then manipulated or installed to isolate the lower zone by preventing downward flow in the well and allowing upward flow. The advantage of the check valves, as contrasted to prior art bridge plugs, is the potential for putting the well on production, simply by opening the casing string to the atmosphere or to production equipment at the surface. Provided that the pressure below a particular check valve is sufficient to crack open the check valve, gas from below will fluidize any sand or debris on top of the check valve and then blow it out of the well so the check valve can fully open and provide a minimum hindrance to the flow of hydrocarbons in the well. The preferred flapper valves are run on the casing string and cemented in the earth. The flapper valves are initially held in a retracted or stowed position providing an opening therethrough the same size as the internal diameter of the casing string, allowing the expeditious circulation of cement, frac slurry or other materials down the casing string. The flapper valve is later manipulated to move to an operative position allowing upward flow in the casing string and preventing downward flow to isolate a lower stimulated zone and thereby allowing stimulation of an upper zone. An upper zone in the case of a vertical well or zone less distant from the surface in the case of a horizontal well is then perforated and treated. A flapper valve above the second treated zone is manipulated to prevent pumping into the second zone. This process is repeated until all of the desired zones have been treated. The well is then put onto production, either by drilling out or breaking the check valves and opening the well at the surface, or simply by opening the well to the atmosphere or to production equipment at the surface. In the absence of sand or other debris on top of a check valve, the pressure differential across the check valve is sufficient to open it and allow the treated zones to produce formation contents, thereby cleaning up the well and allowing it to be put on production. Even if debris is on top of the check valve, there is usually enough pressure differential to lift the valve member slightly, thereby allowing hydrocarbons from below to fluidize the debris above the valve and thereby allow it to open, whereupon the fluidized debris will be produced at the surface. The preferred flapper valves are preferably made of a material which is readily disintegrated, e.g. it may be frangible so it is easily drilled or broken or may be digestible, such as acid soluble. In the best case scenario, the well is put onto production after multiple sequential stimulation jobs simply by opening the well at the surface and allowing the flapper valves to open, allowing upward flow in the well. In the worst case scenario, debris above one more flapper valves will have to be cleaned out and the flapper valve drilled out or broken. Although a coiled tubing unit may be used to drill out or break a flapper valve of this invention, a much less expensive alternative is available. If there is debris on top of the flapper valve, it may be bailed out using a simple slickline unit with a bailer on the bottom of the wireline. If, after bailing, the flapper valve will not open, it may be broken with a sinker bar or other impact device dropped or run in the well with a slickline. Because the flapper valves are full opening, working below one of the valves is easily done because necessary tools pass through the valved opening. It is an object of this invention to provide an improved well configuration allowing expeditious stimulation of multiple zones in a vertical or horizontal well. A further object of this invention is to provide an improved valve for use in a vertical or horizontal well to prevent downward flow in the well. Another object of this invention is to provide an improved method of stimulating multiple zones in a horizontal or vertical well. These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent as this description proceeds, reference being made to the accompanying drawings and appended claims.
20041209
20071030
20060615
66434.0
E21B3406
1
NEUDER, WILLIAM P
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STIMULATING HYDROCARBON WELLS
SMALL
0
ACCEPTED
E21B
2,004
11,010,139
ACCEPTED
High temperature high pressure capsule for processing materials in supercritical fluids
A capsule for containing at least one reactant and a supercritical fluid in a substantially air-free environment under high pressure, high temperature processing conditions. The capsule includes a closed end, at least one wall adjoining the closed end and extending from the closed end; and a sealed end adjoining the at least one wall opposite the closed end. The at least one wall, closed end, and sealed end define a chamber therein for containing the reactant and a solvent that becomes a supercritical fluid at high temperatures and high pressures. The capsule is formed from a deformable material and is fluid impermeable and chemically inert with respect to the reactant and the supercritical fluid under processing conditions, which are generally above 5 kbar and 550° C. and, preferably, at pressures between 5 kbar and 80 kbar and temperatures between 550° C. and about 1500° C. The invention also includes methods of filling the capsule with the solvent and sealing the capsule, as well as an apparatus for sealing the capsule.
1. A high pressure, high temperature capsule for containing at least one material and a solvent that becomes a supercritical fluid in a substantially air-free environment, said capsule comprising: a) a closed end; b) at least one wall adjoining said closed end and extending therefrom; and c) a sealed end adjoining said at least one wall opposite said closed end, wherein said at least one wall, said closed end, and said sealed end define a chamber therein for containing said at least one material and said solvent, wherein said capsule is formed from a deformable material, and wherein said capsule is fluid impermeable and chemically inert with respect to said at least one material and said supercritical fluid. 2. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein said capsule is formed from a cold-weldable material. 3. The capsule according to claim 2, wherein said cold-weldable material comprises at least one of copper, copper-based alloy, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, iron, iron-based alloy, nickel, nickel-based alloy, and combinations thereof. 4. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein said deformable material comprises at least one of copper, copper-based alloy, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, iron, iron-based alloy, nickel, nickel-based alloy, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, and combinations thereof. 5. The capsule according to claim 1, further including at least one coating disposed on an inner surface of said capsule. 6. The capsule according to claim 5, wherein said at least one coating is formed from a first material comprising at least one of nickel, rhodium, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, ruthenium, iridium, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, MCxNyOz, wherein M is at least one metal selected from aluminum, boron, silicon, titanium, vanadium, chromium, yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum, a rare earth metal, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten; and wherein x, y, and z are between 0 and 3; and combinations thereof, and wherein said first material is different from said deformable material. 7. The capsule according to claim 5, wherein each of said at least one coating is between about 0.5 micron and about 250 microns in thickness. 8. The capsule according to claim 5, further including a diffusion barrier disposed between said inner surface and said at least one coating. 9. The capsule according to claim 8, wherein said diffusion barrier has a thickness of between about 10 nm and about 100 microns. 10. The capsule according to claim 8, wherein said diffusion barrier is formed from a second material comprising at least one of nickel, rhodium, platinum, palladium, iridium, ruthenium, rhenium, tungsten, molybdenum, niobium, silver, iridium, tantalum, MCxNyOz, where M is at least one metal selected from aluminum, boron, silicon, titanium, vanadium, chromium, yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum, a rare earth metal, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, and x, y, and z are between 0 and 3; and combinations thereof, and wherein said second material is different from said first material and said deformable material. 11. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein said capsule further includes an outer capsule and an inner capsule nestingly disposed within said outer capsule and in a spaced apart relation to said outer capsule such that a free space exists between said outer capsule and said inner capsule, wherein each of said outer capsule and said inner capsule has at least one wall, a closed end, and a sealed end defining a chamber therein, and wherein said chamber of said inner capsule is adapted to contain said at least one material and said solvent. 12. The capsule according to claim 11, further including a pressure medium disposed in said free space, wherein said pressure medium equalizes a pressure within said inner capsule. 13. The capsule according to claim 11, further including a pressure medium disposed in said free space, wherein the pressure medium provides an overpressure so that said at least one wall, said closed end, and said sealed end of said inner capsule are under one of compressive and neutral stress during processing at high pressure and high temperature. 14. The capsule according to claim 13, wherein said pressure medium comprises at least one of said solvent, water, ammonia, and carbon dioxide. 15. The capsule according to claim 11, wherein said inner capsule is formed from a glass. 16. The capsule according to claim 15, wherein said glass comprises at least one of fused quartz, fused silica, borosilicate glass, aluminosilicate glass, soda lime glass, soda barium glass, soda zinc glass, lead glass, potash soda lead glass, potash lead glass, or potash soda barium glass. 17. The capsule according to claim 11, wherein said inner capsule has a thickness of between about 0.1 mm and about 10 mm. 18. The capsule according to claim 1, further including an inert liner disposed on an inner surface of said at least one wall, said closed end, and said sealed end. 19. The capsule according to claim 18, wherein said inert liner has a thickness of between about 10 microns and about 5 mm. 20. The capsule according to claim 18, wherein said inert liner is formed from a first material comprising at least one of gold, platinum, rhodium, palladium, silver, iridium, ruthenium, osmium, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, molybdenum, niobium, zirconium, yttrium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, silica, and combinations thereof, and wherein said first material is different from said deformable material. 21. The capsule according to claim 18, further including a diffusion barrier disposed between said inner surface and said inert liner. 22. The capsule according to claim 21, wherein said diffusion barrier has a thickness of between about 10 nm and about 100 microns. 23. The capsule according to claim 21, wherein said diffusion barrier is formed from a second material comprising at least one of nickel, rhodium, platinum, palladium, iridium, ruthenium, rhenium, tungsten, molybdenum, niobium, silver, iridium, tantalum, MCxNyOz, wherein M is at least one metal selected from aluminum, boron, silicon, titanium, vanadium, chromium, yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum, a rare earth metal, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, and x, y, and z are between 0 and 3; and combinations thereof, and wherein said second material is different from said first material and said deformable material. 24. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein each of said at least one wall, said closed end, and said sealed end has a thickness of between about 0.2 mm and about 10 mm. 25. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein said chamber is divided into two regions by a baffle. 26. The capsule according to claim 25, wherein said baffle has a fractional open area between about 0.5% and about 30%. 27. The capsule according to claim 25, wherein said baffle is formed from a first material and comprises at least one of copper, copper-based alloy, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, iron, iron-based alloy, nickel, nickel-based alloy, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, silica, alumina, and combinations thereof. 28. The capsule according to claim 25, further including at least one coating disposed on said baffle. 29. The capsule according to claim 28, wherein said at least one coating is formed from a second material comprising at least one of nickel, rhodium, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, ruthenium, iridium, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, MCxNyOz, where M is at least one metal selected from aluminum, boron, silicon, titanium, vanadium, chromium, yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum, a rare earth metal, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, and x, y, and z are between 0 and 3; and combinations thereof, and wherein said second material is different from said first material. 30. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein said sealed end comprises a lid having a sealed fill tube, wherein said lid is sealed to said at least one wall by one of a pipe thread seal, a metal-to-metal compression seal, a gasket seal, and a weld seal. 31. The capsule according to claim 30, wherein said lid and said fill tube comprise at least one of copper, copper-based alloy, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, iron, iron-based alloy, nickel-based alloy, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, silica, alumina, or combinations thereof. 32. The capsule according to claim 1, further including an outer seal joined to said sealed end of said capsule. 33. The capsule according to claim 32, wherein said outer seal surrounds said capsule in its entirety. 34. The capsule according to claim 32, wherein said outer seal is formed from at least one of copper, copper alloy, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, nickel, nickel alloy, iron, steel, iron alloy, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, and combinations thereof. 35. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein said capsule is impermeable to at least one of hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. 36. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein said capsule is self-pressurizing. 37. The capsule according to claim 36, wherein said capsule is self-pressurizing from about 1 bar up to about 80 kbar. 38. The capsule according to claim 37, wherein said capsule is self-pressurizing up to between about 5 kbar and about 80 kbar. 39. The capsule according to claim 38, wherein said capsule is self-pressurizing up to between about 5 kbar and about 60 kbar. 40. A plug for sealing a high pressure, high temperature capsule for containing at least one material and a solvent that becomes a supercritical fluid in a substantially air-free environment, said capsule having at least one wall, a closed end, and a sealed end defining a chamber therein for containing said at least one material and said solvent, said plug comprising a cold-weldable material and being sealingly insertable in an open end of said capsule, wherein said sealed end is formed by inserting said plug in said open end and cold welding said plug to said capsule. 41. The plug according to claim 40, wherein said cold-weldable material comprises at least one of copper, copper-based alloy, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, iron, iron-based alloy, nickel, nickel-based alloy, and combinations thereof. 42. The plug according to claim 40, further including at least one coating disposed on an inner surface of said plug. 43. The plug according to claim 40, wherein said at least one coating is formed from a first material and comprises at least one of nickel, rhodium, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, ruthenium, iridium, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, MCxNyOz, wherein M is at least one metal selected from aluminum, boron, silicon, titanium, vanadium, chromium, yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum, a rare earth metal, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, and x, y, and z are between 0 and 3; and combinations thereof, and wherein said first material is different from said cold-weldable material. 44. The plug according to claim 40, further including a fill tube joined to said plug, wherein said fill tube has an orifice that extends through said plug to an inner surface of said plug. 45. A high pressure, high temperature capsule for containing at least one material and solvent that becomes a supercritical fluid in a substantially air-free environment, said capsule comprising: a) a closed end; b) at least one wall adjoining said closed end and extending therefrom; and c) a sealed end adjoining said at least one wall opposite said closed end, said sealed end comprising a plug that is cold-welded to said at least one wall, wherein said at least one wall, said closed end, and said sealed end define a chamber therein for containing said at least one material and said solvent, wherein said capsule is formed from a deformable cold-weldable material, and wherein said capsule is fluid impermeable and chemically inert with respect to said at least one material and said supercritical fluid. 46. The capsule according to claim 45, wherein said deformable-cold-weldable material comprises at least one of copper, copper-based alloy, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, iron, iron-based alloy, nickel, nickel-based-alloy, and combinations thereof. 47. The capsule according to claim 45, further including at least one coating disposed on an inner surface of said capsule. 48. The capsule according to claim 47, wherein said at least one coating is formed from a first material comprising at least one of nickel, rhodium, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, ruthenium, iridium, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, MCxNyOz, wherein M is at least one metal selected from aluminum, boron, silicon, titanium, vanadium, chromium, yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum, a rare earth metal, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, and x, y, and z are between 0 and 3; and combinations thereof, and wherein said first material is different from said deformable cold-weldable material. 49. The capsule according to claim 47, wherein each of said at least one coating is between about 0.5 micron and about 250 microns in thickness. 50. The capsule according to claim 47, further including a diffusion barrier disposed between said inner surface and said at least one coating. 51. The capsule according to claim 50, wherein said diffusion barrier has a thickness of between about 10 nm and about 100 microns. 52. The capsule according to claim 50, wherein said diffusion barrier is formed from a second material comprising at least one of nickel, rhodium, platinum, palladium, iridium, ruthenium, rhenium, tungsten, molybdenum, niobium, silver, iridium, tantalum, MCxNyOz, where M is at least one metal selected from aluminum, boron, silicon, titanium; vanadium, chromium, yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum, a rare earth metal, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, and x, y, and z are between 0 and 3; and combinations thereof, and wherein said second material is different from said first material and said deformable cold-weldable material. 53. The capsule according to claim 45, wherein said capsule further includes: an outer capsule and an inner capsule nestingly disposed within said outer capsule and in a spaced apart relation to said outer capsule such that a free space exists between said outer capsule and said inner capsule, wherein each of said outer capsule and said inner capsule has at least one wall, a closed end, and a sealed end defining a chamber therein, and wherein said chamber of said inner capsule is adapted to contain said at least one material and said solvent. 54. The capsule according to claim 53, further including a pressure medium disposed in said free space, wherein said pressure medium equalizes a pressure within said inner capsule. 55. The capsule according to claim 53, further including a pressure medium disposed in said free space, wherein the pressure medium provides an overpressure so that said at least one wall, said closed end, and said sealed end of said inner capsule are under one of compressive stress and neutral stress during processing at high pressure and high temperature. 56. The capsule according to claim 55, wherein said pressure medium comprises at least one of the solvent contained within the inner capsule, water, ammonia, or carbon dioxide. 57. The capsule according to claim 53, wherein said inner capsule is formed from a glass. 58. The capsule according to claim 57, wherein said glass comprises at least one of fused quartz, fused silica, borosilicate glass, aluminosilicate glass, soda lime glass, soda barium glass, soda zinc glass, lead glass, potash soda lead glass, potash lead glass, and potash soda barium glass. 59. The capsule according to claim 53, wherein said inner capsule has a thickness of between about 0.1 mm and about 10 mm. 60. The capsule according to claim 45, further including an inert liner disposed on an inner surface of said at least one wall, said closed end, and said sealed end. 61. The capsule according to claim 60, wherein said inert liner has a thickness of between about 10 microns and about 5 mm. 62. The capsule according to claim 60, wherein said inert liner is formed from a first material comprising at least one of gold, platinum, rhodium, palladium, silver, iridium, ruthenium, osmium, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, molybdenum, niobium, zirconium, yttrium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, silica, and combinations thereof, wherein said first material is different from said deformable cold-weldable material. 63. The capsule according to claim 60, further including a diffusion barrier disposed between said inner surface and said inert liner. 64. The capsule according to claim 63, wherein said diffusion barrier has a thickness of between about 10 nm and about 100 microns. 65. The capsule according to claim 63, wherein said diffusion barrier is formed form a second material comprising at least one of nickel, rhodium, platinum, palladium, iridium, ruthenium, rhenium, tungsten, molybdenum, niobium, silver, iridium, tantalum, MCxNyOz, where M is at least one metal selected from aluminum, boron, silicon, titanium, vanadium, chromium, yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum, a rare earth metal, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, and x, y, and z are between 0 and 3; and combinations thereof, and wherein said first material is different from said second material and said deformable cold-weldable material. 66. The capsule according to claim 45, wherein said at least one wall, said closed end, and said sealed end each have a thickness of between about 0.2 mm and about 10 mm. 67. The capsule according to claim 45, wherein said chamber is divided into two regions by a baffle. 68. The capsule according to claim 67, wherein said baffle has a fractional open area between about 0.5% and about 30%. 69. The capsule according to claim 67, wherein said baffle is formed from a first material comprising at least one of copper, copper-based alloy, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, iron, iron-based alloy, nickel, nickel-based alloy, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, silica, alumina, and combinations thereof. 70. The capsule according to claim 67, further including at least one coating disposed on said baffle. 71. The capsule according to claim 67, wherein said at least one coating is formed from a second material comprising at least one of nickel, rhodium, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, ruthenium, iridium, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, MCxNyOz, where M is at least one metal selected from aluminum, boron, silicon, titanium, vanadium, chromium, yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum, a rare earth metal, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, and x, y, and z are between 0 and 3; and combinations thereof, and wherein said second material is different from said first material. 72. The capsule according to claim 45, wherein said sealed end comprises a lid having a sealed fill tube, wherein said lid is sealed to said at least one wall by one of a pipe thread seal, a metal-to-metal compression seal, a gasket seal, and a weld seal. 73. The capsule according to claim 72, wherein said lid and said fill tube comprise at least one of copper, copper-based alloy, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, iron, iron-based alloy, nickel-based alloy, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, silica, alumina, or combinations thereof. 74. The capsule according to claim 45, further including an outer seal joined to said sealed end of said capsule. 75. The capsule according to claim 74, wherein said outer seal surrounds said capsule in its entirety. 76. The capsule according to claim 74, wherein said outer seal is formed from at least one of copper, copper alloy, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, nickel, nickel alloy, steel, iron, iron alloy, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, and combinations thereof. 77. The capsule according to claim 45, wherein said capsule is self-pressurizing. 78. The capsule according to claim 77, wherein said capsule is self-pressurizing from about 1 bar up to about 80 kbar. 79. The capsule according to claim 78, wherein said capsule is self-pressurizing up to between about 5 kbar and about 80 kbar. 80. The capsule according to claim 79, wherein said capsule is self-pressurizing up to between about 5 kbar and about 60 kbar. 81. A method of filling a high pressure, high temperature capsule with at least one material and a solvent that becomes a supercritical fluid in a substantially air-free environment, said capsule having at least one wall, a closed end, and an open sealable end defining a chamber therein for containing said at least one material and said supercritical fluid, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing the capsule; b) providing the at least one material to the chamber; c) providing a solvent source, wherein the solvent source contains the solvent and is connectable to a vacuum manifold; d) connecting the solvent source to the vacuum manifold; e) inserting the at least one material into the chamber; f) placing the chamber of the capsule in fluid communication with the vacuum manifold and evacuating the chamber to a predetermined pressure; g) cooling the chamber to a temperature below a predetermined temperature; h) placing the chamber and the solvent source in communication with each other through the vacuum manifold; and; i) providing a portion of the solvent into the chamber, thereby filling the open-ended capsule to a predetermined level. 82. The method of claim 81, wherein the step of placing the chamber of the capsule in fluid communication with the vacuum manifold and evacuating the chamber to a predetermined pressure comprises placing the chamber of the capsule in fluid communication with the vacuum manifold and evacuating the chamber to a pressure of less than about 1 torr. 83. The method of claim 81, wherein the step of cooling the chamber to a temperature below a predetermined temperature comprises cooling the chamber to a temperature at which the solvent has a vapor pressure of less than about 760 Torr. 84. The method of claim 81, wherein the step of providing a portion of the solvent into the chamber comprises condensing a portion of the solvent into the chamber. 85. The method of claim 84, wherein the step of condensing a portion of the solvent into the chamber comprises controlling a mass flow of the solvent into the chamber for a predetermined time period and condensing the solvent in the chamber. 86. The method of claim 81, wherein the step of providing a portion of the solvent into the chamber comprises: a) providing a portion of the solvent at an initial predetermined pressure to a predetermined volume; b) condensing a portion of the solvent into the chamber; and measuring a final pressure in the predetermined volume. 87. The method of claim 81, wherein the step of providing a portion of the solvent into the chamber comprises injecting a portion of the solvent into the chamber. 88. A method of sealing a high pressure, high temperature capsule containing at least one material and a solvent that becomes a supercritical fluid at high temperature and high pressure in a substantially air-free environment, said capsule having at least one wall, a closed end, and an open sealable end defining a chamber therein for containing said at least one material and said solvent, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing the capsule containing the at least one material; b) placing the chamber of the capsule in communication with a vacuum manifold and evacuating the chamber to a predetermined pressure; c) filling the chamber with a predetermined quantity of the solvent; and d) sealing the open sealable end of the capsule. 89. The method of claim 88, wherein the step of sealing the open sealable end of the capsule comprises: a) applying heat to a portion of the at least one wall at the open sealable end of the capsule; b) collapsing the portion of the at least one wall at the open sealable end; and c) forming a solid weld, thereby sealing the open sealable end of the capsule. 90. The method of claim 88, wherein the step of sealing the open sealable end of the capsule comprises one of torch welding, arc welding, ultrasound welding, and vibratory welding a portion of the at least one wall at the open sealable end of the capsule. 91. The method of claim 88, wherein the step of sealing the open sealable end of the capsule comprises: a) applying pressure to an outer surface of a portion of the at least one wall at the open sealable end of the capsule; b) collapsing the portion of the at least one wall at the open sealable end; and c) forming a cold weld, thereby sealing the open sealable end of the capsule. 92. The method of claim 88, wherein the step of sealing the open sealable end of the capsule comprises: a) inserting a plug into the open sealable end of the capsule; b) contacting the at least one wall with the plug; c) applying pressure to an outer surface of at least one of the at least one wall and the plug; and d) forming a cold weld between the at least one wall and the plug, thereby sealing the open sealable end of the capsule. 93. An apparatus for sealing a high pressure, high temperature capsule with a cold-weldable plug to a form a substantially air-free chamber within said capsule, said apparatus comprising: a) a movable ram for inserting said cold-weldable plug into an open sealable end of said capsule; b) a mechanical support for supporting said capsule and guiding said ram, wherein said mechanical support and said ram form an air-tight inner chamber; and c) a vacuum inlet passing through said mechanical support to said air-tight inner chamber, wherein said vacuum inlet provides communication between said air-tight inner chamber and a vacuum manifold, wherein said cold-weldable plug is cold-welded to at least one wall of said capsule when said cold-weldable plug is inserted into said open sealable end and a pressure is applied to said ram. 94. A gallium nitride single crystal, wherein the gallium nitride single crystal is formed by: providing at least one gallium nitride source material to a high pressure, high temperature capsule, the capsule having at least one wall, a closed end, and an open sealable end defining a chamber therein for containing said at least one gallium nitride source material and a solvent that becomes a supercritical fluid at high temperature and high pressure; placing the chamber of the capsule in fluid communication with a vacuum manifold and evacuating the chamber to a predetermined pressure; filling the chamber with a predetermined quantity of the solvent; sealing the open sealable end of the capsule; disposing the sealed capsule within a pressure vessel comprising a pressure transmission medium surrounding the capsule for maintaining an outer pressure on the capsule, a heating element insertable in the pressure transmission medium such that the heating element surrounds the capsule, a restraint to contain and hold in place the capsule, the pressure transmission medium, the heating element, and at least one seal between the restraint and the pressure transmission medium; and subjecting the capsule to high pressure, high temperature conditions, wherein the solvent contained within the sealed capsule becomes a supercritical fluid and generates a predetermined pressure within the sealed capsule, and wherein the supercritical fluid reacts with the at least one gallium nitride source material to form the gallium nitride single crystal.
FEDERAL RESEARCH STATEMENT The United States Government may have certain rights in this invention pursuant to Cooperative Agreement No. 70NANB9H3020, awarded by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, United States Department of Commerce. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The invention relates generally to a capsule to be used with pressure vessels. More particularly, the invention relates to a capsule used in conjunction with a high-pressure vessel for processing at least one material in a supercritical fluid. Supercritical fluids (also referred to hereinafter as “SCF”) may be used to process a wide variety of materials. Examples of SCF applications include extractions in supercritical carbon dioxide, the growth of quartz crystals in supercritical water, and the synthesis of a variety of nitrides in supercritical ammonia. Processes that employ supercritical fluids are generally performed at high pressure and high temperature (also referred hereinafter as “HPHT”) within a pressure vessel. Most conventional pressure vessels not only provide a source of mechanical support for the pressure applied to reactant materials and SCF, but also serve as a container for the supercritical fluid and material being processed. The processing limitations for such pressure vessels are typically limited to a maximum temperature in the range between about 550° C. and 750° C. and a maximum pressure in the range between about 2 kilobar (also referred hereinafter as “kbar”) and 5 kbar. Processing material with supercritical fluids requires a container or capsule that is both chemically inert and impermeable to the solvent and any gases that might be generated by the process. In one approach, the material to be processed, along with a solid or liquid that forms a supercritical fluid at elevated temperatures, is introduced into a capsule. The capsule is then sealed in air, placed in a high pressure apparatus, and heated. The solid (or liquid) decomposes upon heating to provide a supercritical fluid. When such a solid or liquid is used as the SCF source, however, decomposition products other than the supercritical fluid that remain in the reaction mixture may contaminate the reaction mixture. Additional contamination may also result from air introduced during filling of the capsule. In one method, air may be excluded from a capsule by placing the material to be processed into a fused silica tube having a closed end, evacuating the tube through a vacuum manifold, and condensing a solvent into the tube. The tube is then sealed, usually by welding, without exposing the contents of the capsule to air. Once the capsule is sealed, however, the material inside the tube cannot be processed at internal pressures greater than about 6 bar and temperatures higher than about 300° C., as the internal pressure generated by vaporization of the solvent will cause the sealed capsule to burst when heated to higher temperatures. An external pressure greater than or equal to the internal pressure can be provided by placing the capsule inside a pressure vessel and filling the space between the capsule and the pressure vessel with a solvent. However, as noted above, such pressure vessels are typically limited to a maximum temperature in the range between about 550° C. and 750° C. and a maximum pressure in the range between about 2 and 5 kbar. If the pressure, temperature, chemical-inertness, size, sealing, and cost limitations of currently available capsules could be extended, supercritical fluids could be used to process a wider range of materials. Therefore, what is needed is an improved capsule or container for processing of materials with supercritical fluids in an air-free environment. What is also needed is a capsule that can be utilized with a solvent that is gaseous at room temperature. What is further needed is a chemically inert capsule that may be used in conjunction with a pressure vessel that is capable of generating pressures greater than about 5 kbar and temperatures between about 550° C. and about 1500° C. What is further needed is a chemically inert capsule that can cost-effectively process materials on a larger scale. SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention meets these and other needs by providing a high pressure, high temperature (also referred to herein as “HPHT”) capsule for containing at least one reactant and a supercritical fluid in a substantially air-free environment. The HPHT capsule is chemically inert with respect to the at least one material and the supercritical fluid. The present invention also includes methods of filling and sealing the HPHT capsule, as well as an apparatus for sealing the HPHT capsule. Accordingly, one aspect of the invention is to provide a high pressure, high temperature capsule for containing at least one material and a solvent that becomes a supercritical fluid in a substantially air-free environment. The capsule comprises: a closed end; at least one wall adjoining the closed end and extending therefrom; and a sealed end adjoining the at least one wall opposite the closed end, wherein the at least one wall, closed end, and sealed end define a chamber therein for containing the at least one material and solvent. The capsule is formed from a deformable material and is fluid impermeable and chemically inert with respect to the at least one material and the supercritical fluid. A second aspect of the invention is to provide a plug for sealing a high pressure, high temperature capsule for containing at least one material and a supercritical fluid in a substantially air-free environment. The capsule has at least one wall, a closed end, and a sealed end defining a chamber therein for containing the at least one material and supercritical fluid. The plug comprises a cold-weldable material and is sealingly insertable in an open end of the capsule. The sealed end of the capsule is formed by inserting the plug into the open end and cold welding the plug to the capsule. A third aspect of the invention is to provide a high pressure, high temperature capsule for containing at least one material and a solvent that becomes a supercritical fluid in a substantially air-free environment. The capsule comprises: a closed end; at least one wall adjoining the closed end and extending therefrom; and a sealed end adjoining the at least one wall opposite the closed end, wherein the at least one wall, closed end, and sealed end define a chamber therein for containing the at least one material and solvent. The sealed end comprises a plug that is cold-welded to the at least one wall of the capsule. The capsule is formed from a deformable cold-weldable material and is fluid impermeable and chemically inert with respect to the at least one material and the supercritical fluid. A fourth aspect of the invention is to provide a method of filling a capsule with at least one material and a solvent that becomes a supercritical fluid in a substantially air-free environment. The capsule has at least one wall, a closed end, and an open sealable end defining a chamber therein for containing the at least one material and the solvent. The method comprises the steps of: providing the capsule; providing the at least one material to the chamber; providing a solvent source, wherein the solvent source contains the solvent that becomes a supercritical fluid at high pressure and high temperature and is connectable to a vacuum manifold; connecting the solvent source to the vacuum manifold; placing the chamber of the capsule in fluid communication with the vacuum manifold and evacuating the chamber to a predetermined pressure; cooling the chamber to a temperature below a predetermined temperature; placing the chamber and the solvent source in fluid communication with each other through the vacuum manifold; and providing a portion of the solvent into the chamber, thereby filling the open-ended capsule to a predetermined level. A fifth aspect of the invention is to provide a method of sealing a high pressure, high temperature capsule containing at least one material and a solvent that becomes a supercritical fluid at high pressure and high temperature in a substantially air-free environment. The capsule has at least one wall, a closed end, and an open sealable end defining a chamber therein for containing the at least one material and solvent. The method comprises the steps of: providing the capsule containing the at least one material; placing the chamber of the capsule in communication with a vacuum manifold and evacuating the chamber to a predetermined pressure; filling the chamber with a predetermined quantity of the solvent; and sealing the open sealable end of the capsule. A sixth aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for sealing a high pressure, high temperature capsule with a cold-weldable plug to form a substantially air-free chamber within the capsule. The apparatus comprises: a movable ram for inserting the cold-weldable plug into an open sealable end of the capsule; a mechanical support for supporting the capsule and guiding the ram, wherein the mechanical support and the ram form an air-tight inner chamber; and a vacuum inlet passing through the mechanical support to the air-tight inner chamber, wherein the vacuum inlet provides fluid communication between the air-tight inner chamber and a vacuum manifold. The cold-weldable plug is cold-welded to at least one wall of the capsule when the cold-weldable plug is inserted into the open sealable end and a pressure is applied to the ram. A seventh aspect of the invention is to provide a gallium nitride single crystal. The gallium nitride single crystal is formed by: providing at least one gallium nitride source material to a high pressure, high temperature capsule, the capsule having at least one wall, a closed end, and an open sealable end defining a chamber therein for containing the at least one material and a solvent that becomes a supercritical fluid at high temperature and high pressure; placing the chamber of the capsule in communication with a vacuum manifold and evacuating the chamber to a predetermined pressure; filling the chamber with a predetermined quantity of the solvent; sealing the open sealable end of the capsule; disposing the sealed capsule within a pressure vessel comprising a pressure transmission medium surrounding the capsule for maintaining an outer pressure on the capsule, a heating element insertable in the pressure transmission medium such that the heating element surrounds the capsule, a restraint to contain and hold in place the capsule, the pressure transmission medium, the heating element, and at least one seal between the restraint and the pressure transmission medium; and subjecting the capsule to high pressure, high temperature conditions, wherein the solvent contained within the sealed capsule becomes a supercritical fluid and generates a predetermined pressure within the sealed capsule, and wherein the supercritical fluid reacts with the at least one gallium nitride source material to form the gallium nitride single crystal. These and other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a capsule according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a capsule of the present invention having an inert liner and diffusion barrier disposed on the inner surface of the capsule; FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a capsule of the present invention comprising an outer capsule, an inner capsule, and a pressure medium disposed in a free space between the inner and outer capsules; FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a capsule of the present invention in which the sealed end of the capsule includes a cold-welded plug and an outer seal; FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a capsule of the present invention having a coating disposed on the inner surface of the capsule; FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a capsule of the present invention in which a lid having a fill tube is used to form the sealed end of the capsule; and FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of an apparatus for sealing the capsule of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views shown in the figures. It is also understood that terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “outward,” “inward,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. Referring to the drawings in general and to FIG. 1 in particular, it will be understood that the illustrations are for the purpose of describing a preferred embodiment of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention thereto. Turning to FIG. 1, capsule 100 has a closed end 106, at least one wall 102 adjoining the closed end 106 and extending therefrom, and a sealed end 104 adjoining the at least one wall 102 opposite the closed end 106. Closed end 106, the at least one wall 102, and sealed end 104 define a closed chamber 108 within the capsule 100 for containing at least one material 110 and a solvent 112 that becomes a supercritical fluid at a high pressure and high temperature (also referred to herein as “HPHT”). HPHT conditions encompass temperatures greater than about 100° C. and pressures greater than about 1 atmosphere. Capsule 100 is chemically inert and impermeable with respect to the at least one material 110, solvent 112, and the supercritical fluid formed by the solvent 112. Capsule 100 is preferably impermeable to at least one of hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. Closed end 106, at least one wall 102, and sealed end 104 each have a thickness of between about 0.2 mm and about 10 mm. Capsule 100 is formed from a deformable material to allow expansion of the capsule as pressure increases within the capsule 100, thus preventing the capsule 100 from bursting. In one embodiment, the deformable material may comprise at least one of copper, copper-based alloy, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, iron, iron-based alloy, nickel, nickel-based alloy, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, combinations thereof, and the like. In another embodiment, capsule 100 is formed from a cold-weldable material, such as, but not limited to, at least one of copper, copper-based alloy, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, iron, iron-based alloy, nickel, nickel-based alloy, molybdenum, and combinations thereof. Iron-base alloys that may be used to form capsule 100 include, but are not limited to, stainless steels. Nickel-base alloys that may be used to form capsule 100 include, but are not limited to, inconel, hastelloy, and the like. Capsule 100 may also be provided with at least one baffle 114, which divides chamber 108 into two separate regions. The two regions are in fluid communication with each other, as baffle 114 has a plurality of through-holes 116. Thus, a fraction of the cross-sectional area of the baffle 114 is open. In one embodiment, baffle 114 has a fractional open area of between about 0.5% and about 30%. Baffle 114 is formed from at least one of copper, copper-based alloy, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, iron, iron-based alloy, nickel, nickel-based alloy, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, silica, alumina, and combinations thereof. Iron-base alloys that may be used to form baffle 114 include, but are not limited to, stainless steels. Nickel-base alloys that may be used to form baffle 114 include, but are not limited to, inconel, hastelloy, and the like. Baffle 114 serves the purpose of confining the at least one material 110 to a specific region or end of chamber 108 while permitting solvent 112 and, under HPHT conditions, supercritical fluid, to migrate throughout chamber 108 by passing freely through through-holes 116 in baffle 114. This feature is particularly useful in applications such as crystal growth, in which the supercritical fluid transports the at least one material 110 from one region of the chamber 108, defined by placement of baffle 114, to another region where nucleation and crystal growth take place. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, at least one coating 520 is disposed on an inner surface of at least one of closed end 506, the at least one wall 502, and sealed end 504 of capsule 500. When capsule 500 includes baffle 114, the at least one coating 520 is disposed on baffle 114 as well. Coating 520 may serve the purpose of enhancing the impermeability and resistance of capsule 500 to chemical attack by its contents. Coating 520 has a thickness of between about 0.5 micron and about 250 microns. Coating 520 is formed from a material that is different from that used to form closed end 506, the at least one wall 502, and sealed end 504 and comprises at least one of: nickel; rhodium; gold; silver; palladium; platinum; ruthenium; iridium; tantalum; tungsten; rhenium; MCxNyOz, wherein M is at least one of aluminum, boron, silicon, titanium, vanadium, chromium, yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum, a rare earth metal, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, and wherein each of x, y, and z is between 0 and 3 (i.e., 0<x, y, z<3); and combinations thereof. Capsule 500 may further include a diffusion barrier coating 540 disposed between coating 520 and the inner surface of at least one of closed end 506, the at least one wall 502, and sealed end 504 to reduce interdiffusion between closed end 506, the at least one wall 502, sealed end 504, and coating 520. Diffusion barrier 540 is formed from a material that is different from that of coating 520, closed end 506, the at least one wall 502, and sealed end 504 and comprises at least one of nickel, rhodium, platinum, palladium, iridium, ruthenium, rhenium, tungsten, molybdenum, niobium, silver, iridium, tantalum, MCxNyOz, wherein M is at least one of aluminum, boron silicon, titanium, vanadium, chromium, yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum, a rare earth metal, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, and wherein each of x, y, and z is between 0 and 3. (i.e., 0<x, y, z<3); and combinations thereof. Diffusion barrier 540 has a thickness of between about 10 nm and about 100 microns. In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, capsule 300, further includes an inner capsule 320 nestingly contained within an outer capsule 340. Each of outer capsule 340 and inner capsule 320 has a closed end 346, 326, at least one wall 342, 322 adjoining the closed end 346, 326 and extending from therefrom, and a sealed end 344, 324 adjoining the at least one wall 342, 322 opposite the closed end 346, 326, respectively. A closed chamber 308 for containing at least one material 110 and solvent 112 that becomes a supercritical fluid at HPHT within inner capsule 320 is defined by closed end 326, at least one wall 322, and sealed end 324. Baffle 114 dividing the chamber 308 into two portions may be optionally located within the inner capsule 320. Outer capsule 340 and inner capsule 320 may be formed from any of the deformable or cold-weldable materials previously disclosed. Additionally, the inner capsule 320 may be formed from either a fused silica or quartz or a glass such as, but not limited to, Pyrex®, Vycor® glass, borosilicate glass, aluminosilicate glass, soda lime glass, soda barium glass, soda zinc glass, lead glass, potash soda lead glass, potash lead glass, potash soda barium glass, or the like. Each of the at least one wall 322, sealed end 324, and closed end 326 of inner capsule 320 may have a thickness of between about 0.1 mm and about 10 mm. A spaced-apart relation exists between outer capsule 340 and inner capsule 320, such that a free space 330 exists between outer capsule 340 and inner capsule 320. The free space 330 may be at least partially filled with a pressure medium 332 to either equalize or counterbalance the pressure generated within inner capsule 320 under HPHT conditions where the solvent 112 becomes a supercritical fluid. Alternatively, pressure medium 332 may provide an overpressure so that inner capsule 320 is under a compressive or neutral stress, rather than under tension, during processing under HPHT conditions. Pressure medium 332 may comprise the same material as solvent 112 contained within inner capsule 320. Alternatively, pressure medium 332 may be any other substance, such as, but not limited to, water, carbon dioxide, ammonia, or the like, that forms a supercritical fluid under HPHT conditions. In another embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 2, capsule 200 includes an inert liner 220 to prevent or minimize chemical attack by the at least one material 110, solvent 112, or supercritical fluid. Inert liner 220 has a thickness of between about 10 microns and about 5 mm, and may comprise at least one of gold, platinum, rhodium, palladium, silver, iridium, ruthenium, osmium, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, molybdenum, niobium, zirconium, yttrium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, silica, and combinations thereof. Inert liner 220 is slidingly inserted into capsule 200 prior to introducing the at least one material 110 and solvent 112 into capsule 200. Capsule 200 may further include a diffusion barrier 240 disposed between the inert liner 220 and the inner surface of at least one of closed end 206, the at least one wall 202, and sealed end 204. Diffusion barrier 240 is formed from a material that is different from that of inert liner 220 and closed end 206, the at least one wall 202, and sealed end 204, and comprises at least one of nickel, rhodium, platinum, palladium, iridium, ruthenium, rhenium, tungsten, molybdenum, niobium, silver, iridium, tantalum, aluminum, boron oxide, boron nitride, boron carbide, aluminum, silicon, titanium, vanadium, chromium, yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum, a rare earth metal, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, and combinations thereof. Diffusion barrier 240 has a thickness of between about 10 nm and about 100 microns. Sealed end 104 is formed after introducing the at least one material 110 and solvent 112 into chamber 108. In one embodiment, prior to forming the sealed end, the at least one wall 102 and closed end 106 define an open chamber 108 into which the at least one material 110 and—optionally—baffle 114 are placed. The at least one material 110 to be processed in a supercritical fluid at high pressure and high temperature is added to the capsule inside a glove box or another controlled-atmosphere container. The at least one wall 102 is then coupled to a vacuum manifold (not shown) at a point opposite closed end 106. A solvent source, such as a vial or tank containing solvent 112, is also coupled to the vacuum manifold. The open chamber of the capsule is then evacuated to a predetermined pressure of less than about 1 torr and, preferably, less than about 1 millitorr. The open chamber is cooled to a temperature at which solvent 112 is either a solid or liquid. The vapor pressure of solvent 112 within the open chamber of the capsule is less than the vapor pressure of solvent 112 within the solvent source, and is preferably below about 760 torr. The open chamber may be cooled, for example, by contacting the external surfaces of closed end 106 and the at least one wall 102 with a cooling medium, such as, but not limited to, water, ice, an ice bath, dry ice, liquid nitrogen, and the like. Once the open chamber is sufficiently cooled, the solvent source is placed in fluid communication with the open chamber and solvent 112 is introduced into the open chamber by either condensation or injection. In one embodiment, the quantity of solvent that is condensed into the open chamber of the capsule 100 is metered by filling a known volume within the vacuum manifold with a known pressure of solvent. As solvent condenses in the open chamber of the capsule, the decrease in solvent pressure within the known volume is monitored. The amount of solvent condensed in the open chamber may then be calculated from the known volume and the change of solvent pressure. Alternatively, a mass flow controller (not shown) may be located between the solvent source and the open chamber of the capsule. The solvent vapor may then be allowed to pass from the solvent source through the mass flow controller to the open chamber at a fixed rate for a fixed period of time. The quantity of solvent vapor condensed within the open chamber can then be determined from the flow rate and time allowed for flow of the solvent into the open chamber. After a predetermined amount of solvent 112 has been introduced into the open chamber, sealed end 104 is formed at a point opposite closed end 106 while maintaining the open chamber either under vacuum or under the vapor pressure of the solvent. Once sealed, the closed chamber 108 within capsule 100 is substantially air-free, and the at least one material 110 contained therein can be processed with reduced risk of contamination. In one embodiment of the invention, sealed end 104 is formed by pinching off or collapsing a portion of the at least one wall 102 at a point opposite closed end 106 to form a weld. In both instances, the open chamber is maintained either under vacuum or with only the solvent vapor present until sealed end 104 is formed. If the at least one wall 102 is formed from a cold-weldable material, then pressure may be mechanically applied to points on an outer surface of the at least one wall 102 to pinch a portion of the inner surface of the at least one wall 102 together to form a cold-welded bond, thereby forming sealed end 104. Alternatively, sealed end 104 can be formed by heating a portion of the outer surface of the at least one wall 102 at a point opposite closed end 106 to collapse the portion of the at least one wall 102 and form a hot weld at the inner surface of the at least one wall 102 at that point. The hot weld may be formed by torch welding, arc welding, ultrasound welding, vibratory welding, or the like. Pinching or collapsing is preferred for forming the sealed end 104 when the opening to the open chamber is less than about 0.25 inch. For larger capsules, however, the formation of sealed end 104 by pinching or collapsing is more difficult. In addition, a capsule having a pinched-off seal often has a low symmetry shape that is difficult to pack into tooling used for HPHT processing. An embodiment comprising a sealingly insertable plug, described below, works well when the opening to the open chamber is between about 0.25 inch and about 1 inch. For still larger diameter capsules, the formation of sealed end 104 by cold-welding a plug is more difficult. Capsules having a diameter of greater than about 1 inch may be sealed by providing the at least one wall 602 with a cap or lid 640 having a fill tube 642 at a point opposite closed end 606, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Lid 640 and fill tube 642 are formed from at least one of copper, copper-based alloy, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, iron, iron-based alloy, nickel-based alloy, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, silica, alumina, or combinations thereof. After the at least one material 110 and—optionally—baffle 114 (not shown) have been placed in the open chamber 108 defined by the at least one wall 602 and closed end 606, lid 640 having an integral fill tube 642 is then joined to the at least one wall 602 opposite closed end 606, by a pipe thread seal, a metal-to-metal compression or gasket seal or, more preferably, by welding. Lid 640 is preferably sealed to the at least one wall 602 in either a vacuum or under a controlled atmosphere, such as a vacuum, the solvent vapor, or an unreactive gas, such as a noble gas (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe) or nitrogen, so as not to expose the at least one material 110 to air. If the at least one material 110 is heat sensitive, the closed end 606 and a bottom portion of the at least one wall 602 may be chilled during the sealing operation in order to maintain the at least one material 110 at a temperature below which any decomposition or other degradation of either the at least one material 110 or solvent 112 occurs. Fill tube 642, now joined to capsule 600, is then attached to a vacuum manifold (not shown) without exposing the at least one material 110 to air. A solvent source, such as a vial or tank containing solvent 112, is also coupled to the vacuum manifold. The open chamber is evacuated through fill tube 642 to a predetermined pressure of less than about 1 torr and, preferably, less than about 1 millitorr. The open chamber is cooled to a temperature at which solvent 112 is either a solid or liquid, and the vapor pressure of solvent 112 is less than that in the solvent source, preferably below 760 torr. Once the open chamber is sufficiently cooled, the solvent source is placed in fluid communication with the open chamber. Solvent 112 is then introduced into the open chamber by either condensation or injection. After a predetermined amount of solvent 112 has been introduced into the open chamber, fill tube 642 is then sealed by means of at least one of a pinch-off cold weld, a hot weld, a cold-welded plug, or the like to form the sealed end of the capsule. Once sealed, the chamber 608 within capsule 600 is substantially air-free, and the at least one material 110 contained therein can be processed with reduced risk of contamination. FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which sealed end 404 of capsule 400 is formed by sealingly inserting a plug 420 into the opening of the open chamber defined by the at least one wall 402 opposite closed end 406. Plug 420 is a cold-weldable material formed from at least one of copper, copper-based alloy, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, iron, iron-based alloy, nickel, nickel-based alloy, and combinations thereof. Plug 420 preferably has a diameter that tapers down to the diameter of chamber 408. After the at least one material 110 and optionally—baffle 114 (not shown) have been placed in the open chamber and a predetermined quantity of solvent 112 has been added, plug 420 is inserted into the opening of the open chamber defined by the at least one wall 402 opposite closed end 406, preferably in either a vacuum or under the vapor pressure of solvent 112 so as not to expose the at least one material 110 to air. Pressure is applied to cold weld plug 420 to a portion of an inner surface of the at least one wall 402 and thus form an airtight seal. An additional outer seal 440 may then be provided to sealed end 404 by cold welding, hot welding, swaging, compression, or the like. Outer seal 440 may be formed from at least one of copper, copper alloy, gold, silver, palladium, platinum; iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, vanadium, titanium, nickel, nickel alloys, stainless steel, other iron-based alloys, and combinations thereof. Outer seal 440 may comprise a complete outer capsule surrounding the inner capsule defined by closed end 406, at least one wall 402, and plug 420. Once sealed, the closed chamber 408 within capsule 400 is substantially air-free, and the at least one material 110 contained therein can be processed with reduced risk of contamination. FIG. 7 shows a filler/sealing assembly 700 for inserting plug 420 into the opening of the open chamber defined by the at least one wall 402 opposite closed end 406. The at least one material 110 to be processed in a supercritical fluid at high pressure and high temperature is added to the capsule 400 inside a glove box or other controlled-atmosphere container and transferred to filler/sealing assembly 700, which is also preferably located within the glove box. Filler/sealing assembly 700 permits plug 420 to be inserted in either a vacuum, under the vapor pressure of the solvent after filling, or under a controlled atmosphere, such as a noble gas (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe) or nitrogen. Closed end 406 and at least one wall 402 of capsule 400 are supported by mechanical support 704. Mechanical support 704 also includes: a base 705 for supporting capsule 400 and providing a vacuum seal; support sleeve 711; guide sleeve 707; and vacuum inlet 706. Ram 720 passes through guide sleeve 707 and inserts plug 402 into capsule 400, forming a airtight cold weld between plug 420 and a portion of an inner surface of the at least one wall 402. Inner chamber 708 is rendered airtight by static seals between support sleeve 711 and base 705 and between support sleeve 711 and guide sleeve 707 and by a linear-motion seal between ram 720 and guide sleeve 707. The seals may comprise either o-rings, which are preferably formed from silicone, or metal-to-metal seals. Linear motion can be achieved with metal seals by means of formed bellows. Filler/sealing assembly 700 is coupled to a vacuum manifold (not shown) through vacuum inlet 706 such that inner chamber 708 may be placed in fluid communication with the vacuum manifold. A solvent source (not shown), such as a vial or tank containing solvent 112, is also coupled to the vacuum manifold and may be placed in fluid communication with the vacuum manifold and, through vacuum inlet 706, inner chamber 708. Airtight inner chamber 708 is then placed in fluid communication with the vacuum manifold and evacuated to a predetermined pressure of less than about 1 torr and, preferably, less than about 1 millitorr. Base, plate 705, support sleeve 711, and capsule 400 are cooled to a temperature at which solvent 112 is either a solid or liquid, and the vapor pressure of solvent 112 within chamber 708 is less than that of the solvent source, preferably below 760 torr. Once the capsule 400 is sufficiently cooled, the solvent source is placed in fluid communication with inner chamber 708 through vacuum inlet 706 and solvent 112 is introduced into the open capsule by condensation. After a predetermined amount of solvent 112 has been introduced into the open capsule, a valve in the vacuum manifold is closed to prevent escape of solvent and assembly 700 is allowed to warm. Pressure is applied to ram 720 to insert plug 420 into the opening of the open chamber defined by the at least one wall 402 opposite closed end 406. The pressure applied by ram 720 to plug 420 is sufficient to cold weld plug 420 to the at least one wall 402 and thus create the sealed end 404 of capsule 400. Once sealed, the closed chamber 108 within capsule 400 is substantially air-free, and the at least one material 110 contained therein can be processed with reduced risk of contamination. The various embodiments of the capsule of the present invention, as described herein, are self-pressurizing. That is, the high pressures required for processing with supercritical fluids, rather than being externally applied to the capsule, are generated within the capsule itself. The capsule is self-pressurizable up to between about 1 atm (·1 bar) and about 80 kbar. In one embodiment, the capsule is pressurizable up to between about 5 kbar and about 80 kilobar. In another embodiment, self-pressurizing capsule 12 is pressurizable up to between about 5 kbar and about 60 kilobar. As the capsule 12 is heated, the vapor pressure of the solvent within capsule 12 increases. The vapor pressure of the solvent at a given temperature can be determined from the phase diagram of the solvent. At sufficiently high processing temperatures and pressures—such as, for example, above about 5 kbar and about 550° C. and, preferably, at pressures between 5 kbar and 80 kbar and temperatures between 550° C. and about 1500° C.—the solvent becomes a supercritical fluid. As the internal pressure within the capsule increases, the walls of the capsule deform outward and press against a pressure transmission medium. Because the pressure that is needed for processing with supercritical fluids is generated internally within the capsule itself, the capsule of the present invention does not require a conventional pressure device to externally supply high pressure. In such conventional pressure devices, the pressure response, which is defined as the percent increase in cell pressure divided by the percent increase in press force that produces the increased cell pressure relative to a reference operating condition, is typically high, ranging from near unity for piston cylinder presses to about 50% for belt-type presses and multi-anvil presses. Under such circumstances, precise control of the pressure applied to the capsule via the press force is required in order to prevent the capsule from either bursting or being crushed. In contrast to conventional pressure devices; the pressure device that is preferably used in conjunction with the capsule of the present invention need only provide a pressure sufficient to counterbalance the pressures generated within the capsule and prevent the capsule from bursting. The pressure device is a “zero stroke” HPHT apparatus, in which the pressure response is below 0.2, and, more preferably, below 0.05. A zero stroke HPHT apparatus is much easier to control in supercritical-fluid-processing applications, and is able to capture or contain the pressure generated within the capsule with little or no tendency to crush it. Although some stroking (e.g., an increase or decrease in the separation between the punches or anvils) may occur during operation, the extent of stroking is much smaller than in previous designs. Such a pressure device is described in the U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed on ______ 2001, by Mark Philip D'Evelyn et al. entitled “Improved Pressure Vessel,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The pressure vessel comprises the capsule disclosed in the present invention, a pressure transmission medium surrounding the capsule for maintaining an outer pressure on the capsule, a heating element insertable in the pressure transmission medium such that the heating element surrounds the capsule, a restraint to contain and hold in place the capsule, the pressure transmission medium, the heating element, and at least one seal between the restraint and the pressure transmission medium for preventing escape of the pressure transmission medium. The capsule may be used to process a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, high quality gallium nitride single crystals. Such gallium nitride single crystal are formed by: providing at least one gallium nitride source material to the chamber of the capsule; placing the chamber in fluid communication with a vacuum manifold and evacuating the chamber to a predetermined pressure; filling the chamber with a predetermined quantity of a solvent that becomes a supercritical fluid at high temperature and high pressure; sealing the open sealable end of the capsule; disposing the sealed capsule within a pressure vessel; and subjecting the capsule to high pressure, high temperature conditions in a zero stroke pressure device. For GaN, HPHT conditions include pressures greater than 5 kbar and temperatures of at least about 550° C. The following examples serve to illustrate the features and advantages offered by the present invention, and are not intended to limit the invention thereto. In particular, the examples illustrate the advantages of using a cold weldable plug (schematically shown in FIG. 4) to seal the capsule rather than forming a pa ched-off seal. Examples 1 and 2 describe capsules that have been sealed by forming a pinched-off seal, whereas Examples 3, 4, and 5 describe capsules that have each been sealed with a cold weldable plug. EXAMPLE 1 Approximately 0.015 g of GaN powder and 0.002 g of Li3N powder were mixed and pressed into a pill. The pill was inserted into a 0.175 inch diameter copper tube having a closed end and an open end. The open end of the copper tube was then attached to a vacuum manifold and evacuated. The gas manifold had two valves in series to allow the copper tube to be connected and disconnected from the manifold without exposing either the interior volume of the tube or the manifold to air. Approximately 0.048 g of NH3 was added to the copper tube by cooling the end of the tube with liquid nitrogen and condensing ammonia from the vacuum manifold. The quantity of ammonia added was determined by weighing the copper tube before and after filling. The open end of the copper tube was then pinched off using a hydraulic pinch-off press to form a capsule in which the only gas present within the capsule was the ammonia that had previously been condensed within the copper tube. The bottom portion of the capsule (i.e., the portion having the closed end) was placed in a salt (NaCl) sleeve. The sleeve and capsule were then placed in a steel die and additional salt was added to the die and pressed to form a dense cap over the irregularly-shaped pinched-off end of the capsule. The capsule/salt assembly was then placed inside a cell having a heater tube and the cell was inserted into a piston-cylinder press with a die having a 0.5 inch diameter. The cell was heated to approximately 500° C. at a pressure of about 8 kbar. The cell was held for 60 minutes at HPHT and then cooled and removed from the press. The capsule was removed from the cell by dissolving the salt in water. The capsule held only 0.035 g of ammonia, indicating that 27% of the ammonia was lost during processing under HPHT conditions. EXAMPLE 2 Approximately 3.25 g of pure water was added to a 0.5 inch diameter copper tube having a closed end and an open end. The tube was then pinched off to form a capsule as described in Example 1. The capsule was embedded in salt and the capsule/salt assembly was then inserted into a cell and placed in a zero-stroke HPHT vessel as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed on ______, 2001, by Mark Philip D'Evelyn et al., entitled “Improved Pressure Vessel”. The capsule was heated to 360° C. Based on the phase diagram of water, the pressure within the capsule was approximately 1.6 kbar. The capsule/salt assembly was cooled and removed from the press, and the capsule was recovered by dissolving the salt pressure transmission medium in water. The capsule was found to contain only 1.38 g of water, indicating that 58% of the water leaked from the capsule during processing under HPHT conditions. EXAMPLE 3 Approximately 0.21 g of GaN and 0.10 g of NH4F were added to a 0.5 inch diameter OFHC copper tube having a closed end and an open end. A plug having a beveled end for sealing the open end of the copper tube was machined from OFHC copper. To improve the chemical inertness of the capsule, both the plug and the interior of the copper tube were electroplated with a rhodium diffusion barrier and a gold coating, having thicknesses of 2 and 25 microns, respectively. Loading of the copper tube with GaN and NH4F was carried out under a nitrogen atmosphere within a glove box. A capsule filler/sealing assembly similar to that shown in FIG. 7 was also located within the glove box. The guide sleeve was fabricated by reaming a 11-inch″ Ultra Torr® Union through and welding a fill tube to the side. The support sleeve, having a 0.5 inch inner diameter, and top piston were fabricated from hardened tool steel, and the base flange was fabricated from stainless steel. Silicone o-rings provided both static and sliding seals. The copper capsule and plug were placed into the filler/sealing assembly in the glove box. The filler/sealing assembly was then sealed, thereby enclosing and sealing nitrogen from the glove box into the capsule. The assembly was removed from the glove box and attached to a vacuum manifold and evacuated. The base and support sleeve were cooled in a dry ice/acetone bath and the manifold was then pressurized with ammonia, which was then allowed to condense within the capsule inside the filler/sealing assembly. After the desired quantity of ammonia had condensed into the filler/sealing assembly, the filler/sealing assembly was again sealed, disconnected from the gas manifold, inserted into a small hydraulic press, and allowed to warm. The plug was then inserted into the open end of the capsule by applying pressure to the piston. The capsule was removed from the filler/sealing assembly and found by weight difference to hold 0.91 g of ammonia. The capsule was placed in a zero stroke HPHT apparatus and heated to about 650° C. for 18 hrs. Based on the phase diagram of ammonia and the amount of ammonia in the capsule, the pressure within the capsule was approximately 8 kbar. After cooling and recovery of the capsule from the cell, the capsule was found to contain approximately 0.84 g of ammonia; only 8% of the ammonia escaped from the capsule during processing under HPHT conditions. Thus, the escape of material from the capsule during HPHT processing was substantially mitigated by sealing the capsule with a cold-weldable plug and providing the capsule and plug with a gold coating and rhodium diffusion barrier. EXAMPLE 4 Approximately 0.58 g of GaN, 0.100 g NH4F, and 0.01 g Mg3N2 were added to a 0.5 inch diameter OFHC copper tube having a closed end and an open end. A plug having a beveled end for sealing the open end of the copper tube was machined from OFHC copper. To improve the chemical inertness of the capsule, both the plug and the interior of the copper tube were electroplated with a nickel diffusion barrier and a gold coating, having thicknesses of 2 and 25 microns, respectively. Loading of the copper tube with GaN and NH4F was carried out under a nitrogen atmosphere within a glove box. The capsule and plug were placed inside the filler/sealing assembly described in Example 3. A 0.5 inch diameter solid rod was placed in the support sleeve below the the capsule in the fill/seal assembly so that the top 0.4 inch of the capsule protruded from the top of the support sleeve. A steel ring, having an outer diameter of 0.675 inch, was placed over the open end of the capsule. The capsule and filler/sealing assembly were transferred to the gas manifold as described in Example 3 and filled with 1.00 g of ammonia. After moving the assembly to the press and warming, the plug was inserted into the open top end of the capsule, such that the steel ring surrounded the plug and provided reinforcement. The capsule was then removed from the filler/sealing assembly and inserted in the zero stroke HPHT apparatus described in Examples 2 and 3. The cell was heated to approximately 675° C. for 65 hours. Based on the ammonia fill and phase diagram, the pressure within the capsule under HPHT conditions was about 10 kbar. Upon recovery, the capsule was found to contain 1.00 g of ammonia, indicating that essentially no leakage of ammonia occurred. Thus, no escape of material from the capsule during HPHT processing was detected when the capsule was sealed with a cold-weldable plug, the capsule and plug were provided with a gold coating and nickel diffusion barrier, and the seal was reinforced by a steel ring. EXAMPLE 5 A capsule, having a 0.5 inch diameter, and a plug for sealing the open end of the capsule with a beveled end were machined from a rod of 99.99%-pure silver. Approximately 0.34 g of GaN and 0.10 g NH4F were added to the capsule and the capsule was enclosed within the filler/sealing assembly together with a 0.675 inch diameter steel ring as described in Example 4. The capsule and filler/sealing assembly were transferred to the gas manifold as described in Examples 3 and 4, and then filled with 1.00 g of ammonia. Next, the plug was inserted into the open top end of the capsule, such that the steel ring surrounded the plug and provided reinforcement. The capsule was then removed from the filler/sealing assembly and inserted in the zero stroke HPHT apparatus described in Examples 2-4. The cell was heated to approximately 625° C. for 127 hours. Based on the ammonia fill and phase diagram, the pressure within the capsule under HPHT conditions was about 9 kbar. Upon recovery of the capsule after the conclusion of the run, it was found to contain 1.0 g of ammonia, indicating that essentially no leakage of ammonia occurred. Thus, no detectable escape of material from the silver capsule during HPHT processing was observed when the capsule was sealed with a cold-weldable plug. While typical embodiments have been set forth for the purpose of illustration, the foregoing description should not be deemed to be a limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations, and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF INVENTION <EOH>The invention relates generally to a capsule to be used with pressure vessels. More particularly, the invention relates to a capsule used in conjunction with a high-pressure vessel for processing at least one material in a supercritical fluid. Supercritical fluids (also referred to hereinafter as “SCF”) may be used to process a wide variety of materials. Examples of SCF applications include extractions in supercritical carbon dioxide, the growth of quartz crystals in supercritical water, and the synthesis of a variety of nitrides in supercritical ammonia. Processes that employ supercritical fluids are generally performed at high pressure and high temperature (also referred hereinafter as “HPHT”) within a pressure vessel. Most conventional pressure vessels not only provide a source of mechanical support for the pressure applied to reactant materials and SCF, but also serve as a container for the supercritical fluid and material being processed. The processing limitations for such pressure vessels are typically limited to a maximum temperature in the range between about 550° C. and 750° C. and a maximum pressure in the range between about 2 kilobar (also referred hereinafter as “kbar”) and 5 kbar. Processing material with supercritical fluids requires a container or capsule that is both chemically inert and impermeable to the solvent and any gases that might be generated by the process. In one approach, the material to be processed, along with a solid or liquid that forms a supercritical fluid at elevated temperatures, is introduced into a capsule. The capsule is then sealed in air, placed in a high pressure apparatus, and heated. The solid (or liquid) decomposes upon heating to provide a supercritical fluid. When such a solid or liquid is used as the SCF source, however, decomposition products other than the supercritical fluid that remain in the reaction mixture may contaminate the reaction mixture. Additional contamination may also result from air introduced during filling of the capsule. In one method, air may be excluded from a capsule by placing the material to be processed into a fused silica tube having a closed end, evacuating the tube through a vacuum manifold, and condensing a solvent into the tube. The tube is then sealed, usually by welding, without exposing the contents of the capsule to air. Once the capsule is sealed, however, the material inside the tube cannot be processed at internal pressures greater than about 6 bar and temperatures higher than about 300° C., as the internal pressure generated by vaporization of the solvent will cause the sealed capsule to burst when heated to higher temperatures. An external pressure greater than or equal to the internal pressure can be provided by placing the capsule inside a pressure vessel and filling the space between the capsule and the pressure vessel with a solvent. However, as noted above, such pressure vessels are typically limited to a maximum temperature in the range between about 550° C. and 750° C. and a maximum pressure in the range between about 2 and 5 kbar. If the pressure, temperature, chemical-inertness, size, sealing, and cost limitations of currently available capsules could be extended, supercritical fluids could be used to process a wider range of materials. Therefore, what is needed is an improved capsule or container for processing of materials with supercritical fluids in an air-free environment. What is also needed is a capsule that can be utilized with a solvent that is gaseous at room temperature. What is further needed is a chemically inert capsule that may be used in conjunction with a pressure vessel that is capable of generating pressures greater than about 5 kbar and temperatures between about 550° C. and about 1500° C. What is further needed is a chemically inert capsule that can cost-effectively process materials on a larger scale.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF INVENTION <EOH>The present invention meets these and other needs by providing a high pressure, high temperature (also referred to herein as “HPHT”) capsule for containing at least one reactant and a supercritical fluid in a substantially air-free environment. The HPHT capsule is chemically inert with respect to the at least one material and the supercritical fluid. The present invention also includes methods of filling and sealing the HPHT capsule, as well as an apparatus for sealing the HPHT capsule. Accordingly, one aspect of the invention is to provide a high pressure, high temperature capsule for containing at least one material and a solvent that becomes a supercritical fluid in a substantially air-free environment. The capsule comprises: a closed end; at least one wall adjoining the closed end and extending therefrom; and a sealed end adjoining the at least one wall opposite the closed end, wherein the at least one wall, closed end, and sealed end define a chamber therein for containing the at least one material and solvent. The capsule is formed from a deformable material and is fluid impermeable and chemically inert with respect to the at least one material and the supercritical fluid. A second aspect of the invention is to provide a plug for sealing a high pressure, high temperature capsule for containing at least one material and a supercritical fluid in a substantially air-free environment. The capsule has at least one wall, a closed end, and a sealed end defining a chamber therein for containing the at least one material and supercritical fluid. The plug comprises a cold-weldable material and is sealingly insertable in an open end of the capsule. The sealed end of the capsule is formed by inserting the plug into the open end and cold welding the plug to the capsule. A third aspect of the invention is to provide a high pressure, high temperature capsule for containing at least one material and a solvent that becomes a supercritical fluid in a substantially air-free environment. The capsule comprises: a closed end; at least one wall adjoining the closed end and extending therefrom; and a sealed end adjoining the at least one wall opposite the closed end, wherein the at least one wall, closed end, and sealed end define a chamber therein for containing the at least one material and solvent. The sealed end comprises a plug that is cold-welded to the at least one wall of the capsule. The capsule is formed from a deformable cold-weldable material and is fluid impermeable and chemically inert with respect to the at least one material and the supercritical fluid. A fourth aspect of the invention is to provide a method of filling a capsule with at least one material and a solvent that becomes a supercritical fluid in a substantially air-free environment. The capsule has at least one wall, a closed end, and an open sealable end defining a chamber therein for containing the at least one material and the solvent. The method comprises the steps of: providing the capsule; providing the at least one material to the chamber; providing a solvent source, wherein the solvent source contains the solvent that becomes a supercritical fluid at high pressure and high temperature and is connectable to a vacuum manifold; connecting the solvent source to the vacuum manifold; placing the chamber of the capsule in fluid communication with the vacuum manifold and evacuating the chamber to a predetermined pressure; cooling the chamber to a temperature below a predetermined temperature; placing the chamber and the solvent source in fluid communication with each other through the vacuum manifold; and providing a portion of the solvent into the chamber, thereby filling the open-ended capsule to a predetermined level. A fifth aspect of the invention is to provide a method of sealing a high pressure, high temperature capsule containing at least one material and a solvent that becomes a supercritical fluid at high pressure and high temperature in a substantially air-free environment. The capsule has at least one wall, a closed end, and an open sealable end defining a chamber therein for containing the at least one material and solvent. The method comprises the steps of: providing the capsule containing the at least one material; placing the chamber of the capsule in communication with a vacuum manifold and evacuating the chamber to a predetermined pressure; filling the chamber with a predetermined quantity of the solvent; and sealing the open sealable end of the capsule. A sixth aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for sealing a high pressure, high temperature capsule with a cold-weldable plug to form a substantially air-free chamber within the capsule. The apparatus comprises: a movable ram for inserting the cold-weldable plug into an open sealable end of the capsule; a mechanical support for supporting the capsule and guiding the ram, wherein the mechanical support and the ram form an air-tight inner chamber; and a vacuum inlet passing through the mechanical support to the air-tight inner chamber, wherein the vacuum inlet provides fluid communication between the air-tight inner chamber and a vacuum manifold. The cold-weldable plug is cold-welded to at least one wall of the capsule when the cold-weldable plug is inserted into the open sealable end and a pressure is applied to the ram. A seventh aspect of the invention is to provide a gallium nitride single crystal. The gallium nitride single crystal is formed by: providing at least one gallium nitride source material to a high pressure, high temperature capsule, the capsule having at least one wall, a closed end, and an open sealable end defining a chamber therein for containing the at least one material and a solvent that becomes a supercritical fluid at high temperature and high pressure; placing the chamber of the capsule in communication with a vacuum manifold and evacuating the chamber to a predetermined pressure; filling the chamber with a predetermined quantity of the solvent; sealing the open sealable end of the capsule; disposing the sealed capsule within a pressure vessel comprising a pressure transmission medium surrounding the capsule for maintaining an outer pressure on the capsule, a heating element insertable in the pressure transmission medium such that the heating element surrounds the capsule, a restraint to contain and hold in place the capsule, the pressure transmission medium, the heating element, and at least one seal between the restraint and the pressure transmission medium; and subjecting the capsule to high pressure, high temperature conditions, wherein the solvent contained within the sealed capsule becomes a supercritical fluid and generates a predetermined pressure within the sealed capsule, and wherein the supercritical fluid reacts with the at least one gallium nitride source material to form the gallium nitride single crystal. These and other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
20041210
20091201
20050714
81705.0
1
RAO, G NAGESH
HIGH TEMPERATURE HIGH PRESSURE CAPSULE FOR PROCESSING MATERIALS IN SUPERCRITICAL FLUIDS
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,010,402
ACCEPTED
Wireless tag system, wireless tag access control device, wireless tag access control method, wireless tag access control program and wireless tag
A wireless tag system does not require any anti-collision process or, if an anti-collision process is required, can reduce the number of tags that need to participate in the anti-collision process to make the anti-collision process proceeds fast. The wireless tag system comprises a plurality of wireless slave tags which have respective unique IDs, a plurality of wireless master tags arranged for the slave tags and storing the unique IDs of the slave tags and a wireless tag access control device which accesses the master tags to acquire the unique IDs of the slave tags from the master tags and subsequently accessing the slave tags by using the acquired unique IDs of the slave tags.
1. A wireless tag system comprising: a plurality of wireless slave tags which have respective unique IDs; a plurality of wireless master tags arranged for said slave tags and storing the unique IDs of said slave tags; and a wireless tag access control device which accesses said master tags to acquire the unique IDs of said slave tags from said master tags and subsequently accesses said slave tags by using the acquired unique IDs of the slave tags. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein dedicated commands are defined respectively for said master tags and said slave tags and said wireless tag access control device selectively accesses either said master tags or said slave tags by using the corresponding one of said dedicated commands. 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein group addresses are defined respectively for said master tags and said slave tags and said wireless tag access control device selectively accesses either said master tags or said slave tags by specifying the corresponding one of said group addresses. 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of combinations of a master tag and slave tags are provided and at least a super master tag storing the unique IDs of said plurality of master tags is provided for said plurality of master tags; and said wireless tag access control device being adapted to access said super master tag in order to acquire the unique IDs of said plurality of master tags and access said master tags by using the acquired unique IDs of the master tags. 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said master tag and at least one of said slave tag are combined to operate as a single tag and the unique IDs of the slave tags stored in said master tags include its own unique IDs. 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said master tag is facsimiled in numbers and the facsimiled master tags are identifiable. 7. The system according to 1, wherein said master tags store positional information of the slave tags in correspondence to the unique IDs of the slave tags stored in said master tags. 8. A wireless tag access control device which accesses wireless tags comprising: a unique ID acquiring section which accesses at least a master tag provided for a plurality of slave tags and acquiring the unique IDs of the slave tags stored in the master tag; and a slave tag accessing section which accesses the slave tags by using the unique IDs of the slave tags acquired by the unique ID acquiring section. 9. The device according to claim 8, wherein dedicated commands are defined respectively for said master tags and said slave tags so that accesses either said master tags or said slave tags are selectively accessed by using the corresponding one of said dedicated commands. 10. The device according to claim 8, wherein group addresses are defined respectively for said master tags and said slave tags so that either said master tags or said slave tags are selectively accessed by specifying the corresponding one of said group addresses. 11. The device according to claim 8, further comprising: a positional information acquiring section for acquires positional information of said slave tags corresponding to the acquired unique IDs of the slave tags; and said device being adapted to access the slave tags according to the unique IDs and the positional information. 12. A wireless tag access control method which accesses a plurality of wireless tags, said method being adapted to provide at least a master tag storing the unique IDs of a plurality of slave tags which have respective unique IDs, said method comprising: a slave tag UID acquiring step which accesses the master tag and acquiring the unique IDs of the plurality of slave tags stored in the master tag; and a slave tag accessing step which accesses the slave tags by using the acquired unique IDs of the slave tags. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein dedicated commands are defined respectively for said master tags and said slave tags; and either said master tags or said slave tags are selectively accessed by using the corresponding one of said dedicated commands. 14. The method according to claim 12, wherein group addresses are defined respectively for said master tags and said slave tags; and either said master tags or said slave tags are selectively accessed by specifying the corresponding one of said group addresses. 15. The method according to claim 12, wherein a plurality of combinations of a master tag and slave tags are provided and at least a super master tag storing the unique IDs of said plurality of master tags is provided for said plurality of master tags; and said wireless tag access control method being adapted to access said super master tag in order to acquire the unique IDs of said plurality of master tags and access said master tags by using the acquired unique IDs of the master tags. 16. The method according to claim 12, wherein at least a master tag is facsimiled in numbers from the master tags and slave tags and the facsimiled master tags are identifiable; and each tag is identified and selectively accessed. 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein an identifying section is provided for each tag to indicate the tag to be in use or not in use; and, when an unusable state is detected for at least one of the facsimiled master tags, the information stored in the master tag detected as unusable and the other facsimiled master tags is written in the facsimiled master tags not in use and the tags in which the information is written are indicated to be in use by the identifying section so as to make said other master tags and said master tag facsimiled master tags. 18. A wireless tag access control program which causes a computer to execute a wireless tag access control method which accesses a plurality of wireless tags, said program being adapted to provide at least a master tag storing the unique IDs of a plurality of slave tags which have respective unique IDs, said program comprising: a slave tag UID acquiring step which accesses the master tag and acquiring the unique IDs of the plurality of slave tags stored in the master tag; and a slave tag accessing step which accesses the slave tags by using the acquired unique IDs of the slave tags. 19. The program according to claim 18, wherein dedicated commands are defined respectively for said master tags and said slave tags; and a computer is caused to selectively access either said master tags or said slave tags by using the corresponding one of said dedicated commands. 20. A wireless tag comprising a wireless antenna and a memory section and adapted to be accessed by a read/write device by means of a wireless signal; said wireless tag storing unique IDs of wireless tags other than itself in the memory section so that they may be accessed by said read/write device by means of the unique IDs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a wireless tag system adapted to communications between a plurality of wireless tags (to be also referred to as IC tags hereinafter) and a read/write device and also to a wireless tag access control device, a wireless tag access control method, a wireless tag access control program and a tag that can be used for such a wireless tag system. 2. Description of Related Art As a result of the rapid development of IC technologies in recent years, wireless tag systems using ICs have become very popular and are currently spreading very fast (see, inter alia, Patent Document 1: Jpn. Pat. Appln. Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-196360). With such a wireless tag system, a plurality of wireless tags are attached to respective objects that have to be held under control so that any of the tags can be accessed by way of a read/write device in order to read information from and/or write information to it, thereby systematizing and facilitating the operation of controlling the objects of control. When accessing a wireless tag (to be referred to simply as tag hereinafter), the read/write device firstly operates for an anti-collision process and acquires the unique IDs (to be referred to as UIDs hereinafter) of the tags of the system. Subsequently, it accesses the tag by using the acquired UID of the tag. FIG. 21 of the accompanying drawings is a flow chart of the operation of the read/write device for an anti-collision process. Referring to FIG. 21, the read/write device firstly transmits a group select command to the tags and waits for acknowledgements from the tags (Step S1). Then, it determines if it has properly received acknowledgements from the tags and acquired the UIDs of the tags (Step S2). If it is determined that the read/write device has properly acquired the UIDs (Step S2, Yes), the device transmits a read command (READ) to the tags and receives an acknowledgement from the tags (Step S3). Thereafter, the tags do not respond to any Fail command nor to any Success command from the read/write device. Then, the read/write device determines if it has received acknowledgements consecutively for not less than a predetermined number of times (Step S4). If it is determined that it has not received acknowledgements for a predetermined number of times (Step S4, Yes), the read/write device terminates the process. If, on the other hand, it is determined that it has received acknowledgements for the predetermined number of times (Step S4, No), the read/write device transmits a Success command and receives an acknowledgement from the tags (Step S5). On the other hand, if it is determined that the read/write device has not properly acquired the UIDs (Step S2, No), the read/write device determines if it has not received acknowledgements because there were collisions of acknowledgements from the tags (Step S6). If, on the other hand, it is determined that the read/write device has received acknowledgements (Step S6, Yes), it transmits a Fail command to the tags and receives an acknowledgement from the tags (Step S7). If it is determined that the read/write device has not received acknowledgements because there were collisions of acknowledgements from the tags (Step S6, No), it determines if it has not received an acknowledgement from any of the tags or not (Step S8). If it is determined that the read/write device has not received an acknowledgement from any of the tags (Step S8, No), it terminates the process. However, if the read/write device has received at least an acknowledgement (Step S8, Yes), it proceeds to the above described processing operation of Step S4 and that of Step S5. FIG. 22 of the accompanying drawings is a flow chart of the operation of a tag for an anti-collision process from the start of power supply. Firstly, as power is supplied, the tag turns its mode of operation to a ready mode (Step S21). Then, it determines if it has received a command from the read/write device (Step S22). If it is determined that the tag has not received any command (Step S22, No), it repeats the processing operation of Step S22. If, on the other hand, it is determined that the tag has received a command (Step S22, Yes), the tag determines if it has received a group select command or not (Step S23). If it is determined that the tag has received a group select command (Step S23, Yes), it turns its mode of operation to an ID mode (Step S24) and then returns to the ready mode. If, on the other hand, it is determined that the tag has not received a group select command (Step S23, No), the tag determines if its mode of operation is an ID mode or not (Step S25). If it is determined that the mode of operation is an ID mode (Step S25, Yes), the tag further determines if it has received a fail command or not (Step S26). If it is determined that the tag has not received a fail command (Step S26, No), it determines if it has received a success command or not (Step S27). If it is determined that the tag has received a success command (Step S27, Yes), it updates the reading of the counter in the tag by decrementing the reading by −1 (Step S28) and determines if the reading of the counter in the tag is 0 or not (Step S29). If it is determined that the reading of the counter in the tag is 0 (Step S29, Yes), the tag transmits its own UID (unique ID) to the read/write device (Step S30). If, on the other hand, it is determined that the tag has received a fail command (Step S26, Yes) as a result of the operation of determining if it has received a fail command or not (Step S26), it determines if the reading of the counter in the tag is 0 or not (Step S31) and, if it is determined that the reading of the counter in the tag is 0 (Step S31, Yes), the tag updates the reading of the counter by incrementing it by +1 (Step S32). If, on the other hand, it is determined in Step S31 that the reading of the counter in the tag is not 0 (Step S31, No), the tag generates a random number of 1 or 0 (Step S33) and determines if the generated random number is −0 or not (Step S34). If it is determined that the generated random number is −0 (Step S34, Y), the tag transmits its own UID to the read/write device (Step S35). Thus, with an anti-collision process as described above, it is possible for the read/write device to acquire the UID of each tag, while preventing mutual interferences of a plurality of tags. In order to prevent collisions, an anti-collision process as described above is conducted while restricting the transmission of tag UIDs for part of the tags and the process is repeated until the read/write device receives the UIDs of all the tags. Therefore, the processing operation proceeds fast when the number of tags is small because the probability of collisions is low. However, as the number tags increases, the number of times of repeating the process has to be raised in order to prevent collisions and hence the process is accompanied by a problem that a considerably long time is required before acquiring the UIDs of all the tag. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above identified problem hitherto known, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a wireless tag system that does not require any anti-collision process or, if an anti-collision process is required, can reduce the number of tags that need to participate in the anti-collision process to make the anti-collision process proceeds fast along with a wireless tag access control device, a wireless tag access control method, a wireless tag access control program and a tag that can be used for such a wireless tag system. In an aspect of the present invention, the above object is achieved by providing a wireless tag system comprising: a plurality of wireless slave tags which have respective unique IDs; a plurality of wireless master tags arranged for the slave tags and storing the unique IDs of the slave tags; and a wireless tag access control device which accesses the master tags to acquire the unique IDs of the slave tags from the master tags and subsequently accessing the slave tags by using the acquired unique IDs of the slave tags. Preferably, in a wireless tag system according to the present invention, dedicated commands are defined respectively for the master tags and the slave tags and the wireless tag access control device selectively accesses either the master tags or the slave tags by using the corresponding one of the dedicated commands. Preferably, in a wireless tag system according to the present invention, group addresses are defined respectively for the master tags and the slave tags and the wireless tag access control device selectively accesses either the master tags or the slave tags by specifying the corresponding one of the group addresses. Preferably, in a wireless tag system according to the present invention, a plurality of combinations of a master tag and slave tags are provided and at least a super master tag storing the unique IDs of the plurality of master tags is provided for the plurality of master tags, the wireless tag access control device being adapted to access the super master tag in order to acquire the unique IDs of the plurality of master tags and access the master tags by using the acquired unique IDs of the master tags. Preferably, in a wireless tag system according to the present invention, at least one of the master tag and at least one of the slave tag are combined to operate as a single tag and the unique IDs of the slave tags stored in the master tags include its own unique IDs. Preferably, in a wireless tag system according to the present invention, the master tag is facsimiled in numbers and the facsimiled master tags are identifiable. Preferably, in a wireless tag system according to the present invention, the master tags store positional information of the slave tags in correspondence to the unique IDs of the slave tags stored in the master tags. In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless tag access control device which accesses wireless tags comprising: a unique ID acquiring section which accesses at least a master tag provided for a plurality of slave tags and acquiring the unique IDs of the slave tags stored in the master tag; and a slave tag accessing section which accesses the slave tags by using the unique IDs of the slave tags acquired by the unique ID acquiring section. Preferably, in a wireless tag access control device according to the present invention, dedicated commands are defined respectively for the master tags and the slave tags so that accesses either the master tags or the slave tags are selectively accessed by using the corresponding one of the dedicated commands. Preferably, in a wireless tag access control device according to the present invention, group addresses are defined respectively for the master tags and the slave tags so that either the master tags or the slave tags are selectively accessed by specifying the corresponding one of the group addresses. Preferably, a wireless tag access control device according to the present invention further comprises a positional information acquiring section for acquires positional information of the slave tags corresponding to the acquired unique IDs of the slave tags, the device being adapted to access the slave tags according to the unique IDs and the positional information. In still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless tag access control method which accesses a plurality of wireless tags, the method being adapted to provide at least a master tag storing the unique IDs of a plurality of slave tags which have respective unique IDs, the method comprising: a slave tag UID acquiring step which accesses the master tag and acquiring the unique IDs of the plurality of slave tags stored in the master tag; and a slave tag accessing step which accesses the slave tags by using the acquired unique IDs of the slave tags. Preferably, in a wireless tag access control method according to the present invention, dedicated commands are defined respectively for the master tags and the slave tags so that either the master tags or the slave tags are selectively accessed by using the corresponding one of the dedicated commands. Preferably, in a wireless tag access control method according to the present invention, group addresses are defined respectively for the master tags and the slave tags so that either the master tags or the slave tags are selectively accessed by specifying the corresponding one of the group addresses. Preferably, in a wireless tag access control method according to the present invention, a plurality of combinations of a master tag and slave tags are provided and at least a super master tag storing the unique IDs of the plurality of master tags is provided for the plurality of master tags, the wireless tag access control method being adapted to access the super master tag in order to acquire the unique IDs of the plurality of master tags and access the master tags by using the acquired unique IDs of the master tags. Preferably, in a wireless tag access control method according to the present invention, at least a master tag is facsimiled in numbers from the master tags and slave tags and the facsimiled master tags are identifiable so that each tag is identified and selectively accessed. Preferably, in a wireless tag access control method according to the present invention, an identifying section is provided for each tag to indicate the tag to be in use or not in use so that, when an unusable state is detected for at least one of the facsimiled master tags, the information stored in the master tag detected as unusable and the other facsimiled master tags is written in the facsimiled master tags not in use and the tags in which the information is written are indicated to be in use by the identifying section so as to make the other master tags and the master tag facsimiled master tags. In still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless tag access control program which causes a computer to execute a wireless tag access control method which accesses a plurality of wireless tags, the program being adapted to provide at least a master tag storing the unique IDs of a plurality of slave tags which have respective unique IDs, the program comprising: a slave tag UID acquiring step which accesses the master tag and acquiring the unique IDs of the plurality of slave tags stored in the master tag; and a slave tag accessing step which accesses the slave tags by using the acquired unique IDs of the slave tags. Preferably, in a wireless tag access control computer program according to the present invention, dedicated commands are defined respectively for the master tags and the slave tags so as to cause a computer to selectively access either the master tags or the slave tags by using the corresponding one of the dedicated commands. In still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless tag comprising a wireless antenna and a memory section and adapted to be accessed by a read/write device by means of a wireless signal; the wireless tag storing unique IDs of wireless tags other than itself in the memory section so that they may be accessed by the read/write device by means of the unique IDs. Thus, the invention provides an advantage that no anti-collision process is required or, if an anti-collision process is required, the number of tags that need to participate in the anti-collision process can be remarkably reduced to make the anti-collision process proceeds fast. This advantage becomes even more remarkable particularly in a situation where a large number of slave tags, or thousands to tens of thousands of slave tags, have to be processed because it is not necessary for a read/write device to collectively store the UIDs of such large number of slave tags. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a first embodiment of wireless tag system according to the invention, illustrating the overall configuration thereof; FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a master tag and a slave tag, showing the configuration thereof; FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the operation of the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a conceptual illustration of a second embodiment; FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the operation of the second embodiment; FIG. 6 is a conceptual illustration of a third embodiment; FIG. 7 is flow charts of the operation of the third embodiment; FIG. 8 is a conceptual illustration of a fourth embodiment; FIG. 9 is a flow chart of the operation of the fourth embodiment; FIG. 10 is an illustration of the command format of a fifth embodiment; FIG. 11 is a conceptual illustration of a sixth embodiment; FIG. 12 is a flow chart of the operation of the sixth embodiment; FIG. 13 is a conceptual illustration of a seventh embodiment; FIG. 14 is a conceptual illustration of an eighth embodiment; FIG. 15 is a conceptual illustration of a ninth embodiment; FIG. 16 is a flow chart of the operation of the ninth embodiment; FIG. 17 is a conceptual illustration of a tenth embodiment; FIG. 18 is a flow chart of the operation of the tenth embodiment; FIG. 19 is a conceptual illustration of the processing operation for updating the data on the slave tags registered in a master tag; FIG. 20 is a conceptual illustration of the processing operation for initializing slave tags and master tags; FIG. 21 is a flow chart of the operation of a read/write device in a conventional anti-collision process; and FIG. 22 is a flow chart of the operation of a tag in a conventional anti-collision process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Now, the present invention will be described in greater detail by referring to the accompanying drawings that illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the first embodiment of wireless tag system according to the invention, illustrating the overall configuration thereof. Referring to FIG. 1, the wireless tag system comprises a plurality of slave tags 1, at least a master tag 2 arranged for the plurality of slave tags 1, a read/write device (R/W) 3 adapted to access the master tag 2 and the slave tags 1 and communicate with any of them, a PC 4 that controls the read/write device 3 and a server 5 connected to the PC 4 and adapted to provide the PC 4 with necessary information. The plurality of slave tags 1 respectively have own UIDs (UID1A through UID6A). The master tag 2 stores the UIDs (UID1A through UID6A) of the slave tags 1 and is adapted to transmit the UIDs of all the slave tags 1 in response to a request from the read/write device 3. The read/write device 3 can receive the transmitted UIDs and transfer them to the PC 4. The master tag 2 can delete or replace any of the stored UIDs and add one or more than one new UIDs in response to a request from the read/write device 3. Each of the slave tags 1 stores predetermined management information on the objects of management (e.g., wears, books, building components, packages) (not shown) so as to be readable/writable to the read/write device 3 in addition to its own UID. Preferably, the slave tags 1 are arranged within the communicable area of the read/write device 3 with the master tag 2 and attached respectively to objects of management, for example. The PC 4, the read/write device 3 or the PC 4 and the read/write device 3 in combination operates as wireless tag access control device according to the invention that can access the wireless tags (slave tags 1, master tag 2). While a plurality of slave tags 1 are provided in this embodiment, the present invention is applicable to a a system that comprises a single slave tag 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a master tag and a slave tag, showing the configuration thereof. Each of the tags 1, 2 comprises a tag chip (IC chip) 6 and a loop antenna 7. The tag chip 6 by turns comprises an analog/digital converter 8 for converting an analog signal such as radio signal into a digital signal for internal processing, a command analyzing/processing section 9 for analyzing a command and carrying out a predetermined processing operation and a memory section 10. In the master tag 2, the memory section 10 stores the UID of the tag, the above described UIDs (UID1A through UID6A) of the slave tags 1 and other necessary pieces of information. The slave tag 1 stores predetermined management information in addition to its own UID. The memory section 10 also stores address information on the each of the tags. Now, the operation of the first embodiment will be described by referring to the flow chart of FIG. 3 in terms of the processing operation that is carried out by the tag access control device (the read/write device and the PC) to access the slave tags 1. Firstly, the tag access control device transmits a data read command to the master tag 2, using the UID of the master tag 2 (Step S101). After receiving data from the master tag 2 (Step S102, Yes), it acquires the UIDs of all the slave tags 1 stored in the memory section 10 of the master tag 2 (Step S103). Then, it transmits a data read/write command to the slave tags 1, using the acquired UIDs of the slave tags 1, (Step S104). When the read/write operation relating to all the slave tags 1 is completed (Step S105, No), it ends the processing operation. Thus, with the above-described first embodiment, it is possible to acquire the UIDs of the slave tags without carrying out an anti-collision processing operation relative to the slave tags by acquiring the UIDs of the slave tags from the master tag 2 and access the slave tags 1 to remarkably improve the efficiency of the management. Note that, in a wireless tag access control device according to the invention, a UID acquiring section is responsible for Step S101 through Step S103, whereas a slave tag accessing section is responsible for Step S104. When a single master tag 2 is provided, it is accessed by using its own UID. If there are a plurality of master tags 2, either an anti-collision processing operation is carried out or a group address is used as will be described hereinafter. However, according to the invention, it is possible to dramatically reduce the number of necessary tags if compared with an arrangement where an anti-collision processing operation needs to be carried out for all the slave tags. Therefore, it may be clear that the present invention can carry out the anti-collision processing operation remarkably quickly. Second Embodiment In the second embodiment, dedicated commands are provided in order to discriminate the access to the master tag and the access to the slave tags. FIG. 4 is a conceptual illustration of the second embodiment. In FIG. 4, (a) shows a situation where a single master tag 2 and a plurality of slave tags 1 exist. It is necessary to firstly access the master tag 2 in order to acquire the UIDs of the slave tags stored in the master tag 2. The master tag 2 can be accessed efficiently by separately preparing an access command which accesses the master tag 2 and an access command which accesses the slave tags. This arrangement provides an additional managemental advantage that, when the slave tags need to be accessed, they can be accessed without involving the master tag. In FIG. 4, (b) shows an example of command format. With this format, the master tag 2 is selected when the command code is “0x00” so that all the subsequent commands are regarded as those solely for the master tag 2. On the other hand, the slave tags 1 are selected when the command code is “0x01” so that all the subsequent commands are regarded as those solely for the slave tags 1. Referring to FIG. 5 illustrating a flow chart of the operation of the second embodiment, as a processing operation for selecting a command is started, it is determined if the coming communication is to be held with the master tag or not (Step S111). If the coming communication is to be held with the master tag (Step S111, Yes), the command for the master tag is selected (Step S112) and the selected command is transmitted (Step S113). If, on the other hand, the coming communication is to be held not with the master tag but with the slave tags (Step S111, No), the command for the slave tags is selected (Step S114) and the selected command is transmitted (Step S113). Third Embodiment In the third embodiment, group addresses are provided so as to be able to identify the master tag and the slave tags which accesses. FIG. 6 is a conceptual illustration of the third embodiment. Referring to FIG. 6, (a) shows an example of command format. If the command code is “0x00” and the group address is “10” while the data is “0x80”, it is clearly seen from (b) of FIG. 6 that the data “0x80” stored at address “10” is carried by tag B. Thus, it is possible to tell if a given command is for the master tag or for the slave tags by using group addresses as described above to a great advantage of improving the efficiency of management. FIG. 7 is flow charts of the operation of the third embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, (a) shows a flow chart for the access control device, whereas (b) shows a flow chart for the tags. As shown in (a) of FIG. 7, when a processing operation is started, the wireless tag access control device determines if the coming communication is for the master tag or not (Step S121). If it is determined that the coming communication is for the master tag (Step S121, Yes), the wireless tag access control device selects the group address for identifying the master tag (Step S122) and then selects and transmits the command (Step S123). If, on the other hand, it is determined that the coming communication is not for the master tag (Step S121, No), the wireless tag access control device selects the group address for identifying the slave tags (Step S124) and proceeds to Step S123. Now, referring to (b) of FIG. 7 showing a flow chart for the tags, firstly it is determined if the group address is for its own group or not (Step S131). If it is determined that the group address is for its own group (Step S131, Yes), the tag or each of the tags analyzes the command and carries out a corresponding processing operation (Step S132). If, on the other hand, it is determined that the group address is not for its own group (Step S131, No), it simply terminates the operation. Fourth Embodiment Fourth embodiment is adapted to an arrangement where there are more than one groups of a master tag and slave tags. In the fourth embodiment, a dedicated command is provided so that only the master tag of each group may participate in the anti-collision processing operation. FIG. 8 is a conceptual illustration of a fourth embodiment. Referring to FIG. 8, (a) shows that there are more than one groups (two in the illustrated instance), or groups G1, G2, of a master tag and slave tags. In this case, it is necessary to firstly carry out an anti-collision processing operation for the master tags 2 in order to acquire the UIDs of the master tags for the purpose of acquiring the UIDs of the slave tags. When carrying out the anti-collision processing operation, the UIDs of the master tags can be acquired with ease if it is possible to discriminate the tags (master tags) that need to participate in the anti-collision processing operation from the slave tags. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a command which causes only the master tags to participate in the anti-collision processing operation. In FIG. 8, (b) shows an example of command format. Only the master tags are put into a mode for participating in the anti-collision processing operation when the command is “0x00”. On the other hand, only the slave tags are put into a mode for participating in the anti-collision processing operation when the command is “0x01”. FIG. 9 is a flow chart of the operation of the fourth embodiment. Firstly, as the anti-collision processing operation is started only for the master tags, the command for specifying the master tags for the anti-collision processing operation is selected (Step S141) and the selected command is transmitted (Step S142) to end the processing operation. Fifth Embodiment Fifth embodiment corresponds to the third embodiment in the sense that, where there are a plurality of groups of a master tag and slave tags, a group address is used to specify the master tag of a groups as shown in (a) of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is an illustration of the command format of the fifth embodiment. Referring to FIG. 10, if the command code, the group address and the data for the group are respectively “0x00”, “10” and “0x80”, only the tag whose group address and data are respectively “10” and “0x80” can be selected as master tag. In the wireless tag access control device, as the processing operation of the step of specifying the master tag is carried, that of the step of selecting the group address of the master tag and that of the step of transmitting the command which have the group address are carried out sequentially. Sixth Embodiment Sixth embodiment is adapted to accommodate a situation where there are a plurality of master tags as in the case of a plurality of groups of a master tag and slave tags by providing a super master tag that stores the UIDs of the master tags. Assume that there are groups G1, G2 of a master tag and slave tags as shown in FIG. 11. Then, a super master tag 11 is provided to store the UIDs of the master tags 2. Then, referring to FIG. 12, the wireless tag access control device firstly accesses the super master tag 11 and acquires the UIDs (UID(0), UID(1)) of the plurality of master tags 2 (Step S151) and subsequently accesses the master tags by using the acquired UIDs of the master tags to acquire the UIDs of the slave tags stored in each master tag (Step S152). Thus, with the sixth embodiment, it is not necessary to carry out an anti-collision processing operation if there are a plurality of master tags so that the processing operation proceeds fast to a great advantage of management. Seventh Embodiment In the seventh embodiment, one of the slave tags is used as master tag. In other words, one of the slave tags operates both as master tag and slave tag. FIG. 13 is a conceptual illustration of the seventh embodiment. Referring to FIG. 13, the master tag stores the UIDs of a plurality of slave tags and one of the UIDs is the UID of the master tag. With this arrangement, the master tag registers its own UID both as that of a slave tag and as that of the master tag so that it can operate as slave tag. Eighth Embodiment In eighth embodiment, the master tag is facsimiled in numbers (e.g., as duplicate) to raise the reliability of the system. FIG. 14 is a conceptual illustration of the eighth embodiment. Referring to FIG. 14, two master tags 2A, 2B that store the UIDs of the same slave tags are provided to control the UIDs of the slave tags. If the wireless tag access control device cannot read the UIDs of the slave tags from the master tag 2A, it reads the UIDs of the slave tags from the master tag 2B. With this arrangement, the system shows an enhanced degree of reliability because, if one of the master tags falls into failure or shows some other trouble, the other master tag can provide the UIDs of the slave tags. It is also possible to facsimile the slave tags to further enhance the reliability of information management. Ninth Embodiment In the ninth embodiment, the master tag is facsimiled in numbers (e.g., as duplicate) to raise the reliability of the system in terms of UID management of the slave tags as in the case of the eighth embodiment and, at the same time, the facsimiled master tags are made identifiable so that the system can be restored if it fails. FIG. 15 is a conceptual illustration of the ninth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a flow chart of the operation of the ninth embodiment. Referring to the drawings, each tag is provided with a restoration flag area (identifying section for identifying if the tag is in use or not in use) 13 and restoration flag “0” is written to each tag that is in use. Restoration flag “1” is written to each unused tag that is to be used for restoration. If one of the facsimiled master tags (tag 2A) falls into failure (Step S161, Yes), an unused tag (tag 2C) is searched for by searching for the tag with restoration flag “1” out of the master tags in the communication area and, if an unused tag is found (Step S162, Yes), the data (the UIDs of the slave tags) of the master tag 2B that is the duplicate of the failed master tag are transferred (copied) to the tag 2C (Step S163) and the flag of the master tag is set to “1” (Step S164). Thereafter, the master tag 2B and the master tag 2C are used as facsimiled (duplicated) master tags. Tenth Embodiment In the tenth embodiment, positional information of the slave tags are stored in the master tag along with the UIDs of the slave tags. FIG. 17 is a conceptual illustration of the tenth embodiment. Referring to FIG. 17, positional information of the slave tags 1A, 1B is stored in the master tag 2D so that, when the slave tags are applied to large product such as a building component (not shown), it is possible to access either of the tags and modify the information stored in the tag depending on the positions of the tags. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, positional information 21b on the applied (bonded) position of each slave tag is added to the UID information 21a as slave tag information 21 that is stored in the master tag 2D. In the case of a large product such as a building component, it may be desired to write different pieces of information respectively to different parts of the products. For example, a lower part of the product is to be painted in a step of the building operation, the data on the time and date of the painting operation may have to be written to the tag applied to the lower part of the product. Then, it is possible to read the slave tag information 21 in the master tag 2D and write the necessary data (management information) only to the tag for the lower part of the product. FIG. 18 is a flow chart of the operation of the tenth embodiment when writing information in a slave tag. Referring to FIG. 18, firstly, the wireless tag access control device accesses the master tag 2D and acquires the UID21a and the positional information 21b of each of the slave tags 1A, 1B from the slave information 21 (Step S171). Then, it selects and acquires the UID of the slave tag that has the right positional information (Step S172). As it acquires the UID of the slave tag which have the right positional information, it accesses the slave tag, using the UID and operates for writing the necessary data (Step S173). Note that the positional information acquiring section is responsible for the operation of Step S171. The present invention is described above by way of preferred embodiments. Now, the processing operation for updating the data (UIDs) of the slave tags registered in the master tag(s) will be described below. While the data updating processing operation will be described in terms of the first embodiment below, it is similarly applicable to the other embodiments including the second embodiment through tenth embodiment. Referring to FIG. 19, the data updating processing operation may be repeated at regular time intervals (or at a predetermined clock time or predetermined clock times). The PC of the wireless tag access control device acquires the UIDs of the slave tags from the master tag by way of the read/write device (P1) and sequentially reads the data of the slave tags, using the UIDs (P2 through P4). If a slave tag (UID3 in the illustrated instance) goes out of control, no acknowledgement can be received from the slave tag with the UID (P4). Therefore, the PC decides that the slave tag has gone out of control of the PC (the commodity carrying the slave tag may have been moved to the outside) and issues an order for erasing the UID to the master tag. Upon receiving the order, the master tag deletes the UID of the slave tag (P5). Then, the processing operation described above for the preferred embodiments is carried out for the remaining slave tags (P6). Note that the relationship between the super master tag and the master tags in the sixth embodiment is similar to the above-described relationship between the master tag and the slave tags. So is the relationship between the master tag and the slave tags in the seventh embodiment where one of the slave tags is used as master tag. In the seventh embodiment, if it is judged that the slave tag that is operating as master tag has gone out of control, some other slave tag may be registered as master tag. Now, the processing operation of initializing the slave tags and the master tag(s) will be described below by referring to FIG. 20. The PC carries out an anti-collision processing operation by way of the read/write device and acquires the UIDs of all the tags including the slave tags and the master tag(s) (P11). As the PC identifies the UID of the master tag (assuming that the master tag is provided with a UID that can be discriminated from the UIDs of the other tags), it handles all the tags with the UIDs other than the UID of the master tag as slave tags and writes and stores the UIDs in the master tag (P12). In the case where some slave tags operate also as so many master tags as in the eighth embodiment, the PC may assign a master tag to any UID group and store the UIDs of the slave tags of the group in the master tag. After the initialization, the information in the master tag can be updated in a similar manner when a slave tag is added. More specifically, an anti-collision processing operation is carried out for the slave tags and, if it is determined that there is a UID of a slave tag that is not registered in the master tag, it is written to the master tag appropriately. The present invention is described above in detail by way of preferred embodiments. Thus, the present invention provides a wireless tag access control program which causes the computer of a wireless tag access control device according to the invention to execute the processing operation of any of the flow charts described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. More specifically, such a program can be executed by the computer of a wireless tag access control device according to the invention when it is stored in a computer-readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording mediums that can be used for the purpose of the present invention include transportable recording mediums such as CD-ROMs, flexible disks, DVD disks, magnetic optical disks and IC cards along with data bases that retain computer programs, other computers, their data bases and transmission mediums on communication lines.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a wireless tag system adapted to communications between a plurality of wireless tags (to be also referred to as IC tags hereinafter) and a read/write device and also to a wireless tag access control device, a wireless tag access control method, a wireless tag access control program and a tag that can be used for such a wireless tag system. 2. Description of Related Art As a result of the rapid development of IC technologies in recent years, wireless tag systems using ICs have become very popular and are currently spreading very fast (see, inter alia, Patent Document 1: Jpn. Pat. Appln. Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-196360). With such a wireless tag system, a plurality of wireless tags are attached to respective objects that have to be held under control so that any of the tags can be accessed by way of a read/write device in order to read information from and/or write information to it, thereby systematizing and facilitating the operation of controlling the objects of control. When accessing a wireless tag (to be referred to simply as tag hereinafter), the read/write device firstly operates for an anti-collision process and acquires the unique IDs (to be referred to as UIDs hereinafter) of the tags of the system. Subsequently, it accesses the tag by using the acquired UID of the tag. FIG. 21 of the accompanying drawings is a flow chart of the operation of the read/write device for an anti-collision process. Referring to FIG. 21 , the read/write device firstly transmits a group select command to the tags and waits for acknowledgements from the tags (Step S 1 ). Then, it determines if it has properly received acknowledgements from the tags and acquired the UIDs of the tags (Step S 2 ). If it is determined that the read/write device has properly acquired the UIDs (Step S 2 , Yes), the device transmits a read command (READ) to the tags and receives an acknowledgement from the tags (Step S 3 ). Thereafter, the tags do not respond to any Fail command nor to any Success command from the read/write device. Then, the read/write device determines if it has received acknowledgements consecutively for not less than a predetermined number of times (Step S 4 ). If it is determined that it has not received acknowledgements for a predetermined number of times (Step S 4 , Yes), the read/write device terminates the process. If, on the other hand, it is determined that it has received acknowledgements for the predetermined number of times (Step S 4 , No), the read/write device transmits a Success command and receives an acknowledgement from the tags (Step S 5 ). On the other hand, if it is determined that the read/write device has not properly acquired the UIDs (Step S 2 , No), the read/write device determines if it has not received acknowledgements because there were collisions of acknowledgements from the tags (Step S 6 ). If, on the other hand, it is determined that the read/write device has received acknowledgements (Step S 6 , Yes), it transmits a Fail command to the tags and receives an acknowledgement from the tags (Step S 7 ). If it is determined that the read/write device has not received acknowledgements because there were collisions of acknowledgements from the tags (Step S 6 , No), it determines if it has not received an acknowledgement from any of the tags or not (Step S 8 ). If it is determined that the read/write device has not received an acknowledgement from any of the tags (Step S 8 , No), it terminates the process. However, if the read/write device has received at least an acknowledgement (Step S 8 , Yes), it proceeds to the above described processing operation of Step S 4 and that of Step S 5 . FIG. 22 of the accompanying drawings is a flow chart of the operation of a tag for an anti-collision process from the start of power supply. Firstly, as power is supplied, the tag turns its mode of operation to a ready mode (Step S 21 ). Then, it determines if it has received a command from the read/write device (Step S 22 ). If it is determined that the tag has not received any command (Step S 22 , No), it repeats the processing operation of Step S 22 . If, on the other hand, it is determined that the tag has received a command (Step S 22 , Yes), the tag determines if it has received a group select command or not (Step S 23 ). If it is determined that the tag has received a group select command (Step S 23 , Yes), it turns its mode of operation to an ID mode (Step S 24 ) and then returns to the ready mode. If, on the other hand, it is determined that the tag has not received a group select command (Step S 23 , No), the tag determines if its mode of operation is an ID mode or not (Step S 25 ). If it is determined that the mode of operation is an ID mode (Step S 25 , Yes), the tag further determines if it has received a fail command or not (Step S 26 ). If it is determined that the tag has not received a fail command (Step S 26 , No), it determines if it has received a success command or not (Step S 27 ). If it is determined that the tag has received a success command (Step S 27 , Yes), it updates the reading of the counter in the tag by decrementing the reading by −1 (Step S 28 ) and determines if the reading of the counter in the tag is 0 or not (Step S 29 ). If it is determined that the reading of the counter in the tag is 0 (Step S 29 , Yes), the tag transmits its own UID (unique ID) to the read/write device (Step S 30 ). If, on the other hand, it is determined that the tag has received a fail command (Step S 26 , Yes) as a result of the operation of determining if it has received a fail command or not (Step S 26 ), it determines if the reading of the counter in the tag is 0 or not (Step S 31 ) and, if it is determined that the reading of the counter in the tag is 0 (Step S 31 , Yes), the tag updates the reading of the counter by incrementing it by +1 (Step S 32 ). If, on the other hand, it is determined in Step S 31 that the reading of the counter in the tag is not 0 (Step S 31 , No), the tag generates a random number of 1 or 0 (Step S 33 ) and determines if the generated random number is −0 or not (Step S 34 ). If it is determined that the generated random number is −0 (Step S 34 , Y), the tag transmits its own UID to the read/write device (Step S 35 ). Thus, with an anti-collision process as described above, it is possible for the read/write device to acquire the UID of each tag, while preventing mutual interferences of a plurality of tags. In order to prevent collisions, an anti-collision process as described above is conducted while restricting the transmission of tag UIDs for part of the tags and the process is repeated until the read/write device receives the UIDs of all the tags. Therefore, the processing operation proceeds fast when the number of tags is small because the probability of collisions is low. However, as the number tags increases, the number of times of repeating the process has to be raised in order to prevent collisions and hence the process is accompanied by a problem that a considerably long time is required before acquiring the UIDs of all the tag.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In view of the above identified problem hitherto known, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a wireless tag system that does not require any anti-collision process or, if an anti-collision process is required, can reduce the number of tags that need to participate in the anti-collision process to make the anti-collision process proceeds fast along with a wireless tag access control device, a wireless tag access control method, a wireless tag access control program and a tag that can be used for such a wireless tag system. In an aspect of the present invention, the above object is achieved by providing a wireless tag system comprising: a plurality of wireless slave tags which have respective unique IDs; a plurality of wireless master tags arranged for the slave tags and storing the unique IDs of the slave tags; and a wireless tag access control device which accesses the master tags to acquire the unique IDs of the slave tags from the master tags and subsequently accessing the slave tags by using the acquired unique IDs of the slave tags. Preferably, in a wireless tag system according to the present invention, dedicated commands are defined respectively for the master tags and the slave tags and the wireless tag access control device selectively accesses either the master tags or the slave tags by using the corresponding one of the dedicated commands. Preferably, in a wireless tag system according to the present invention, group addresses are defined respectively for the master tags and the slave tags and the wireless tag access control device selectively accesses either the master tags or the slave tags by specifying the corresponding one of the group addresses. Preferably, in a wireless tag system according to the present invention, a plurality of combinations of a master tag and slave tags are provided and at least a super master tag storing the unique IDs of the plurality of master tags is provided for the plurality of master tags, the wireless tag access control device being adapted to access the super master tag in order to acquire the unique IDs of the plurality of master tags and access the master tags by using the acquired unique IDs of the master tags. Preferably, in a wireless tag system according to the present invention, at least one of the master tag and at least one of the slave tag are combined to operate as a single tag and the unique IDs of the slave tags stored in the master tags include its own unique IDs. Preferably, in a wireless tag system according to the present invention, the master tag is facsimiled in numbers and the facsimiled master tags are identifiable. Preferably, in a wireless tag system according to the present invention, the master tags store positional information of the slave tags in correspondence to the unique IDs of the slave tags stored in the master tags. In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless tag access control device which accesses wireless tags comprising: a unique ID acquiring section which accesses at least a master tag provided for a plurality of slave tags and acquiring the unique IDs of the slave tags stored in the master tag; and a slave tag accessing section which accesses the slave tags by using the unique IDs of the slave tags acquired by the unique ID acquiring section. Preferably, in a wireless tag access control device according to the present invention, dedicated commands are defined respectively for the master tags and the slave tags so that accesses either the master tags or the slave tags are selectively accessed by using the corresponding one of the dedicated commands. Preferably, in a wireless tag access control device according to the present invention, group addresses are defined respectively for the master tags and the slave tags so that either the master tags or the slave tags are selectively accessed by specifying the corresponding one of the group addresses. Preferably, a wireless tag access control device according to the present invention further comprises a positional information acquiring section for acquires positional information of the slave tags corresponding to the acquired unique IDs of the slave tags, the device being adapted to access the slave tags according to the unique IDs and the positional information. In still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless tag access control method which accesses a plurality of wireless tags, the method being adapted to provide at least a master tag storing the unique IDs of a plurality of slave tags which have respective unique IDs, the method comprising: a slave tag UID acquiring step which accesses the master tag and acquiring the unique IDs of the plurality of slave tags stored in the master tag; and a slave tag accessing step which accesses the slave tags by using the acquired unique IDs of the slave tags. Preferably, in a wireless tag access control method according to the present invention, dedicated commands are defined respectively for the master tags and the slave tags so that either the master tags or the slave tags are selectively accessed by using the corresponding one of the dedicated commands. Preferably, in a wireless tag access control method according to the present invention, group addresses are defined respectively for the master tags and the slave tags so that either the master tags or the slave tags are selectively accessed by specifying the corresponding one of the group addresses. Preferably, in a wireless tag access control method according to the present invention, a plurality of combinations of a master tag and slave tags are provided and at least a super master tag storing the unique IDs of the plurality of master tags is provided for the plurality of master tags, the wireless tag access control method being adapted to access the super master tag in order to acquire the unique IDs of the plurality of master tags and access the master tags by using the acquired unique IDs of the master tags. Preferably, in a wireless tag access control method according to the present invention, at least a master tag is facsimiled in numbers from the master tags and slave tags and the facsimiled master tags are identifiable so that each tag is identified and selectively accessed. Preferably, in a wireless tag access control method according to the present invention, an identifying section is provided for each tag to indicate the tag to be in use or not in use so that, when an unusable state is detected for at least one of the facsimiled master tags, the information stored in the master tag detected as unusable and the other facsimiled master tags is written in the facsimiled master tags not in use and the tags in which the information is written are indicated to be in use by the identifying section so as to make the other master tags and the master tag facsimiled master tags. In still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless tag access control program which causes a computer to execute a wireless tag access control method which accesses a plurality of wireless tags, the program being adapted to provide at least a master tag storing the unique IDs of a plurality of slave tags which have respective unique IDs, the program comprising: a slave tag UID acquiring step which accesses the master tag and acquiring the unique IDs of the plurality of slave tags stored in the master tag; and a slave tag accessing step which accesses the slave tags by using the acquired unique IDs of the slave tags. Preferably, in a wireless tag access control computer program according to the present invention, dedicated commands are defined respectively for the master tags and the slave tags so as to cause a computer to selectively access either the master tags or the slave tags by using the corresponding one of the dedicated commands. In still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless tag comprising a wireless antenna and a memory section and adapted to be accessed by a read/write device by means of a wireless signal; the wireless tag storing unique IDs of wireless tags other than itself in the memory section so that they may be accessed by the read/write device by means of the unique IDs. Thus, the invention provides an advantage that no anti-collision process is required or, if an anti-collision process is required, the number of tags that need to participate in the anti-collision process can be remarkably reduced to make the anti-collision process proceeds fast. This advantage becomes even more remarkable particularly in a situation where a large number of slave tags, or thousands to tens of thousands of slave tags, have to be processed because it is not necessary for a read/write device to collectively store the UIDs of such large number of slave tags.
20041214
20070501
20060302
92594.0
H04Q522
0
FAN, HONGMIN
WIRELESS TAG SYSTEM, WIRELESS TAG ACCESS CONTROL DEVICE, WIRELESS TAG ACCESS CONTROL METHOD, WIRELESS TAG ACCESS CONTROL PROGRAM AND WIRELESS TAG
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
H04Q
2,004
11,010,415
ACCEPTED
Automated custom configuration system and method
In accordance with preferred embodiments and applications of the invention, an automated custom configuration system (and method) is provided for facilitating the configuration and customization of desired products, services, or other objects that require users to gather and assimilate disparate relevant information (e.g., knowledge of makes, models, types, features, options, limitations, codes, and prices of the desired product/service (or group of the same) to be configured and customized). In accordance with a preferred embodiment, custom configuration may be facilitated through a parametric drawing engine which provides illustrations of configuration data. User modification of an element of an illustrated object may cause the parametric drawing engine to determine and display a corresponding modification in the remaining elements of the illustration such that the connections of the modified element to the remaining elements remains the same and the parameters of the object adhere to the relevant design rules, or other requirements of a given vendor or manufacturer. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a change in an attribute of an element of an illustrated object (e.g., color, material, texture, etc.) causes the engine to determine and display corresponding changes in the attributes of certain other elements.
1. A system for custom configuration of an object comprising: a user interface; and a parametric drawing engine providing illustrations of configuration data, the illustrations comprising a plurality of elements arranged in a first configuration, wherein in response to a first modification to a first element said parametric drawing engine enables a corresponding second modification in at least one second element such that the connections of the first element to the at least one second element remain the same. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first modification to a first element comprises a change in size. 3. The system of claim 2, where the change in size is a change in length. 4. The system of claim 2, where the change in size is a change in area. 5. The system of claim 2, where the change in size is a change in circumference. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the second modification is constrained by a plurality of rules. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein said parametric drawing engine will not permit the first modification if it results in a second modification that violates any of the plurality of rules. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first modification involves a modification to an attribute of a first element which causes a corresponding second modification in an attribute of the at least one second element. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the attribute is selected from the group consisting of color, material, and texture. 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a frame engine, receiving data input from said user interface, wherein said frame engine outputs configuration data to said user interface in response to a frame-based inference of the input data. 11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a database, coupled to said frame engine, storing configuration data selectively retrieved for output in response to inferences made by said frame engine. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein said frame engine subjects configuration data to be output to said user interface to pertinent rules-based inferences before being output to said user interface. 13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a rules engine, coupled to said frame engine, wherein said rules engine subjects selected configuration data to be output to said user interface to pertinent rules-based inferences before being output to said user interface. 14. The system of claim 10, wherein said frame engine represents data concerning configuration in a hierarchical structure, with frames corresponding to configuration categories, wherein the frames act as nodes of the hierarchical structure containing a collection of slots corresponding to configuration features and options. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein said database stores data representative of product knowledge pertaining to products that may be configured by the system. 16. The system of claim 10, wherein said database stores a plurality of questions for selective output to said user interface based on frame-based inferences made by said frame engine in response to answers input through said user interface. 17. A custom configuration system for a grille comprising: a user interface, wherein said user interface receives input data for a desired configuration of a grille; a frame engine, receiving data input from said user interface, wherein said frame engine outputs configuration data to said user interface in response to a frame-based inference of the input data; and a parametric drawing engine providing illustrations of configuration data to said user interface, the illustrations comprising a plurality of elements arranged in a first configuration, wherein said parametric drawing engine a first modification to a first element causes a corresponding second modification in at least a second element such that the connections of the first element to the at least a second element remain the same. 18. The custom configuration system as recited in claim 17 wherein a first modification to an attribute of a first element of the grille made by a user through said user interface which causes said parametric drawing engine to make a corresponding second modification in an attribute of at least a second element of the grille. 19. A method of configuring an object design, the method comprising the steps of: accessing a user interface; initiating an object design for configuration; configuring the object by entering object selections; graphically selecting parameters to configure the object based upon graphic representations of variations of characteristics of components to be selected for the object; manipulating schematically configured illustrations of components to be selected for the object, said components comprising a plurality of elements arranged in a first configuration wherein a first modification to a first element causes at least a corresponding second modification in at least a second element such that the connections of the first element to the at least a second element remain the same; performing a frame-based inference in response to selections made in said configuring step; and outputting configuration data to the user interface based on inferences made in said performing step. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein said configuring step involves answering a plurality of questions presented, wherein the questions to be presented during said configuring step are stored in a database and selected for presentation based on inferences made in said performing step. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein said configuring step further comprises the substep of presenting preferred answers to select questions presented on the user interface. 22. The method of claim 20, wherein said performing step further comprises the substep of performing a rules-based inference in response to project selections made in said configuring step. 23. The method of claim 20, wherein the object to be configured includes a custom product, the method further comprising the steps of: accessing a catalog page to display graphical and textual information pertinent to the product to be configured; accessing a custom shapes editor to size a product upon configuration and to select a customized combination of dimensional parameters for said product; accessing an accessories module containing product accessory information; and producing technical specifications containing technical information regarding the project as configured. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein said custom product is a grille for a door product. 25. An article of manufacture comprising a machine-readable storage medium having stored therein a control program having indicia of a plurality of machine-executable steps, the control program comprising the steps of: accessing a user interface; initiating a grille design for configuration; configuring the project by entering object selections; graphically selecting parameters to configure the object based upon graphic representations of variations of characteristics of components to be selected for the object; manipulating schematically configured illustrations of components to be selected for the object, said components comprising a plurality of elements arranged in a first configuration wherein a first modification to a first element causes a corresponding second modification in at least a second element such that the connections of the first element to the at least a second element remain the same; performing a frame-based inference in response to object selections made in said configuring step; and outputting object configuration data to the user interface based on inferences made in said performing step. 26. The article of manufacture as recited in claim 25, wherein said performing step comprises the substep of representing data concerning configuration of the object in a hierarchical structure, with frames corresponding to configuration categories, wherein the frames act as nodes of the hierarchical structure containing a collection of slots corresponding to configuration features and options. 27. The article of manufacture as recited in claim 26, wherein said performing step comprises the substep of subjecting selected configuration data of the object to pertinent rules-based inferences. 28. The article of manufacture as recited in claim 25, further comprising validating the shape and units of the configured grille design and producing a price for the configured grille. 29. The article of manufacture as recited in claim 25, further comprising auto aligning the elements of the grille.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/529,094, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/158,250, filed Oct. 8, 1999, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/158,316, filed Oct. 8, 1999, are both hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. BACKGROUND In the building and construction industry, job estimation is a time-consuming and costly process. In order to appropriately estimate the cost of any job an individual must assemble both the correct product to satisfy the engineering criteria of a given project and then assemble prices from a variety of data sources. Complex estimates compound the work and cost of this process. In a complex project, estimates are often assembled from a combination of pricing sources. These estimates require both a structured and intimate understanding of the product, its technical specifications, and costs. SUMMARY In accordance with preferred embodiments and applications of the invention, an automated custom configuration system (and method) is provided for facilitating the configuration and customization of desired products, services, or other objects that require users to gather and assimilate disparate relevant information (e.g., knowledge of makes, models, types, features, options, limitations, codes, and prices of the desired product/service (or group of the same) to be configured and customized). In accordance with a preferred embodiment, custom configuration may be facilitated through a parametric drawing engine which provides illustrations of configuration data. User modification of an element of an illustrated object may cause the parametric drawing engine to determine and display a corresponding modification in the remaining elements of the illustration such that the connections of the modified element to the remaining elements remains the same and the parameters of the object adhere to the relevant design rules, or other requirements of a given vendor or manufacturer. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a change in an attribute of an element of an illustrated object (e.g., color, material, texture, etc.) causes the engine to determine and display corresponding changes in the attributes of certain other elements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3 is an exemplary illustration of a product Selection and Configuration display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4 is an exemplary illustration of a Preferred Answer display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5 is an exemplary illustration of a Standard Answer display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 6 is an exemplary illustration of a Graphic Selection display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 7 is an exemplary illustration of multiple Product Code displays in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 8 is an exemplary illustration of a Standard Parametric Drawings display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 9 is an exemplary illustration of a Composite Unit Design display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 10 is an exemplary illustration of a Catalog Page display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 11 is an exemplary illustration of a DataGrid display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 12 is an exemplary illustration of a Custom Shapes Editor display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 13 is an exemplary illustration of a Pricing display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 14 is an exemplary illustration of an Accessories Module in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 15 is an exemplary illustration of a Line Item Adjust Module in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 16 is an exemplary illustration of an Order Form display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 17 is an exemplary illustration of a Quotes display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 18 is an exemplary illustration of a Schedule Generator display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 19 is an exemplary illustration of a Product Specifications display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 20 is an exemplary illustration of an AutoCAD display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 21 is an exemplary illustration of a Project Information Management display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 22 is an exemplary illustration of a Sales-Representative Information Management display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 23 is an exemplary illustration of a Client/Customer Information Management display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 24 is an exemplary illustration of a Product Line Review display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 25 is an exemplary illustration of an Interactive Tutor display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 26 is a flow diagram illustrating the sales/personnel process flow steps in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 27 is a flow diagram illustrating the dealer/distributor use steps in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 28 is a flow diagram showing the architectural process for a millwork system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 29 is flow diagram illustrating the manufacturer use process in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a configuration network, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIGS. 31 and 32 are illustrations of the hierarchical structures used in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 33 is an exemplary illustration of a user interface for a Parametric Drawing Engine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; and FIGS. 34-51 are exemplary illustrations of the Parametric Drawing Engine in accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Preferred embodiments and applications of the invention will be described herein. Other embodiments may be realized and structural or logical changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Although the preferred embodiments disclosed herein have been particularly described as applied to a window grille configuration system and method for configuration of specific exemplary products (e.g., window or door grilles), it should be readily apparent that the invention may be embodied to provide configuration and estimation functionality for any number of products, services or the like where configured, customized or assembled-to-order products/services are evaluated, selected, purchased, sold, supported, or otherwise considered. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a custom configuration system (and corresponding method) is embodied in a single (or multiple) processor-based system that may be supported in a stand-alone, networked, mainframe, client-server architecture, or other computing environment. A single (or multiple) program memory module is provided for storing one or more computer programs used to perform the functionality described herein. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, one or more user interfaces are provided as part of (or in conjunction with) the configuration system to permit users to interact with the system. Individual ones of a plurality of client devices (e.g., network/stand-alone computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), WebTV (or other Internet-only) terminals, set-top boxes, cellular/PCS phones, screenphones, pagers, kiosks, or other known (wired or wireless) communication devices, etc.) may similarly be used to execute one or more computer programs (e.g., universal Internet browser programs, dedicated interface programs, etc.) to allow users to interface with the configuration system. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a user (e.g., consumer, sales-representative, buyer, seller, contractor, builder, architect, consultant, organizer, project-coordinator, etc.) of the configuration system interacts with the system to configure and/or estimate the cost of a desired product, component, project, service, or other object. In one preferred embodiment, the product (e.g., window, door, hubcap) may have a customizable elements such as, for example, a grille portion. The term “grille” refers to a configuration of pane dividers or “muntins” that can be used, for example, as pane dividers for a window or door. Muntins can be a profile or molding made of a variety of materials (e.g., wood, plastic, metal) mounted to separate glass into sections forming, for example, a window or door grille. A grille may be a type of assembly fitted to the interior of the window or door unit which can also be detached. A grille can be fitted inside the sealed insulating glass unit where it is also referred to as a grid. The interaction with the system is preferably through a series of questions provided by the system with input answers provided by the user. The interactive nature of the system aides the user in arriving at the desired product, component, or project selection and the production of any corresponding information (e.g., layouts, pricing, schematics, specifications, etc.). It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention can be applied to custom configuration of any product, service or other object. FIG. 1 illustrates in block diagram form a configuration device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention containing the Core 102, the Frame Engine 104, and the Rules Engine 106 subsystems or modules (described in detail below). Core 102 is a processing module that can contain a variety of miscellaneous functions for the system. Core 102, for example, may be used to take a user's input and standardize that input. For example, if the user inputs “2 feet, 3 inches,” Core 102 can include functionality that converts that input solely to inches (or another unitized number, e.g., metric units). If the user inputs a command, parameter, or component that violates a system rule (e.g., a drawing that falls outside of a designated area), the improper user input can be converted to the closest acceptable input. Another function that may be incorporated in Core 102 is a messaging system that contains all the codes for dynamically loading the other modules. Generally, any functions that may facilitate the processing of input/output data in the system may be incorporated in Core 102. Preferably, Frame Engine 104 is a frame-based inference engine used to process product knowledge, which may be supplemented by an interpreted rules system or any inference engine, based on input data from Core 102 (or other modules) and from users of the system. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, user data is input through user input of answers to a series of questions regarding configuration of a desired product (e.g., window or door grille) or project posed by the system (as will be discussed in detail below). In accordance with a preferred embodiment, Frame Engine 104 computes available configuration answers for any configuration questions posed to a user at any time (e.g., in any order), and processes the user's answer to such question. When given the value of one or more answers, Frame Engine 104 infers the values of answers to other questions automatically, and thus, eliminates the need for excessive rule constructs, as typically required in a rules-based engine. Through inference, Frame Engine 104 may also remove or insert questions (and their associated answers) based on the user's previous response(s). In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, Frame Engine 104 is primarily constructed using a frame-based design concept of knowledge organization, representation, and product classification. Frame-based and rule-based expert systems encode knowledge using fundamentally different models. In the context of product configuration, the problem an expert system is supposed to solve is as follows: given a set of options (“questions” to be presented to the user), each of which has a set of legal attributes (“values” with which the user may answer the questions), how are the options/attributes themselves related to each other (which options/attributes remove or constrain away other options/attributes, which options/attributes are ‘interdependent’, etc.). As an example, if the user has answered options A, B, and C with attributes x, y, and z, the expert system must then determine what are now the legal attributes for some other option D. In order to do this, an expert system first has to encode the relationship between the options in some manner (i.e., represent the knowledge). Then, as the expert system is provided current choices as inputs in real time (i.e., “the user has answered options A, B, and C with attributes x, y, and z”), the system must now apply its encoded knowledge to the problem “what are the legal attributes for D” in order to supply the solution(s). A rule-based expert system generally represents knowledge using a large collection of If-Then-Else constructs (i.e., “If the user has answered option ‘A’ with attribute ‘x’, Then attribute ‘y’ is no longer available for option ‘B’, Else . . . ”). This approach, however, is a unidirectional encoding: if the conditional portion (the user has answered option ‘A’ with attribute ‘x’) of the statement is true, the resultant portion must also be true (attribute ‘y’ is no longer available for option ‘B’). The converse (if attribute ‘y’ is no longer available for option ‘B’, then the user has answered option ‘A’ with ‘x’) is not necessarily true, nor in general should it be. However, a rule-based expert system requires that the inverse rule must be written separately if it is deemed necessary. If the product knowledge being modeled is complex, the required rules and inverse rules can grow into a very larger number. In addition, applying this type of knowledge representation to the problem “the user has answered options A, B, C with attributes x, y, z; now what are the legal attributes for this other option D?” involves using an interpreter or compiler that understands the rule syntax so as to apply the rules to the problem. On the other hand, the frame-based Frame Engine 104 encodes knowledge in an entirely different manner that does not suffer from this “inverse rule” problem. At its most fundamental level, Frame Engine 104 represents knowledge in a hierarchical tree-like structure. The nodes of the tree are generally called “frames” (e.g., corresponding to product categories) and each node contains a collection of “slots” (e.g., corresponding to product features and options). A slot is a one-to-many relationship between an option and a subset of the legal values (e.g., attributes) for that option. Textually, a slot is represented as follows: A=x, y, z where ‘A’ is an option, and ‘x’, ‘y’, and ‘z’ are attributes for option A. In general, a frame contains multiple slots, and has child frames as well (because of the tree structure). Conceptually, all the slots in a frame “go together.” If at least one of the slots in a frame is found to be invalid (e.g., Slot “A=x, y, z” is in a particular frame, but the user has answered ‘A’ with attribute ‘w’), then the entire frame (along with all of its other slots and all of its child frames) is invalid. Functionally, products and attributes in such a frame are removed from the configuration process. Applying this knowledge representation to the problem “the user has answered options A, B, and C with attributes x, y, and z, now what are the legal attributes for this other option D” involves Frame Engine 104 first marking the appropriate portions of the tree invalid as the user supplies answers to options. Then, to actually provide an answer to the question “what are the legal attributes for some other option D,” the engine will look for all the frames which have not been marked invalid and which reference ‘D’ (i.e., have a slot involving ‘D’) and then combine all the attributes found in these slots (eliminating any duplicates). At the conclusion of this process, the answer (in many cases, a multi-faceted answer in terms of associated data [a price, an image, a set of drawings, etc.]) is generated and displayed. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a Product Knowledge Builder module may be provided for use in constructing, storing and interrelating data concerning products, components, configurations, etc. to optimize the operation of Frame Engine 104. The Product Knowledge Builder allows the entry of product knowledge in an intuitive hierarchical fashion. The knowledge is entered into a tree-like structure. Once the product knowledge has been entered, this tool “builds” the knowledge into a single output file. This process both compiles the knowledge into a hierarchical tree structure and then optimizes it. The output file is then ready to be processed by Frame Engine 104. The following simple example will illustrate the differences between an If-Then-Else rule based system and one utilizing Frame Engine 104 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention: There are four people who are identified by a letter, color, and number: Jim is A, Blue, and 3. Ted is B. Red, and 2. Randy is A, Red, and 4. Roy is B, Blue, and 2. The first screen in an application would prompt the user for choosing a letter. (As an additional requirement, the questions can be answered in any order, and the user might skip the first screen and come back to it later.) The If-Then-Else rules to handle such option/attribute pairs are as follows: if Color has no answer and Number has no answer then: Letter is A or B else if Color has no answer then if Number is 3 or Number is 4 then Letter is A if Number is 2 then Letter is B else if Number has no answer then Letter is A or B else if Color is Blue and Number is 3 then Letter is A else if Color is Red and Number is 2 then Letter is B else if Color is Red and Number is 4 then Letter is A else if Color is Blue and Number is 2 then Letter is B Two more sets of rules will still have to be written for the Color screen and the Number screen. The difficulty of adding a new person to the data or, adding another class of question to determine the group's favorite fruit can easily be seen. It is also useful to remember that this sample data is intended to be a trivial example. In contrast, the Product Knowledge Builder would permit the entry of that same data as follows. After adding the four questions to the system, add the following compound slot: LETTER COLOR NUMBER PERSON A Blue 3 Jim B Red 2 Ted A Red 4 Randy B Blue 2 Roy To add a new person, a new row is simply inserted, adding the new person's letter, color, number, and name. To add another question such as the group's favorite fruit, a new column is simply added to the slot, and a list of everyone's favorite fruit can be added. While the actual algorithm for Frame Engine 104 as implemented is likely to be much more complex, the following illustration of the operation of Frame Engine 104 used to implement the above example may be useful: In the beginning of a configuration session all frames are valid, and the example above has four frames, one for each row. When asked for the list of available answers for any question, the Frame Engine looks down the column for that question. If the row is valid, its answer is added. Accordingly, for the Letter question, Frame Engine 104 sees A, B, A, B. The duplicate answers are combined to arrive at A, B. Now suppose the user answers A. This means unless the frame has Letter=A, it is invalid. The second and fourth rows are thus invalid. Next the user is presented with the Color question. To find the answers, search down the Color column; the result is Blue and Red for the available answers (Blue from the first row and Red from the third). The user picks Blue. This choice makes the second and third rows invalid. As a result, there is only one valid row left, the first row. The user has effectively finished the selection process by answering only two of the three questions. Frame Engine 104 is particularly useful when applied to real-world, complex product knowledge challenges. Real-world product knowledge contains relationships between products, knowledge common among similar products, knowledge common among different products, and exceptions to all of the above. The Product Knowledge Builder in accordance with a preferred embodiment contains constructs to handle all of these scenarios. An important relationship among products can be expressed as: “Product A is a type of Product B” (e.g., a casement is a type of window, a car is a type of vehicle). This relationship is called inheritance. Inheritance is a parent to child relationship, but not in the traditional sense. In human beings, if a parent has a trait, the child may or may not share that trait (e.g., brown hair). In this form of knowledge inheritance, the child must inherit all traits. Inheritance is important, because it allows the software engineer to combine all the identical traits for the children in one logical place: the parent. It is for this reason that the Product Knowledge Builder works in a tree-like fashion. Each frame is a parent with children, which in turn have their own children. For example, if there were a system for selecting groceries, the logical way to organize the data would look something like that shown in FIG. 31. The Product Knowledge Builder allows the construction of this tree with the result illustrated in FIG. 32. As illustrated, when the Bread frame is selected, there is a trait defined as bread. This means that all types of buns and loaves can be made out of White, Wheat, or Rye bread, because both Buns and Loaves inherit from Bread. If any special types of Buns were defined by adding “children” to the Buns frame (i.e., hamburger or hot dog) these new types also inherit White, Wheat, or Rye. Children inherit everything from their parents, grandparents, and great grandparents, all the way up the tree. In the future, if the store added Pumpernickel and carried it for all types of bread, such information could be added to the Bread frame. If the store offered Pumpernickel for Loaves only and not Buns, then Pumpernickel could be added to the Loaves frame. Without the power of inheritance, Pumpernickel would have to be manually added to every type of bread. There are some types of product knowledge that may be shared among different frames in the tree, but which cannot use inheritance. In the groceries example, a trait of this sort would be packaging. Not all groceries come in packages, and sometimes the same kind of product might be available with or without packaging (for example, packaged bread versus bread from the deli). If packaging is available, there will be some product knowledge that applies to all packaging (e.g., servings per container). There is still a need to keep this type of knowledge in a single place for ease of maintenance, and this methodology as incorporated by the Product Knowledge Builder is called frame re-use. A frame can be defined by itself to represent such knowledge, which can then be added into the tree at whatever points are appropriate. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, although Frame Engine 104 is a frame-based inference engine, it also includes the ability to process data using rules files, making Frame Engine 104 more of a hybrid engine. It is foreseeable that some custom answers are more conveniently handled using rules files rather than building the product knowledge. A rules-based filtering methodology may be used, for example, for filtering output from Frame Engine 104 to comply with certain rules established for a particular product, component, configuration, project, or the like. Similar filtering of unwanted answers, or inapplicable questions may be useful. Rules-based functionality may also be used to add special answers, perform calculations, generate user warnings, or any other special processing required for specific system implementations. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, Rules Engine 106 may be added to supplement the operation of Frame Engine 104. Rules Engine 106 is typically employed to handle special cases, exceptions, and functionality that are specific to a product line or product series. Rules Engine 106 may also be employed to perform all (or some of) the rules-based functionality (discussed above) as utilized by Frame Engine 104. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, any number of additional modules may be added to serve a supportive and optional role (called on an “as needed” basis). A Pricing Engine, for example, may be added that uses data from Frame Engine 104 and/or Rules Engine 106 to generate prices. Price reports can be graphically generated and prices can be calculated and displayed to the user in multiple currency types. A CAD Engine Module may be added to read CAD drawings and enable multiple CAD drawings to be displayed simultaneously, with separate components to be overlaid upon one another to form a complex illustration. Specifically, the CAD Engine may handle the determination of which components need to be overlaid and may present a list of the files containing the required components to a CADView control (not shown), which may in turn read the AutoCAD files and display the components on the user interface. The CAD Engine may also print, copy or otherwise output the CAD files. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a system (and method) for custom configuration of an object or project is provided that allows an end user to customize characteristics of an object or project. Exemplary objects or projects include window or door grilles, construction projects, furniture, or window or door treatments. The characteristics of an object or project can include any customizable element or component (e.g., dimensions and location of elements or components, location of elements or components, materials, and color). The customization information can be entered using any known input mechanism. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a graphical user interface may be used to define an area, and draw and modify features of the object or project. The user can add and delete elements or components, move existing or new elements or components and modify the characteristics of the elements and components. An “auto align” feature can provide constraints to prevent a user from drawing an invalid object or project. Other constraints can be provided to meet particular limitations of the product (e.g., maximum size, width, length, height). FIG. 2 illustrates a configuration System 200 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. Specifically, System 200 may include a User Interface Subsystem 202, Data Analysis Subsystem 204, Graphics Formatting Output Subsystem 206, Configuration Subsystem 208, and Data Storage Subsystem 210. User Interface Subsystem 202 enables the interaction between the user and the system. It may interact with any component of the system. Graphics Formatting and Output Subsystem 206 performs calculations and preparations for the display of graphical and/or textual representations to the User Interface 202. This subsystem may include a variety of graphical modules such as a Parametric Drawing Module, a Schematic Configurator, a CADControl/CADVU Module, a Bid Quote Generation Module, a Specification Generator Module, etc. Data Analysis Subsystem 204 accesses and processes data from the Data Storage Subsystem 210 and provides results to the Configurator Subsystem 208 (or other modules as required). The Data Analysis Subsystem 204 may contain a variety of analytical and computational modules such as a Regular Expressions Engine, a Product Code Engine, a Pricing Engine, a Mulling Engine, etc. Configurator Subsystem 208 (an example of which is shown in more detail in FIG. 1, as described above) processes questions presented to the user and the answers received from the user. Based on the data in the Data Storage Subsystem 210 and the established data relationships, the Configurator 208 builds the product configuration. The Data Storage Subsystem 210 may serve as the data repository for the collective knowledge of the system. Product knowledge and pricing data may be stored in Data Storage Subsystem 210 to be used by the various modules. The Data Storage Subsystem 210 may include a variety of memory modules such as a Repository Module, a Pacifier Module, a Buffer Module, an Import/Export Module, a Preferences Module, etc. The Data Storage Subsystem 210 may also store the series of questions to be selected (e.g., by Frame Engine 104, by Rules Engine 106, etc.) for output to the user interface in response to configuration data input from the user interface. The Parametric Drawing Engine that may be added to the system takes descriptions of configured products, and produces an accurate representation of the product. As an example, the parameters used as input data descriptions can include the width or height of a window, or the existence of grilles. From these descriptive parameters, this module will generate a drawing (e.g., an elevation) or other dimensional product aspect for review by the user (such drawings can be converted to CAD format at the user's option). The Parametric Drawing Engine can also export its drawings in other for use in other applications (e.g., AutoCAD, in the event that the parametric drawing will be used by an architect). The Parametric Drawing Engine may also tie into other modules such as a Schematic Configurator. The Schematic Configurator is a user interface module and inference tool. Using the Schematic Configurator, the user can view a line drawing representing a configured product (e.g., window) on the user interface, and add other units to the product. Thus, the end user might start out with a single unit and he/she might then add two flanking windows, one on either side of the product. The user can designate which to sides to add windows and can even add other product types, such as a round-top window above. The Schematic Configurator can interface with the Frame Engine 104, seeking matching components to the previously selected configuration. Frame Engine 104 will match appropriate products between the two modules based on any number of product attributes and parameters. In a preferred embodiment, the Parametric Drawing Engine provides illustrations of a product (e.g., window, door, hubcap). The illustrations comprise multiple elements arranged to depict an object configuration. A user may desire to change the initial configuration of an object in order to customize, for example, the size and shape of an element or a series of elements. For example, a user may prefer to increase the overall size of a window frame element. Preferably, the Parametric Drawing Engine may determine and display corresponding modifications of the remaining elements such that the relative connections of the modified element to the remaining elements remains the same and the product complies with the design rules or other requirements of a vendor or manufacturer. Preferably, a modification to a first element automatically causes the Parametric Drawings Engine to determine and display modifications to the remaining elements of an illustration such that a user can immediately view the modified image. In another embodiment, a user can manually override a corresponding change to an element. A user may supply custom rules which permit a non-proportional change in a corresponding element. For example, a user can determine than a 2× increase in length of element A will result in a 4× increase in element B. In a preferred embodiment, a change in an attribute of an element (e.g., color, material, texture) can cause a Parametric Drawing Engine to determine and display a corresponding change in the same or a different attribute of some or all of the remaining elements. For example, a user can modify the color of a muntin in a window grille to red and cause a corresponding change in color to red for some or all of the remaining muntins in the window grille. In accordance with another preferred embodiment, the Parametric Drawing Engine provides rules which constrain or restrict the user's ability to make modifications to elements of the illustrations. For example, a product manufacture may only be able to supply window frames of a maximum size (e.g., 5 feet by 10 feet). If a user creates an illustration having a window of, for example, 6 feet by 11 feet, the Parametric Drawing Engine constrains the illustration such that the maximum dimensions depicted are 5 feet by 10 feet. Thus, the user is provided with an illustration that does not violate the rules or constraints of the manufacturer or vendor of a product. The rules may optionally apply to all or some of the elements of an illustration of an object. Application of the rules or constraints to an illustration is preferably automated such that violation of a rule or constraint does not display the illustration in violation of such rule or constraint to the user. In another embodiment, a user may manually override a rule or a set of rules. In one preferred embodiment, the constraints or rules are provided by one or more manufacturers or vendors and integrated in the Parametric Drawing Engine. Alternatively, the constraints or rules may be maintained in a different module (e.g., rules engine 106 (FIG. 1)), on a local or remote network/server, or obtained via the Internet or an Intranet from a central Web site or directly from a manufacturer or vendor of an object or product. Preferably, the user can modify all or some of the elements of an illustration. The term “modify” refers to the ability to add to, delete, change or alter a feature of an element (e.g., shape, length, width, height). The feature of an element that is modified is preferably related to another element such that a modification to one element would cause the Parametric Drawing Engine to determine and display the change in the relationship of the modified element to another element. For example, the user may desire to maintain a definite relationship between the length of a muntin and the width of a window frame. If the length of the muntin is increased, it may become larger than the width of a window frame and therefore the relationship of the length of the muntin to the width of the window frame would be changed. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the change in length of the exemplary muntin would cause the Parametric Drawing Engine to determine a corresponding change in width of the window frame such that the desired relationship between the length of the muntin and the width of the window frame is maintained. It is to be understood that the elements of an illustration may be of any shape (e.g., arcs, lines, circle, squares, triangles), size, dimension suitable for the object to be configured. One of skill in the art would appreciate that the preferred customization methods and systems can be applied to the custom configuration of any object or product. Preferred embodiments of the invention are directed to methods of configuring an object design and articles of manufacture including a machine-readable storage medium having stored therein indicia of a plurality of machine-executable control program steps for configuring a customized object design. These embodiments are inherent or apparent to one of skill in the art from the description of the systems herein. A Preferences Module may also be included in the system. A Preferences Module allows the user to define a set of preferred answers for questions applicable to products in a project. In a preferred embodiment, the set of preferred answers may be based on user selected preferences, regional specification preferences, manufacturer compatibility preferences, etc. As an example, the user can initiate a project and choose “white clad” windows. The user can then set “white clad” as a preference for that entire project. As a result, for every item that the user configures for the project, the system will reference the Preferences Module and will automatically retrieve the preference values by default and override other items. The Preferences Module can also automatically inform a user that the selected preference is unavailable for a given product during the configuration of that product. EXAMPLES As an illustration of exemplary commercial embodiments of the invention, the following descriptions of the embodiments of invention as variously implemented in different iterations of a system for (and method of) configuring window products is provided below. In this exemplary embodiment, the system can display the entire structure of product knowledge associated with the desired product or product line. In particular, two “lists” are displayed in the primary product selection and configuration screen shown in FIG. 3: one for questions 10, and one for answers 12. In a typical usage scenario, the user starts at the beginning of a question list, thie first of which may present the user with a certain product type, such as a window or a door. As questions 10 are answered by the user, other questions 10 that no longer apply are automatically removed from the list. In some cases, answering questions 10 will actually add new questions 10 to the list or will automatically answer other questions 10. Because the entire product knowledge structure is always accessible, the user can answer questions 10 in whatever order is desired, although the default order is generally designed to reflect the flow of a typical product configuration. If the user selects “window,” the configuration system directs questions to develop answers pertinent to window configurations only. Referring to FIG. 4, preferred answers 14, or Preferences, are pre-determined questions 10/answer 12 pairs consisting of any combination of product attributes which will be used repeatedly. Preferences may be useful to save time on large projects or jobs, and a preference set 16 is typically determined for specific product attributes that fit a particular purpose. Once a preference set 16 is defined, it can be used repeatedly thereafter to save time in the product selection process. If the user activates Preferences, the system will automatically select the question 10/answer 12 pairs in the preference set 16 and apply them to the product being configured at runtime. Any number of question 10/answer 12 pairs can be set up as preferred values. Libraries of Preferences may be saved to files for use with repeat customers or recurring product requests. Referring to FIG. 5, Standard Answers 18 is a feature providing the ability to display to the user the “standard” answer 12 for a particular product attribute. Standard Answers 18 can also be automatically selected similar to Preferences and are flexible enough to be changed by the user during the configuration process (i.e., Standard Answers can be applied to some products in a project but not to others). If the user activates Standard Answers 18, the system will automatically answer 12 all questions 10, which have answers defined as “standard” and apply them to the product being configured at runtime. Referring now to FIG. 6, Graphic Selection is a feature which provides a graphic representation 20 of attributes (if applicable), which can represent an answer more clearly 12 than a text description. This feature is particularly useful for the illustration of attributes that would otherwise require either extensive text description or which can be better shown with an image 22. The Graphic Selection array can accommodate a range of static or “animated” electronic representations, including portable network files, metafiles, bitmaps, or other graphic representations. The system also provides Custom Answers. Custom Answers is a feature designed to accommodate direct user input for an answer 12 for which there exists one of the following conditions: 1) an acceptable range of incremental values (e.g., dimensional variables); 2) values defined as “other than the values presented” (e.g., custom operation of a twin casement window); or 3) values that are completely undefined. When a particular question 10 permits custom value answers 12, the Custom Answers box can automatically appear. The system allows the user to enter custom values for dimensional attributes such as unit dimension width, unit dimension height, etc. Ultimately, the questions 10 and answers 12 guide the user to a desired configured product. From that point, the invention can accurately calculate how much the configured product is going to cost. In addition, the consumer can obtain detailed product information, including specifications that follow standard formats for engineering and architecture. Referring to FIG. 8, Standard Parametric Drawings 28 can be generated based on the dimensions of a manufacturer's existing products. Parametric drawings 28 can apply to any product where “views” (e.g., front, top, side) of the product are defined as product attributes. Custom Parametric Drawings 28 can also be generated in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention if the value range(s) for the drawings of the applicable products can be defined. The Schematic Configurator (SC), is used in this example as a tool designed to allow the user to manipulate parametric drawings 28 of products. Using “Drag and Drop” techniques, the user can design and view a variety of product elevations, manipulate individual components, and graphically edit composite unit designs. The SC module can also be used to select and configure products, as well as manipulate, scale and assemble both pre-defined and custom shapes and sizes into composite units. In one embodiment, the SC is used to customize characteristics of a window or door grille (e.g., dimensions and location of muntins, locations of hubs, materials, and color). The user can add and delete muntins, move existing or new muntins and modify the dimensions (e.g., width, length, height), materials (e.g., wood, plastic, metal), color, and texture). The SC also allows the elevation designs to be printed, copied and exported for use in other software applications (e.g., CAD). All pricing information driven by the manipulation of product components may be tracked including mulling charges, custom grille pattern designs, grille types, etc. As a unit is configured, the SC gathers the dimensional information and processes it to display an elevation. When a unit configuration is complete, it can be viewed in the SC where any necessary changes can be made (dimensional changes as well as other attribute changes) and other units can be added. Referring to FIG. 9, composites of products can be created. Composite unit design, assembly and verification are controlled through the SC. When more than one single unit 30 is placed together in the SC, a Custom Composite Unit 32 is created. This placement can be verified by clicking the Mull button 34. Other products can be added to a product already displayed in the SC with three different methods: 1) the Copy function, which creates an exact copy of the selected item; 2) the New Component function, which calls the Selection and Configuration display (FIG. 3) for the configuration of an entirely new unit to be added to the existing unit; and 3) the Design option 38. described below. The Design option 38 in the SC allows the user to add component units 30 that can be mulled 34 to the existing components. As an example, if the user wants to add a round top to an existing rectangular unit 30, the Design option 38 will list all units 30 that are available. The user chooses “Add Round Top” from the list and the system will add the nearest sized round top to the existing unit 30 while simultaneously matching all other relevant attributes. If a new component unit 30 is added which contains attributes not applicable to the base unit 30, the system will present the user with only those questions 10 specifically applicable to the new component and which require the user's response. The Mull option allows the user to verify that mulling of two or more units 30 can be done. Notification of shop, Field or Invalid mull (depending on the units 30 that have been selected) will be presented to the user with a pop-up or “soft” warning display. Referring now to FIG. 10, this exemplary embodiment of the invention can incorporate a Catalog Page feature. The Catalog Page feature displays dimensional attributes whose ranges can be shown in tabular form. Its format is derived from printed product information sources that display such dimensional variables. Catalog Page Drawings 40 provide the user with graphic parametric representations using the widths and heights of the class of products being selected. Unit 30 heights 42 will be displayed down the side of the selection box and the widths 44 will be across the top of the array. This feature clarifies dimensional information presented in text form and provides visual feedback with respect to the scale and size of selected products. Referring to FIG. 11, product information can be displayed in a DataGrid. The DataGrid is a tool that allows the user to view a table of answers 10 for a list of questions 12. Similar in form to catalog pages, DataGrids reflect tabular displays of product attributes found in printed catalogs and price books. In this view the questions 12 are presented across the top of the DataGrid instead of down the left hand side of the page. The DataGrid is useful where product questions 10 and answers 12 have a one-to-one correspondence. Referring to FIG. 12, a Custom Shapes Editor allows the user to size custom shaped products. The example shown in FIG. 10 directly applies to windows and doors, but may apply to any customizable product. The Editor is automatically opened when a custom shape product is selected as a product category. The Custom Shapes Editor is generally used in conjunction with Catalog Pages to select the general product shape (see FIG. 10) and permits the user to select and specify any combination of dimensional parameters 48 within the engineering limits set by the manufacturer. The Editor also displays a parametric representation of the custom product for inclusion on quotations. All pricing formulas relating to, for example, glass size, glass area, grille patterns and types, frame side lengths, and other parameters 48, can be driven with the Custom Shape Editor. Referring to FIG. 13, this exemplary embodiment of the invention utilizes data tables and formulas to look up, calculate and store base prices 50 plus add-on prices 52 of available product options. The total price 53 can include project-based price adjustments if applicable. Pricing of products utilizes a combination of values accessed from a table and enhanced by formulas, which calculate up charges, add-ons and other product options. These methodologies allow the lookup, calculation and storage of unit base prices 50 plus prices 52 for all applicable product features and add-ons. Project-based price adjustments are also available for customer discounts, promotions and competitive bidding situations. An accessories module is added containing product accessories 54 supplied by the manufacturer in conjunction with its primary products. The accessories module can include lineal products (e.g., extension jambs, molding, mull covers, etc.) as well as individual or boxed parts and components (handles, hinges, operators, etc.). This module can also be used to add accessories 54 to a quote that are purchased from other sources. Such additional items are added by entering text descriptions in a text box along with the prices for such items. All accessories 54 entered through the module appear on the quote as individual line items. Functionality can also be included to price accessories that are configurable (i.e., items which are defined by attributes displayed and represented in the Selection and Configuration display (FIG. 3). These accessories or replacement items require product knowledge description and definition similar to primary products and present the user with relevant questions and answers as already described. Referring to FIG. 15, this exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a function to enable line item discounting for products, product lines and related attributes. Line item discounting can be applied to specific configured units; specific attributes (e.g., screens, grilles, etc.) or configured composite units. All of the line items for which discounting is available are displayed in the Line Item Adjust Box 56 lists. The Line Item Adjust box lists all applicable items, and price adjustment may be applied as follows: 1) none; 2) by multiplier; 3) by a flat fee; or 4) percentage (%). Using the price adjust function, additional price adjustments can be applied to specific clients, individual units within a project, individual projects, or to groups of projects. Referring to FIG. 16, this exemplary embodiment of the invention enables production of a variety of outputs, one of which can be an order form as shown. The client manufacturer can derive the format, content and design of the order form from an existing form in use. Order forms can contain all codes 26 necessary to build a specified product as well as pricing and dealer/distributor information. The order form is a tabular view of the information needed to build the set of products defined by a particular project. Also included is an “electronic order form” mechanism through which comma or tab delimited ASCII files can be created and exported. These files can be imported by other applications and may be designed to meet the needs of each manufacturer. Referring to FIG. 17, this exemplary embodiment of the invention enables the production of quotes, which include scaled elevation drawings of the product, reflecting the parametric drawings 28 generated during product selection and the use of the Schematic Configurator module. Also included is a list of all options chosen, the unit base price 50, add-on prices 52 for non-standard choices, total price 53 for each product, and a grand total 60 of all products in the project. Referring to FIG. 18, this exemplary embodiment of the invention can provide a Schedule Generator. The Schedule Generator can build a product schedule 62, listing all products included in a project, and relevant attributes assigned to each product, plus the system assigned product code 26. The Schedule 62 is constructed as products are selected and constitutes a valuable tool for use by sales people as well as design and construction professionals, providing a full view of the products to be used in a construction project. When an attribute of any unit 30 is changed, the change is reflected on the Schedule 62 as well. The Schedule 62 can be displayed on-screen or printed as hard copy. Referring to FIG. 19, the exemplary embodiment of the invention enables generation of product specifications 64. After a product has been configured and the user requests a technical specification 64 for that product, the Specification Generator gathers all relevant product information and produces a valid proprietary specification which conforms to the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) three part section format. The Specification Generator works from content-complete template specifications supplied by the manufacturer. The system can produce unique customized specifications 64 for each product in a project or (as an additional option) a single specification 64 for multiple products. Referring to FIG. 20, this exemplary embodiment of the invention allows the user to view, print, copy, and export AutoCAD drawing files as DXF files, compatible with a number of CAD systems under the Windows environment. This embodiment of the invention has the ability to do multi-layered component assembly of DWG files. Component assembly is the process of displaying several DWG files at once, which overlay one another to compose an entire detail. The image 66 displayed as a section detail is actually made from three to five separate sub-assembly drawings, and several cross section details can be displayed simultaneously. The drawings included are based on the attributes selected during product selection and configuration. The system can export DWG files to a DXF formatted file. This feature allows the editing of exported drawings using a CAD system that accepts DXF files. The system also will allow the user to print drawing details. Referring to FIG. 21, this exemplary embodiment can include a project database, which maintains and tracks information that is unique to a particular project. The project database contains the sales or customer service representative's name 68, relevant customer information 70 and project information 72 for that particular project. When a new project is created, information from associated databases for sales-representatives and customers is available through drop-down boxes. Fields for Terms of Payment, PO Number, Price Multiplier, and Project name are available, as well as the Line Item Adjust function (FIG. 15). Projects are categorized as Current or Archived and can be moved between these categories as necessary. When a Project is highlighted in the Project window, all units in that project are displayed. Interfaces to contact management systems, sales systems and sales force automation systems can also be engineered on request. The system allows for record additions, changes to existing records, deletion of records, and duplication of records. Referring to FIG. 22, system can also include a Sales-Representative database, which controls all information for sales-representatives. These items are ID# 76, Name 78, Territory 80, phone number 82 and fax number 84. The system allows for record additions, changes to existing records, deletion of records, and duplication of records. The Customer list for each sales-representative can be viewed by selecting a specific sales-representative name in the listing. Referring to FIG. 23, this exemplary embodiment of the invention can also include a Customer database to control all information for customers. These items are ID# 76a, Name 78a, separate billing 80a and shipping Addresses, Contact name 78b, Customer type 86, and miscellaneous defaults. The system allows for record additions, changes to existing records, deletion of records and duplication of records. Customers are displayed in a listing which includes the sales-representative for each customer. This exemplary embodiment of the invention can also include an Import/Export function set which permits a project to be built on one computer and exported into a file format, which can be imported into the same application on another computer (provided the product knowledge sets are exactly the same). This function set allows a project to be constructed by a customer and then imported by a dealer, distributor or sales representative for quote generation, final order pricing adjustment and negotiation. Similarly, projects can be shared between dealers, sales-people and customer service personnel. This exemplary embodiment of the invention also includes a System Help File. The System Help File can offer an on-line condensed version of the full user documentation typically supplied with the system. The System Help File can provide easily accessible information to assist in the operation of the system. The System Help File can be configured to be context-sensitive so that the Help topics available are driven by the user's position in the system. Referring to FIG. 24, this exemplary embodiment of the invention can include a Product Line Review function. The Product Line Review offers manufacturer and product line information 88, as well as general industry information 88, as it relates to the manufacturer's product line. Product Line Review is typically derived from each manufacturer's sales and marketing catalog(s), promotional brochures and other printed materials. Product Line Review can include full color or black & white scanned images 90, product features and benefits (as text descriptions), line drawings, technical illustrations and other appropriate product information. Referring to FIG. 25, this exemplary embodiment of the invention can incorporate an Interactive Tutor. The Interactive Tutor is a series of help screens 92 referenced to specific system features and functions. When the Show Messages (or Tutor) option is checked, the system will present messages on the screen to assist the user with the next step. This option is turned on or off by either selecting the Tutor button or by opening the Tutor Menu and clicking Show Messages so that the check is removed. Audio/Visual Presentations can also be included as an integral part of the exemplary system. Sound, video or both media combined can be utilized to present, promote or enhance the client company and its products. Examples of this kind of information include videos of manufacturing processes, product installation procedures, or sales and marketing presentations. Audio information can include theme music or sound tracks, which complement video information. This exemplary embodiment of the invention can also include a Product Information Module. The Product Information module allows the user to view various catalogs as a product is specified. Combining the expert system with the Adobe Acrobat Reader, for example, allows users access to a range of supporting product information. The printed catalogs from which this information is derived are more graphically oriented than CAD drawings and specifications. Generally, the format of this kind of material is PDF files. Referring now to FIG. 26, flow chart 300 illustrates how another exemplary implementation of a preferred embodiment of the invention can be employed by a sales-representative/user in ordering sales for customers/users in the field. After the program is started at Step 302, the sales-representative will call on new or existing customers to investigate prospective business. The sales representative can then run the system and start a project. At step 304, the representative would initiate the project (Step 304) and a list of all projects would be displayed. The representative can then initiate a new project 308. Alternatively, the system could remain in a “wait” mode 306 until the project button is initiated. Once the project button is initiated, the sales-representative can then type in the client's name and address, and other pertinent information at step 310. Once the client information is entered then the user is presented with a configuration screen 312 that can be used to begin adding product information. The manner in which a product is entered consists of the user inputting into the system a request for a new “mark.” A “mark” refers to a configured unit or product such as a window, door, or other assembly. The user can then select a product type, such as a window, at step 314. The user can then begin to configure a new mark and at that point is prompted to answer some questions about the product at step 315 such as the type, size, or style of window desired. The sales-representative/user can input the specific product information, for example, color options, glass type, etc. At step 318, the sales-representative can select a quantity of product for the project. As a result, the system will repeat (320) the same configuration for the number of windows entered in the Quantity data field. At step 322, the user can create custom composite units. At this point, the user would enter the Schematic Configurator and choose the composite elements for the configurator to construct at step 324. Once the custom configuration is complete, or if the custom composite step is bypassed (323), the user can initiate a quote button at step 326, which enables the calculation of a price quote for the products currently defined by the project. The quote can contain individual descriptions of each product selected in preceding steps with all associated pricing, along with a drawing of each product with any custom composite units. Moreover, the information can be displayed, printed, presented or otherwise output together or separately at step 328. At step 330, the system would provide a price total and a total quote for the project. FIG. 27 illustrates another exemplary implementation of a preferred embodiment, in which a dealer distributor adds individual sales representatives to the database at step 402. Customer names will then be added at step 404. The system will then check whether all customers have been added at step 406. If not, then it will loop back to add more names at step 408. Once all customers have been added to the database at step 410, the system will query whether the same thing has been done for sales representatives at steps 412, 414, and 416. Once this data has been added, then the system will generate the customer database sales report. Once completed, this program will end. Another exemplary implementation of a preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 28. Upon initiating a product customization, the user can create a project 450. A product can be selected 452 to be configured for that project. The product can be configured by accessing the Schematic Configurator 454 to create a custom composite product. This step 454 can be repeated 458 until all the products for a specific project have been configured at step 456. Upon completion of configuration of all products for the project 460, additional projects may be created by returning to step 450 (464). Once all projects have been created and all products for these projects have been selected and configured 462, the user moves on 466 in the system by accessing the Generator for Output Reports 468, whereby schedules, CAD drawings, Technical Specification Sheets, etc. can be created as hard copies 470. After the generation of output reports, the user can export CAD Details to CAD software 472. Before exiting the system, the user can transmit the project and all related information regarding the project to a dealer for a price quote 474, which can also be printed as a hard copy. Another exemplary implementation of a preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 29. In this exemplary embodiment, a user/sales-representative can initiate configuration of products in at least three ways: by taking a Telephone Sales and Order Entry 480, by Receiving a printed order form 482, and by Importing electronic project CIP (or other text format) 484. If a Printed order form is received 482, or Telephone Sales and Order Entry is taken 480, the sales-representative proceeds to create or select the customer from the Customer Database 486. Next the sales-representative can Create or Append a project for that customer 488. A desired product can be configured for that project 489. This step can be repeated 492 until all the desired products for that customer or customer's project have been configured. Once all the products have been configured 494, the sales-representative can decide whether or not all the projects have been added for that customer 496. If they have not 498, the sales-representative can return to step 488 and create or access additional projects. If all the projects have been attended to 500, the sales-representative can determine if all customers have been added. If additional customers need to be added to the system or accessed within the system, the sales-representative can return 504 to step 486 to create new files or select customers from the database, and then repeat the aforementioned steps. After all customers have been attended to, the user can transmit a product code (e.g., End Item Code) to back-end manufacturing and/or ERP systems before exiting the system. If, as shown in FIG. 29, the user imports electronic Project CIP (or other text format), the user can access Integrated Manufacturing Software and move on to determine if the Version Control (VC) Number is correct 506. If not, the user can verify by telephone at step 480, and progress therefrom throughout the system as discussed above. If the VC Number is correct 510, the user can then add the order to any of the Sales Representative, Customer, Project, or Mark Databases 512. Next the user/sales-representative can Transmit the End Item Code to the back-end manufacturing and/or ERP systems 514. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the functions, features and architectures described above can be part of a network available to enable business-to-business commerce over the Internet. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, an Internet portal (and a corresponding method) is provided to be the center of a selected vertical market in a particular industry or collection of industries (e.g., fenestration, or windows and doors as exemplified above). The portal can be an Internet focal point for the participants in the vertical market. The portal can not only incorporate the configuration system described above for use by participants in the portal, but also can be a virtual space for industry news and information as well as a means for facilitating commerce by and between the participating manufacturers, dealers, distributors, and retail customers making up the vertical market, as shown in FIG. 30. The portal provides the central services for its participating members, providing news, advertisements, means for communication between members. The portal also provides a member-to-member commerce channel providing product offerings, configuration tools, ordering and purchasing mechanisms. Fees can be charged for membership to the portal, advertisements viewed or displayed on the portal, or as part of any member-to-member commerce transactions. The portal can be an authoritative point of information about a given product market or focused to a specific group within the vertical market. The software package creating the portal can be a suite of Web applications enabling the creation of e-commerce communities for business customers. Virtual communities can be created through this portal where customers within the vertical market can shop, learn, play and explore common interests. This portal can incorporate the configuration-related system described heretofore. The portal can be accessible to those with market-specific expertise, and in return for membership in the portal, the participants can provide much of the content themselves in the form of advertising, news, discussions, sales, etc. as shown in FIG. 30. FIGS. 33-51 illustrate another exemplary implementation of a preferred embodiment, in which a user can design or customize an element in the form of a grille for a window or door using a Parametric Drawing Engine or other module of the system. As shown in FIG. 33, user interface window 515 depicts a window frame 516 and a window grille 518 having, for example, a circular muntin 520 and vertical muntin 521. A modification to window frame 516 which increases its length would cause corresponding modifications to the remaining elements (e.g., circular muntin 520 and vertical muntin 521) such that the relative connections of window frame 516 to circular muntin 520 and vertical muntin 521 remain the same. For example, increasing the height of window frame 516 would cause a corresponding increase in the length of vertical muntin 521 and the circumference of circular muntin 520. Alternatively, a change in color of circular muntin 520 from white to black can cause a corresponding change in color of vertical muntin 521 from white to black. FIGS. 34-35 illustrate an “auto align” feature in accordance with a preferred embodiment. FIG. 34 shows window grilles having vertical and horizontal muntins that are not spaced at equal intervals. FIG. 35 shows alignment of the vertical and horizontal muntins after applying auto-alignment to the illustration such that the vertical and horizontal muntins are spaced at equal intervals. Optionally, the auto-align feature can be used to align any characteristic of an illustration (e.g., radii of hubs, position of groups of muntins and hubs, etc.). Referring to FIGS. 36-37, the width of a muntin can be changed in accordance with a preferred embodiment. FIG. 36 shows a horizontal muntin before adjustment of its width. FIG. 37 shows the horizontal muntin after its width is increased. Optionally, the width of the remaining muntins could automatically be resized to the same width. FIG. 38 shows a hub (grey) which is expanded to a larger size as shown in FIG. 39. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the length of the muntins connected to the hub are proportionally reduced in length relative to the increased size of the hub. The auto-align feature can also be used to align any characteristic of an illustration across multiple panes or window grilles. For example, characteristics of window grilles depicted on the same illustration or a different illustration displayed on multiple panes or screens can be resized and/or aligned simultaneously. Referring to FIGS. 40-41, a misaligned vertical muntin is aligned in accordance with a preferred embodiment. FIG. 40 shows a misaligned vertical muntin. In FIG. 41, the muntin is shown as aligned with the remaining vertical muntins. FIGS. 42-43 show the movement of a horizontal muntin along the sides of a window frame in accordance with a preferred embodiment. FIG. 42 shows a horizontal muntin with its ends terminating at an initial position along the sides of a pentagon-shaped window frame. FIG. 43 shows the horizontal muntin moved upward. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the length of the horizontal muntin is proportionally reduced such that the ends of the horizontal muntin still terminate at the sides of the window frame. FIGS. 44-45 show the expansion of multiple elements in response to the movement of a vertical muntin in a “sticky” movement within a window frame in accordance with a preferred embodiment. FIG. 44 shows a gray vertical muntin and its relationship to other elements within a window frame. FIG. 45 shows the result of moving the vertical muntin toward the left side of the window frame. In response to the movement of the vertical muntin, the system automatically adjusts the remaining elements to maintain their relative size, position, and symmetry within the window frame compared to the vertical muntin. For example, the length of the horizontal muntins increases in response to the movement of the vertical muntin. The right hand side vertical muntin is reduced in height to match the left hand side vertical muntin, and the right hand side vertical muntin is shifted to the right to maintain the symmetry about the middle of the window frame. FIGS. 46-47 shows the movement of a horizontal “shoulder” muntin and corresponding modifications to muntins connected to the shoulder in accordance with a preferred embodiment. FIG. 46 shows an initial position of the shoulder muntin (gray) relative to muntins connected to the shoulder muntin at a single point or node. FIG. 47 shows that the length of the muntins connected to the shoulder muntin are automatically increased by the system as the shoulder muntin is moved toward the bottom of the window frame. FIG. 48 shows the “nodes” or points which define the end points of elements of an illustration in accordance with a preferred embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 49-51, the ability of the system to permit an element to “follow” or not follow another element is illustrated in accordance with a preferred embodiment. FIG. 49 depicts a horizontal muntin (gray) attached to a vertical muntin at the midpoint of the horizontal muntin. FIG. 50 shows that the system automatically causes the vertical muntin to “follow” (i.e., increase in length) as the horizontal muntin is moved by the user to the top of the window frame. FIG. 51 depicts another preferred embodiment where the vertical muntin does not follow as the horizontal muntin is moved by the user toward the top of the window frame. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more processor-based systems are used to implement the modules described or apparent from the description herein and to perform the functionality described (or inherent) herein. For each such system, one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU)) are provided for execution of one or more computer programs stored on any (one or more) known recording mediums. The processor(s) perform, control, or at least inform the various processing steps performed by the system in sending and retrieving data to and from at least one user interface and/or network. A user interface may be connected directly to a bus or remotely connected through a network (e.g., Internet). The network represents (wired or wireless) connection of two or more devices, whether directly or indirectly connected (e.g., directly coupling through cable, indirect coupling through one or more hubs or servers, whether the network is local to the processor-based system, geographically remote from system, or a distributed combination of local/remote network components). Preferably, one or more of the modules are coupled (directly or indirectly) to one or more database structures for use in supplying storage functionality for the modules in accordance with the operations described (or inherent) herein. The database structures can take any form from an individual floppy disk drive, hard disk drive, CD-ROM, redundant array of independent devices (RAID) system, to a network of the same or other storage devices. As is well known in the art, the database structures may be physically connected within the same location, or have one or more structures remotely located in different locations. Each module may have dedicated or shared access to one or more database structures locally or remotely located from the module. While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, it should be apparent that many modifications to the embodiments and implementations of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Although the configuration system (and corresponding method) has been specifically described in connection with the configuration of a product (e.g., window), it should be apparent that the system (and method) can be applied to any product, service, component group or other object that is to be designed or configured such as cabinets, rooms, houses, cars, landscape designs, clothing, etc. While the illustrated embodiments have been described utilizing Internet communications, it should be readily apparent that other communication systems or (wired/wireless) networks (e.g., intranets, private bulletin boards, individual local or wide area networks, proprietary chat rooms, ICQ, IRC channels, instant messaging systems, etc.) using real-time or non-real-time systems in lieu of or in addition to the disclosed Internet resources may also be utilized. A Pricing Engine module could be added to the configuration system to generate pricing and cost information for individual products, components, projects, etc. both on a real-time, on-going basis, as the user interacts with the system, and also to provide total (or sub-total) pricing data for the configured product or project. The Pricing Engine may include bid and quote generation functionality to facilitate the production and transmission of bid/quotes by users to their ultimate customers. A Product Code Engine (see FIG. 7) may be added to generate (and receive as inputs) codes (e.g., UPC, EIC, etc.) assigned by manufacturers, retailers, or other users, as well as by the system itself for use in processing data associated with a particular product, component, project, etc. The product codes may be used by other modules of the system (e.g., the Pricing Engine) to associate data (e.g., prices) directly with the product codes. A Communications module can be added to streamline the sales, order entry and manufacturing process: from transaction sites through the plant and to the job site. Thus, for example, the user, sales representative, or other individual can place an order of the configured product/service directly with the provider (e.g., manufacturer). The communication can be accomplished through any known means of communication (e.g., telephone, fax, e-mail, Internet, etc.). The Communications module would provide the system with capability to transmit (e.g., fax) quotes to remote ordering locations. A Specification Generator module may also be added to generate detailed specifications in textual and/or graphical format for the configured products/services, etc. The specifications may be displayed, output, exported, or transmitted as desired by the user. The modules described herein, particularly those illustrated or inherent in the instant disclosure, may be one or more hardware, software, or hybrid components residing in (or distributed among) one or more local or remote computer systems. Although the modules are shown or described as physically separated components, it should be readily apparent that the modules may be combined or further separated into a variety of different components, sharing different resources (including processing units, memory, clock devices, software routines, etc.) as required for the particular implementation of the embodiments disclosed herein. Indeed, even a single general purpose computer executing a computer program stored on an article of manufacture (e.g., recording medium) to produce the functionality and any other memory devices referred to herein may be utilized to implement the illustrated embodiments. User interface devices may be any device used to input and/or output information. The user interface device may be implemented as a graphical user interface (GUI) containing a display or the like, or may be a link to other user input/output devices known in the art. Discrete functionality of the system may be separated (logically or physically) to more efficiently operate the system. Many of the fundamental data coordinating functions (e.g., functionality performed by Core 102) may be separated into a Foundation-Level Tools Subsystem. This Subsystem may include a BB Assist Module to create BB structures and the like. In addition, memory units described herein may be any one or more known storage devices (e.g., Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), hard disk drive (HDD), floppy drive, zip drive, compact disk-ROM, DVD, bubble memory, etc.), and may also be one or more memory devices embedded within a processor, or shared with one or more of the other components. The computer programs or algorithms described herein may easily be configured as one or more hardware modules, and the hardware modules shown may easily be configured as one or more software modules without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the foregoing description, drawings, or specific examples enumerated herein.
<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>In the building and construction industry, job estimation is a time-consuming and costly process. In order to appropriately estimate the cost of any job an individual must assemble both the correct product to satisfy the engineering criteria of a given project and then assemble prices from a variety of data sources. Complex estimates compound the work and cost of this process. In a complex project, estimates are often assembled from a combination of pricing sources. These estimates require both a structured and intimate understanding of the product, its technical specifications, and costs.
<SOH> SUMMARY <EOH>In accordance with preferred embodiments and applications of the invention, an automated custom configuration system (and method) is provided for facilitating the configuration and customization of desired products, services, or other objects that require users to gather and assimilate disparate relevant information (e.g., knowledge of makes, models, types, features, options, limitations, codes, and prices of the desired product/service (or group of the same) to be configured and customized). In accordance with a preferred embodiment, custom configuration may be facilitated through a parametric drawing engine which provides illustrations of configuration data. User modification of an element of an illustrated object may cause the parametric drawing engine to determine and display a corresponding modification in the remaining elements of the illustration such that the connections of the modified element to the remaining elements remains the same and the parameters of the object adhere to the relevant design rules, or other requirements of a given vendor or manufacturer. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a change in an attribute of an element of an illustrated object (e.g., color, material, texture, etc.) causes the engine to determine and display corresponding changes in the attributes of certain other elements.
20041214
20101228
20050630
78005.0
1
MOLL, NITHYA JANAKIRAMAN
AUTOMATED CUSTOM CONFIGURATION SYSTEM AND METHOD
SMALL
0
ACCEPTED
2,004
11,010,495
ACCEPTED
Method and device for doctor blade retention
A toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus, the cartridge having: a housing defining a toner reservoir; a developer roller supported by the housing; a doctor blade supported by the housing and positioned adjacent the developer roller; and a retainer connected to the housing and positioned over a side of the doctor blade opposite the reservoir.
1. (canceled) 2. A method for providing toner to an image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein covering the doctor blade comprises partially covering the doctor blade. 3. A method for providing toner to an image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein covering the blade comprises covering more than half of the doctor blade. 4. A method for providing toner to an image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising supporting a side of the doctor blade opposite the reservoir with the cover. 5. A method for providing toner to an image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising biasing the doctor blade toward the developer roller with the cover over the doctor blade. 6. A method for providing toner to an image forming said method comprising: applying toner from a reservoir to a developer roller; regulating the amount of toner applied to the developer roller with a doctor blade; covering the doctor blade with a cover opposite the reservoir to retain toner; and supporting a doctor blade spring with the cover over the doctor blade. 7. (canceled) 8. A toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the retainer comprises at least one flange extending toward the doctor blade. 9. A toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the retainer comprises a stop post positioned adjacent the doctor blade opposite the developer roller. 10. A toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the retainer comprises a retention post positioned adjacent to a side of the doctor blade. 11. A toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the retainer comprises a retention block positioned adjacent to a side of the doctor blade. 12. A toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the retainer comprises a flange extending toward the doctor blade, wherein the flange comprises a stop post, a retention post, and a retention block. 13. A toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the retainer comprises a cover that extends over more than half of the doctor blade. 14. A toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus the cartridge comprising: a housing defining a toner reservoir; a developer roller supported by the housing; a doctor blade supported by the housing and positioned adjacent the developer roller; and a retainer connected to the housing and positioned over a side of the doctor blade opposite the reservoir; wherein the cartridge further comprises a doctor blade spring, wherein the retainer comprises a spring cleat that supports the doctor blade spring. 15. A toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the cartridge further comprises an extension from the housing that supports the doctor blade on a side of the doctor blade facing the reservoir. 16. A toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, further comprising an extension from the housing that supports the doctor blade on a side of the doctor blade facing the reservoir, and wherein the retainer comprises a retention post and is positioned such that the doctor blade is between the extension and the retention post. 17. A toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the cartridge further comprises a dampener attached to the retainer and positioned to contact the doctor blade. 18. (canceled) 19. A system for supporting a doctor blade as claimed in claim 21, further comprising a stop post attached to the flange. 20. A system for supporting a doctor blade as claimed in claim 21, further comprising a retention post attached to the flange. 21. A system for supporting a doctor blade the system comprising: a retainer connectable to a toner cartridge housing at a position adjacent to a doctor blade opposite a toner reservoir; a flange extending from the retainer and engageable with the doctor blade; and a cover of the doctor blade for retaining toner. 22. A system for supporting a doctor blade as claimed in claim 21, further comprising a spring cleat that supports a doctor blade spring. 23. A system for supporting a doctor blade as claimed in claim 21, further comprising a dampener attached to the retainer and positioned to contact the doctor blade. 24. (canceled)
FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention, according to one embodiment, relates to image forming equipment, including, e.g., copiers, printers, facsimile machines and/or the like. In particular, this invention, according to an embodiment, relates to methods and devices for positioning a doctor blade against a developer roller and may prevent and/or reduce toner loss. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Image forming devices including copiers, laser printers, facsimile machines, and the like, include a photo conductive drum (hereinafter “photoconductor”) having a rigid cylindrical surface that is coated along a defined length of its outer surface. The surface of the photoconductor is typically charged to a uniform electrical potential and then selectively exposed to light in a pattern corresponding to an original image. The areas of the photoconductive surface exposed to light are discharged, thus forming a latent electrostatic image on the photoconductive surface. A developer material, such as toner, having an electrical charge such that the toner is attracted to the photoconductive surface is used for forming the image. The toner is normally stored in a reservoir adjacent to the photoconductor and is transferred to the photoconductor by the developer roll. The thickness of the toner layer on the developer roll may be controlled by a nip, which is typically formed between a doctor blade and the developer roll. A recording sheet, such as a blank sheet of paper, may then be brought into contact with the discharged photoconductive surface and the toner therein is transferred to the recording sheet in the form of the latent electrostatic image. The recording sheet may then be heated thereby permanently fusing the toner to the sheet. In preparation for the next image forming cycle, the photoconductive surface may be discharged and residual toner removed. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate typical toner housings. Developer roller 4, doctor blade 5, and toner reservoir 6 may be supported and held together by a toner cartridge housing 2. Housing 2 may be made of plastic, molded parts and may be configured to retain the internal components. In particular, housing 2 may support doctor blade 5 in, e.g., close contact with developer roller 4, and may provide a nip point that may apply a uniform layer of toner to the drum. Some toner housings 2 may also support a doctor blade spring 7 that may bias doctor blade 5 toward developer roller 4. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, typical toner cartridge housings may also have a stop post 12 positioned above doctor blade 5 opposite developer roller 4. Stop post 12 may function to control the maximum movement of doctor blade 5 away from developer roller 4. Stop posts may function to ensure safety during handling of the cartridge 1, e.g., they may keep the doctor blade within the cartridge. By way of example, if the cartridge is dropped, the stop post may prevent the doctor blade from separating from the housing and possibly damaging the cartridge, image forming apparatus, or injuring a person handling the equipment. Typical toner housings may also have a retention post 14 and a retention block 16. Retention posts 14 and retention blocks 16 may function to maintain doctor blade 5 in the proper orientation with the doctor blade lower edge positioned against developer roller 4. The post and block may work in combination and the doctor blade may contact only one or both during the toner transfer process. They may also function to effectively control the positioning of the doctor blade without causing friction with the doctor blade that may restrict the movement of the doctor blade to and from the developer roller. Stop posts, retention posts, and retention blocks may be constructed as a unitary piece having a common back section 18. (See FIG. 1). SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention, according to one embodiment, relates to image forming equipment, including, e.g., copiers, printers, facsimile machines and/or the like. In particular, this invention, according to an embodiment, relates to methods and devices for positioning a doctor blade against a developer roller while, e.g., reducing and/or preventing toner loss. According to one embodiment of the invention, there may be provided a method for providing toner to an image forming apparatus, said method may have the following steps: applying toner from a reservoir to a developer roller; regulating the amount of toner applied to the developer roller with a doctor blade; and covering the doctor blade with a cover opposite the reservoir to retain toner. A further embodiment of the invention provides a toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus, the cartridge may have: a housing defining a toner reservoir; a developer roller supported by the housing; a doctor blade supported by the housing and positioned adjacent the developer roller; and a retainer connected to the housing and positioned over a side of the doctor blade opposite the reservoir. Still another embodiment of the invention, may provide a system for supporting a doctor blade, the system having: a retainer connectable to a toner cartridge housing at a position adjacent to a doctor blade opposite a toner reservoir; and a flange may extend from the retainer and engage the doctor blade. According to a still further embodiment of the invention, there may be provided a toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus, the cartridge having: a housing defining a toner reservoir; a developer roller supported by the housing; a doctor blade supported by the housing and positioned adjacent to the developer roller; and a means for retaining toner escaping from between the developer roller and the doctor blade. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Some embodiments of the present invention may be better understood by reading the following description of non-limitative embodiments with reference to the attached drawings wherein like parts of each of the several figures are identified by the same referenced characters, and which are briefly described as follows: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art toner cartridge having a developer roller and a doctor blade; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art toner cartridge having a developer roller and a doctor blade; FIG. 3 is an expanded, perspective view of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the invention having a retainer; FIG. 4 is an expanded, perspective view of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the invention having a retainer; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the invention having a retainer; and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional, side view of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the invention having a retainer. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, as the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 3, a perspective view of a toner cartridge is illustrated. Toner cartridge 1 may have a housing 2 that supports a developer roller 4 and a doctor blade 5. A toner reservoir 6 may be retained within housing 2 behind developer roller 4. A doctor blade spring 7 may be positioned above doctor blade 5 to, e.g., bias doctor blade 5 toward developer roller 4. Toner cartridge 1 may also have a retainer 10 that mates with housing 2. Retainer 10 may have two flanges 19 that may extend from retainer 10 toward housing 2. Each flange 19 may have a stop post 12, and may have two retention points, e.g., a retention post 14 and a retention block 16. Retention post 14 may be located at the lower most end of the flange 19 below the stop post 12. And the retention block 16 may be positioned between the stop post 12 and the retention post 14. In the illustrated embodiment, retainer 10 may also have a cover 15 that may, e.g., extend the entire length of retainer 10 to fully or partially enclose doctor blade 5 and optionally, doctor blade spring 7. Cover 15 may prevent and/or reduce toner from collecting on the external surfaces of the toner unit and may minimize the user's exposure to toner. Retainer 10 may retain doctor blade 5 in housing 2. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, retainer 10 may also retain doctor blade spring 7 in housing 2 with, e.g., a spring cleat 11. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, retainer 10, cover 15, spring cleat 11, stop post 12, retention post 14, and retention block 16 may be formed as a unitary piece. Further, according to certain embodiments of the invention, cover 15 may visually block doctor blade 5 and optionally, doctor blade spring 7 from the user's view, e.g., to provide a more integrated appearance to housing 2. In certain embodiments, cover 15 may only enclose a portion of the doctor blade 5 and/or doctor blade spring 7. According to an embodiment of the invention, in the middle of retainer 10, a spring cleat 11 may be fixed to cover 15. Spring cleat 11 may engage and may support doctor blade spring 7 and, e.g., push doctor blade spring 7 toward doctor blade 5. If retainer 10 is attached to housing 2, doctor blade spring 7 may be supported by spring cleat 11, e.g., above doctor blade 5 to, e.g., maintain a force to bias a lower edge of doctor blade 5 against developer roller 4. The drawings illustrate doctor blade 5 substantially perpendicular to developer roller 4, however, other orientations may also provide for transfer of desired toner amounts. Doctor blade spring 7 may contact doctor blade 5 at more than one location along the doctor blade 5 to, e.g., ensure that an even and distributed force may be applied across the entire width of developer roller 4. Retainer 10 may have a plurality of holes 13 through which fasteners may extend to secure retainer 10 to housing 2. In particular, the fasteners may be screws, rivets, guide posts or any other fastener means known to skilled persons. Housing 2 and retainer 10 may be constructed of polystyrene, or any other material known to skilled persons. FIG. 3 also illustrates that housing 2 may have a pair of extensions 25 mounted on a housing support 22 of housing 2. In the illustrated embodiment, extensions 25 may be equally spaced from a centerline of housing 2. According to certain embodiments, the distance between extensions 25 may vary depending upon the parameters of the toner cartridge. According to one embodiment, the extensions may be separated by about 25 mm, but other separation distances may be utilized. Extensions 25 may have a variety of shapes and sizes. According to an embodiment of the invention, extensions 25 may be substantially rectangular in shape and may have a width of about 5 mm and may have a thickness of about 1.5 mm. According to another embodiment of the invention, a stiffening rib may extend between housing support 22 and a back of extensions 25 and may, e.g., provide additional stiffness and/or strength. According to certain embodiments of the invention, a shoulder may extend outward from the face of extensions 25 to support a dampener 26, or the dampener 26 may be adhered to the face. According to an embodiment of the invention, both extensions 25 may have the same shape, size and dimensions to equally support doctor blade 5. Any number of extensions, including a single one, may be used to support doctor blade 5. According to an embodiment of the invention, dampeners 26 may be provided and may have a damping capacity to absorb vibrations from doctor blade 5. According to one embodiment of the invention, dampeners 26 may be constructed of a resilient material that may be compressed by doctor blade 5 and may apply a force to doctor blade 5. In relation to one embodiment of the invention, dampeners 26 may be constructed of PORON foam, a polyurethane foam commercially available from Rogers Corp. as 4790-92-2008104. According to an embodiment of the invention, only one extension includes a dampener 26. According to an embodiment of the invention, dampeners 26 may have a thickness such that doctor blade 121 contacts dampeners 26 on a first side and a retention block 16 on the opposite side. According to one embodiment of the invention, dampeners 26 may be about 2.0 mm thick. Dampeners 26 may have a variety of shapes and sizes. According to an embodiment, dampeners 26 may be positioned on the front of the extensions 25 and may rest on a shoulder adjacent to a bottom edge of the extensions 25. According to another embodiment, dampeners 26 may have a width of about 5.0 mm. In one embodiment, dampeners 26 may be attached to extensions 25 by an adhesive that may be applied in a variety of manners. According to an embodiment, the adhesive comprises a pressure sensitive material applied to one side of dampeners 26 facing extensions 25. In relation to one embodiment of the invention, the adhesive may be Model No. 7953 manufactured by 3M. Extensions 25 may include a knurled surface to improve the adhesion of the adhesive. According to certain embodiments of the invention dampeners 26 may be applied to retention posts 14 and/or retention blocks 16 in addition to being applied to extensions 25 or instead of being applied to extensions 25. Doctor blade 5 may also be squeezed slightly between extensions 25 and retention posts 14 and/or retention blocks 16 by adjusting the positions of the support structures relative to the thickness of doctor blade 5. Referring to FIG. 4, a perspective view of a toner cartridge 1, according to one embodiment of the invention, is illustrated. Toner cartridge 1 may have a housing 2 and a retainer 10. Housing 2 may have contained within (i) a developer roller 4, (ii) a doctor blade 5 and (iii) a toner reservoir 6. Retainer 10 may have a cover 15 that may extend the entire length of retainer 10. Cover 15 may be contoured to fit over doctor blade 5 and optionally, doctor blade spring 7 and, e.g., may mate with housing 2. Retainer 10 may also have four flanges 19 that may protrude from cover 15 toward, e.g., housing 2. While four flanges are illustrated, according to certain embodiments of the invention, any number of flanges may be used. According to further embodiments of the invention, a uniform structure having a profile shaped like the illustrated flanges may extend across the entire length of retainer 10, e.g., to support doctor blade 5 at all points. As illustrated, each of flanges 19 has a stop post 12, a retention post 14, and a retention block 16. Retainer 10 may also have a spring cleat 11 to, for example, engage doctor blade spring 7. Retainer 10 may be attached to housing 2, and doctor blade spring 7 may reside within spring cleat 11, e.g., so that spring cleat 11 may press doctor blade spring 7 against doctor blade 5. According to other certain embodiments of the invention, retainer 10 may be attached to housing 2 with, e.g., fasteners, like fasteners 17. Any number of fasteners may be used. The fasteners may extend through holes 13 in cover 15 of retainer 10 and/or through holes 13 in flanges 19. If retainer 10 is attached to housing 2, cover 15 may help reduce or prevent toner from escaping from the toner cartridge 1, e.g., when the toner cartridge is dropped or otherwise mishandled. Referring to FIG. 5, a perspective view of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. In particular, toner cartridge 1 comprises housing 2 and retainer 10. Retainer 10 may be attached to housing 2 to partially and/or completely cover a doctor blade and optionally, doctor blade spring. According to certain embodiments of the invention, a small gap 8 may remain between retainer 10 and developer roller 4. According to other embodiments of the invention, gap 8 may be small enough to prevent or reduce excess toner from freely escaping from toner cartridge 1 and/or large enough so as not to interfere with charged toner properly adhering to developer roller 4. Referring to FIG. 6, a cross-sectional side view of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. Toner cartridge 1 may have housing 2 and retainer 10. Housing 2 may support developer roller 4, doctor blade 5, and/or toner reservoir 6. Retainer 10 may also support doctor blade spring 7. According to an embodiment, retainer 10 may also have a retention post 14 and a retention block 16 which may engage doctor blade 5. Retainer 10 may also have a cover 15 extending partially and/or completely over doctor blade 5 and optionally, doctor blade spring 7. Retention post 14 and retention block 16 may extend from cover 15 toward doctor blade 5. Retention post 14 and retention block 16 may extend across the entire length of doctor blade 5. However, according to alternative embodiments of the invention, the retention posts may only engage doctor blade 5 at a certain point or points across its length. Retainer 10 may be attached to housing 2 and may form a gap 8 between a lower edge of retainer 10 and developer roller 4. According to certain embodiments of the invention, a seal (not shown) may be positioned where doctor blade 5 contacts the inner side wall of housing 2 and may ensure toner does not leak between these elements and/or substantially reduces the amount of leaked toner. The seal may be a polyester film or O-ring seal; however, other seal materials may also be utilized. A flap seal (not shown) may also extend along the back side of doctor blade 5 and may prevent or reduce the leaking of toner from toner reservoir 6 to developer roller 4, that might ultimately escape the toner cartridge. The flap seal may be positioned against a back edge of doctor blade 5, but may not be attached if the inhibition of the relative mobility of the doctor blade 5 is not desired. The material of the flap seal may provide a low to approximately zero friction contact with doctor blade 5. According to certain embodiments of the invention, the flap seal may be constructed of a polyester film such as that sold under the trademark Mylar by DuPont. However, other low friction materials may also be used. While the invention has been depicted and described with reference to embodiments of the invention, such a reference does not imply a limitation on the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The invention is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent arts having the benefit of this disclosure. The depicted and described embodiments of the invention are examples only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the invention. Consequently, the invention is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Image forming devices including copiers, laser printers, facsimile machines, and the like, include a photo conductive drum (hereinafter “photoconductor”) having a rigid cylindrical surface that is coated along a defined length of its outer surface. The surface of the photoconductor is typically charged to a uniform electrical potential and then selectively exposed to light in a pattern corresponding to an original image. The areas of the photoconductive surface exposed to light are discharged, thus forming a latent electrostatic image on the photoconductive surface. A developer material, such as toner, having an electrical charge such that the toner is attracted to the photoconductive surface is used for forming the image. The toner is normally stored in a reservoir adjacent to the photoconductor and is transferred to the photoconductor by the developer roll. The thickness of the toner layer on the developer roll may be controlled by a nip, which is typically formed between a doctor blade and the developer roll. A recording sheet, such as a blank sheet of paper, may then be brought into contact with the discharged photoconductive surface and the toner therein is transferred to the recording sheet in the form of the latent electrostatic image. The recording sheet may then be heated thereby permanently fusing the toner to the sheet. In preparation for the next image forming cycle, the photoconductive surface may be discharged and residual toner removed. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate typical toner housings. Developer roller 4 , doctor blade 5 , and toner reservoir 6 may be supported and held together by a toner cartridge housing 2 . Housing 2 may be made of plastic, molded parts and may be configured to retain the internal components. In particular, housing 2 may support doctor blade 5 in, e.g., close contact with developer roller 4 , and may provide a nip point that may apply a uniform layer of toner to the drum. Some toner housings 2 may also support a doctor blade spring 7 that may bias doctor blade 5 toward developer roller 4 . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , typical toner cartridge housings may also have a stop post 12 positioned above doctor blade 5 opposite developer roller 4 . Stop post 12 may function to control the maximum movement of doctor blade 5 away from developer roller 4 . Stop posts may function to ensure safety during handling of the cartridge 1 , e.g., they may keep the doctor blade within the cartridge. By way of example, if the cartridge is dropped, the stop post may prevent the doctor blade from separating from the housing and possibly damaging the cartridge, image forming apparatus, or injuring a person handling the equipment. Typical toner housings may also have a retention post 14 and a retention block 16 . Retention posts 14 and retention blocks 16 may function to maintain doctor blade 5 in the proper orientation with the doctor blade lower edge positioned against developer roller 4 . The post and block may work in combination and the doctor blade may contact only one or both during the toner transfer process. They may also function to effectively control the positioning of the doctor blade without causing friction with the doctor blade that may restrict the movement of the doctor blade to and from the developer roller. Stop posts, retention posts, and retention blocks may be constructed as a unitary piece having a common back section 18 . (See FIG. 1 ).
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>This invention, according to one embodiment, relates to image forming equipment, including, e.g., copiers, printers, facsimile machines and/or the like. In particular, this invention, according to an embodiment, relates to methods and devices for positioning a doctor blade against a developer roller while, e.g., reducing and/or preventing toner loss. According to one embodiment of the invention, there may be provided a method for providing toner to an image forming apparatus, said method may have the following steps: applying toner from a reservoir to a developer roller; regulating the amount of toner applied to the developer roller with a doctor blade; and covering the doctor blade with a cover opposite the reservoir to retain toner. A further embodiment of the invention provides a toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus, the cartridge may have: a housing defining a toner reservoir; a developer roller supported by the housing; a doctor blade supported by the housing and positioned adjacent the developer roller; and a retainer connected to the housing and positioned over a side of the doctor blade opposite the reservoir. Still another embodiment of the invention, may provide a system for supporting a doctor blade, the system having: a retainer connectable to a toner cartridge housing at a position adjacent to a doctor blade opposite a toner reservoir; and a flange may extend from the retainer and engage the doctor blade. According to a still further embodiment of the invention, there may be provided a toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus, the cartridge having: a housing defining a toner reservoir; a developer roller supported by the housing; a doctor blade supported by the housing and positioned adjacent to the developer roller; and a means for retaining toner escaping from between the developer roller and the doctor blade.
20041213
20070619
20060615
70165.0
G03G1508
4
GRAINGER, QUANA MASHELLE
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DOCTOR BLADE RETENTION
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
G03G
2,004
11,010,661
ACCEPTED
Electronic key-control and management system for vending machines
An electronic key control and management system for vending machines and like enclosures uses a computer and database to limit operation and parameters of electronic keys, customize the key limits, refresh keys, and collect, store and sort a host of data in various combinations, and according to preselected parameters to perform management of the keys and audit trail data.
1. A key management system for management of electronic keys used to access electronic locks of vending machines, comprising: a computer having a software program for key management functionality; a database containing key management data; and a cradle communicating with the computer for interfacing the computer with an electronic key; the software program having computer-executable instructions for performing an automatic key refreshing operation with the steps of: receiving an initial transmission from a key through the cradle, the initial transmission initiating the automatic key refreshing operation; receiving a key identification number from the key through the cradle; retrieving from the database information of a user of the key and operation limit parameters for said user based on the key identification number; and sending the operation limit parameters through the cradle to the key for writing into a memory of the key. 2. A key management system as in claim 1, wherein the cradle communicates with the key through wireless transmissions. 3. A key management system as in claim 2, wherein the cradle is connected to a communication port of the computer. 4. A key management system as in claim 1, wherein the key contains audit trails data collected from vending machines accessed using said key, and wherein the software program has further computer-executable instructions for receiving the audit trails data from the key, and storing the received audit trails data into the database. 5. A key management system as in claim 4, wherein the software program includes computer-executable instructions for comparing the audit trails data received from the key with data stored in the database to determine whether the received audit trails data contains duplicate data that is duplicate to the data stored in the database, and removing the duplicate data before storing the received audit trails data into the database. 6. A key management system as in claim 4, wherein the software program has further computer-executable instructions for identifying from the received audit trails data a lock identification for an electronic lock not stored in the database, and presenting a user interface screen for prompting a user to enter data regarding the electronic lock. 7. A key management system as in claim 1, wherein the cradle initiates an encrypted challenge-response communication with the key upon receiving the initial transmission from the key. 8. A key management system as in claim 1, wherein the software program includes computer-executable instructions for presenting a user interface screen for prompting an authorized user to set operation limit parameters for an electronic key, and saving the operation limit parameters for the electronic key into the database. 9. A key management system as in claim 8, wherein the software program includes computer-executable instructions for presenting a user interface screen for a system administrator to add or delete a user having authority for setting operation limit parameters for electronic keys. 10. A key management system as in claim 1, wherein the database is at a location remote from the computer and accessible by the software program via a network. 11. A key management system as in claim 10, wherein the network is the Internet. 12. A key management system as in claim 10, wherein the computer includes a local data buffer for storing key management data downloaded from the database. 13. A key management system as in claim 1, where the software program includes computer-executable instructions for selecting and displaying operation limit parameters for a plurality of electronic keys. 14. A key management system for management of electronic keys used to access vending machines, comprising: a plurality of key management stations including at least first and second key management stations, each key management station having a computer with a software program for key management functionality and a cradle communicating with the computer for interfacing the computer with an electronic key, the first key management station having access to a first database containing key management data, and the second key management station having access to a second database containing key management data, the software program on the computer of the first key management station having computer-executable instructions for receiving operation limit parameters designated to a key identification number, storing the operation limit parameters with the key identification number into the first database, and generating an electronic data structure containing the key identification number and the operation limit parameters for said key for delivery to the second key management station for synchronizing the second database with the first database. 15. A key management system as in claim 14, wherein the software program of the first key management station has computer-executable instructions for presenting a user interface screen for prompting a user to manually enter the operation limit parameters for the key. 16. A key management system as in claim 14, wherein the electronic data structure is stored on a transportable medium for delivery to the second key management station. 17. A key management system as in claim 14, wherein the electronic data structure is transmitted to the second key management station via a network. 18. A key management system as in claim 14, wherein the software program of the first key management station further includes computer-executable instructions for receiving a second electronic data structure containing key management data, and importing the key management data in the second electronic data structure into the first database. 19. A method of preventing unauthorized operation of a key management station for managing operations of electronic keys used to access vending machines, the key management station having components including a computer with a software program for key management functionality and a cradle for interfacing the computer with an electronic key, the method comprising: inputting into the computer at least two component identification numbers for respective components of the key management station; calculating, by the computer, a system identification number based on the at least two component identification numbers; transmitting the system identification number to a control center; receiving from the control center a registration number generated using the system identification number; and entering the received registration number into the computer for storing into a memory of the key management station, wherein the software program has computer-executable instructions to perform steps of generating a calculated registration number from the at least two component identification numbers upon startup of the computer, comparing the calculated registration number with the registration number stored in the memory, and aborting operation if the calculated registration number does not match the stored registration number. 20. A method as in claim 19, wherein the database is stored in the memory of the computer, and the received registration number is stored into the database. 21. A method as in claim 19, wherein one of the at least two component identification numbers identifies a component of the key management station external to the computer. 22. A method as in claim 19, further including the steps of presenting a user interface screen for prompting a user to enter the at least two component identification numbers, and displaying the system identification number for viewing by the user. 23. A key management system for management of electronic keys used to access vending machines, comprising: a plurality of key management stations including at least first and second key management stations, each key management station having a computer with a software program for key management functionality and a cradle communicating with the computer for interfacing the computer with an electronic key, the first and second key management stations both having access to a shared database containing the key management data, the software program on the computer of either key management station having computer-executable instructions for receiving operation limit parameters designated to a key identification number, storing the operation limit parameters with the key identification number into the shared database.
RELATED APPLICATION This invention claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application 60/528,831, filed Dec. 11, 2003. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to electronic locking systems for vending machines and the like, and more particularly to a system and method for controlling and managing operations of electronic keys for vending machines and like enclosures. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Mechanical locks and keys have been used on vending machines for over the past 50 years. Such mechanical locks and keys have many disadvantages in terms of mechanical problems, security issues, and difficulties in managing the usage of the keys. What is required is an electronic key and management system to overcome the management and security problems associated with mechanical locks and keys. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention is to use a convenient computer and database system to limit the operation of electronic keys. It is another object of the invention to maintain the limit parameters of electronic keys with minimum computer interaction. It is another object of the invention to quickly and easily customize the limits of the keys specific to the employee using the key. It is a further object of the invention to easily identify in the database which employee uses which key. It is an object of the invention to quickly display and record errors with refreshing the key such as low battery, clock, or memory malfunctions. It is an object of the invention to limit certain keys that can be serviced from certain computers and databases. It is an object of the invention to quickly display the present and previous limit status of each key or all keys and the limit parameters, including the exact time and day the key was last refreshed. It is an object of the invention to enter information in the database about each lock such as the vending machine identification number and its location. It is an object of the invention to collect the access activity data from each vending machine to determine each attempted access (successful or non-successful) of an electronic key for each vending machine. This collection may be via the key uploading, storing, and downloading this data or it may travel through some other network back to a computer and a database. It is an object of the invention to download audit data from keys and to process this data and to load the data in the database in the background in order to speed up the refresh/service time of the keys. It is an object of the invention to sort this data in terms of the vending machine being visited, the employee, the employee key, the type of access event recorded, and the time/date of the attempted access. It is an object of the invention to sort this data in terms of the vending machine being accessed, the employee, the employee key, the type of access event recorded, and the time/date of the attempted access. It is an object of the invention to sort data from electronic keys in terms of a multiple of combinations of the following parameters: the vending machine being accessed, the employee, the employee key, the type of access event recorded, and the approximate time/date of the attempted access. It is an object of the invention to simultaneously (in the same refresh process) upload keys with limit parameter data and download keys with audit data information. It is an object of the invention to maintain the access data with minimum computer interaction. It is an object of the invention to maintain the key parameters and access data from more than one computer. It is an object of the invention to provide a secure software installation system that will not allow unauthorized installation and/or use of the software. It is an object of the invention to transfer, combine, and integrate the access audit data from the lock database to another database that compiles data for reporting purposes. It is an object of the invention to insure the audit events cannot be deleted or changed for accuracy reasons. It is an object of the invention to provide mechanisms to allow automatic purge and compression functions of the database to maintain it at full efficiency. It is an object of the invention to control duplication and identification of key codes by controlling their ability to upload/download/reset its operational parameters through the specialized territorial coding parameters. It is an object of the invention to allow the software to analyze the key data and confirm the key is operational. It is an object of the invention to provide a hierarchical method of accessing software menus and features. It is an object of the invention to provide warning messages for keys accessing or attempting to access locks defined in a different route or zone that the key is defined for. It is an object of the invention to provide a fast method of sorting redundant data downloaded from a key. It is an object of the invention to provide statistical reports related to the access attempts for each user, for each individual lock, for peak accesses during the day, week, or month for determining the average time between refills and average times between service calls. It is an object of the invention to provide an unattended mode for refreshing keys. It is an object of the invention to provide an alert mechanism to warn users about a key out of operation parameters, a key not programmed into a lock or an unlocked vending machine. It is an object to provide multiple docking stations positioned in different physical locations to service keys by storing and retrieve data to and from multiple databases, usually one separate database for each docking station, and provide for the synchronize of the organization of the databases from time to time. It is an object to provide multiple docking stations positioned in different physical locations to service keys by storing and retrieve data to and from a single database, usually located on a network. It is an object of the invention to provide warning about possible lost keys. These objects and other advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description provided herein. An electronic key and management system in accordance with the invention has multiple advantages. Electronic keys can be programmed and assigned to certain employees. Electronic keys can contain electronic memory and an electronic clock so they can be tracked for their operation concerning what vending machines are attempted to be accessed and when. Electronic locks can be programmed to contain individual electronic serial numbers so each lock can be identified in a database by its location or asset number. This serial number is not involved in access control. Electronic keys can be programmed to limit their operation and use depending on an employee's work schedule and/or the employers requirements. Electronic locks can contain electronic memory to store the audit information of exactly what electronic key attempted to access it and this data can be downloaded to a data storage device or an electronic key so the data can be transferred back to a central database. Personal computers, visual basic programs and databases can be used to manage, interact and store some or all of the data required to perform the management of the keys and audit trail data. Various refresh/docking station and database configurations (single, multiple, local, networked) will provide numerous operational benefits. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a key management system including a personal computer having a local database and software program, and cradle that functions as an interface for communications between an electronic key and the computer; FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams showing the user interface screen and process for registering the software and the cradle of the key management system; FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are schematic diagrams describing a start-up and refresh sequence of the keys; FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram showing user interface screens for a user to entering supervisor and administrator modes; FIG. 4B is a flow chart showing a process for a user to enter electronic lock information; FIG. 5A is a flow chart for a process of starting up or logging in new keys; FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram showing user interface screens for the operation of entering key user information; FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram showing a process of collecting electronic lock ID information; FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram showing user interface screens for prompting a user of the key management system to enter information regarding a new electronic lock; FIG. 6C is a schematic diagram showing an alternative process for collecting electronic lock ID information; FIG. 7 is a flow chart describing a process of receiving and storing audit data; FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing user interface screens for displaying audit trails data collected by electronic keys from vending machines; FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic diagrams showing user interface screens for a process of editing key limit operational parameters; FIG. 9C is a flow chart showing a process of editing key limit parameters; FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a process of re-calculating key limit parameters during a key refresh operation; FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a process of refreshing the memory of an electronic key; FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of multiple key management databases that are synchronized using export files; FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration with multiple key management stations connected via a network to a central key management database; FIG. 14A is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of multiple key management stations connected to a central database with a database server; FIG. 14B is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of key management stations at multiple remote separate locations connected to a central database server with multiple databases for the separate locations; FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration with key management stations at different locations connected to a central database server through the Internet; FIG. 16 shows user interface screens for generating an export file for synchronizing distributed databases; FIG. 17 shows a user interface screen for setting software auto-exit and archive settings. FIGS. 18-20 show user interface screens involved in scheduling the operation of the key management system for auto start up; FIGS. 21 and 22 show user interface screens involved in setting the auto-exit time for the key management system; and FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing in functional blocks an electronic key that has a position sensing component for detecting the locating of the electronic key during field operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a system and method for managing electronic keys used for accessing vending machines or the like and for managing audit data collected by the electronic keys from the vending machines. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the electronic key management system (or station) 30 includes a computer 32 which may be a desktop personal computer (PC), with appropriate computer software and hardware for carrying out the functionality of key management and database operations. The software program 34 for key management and database operations may be a Visual Basic program executing on the PC. The computer 32 also includes a database for storing data for key management and audit data collected from vending machines. As used herein, “database” may include data files as well as a database program. In one implementation, the database 35 may be a Microsoft ACCESS database residing on the PC 32. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the electronic key 31 includes a status indicating device which may be an LED light 38, and a push button 39 that when pressed causes the key to start wireless transmission. To communicate with the electronic key, the key management system 30 includes an interface device for forwarding and receiving communications to and from an electronic key. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the interface device is in the form of a cradle 36 (or docking station) that interfaces the key to a communication port 33 on the PC 32. The cradle 36 has a receiving place for receiving the electronic key, and indicators such as a ready/wait light 40. In accordance with a feature of the invention, the database 35, software 34 and cradle 36 transceiver interface systems are limited for secure operation on only one particular computer 32 by means of registration. The software programs and the cradle can properly function only after they are registered with an authorized control center. Thus, a thief cannot install stolen components on a computer at an unauthorized location. The steps of an exemplary registration process are described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIG. 2A shows an interface screen that presents a registration form 42 and a Software Registration Menu. After the software programs are installed on the computer 32, a user may click on a “registration” tab in the menu bar to bring up this registration form. To fill in the required data, the user looks at the bottom of the cradle 36 for the cradle serial number, and enters this number into the form 42. The user looks at the compact disc (CD) containing the key management software for the CD serial number, and enters it into the form. The user also fills in other required information, such as contact information including the bottler name, contract name, address, phone number, etc., into the registration form. Once the registration form 42 is properly filled, the user clicks on the “Generate System ID#” button 44. After this button is pushed, the software program generates a system ID number for this system based on the serial numbers and/or other information entered by the user. The system ID number appears at the bottom of the form 42 under the “Get Registration #) button 45. The user then clicks on the “Get Registration #” button. In response, the software program generates a registration form containing the user-entered information and the system ID number, and sends the form to the printer for printing, as illustrated in FIG. 2B. This registration form 50 is then sent, for example via facsimile, to the control center (e.g., TriTeq Corporation) so that the control center can register the key management system using the system ID number. The control center then issues a special code 53 as a registration number for the user's system. The special code is generated based on the system ID number and possibly other information provided by the registration form 50. This registration number 53 may be sent to the user in a registration response form 52 that may be transmitted via facsimile to the user. The registration number may also be sent via other means of communication, such as email, mail, or voice communication (e.g., a phone call). The user then goes to the next screen 55 of the user interface for software registration, and enters the received code 53 into a provided field. After the user clicks an Enter button 54, the software stores the entered registration number in a special memory location. The registration process described above links together the serial numbers assigned to and/or embedded in the software 34, the interface cradle station 36, and the computer 32 to create an authorization number stored in the database 35. Each time the software 34 is restarted, it reads the serial numbers of each of the components to calculate the authorization number, and then compares this number to the authorization number in the database to make sure they match before operating. If the calculated authorization number does not match the stored authorization number, the software does not allow the user to access the system management functions, and the system is inoperative. FIGS. 3A & 3B describe how the database interaction with the docking station or cradle is initiated by starting the software system which allows database accesses and data transfer to/from the database. One password is optionally required to initiate the “User” operation mode. As shown in FIG. 3A, after the software is started, the software presents a window 58 on the computer screen for the entering of a password. The software then presents a key control window 60 that contains various control parameters or limits for controlling the operations of the electronic key. For instance, the key control screen in FIG. 3A includes fields for the name of the user of the key, the ID number for the electronic key, the key type, the total number of accesses allowed, the allowed number of accesses per day, the start and end times of the operative period of the day, the expiration day and time, and the number of days in which the key is valid, etc. Referring to FIG. 3B, when the software program 34 is started, the software presents the password window as shown in FIG. 3A and waits to receive a user mode password. When a password is received, the program determines whether the password is correct (step 60). If the user password is incorrect, the software program exits from operation. If the user password is correct, the program determines whether the system is properly registered in the way described above. If the system is registered, the program works on the database 34 by eliminating old events and compacting the database (step 62). The program then turns on the cradle 36, and waits for transmissions from an electronic key docked in the cradle. Turning now to FIG. 3C, to initiate a docking or refresh operation of the key 31, the key is placed within communication distance of the cradle 36. As shown in FIG. 1, the cradle 36 may have a receiving location on its top into which the key may be placed. The user then presses the transmit button 39 of the key 31 to cause the key to start transmission. The transmission from the key is received by the cradle 36 and forwarded to the computer 32. Likewise, communications from the computer 32 are sent to the cradle 36, which then transmits the communications to the key 31. FIG. 3C illustrates that first the key 31 and cradle 36 exchange encryption messages to ensure that an authorized key is communicating with the station. To that end, the cradle 36 includes a microprocessor for providing the processing power and has software programs including an encryption program for handling the encryption/decryption involved in the challenge-response communications and any subsequent communications. Next, if the key contains access audit data collected from vending machines in the field, the data is downloaded from the key and stored in a buffer 64. The data in the buffer 64 may then be sorted and loaded into the database 35. The new operation limits (see FIG. 3A) pre-set by a supervisor for that electronic key are then downloaded into the key 31. In accordance with a feature of the embodiment, the operation of refreshing the key and downloading data from the key is automatic, without requiring a user to oversee or activate each of the steps involved in the process. All the user has to do to initiate the key refreshing operation is to place the key 31 in the cradle 36 and press the transmit button 39 of the key, and the software program 34 will finish the operation without requiring further attention from the user or system administrator. During this process the database 35 proceeds to service the key without prompting the user to enter any information or data at the computer either before or after the key is initiated. As a result, the key refreshing operation may run in the background, without the need to have an open window on the computer screen, thereby allowing the computer 32 to be used for other operations such as word processing or communications over the Internet. To service the next key, the previous key is removed, the new key is inserted and its transmit button is pressed. Again, the database proceeds to service the key without prompting the user to enter any information or data at the computer either before or after the key is initiated. The docking or refresh operation can be performed without the supervisors present, which allows the system to perform without daily maintenance. FIGS. 4A & 4B illustrates an advanced set-up feature of an embodiment of the key management system that is only accessible by entering a secure operating mode, which may be either the “Supervisor” or “Administrator” modes. As shown in FIG. 4A, the software first presents a key control window 70 similar to that in FIG. 3A. By clicking on the Mode option in the Menu bar, a user can select to run the software in a Supervisor mode or a User mode. Selecting the Supervisor mode causes the software to open a password entry window for either the administrator or supervisor. The user then enters the password as an administrator or supervisor into the field provided. In one implementation, an administrator oversees multiple supervisors, while each supervisor supervises multiple users to which electronic keys are assigned. When a user signs in as the administrator, he can use the software to add or remove supervisors from the key management system as well as administrating the functions of the key management system. A supervisor can use the software to add or remove electronic keys and/or key users, and set or change key limit parameters. As shown in FIG. 4B, when audit data is downloaded from an electronic key, the software program determines whether it is in the administrator mode or supervisor mode (step 80). If neither, the program finishes the key refreshing operation by loading new key parameters into the key. If the program is in the administrator or supervisor mode, the program checks the audit data received from the key to see whether the data contains identifications of any vending machine electronic lock that is not found in the database (step 81). In this regard, the audit data stored in an electronic key are collected from electronic locks in vending machines accessed using the electronic key. The audit data collected from an electronic lock contains, among other things, a serial number of the electronic lock. It is possible for the electronic lock of a vending machine to be programmed in the field to work with a given key before the ID number of the lock is registered in the database of the key management system. If the key management program finds a new lock serial number in the audit data downloaded from an electronic key, it prompts the user to enter the lock information into the database (step 82). If the user selects not to do so at that time, the program continues the key refreshing operation. If the user selects to enter the lock information, the program present a user interface window (step 83) to allow the user to enter information about the electronic lock (step 84). The program then continues to finish the key refreshing operation. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the electronic keys contain certain key codes for access authorization purposes. It is desirable to limit which keys can be serviced by which computers such that stolen or lost keys cannot be serviced at computers they are not authorized to be serviced at. Thus, the database preferably contains a feature to limit which serial number sequence keys it will service and which it will not service. If a key is not in this serial number range, the database, computer, and software will refuse to service it. The limit parameters are usually entered into the database by a supervisor just after installing the software. Key Set-Up Certain set-up procedures are implemented in the system in order to make the security features of the system useful and easy to use. FIGS. 5A & 5B illustrate these features. First, the electronic keys need to be assigned to the employees. This is accomplished by a simple operation, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. First, a new key never previously initialized (or not contained in the database) is placed within communication distance of the cradle station interface and the transmit button of the key is pressed. Next, the supervisor is prompted to enter the name or identifier of the user to which the key is to be assigned (step 86). The supervisor enters the required data, and the data is stored in the database (step 88). If it is for a new key user, the process is described in FIG. 5B. The software recognizes automatically that a new key is introduced into the system. In one implementation, the key indicator light stays “ON” and the cradle light stays “RED” when it is communicating with the key. Afterward, the program provides the user interface screen 90 shown in FIG. 5B to prompt the supervisor or administrator to assign the key to either a new user or an existing user. If the supervisor presses the “Assign New User” button 93, the screen 96 appears for the supervisor to enter information regarding the new user who is going to use the key. After entering the information, the supervisor clicks on the “Accept” button, and the new user information is stored in the database 35. Next, the transmit button 39 of the key is pressed again, and the program presents the key control window to allow the supervisor to set the limits for the key operation. When the user enters this name, the database links the serial number embedded in the non-volatile memory of key with the name for reference purposes. Also, a set of default limits are assigned to the key in the database, such as 200 total accesses, 20 access per day, 6 AM to 6 PM operation, 7 days of operation, Monday through Friday operation. FIG. 5A also illustrates how only the supervisory or administrator sets the database up to allow the territory code to communicate to the database. In managing the keys in an on-going basis, the supervisor may use the system to check the limit parameter status of the keys to quickly see which keys are either expired or approaching the end of their operation limit parameters. This is accomplished for example by selecting the “Edit Key Limit” menu on the main screen of FIG. 4A. In response, the program displays a list of the registered electronic keys and for each key the expected time and date the key will exceed its limits in a row and column format for viewing by the user. Next, the electronic locks to be accessed with the keys need to be assigned to Customers, locations, and/or asset identifier numbers (identification data). FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate two methods. This procedure is necessary because the lock is initially identified by the database using a lock serial number embedded inside the lock non-volatile memory that is not easy or obvious for the user of the system to reference or identify to. Once each lock is referenced to a number or name that the user can more easily identify with, understanding and using the audit trail data will be more likely. There are several possible procedures for entering the lock information. Each procedure is possible even if the lock is remotely located from the computer and either cannot or does not directly transfer its serial number to the computer and database. In one procedure shown in FIG. 6A, the lock serial number 90 is printed on a label 91 attached to the lock as an alphanumeric number or as a barcode or other identifier. This number can be visually read and recorded in a form 93 along with the customer, location, and/or asset identifier number for the lock, and then manually entered into the database 35. The disadvantage of this system is if the serial number label is lost or not legible, it would be difficult to identify the electronic lock. In another procedure also shown in 6A, the lock serial number 90 is not printed on a label, but is read from the lock by a diagnostic tool 92 to make certain the correct serial number is recorded. This number can be visually read from the tool display, recorded along with the customer, location, and/or asset identifier number, and manually entered into the database. In this procedure, a lost label on the lock will not impede the process. FIG. 6B describes the manual entry process of entering the collected lock, vending machine, and location information and entering it into the database. In the shown example, a key assigned to a user “Gary Myers” has visited a new vending machine that are not registered in the database 35. The electronic lock information is time-stamped into the key when the key is used to access the lock. When the key user returns to the key management system 30 and places the electronic key into the cradle 36 for key refreshing operation, the lock information is downloaded from the key to the computer. The program notices that the downloaded key data contains new lock information not already entered into the database. For each new electronic lock identified in the key data, the program presents a “New Lock Detected” window 100 on the computer screen showing the lock serial number and the time at which the lock was accessed. When the user clicks the “Enter Lock Information” button, the program presents a “New Lock Data” screen window 102 to allow the user to enter detailed information about the vending machine containing that electronic lock, such as the vending machine asset number, customer number, route number, date in service, and location address, etc. After entering the information, the user clicks the “Update Lock Information” button, and the information is stored into the database. The program than presents another “New Lock Data” screen for the next new lock identified in the downloaded key data. In another procedure shown in FIG. 6C, the user has an electronic tool 94 that electronically reads or scans the serial number 90 from the electronic lock (either by communicating with the lock or reading the printed label) and electronically reads or scans an identifier label 95 on the vending machine 96. This electronic reader or scanning device links the two identifier numbers together in memory. This procedure can be repeated for many vending machines for as long as the reader does not run out of memory. After the scan/read process is completed, the reader 94 can download its data into a computer that can ultimately transfer this data to the database. In this procedure, the lock and vending machine data is electronically linked, so the manual data entry procedure can be avoided. Lock-Database Data Exchange In accordance with an aspect of the invention, data may be exchanged to/from electronic locks of vending machines and the key management database 35. One method involves using an electronic key to collect the audit information in the lock and ultimately transfer this data to the database 35. In alternative embodiments, wireless communications may be used for the data transfer. For example, the lock can communicate directly (or indirectly) through a wireless medium to a computer transceiver interface to transfer the data to/from the database. The preferred embodiment described below uses the electronic keys to transfer the access limits and the audit trail information, but this invention is not limited to this method. During service of the key 31, data is exchanged from the key to the computer 32 and from the computer to the key as described in FIG. 11. Before this exchange takes place, the cradle 36 is in the receive mode, wherein any transmission signal from the key will initiate the data exchange process. The timing and sequence of the data exchange is automatic, and it is only necessary to initiate one start operation at the key to exchange the data in both directions. The communication between the key and the cradle is preferably protected by bi-directional encryption methods. During the process, the program determines whether the key is transmitting to the cradle (step 110). If the key transmission is received, the program determines whether the key is an existing key or new key (step 11). If the key is an existing key, the data stored in the key is downloaded from the key (step 112). The program then checks whether the key parameters are healthy (step 113). If so, the program retrieves or recalculate new limit parameters for the key, reset the clock in the key, and upload the limit parameters into the key (step 114). The computer will proceed to service the key provided it is authorized to do so. Such authorization may be provided in the database locally stored on the computer hard drive. One can have such authorization at multiple computers if the authority is granted. In the event of multiple computers authorized to service the same keys, rather than having multiple computers with multiple databases local to the respective computers, it may be more convenient to have one database residing on a central server or shared drive so more than one computer and cradle can be used to service the keys. Thus, the authority to service the key resides in one database and all of the data exchanged is managed in one database rather than multiple databases. In that case, the data exchanged from the key to the computer may be immediately transported to the database or stored locally at the computer and later processed by the computer and loaded in the remotely located database. This may be a more desirable process since the data transfer may be very time consuming during heavy traffic hours on the network and may better and more reliably be transferred during low traffic times. During this data exchange process, the health of the electronic key can be diagnosed. For example, the clock in the electronic key is read by the computer and compared to the clock in the computer. If there is a mismatch in time, the computer can alert the supervisor that the key can a faulty clock or battery. Likewise with the memory in the key. If the data exchange process is not successful, the battery or the memory may be suspect to be faulty, and the computer will display this fault for the user or the supervisor so the battery can be replaced or the key taken out of service. Audit Data During service of the key, the vending machine audit data collected by the key is downloaded from the key to the cradle 36, next to the computer memory buffer 64, and last to the database 35 of the computer. The data is managed by the supervisor by allowing each lock serial number to be identified in the database by the customer, location, and/or asset identifier number as previously described is set-up. The software may allow several options for managing this data in the database. This process is executed only one time for identifying the asset number, and one time for each time the vending machine is assigned to a customer or a location. The processes for identifying this data are as follows: Pop-Up Request Process FIG. 6B illustrates this process. In this process, the software will run a test while in the supervisor mode that will search the lock serial number in the data base. If no such number is identified, the software will prompt the supervisor to enter the data. The software will provide as much information about the vending machine as possible to help for the identification, such as the time and data the lock was first put into service or accessed. Manual Process The software will provide a menu to select the identification process. Next, a drop down list will list in numerical order all lock serial numbers that are not identified. Next, the user will select the lock that he/she wishes to identify. After selected, a screen is provided to enter the data. Also provided is a field for entering the effective data in case the identification data is entered several days or weeks after the data the data is valid. This process can also be executed when viewing audit events from the database. In this situation, the lock serial number is displayed to identify the vending machine (in lieu of the vending machine asset number, customer, and location data). By selecting this number from this display position and clicking, the screen to enter the vending machine data will pop-up for ease of data entry. FIG. 6B also illustrates that this process is also used after a lock is identified but the user wishes to change or modify some of the data, such as changing the customer information or location if a vending machine is moved or relocated. In this situation, the effective date field is used to properly record the exact date the change took place in case the data entry follows the change by a delay period. Automatic process. It is possible for the identification data to be transferred automatically into the lock database. This identification data will be entered separately from another computer and/or database which separately contains the vending machine identification data. Referring now to FIG. 7, as audit data is received from the key it is compared to previous data in the database. Since one or more key may bring duplicate access audit data back to the same database, it is necessary to compare the new data received from the keys with the data presently in the database and discard the like data so duplicate access data is not stored. To that end, when the program receives data downloaded from the key regarding an access attempt event (step 120), it searches the database for any event that is duplicate to the downloaded event (step 121). If a duplicate event is found in the database (step 122), the downloaded event is discarded. Otherwise, the event is stored into the database (step 123), and the program moves to the next event described in the downloaded data. If access data is determined to be new, it is stored in the database 35. Suitable data sorting techniques are preferably used in order to efficiently store this data, and to efficiently retrieve this data in the future, and in the future compare this data to new data collected. The software shall be configured such that the audit information in the database cannot be modified or deleted, either accidentally or on purpose, in order to preserve the integrity of the security monitoring system. After audit data is stored in the database, certain data sorting techniques are required to make the viewing of the data useful. For example, FIG. 8 illustrates it is possible to sort and view the data by Access, by Driver or Employee, by Asset number, or between certain time and date periods. Each of these sort parameters can be combined to sort multiple combinations of parameters. Also, as the audit information is displayed, unusual activity that occurred before or during the access event can be displayed, such as Battery Removed (from key), Bad Route, Limited, and Unauthorized. To view the audit trails data, the user either clicks the “Audio Trails” button at the bottom of the Key Control Data screen 126 or use the task bar menu. This function is only available to supervisors and administrators. The program then displays the audit trails screen 128. The bottom portion of the screen 128 presents sorting options that allow the data to be sorted in various ways, such as by time, access, key user, or asset number, etc. Different combinations of these options may be used to refine a search. The audit trails data may also be printed. In one implementation, the printing options available are “Automatic Audit Printing” and “Print Current Screen.” Automatic printing allows for printing when a key refresh is executed and prints all the new events the key has encountered. The audit screen does not have to be displayed on the computer screen to enable printing. Limiting Operational Parameters for Keys Limiting operational parameters are available for keys. To ensure the security of the system, in a preferred embodiment such new limits can be assigned only when the computer is in the Supervisor or Administrator modes. FIGS. 9A-9C and FIG. 10 illustrate the process. In FIG. 9A, if the supervisor wishes to assign a custom (non-default) set of parameters to this key, he selects the “Edit Key Limits” option in the menu bar of the screen 130 and then selects the “Set User/Key Limit” option from the drop-down menu (step 138 of FIG. 9C). In response, the system program presents a drop-down list 132 of keys (by names assigned to the keys) which also displays the expiration dates of the keys (step 140 of FIG. 9C). Next, as shown in 9B, the parameter customization screen 136 is displayed by selecting the user or key. This screen shows the key parameters since the last key refresh operation. For security reasons, the software tracks which supervisor last authorized limit changes. By clicking on the two buttons “View Present Limits” and “View Previous Limits,” the user can see when the last changes were made on the key and by which supervisor (step 142 of FIG. 9C). On this screen, the pointer will move the curser to the parameter the user wishes to change. The user then enters the desired value (step 144 of FIG. 9C). After typing in the change, another parameter may be selected and changed. When all parameters have been changed, the “Accept” button is selected to record the new parameters in the database (step 146 of FIG. 9C). At the time these are stored, the name of the supervisor operating the computer is also stored to archive the authorization in case a key is given limits beyond their approved level and an audit of who assigned these unauthorized limits is required. A “Disable FOB” button 137 is provided in the screen 136 to disable the key at its next refresh. In this regard, if the key reaches any of the limits, it will become disabled. The key will indicate that it is disabled by flashing brightly three times when the key is in the cradle and the transmit button of the key is pressed. After the new parameters have been stored, prior parameters for this key are also kept in the database for easy viewing. In addition, the time and date of the prior docking event and the parameters can be stored and easily viewed. Later, in a key refreshing operation, the button of the key is pressed on the key and the limit parameters are loaded into the memory of the key. FIG. 10 illustrates by way of example the process of re-calculating the limit parameters during the key refreshing operation. The program 34 takes the limits defined for the key from the database (step 150) and, at the time of refresh, using the existing date and time to calculate certain date specific limit parameters such as the date the key should expire and the days the key should operate (step 151). Last, these parameters are loaded into the key (step 152). This process allows the supervisor to maintain work schedules in the database for each employee and as long as the schedule does not change the expiration limits will be properly re-calculated at the time of each refresh. Thus, the supervisor does not need to maintain key parameters on a routine basis, as they are automatically calculated at each refresh based on the database information for each key. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, it is advantageous to provide the capability of more than one docking station or cradle to service the same keys and vending machine locks. This is accomplished by providing a mechanism for either (1) multiple cradles communicating with multiple databases, wherein these databases would be synchronized and merged from time to time (FIG. 12); or (2) multiple cradles communicating with a single central database (FIGS. 13-15). The advantages and disadvantages of each configuration are described below. Multiple Cradles Communicating with Multiple Databases: In one configuration illustrated in FIG. 12, multiple cradles are located at multiple separate locations, with each cradle interfaced to a PC containing separate databases. For simplicity of illustration, FIG. 12 shows only two cradles 160 and 161 attached to computers 162 and 163, respectively, but more cradles and computers at other locations may be included. In the illustrated embodiment, the database 164 is accessible to the computer 162, and the database 165 is accessible to the computer 163. The databases 164, 165 may be local to the computers 162, 163, respectively, or may be at remote locations and connected to the computers via network connections. It is possible to allow electronic keys to visit and be refreshed by more than one cradle/database. One way to accomplish this is to initialize each key into one cradle 160 or PC database 164. Once each key 31 is initialized, the databases 164 and 165 may be synchronized. Synchronization is accomplished by exchanging the key and vending machine lock data from one database 164 to another 165 and vice versa until all databases share the same key and vending machine lock data. This may be accomplished, for example, by creating an “export” file by the export utility from each database that contains the key and vending machine data of the database. The user interface screens 167 and 168 for this operation are shown in FIG. 16. In the screen 167, the user selects to export the database, and in the screen the user identifies the path to the database file. In the illustrate example, the export directory contains the file DBOut.mdb as the container of the export file. The export file may be stored on a transportable medium, such as a floppy disk, a CD ROM 157, a USB key, a memory card, etc. Alternatively, the export file may be transmitted to another computer via a network 158, preferably in an encrypted format to ensure the security of the transmission. This export file 166 is next presented to another computer database by using the import utility. This import utility will search for data in the export file that is not in the local database, and load this new data into the local database. If the data presented by the export file is a duplicate of data already existing in the database running the import utility, the data is not imported as a duplicate and is discarded. For example, if a vending machine lock serial number and location is in the export file 166 and presented to the database 164 by the import utility, but already exists in the database, it is not entered into the database. This import and export procedure should be executed on a regular basis and the key and vending machine data will stay consistent in each database. Multiple cradles communicating with a single database: In an embodiment of this configuration shown in FIG. 13, multiple cradles 171, 172, 173 are located at multiple remote locations, each interfaced to a separate PC 174, 175, or 176 that has access to a shared database 180 via a network connection such as a local-area network (LAN) 179. Since there is only one database, there is no need for synchronization. In this embodiment, each cradle and PC has access to send/receive data to/from the network-centralized database 180. There are several issues about giving access to the central database 180 to more than one computer. One such issue is if two computers attempt to access the database at the same time, data could be lost or over-written. Another concern is the time it takes to access and communicate with the database. For example, if a significant amount of data must be downloaded from a key at one station, this download process could take several minutes to finish. If another key is also trying to download data and receive new access limits from another computer and cradle, the waiting time could be significant. Thus, it is a feature of the embodiment to provide multiple cradles with access to the same database and provide a fast refresh time so employees are not delayed waiting for their keys to be refreshed. One mechanism to accomplish this is for each computer 174, 175, 176 to hold a refresh buffer 181, 182, or 183 locally in its PC in order to allow for fast refreshes during busy working hours, and during non-work hours when network traffic is minimized the PC will upload it's data in the database 180 on the network. Also in this example the local PC may use the refresh buffer as a local database, or use a separate database, for holding the key limit data. This allows fast refresh of key limits, and would store the audit trail data in the buffer. A copy of the shared database is downloaded from the shared drive by each station and stored locally. In the case the connection to the shared database 180 is interrupted, each individual station can continue servicing keys without interruption using the local database. In this mode, typically no changes or additions are allowed to the database such as key limits and vending machine information. Database Compacting and Archive: Compacting and Archiving of the database are tasks that need to be executed at a frequency dependent on the amount of data that is being added to the database. The more data that is added, the more frequent these task should be executed. In one embodiment, the system allows the user to select an automatic compacting and archiving of the audit trail data. Also allowed is selecting automatic exiting of the software and automatic login of the software at selected intervals. FIG. 17 shows a user interface screen 190 for a user to select the parameters. In this example, the user selects the system will automatically compact and archive each 45 days. Also selected is the path & location of the archive 192. In addition, the system is capable of monitoring the amount of data entering the database and executing an automatic compaction and archive if a certain volume of data is moved into the database. System Start/Exit The system is capable of automatically starting up and exiting from operation on a daily basis. The start and stop times can be pre-determined and entered into the system as a scheduled task. FIGS. 18-20 show a sequence of user interface screens 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198 to illustrate an example of how the system is scheduled to start-up at 4:00 AM every day. FIGS. 21-22 contains user interface screens 200, 201 that illustrate an example of how the user selects the system to automatically exit from operation at 1:30 AM each day. In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14A referred to as the pre-enterprise configuration, the single database configuration uses a dedicated database server 208. This configuration contains all of the above-described features from the LAN network single database embodiment, while each station is allowed to access a dedicated database server 208 (SQL, Oracle, etc). A local station 210 connecting to the database 209 will be accomplished using the standard “Data Source (ODBC)” included in all Windows operating systems. After connection to database is accomplished, the user uses the key control operation features the same as in the previous configuration. Potential advantages of this configuration are increase database reliability, faster response time on accessing, changing, or adding records to the database, and significantly less data traffic. Referring to FIG. 14B, the added capacity of a dedicated database server 208 can be used by mounting multiple databases 211, 212, 213 for serving multiple locations 221, 222, 223, respectively. In such instances the databases 211, 212, 213 can be identified by the specific city code, or group of city codes each database represents. A location can be, for instance, a cluster of bottling stations and/or a bottling station and several satellite locations. Stations from each location are assigned rights to access only the database they are associated with. For instance, computers at the location 221 may access only the database 211, and computers at the location 222 may access only the database 212. This configuration adds the benefit of creating global access reports that will include reports from all locations. Another benefit of this configuration is the option of remote control and administration of database from a remote location. For example, if appropriate rights are assigned to Station 225 at Location 221, this station can manage keys, users and vending machines at location 221 as well as the other locations. By using a LAN type network, the security of this configuration should adequately prevent hackers from gaining access to the database and the security of the system. In another alternative embodiment of the single database configuration illustrated in FIG. 15, a web server 230 connected to a database server 231 is used. This configuration is referred to as the Enterprise configuration. Each of the individual stations uses a simple web browser (e.g., Internet Explorer, Netscape, Opera, etc.) to communicate with the web server 230 to access the database or databases 240 maintained by the database server 231. In this way, the individual stations can accomplish functions related to key refresh, adding keys and users, adding vending machines and asset numbers, and modify key settings as in the previously described configurations. In the event of lost Internet connection, the stations in this configuration operate a simplified version of the software as described in FIGS. 13 & 14 for refreshing keys while the connection with the web server 230 is severed. One benefit of this configuration is the ability to use the Internet infrastructure to create a wide-area network for remotely operating the stations and thus eliminate the need to support a separate or dedicated structure to accomplish the same. Another benefit of this configuration is that software updates for the functionality of the stations as well as adding and deleting stations will be done in the web server and may not require user intervention at the station when these tasks are performed. One potential disadvantage is that hackers may attempt to get access to the database since the network is accessible to almost anyone with a browser and access to the web. In another embodiment of this invention, an enhanced electronic key has additional hardware and software features to enhance the security, tracking, audit data control, and assisting of the employee to fill and service the vending machine. FIG. 23 is a functional block diagram of the enhanced electronic key 300. The key 300 has a microprocessor or microcomputer 301, a non-volatile memory 302, a real-time clock 307, and a battery 312 for powering the components of the key. The memory 302 may contain software and data required for the operation of the key, such as key codes, an encryption code for use in encrypting and decrypting communications with an electronic lock, encryption/decryption algorithms, backup clock data, power-up counter. The key memory may also contain data collected form vending machines, such as access audit data and vending machine inventory data. The key 300 includes a two-way communication module 303 with a transceiver 310 for two-way communications with the electronic lock 299 of a vending machine. The key may also include user interface features 304 such as a keypad, touch screen, or buttons with specific functions. An annunciation component 305, such as LCD screen, may be included for displaying key-lock responses, text messaging, email, etc. The key may include another two-way communication component 306 that has a transceiver 311 for communicating wirelessly with a home-base 298. As a feature of the embodiment, the electronic key 300 may further include a position sensing component 308 for identifying the current location of the key. This component, which may include an antenna 309 and may be internal or external to the key, may be based on one of the positioning systems such as GPS, DGPS, LORAN, etc. The advantage of including the position sensing system component 308 in the key is that ability to track the location of each key used to access the vending machines. For example, electronic keys that include location tracking would pinpoint the geographical location of each vending machine the user of the key was attempting to access. Thus, and audit event for an access attempt would consist of the user of the key, the key code, the date and time of the attempt, the limits (if any) of the key, the serial or ID number of the vending machine, and the physical location (preferably at least 2-dimensional latitude and longitudinal coordinates, and possibly the third dimensional or altitude coordinate) of the vending machine being accessed. These coordinates could be translated by computer to common street address and location (for example, 100 W. Plainfield Rd, Countryside, Ill., second floor, suite 202). When an electronic key has the capability of obtaining the location coordinates of a vending machine (either by receiving these coordinates itself by a position sensing system or by communication with a position sensing system at the vending machine location), the previously described step of reading the serial number of the vending machine (with a reader tool, or a bar code reading device, or by the electronic key) and entering the vending machine location data into the computer 32 manually may be eliminated. Since the electronic key will produce or receive the location coordinates at the time it attempts to access the vending machine, this data can be provided to the database as the vending machine location in lieu of a manual entry, which is subject to human error. An additional benefit of the position sensing feature in the electronic key 300 is the ability to keep track of and/or locate keys if they are lost or stolen. Since this key has the data exchange feature described above, it can transmit its location coordinates to the central or home-base location or to a person possessing a computing device that would receive the location information. An additional feature of this key 300 is the data transfer capability. In additional to its capability of transferring data in short range to the docking cradle (as described for other keys in this system) this key may be equipped with the capability to transmit and receive data over longer distances. Thus, as a key is being operated the audit data and the vending machine sales and inventory data would be transferred back to a central or home-base location. The enhanced communication capabilities would include text messaging and email in order for the person using the key to send and receive information concerning the route they are working on, changes and additions, reports, etc. Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Mechanical locks and keys have been used on vending machines for over the past 50 years. Such mechanical locks and keys have many disadvantages in terms of mechanical problems, security issues, and difficulties in managing the usage of the keys. What is required is an electronic key and management system to overcome the management and security problems associated with mechanical locks and keys.
<SOH> BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION <EOH>It is an object of the invention is to use a convenient computer and database system to limit the operation of electronic keys. It is another object of the invention to maintain the limit parameters of electronic keys with minimum computer interaction. It is another object of the invention to quickly and easily customize the limits of the keys specific to the employee using the key. It is a further object of the invention to easily identify in the database which employee uses which key. It is an object of the invention to quickly display and record errors with refreshing the key such as low battery, clock, or memory malfunctions. It is an object of the invention to limit certain keys that can be serviced from certain computers and databases. It is an object of the invention to quickly display the present and previous limit status of each key or all keys and the limit parameters, including the exact time and day the key was last refreshed. It is an object of the invention to enter information in the database about each lock such as the vending machine identification number and its location. It is an object of the invention to collect the access activity data from each vending machine to determine each attempted access (successful or non-successful) of an electronic key for each vending machine. This collection may be via the key uploading, storing, and downloading this data or it may travel through some other network back to a computer and a database. It is an object of the invention to download audit data from keys and to process this data and to load the data in the database in the background in order to speed up the refresh/service time of the keys. It is an object of the invention to sort this data in terms of the vending machine being visited, the employee, the employee key, the type of access event recorded, and the time/date of the attempted access. It is an object of the invention to sort this data in terms of the vending machine being accessed, the employee, the employee key, the type of access event recorded, and the time/date of the attempted access. It is an object of the invention to sort data from electronic keys in terms of a multiple of combinations of the following parameters: the vending machine being accessed, the employee, the employee key, the type of access event recorded, and the approximate time/date of the attempted access. It is an object of the invention to simultaneously (in the same refresh process) upload keys with limit parameter data and download keys with audit data information. It is an object of the invention to maintain the access data with minimum computer interaction. It is an object of the invention to maintain the key parameters and access data from more than one computer. It is an object of the invention to provide a secure software installation system that will not allow unauthorized installation and/or use of the software. It is an object of the invention to transfer, combine, and integrate the access audit data from the lock database to another database that compiles data for reporting purposes. It is an object of the invention to insure the audit events cannot be deleted or changed for accuracy reasons. It is an object of the invention to provide mechanisms to allow automatic purge and compression functions of the database to maintain it at full efficiency. It is an object of the invention to control duplication and identification of key codes by controlling their ability to upload/download/reset its operational parameters through the specialized territorial coding parameters. It is an object of the invention to allow the software to analyze the key data and confirm the key is operational. It is an object of the invention to provide a hierarchical method of accessing software menus and features. It is an object of the invention to provide warning messages for keys accessing or attempting to access locks defined in a different route or zone that the key is defined for. It is an object of the invention to provide a fast method of sorting redundant data downloaded from a key. It is an object of the invention to provide statistical reports related to the access attempts for each user, for each individual lock, for peak accesses during the day, week, or month for determining the average time between refills and average times between service calls. It is an object of the invention to provide an unattended mode for refreshing keys. It is an object of the invention to provide an alert mechanism to warn users about a key out of operation parameters, a key not programmed into a lock or an unlocked vending machine. It is an object to provide multiple docking stations positioned in different physical locations to service keys by storing and retrieve data to and from multiple databases, usually one separate database for each docking station, and provide for the synchronize of the organization of the databases from time to time. It is an object to provide multiple docking stations positioned in different physical locations to service keys by storing and retrieve data to and from a single database, usually located on a network. It is an object of the invention to provide warning about possible lost keys. These objects and other advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description provided herein. An electronic key and management system in accordance with the invention has multiple advantages. Electronic keys can be programmed and assigned to certain employees. Electronic keys can contain electronic memory and an electronic clock so they can be tracked for their operation concerning what vending machines are attempted to be accessed and when. Electronic locks can be programmed to contain individual electronic serial numbers so each lock can be identified in a database by its location or asset number. This serial number is not involved in access control. Electronic keys can be programmed to limit their operation and use depending on an employee's work schedule and/or the employers requirements. Electronic locks can contain electronic memory to store the audit information of exactly what electronic key attempted to access it and this data can be downloaded to a data storage device or an electronic key so the data can be transferred back to a central database. Personal computers, visual basic programs and databases can be used to manage, interact and store some or all of the data required to perform the management of the keys and audit trail data. Various refresh/docking station and database configurations (single, multiple, local, networked) will provide numerous operational benefits.
20041213
20080513
20050728
60950.0
1
HO, BINH VAN
ELECTRONIC KEY-CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR VENDING MACHINES
SMALL
0
ACCEPTED
2,004
11,010,828
ACCEPTED
Sustained release aminopyridine composition
A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a therapeutically effective amount of a aminopyridine dispersed in a release matrix, including, for example, a composition that can be formulated into a stable, sustained-release oral dosage formulation, such as a tablet which provides, upon administration to a patient, a therapeutically effective plasma level of the aminopyridine for a period of at least 12 hours, preferably 24 hours or more and the use of the composition to treat various neurological diseases.
1. A sustained release tablet comprising: a sustained release matrix and an aminopyridine, said tablet exhibiting a release profile to obtain a Cmax:Cτ ratio in vivo of about 1.0 to about 3.5 and a predetermined CavSS. 2. The sustained release tablet of claim 1 wherein said Cmax:Cτ ratio is about 1.5 to about 3.0. 3. The sustained release tablet of claim 1 wherein said predetermined CavSS is about 21 ng/ml. 4. The sustained release tablet of claim 1 wherein said predetermined CavSS is about 31 ng/ml. 5. The sustained release tablet of claim 1 wherein said predetermined CavSS is about 40 ng/ml. 6. The sustained release tablet of claim 1 wherein said Cmax:Cτ ratio is about 2.0 to about 3.0. 7. The sustained release tablet of claim 1 wherein said aminopyridine is 4-aminopyridine. 8. The sustained release table of claim 1 wherein said sustained release matrix is hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. 9. A method of treating a disease associated with a neurological disorder, said method comprising: administering an aminopyridine on a dosing regimen to obtain an in vivo Cmax:Cτ ratio of 1.0 to 3.5 and a CavSS of about 15 ng/ml to about 35 ng/ml. 10. The method of claim 9 wherein said Cmax:Cτ ratio is about 1.5 to about 3.0. 11. The method of claim 9 wherein said Cmax:Cτ ratio is about 2.0 to about 3.0. 12. The method of claim 9 wherein said neurological disorder comprises a spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. 13. The method of claim 9 wherein said neurological disorder comprises a spinal cord injury. 14. The method of claim 9 wherein said neurological disorder comprises multiple sclerosis. 15. The method of claim 9 wherein said dosing regimen is comprised of administering a tablet twice daily. 16. The method of claim 15 wherein said twice daily administration comprises every twelve hours. 17. The method of claim 9 wherein said aminopyridine comprises 4-aminopyridine. 18. A therapeutic composition comprised of a release matrix and an active aminopyridine, said aminopyridine being released from said release matrix at a rate to maintain an in vivo Cmax:Cτ ratio of 1.0 to 3.5 and a CavSS of about 15 ng/ml to about 35 ng/ml. 19. The therapeutic composition of claim 22 wherein said Cmax:Cτ ratio is about 1.5 to about 3.0. 20. The therapeutic composition of claim 22 wherein said Cmax:Cτ ratio is about 2.0 to about 3.0. 21. The therapeutic composition of claim 22 wherein the active aminopyridine is 4-aminopyridine. 22. The therapeutic composition of claim 22 wherein the release matrix is hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. 23. A sustained release composition comprising: a sustained release matrix and an aminopyridine, wherein said composition provides a CavSS of about 15 ng/ml to about 35 ng/ml.
CROSS REFERENCES This application relates to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/528,760, filed Dec. 11, 2003, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/560,894 filed Apr. 9, 2004, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/528,592 filed Dec. 11, 2003, 60/528,593 filed Dec. 11, 2003, and PCT/US2004/008101 filed on Mar. 17, 2004, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. BACKGROUND This invention relates to a sustained release oral dosage form of an aminopyridine pharmaceutical composition that can be used to treat individuals affected with neurological disorders wherein said pharmaceutical composition maximizes the therapeutic effect, while minimizing adverse side effects. The sustained release oral dosage form of the present invention may be utilized to treat neurological disorders such as spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and ALS. Spinal cord injuries are one of the leading causes of disability in young adults resulting in from partial to complete paralysis of the lower extremities to partial to complete paralysis from the level of spinal injury downward. In the most extreme cases, paralysis is complete from the C-1 cervical vertebra downward. Oftentimes, however, the injury to the spinal cord does not consist of an actual severing of the cord but rather consists of an injury that interferes with signal transmission. Treatment alternatives for promoting transmission along injured nerves of the spinal cord have thus far met with limited success. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative and inflammatory neurological disease which affects the central nervous system, more specifically the myelin sheath. The condition of MS involves demyelination of nerve fibers resulting in short-circuiting of nerve impulses and thus a slowing or blocking of transmission along the nerve fibers, with associated disabling symptoms. Treatment alternatives for promoting transmission along affected nerves have thus far been limited. Alzheimer's disease is a major cause of dementia in the elderly. It may be described as a progressive pathological deterioration in personality, memory and intellect consistent with a generalized atrophy of corresponding brain centers. The emotional state, behavior, cognitive function and thought processes of sufferers are all adversely affected. A minor degrading in memory which gradually becomes more apparent is the first indication of the onset of the disease. Part of the disease process involves the transmission of nerve signals and, as with MS, treatment alternatives have thus far been limited. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a fatal neuromuscular disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness resulting in paralysis. ALS patients often suffer from symptoms including tripping, stumbling, and falling, loss of muscle control and strength in hands and arms, difficulty speaking, swallowing and/or breathing, chronic fatigue, and muscle twitching and/or cramping. ALS is characterized by both upper and lower motor neuron damage. Symptoms of upper motor neuron damage include stiffness, spasticity, muscle twitching (fasciculations), and muscle shaking (clonus). Symptoms of lower motor neuron damage include muscle weakness and muscle atrophy. Potassium channel blockers are a class of compounds that have been found to improve the conduction of nerve impulses. As a result, they have become the focus of attention in the symptomatic treatment of spinal cord injury, MS and Alzheimer's disease. One sub-class of potassium channel blockers, aminopyridines have shown promise in the treatment of neurological diseases. 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), a mono-aminopyridine known as fampridine, has been found to slow the potassium flow in nerve impulse transmission and, thereby, shows effectiveness in restoring conduction in blocked and demyelinated nerves. Potassium channel blockers have also been found to improve mental function in patients with Alzheimer's disease. This effect is believed to be related to the potassium channel blocking action which in turn enhances calcium influx into the neuron thus prolonging nerve action potential and increasing transmitter release. Mono- and di-aminopyridines constitute a particular sub-class of potassium channel blockers that have showed promise in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition which contains one or more potassium channel blockers and which can be used in the effective treatment of various diseases, for example, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and ALS. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to compositions that include a matrix and a potassium channel blocker. The potassium channel blockers may include aminopyridines, for example, 4-aminopyridine, 3,4-diaminopyridine and the like. The composition provides for sustained-release of the aminopyridine from the matrix to maintain the efficacious and safe plasma level of an aminopyridine. The aminopyridine dispersed in the matrix is capable of providing, upon administration to a patient, a desired release profile. The composition may be used to establish in patients in need of such treatment, a therapeutically effective blood plasma level of the aminopyridine for a period of at least about 6 hours and preferably up to at least 24 hours in the patient in a twice-daily administration while avoiding peaks and troughs in the relapse of the aminopyridine. The composition may include a mono- or di-aminopyridine, preferably 4-AP or 3,4-DAP or a combination thereof, homogeneously dispersed in a rate-controlling polymer matrix, preferably including a hydrophilic polymer like hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC). The composition of the present invention may also include one or more additional active ingredients and/or one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. These compositions can be used to treat various neurological diseases, for example, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and ALS. Another embodiment of the present invention is a stable pharmaceutical composition which comprises a therapeutically effective amount of an aminopyridine dispersed in a matrix that provides a release profile of the aminopyridine to a patient that has a desired Cmax to Cτ ratio. The composition may be used to establish and/or maintain in a patient, a therapeutically effective level of the aminopyridine. Preferably the aminopyridine in the composition is released over time so that a therapeutically effective level of the aminopyridine in the patient can be achieved with twice daily dosing of the composition. In a more preferred embodiment, undesirable spikes or peaks in the release of the aminopyridine are avoided. Another embodiment of the present invention is a stable, sustained-release oral dosage formulation of a composition which includes an a therapeutically effective amount of a 4-aminopyridine dispersed in a matrix that provides a release profile of 4-aminopyridine in the blood plasma of the patient extending over a period of at least 6 hours, preferably at least 8 hours, and more preferably, at least about 12 hours. In another embodiment, a stable, sustained-release oral dosage formulation of a composition includes an a therapeutically effective amount of a 4-aminopyridine dispersed in a matrix that provides a therapeutically effective blood plasma level of 4-aminopyridine in the patient extending over about 24 hours. Preferably, the oral dosage formulation of the composition is a monolithic tablet formed by compression of the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention. In preferred embodiments, the oral dosage formulation includes a compressed tablet of a therapeutically effective amount of 4-aminopyridine dispersed in matrix which includes a hydrophilic polymer such as HPMC. The oral dosage form of the present invention may also include one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. The dispersion of 4-aminopyridine throughout the matrix imparts chemical and physical stability to the composition while providing a sustained-release profile. This enhanced dosage stability is most notably observed in compositions and dosage forms of the present invention having low concentrations of 4-aminopyridine, and stability is achieved while maintaining the desired controlled-release profile. Specifically, the compressed tablet formulation of the present invention exhibits superior resistance to moisture absorption by ambient humidity and maintains a uniform distribution of the 4-aminopyridine throughout the tablet while providing a release profile of 4-aminopyridine that permits establishment of a therapeutically effective concentration of the potassium channel blocker with once daily or twice daily dosing of the formulation. Preferably the therapeutically effective concentration released by the formulation extends over at least 6 hours, preferably at least 8 hours, and more preferably to at least 12 hours. In addition, the homogeneity of the dosage form renders it amenable to formation by simple and inexpensive manufacturing processes as compared with the multi-layered structure of prior sustained-release dosage formulations. The compositions of the present invention may be used in the treatment of a condition in a patient which includes establishing a therapeutically effective concentration of a potassium channel blocker in the patient in need thereof. The compositions may be used for building up a level and or maintaining a therapeutically effective concentration of an aminopyridine in the patient by twice daily dosing. The dosages of the present compositions can made with a lower concentration of the aminopyridine to facilitate restful periods for the patient during the day. Where desirable, the compositions of the present invention may be formulated to avoid large peaks in initial release of the aminopyridine. The compositions of the present invention when administered to a patient in need thereof provide for the treatment of neurological diseases that are characterized by a degradation of nerve impulse transmission. Preferably, the compositions are a stable, sustained-release tablet of a therapeutically effective amount of a mono- or di-aminopyridine, dispersed in HPMC such that therapeutically effective blood plasma level of the mono- or di-aminopyridine is maintained in the patient for a period of at least 6 hours, preferably at least 8 hours, and more preferably at least about 10-12 hours in a once or twice daily administration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a graph of mean plasma profiles associated with the administration to a patient in both fasted and fed states of a tablet form of 4-AP (fampridine) in accordance with the present invention compared with the mean plasma profile associated with the administration of an immediate release formulation of 4-AP in a gelatin capsule. FIG. 2 is a graph of mean plasma profiles associated with the administration (fasted state) of a homogeneous dispersion of 4-AP (fampridine) in a matrix in a tablet form of in accordance with the present invention compared with the mean plasma profile associated with the administration of a layered controlled-release capsule and an immediate release capsule formulations of 4-AP. FIG. 3 is a graph of the mean change in walking sped observed with the administration of a sustained release 4-AP (fampridine) according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a graph of the mean change in LEMMT with the administration of a sustained release 4-AP (fampridine) according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a graph of the mean change in Ashworth score with the administration of a sustained release 4-AP (fampridine) according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Before the present compositions and methods are described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular molecules, compositions, methodologies or protocols described, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention which will be limited only by the appended claims. The terms used herein have meanings recognized and known to those of skill in the art, however, for convenience and completeness, particular terms and their meanings are set forth below. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a “spheroid” is a reference to one or more spheroid and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described. All publications mentioned herein are incorporated by reference. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the invention is not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. “Buccal” refers to the cheek area in the mouth. “Local administration” means direct administration by a non-systemic route at or in the vicinity of the site of affliction, disorder, or perceived pain. The terms “patient” and “subject” mean all animals including humans. Examples of patients or subjects include humans, cows, dogs, cats, goats, sheep, and pigs. The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, amides, and prodrugs” as used herein refers to those carboxylate salts, amino acid addition salts, esters, amides, and prodrugs of the compounds of the present invention which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of patients without undue toxicity, irritation, allergic response, and the like, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio, and effective for their intended use, as well as the zwitterionic forms, where possible, of the compounds of the invention. The term “prodrug” refers to compounds that are rapidly transformed in vivo to yield the parent compounds of the above formula, for example, by hydrolysis in blood. A thorough discussion is provided in T. Higuchi and V. Stella, “Pro-drugs as Novel Delivery Systems,” Vol. 14 of the A.C.S. Symposium Series, and in Bioreversible Carriers in Drug Design, ed. Edward B. Roche, American Pharmaceutical Association and Pergamon Press, 1987, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. The term “salts” refers to the relatively non-toxic, inorganic and organic acid addition salts of compounds of the present invention. These salts can be prepared in situ during the final isolation and purification of the compounds or by separately reacting the purified compound in its free base form with a suitable organic or inorganic acid and isolating the salt thus formed. Representative salts include the hydrobromide, hydrochloride, sulfate, bisulfate, nitrate, acetate, oxalate, valerate, oleate, palmitate, stearate, laurate, borate, benzoate, lactate, phosphate, tosylate, citrate, maleate, fumarate, succinate, tartrate, naphthylate mesylate, glucoheptonate, lactobionate and laurylsulphonate salts, and the like. These may include cations based on the alkali and alkaline earth metals, such as sodium, lithium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and the like, as well as non-toxic ammonium, tetramethylammonium, tetramethylammonium, methlyamine, dimethlyamine, trimethlyamine, triethlyamine, ethylamine, and the like. (See, for example, S. M. Barge et al., “Pharmaceutical Salts,” J. Pharm. Sci., 1977, 66:1-19 which is incorporated herein by reference.). “Slow or sustained release formulation” refers to a formulation designed to release a therapeutically effective amount of drug or other active agent such as a polypeptide or a synthetic compound over an extended period of time, with the result being a reduction in the number of treatments necessary to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. In the matter of the present invention, a slow release formulation would decrease the number of treatments necessary to achieve the desired effect in terms of reduction in pain or spasticity, or an improvement in motor or sensory function in patients in need of such therapy, for example, in spinal cord injured patients or in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, ALS or Alzheimer's disease. The slow or sustained release formulations of the present invention achieve a desired pharmacokinetic profile in a subject. “Sublingual delivery” refers to the system delivery of drugs or other agents through the mucosal membranes lining the floor of the mouth. A “therapeutically effective amount” is an amount sufficient to decrease or prevent the symptoms associated with a medical condition or infirmity or to normalize body functions in disease or disorders that result in impairment of specific bodily functions. As related to the present application, a therapeutically effective amount is an amount sufficient to reduce the pain or spasticity associated with the neurological disorder being treated, or an amount sufficient to result in improvement of sexual, bladder or bowel function in subjects having a neurological disorder which impairs nerve conduction, which hinders normal sexual, bladder or bowl functions. “Treatment” refers to the administration of medicine or the performance of medical procedures with respect to a patient, for either prophylaxis (prevention) or to cure the infirmity or malady in the instance where the patient is afflicted. In addition, the compounds of the present invention can exist in unsolvated as well as solvated forms with pharmaceutically acceptable solvents such as water, ethanol, and the like. In general, the solvated forms are considered equivalent to the unsolvated forms for the purposes of the present invention. One aspect of the invention is a sustained-release pharmaceutical composition comprising an aminopyridine dispersed in a sustained release matrix such as a rate-controlling polymer. The composition of the present invention is capable of providing, upon administration to a patient, a release profile of the aminopyridine extending over at least 6 hours, preferably least about 12 hours, and more preferably at least 24 hours or more. Preferably the aminopyridine concentration in the composition is a therapeutically effective amount, and preferably the aminopyridine is dispersed uniformly throughout the release matrix. A therapeutically effective amount is an amount of a potassium channel blocker, preferably an aminopyridine compound, that when administered to a patient or subject, ameliorates a symptom of a neurological disease. When the compositions of the present invention are administered to a patient, the concentration of the aminopyridine in the patient's plasma over time (release profile) may extend over a period of at least 6 hours, preferably over at least 8 hours, and more preferably over at about 12 hours. The compositions may provide in single dose a mean maximum plasma concentration of aminopyridine in the patient of from about 15 to about 180 ng/ml; a mean Tmax from about 1 to about 6 hours, more preferably about 2 to about 5.2 hours after administration of the composition to the patient. In one embodiment, aminopyridine is administered to a subject at a dose and for a period sufficient to allow said subject to tolerate said dose without showing any adverse effects and thereafter increasing the dose at selected intervals of time until a therapeutic dose is achieved. In one embodiment the medicament is administered to a subject at a dose and for a period sufficient to allow said subject to tolerate said dose without showing any adverse effects and thereafter increasing the dose of aminopyridine at selected intervals of time until a therapeutic dose is achieved. For example, at the commencement of treatment aminopyridine is preferably administered at a dose less than 15 mg/day until a tolerable state is reached. Suitably when said tolerable state is reached, the dose administered may be increased by amounts of at least 5-15 mg/day until said therapeutic dose is reached. The method can include scheduling administration of doses of the pharmaceutical so that the concentration of the aminopyridine in the patient is at about the minimum therapeutically effective level to ameliorate the neurological condition, yet relatively lower compared to the maximum concentration in order to enhance restful periods for the patient during the day. Preferably the method provides for the treatment of neurological diseases characterized by a degradation of nerve impulse transmission comprising the step of administering to a patient a composition of the present invention. The formulations and compositions of the present invention exhibit a specific, desired release profile which maximizes the therapeutic effect while minimizing adverse side effects. The desired release profile may be described in terms of the maximum plasma concentration of the drug or active agent (Cmax) and the plasma concentration of the drug or active agent at a specific dosing interval (Cτ). A ratio of Cmax to Cτ (Cmax:Cτ) may be calculated from the observed Cmax and Cτ. A dosing interval (τ) is the time since the last administration of the drug or active agent. In the present application, the dosing interval (τ) is twelve (12) hours, therefore Cτ is the concentration of the drug or active agent at twelve (12) hours from the last administration. Additionally, the formulations and compositions of the present invention exhibit a desired release profile that may be described in terms of the maximum plasma concentration of the drug or active agent at steady state (CmaxSS) and the minimum plasma-concentration of the drug or active agent at steady state (CminSS). Steady state is observed when the rate of administration (absorption) is equal to the rate of elimination of the drug or active agent. A ratio of CmaxSS to CminSS (CmaxSS:CminSS) may be calculated from the observed CmaxSS and CminSS. In addition, the formulations and compositions of the present invention exhibit a desired release profile that may be described in terms of the average maximum plasma concentration of the drug or active agent at steady state (CavSS). Another embodiment is a sustained release tablet of a sustained release matrix and an aminopyridine, said tablet exhibits a release profile to obtain a Cmax:Cτ ratio in vivo of 1.0 to 3.5, and more preferably a Cmax:Cτ ratio of about 1.5 to about 3.0. In another preferred embodiment, the Cmax:Cτ ratio is about 2.0 to about 3.0. The aminopyridine may comprise 4-aminopyridine. The sustained release matrix may include for example, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, or other rate controlling matrices that are suitable for controlling the release rate of an aminopyridine for use in the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention. In a further embodiment, a sustained release tablet of a sustained release matrix and an aminopyridine, wherein the tablet exhibits an in vivo Cmax:Cτ ratio of about 2.0 to about 3.0. A method of treating a disease associated with a neurological disorder is also provided. The method may include administering an 4-aminopyridine on a dosing regimen to obtain an in vivo Cmax:Cτ ratio of 1.0 to 3.5. In more preferred embodiments, the Cmax:Cτ ratio is about 1.5 to 3.0, and about 2.0 to about 3.0. Such neurological disorders include a spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, ALS or the like. The dosing regimen of the method of treating a neurological disorder may comprise administering a tablet of said aminopyridine twice daily dosing. In a further embodiment, the twice-daily dosing regiment of the aminopyridine may comprise every twelve hours. Another embodiment is a method of treating a neurological disorder comprising administering an aminopyridine to achieve an in vivo Cmax:Cτ ratio of 1.0 to 3.5, and more preferably the Cmax:Cτ ratio is about 1.5 to about 3.25. In another preferred embodiment, the Cmax:Cτ ratio of the method of treating a neurological disorder is about 2.0 to about 3.0. Another aspect is a therapeutic composition of a release matrix and an active aminopyridine, wherein the aminopyridine is released from the release matrix at a rate to maintain a Cmax:Cτ ratio of 1.0 to 3.5, and more preferably about 1.5 to about 3.0. In another preferred embodiment, the Cmax:Cτ ratio of the therapeutic composition is about 2.0 to about 3.0. Another embodiment is a sustained release tablet of a sustained release matrix and an aminopyridine, said tablet exhibits a release profile to obtain a Cmax:Cτ ratio in vivo of 1.0 to 3.5 and a CavSS of about 15 ng/ml to about 35 ng/ml, and more preferably a Cmax:Cτ ratio of about 1.5 to about 3.0. In another preferred embodiment, the Cmax:Cτ ratio is about 2.0 to about 3.0. In another embodiment, a sustained release tablet comprising a sustained release matrix and an aminopyridine, said tablet exhibiting an in vivo Cmax:Cτ ratio of about 2.0 to about 3.0 and a CavSS of about 15 ng/ml to about 35 ng/ml is provided. A further embodiment is a method of treating a disease associated with a neurological disorder, said method comprising administering an aminopyridine on a dosing regimen to obtain an in vivo Cmax:Cτ ratio of 1.0 to 3.5 and a CavSS of about 15 ng/ml to about 35 ng/ml. A further aspect is a method of treating a disease associated with a neurological disorder comprising administering an aminopyridine to achieve an in vivo Cmax:Cτ ratio of 1.0 to 3.5 and a CavSS of about 15 ng/ml to about 35 ng/ml. In a further aspect, a therapeutic composition comprised of a release matrix and an active aminopyridine, said aminopyridine being released from said release matrix at a rate to maintain an in vivo Cmax:Cτ ratio of 1.0 to 3.5 and a CavSS of about 15 ng/ml to about 35 ng/ml is provided. In another embodiment, a method of treating a disease associated with a neurological disorder, said method comprising administering an aminopyridine on a dosing regimen to obtain an in vivo CmaxSS:CminSS ratio of 1.0 to 3.5 and a CavSS of about 15 ng/ml to about 35 ng/ml is provided. A further aspect is a sustained release composition comprising a sustained release matrix and an aminopyridine, wherein said composition provides a CavSS of about 15 ng/ml to about 35 ng/ml. In a further aspect, a sustained release tablet comprising a sustained release matrix and an aminopyridine, said tablet exhibiting a CmaxSS of about 20 ng/ml to about 35 ng/ml is provided. In another embodiment, a sustained release tablet comprising a sustained release matrix and an aminopyridine, said tablet exhibiting a CmaxSS of about 30 ng/ml to about 55 ng/ml. In a further embodiment, a sustained release tablet comprising a sustained release matrix and an aminopyridine, said tablet exhibiting a CmaxSS of about 24 ng/ml to about 40 ng/ml is provided. In a further embodiment, a sustained release tablet comprising sustained release matrix and an aminopyridine, said tablet exhibiting a CmaxSS of about 35 ng/ml to about 55 ng/ml is provided. A further aspect is a method of treating a disease associated with a neurological disorder comprising administering an aminopyridine on a dosing regimen in vivo CmaxSS:CminSS ratio of 1.0 to 3.5, preferably an in vivo CmaxSS:CminSS ratio of about 1.5 to about 3.0, and more preferably about 2.0 to about 3.0. The dosing regimen may consist of administering the aminopyridine twice daily, more preferably every twelve hours. The amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable quality aminopyridine, salt, solvated, or prodrug thereof included in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention will vary, depending upon a variety of factors, including, for example, the specific potassium channel blocker used, the desired dosage level, the type and amount of rate-controlling polymer matrix used, and the presence, types and amounts of additional materials included in the composition. Preferably, the aminopyridine comprises from about 0.1 to about 13% w/w, more preferably from about 0.5 to about 6.25% w/w. In an even more preferable embodiment of the present invention the aminopyridine is present from about 0.5 to 4.75% w/w of the pharmaceutical composition. It has been found that for many indications a weight (wt/wt %) above about 5% can result in undesirable side effects. Accordingly, a weight percentage less than about 4.75% is desired. The amount of aminopyridine, or a derivative thereof, in the formulation varies depending on the desired dose for efficient drug delivery, the molecular weight, and the activity of the compound. The actual amount of the used drug can depend on the patient's age, weight, sex, medical condition, disease or any other medical criteria. The actual drug amount is determined according to intended medical use by techniques known in the art. The pharmaceutical dosage formulated according to the invention may be administered once or more times per day, preferably two or fewer times per day as determined by the attending physician. Typically, the 4-aminopyridine is formulated in tablets or other pharmaceutical composition in amounts of about 0.5 mg to about 80 mg, preferably from about 5 to about 50 mg of 4-aminopyridine. Preferably, the amount of an aminopyridine in the composition is formulated to maintain therapeutic levels of the aminopyridine in patient's blood up to about 80 ng/ml. The matrix in which the aminopyridine is homogeneously dispersed provides a sustained release of the aminopyridine into the plasma of the patient. Polymeric matrices suitable for controlling the release rate of aminopyridines for use in the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention include hydrophilic polymers, hydrophobic polymers or mixtures of hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic polymers that are capable of forming sustained-release dosage formulation in combination with an aminopyridine. Such matrices are also capable of preventing degradation and loss of the aminopyridine from the composition. Examples of suitable matrices either alone or in combination include but are not limited to hydroxyalkylcelluloses, such as hydroxypropylcellulose and HPMC, hydroxyethyl cellulose, alkylcelluloses such as ethycellulose and methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose; sodium carboxymethylcellulose, hydrophilic cellulose derivatives, polyethylene oxide, polyethylene glycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone; cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate phthalate, cellulose acetate trimellitate, polyvinylacetate phthalate, hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose phthalate, hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose acetate succinate; poly(alkyl methacrylate); and poly(vinyl acetate). Examples of other suitable polymers include, either alone or in combination, carboxyvinylpolymers, poly(vinyl alcohols), glucans, scleroglucans, mannans, xanthans, and, in general, cellulose, crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone, carboxymethyl starch, potassium methacrylate-divinylbenzene copolymer, hydroxypropylcyclodextrin, alpha, beta, gamma cyclodextrin or derivatives and other dextran derivatives, natural gums, seaweed extract, plant exudate, agar, agarose, algin, sodium alginate, potassium alginate, carrageenan, kappa-carrageenan, lambda-carrageenan, fucoidan, furcellaran, laminarin, hypnea, eucheuma, gum arabic, gum ghatti, gum karaya, gum tragacanth, guar gum, locust bean gum, okra gum, quince psyllium, flax seed, arabinogalactin, pectin, scleroglucan, dextran, amylose, amylopectin, dextrin, acacia, karaya, guar, a swellable mixture of agar and carbox ymethyl cellulose, a swellable composition comprising methyl cellulose mixed with a sparingly cross-linked agar, a blend of sodium alginate and locust bean gumpolymers or copolymers derived from acrylic or methacrylic acid esters, copolymers of acrylic and methacrylic acid esters, zein, waxes, shellac and hydrogenated vegetable oils. In certain embodiments, the matrix is a rate-controlling polymer such as but not limited to HPMC. HPMC is a hydroxyalkylcellulose characterized by a polymeric backbone of cellulose, a natural carbohydrate that contains a basic repeating structure of anhydroglucose units, and varying ratios of hydroxypropyl and methyl substitution at the three available substitution positions. The amount of substituent groups on the anhydroglucose units can be designated by weight percent or by the average number of substituent groups attached to the ring. For example, if all three available positions on each unit are substituted, the degree of substitution may be designated as 3 whereas if an average of two positions on each ring are reacted, the degree of substitution is correspondingly designated as 2. According to one method of manufacture, cellulose fibers are heated with a caustic solution and then treated with methyl chloride and propylene oxide to produce HPMC. The fibrous reaction product is purified and ground to a fine, uniform powder. Especially suitable HPMCs manufactured according to this process are sold under the Methocel K designation, such as Methocel K100LV, Methocel K15M, Methocel K4M and Methocel K100M, all available from the Dow Chemical Co. Methocel K products are generally characterized by a methoxyl degree of substitution of about 1.4, a methoxyl percentage of about 22%, a hydroxypropyl molar substitution of about 0.2, a hydroxypropyl percentage of about 8%, and a particle size of 90%<100 mesh. In a preferred embodiment, the rate-controlling polymer is HPMC sold under the name Methocel KLOOLV. Interaction between the matrix, excipients or other additives and the potassium channel blocker through van der Waal forces, hydrogen bonding, coordination, solvation, or complex formation may also be desirable to control the release of the potassium channel blocker from the composition and to prevent evaporation and or degradation of the potassium channel blocker within the composition. In preferred embodiments, the rate-controlling polymer is HPMC. In such embodiments, the HPMC preferably has a viscosity (2 wt % solution at 20° C.) of about 100 to 100,000 cps, more preferably 100 to 30,000 cps. Especially suitable HPMCs are Methocel K types, such as Methocel K100LV, Methocel K15M, Methocel K4M and Methocel K100M, available from the Dow Chemical Co. The hydroxypropylmethylcelluloses used according to the invention preferably have a molecular weight of about 80,000 to about 1,150,000, more preferably about 80,000 to about 600,000. Especially suitable is a hydroxypropylmethylcellulose sold under the name Klucel LF available from Aqualon and Nippon Soda Co., which has a molecular weight of 100,000. The poly(ethylene oxide) used according to the invention preferably has a molecular weight of about 100,000 to about 7,000,000, more preferably about 900,000 to about 7,000,000. An especially suitable poly(ethylene oxide) is sold under the name Polyox WSR Coagulant available from the Dow Chemical Co., which has a molecular weight of 5,000,000. The ethylcelluloses used according to the invention preferably have a viscosity of about 3 to about 110 cps, more preferably about 7 to about 100 cps. In particularly preferred embodiments, the rate-controlling polymer is the HPMC sold under the name Methocel K100LV. In another embodiment, the rate-controlling polymer is HPC. HPCs used according to the invention preferably have a viscosity (2 wt % solution at 20° C.) of about 10 to 100,000 cps, more preferably 100 to 30,000 cps, and a molecular weight of about 80,000 to about 1,150,000, more preferably about 80,000 to about 600,000. An especially suitable HPC is sold under the name Klucel LF available from Aqualon and Nippon Soda Co. which has a molecular weight of about 95,000. In another embodiment, the rate-controlling polymer release matrix is poly(ethylene oxide) preferably having a molecular weight of about 100,000 to about 7,000,000, more preferably about 900,000 to about 7,000,000. An especially suitable poly(ethylene oxide) is sold under the name Polyox WSR Coagulant available from the Dow Chemical Co. which has a molecular weight of about 5,000,000. Suitable ethylcelluloses that may be used as the rate-controlling polymer in accordance with the invention preferably have a viscosity of about 3 to about 110 cps, more preferably about 7 to about 100 cps. The polymeric matrix of the drug delivery of the invention may additionally also contain a hydrophobic polymer. Suitable hydrophobic polymers are hydrophobic cellulose derivatives, such as ethyl cellulose, fats, such as glycerol palmitostearate, waxes, such as beeswax, glycowax, castrowax, carnaubawax, glycerol monostearate or stearylalcohol, hydrophobic polyacrlamide derivatives and hydrophobic methacrylic acid derivatives. A hydrophobic polymer may be included as part of a release matrix, in order to modify the release kinetics. Preferably such a hydrophobic polymer is used only in a mixture of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers. In such a mixture, the hydrophobic polymer controls the water penetration rate into the delivery system. For example, incorporation of a hydrophobic polymer into the polymer matrix and the ratio of hydrophilic to hydrophobic polymer thus changes the erosion characteristics of the tablet. The hydrophobic polymer shows down the water penetration into the tablet and thus slows the tablet erosion. The amount of the release matrix included in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention will vary depending upon a variety of factors, including, for example, the specific matrix used, its molecular weight, is hydrophilicity, the type and amount of potassium channel blocker used, and the presence, types and amounts of additional materials included in the composition. Preferably, the rate-controlling polymer comprises from about 20 to about 96% w/w, more preferably from about 20 to about 70% w/w, of the pharmaceutical composition. It is desirable that the matrix permit release of the potassium channel blocker in the lower gastrointestinal tract. In general, when the viscosity grade of the matrix polymer is higher, the release rate of the drug is slower. The size, shape and surface area of the tablet may also be modified to increase or decrease the release rate of the aminopyridine from the tablet. In preferred embodiments, the aminopyridine is milled prior to dispersal in the rate-controlling polymer in order to ensure proper particle size distribution. Milling of the aminopyridine may be accomplished by any suitable means such as, for example, an air jet mill, a micronizer, a hammer mill, a ball mill, a cone mill, or other suitable type of mill. The milling is preferably accomplished so that the particle size distributions permit satisfactory dosage content uniformity and dissolution profiles. The particle size distribution may be ±25% of the mean particle size use in the formulation. In a preferred embodiment, the aminopyridine is milled so that 90% of the particles are smaller than about 1.5 mm, more preferably smaller than about 1 mm, and even more preferably smaller than about 300 μm; 50% of the particles are smaller than about 1 mm, more preferably smaller than about 600 μm, and even more preferably smaller than about 150 μm; and 10% of the particles are smaller than about 500 μm, more preferably smaller than about 400 μm, and even more preferably smaller than about 50 μm. Suitable screen sizes are from about #10 to about #400 mesh, preferably #24 to #60 mesh. In certain embodiments, milling of the aminopyridine may involve multiple passes of the material through mesh screens at the same or different mill blade orientations. In one embodiment, the milling process involves two passes of 4-AP through a #24 mesh screen in a FitzMill® comminutor using two different mill blade orientations. The aminopyridine, in either milled or un-milled form, is dispersed in the release matrix to form the pharmaceutical composition such that the aminopyridine is distributed substantially uniformly throughout the entirety of the matrix. The dispersal of aminopyridine throughout the matrix may be accomplished by any method capable of achieving substantial homogeneity. Preferred dispersal methods include the use of blenders, for example, planetary and cross-flow blenders. While blending time will vary depending on a variety of factors, including, for example, the specifics of the aminopyridine and rate-controlling polymer used, substantially uniform distribution is preferably realized within from about 10 to about 55 minutes of blending. The release matrix aminopyridine formulation is preferably fabricated into tablets, capsules or granules for oral use. The rate of aminopyridine release from the tablets may be controlled by the erosion mechanism of the release matrix from which aminopyridine is released. In general, for producing a tablet on an industrial scale, the drug and polymer are granulated alone or in combination. Preferably the release of the aminopyridine from the matrix of the pharmaceutical composition is relatively linear over time. Preferably the matrix provides a release profile that gives a therapeutically effective concentration of the aminopyridine in the plasma of the patient permitting a once per day or twice per day dosing. Preferably the sustained release aminopyridine formulation for oral administration to patients includes from about 0.0001 mole to about 0.0013 mole aminopyridine that provides a mean maximum plasma concentration of aminopyridine from about 15 to about 180 ng/ml, a mean Tmax of about 2 to about 5 hours after administration, and a mean minimum plasma concentration of from about 10 to 60 ng/ml at about 8-24 hours after administration. The formulations of the invention are prepared by procedures known in the art, such as, for example, by the dry or wet method. The method selected for manufacturing affects the release characteristics of the finished tablet. In one method, for example, the tablet is prepared by wet granulation in the presence of either water or an aqueous solution of the hydrophilic polymer or using other binder as a granulating fluid. In alternative, organic solvent, such as isopropyl alcohol, ethanol and the like, may be employed with or without water. The drug and polymer may be granulated alone or in combination. Another method for preparation of the tablet which may be used requires using a drug-polymer dispersion in organic solvents in the presence or absence of water. Where the aminopyridine or its derivative has very low solubility in water it may be advantageous to reduce the particle size, for example, by milling it into fine powder and in this way to control the release kinetics of the drug and enhance its solubility. The hardness of the tablets of the present invention may vary, depending on a variety of factors, including, for example, the relative amounts and specific types of ingredients used, the tableting equipment employed, and the selected processing parameters. The pressure used to prepare the tablets can influence the release profile of the aminopyridine into the patient. The pressure used to prepare the tablets of the present invention may vary depending upon their surface area and the amount and particle size of aminopyridine, additive, excipients, or binders included in the tablet. The degree of hydration and solvation of the components in the composition will also be important in determining the hard ness of the tablets. Preferably the formed tablets have a hardness in the range of from 80-400 N, and more preferably from 150 to 300 N. Pellets or a combination of pellets in accordance with the invention may also be filled into hard or soft gelatin capsules. The pellets included in the capsule may have different amounts of aminopyridine in the pellets and or different matrices. Various amounts of the pellets may be used to tailor the total amount aminopyridine delivered as well as to alter the release and concentration profile of the aminopyridine in the patient. The effects of various matrices, concentrations of aminopyridine, as well as various excipients and additives to the composition on the concentration of the channel blocker on the dissolution rate may be monitored for example using a type H dissolution apparatus according to U.S. Pharmacopoeia XXII, or USP Apparatus II (Paddle Method). Clinical evaluations may be used to study the effects on plasma levels of various release matrices, concentrations of aminopyridine, as well as various excipients and additives. Plasma aminopyridine concentrations may be used to calculate pharmacokinetic data (release profiles) including apparent absorption and elimination rates, area-under-the curve (AUC), maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), time to maximum plasma concentration (Tmax), absorption half-life (T1/2(abs)), and elimination half-life (T1/2(elim)). Pharmacodynamic effects may be assessed based upon response tests, such as muscle strength improvement or reduction in spascticity for patients with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury or other tests as would be known to those skilled in the art. Plasma aminopyridine concentration in blood plasma or cerebral spinal fluid may be monitored using liquid chromatography/MS/MS assay methods. The drug delivery of the invention can utilize any suitable dosage unit form. Specific examples of the delivery system of the invention are tablets, tablets which disintegrate into granules, capsules, sustained release microcapsules, spheroids, or any other means which allow for oral administration. These forms may optionally be coated with pharmaceutically acceptable coating which allows the tablet or capsule to disintegrates in various portions of the digestive system. For example a tablet may have an enteric coating which prevents it from dissolving until it reaches the more basic environment of the small intestine. The dispersion of the aminopyridine throughout the release matrix imparts enhanced stability characteristics in the dosage formulation. This enhanced stability is achieved without loss of the desired sustained-release profile. Preferably the release profile, which may be measured by dissolution rate is linear or approximately linear, preferably the release profile is measured by the concentration of the aminopyridine in the plasma in the patient and is such to permit twice daily (BID) dosing. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can include also auxiliary agents or excipients, for example, glidants, dissolution agents, surfactants, diluents, binders including low temperature melting binders, disintegrants and/or lubricants. Dissolution agents increase the dissolution rate of the aminopyridine from the dosage formulation and can function by increasing the solubility of the aminopyridine. Suitable dissolution agents include, for example, organic acids such as citric acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, ascorbic acid, acetic acid, malic acid, glutaric acid and adipic acid, and may be used alone or in combination. These agents may also be combined with salts of the acids, e.g. sodium citrate with citric acid, in order to produce a buffer system. Other agents that may alter the pH of the microenvironment on dissolution and establishment of a therapeutically effective plasma concentration profile of the aminopyridine include salts of inorganic acids and magnesium hydroxide. Other agents that may be used are surfactants and other solubilizing materials. Surfactants that are suitable for use in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention include, for example, sodium lauryl sulphate, polyethylene separates, polyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene castor oil derivatives, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, benzyl benzoate, cetrimide, cetyl alcohol, docusate sodium, glyceryl monooleate, glyceryl monostearate, glyceryl palmitostearate, lecithin, medium chain triglycerides, monoethanolamine, oleic acid, poloxamers, polyvinyl alcohol and sorbitan fatty acid esters. Diluents that are suitable for use in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention include, for example, pharmaceutically acceptable inert fillers such as microcrystalline cellulose, lactose, sucrose, fructose, glucose dextrose, or other sugars, dibasic calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, cellulose, ethylcellulose, cellulose derivatives, kaolin, mannitol, lactitol, maltitol, xylitol, sorbitol, or other sugar alcohols, dry starch, saccharides, dextrin, maltodextrin or other polysaccharides, inositol or mixtures thereof. The diluent is preferably a water-soluble diluent. Examples of preferred diluents include, for example: microcrystalline cellulose such as Avicel PHI 12, Avicel PH101 and Avicel PH102 available from FMC Corporation; lactose such as lactose monohydrate, lactose anhydrous, and Pharmatose DCL 21; dibasic calcium phosphate such as Emcompress available from Penwest Pharmaceuticals; mannitol; starch; sorbitol; sucrose; and glucose. Diluents are carefully selected to match the specific composition with attention paid to the compression properties. The diluent is preferably used in an amount of about 10 to about 80% by weight, preferably about 20 to about 50% by weight, of the sustained-release composition. Glidants are used to improve the flow and compressibility of ingredients during processing. Suitable glidants include, for example, colloidal silicon dioxide, a sub-micron fumed silica that can be prepared by, for example, vapor-phase hydrolysis of a silicon compound such as silicon tetrachloride. Colloidal silicon dioxide is a sub-micron amorphous powder which is commercially available from a number of sources, including Cabot Corporation (under the tradename Cab-O-Sil); Degussa, Inc. (under the tradename Aerosil); and E.I. DuPont & Co. Colloidal silicon dioxide is also known as colloidal silica, fumed silica, light anhydrous silicic acid, silicic anhydride, and silicon dioxide fumed, among others. In one embodiment, the glidant comprises Aerosil 200. Another agent that may be used is a surfactant, dissolution agent and other solubilizing material. Surfactants that are suitable for use in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention include, for example, sodium lauryl sulphate, polyethylene stearates, polyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene castor oil derivatives, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, benzyl benzoate, cetrimide, cetyl alcohol, docusate sodium, glyceryl monooleate, glyceryl monostearate, glyceryl palmitostearate, lecithin, medium chain triglycerides, monoethanolamine, oleic acid, poloxamers, polyvinyl alcohol and sorbitan fatty acid esters. Dissolution agents increase the dissolution rate of the aminopyridine and function by increasing the solubility of the aminopyridine. Suitable dissolution agents include, for example, organic acids such as citric acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, ascorbic acid, acetic acid, malic acid, glutaric acid and adipic acid, which may be used alone or in combination. These agents may also be combined with salts of the acids, e.g. sodium citrate with citric acid, in order to produce a buffer system. Other agents that may be used to alter the pH of the microenvironment on dissolution include salts of inorganic acids and magnesium hydroxide. The pellets or granulates may be compressed into tablets using a binder and/or hardening agent commonly employed in tablets such as microcrystalline cellulose sold under the Trade Mark “AVICEL” or a co-crystallized powder of highly modified dextrins (3% by weight) and sucrose sold under the Trade Mark “DI-PAC” in such a way that the specific dissolution rate of the pellets is maintained. Binders that are suitable for use in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention include, for example, starches, ethyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, acacia, guar gum, hydroxyethylcellulose, agar, calcium carrageenan, sodium alginate, gelatin, saccharides (including glucose, sucrose, dextrose and lactose), molasses, extract of Irish moss, panwar gum, ghatti gum, mucilage of isapol husk, carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, veegum, larch arbolactan, polyethylene glycols, waxes and mixtures thereof. Suitable low temperature melting binders include, for example, polyethylene glycols such as PEG 6000, cetostearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene castor oil derivatives, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene stearates, poloxamers, and waxes. Disintegrants that are suitable for use in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention include, for example, starches, sodium starch glycollate, crospovidone, croscarmellose, microcrystalline cellulose, low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, pectins, potassium methacrylate-divinylbenzene copolymer, poly(vinyl alcohol), thylamide, sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, starch derivatives, dextrin, beta cyclodextrin, dextrin derivatives, magnesium oxide, clays, bentonite and mixtures thereof. The active ingredient of the present invention may be mixed with excipients which are pharmaceutically acceptable and compatible with the active ingredient and in amounts suitable for use in the therapeutic methods described herein. Various excipients may be homogeneously mixed with the aminopyridines of the present invention as would be known to those skilled in the art. For example, aminopyridines may be mixed or combined with excipients such as but not limited to microcrystalline cellulose, colloidal silicon dioxide, lactose, starch, sorbitol, cyclodextrin and combinations of these. Lubricants that are suitable for use in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention include agents that act on the flowability of the powder to be compressed include but are not limited to silicon dioxide such as Aerosil 200, talc; stearic acid, magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, hydrogenated vegetable oils, sodium benzoate, sodium chloride, leucine carbowax, magnesium lauryl sulfate, and glyceryl monostearate. To further improve the stability of the aminopyridine in the sustained release composition, an antioxidant compound can be included. Suitable antioxidants include, for example: sodium metabisulfite; tocopherols such as α, β, δ-tocopherol esters and α.-tocopherol acetate; ascorbic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; ascorbyl palmitate; alkyl gallates such as propyl gallate, Tenox PG, Tenox s-1; sulfites or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; BHA; BHT; and monothioglycerol. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises a rate-controlling polymeric matrix comprising of a hydrogel matrix. For instance, an aminopyridine may be compressed into a dosage formulation containing a rate-controlling polymer, such as HPMC, or mixture of polymers which, when wet, will swell to form a hydrogel. The rate of release of the aminopyridine from this dosage formulation is sustained both by diffusion from the swollen tablet mass and by erosion of the tablet surface over time. The rate of release of the aminopyridine may be sustained both by the amount of polymer per tablet and by the inherent viscosities of the polymers used. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a stable, sustained-release oral dosage formulation which includes an effective amount a aminopyridine dispersed in a release matrix, and which, upon administration to a patient or as part of a therapy regiment, provides a release profile (of therapeutically effective blood plasma level of the aminopyridine) extending for a period of at least 6 hours, preferably at least 12 hours, and more preferably at least 24 hours. In another embodiment, the stable, controlled-release oral dosage form provides, upon administration to a patient, a therapeutically effective blood plasma level of the aminopyridine for a period of at least 6 hours, preferably at least 12 hours, and more preferably at least 24 hours. The dosage formulation may assume any form capable of delivering orally to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a aminopyridine dispersed in a rate-controlling polymer. Preferably, the dosage formulation comprises a monolithic tablet. Tablet weight will also vary in accordance with, among other things, the aminopyridine dosage, the type and amount of rate-controlling polymer used, and the presence, types and amounts of additional materials. Assuming 4-aminopyridine dosages of from about 2 mg to about 120 mg; tablet weights can range from about 50 mg to about 1200 mg per tablet, and preferably from 250 to 500 mg, and more preferably about 400 mg. The dosage formulation of the present invention may comprise also one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients as mentioned above. In preferred embodiments, the dosage formulation will comprise diluents and a lubricant in addition to the aminopyridine unit dose and the rate-controlling polymer. A particularly preferred diluents is microcrystalline cellulose sold under the name Avicel PH101, and a particularly preferred lubricant is magnesium stearate. When these materials are used, the magnesium stearate component preferably comprises from about 0.2 to about 0.75% w/w of the dosage formulation, and the microcrystalline cellulose along with the rate controlling polymer and aminopyridine comprises the balance of the formulation. For example, a tablet formulation including a aminopyridine x % w/w, a rate-controlling polymer y % w/w, and microcrystalline cellulose z %, the magnesium stearate amount would be (100-(x+y+z)) where 0.2%<(100-(x+y+z))<0.75% w/w. As would be known to those skilled in the art, the amount of an additives such as magnesium stearate may vary depending upon the shear rate used to perform the mixing and the amount of such an additive may be changed without limitation to obtain a satisfactory dissolution rate or plasma level of the aminopyridine. As used herein, the term “sustained-release” includes the release of a aminopyridine from the dosage formulation at a sustained rate such that a therapeutically beneficial blood level below toxic levels of the aminopyridine is maintained over a period of at least about 12 hours, preferably about 24 hours or more. Preferably, the amount of the aminopyridine in the oral dosage formulations according to embodiments of the present invention establish a therapeutically useful plasma concentration through BID administration of the pharmaceutical composition. If desired, the dosage formulations of this invention may be coated with a sustained-release polymer layer so as to provide additional sustained-release properties. Suitable polymers that can be used to form this sustained release layer include, for example, the release matrices listed above. As desired, the dosage formulation of the invention can be provided also with a light-protective and/or cosmetic film coating, for example, film-formers, pigments, anti-adhesive agents and politicizes. Such a film-former may consist of fast-dissolving constituents, such as low-viscosity hydroxypropylmethylcelluose, for example, Methocel E5 or D14, or Pharmacoat 606 (Shin-Etsu). The film coating may also contain excipients or enteric coatings customary in film-coating procedures, such as, for example, light-protective pigments, for example, iron oxide, or titanium dioxide, anti-adhesive agents, for example, talc, and also suitable plasticizers such as, for example, PEG 400, PEG 6000, diethyl phthalate or triethyl citrate. The compositions of the present invention may be used for the treatment of neurological diseases characterized by a degradation of nerve impulse transmission by administering to a patient the oral dosage formulation of the present invention. Preferably, the administration is twice daily dosage of a therapeutically effective amount of an aminopyridine, even more preferably, 4-AP dispersed in HPMC. The administration can also include scheduling administration of doses of the pharmaceutical so that the concentration of the aminopyridine in the patient is at about the minimum therapeutically effective level to ameliorate the neurological condition, yet relatively lower compared to the maximum concentration in order to enhance restful periods for the patient during the day. The compositions may be administered to a subject at a dose and for a period sufficient to allow said subject to tolerate said dose without showing any adverse effects and thereafter increasing the dose of said active agent in the tablets at selected intervals of time until a therapeutic dose is achieved in the subject. For example, at the commencement of treatment the active agent is preferably administered at a dose less than 15 mg/day until a tolerable state is reached. The dose administered may then be increased by amounts of at least 5-15 mg/day until a therapeutic dose is reached. For other diseases the amount of the aminopyridine required to reach a therapeutically effective amount for treatment is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,357 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Compositions of the present invention where the potassium channel blocker is a mono- or di-aminopyridine active agent are particularly suitable for use in the treatment of a neurological disease which is characterized by demyelination of the central nervous system, more especially multiple sclerosis. The mono- or di-aminopyridine active agent in accordance with the invention is also suitable for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Additional features and embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by the following non-limiting examples. EXAMPLE 1 This example illustrates preparation of compositions of the present invention and their release of an aminopyridine. Tablets in accordance with the present invention having dosages of 5 mg, 7.5 mg and 12.5 mg respectively were manufactured at 5 Kg scale. Materials were used in the amounts shown in Table 1. TABLE 1 % w/w % w/w % w/w Milled 4-AP 1.25 1.875 3.125 (#50 mesh) Methocel K100LV 60 60 60 Avicel PH101 38.15 37.525 36.275 Magnesium stearate 0.2 0.2 0.2 Aerosil 200 0.4 0.4 0.4 Equipment Tablet Horn Noak equipped with 13 × 8 mm oval tooling Press press speed 42,000 tablets/hr Tablet Weight Range 386-404 388-410 388-406 (mg) (96.5-101.0%) (97.0-102.5%) (97.0-101.5%) Tablet Hardness Range 200-262 179-292 150-268 (N) Tablet Potency - 97.1 99.1 100.2 mg/tab. (% LC) Mean CU (mg/tab.)/ 5.0 mg/1.0% 7.4 mg/0.7% 12.4 mg/1.1% % CV CU Discrete Samples 5.0 mg/1.2% 7.5 mg/1.8% 12.3/1.1% (mg/tab.)/% CV Dissolution (%/hr) Mean (SD) Mean (SD) Mean (SD) 1 28.9 1.1 29.2 1.8 25.9 1.1 2 42.7 1.8 42.1 1.6 40.2 2.5 3 52.8 1.4 53.0 1.0 49.8 2.1 4 61.4 2.2 61.8 1.5 60.1 2.4 6 75.7 3.1 75.2 1.6 74.8 2.7 10 95.5 3.3 98.7 1.4 93.2 0.9 Prior to blending, 4-AP was milled through #50 mesh screen using a Fitzmill® comminutor. The materials were added into a Gral 25 bowl in the following order: half Methocel K100LV, Avicel PH101, Aerosil 200, milled 4-AP and the remaining Methocel K100LV. The mix was blended for 15 minutes at 175 rpm, then the magnesium stearate was added and was further blended for 5 minutes at 100 rpm. Samples were taken from top and bottom positions for blend potency analysis. Weight and hardness checks were performed every 15 minutes by the check-master E3049. Discrete tablet samples were taken during the compression process to evaluate intra batch content uniformity. EXAMPLE 2 This example illustrates that the pharmacokinetic profile of fampridine in compositions of the present invention is altered by administration in a sustained release tablet matrix compared to immediate release and controlled release formulations. There is a delay in absorption manifested by a lower peak concentration, without any effect on the extent of absorption. When given as a single 12.5 mg dose, the peak concentration is approximately two-thirds lower as compared to peak values following administration of the IR formulation; the time to reach peak plasma levels was delayed by about 2 hours. FIG. 1 is a graph of mean plasma profiles associated with the administration to a patient in both fasted and fed states of a tablet form of 4-AP (fampridine) in accordance with the present invention compared with the mean plasma profile associated with the administration of an immediate release (IR) formulation. As with the IR formulation, food delayed the absorption of Fampridine-SR. The absorption of fampridine was approximately 50% slower following ingestion of a fatty meal, although due to the flatness of the absorption curve, this may be exaggerated value. Extent of absorption did not differ, as values for Cmax and AUC were comparable as summarized in Table 2. TABLE 2 Pharmacokinetic Parameter Values (Mean ± SD) in Studies Using Fampridine SR, CR, and IR Formulations: Single Dose Studies in Healthy Adult Male Volunteers AUC (0-∞) Study Number Dose (mg) Fed/Fasted CMAX (ng/mL) tMAX (hours) (ng hr/mL) 0494006 12.5 SR Fed 28.7 ± 4.3 5.3 ± 0.8 257.0 ± 62.7 N = 12 (PD12265) Fasted 25.6 ± 3.8 2.8 ± 1.3 269.9 ± 44.4 12.5 IR Fasted 79.3 ± 16.3 0.9 ± 0.4 294.2 ± 55.6 (PD12266) 1194002 12.5 SR Fasted 28.5 ± 4.3 2.9 ± 2.4 285.9 ± 37.8 N = 12 (PD12907) 12.5 CR Fasted 37.7 ± 9.9 3.6 ± 0.9 300.0 ± 53.6 (4n806) 12.5 IR Fasted 83.5 ± 23.5 0.79 ± 0.3 274.0 ± 59.2 (PS644) FIG. 2 is a graph of mean plasma profiles associated with the administration of a tablet form of 4-AP (fampridine) in accordance with the present invention compared with the mean plasma profile associated with the administration of a sustained-release capsule of the present invention and an immediate release capsule. EXAMPLE 3 This example details the plasma concentration of different dosage tablets of a aminopyridine in compositions of the present invention administered to patients with spinal cord injury. Pharmacokinetic results are presented for the subset of 11 patients who completed all dose levels. Maximal plasma concentrations and AUC values increased with increasing dose, with a mean Cmax of 152.0 ng/mL at the highest dose of 120 mg/day. The time of the peak and the plasma elimination half-lives were independent of dose. Mean Tmax ranged from 2.2 hours to 3.0 hours. The T1/2 of fampridine ranged from 5.7 to 6.9 hours. There were no apparent differences between males and females. Data from this study are summarized in Table 3. TABLE 3 Pharmacokinetic Parameter Values (Mean ± SD) Following Multiple Oral Doses of Fampridine-SR to 11 Patients with SCI. Fampridine- SR Dosage CMAX TMAX AUC(0-12) T1/2 (mg b.i.d.) (ng/mL) (hours) (ng hr/mL) (hours) 25 63.4 ± 11.9 2.2 ± 0.9 475.8 ± 65.5 6.4 ± 1.4 30 83.2 ± 20.5 2.4 ± 1.4 600.0 ± 128.0 6.7 ± 3.8 35 90.2 ± 14.4 2.4 ± 1.2 660.3 ± 137.7 6.9 ± 3.4 40 103.2 ± 19.4 2.6 ± 1.3 771.5 ± 135.3 6.6 ± 2.1 50 145.7 ± 27.9 3.0 ± 1.9 1047.6 ± 258.8 5.8 ± 1.9 60 152.0 ± 25.2 3.0 ± 2.0 1075.0 ± 163.0 5.7 ± 2.3 EXAMPLE 4 This example details the pharmacokinetic properties of Fampridine-SR in tablets of the present invention administered to patients with multiple sclerosis. Plasma samples were analyzed for fampridine using a validated LC/MS/MS assay with a sensitivity of 2 ng/mL. Noncompartmental pharmacokinetic parameter values were calculated using standard methodology. This was an open-label, multi-center, dose proportionality study of orally administered fampridine in patients with multiple sclerosis. Single doses of fampridine were to be given in escalating doses (5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, and 20 mg) with at least a four-day interval between administration of each dose of drug. Safety evaluations were to be performed during the 24 hour period following administration of fampridine and blood samples were to be taken at the following times to determine pharmacokinetic parameters: hour 0 (pre-dose), hours 1-8, and hours 10, 14, 18, and 24. Twenty-three subjects received all 4 treatments, and one subject received only 3 treatments; data from all treatments were analyzed. Dose-dependent parameters (e.g., peak plasma concentration and areas-under-the curve) were normalized to a 10 mg dose for among-dose comparisons. Overall observed time of the peak plasma concentration (mean and its 95% confidence interval) was 3.75 (3.52, 3.98) h, observed peak plasma fampridine concentration (normalized to a 10 mg dose) was 24.12 (23.8, 26.6) ng/ml, area-under-the-concentration-time curve (normalized to a 10 mg dose) was estimated to be 254 (238, 270) ng·h/ml, extrapolated area-under-the-concentration-time curve (normalized to a 10 mg dose) was 284 (266, 302) ng·h/ml, terminal rate constant equaled 0.14 (0.13, 0.15) h−1, terminal half-life was 5.47 (5.05, 5.89) h and clearance divided by bioavailability (CL/F) was equal to 637 (600, 674) ml/min. Dizziness was the most common treatment-related adverse event. Other treatment related adverse events included amblyopia, asthenia, headache, and ataxia. There were clinically significant changes in clinical laboratory values, ECG parameters, vital signs, physical examination findings, or neurological examination findings noted over the course of this study. When the plasma concentrations of fampridine were normalized to the 10.0 mg dose levels, there were no significant differences between any pharmacokinetic parameter (AUC, Cmax, t1/2) in the 5-20 mg dose range. Fampridine was well tolerated at the doses used in this study. Dose-normalized (to a 10 mg dose) pharmacokinetic parameter values are summarized in Table 4. TABLE 4 Dose-Normalized (at 10 mg) Pharmacokinetic Parameter Values (Mean ± SEM) Following Single Oral Administration of Fampridine-SR to Patients with MS. CMAX- Dose norm tMAX AUC-norm t1/2 Cl/F (mg) (ng/mL) (hours) (ng hr/mL) (hours) (mL/min) 5 26.2 ± 0.6 3.9 ± 0.2 244.2 ± 9.4 5.8 ± 0.5 619.8 ± 36.2 (n = 24) 10 25.2 ± 0.7 3.9 ± 0.3 252.2 ± 7.8 5.6 ± 0.4 641.4 ± 39.1 (n = 24) 15 24.6 ± 0.7 3.6 ± 0.3 263.0 ± 7.4 5.5 ± 0.4 632.4 ± 39.0 (n = 24) 20 24.6 ± 0.8 3.6 ± 0.3 255.6 ± 6.9 5.1 ± 0.3 653.9 ± 37.1 (n = 23) EXAMPLE 5 This example describes the results of an open-label study to assess the steady state pharmacokinetics of orally administered fampridine (4-aminopyridine) compositions of the present invention in subjects with Multiple Sclerosis. This study was an open-label multiple dose study of Fampridine-SR intended to assess steady state pharmacokinetics in 20 patients with MS who previously completed the study summarized in Table 4. Fampridine-SR (40 mg/day) was administered as two 20 mg doses, given as one morning and one evening dose for 13 consecutive days, with a single administration of 20 mg on Day 14. Blood samples for pharmacokinetic analysis were collected on Days 1, 7/8, and 14/15 at the following intervals: immediately prior to drug administration (baseline), hourly for the first 8 hours, and 10, 12, and 24 hours post-dose. Additional blood samples were collected 14, 18, and 20 hours post-dose on Day 14, and 30 and 36 hours post-dose on Day 15. Pharmacokinetic parameter estimates following the first dose in these patients in this study on Day 1 were comparable to those determined when they participated in the study summarized in Table 4. No significant difference in Tmax was detected among the four means (Single dose=3.76 h; Day 1=3.78 h; Day 8=3.33 h; Day 15=3.25 h). Cmax and Cmax/Cτ on Days 8 (Cmax=66.7 ng/ml) and 15 (Cmax=62.6 ng/ml) were significantly greater than those of the single dose treatment and of Day 1 (Cmax=48.6 ng/ml), reflecting accumulation of the drug with multiple dosing. There was no significant difference among the four occasions with regard to either T or C and no difference in Cmax, Cmax/Cτ, CL/F or AUC0-τ between Days 8 and 15. Further AUC on Days 8 and 15 did not differ significantly from total AUC with single dose treatment. Likewise, the estimates of CL/F on Days 8 and 15 and of λ and T1/2 on Day 15 did not differ significantly from those with single dose. Steady-state was attained by Day 7/8 as evidence by the lack of differences in Cmax or AUC between Days 7/8 and 14/15; there was no apparent unexpected accumulation. Likewise, the estimates of Cl/F on Days 7/8 and 14/15 of and of T1/2 on Day 14/15 did not differ significantly from those given a single dose. On the final day of dosing, mean Cmax was 62.6 ng/mL, occurring 3.3 hours post-dose. The T1/2 was 5.8 hours. These values are similar to those observed in patients with chronic SCI receiving similar doses of this formulation. These results are summarized in Table 5. TABLE 5 Pharmacokinetic Parameter Values (Mean and 95% CI) Following Multiple Oral Doses of Fampridine-SR (40 mg/day) to 20 Patients with MS. Parameter CMAX tMAX AUC(0-12) t1/2 Cl/F Day (ng/mL) (hours) (ng hr/mL) (hours) (mL/min) Day 1 48.6 3.8 NE NE NE (42.0, 55.3) (3.2, 4.3) Day 7/8 66.7 3.3 531 NE 700 (57.5, 76.0) (2.8, 3.9) (452, 610) (557, 884) Day 62.6 3.3 499 5.8 703 14/15 (55.7, 69.4) (2.6, 3.9) (446, 552) (5.0, 6.6) (621, 786) Dizziness was the most common treatment-related adverse event. Other treatment-related adverse events that occurred included nausea, ataxia, insomnia, and tremor. There were no clinically significant changes in mean clinical laboratory values, vital signs, or physical examination findings from baseline to last visit. There were no apparent clinically significant changes in corrected QT intervals or QRS amplitudes after administration of fampridine. Fampridine was well tolerated in subjects with multiple sclerosis who receive twice daily doses (20 mg/dose) of fampridine for two weeks. A significant increase was observed in Cmax, and Cmax/Cτ on Days 8 and 15 relative to those on Day 1 and with single dose treatment, reflecting accumulation of fampridine with multiple dosing. A lack of significant differences in Cmax, Cmax/Cτ, CL/F or AUC0-τ between Days 8 and 15 suggest that near steady-state is reached by Day 8. There was no evidence of significant pharmacokinetics during a two-week period of multiple dosing with fampridine. EXAMPLE 6 This was an open-label, single dose, single-center study of the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of escalating doses of orally administered Fampridine-SR in fourteen (14) patients with chronic incomplete SCI. After fasting overnight, a single oral dose of Fampridine-SR (10, 15, 20, or 25 mg) was to be administered. Each patient was to receive each dose in an ascending fashion. Each dose was to be followed by a 7-day washout period. A single dose of Fampridine-SR was to be administered orally on Day 1-10 mg, Day 8-15 mg, Day 15-20 mg and Day 22-25 mg with 240 mL of tepid water at approximately the same time on each treatment day. Patients were to continue their fast for 4 hours after dosing and then a standard meal was to be served. Blood samples for pharmacokinetic analysis were to be obtained at Hour 0 (immediately preceding study drug administration) and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, and 24 hours after each dose. A baseline urine sample was to be collected prior to dosing and urine was to be collected for 24 hours after administration of the study drug at the following intervals: 0.1 to 4 hours; 4.1 to 8 hours; 8.1 to 12 hours; and 12.1 to 24 hours. There was no detectable fampridine in any of the pre-dose plasma samples. By visual inspection of plasma concentration-time curves, concentrations were seen to rise for up to the first 4 hours post-dose and then to decline in a monophasic fashion. In some patients, there was evidence of a second peak. Peak concentrations increased proportionally with dose, with mean CMAX of 27.7 ng/mL following a single dose of 10 mg and mean CMAX of 67.4 ng/mL following a single dose of 25 mg. Peak concentrations occurred 3 to 4 hours post-dose, regardless of dose level. AUC also increased proportionally with increasing dose. The length of sampling was adequate since AUC0-24 is at least 92% of AUC0-8. The mean T1/2 was independent of dose, approximately 6 hours. Pharmacokinetic parameter values by dose are summarized in the Table 6 below. TABLE 6 Mean (±SD) pharmacokinetic parameters of fampridine-SR following single dose administration Fampridine-SR dose 10 mg 15 mg 20 mg 25 mg Parameter n = 14 n = 14 n = 14 n = 13* Cmax (ng/mL) 27.7 ± 9.1 43.5 ± 11.2 54.9 ± 11.0 67.4 ± 13.3 tmax (h) 3.2 ± 1.0 3.5 ± 1.2 3.5 ± 1.0 3.7 ± 1.2 AUC0-24 h (ng · h/mL) 285.4 ± 96.8 423.0 ± 98.6 561.1 ± 117.6 715.6 ± 150.0 AUC0-∞ (ng · h/mL) 311.8 ± 93.2 460.2 ± 100.2 604.3 ± 124.6 769.2 ± 154.4 Kel (h−1) 0.13 ± 0.03 0.12 ± 0.03 0.12 ± 0.02 0.13 ± 0.03 t1/2 (h) 5.9 ± 1.5 5.9 ± 1.5 5.9 ± 1.4 5.8 ± 1.6 Cl/F (L/h) 34.8 ± 10.2 34.3 ± 8.9 34.7 ± 8.5 34.0 ± 8.3 Vd/F (L) 299.8 ± 127.4 289.0 ± 93.7 289.9 ± 84.1 286.2 ± 123.2 *One patient was excluded from analysis, as not all blood samples were collected. Cmax, maximum observed plasma concentration; tmax, time to reach Cmax; AUC, area under the plasma concentration-time curve; Kel, elimination rate constant; t1/2, plasma half-life; Cl/F, apparent total clearance; Vd/F, apparent volume of distribution. Fampridine pharmacokinetic parameters following the oral administration of single doses of fampridine-SR (10-25 mg) are summarized in Table 6. Fampridine-SR was slowly absorbed (mean tmax occurring 3.2 to 3.7 hours postdose) and slowly eliminated in a monophasic manner (mean t1/2 5.9 hours). Mean t1/2, Kcl, Vd/F, and Cl/F were independent of dose over the dose range (10-25 mg), while mean Cmax, AUC0-24h, and AUC0-∞ were linearly related to dose. AUC0-24h was at least 92% of AUC0-∞. Mean Cmax for the lowest fampridine-SR dose (10 mg) was 27.7 ng/mL, while mean Cmax for the highest dose (25 mg) was 67.4 ng/mL. The plasma concentration profile following administration of Fampridine-SR was consistent with a sustained release of drug. Peak concentrations of fampridine occurred on average 3 to 4 hours post-dose, and concentrations declined with a plasma half-life of approximately 6 hours. The results of this study indicate that Fampridine-SR pharmacokinetics are linear over the single dose range studied, 10 to 25 mg. Area under the curve (AUC) and peak plasma concentration (CMAX) increased proportionally with dose. Fampridine-SR was well-tolerated over the range of single oral doses administered in this study. Dizziness was the most frequently reported adverse event. The next most common events were hypotension, nausea, and paresthesia. There was no clear relationship between dose level and frequency of adverse events, except with the possibility of nausea, which only occurred at the 25 mg dose. There were no clinically significant changes in vital signs during treatment. The pharmacokinetic analysis of Fampridine-SR administered once weekly showed dose proportionality across single oral doses of 10, 15, 20, and 25 mg. Mean peak fampridine concentration increased linearly with dose from 27.7 ng/mL following a dose of 10 mg to 69.9 ng/mL following a dose of 25 mg. Absorption was prolonged with peak concentrations occurring on average 3 to 4 hours postdose; this was independent of dose. The mean T1/2 appeared independent of dose, approximately 6 hours. Single oral doses of 10, 15, 20, and 25 mg of Fampridine-SR were well-tolerated, as assessed by adverse event reporting, clinical laboratories, vital sign measurements, physical examinations, and ECG interpretation. EXAMPLE 7 This example describes the results of an open-label, multiple dose, single center study to assess the effects of escalating doses of orally administered sustained release fampridine (4-aminopyridine) in sixteen (16) patients with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). Sustained release tablets of fampridine were administered 10 mg twice daily for 1 week, 15 mg twice daily for 1 week, 20 mg twice daily for 1 week and 25 mg twice daily for 1 week in sixteen patients with SCI. Following administration of Fampridine-SR, fampridine was slowly adsorbed, with peak concentration observed approximately three hours post-dose, regardless of dose (p=0.227). Plasma levels declined gradually with a half life of 6 to 7 hours, independent of dose. Based on the mean trough concentrations, steady state was achieved by Day 5. Steady state maximal, minimal, and average plasma concentrations and AUC increased with increasing dose. Total clearance ranged between 9 and 10 mL/min/kg across dose groups. Volume of distribution at steady state ranged from 2.01 LJkg in the 15 mg BID dose group to 2.11 L/kg in the 20 mg BID dose group. A summary of the mean pharmacokinetic results is provided in Table 7. Fampridine pharmacokinetic parameters following the oral administration of multiple doses of fampridine-SR (10-25 mg BID) are summarized in Table 7. Mean tmax and t1/2 were similar to values found in the single-dose study (compare to Table 6). Steady state was achieved by Day 5 (4 days of fampridine-SR dosing) following twice-daily administration of fampridine-SR. Mean tmax, t1/2, Kel, VSS/F, Cl/F, and mean residence time at steady state (MRTSS) were independent of dosage following the administration of fampridine-SR (10-25 mg BID). Mean plasma concentrations (Cmaxss, Cavss, and Cminss) and AUC0-12h at steady state were linearly related to dose over the dosage range (fampridine-SR 10-25 mg BID). Mean Cmaxss at steady state for the lowest fampridine-SR dosage (10 mg BID) was 32.2 ng/mL and was 87.2 ng/mL for the highest fampridine-SR dosage (25 mg BID). Corresponding Cminss values for the lowest and highest dosages were 14.0 and 41.3 ng/mL. TABLE 7 Mean (±SD) pharmacokinetic parameters of fampridine-SR following multiple dose administration Fampridine-SR dose 10 mg BID 15 mg BID 20 mg BID 25 mg BID Parameter n = 15 n = 15 n = 14 n = 14 Cmaxss (ng/mL) 32.2 ± 8.9 46.7 ± 10.5 60.1 ± 15.0 87.2 ± 29.0 Cminss (ng/mL) 14.0 ± 4.4 23.5 ± 9.1 27.3 ± 10.0 41.3 ± 15.2 Cavss (ng/mL) 20.8 ± 5.7 31.0 ± 7.2 39.4 ± 9.3 53.3 ± 14.5 tmax (h) 2.7 ± 1.0 3.2 ± 0.9 3.1 ± 1.2 2.6 ± 0.9 AUC0-12 h (ng · h/mL) 249.3 ± 68.3 371.8 ± 86.8 472.3 ± 111.8 639.4 ± 173.9 Kel (h−1) 0.14 ± 0.05 0.12 ± 0.03 0.13 ± 0.04 0.12 ± 0.05 t1/2 (h) 5.6 ± 1.8 6.0 ± 1.5 5.8 ± 2.1 7.6 ± 5.5 Cl/F (L/h/kg) 9.52 ± 2.85 9.35 ± 2.44 9.79 ± 2.03 9.15 ± 2.35 Vss/F (L/kg) 2.22 ± 0.79 2.01 ± 0.59 2.11 ± 0.51 2.09 ± 0.65 MRTss (h) 5.18 ± 0.21 5.18 ± 0.30 5.15 ± 0.35 5.08 ± 0.31 Accumulation factor 1.30 ± 0.18 1.34 ± 0.16 1.32 ± 0.22 1.53 ± 0.62 Cmaxss, maximum observed plasma concentration at steady state; Cminss, minimum observed plasma concentration at steady state; Cavss, average plasma concentration at steady state; tmax, time to reach Cmax; AUC, area under the plasma concentration-time curve; Kel, elimination rate constant; t1/2, plasma half-life; Cl/F, apparent total clearance; Vss/F, apparent volume of distribution at steady state; MRTss, mean residence time at steady state; BID, twice daily. Adverse events included pain, hypertonia, dizziness, accidental injury, dyspepsia, asthenia, urinary tract infection and euphoria. There was no clear relationship between frequency of adverse events and dose level, however euphoria and dizziness were observed more frequently in the 25 mg BID dose level. Multiple oral doses of 10, 15, 20 and 25 mg BID of Fampridine-SR were generally well-tolerated, as assessed by adverse event reporting, clinical laboratories, vital signs, and physical examinations. The pharmacokinetic analysis of Fampridine-SR showed dose proportionality across multiple oral doses of 10, 15, 20, 25 mg BID each administered for 1 week. The results demonstrate that fampridine pharmacokinetics are linear over the dose range studied. Trough values indicated that steady state had been achieved by Day 5. Fampridine pharmacokinetics are dose-proportional: both AUC and Cmax at doses of 10, 15, 20, and 25 mg BID, each administered over the course of one week, were dose-proportional under both and ANOVA model and a regression power model. Neither rate of absorption (as reflected by the time of the peak concentration) nor the rate of elimination (Kel) were dependent on dose. EXAMPLE 8 This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 20 week, parallel-group study to evaluate safety, tolerability and activity of oral fampridine-SR in subjects with Multiple Sclerosis. The study was designed as follows: a two-week placebo run-in (single blind); a two-week upward titration (10 mg bid, 15 mg bid or placebo); a twelve-week stable treatment period (placebo, 10 mg bid, 15 mg bid or 20 mg bid); a one-week downward titration (10 mg bid, 15 mg bid or placebo) and a two-week post treatment follow-up. A total of 206 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean change in walking speed, the walking speed measured per visit, the mean change in LEMMT, the LEMMT per visit, the adverse events and serious adverse events associated with the study were documented. Results. The trial showed a strong positive trend across all three dose groups compared to placebo in its primary endpoint, improvement in walking speed, as measured by a timed 25-foot walk as shown in FIG. 3. The trial also showed a statistically significant improvement across dose groups in its secondary endpoint, the Lower Extremity Manual Muscle Test (LEMMT), as shown in FIG. 4. These results confirmed observations in earlier double-blind trials that involved fewer subjects and shorter treatment periods. Because most people with MS experience both impairment in walking ability and weakened muscles, the Timed 25 Foot Walk is widely-used to assess MS patients' functional status. The LEMMT is a standardized, 5-point manual assessment of strength, applied to leg muscle groups. The study showed a statistically significant difference across all doses at up-titration and follow-up for the 25 foot walk. The study also showed a statistically significant improvement in LEMMT across all doses during stable treatment. The study confirms the safety profile of 4-aminopyridine and preferable dosing of 10 to 15 milligrams twice daily. Fampridine-SR showed a strong positive trend in the improvement of walking speed and significantly improved leg muscle strength in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The drug also showed a reduction of muscle spasticity in people with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). EXAMPLE 9 This was a group study to evaluate safety, tolerability and activity of oral fampridine-SR in subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI). The study was designed as follows: a two-week placebo run-in (single blind); a two-week upward titration (10 mg bid, 15 mg bid or placebo); a twelve-week stable treatment period (placebo, or 25 mg bid); a two-week downward titration (10 mg bid, 15 mg bid) and a two-week post treatment follow-up. A total of 204 patients were enrolled in the study, of which 166 completed. The mean change in Ashworth score, the Ashworth score measured per visit, the mean change in LEMMT, the LEMMT per visit, the adverse events and serious adverse events associated with each study were documented. The Ashworth is a validated, 5-point clinician assessment of an individual's spasticity (the involuntary tension, stiffness or contraction of muscles.) Results. The study showed a statistically significant improvement of Ashworth score using FDA-preferred analysis, as shown in FIG. 5. The study also confirmed the safety profile of 4-aminopyridine. Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description and the preferred versions contain within this specification.
<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>This invention relates to a sustained release oral dosage form of an aminopyridine pharmaceutical composition that can be used to treat individuals affected with neurological disorders wherein said pharmaceutical composition maximizes the therapeutic effect, while minimizing adverse side effects. The sustained release oral dosage form of the present invention may be utilized to treat neurological disorders such as spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and ALS. Spinal cord injuries are one of the leading causes of disability in young adults resulting in from partial to complete paralysis of the lower extremities to partial to complete paralysis from the level of spinal injury downward. In the most extreme cases, paralysis is complete from the C-1 cervical vertebra downward. Oftentimes, however, the injury to the spinal cord does not consist of an actual severing of the cord but rather consists of an injury that interferes with signal transmission. Treatment alternatives for promoting transmission along injured nerves of the spinal cord have thus far met with limited success. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative and inflammatory neurological disease which affects the central nervous system, more specifically the myelin sheath. The condition of MS involves demyelination of nerve fibers resulting in short-circuiting of nerve impulses and thus a slowing or blocking of transmission along the nerve fibers, with associated disabling symptoms. Treatment alternatives for promoting transmission along affected nerves have thus far been limited. Alzheimer's disease is a major cause of dementia in the elderly. It may be described as a progressive pathological deterioration in personality, memory and intellect consistent with a generalized atrophy of corresponding brain centers. The emotional state, behavior, cognitive function and thought processes of sufferers are all adversely affected. A minor degrading in memory which gradually becomes more apparent is the first indication of the onset of the disease. Part of the disease process involves the transmission of nerve signals and, as with MS, treatment alternatives have thus far been limited. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a fatal neuromuscular disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness resulting in paralysis. ALS patients often suffer from symptoms including tripping, stumbling, and falling, loss of muscle control and strength in hands and arms, difficulty speaking, swallowing and/or breathing, chronic fatigue, and muscle twitching and/or cramping. ALS is characterized by both upper and lower motor neuron damage. Symptoms of upper motor neuron damage include stiffness, spasticity, muscle twitching (fasciculations), and muscle shaking (clonus). Symptoms of lower motor neuron damage include muscle weakness and muscle atrophy. Potassium channel blockers are a class of compounds that have been found to improve the conduction of nerve impulses. As a result, they have become the focus of attention in the symptomatic treatment of spinal cord injury, MS and Alzheimer's disease. One sub-class of potassium channel blockers, aminopyridines have shown promise in the treatment of neurological diseases. 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), a mono-aminopyridine known as fampridine, has been found to slow the potassium flow in nerve impulse transmission and, thereby, shows effectiveness in restoring conduction in blocked and demyelinated nerves. Potassium channel blockers have also been found to improve mental function in patients with Alzheimer's disease. This effect is believed to be related to the potassium channel blocking action which in turn enhances calcium influx into the neuron thus prolonging nerve action potential and increasing transmitter release. Mono- and di-aminopyridines constitute a particular sub-class of potassium channel blockers that have showed promise in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition which contains one or more potassium channel blockers and which can be used in the effective treatment of various diseases, for example, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and ALS. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to compositions that include a matrix and a potassium channel blocker. The potassium channel blockers may include aminopyridines, for example, 4-aminopyridine, 3,4-diaminopyridine and the like. The composition provides for sustained-release of the aminopyridine from the matrix to maintain the efficacious and safe plasma level of an aminopyridine. The aminopyridine dispersed in the matrix is capable of providing, upon administration to a patient, a desired release profile. The composition may be used to establish in patients in need of such treatment, a therapeutically effective blood plasma level of the aminopyridine for a period of at least about 6 hours and preferably up to at least 24 hours in the patient in a twice-daily administration while avoiding peaks and troughs in the relapse of the aminopyridine. The composition may include a mono- or di-aminopyridine, preferably 4-AP or 3,4-DAP or a combination thereof, homogeneously dispersed in a rate-controlling polymer matrix, preferably including a hydrophilic polymer like hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC). The composition of the present invention may also include one or more additional active ingredients and/or one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. These compositions can be used to treat various neurological diseases, for example, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and ALS. Another embodiment of the present invention is a stable pharmaceutical composition which comprises a therapeutically effective amount of an aminopyridine dispersed in a matrix that provides a release profile of the aminopyridine to a patient that has a desired C max to C τ ratio. The composition may be used to establish and/or maintain in a patient, a therapeutically effective level of the aminopyridine. Preferably the aminopyridine in the composition is released over time so that a therapeutically effective level of the aminopyridine in the patient can be achieved with twice daily dosing of the composition. In a more preferred embodiment, undesirable spikes or peaks in the release of the aminopyridine are avoided. Another embodiment of the present invention is a stable, sustained-release oral dosage formulation of a composition which includes an a therapeutically effective amount of a 4-aminopyridine dispersed in a matrix that provides a release profile of 4-aminopyridine in the blood plasma of the patient extending over a period of at least 6 hours, preferably at least 8 hours, and more preferably, at least about 12 hours. In another embodiment, a stable, sustained-release oral dosage formulation of a composition includes an a therapeutically effective amount of a 4-aminopyridine dispersed in a matrix that provides a therapeutically effective blood plasma level of 4-aminopyridine in the patient extending over about 24 hours. Preferably, the oral dosage formulation of the composition is a monolithic tablet formed by compression of the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention. In preferred embodiments, the oral dosage formulation includes a compressed tablet of a therapeutically effective amount of 4-aminopyridine dispersed in matrix which includes a hydrophilic polymer such as HPMC. The oral dosage form of the present invention may also include one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. The dispersion of 4-aminopyridine throughout the matrix imparts chemical and physical stability to the composition while providing a sustained-release profile. This enhanced dosage stability is most notably observed in compositions and dosage forms of the present invention having low concentrations of 4-aminopyridine, and stability is achieved while maintaining the desired controlled-release profile. Specifically, the compressed tablet formulation of the present invention exhibits superior resistance to moisture absorption by ambient humidity and maintains a uniform distribution of the 4-aminopyridine throughout the tablet while providing a release profile of 4-aminopyridine that permits establishment of a therapeutically effective concentration of the potassium channel blocker with once daily or twice daily dosing of the formulation. Preferably the therapeutically effective concentration released by the formulation extends over at least 6 hours, preferably at least 8 hours, and more preferably to at least 12 hours. In addition, the homogeneity of the dosage form renders it amenable to formation by simple and inexpensive manufacturing processes as compared with the multi-layered structure of prior sustained-release dosage formulations. The compositions of the present invention may be used in the treatment of a condition in a patient which includes establishing a therapeutically effective concentration of a potassium channel blocker in the patient in need thereof. The compositions may be used for building up a level and or maintaining a therapeutically effective concentration of an aminopyridine in the patient by twice daily dosing. The dosages of the present compositions can made with a lower concentration of the aminopyridine to facilitate restful periods for the patient during the day. Where desirable, the compositions of the present invention may be formulated to avoid large peaks in initial release of the aminopyridine. The compositions of the present invention when administered to a patient in need thereof provide for the treatment of neurological diseases that are characterized by a degradation of nerve impulse transmission. Preferably, the compositions are a stable, sustained-release tablet of a therapeutically effective amount of a mono- or di-aminopyridine, dispersed in HPMC such that therapeutically effective blood plasma level of the mono- or di-aminopyridine is maintained in the patient for a period of at least 6 hours, preferably at least 8 hours, and more preferably at least about 10-12 hours in a once or twice daily administration.
20041213
20110830
20051215
98020.0
12
BREDEFELD, RACHAEL EVA
SUSTAINED RELEASE AMINOPYRIDINE COMPOSITION
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
2,004
11,010,844
ACCEPTED
Wireless switch
A wireless switch comprising: a sensor for sensing a change of a state of a barrier; a selector positionable between a first position and a second position; a transmitter operatively coupled to the sensor and selector; and wherein the transmitter transmits a first wireless signal when the selector is positioned in the first position and the sensor senses a change of state, and the transmitter transmits a second wireless signal different from the first signal when the selector is positioned in the second position and the sensor senses the change of state.
1. A system comprising; a device being configurable for selecting an identifier therefor, said device associated with a door; a sensor for sensing a change in state of the door; and a transmitter in communication with said sensor, said transmitter wirelessly transmitting data indicative of said change in state of the door, said data further including data indicative of said identifier. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein said device further includes a digital signal input device for selecting said identifier.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 09/944,810 filed Aug. 31, 2001, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Energy conservation is a proven means to reduce the operating costs of hotels. But many lodging facility operators shun attempts at saving energy in the guest-rooms, as they are concerned about the negative impact that such measures may have on guest perception and comfort. A modern guestroom uses approximately 25 Kilowatt-hours (KWHr) of electricity (or equivalent fuel) each day. Based on a cost estimate of $0.07 per KWHr, this amounts to about $1.75 per day per room. This figure assumes the following appliances are used in a typical room: Heating/Ventilation/Air-Conditioning (HVAC), lamps (portable), lights (fixed), television, radio, and minibar. A mini-bar is a convenient store of goods within each room, usually within a refrigerator, that can be accessed by the guest at his or her discretion. With the exception of the minibar, the electrical power consumption by the appliances is manually controlled, and the amount of electricity used by these appliances can be reduced using an energy management system (EMS). In the case of the HVAC system, a well-designed EMS can reduce not only the number of hours the HVAC system is used each day, but can also reduce the average power required. The EMS can set back the HVAC temperature whenever a room is not rented and, when rented, whenever a guest is not in the room. The EMS will turn off lamps and lights when the guest or housekeeping leaves the room. The EMS can turn off the television when the room is not rented, and it can open or close the drapes to control heat exchange with the outside. In modern lodging facilities, the EMS is part of a larger guest room control system, which also includes a direct digital control (DDC) system and a central electrical lock system (CELS). The DDC system allows a guest to remotely control the lamps, lights, shades, television, and other appliances from a single control station. The CELS connects guestroom doors to a central computer in the hotel for logging keycard access operations and for enabling and disabling access cards. Guest room control systems typically comprise a control computer or device for each room. The control computer receives data from various sensors throughout the room and, in response to the feedback provided by the sensors, operates a number of remote room control devices. Such remote sensors include, for example, motion sensors, temperature sensors, smoke detectors, and door and other closure switches. Such remote room control devices include, for example, thermostats and associated relays for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, electronic locks, lighting control switches and relays, and motors and switches for opening and closing drapes. The central control computer uses the data and control devices to, for example, adjust the room's temperature, determine and annunciate whether the room is occupied or unoccupied, determine and annunciate whether the room's mini-bar has been accessed, sound fire and emergency alarms, turn lights on or off, permit or deny access to the room, open and close drapes, turn audio-visual equipment on or off, and perform other functions related to controlling equipment or annunciating status in rooms. The central control computer located in each room can be linked to a single master central control computer. The central control computer from each room provides data to the master central control computer from which such data is disseminated to display and control terminals at housekeeping, front desk, security, engineering or any number of other locations in order to provide hotel personnel with access to the data and with the ability to remotely control various room functions or settings from such terminals. Such guest room control systems work well to provide conveniences to the guest. However, these systems typically require a specific sensor for a specific purpose, thus, many different sensors may be required for a single guest room. For example, a main switch is used to determine whether a guest opened the main door. Another switch is used to determine whether the guest opened the mini-bar door. Yet another switch is used to determine whether the guest opened a door to a patio, such as a lanai or sliding door. Therefore, a number of different sensors (and corresponding receivers) may be incorporated in a guest room. While multiple sensors provide greater control of the power consumption for a guest room, the system installation, operation and maintenance becomes more complex and costly. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above discussed and other drawbacks and deficiencies are overcome or alleviated by a wireless switch comprising: a sensor for sensing a change of a state of a barrier; a selector positionable between a first position and a second position; a transmitter operatively coupled to the sensor and selector; and wherein the transmitter transmits a first wireless signal when the selector is positioned in the first position and the sensor senses a change of state, and the transmitter transmits a second wireless signal different from the first signal when the selector is positioned in the second position and the sensor senses the change of state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the exemplary drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several Figures: FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary system utilizing a wireless switch; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary configuration for a wireless switch; and FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary mounting scheme for a wireless switch. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 depicts a system 6 using a wireless switch 8. System 6 controls room devices 18 such as thermostats and associated relays for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, electronic locks, lighting control switches and relays, motors and switches for opening and closing drapes and other electronic equipment. A transmitter/controller 12 disposed in wireless switch 8 communicates with a receiver/controller 14. In turn, receiver/controller 14 controls functions of various room devices 18, such as those previously described. Examples of receiver/controller 14 that are commercially available are Inncom International's models e428 and F239. Wireless switch 8 includes a sensor 10, such as a magnetic switch, pressure switch or any other known device for sensing a change of state (e.g., open/closed positions) of a barrier (not shown), such as a door, window, appliance or the like. Sensor 10 generates a sensor signal based on the change of state. Wireless switch 8 also includes a selector 16 positionable between two or more positions. Selector 16 allows a signal 19 transmitted by transmitter/controller 12 to be modified to indicate identification data. Because signal 19 transmitted by the transmitter/controller 12 can be modified, one wireless switch 8 can be uniquely identified by the receiver/controller 14 in a system 6 including a plurality of wireless switches 8. By uniquely identifying wireless switch 8, the type of barrier correlating to switch 8 is also identified. For example, selector switch 8 may correlate to a door. Even further, the selector switch 8 may correlate to a specific type of door, such as an entry door, mini-bar door, patio door (e.g., sliding or lanai), or the like. Transmitter/controller 12 transmits signal 19 indicative of the discrete state of sensor 10. The transmitted signal 19 also includes the unique identifier for wireless switch 8. Transmitted signal 19 is received by receiver/controller 14 for use in controlling room devices 18. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary configuration for wireless switch 8, including a selector 16 for modifying the signal 19 transmitted by transmitter/controller 12 and, thus, uniquely identifying wireless switch 8. Wireless switch 8 also includes a sensor 10 and power supply 30 operatively coupled to a microcontroller 26. The power supply 30 may be a battery or other low-voltage power source suitable for powering the circuitry. Microcontroller 26 is operatively coupled to a transmitter 28 for sending a wireless signal 19 indicative of the state of the barrier. Selector 16 may be disposed within or external to a housing 9 for wireless switch 8. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, selector 16 includes a selector switch configuration having one or more selector switches 18. The selector switch configuration includes an arrangement of selector switches 18 based on a selected code for identifying wireless switch 8. For example, the selector switch configuration may include one more removable jumpers (e.g., address jumpers), a DIP switch, toggle switch, rotary switch, digital input device, or the like, including combinations thereof. The selector switch configuration optionally includes operable connection to an I/O pin of the microcontroller 26 for setting the state of the I/O pin to ground or Vcc. In one embodiment, a particular selector switch configuration is selected by removing/adding a jumper, setting a DIP switch or toggle switch or the like. One side of the selector switch configuration is operatively coupled to one or more I/O pins and the other side operatively coupled to ground (see FIG. 2). The identity of wireless switch 8 is then determined by correlating the state of the I/O pin to a predetermined state or address table (such as a software lookup table). For example, in an embodiment having two or more removable jumpers, jumper configurations may correlate to software addresses. In turn, each software address correlates to a switch identity, which ultimately correlates to a type of door, such as a mini-bar door. The correlation is made by receiver/controller 14, so that the identity of wireless switch 8 and the state of the associated barrier can determine which room device 18 should be controlled. As described, transmitter/controller 12 includes circuitry having microcontroller 26. However, any suitable control circuitry may be used. For example, dedicated logic and discrete circuitry is optionally used to communicate the state of the barrier and identity of switch 8. Also as described, control circuitry may be powered by a current source disposed within wireless switch 8, such as a battery. When a battery is used for the current source, wireless switch 8 requires no hard wiring for power. Signal 19 transmitted by transmitter 28 may be any wireless signal, such as infrared, radio frequency or the like. Transmitter 28 may be any suitable wireless transmitter, as is well known, and commercially available. Again, microcontroller 26 or suitable control circuitry is used for controlling the transmission of signal 19. In one embodiment, microcontroller 26 includes memory and I/O ports for communication with selector 16. Again, the selector switch configuration correlates to the state of the microcontroller's 26 I/O ports, which correlate to an address selected to identify wireless switch 8. This address, along with the signal indicating the state of the barrier, is transmitted to the receiver/controller 14. Referring again to FIG. 1, receiver/controller 14 optionally includes a receiver for receiving wireless signal 19 transmitted by transmitter/controller 12. As with wireless transmitters, wireless receivers are well known and commercially available. Further, receiver/controller 14 includes control circuitry for controlling one or more room devices 18. For example, based on the information transmitted to receiver/controller 14, room device 18 such as a television may be turned off. Such an event may occur if the type of wireless switch 8 associated with the television is identified as correlating to a hotel room door and the state of door has changed. In another example, if the type of door ultimately identified is a mini-bar door, a signal may be sent to a hotel processor alerting the maid to check the mini-bar for restocking, etc. The control circuitry may be any conventional control means for communicating with room devices 18. In another embodiment, the control circuitry may communicate with a central control computer located with, or remote from, receiver/controller 14. FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary mounting scheme for wireless switch 8. An exemplary embodiment of wireless switch 8 includes a sensor 10 (see FIG. 1) having a magnetic switch for sensing the state (open/closed) of a barrier, such as a door 24. Sensor 10 is operatively connected to microcontroller 26 within transmitter/controller 12 for communicating an open or closed state of door 24 to receiver/controller 14 via signal 19. The magnetic switch includes a first magnet 20, which is mounted to door 24, and a second magnet 22, which is mounted to a surface opposite first magnet 20 (see FIG. 3). Magnetic switches are well known and commercially available. Note that other embodiments may use any suitable sensing device for sensing when the barrier (e.g., door 24) is in a particular state, or has changed states. For example, a pressure switch may be used, such as a pressure switch for changing the state of signal 19 when the pressure is released by opening the barrier. Pressure switches are also well known and commercially available. Again, microcontroller 26 communicates the state of the barrier to a transmitter 28 disposed within transmitter/controller 12 for transmission via signal 19 to receiver/controller 14. In one embodiment, transmitter 28 is an infrared transmitter, and may transmit a directed, omnidirectional or diffused beam. As described below, an infrared diffused beam transmitter may be used for system 6 where transmitter 28 is not within the line of sight of receiver/controller 14. Such infrared transmitters are also well known and commercially available. The wireless switch 8 of FIG. 3 optionally includes a selector 16 utilizing removable address jumpers for selecting the identity of door 24. In the example of FIG. 3, door 24 is a main door to hotel guest room, and the address jumpers are configured on I/O ports of microcontroller 26 to set the ports to a high or low state correlating to the identity of door 24. For example, in an embodiment using three I/O ports for identifying the type of door, a jumper configuration setting two I/O ports high (e.g., 5 volts) and one I/O port low (e.g., ground) may be used to identify the type of door as a main entry door. Microcontroller 26 communicates the I/O port data to transmitter for transmission to receiver/controller 14. Receiver/controller 14 is programmed to correlate the I/O port data to an identity table so that the transmitted I/O port data may be matched to a type of door. As previously discussed, an infrared transmitter 28 for transmitting a diffused beam may be used in system 6 where transmitter 28 is not within the line of sight of receiver/controller 14. For example, wireless switch 8 in the embodiment of FIG. 3 may be located on the main door 24 to the hotel guest room. However, receiver/controller 14 may be located on a table that is not in the line of sight of door 24. The transmitter 28 may diffuse the infrared beam by using at least two light-emitting diodes (LEDs) operated simultaneously. One LED is aimed backwardly at an angle toward a wall disposed to the rear of wireless switch 8, and the other LED radiates forwardly. In general, the axes of the two LEDs may be separated by an angle of at least 90 degrees. Additional LEDs may be included to provide transmission in multiple directions. For example, two more LEDs may be aimed forwardly and upwardly, and another set aimed forwardly and downwardly. Again the axes of each pair may be separated by an angle of at least 90 degrees. Such an embodiment may include series circuits, each having two LEDs, with the series circuits being operated in parallel. While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Energy conservation is a proven means to reduce the operating costs of hotels. But many lodging facility operators shun attempts at saving energy in the guest-rooms, as they are concerned about the negative impact that such measures may have on guest perception and comfort. A modern guestroom uses approximately 25 Kilowatt-hours (KWHr) of electricity (or equivalent fuel) each day. Based on a cost estimate of $0.07 per KWHr, this amounts to about $1.75 per day per room. This figure assumes the following appliances are used in a typical room: Heating/Ventilation/Air-Conditioning (HVAC), lamps (portable), lights (fixed), television, radio, and minibar. A mini-bar is a convenient store of goods within each room, usually within a refrigerator, that can be accessed by the guest at his or her discretion. With the exception of the minibar, the electrical power consumption by the appliances is manually controlled, and the amount of electricity used by these appliances can be reduced using an energy management system (EMS). In the case of the HVAC system, a well-designed EMS can reduce not only the number of hours the HVAC system is used each day, but can also reduce the average power required. The EMS can set back the HVAC temperature whenever a room is not rented and, when rented, whenever a guest is not in the room. The EMS will turn off lamps and lights when the guest or housekeeping leaves the room. The EMS can turn off the television when the room is not rented, and it can open or close the drapes to control heat exchange with the outside. In modern lodging facilities, the EMS is part of a larger guest room control system, which also includes a direct digital control (DDC) system and a central electrical lock system (CELS). The DDC system allows a guest to remotely control the lamps, lights, shades, television, and other appliances from a single control station. The CELS connects guestroom doors to a central computer in the hotel for logging keycard access operations and for enabling and disabling access cards. Guest room control systems typically comprise a control computer or device for each room. The control computer receives data from various sensors throughout the room and, in response to the feedback provided by the sensors, operates a number of remote room control devices. Such remote sensors include, for example, motion sensors, temperature sensors, smoke detectors, and door and other closure switches. Such remote room control devices include, for example, thermostats and associated relays for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, electronic locks, lighting control switches and relays, and motors and switches for opening and closing drapes. The central control computer uses the data and control devices to, for example, adjust the room's temperature, determine and annunciate whether the room is occupied or unoccupied, determine and annunciate whether the room's mini-bar has been accessed, sound fire and emergency alarms, turn lights on or off, permit or deny access to the room, open and close drapes, turn audio-visual equipment on or off, and perform other functions related to controlling equipment or annunciating status in rooms. The central control computer located in each room can be linked to a single master central control computer. The central control computer from each room provides data to the master central control computer from which such data is disseminated to display and control terminals at housekeeping, front desk, security, engineering or any number of other locations in order to provide hotel personnel with access to the data and with the ability to remotely control various room functions or settings from such terminals. Such guest room control systems work well to provide conveniences to the guest. However, these systems typically require a specific sensor for a specific purpose, thus, many different sensors may be required for a single guest room. For example, a main switch is used to determine whether a guest opened the main door. Another switch is used to determine whether the guest opened the mini-bar door. Yet another switch is used to determine whether the guest opened a door to a patio, such as a lanai or sliding door. Therefore, a number of different sensors (and corresponding receivers) may be incorporated in a guest room. While multiple sensors provide greater control of the power consumption for a guest room, the system installation, operation and maintenance becomes more complex and costly.
<SOH> BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The above discussed and other drawbacks and deficiencies are overcome or alleviated by a wireless switch comprising: a sensor for sensing a change of a state of a barrier; a selector positionable between a first position and a second position; a transmitter operatively coupled to the sensor and selector; and wherein the transmitter transmits a first wireless signal when the selector is positioned in the first position and the sensor senses a change of state, and the transmitter transmits a second wireless signal different from the first signal when the selector is positioned in the second position and the sensor senses the change of state.
20041213
20080902
20050505
75232.0
1
SMITH, CREIGHTON H
WIRELESS SWITCH
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,011,189
ACCEPTED
Information processing unit and information processing related units
A labor of disconnecting many cables is omitted even when carrying a file basestation with an external storage loaded together with a main body. An information processing unit comprises: a main body having a CPU, a keyboard and a display unit; a file basestation with an external storage, such as an FD·D or a CD ROM·D, loaded; and a portreplicator with many connectors loaded. Removal of the main body alone from the portreplicator can omit the labor of disconnecting many cables connected to the portreplicator.
1. An information processing apparatus comprising: a display; a CPU; a memory; a first electricity terminal that receives electric power; a connector that includes a second electricity terminal sending and receiving electric power, and a signal terminal being capable of sending or receiving a signal to/from an external apparatus being capable of connecting said information processing apparatus; and a power controller that supplies the power received via at least one of said first and second electricity terminal to at least any one of said display, CPU and memory. 2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said power controller sets the power received via at least one of said first and second electricity terminal to specific voltage, and then supplies specific voltage power to at least any one of said display, CPU, and memory. 3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a battery charged by power received via said first or second electricity terminal, said power controller sets the power charged in said battery to specific voltage, and then supplies said specific voltage power to at least any one of said display, CPU, and memory. 4. An information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said connector, being capable of connecting an other external apparatus, if said other external apparatus is connected to said connector, said power controller sets the power received via at least one of said first and second electricity terminal or charged in said battery to specific voltage, and then supplies said specific voltage power to said other external apparatus via said connector. 5. An information processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a power switch being capable of connecting said power controller, wherein said power controller supplies power to said information processing apparatus and/or said other external apparatus based on information that said power switch is turned on. 6. An information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said information processing apparatus received power in first voltage via at least one of said first and second electricity terminal, supplies to the power in second voltage to said other external apparatus via said second electricity terminal. 7. An information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said first voltage is different from said second voltage. 8. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said external apparatus is a portreplicator. 9. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said information processing apparatus is a notebook PC. 10. A portable apparatus comprising: a display; a CPU; a memory; a first electricity terminal that receives electric power; a connector that includes a second electricity terminal being capable of sending and receiving electric power to/from an external apparatus being capable of connecting said portable apparatus and a signal terminal being capable of sending or receiving a signal to/from said external apparatus; and a power controller that supplies the power received via at least one of said first and second electricity terminal to at least any one of said display, CPU, and memory. 11. A portable apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said power controller sets the power received via at least one of said first and second electricity terminal to specific voltage, and then supplies said specific voltage power to at least any one of said display, CPU, and memory. 12. A portable apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: a battery charged by power received via said first or second electricity terminal, said power controller sets the power charged in said battery to specific voltage, and the supplies said specific voltage power to at least any one of said display, CPU, and memory. 13. A portable apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said connector being capable of connecting an other external apparatus, if said other external apparatus is connected to said connector, said power controller sets the power received via at least one of said first and second electricity terminal or charged in said battery to specific voltage, and then supplies said specific voltage power to said other external apparatus via said connector. 14. A portable apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising: a power switch being capable of connecting said power controller, wherein said power controller supplies power to said portable apparatus and/or said other external apparatus based on information that said power switch is turned on. 15. A portable apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said portable apparatus received power in first voltage via at least one of said first and second electricity terminal, supplies the power in second voltage to said other external apparatus via said second electricity terminal. 16. A portable apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said first voltage is different from said second voltage. 17. A portable apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said external apparatus is a portreplicator. 18. A portable apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said portable apparatus is a notebook PC. 19. A portable apparatus comprising a display; a CPU; a memory; a terminal being capable of receiving electric power from an AC adapter; a connector being capable of sending voltage to and receiving voltage from an external apparatus to be connected to the connector thereof, the connector being capable of sending a signal to and receiving a signal from the external apparatus; and a power controller that supplies the power received via at least one of the terminal and the connector to at least any one of the display, the CPU and the memory. 20. An information processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said power controller sets the power received via at least one of said terminal and said connector to specific voltage, and then supplies said specific voltage power to at least any one of said display, CPU, and memory. 21. An information processing apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising: a battery charged by power received via at least one of said terminal and said connector, said power controller sets the power charged in said battery to specific voltage, and then supplies said specific voltage power to at least any one of said display, CPU, and memory. 22. An information processing apparatus according to clam 21, wherein said connector being capable of connecting to an external apparatus, if said other external apparatus is connected to said connector, said power controller sets the power received via at least one of said terminal and said connector or charged in said battery to specific voltage, and then supplies said specific voltage power to said other external apparatus via said connector. 23. An information processing apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising: a power switch being capable of connecting said power controller, wherein said power controller supplies power to said information processing apparatus and/or said other external apparatus based on information that said power switch is turned on. 24. An information processing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said information processing apparatus received power in first voltage via at least one of said terminal and said connector, supplies the power in second voltage to said other external apparatus via said connector. 25. An information processing apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said first voltage is different from said second voltage. 26. An information processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said external apparatus is a portreplicator. 27. An information processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said information processing apparatus is a notebook PC. 28. A portable apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said connector has a pin receiving and sending power. 29. A portable apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said connector has a pin receiving and sending signal.
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an information processing unit comprising a main body of information processing unit referred to as portable computer or the like and a device for extending the function of this main body. BACKGROUND ART Some conventional information processing unit comprises a main body having a CPU, a keyboard and a display unit, and a file basestation having an external storage such as floppy disk drive (hereinafter, abbreviated to FD·D). Normally, with the main body placed on the file basestation, this information processing unit is used in a combined state of both, whereas, disconnected from the file basestation, the main body alone is used at the moving time of an operator. In the file basestation, many connectors for the signal connection to various external equipment are provided, whereas the number of connectors for the signal connection to external equipment is reduced to the necessary minimum in the main body. Such a provision of many connectors and the like in the file basestation is because, if the main body and a plurality of external equipment are cable-connected via connectors, there occurs the need for individually disconnecting the cables connected to the main body when an operator disconnects the main body from the file basestation and uses the main body alone to move to somewhere else. Like this, in the background art, the information processing unit comprises two bodies of the main body and the other device (here, file basestation), while the function of the main body on one side is minimized and a function to be extended is afforded to the other device, thus promoting the function furnished as information processing unit and maintaining the portability of the main body on the other hand. Incidentally, those composed of two bodies of the main body and the other device are described in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 8-123589 and the like. In the background art mentioned above, however, there are problems that many cables connected to many connectors of a file basestation must be disconnected, thus taking awfully much labor, when one needs the external storage together with the main body of information processing unit at the moved site and goes with the file base-station as well as the main body. The present invention is made with an eye to such conventional problems and its object is to provide an information processing unit and the information processing related unit in which no labor on disconnecting many cables is required when one goes with the file basestation as well as the main body while maintaining the portability of the main body. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The first information processing unit for attaining the object mentioned above is an information processing unit with a keyboard, a display unit, a plurality of external storages and a plurality of connectors for the signal connection to external equipment, comprising: a main body having the keyboard, a CPU, a memory, a main body casing and the display unit attached to the main body casing; a file basestation having the external storages and a file basestation casing for housing them; and a portreplicator having the connectors and a portreplicator casing for mounting it, wherein the main body has a first docking connector on the main processing unit side for receiving/sending a signal with the above basestation and a second docking connector on the main processing unit side for receiving/sending a signal with the portreplicator; the file basestation has a docking connector on the file basestation directly connected to the first docking connector on the main processing unit side for receiving/sending a signal with the main body; and the portreplicator has a docking connector on the port-replicator directly connected to the second docking connector on the main processing unit side for receiving/sending a signal with the main body. Incidentally, in the above description, “direct connection” between connectors means that the connectors are connected to each other not via a cable or the like. Besides, a second information processing unit for attaining the object mentioned above is the first information processing unit, wherein the main body casing, taking the shape of a nearly rectangular parallelopiped, has a top plate with the key face of the keyboard exposed therefrom, a bottom plate opposed to the top plate, a front plate facing to the side of properly operating the keyboard, a back plate opposed to the front plate and two side plates opposed to each other, the file basestation casing in the shape of a nearly rectangular parallelopiped has top and bottom plates mutually opposed to each other, front and back plates mutually opposed to each other at a distance substantially identical to the mutual one of the front and back plates of the main body casing and two side plates opposed to each other at a distance substantially identical to the mutual one of the side plates of the main body casing, the portreplicator has top and bottom plates mutually opposed to each other, front and back plates mutually opposed to each other and two side plates opposed to each other at a distance substantially identical to the mutual one of the side plates of the main body casing, the first docking connector on the main processing unit side of the main body is provided on the bottom plate of the main body casing, the second docking connector on the main processing unit side of the main body is provided on the back plate of the main body casing, the docking connector on the file basestation side is provided at a position as comes into contact with the first docking connector on the main processing unit side when bringing the top plate of the file basestation casing into contact with the bottom plate of the main body casing, making the front plate of the file basestation casing substantially coincident in position with the front plate of the main body casing and making the side plates of the file basestation casing substantially coincident in position with the side plates of the main body casing, and the docking connector on the portreplicator side is provided at a position as comes into contact with the second docking connector on the main processing unit side when bringing the top plate of the portreplicator casing into contact with the back plate of the main body casing, making the two side plates of the portreplicator casing substantially coincident in position with the two side plates of the main body casing. A third information processing unit for attaining the object mentioned above is the second information processing unit, further comprising: a height adjusting stand having a top plate in contact with the bottom plate of the portreplicator casing and a bottom plate opposed to the top plate wherein the spacing between the top plate and the bottom plate is substantially equal to the spacing between the top plate and the bottom plate of the file basestation. A fourth information processing unit for attaining the object mentioned is any one of the above information processing units, wherein the external storage has a connector detachable from the file basestation casing for receiving/sending a signal with the main body and an external storage connector directly or indirectly connectable to the connector of the external storage is provided on the surface of the main body casing. A fifth information processing unit for attaining the object mentioned above is the second or third-information processing unit, wherein the external storage has a connector detachable from the file basestation casing for receiving/sending a signal with the main body, an external storage connector directly or indirectly connectable to the connector of the external storage is provided on any one plate of the front plate, the back plate and both the lateral plates and a connector connection regulating member is provided which covers at least a part of the external storage connector provided on the main body casing in directly connecting the first docking connector on the main processing unit side to the docking connector on the file basestation. Besides, a sixth information processing unit for attaining the object mentioned above is any one of the above information processing units, further comprising: mechanical coupling means capable of maintaining both connections even if one is submitted to its self weight in a direction of separating the other connection when the main body of information processing unit and the file basestation are connected directly by means of the docking connectors of both. Besides, a seventh information processing unit for attaining the object mentioned above is any one of the second, third and fifth information processing units, further comprising: mechanical coupling means capable of maintaining both connections even if one is submitted to its self weight in a direction of separating the other connection when the main body of information processing unit and the file basestation are connected by means of the docking connectors of both, wherein the mechanical coupling means comprises a coupler provided on the file basestation casing with an engaging portion formed at the tip and freely emergent from the top plate of the file basestation casing and a coupled tool provided on the bottom plate of the main body casing for engaging with the engaging portion of the coupler. Besides, an eighth information processing unit for attaining the object mentioned above is any one of the second, third, fifth and seventh information processing units, wherein a high-temperature air intake is formed in the front plate of the portreplicator casing. A ninth information processing unit for attaining the object mentioned above is any one of the above information processing units, wherein the main body has an external power supply connector for accepting an external power and/or a battery, a power switch and power supply control means connected not only to an external power supply connector and/or a battery by means of a power supply line but also to the power switch by means of a signal line. A tenth information processing unit for attaining the object mentioned above is the ninth information processing unit, wherein the file basestation has an external power supply connector for receiving an external power and the external power supply connector of the file basestation is connected via the first docking connector on—the main processing unit side and the docking connector on the file basestation to the power supply control means of the main body by means of the power supply line when the first docking connector on the main processing unit side and the docking connector on the file basestation are connected. Besides, an eleventh information processing unit for attaining the object mentioned above is any one of the ninth and tenth information processing units, wherein the portreplicator has an external power supply connector for receiving an external power and the external power supply connector of the portreplicator is connected via the second docking connector on the main processing unit side and the docking connector on the portreplicator to the power supply control means of the main body by means of the power supply line when the second docking connector on the main processing unit side and the docking connector on the port-replicator are connected. A twelfth information processing unit for attaining the object mentioned above is any one of the ninth to eleventh information processing units, wherein the file basestation has a power switch and the power switch of the file basestation is connected via the first docking connector on the main processing unit side and the docking connector on the file basestation to the power supply control means of the main body by means of the signal line when the first docking connector on the main processing unit side and the docking connector on the file basestation are connected. A thirteenth information processing unit for attaining the object mentioned above is any one of the ninth to twelfth information processing units, wherein the portreplicator has a power switch and the power switch of the portreplicator is connected via the second docking connector on the main processing unit side and the docking connector on the portreplicator to the power supply control means of the main body by means of the signal line when the second docking connector on the main processing unit side and the docking connector on the portreplicator are connected. A fourteenth information processing unit for attaining the object mentioned above is any one of the above information processing units, comprising: a cylinder lock having an inner cylinder with a key groove formed on one end face, a hook portion fixed on the other end face and an outer cylinder for housing the inner cylinder rotatably for the case of inserting a key in the key groove or unrotatably for the case of inserting no key in the key groove, wherein the outer cylinder has one end face with the one end face of the inner cylinder exposed and the other end face with the hook portion fixed on the other end face of the inner cylinder protruding, and at least one of the main body, the file basestation and the portreplicator has a device which can be housed in its casing but also detached from the casing and whose end face is exposed from the casing, a lock hole is formed-on the casing which can be inserted into the casing when the hook portion of the cylinder lock is at a specific angle to the casing and cannot come off unless it becomes at the specific angle to the casing if inserted once, and the lock hole is formed at a position among the surface of the casing where the other end face of the outer cylinder of the cylinder lock is touchable to the end face of the device inserted in the casing when the hook portion of the cylinder lock is inserted into the lock hole. A fifteenth information processing unit for attaining the object mentioned above is the fourteenth information processing unit, wherein a linkage wire having a linkage portion for being linked to a specified article is attached to the outer cylinder of the cylinder lock. A sixteenth information processing unit for attaining the object mentioned above is any one of the information processing units, wherein, the main body casing has a top plate with the key face of the keyboard exposed, whose outside surface undergoes an antimicrobial treatment. The main body of information processing unit for attaining the object mentioned above is a main body of information processing unit with a keyboard, a CPU, a memory, a main body casing for mounting these and a display unit attached to the main body casing, comprising: a first connector on the main processing unit side for receiving/sending a signal and power with a file basestation having a plurality of external storages loaded; and a second docking connector on the main processing—unit side for receiving/sending a signal with a port-replicator having a plurality of connectors loaded. The file basestation for attaining the object mentioned above is a file basestation with a keyboard, a CPU, a memory, a main body casing for mounting these and a display unit attached to the main body casing, comprising: a plurality of external storages; an external power supply connector for receiving an external power; a docking connector not only for sending the power received from the external power supply connector to the main body of the information processing unit but also for receiving/sending a signal with the main body of the information processing unit; and a casing not only for housing the external storages but also for mounting the external power supply connector and the docking connector. Here, the file basestation may have a power switch for starting the file basestation together with the main body of the information processing unit when the main body of the information processing unit and the file basestation are connected via the docking connectors for both. The portreplicator for attaining the object mentioned above is a portreplicator with a keyboard, a CPU, a memory, a main body casing for mounting these and a display unit attached to the main body casing, comprising: a plurality of connectors for the signal connection of an external equipment; an external power supply connector for receiving an external power; a docking connector not only for sending the power received from the external power supply connector to the main body of the information processing unit but also for receiving/sending a signal with the main body of the information processing unit; and a casing for mounting the connectors, the external power supply connector and the docking connector. Here, the portreplicator may have a power switch for starting the main body of the information processing unit when the main body of the information processing unit and the above portreplicator are connected via the docking connectors for both. The information processing unit for attaining another object is an information processing unit comprising a CPU, a storage (primary Hard Disk Drive), a plurality of key switches composing a keyboard, a top plate and a casing for housing the CPU and the external storage from whose top plate the key faces of the key switches are exposed, wherein the top plate of the casing has a portion extending from the exposing parts of the key faces toward the front side of properly operating the keyboard and a part of the extending portion forms a palm rest portion, the external storage is housed below the palm rest portion of the top plate inside the casing and an inorganic antimicrobial agent may be applied to at least the outside surface of the palm rest portion of the top plate. Here, an inorganic antimicrobial agent may be applied also to the key face of the key switch. The information processing unit for attaining the other object is an information-processing unit comprising a CPU, a plurality of key switches composing a keyboard, a top plate and a casing for housing the CPU from whose top plate the key faces of the key switches are exposed, wherein the CPU is housed below any one of the key switches inside the casing and an inorganic antimicrobial agent may be applied to the key faces of the key switches. Here, an inorganic antimicrobial agent may be applied also to the outside surface of the top plate of the casing. Besides, in any one of the above information processing units for attaining the other object, the inorganic antimicrobial agent is preferably an Ag anti-microbial agent. Besides, in any one of the above information processing units for attaining the other object, the inorganic antimicrobial agent may be an aluminosilicate to which Ag ions are added. The information processing unit or the information processing related unit for attaining yet another object is an information processing unit or an information processing related unit having a device having one end face and a casing for detachably housing the device with the one end face exposed, comprising: a cylinder lock having an inner cylinder with a key groove formed on one end face, hook portion fixed on the other end face of the inner cylinder, an outer cylinder for housing the inner cylinder rotatably in the case of inserting a key in the key groove or unrotatably in the case of inserting no key in the key groove, and a linkage wire with one end attached to the outer cylinder and a linkage portion formed at the other end for being linked to a specified article, wherein the conveyance of the casing is restricted, a lock hole is formed on the casing which can be inserted into the casing when the hook portion of the cylinder lock is at a specific angle to the casing and cannot come off as far as it does not become at the specific angle to the casing if inserted once, and the lock hole is formed at a position among the surface of the casing where the other end face of the outer cylinder of the cylinder lock is touchable to the end face of the device inserted in the casing when the hook portion of the cylinder lock is inserted into the lock hole. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention at the unconnected state. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention at the connected state. FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram of a power system of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention (display unit in the open state). FIG. 6 is a front view of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention (IV-arrowed view in FIG. 5). FIG. 7 is a rear view of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention (display unit in the close state). FIG. 8 is a left side view of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention (display unit in the close state). FIG. 9 is a right side view of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention (IX-arrowed view in FIG. 5). FIG. 10 is a plan arrangement illustration of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a front arrangement illustration of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a rear arrangement illustration of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a left side arrangement illustration of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a plan view of a file basestation according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a front view of a file basestation according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a rear view of a file basestation according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a left side view of a file basestation according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along the line XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 14. FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along the line XIX-XIX of FIG. 14. FIG. 20 is a XX-arrowed view of FIG. 19. FIG. 21 is a plan view of a file basestation according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 is a front view of a file basestation according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 23 is a plan view of a portreplicator according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 24 is a front view of a portreplicator according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 25 is a rear view of a portreplicator according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 26 is a left side view of a portreplicator according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 27 is a right side view of a portreplicator according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 28 is an illustration of a connection aid mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 29 is a plan view of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, connected to an FD·D. FIG. 30 is a plan view of a file basestation according to one embodiment of the present invention, connected to the main body of the information processing unit. FIG. 31 is a front view of a file basestation according to one embodiment of the present invention, connected to the main body of the information processing unit. FIG. 32 is a rear view of a file basestation according to one embodiment of the present invention, connected to the main body of the information processing unit. FIG. 33 is a left side view of a file basestation according to one embodiment of the present invention, connected to the main body of the information processing unit. FIG. 34 is a plan view of a portreplicator according to one embodiment of the present invention, connected to the main body of the information processing unit. FIG. 35 is a right side view of a portreplicator according to one embodiment of the present invention, connected to the main body of the information processing unit. FIG. 36 is a sectional view taken along the line XXXVI-XXXVI of FIG. 34. FIG. 37 is a principally sectional view of a portreplicator according to one embodiment of the present invention, connected to the main body of another information processing unit. FIG. 38 is a plan view of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, connected to a file basestation and a portreplicator. FIG. 39 is a rear view of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, connected to a file basestation and a portreplicator. FIG. 40 is a right side view of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, connected to a file basestation and a portreplicator. FIG. 41 is a side view of a cylinder lock according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a cylinder lock according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 43 is a plan view of a cylinder lock, connected to the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 44 is a left side view of a cylinder lock, connected to the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 45 is a plan view of a cased FD·D according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 46 is a front view of a cased FD·D according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 47 is a plan view of an uncased FD·D according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 48 is a front view of an uncased FD·D according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 49 is a plan view of a cased CD-ROM·D according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 50 is a front view of a cased CD-ROM·D according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 51 is a plan view of an uncased CD-ROM·D according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 52 is a front view of an uncased CD-ROM·D according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 53 is a plan view of an LS-120·D according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 54 is a front view of an LS-120·D according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 55 is a plan view of a ZIP·D according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 56 is a front view of a ZIP·D according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 57 is a plan view of a cased battery according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 58 is a front view of a cased battery according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 59 is a plan view of another cased battery according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 60 is a front view of another cased battery according to one embodiment of the present invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the information processing unit in this embodiment comprises a portable type main body of information processing unit (hereinafter, referred to simply as main body) 10 called portable computer, book computer or the like, a file basestation 80 having a detachable external storage, a portreplicator 100 having a plurality of connectors for the signal connection to various external equipment and a height adjusting stand 150 for modifying the provision height of this port-replicator 100. The main body 10 comprises a CPU, a memory, a main body casing 60 for housing these and a display unit 78 having an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and attached to the main body casing 60. The file basestation 80 comprises a B/S (file basestation) casing 90 for detachably housing a plurality of external storages. Besides, the port-replicator 100 comprises a P/R (portreplicator) casing 120 with a plurality of connectors and a plurality of ports loaded thereon. In addition to the above-mentioned CPU 11, main memory 12, main body casing 60 and the like, as shown in FIG. 3 the main body 10 comprises a cash memory 13, a extended memory 14, a system controller 15, a graphics memory 16, a graphics controller 17, a modem controller 18, an I/O controller 19, a PC card controller 20, a local bus (PCI: Peripheral Component Interconnect) 21 for mutually connecting the above controllers 15, 17, 18, 19 and 20, a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) ROM 22, an audio controller 23, a speaker 24 controlled by this sound source controller 23 to emit a sound, a horn connector 30, a line-in connector 31, a peripheral controller 25, a keyboard 47, a track pad 46, a mouse connector 41 to connect a mouse, a ten key or the like, an indicator 45 for the state display, a keyboard controller 26 for controlling a keyboard 47, a track pad 46, a mouse and the like, a battery 50, a battery controller 27 (power supply control means), an external power supply connector 39, a power switch 40, a power supply control circuit 28 (power supply control means) connected to the battery 50 and the external power supply connector 39 by means of a power supply line 39a and connected to the power switch 40 by means of the signal line 40a via the battery controller-27, a PC card slot 29, a display unit 78 connector 42, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector 38, a hard disk drive (hereinafter, abbreviated to HD·D) 49, an external FD·D connection connector 37, an Infrared port 35, a parallel connector 36, a serial connector 34, a cellular connector 33, a modem connector 32, a B/S docking connector 59 on the main processing unit side (first docking connector on the main processing unit side) for the receiving/sending of various signals and the receiving/sending of power from/to the file basestation 80 and a P/R docking connector 58 on the main processing unit side (second docking connector on the main processing unit side) for the receiving/sending of various signals and the receiving/sending of power from/to the portreplicator 100. Besides, as the above-mentioned external storages, the file basestation 80 has the FD·D 81 and the CD-ROM-D 83, both of which are detachably housed in the B/S casing 90. Furthermore, the file basestation 80 comprises a game port (joy stick port) 85, an external power supply connector 86 and a main body docking connector 89 on the B/S side for receiving/sending of various signals and receiving/sending of power from/to the body 10. As the various connectors mentioned above, the portreplicator 100 has a modem connector 112, a game port 105, speaker connectors 114 and 114, a microphone connector 107, two serial connectors 104 and 104, a parallel connector 106, a display unit connector 102, a USB connector 108, a mouse connector 101, a keyboard connector 103, an external power supply connector 109 and a main body docking connector 118 on the P/R side for the receiving/sending of various signals from/to the main body 10 and the receiving/sending of power. Furthermore, the port-replicator 100 has a power switch 110 as well. Here, the power supply concerns of the main body 10, the file basestation 80 and the portreplicator 100 will be briefly described referring to FIG. 4. As mentioned above, the main body 10, the file basestation 80 and the portreplicator 100 have their own external power supply connectors 39, 86 and 109, respectively. The external power supply connector 39 of the main body 10 is connected to a power supply control circuit 28 by means of a power supply line 39a. In the case in which the main body docking connector 89 on the B/S side is connected to the B/S docking connector 59 on the main processing unit side (hereinafter, the file basestation 80 and the main body 10 are assumed to be connected), the external power supply connector 86 of the file basestation 80 is electrically connected to the power supply control circuit 28 of the main body 10 via a power supply line 86a in the file basestation 80, a power pin of the main body docking connector 89 on the B/S side, a power pin of the B/S docking connector 59 on the main processing unit side and a power supply line 39a in the main body 10. Besides, in the case in which the main body docking connector 118 on the P/R side is connected to the P/R docking connector 58 on the body (hereinafter, the portreplicator 100 and the main body 10 are assumed to be connected), the external power supply connector 109 of the portreplicator 100 is electrically connected to the power supply control circuit 28 of the main body 10 via a power supply line 109a in the portreplicator 100, a power pin of the main body docking connector 118 on the P/R side, a power pin of the P/R docking connector 58 on the main processing unit side and a power supply line 39a in the main body 10. Namely, when the file basestation 80 and the main body 10 are connected to each other, the external power supplied to the file basestation 80 is basically sent to the power supply control circuit 28 of the main body 10 once. Besides, when the portreplicator 100 and the main body 10 are connected to each other, the external power supplied to the port-replicator 100 is also basically sent to the power supply control circuit 28 of the main body 10 once. After setting the power from an external power source and the power from a battery 50 to a specific voltage, the power supply control circuit 28 sends the power not only to individual equipment, elements or the like of the main body 10 but also to the file basestation 80 and the portreplicator 100 via the power supply line 39b in the main body 10 and power supply pins of individual docking connectors 59, 89, 58 and 118. The power supply control circuit 28 intercepts the transmission to the file basestation 80 if the main body 10 and the file basestation 80 are not connected and intercepts the transmission to the portreplicator 100 if the main body 10, and the portreplicator 100 are not connected. As mentioned above, the main body 10 and the portreplicator 100 has the power supply switches 40 and 110, respectively. The supply switch 40 of the main body 10 is connected via the battery controller 27 to the power supply control circuit 28 by means of the signal line 40a. If the portreplicator 100 and the main body 10 are connected, the supply switch 110 of the portreplicator 100 is connected via the signal line 110a in the portreplicator 100, the main body docking connector 118 on the P/R side, the P/R docking connector 58 on the main processing unit side, the signal line 40a in the main body 10 and the battery controller 27 to the power supply control circuit 28. In the case in which the main body 10, file base-station 80 and the portreplicator 100 are connected, power is sent from the power supply control circuit 28 to either of them correspondingly and it is started even if any of the power switches 40 and 110 is turned on. For example, when the main body 10 and the file basestation 80 are started to listen to the music or the like recorded in a CD-ROM with the CD-ROM inserted into the CD-ROM·D 83 of the file basestation 80, the power switch 40 of the main body 10 is provided on the top plate 61 of the main body casing 60 (shown in FIG. 5) as described below and this power switch 40 can be manipulated only after the display unit 78 is opened. In contrast to this, the power switch 110 of the portreplicator 100 is provided on the right lateral plate 128 of the P/R casing 120 (shown in FIG. 27) as described below and this power switch 100 can be manipulated even if the display unit remains closed. Like this, by having the power switches 40 and 110 for starting the main body 10 provided on other places than the main body 10, the using convenience of the information processing unit can be improved. Incidentally, the provision of the power switch 40 of the main body 10 on the top face 61 of the main body casing 60 is for the purpose of preventing this power switch 40 from contacting anything to lead to an unexpected start of the main body 10 while it is carried about if the power switch 40 is mounted at a location covered by the display 78. Besides, here, the power switches 40 and 110 are provided on the main body 10 and the portreplicator 100, but a similar power switch may be also provided on the file basestation 80. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 5-9, the main body casing 60, assuming the shape of a nearly rectangular parallelopiped, has a top plate 61, a bottom plate 63 opposed to the top plate 61, a front plate 65, a back plate 66 opposed to the front plate 65 and both lateral plates 67 and 68 opposed to each other. Near the border between the top plate 61 and the back plate 66 of the main body casing 60, the display unit 78 is oscillatably attached to the main body casing 60. With this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the depth of the main body casing 60, or the mutual spacing between the front plate 65 and the back plate 66, is 245 mm and the width of the main body casing 60, or the mutual spacing between both the lateral plates 67 and 68, is 310 mm. On the back plate side of the top plate 61, a speaker 24 and an indicator 45, a suspended ridium 43, a cover down switch 44 for moving to the power saving mode for the display unit 78 on closing the display unit 78 and a power switch 40 are provided. The front-plate side of the top plate 61 forms a palm rest portion 62 on which to rest hands when manipulating the keyboard 47 and a track pad 46 is provided at the center of this palm rest port 62. From the top plate 61 between the speaker 24 or the like and the palm rest portion 62, the key faces of a plurality of key switches 48, 48, . . . composing the keyboard 47 are exposed. At the border between the top plate 61 and the front plate 65, a power lamp 51 indicating that the main body 10 is Power ON and a charge lamp 52 indicating that the battery 50 is charging are provided as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Onto the outer surface of the palm rest portion 62 of the top plate 61 and the key faces of the key switches 48, an added paint of Ag ions to an aluminosilicate is applied. The added ones of Ag ions to an aluminosilicate act as antimicrobial agents excellent in durability and heat resistance. On the back plate 66 of the main body casing 60, a mouse connector 41, an infrared port 35, a parallel connector 36, a serial connector 34, a display unit connector 42 and a P/R docking connector on the main processing unit side 58 are provided as shown in FIGS. 7 and 12. For the parallel connector 36, the serial connector 34 and the display unit connector 42, a cover 66a for blocking these when unused is provided-(FIG. 7). Besides, for the P/R docking connector 58 on the main processing unit side 58, a cover 66b for blocking this when unused is provided (FIG. 7). On the left lateral plate 67 of the main body plate 60, an external power supply connector 39, a USB connector 38, an external FD·D connecting connector 37, a horn connector 30, a line-in connector 31, a lock hole 67b of the cylinder lock described later and an HD·D insert port 67c are provided as shown in FIGS. 8 and 13. For the external FD·D connecting connector 37, a cover 67a for blocking this 66b when unused is provided (FIG. 8). On the right lateral plate 68 of the main body casing 60, a battery insert port 68a, a PC card insert port 68b, a cellular connector 33 and a modem connector 32 are provided. Beneath the key board 47, a CPU board for mounting a CPU 11, a cash memory 13 and a system controller 15, an extended memory 14 and PC card slots 29 are provided as shown in FIG. 10. Like this, by having a CPU port or an extended memory 14 provided beneath the key board 47, the assembling efficiency at the manufacturing can be raised and moreover an ease of memory expansion by a user can be enhanced. This is because the CPU board is exposed directly after removing the keyboard 47 from the top plate 61 of the casing 60. Into the PC card slot 29, a PC card can be inserted through the PC card insert port 68b of the left lateral plate 67. On the left lateral plate below the palm rest portion 62 of the top plate 61, a HD·D 49 is provided and this HD·D 49 can be put through the HD·D insert port 67c of the left lateral plate 67 into/out of the main body casing 60. On the right lateral plate below the palm rest portion 62 of the top plate 61, a battery 50 is provided and this battery 50 can be put through the battery insert port 68a into/out of the main body casing 60. On the bottom plate 63 of the main body casing 60, a B/S docking connector 59 on the main processing unit side, a linked nut 57 (linked tool) for a sufficiently strong linkage at the time of linkage to the file basestation 80 and a pin hole 64 to put the connection aid pin 141 (shown in FIG. 35) described above are provided. In recent years, onto a direct touch portion of human hands, such as door knob, an organic antimicrobial agent is often applied. Accordingly, also with computers, it is sufficiently thinkable that an antimicrobial agent is applied to key faces or the palm rest portion, touched by human hands. As with this embodiment, however, if there is a CPU 11 subject to heating below key switches 48 or there is an HD·D 49 subject to heating below the palm rest portion 62, no antimicrobial efficacy is expectable for organic antimicrobial agents because of a low heat resistance. Thus, with this embodiment, an inorganic antimicrobial agent high in heat resistance is applied to key faces or the palm rest portion 62 in consideration of heating in the CPU 11 or the HD·D 49. Especially, with this embodiment, since an added inorganic antimicrobial agent of Ag ions to an aluminosilicate is used as mentioned above, its heat resistance is very high and it withstands as high temperature as about 500° C. and further can be used even if mixed into the resin forming a main body casing 60 or key switches 48 at molding. Besides, this added inorganic antimicrobial agent of Ag ions to an alumino-silicate is very high also in the antimicrobial efficacy to various bacilli such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 14-17, the B/S casing 90, assuming a nearly rectangular parallelopiped, has a top plate 91, a bottom plate 93 opposed to the top plate 91, a front plate 95, a back plate 96 opposed to the front plate 95 and both lateral plates 97 and 98 opposed to each other. Both lateral plate sides of the back plate 66 cave in toward the front-plate side and these form recess 99. With this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14 the depth of the B/S casing 90, or the mutual spacing between the front plate 95 and the back plate 96, is 245 mm, equal to the mutual spacing between the front plate 65 and the back plate 66 of the main body casing 60, the width of the B/S casing 90 or the mutual spacing between both the lateral plates 97 and 98, is 310 mm, equal to the mutual spacing between both the lateral plates 67 and 68 of the main body casing 60. On the top plate 91 of the B/S casing 90, a main body docking connector 89 on the B/S side and a linkage bolt 87 are provided. The main body docking connector 89 on the B/S side and linkage bolt 87 are provided in the position in which main body docking connector 89 on the B/S side of the file basestation 80 is connected to the B/S docking connector 59 on the main processing unit side of the body 10 and the liking bolt 87 of the file basestation 80 can be screwed into the liked nut 57 of the main body 10 when the bottom plate 63 of the main body casing 60 is placed on the top plate 91 of the B/S casing 90 and the front/back plates 95 and 96 and both lateral plates 97 and 98 of the B/S casing 90 are made coincident with the front/back plates 65 and 66 and both lateral plates 67 and 68 of the main body casing 60. On the front plate 95 of the B/S casing 90, an FD·D insert port 95a and a CD-ROM·D insert port 95b are provided as shown in FIG. 15 and the FD·D 81 and the CD-ROM·D 83 can be put respectively through the insert ports 95a and 95b into/out of the B/S casing 90 as shown in FIG. 15. In this embodiment, because of the premise that they can be put into/out of the B/S casing 90 as mentioned above, the FD·D 81 and the CD-ROM·D 83 are cased and are put into/out of the B/S casing 90 with individual cases. As shown in FIGS. 47 and 48, the dimensions of a FD·D 81a without the case are 96 mm in width and 126 mm in depth, while those 81 of an FD·D 81a put in case 81c are 105 mm in width and 150 mm in depth as shown in FIGS. 45 and 46. Besides, as shown in FIGS. 51 and 52, the dimensions of a CD-ROM·D 83a without the case are 128 mm in maximum width and 129 mm in depth, while those 83 of a CD-ROM·D 83a put in case 83c are 135 mm in width and 152.2 mm in depth as shown in FIGS. 49 and 50. In individual cases 81c and 83c of an FD·D 81 and a CD-ROM·D 83, the respective connectors 81b and 83b for receiving/sending a signal are provided. On the left lateral plate 97 of the B/S casing 90, an external power supply connector 86 and a game port 85 are provided as shown in FIG. 17. At the border of the front plate 95 with the top plate 91, a front plate positioning member 95c is provided as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, at the border of the back plate 96 with the top plate 91, a back plate positioning member 96c is provided as shown in FIGS. 14 and 16 and at the border of the left lateral plate 97 with the top plate 91, a left lateral plate positioning member 97c (connector connection regulating member) is provided as shown in FIGS. 14 and 17. All of these positioning members 95c, 96c and 97c extend vertically upward to the top plate 61 and serve to position the main body 10 to the file basestation 80 by coming into contact with the front plate 65, the back plate 66 and the left lateral plate 67 of the main body casing 60 when connecting the main body 10. Especially, the front-plate positioning member 95c extends to the back-plate side in parallel to the top plate 61 after vertically extending upward to the top plate 61 as shown in FIG. 18 and this portion 95d or hanged portion 95d is hanged on the front plate 65 of the main body casing 60 when connecting the main body 10 to the file basestation 80 to retain the ordinary connecting strength together with the docking connectors 59 and 89. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, a linking knob 88 is provided on the bolt head 87b of the linking bolt 87 mentioned above. In conjunction with the linking knob 88, the linking bolt 87 is provided so as to be unrotatable around the axis of the linking bolt 87 and as to be relatively movable in the axial direction of the linking bolt 87. The linking knob 88 is exposed from the bottom plate 93 of the B/S casing 90 and is provided so as to be unmovable to this bottom plate 93 and relatively rotatable. Between the bolt head 87b of the linking bolt 87 and the linking knob 88, a coil spring 88b is disposed. In an unconnected state of the main body 10 and the file base-station 80, the screw portion 87a (engaging portion) of the linking bolt 87 protrudes vertically upward from the top plate 91 of the B/S casing 90. In this state, when any article falls into contact with it, the screw portion 87a of the linking bolt 87 is embedded in the B/S casing 90. Thus, in a simply connected state of the main body 10 and the file basestation 80, in other words, in a simply connected state of the B/S docking connector 59 on the main processing unit side and the main body docking connector 89 on the B/S side, the tip of the linking bolt 87 falls into contact with the end face of the above linked nut 57 (linked tool) of the main body 10 and the screw portion 87a of the linking bolt 87 is embedded in the B/S casing 90. From this state, when the linking bolt 87 is rotated by rotating the linking knob 88 exposed from the bottom plate 93 of the B/S casing 90, the screw portion 87a of the linking bolt 87 comes to protrude from the top plate 61 while rotated and is gradually embedded into the linked nut 57 of the main body 10. Like this, by having the linking bolt 87 and the linking knob 88, composing components of mechanical linking means, provided on the file basestation side, as well as the linked nut 57 composing a component of mechanical linking means provided on the main processing unit side, the connecting strength of the main body 10 to the file basestation 80 can be raised. Incidentally, the connecting strength of the linked nut 57 of the main body 10 to the liking bolt 87 of the file basestation 80 is as strong as capable of retaining the connection of both of them 10 and 80 even if such a heavier weight than the self weight is imposed on either of them as to disconnect the other. Thus, by using the connection by this mechanical linking means when conveying the file basestation 80 together with the main body 10, in addition to the connection by the docking connectors 59 and 89 of both of them 10 and 80 and the connection by the front-plate positioning member 95c of the file basestation 80, the file basestation 80 is not shaken to the main body 10, thus enabling damages to the docking connectors 59 and 89 of both to be prevented. Incidentally, with this embodiment, the FD-D 81 and the CD-ROM·D 83 are provided in the B/S casing 90, but the HD·D 82 can be further provided as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. Besides, for a kind of high-density record medium, such as LS-120 or ZIP, that has begun to be used in recent years in place of the FD·D 81, for example, an LS-120·D or ZIP-D for the record/playback can be also provided. As shown in FIGS. 53 and 54, the dimensions of an LS-120·D 161 are 96 mm in width and 126 mm in depth and any dimension is smaller than that of a cased FD-D 81, so that it can be housed in the B/S casing 90 together with a CD-ROM·D 83 and HD·D 82. Besides these, in the B/S casing 90, an external storage such as DVD·(Digital Video Disk) D can be also in the B/S casing 90. Furthermore, a battery may be housed in addition to the external storage like the above. In this case, by diverting the FD·D case 81c or the CD-ROM·D case 83c to the case for a battery 163 or 164 as shown in FIGS. 57-60, the compatibility with the FD·D 81 or CD-ROM-D 83 can be retained in view of layout. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 23-27, the P/R casing 120, assuming a nearly rectangular parallelopiped, has a top plate 121, a bottom plate 123 opposed to the top plate 121, a front plate 125, a back plate 126 opposed to the front plate 125, both lateral plates 127 and 128 opposed to each other and a pin guide piece 129 for guiding the connection aid pin 141 (shown in FIG. 35) described later. With this embodiment, the mutual spacing between both lateral plates 127 and 128 of the P/R casing 120, is 310 mm, equal to the mutual spacing between both lateral plates 67 and 68 of the main body casing 60 and between both lateral plates 97 and 98 of the B/S casing 90 as shown in FIG. 25. On the top plate 121 of the P/R casing 120, a lever 144 for moving the connection aid pin 141 is provided oscillatably. On the front plate 125 of the P/R casing 120, the main body docking connector 118 on the P/R side and the high-temperature air intake 125a are provided as shown in FIG. 24. In the front plate 125 of the P/R casing 120, the main body docking connector 118 on the P/R side is provided in such a position as to be connected to the B/S docking connector 59 on the main processing unit side when this front plate 125 is brought into contact with the back plate 66 of the main body casing 60 and both lateral plates 127 and 128 of the P/R casing 120 are made coincident in position with both lateral plates 67 and 68 of the main body casing 60. The pin guide member 129 is provided on both lateral-plate sides and on the bottom-plate side of the front plate 125. On the back plate 126 of the P/R casing 120, a game port 105, a parallel connector 106, two serial connectors 104 and 104, a display unit connector 102, a microphone connector 107, speaker connectors 114 and 114 and an external power supply connector 109 are provided as shown in FIG. 25. On the left lateral plate 127 of the P/R casing 120, a modem connector 112 and a USB connector 108 are provided as shown in FIG. 26. Besides, on the right lateral plate 128 of the P/R casing 120, a mouse connector 101, a keyboard connector 103 and a power switch 110 are provided as shown in FIG. 27. The depth of this P/R casing 120, or the mutual spacing between the front plate 125 and the back plate 126, is 80 mm. Because of mainly serving to load numerous connectors, the P/R casing 120 is easy in making its depth less than 80 mm. With this embodiment, to enable a PC card slot or the like to be provided afterward and to afford a feeling of presence as a installing base, the depth of the P/R casing 120 is set to 80 mm. Besides, by setting the depth dimension to a relatively large value like this, the stability of single installation can be secured even if this casing is connected to a relatively thick cable such as display unit cable or power supply cable. In the P/R casing 120, a first link piece 142 and a second link piece 143 for moving the connection aid pin 141 by an action of the lever 144 mentioned above are provided as shown in FIG. 28. These link members 142 and 143, the lever 144 and the connection aid pin 141 compose a main body connection aid mechanism 140. The lever 144 has its base end oscillatably pin-linked with the top plate 121. The middle drum of the lever 144 and one end of the second link member 143 are pin-linked, and the other end of the second link member 143 and one end of the first link member 142 are pin-linked. Fixed at the other end of the first link member 142 is the connection aid pin 141. In the above arrangement, the connection aid pin 141 moves forward when lifting the tip of the lever 144 around its base end and the connection aid pin 141 moves backward when lowering the tip of the lever 144. Incidentally, the actual connecting action of the main body 10 to the port-replicator 100 by means of this main body connection aid mechanism 140 will be described below. When singly using the main body 10 of an information processing unit, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 9, the display unit 78 is opened and the power switch 40 provided on the top plate of the main body casing 60 is depressed to start the main body 10. At this time, if an external power supply cable is connected to the external power supply connector 39 of the main body 10, the main body 10 is driven by this external power supply using AC adaptor or driven by the battery 50 in the main body 10 if not connected to the external power supply connector 39 of the main body 10. When it is desired to use an FD, as shown in FIG. 29, connecting the cased FD·D 81 in the B/S casing or the connector 81b of the cased FD·D 81 of the same kind to the external FD·D connecting connector 37 provided on the left lateral plate 67 of the main body 10 by means of the cable 166 enables use of an FD in this cased FD·D 81. In ending the use of the main body 10 of the information processing unit, the power switch 40 is depressed and the power supply of the main body 10 is turned off before closing the display unit 78. Incidentally, when closing the display unit 78 without depressing the power switch 40, the display unit 78 depresses the cover down switch 44 provided on the top plate 61 of the main body casing 60, thereby shutting off the power supplied to the display unit 78. When using the file basestation 80 together with the main body, the main body 10 is superimposed on the top plate 91 of the file basestation 80 as shown in FIGS. 30-33. At this time, since individual positioning-guides 95c, 96c and 97c provided on the file basestation 80 comes into contact respectively with the front plate 65, the back plate 66 and the left lateral plate 67 to correctly position the main body 10 to the file basestation 80, the front plate 65, the back plate 66 and both lateral plates 67 and 68 of the main body 10 coincide in position with the front plate 95, the back plate 96 and both lateral plates 97 and 98 of the file basestation 80. Then, the main body docking connector 89 on the B/S side provided on the top plate 61 of the file basestation 80 is connected to the B/S docking connector 59 on the main processing unit side provided on the bottom plate 63 of the main body 10, thereby enabling the receiving/sending of a signal and power between both of them 10 and 80. In an actual case of using the main body 10 under this situation, the display unit 78 is opened and the power switch 40 provided on the top plate 61 of the main body 10 is depressed as with the single use of the main body 10 to start the main body 10 and the file basestation 80. As the power supply of the main body 10 and the file basestation 80, not only the battery of the main body 10 but also an external power source through the external power supply connector 39 of the main body 10 or through the external power supply connector 86 of the file basestation 80 is considered, but under these circumstances, it is preferable to connect the external power source to the external power supply connector 86 of the file basestation 80 and employ this external power source as the drive power source of the main body 10 and the file basestation 80. In the connected situation of the main body 10 to the file basestation 80, as shown in FIG. 33, the left-lateral plate positioning member 97c (connector connection regulating member) provided on the left lateral plate 97 of the B/S casing 90 covers a part of the external FD·D connecting connector 37. As a result, in the connected situation of the main body 10 to the file basestation 80, the FD·D 81 cannot be connected via a cable to an external FD·D connecting connector 37 and the FD·D 81 in the B/S casing 90 ends in being used exclusively. When the main body 10 and the file basestation 80 are carried with both being connected, the linking knob 88 exposed from the bottom plate 93 of the B/S casing 90 is rotated and the liking bolt 87 of the B/S casing 90 is screwed into the linked nut 57 provided on the bottom plate 63 of the main body 10 as described referring to FIGS. 19 and 20. Then, not only by the connection using the docking connectors 59 and 89 of both and the one using the front-plate positioning member 95c but also by that of the linking bolt 87 of the file basestation 80 to the linked nut 57 of the main body 10, the main body 10 and the file basestation 80 are firmly linked. In the case of using the main body 10 and the portreplicator 100, first, the lever 144 of the port-replicator 100 is lifted and the connection aid pin 141 is positioned forward as shown in FIG. 28. Under this situation, the connection aid pin 141 of the portreplicator 100 is put into the pin hole 64 formed on the bottom plate 63 of the main body 10 as shown in FIG. 36. And on depressing the lever 144 of the portreplicator 100, the connection aid pin 141 moves backward to connect the P/R docking connector 58 on the main processing unit side 10 to the main body docking connector 118 on the P/R side, thereby enabling the receiving/sending of a signal and power between both of them 10 and 100. In an actual case of using the main body 10 under this situation, the display unit 78 is opened and the power switch 40 provided on the top plate 61 of the main body 10 is depressed as with the single use of the main body 10 to start the main body 10 and the portreplicator 100. As the power supply of the main body 10 and the portreplicator 100, not only the battery 50 of the main body 10 but also an external power source through the external power supply connector 39 of the main body 10 or through the external power supply connector 109 of the portreplicator 100 is considered, but under this situation, it is preferable to connect the external power source to the external power supply connector 109 of the portreplicator 100 and employ this external power source as the drive power source of the main body 10 and the portreplicator 100. Since the port-replicator 100 is equipped with similar connectors, such as, to be specific, a modem connector 112, a serial connector 104, a parallel connector 106, a display unit connector 102, a USB connector 108, a mouse connector 101 and an external power supply connector 109, to various connectors provided on the main processing unit side 10, it is preferable to use these connectors 112, 104, 106, 102, 108, 101 and 109 without use of the connectors 32, 34, 36, 42, 38, 41 and 39 of the main body 10. In this manner, a preferential use of various connectors of the port-replicator 100 in a connected situation of the port-replicator 100 and the main body 10 can omit the labor of disconnecting the cable connected to each connector when carrying the main body 10 with it removed from the portreplicator 100. With this embodiment, the level difference between the bottom plate 63 of the main body 10 and the main body docking connector 118 on the P/R side is 9 mm as shown in FIG. 36. In the connected situation of the main body 10 and the portreplicator 100, the back-face side of the bottom plate 63 of the main body 10 is kept to float both from the mounting plane of a desk or the like and from the pin guide member 129 of the portreplicator 100 with the bottom of the pin hole 64 of the main body 10 supported on the tip of the connection aid pin 141 in order to make the level of the P/R docking connector 58 on the main processing unit side from the mounting plane of a desk or the like coincident with the level of the main body docking connector 118 on the P/R side from the mounting plane. Such floating of the back-face side of the bottom plate 63 of the main body 10 both from the mounting plane of a desk or the like and from the pin guide member 129 of the portreplicator 100 is for the purpose of making a portreplicator 100 according to this embodiment usable for the main body 10x of another information processing unit as shown in FIG. 37. The main body 10x of another information processing unit shown in FIG. 37 has a CPU higher in performance than the main body 10 of the information processing unit mentioned above and its thickness is large. Besides, in another information processing unit 10x, the level difference between the bottom plate 63x of the main body 10x and the main body docking connector 58x on the P/R side is 12.9 mm. In a connected situation of this other main body 10x to the portreplicator 100, the back side of the bottom plate 63x this other main body 10x is supported on the pin guide member 129 of the portreplicator 100 with the bottom of the pin hole 64x of this other main body 10x kept out of contact with the tip of the connection aid pin 141 in order to make the level of the P/R docking connector 58x on the main processing unit side from the mounting plane of a desk or the like coincident with the level of the main body docking connector 118 on the P/R side from the mounting plane. Namely, the difference of the level difference between the bottom plate 63x of the main body 10x and the P/R docking connector 58x on the main processing unit side from the level difference between the bottom plate 63 of the main body 10 and the P/R docking connector 58 on the main processing unit side can be coped with by a change in the respective depth of the pin holes 64 and 64x. Incidentally, the high-temperature air intake 125a mentioned above by referring to FIG. 24 in the front plate 125 of the P/R casing 120 for exhausting a high-temperature air from the back plate 66x (FIG. 37) of the main body 10x of this other information processing unit is provided to cool the high performance CPU when the main body 10x of another information processing unit is connected to the portreplicator 100. In the case of the above information processing units at the main manipulating place of an operator, its use in a connection of the main body 10 of an information processing unit to a file basestation 80 and to a port-replicator 100 is preferable as shown in FIGS. 38-40. In this case, as shown in FIG. 40, the main body 10 and the portreplicator 100 end in floating from the mounting plane of a desk or the like by the thickness of a file base-station 80. Because of being placed on the file base-station 80, the main body 10 has no problem, but the portreplicator 100 is forced to fall into a suspended situation due to the occurrence of its space from the mounting plane. Thus, in this embodiment, a height adjusting stand 150 is used which is substantially equal in thickness to the file basestation 80, and has a top plate 151 so shaped as to be overlapped on the bottom plate 123 of the portreplicator 100 and the pin guide member 129 integrated therewith. Incidentally, in a connected situation of all the three 10, 80 and 100, the pin guide member support portion 159 of this height adjusting stand 150 interposes in the recess 99 of the file basestation 80. When using the main body 10 of the information processing unit to the file basestation 80 and the port-replicator 100 in their connected situation, the display unit 78 is opened and the power switch 40 provided on the top plate 61 of the main body 10 is depressed as with the single use of the main body 10 to start all the three of 10, 80 and 100. Besides, as mentioned above, when inserting a CD-ROM in the CD-ROM·D 83 of the file basestation 80 and listening to the music or the like recorded in this CD-ROM, the power switch 110 of the portreplicator 100 may be depressed to start all the three of 10, 80 and 100 with the display unit 78 kept close. In a connected situation of all the three of 10, 80 and 100, a preferential use of various connectors of the portreplicator 100 is preferred as with a connection of both the main body 10 and the portreplicator 100. This is because the labor of disconnecting the cable of each connector can be omitted both in the case of carrying the main body 10 of its own, or carrying the file basestation 80 together with the main body 10. In recent years, to prevent the theft of information processing units at sale stores of information processing unit, a cylinder lock 170 with a linking wire 175 attached, referred to as Kensington lock is used as shown in FIG. 41. As shown in FIG. 42, this cylinder lock 170 comprises an inner cylinder 171 with a key groove 172 formed on one end face 171a, a hook section 173 fixed on the other end face of the inner cylinder 171 and an outer cylinder 174 for housing the inner cylinder 171. As shown in FIG. 41, the liking wire 175 has one end 175a attached to the outer cylinder 174 of the cylinder lock 170 and a linking portion 175b formed on the other end. The inner cylinder 171 becomes rotatable together with a key to the outer cylinder 174 when the key is inserted into the key groove 172 and unrotatable to the outer cylinder 174 with no key in section into the key groove 172. The hook section 173 fixed to the other end face of the inner cylinder 171 protrudes from the other end face 174b of the outer cylinder 174 and rotates with the rotation of the inner cylinder 171. In the casing of an information processing unit, a lock hole is formed in advance through which a key can be inserted if the hook section 173 of the cylinder lock 170 has a specific rotation angle to the casing and cannot be removed unless the hook section 173 becomes a specific rotation angle once the key is inserted. And, the hook section 173 of the cylinder lock 170 is put into the lock hole on the casing, a key is thrusted into the key groove 172 of the cylinder lock 170 and the inner cylinder 171 and the hook section 173 are rotated with the rotation of this key to make the hook section 173 unremovable out of the lock hole, that is, to make the cylinder lock 170 undetachable from the casing. On the other hand, the linking portion 175b of the linking wire 175 attached to the outer cylinder 174 of the cylinder lock 170 is hung on a bar or the like of commodity shelves. Then, the information processing unit is linked with a bar or the like of commodity shelves via a so-called Kensington lock 170. Formerly, in cases where information processing units equipped with detachable FD·D, HD·D or the like are placed at the store, information processing units with FD·D, HD·D or the like detached are linked with bars or the like of commodity shelves via Kensington locks 170 in order to prevent the theft. However, detaching the FD·D, HD·D, even if needed for the prevention of theft, results in no sufficient exhibition of performances of information processing units arranged at the store, thus incurring dissatisfaction for users. Besides, in general work places, a work of detaching the FD·D, HD·D or the like intentionally for the prevention of theft when information processing units are out of use and of inserting the FD·D, HD·D or the like when in use is very troublesome. Such being the case, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the lock hole 67b mentioned above is formed near the HD·D insert port 67c of the main body casing 60. If a lock hole 67b is formed near the HD·D insert port 67c of the main body casing 60 like this, a part of the outer cylinder 174 of the cylinder lock 170 juts out to the HD·D insert port 67c when attaching a cylinder lock 170 to this lock hole 67b and the front end face 49a of the HD·D 49 comes into contact with the outer cylinder 174 of the cylinder lock 170 as shown in FIGS. 43 and 44, so that the HD·D 49 cannot be detached from the main body casing 60. Thus, the formation of a lock hole 67b near the HD·D insert port 67c of the main body casing 60 can prevent the theft of the main body 10 of an information processing unit and moreover the theft of an HD·D 49 even without intentional removal of the HD·D 49 from the main body 10. Incidentally, here, an HD·D 49 detachable from the main body of an information processing unit is taken as an example, but a similar fact is enabled for an FD·D 81 or a CD-ROM·D 83 detachable from the file basestation 80 as an information processing related unit. Namely, the provision of a lock hole near the FD·D insert port 95a or the CD-ROM·D insert port 95b of the B/S casing 90 can prevent the theft of an FD·D 81 or CD-ROM·D 83. Besides, any of these relates to external storages taken as examples, but is not limited to external storages and a similar fact is enabled for those detachable from the casing, such as, e.g., battery and the like. ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, since the information processing unit comprises a main body, a file basestation and a portreplicator to which many cables are connected, removal of the main body alone or removal of the main body and the file basestation can omit the labor of disconnecting many individual cables connected to the port-replicator both in the case of singly carrying the main body and in the case of carrying the file basestation together with the main body.
<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>Some conventional information processing unit comprises a main body having a CPU, a keyboard and a display unit, and a file basestation having an external storage such as floppy disk drive (hereinafter, abbreviated to FD·D). Normally, with the main body placed on the file basestation, this information processing unit is used in a combined state of both, whereas, disconnected from the file basestation, the main body alone is used at the moving time of an operator. In the file basestation, many connectors for the signal connection to various external equipment are provided, whereas the number of connectors for the signal connection to external equipment is reduced to the necessary minimum in the main body. Such a provision of many connectors and the like in the file basestation is because, if the main body and a plurality of external equipment are cable-connected via connectors, there occurs the need for individually disconnecting the cables connected to the main body when an operator disconnects the main body from the file basestation and uses the main body alone to move to somewhere else. Like this, in the background art, the information processing unit comprises two bodies of the main body and the other device (here, file basestation), while the function of the main body on one side is minimized and a function to be extended is afforded to the other device, thus promoting the function furnished as information processing unit and maintaining the portability of the main body on the other hand. Incidentally, those composed of two bodies of the main body and the other device are described in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 8-123589 and the like. In the background art mentioned above, however, there are problems that many cables connected to many connectors of a file basestation must be disconnected, thus taking awfully much labor, when one needs the external storage together with the main body of information processing unit at the moved site and goes with the file base-station as well as the main body. The present invention is made with an eye to such conventional problems and its object is to provide an information processing unit and the information processing related unit in which no labor on disconnecting many cables is required when one goes with the file basestation as well as the main body while maintaining the portability of the main body.
<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention at the unconnected state. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention at the connected state. FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram of a power system of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention (display unit in the open state). FIG. 6 is a front view of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention (IV-arrowed view in FIG. 5 ). FIG. 7 is a rear view of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention (display unit in the close state). FIG. 8 is a left side view of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention (display unit in the close state). FIG. 9 is a right side view of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention (IX-arrowed view in FIG. 5 ). FIG. 10 is a plan arrangement illustration of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a front arrangement illustration of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a rear arrangement illustration of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a left side arrangement illustration of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a plan view of a file basestation according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a front view of a file basestation according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a rear view of a file basestation according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a left side view of a file basestation according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along the line XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 14 . FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along the line XIX-XIX of FIG. 14 . FIG. 20 is a XX-arrowed view of FIG. 19 . FIG. 21 is a plan view of a file basestation according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 is a front view of a file basestation according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 23 is a plan view of a portreplicator according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 24 is a front view of a portreplicator according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 25 is a rear view of a portreplicator according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 26 is a left side view of a portreplicator according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 27 is a right side view of a portreplicator according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 28 is an illustration of a connection aid mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 29 is a plan view of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, connected to an FD·D. FIG. 30 is a plan view of a file basestation according to one embodiment of the present invention, connected to the main body of the information processing unit. FIG. 31 is a front view of a file basestation according to one embodiment of the present invention, connected to the main body of the information processing unit. FIG. 32 is a rear view of a file basestation according to one embodiment of the present invention, connected to the main body of the information processing unit. FIG. 33 is a left side view of a file basestation according to one embodiment of the present invention, connected to the main body of the information processing unit. FIG. 34 is a plan view of a portreplicator according to one embodiment of the present invention, connected to the main body of the information processing unit. FIG. 35 is a right side view of a portreplicator according to one embodiment of the present invention, connected to the main body of the information processing unit. FIG. 36 is a sectional view taken along the line XXXVI-XXXVI of FIG. 34 . FIG. 37 is a principally sectional view of a portreplicator according to one embodiment of the present invention, connected to the main body of another information processing unit. FIG. 38 is a plan view of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, connected to a file basestation and a portreplicator. FIG. 39 is a rear view of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, connected to a file basestation and a portreplicator. FIG. 40 is a right side view of the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, connected to a file basestation and a portreplicator. FIG. 41 is a side view of a cylinder lock according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a cylinder lock according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 43 is a plan view of a cylinder lock, connected to the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 44 is a left side view of a cylinder lock, connected to the main body of an information processing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 45 is a plan view of a cased FD·D according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 46 is a front view of a cased FD·D according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 47 is a plan view of an uncased FD·D according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 48 is a front view of an uncased FD·D according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 49 is a plan view of a cased CD-ROM·D according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 50 is a front view of a cased CD-ROM·D according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 51 is a plan view of an uncased CD-ROM·D according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 52 is a front view of an uncased CD-ROM·D according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 53 is a plan view of an LS-120·D according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 54 is a front view of an LS-120·D according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 55 is a plan view of a ZIP·D according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 56 is a front view of a ZIP·D according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 57 is a plan view of a cased battery according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 58 is a front view of a cased battery according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 59 is a plan view of another cased battery according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 60 is a front view of another cased battery according to one embodiment of the present invention. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?
20041215
20060627
20050526
84546.0
2
DUONG, HUNG V
INFORMATION PROCESSING UNIT AND INFORMATION PROCESSING RELATED UNITS
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,011,752
ACCEPTED
Method and apparatus to drive LED arrays using time sharing technique
An efficient and flexible current-mode driver delivers power to one or more light sources in a backlight system. In one application, the current-mode driver is configured as an inverter with an input current regulator, a non-resonant polarity-switching network, and a closely-coupled output transformer. The input current regulator can output a regulated current source in a variety of programmable wave shapes. The current-mode driver may further include a rectifier circuit and a second polarity-switching network between the closely-coupled output transformer and a lamp load. In another application, the current-mode driver delivers power to a plurality of light sources in substantially one polarity by providing a regulated current to a network of time-sharing semiconductor switches coupled in series with different light sources coupled across each semiconductor switch.
1. A current-mode inverter comprising: a current regulator configured to accept a DC voltage and to output a regulated current; a non-resonant switching network configured to produce an AC driving current by periodically alternating conduction paths for the regulated current; and a closely-coupled output transformer configured to conduct the AC driving current in a primary winding and a corresponding load current in a secondary winding 2. The current-mode inverter of claim 1, wherein the load current has a substantially identical wave shape as the AC driving current. 3. The current-mode inverter of claim 2, wherein the amplitude of the load current is proportional to the amplitude of the AC driving current. 4. The current-mode inverter of claim 1, further comprising a feedback circuit coupled to the non-resonant switching network on the primary side of the closely-coupled output transformer to sense the AC driving current and to generate a feedback signal for the current regulator. 5. The current-mode inverter of claim 1, wherein the current regulator is a switching current regulator using hysteretic pulse width modulation, a switching current regulator using clocked pulsed width modulation or a linear current regulator. 6. The current-mode inverter of claim 1, wherein the non-resonant switching network uses a push-pull topology with a semiconductor switches coupled to respective opposite ends of the primary winding and the regulated current applied to a center tap of the primary winding. 7. The current-mode inverter of claim 2, wherein the non-resonant switching network uses a full-bridge topology. 8. The current-mode inverter of claim 7, wherein the full-bridge topology comprises a pair of p-type semiconductor switches coupled between an output of the regulated current and respective opposite terminals of the primary winding and a pair of n-type semiconductor switches coupled between the respective opposite terminals of the primary winding and the feedback circuit. 9. The current-mode inverter of claim 1, wherein semiconductor switches in the non-resonant switching network are closed to conduct a predetermined idle current when the load current is substantially zero. 10. The current-mode inverter of claim 1, wherein a fluorescent lamp is coupled across the secondary winding, and the voltage across the secondary winding automatically increases to ignite the fluorescent lamp. 11. A method to operate an inverter in current mode, the method comprising the steps of: converting an input power source into a regulated current; periodically alternating conduction paths for the regulated current using a non-resonant switching structure to generate an AC current source; and coupling the AC current source to a lamp load with an output transformer. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the output transformer is a tightly-coupled transformer with a magnetization inductance to leakage inductance ratio that is greater than 30:1. 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising sensing the AC current source to generate a feedback signal for controlling brightness of the lamp load. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the lamp load comprises a plurality of cold cathode fluorescent lamps coupled in series across a secondary winding of the output transformer. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the lamp load comprises a plurality of balancing transformers with primary windings coupled to different lamps to form parallel primary winding-lamp combinations across a secondary winding of the output transformer, and wherein secondary windings of the balancing transformers are coupled in series to form a closed loop. 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the lamp load comprises one or more light sources for backlighting a liquid crystal display. 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the inverter operates in a single continuous mode for striking and regulating power to the lamp load. 18. The method of claim 11, wherein semiconductor switches in the non-resonant switching structure are closed to stop generating the AC current source if the lamp load is off, missing or faulty. 19. A current-mode inverter comprising: means for generating a regulated current source; means for periodically alternating conduction paths for the regulated current source with non-resonant switching to generate an AC driving current; and means for coupling the AC driving current to a lamp structure, wherein the lamp structure conducts a lamp current with a substantially identical wave shape and proportional amplitude as the AC driving current. 20. The current-mode inverter of claim 19, wherein the lamp structure includes one or more fluorescent lamps used for backlighting a liquid crystal television, a desk top monitor, an automotive display, a notebook computer or a tablet computer. 21. The current-mode inverter of claim 19, wherein the non-resonant switching is implemented by metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistors. 22. The current-mode inverter of claim 19, wherein light intensity of the lamp structure is controlled by a combination of adjusting duty cycles or burst mode durations of the regulated current source and duty cycles or burst mode durations of the AC driving current. 23. The current-mode inverter of claim 19, further comprising means for sensing the AC driving current to control brightness of the lamp structure by adjusting the regulated current source.
CLAIM FOR PRIORITY This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/530,025, filed on Dec. 16, 2003 and entitled “Current-Mode Driver for CCFL,” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. RELATED APPLICATIONS Applicant's copending U.S. Patent Applications entitled “Inverter with Two Switching Stages for Driving Lamp,” “Lamp Current Control Using Profile Synthesizer,” and “Method and Apparatus to Drive LED Arrays Using Time Sharing Technique,” filed on the same day as this application, are hereby incorporated by reference herein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a current-mode driver for powering different light sources in a backlight system. 2. Description of the Related Art Inverter controllers for driving lamps typically regulate the voltage across each lamp and any series-connected ballast capacitor or inductor. The voltage regulation technique makes striking the lamp and regulating the lamp current difficult to achieve without costly and complex circuitry. For example, a lamp driver typically includes a starting algorithm that is different from steady state operations to light the lamp. The starting algorithm usually runs at a higher frequency and uses strike detection circuits that complicate the lamp driver design. Furthermore, gas discharge lamps have a negative resistance characteristic, and the lamp driver typically needs some degree of resonance to achieve sufficient high impedance for smooth operation after striking the lamp. Tuning the lamp with shunt capacitance across primary or secondary windings of an output transformer in the lamp driver is common. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention proposes an efficient and flexible current-mode driver for delivering power to one or more light sources in a backlight system. Backlight is needed to illuminate a screen to make a visible display in liquid crystal display (LCD) applications, such as a LCD television, a desk top monitor, an automotive display, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, etc. In one embodiment, fluorescent lamps are used as the light sources in the backlight system, and a current-mode inverter generates a regulated current to drive the fluorescent lamps. The regulated current helps to generate a stable light output and to maintain a long operating life for the fluorescent lamps. The current-mode inverter advantageously operates in a single continuous operating mode for both striking and regulating power to a lamp, such as a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL). In other words, no dedicated circuits or algorithms are needed to strike the lamp. The single continuous mode of operation simplifies the number of functions supported by a current-mode controller in the current-mode inverter. In one embodiment, the current-mode controller has less than half as many functions as a voltage-mode controller and can be implemented using approximately half as much chip area. In addition, the current-mode inverter has direct control over the lamp current, thus eliminating the need for tuning or other accommodations to account for different lamps or aging of lamps. In one embodiment, the current-mode inverter includes a current regulator, a non-resonant (or direct-drive) switching network, and a closely-coupled output transformer. The current regulator accepts a direct current (DC) voltage and outputs a regulated current. The non-resonant switching network is directly coupled to the closely-coupled output transformer and produces an alternating current (AC) driving current by periodically alternating conduction paths for the regulated current. The closely-coupled output transformer conducts the AC driving current in a primary winding and a corresponding load current in a secondary winding. The load current has a substantially identical wave shape as the AC driving current with a proportional amplitude. Thus, the current-mode inverter has direct control over the load current. In one embodiment, a current-mode inverter (e.g., a multi-stage switching inverter) has two switching stages to drive a lamp load in a backlight system. The multi-stage switching inverter includes a first switching stage, a rectifier circuit and a second switching stage. The first switching stage operates at relatively high frequency to periodically couple an input current. (e.g., a DC current) through a primary winding of a transformer in alternating sense to generate a primary AC driving current. The secondary winding of the transformer conducts a proportional secondary AC driving current with a relatively high AC voltage. The rectifier circuit is coupled across the secondary winding to generate a relatively high voltage and substantially DC current source. The second switching stage is coupled between the rectifier circuit and a lamp load. The second switching stage includes semiconductor switches directly coupled to the lamp load and operates at relatively low frequency to generate an AC lamp current through the lamp load. In one embodiment, the AC lamp current has a substantially square wave shape. The relatively high frequency operation of the first switching stage (or power switching stage) advantageously reduces size of components (e.g., the transformer). In one embodiment, the first switching stage operates in a frequency range of 100 kilohertz to 4 Megahertz. In one application, the first switching stage operates at approximately 2 Megahertz. The relatively low frequency operation of the second switching stage (or polarity switching stage) advantageously improves efficiency (e.g., by reducing switching loss or by reducing crest factor in load current). In one embodiment, the second switching stage operates in a frequency range of 100 hertz to 4 kilohertz. In one application, the second switching stage operates at approximately 400 hertz. In one embodiment, a controller for a current-mode inverter outputs a current profile signal to an input current regulator. The input current regulator uses the current profile signal to produce a regulated current with a substantially identical wave shape and proportional amplitude. The current profile signal can be programmed for a variety of wave shapes (e.g., sine wave, square wave, trapezoidal wave, triangular wave) and amplitudes to optimize efficiency or to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) for specific applications. In one embodiment, the controller includes a clock generator, a current profile generator, and a register state machine to generate the current profile signal. The clock generator outputs a periodic timing (e.g., triangular) waveform, and the register state machine controls the operation of the current profile generator with reference to the periodic timing waveform. In one embodiment, the current profile generator uses at least two input control signals (e.g., BRITE-W, BRITE-H) and a slope capacitor to determine the wave shape and amplitude of the current profile signal. The amplitude of the current profile signal is periodically set to zero during a zero (or reset) state near the beginning of each cycle of a triangular timing waveform. When the voltage of the triangular timing waveform exceeds the voltage of the first input control signal (e.g., BRITE-W), the current profile signal begins a rising state with its amplitude increasing at a predetermined rising rate. The slope capacitor charges during the rising state. When the voltage across the charging slope capacitor exceeds the voltage of the second input control signal (e.g., BRITE-H), the slope capacitor stops charging. The current profile signal also stops rising in amplitude and begins a plateau state by holding its amplitude at a substantially constant level. The voltage of the triangular timing waveform is noted at or near the beginning of the plateau state. The plateau state ends and the current profile signal begins a falling state in which its amplitude starts fall at a predetermined falling rate at or near the time that the voltage of the triangular timing waveform becomes less than the noted voltage at the beginning of the plateau state. The slope capacitor discharges during the falling state. The slope capacitor finishes discharging and the amplitude of the current profile signal returns to zero at approximately the time that the voltage of the triangular timing waveform becomes less than the first input control signal. The current profile generator advantageously allows for selectable rise and fall slopes for the current profile signal. For example, the rise and fall slopes are determined by the two input control signals (BRITE-W, BRITE-H), the slope capacitor and an optional slope resistor. In one embodiment, the rise and fall times are programmed to be less than one microsecond for a current profile signal with a square wave shape. In another embodiment, the rise and fall times exceed one microsecond for a current profile signal with a trapezoidal wave shape. In yet another embodiment, the current profile signal has a special trapezoidal wave shape that substantially follows the wave shape of the triangular timing waveform with its amplitude clipped at ⅔ of the peak amplitude of the triangular timing waveform. The special trapezoidal waveform can be subsequently filtered by small reactive components to produce a sine wave with reduced harmonics (e.g., substantially no harmonics less than the 5th harmonic). In one embodiment, a current-mode driver delivers power to a plurality of light sources in a backlight system by providing a regulated current to a network of semiconductor switches coupled in series and the light sources coupled across the respective semiconductor switches. Each of the semiconductor switches individually closes to isolate its associated light source from the regulated current or selectively opens to allow the associated load to conduct the regulated current. In one embodiment, the network of semiconductor switches uses a time sharing technique to selectively provide the regulated current to different portions of an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) used to backlight a LCD. For example, a string of series-connected LEDs corresponding to a row in the array is coupled across each semiconductor switch. The semiconductor switches periodically close in sequential order to minimize backlight in portions of the LCD that is currently updating its image. The time sharing technique advantageously allows a single current source to power banks (or arrays) of series-coupled light sources. It should be noted that the applications of the current-mode drivers described above are not limited to lamps or LEDs. The current-mode drivers can also be applied to other types of loads in which current mode operation or direct control of load current is desired. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of one embodiment of a current-mode inverter. FIG. 2A is a simplified schematic of one embodiment of a current-mode inverter with a push-pull polarity-switching stage. FIG. 2B is a simplified schematic of another embodiment of a current-mode inverter with a full-bridge polarity-switching stage. FIG. 3A is a simplified schematic of one embodiment of a current-mode inverter with two switching stages. FIG. 3B is a simplified schematic of another embodiment of a current-mode inverter with two switching stages. FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of one embodiment of a controller for a current-mode inverter. FIG. 5 illustrates timing waveforms associated with the controller of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is one embodiment of a flow chart to illustrate steps in generating a current profile signal by the controller of FIG. 4. FIG. 7 illustrates a proposed trapezoidal waveform that contains no harmonics lower than the fifth harmonic, so that it can readily be filtered to have a relatively low Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). FIG. 8 is a simplified schematic of one embodiment of a current-mode driver that drives multiple loads using a time sharing technique. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of one embodiment of a current-mode inverter. The current-mode inverter includes an input current regulator 100, a polarity-switching and transformer network (or polarity reversing stage) 102, a feedback circuit 104, and a current regulator controller 106. The input current regulator 100 accepts a DC power source (e.g., a regulated or unregulated DC voltage) and generates a regulated current for the polarity-switching and transformer network 102. The polarity-switching and transformer network 102 includes semiconductor switches, such as metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistors (MOSFETs), directly coupled to a primary winding of a closely-coupled transformer. The semiconductor switches are controlled by a controller (e.g., a pulse width modulator) to periodically couple the regulated current through the primary winding in alternate sense, thereby generating a primary AC current through the primary winding. A corresponding secondary AC current is generated in a secondary winding of the closely-coupled transformer. The secondary AC current is substantially the current conducted by a lamp load coupled to the secondary winding. In one embodiment, the feedback circuit 104 is coupled to a primary side of the polarity-switching and transformer network 102 to sense the primary AC current. The feedback circuit generates a feedback signal (e.g., a feedback voltage) indicative of the level of the primary AC current. In one embodiment, the feedback signal (I-SENSE) is provided to the current regulator controller 106 for comparison with a brightness control signal (e.g., a voltage representative of a desired lamp current) and outputs a current control signal (V-CONTROL) to the input current regulator 100. The brightness control signal may also be referred to as the current reference or target current signal. The target current signal can be substantially constant or a periodic waveform generated by a current profile generator which is discussed in further details below. The input current regulator 100 controls the level and shape of the regulated current based on the target current signal. The current conducted by the lamp load is directly proportional to the regulated current with its polarity periodically reversed. Thus, the target current signal controls the current conducted by the lamp load and its corresponding brightness. For example, the current delivered to the primary winding of the closely-coupled transformer is regulated to substantially follow the wave shape of the target current signal, using the closed loop feedback technique described above. The input current regulator 100 can operate as a hysteretic pulse width modulation (PWM) switching regulator, a clocked PWM switching regulator, or a linear current regulator. Because the closely-coupled transformer is a current transformer as well as a voltage transformer, the secondary AC current (or lamp current) conducted by the secondary winding of the closely-coupled transformer is related to the primary AC current (or regulated AC current) through the primary winding by the reciprocal of the transformer turns ratio. The closely-coupled transformer has a relatively higher ratio of magnetization inductance to leakage inductance (e.g., 300:1) in comparison to ratios (e.g., 10:1) for a loosely-coupled transformer typically used in resonant drivers. In one embodiment, the ratio of the magnetization inductance (or open inductance) to leakage inductance (or shorted inductance) is greater than 30:1 (e.g., 3000:1). Current conducted by the secondary winding of the closely-coupled transformer advantageously has substantially the same wave shape as current conducted by the primary winding with a proportional amplitude determined by the transformer turns ratio. Thus, the lamp current can be directly controlled by coupling the feedback circuit 104 to the primary side of the polarity-switching and transformer network 102 and sensing the current conducted by the primary winding of the closely-coupled transformer. The proposed primary-side monitoring advantageously eliminates the need for a common ground reference between the primary and secondary sides of the closely-coupled transformer for accurate sensing of the load current. That is, lamps coupled to the secondary side of the closely-coupled transformer can advantageously operate in floating configurations. Alternately, any single point in the secondary side or among the lamps may be connected to ground without affecting the current-mode inverter functions. However, a ground connection may affect stray currents. The current-mode inverter directly controls lamp ignition by direct regulation of the lamp current. The current-mode inverter reliably ignites a lamp of any size or formulation over a wide temperature range and aging. The secondary winding of the closely-coupled transformer operates to automatically produce a sufficient voltage across the lamp to conduct the desired lamp current. The output impedance of the current-mode inverter is sufficiently high for stable operations under most conditions. The transition from lamp striking to normal operation is smooth with no changes in control techniques. The current-mode inverter accurately regulates the lamp current against supply voltage variations, wide temperature ranges and lamp aging. In one embodiment, the current-mode inverter tolerates 5:1 variations in the load impedance and provides input line voltage compliance over more than a 2:1 range. Thus, the current-mode inverter can be adapted to drive many differently sized backlight units. FIG. 2A is a simplified schematic of one embodiment of a current-mode inverter with a push-pull polarity-switching stage. The current-mode inverter includes a switching current regulator 218, a push-pull polarity-switching network, and a closely-coupled (or tightly-coupled) transformer 210. In one embodiment, the switching current regulator 218 includes a current switch (e.g., a P-FET) 200, a series inductor 202 and a catch diode 204. The current switch 200 is coupled between an input supply (DC POWER) and a first terminal of the series inductor 202. The catch diode 204 is coupled between the first terminal of the series inductor 202 and a ground return. A second terminal of the series inductor 202 outputs a regulated current (I-REG). In one embodiment, the push-pull polarity-switching network includes two semiconductor switches (e.g., N-FETs) 206, 208 with drain terminals coupled to respective opposite terminals of a primary winding of the closely-coupled transformer 210. Source terminals of the semiconductor switches 206, 208 are commonly connected and coupled to ground via a sensing resistor 214. The regulated current at the second terminal of the series inductor 202 is applied to a center tap of the closely-coupled transformer 210. A controller (not shown) outputs driving signals (A, B) to control the semiconductor switches 206, 208 in generating a primary AC current in the primary winding of the closely-coupled transformer 210. For example, the semiconductor switches 206, 208 alternately conduct to reverse the direction (or polarity) of the regulated current through the primary winding to generate the primary AC current. A corresponding secondary AC current flows through a secondary winding of the closely-coupled transformer 210 and delivers power to a lamp load 212 coupled across the secondary winding. The secondary AC current has a substantially identical wave shape as the primary AC current and proportional amplitude. The on states of the semiconductor switches 206, 208 overlap to continuously provide at least one current path for the regulated current. In one embodiment, both semiconductor switches 206, 208 remain on to stop generating the primary AC current, thereby disconnecting power to the lamp load 212 coupled across the secondary winding of the closely-coupled transformer 210. For example, power is not provided to the lamp load 212 in the event of a shorted lamp, a missing lamp or other fault conditions. Other polarity-switching topologies may also be used to generate the primary AC current. For example, a full-bridge topology is shown in FIG. 2B. The disclosed polarity-switching topologies advantageously do not include reactance components for non-resonant operation. Semiconductor switches are directly coupled to closely-coupled transformers. The series inductor 202 at the output of the switching current regulator 218 provides a high impedance upstream of the closely-coupled transformer 210 and push-pull polarity-switching network. The high impedance is referred by the closely-coupled transformer 210 as an even higher impedance as seen by the lamp load 212 coupled across the secondary winding of the closely-coupled transformer 210. This changes the nature of lamp ignition from a discontinuous “strike” phenomenon to a smooth event. For example, the voltage across the secondary winding of the closely-coupled transformer 210 automatically increases to ignite the lamp load 212. The current-mode inverter advantageously operates in a single continuous mode (e.g., at fixed frequencies) for striking and regulating power to the lamp load. The voltage across the secondary winding of the closely-coupled transformer 210 automatically produces sufficient voltage for the lamp load 212 to conduct the desired current. The lamp load 212 can be one lamp or a network (or array) of lamps. The lamp load 212 conducts the secondary AC current (or lamp current) which has substantially the same wave shape as the primary AC current with proportional amplitude. In one embodiment, the sensing (or shunt) resistor 214 monitors the primary AC current, thereby monitoring the lamp current. A feedback voltage (I-SENSE) across the sensing resistor 214 can be used for brightness control of the lamp load 212. For example, the feedback voltage can be used to control duty cycle or burst mode durations in the switching current regulator 218 or in the push-pull polarity switching network. A combination of adjustments may be made to provide a wide dimming range, which is helpful in automotive applications that compensate for wide variations in temperature and ambient light. In one embodiment, the feedback voltage is provided to a comparator circuit 216. The comparator circuit 216 may attenuate, rectify or filter the feedback voltage before comparison with a target current signal (TARGET CURRENT). The target current signal can be substantially constant with unpredictable variations or can be a periodic waveform. In one embodiment, the switching current regulator 218 operates in a hysteretic mode, and the comparator circuit 216 outputs a control signal to the current switch 200 to adjust the level of the regulated current in accordance with the target current signal. In one embodiment, the regulated current follows the wave shape of the target current signal. The hysteretic mode advantageously does not use a clock and is relatively simple to implement. However, other operating modes, as discussed above, are also possible. The closely-coupled transformer 210 is a power transformer and is suitable for driving large arrays of large lamps. The closely-coupled characteristic also prevents overshoots in voltages on the semiconductor switches 206, 208. In one embodiment, the semiconductor switches 206. 208 are both on (e.g., closed or conducting) during an idle state. When the semiconductor switches 206, 208 are both on, no net current flows through the primary winding of the closely-coupled transformer 210. The semiconductor switches 206, 208 may conduct an idle current limited by the switching current regulator 218. However, no current is provided to the lamp load 212 in the idle state. The lamp load 212 is advantageously short-safe. That is, shorting the lamp load 212 does not result in excessive current or damage to the current-mode inverter. The switching regulator 218 can provide fault protection in the event of a missing or faulty lamp load by limiting the regulated current. As discussed above, the lamp load 212 may include more than one lamp (e.g., an array of CCFLs) for backlighting a LCD. The lamp load 212 can be arranged in a variety of configurations, which advantageously allows large array of lamps to run from a single controller and a single power transformer (i.e., the closely-coupled transformer 210) in the current-mode inverter. In one embodiment, multiple lamps are coupled in series across the secondary winding of the closely-coupled transformer 210. Furthermore, the lamp load 212 may include optional capacitors coupled in series with the lamps or balancing transformers for current balancing groups of lamps. In a first embodiment, the lamp load includes a plurality of balancing (or load) transformers with primary windings coupled in series across the secondary winding of the closely-coupled transformer 210 and secondary windings separately coupled to one lamp or multiple lamps. In a second embodiment, the lamp load 212 includes a plurality of balancing transformers in a ring configuration. Secondary windings of the balancing transformers are coupled in series to form a closed loop in the ring configuration, while primary windings are coupled to different lamps to form parallel primary winding-lamp combinations across the secondary winding of the closely-coupled transformer 210. Further details of this second embodiment of the lamp load 212 are discussed in commonly-owned pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/958,668, entitled “A Current Sharing Scheme for Multiple CCF Lamp Operation,” which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. In a third embodiment, the lamp load 212 includes balancing transformers (or two-way transformers) to couple multiple lamps in a variety of tree topologies for balancing current among the multiple lamps. For example, the two-way transformers can be arranged in a simple tree structure to split a single output current into multiple substantially equal currents for powering the multiple lamps. The two-way transformers can be coupled on one end of the lamps or split between both ends of the lamps. Further details of this third embodiment of the lamp load 212 are discussed in commonly-owned pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/970,243, entitled “Systems and Methods for a Transformer Configuration with a Tree Topology for Current Balancing in Gas Discharge Lamps,” which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. FIG. 2B illustrates alternate embodiments for circuits shown in FIG. 2A. The current-mode inverter of FIG. 2B illustrates an alternate embodiment of a switching current regulator 230 which replaces the catch diode 204 with a semiconductor switch 232. An alternate embodiment of a comparator circuit 234 outputs two PWM control signals to respectively drive the current switch 200 and the semiconductor 232. Finally, an alternate embodiment of the polarity-switching stage is illustrated with four semiconductor switches 220, 222, 224, 226 in a full-bridge configuration. In the embodiment of FIG. 2B, the polarity-switching stage includes the four semiconductor switches 220, 222, 224, 226 directly coupled to a primary winding of a transformer (e.g., a closely-coupled transformer) 228 in a full-bridge configuration for non-resonant operation. The four semiconductor switches 220, 222, 224, 226 are controlled by respective gate control signals (A, B, C, D) coupled to their gate terminals. The gate control signals can be provided by a PWM controller, which is not shown for clarity of illustration. In the embodiment of FIG. 2B, the top semiconductor switches 220, 226 are p-type FETs (i.e., P-FETs) with respective source terminals commonly connected to an output of the switching current regulator 230. The top semiconductor switches 220, 226 can alternately be n-type FETs (i.e., N-FETs) with respective drain terminals commonly connected to the output of the switching current regulator 230 and with suitable adjustments to the levels of the respective gate control signals (A, D) for driving N-FETs. In the embodiment of FIG. 2B, the bottom semiconductor switches 222, 224 are N-FETs with respective source terminals commonly connected and coupled through the sensing resistor 214 to ground. The drain terminals of semiconductor switches 220, 222 are directly coupled to one terminal of the primary winding of the transformer 228. The drain terminals of the semiconductor switches 224, 226 are directly coupled to an opposite terminal of the primary winding of the transformer 228. The switching current regulator 230 outputs a regulated current (I-REG), and the semiconductor switches 220, 222, 224, 226 alternately conduct in pairs to couple the regulated current through the primary winding of the transformer 228 in alternate sense to generate a primary AC current. For example, the first pair of semiconductor switches 220, 224 are closed (or on) while the second pair of semiconductor switches 222, 226 are opened (or off) to allow the primary winding to conduct the regulated current in a first direction (or polarity). Then, the first pair of semiconductor switches 220, 224 are opened while the second pair of semiconductor switches 222, 226 are closed to allow the primary winding to conduct the regulated current in a second polarity. The primary AC current through the primary winding results from periodically alternating the conduction states between the first pair of semiconductor switches 220, 224 and the second pair of semiconductor switches 222, 226. A corresponding secondary AC current flows through a secondary winding of the transformer 228 to power the lamp load 212 coupled across the secondary winding. In one embodiment, the conduction (or on) states between the first pair of semiconductor switches 220, 224 and the second pair of semiconductor switches 224, 226 overlap between alternating states to continuously provided a current path for the regulated current to ground. Both pairs of semiconductor switches 220, 222, 224, 226 remain on in an inactive state to stop the primary winding from conducting current, The inactive state occurs when power to the lamp load 212 is not desired (e.g., to turn off the lamp load or in case of a missing or faulty lamp load). FIG. 3A is a simplified schematic of one embodiment of a two-stage current-mode inverter. The simplified schematic of FIG. 3A is substantially similar to the simplified schematic of FIG. 2A with an additional rectifier circuit and a full-bridge high-level switching network. Thus, the two-stage current-mode inverter has two switching stages. The first switching stage, a push-pull switching network, is coupled on a primary side of a transformer (e.g., a closely-coupled transformer) 310. The first switching stage includes two semiconductor switches (e.g., N-FETs) 306, 308 with respective drain terminals coupled to opposite terminals of a primary winding of the transformer 310. Source terminals of the semiconductor switches 306, 308 are commonly connected and coupled to ground via a sensing resistor 314. The voltage across the sensing resistor 314 is provided as a feedback signal (I-SENSE) to a non-inverting input of a comparator circuit 316. An input control signal (TARGET CURRENT) is provided to an inverting input of the comparator circuit 316. The comparator circuit 316 controls a switching current regulator 318 to generate a regulated current (I-REG). The switching current regulator 318 is substantially similar to the switching current regulator 218 shown in FIG. 2A with a corresponding current switch 300, series inductor 302 and catch diode 304. In one embodiment, the regulated current is substantially constant during steady state operation with its amplitude determined by the input control signal (TARGET CURRENT). The regulated current is provided to a center tap of the transformer 310. The semiconductor switches 306, 308 alternately conduct to reverse the direction of the regulated current through the primary winding to generate a primary square wave driving current. A secondary winding of the transformer 310 conducts a secondary square wave driving current with a proportional amplitude and a relatively high AC voltage. The rectifier circuit is coupled across the secondary winding of the transformer 310 to rectify the secondary square wave driving current into a substantially DC current source at relatively high voltage. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, the rectifier circuit is a full-wave bridge rectifier implemented by four diodes 320, 322, 324, 326. The second switching stage (i.e., the full-bridge high-level switching network) is coupled between outputs of the rectifier circuit and a lamp load 312. The second switching stage includes four semiconductor switches (S1, S2, S3, S4) 328, 330, 332, 334 directly coupled to the lamp load 312 for non-resonant operation. The semiconductor switches 328, 330, 332, 334 alternately conduct in pairs (e.g., S1 and S3, S2 and S4) to generate a square wave load current (or lamp current) through the lamp load 312. The first switching stage advantageously operates at relatively high frequencies to generate a high voltage AC current power across the secondary winding of the transformer 310. High frequency operations (e.g., 2 Megahertz) reduce the size of magnetic components (e.g., the series inductor 302 and the transformer 310). In one embodiment, the first switching stage operates in a frequency range of 100 kilohertz to 4 Megahertz. The second switching stage advantageously operations at relatively low frequencies (e.g., 250 hertz) to generate the lamp current directly across the lamp load 312. Low frequency operations reduce switching loss, which is proportional to frequency, and stray currents from the lamp load 312 to chassis. In one embodiment, the second switching stage operates in a frequency range of 100 hertz to 4 kilohertz. In one application, the second switching stage operates at approximately 400 hertz. Furthermore, the low frequency operations of the second switching stage improve luminous efficiency by reducing lamp current crest factor closer to an ideal value of one. The lamp crest factor is defined as a ratio of the peak lamp current level to a root-mean-square (RMS) lamp current level. The lamp crest factor improves when rise and fall times as percentages of the period decrease for the lamp current. The rise and fall times of the lamp current are substantially limited by the transition times of the semiconductor switches 328, 330, 332, 334 and are substantially the same across frequencies. Thus, lower frequency provides a longer period and results in better lamp current crest factor. In one embodiment, the semiconductor switches 306, 308 in the first switching stage operate with overlapping closures to facilitate stable current-mode operations. The semiconductor switches 328, 330, 332, 334 can also operate with overlapping closures. In one embodiment, the semiconductor switches 306, 308 of the first switching stage are continuously closed during an idle state in which power is not provided to the lamp load 312. The semiconductor switches 328, 330, 332, 334 can also be closed during the idle state. FIG. 3B is a simplified schematic of another embodiment of a current-mode inverter with two switching stages. The two-stage current-mode inverter of FIG. 3B is substantially similar to the two-stage current-mode inverter of FIG. 3A with the exceptions that the first switching stage uses a full-bridge topology instead of the push-pull topology and the rectifier circuit includes a pair of half-wave voltage doublers 346, 348 instead of the full-wave bridge rectifier. The following discussion focuses on these differences. In one embodiment, the first switching stage uses four transistors 336, 338, 340 342 to implement the full-bridge topology. A pair of p-type transistors 336, 342 is coupled between the output of the switching current regulator 318 and respective ends of a primary winding of a transformer 344. A pair of n-type transistors 338, 340 is coupled between the respective ends of the primary winding and a feedback terminal. The feedback terminal is coupled to ground via the sensing resistor 314. The transistors 336, 338, 340 342 alternately conduct to couple the regulated current in alternate sense through the primary winding to generate a primary AC current. In one embodiment, the regulated current is substantially constant, and the primary AC current has a substantially square wave shape and is associated with relatively low voltage amplitude. A corresponding secondary AC current flows through a secondary winding of the transformer 344. The secondary AC current follows the wave shape of the primary AC current and is associated with relatively high voltage amplitude with a peak voltage of Vx. The two half-wave voltage doublers 346, 348 are coupled across the secondary winding to rectify the secondary AC current into a high voltage DC current source for the second switching stage. The voltage amplitude across the rectifier outputs associated with the high voltage DC current source is approximately four times the peak voltage associated with the secondary AC current. In one embodiment, each of the half-wave doublers 346, 348 includes two diodes, a charging capacitor, and an output capacitor. For example, the first half-wave doubler (or positive doubler) 346 includes a first charging capacitor 350, a first output capacitor 352, a first diode 354 and a second diode 356. The first charging capacitor 350 is coupled between a first (or high-side) terminal of the secondary winding and an anode of the first diode 354. A cathode of the first diode 354 is coupled to a first (or positive) output of the rectifier circuit. The second diode 356 has an anode coupled to a second (or low-side) terminal of the secondary winding and a cathode coupled to the anode of the first diode 354. The first output capacitor 352 is coupled between the low-side terminal of the secondary winding and the positive output of the rectifier circuit. During a negative cycle of the secondary AC current, with respect to the high-side terminal of the secondary winding, the first charging capacitor 350 is charged through the second diode 356. During a positive cycle of the secondary AC current, the voltage across the first charging capacitor 350 adds in phase with the voltage across the secondary winding and charges the first output capacitor 352 to a positive potential that is about twice the peak amplitude across the secondary winding (e.g., +2Vx with respect to the low-side terminal of the secondary winding). The second half-wave doubler (or negative doubler) 348 includes a second charging capacitor 358, a second output capacitor 360, a third diode 362 and a fourth diode 364. The second charging capacitor 358 is coupled between the high-side terminal of the secondary winding and a cathode of the third diode 362. An anode of the third diode 362 is coupled to a second (or negative) output of the rectifier circuit. The fourth diode 364 has a cathode coupled to the low-side terminal of the secondary winding and an anode coupled to the cathode of the third diode 362. The second output capacitor 360 is coupled between the low-side terminal of the secondary winding and the negative output of the rectifier circuit. The negative doubler 348 works in substantially the same manner as the positive doubler 346 but in opposite phase to produce a negative potential that is twice the peak amplitude across the secondary winding (e.g., −2Vx with respect to the low-side terminal of the secondary winding). The negative potential is provided at the negative output of the rectifier circuit. The outputs of the rectifier circuit (or the half-wave doublers 346, 348) are coupled to the lamp load 312 via the second switching stage. In one embodiment, the output capacitors 352, 360 of the half-wave doublers 346, 348 can be eliminated if there is sufficient capacitance in the lamp load 312. A ground reference may be optionally connected at various points between the secondary winding of the transformer 344 and the lamp load 312. In one embodiment, the ground reference is connected to the low-side terminal of the secondary winding for balanced rectifier outputs to drive a floating lamp load 312. The balanced rectifier outputs (e.g., +2Vx at the positive output and −2Vx at the negative output) advantageously minimizes the highest potential in the current-mode inverter to be approximately half of the amplitude across the lamp load 312 for safer operations and less corona discharge from the lamps to chassis. In another embodiment, the ground reference is connected to the negative output of the rectifier circuit for a single-ended connection to the lamp load 312. In yet another embodiment, the ground reference is connected to one terminal of the lamp load 312. Similar ground connections can also be made in the current-mode inverters illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3A. In one embodiment, the switching current regulator 318, the first switching stage and the second switching stage are advantageously controlled by a common controller. The control signals for the first and second switching stages can be phase-locked or can be independently generated with no phase relationship. The common controller can be implemented in an integrated circuit. The current-mode inverters described above offer wide dimming ranges. Multiple dimming (or brightness control) methods (e.g., current amplitude adjustments, pulse width variations, burst mode) are available for flexible control and to maintain a desired brightness over aging, temperature and ambient light variations. For example, dimming can be achieved by adjusting the level of the regulated current. One method varies the reference current (or the target current) to vary the amplitude of the regulated current at the output of the switching current regulator 318. Another method varies the switching duty cycle in the switching current regulator 318 to vary the average amplitude of the regulated current. Dimming can also be achieved by changing the switching duty cycle in any of the switching stages between the switching current regulator 318 and the lamp load 312. Moreover, dimming can be implemented by operating the switching current regulator 318 or any of the switching stages in burst mode and varying the burst durations. In one embodiment, a combination of dimming methods is used for an expanded dimming range. FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of one embodiment of a controller for a current-mode inverter. The controller advantageously includes a current profile generator 406 to allow the current-mode inverter to synthesize flexible current waveforms (e.g., programmable lamp current amplitude and wave shaping). In one embodiment, the controller also includes a clock generator 400 and a register state machine 402. The clock generator 400 outputs a triangular timing waveform (TRI) with oscillation characteristics determined by a resistor (R_OSC) and a capacitor (C_OSC). The triangular timing waveform is provided to the register state machine 402, which outputs signals to control the operations of the current profile generator 406. In one embodiment, the current profile generator 406 produces a profile signal (PROFILE-OUT) in a variety of programmable waveform shapes defined by at least a slope capacitor (C-SLOPE), an optional slope resistor (R-SLOPE), and two input control signals (BRITE-W, BRITE-H). For example, the slope capacitor and input control signals define a rising slope, a plateau, and a falling slope of the profile signal. In one embodiment, the profile signal is provided to an input current regulator to generate a regulated current with the programmed waveform shape for the current-mode inverter. In one application, an optional attenuation circuit 418 conditions the profile signal for comparison with a feedback signal (I-SENSE) by a comparator circuit 426 that outputs a driving signal (V-CONTROL) to the input current regulator. For example, the optional attenuation circuit 418 includes two resistors 420, 422 configured as a voltage-divider to reduce the amplitude range of the profile signal to match the amplitude range of the feedback signal. The feedback signal may be representative of a load current, and the conditioned profile signal (TARGET CURRENT) represents the desired load current. The attenuation circuit 418 optionally includes a pre-emphasis capacitor 424 inserted between the resistor 422 and ground to pre-emphasize the profile signal. The pre-emphasis capacitor 424 is periodically discharged by an output signal (DUMP) from the current profile generator 406 and provides an upslope to the plateau sections of the profile signal to compensate for magnetization current in a transformer of the current-mode inverter. In one embodiment, the comparator circuit 426 is a hysteretic PWM circuit that controls the input current regulator to produce a regulated current that follows the shape of the conditioned profile signal. The regulated current is coupled to a lamp load without significant distortion and in alternate sense using a non-resonant switching network and a high bandwidth, closely-coupled transformer. Thus, the current profile generator 406 advantageously allows direct control of the lamp current wave shape, thereby direct control of lamp current crest factor. The lamp current crest factor can be optimized to increase luminous efficiency of a lamp while extending the lamp's useful life. In one embodiment, the controller further includes a polarity-switching generator (PWM/POLARITY GATING) 404. The polarity-switching generator 404 produces driving signals (A, B, C, D) for the non-resonant switching network with reference to the triangular timing waveform. In one application, the polarity-switching generator 404 is controlled by signals from the register state machine 402. The outputs of the polarity-switching generator 404 may be provided to level-shifters or buffer circuits 408, 410, 412, 414 to provide appropriate driving levels to semiconductor switches in the non-resonant switching network. In yet another embodiment, the controller includes a fault processor 416. The fault processor 416 monitors a variety of feedback signals to determine if a fault exists and outputs a fault signal (FLT) to the polarity-switching generator 404 to implement a shut-down sequence. For example, the fault processor 416 monitors a voltage feedback signal (V-SENSE) for occurrence of open lamp conditions after striking. The fault processor 416 also monitors the current feedback signal (I-SENSE) and the profile signal to determine possible faults in the current regulator. The fault processor 416 can monitor other signals to generate the fault signal and initiate the shut-down sequence. The shut-down sequence includes turning on the semiconductor switches in the non-resonant switching network to stop the deliver of power to the load. The shut-down sequence may also include reducing the regulated current to substantially zero. FIG. 5 illustrates timing waveforms associated with one embodiment for generating a profile signal using the current profile generator 406. A first graph 500 shows a triangular timing waveform (TRI). A second graph 502 shows a first logic waveform (I-GATE). A third graph 504 shows a second logic waveform (DUMP). As discussed above, the second logic waveform is used to periodically discharge the optional pre-emphasis capacitor 424. The third graph 504 shows that the second logic waveform is a narrow-width signal that activates for a predetermined duration (Tmin) near each negative peak of the triangular timing waveform. In an alternate embodiment, the second logic waveform substantially follows the first logic waveform, and discharges the optional pre-emphasis capacitor 424 when the first logic waveform is low. A fourth graphs 506 shows a profile signal (PROFILE-OUT). A fifth graph 508 and a sixth graph 510 show driving signals (A, B) for a switching network. The triangular timing waveform is used a time base (or a reference waveform) for generating the profile signal and the driving signals. Two substantially identical wave shapes in the profile signal are produced for every cycle of the driving signals. In one embodiment, each cycle of the driving signals corresponds to a cycle in the load current. Each wave shape in the profile signal is symmetric about the positive peaks of the triangular timing waveform. The wave shapes of the profile signal have multiple, user programmable, features (e.g., frequency, pulse width, pulse height, rise and fall slopes, etc.). The frequency can be set by adjusting the frequency of the triangular timing waveform, which is controlled by the oscillation resistor (R_OSC) and the oscillation capacitor (C_OSC). The pulse width can be set by a first control signal (BRITE-W). An inversion of the first control signal is shown overlaying the triangular timing waveform as graph 512. The first logic waveform has logic transitions at times when the triangular timing waveform crosses the inverted version of the first control signal and represents the pulse width of the profile signal. In one embodiment, the pulse width is limited to be no greater than 95% of the period. The pulse height can be set by a second control signals (BRITE-H). In one embodiment, the pulse height is limited to range from near zero to about ⅔ of the amplitude of the triangular timing waveform (e.g., approximately zero to 2.5 volts). The rise and fall slopes can be set by the slope capacitor (C-SLOPE) and optionally the slope resistor (R-SLOPE). Referring to the graph 506 of FIG. 5, the profile signal is synthesized from three straight lines comprising a leading edge, a plateau, and a falling edge. The leading edge begins when the rising portion of the triangular timing waveform crosses the inverted version of the first control signal (e.g., at time t1). At this time, a positive slope current source charges the slope capacitor with a predetermined current or a current set by the optional slope resistor. When the voltage across the slope capacitor reaches the level of the second control signal (e.g., at time t2), the positive slope current source is turned off and the plateau begins. The level (H1) of the triangular timing waveform at time t2 is noted. When the falling portion of the triangular timing waveform crosses the noted level (e.g., at time t3), the falling edge begins to produce a symmetrical wave shape with respect to the positive peak of the triangular timing waveform. In one embodiment in which the profile signal controls a regulated current for powering a lamp, the first control signal and the second control signal can be independently adjusted to vary the brightness of the lamp. For example, the pulse width of the profile signal increases with increasing level of the first control signal, and the amplitude of the profile signal increases with increasing level of the second control signal. The graph 506 shows two relatively bigger pulses generated with the first control signal and the second control signal at one level followed by two relatively smaller pulses generated with the first control signal and the second control signal at lower levels. As discussed above, every two substantially identical cycles of the profile signal corresponds to one cycle of AC current through the lamp. Polarity reversing for every other cycle is accomplished in a polarity-switching network. The graphs 508, 510 show driving signals (A, B) to semiconductor switches in one embodiment of the polarity-switching network. The driving signals are alternately active and change states with overlapping “on” times between each cycle of the profile signal. For example, the first driving signal is active (high) while the second driving signal is inactive (or low) during the first cycle from time t1 to time t4. The driving signals then change states before the next cycle. The inactive driving signal changes before the active driving signal to provide a null state between cycles with both driving signals active. In one embodiment, the inactive driving signal changes to an active driving state at about the negative peak of the triangular timing waveform (e.g., at time t5). The active driving state changes to an inactive driving state at about the start of the leading edge of the profile signal (e.g., at time t6). FIG. 6 is a flow chart to illustrate the various states that one embodiment of the register state machine 402 cycles through to generate the profile signal. For example, the register state machine 402 repeatedly and sequentially goes through a zero state, a rising state, a holding state and a falling state. The zero state corresponds to a zero output of the profile signal, which occurs when the triangular timing waveform is less than the inverted first control signal. The driving signals for the polarity-switching network are configured to change during the zero state. The rising state corresponds to a rising edge of the profile signal. The rising state starts when a rising portion of the triangular timing waveform crosses the level of the inverted first control signal. The profile signal rises at a controllable rate and the slope capacitor charges at a predetermined rate during the rising state. The profile signal stops rising and the slope capacitor stops charging when the voltage across the slope capacitor reaches a level defined by the second control signal. The holding state begins when the slope capacitor stops charging. The holding state corresponds to a plateau of the profile signal in which the profile signal is held substantially constant. The level of the still rising triangular timing waveform is noted at the beginning of the holding state. When the triangular timing waveform crosses the noted level during a falling portion of the triangular timing waveform, the holding state stops. The falling state follows the holding state. The falling sate corresponds to the falling edge of the profile signal. The slope capacitor discharges while the level of the profile signal falls. The slope capacitor returns to its initial value and the profile signal is approximately zero at about the time the triangular timing waveform becomes less than the inverter first control signal. The next zero state begins. The profile signal can advantageously can be used to generate a lamp current with an arbitrary wave shape (e.g., a sine wave, a square wave, a trapezoidal wave, etc.), independent of lamp characteristics, to optimize luminous efficiency or to reduce EMI. In one embodiment, a square wave lamp current is applied to a lamp, resulting in a lamp current crest factor that approaches unity and improves luminous efficiency in comparison to a sine wave lamp current which has a lamp current crest factor of approximately 1.4. The low crest factor from the square wave lamp current and high efficiency of a closely-coupled transformer in the current-mode inverter can provide more nits/watt than traditional sine wave lamp currents. Correspondingly, fewer lamps in multi-lamp LCD backlight assemblies may be used to achieve about the same brightness. Programmable lamp current waveforms can also enable low EMI solutions. In one embodiment, a trapezoidal current waveform with relatively slow rise and fall times drives the lamp, resulting in relatively low lamp current crest factor (e.g., 1.1-1.3). A square waveform is defined by steep leading and falling edges (or relatively fast rise and fall times of less than one microsecond for the profile signal or less than two microseconds for the lamp current). A trapezoidal waveform is defined by relatively slower rise and fall times (e.g., more than one microsecond for the profile signal and more than two microseconds for the lamp current). A triangular waveform is defined by substantially no plateau. Since the current-mode inverter operates in non-resonance, sine waveforms also need to be synthesized. In prior art synthesizers, a sine waveform is typically converted from a triangular waveform using a complicated array of diodes and resistors to form a piecewise approximation. Because of the diodes, the conversion circuitry is quite temperature sensitive. FIG. 7 illustrates a novel method to generate a sine waveform from a trapezoidal waveform. For example, a sine waveform can be approximated using a predefined trapezoidal waveform synthesized by the current profile generator 406. The trapezoidal waveform has a maximum allowable pulse width, a pulse height that is approximately ⅔ of the peak voltage of the triangular timing waveform, and substantially the same rise and fall slopes as the triangular timing waveform. A graph 700 illustrates the proposed trapezoidal waveform, which is approximately the triangular timing waveform clipped at about ⅔ of its peak height. By inverting and repeating this shape, the resulting trapezoidal waveform contains no third harmonics of the fundamental sine wave half-cycle. Thus, a full cycle of a trapezoidal AC waveform containing no harmonics lower than a fifth harmonic is formed. The trapezoidal AC waveform can be filtered by small reactive components or by small reactances of other components to produce a sinusoidal AC waveform, shown as graph 702, with reduced harmonics or an acceptable level of THD. A graph 704 shows the difference between the trapezoidal AC waveform and the resulting sinusoidal AC waveform. FIG. 8 is a simplified schematic of one embodiment of a current-mode driver that drives multiple loads using a time-sharing technique. The current-mode driver includes an input current regulator 800 and a time-sharing switching network 802. The input current regulator 800 shown in FIG. 8 is substantially similar to the current regulators shown in previous figures with a current switch (e.g., P-FET) 812, a series inductor 818 and a catch diode 816. A controller 814 controls the current switch 812 to generate a regulated current for the time-sharing switching network 802. Other current regulator configurations that offer flexible compliance output voltages to accommodate changing loads may also be used. In one embodiment, the time-sharing switching network 802 includes a string of semiconductor switches 820, 822, 824, 826 coupled in series across an output of the input current regulator 800. Although the embodiment of FIG. 8 shows four semiconductor switches, more or less semiconductor switches can be coupled to the input current regulator 800. The semiconductor switches 820, 822, 824, 826 are logically controlled to deliver power of substantially the same polarity to different loads (e.g., light sources in a backlight system) 804, 806, 808, 810 coupled across the respective semiconductor switches 820, 822, 824, 826. For example, each of the semiconductor switches 820, 822, 824, 826 can close to isolate (or bypass) its associated load or open to allow the associated load to conduct the regulated current. The semiconductor switches 820, 822, 824, 826 can have overlapping or under-lapping “on” times. In one embodiment, the semiconductor switches 820, 822, 824, 826 operate in a make-before-break action with overlapping switch closures. No power is provided to any of the loads when all of the semiconductor switches are shorted (or closed). In one embodiment, the current-mode driver is used to power an array of LEDs in a backlight system. The semiconductor switches 820, 822, 824, 826 selectively provide the regulated current to different portions of the array. For example, each of the loads 804, 806, 808, 810 across the respective semiconductor switches 820, 822, 824, 826 includes a plurality of LEDs connected in series to form a horizontal row in the array. As shown in FIG. 8, each of the rows can have the same or a different number of LEDs. One horizontal row of LEDs is shorted at a time by closing the associated semiconductor switch in the time-sharing switching network 802. In one embodiment, the closures proceed in sequence (e.g., from top to bottom) in synchronism with a vertical sweep of a LCD screen. The sequential blanking minimizes backlight for the portion of the screen that is in the process of changing, thereby decreasing motion artifact in the LCD. In one embodiment, the regulated current is greater than the rated current of the LEDs. The semiconductor switches 820, 822, 824, 826 can be controlled by a PWM circuit to increase “on” duty cycles of the semiconductor switches 820, 822, 824, 826 to compensate for the increased regulated current. The regulated current is not provided to the load when the associated semiconductor switch is “on.” For example, the LEDs can be run at 1.33 times their rated current for ¾ of the time without exceeding average rated power. While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a current-mode driver for powering different light sources in a backlight system. 2. Description of the Related Art Inverter controllers for driving lamps typically regulate the voltage across each lamp and any series-connected ballast capacitor or inductor. The voltage regulation technique makes striking the lamp and regulating the lamp current difficult to achieve without costly and complex circuitry. For example, a lamp driver typically includes a starting algorithm that is different from steady state operations to light the lamp. The starting algorithm usually runs at a higher frequency and uses strike detection circuits that complicate the lamp driver design. Furthermore, gas discharge lamps have a negative resistance characteristic, and the lamp driver typically needs some degree of resonance to achieve sufficient high impedance for smooth operation after striking the lamp. Tuning the lamp with shunt capacitance across primary or secondary windings of an output transformer in the lamp driver is common.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention proposes an efficient and flexible current-mode driver for delivering power to one or more light sources in a backlight system. Backlight is needed to illuminate a screen to make a visible display in liquid crystal display (LCD) applications, such as a LCD television, a desk top monitor, an automotive display, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, etc. In one embodiment, fluorescent lamps are used as the light sources in the backlight system, and a current-mode inverter generates a regulated current to drive the fluorescent lamps. The regulated current helps to generate a stable light output and to maintain a long operating life for the fluorescent lamps. The current-mode inverter advantageously operates in a single continuous operating mode for both striking and regulating power to a lamp, such as a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL). In other words, no dedicated circuits or algorithms are needed to strike the lamp. The single continuous mode of operation simplifies the number of functions supported by a current-mode controller in the current-mode inverter. In one embodiment, the current-mode controller has less than half as many functions as a voltage-mode controller and can be implemented using approximately half as much chip area. In addition, the current-mode inverter has direct control over the lamp current, thus eliminating the need for tuning or other accommodations to account for different lamps or aging of lamps. In one embodiment, the current-mode inverter includes a current regulator, a non-resonant (or direct-drive) switching network, and a closely-coupled output transformer. The current regulator accepts a direct current (DC) voltage and outputs a regulated current. The non-resonant switching network is directly coupled to the closely-coupled output transformer and produces an alternating current (AC) driving current by periodically alternating conduction paths for the regulated current. The closely-coupled output transformer conducts the AC driving current in a primary winding and a corresponding load current in a secondary winding. The load current has a substantially identical wave shape as the AC driving current with a proportional amplitude. Thus, the current-mode inverter has direct control over the load current. In one embodiment, a current-mode inverter (e.g., a multi-stage switching inverter) has two switching stages to drive a lamp load in a backlight system. The multi-stage switching inverter includes a first switching stage, a rectifier circuit and a second switching stage. The first switching stage operates at relatively high frequency to periodically couple an input current. (e.g., a DC current) through a primary winding of a transformer in alternating sense to generate a primary AC driving current. The secondary winding of the transformer conducts a proportional secondary AC driving current with a relatively high AC voltage. The rectifier circuit is coupled across the secondary winding to generate a relatively high voltage and substantially DC current source. The second switching stage is coupled between the rectifier circuit and a lamp load. The second switching stage includes semiconductor switches directly coupled to the lamp load and operates at relatively low frequency to generate an AC lamp current through the lamp load. In one embodiment, the AC lamp current has a substantially square wave shape. The relatively high frequency operation of the first switching stage (or power switching stage) advantageously reduces size of components (e.g., the transformer). In one embodiment, the first switching stage operates in a frequency range of 100 kilohertz to 4 Megahertz. In one application, the first switching stage operates at approximately 2 Megahertz. The relatively low frequency operation of the second switching stage (or polarity switching stage) advantageously improves efficiency (e.g., by reducing switching loss or by reducing crest factor in load current). In one embodiment, the second switching stage operates in a frequency range of 100 hertz to 4 kilohertz. In one application, the second switching stage operates at approximately 400 hertz. In one embodiment, a controller for a current-mode inverter outputs a current profile signal to an input current regulator. The input current regulator uses the current profile signal to produce a regulated current with a substantially identical wave shape and proportional amplitude. The current profile signal can be programmed for a variety of wave shapes (e.g., sine wave, square wave, trapezoidal wave, triangular wave) and amplitudes to optimize efficiency or to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) for specific applications. In one embodiment, the controller includes a clock generator, a current profile generator, and a register state machine to generate the current profile signal. The clock generator outputs a periodic timing (e.g., triangular) waveform, and the register state machine controls the operation of the current profile generator with reference to the periodic timing waveform. In one embodiment, the current profile generator uses at least two input control signals (e.g., BRITE-W, BRITE-H) and a slope capacitor to determine the wave shape and amplitude of the current profile signal. The amplitude of the current profile signal is periodically set to zero during a zero (or reset) state near the beginning of each cycle of a triangular timing waveform. When the voltage of the triangular timing waveform exceeds the voltage of the first input control signal (e.g., BRITE-W), the current profile signal begins a rising state with its amplitude increasing at a predetermined rising rate. The slope capacitor charges during the rising state. When the voltage across the charging slope capacitor exceeds the voltage of the second input control signal (e.g., BRITE-H), the slope capacitor stops charging. The current profile signal also stops rising in amplitude and begins a plateau state by holding its amplitude at a substantially constant level. The voltage of the triangular timing waveform is noted at or near the beginning of the plateau state. The plateau state ends and the current profile signal begins a falling state in which its amplitude starts fall at a predetermined falling rate at or near the time that the voltage of the triangular timing waveform becomes less than the noted voltage at the beginning of the plateau state. The slope capacitor discharges during the falling state. The slope capacitor finishes discharging and the amplitude of the current profile signal returns to zero at approximately the time that the voltage of the triangular timing waveform becomes less than the first input control signal. The current profile generator advantageously allows for selectable rise and fall slopes for the current profile signal. For example, the rise and fall slopes are determined by the two input control signals (BRITE-W, BRITE-H), the slope capacitor and an optional slope resistor. In one embodiment, the rise and fall times are programmed to be less than one microsecond for a current profile signal with a square wave shape. In another embodiment, the rise and fall times exceed one microsecond for a current profile signal with a trapezoidal wave shape. In yet another embodiment, the current profile signal has a special trapezoidal wave shape that substantially follows the wave shape of the triangular timing waveform with its amplitude clipped at ⅔ of the peak amplitude of the triangular timing waveform. The special trapezoidal waveform can be subsequently filtered by small reactive components to produce a sine wave with reduced harmonics (e.g., substantially no harmonics less than the 5 th harmonic). In one embodiment, a current-mode driver delivers power to a plurality of light sources in a backlight system by providing a regulated current to a network of semiconductor switches coupled in series and the light sources coupled across the respective semiconductor switches. Each of the semiconductor switches individually closes to isolate its associated light source from the regulated current or selectively opens to allow the associated load to conduct the regulated current. In one embodiment, the network of semiconductor switches uses a time sharing technique to selectively provide the regulated current to different portions of an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) used to backlight a LCD. For example, a string of series-connected LEDs corresponding to a row in the array is coupled across each semiconductor switch. The semiconductor switches periodically close in sequential order to minimize backlight in portions of the LCD that is currently updating its image. The time sharing technique advantageously allows a single current source to power banks (or arrays) of series-coupled light sources. It should be noted that the applications of the current-mode drivers described above are not limited to lamps or LEDs. The current-mode drivers can also be applied to other types of loads in which current mode operation or direct control of load current is desired. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
20041214
20070703
20050721
63591.0
10
PHILOGENE, HAISSA
METHOD AND APPARATUS TO DRIVE LED ARRAYS USING TIME SHARING TECHNIQUE
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
2,004
11,011,817
ACCEPTED
FIRECRACKER SIMULATING DEVICE
A firecracker simulating device includes a plate, an actuating device attached to the plate and extended outwardly from the plate, a number of balloons are strung together, and a forcing device may be used for forcing the balloons to engage with the actuating device, to have the balloons to be pierced by the actuating device, and to generate sounds of explosion. The balloons may be strung together with a wire. The wire may be engaged through an opening of the plate and pulled by the users. A bar may be attached to the plate, for attaching the plate to supporting members, and includes a ring, the wire may be engaged through the ring. A weight member or a flag may be attached to the wire.
1. A firecracker simulating device comprising: a plate including an actuating device attached thereto and extended outwardly therefrom, a plurality of balloons strung together, and means for forcing said balloons to engage with said actuating device, to have said balloons to be pierced by said actuating device, and to generate sounds of explosion; wherein said forcing means includes a wire to string said balloons together; the firecracker simulating device further comprising a bar attached to said plate, for attaching said plate to supporting members. 2. (canceled) 3. The firecracker simulating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plate includes an opening formed therein, said wire is engaged through said opening of said plate. 4. (canceled) 5. The firecracker simulating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bar includes a ring attached thereto, said wire is engaged through said ring. 6. The firecracker simulating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bar includes at least one rod extended therefrom and secured to said plate. 7. A firecracker simulating device comprising: a plate including an actuating device attached thereto and extended outwardly therefrom, a plurality of balloons strung together, and means for forcing said balloons to engage with said actuating device, to have said balloons to be pierced by said actuating device, and to generate sounds of explosion; wherein said forcing means includes a wire to string said balloons together; the firecracker simulating device further comprising a weight member attached to said wire. 8. The firecracker simulating device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said weight member is a flag. 9. A firecracker simulating device comprising: a plate including an actuating device attached thereto and extended outwardly therefrom, a plurality of balloons strung together, and means for forcing said balloons to engage with said actuating device, to have said balloons to be pierced by said actuating device, and to generate sounds of explosion; wherein said forcing means includes a wire to string said balloons together; the firecracker simulating device further comprising at least one ribbon attached to said plate, and dependent from said plate, and engaged with said balloons, to retain said balloons in plate.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a firecracker simulating device, and more particularly to a firecracker simulating device for generating explosion or firing of firecrackers without generating smoke or gunpowder and dirt. 2. Description of the Prior Art Typical firecrackers comprise explosive charges or dynamite disposed therein which are dangerous and which may have a good chance to be exploded or fired inadvertently by fire or even by sun shine. In addition, after explosion or firing, poisonous niter, or smoke of gunpowder, and/or sulphur materials, carbon chips, and paper chips may be generated, which may pollute our environment, and/or may hurt people. Due to the dangerous explosive charges or dynamite, and due to the explosive characteristics, the typical firecrackers have been banned in many countries. However, explosion or firing of the firecrackers is normally required for ceremonies. For avoiding the poisonous niter, or smoke of gunpowder, and/or sulphur materials, carbon chips, and paper chips, an electric firecracker simulating device has been developed and includes a tape recorded explosion or firing of the firecrackers, which may be selectively played by users. However, people may not feel the explosion or firing of the firecrackers with the tape recorded explosion or firing of the firecrackers. The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional firecracker simulating devices. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a firecracker simulating device for generating explosion or firing of firecrackers without generating smoke or gunpowder and without generating dirt. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a firecracker simulating device comprising a plate including an actuating device attached thereto and extended outwardly therefrom, a plurality of balloons strung together, and a forcing device for forcing the balloons to engage with the actuating device, to have the balloons to be pierced by the actuating device, and to generate sounds of explosion. The balloons may be strung together with the forcing device, such as a wire. The plate includes an opening formed therein, the wire may be engaged through the opening of the plate. A bar may further be provided and attached to the plate, for attaching the plate to supporting members. The bar includes a ring attached thereto, the wire is engaged through the ring. The bar includes at least one rod extended therefrom and secured to the plate. A weight member may further be provided and attached to the wire. The weight member may be a flag, for example. One or more ribbons may further be provided and attached to the plate, and dependent from the plate, and engaged with the balloons, to retain the balloons in place. Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a firecracker simulating device in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is another partial perspective view of the firecracker simulating device; FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view of the firecracker simulating device, taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view similar to FIG. 3, illustrating the operation of the firecracker simulating device; and FIG. 5 is another partial cross sectional view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4, illustrating the other arrangement of the firecracker simulating device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-3, a firecracker simulating device 1 in accordance with the present invention comprises a supporting device 10 including a plate 11 having an actuating device 12 or one or more nails or pointed members 12 attached thereto and extended outwardly or upwardly or downwardly beyond the plate 11, such as extended downwardly beyond the bottom surface 13 of the plate 11, best shown in FIGS. 3-5. The plate 11 includes an opening 14 formed therein, such as formed in the middle portion thereof. A hanging or attaching device 20 may further be provided and attached to the supporting device 10, for attaching or hanging the supporting device 10 to ceilings, walls, or other supporting members (not shown). For example, the attaching device 20 includes a bar 21, such as an angle bar 21 secured or attached to the plate 11 of the supporting device 10 with one or more arms or rods 22, for hanging or attaching to the ceilings, the walls, or the other supporting members. The bar 21 includes one or more rings 23, 24, 25 attached thereto, such as attached to two side portions and an intermediate portion thereof. A number of balloons 30 are secured or strung together with one or more cables or wires 31, and disposed or arranged in the side or the bottom surface 13 of the plate 11 where the pointed members 12 are extended or protruded outwardly therefrom. The wires 31 are engaged through the middle opening 14 of the plate 11, and may further be engaged through the rings 23, 24, 25 of the bar 21, for being pulled by users (FIG. 4), to move and to force the balloons 30 through the pointed members 12, and thus to allow the balloons 30 to be engaged with and pricked or pierced by the pointed members 12 one by one or in sequence. The balloons 30 may be exploded when pricked or pierced by the pointed members 12, to generate sounds of explosions that simulate the explosion or firing of the firecrackers without generating smoke or gunpowder and without generating dirt or paper chips or sulphur materials, or poisonous niter materials. The explosion or firing of the balloons 30 may generate explosive sounds that simulate the explosion or firing of the typical firecrackers. As shown in FIG. 5, a weight member 33 or a billboard or an advertising banner or flag 33 may further be provided and attached to the bottom portion of the wires 31, for straightening the wires 31, and for allowing the balloons 30 to be suitably supported and dependent downwardly from the plate 11 of the supporting device 10. An advertisement 34 or the like may be applied or provided on the flag 33, for example. It is preferable that the balloons 30 are filled with air or gas that is no lighter than the air, to allow the balloons 30 to be suitably dependent downwardly from the plate 11 of the supporting device 10, without flying upwardly beyond the plate 11, and without the weight or the billboard or the advertising banner or flag 33, or the like. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for preventing the balloons 30 from flying everywhere after explosion, one or more ribbons 16 may further be provided and attached to the plate 11, and preferably dependent downwardly from the plate 11, and around the plate 11, for suitably engaging with the balloons 30, and for refining and retaining the balloons 30 in place. The ribbons 16 will not influence the explosion of the balloons 30 by the pointed members 12. It is to be noted that the balloons 30 may be controlled and moved to move through the pointed members 12 by the users, with a suitable or predetermined speed, to allow the balloons 30 to be pricked or pierced by the pointed members 12 in the required speed, and according to the users' need. Accordingly, the firecracker simulating device in accordance with the present invention may be used for generating explosion or firing of firecrackers without generating smoke or gunpowder and without generating dirt or paper chips or sulphur materials, or poisonous niter materials. Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a firecracker simulating device, and more particularly to a firecracker simulating device for generating explosion or firing of firecrackers without generating smoke or gunpowder and dirt. 2. Description of the Prior Art Typical firecrackers comprise explosive charges or dynamite disposed therein which are dangerous and which may have a good chance to be exploded or fired inadvertently by fire or even by sun shine. In addition, after explosion or firing, poisonous niter, or smoke of gunpowder, and/or sulphur materials, carbon chips, and paper chips may be generated, which may pollute our environment, and/or may hurt people. Due to the dangerous explosive charges or dynamite, and due to the explosive characteristics, the typical firecrackers have been banned in many countries. However, explosion or firing of the firecrackers is normally required for ceremonies. For avoiding the poisonous niter, or smoke of gunpowder, and/or sulphur materials, carbon chips, and paper chips, an electric firecracker simulating device has been developed and includes a tape recorded explosion or firing of the firecrackers, which may be selectively played by users. However, people may not feel the explosion or firing of the firecrackers with the tape recorded explosion or firing of the firecrackers. The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional firecracker simulating devices.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a firecracker simulating device for generating explosion or firing of firecrackers without generating smoke or gunpowder and without generating dirt. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a firecracker simulating device comprising a plate including an actuating device attached thereto and extended outwardly therefrom, a plurality of balloons strung together, and a forcing device for forcing the balloons to engage with the actuating device, to have the balloons to be pierced by the actuating device, and to generate sounds of explosion. The balloons may be strung together with the forcing device, such as a wire. The plate includes an opening formed therein, the wire may be engaged through the opening of the plate. A bar may further be provided and attached to the plate, for attaching the plate to supporting members. The bar includes a ring attached thereto, the wire is engaged through the ring. The bar includes at least one rod extended therefrom and secured to the plate. A weight member may further be provided and attached to the wire. The weight member may be a flag, for example. One or more ribbons may further be provided and attached to the plate, and dependent from the plate, and engaged with the balloons, to retain the balloons in place. Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.
20041214
20080506
20080403
63514.0
A63H306
0
RICCI, JOHN A
FIRECRACKER SIMULATING DEVICE
SMALL
0
ACCEPTED
A63H
2,004
11,011,848
ACCEPTED
Enclosure system for hot work within the vicinity of flammable or combustible material
One or more enclosures constructed about one or more objects at which hot work is to be performed at a facility containing flammable and/or combustible material. Hot work includes such things as welding, torch cutting, grinding and the like that produces heat, spark, slag or flame. The one or more enclosures are capable of being simultaneously and independently controlled and monitored by a single control and monitoring system.
1. An enclosure system comprised of one or more enclosures built about at least one object to be hot worked at a facility wherein flammable or combustible materials are located within a hazardous distance from where the hot work is to be conducted, which enclosure system is comprised of: a) at least one enclosure, each enclosure comprising: i) enclosing walls, ceiling and floor defining a chamber in which the hot work is to be conducted; ii) at least one door to allow workers to enter and exit; iii) at least one viewing window; iv) at least one air inlet port; v) at least one air outlet port; vi) a blower in fluid communication with said at least one air inlet port; vii) a blower control in communication with said blower and to a gas detection monitor located at the intake of said blower, wherein the blower control will allow the blower to continue to operate in the event of a shutdown that is not triggered by the gas detection monitor at the intake of the blower; viii) a differential pressure monitor for monitoring the pressure within the enclosure relative to the pressure outside of the enclosure; ix) at least one manual emergency shutdown switch inside of said enclosure; and x) at least one manual emergency shutdown switch outside of, but within the immediate perimeter of, said enclosure; b) a monitoring system comprised of: i) a plurality of gas detection monitors located at predetermined locations: a) inside and outside of each enclosure; b) in the vicinity of hot work equipment; and c) in the vicinity of the intake of said blower; each of said gas detection monitors having a means of communicating with a gas detection controller console; and ii) a gas detection controller console comprised of: a) a means capable of receiving data transmitted from the plurality of gas detection monitors; b) an interface means capable of communicating data from said transceiver to the central processing unit of c) to follow; c) a central processing unit containing software capable of accepting, storing, computing, and displaying data received from said plurality of gas detection monitors, d) a display device in communication with said central processing unit and capable of displaying data from said plurality of gas detection monitors; and e) an interface, means capable of communicating a signal from the central processing unit to a control system; c) a control system comprised of: i) an operator controller console comprised of; a) a source of electrical power for the enclosure system; b) at least one control device; c) a means for displaying the status of each enclosure; d) the capability of communicating predetermined by-pass and system shutdown signals to a shut down controller; and e) an audible alarm that will activate when a shutdown occurs; and ii) a shutdown controller capable of sending shutdown signals to one or more enclosure control devices, and one or more shutdown control devices and to various equipment associated with the hot work to be conducted in said one or more enclosures. 2. The enclosure system of claim 1 wherein the walls, floor, door and ceiling of the enclosure are composed of fire retardant wood. 3. The enclosure system of claim 2 wherein the floor of said enclosure is further covered with a layer of fire proof refractory cloth material on top of which is a layer of sheet metal. 4. The enclosure system of claim 1 wherein the door of each enclosure opens outward. 5. The enclosure system of claim 1 wherein each enclosure is provided with an explosion proof interior lighting system. 6. The enclosure system of claim 1 wherein the outlet port of at least one enclosure is provided with a spark resistant filter. 7. The enclosure system of claim 1 wherein the hot work to be performed is welding. 8. The enclosure system of claim 1 wherein the blower of each enclosure is an electrically operated blower. 9. The enclosure system of claim 1 wherein at least two gas detection monitors is located in each enclosure. 10. The enclosure system of claim 1 wherein the various equipment associated with the hot work is selected from a) welding machines, b) generators, c) air compressors, and d) tanks for holding gases for a hot work operation. 11. The enclosure system of claim 1 wherein the source of electrical power is an AC to DC power converter. 12. The enclosure system of claim 1 which is located at a facility selected from a drilling platform, a production platform, a jack-up rig, a pumping station, a petroleum refinery, a chemical plant, a tank farm, an ocean going tanker, and a section of pipeline. 13. The enclosure system of claim 1 wherein there are at least two enclosures. 14. The enclosure system of claim 1 wherein the operator controller console contains a bypass function that can override a shutdown signal to one or more blowers. 15. The enclosure system of claim 1 wherein the operator controller console contains a bypass function that can override a shutdown signal triggered by a differential pressure monitor in any one or more of said enclosures to allow workers to enter and exit said one or more enclosures without triggering a shutdown. 16. The enclosure system of claim 1 wherein each enclosure is provided with at least one additional item selected from the group consisting of: a) an audible alarm, b) a visual alarm, c) emergency lights, d) backup batteries and e) a power control, and f) a temperature monitoring device. 17. The enclosure system of claim 1 wherein each enclosure is also provided with an integral unit containing an audible alarm, a visual alarm, a differential pressure monitor, and backup batteries. 18 An enclosure system comprised of one or more enclosures built about at least one object to be hot worked at a facility wherein flammable or combustible materials are located within a hazardous distance from where the hot work is to be conducted, which facility is selected from a drilling platform, a production platform, a jack-up rig, a pumping station, a petroleum refinery, a chemical plant, a tank farm, an ocean going tanker, and a section of pipeline, which enclosure system is comprised of: a) at least one enclosure, each enclosure comprising: i) enclosing walls, ceiling and floor defining a chamber in which the hot work is to be conducted; ii) at least one door that opens outward to allow workers to enter and exit; iii) at least one shatterproff viewing window; iv) at least one air inlet port; v) at least one air outlet port containing a spark resistant filter; vi) an electrically operated blower in fluid communication with said at least one air inlet port; vii) a blower control in communication with said blower and to a gas detection monitor located at the intake of said blower, wherein the blower control will allow the blower to continue to operate in the event of a shutdown that is not triggered by the gas detection monitor at the intake of the blower; viii) a differential pressure monitor for monitoring the pressure within the enclosure relative to the pressure outside of the enclosure; ix) at least one manual emergency shutdown switch inside of said enclosure; and x) at least one manual emergency shutdown switch outside of, but within the immediate perimeter of, said enclosure; b) a wireless monitoring system comprised of: i) a plurality of wireless gas detection monitors located at predetermined locations: a) at least 10 feet away and encompassing the outside of each enclosure; b) at least two inside of each enclosure; c) in the vicinity of hot work equipment; and d) in the vicinity of the intake of said blower; each of said gas detection monitors being in wireless communication with a gas detection controller console; and ii) a gas detection controller console comprised of: a) a transceiver capable of receiving wireless data transmitted from the plurality of gas detection monitors; b) an interface card capable of communicating data from said transceiver to the central processing unit; c) a central processing unit containing software capable of accepting, storing, computing, and displaying data received from said plurality of gas detection monitors, d) a display device in communication with said central processing unit and capable of displaying data from said plurality of gas detection monitors; and e) an interface card capable of communicating a signal from the central processing unit to a control system; c) a control system comprised of: i) an operator controller console comprised of; a) a source of electrical power for the enclosure system; b) at least one control device; c) a means for displaying the status of each enclosure; d) the capability of communicating predetermined by-pass and system shutdown signals to a shut-down controller; and e) an audible alarm that will activate when a shutdown occurs; and ii) a shutdown controller capable of sending shutdown signals to one or more enclosure control devices, and one or more shutdown control devices and to various equipment associated with the hot work to be conducted in said one or more enclosures. 19. The enclosure system of claim 18 wherein the walls, floor, door and ceiling of the enclosure are composed of fire retardant wood. 20. The enclosure system of claim 19 wherein the floor is constructed of a bottom layer of fire retardant plywood on top of which is a refractory cloth material on top of which is a surface layer of sheet metal. 21. The enclosure system of claim 18 wherein each enclosure is provided with an explosion proof interior lighting system. 22. The enclosure system of claim 18 wherein the hot work to be performed is welding. 23. The enclosure system of claim 18 wherein the various equipment associated with the hot work is selected from a) welding machines, b) generators, c) air compressors, and d) tanks for holding gases for a hot work operation. 24. The enclosure system of claim 18 wherein the source of electrical power is an AC to DC power converter. 25. The enclosure system of claim 18 which is located at a facility selected from a drilling platform, a production platform, a jack-up rig, a pumping station, a petroleum refinery, a chemical plant, a tank farm, an ocean going tanker, and a section of pipeline. 26. The enclosure system of claim 18 wherein there are at least two enclosures. 27. The enclosure system of claim 18 wherein the operator controller console contains a bypass function that can override a shutdown signal triggered by a differential pressure monitor in any one or more of said enclosures to allow workers to enter and exit said one or more enclosures without triggering a shutdown. 28. The enclosure system of claim 18 wherein each enclosure is provided with at least one additional item selected from the group consisting of: a) an audible alarm, b) a visual alarm, c) emergency lights, d) backup batteries and e) a power control box, and f) a temperature monitoring device. 29. The enclosure system of claim 18 wherein each enclosure is also provided with an integral unit containing an audible alarm, a visual alarm, a differential pressure monitor, and backup batteries. 30. A method for isolating the area about an item to be hot worked at a facility containing combustible or flammable material, which method comprises: a) building an enclosure big enough about the item to be hot worked so that at least two workers can occupy it and conduct a hot work operation, which enclosure comprising: i) enclosing walls, ceiling and floor defining an enclosed chamber in which the hot work is to be conducted; ii) at least one door to allow workers to enter and exit; iii) at least one viewing window; iv) at least one air inlet port; v) at least one air outlet port; vi) a blower in fluid communication with said at least one air inlet port; vii) a blower control in communication with said blower and to a gas detection monitor located at the intake of said blower, wherein the blower control will allow the blower to continue to operate in the event of a shutdown that is not triggered by the gas detection monitor at the intake of the blower; viii) a differential pressure monitor for monitoring the pressure within the enclosure relative to the pressure outside of the enclosure; ix) at least one manual emergency shutdown switch inside of said enclosure; and x) at least one manual emergency shutdown switch outside of, but within the immediate perimeter of, said enclosure; b) providing the enclosure with a monitoring system comprised of: i) a plurality of gas detection monitors located at predetermined locations: a) inside and outside of each enclosure; b) in the vicinity of hot work equipment; and c) in the vicinity of the intake of said blower; each of said gas detection monitors having a transceiver in wireless communication with a gas detection controller console; and ii) a gas detection controller console comprised of: a) a transceiver capable of receiving wireless data transmitted from the plurality of gas detection monitors; b) an interface card capable of communicating data from said transceiver to the central processing unit of c) to follow; c) a central processing unit containing software capable of accepting, storing, computing, and displaying data received from said plurality of gas detection monitors, d) a display device in communication with said central processing unit and capable of displaying data from said plurality of gas detection monitors; and e) an interface card capable of communicating a signal from the central processing unit to a control system; c) further providing said enclosure with a control system comprised of: i) an operator controller console comprised of; a) an electrical power source for the enclosure system; b) at least one control device; c) a means for displaying the status of each enclosure; d) the capability of communicating predetermined by-pass and system shutdown signals to a shut down controller; and e) an audible alarm that will activate when a shutdown occurs; and ii) a shutdown controller capable of sending shutdown signals to one or more enclosure control devices, and one or more shutdown control devices, and to various equipment associated with the hot work to be conducted in said one or more enclosures. 31. The enclosure system of claim 30 wherein the walls, floor, door and ceiling of the enclosure are composed of fire retardant wood. 32. The enclosure system of claim 31 wherein the floor of said enclosure is further covered with a layer fire proof refractory cloth material on top of which is a layer of sheet metal. 33. The enclosure system of claim 30 wherein the door of each enclosure opens outward. 34. The enclosure system of claim 30 wherein each enclosure is provided with an explosion proof interior lighting system. 35. The enclosure system of claim 30 wherein the outlet port of at least one enclosure is provided with a spark resistant filter. 36. The enclosure system of claim 30 wherein the hot work to be performed is welding. 37. The enclosure system of claim 30 wherein the blower of each enclosure is an electrically operated blower. 38. The enclosure system of claim 30 wherein at least two gas detection monitors is located in each enclosure. 39. The enclosure system of claim 30 wherein the various equipment associated with the hot work is selected from a) welding machines, b) generators, c) air compressors, and d) tanks for holding gases for a hot work operation. 40. The enclosure system of claim 30 wherein the source of electrical power is an AC to DC power converter. 41. The enclosure system of claim 30 which is located at a facility selected from a drilling platform, a production platform, a jack-up rig, a pumping station, a petroleum refinery, a chemical plant, a tank farm, an ocean going tanker, and a section of pipeline. 42. The enclosure system of claim 30 wherein there are at least two enclosures. 43. The enclosure system of claim 30 wherein the operator controller console contains a bypass function that can override a shutdown signal to one or more blowers. 44. The enclosure system of claim 30 wherein the operator controller console contains a bypass function that can override a shutdown signal triggered by a differential pressure monitor in any one or more of said enclosures to allow workers to enter and exit said one or more enclosures without triggering a shutdown. 45. The enclosure system of claim 30 wherein each enclosure is provided with at least one additional item selected from the group consisting of: a) an audible alarm, b) a visual alarm, c) emergency lights, d) backup batteries and e) a power control, and f) a temperature monitoring device. 46. The enclosure system of claim 30 wherein each enclosure is also provided with an integral unit containing an audible alarm, a visual alarm, a differential pressure monitor, and backup batteries.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/388,271 filed Mar. 13, 2003. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to one or more enclosures constructed around one or more objects at which hot work is to be performed at a facility containing flammable and/or combustible material. Hot work includes such things as welding, torch cutting, grinding and the like that produces heat, spark, slag or flame. The one or more enclosures are capable of being simultaneously and independently controlled and monitored by a single monitoring and control system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Hot work, such as welding, at facilities where flammable and combustible materials are present is extremely dangerous and is regulated by the appropriate governmental agency depending on the facility. In the case of offshore platforms, hot work is regulated by the Mineral Management Service (MMS); in the case of a pipeline, pumping stations and associated facilities, hot work is regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT); and in the case of refineries and chemical plants, hot work is regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Regulations stipulate that hot work cannot be preformed in or on any of said facilities within 35 feet from the point of impact where slag, sparks or other burning substances can fall onto or in the vicinity of a storage area of a container holding flammable or combustible materials. Also, hot work cannot be preformed within 10 feet of a pressurized pipe or vessel containing flammable or combustible material in or on any of said facilities. In some cases, the hot work operation can be setup in a safe area and items to be hot worked can be brought to this safe area, hot worked, then returned to their original location. In most cases it is not practical, from a strategic or from an economic point of view, to setup a remote hot work location a distance away from the object to be hot worked. In the past, a facility such as a petroleum production platform, would have to be shut down during hot work operation. Further, a section of pipe or vessel in a petroleum refinery or chemical plant would have to be purged and cleaned of flammable and combustible material before any hot work could be performed within 10 feet of it. This created a substantial financial burden for the operator of the platform, refinery or plant. A welding habitat was developed within the last few years wherein a temporary building is built around an object to be welded. The habitat, also referred to as an enclosure, is equipped with gas monitors that will automatically signal a shutdown of all welding equipment when a predetermined concentration level of flammable or combustible gas is reached. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,783,054 to Pregeant Jr. et al. teaches and claims a system for conducting welding adjacent flammable materials on an offshore platform. The system contains an enclosed chamber having a blower and sensors, each of which monitors a single gas, typically a combustible gas, and the ability to automatically shutdown the welding operation if a predetermined unacceptable concentration of a combustible gas is detected at one or more sensors. Co-pending application U.S. Ser. No. 10/388,271; filed Mar. 13, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference, teaches a welding habitat and monitoring system wherein there is wireless communication between gas detection monitors and a CPU monitored by an operator. While the industry is starting to see habitat and monitoring systems that enable hot work to be preformed in areas here-to-fore not allowed unless at least a portion of the facility was shutdown, there is still a need in the art for improved hot work enclosures and monitoring and control systems that lead to a more economical and safe hot work operation. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an enclosure system comprised of one or more enclosures built about at least one object to be hot worked at a facility wherein flammable or combustible materials are located within a hazardous distance from where the hot work is to be conducted, which enclosure system is comprised of: a) at least one enclosure, each enclosure comprising: i) enclosing walls, ceiling and floor defining an enclosed chamber in which the hot work is to be conducted; ii) at least one door to allow workers to enter and exit; iii) at least one viewing window; iv) at least one air inlet port; v) at least one air outlet port; vi) a blower in fluid communication with said at least one air inlet port; vii) a blower control in communication with said blower and to a gas detection monitor located at the intake of said blower, wherein the blower control will allow the blower to continue to operate in the event of a shutdown that is not triggered by the gas detection monitor at the intake of the blower; viii) a differential pressure monitor for monitoring the pressure within the enclosure relative to the pressure outside of the enclosure; ix) at least one manual emergency shutdown switch inside of said enclosure; and x) at least one manual emergency shutdown switch outside of, but within the immediate perimeter of, said enclosure; b) a monitoring system comprised of: i) a plurality of gas detection monitors located at predetermined locations: a) inside and outside of each enclosure; b) in the vicinity of hot work equipment; and c) in the vicinity of the intake of said blower; each of said gas detection monitors having a means of communicating with a gas detection controller console; and ii) a gas detection controller console comprised of: a) a means capable of receiving data transmitted from the plurality of gas detection monitors; b) an interface means capable of communicating data from said means of receiving data to the central processing unit (CPU); c) a central processing unit (CPU) containing software capable of, inter alia, accepting, storing, computing, and displaying data received from said plurality of gas detection monitors, d) a display device in communication with said central processing unit and capable of displaying data from said plurality of gas detection monitors; and e) an interface means capable of communicating a signal from the central processing unit to a control system; c) a control system comprised of: i) an operator controller console comprised of; a) a source of electrical power for the enclosure system; b) at least one control device; c) a means for displaying the status of each enclosure; d) the capability of communicating predetermined by-pass and system shutdown signals to a shut down controller; and e) an audible alarm that will activate when a shutdown occurs; and ii) a shutdown controller capable of sending shutdown signals to one or more enclosure control devices, and one or more shutdown control devices and to various equipment associated with the hot work to be conducted in said one or more enclosures. In a preferred embodiment, said at least one enclosure also comprises one or more of the following: a) an audible alarm, b) a visual alarm, c) emergency lights, d) backup batteries, e) a power control and f) a temperature monitoring device. In another preferred embodiment the hot work is selected from welding, cutting, and grinding. In another preferred embodiment, the facility is a petroleum drilling platform, a petroleum production platform, a jack-up rig, a pumping station, a tank farm, a petroleum refinery, a chemical plant, an ocean going tanker, or a section of a pipeline. In yet another preferred embodiment the operator controller console also has the capability to bypass a differential pressure monitor at each of the enclosures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 hereof is a schematic representation of one preferred embodiment of the present invention showing three enclosures, for hot work, that can be simultaneously and independently monitored and controlled. FIG. 2 hereof is a schematic representation of another preferred embodiment of the present invention also showing three enclosures that can be simultaneously and independently monitored and controlled. This schematic shows an audible/visual alarm, DPM, and backup battery system as an integral unit for each enclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention can be utilized for any type of hot work and at any type of facility where flammable and/or combustible materials present a safety issue during hot work operations. The term “hot work”, as used herein, means any work operation that can result in a fire or explosion in the presence of combustible or flammable materials. Non-limiting examples of the types of hot work that can be conducted in the enclosures of the present invention include all types of welding, such as gas welding, electric arc welding and cutting, including gas tungsten arch welding (GTAW), gas shielding metal arch welding (GMAW), friction welding, laser welding; cutting such as with a torch or plasma cutter and cutting, brazing, soldering, and grinding with electric and pneumatic tools. Also included is working in electric panels while they are still energized at a location of said facility considered to be classified, in reference to the presence of flammable or combustible materials, by facility area classification drawings. The present invention can be practiced at any type of facility where hot work is to be done in the vicinity of flammable or combustible material. Non-limiting examples of facilities where the instant invention can be practiced include petroleum drilling and production platforms, including jack-up rigs; pumping stations; petroleum refineries; chemical plants; tank farms where flammable or combustible materials are stored; and tankers and pipelines used for transporting flammable or combustible materials. As previously mentioned, governmental regulations are strict with respect to performing hot work at such facilities. In the past, at least a portion of such a facility would have to be shutdown prior to performing any hot work operation. Practice of the present invention allows for safe and efficient hot work to be performed in the vicinity of flammable and combustible materials. At least one enclosure, also sometimes referred to herein as a habitat, is built about the object or objects to be hot worked. The enclosure is of temporary construction comprised of enclosing walls, ceiling extending between the walls and floor extending between the walls, thereby defining an enclosed chamber. It can take any shape depending on the object or objects to be hot worked and the particular site limitations at which it is to be built. Any material suitable for constructing such an enclosure can be used. Non-limiting examples of suitable construction materials include metals, ceramics, wood, and composite materials such as fiberglass and carbon fiber reinforced polymeric materials. Fire retardant wood is preferred, more preferably plywood, for the combination of safety, cost, and convenience purposes. Scaffolding, if needed, will be provided to support at least a portion of each enclosure, particularly if the enclosure needs to be positioned lateral to a production or drilling platform. The enclosure will be large enough to allow a predetermined number of workers to comfortably work inside the enclosure with all necessary tools, hot work equipment and monitoring and safety devices. At least two workers will typically be in a single enclosure. If only two workers are provided, one worker will be one performing the hot work operation and the other worker will typically be on fire watch for observing the hot work. Workers inside of the enclosure will have the capability of verbally communicating with the operator and other workers outside of the enclosure by use of conventional means, preferably by two-way wireless radio. Each enclosure will contain at least one door that preferably opens to the outside of the enclosure. The door will be one that can be easily opened from both the inside and outside of the enclosure and built in a break-away fashion in case of an emergency. At least one shatterproof viewing window will be present on either the door or on one or more walls for observing activity within the enclosure. Shatterproof windows are well known in the art and are typically manufactured as laminated glass with an inner layer of transparent plastic material. All plastic viewing windows can also be used for the instant enclosures. The floor of each enclosure will preferably be lined with a suitable material capable of withstanding temperatures up to about, 3000° F., preferably up to about 3,500° F. Such a floor will preferably be comprised of a bottom layer of fire resistant plywood covered with a refractory cloth material. The cloth material, which will typically be supplied in rolls of {fraction (1/8)} inch to {fraction (1/4)} inch thickness is of the type marketed by Thermostatic Industries Inc. of Huntington, Calif. under the tradename Panther Felt. Such a material is comprised of a refractory fiber, such as fiberglass or a ceramic fiber such as aluminosilicate or aluminoborosilicate. On top of the cloth layer will preferably be a relatively thin malleable layer sheet metal material, preferably a stainless steel, to safely contain slag or sparks generated from the hot work operation. The floor will also preferably contain side plates (not shown) around the periphery of the floor to help contain sparks and slag. The side plates will typically be several inches to about a foot off the floor. Each enclosure will also contain at least one inlet port to allow a suitable amount of air to be conducted into the enclosure by use of a blower, preferably an electrically operated blower. At least one air outlet port will also be provided. It is preferred that each air outlet port contain a spark resistant grill or filter to substantially reduce the potential of sparks being carried from inside the enclosure to outside where flammable or combustible materials may be present. Another preferred way of minimizing the risk of sparks and slag from exiting the enclosure at a high temperature is to provide a metal ventilation duct system (not shown) of sufficient length leading to the spark resistant grill so that any sparks or slag entering the ventilation system in the enclosure will cool to a safe temperature by the time they exit the grill into the atmosphere. Each enclosure, while in use, will be under a positive pressure to provide fresh air to workers inside the enclosure and to prevent gases from outside the enclosure from entering the enclosure. The pressure of each enclosure is monitored by a suitable differential pressure monitor (DPM). The present invention provides for the monitoring and control of multiple enclosures by a single operator using a single wireless gas detection monitoring system and a single control system wherein multiple enclosures can be individually or all can be simultaneously shutdown, or certain equipment can be selectively by-passed if one or more predetermined events occur. It will be understood that each enclosure will also have a conventional explosion proof lighting system (not shown) supported by a backup battery system (BB) so that lighting inside each enclosure will continue to function during an emergency shutdown. A conduit sealing system will also be used to seal any spaces around cables, hoses and pipes entering an enclosure from the outside. The present invention will be better understood with reference to the figures hereof. FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic of one preferred embodiment of the present invention showing three enclosure systems wherein welding is the hot work to be performed. All three enclosures are managed by a single operator using a single monitoring system, preferably a single wireless gas detection monitoring system, and a single control system. FIG. 1 shows three enclosures, E1, E2, and E3, each having at least one door D1, D2, and D3, at least one air intake port IP1, IP2, and IP3, and at least one air outlet port OP1, OP2, and OP3. It is preferred that the door open outward and that it be a break-away door. That is a door contructed in such a way that in the event of an emergency a single worker could exert enough force so that the door breaks away from its support means and provides the worker with a means of escape. At least one shatterproof viewing window VW1, VW2, and VW3 will also be provided for each enclosure for observing workers inside the enclosure. The three enclosures are also in communication with appropriate hot work equipment, such as welding machines and generators WG1, WG2, and WG3 and associated gas tanks T1-T6. The gas tanks will typically contain welding gases such as oxygen and acetylene. Each tank is equipped with, respectively, a shutdown valve V1 to V6, which is activated in case of an emergency shutdown by receiving a shutdown signal from shutdown controller 4. Valves V1 to V6 will preferably be conventional solenoid valves readily available in the art. Further, each enclosure is provided with at least one remote manual emergency shutdown switch RSD1, RSD2, and RSD3. There is also a manual shutdown switch integrated in at least one of the enclosure controls (not shown) and also for the operator monitoring the operator controller console. It is preferred that the emergency shutdown switches be hard wired and not wireless. It is within the scope of this invention that pneumatic tools be used in one or more of the enclosures. Such tools will require an air compressor 9 and associated equipment for running the pneumatic tools, such as volume tank 11 and blow-down valve 13. Blow-down valve 13 provides for the sudden bleeding of compressed air from the compressed air system in case of an emergency to prevent damage to such things as compressor seals. It also serves to immediately stop the operation of pneumatic tools in case of an emergency shutdown. The system of the present invention will also be provided with at least one back-up battery BB in case of a power failure at the facility at which hot work is being performed. There is also a blower, B1, B2, and B3 associated with the inlet ports of each enclosure for providing fresh air to the workers inside the enclosure, as well as for providing a positive pressure differential inside the enclosure. Although the blowers could be operated electrically or by use of compressed air, it is preferred that the blowers be electric blowers. Air is provided from the blowers to the inlet ports via any suitable hose or ducting C1, C2, and C3. It will be understood that the temperature inside of each enclosure can be controlled to some degree by providing either cool air or heated air to the blower intake. Cooled or heated air can be provided by any suitable conventional means, such as by use of a conventional heat exchange unit at the intake of the blower. It is preferred that each blower have associated therewith its own independent control device BC1, BC2, and BC3 in communication with said shutdown controller, but which can be by-passed by the operator at the operator controller console. That is, if the emergency shutdown is not triggered by the gas detection monitors 5B1, 5B2, and 5B3 located at the intake of the blowers then the blowers can be made to continue to operate for the safety of the workers inside the enclosure. Each enclosure will also preferably have it's own independently operated audible alarm and light assembly A1, A2, and A3. The audible alarm can be a horn used to warn personnel inside the enclosure in the event of a system shutdown for that enclosure. The light is preferably a strobe light that is also used to warn personnel in the enclosure in the event of an emergency shutdown. Each enclosure contains a differential pressure monitor DPM1, DPM2, and DPM3 that monitors the difference in pressure within the enclosures compared to the pressure outside the enclosures. One type of differential pressure monitor that can be used in the practice of the present invention is the Explosion Proof Differential Pressure Switch, such as Model 1950, supplied by Dwyer Instruments, Inc., of Michigan City, Ind. The interior of the enclosure is at a higher pressure than the pressure outside of the enclosure to prevent flammable or combustible gases from entering the enclosure from the outside during hot work operation. If the pressure inside the enclosure drops to substantially the pressure outside of the enclosure a signal is sent to the shutdown controller which sends the appropriate shutdown signal to all welding equipment, including tank valves, welding machines, etc. There will be times when workers will need to enter or exit the enclosure during normal and safe working conditions and unless the DPMs can be by-passed an emergency shutdown will result if the pressure in the enclosure drops to a level that will be substantially equal to the pressure outside the enclosure. Thus, a worker wishing to enter or exit an enclosure would communicate with the operator, who would deactivate the DPM for that enclosure until the worker has safely entered or exited the enclosure, upon which it is reactivated. The three enclosures E1, E2, and E3 can all simultaneously and independently be monitored and controlled by an operator monitoring the operator controller console 1, which is the central control center for all three enclosures. It will be understood that three enclosures are shown in the Figures hereof for illustrative purposes only. The present invention can be practiced for only one enclosure or for any number of enclosures, and all will be independently and simultaneously monitored and controlled. Of course, practical considerations, such as construction time, number of workers required, and space limitations will dictate the maximum number of enclosures that can be built and simultaneously operated at any given facility. The operator controller console 1 will contain a suitable power supply (not shown), at least one control device, a means for monitoring the status of any one or more enclosure, a manual emergency shutdown switch that is capable of shutting down any one or more of the enclosures simultaneously, a threshold indicator indicating if the upper and or lower threshold has been reached for any given gas detection variable, an appropriate audible and visual alarm system, and a differential pressure monitor (DPM) by-pass switch for each of the enclosures. The power supply will preferably be a conventional AC to DC power converter. Non-limiting examples of control devices include electrical relays, solenoids, switches, fuses and circuit breakers. The operator controller console 1 is integrally connected to a monitoring system. The monitoring system can be any suitable system that will allow communication between the components of the system, preferably the gas detection controller console and the portable gas detection monitors. The monitoring system is comprised of a gas detection controller console 3, which preferably contains a suitable radio modem transceiver, a central processing unit (CPU), a display device and a plurality of interface cards. Interface cards are well known in the art and are typically a circuit board with the appropriate components to allow communication across boundaries, such as between hardware, or between software and hardware. Interface cards also allow communication between different software languages and codes that an application needs to communicate with each other and with hardware. It is to be understood that the entire gas detection monitoring system could be hardwired, although a wireless system is preferred. The display device is preferably part of a portable computer, more preferably a laptop computer. The gas detection controller console 3 will be in communication with a plurality of gas detection monitors 5, which will be strategically placed within and about the enclosures as well as in the vicinity of hot work equipment, blowers and any other of the various equipment associated with the present enclosure system. It is preferred that at least two gas detection monitors be located inside at least one, more preferably inside of all enclosures. It is also within the scope of the present invention to place gas monitors a distance away, preferably at least 10 feet away from the enclosure, in such a pattern that substantially 100% of the perimeter of the enclosure is monitored by gas detection monitors. A remote antenna box 7 is typically used for receiving signals (radio frequency) from the plurality of gas detection monitors and carrying them to the gas detection controller console 3, in the event that it is being used in the interior of a building. It is within the scope of the present invention that the software for the gas detection system be suitable for labeling the plurality of gas detection monitors as to their physical location and being viewable via the display device. This will allow the operator to know immediately what monitor is sending a distress signal which will allow the operator to take immediate appropriate measures at the precise location of distress. For example, if the distress signal is not coming from a gas detection monitor located in the vicinity of the blower intake, the operator can over ride the blower shutdown function so that the blower continues to conduct fresh air into the enclosure. As previously mentioned, each gas detection monitor is in communication with the gas detection controller console 3. The gas detection monitors are preferably portable and wireless making them capable of being carried or worn by workers. Each monitor will be programmed to measure one or more non-limiting variables, such as temperature, combustible gases including those represented in the lower explosive limit (LEL), oxygen, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide. Although single point gas detection monitors can be employed, it is preferred that multi-point monitors be used. That is, a single point monitor is capable of monitoring the concentration level of only one gas, whereas a multi-point monitor is capable of simultaneously monitoring the concentration of more than one gas and as a part of a wireless system, simultaneously communicating information to the transceiver of the gas detection controller console 3, which in turn transmits the signal through a suitable interface means, preferably an interface card, that will translate the data into a protocol suitable for software in an associated CPU to read, analyze, display, store, and respond thereto. It is preferred that one or more of the gas detection monitors also have the capability of two-way voice communication with the operator of the controller console. The gas detection controller console 3 interfaces with the operator controller console 1 by any suitable means, such as also by use of a suitable interface card. The operator controller console will have the capabilities as previously mentioned, such as showing the status of each enclosure etc. The CPU of the gas detection controller console will also be capable of sending shutdown instructions to the operator controller console 1, which in turn sends the signal to the shutdown controller box 4, which signals the targeted equipment to shutdown. The ability of an operator to be able to monitor, on a display device, the predetermined variables, such as gas levels, etc. allows the operator to take the proper preemptive action prior to the level of emergency being reached. As previously mentioned, the operator controller console will display the status of each enclosure, preferably by the use of lights. That is, one light display can represent a safe situation and a different light display for an unsafe, or emergency shutdown situation. An upper concentration level for each gas is programmed into the CPU software and if this level is reached, the system will automatically shutdown all targeted hot work equipment at all enclosures via communication with a shutdown controller 4. The shutdown controller 4 is in communication with all systems, devices and equipment of the overall system. For example, upon receiving an emergency shutdown signal from the operator controller console 1 via the gas detection controller console 3, a shutdown signal is sent to valves V1-V6 shutting down all gas delivery to the welding equipment. A shutdown signal is also sent to the blower control boxes BC1, BC2, and BC3 as well as to blowdown valve 13 and welding equipment WG1, WG2, and WG3. As previously mentioned, it is within the scope of this invention that blowers B1, B2, and B3 can continue to be operated, if it is determined that the emergency was not caused by the presence of combustible or flammable gas at the intake of the blowers. It is also within the scope of this invention that a function be provided that will shutdown all enclosures in the case of a facility shutdown. That is, if a production platform, refinery or other facility has a general emergency shutdown, all hot work will automatically be shutdown as part of the facility shutdown. Solid lines (without arrow heads) between components of the system represent electrical hardwiring EW between components of the system in both FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2. All hardwiring is not labeled since it will be evident from the Figures where hardwiring occurs. FIG. 2 hereof represents another preferred embodiment of the present invention where the audible and visual alarm warning system is combined with the differential pressure monitor and backup batteries into a single unit, referred to herein as the enclosure controllers EC1, EC2, and EC3. All of FIG. 2 components that are common to FIG. 1 have the same numbers as those of FIG. 1 hereof.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Hot work, such as welding, at facilities where flammable and combustible materials are present is extremely dangerous and is regulated by the appropriate governmental agency depending on the facility. In the case of offshore platforms, hot work is regulated by the Mineral Management Service (MMS); in the case of a pipeline, pumping stations and associated facilities, hot work is regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT); and in the case of refineries and chemical plants, hot work is regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Regulations stipulate that hot work cannot be preformed in or on any of said facilities within 35 feet from the point of impact where slag, sparks or other burning substances can fall onto or in the vicinity of a storage area of a container holding flammable or combustible materials. Also, hot work cannot be preformed within 10 feet of a pressurized pipe or vessel containing flammable or combustible material in or on any of said facilities. In some cases, the hot work operation can be setup in a safe area and items to be hot worked can be brought to this safe area, hot worked, then returned to their original location. In most cases it is not practical, from a strategic or from an economic point of view, to setup a remote hot work location a distance away from the object to be hot worked. In the past, a facility such as a petroleum production platform, would have to be shut down during hot work operation. Further, a section of pipe or vessel in a petroleum refinery or chemical plant would have to be purged and cleaned of flammable and combustible material before any hot work could be performed within 10 feet of it. This created a substantial financial burden for the operator of the platform, refinery or plant. A welding habitat was developed within the last few years wherein a temporary building is built around an object to be welded. The habitat, also referred to as an enclosure, is equipped with gas monitors that will automatically signal a shutdown of all welding equipment when a predetermined concentration level of flammable or combustible gas is reached. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,783,054 to Pregeant Jr. et al. teaches and claims a system for conducting welding adjacent flammable materials on an offshore platform. The system contains an enclosed chamber having a blower and sensors, each of which monitors a single gas, typically a combustible gas, and the ability to automatically shutdown the welding operation if a predetermined unacceptable concentration of a combustible gas is detected at one or more sensors. Co-pending application U.S. Ser. No. 10/388,271; filed Mar. 13, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference, teaches a welding habitat and monitoring system wherein there is wireless communication between gas detection monitors and a CPU monitored by an operator. While the industry is starting to see habitat and monitoring systems that enable hot work to be preformed in areas here-to-fore not allowed unless at least a portion of the facility was shutdown, there is still a need in the art for improved hot work enclosures and monitoring and control systems that lead to a more economical and safe hot work operation.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an enclosure system comprised of one or more enclosures built about at least one object to be hot worked at a facility wherein flammable or combustible materials are located within a hazardous distance from where the hot work is to be conducted, which enclosure system is comprised of: a) at least one enclosure, each enclosure comprising: i) enclosing walls, ceiling and floor defining an enclosed chamber in which the hot work is to be conducted; ii) at least one door to allow workers to enter and exit; iii) at least one viewing window; iv) at least one air inlet port; v) at least one air outlet port; vi) a blower in fluid communication with said at least one air inlet port; vii) a blower control in communication with said blower and to a gas detection monitor located at the intake of said blower, wherein the blower control will allow the blower to continue to operate in the event of a shutdown that is not triggered by the gas detection monitor at the intake of the blower; viii) a differential pressure monitor for monitoring the pressure within the enclosure relative to the pressure outside of the enclosure; ix) at least one manual emergency shutdown switch inside of said enclosure; and x) at least one manual emergency shutdown switch outside of, but within the immediate perimeter of, said enclosure; b) a monitoring system comprised of: i) a plurality of gas detection monitors located at predetermined locations: a) inside and outside of each enclosure; b) in the vicinity of hot work equipment; and c) in the vicinity of the intake of said blower; each of said gas detection monitors having a means of communicating with a gas detection controller console; and ii) a gas detection controller console comprised of: a) a means capable of receiving data transmitted from the plurality of gas detection monitors; b) an interface means capable of communicating data from said means of receiving data to the central processing unit (CPU); c) a central processing unit (CPU) containing software capable of, inter alia, accepting, storing, computing, and displaying data received from said plurality of gas detection monitors, d) a display device in communication with said central processing unit and capable of displaying data from said plurality of gas detection monitors; and e) an interface means capable of communicating a signal from the central processing unit to a control system; c) a control system comprised of: i) an operator controller console comprised of; a) a source of electrical power for the enclosure system; b) at least one control device; c) a means for displaying the status of each enclosure; d) the capability of communicating predetermined by-pass and system shutdown signals to a shut down controller; and e) an audible alarm that will activate when a shutdown occurs; and ii) a shutdown controller capable of sending shutdown signals to one or more enclosure control devices, and one or more shutdown control devices and to various equipment associated with the hot work to be conducted in said one or more enclosures. In a preferred embodiment, said at least one enclosure also comprises one or more of the following: a) an audible alarm, b) a visual alarm, c) emergency lights, d) backup batteries, e) a power control and f) a temperature monitoring device. In another preferred embodiment the hot work is selected from welding, cutting, and grinding. In another preferred embodiment, the facility is a petroleum drilling platform, a petroleum production platform, a jack-up rig, a pumping station, a tank farm, a petroleum refinery, a chemical plant, an ocean going tanker, or a section of a pipeline. In yet another preferred embodiment the operator controller console also has the capability to bypass a differential pressure monitor at each of the enclosures.
20041214
20060815
20050714
71028.0
2
TANG, SON M
ENCLOSURE SYSTEM FOR HOT WORK WITHIN THE VICINITY OF FLAMMABLE OR COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,012,261
ACCEPTED
Apparatus for manual sharpening of the blades of cutting tools
The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for the manual sharpening of blades of cutting tools, in particular knives and/or scissors, comprising at least one first sharpening element (40) with at least one sharpening edge (42, 43), and at least one second sharpening element (41) with at least one sharpening edge (44, 45), wherein the first sharpening element (40) and the second sharpening element (41) can be or are disposed so as to be partially overlapping, in particular partially in contact with one another, such that in a first state (53) of the apparatus (10) one sharpening edge (42, 43) of the first sharpening element (40) defines a first currently used sharpening edge (49) and one sharpening edge (44, 45) of the second sharpening element (41) defines a second currently used sharpening edge (50), and the first currently used sharpening edge (49) and second currently used sharpening edge (50) cross one another at a crossing point (51) and form a V-shaped gap (52) with an angle α at the crossing point (51), into which the blade of the cutting tool to be sharpened is inserted. According to the invention it is provided that the first sharpening element (40) and the second sharpening element (41) can be shifted with respect to one another while maintaining the angle, such that the crossing point (51) is shifted along the first currently used sharpening edge (49) and/or the second currently used sharpening edge (50), and that two or more positionings of the sharpening elements (40, 41) with respect to one another are or can be reversibly fixed.
1. Apparatus for the manual sharpening of blades of cutting tools, in particular knives and/or scissors, comprising: at least one first sharpening element with at least one sharpening edge, and at least one second sharpening element with at least one sharpening edge, wherein the first sharpening element and the second sharpening element can be or are disposed so as to be partially overlapping, in particular partially in contact with one another, such that in a first state of the apparatus one sharpening edge of the first sharpening element defines a first currently used sharpening edge and one sharpening edge of the second sharpening element defines a second currently used sharpening edge, and the first currently used sharpening edge and second currently used sharpening edge cross one another at a crossing point and form a V-shaped gap with an angle α at the crossing point, into which the blade of the cutting tool to be sharpened is inserted, wherein the first sharpening element and the second sharpening element can be shifted with respect to one another while maintaining the angle α, such that the crossing point is shifted along the first currently used sharpening edge and/or the second currently used sharpening edge, and two or more positionings of the sharpening elements with respect to one another are or can be reversibly fixed. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one sharpening edge of the first sharpening element and/or at least one sharpening edge of the second sharpening element is made at least in part rectilinear. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one sharpening edge of the first sharpening element and/or at least one sharpening edge of the second sharpening element is constructed as a relief-ground sharpening edge. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a case in which the first sharpening element and the second sharpening element are or can be disposed, such that the first sharpening element and/or the second sharpening element can be shifted relative to the case, and such that two or more positionings of the sharpening elements with respect to one another in the case are or can be reversibly fixed. 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a display device is provided to indicate the positioning of the first sharpening element and/or the second sharpening element in or on the case. 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first sharpening element and/or the second sharpening element are/is shaped like an ingot. 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first sharpening element and/or the second sharpening element can be shifted parallel to the associated first currently used sharpening edge or second currently used sharpening edge. 8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first sharpening element and/or the second sharpening element are/is shaped at one end to form a prism or an arrowhead, with a triangle as basic surface. 9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first sharpening element has a three-dimensional M shape and/or the second sharpening element is shaped at least at one end to form a prism or an arrowhead, with a triangle as basic surface. 10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first sharpening element and/or the second sharpening element can be shifted substantially parallel to a straight line defined by two outer points that delimit the V-shaped gap and are situated opposite the crossing point. 11. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first sharpening element and second sharpening element each comprise at least one additional sharpening edge, which is rectilinear at least in part, and the apparatus can be put into a second state that differs from the first state inasmuch as in the second state the additional sharpening edge of the first sharpening element constitutes the first currently used sharpening edge and the additional sharpening edge of the second sharpening element constitutes the second currently used sharpening edge, and the V-shaped gap forms an angle β at the crossing point. 12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein in the apparatus the first state and the second state are simultaneously available. 13. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transition between a first state and second state is brought about by shifting the first sharpening element and/or the second sharpening element. 14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the first sharpening element is fixed in the case and the transition between a first state and second state is brought about by shifting the second sharpening element. 15. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in order to fix the sharpening elements in the selected positions with respect to one another and/or within the case a raster arrangement, in particular with a display device, is provided, and/or one or more devices, in particular one or more threaded spindles and/or screw-arrestable sliders and/or toothed-wheel gearings and/or worm gears, preferably in each case with a stopping device, is or are provided for continuously adjusting the positions of the sharpening elements with respect to one another and/or in the case and fixing them in the selected positions. 16. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the case is constructed so as to be flat at least in sections and/or is provided with fee and/or knobs, so as to ensure that it can be placed stably on a supporting surface, and/or is provided at least in sections with an anti-slip coating. 17. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises one or more additional tools, in particular a sharpening tool. 18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the additional tools comprise a sharpening element, in particular one having the shape of a rectangular bar or an ingot or a trapezoid or triangle, that preferably can be rotated and/or exchanged for another tool, and/or that can be shifted, preferably along its long direction, in particular can be shifted at least partially into and out of the case.
The invention relates to an apparatus for manually sharpening the blades of cutting tools, in particular knives and/or scissors, comprising at least one first sharpening element with at least one sharpening edge, and at least one second sharpening element with at least one sharpening edge, wherein the first sharpening element and the second sharpening element can be or are arranged so as to be partially overlapping, in particular partially in contact with one another, such that when the apparatus is in a first state, one sharpening edge of the first sharpening element defines a first currently used sharpening edge while one sharpening edge of the second sharpening element defines a second currently used sharpening edge, and the first currently used sharpening edge and second currently used sharpening edge cross one another at a crossing point and form a V-shaped gap with an angle α at the crossing point, into which the blades of the cutting tool that is to be sharpened are inserted. The purpose of this arrangement of two sharpening elements is to allow both sides of a blade to be processed, and thereby sharpened, simultaneously. This avoids the unsatisfactory sharpening that is frequently obtained with only a single sharpening element because the blades to be sharpened are positioned at the wrong angle. Various forms of such apparatus are already known. For instance, the patents DE 202 03 955 U1 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,919 provide for sharpening apparatus in which two crossed sharpening elements (plates of hard metal) form a V-shaped gap for sharpening. The processing angle formed by the V-shaped gap in these cases is permanently predetermined. The hard-metal plates in DE 202 03 955 U1 have a basic rectangular shape, whereas in U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,919 the basic shape of the sharpening elements includes a triangular tip at one end. In both of these documents the two sharpening elements of the apparatus have the same shape as one another, each with two sharpening edges. This configuration makes it possible to exchange the sharpening elements for one another so as to employ the other sharpening edge of each of them, which increases the working life of the sharpening elements. A disadvantageous feature of these constructions, however, is that the sharpening process always occurs at the same place on whichever sharpening edges are operative, so that this site rapidly becomes worn down. According to DE 202 03 955 U1, all that can then be done is to make a second edge site usable by rotating the sharpening elements through 180° and exchanging their positions. It is known from U.S. Pat. No. 562,223, U.S. Pat. No. 584,933 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,946 B1 to dispose the sharpening elements so that they can be rotated about an axis and fixed in selected positions within the sharpening apparatus. By appropriate choice or adjustment of the rotational position of the sharpening elements, the sharpening edges can be set at the desired angle for processing the blades. In this arrangement a different site on the sharpening edges is used for sharpening, depending on the selected angle. For a given angle, however, it is always the same edge site that is used, and since in practice such an apparatus is often used repeatedly for blades of the same kind, rapid wear results. To prolong the working life, these documents disclose only that each of the sharpening elements comprises several sharpening edges, which can be employed in succession by appropriate repositioning of the cutting element. The patent GB 505,871 furthermore makes known a sharpening apparatus in which the operative site on each sharpening edge depends on the pressure with which the knife to be sharpened presses against the edge, and on the opposing force generated when the user presses the parts of a handle together. Here it is disadvantageous that the relative position of the two sharpening elements cannot be fixed, so that the effective sharpening region varies continuously and is determined only at random. In this apparatus, because of the geometric arrangement and mobility of the sharpening elements, the processing angle also varies (although only to a slight degree) when the sharpening elements are in different relative positions. It is thus the objective of the present invention disclose an apparatus for manual sharpening in which the working life of the sharpening elements is distinctly increased and the result of the sharpening is also optimized over a longer period of use. This objective is achieved in accordance with the invention by a apparatus for manual sharpening with the characteristics given in claim 1. Advantageous configurations and further developments are given in the claims dependent on claim 1. As stated in claim 1, the invention is based on the consideration that the first sharpening element and the second sharpening element can be shifted with respect to one another while preserving the angle α, in such a way that the crossing point shifts along the first currently used sharpening edge and/or the second currently used sharpening edge, and that the sharpening elements are or can be reversibly fixed in two or more specific positions relative to one another. “Fixation” of the sharpening elements, which are in principle displaceable with respect to one another, should be understood to mean that the sharpening elements do not become relatively displaced when a blade to be sharpened is applied thereto and processed, but rather stay in the previously positioned orientation. The advantage achieved by the invention resides in particular in the fact that because of the mutual displaceability of the sharpening elements, a large region of the sharpening edges, or nearly their entire length, is made available for sharpening blades. The site to be operative at any time can thus be specifically selected and this selected positioning of the sharpening elements relative to one another can be maintained. In this way it becomes possible to establish a particular positioning and thus employ a particular place on the sharpening edges until they become worn at that place, and subsequently to select a new positioning and hence a new site for sharpening along the sharpening edges. Such repositioning continues to be possible until the entire region of the sharpening edges that can be made accessible by shifting the elements has been worn down. As a result, the working life of the sharpening elements becomes many times longer than that obtained according to the state of the art, in which only one or only a few sites on the sharpening edges are used for processing. Furthermore, even after the sharpening elements have been used for a long time an optimal result of the sharpening process can be achieved, because at all times previously unused or, in some cases, only slightly used sites on the sharpening edges can be selected for the operation, by appropriately shifting the sharpening elements. Another crucial advantage is that the angle α between the sharpening edges, and hence the angle for processing of the blades to be sharpened, remains constant when the sharpening elements are shifted, so that optimal sharpening is always possible immediately, without readjustment. Furthermore, the fact that the sharpening elements can be shifted enables the depth of the gap between the sharpening edges in current use to be varied. For instance, when the elements are shifted so as to make the gap shallower, the sharpening edges become accessible even to broad blades such as that of an axe, so that such blades can also be sharpened. According to one embodiment of the invention the apparatus can be constructed as a hand tool, i.e. not a stationary machine but rather a versatile and portable apparatus that can be used while simply held in the hand. An especially advantageous embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention provides that at least one sharpening edge of the first sharpening element and/or at least one sharpening edge of the second sharpening element are/is rectilinear, over at least part of its length. This feature makes it particularly simple to maintain the angle α when the sharpening elements are shifted relative to one another. Another advantageous variant of the apparatus in accordance with the invention provides that at least one sharpening edge of the first sharpening element and at least one sharpening edge of the second sharpening element are ground so as to form a relief angle. In particular, all sharpening edges of the first and the second sharpening elements are relief-ground edges. “Relief grinding” should be understood to mean that the side surfaces of the sharpening elements that are adjacent to the relevant sharpening edges are slanted. The relief angle of a surface so shaped, i.e. the angle by which the surface is tilted away from 90°, is preferably in the range of 4° to 10°. The arrangement with respect to one another of sharpening elements provided with relief-ground sharpening edges is preferably such that the relief-ground sharpening edges of both sharpening elements that are operative during a sharpening process face toward a predicted direction of movement of a blade to be sharpened. A useful further development of the invention provides that the apparatus comprises a case within which the first sharpening element and the second sharpening element are or can be disposed, such that the first sharpening element and/or the second sharpening element can be shifted relative to the case, and such that two or more positionings of the sharpening elements relative to one another are or can be reversibly fixed within the case. Here, again, “fixation” of the in principle displaceable sharpening elements should be understood to mean that the sharpening elements do not become relatively displaced when a blade to be sharpened is applied thereto and processed, but rather stay in the previously positioned orientation. The provision of a case of this kind makes the invention useful on an everyday basis. The case allows the shiftability and fixation of the sharpening elements to be implemented in a simple manner. Furthermore, the components of the apparatus can be disposed at least partially within the case, so that there is less risk that a user will be injured. In addition, by designing the case appropriately, for instance as a shaft- or handle-like structure, the apparatus can be made easy for a user to manipulate. According to one advantageous embodiment a display means is provided to indicate the positioning of the first and/or the second sharpening element in or on the case. As a result, even when the sharpening elements are at least partially concealed by the case, the selected positioning of the first and/or the second sharpening element can be discerned at any time by a user. The first sharpening element and/or the second sharpening element can, according to a first embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention, have the shape of an ingot. Here the term “ingot” is used to mean an angular bar, the side surfaces of which are slanted, i.e. an originally rectangular bar with relief-grinding. In this embodiment it can in particular be provided that the first sharpening element and/or the second sharpening element can be shifted within the case in a direction parallel to the element's first currently used sharpening edge or second currently used sharpening edge. This shiftability makes it possible to select and alter, in a targeted manner, the section of the particular sharpening edge that is to be employed, and this can be done separately for each of the two sharpening edges in current use. The size of the angle α between the sharpening edges, which is a crucial parameter for an optimal sharpening process, is not changed thereby. According to an alternative second embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention, the first sharpening element and/or the second sharpening element have/has at least at one end the shape of a prism or an arrowhead, with a triangle as the basic surface. This category is meant to include all embodiments that are either constructed in their entirety as a prism or arrowhead with triangular basic surface, or consist of at least two regions, at least one of which in itself forms a prism or arrowhead with triangular basic surface. The second region could, for example, have the form of a rectangular bar or an ingot. In this last variant, the sharpening edges are preferably disposed in the prismatic or arrowhead-shaped region. Here the term “prism” is used to denote a body with two parallel basic surfaces connected to one another by side surfaces. In this case the side surfaces are preferably slanted, i.e. they exhibit a relief angle. “Arrowhead” should be understood to mean a body with two basic surfaces connected by side surfaces so that the basic surfaces are tilted with respect to one another, in such a way that the distance between the basic surfaces is minimal at one corner of the body. Here, again, it is preferable for the side surfaces to be slanted, i.e. constructed with a relief angle. According to an alternative third embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention, it is provided that the first sharpening element has a three-dimensional M shape and/or the second sharpening element has at least at one end the shape of a prism or an arrowhead, with a triangle as the basic surface. The term “three-dimensional M shape” should be understood to designate a sharpening element with an M-shaped basic surface. In this case as well, the sharpening side surfaces are preferably slanted, i.e. provided with relief-grinding. In all embodiments it can advantageously be provided that the first sharpening element and/or the second sharpening element can be shifted substantially in parallel to a line defined by two outer points, disposed opposite the crossing point, that delimit the V-shaped gap. This ability to be shifted makes it possible to specifically select and alter the operative section of the sharpening edge, along the length of the cutting edge currently in use, and thus to make use of at least some additional regions of the sharpening edges of the sharpening elements. In this case, again, shifting causes no change in the magnitude of the angle α between the sharpening edges. In a further development of the apparatus in accordance with the invention it is provided that the first sharpening element and the second sharpening element each comprise at least one additional sharpening edge, which in particular is at least partially rectilinear, and that the apparatus can be put into a second state, which differs from the first state in that the additional sharpening edge of the first sharpening element constitutes the first currently used sharpening edge and the additional sharpening edge of the second sharpening element constitutes the second currently used sharpening edge, and the V-shaped gap forms an angle β at the crossing point. This embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention makes it possible to use two sharpening edges of each of the two sharpening elements. In particular in the third embodiment described above, in which the first sharpening element has a three-dimensional M shape, but also in other embodiments, it is provided according to a further development that in the apparatus the first state and the second state are available simultaneously (i.e., in parallel), in particular when the sharpening elements are in an intermediate position with respect to one another. Then the apparatus comprises two active pairs of sharpening edges, with which a blade to be sharpened can be processed. According to a further development it is provided that a transition between the first and second states is brought about by shifting the first and/or the second sharpening element. This design of the apparatus in accordance with the invention makes it possible to use two sharpening edges of each of the two sharpening elements by simply shifting those elements, with no need to open the apparatus, remove the sharpening elements and reinstall them in different positions. This again doubles the useful lifetime of the apparatus that can be achieved without reconstruction. Another embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention provides that the triangle formed by the basic surface in at least one of the sharpening elements is an isosceles triangle. Alternatively, or in addition, it can be provided that the triangle in the case of at least one of the sharpening elements is not an isosceles triangle. Furthermore, the size of the angle α can correspond substantially to the size of the angle β. Alternatively, however, the size of the angle α can differ from that of the angle β. In the first case the apparatus can be used in the first and in the second state for sharpening blades of the same kind, i.e. blades having cutting-edge angles within the same angular bandwidth. In the second case the apparatus is suitable for sharpening blades in two categories; that is, when in the first state it can sharpen blades with cutting-edge angles in a first angular bandwidth, and in the second state it can sharpen blades with edge angles in a second bandwidth that differs from the first. Hence by simply shifting the sharpening elements—i.e., with no further reconstruction necessary—two different groups of blades can be sharpened with a given apparatus. Different angles α and β likewise enable sharpening of blades with two phases, known as “shaping”. Such blades have side surfaces set at two different angles in different sections. In the section directly adjacent to the cutting edge (the second phase) a larger angle is formed than in the section further away (first phase). This construction increases the stability of the blade. The apparatus in accordance with the invention thus, in the embodiment presented here, enables correct sharpening of two-phase blades when appropriate angles are provided in the first and second states. For example, the first phase can be sharpened with the sharpening apparatus in its first state. If necessary, the apparatus can then be converted to its second state by shifting the sharpening elements, whereupon the second phase of the blade is sharpened with the sharpening apparatus in its second state. When the angles α and β are of the same size, they can both lie, e.g., in the range from 100 to 50°, in particular about 20° or about 40°. When they are of different sizes, the angle α can for example be in the range from 30° to 500, in particular about 40°, and/or the angle β in the range from 10° to 30°, in particular about 20°. An advantageous embodiment of the sharpening apparatus in accordance with the invention provides that the first sharpening element is fixed within the case and the transition between first and second state is brought about by shifting the second sharpening element. This design makes it simple to operate the apparatus. According to a preferred design it is provided that the case comprises at least one aperture through which to insert the blades to be sharpened. This design enables a particularly user-friendly operation of the sharpening apparatus. Because the sharpening edges are disposed within a recess in the case, the user is better protected from injury. An advantageous further development of the sharpening apparatus in accordance with the invention provides that for fixation of the positions of the sharpening elements with respect to one another and/or within the case there is provided a raster arrangement, in particular one with an externally visible display such as a scale. This arrangement prevents unintentional displacement of the sharpening elements, so that stable sharpening of the blades is possible. However, the associated catch devices used for fixation of the sharpening element or elements can be intentionally released by a user in order to shift the element or elements into a new position, where they can again be arrested by a catch means and thus fixed in place. The raster arrangement can be so constructed that the sharpening elements are caught and fixed in position only when they are in certain prespecified orientations. Alternatively or in addition it is also possible for one or more devices, in particular one or more threaded spindles and/or sliders fixable by a screw means and/or gearings with toothed wheels and/or worm gears, preferably in each case with retention mechanisms, to be provided for the continuous adjustment of the sharpening elements with respect to one another and/or within the case, and for fixing them in the selected positions. With this design no positions need to be prespecified, because the fact that shifting and fixation of the sharpening elements can be done continuously enables practically any arbitrary regions of the currently used sharpening edges to be selected for a sharpening process. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention the case of the sharpening apparatus is made flat, at least in sections, and/or is provided with feet and/or knobs so that it is stable when set onto a supporting surface. This can be complemented by provision of a table abutment on the case, in particular a stopping edge, which allows the apparatus to be arranged securely and stably and thereby enables a uniform sharpening process. Furthermore, the case can be provided at least in sections with an anti-slip coating. As a result the placement of the apparatus on a support is stabilized and it is prevented from accidentally sliding away, which would be associated with a resulting risk of injury to the user by the blade that is being sharpened. An anti-slip coating can also ensure that the user can hold the apparatus safely and stably in his hand. This last purpose is also served by a further development in which the case is constructed at least in part as a handle, for reliable manipulation of the apparatus by users. In this regard it is particularly useful for the handle to be equally suitable for right- and left-handed people. To expand the functionality of the apparatus, according to one preferred design it can be provided that the apparatus comprises an additional tool, in particular another sharpening tool. An apparatus for manual sharpening of the blades of cutting tools with this additional tool is also claimed independently of the sharpening apparatus described above. It is useful for this additional tool to be constructed such that it can be used for freehand sharpening of all blades. Preferably, however, to obtain smooth cutting it is recommended that knives be sharpened with the tool described above, comprising a first and a second sharpening element. The additional tool advantageously comprises a sharpening element, in particular a sharpening element with the shape of a rectangular bar or ingot or trapezoid or triangle, that preferably can be turned around and/or exchanged for another element. It can also be provided that this sharpening element is slidable, preferably along its long direction, and in particular can be shifted at least partially into and out of the case. As the material for all sharpening elements, a hard metal should primarily be considered. In the following the invention is explained in greater detail, also in regard to additional features and advantages, by a description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of an exemplary embodiment of a sharpening apparatus according to the invention in plan view, FIG. 1a shows the arrangement of the sharpening elements according to FIG. 1, in a schematic enlargement, FIG. 2 shows the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 in a side view, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7a,b,c and FIG. 8a,b are diagrams of various embodiments of sharpening elements of a sharpening aparatus according to the invention. FIGS. 1 and 2 show schematically an exemplary embodiment of a sharpening apparatus 10 in accordance with the invention, FIG. 1 in plan view and FIG. 2 as seen from the side. The sharpening apparatus 10 comprises a case 11 with an upper surface 11a, which faces the observer in FIG. 1, and a lower surface 11b situated opposite the upper surface 11a (see FIG. 2). The case 11 has an elongated basic form so shaped and dimensioned that the sharpening apparatus can easily be manipulated by both right- and left-handed users. In particular, a middle region 12 of the case 11 has the form of a shaft or handgrip and is intended to be grasped by a user's hand. The middle region 12 of the case 11 of the sharpening apparatus 10 is thus a handle, i.e. holding part 13, of the sharpening apparatus 10. As a whole, the sharpening apparatus 10 is a hand tool that is portable and hence particularly versatile in use. On the right side of FIG. 1 the sharpening apparatus 10 can be seen to comprise a first functional part 14. The first functional part 14 is a tool for sharpening smooth blades, for example those of knives. This tool is at least partially covered by a first head region 15 of the case 11. The first head region 15 of the case 11 comprises an aperture 16 so shaped that the case 11 forms a first tip 21 and a second tip 23, with a rim 22 of the first tip 21 directed toward the second tip 23 and a rim 24 of the second tip 23 directed toward the first tip 21. The tips 21, 23 have substantially the shape of sharp teeth with straight edges; only a rim 25 opposite the rim 24 of the lower tip 23 is rounded. Within the aperture 16 FIG. 1 shows a first sharpening element 40. This first sharpening element 40 has an M shape and is fixed in position, so that it cannot move relative to the case 11. A second sharpening element 41 is also shown, which is shaped like a prism or an arrowhead. The regions of the sharpening elements 40, 41 that are covered by the case 11 are indicated by dashed lines. The configuration of the sharpening elements 40, 41 in FIG. 1 corresponds to that in the embodiment of these elements described below with reference to FIGS. 7a,b,c and 8a,b, so that reference is made thereto for further explanations regarding their arrangement, positioning, changes of position, actions and so on. Further details regarding the arrangement of the sharpening elements 40, 41 in FIG. 1 will next be explained with reference to FIG. 1a. First a supplementary comment should be made with reference to FIG. 1, namely that the second sharpening element 41 is movable relative to the first sharpening element 40 and hence also to the case 11. FIG. 1 also shows the two angles α, β formed between the sharpening elements 40, 41. FIG. 1a gives an enlarged view of the arrangement of the sharpening elements 40, 41 in FIG. 1 with no other parts such as the case 11 of the sharpening apparatus 10. The arrangement of the sharpening elements in FIG. 1a corresponds to that shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 1a is also a plan view corresponding to the plan view in FIG. 1. The structures shown in FIG. 1a are the first sharpening element 40 and the second sharpening element 41; as seen here, the second sharpening element 41 is in front of the first sharpening element 40 and therefore obscures part of the first sharpening element 40. In these obscured sections, the first sharpening element 40 is drawn with dashed lines. The reference numerals associated here with the sharpening elements 40, 41 correspond to those used for comparable components or regions in FIGS. 3 to 8a,b, which are discussed below. The sharpening elements 40, 41 can also be designed so that they can be exchanged. In FIG. 1a it can be seen that the second sharpening element 41, in the form of an arrowhead or prism, comprises a first sharpening edge 44 and a second sharpening edge 45. The M-shaped first sharpening element 40 comprises a first sharpening edge 42 and a second sharpening edge 43, these two sharpening edges 42, 43 being formed by the linear boundaries of the M shape that converge to form a V. The sharpening elements 40, 41 in FIG. 1a consist substantially of hard metal. The second sharpening element 41 is slidably disposed in the case 11. This slidability is indicated by a double-headed arrow 60, and the position shown in the figure, as made clear by a position line 62, represents the position of an outwardly directed point 63 of the second sharpening element 41. The marginal positions of the point 63 of the second sharpening element 41, i.e. those at the limits of the region within which the second sharpening element 41 can be shifted, are identified at the double-headed arrow 60 by “Pos. 1” and “Pos. 2”, whereas “0” indicates the middle position. In the arrangement shown here the second sharpening element 41 has been pushed slightly away from the middle position “0”, toward “Pos. 1”. The first sharpening edge 44 of the second sharpening element 41 and the first sharpening edge 42 of the first sharpening element 40 enclose the above-mentioned angle β. The second sharpening edge 45 of the second sharpening element 41 and the second sharpening edge 43 of the first sharpening element 40 enclose the angle α, likewise mentioned above. In FIGS. 1 and 1a the size of the angle β corresponds approximately to the size of the angle α, both angles α, β being about 40°. On the basis of the position occupied in FIGS. 1 and 1a by the second sharpening element 41, the gap at the angle α, into which a blade to be sharpened must be inserted, is deeper than the corresponding gap at angle β. When the element is in the middle position “0” these gaps are equally deep, and in each of the marginal positions “Pos. 2” and “Pos. 2” one of the gaps is in its deepest possible state whereas the other gap vanishes completely, or at least nearly so (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 1a; cf FIG. 8a/b). The shifting of the second sharpening element 41 is brought about, as can be seen in FIG. 1, by means of a sliding button 28 that can move within a sliding region 29. In order to fix the second sharpening element 41 in the marginal positions “Pos. 2” and “Pos. 2”, as well as in the middle position “0” and in other intermediate positions, an array of catches can be provided (not shown). Alternatively, however, it is also possible for a worm gear (not shown) to be provided to shift the second sharpening element 41. The worm gear is self-fixing. Hence a catch array is not needed in this case; the second sharpening element 41 in every position it occupies is automatically fixed sufficiently for sharpening; that is, the second sharpening element 41 does not become displaced during the sharpening process. FIG. 1a further shows schematically that the sharpening edges 42, 43, 44, 45 of both sharpening elements 40, 41 are relief-ground, forming a relief angle not shown here. This relief grinding is identified in FIG. 1b by the reference numeral 61. However, the relief grinding 61 in FIG. 1b is so disposed that it is concealed by the surfaces of the two sharpening elements 40, 41 that face the observer. Accordingly, the concealed relief grindings 61 are represented by dotted lines. The sharpening edges in FIGS. 1 and 1a are thus each adjacent to the surface of the associated sharpening element 40, 41 that faces toward the observer, and the relief grindings 61 face away from the observer. Accordingly, in FIG. 2 the sharpening edges are each situated on the side of the associated sharpening element that faces upward, i.e. toward the upper surface 11a of the case 11, whereas the relief grinding 61 is toward the underside 11b of the case 11. On the left side as shown in FIG. 1 the sharpening apparatus 10 comprises a second functional part 30. The second functional part 30 is a tool for sharpening blades of all kinds. It is suitable in particular even for blades that are not easily accessible, for example those of a kitchen slicer or in a mixer. However, it is also suitable for sharpening blades that cannot be sharpened with the first functional part 14, for example those with dimensions that are too large such as axe or scythe blades, or for processing the edges of skis. The second functional part is at least partly covered by a second head region 31 of the case 11. The actual tool in the second functional part 30 is a sharpening element 32 substantially in the form of a rectangular bar or an ingot with several sharpening edges 33, which ordinarily consists substantially of hard metal. Alternatively the sharpening element 32 can also have a trapezoidal or triangular shape (not shown). The sharpening element 32 is slidably disposed in the case 11, in such a way that by means of a sliding button 34 it can be partially or completely pulled into the case 11 and can be pushed out of the case 11 for a sharpening procedure. Furthermore, the sharpening element 32 can be pushed out entirely, beyond a resistance point that preferably is reached about halfway along the distance over which the sharpening element 32 must move in order to emerge completely, having been pushed out entirely, it can be used for sharpening by means of several edges and/or edge regions, so that an optimal sharpening result is achieved with an unused region and at the same time the useful life of the sharpening element 32 is increased. In addition, the sharpening element 32 can be exchanged. In FIG. 1 two additional angles 39a, 39b are labeled, between the sharpening edges 33 and the case 11. These angled regions 39a, 39b facilitate the positioning and hence the sharpening of the blades to be processed. The magnitudes of the angles 39a and 39b are different in order to provide conditions suitable for as many kinds of blade as possible. For instance, the angle 39a can be about 90° while the angle 39b is about 120°. In case of an alternative configuration of the sharpening element 32, for example a trapezoidal or triangular configuration, the shape of the case 11 should be adapted thereto in such a way that again two different angles are formed between the sharpening edges and the case 11, for instance one angle of about 90° and another of about 120°. As a result, even with an alternative configuration of the sharpening element 32 it should be possible to apply to it a variety of blades to be sharpened. The sharpening apparatus according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is thus multifunctional. It is suitable for manual sharpening of cutting tools such as knives or scissors as well as for sharpening blades inserted into household devices such as kitchen slicers or mixers. Furthermore, it is also suitable for sharpening the edges of skis or blades with large dimensions, such as those of axes or scythes. In order to enable optimal manipulation of the sharpening apparatus 10, the apparatus comprises on the lower surface 11b of the case 11a flat surface 36, which is to be set onto a flat supporting structure. Furthermore, on the lower surface 11b of the case 11a stopping shoulder 38 is formed, which can be positioned for instance so that it abuts against the edge of a table, so as to enable stable manipulation of the sharpening apparatus 10. Next to the stopping shoulder 38 is an abutment section 37. To prevent the sharpening apparatus 10 from sliding out of position, the case 11 can be provided with an anti-slip coating on all or part of its surface. The manual sharpening procedure that employs the functional part 14 of the sharpening apparatus 10 is preferably carried out by positioning the sharpening apparatus on a supporting structure, for example a table, and fixing it in position thereon, after which the blades to be sharpened are moved across the sharpening edges in the first functional part 14; that is, the blades are pulled through the functional part 14. Alternatively, however, it is also possible to keep the blade to be sharpened immobile, i.e. to fix it in position, and to move the functional part 14 of the sharpening apparatus 10 over the blade so that its sharpening edges make contact therewith. The manual sharpening procedure that employs the functional part 30 of the sharpening apparatus 10 is preferably carried out by immobilizing or fixing in position the blade to be sharpened and pulling the sharpening edge 33 of the functional part 30 over the blade. In this process care should be taken that the operative cutting edges on the sharpening elements are at all times turned towards the direction of movement of the blade to be sharpened; that is, the relief-ground section 61 is formed in the movement direction of the blades. Accordingly, with an arrangement of the sharpening elements such as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 1a, the blades to be processed are moved into the plane of the drawing, i.e. from the upper surface 11a of the case 11 toward the lower surface 11b of the case 11. This corresponds to a movement of the blades from top to bottom in FIG. 2. FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7a,b,c and FIG. 8a,b are schematic drawings of various embodiments of sharpening elements in a sharpening apparatus in accordance with the invention. In each drawing the structures shown, and identified by the same reference numerals, are a first sharpening element 40 and a second sharpening element 41, both of which consist substantially of hard metal. The first sharpening element 40 comprises a first sharpening edge 42 and a second sharpening edge 43. The second sharpening element 41 comprises a first sharpening edge 44 and a second sharpening edge 45. Also represented in the figures (if present in the particular embodiment) are shift regions identified by a dashed outline, namely a shift region 46 for the first sharpening element 40 and/or a shift region 47 for the second sharpening element 41. In each of the figures two marginal positions (Pos. 1 and Pos. 2) of the sharpening elements 40, 41 are indicated, between which the associated sharpening elements can be shifted. The direction in which it is possible for the first sharpening element 40 and/or the second sharpening element 41 to be shifted out of each of the positions shown is indicated by an arrow. The positioning of the sharpening elements 40, 41 relative to a case (not shown) of the sharpening apparatus is indicated by a baseline 48, which is the same for both of the marginal positions shown (Pos. 1 and Pos. 2) and therefore is continuous throughout each figure. This line is substantially parallel to a straight line defined by two outer limiting points 58, 59 of a V-shaped gap 52 (described below), which are situated opposite a crossing point 51. The baseline 48 is chosen such that it always intersects the deepest usable crossing point 51 of the sharpening elements 40, 41. In each of the FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8a,b, and in each of the marginal positions (Pos. 1 and Pos. 2), the first sharpening element 40 and second sharpening element 41 overlap to some extent: in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 the first sharpening element 40 is in front of the second sharpening element 41, whereas in FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 8a,b the second sharpening element 41 is in front of the first sharpening element 40. A feature that cannot be seen in the figures is that the superimposed surface areas of the two sharpening elements 40, 41 are directly apposed—that is, they touch one another. However, it is also possible for a narrow gap to be left between these surfaces. In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, and in each of the marginal positions (Pos. 1 and Pos. 2) shown there, the second sharpening edge 43 of the first sharpening element 40 serves as a first currently used sharpening edge 49, and the first sharpening edge 44 of the second sharpening element 41 serves as a second currently used sharpening edge 50. The term “currently used” in both cases identifies the sharpening edge of the relevant element that is operative in the illustrated configuration. The first currently used sharpening edge 49 and the second currently used sharpening edge 50 cross one another at a crossing point 51, forming between them a V-shaped gap 52, with an angle α at the crossing point 51, into which blades of the cutting tools to be sharpened are inserted. The sharpening apparatus with sharpening elements 40, 41 arranged as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4 is in a first state 53 of the sharpening apparatus while in both marginal positions (Pos. 1 and Pos. 2); that is, in both marginal positions the same sharpening edge of each sharpening element is being used for the sharpening procedure. In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 the basic shape of both the first sharpening element 40 and the second sharpening element 41 is a rectangle. The side surfaces are slanted (not shown); that is, the sharpening elements 40, 41 are relief-ground. The relief angle (not shown), i.e. the angle at which the side surfaces are slanted, is in the range from 4° to 10°. As a whole, therefore, each of the sharpening elements 40, 41 has the shape of an ingot. Furthermore, the first sharpening element 40 and the second sharpening element 41 have substantially the same dimensions. The procedure for sharpening a blade with sharpening elements arranged as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 is carried out in each case in the region of the crossing point 51; that is, the sites or regions of the first currently used sharpening edge 49 and the second currently used sharpening edge 50 that are operative during this procedure are near the point 51, and hence it is here that wear occurs. FIGS. 3 and 4 show that the operative site (=region) of the currently used sharpening edges 49, 50 can be changed by shifting the sharpening elements 40, 41 in the directions indicated by the arrows in the drawings, so that many different sites along the currently used sharpening edges 49, 50 can be made operative for a sharpening procedure. If a site should become worn down, it is possible by simply shifting the sharpening elements 40, 41 to obtain an optimal result of sharpening at another, not yet worn site on the currently used sharpening edges 49, 50. This enables the currently used sharpening edges 49, 50 of the sharpening elements 40, 41 to be employed for sharpening blades over much or all of their length, and as a result the working life of the sharpening elements 40, 41 is distinctly prolonged. With the arrangement shown in FIG. 3 the first sharpening element 40 can be shifted within the shift range 46, parallel to the first currently used sharpening edge 49, while the second sharpening element 41 can be shifted within the shift range 47, parallel to the second currently used sharpening edge 50. The two sharpening elements 40, 41 can be shifted individually or together. For any possible shifting of one or both of the sharpening elements 40, 41, the size of the angle α remains the same. In FIG. 4 the first sharpening element 40 is fixed, whereas the second sharpening element 41 can be shifted parallel to the baseline 48, within the shift range 47. Here, again, the size of the angle α remains the same for all possible shifts of the second sharpening element 41. In FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 the first sharpening element 40 and the second sharpening element 41 are each shaped like a prism or an arrowhead, with a triangle as the basic surface. In FIG. 5 the triangles formed by the two sharpening elements 40, 41 are both isosceles triangles, corresponding to one another. In contrast, the sharpening elements 40, 41 shown in FIG. 6 both have the shape of triangles with three unequal sides. In the case shown in FIG. 6, however, the two triangles formed by the sharpening elements 40, 41 have equal heights as well as equal bases. In all constructions shown here, all the side surfaces of the sharpening elements 40, 41 are slanted (not shown); that is, the sharpening elements 40, 41 exhibit relief grinding. The relief angle (not shown), i.e. the angle at which the side surfaces are slanted, is in the range from 4° to 10°. In both FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 the first sharpening element 40 is fixed, whereas the second sharpening element 41 can be shifted parallel to the baseline 48, within the shift range 47. The two marginal positions in the shift range 47 that can be occupied by the second sharpening element 41 are designated “Pos. 1” and “Pos. 2”. In “Pos. 1” the first sharpening edge 42 of the first sharpening element 40 constitutes a first currently used sharpening edge 49, and the second sharpening edge 45 of the second sharpening element 41 constitutes a second currently used sharpening edge 50. The first and second “currently used” sharpening edges are the sharpening edges that are operative during the sharpening process that is being considered. The first currently used sharpening edge 49 and the second currently used sharpening edge 50 cross one another at a crossing point 51, forming between them a V-shaped gap 52 with an angle α at the crossing point 51, into which blades of the cutting tools to be sharpened are inserted. The sharpening apparatus with sharpening elements 40, 41 arranged as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 is in a first state 53 while the marginal position “Pos. 1” is being occupied. In the marginal position “Pos. 2” the second sharpening edge 43 of the first sharpening element 40 constitutes a first currently used sharpening edge 49, and the first sharpening edge 44 of the second sharpening element 41 constitutes a second currently used sharpening edge 50. Here, again, the first and second “currently used” sharpening edges are the sharpening edges that are operative during the sharpening process that is being considered. The first currently used sharpening edge 49 and the second currently used sharpening edge 50 likewise cross one another at a crossing point 51 when the apparatus is in “Pos. 2”, forming between them a V-shaped gap 52 into which blades of the cutting tools to be sharpened are inserted, in this case with an angle β at the crossing point 51. The sharpening apparatus with sharpening elements 40, 41 arranged as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 is in a second state 54 while the marginal position “Pos. 2” is being occupied. In FIGS. 5 and 6 the extent to which the second sharpening element 41 can be shifted is not only indicated by the outlined shift range 47; here a display device 55 is also provided. The shift range is subdivided by a raster arrangement, represented in the display device 55 by the scale lines 56. A shifted position such that the upper tip of the second sharpening element 41 coincides with the upper tip of the first sharpening element 40 is represented in the display device 55 by “0”, reference numeral 57. As long as the second sharpening element 41 occupies a position between the marginal position “Pos. 1” and the position “0” in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, the sharpening apparatus is in the first state 53; that is, the same sharpening edges 42, 45 of the sharpening elements 40, 41 are always operative for the sharpening procedure. When the second sharpening element 41 is shifted within the region between the positions “Pos. 1” and “0”, the size of the angle α remains the same. Thus the sharpening of a blade is always performed in the region of the crossing point 51; that is, the sites or regions of the first currently used sharpening edge 49 (=42) and the second currently used sharpening edge 50 (=45) located there are operative during a sharpening procedure, and therefore can be worn down. The operative site (=region) of each of the sharpening edges 42=49, 45=50 can be altered by shifting the sharpening element 41 between the marginal position “Pos. 1” and the position “0”, as a result of which many different sites along the sharpening edges 42=49, 45=50 can be made operative for a sharpening procedure. If one site becomes worn, it is possible simply by shifting the second sharpening element 41 to operate at another, not yet worn-down site on the sharpening edges 42=49, 45=50 and thus obtain an optimal sharpening result. It therefore becomes possible to use most or all of the length of the sharpening edges 42=49, 45=50 of the sharpening elements 40, 41 to sharpen blades, and thereby to distinctly prolong the working life of the sharpening elements 40, 41. As long as the second sharpening element 41 occupies a position between the marginal position “Pos. 2” and the position “0” in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, the sharpening apparatus is in the second state 54; that is, the same sharpening edges 43, 44 of the sharpening elements 40, 41 are always operative for the sharpening procedure. When the second sharpening element 41 is shifted within the region between the positions “Pos. 2” and “0”, the size of the angle β remains the same. Thus the sharpening of a blade is always performed in the region of the crossing point 51; that is, the sites or regions of the first currently used sharpening edge 49 (=43) and the second currently used sharpening edge 50 (=44) located there are operative during a sharpening procedure, and therefore can be worn down. The operative site (=region) of each of the sharpening edges 43=49, 44=50 can be altered by shifting the sharpening element 41 between the marginal position “Pos. 2” and the position “0”, as a result of which many different sites along the sharpening edges 43=49, 44=50 can be made operative for a sharpening procedure. If one site becomes worn, it is possible simply by shifting the second sharpening element 41 to operate at another, not yet worn-down site on the sharpening edges 43=49, 44=50 and thus obtain an optimal sharpening result. It therefore becomes possible to use most or all of the length of the sharpening edges 43=49, 44=50 of the sharpening elements 40, 41 to sharpen blades, and thereby to distinctly prolong the working life of the sharpening elements 40, 41. The fact that the second sharpening element 41 in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 can be shifted throughout the range delimited by the marginal positions “Pos. 1” and “Pos. 2” thus makes it possible, without structural modification of the sharpening elements, to make use of both sharpening edges 42, 43 of the first sharpening element 40 as well as both sharpening edges 44, 45 of the second sharpening element 41. As a result, the working life of the sharpening elements 40, 41 is again prolonged. In FIG. 5 the two angles α and β are equally large because the sharpening elements 40, 41 are both shaped as isosceles triangles, so that in both the first state 53 and the second state 54 the sharpening apparatus can be used to sharpen blades with comparable cutting-edge angles. In FIG. 6, on the other hand, the two angles α and β are of different sizes, angle α being distinctly larger than angle β. Hence when the apparatus is in the first state 53, it can sharpen blades having a cutting-edge angle distinctly different from that of blades that can be sharpened when the apparatus is in the second state 54. Also, in the case of a two-phase blade, the two phases of the blade can be processed in sequence, inasmuch as the phase with the smaller angle is sharpened when the sharpening apparatus is in the second state 54, after which the apparatus is converted to the first state 53 in order to sharpen the phase with the larger angle. In particular the embodiment according to FIG. 6, with sharpening elements 40, 41 shaped, arranged and shiftable as illustrated there, enables an especially flexible and multifunctional design of a sharpening apparatus or sharpening tool. For this purpose the sharpening elements 40, 41 are disposed in a case, for example a case constructed like the one in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2, in such a way that the second sharpening element 41 can be shifted therein over a range corresponding to the shift range 47 in FIG. 6 with associated marginal positions “Pos. 1” and “Pos. 2”, and the first sharpening element 40 is fixed within the case. The embodiment of the sharpening elements according to FIG. 6 is thus designed to enable sharpening of two different groups of blades. These groups differ with respect to the angle at the cutting edge. This embodiment is also suitable for sharpening both phases of a two-phase blade. Another embodiment is illustrated by both FIG. 7a,b,c and FIG. 8a,b. As shown there, the first sharpening element 40 has a three-dimensional M shape, with an M-shaped basic surface (see FIG. 7a), and the second sharpening element 41 is shaped like prism or arrowhead, with a basic surface in which a triangle and a rectangle are combined (see FIG. 7b). The height is the same for both sharpening elements 40, 41. Here, again, the side surfaces of the sharpening elements 40, 41 that are adjacent to the sharpening edges 42, 43, 44, 45 are all slanted (not shown), i.e. the sharpening elements 40, 41 exhibit a relief grinding. The relief angle (not shown), i.e. the angle at which the side surfaces are slanted, is in the range from 4° to 10°. FIG. 7c and FIG. 8a,b show the arrangement of the sharpening elements 40, 41 with respect to one another: the second sharpening element 41 is disposed in front of the first sharpening element 40, and the edges of the first sharpening element 40 thus concealed are represented by dashed lines. The first sharpening element 40 is fixed in position, whereas the second sharpening element 41 can be shifted parallel to the baseline 48 within the shift range 47. The two marginal positions, i.e. the outermost positions that can be occupied by the second sharpening element 41 within the shift range 47, are shown in FIG. 8a and FIG. 8b, respectively, and identified as “Pos. 1” and “Pos. 2”. In the marginal position “Pos. 1” (FIG. 8a) the second sharpening edge 43 of the first sharpening element 40 constitutes a first currently used sharpening edge 49, and the second sharpening edge 45 of the second sharpening element 41 constitutes a second currently used sharpening edge 50. The first and second “currently used” sharpening edges are the sharpening edges that are operative during the sharpening process that is being considered. The first currently used sharpening edge 49 and the second currently used sharpening edge 50 cross one another at a crossing point 51, forming between them a V-shaped gap 52 with an angle α at the crossing point 51, into which blades of the cutting tools to be sharpened are inserted. The sharpening apparatus with sharpening elements 40, 41 arranged as shown in FIG. 8a is in a first state 53 while the marginal position “Pos. 1” is being occupied. In the marginal position “Pos. 2” (FIG. 8b) the first sharpening edge 42 of the first sharpening element 40 constitutes a first currently used sharpening edge 49, and the first sharpening edge 44 of the second sharpening element 41 constitutes a second currently used sharpening edge 50. Here, again, the first and second “currently used” sharpening edges are the sharpening edges that are operative during the sharpening process that is being considered. The first currently used sharpening edge 49 and the second currently used sharpening edge 50 likewise cross one another at a crossing point 51 when the apparatus is in “Pos. 2”, forming between them a V-shaped gap 52 into which blades of the cutting tools to be sharpened are inserted, but in this case with an angle β at the crossing point 51. The sharpening apparatus with sharpening elements 40, 41 arranged as shown in FIG. 8b is in a second state 54 while the marginal position “Pos. 2” is being occupied. FIG. 7c shows an intermediate position of the second sharpening element 41 relative to the first sharpening element 40. This intermediate position is between the marginal positions “Pos. 1” and “Pos. 2” shown in FIG. 8a,b. It can be seen that in the intermediate position all four sharpening edges 42, 43, 44, 45 of the sharpening elements 40, 41 are usable and hence are operative for a sharpening procedure; that is, between the sharpening edges 42 and 44 as well as between the sharpening edges 43 and 45 a V-shaped gap 53 is formed into which blades of the cutting tools to be sharpened can be inserted. The angles α and β, repsectively, are shown in FIG. 7c. At every position to which the the second sharpening element 41 can be shifted between the marginal positions “Pos. 1” and “Pos. 2”, therefore, the sharpening apparatus is simultaneously in the first state 53 and the second state 54; that is, all sharpening edges 42, 43, 44, 45 of the sharpening elements 40, 41 are always available to be used for a sharpening procedure. When the second sharpening element 41 is shifted within the shift range 47, the sizes of the angles α and β continue to be equal. With this arrangement the procedure for sharpening a blade is always carried out in the region of the crossing point 51; that is, the sites or regions along the associated sharpening edges 42, 43, 44, 45 are operative during a sharpening process and hence are subject to being worn down. The operative site (=region) of the sharpening edges 42, 43, 44, 45 can be altered by shifting the sharpening element 41 between the marginal positions “Pos. I” and “Pos. 2”, as a result of which many different sites along the sharpening edges 42, 43, 44, 45 can be made operative for sharpening. If one site becomes worn, it is possible simply by shifting the second sharpening element 41 to operate at another, not yet worn-down site on the sharpening edges 42, 43, 44, 45 and thus obtain an optimal sharpening result. It therefore becomes possible to use most or all of the length of the sharpening edges 42, 43, 44, 45 of the sharpening elements 40, 41 to sharpen blades, and thereby to distinctly prolong the working life of the sharpening elements 40, 41. In FIG. 7a,b,c and FIG. 8a,b the two angles α and β are equally large; that is, in both the first state 53 and the second state 54 of the sharpening apparatus blades with comparable cutting angles can be sharpened. It is possible, however, by constructing the sharpening elements 40, 41 appropriately to make the sizes of the angles α and β different, so that blades with distinctly different cutting angles—i.e., blades belonging to a different cutting-angle size class—can be optimally sharpened at the most suitable angle, α or β. It is self-evident that the other embodiments, possibilities for shifting and arrangements of the sharpening elements 40, 41 according to FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7a,b,c and FIG. 8a,b can also be disposed in appropriately adapted cases 11 (cf. FIGS. 1 and 2), so as in each case to construct sharpening tools.
20041216
20060919
20060112
71729.0
B24B2300
1
ACKUN, JACOB K
APPARATUS FOR MANUAL SHARPENING OF THE BLADES OF CUTTING TOOLS
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
B24B
2,004
11,012,511
ACCEPTED
Power supply adaptive feedforward control circuit
There is provided by this invention a system for supply power utilizing a power supply having an adaptive feedforward circuit that uses a gating circuit to periodically apply a feedback signal to an integrator circuit in order to develop an optimal level of a scaled feedforward signal that is used to diminish perturbations of the output of the power supply due to ripple and transient voltages present at the DC bus that supplies power to the power supply. The gating circuit is synchronized to the periodic ripple in the DC bus voltage.
1. A power supply system comprising: a) a source of DC power that provides a DC bus voltage between a pair of DC bus conductors; b) a power supply that receives power from the DC bus terminals and delivers power to a load; c) an output measurement circuit that measures output parameters delivered by the power supply output to the load and provides a corresponding set of feedback signals; d) a feedback regulator connected to the output measurement circuit that receives the feedback signals and provides a feedback output signal operative to regulate the output of the power supply to achieve a desired voltage, current, or power level specified by a setpoint signal; and e) an adaptive feedforward circuit connected to the feedback regulator and to the DC bus conductors to provide a combined regulation signal to the power supply that minimizes perturbations in the output of the power supply due to DC bus ripple voltage. 2. A power supply system as recited in claim 1 wherein the adaptive feedforward circuit is comprised of a feedforward measurement circuit connected to the DC bus conductors to provide a feedforward measurement signal to a feedforward scaling amplifier, a feedforward scaling regulator that receives the feedforward measurement signal and feedback output signal and provides a feedforward scaling signal to the feedforward scaling amplifier that is proportional to the product of the feedforward measurement signal and a scaling factor; and a signal combiner connected to the feedforward scaling amplifier and feedback regulator to produce the combined regulation signal that is delivered to the power supply. 3. A power supply system as recited in claim 2 wherein the feedforward scaling regulator is comprised of a gating circuit that periodically applies a signal derived from the feedback signals to an integrator circuit that generates the feedforward scaling signal synchronized to the periodic ripple in the DC bus voltage. 4. A power supply system comprising: a) a source of DC power that provides a DC bus voltage between a pair of DC bus conductors, the DC bus voltage having a periodic DC bus ripple voltage; b) a power supply that receives power from the DC bus terminals and delivers power to a load, the power supply having a control signal input; c) An output measurement circuit that measures a set of output parameters such as the voltage, current and power delivered by the power supply output to the load, and provides a corresponding set of feedback signals; d) a feedback regulator having a first feedback input that receives a first subset of the set of the feedback signals, and provides a feedback output signal operative to regulate the output of the power supply to achieve a desired voltage, current, or power level specified by a setpoint signal; e) an adaptive feedforward circuit that has a feedforward measurement circuit, a feedforward scaling amplifier, a feedforward scaling regulator, and a signal combiner; f) the feedforward measurement circuit having input terminals connected to the DC bus conductors and providing a feedforward measurement signal; g) the feedforward scaling amplifier having a feedforward input that receives the feedforward measurement signal and provides a scaled feedforward signal that is proportional to the product of the feedforward measurement signal and a scaling factor signal present at a scaling input; h) the feedforward scaling regulator having a sync input that receives the feedforward measurement signal, a second feedback input that receives a second subset of the set of the feedback signals, the feedforward scaling regulator providing a feedforward scaling signal operative to regulate the amplitude of a scaled feedforward signal to a level that minimizes perturbations in the output of the power supply due to the DC bus ripple voltage; i) the feedforward scaling regulator further comprising a gating circuit that periodically applies a signal derived from the second subset of the set of the feedback signals to an integrator circuit that generates the feedforward scaling signal; j) the signal combiner signal receiving the feedback output signal and the scaled feedforward signal and producing a combined regulation signal that is delivered to the control signal input of the power supply.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to switch mode power supplies, and more particularly, to switch mode power supplies suitable for plasma processing that utilize feedforward control to prevent ripple and transients in the power supply output. 2. Brief Description of the Prior Art The ability of a regulated power supply to prevent ripple and transients at the input from being transferred to the output can be improved by taking a signal proportional to the input voltage and combining it with the output from the closed-loop feedback control circuit in a way that counteracts the effect of changes in the input voltage. U.S. Pat. No. 6,359,799 discloses a three-phase power supply that uses feedforward to reduce ripple in the output. The optimal amount of a feedforward signal to be combined with the feedback signal varies with the operating conditions, and fairly elaborate control schemes such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,541,833 and 5,711,843 have been devised to adaptively adjust feedforward signals in a variety of industrial processes including plasma processing. Feedforward techniques have been developed for use in pulse-width-modulated power supplies in which the voltage conversion ratio is determined by the switching duty cycle, such as those described in the publication by B. Arbetter, and D Maksimovic, “Feedforward pulse-width modulators for switching power converters,” IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference, June 1995, vol. 1, pp. 601-607. However, these techniques are not applicable to resonant power supplies. U.S. Pat. No. 6,049,473 utilizes a nonlinear variable-gain amplifier to adjust the small-signal gain of the feedforward signal path according to a pre-determined trajectory, but it lacks an adaptive feedforward scaling regulator that optimizes the amplitude of a feedforward signal based on measurements of the output of the power supply. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,535,906 and 6,697,265 disclose frequency-controlled resonant DC power supply circuits that are suitable for use in plasma processing. In typical implementations, they receive power from a three-phase-rectified DC bus that lacks bulk energy storage capacitors. The DC bus voltage obtained from unfiltered three-phase bridge rectifiers changes rapidly near the cusps where diode commutation occurs. The bandwidth of typical control loops for these power supplies is insufficient to compensate for the rapid changes in the bus voltage that occur near the commutation cusps, and this produces ripple peaks in the output of the power supply that occur with a repetition rate of six times the line frequency. Some plasma processes such as self induced plasma copper processes require lower values of ripple in the DC power than these types of power supplies can provide. The conversion ratio of these power supplies depends on the operating conditions as well as the operating frequency, so if feedforward compensation were to be used, it would need to be adaptive in nature. It would be desirable if there were provided a simple and inexpensive adaptive feedforward circuit that minimizes perturbations in an output of a system that delivers power to a plasma process caused by periodic perturbations in a system input. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION There is provided by this invention a simple and inexpensive adaptive feedforward circuit that minimizes perturbations in an output of a system that delivers power to a plasma process caused by periodic perturbations in a system input. The preferred embodiment reduces output ripple in a power supply that receives power from a rectified three-phase DC bus by sending a combination of the output of a feedback regulator and a feedforward signal that is proportional to the AC component of the DC bus voltage. The feedforward signal is phased to the control input of a power supply to compensate for ripple and transients in the DC bus voltage. The amplitude of the feedforward signal is automatically adjusted by a feedforward scaling regulator to minimize the output ripple of the power supply. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a three-phase power supply with an adaptive feedforward circuit. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an adaptive feedforward circuit. FIGS. 3-6 show waveforms illustrative of signals within the adaptive feedforward circuit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a power supply system with an adaptive feedforward circuit. A three-phase power source 10 supplies power to a three-phase bridge rectifier 20 that produces a DC bus voltage between a pair of conductors 21 and 22. A power supply 30 has a pair of DC input terminals 31 and 32 that are connected, respectively, to DC bus conductors 21 and 22. The power supply delivers power from an output 33 to a load 43. In general, power supply 30 could provide AC or DC power, depending on the application. An adaptive feedforward circuit 100 provides a scaled feedforward signal 129 that enhances the ability of a feedback regulator 60 to regulate the output of the power supply to achieve a desired voltage, current, or power level specified by a setpoint signal 76. This feedforward signal 129 diminishes perturbations of the output of the power supply due to ripple and transient voltages present across the DC bus conductors. In operation, an output measurement circuit 50 measures a set of output parameters 53 such as the voltage, current and power delivered by power supply output 33 to load 43, and provides a corresponding set of feedback signals 55. Feedback regulator 60 has a feedback input 65 that receives a subset of feedback signal set 55 which includes some or all of the feedback signals. Adaptive feedforward circuit 100 has a feedforward scaling regulator 140 with a feedback input 145 that also receives a subset of feedback signal set 55. A feedforward measurement circuit 110 has input terminals 111 and 112 that are connected, respectively, to DC bus conductors 21 and 22, and it provides a feedforward measurement signal 113 to a feedforward input terminal 123 of a feedforward scaling amplifier 120, and to a sync input 143 of feedforward scaling regulator 140. Feedforward scaling amplifier 120 has a scaling input 128 that receives a scaling factor output signal 148 that is provided by feedforward scaling regulator 140. A signal combiner 130 receives scaled feedforward signal 129 from feedforward scaling amplifier 120 at a first combiner input 139, and also receives a feedback output signal 67 from feedback regulator 60 at a second combiner input 137. Signal combiner 130 provides a combined regulation signal 134 that is connected to a control input 34 of power supply 30. FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of adaptive feedforward circuit 100. Operational amplifier U1 and the resistors and capacitors surrounding it form a differential amplifier that measures the DC bus voltage and provides an output at junction J1. Operational amplifier U2 with resistors R4 and R5 comprise an inverting amplifier with an input that is AC coupled to the output of the differential amplifier through capacitor C5. The output of the AC-coupled inverting amplifier provides a feedforward measurement signal 113 to a feedforward scaling amplifier 120. Feedforward input 123 of the feedforward scaling amplifier 120 receives the feedforward measurement signal, and is connected to an input terminal X1 of a multiplier integrated circuit U3. A sync input 143 of a feedforward scaling regulator 140 also receives feedforward measurement signal 113, and is connected to a low-pass noise-rejection filter comprised of a resistor R2 and a capacitor C1. The output of the low-pass filter appears across capacitor C1, and is connected to the inverting input of a comparator U6. The output of comparator U6 is connected to node J4 which provides a square-wave gating signal that is negative over a gating interval that is approximately centered on the cusps of the DC bus voltage waveform, which occur due to diode commutation in bridge rectifier 20 shown in FIG. 1, thereby synchronizing the gating interval to the periodic ripple in the DC bus voltage. Sync input terminal 145 of the feedforward scaling regulator 140 receives a subset of feedback signal set 55. In the preferred embodiment, input 145 is connected to a signal that is proportional to the output power of power supply 30. The output power signal is preferred because a voltage signal would be attenuated with loads that have low incremental AC impedance, and a current signal would be attenuated with loads that have high incremental AC impedance. An operational amplifier U4 and resistors R1 and R3 form an inverting amplifier having an output that is connected to junction J2, and input that is AC coupled input terminal 145 through a capacitor C4. The voltage at junction J2 is an amplified AC-coupled inverted power signal. The control input of an analog switch U5 is connected to the gating comparator at junction J4. During the gating interval when the voltage at junction J4 is negative, analog switch U5 is turned off, and the AC-coupled inverted power signal at junction J2 flows through resistor R6, appearing as a gated power signal at a junction J3. Junction J3 is tied to ground when the gating signal at J4 is positive. The gated power signal at junction J3 is integrated by an inverting integrator circuit that is comprised of an operational amplifier U7, an integrating capacitor C15, a Zener Diode D1 and a resistor R9. The integrator output provides scaling factor output signal 148. An input terminal Y1 of multiplier integrated circuit U3 receives the scaling factor output signal from scaling input 128 of feedforward scaling amplifier 120. The voltage at an output W of multiplier U3 is equal to the product of the X1 and Y1 voltages divided by 10, and provides scaled feedforward signal 129. Zener Diode D1 limits the range of the integrator output voltage to prevent overdriving the Y1 input of the multiplier. Signal combiner 130 consists of resistors R10 and R11 that are connected between combiner input terminals 137 and 139. The combined regulation signal 134 is developed at the junction where R10 and R11 that are connected to each other. This simple signal combiner produces a linear combination of input signals 129 and 67, but the signal combiner may be implemented to produce signal 134 according to any function of those input signals (e.g. multiplication) that is advantageous for a particular power supply. FIG. 3 shows circuit waveforms without feedforward (U3 removed), and FIG. 4 shows waveforms with feedforward (U3 installed). In FIGS. 3-6, waveform VJ1 illustrates the voltage at junction J1, waveform VOUT-AC illustrates an AC-coupled power supply output voltage waveform, and V139 illustrates the voltage at input 139 of signal combiner 130. VJIA indicates one of the cusps in the waveform of the measured DC bus voltage. The rms ripple in the DC output voltage of the power supply with the feedforward circuit is 23 percent of the rms ripple voltage without it, while the peak-peak ripple voltage with the feedforward circuit is 31 percent of the peak-peak ripple voltage without it. The output voltage of the power supply for these waveforms was 700V, and the output power was 20 kW. From FIG. 3, it can be seen that the control circuit is unable to track the rising edge of the DC bus voltage during the interval immediately following the cusps, and this produces a spike in the DC output voltage. The feedforward signal V139 shown in FIG. 4 falls rapidly during the time immediately following the cusp, and this compensates for the rapidly rising DC bus voltage. FIG. 5 shows circuit additional waveforms without feedforward (U3 removed), and FIG. 6 shows additional waveforms with feedforward (U3 installed). In these two figures, waveform V113 illustrates feedforward measurement signal 113, VJ3 illustrates the voltage at junction J3, and VJ4 illustrates the voltage at junction J4. In FIG. 5, VJ3 shows the gated power signal at J3 when feedforward is disabled by removing U3. The average value of the AC-coupled power signal at J2 is zero, and because the waveform is inverted, the voltage at J2 will be negative during the positive spikes of the power supply DC output voltage. If the voltage at J2 is gated by an interval around the cusps on the DC bus voltage, then the gated signal would have a negative average value. Consequently, the average value of the gated power signal at J3 is negative, and when this voltage is integrated by U7, feedforward scaling signal 148 becomes positive. If too much feedforward compensation were applied, then the average value of the voltage at J3 would be positive, and this would drive feedforward scaling signal 148 toward zero. The negative power pin of U7 is tied to ground. FIG. 6 shows the waveforms of FIG. 5 when U3 is installed and the adaptive feedforward circuit is operating. In addition to reducing the output ripple of a DC power supply, the adaptive feedforward circuit could also be applied to reduce the ripple in the envelope of RF power supplies that are powered from an unfiltered three-phase rectified DC bus. The adaptive feedforward circuit can be utilized in applications other than power supplies intended for plasma processing. In general, power supply 30 can be any type of controllable plant that operates a load 43. The output measurements can correspond to any relevant output parameters of the plant. Although herein there is illustrated and described specific structure and details of operation of the invention, it is clearly understood that the same were merely for purposes of illustration and that changes and modifications may be readily made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of this invention.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to switch mode power supplies, and more particularly, to switch mode power supplies suitable for plasma processing that utilize feedforward control to prevent ripple and transients in the power supply output. 2. Brief Description of the Prior Art The ability of a regulated power supply to prevent ripple and transients at the input from being transferred to the output can be improved by taking a signal proportional to the input voltage and combining it with the output from the closed-loop feedback control circuit in a way that counteracts the effect of changes in the input voltage. U.S. Pat. No. 6,359,799 discloses a three-phase power supply that uses feedforward to reduce ripple in the output. The optimal amount of a feedforward signal to be combined with the feedback signal varies with the operating conditions, and fairly elaborate control schemes such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,541,833 and 5,711,843 have been devised to adaptively adjust feedforward signals in a variety of industrial processes including plasma processing. Feedforward techniques have been developed for use in pulse-width-modulated power supplies in which the voltage conversion ratio is determined by the switching duty cycle, such as those described in the publication by B. Arbetter, and D Maksimovic, “Feedforward pulse-width modulators for switching power converters,” IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference, June 1995, vol. 1, pp. 601-607. However, these techniques are not applicable to resonant power supplies. U.S. Pat. No. 6,049,473 utilizes a nonlinear variable-gain amplifier to adjust the small-signal gain of the feedforward signal path according to a pre-determined trajectory, but it lacks an adaptive feedforward scaling regulator that optimizes the amplitude of a feedforward signal based on measurements of the output of the power supply. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,535,906 and 6,697,265 disclose frequency-controlled resonant DC power supply circuits that are suitable for use in plasma processing. In typical implementations, they receive power from a three-phase-rectified DC bus that lacks bulk energy storage capacitors. The DC bus voltage obtained from unfiltered three-phase bridge rectifiers changes rapidly near the cusps where diode commutation occurs. The bandwidth of typical control loops for these power supplies is insufficient to compensate for the rapid changes in the bus voltage that occur near the commutation cusps, and this produces ripple peaks in the output of the power supply that occur with a repetition rate of six times the line frequency. Some plasma processes such as self induced plasma copper processes require lower values of ripple in the DC power than these types of power supplies can provide. The conversion ratio of these power supplies depends on the operating conditions as well as the operating frequency, so if feedforward compensation were to be used, it would need to be adaptive in nature. It would be desirable if there were provided a simple and inexpensive adaptive feedforward circuit that minimizes perturbations in an output of a system that delivers power to a plasma process caused by periodic perturbations in a system input.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>There is provided by this invention a simple and inexpensive adaptive feedforward circuit that minimizes perturbations in an output of a system that delivers power to a plasma process caused by periodic perturbations in a system input. The preferred embodiment reduces output ripple in a power supply that receives power from a rectified three-phase DC bus by sending a combination of the output of a feedback regulator and a feedforward signal that is proportional to the AC component of the DC bus voltage. The feedforward signal is phased to the control input of a power supply to compensate for ripple and transients in the DC bus voltage. The amplitude of the feedforward signal is automatically adjusted by a feedforward scaling regulator to minimize the output ripple of the power supply.
20041214
20071030
20060615
66096.0
H02M704
0
BEHM, HARRY RAYMOND
POWER SUPPLY ADAPTIVE FEEDFORWARD CONTROL CIRCUIT
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
H02M
2,004
11,012,702
ACCEPTED
Marine LED lighting system and method
A method and apparatus of lighting a marine habitat for growth utilizing an LED light system. The light system includes an LED light source, a power supply for such light source and a controller for controlling the activation status and the intensity of the LED light source.
1. A lighting system for a marine habitat comprising: a housing; an LED light source mounted to said housing; a power supply sufficient to drive said LED light source; and a controller connected with said power source for controlling the activation status and the intensity of said LED light source. 2. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein said housing is waterproof and said LED light source is mounted within said housing. 3. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein said LED light source, when activated, is sufficient to support marine growth. 4. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein said LED light source includes at least one of chip-based, organic or discreet LEDs. 5. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein said LED light source, when activated, provides light with the spectral range of about 380 nm to about 690 nm. 6. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein said LED light source comprises at least one light engine having a plurality of individual LEDs. 7. The lighting system of claim 6 wherein each of said light engines is capable of providing light intensity of from 0 to 1000 micro mols per square meter per second. 8. The lighting system of claim 7 where each of said individual LEDs provides light at a wavelength in the range from 380 nm to about 690 nm. 9. The lighting system of claim 6 wherein each of said individual LEDs provides light at a wavelength from 380 nm to about 690 nm. 10. A method of lighting a marine habitat for marine growth comprising: providing a housing with a LED light source mounted thereto; providing a power source for driving said LED light source; controlling the illumination of said LED light source at a level sufficient to support marine growth. 11. The method of claim 10 including controlling at least one of (a) the lighting period, (b) the spectral content, (c) the spatial content, (d) the intensity or (e) the decorative patterns of the LED light source. 12. The method of claim 10 wherein LED light source includes at least one LED light engine comprised of a plurality of individual LEDs, said individual LEDs including a first type emitting light within a first wavelength range and a second type emitting light within a second wavelength range. 13. The method of claim 12 including controlling the activation status of each of said first type and said second type. 14. The method of claim 13 including controlling the intensity of each of said first type and said second type. 15. The method of claim 14 wherein each of said first type and said second type emits light in the spectral range of 380 nm to 690 nm. 16. The method of claim 12 including controlling the intensity of each of said first type and said second type. 17. The method of claim 12 wherein each of said first type and said second type emits light in the spectral range of 380 nm to 690 nm. 18. The method of claim 12 wherein said first wavelength is in the red region of the spectrum and the second wavelength is in the blue region of the spectrum. 19. The method of claim 18 including controlling the activation status and the intensity of each of said first type and said second type.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/529,645, entitled “Aquarium Lighting System for Marine Growth, filed on Dec. 15, 2003, the subject matter of which is hereby incorporated therein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a lighting system and method for marine growth and more specifically to a light-emitting diode-based (LED) lighting system that delivers programmable spatially and spectrally controlled light with the ability to provide optimal spectral output for sustenance and growth of marine life. 2. Description of the Prior Art There are many lighting systems currently available that either promote growth for land-based plants or are used for decoration or illumination of marine life. However, none of the prior art describes a system for promotion of marine life using light-emitting diode based lighting. Plant growth lighting systems and apparatus are common in many fields that include crop production, germination, tissue culture growth, horticulture, landscape architecture, and specialty growth systems. Although these systems provide for support of plant growth and development in terrestrial applications, none is suitable as a growth system for plants in aquatic settings. For productive growth, marine plants and animal life such as coral and algae require (at least in a limited manner) light of a specific intensity and within a specific range of wavelengths. Light quality and quantity are degraded as you go deeper in water which can preclude healthy sustenance at depths below a few feet without powerful lighting systems. Marine growth apparatus are available for cultivating or permitting the growth of marine life. These systems typically consist of structures that provide a surface that permits the growth of coral, algae and other marine life, or provide a portable or permanent habitat for marine life to grow within. These include systems that are used for artificial coral reef development, coral reef regeneration, harvesting of marine life for food, and marine aquaculture for jewelry and ornamental aquariums. These inventions are typically passive apparatus that rely on natural solar light for illumination and do not use spatially or spectrally controllable artificial lighting to promote or accelerate growth. Finally, aquarium lighting systems are also common and include light sources using fluorescent, incandescent, metal halide or light emitting diodes. These systems can be classified into two types. In type one, the primary purpose is to provide illumination to an underwater space. They contain a housing, light source within said housing, and means of power supply or connection to power supply. The light is not spatially controllable, but instead attempts to provide a consistent intensity above an area of the marine habitat. These systems use fluorescent, incandescent or metal halide light sources, which provide low intensity light with high radiant heat output and no user-defined spectral control. Maintenance is required on these systems (through light source bulb replacement) to maintain light intensity over time. In type two, the primary purpose of the lighting system is to provide decorative lighting, including artificial moon light or colored lighting, to the marine landscape. These systems are not intended to provide sufficient quantity of light and are only supplemental to other light that supports healthy sustenance and growth. They contain a housing, a colored light source usually consisting of light-emitting diodes, lasers, color wheels or filters combined with a light source, or ultra-violet illumination, and a power supply or connection to power supply. They may or may not be portable or submersible systems that direct light at specific marine features. Neither of these two types of marine lighting systems and apparatus is designed with an LED source offering spatial control of spectral output which can allow a user-defined or preprogrammed appropriate spectrum for growth of specific marine plant and animal life. Though the above are satisfactory for their designed applications, there is a continuing need for a marine lighting system that can be used to promote marine plant and animal life while offering the user spatial and spectral control. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a lighting system for marine growth and more specifically to a light-emitting diode-based (LED) lighting system that delivers spatially and spectrally controlled light with optional optimal spectral output for growth of marine life. Such systems are particularly applicable to photobioreactors, fish hatcheries and aquariums, among others. Improved growth is achieved due to user programmable spectral and spatial control of light to allow for organism-specific lighting conditions with optional portability and submergibility for even greater light intensity delivery. LED lighting technology is able to deliver high intensity light into a marine environment in a new way when compared to traditional systems. The use of LEDs enables the system to independently control the intensity of each spectral component as a function of time. This allows a user to provide the optimal wavelengths between 380 nm to 690 nm used by specific marine plant and animal life to support photosynthesis and/or optimum biological development. It provides a single controllable system which can also be used to simulate natural lighting conditions including sunrise, daylight, sunset and moonlight to provide a natural growth cycle, or to alter the lighting schedule to enhance growth during a particular phase of species development. Specific wavelengths can also be programmed to enhance the fluorescence and colors of certain species of fish and coral. This system's LED lighting is provided with much greater intensity and lower radiant heat that traditional fluorescent-based lighting systems, changing the formerly high cooling requirements of a complete marine habitat. Another feature of this lighting technology, which is important for promoting and sustaining marine life, is that it does not experience degradation of wavelength with age as does fluorescent lighting. Fluorescent's loss of light intensity over time reduces the growth rate of certain species of marine life by minimizing the photosynthetic energy provided. These variations can also lead to the appearance of certain types of organisms such as cyanobacteria in marine habitats that occur as different light wavelengths are emitted from degraded fluorescent tubes. In addition, LEDs are much more efficient than incandescent lamps and equal to or slightly more efficient that most fluorescent lamps. Safety of the system will also be improved due to low operating voltages and less heat dissipation. The lack of glass bulbs in the system when compared to all other light sources also improves safety by eliminating the explosive failure mode of previous systems. Specific to the design of this system, the LED light engine can be housed in a waterproof system that, unlike traditional systems, can be submersed into the marine environment. The ability to secure high intensity lighting at any point within the environment enables light to be directed at marine life features that reside at depths far from surface top-mounted lighting. Marine plants and animals require specific light intensity for optimal growth. By providing a means to deliver light of greater intensity, lower power-usage and lower thermal delivery deeper in a tank than comparable overhead lighting, better growth of plant and animal life can be achieved at depths previously unable to sustain some types of marine growth. In general, the system of the present invention includes LED lighting, a controller, a power supply, a light housing, and a cooling system. Optional software can be included to provide users with complete programmable control of spectral, spatial, intensity or pattern of light output. The LED lighting consists of small light engines that are configured into a non-submersible top or side lighting system, or used independently to create a submersible planar, point, or line source of light. The LED light engine consists of a cluster of light-emitting diodes, including both chip, organic and discreet LEDs dependent on the preferred embodiment of the system. The control system can be configured with or without closed loop control, and is the mechanism that allows for user or manufacturer programming of lighting period and pattern, spectral content, or spatial content of the light delivered. The cooling system uses either natural convection with the air to dissipate heat in a top-mounted lighting system, or through water cooling via conduction, forced water cooling or an air-water loop to cool the submersible lighting configurations. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the marine lighting system in accordance with the present invention embodied in a top or side-mount configuration. FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the light engine and configurable housing configuration of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the marine lighting system embodied in a submersible planar light source configuration. FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the marine lighting system embodied in a submersible point light source configuration. FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the marine lighting system embodied in a submersible linear or corner light source configuration. FIG. 6 is an elevational front view of a lighting system in accordance with the present invention with a plurality of vertically spaced light engines. FIG. 7 is a block diagram for the controller interface and driver electronics. FIG. 8 is a view showing a lighting system in accordance with the present invention with a plurality of vertically oriented series of light engines. FIG. 9 is a top fragmentary view of a portion of a light engine base, with the cover removed. FIG. 10 is an elevational end view of the light engine base shown in FIG. 9, with the cover in place. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT All of the preferred embodiments of the invention include a light source, a light source housing, a power supply, a controller, connection cables, mounting hardware and (when necessary) cooling system. In the first embodiment, the lighting system is configured into a nonsubmersible light source as shown in FIG. 1. The use of LEDs for top-mounted lighting configurations produces a low profile size system when compared with current incandescent, fluorescent or metal halide-based lighting systems. In addition to its lower profile size, this configuration will operate with considerably less noise and radiant heat output than comparable fluorescent or metal halide systems. In FIG. 1, the housing 10 is mounted to the top of a marine habitat and is connected to the controller 11 through a connection cable 14. The controller 11 can include an optional port for a user connection to a computer that will enable users, through software, to program spatial, spectral and intensity controls. The controller is then connected through a power cable 15 to either a low or high efficiency power supply 12 dependent on user options. Attached to the housing is a fan-based cooling system 13. The system 13 includes a fan housing with one or more fans 16 and a plurality of air inlet vents 18. During operation, the fans 16 draw ambient air through the vents 18 to cool the LED light sources within the housing 10. The housing 10 also includes mounting hardware for attachment of the housing 10 to the top or side of the marine habitat 17. The controller 11, which will be described in greater detail below, can come preprogrammed into a spectral and spatial configuration to sustain and enhance marine plant and animal life, or the settings can be accessible by the user. The controller can be programmed into a closed loop system to react to local lighting, temperature, or other environmental factors. It can also provide one-way user-programmable control of the lighting period, the spectral content, the spatial control, or the intensity control. FIG. 2 shows a detail of the LED light engines 19 and housing 10. The light engines 19 are constructed on moveable components that allow a user to control their placement on the mounting bars of the light housing 10. A user can configure their overhead or side lighting to provide equal illumination and intensity across the entire top portion of the enclosure, or alternatively, to configure patterns or areas of greater light intensity. Each of the light engines 19 is made up of a plurality or an array or cluster of individual LEDs. Each of the individual LEDs is capable of providing a predetermined variable intensity of light (depending on the applied power) at a predetermined wavelength when provided with a power source. In accordance with the present invention, the individual LEDs have intensity levels which, when combined in a light engine, provide a light engine 19 which is capable of producing light intensity of between 0 and about 1000 or more micromols per square meter per second, and more preferably between 0 and about 300 micromols per square meter per second. Each individual LED also preferably emits colors of light at a wavelength within the spectral range of 380 nm to 690 nm. In other words, each of the individual LEDs emits light of a wavelength in the red through the blue region of the spectrum. Although the preferred embodiment utilizes LEDs which emit light in the 380 nm to 690 nm region of the spectrum in the form of red, blue and/or green light emitting LEDs, LEDs emitting other colors could be utilized as well. The light engines, and in particular each of the individual LEDs, is driven by a power source which, in the preferred embodiment is 24 volts of direct current. The particular quantity of each type of LED in each light engine 19 depends on the marine life to be sustained. To sustain certain species of marine plant life, each engine might include at least about 50% red emitting LEDs and at least about 30% blue emitting LEDs. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, an LED light system comprised of one or more light engines has been mounted in a planar configuration, equivalent to those components used in the top and/or side mount configurations of FIGS. 1 and 2 to comprise a large overhead lighting system. In this case, a series of light engines is contained in a submersible, transparent watertight housing 20. The housing 20 is preferably combined with a heat circulation system 21. The system 21 includes water inlet and outlet ports to dissipate the heat from the LED via the surrounding water. Mounting hardware 22 is included to attach the housing 20 to the sides of the marine habitat 17. Attachment means may also be provided to attach to the housing 20 from the bottom of the habitat 17, or to suspend the housing 20 from the top of the habitat 17. This embodiment will allow for planar light distribution from any angle or depth into the marine environment. The intensity and spectral content of the light from the light engines can be controlled, via control of the individual LEDs within that light engine, to either specific requirements for a particular marine life or to simulate surface lighting at a lower depth. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, an LED light cluster 24 has been mounted into a point configuration. It is contained in a submersible, transparent watertight housing. This light cluster 24 or light engine comprises a plurality or array of individual LEDs which are controlled or described. The housing may be combined with a heat circulation system to dissipate the heat from the light cluster 24 or engine out of the surrounding water. Mounting hardware is provided to attach the light to the sides of the habitat 17. Means may also be provided to attach the housing to the bottom or suspend it from the top of the habitat 17. This embodiment will allow for directed, controllable light to be isolated on a particular feature in the marine landscape that requires light of a specific intensity or wavelength to sustain or support its growth. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a number of LED engines 19 have been mounted into a linear configuration on a mounting rail 25. The rail 25 is contained within a submersible, transparent watertight housing 26. The housing 26 is preferably combined with a heat circulation system to dissipate the heat from the LED out of the surrounding water. Mounting hardware is included and intended to provide attachment of the light along the sides of the marine habitat 17. This mounting system offers users the ability to light a section of the habitat along a depth or length and provide spatially or spectrally controlled lighting unobtrusively within the marine landscape. The control for the light system of the present invention is designed to control the activation (on/off) status of each type of individual LEDs within each light engine and when activated (on), to control the intensity of each type of the individual LEDs within each light engine. Further, because each type of the individual LEDs emits its own particular wavelength of light, the spectral content or quality of each light engine is also controlled. In this way, both the intensity and the spectral content or quality of each light engine is controlled. More specifically, the control system is designed to provide independent control of the intensity of each spectral component as a function of time for selection of optimal wavelengths between about 380 nm to about 690 nm used by specific marine plant and animal life to support photosynthesis and optimal biological development. The planar mounted design of FIGS. 1 and 2 is designed to provide a single controllable system to best simulate natural lighting conditions including such things as sunrise, daylight, sunset and moon light to provide a natural growth cycle for any marine life. Such a system may also be used to alter the lighting schedule to enhance growth during a particular phase of species development. The submersible embodiments of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 give the ability to provide high intensity lighting at any point within the habitat environment. This enables light to be directed at marine life that resides at depths far below the natural surface lighting or the top mounted lighting of FIG. 1. By providing submersible light sources such as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, better growth of plant and animal life can be achieved at depths previously unable to sustain some types of marine growth. With the submersible embodiments of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the lighting system can be integrated into a photobioreactor to create layers of light throughout a growing environment, effectively doubling or tripling the surface area for growth of organisms such as algae. The basic system of construction is for a series of LED light engines to be spaced along each required one foot length. Preferably, each light engine contains a combination of individual LEDs, with each type of LED emitting its own particular wavelength, preferably between 380 nm and 690 nm. Each light engine preferably includes in excess of 100 total LEDs per square inch of light engine surface. The particular percentage of each type (i.e., wavelength type) of LEDs will depend on the specific marine life to be sustained and promoted. It is also contemplated that each light engine would also carry two photodiodes which may be used for closed loop light output control or as part of a plant growth detection/light engine engagement system. Underwater lighting systems used for microalgae growth are also inherently subject to algae bloom or photosynthetic bacteria on the lighting surface. Therefore, a level of opaqueness may be experienced at different underwater light levels. This will dictate if the addition of a cleaning system is required by the user. If it is, the design can include the addition of low level ultra-violet LEDs to inhibit growth at the lighting surface without interfering with marine growth. Further, the housing used in the embodiments described above is produced with a non-leaching antibacterial plastic coating to inhibit growth at the lighting surface. As an alternative, the housing can be provided with a mechanical cleaning mechanism to periodically “wipe off” organisms from either an enclosed or non-enclosed lighting surface. The control system preferably contains output controls and a main DC power supply to support a single light engine or a series of light engines. A microcontroller within the control assembly will read the control settings and the timer output and send appropriate signals to all light engines over the controller area network (CAN) bus. On the outside of the control system, individual slider controls are provided to adjust the output irradiance of each spectral element independently. It will also include an illumination level control switch that will allow the user to manually select the number of light engines which are illuminated. A simple programmable digital timer may be provided to control day/night illumination cycles. The power supply is a 1500 W, +24 Vdc power supply. The AC input for the power supply may be standard 120 Vac wall outlet power or 220 Vac at the users requirement. Twenty-four volt output power from the power supply will be routed to the power and signal distribution assembly. This assembly will provide the connection points to distribute power to each of the light engines as well as the required fusing. One low current fuse will be provided for each group of two light engines. In addition to power distribution the assembly will facilitate routing of the CAN bus signals to each of the light engines. The interface electronics of the control system include control signals delivered over a two wire (CAN) bus from the main system controller to the light engine interface microcontroller. Command messages will control the number of light engines to be energized as well as the individual wavelength output intensities. Since each light engine can be individually controlled via control of its individual LEDs, the user is able to create lighting effects that mimic additional colors of light, including white, purple, etc. The driver electronics that control these individual selections consist of individual light engine selection switches and independent wavelength linear current drivers. Power to the driver electronics is provided by a two wire pair (+24 volt and ground) from the power and signal distribution assembly in the controller. For those embodiments that have a fan/air cooled system, a small cooling fan will be mounted to the top of each light engine system. Air will be drawn from the bottom of each light engine system, through the internal cooling channel, over the driver electronics and exhausted through the top of the unit. FIG. 6 shows the basic structure of a lighting system in accordance with the present invention with a series of vertically spaced light engines. Specifically, the structure of FIG. 6 includes a light engine base assembly 30 and a plurality of vertically spaced LED light engines 31. When used, the entire base 30 and the light engines 31 would be mounted within a housing having a substantially transparent surface. Because this is primarily an underwater or submersible structure, the housing would be watertight. The interface electronics 32, the driver electronics 34 and the cooling mechanism are provided at the top of the light engine base 30 as shown. FIG. 7 shows a block diagram for the control interface and driver electronics. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a control assembly and a powered signal distribution assembly for controlling a series of vertical LED light strips of the type shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a detailed view of a portion of the light engine base and connected light engine. Specifically, the base 30 is comprised of an aluminum U channel and includes a cooling fin, an interconnect for a printed circuit board and the interconnections with the light engine. FIG. 10 is an end view of the light edge and base of FIG. 9 and shows similar elements. Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an LED light system and method for controlling light to promote and/or sustain marine life (either plant or animal) in a marine habitat. The system includes one or more light engines mounted to a housing. If the system is designed to be submersible, the housing must be watertight. Each light engine is made up of a plurality or an array of individual LEDs (preferably at least 50 and more preferably at least 100). Each of these individual LEDs emits light at a particular wavelength, with all LEDs emitting a similar wavelength comprising a “type” of LED. In the preferred embodiment, these wavelengths are in the 380 nm to 690 nm range and comprise one of red, blue or green, although other colors could be used as well. Each type of LED within a light engine is capable of being activated (on) or deactivated (off) and, when activated, each type of LED is capable of having its intensity varied as a result of providing variable power. Each light engine, and in particular each type of LED within a light engine, is operatively connected to a power source through a control system. The control system is designed to control each type of LED within a light engine, and thus control the light output of each light engine. Specifically, the control is designed to control the activation status (on/off) of each type of LED and, when activated, the intensity of each type of LED. In this way, the intensity and the spectral quality or content of each light engine can be controlled. The method aspect of the present invention includes providing a housing with an LED light source mounted thereto. Such LED light source would preferably include one or more light engines made up of a plurality or array of individual LEDs as described above. The method would also include providing a power source and controlling the illumination of the light engines via controlling the activation status and the intensity of each type of LED therein.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a lighting system and method for marine growth and more specifically to a light-emitting diode-based (LED) lighting system that delivers programmable spatially and spectrally controlled light with the ability to provide optimal spectral output for sustenance and growth of marine life. 2. Description of the Prior Art There are many lighting systems currently available that either promote growth for land-based plants or are used for decoration or illumination of marine life. However, none of the prior art describes a system for promotion of marine life using light-emitting diode based lighting. Plant growth lighting systems and apparatus are common in many fields that include crop production, germination, tissue culture growth, horticulture, landscape architecture, and specialty growth systems. Although these systems provide for support of plant growth and development in terrestrial applications, none is suitable as a growth system for plants in aquatic settings. For productive growth, marine plants and animal life such as coral and algae require (at least in a limited manner) light of a specific intensity and within a specific range of wavelengths. Light quality and quantity are degraded as you go deeper in water which can preclude healthy sustenance at depths below a few feet without powerful lighting systems. Marine growth apparatus are available for cultivating or permitting the growth of marine life. These systems typically consist of structures that provide a surface that permits the growth of coral, algae and other marine life, or provide a portable or permanent habitat for marine life to grow within. These include systems that are used for artificial coral reef development, coral reef regeneration, harvesting of marine life for food, and marine aquaculture for jewelry and ornamental aquariums. These inventions are typically passive apparatus that rely on natural solar light for illumination and do not use spatially or spectrally controllable artificial lighting to promote or accelerate growth. Finally, aquarium lighting systems are also common and include light sources using fluorescent, incandescent, metal halide or light emitting diodes. These systems can be classified into two types. In type one, the primary purpose is to provide illumination to an underwater space. They contain a housing, light source within said housing, and means of power supply or connection to power supply. The light is not spatially controllable, but instead attempts to provide a consistent intensity above an area of the marine habitat. These systems use fluorescent, incandescent or metal halide light sources, which provide low intensity light with high radiant heat output and no user-defined spectral control. Maintenance is required on these systems (through light source bulb replacement) to maintain light intensity over time. In type two, the primary purpose of the lighting system is to provide decorative lighting, including artificial moon light or colored lighting, to the marine landscape. These systems are not intended to provide sufficient quantity of light and are only supplemental to other light that supports healthy sustenance and growth. They contain a housing, a colored light source usually consisting of light-emitting diodes, lasers, color wheels or filters combined with a light source, or ultra-violet illumination, and a power supply or connection to power supply. They may or may not be portable or submersible systems that direct light at specific marine features. Neither of these two types of marine lighting systems and apparatus is designed with an LED source offering spatial control of spectral output which can allow a user-defined or preprogrammed appropriate spectrum for growth of specific marine plant and animal life. Though the above are satisfactory for their designed applications, there is a continuing need for a marine lighting system that can be used to promote marine plant and animal life while offering the user spatial and spectral control.
20041215
20070522
20050623
97565.0
1
ALAVI, ALI
MARINE LED LIGHTING SYSTEM AND METHOD
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
2,004
11,012,740
ACCEPTED
Arrow System
The invention involves an arrow system having a shaft having a first end and an insert receptive of a standard point, the insert being disposed completely within the first end of the shaft. An insert installation tool may be used as part of the invention to facilitate insertion of the insert into the first end of the shaft. The invention further includes a reduced diameter hunting arrow shaft that maintains sufficient spine and weight characteristics. The reduced diameter hunting arrow shaft is receptive of standard or non-standard internal components for increasing arrow penetration and shot accuracy. Still further, the invention includes an arrow tip assembly including a male insert and a female point to assist in aligning points with arrow shafts.
1-55. (canceled) 56. An internal fit component FRP hunting arrow shaft, comprising: an arrow shaft to receive internal fit components, the arrow shaft having a weight in proportion to twenty-nine inches of arrow shaft, the arrow shaft having a weight and an outside diameter, the weight or the spine falling on a plot of weight versus spine above and to the left of a straight line that includes a first point having a weight of 190 grains and an outside diameter of 0.275 inches, and a second point having a weight of 320 grains, and an outside diameter of 0.305 inches. 57. An internal fit component FRP hunting arrow according to claim 56 wherein the weight is 10.7 grains per inch and the outside diameter is 0.275 inches. 58. An internal fit component FRP hunting arrow according to claim 56 wherein the weight is 8.1 grains per inch and the outside diameter is 0.258 inches. 59. An internal fit component FRP hunting arrow according to claim 56 wherein the weight is 10.8 grains per inch and the outside diameter is 0.271 inches. 60. An internal fit component FRP hunting arrow according to claim 56 wherein the weight is 8.2 grains per inch and the outside diameter is 0.255 inches. 61. An internal fit component FRP hunting arrow according to claim 56 wherein the weight is 11.5 grains per inch and the outside diameter is 0.266 inches. 62. An internal fit component FRP hunting arrow according to claim 56 wherein the weight is 8.5 grains per inch and the outside diameter is 0.248 inches. 63. An internal fit component FRP hunting arrow shaft comprising: an arrow shaft to receive internal fit components, the arrow shaft having a weight in proportion to twenty-nine inches of arrow shaft, the arrow shaft having a spine and an outside diameter, the spine or the outside diameter falling on a plot of spine versus outside diameter below and to the left of a straight line that includes a first point having a spine of 0.320 inches and an outside diameter of 0.295 inches, and a second point having a spine of 0.480 inches and an outside diameter of 0.280 inches. 64. An internal fit component FRP hunting arrow shaft according to claim 63 wherein the spine is 0.300 inches and the outside diameter is 0.275 inches. 65. An internal fit component FRP hunting arrow shaft according to claim 63 wherein the spine is 0.500 inches and the outside diameter is 0.258 inches. 66. An internal fit component FRP hunting arrow shaft according to claim 63 wherein the spine is 0.300 inches and the outside diameter is 0.271 inches. 67. An internal fit component FRP hunting arrow shaft according to claim 63 wherein the spine is 0.500 inches and the outside diameter is 0.255 inches. 68. An internal fit component FRP hunting arrow shaft according to claim 63 wherein the spine is 0.300 inches and the outside diameter is 0.266 inches. 69. An internal fit component FRP hunting arrow shaft according to claim 63 wherein the spine is 0.500 inches and the outside diameter is 0.248 inches. 70-72. (canceled)
TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to arrow systems, including in particular hunting arrow systems. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many different types of arrows and arrow shafts are known for use in hunting and sport archery. One arrow type of relatively recent design is the fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) arrow. FRP is a generic term including, but not limited to, fiberglass composites and carbon fiber composites. Traditional FRP arrow shafts have been typically produced by a number of different manufacturing processes. The first FRP arrow shafts were constructed with unidirectional reinforcing fibers aligned parallel to the axis of the shaft. Prior designs and processes for constructing FRP shafts resulted in a low circumferential or hoop strength. The hoop strength of these arrow shafts was so low that the arrows could not withstand even small internal loads applied in a direction radially outwardly from the center of the shaft. For example, internal loads generated from inserting standard components into the inside of these types of shafts would have resulted in failure of the arrow shaft. Standard arrow components, such as those shown in FIG. 1, include inserts 100, points 116 (“point” as used herein means any structure formed at or secured to the forward or distal end of the arrow, including without limitation field points, broadheads, etc.), and nocks 102, all of which are mounted to an arrow shaft 104. It should be noted that fletching, required for proper arrow flight, is not shown in the drawings, but is well understood by those skilled in the art. Because insert components have not been practical for use with the relatively small diameter FRP prior art shafts of types discussed above, externally attached components have been developed and used. FIG. 2 illustrates two such external components, known as “outserts” in the industry. The term “outsert,” as it suggests, refers to an arrow component that is inserted or installed over the outside diameter of the arrow. The two outserts shown in FIG. 2 include an outsert receptacle 200 to receive a point 116 and an outsert nock 202. Outserts were, at the time, the only viable way to attach the various other arrow components to these prior FRP shafts because of their low hoop stress. Arrow shaft outserts have, however, at least three key disadvantages. First, outsert nocks 202 have a feel that is objectionable to most archers. Generally, archers prefer a smooth outer surface of the shaft without any projections (other than the fletching). This smooth outside diameter preference correlates with the general understanding that an arrow will have better aerodynamic efficiency with fewer structural projections outside of the arrow shaft. Second, outsert nocks 202 frequently result in mechanical interference with many types of arrow rests when launching the arrow. Most arrow rests hold the arrow in a particular position when the archery bow is drawn and the arrow is released. With many arrow rests, the arrow continues to contact the arrow rest as the arrow passes the location of the arrow rest. Contact between the nock outsert and the arrow rest can result in unpredictable disturbances during launch of the arrow, and therefore will affect the accuracy of the shot. Third, the point outsert 200 has a larger diameter relative to the diameter of the shaft, which makes the arrows containing the point outsert 200 more difficult to extract from various targets as compared to arrows with insert components only. Use of the point outsert 200 often results in damaged points and outserts 200, and further causes points and outserts 200 to detach from the arrow shaft and remain inside the target after the arrow is pulled from the target. Points and/or outserts 200 lost inside a target may cause damage to subsequent arrows that happen to impact the target at the same location as the lost points or outserts. As a result, some commercial archery ranges have banned outsert-equipped arrow shafts. In an apparent attempt to address the limitations described above, modem FRP arrows with new types of construction have been developed. The typical modem FRP arrows include glass and/or carbon fibers arranged in multiple directions, as opposed to the unidirectional fiber arrangement of the earlier FRP arrows. The multi-directional fiber arrangement (e.g., fibers that run perpendicularly or at an angle relative to each other) increases the hoop strength of the shafts, which allows the shafts to support greater internal loads, including internal loads generated by insert components. Such modern FRP arrows have, however, been traditionally made having an outside diameter and wall thickness of a size sufficient to accommodate standard-sized inserts. These carbon-composite arrows were generally lighter than aluminum shafts, but were generally of the same spine. “Spine” is an industry-standard measurement of arrow shaft stiffness. Spine is measured according the parameters shown in FIG. 3. As shown, a shaft 304 is supported at two points 306 and 308, which are separated by a distance of 28 inches. A 1.94 pound weight is applied at a mid point 310 of the shaft 304. The deflection 312 of the shaft 304 relative to the horizontal is defined as the “spine.” An arrow must have certain spine characteristics, depending on its length and the draw weight of the archery bow, to achieve proper flight. Generally, the heavier the draw weight the stiffer the spine (i.e., less deflection) must be. As a major portion of the archery market has moved toward lighter weight shafts, the modem FRP arrow has gained widespread acceptance. Lighter arrow shafts have the principal advantage of higher velocities when launched from the same bow. Such higher velocities result in a flatter arrow trajectory. The practical advantage of flatter trajectory is that a misjudgment by an archer of the range to a target has less effect on the point of impact. Due to material and structural considerations, however, in designing internal-component FRP arrow shafts for reduced weight, it became necessary to both increase shaft outside diameter and reduce wall thickness relative to the prior art FRP outsert shafts in order to provide desirable spine/weight combinations. For aluminum arrow shafts, for example, to provide lighter weight arrows, the wall thickness must be reduced and the diameter of the arrow, both the inside diameter and the outside diameter, must be increased to maintain adequate spine. This process of thinning the wall and increasing shaft diameter has, however, practical limitations. At some point, if taken to an illogical extreme, the arrow would have mechanical properties similar to an aluminum beverage can with no practical resistance to side loads or crushing. With some arrows, inserts, such as “half-out” inserts, were introduced to the market some time ago. A typical half-out insert assembly is shown in FIG. 4A. A half-out insert 400 includes a first insert portion 412 with a diameter smaller than the standard insert 100 shown in FIG. 1 such that the first insert portion 412 may be inserted into a reduced diameter shaft 404. A second portion 414 of the half-out insert 400 has a larger outside diameter that is receptive of a standard point 416, yet its outside diameter corresponds to the outside diameter of shaft 404. Therefore, half-out inserts facilitate use of standard field points with arrow shafts having inside diameters smaller than standard arrow shafts. Half-out assemblies have, however, several disadvantages and have not been well accepted. Half-out assemblies are cantilevered at the front of the arrow shaft 404. The cantilever results in a system that tends to deform more readily on impact as compared to other arrow assemblies. The half-out assemblies also make it more difficult to precisely align points 416 with the shaft 404, as will be discussed below in greater detail. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises an arrow including a shaft with a first end and an insert receptive of a point, the insert being disposed completely within the first end of the shaft. Hunters commonly use field points for practice and broadheads (either expandable or fixed-blade) for hunting. Although this aspect of the present invention (i.e., an internal component small outside diameter arrow shaft and a novel insert installation system) is advantageous when field points are used, the invention is particularly advantageous when using broadheads because broadheads exacerbate many shaft/insert/point alignment problems. According to one embodiment, the point may include a shoulder and the shaft may include an end wall. The insert is seated at a depth within the shaft such that the shoulder of the point bears directly against the end wall of the shaft when the point is engaged with the insert. In one embodiment, the shaft may have an inside diameter of approximately 0.204 inches, a spine of approximately 0.500 inches or less, and an outside diameter less than 0.275 inches. When spine is discussed herein, “stiffer” spine means less arrow deflection (i.e., a smaller numeric value), and “weaker” spine means greater arrow deflection (i.e., a larger numeric value). Thus, the terms “less spine” and “stiffer spine” have the same meaning throughout. In a similar manner, the terms “more spine” and “weaker spine” have the same meaning throughout. Another embodiment comprises an arrow including a shaft having an inside diameter, a first end, and a first end wall, and a point having a head, a shoulder, and a shank, where the shoulder of the point bears directly against the first end wall and the shank fits snugly inside the arrow shaft and bears against the inside surface of the arrow shaft. The direct contact between the point and arrow shaft improves alignment between these two components. In this embodiment, the insert is disposed completely inside the shaft and the point is threadedly received by the insert. Still another embodiment comprises a reduced diameter carbon-composite hunting arrow shaft including an inside diameter of approximately 0.204 inches, a spine of approximately 0.500 inches or less, and an outside diameter less than approximately 0.275 inches. In this embodiment, an insert may be disposed completely within the shaft and a point coupled to the insert. Yet another embodiment comprises a hunting arrow including a hollow shaft having an inside diameter sized to accept standard points, an outside diameter of less than 0.275 inches, and a spine of 0.500 inches or less. This embodiment may include an insert embedded completely within the shaft and a point coupled to the insert. Another embodiment comprises a reduced diameter FRP hunting arrow shaft including an inside diameter of approximately 0.204 inches, a spine of approximately 0.500 inches or less, and an outside diameter of 0.275 inches or less. The inside diameter of about 0.204 is receptive of standard point inserts. Another embodiment of the invention comprises an arrow including a shaft with a first end, a male insert disposed partially within the first end and extending beyond the first end, and a female point having a flange or skirt that extends over the arrow shaft in a tight-fitting manner to assist in alignment of the point with the arrow shaft. Still another embodiment comprises a reduced diameter FRP hunting arrow shaft including an inside diameter of approximately 0.200 inches, a spine of approximately 0.500 inches or less. The outside diameter may range between approximately 0.255 and 0.271 inches. The inside diameter of about 0.200 is receptive of standard half-out inserts. Another embodiment comprises a reduced diameter FRP hunting arrow shaft, including an inside diameter less than 0.200 inches, a spine of 0.500 inches or less, and an outside diameter of 0.275 inches or less. The inside diameter may be approximately 0.187 inches. Another embodiment comprises a point assembly including a male insert having a first end configured to engage an arrow shaft and a second end, and a female point configured to mate with the second end of the male insert. The male insert may include a tapered head between the first and second ends, and the female point may include an interior tapered surface shaped to mate with the tapered head of the male insert. Yet another embodiment of the invention comprises an arrow including a shaft with a first end, a male insert disposed partially within the first end and extending beyond the first end, and a female point engaged with the male insert. Still another embodiment comprises an insert installation tool including a positioning rod, where the rod includes a first end, a second end, a first diameter at the first end sized smaller than an inside diameter of an insert, one or more lips disposed between the first and second ends, the one or more lips having a diameter sized to provide an interference fit with an inside diameter of an arrow shaft, and a shoulder disposed between the first end and the one or more lips sized larger than the inside diameter of the insert; where the first end of the rod is configured to engage the point insert. The installation tool is designed to position the insert at a desired depth inside the arrow shaft. Another aspect of the invention involves a method of coupling a point to an arrow shaft including inserting an entire point insert into the arrow shaft and fastening the point to the point insert. According to this method, the point includes a shoulder and a shank, where the shoulder directly engages an end wall of the arrow shaft and the shank directly engages the inside surface of the arrow shaft, all of which assists with point alignment. Another aspect of the invention involves a method of coupling a point to an arrow shaft including installing a point insert onto the installation tool and pressing the point insert into the shaft with the tool to a predetermined depth such that a first end of the point inserted is flush with or interior to a first end of the shaft. The insert installation tool may include a grip with a diameter larger than an outside diameter the arrow shaft or another similar end wall that limits the extent to which the point insert can be pushed inside of the arrow shaft. Yet another aspect of the invention involves a method of improving alignment between an arrow point and an arrow shaft by embedding an insert completely within the shaft and coupling the arrow point to the insert, where the arrow point and the shaft directly interface between each other at a first location where a shoulder of the point and an end surface of the shaft contact each other and at a second location where the shank of the point and the inside diameter of the shaft contact each other. Embedding the insert may include extending the insert to a predetermined depth within the shaft. Still another embodiment of the invention comprises an arrow including a shaft with a first end defining a first end wall, an insert with a first end defining a first end wall, the insert being disposed inside the shaft such that the first end wall of the insert is flush with or interior to the first end wall of the shaft. In another embodiment, an arrow system includes an insert of substantially constant outside diameter such that the insert is fully insertable into an arrow shaft, the insert including a threaded portion, and a point including a threaded portion engagable with the threaded portion of the insert. Another aspect of the invention involves an arrow preparation tool comprising an abrasive material to engage an end wall of an arrow shaft and a protuberance extending from the abrasive material, where the protuberance is sized to interface with an inside surface of the arrow shaft such that rotation of the arrow shaft relative to the abrasive material will cause a chamfer to form between the inside surface of the arrow shaft and the end wall of the arrow shaft. Still another aspect of the present invention involves an internal fit component FRP hunting arrow shaft comprising an arrow shaft to receive internal fit components, where the arrow shaft has a weight in proportion to twenty-nine inches of arrow shaft, and wherein the weight or the spine falls on a plot of weight versus spine above and to the left of a straight line that includes a first point having a weight of 190 grains and an outside diameter of 0.275 inches, and a second point having a weight of 320 grains and an outside diameter of 0.305 inches. Another aspect of the present invention involves an internal fit component FRP hunting arrow shaft comprising an arrow shaft to receive internal fit components, wherein the arrow shaft spine or the outside diameter of the arrow shaft falls on a plot of spine versus outside diameter below and to the left of a straight line that includes a first point having a spine of 0.320 inches and an outside diameter of 0.295 inches, and a second point having a spine of 0.480 inches and an outside diameter of 0.280 inches. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the present invention and are a part of the specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of an FRP arrow utilizing inserts according to the prior art; FIG. 2 is a side view of an FRP arrow utilizing outserts according to the prior art; FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating spine measurement parameters; FIG. 4A is a side view of an FRP arrow utilizing half-out inserts according to the prior art; FIG. 4B is a partial sectional side elevation view of a PIN nock system according to the prior art; FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective assembly view of an arrow according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5B is an assembled perspective view of the arrow shown in FIG. 5A; FIG. 5C is an exploded partial sectional side elevation view of an end of the arrow shown in FIG. 5A; FIG. 5D is a partial sectional side elevation view of the end of the arrow as shown in FIG. 5B; FIG. 5E is an enlarged view of the area 5E-5E of FIG. 5D, according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5F is a perspective view of an arrow being prepared for receipt of an arrow insert system according to the present invention; FIG. 5G is a side elevation view, partly in section, of the arrow preparation process shown in FIG. G; FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an arrow insert installation tool according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6B is a side elevation view of the arrow insert installation tool of FIG. 6A with an insert secured thereto; FIG. 6C is a side elevation view, partly in section, of the arrow insert installation tool of FIG. 6A showing the insert being installed inside an arrow shaft; FIG. 6D is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an arrow insert installation tool according to the present invention; FIG. 6E is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of an arrow insert installation tool according to the present invention; FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating a constant kinetic energy curve plotted on a mass versus velocity chart; FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating penetration depth of various arrows into a gelatin material, each arrow having substantially the same kinetic energy; FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating penetration depth of various arrows into a gelatin material as a function of kinetic energy for various arrows; FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating penetration depth of different FRP arrow shafts into a gelatin material where kinetic energy has been maintained constant and the shaft outside diameter has changed; FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating spine vs. weight characteristics of various prior art shafts as well as shafts according to the present invention; FIG. 12 is a graph illustrating various spine vs. outside diameter characteristics of various prior art arrow shafts as compared to arrow shafts according to the present invention; FIG. 13 is a graph illustrating weight vs. outside diameter characteristics of various prior art arrow shafts compared to arrow shafts according to the present invention; FIG. 14A is an exploded sectional side elevational assembly view of an arrow system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 14B is a sectional side elevational assembly view of an arrow system according to yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 14C is an exploded sectional side elevational assembly view of an arrow system according to still another alternative embodiment of the present invention. Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present specification describes a novel arrow system that may be used for archery, and particularly for bowhunting. One aspect of the novel arrow system relates to a reduced diameter hunting arrow. The reduction in diameter of a hunting arrow facilitates more accurate shooting and better penetration than previous arrows. The reduced diameter hunting arrow may be sized to accommodate standard arrow point assemblies, half-out arrow point assemblies, or smaller diameter arrow point assemblies. The reduced diameter hunting arrow may also be used to accommodate a new point insert system and a new arrow point assembly, both of which are further described below. The novel arrow system also involves an insert installation tool to facilitate placement of the novel insert into an arrow shaft and an arrow shaft preparation tool to ensure the shaft will properly accommodate a point. Accordingly, the specification describes various aspects of the invention according to the following order. First, embodiments of an arrow utilizing the new point inserts are shown and described, along with the arrow point assembly tool. Second, experimental data illustrating the advantages of a reduced diameter arrow is discussed. Third, various embodiments of reduced diameter arrow shafts are described. Fourth, various embodiments relative to the new arrow system and assembly method for reduced diameter arrows are shown and described. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the phrases “completely within” or “completely inside” mean that an item is located interior to an object and does not protrude or extend from the object. “Completely within” and “completely inside” also include arrangements in which the item is located interior to and flush with the object. The term “insert” is used broadly to encompass any apparatus that is or may be at least partially introduced into or inside an arrow shaft. “Hunting arrow” is also used broadly to include any arrows, parts of arrows, or arrow assemblies that are intended specifically for hunting. “Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP)” refers to any combination of materials of which carbon is one, including without limitation fiber reinforced materials, advanced composites, and other material sets that include only carbon. “Spine” is used to indicate a stiffness measurement according to the standard parameters described above, as understood by those skilled in the art. “Point” as used to describe the present invention shall mean, for purposes of simplifying the description, any type of arrow point, including without limitation field points and broadheads. “Internal insert components” means inserts that fit inside of an arrow shaft as well as any type of arrow point received by such inserts. As mentioned above, a number of developments in arrow technology, and particularly hunting arrow technology, have recently occurred. While there are many different types of arrows available, conventional arrows have traditionally not provided the combination of accuracy, flat trajectory, short travel time, penetration and internal fit components offered by a reduced diameter hunting arrow shaft according to the present invention. The methods and devices described herein include various reduced diameter arrow shafts and other associated devices. The particular implementations, however, are exemplary in nature, and not limiting. Turning now to the figures, and in particular to FIGS. 5A-E, a hunting arrow 520 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. According to FIGS. 5A-E, the hunting arrow 520 includes a shaft 504 and an insert 500. The insert 500 is receptive of a point 516. The insert 500 is advantageously sized to fit snugly completely within the shaft 504 as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5D. Previous inserts, for example the insert 100 shown in FIG. 1, include a lip 118 that prevents disposing the insert 100 completely with the shaft 104. The insert 500 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A-5E, however, may be fully embedded within the shaft 504. Accordingly, the insert 500 may have a substantially constant outside diameter (without regard to conventional glue grooves) sized to fit within an inside diameter of the shaft 504. The insert 500 may include one or more ridges 526 about its outer diameter, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The ridges 526 do not, however, extend beyond the substantially constant outside diameter of the insert 500 and thus do not prevent full insertion of the insert 500 into the shaft 504. The insert may include a through hole, as shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D, or may have a so-called blind hole in the back wall of the insert (not shown). The shaft 504 is preferably constructed of a carbon-composite material and includes a first end 522 and a first end wall 524. The first end wall 524 corresponds to the terminating end of shaft 504. The shaft 504 also includes a second end 534 that is receptive of a nock 536. A nock adapting insert 538 may be included between the shaft 504 and the nock 536. Although FIGS. 5A and 5B show such an insert, it is to be understood that any nock system, such as without limitation, direct fit nock systems (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1), UNI™ bushings with g-nock systems (e.g., as shown in FIG. 5B), and PIN nock systems with PIN nocks (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4B), may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, a plurality of vanes or other fletching (not shown in the drawings) may be secured to the second end 534 of the shaft. As mentioned above, the insert 500 is receptive of the point 516. The point 516 is preferably a standard size, commercially available point. The point 516 includes a head 529 and a shoulder 530 where a relatively greater outside diameter of the point 516 transitions to a shank 531. According to principles described herein, the insert 500 has no lip (e.g., element 118 in FIG. 1) and is inserted to be at least flush with or below the end wall 524 of shaft 504. Therefore, the shoulder 530 of the point 516 advantageously bears directly against the end surface 524 of the shaft 504 as shown in FIGS. 5B, 5D, and 5E. The direct engagement between the shoulder 530 and the end surface 524 according to FIGS. 5A-D provides a first direct interface location 532 (FIGS. 5D and 5E) between the end wall 524 of the shaft 504 and the shoulder 530 of point 516 which facilitates a simpler, more precise alignment between the point and the arrow shaft. The novel arrow system also provides a second interface location 537 (FIGS. 5D and 5E) between the arrow 504 and the point 516. Specifically, the outside surface of the shank 531 of point 516 bears directly against and the inside surface 533 of the arrow shaft 504. In contrast, prior art arrow systems, as shown in FIG. 1, provided an extra structural element (i.e., the insert) between the arrow shaft and the point at all locations. Thus, prior art arrow systems provided at least four (4) different sets of interfacing surfaces, all of which have the potential to affect alignment of the respective parts. One set is located between the shoulder 117 of the point 116 and the outer, flat surface of lip 118 extending from insert 100. Another is located between the bottom surface 119 of lip 118 and the end surface 124 of the arrow shaft 104. Still another set of interfacing surfaces is between the cylindrical outer surface of the insert 100 and the inside surface 111 of the arrow shaft 104. A final set of interfacing surfaces is between the shank 115 on the point 116 and the corresponding inside cylindrical surface 113 of the insert 100. Thus, arrow system of the present invention eliminates two of these sets of interfacing surfaces to improve greatly the alignment between the point and the arrow shaft. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5C, 5D, and 5E, the present invention provides two sets of direct interfacing surfaces (interfaces 532 and 537 as shown in detail in FIG. 5E) between the arrow shaft 504 and the point 516 to greatly improve alignment. It is to be understood that while some aspects of the present invention are directed to hunting arrows only, this particular aspect of the present invention applies to all types of arrows, both hunting arrows and target arrows. As shown in FIGS. 5F and 5G, an arrow preparation tool 550 is provided to appropriately place a chamfer on the distal end 522 of shaft 504. The arrow preparation tool 550 comprises a frusto-conically shaped protuberance 552 over which an end of arrow shaft 504 is inserted. After the arrow shaft is inserted over protuberance 552, a downward force F1 is applied to the arrow shaft as the shaft is rotated R1 (FIG. 5G) back and forth until the end wall 524 abuts the top surface of preparation tool 550. At that point, a proper chamfer 539 has been created on the distal end 522 of shaft 504 between the end wall 524 and the inside surface 537 of shaft 504. In addition, a portion of end wall 524 will also remain. As shown in FIG. 5E, the purpose for preparing the arrow shaft with a chamfered surface 539 is to accommodate points that may have a radius R (FIG. 5E) between the shoulder 530 and the shank 531. It is to be understood that the arrow preparation tool 550 may be made of any appropriately abrasive material, such as bonded aluminum oxide. As shown in FIGS. 5F and 5G, the arrow preparation tool 550 may be placed on top of a flat surface so that as the arrow is rotated back and forth R1 as shown in FIG. 5G, there is no need to hold the porous, abrasive arrow preparation tool 550. Alternatively, the arrow preparation tool 550 may be held by the person performing the chamfering process. Those skilled in the art will understand that other arrow preparation tools may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. Still further, pre-prepared arrow shafts with appropriate chamfers may be provided to accommodate points with radii, without departing from the scope of the present invention. After the shaft 504 has been properly conditioned, perhaps by arrow preparation tool 550, the insert 500 of FIGS. 5A-E may be installed completely within the shaft 504 in a number of ways. One way might be for a user to couple the insert 500 to the point 516 and install both together as a unit. Another way, however, may be to use an insert installation tool 640, as shown in FIGS. 6A-C. The tool 640 allows the interface 532 between point 516 and shaft 504 to be more precisely controlled. The tool, as discussed below, provides the advantage of precise depth control of the insert 500 and prevents adhesive contamination on the portion of the inside of the shaft corresponding to the area of interface 537 (FIGS. 5D and 5E) between shank 531 of point 516 and the inside surface 533 of shaft 504. According to the embodiment of FIGS. 6A-C, the insert installation tool 640 includes a rod 642 which extends toward and terminates at a tip or first end 644. The rod 642 attaches to a handle or second end 646, which may be made of any suitable size or shape. The outside diameter of the first end 644 is sized to fit within the threaded section of insert 500. FIG. 6B shows an insert positioned on the first end 644 of the installation tool 640. FIG. 6C shows the insert 500 being positioned inside the arrow shaft 504 using the installation tool 640. The outside diameter of the rod 642 is different than the outside diameter of the tip 644 such that a first shoulder 652 is formed. Therefore, the first shoulder 652 is sized to abut the insert 500, as shown in FIG. 6B, which will allow an operator to push the insert 500 into the arrow shaft 504 to a predetermined, precise depth. The rod 642 may also include one or more wipers. The embodiment of FIG. 6A-6C comprises a first peripheral ring or lip 648 and a second peripheral ring or lip 650 disposed between the first shoulder 652 and second shoulder 654 of the insert installation tool 640. The first and second wipers 648 and 650 may have equal diameters and may be sized to provide an interference fit with an inside diameter of the arrow shaft 504. The first and second wipers 648 and 650 are intended to remove any excess adhesive from the inside surface of the shaft. According to one embodiment, the diameter of the first and second wipers 648 and 650 is approximately 0.206 inches. Such diameters are not, however, limited to any particular measurement, nor are the first and second wipers 648 and 650 necessarily of equal diameter. Another embodiment of an insert installation tool 740 is shown in FIG. 6D. Each end of the insert installation tool 740 includes a rod 742 which extends toward and terminates at a tip or first end 744. Each rod 742 attaches to a handle or second end 746, which may be made of any suitable size or shape. The handle 746 incorporates an ergonomic design to facilitate grasping by a person doing the insert installation. Any suitable design may be incorporated into the handle 746. The outside diameter of each tip or first end 744 is sized to fit within the threaded section of the inside diameter of the insert 500 (FIG. 6C). Each rod end 744 terminates at a first shoulder 752 and transitions to a second section 742, which terminates, in turn, at the handle portion 746. Each first shoulder 752 is designed to abut an insert 500, in a manner similar to what is shown in FIG. 6B, to allow an operator to push the insert 500 into the arrow shaft 504 to a predetermined, precise depth. Each rod 742 also includes one or more wipers in the form of a first peripheral ring or lip 748 and an optional second peripheral ring or lip 750 disposed between the first shoulder 752 and wall 754 of handle portion 746. The first and second wipers 748 and 750 may be of equal diameters and may be sized to provide an interference fit with an inside diameter of the arrow shaft 504. The first and second wipers 748 and 750 are intended to remove excess adhesive from the inside surface of the shaft. According to one embodiment, the diameter of the first and second wipers 748 and 750 is approximately 0.206 inches. Such diameters are not, however, limited to any particular measurement, nor are the first and second wipers 748 and 750 necessarily of equal diameter. When tool 740 is used to install insert 500 into shaft 504, the wall 754 of handle 746 abuts the end 524 of the shaft. In order to facilitate the interference fit between the wipers and the inside diameter of the arrow shaft 504, the insert installation tools 640, 740 may be made of multiple grades and “pliabilities” of plastic or another suitable material that can flex and provide an appropriate interference fit. Still further, the tool 640, 740 could be made of any other material, such as metal, where, for example and without limitation, rubber 0-rings are used for the wipers. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6E, tool 740 may include a specialized depth gauge 759 (FIG. 6D) on one end of tool 740 to ensure that chamfer 539 has been properly instilled into shaft 504. As described in the background, the phenomenon of increased penetration for reduced shaft diameter was generally felt by archers and bowhunters to be true, but was not well addressed in a scientific manner in the past. Therefore, a number of experiments were performed according the present invention to better understand and evaluate arrow penetration. The tests were performed shooting arrows into industry-standard ballistic gelatin that has heretofore been used for analysis of firearms and ammunition. According to one test measuring arrow penetration (Test 1), arrow mass and impact velocity were varied according to the graph shown in FIG. 7 to provide a constant kinetic energy ( kinetic ⁢ ⁢ energy = 1 2 ⁢ m · v 2 , where m=total arrow mass and v=impact velocity) of 65 foot-pounds. The arrows tested were aluminum shafts with a nominal outside diameter of 0.344 inches. Table 1 (below) lists the four specific shafts tested. TABLE 1 Penetration Test Shaft Description Arrow Mass (grain) (total flight weight of shaft, Arrow Size Designation Shaft Outside point, nock, vanes, (Aluminum Shafts) Diameter (in.) bushing and adhesives) 2212 0.3452 424.9 2216 0.3460 508.3 2219 Standard 0.3440 567.8 2219 Heavy (plastic weight 0.3440 653.8 tube added to shaft ID) Each arrow included an identical arrow point, which was a fixed-blade broadhead known as a New Archery Products Thunderhead®. Each arrow point had a mass of 85 grains. As shown in Table 1, the variation in shaft outside diameter for each arrow was relatively small such that the interface between arrow and target was substantially the same. However, the difference in mass between the arrows was substantial. Therefore, the bow draw weight was adjusted for each arrow to provide an impact velocity yielding an approximately constant level of kinetic energy at impact. The bow draw weights used for each arrow are shown in Table 2 below. TABLE 2 Bow Draw Weights and Kinetic Energy at Impact in Test 1 Bow Peak Impact Kinetic Arrow Size Designation Draw Weight Velocity Energy at (Aluminum Shafts) (lb) (fps) Impact (ft-lb) 2212 64.0 263.6 65.5 2216 60.0 241.0 65.5 2219 Standard 59.5 228.9 66.0 2219 Heavy (plastic 59.0 213.3 66.0 weight tube added to shaft ID) The penetration results from shooting the four arrows according to the test parameters are shown in FIG. 8. The results show that the penetration for all four arrow shafts was the same, approximately 12.5 inches. Such results indicate that for a constant arrow shaft OD, penetration performance is a strong function of kinetic energy, and separate from the independent parameters of mass and velocity. That is, within the range of arrow masses and impact velocities tested, penetration depth was constant if impact kinetic energy was constant, regardless of whether the kinetic energy was achieved by a low mass arrow traveling at high velocity, or a high mass arrow traveling at a low velocity. To confirm the hypothesis that penetration is only a strong function of kinetic energy, Test 2 was conducted whereby the bow draw weight and resultant impact velocity were varied. The specific test parameters are shown in Table 3 below. TABLE 3 Bow Draw Weights and Kinetic Energy at Impact in Test 2. Bow Peak Kinetic Energy Arrow Size Designation Draw Weight at Impact (Aluminum Shafts) (lb) (ft-lb) 2212 50 47 2216 60 69 2219 Standard 70 77 2219 Heavy (plastic weight 70 80 tube added to shaft ID) The results of Test 2 are shown in FIG. 9. Again, penetration is shown to be a strong linear function of impact kinetic energy. Another test, designated as Test 3, then investigated the effect of shaft outside diameter on penetration performance. For Test 3, two arrows with different outside diameters were used. The first arrow was an ICSHunter® 400 Heavy, and is an internal component carbon-composite shaft. The second was a 2413 aluminum alloy arrow. Again, both were tested with New Archery Products 85 grain Thunderhead® fixed broadheads. Table 4 (below) lists the parameters and results of Test 3. TABLE 4 Shaft Diameter and Kinetic Energy at Impact in Test 3 Arrow Mass (grain) Shaft (total flight weight Impact Pene- Outside of shaft, point, Kinetic tration Arrow Size Diameter nock, vanes, bushing Energy Depth Designation (in.) and adhesives) (ft-lb) (in.) ICSHunter ® 400 0.2935 464.4 50.8 12.2 Heavy (FRP) (plastic weight tube added to shaft ID) 2413 (aluminum) 0.3719 464.1 50.6 10.0 Based on the results of Tests 1 and 2, it was anticipated that the two arrows shot according to the parameters of Test 3 would have nearly identical penetration depths, given the approximately identical impact kinetic energy. Instead, the unexpected result was 22% greater penetration for the smaller diameter ICSHunter® 400 Heavy than for the larger diameter 2413. Test 3 shows that the effective outer dimensions is another key factor in improving penetration performance, and that as the outside diameter of the shaft is reduced, the penetration increases. Another test (Test 4) was conducted to isolate one other variable and confirm the unexpected results of Test 3. According to the parameters of Test 3, there was room for speculation as to whether the improved penetration depth of the ICSHunter® 400 Heavy was due to its smaller diameter, or to some other factor given FRP construction (as opposed to the aluminum construction of the 2413) of the shaft. Therefore, in Test 4 an aluminum shaft and FRP shaft having substantially the same outside diameters were tested for penetration performance. Table 5 (below) shows the parameters and results of Test 4. TABLE 5 Shaft Material and Kinetic Energy at Impact in Test 4 Shaft Arrow Mass (grain) (total Impact Pene- Outside flight weight of shaft, Kinetic tration Arrow Size Diameter point, nock, vanes, Energy Depth Designation (in.) bushing and adhesives) (ft-lb) (in.) 1816 0.2840 409.7 50.0 11.4 (aluminum) Evolution ™ 0.3003 411.2 50.3 11.3 500 (FRP) The results of Test 4 indicate that shaft material had no appreciable affect on penetration depth. Thus, the unexpected results achieved pursuant to the results of Test 3 (shown in Table 4) were not attributable to differences in shaft material. Another penetration test, Test 5, was performed to assess the effect of shaft diameter on penetration performance. In Test 5, three different arrow shafts were constructed according to the parameters of Table 6, set forth below. All shafts were constructed from FRP material. Additionally, the overall length of each shaft was adjusted such that the total arrow mass would be substantially identical. As in the other penetration tests, NAP Thunderhead™ 85 grain broadheads were used. The only difference among the various shafts was the outside diameters. The ICSHunter® and Fat Boy™ models and other similar large diameter shafts represent shafts available on the market today. The bow parameters utilized in Test 5 were selected and adjusted during the test so that the impact velocities, and thus the kinetic energies at impact, for all arrows into the ballistic gelatin targets were substantially identical. Prior tests, specifically Test 1, established that penetration depth into the gelatin target was identical if the kinetic energy at impact was held constant and the outside “envelope” (i.e., the shaft diameter and point interfacing with the target material) were unchanged. As with the prior test, the kinetic energy for Test 5 was maintained constant. In Test 5, the kinetic energy at impact was constant because both arrow masses and impact velocities were held constant. Therefore, one might expect that the penetration depth would be the same for all arrows tested, unless another variable had a significant effect on the penetration result. In Test 5, the variable of shaft outside diameter was well isolated, and would be the only factor which could have an effect on depth of penetration. The present invention demonstrates that shaft outside diameter is a variable that directly and linearly affects depth of penetration. Table 6 shows the results of Test 5, particularly relative to penetration depth. Unlike the results in Test 1, the penetration depths are not the same. Rather, the smaller outside diameter shaft had improved penetration relative to the larger outside diameter shafts of the prior art. FIG. 10 plots depth of penetration as a function of shaft outside diameter for the arrow shafts evaluated in Test 5. As can be appreciated, penetration depth turns out to be a very strong linear function of shaft outside diameter. In FIG. 10, the solid line connecting the three data points represents the actual physical testing conducted. The dashed line extrapolates this data to even smaller shaft outside diameters that have not been tested, but would reasonably be expected to exhibit the same improved penetration performance. Accordingly, these ranges of outside diameters shall be considered part of the present invention. TABLE 6 Arrow Parameters and Penetration Parameters of Test 5 OD Avg Wt Avg Impact Avg KE Penetration Model (in) (gr) Vel (fps) (ft-lb) Depth (in) Invention 0.264 304.0 258.2 44.7 13.4 ICSHunter ® 0.296 304.2 257.1 44.6 13.0 FatBoy ™ 0.353 304.1 257.9 44.9 12.1 Therefore, according to embodiments of the present invention, the arrow shaft outside diameter is reduced relative to standard sizes to increase arrow penetration performance. The embodiments described below include shaft diameters of reduced size relative to conventional hunting arrows to better optimize accuracy, time-of-flight, trajectory, and penetration. The arrow shaft invention is unique in that it provides a certain combination of spine and weight with a smaller outside diameter (OD) than the prior art hunting arrows on the market today. The present invention pertains to FRP shafts which use internal fit components and have spine/weight relationships useful for hunting, and further pertains to all types of aluminum-carbon arrow shafts. It does not include other external fit (outsert) components, nor does it include the general class of target arrows, which have a spine from 0.450 inches to greater than 1.000 inches. FIG. 11 shows a typical plot of spine vs. weight for various internal fit component, FRP arrow shafts. According to FIG. 11, the spine-weight relationship of the arrow shaft of the present invention is well within the range of other, common spine-weights that have been established for hunting arrows. FIG. 11 does not, however, distinguish among the outside diameters of the shafts. FIG. 12 shows a plot of the same arrow shafts in FIG. 11, but FIG. 12 plots the spine vs. outside diameter of the arrows represented. FIG. 12 shows that prior art arrow shaft designs are all tightly grouped together. The stiffest shafts (those with spine values of 0.340 inches or less) fall in an OD range of 0.294 inches to 0.303 inches. The weakest prior art shafts (those with spine values of 0.480 inches or greater) in FIG. 12 fall in an OD range of 0.280 inches to 0.293 inches. In contrast, the arrow shaft of the present invention has, in one embodiment, an OD of 0.275 inches for a spine of 0.300 inches. In another embodiment, the arrow shaft of the present invention has an OD of 0.258 inches for a spine of 0.500 inches. FIG. 13 shows a plot of the weights vs. ODs for the same family of arrow shafts as FIGS. 11 and 12. Again, prior art designs are tightly grouped together. The heaviest shafts (those weighing 255 grains and up) from the prior art group have ODs ranging from 0.296 inches to 0.303 inches. The lightest shafts (those weighing 211 grains or less) from the prior art group have ODs ranging from 0.280 inches to 0.293 inches. This is a significant difference from the arrow shaft of the present invention, which has an OD of 0.275 inches for the heaviest design of one embodiment (310 grains) and an OD of 0.258 inches for its lightest design of 235 grains. Thus, FIGS. 12 and 13 are clear illustrations that the shaft of this invention is new and unique in its combination of spine/weight/outside diameters. None of the prior art hunting shafts recognize the utility of this combination, and in fact are all grouped together in a significantly larger OD regime. The accuracy of reduced diameter arrows made according to principles described herein is increased because the propensity of an arrow to be influenced during flight by external factors (e.g., cross winds) is reduced by a smaller diameter shaft. A smaller diameter shaft has a smaller surface area for a cross wind or other external force to act upon. Because of the many point and nock components of standard sizes currently available, however, it may also be desirable to combine reduced outside diameter shafts for the purposes described above, with inside diameters receptive of standard arrow components. Therefore, hunting arrow shafts may, according to principles described herein, include shafts that have an inside diameter of 0.204 inches to accommodate all standard hunting points currently available. The hunting arrows according to principles described herein may therefore include the advantages of a smaller shaft diameter and the convenience of compatibility with standard hunting points. For example, according to some embodiments of the present invention there may be arrow shafts having an inside diameter of 0.204 inches, a spine of 0.500 inches or less, and an outside diameter of less than 0.275 inches. The outside diameter may range, according to some embodiments, between 0.248 and 0.275 inches, depending upon spine. According to another embodiment the inside diameter is 0.204 inches, the spine is 0.500 inches or less, and the outside diameter is less than approximately 0.275 inches. Other exemplary embodiments may include arrow shafts having the following combinations of parameters (see Table 7 below). TABLE 7 Reduced diameter arrow parameters according to some embodiments Wall Thickness Weight (grains/in., Spine (in.) OD (in.) (in.) ID (in.) optional parameter) 0.300 0.275 0.035 0.204 10.7 0.340 0.267 0.031 0.204 9.5 0.400 0.264 0.030 0.204 9.0 0.500 0.258 0.027 0.204 8.1 The reduced diameter arrow shafts may also be used with the insert 500 and the insert installation tool 640 described above. Arrow shaft diameters may be even further reduced, although they may no longer be compatible with standard points. Instead, the arrow shaft diameters may be sized for half-out inserts. For example, according to embodiments of the present invention there may be arrow shafts having an inside diameter of 0.200 inches, a spine of 0.500 inches or less, and an outside diameter of 0.271 inches or less. Other exemplary embodiments may include arrow shafts having the following combinations of parameters (see Table 8 below). TABLE 8 Reduced diameter arrow parameters according to some embodiments Wall Thickness Weight (grains/in., Spine (in.) OD (in.) (in.) ID (in.) optional parameter) 0.300 0.271 0.037 0.200 10.8 0.340 0.267 0.035 0.200 10.2 0.400 0.263 0.033 0.200 9.2 0.500 0.255 0.029 0.200 8.2 In addition to using half-out inserts, the insert 500 of FIGS. 5A-D may be specially sized to fit within the 0.200 inch inside diameter shafts. New, specially sized points of a diameter and thread different than standard points currently in use may be needed to engage such a specially sized insert. Arrow shaft diameters may be even further reduced, although they may not be compatible with standard points or half-out inserts. Instead, the arrow shaft diameters may necessitate insert components (including inserts shaped according to principles described above) sized to fit the further reduced diameter shafts. For example, according to embodiments of the present invention there may be arrow shafts having an inside diameter of less than 0.200 inches, a spine of 0.500 inches or less, and an outside diameter of less than 0.275 inches. The inside diameter may be, for example, 0.187 inches and the outside diameter may range between 0.230 and 0.270 inches. Other exemplary embodiments may include arrow shafts having the following combinations of parameters (see Table 9 below). TABLE 9 Reduced diameter arrow parameters according to some embodiments Wall Thickness Weight (grains/in., Spine (in.) OD (in.) (in.) ID (in.) optional parameter) 0.300 0.266 0.040 0.187 11.5 0.340 0.263 0.038 0.187 10.7 0.400 0.254 0.034 0.187 9.5 0.500 0.248 0.031 0.187 8.5 The outside diameters shown in Table 9 may be even further reduced, if desired. Although it may be convenient to use readily available standard points for the shafts and inserts described above, a new arrow point assembly according to various embodiments of the present invention are shown with reference to FIGS. 14A-14C. Typical arrow point assemblies (e.g. FIG. 1) include the female insert 100, FIG. 1 and the male point 116, FIG. 1. However, according to the embodiment of FIGS. 14A-14C, there is a male insert 1000 and a female point 1016. The male insert 1000 includes a first end 1060 sized for insertion into a standard or non-standard arrow shaft 1004. The first end 1060 may include one or more ridges 1026 disposed about its outside diameter. The male insert includes a second end 1064 externally threaded to engage internal threading 1062 of the female field point 1016. Between the first and second ends 1060 and 1064 is a tapered head 1066 that includes a shoulder 1068 sized to approximately the same outside diameter of the shaft 1004. Shoulder 1068 bears against the shaft 1004 when the first end 1060 of the male insert 1000 is inserted into the shaft 1004. The head 1066 also includes a tapered surface 1070 opposite of the shoulder 1068. A mating internal taper 1072 is disposed in the point 1016 and facilitates alignment between the field point 1016 and the insert 1000. As shown in FIG. 14B, the point 1016 may include an extension or flange in the form of a skirt 1073 that extends over shaft 1004 so that the skirt 1073 in essence envelops the shaft 1004 to aid in alignment. An alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 14C. The point 1016 may include a pilot aperture or female pocket 1032 which interfaces with a pilot extension or male end 1034 of the male insert 1000. The pilot aperture 1032 and pilot extension 1034 are circular in cross section, which allows point 1016 to be rotated relative to insert 1000. The pilot members 1032, 1034 further aid in alignment of the point 1016 and shaft 1004. Although the arrow point assembly of FIGS. 14A-14C may be used with the reduced diameter shafts described above, it should not be so limited. The arrow point assembly of FIGS. 14A-14C may also be used with any other type of suitable arrow shafts. While this invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments and examples, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that many variations are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. The invention, as defined by the claims, is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the invention which do not depart from the spirit of the invention. The words “including” and “having,” as used in the specification, including the claims, shall have the same meaning as the word “comprising.”
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Many different types of arrows and arrow shafts are known for use in hunting and sport archery. One arrow type of relatively recent design is the fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) arrow. FRP is a generic term including, but not limited to, fiberglass composites and carbon fiber composites. Traditional FRP arrow shafts have been typically produced by a number of different manufacturing processes. The first FRP arrow shafts were constructed with unidirectional reinforcing fibers aligned parallel to the axis of the shaft. Prior designs and processes for constructing FRP shafts resulted in a low circumferential or hoop strength. The hoop strength of these arrow shafts was so low that the arrows could not withstand even small internal loads applied in a direction radially outwardly from the center of the shaft. For example, internal loads generated from inserting standard components into the inside of these types of shafts would have resulted in failure of the arrow shaft. Standard arrow components, such as those shown in FIG. 1 , include inserts 100 , points 116 (“point” as used herein means any structure formed at or secured to the forward or distal end of the arrow, including without limitation field points, broadheads, etc.), and nocks 102 , all of which are mounted to an arrow shaft 104 . It should be noted that fletching, required for proper arrow flight, is not shown in the drawings, but is well understood by those skilled in the art. Because insert components have not been practical for use with the relatively small diameter FRP prior art shafts of types discussed above, externally attached components have been developed and used. FIG. 2 illustrates two such external components, known as “outserts” in the industry. The term “outsert,” as it suggests, refers to an arrow component that is inserted or installed over the outside diameter of the arrow. The two outserts shown in FIG. 2 include an outsert receptacle 200 to receive a point 116 and an outsert nock 202 . Outserts were, at the time, the only viable way to attach the various other arrow components to these prior FRP shafts because of their low hoop stress. Arrow shaft outserts have, however, at least three key disadvantages. First, outsert nocks 202 have a feel that is objectionable to most archers. Generally, archers prefer a smooth outer surface of the shaft without any projections (other than the fletching). This smooth outside diameter preference correlates with the general understanding that an arrow will have better aerodynamic efficiency with fewer structural projections outside of the arrow shaft. Second, outsert nocks 202 frequently result in mechanical interference with many types of arrow rests when launching the arrow. Most arrow rests hold the arrow in a particular position when the archery bow is drawn and the arrow is released. With many arrow rests, the arrow continues to contact the arrow rest as the arrow passes the location of the arrow rest. Contact between the nock outsert and the arrow rest can result in unpredictable disturbances during launch of the arrow, and therefore will affect the accuracy of the shot. Third, the point outsert 200 has a larger diameter relative to the diameter of the shaft, which makes the arrows containing the point outsert 200 more difficult to extract from various targets as compared to arrows with insert components only. Use of the point outsert 200 often results in damaged points and outserts 200 , and further causes points and outserts 200 to detach from the arrow shaft and remain inside the target after the arrow is pulled from the target. Points and/or outserts 200 lost inside a target may cause damage to subsequent arrows that happen to impact the target at the same location as the lost points or outserts. As a result, some commercial archery ranges have banned outsert-equipped arrow shafts. In an apparent attempt to address the limitations described above, modem FRP arrows with new types of construction have been developed. The typical modem FRP arrows include glass and/or carbon fibers arranged in multiple directions, as opposed to the unidirectional fiber arrangement of the earlier FRP arrows. The multi-directional fiber arrangement (e.g., fibers that run perpendicularly or at an angle relative to each other) increases the hoop strength of the shafts, which allows the shafts to support greater internal loads, including internal loads generated by insert components. Such modern FRP arrows have, however, been traditionally made having an outside diameter and wall thickness of a size sufficient to accommodate standard-sized inserts. These carbon-composite arrows were generally lighter than aluminum shafts, but were generally of the same spine. “Spine” is an industry-standard measurement of arrow shaft stiffness. Spine is measured according the parameters shown in FIG. 3 . As shown, a shaft 304 is supported at two points 306 and 308 , which are separated by a distance of 28 inches. A 1.94 pound weight is applied at a mid point 310 of the shaft 304 . The deflection 312 of the shaft 304 relative to the horizontal is defined as the “spine.” An arrow must have certain spine characteristics, depending on its length and the draw weight of the archery bow, to achieve proper flight. Generally, the heavier the draw weight the stiffer the spine (i.e., less deflection) must be. As a major portion of the archery market has moved toward lighter weight shafts, the modem FRP arrow has gained widespread acceptance. Lighter arrow shafts have the principal advantage of higher velocities when launched from the same bow. Such higher velocities result in a flatter arrow trajectory. The practical advantage of flatter trajectory is that a misjudgment by an archer of the range to a target has less effect on the point of impact. Due to material and structural considerations, however, in designing internal-component FRP arrow shafts for reduced weight, it became necessary to both increase shaft outside diameter and reduce wall thickness relative to the prior art FRP outsert shafts in order to provide desirable spine/weight combinations. For aluminum arrow shafts, for example, to provide lighter weight arrows, the wall thickness must be reduced and the diameter of the arrow, both the inside diameter and the outside diameter, must be increased to maintain adequate spine. This process of thinning the wall and increasing shaft diameter has, however, practical limitations. At some point, if taken to an illogical extreme, the arrow would have mechanical properties similar to an aluminum beverage can with no practical resistance to side loads or crushing. With some arrows, inserts, such as “half-out” inserts, were introduced to the market some time ago. A typical half-out insert assembly is shown in FIG. 4A . A half-out insert 400 includes a first insert portion 412 with a diameter smaller than the standard insert 100 shown in FIG. 1 such that the first insert portion 412 may be inserted into a reduced diameter shaft 404 . A second portion 414 of the half-out insert 400 has a larger outside diameter that is receptive of a standard point 416 , yet its outside diameter corresponds to the outside diameter of shaft 404 . Therefore, half-out inserts facilitate use of standard field points with arrow shafts having inside diameters smaller than standard arrow shafts. Half-out assemblies have, however, several disadvantages and have not been well accepted. Half-out assemblies are cantilevered at the front of the arrow shaft 404 . The cantilever results in a system that tends to deform more readily on impact as compared to other arrow assemblies. The half-out assemblies also make it more difficult to precisely align points 416 with the shaft 404 , as will be discussed below in greater detail.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention comprises an arrow including a shaft with a first end and an insert receptive of a point, the insert being disposed completely within the first end of the shaft. Hunters commonly use field points for practice and broadheads (either expandable or fixed-blade) for hunting. Although this aspect of the present invention (i.e., an internal component small outside diameter arrow shaft and a novel insert installation system) is advantageous when field points are used, the invention is particularly advantageous when using broadheads because broadheads exacerbate many shaft/insert/point alignment problems. According to one embodiment, the point may include a shoulder and the shaft may include an end wall. The insert is seated at a depth within the shaft such that the shoulder of the point bears directly against the end wall of the shaft when the point is engaged with the insert. In one embodiment, the shaft may have an inside diameter of approximately 0.204 inches, a spine of approximately 0.500 inches or less, and an outside diameter less than 0.275 inches. When spine is discussed herein, “stiffer” spine means less arrow deflection (i.e., a smaller numeric value), and “weaker” spine means greater arrow deflection (i.e., a larger numeric value). Thus, the terms “less spine” and “stiffer spine” have the same meaning throughout. In a similar manner, the terms “more spine” and “weaker spine” have the same meaning throughout. Another embodiment comprises an arrow including a shaft having an inside diameter, a first end, and a first end wall, and a point having a head, a shoulder, and a shank, where the shoulder of the point bears directly against the first end wall and the shank fits snugly inside the arrow shaft and bears against the inside surface of the arrow shaft. The direct contact between the point and arrow shaft improves alignment between these two components. In this embodiment, the insert is disposed completely inside the shaft and the point is threadedly received by the insert. Still another embodiment comprises a reduced diameter carbon-composite hunting arrow shaft including an inside diameter of approximately 0.204 inches, a spine of approximately 0.500 inches or less, and an outside diameter less than approximately 0.275 inches. In this embodiment, an insert may be disposed completely within the shaft and a point coupled to the insert. Yet another embodiment comprises a hunting arrow including a hollow shaft having an inside diameter sized to accept standard points, an outside diameter of less than 0.275 inches, and a spine of 0.500 inches or less. This embodiment may include an insert embedded completely within the shaft and a point coupled to the insert. Another embodiment comprises a reduced diameter FRP hunting arrow shaft including an inside diameter of approximately 0.204 inches, a spine of approximately 0.500 inches or less, and an outside diameter of 0.275 inches or less. The inside diameter of about 0.204 is receptive of standard point inserts. Another embodiment of the invention comprises an arrow including a shaft with a first end, a male insert disposed partially within the first end and extending beyond the first end, and a female point having a flange or skirt that extends over the arrow shaft in a tight-fitting manner to assist in alignment of the point with the arrow shaft. Still another embodiment comprises a reduced diameter FRP hunting arrow shaft including an inside diameter of approximately 0.200 inches, a spine of approximately 0.500 inches or less. The outside diameter may range between approximately 0.255 and 0.271 inches. The inside diameter of about 0.200 is receptive of standard half-out inserts. Another embodiment comprises a reduced diameter FRP hunting arrow shaft, including an inside diameter less than 0.200 inches, a spine of 0.500 inches or less, and an outside diameter of 0.275 inches or less. The inside diameter may be approximately 0.187 inches. Another embodiment comprises a point assembly including a male insert having a first end configured to engage an arrow shaft and a second end, and a female point configured to mate with the second end of the male insert. The male insert may include a tapered head between the first and second ends, and the female point may include an interior tapered surface shaped to mate with the tapered head of the male insert. Yet another embodiment of the invention comprises an arrow including a shaft with a first end, a male insert disposed partially within the first end and extending beyond the first end, and a female point engaged with the male insert. Still another embodiment comprises an insert installation tool including a positioning rod, where the rod includes a first end, a second end, a first diameter at the first end sized smaller than an inside diameter of an insert, one or more lips disposed between the first and second ends, the one or more lips having a diameter sized to provide an interference fit with an inside diameter of an arrow shaft, and a shoulder disposed between the first end and the one or more lips sized larger than the inside diameter of the insert; where the first end of the rod is configured to engage the point insert. The installation tool is designed to position the insert at a desired depth inside the arrow shaft. Another aspect of the invention involves a method of coupling a point to an arrow shaft including inserting an entire point insert into the arrow shaft and fastening the point to the point insert. According to this method, the point includes a shoulder and a shank, where the shoulder directly engages an end wall of the arrow shaft and the shank directly engages the inside surface of the arrow shaft, all of which assists with point alignment. Another aspect of the invention involves a method of coupling a point to an arrow shaft including installing a point insert onto the installation tool and pressing the point insert into the shaft with the tool to a predetermined depth such that a first end of the point inserted is flush with or interior to a first end of the shaft. The insert installation tool may include a grip with a diameter larger than an outside diameter the arrow shaft or another similar end wall that limits the extent to which the point insert can be pushed inside of the arrow shaft. Yet another aspect of the invention involves a method of improving alignment between an arrow point and an arrow shaft by embedding an insert completely within the shaft and coupling the arrow point to the insert, where the arrow point and the shaft directly interface between each other at a first location where a shoulder of the point and an end surface of the shaft contact each other and at a second location where the shank of the point and the inside diameter of the shaft contact each other. Embedding the insert may include extending the insert to a predetermined depth within the shaft. Still another embodiment of the invention comprises an arrow including a shaft with a first end defining a first end wall, an insert with a first end defining a first end wall, the insert being disposed inside the shaft such that the first end wall of the insert is flush with or interior to the first end wall of the shaft. In another embodiment, an arrow system includes an insert of substantially constant outside diameter such that the insert is fully insertable into an arrow shaft, the insert including a threaded portion, and a point including a threaded portion engagable with the threaded portion of the insert. Another aspect of the invention involves an arrow preparation tool comprising an abrasive material to engage an end wall of an arrow shaft and a protuberance extending from the abrasive material, where the protuberance is sized to interface with an inside surface of the arrow shaft such that rotation of the arrow shaft relative to the abrasive material will cause a chamfer to form between the inside surface of the arrow shaft and the end wall of the arrow shaft. Still another aspect of the present invention involves an internal fit component FRP hunting arrow shaft comprising an arrow shaft to receive internal fit components, where the arrow shaft has a weight in proportion to twenty-nine inches of arrow shaft, and wherein the weight or the spine falls on a plot of weight versus spine above and to the left of a straight line that includes a first point having a weight of 190 grains and an outside diameter of 0.275 inches, and a second point having a weight of 320 grains and an outside diameter of 0.305 inches. Another aspect of the present invention involves an internal fit component FRP hunting arrow shaft comprising an arrow shaft to receive internal fit components, wherein the arrow shaft spine or the outside diameter of the arrow shaft falls on a plot of spine versus outside diameter below and to the left of a straight line that includes a first point having a spine of 0.320 inches and an outside diameter of 0.295 inches, and a second point having a spine of 0.480 inches and an outside diameter of 0.280 inches.
20041215
20060228
20050707
63514.0
4
RICCI, JOHN A
ARROW SYSTEM
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,013,476
ACCEPTED
ELECTRIC CONNECTION ASSEMBLY FOR POWER SUPPLY WITH INTERLOCKING COMPONENTS
The present invention relates to a electric connection assembly of power supply, which comprises a first component connectively installed to the power supply and a second component connectively installed to the power cord, wherein a male and a female connector, which mate each other, are separately installed in the first and the second component, and further, a first securing member and a corresponding second securing member are separately installed in the first and the second component to form a securing mechanism in order to prevent the power cord from being inappropriately dragged, so that the electric engagement is secured and the electric performance is stabilized.
1. An electric connection assembly of power supply, which is disposed between a power supply and a power cord to electrically connect said power supply and said power cord, said electric connection assembly of power supply comprising a first component connectively installed on said power supply and a second component connectively installed on said power cord, and a male connector and a female connector, which mate each other, separately installed in said first component and said second component, and a first securing member and a second securing member, which match to form a securing mechanism, separately installed in said first component and said second component, the first component being a one-piece, unitary element with an interior face from which the male connector extends and the female connector having a forward side which faces the interior face of the first component when the male and female connectors are mated. 2. The electric connection assembly of power supply according to claim 1, wherein said second securing member is movable over said second component. 3. The electric connection assembly of power supply according to claim 1, wherein the engaging faces of said first securing member and said second securing member are circumferentially threaded. 4. The electric connection assembly of power supply according to claim 1, wherein said male connector further comprises a plurality of electrical conductive terminals, and said female connector comprises a plurality of insert slots with each having an interior electrical conductive terminal corresponding to respective said electrical conductive terminal of said male connector. 5. The electric connection assembly of power supply according to claim 1, wherein a guide key and a corresponding keyway are separately installed in said male connector and said female connector. 6. The electric connection assembly of power supply according to claim 1, wherein the end of said first component in the interior of said power supply is a fixing end, and a fixing element is installed on said fixing end. 7. The electric connection assembly of power supply according to claim 6, wherein the engaging faces of said fixing element and said fixing end are circumferentially threaded. 8. The electric connection assembly of power supply according to claim 1, wherein a power-connecting panel is defined on said power supply, and a plurality of installing holes corresponding to said first components are disposed on said power-connecting panel. 9. The electric connection assembly of power supply according to claim 8, wherein said first component has a detent ring whose external diameter is larger than the diameter of said installing hole. 10. The electric connection assembly of power supply according to claim 1, wherein the interior face of the first component and the forward side of the female connector directly face one another and are free of obstructions therebetween. 11. The electric connection assembly of power supply according to claim 10, further comprising a free space provided between the interior face of the first component and the forward side of the female connector. 12. The electric connection assembly of power supply according to claim 11, further comprising a single guide key and a corresponding keyway separately installed in the male and female connectors. 13. The electric connection assembly of power supply according to claim 12, wherein the power connecting panel has a plurality of installing holes into which the first components are inserted, the holes being sized so that the first components directly contact the power connecting panel. 14. The electric connection assembly of power supply according to claim 13, wherein the male connector passes through the interior face of the first component but the first component otherwise is closed. 15. The electric connection assembly of power supply according to claim 1, further comprising a free space provided between the interior face of the first component and the forward side of the female connector. 16. The electric connection assembly of power supply according to claim 1, wherein the male connector passes through the interior face of the first component but the first component otherwise is closed.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an electric connection assembly of power supply, particularly to an electric connection assembly of power supply, which adopts a design of detachable electric connection, and provides a securing mechanism to enable a power cord to be firmly engaged with the power supply so that the electric performance can be secured. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The power supply, which provides electric power, is one of the most important components in the current electronic products. In addition to the power specification, the capability of the power supply to have a stable electric performance is also a primary consideration of the consumer. In the technical aspect, each manufacturer of the current power supply has its own achievements in the output power and the appearance design; however, with respect to the power cord, none improved design has been put forward by the related manufacturers yet, and the conventional power cord is apt to make the user troublesome sometimes; the drawbacks thereof are described as follows: 1. The conventional power cord has a plurality of power wires, which exit from the same outlet, as shown in FIG. 1; however, the user needs only part of the power wires ordinarily; thus, the arrangement of the rest of those power wires becomes a troublesome matter; moreover, the interior space of the current computer becomes narrower and narrower, and the high-speed operation of the electronic component, such as CPU, generates a large amount of heat; the rest of those power wires will make the interior space of the computer further narrower, which makes the heat harder to dissipate; thus the computer performance is impaired seriously by the accumulated heat. 2. There is an insert type power cord to improve the abovementioned drawback, wherein an insert socket and an insert plug are separately installed in the power supply and the power cord for electric connection, and the user can connect appropriate numbers of power wires according to the power demand; however, owing the abovementioned narrow interior space of the computer, the power cord is apt to be dragged inadvertently when assembling or disassembling the electronic devices, which will result in the disconnection or the incomplete electric contact, and which will even result in the electric shock to the user; the wearing between the metallic terminals of the insert socket and plug will raise the impedance therebetween, and the power output of the power supply will thus be influenced. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an electric connection assembly of power supply in order to solve the aforementioned problems. The electric connection assembly of power supply of the present invention provides an effective securing mechanism to prevent the power cord from being dragged by an external force so that the descent of the electric performance induced thereby can be effectively avoided. The electric connection assembly of power supply of the present invention comprises a first component installed in the power supply and a second component installed in the power cord. A male and a female connector, which mate each other and are electrically engaged via an insertion means, are separately installed in the first and the second component. Further, a first securing member and a second securing are separately installed in the first and the second component in order to form a securing mechanism lest the power cord is dragged by the external force and the electric engagement of the male and the female connector be influenced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is schematic diagram showing the power cord's connection in the conventional power supply. FIG. 2 is a schematic pictorial outside view of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded structure view of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional assembly view of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the electric connection of the power supply and the power cord in the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic embodiment diagram showing electric connection assembly of power supply of the present invention installed in an electronic device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The detailed description and technical contents of the present invention will be stated below in conjunction with the attached drawings. Refer to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 separately the present invention's pictorial outside view, exploded structure view, and schematic diagram showing that a power cord 20 is electrically coupled to a power supply 10 by the present invention's electric connection assembly of power supply. As shown in the drawings, the present invention's electric connection assembly of power supply is disposed between the power supply 10 and the power cord 20 that is electrically coupled to the power supply 10. The electric connection assembly of power supply has a first component 12 connectively installed to the power supply 10 and a second component 21 connectively installed to the power cord 20; a male connector 121 and a female connector 211, which mate to electrically connect each other, are installed separately in the first component 12 and the second component 21. The male connector 121 comprises a plurality of electrical conductive terminals, whose number depends on invention, and the female connector 211 comprises a plurality of insert slots 212 with each having an interior electrical conductive terminal 213 corresponding to the respective electrical conductive terminal of the male connector 121. The first component 12 and the second component 21 separately have a first securing member 124 and a second securing member 215, which match to form a securing mechanism. A power-connecting panel 11, whereon the specifications of the power output can be labeled, is defined on the power supply 10, and corresponding to the number of the first components 12, a plurality of installing holes 111 of the same number as the first components 12 are disposed on the power-connecting panel 11. When assembling, the first components 12 are inserted and installed on the installing holes 111. The first component 12 has a detent ring 122; the end of the first component 12 in the interior of the power supply 10 is a fixing end 125, and a fixing element 126 is disposed on the fixing end 125; the engaging faces of the fixing element 126 and the fixing end 125 are both circumferentially threaded to screw each other together fixedly so that the first components 12 can be installed on the power supply 10 firmly. Refer also to FIG. 4. When the user undertakes the electric connection of the power cord 20 and the power supply 10, firstly the first component 12 is inserted to the second component 21 to join each other together. Owing to the foolproof design of a guide key 123 and a keyway 214 which are separately disposed on the male connector 121 and the female connector 211, the user can perform the electric engagement of the male connector 121 and the female connector 211 conveniently The engaging faces of the first securing member 124 and the second securing member 215 are both circumferentially threaded, and the second securing member 215 can movably sleeve the second component 21 and then be screwed to engage with the first securing member 124; thus, the electric connection is completed. As shown in FIG. 6, when the power supply 10 and the power cord 20 are disposed in an electronic device 30, if the user has to assemble or disassemble an electronic element 31, the power cord 20 is probably to be dragged inadvertently. As the electric connection assembly of power supply of the present invention has the securing mechanism with the first securing member 124 and the second securing member 215, the male connector 121 and the female connector 211, though only joined by insertion, will not yet be separated under the external dragging force; thus, the electric engagement of the power supply 10 and the power cord 20 is to be secured. Further, as there is not any wear between the male connector 121 and the female connector 211 induced by the dragging, the electric contact therebetween can be kept so that the power efficiency will be guaranteed. Those described above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Any modification and variation according to the claims of the present invention is to be included within the scope of the present invention.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The power supply, which provides electric power, is one of the most important components in the current electronic products. In addition to the power specification, the capability of the power supply to have a stable electric performance is also a primary consideration of the consumer. In the technical aspect, each manufacturer of the current power supply has its own achievements in the output power and the appearance design; however, with respect to the power cord, none improved design has been put forward by the related manufacturers yet, and the conventional power cord is apt to make the user troublesome sometimes; the drawbacks thereof are described as follows: 1. The conventional power cord has a plurality of power wires, which exit from the same outlet, as shown in FIG. 1 ; however, the user needs only part of the power wires ordinarily; thus, the arrangement of the rest of those power wires becomes a troublesome matter; moreover, the interior space of the current computer becomes narrower and narrower, and the high-speed operation of the electronic component, such as CPU, generates a large amount of heat; the rest of those power wires will make the interior space of the computer further narrower, which makes the heat harder to dissipate; thus the computer performance is impaired seriously by the accumulated heat. 2. There is an insert type power cord to improve the abovementioned drawback, wherein an insert socket and an insert plug are separately installed in the power supply and the power cord for electric connection, and the user can connect appropriate numbers of power wires according to the power demand; however, owing the abovementioned narrow interior space of the computer, the power cord is apt to be dragged inadvertently when assembling or disassembling the electronic devices, which will result in the disconnection or the incomplete electric contact, and which will even result in the electric shock to the user; the wearing between the metallic terminals of the insert socket and plug will raise the impedance therebetween, and the power output of the power supply will thus be influenced.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an electric connection assembly of power supply in order to solve the aforementioned problems. The electric connection assembly of power supply of the present invention provides an effective securing mechanism to prevent the power cord from being dragged by an external force so that the descent of the electric performance induced thereby can be effectively avoided. The electric connection assembly of power supply of the present invention comprises a first component installed in the power supply and a second component installed in the power cord. A male and a female connector, which mate each other and are electrically engaged via an insertion means, are separately installed in the first and the second component. Further, a first securing member and a second securing are separately installed in the first and the second component in order to form a securing mechanism lest the power cord is dragged by the external force and the electric engagement of the male and the female connector be influenced.
20041217
20060620
20060622
66608.0
H01R1352
1
PRASAD, CHANDRIKA
ELECTRIC CONNECTION ASSEMBLY FOR POWER SUPPLY WITH INTERLOCKING COMPONENTS
SMALL
0
ACCEPTED
H01R
2,004
11,013,561
ACCEPTED
Idle registered label roll
A linerless label roll includes a web wound along a running axis, and having a series of index marks spaced longitudinally apart. A series of adhesive patches runs along the web, with differently sized adhesive-free zones therebetween in register with the index marks.
1. A label roll for use in a printer comprising: a web having a front surface and an opposite back surface wound in a roll, and including a plurality of index marks spaced apart longitudinally along a running axis of said web to define a series of labels; said back surface including a plurality of adhesive patches aligned in a column along said running axis and separated from each other by adhesive free zones having different lengths in each of said labels in register with said index marks; and said front surface including a release strip extending along said running axis behind said column of adhesive patches, and laminated to said patches in successive layers in said roll. 2. A roll according to claim 1 wherein said adhesive patches have different lengths along said running axis in register with said index marks. 3. A roll according to claim 2 wherein: said printer includes a feedpath with a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart components over which said web back surface travels during operation; and said free zones are predeterminedly located on said web to correspond in longitudinal spacing with said longitudinal spacing of said feedpath components. 4. A method of using said label roll according to claim 3 comprising: installing said roll in said printer, with said web being fed along said feedpath; printing individual labels in series along said web; and detecting said index marks and indexing said web to position said adhesive free zones in register with said feedpath components during idling between printing said labels. 5. A roll according to claim 2 wherein said adhesive patches have different lengths in each of said labels. 6. A roll according to claim 2 wherein said adhesive patches have different sizes in each of said labels. 7. A roll according to claim 2 wherein said adhesive patches have different configurations in each of said labels. 8. A roll according to claim 2 wherein each of said adhesive patches diverges aft from a leading edge thereof along said running axis. 9. A roll according to claim 8 wherein each of said adhesive patches converges aft to a trailing edge thereof along said running axis. 10. A roll according to claim 9 wherein said adhesive patches comprise circular patches. 11. A roll according to claim 9 wherein said adhesive patches comprise oblong patches. 12. A roll according to claim 9 wherein said adhesive patches comprise alternating circular and oblong patches. 13. A roll according to claim 9 wherein said adhesive patches comprise ovate patches. 14. A roll according to claim 13 wherein said ovate patches alternate in large and small size along said running axis. 15. A roll according to claim 13 wherein said ovate patches have narrow leading edges and spread in width toward the trailing edges thereof. 16. A roll according to claim 9 wherein said adhesive patches comprise chevron patches. 17. A roll according to claim 16 wherein said chevron patches have wide convex leading edges, and concave trailing edges. 18. A roll according to claim 16 wherein said chevron patches alternate in large and small size along said running axis. 19. A roll according to claim 9 wherein said adhesive patches are shaped like arrowheads. 20. A roll according to claim 19 wherein said arrowhead patches have narrow leading edges and spread in width to concave trailing edges. 21. A roll according to claim 19 wherein said arrowhead patches alternate in large and small size along said running axis. 22. A roll according to claim 2 wherein said patches are aligned along one edge of said web in a minor area of said back surface, with a major area of said back surface being devoid of adhesive. 23. A roll according to claim 22 wherein said adhesive patches are disposed in two columns along opposite edges of said web. 24. A label roll comprising: a web wound in said roll along a running axis, and having a series of index marks spaced apart longitudinally therealong; and a series of differently sized adhesive patches and differently sized adhesive free zones therebetween aligned in a column along said web. 25. A roll according to claim 24 wherein: said web includes one side containing said adhesive patches and free zones, and an opposite side containing a release strip aligned therewith to form a series of linerless labels defined between said index marks; and said free zones are predeterminedly located on said web in each of said labels in register with said index marks. 26. A roll according to claim 25 wherein said adhesive patches vary in width between leading and trailing edges thereof along said running axis. 27. A roll according to claim 26 wherein said leading and trailing edges of said adhesive patches are arcuate.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to stationery products, and, more specifically, to adhesive labels. The ubiquitous adhesive label is available in a myriad of configurations for use in various applications, including specialty applications. The typical adhesive label includes pressure sensitive adhesive on its back side initially laminated to an underlying release liner. The release liner is typically coated with silicone to provide a weak bond with the adhesive for permitting the individual removal of labels from the liner when desired. Adhesive labels may be found in individual sheets, or joined together in a fan-fold stack, or in a continuous roll. Label rolls are typically used in commercial applications requiring high volume use of labels. More specifically, in the fast food industry specialty labels may be used in identifying individual food products in typical sales transactions. The label roll may be formed of thermal paper for sequential printing of individual labels in a direct thermal printer. Or, a thermal transfer printer may also be used. The typical pressure sensitive adhesive label includes full surface adhesive on its back side which may interfere with the handling thereof during the food preparation process. An individual label identifying the corresponding food product is removed from the printer by the user who typically wears sanitary gloves. The label may inadvertently bond to the gloves, and this increases the difficulty of placing the label on the packaging for the intended food product. Furthermore, the liner material used in the label roll results in waste, and correspondingly affects the cost of the roll. Linerless label rolls are conventionally known in which the front surface of the label web may be coated with a suitable release material, such as silicone, for providing an integrated liner in the web itself without the need for an additional liner sheet. When the linerless web is unwound in the printer, it extends over a corresponding feedpath having several components over which the adhesive side of the web travels. For example, each printer has a platen or drive roller for driving the web along the feedpath. One or more guide rollers are also found in the printer for guiding the web through the printer and maintaining suitable tension and alignment thereof. And, a tear or cutting bar is also typically found at the outlet end of the printer for permitting individual labels to be severed from the distal end of the web after receiving printing thereon. Since these exemplary feedpath components are directly exposed to the adhesive on the linerless web, they can accumulate adhesive lost from the web over extended use of the printer. Adhesive buildup on these feedpath components is undesirable since it may restrain free movement of the web during operation and may lead to undesirable jamming of the web in the printer. And, the accumulating adhesive can require periodic cleaning of the feedpath components during routine maintenance operation. Since every printer has some variation of these feedpath components, all such printers are subject to adhesive buildup when using linerless labels therein. Furthermore, the feedpath components in different printers are typically differently located along the feedpath, and adhesive buildup thereon differently affects performance of the printer. Accordingly, it is desired to provide an improved linerless label roll for use in a printer having feedpath components exposed to the adhesive on the roll. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A linerless label roll includes a web wound along a running axis, and having a series of index marks spaced longitudinally apart. A series of adhesive patches runs along the web, with differently sized adhesive-free zones therebetween in register with the index marks. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention, in accordance with preferred and exemplary embodiments, together with further objects and advantages thereof, is more particularly described in the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a thermal printer dispensing pressure sensitive labels in an exemplary application. FIG. 2 is a side elevational internal view of the printer shown in FIG. 1 illustrating exemplary components along the feedpath of the label roll mounted therein. FIG. 3 is a bottom view inside the printer illustrated in FIG. 2 and taken along line 3-3. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of the exemplary linerless label web illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a portion of the linerless web in accordance with another embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a portion of the linerless web in accordance with another embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view of a portion of the linerless web in accordance with another embodiment. FIG. 8 is a plan view of a portion of the linerless web in accordance with another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Illustrated in FIG. 1 is a conventional printer 10 configured for printing in sequence individual labels 12 for use in an exemplary fast food application. For example, food may be placed in a suitable food package 14 such as the paper box illustrated, or simple wrapping paper (not illustrated). Print or identifying indicia 16 is printed on the label in the printer for identifying the contents of the package, for example. The individual printed label may then be removed from the printer and applied to the food package 14 as illustrated in the exemplary method shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates certain elements along the feedpath of the printer 10, which may otherwise have any conventional configuration, such as a direct thermal printer, or alternatively a thermal transfer printer. A label roll 18 is suitably mounted inside the printer either in a tray therefor, or on a support spindle extending through the center core thereof. The roll includes a continuous, elongate web 20 spiral wound in a multitude of overlapping layers or laminations. The web 20 is dispensed from the roll inside the printer illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 along a suitable feedpath. The feedpath may include a series of guide rollers 22 supported on opposite sides of the web for guiding the web as it is dispensed through the printer. A platen or drive roller 24 is disposed downstream of the guides and suitably engages the web for pulling the web forward through the printer for dispensing. Disposed above the platen roller 24 is the printing head 26 which may have any conventional configuration, such as a thermal head assembly for use in direct thermal printing of the web which may be formed of suitable thermal paper. Alternatively, a thermal transfer ribbon ((not shown) may be used with ordinary printing paper for the web. Disposed at the outlet end of the printer is a suitable tear bar 28 suitably supported for allowing the user to simply tear or cut the dispensed label from the distal end of the web in a typical manner. Various forms of label cutting or tearing devices are conventional and may be used in the printer. For example, a rotary cutting blade may be suitably mounted for automatically cutting the presented label following printing thereof. The exemplary printer illustrated in FIG. 2 also includes an index sensor 30 for sensing a suitable index mark contained on the web. The index sensor is operatively joined to a computer controller 32 of the printer, which in turn controls all operating functions of the printer. Index sensors are conventional, and typically include optical components which detect a suitable mark on the web for permitting precise indexing and tearing of the individual labels 12 for the intended size. Each printed label is typically indexed with the platen roller 24 for coordinating the operation thereof. In this way, the index mark for an upstream label on the web is detected by the sensor to coordinate rotation of the platen roller 24 to accurately dispense the downstream label 12 from the outlet end of the printer. The index marks provided on the web ensure the accurate placement of the inter-label edge of the presented label along the tear bar 28 so that a complete label can be severed from the web by the user after printing of the label. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the printer also includes a snap bar 34 located on the platen side of the web which permits the optional use of the printer for direct thermal printing or thermal transfer printing with a corresponding thermal transfer ribbon (not shown). Accordingly, the feedpath of the exemplary printer illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart components 22,24,28,34 over which the web travels during operation. The web is unwound from the roll in the longitudinal direction along the running axis 36 of the web to reach the printing head 26, followed in turn by dispensing individual labels in series from the printer. The exemplary label roll 18 is illustrated installed in the printer in FIG. 3, with an enlarged portion thereof being illustrated in FIG. 4. The web 20 is preferably a single ply sheet of suitable label material, such as thermal paper. The web includes a front or top surface 38 which is mounted in the printer illustrated in FIG. 2 facing upwardly for being printed by the printing head 26. The web also includes an opposite back or bottom surface 40. The web is wound in the roll 18 in a spiral having a multitude of overlapping layers or laminations in which the back surface 40 is laminated against the front surface 38 of the upstream portions or inner layers of the web. The web illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 includes a plurality of repeating index sensor marks 42 arranged in a series along the running axis 36 of the web and longitudinally spaced apart from each other. The index marks may have any conventional configuration such as the short black marks illustrated, and are suitably detected by the corresponding index sensor 30 in an exemplary optical form. Any type of index mark and sensor known in the prior art may be used for indexing motion of the series of labels 12 as they are driven along the web running axis during operation. The index marks 42 are disposed on the back surface 40 of the web in the exemplary embodiment illustrated, but could also be disposed on the front surface, or may even be in the form of gaps or holes through the web detectable from either side of the web. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the index marks 42 define the side or inter-label edges of the individual labels 12 and permit the individual labels to be torn accurately from the distal end of the web at the tear bar 28. The controller 32 illustrated in FIG. 2 is configured to drive the platen roller 24 to index successive labels in turn with the corresponding index being aligned atop the tear bar for example. An individual label may then be torn from the web for accurately controlling the size of the individual labels. The back surface 40 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes a plurality of repeating adhesive spots or patches 44 aligned in, and spaced apart along, a column extending along the longitudinal running axis 36 of the web. The adhesive patches 44 may have any conventional composition such as the typical pressure sensitive adhesive which may be formulated for permanent bonding or temporary bonding to the intended surface, such as the package 14 illustrated in FIG. 1. In the preferred embodiment, the adhesive patches 44 effect weak bonds with the food package 14 to permit the repositioning of the individual labels without tearing of the label upon being removed from a surface. Instead of providing full surface coverage of the adhesive on the back surface 40 illustrated in FIG. 4, the adhesive is provided solely in small patches in a relatively minor area of the back surface, with the remaining major area of the back surface being devoid of adhesive. In this way, the substantial reduction in surface area of the adhesive correspondingly decreases the buildup of adhesive inside the printer illustrated in FIG. 2 for increasing the time between any maintenance required therefor. As further illustrated in FIG. 4, the front surface 38 of the roll includes a release strip 46 which extends along the running axis directly behind the column of adhesive patches 44. The release strip may be formed of any suitable releasing material, such as cured silicone or acrylic suitably coating or impregnating the web front surface. The release strip may extend across the full width of the web, or only a portion thereof as desired. In this way, the column of adhesive patches 44 may be laminated to the release strip 46 in the successive layers of the roll illustrated in FIG. 4 without the need for a separate liner. The single ply web wound in the roll 18 is therefore linerless. Accordingly, when the linerless roll is mounted in the printer illustrated in FIG. 2, the adhesive-less front surface 38 preferably faces upwardly to engage some of the guide rollers and the printing head 26 for preventing adhesive contact therewith. The adhesive back surface 40 faces downwardly and is suitably spaced from adjacent portions of the feedpath for preventing inadvertent bonding therewith. However, some of the feedpath components will engage the web adhesive during travel. The platen roller 24, for example, is therefore preferably coated with a suitable non-stick material such as polytetrafluoroethylene, typically known by the Teflon trademark brand material to reduce adhesion with the adhesive. The non-stick platen roller 24 will therefore suitably drive or pull the web along its feedpath in the printer to permit individual labels 12 to be cut therefrom at the tear bar 28 disposed immediately downstream from the platen roller. The exposed adhesive on the web will also travel over the lower guide roller 22 and snap bar 34. Since the adhesive patches 44 cover a relatively small portion of the area of the back surface 40, buildup of adhesive on the various printer components is correspondingly reduced, and is limited to the small region aligned with the adhesive patches. Periodic maintenance for removing any adhesive buildup is therefore made easier, or adhesive accumulation may be insignificant within the life of the printer itself. As shown in FIG. 4, the adhesive patches 44 are preferably aligned parallel along one lateral edge of the web 20, and closer thereto than to the opposite lateral edge of the web. In this way, the adhesive is isolated along only one edge of the web, with the remainder of the back surface 40 being devoid of the adhesive. A particular advantage of the this columnar adhesive configuration is that most of the individual label 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1 is without adhesive and permits ready handling thereof, even by users wearing gloves, with little chance of grabbing the adhesive patch itself. The isolated adhesive patch may then be used for bonding the entire label to the package 14, in a cantilever fashion for example, for permitting grasping thereof for removal and repositioning of the label if desired. As shown in FIG. 4, the longitudinal series of index marks 42 are in turn used to define the longitudinal series of individual labels 12 being configured along the running axis of the web 20. As indicated above, a majority of the back surface of each label 12 is preferably devoid of adhesive, with the adhesive running along one edge of the label in the series of adhesive patches 44. Correspondingly, the individual adhesive patches 44 in the common column are longitudinally separated from each other by corresponding adhesive-free zones 48. The longitudinal spacing between the adhesive patches which defines the longitudinal length of the corresponding free zones 48 is preferably different in each of the labels relative to or in register with the corresponding index marks 42 which are used to define the individual labels. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the adhesive patches 44 also have different sizes or longitudinal lengths along the running axis 36 of the web relative to or in register with the corresponding index marks 42. In this way, both the adhesive patches and the intervening adhesive free zones may be predeterminedly located on the individual labels to correspond with their subsequent travel inside the printer illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. More specifically, and as indicated above, the exemplary printer feedpath illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 include several longitudinally spaced apart components, such as 22,24,28 and 34 over which the web back surface 40 travels or touches during operation. The adhesive-free front side or surface 38 of the web faces upwardly towards the printing head 26 and is retained by various top guides in the printer, whereas the back side or surface 40 of the web faces downwardly and engages the additional feedpath components therebelow as the web travels downstream through the printer and is dispensed from the initial roll 18. During dispensing operation, the small patches of adhesive will slide past the feedpath components in engagement therewith and are subject to relatively small adhesive buildup over the life of the printer. However, when the printer is idle temporarily between printing individual labels, or for longer periods of inactivity, it is undesirable to have the adhesive patches remain in contact with any of the feedpath components for any extended period of time during which the adhesive bond therewith might be allowed to strengthen and result in additional buildup of adhesive on the feedpath components. This adhesive contact may also lead to printer jams. Accordingly, the adhesive-free zones 48 illustrated in FIG. 4 are predeterminedly located on the web 20 to correspond in longitudinal spacing with the longitudinal spacing of the various feedpath components, such as the guide roller 22, platen roller 24, tear bar 28, and snap bar 34, so that during idle use of the printer, the free zones are temporarily aligned with these components and prevent adhesive contact therewith. Correspondingly, the series of adhesive patches 44 are distributed between the various feedpath components during idle operation and are suspended remotely therefrom without contact therewith. Accordingly, in a method of operating the printer illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the label roll is initially installed in the printer, with the web 20 being fed along the longitudinal feedpath defined by the various feedpath components. Individual labels 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1 may be printed in series along the web and dispensed from the printer one by one in turn for their intended use. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the index sensor 30 is used for detecting the series of index marks 42 in turn as the web is driven through the printer. The controller 32 is then operated to ensure that successive label edges defined by the corresponding index marks are accurately positioned along the tear bar 28 for each label in turn. Correspondingly, the adhesive free zones 48 on the web are also positioned in alignment or register with the corresponding feedpath components during idling operation and therefore prevent resting of the adhesive patches on the feedpath components. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate that when the dispensed label 12 is located with its trailing edge index mark 42 aligned atop the tear bar 28, corresponding upstream free zones 48 are aligned with the guide roller 22, platen roller 24, and snap bar 34. In this idle position of the web between successive printing of the adjacent labels, the corresponding free zones 48 are specifically positioned to correspond with any and preferably all feedpath components which might otherwise be in contact with the adhesive patches. Accordingly, each label roll 18 is custom designed for a specific label printer and the specific location of the various feedpath components therein over which the adhesive travels during operation. By preferentially locating the adhesive free zones 48 in each embodiment of the label for a corresponding printer design, adhesive-free contact between the linerless label and the feedpath components may be obtained during idle operation of the printer, and thereby further reduce the opportunity for adhesive buildup during the life of the printer and for printer jams. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the adhesive free zones 48 are sized and located along the column of adhesive patches to match the corresponding longitudinal spacing of the various feedpath components found in the associated printer over which the adhesive will travel during operation. The size or length of the free zones 48 are selected within suitable manufacturing and operational tolerances to prevent contact of the adjacent adhesive with the feedpath components during idle operation. Correspondingly, the series of adhesive patches 44 in each label 12 have different lengths to maximize the collective surface area of the adhesive patches in each of the labels, which adhesive is interrupted by the adhesive-free zones therebetween. The exemplary forms of the adhesive patches 44 illustrated in FIG. 4 have different sizes or surface area in each of the labels, and also have different configurations as defined by their size, area, width, or profile. The adhesive patches 44 preferably vary in lateral width between the leading and trailing edges thereof, and along the running axis 36 of the web. For example, each patch 44 preferably diverges in width aft from the leading edge thereof along the running axis, and also converges in width aft to the trailing edge along the running axis. The leading and trailing edges of the adhesive patches 44 illustrated in FIG. 4 are preferably arcuate and generally nonlinear for both performance and manufacturing advantages. For example, each of the labels 12 includes a corresponding circular adhesive patch followed in turn by two oblong patches of different lengths. The circular patches have convex leading and trailing edges. The oblong patches may have convex leading and trailing edges, or convex edges with short straight sections therebetween. The circular and oblong patches 44 illustrated in FIG. 4 alternate along the running axis in the series of labels 12 and repeat in pattern identically from label to label. In this way, the amount of adhesive in the limited column provided for the adhesive patches may be maximized along the running axis of the web, while minimizing the longitudinal length of the adhesive free zones 48 therebetween. The free zones may be used to advantage as discussed above to ensure alignment thereof with corresponding feedpath components found in the intended printer over which the adhesive patches travel during dispensing of the labels, with the free zones being aligned therewith during idle operation. The platen roller 24 illustrated in FIG. 4 is driven during operation to pull the web through the printer for dispensing labels in turn. The column of adhesive patches 44 therefore not only travels transversely over the platen roller 24 but also over the other feedpath components such as the guide roller 22, tear bar 28, and snap bar 34. The varying width of the leading and trailing edges of the adhesive patches therefore gradually transitions the adhesive patches with these feedpath components as the leading edges are carried thereover, and correspondingly gradually transitions the trailing edges of the patches as they leave these components during travel. This feature may be used to advantage for decreasing adhesive buildup during operation of the printer over its intended life. FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the linerless web 20 in which the adhesive patches, designated 44b, have a different, ovate configuration in the general form of a teardrop. The ovate patches 44b have narrow or relatively sharp leading edges and spread in width, which becomes maximum before converging to the trailing edges thereof. Since the leading and trailing edges vary in width along the running axis, the ovate adhesive patches enjoy the operational advantages described above. In addition, the ovate patches enjoy advantages during manufacture. FIG. 5 illustrates schematically that the series of ovate patches may be formed during manufacturing by printing the desired adhesive patches on the web in a column along one edge thereof. The running axis 36 illustrated in FIG. 5 is also the running axis of the web during the printing operation which permits the individual patches to be suitably cured or dried as each patch is printed at an upstream location. Testing of this design has shown that the thickness of the applied adhesive may be made more uniform due to the varying width of the patch, and this prevents excessive buildup or thickness of the adhesive near the trailing edge of the patches. Excessive adhesive buildup is undesirable because it increases the time required for drying the adhesive, and excessive adhesive may not fully dry during the manufacturing process and can later lead to liberation of the excessive adhesive inside the printer leading to undesirable adhesive buildup in the various components thereof. Correspondingly, the varying width configuration of the adhesive patches illustrated in FIG. 5 therefore permit a wider range of process speeds with improved adhesive drying capability resulting in a final product with a more consistent adhesive coating weight. In view of the improved uniformity of the adhesive patch, additional adhesive coat weight or thickness may be obtained without unacceptably long drying times, or subsequent adhesive shedding in the printer. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the ovate patches 44b may alternate in large and small size along the running axis 36 which can be used for tailoring the adhesive performance thereof while also tailoring the length of the intervening adhesive-free zones 48 therebetween. Although two ovate patches 44b are illustrated in FIG. 5, three or more of such patches may be used in manner similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4. As indicated above, the number, size, and spacing of the adhesive patches and the corresponding adhesive-free zones 48 therebetween are controlled in large part by the configuration of the intended printer and the size and location of the corresponding feedpath components therein. Each printer typically has some form of platen roller, some form of tear bar or cutter, and some form of guide roller subject to adhesive buildup from the linerless label roll. The number of adhesive patches and intervening adhesive-free zones is therefore tailored to the specific embodiment of the intended printer. FIG. 6 illustrates yet another embodiment of the adhesive patches in the form of chevron patches designated 44c, which alternate in large and small sizes along the running axis 36 in the exemplary embodiment illustrated. The chevron patches 44c have arcuate or nonlinear leading and trailing edges, with the leading edge thereof having a relatively wide convex contour, and the trailing edges thereof having similarly wide concave profiles. Testing of the chevron patch design supports the additional manufacturing and performance benefits described above for the previous embodiments. FIG. 7 illustrates yet another embodiment of the adhesive patches in the exemplary form of arrowhead patches 44d. The arrowhead patches similarly alternate in large and small size along the running axis 36 in the same manner as the above embodiments. The arrowhead patches 44d have relatively narrow or sharp leading edges and spread in width to relatively wide concave trailing edges terminating in two points. Testing of this design also confirms the advantages in performance and manufacture as described above. The various forms of adhesive patches described above may be aligned along only one edge of the corresponding webs 20 closer thereto than to the opposite edge of the web. The collective surface area of the column of adhesive patches in these various embodiments correspond with a minor area of the full back surface of each label, with a major area of the back surface being devoid of adhesive. FIG. 8 illustrates yet another embodiment in which the ovate adhesive patches 44b, for example, are disposed in two columns along opposite edges of the same web 20. The use of columns of the adhesive patches reduces the likelihood of adhesive buildup over the life of the printer, and although one column of adhesive patches is preferred, two or more columns may be used if desired. FIG. 8 also illustrates an alternate form of the index mark 42 which may be a simple aperture or gap through the web optically detected in any conventional manner. As indicated above, various forms of index marks may be used for optical or magnetic, or in any other conventional form of detection. While there have been described herein what are considered to be preferred and exemplary embodiments of the present invention, other modifications of the invention shall be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein, and it is, therefore, desired to be secured in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is the invention as defined and differentiated in the following claims in which we claim:
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention relates generally to stationery products, and, more specifically, to adhesive labels. The ubiquitous adhesive label is available in a myriad of configurations for use in various applications, including specialty applications. The typical adhesive label includes pressure sensitive adhesive on its back side initially laminated to an underlying release liner. The release liner is typically coated with silicone to provide a weak bond with the adhesive for permitting the individual removal of labels from the liner when desired. Adhesive labels may be found in individual sheets, or joined together in a fan-fold stack, or in a continuous roll. Label rolls are typically used in commercial applications requiring high volume use of labels. More specifically, in the fast food industry specialty labels may be used in identifying individual food products in typical sales transactions. The label roll may be formed of thermal paper for sequential printing of individual labels in a direct thermal printer. Or, a thermal transfer printer may also be used. The typical pressure sensitive adhesive label includes full surface adhesive on its back side which may interfere with the handling thereof during the food preparation process. An individual label identifying the corresponding food product is removed from the printer by the user who typically wears sanitary gloves. The label may inadvertently bond to the gloves, and this increases the difficulty of placing the label on the packaging for the intended food product. Furthermore, the liner material used in the label roll results in waste, and correspondingly affects the cost of the roll. Linerless label rolls are conventionally known in which the front surface of the label web may be coated with a suitable release material, such as silicone, for providing an integrated liner in the web itself without the need for an additional liner sheet. When the linerless web is unwound in the printer, it extends over a corresponding feedpath having several components over which the adhesive side of the web travels. For example, each printer has a platen or drive roller for driving the web along the feedpath. One or more guide rollers are also found in the printer for guiding the web through the printer and maintaining suitable tension and alignment thereof. And, a tear or cutting bar is also typically found at the outlet end of the printer for permitting individual labels to be severed from the distal end of the web after receiving printing thereon. Since these exemplary feedpath components are directly exposed to the adhesive on the linerless web, they can accumulate adhesive lost from the web over extended use of the printer. Adhesive buildup on these feedpath components is undesirable since it may restrain free movement of the web during operation and may lead to undesirable jamming of the web in the printer. And, the accumulating adhesive can require periodic cleaning of the feedpath components during routine maintenance operation. Since every printer has some variation of these feedpath components, all such printers are subject to adhesive buildup when using linerless labels therein. Furthermore, the feedpath components in different printers are typically differently located along the feedpath, and adhesive buildup thereon differently affects performance of the printer. Accordingly, it is desired to provide an improved linerless label roll for use in a printer having feedpath components exposed to the adhesive on the roll.
<SOH> BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>A linerless label roll includes a web wound along a running axis, and having a series of index marks spaced longitudinally apart. A series of adhesive patches runs along the web, with differently sized adhesive-free zones therebetween in register with the index marks.
20041216
20101026
20060622
91354.0
B32B3300
2
NORDMEYER, PATRICIA L
IDLE REGISTERED LABEL ROLL
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
B32B
2,004
11,013,603
ACCEPTED
Fluid-ejection device connector
Apparatus and methods are provided. A fluid-ejection device connector has a body having a plurality of internal channels, a plurality of flexible first couplers protruding from an exterior portion of the body, and a plurality of second couplers protruding from another exterior portion of the body. The internal channels respectively fluidly couple the flexible first couplers and the second couplers.
1. A fluid-ejection device connector comprising: a body comprising a plurality of internal channels; a plurality of flexible first couplers protruding from an exterior portion of the body; and a plurality of second couplers protruding from another exterior portion of the body; wherein the internal channels respectively fluidly couple the flexible first couplers and the second couplers. 2. The fluid-ejection device connecter of claim 1, wherein the plurality of internal channels is formed from a plurality of grooves in the body and a cover secured to the body for closing the plurality of grooves. 3. The fluid-ejection device connecter of claim 2, wherein the cover is welded to the body. 4. The fluid-ejection device connecter of claim 2, wherein the body is an absorber of light and the cover is substantially transparent to light. 5. The fluid-ejection device connecter of claim 1, wherein the flexible first couplers are over molded onto the body. 6. The fluid-ejection device connecter of claim 1, wherein the flexible first couplers are formed by at least one shot of a multiple-shot molding process. 7. The fluid-ejection device connecter of claim 1, wherein each flexible first coupler includes a chamfer that acts to align a hole passing through that flexible first coupler with a tubule protruding from the fluid-ejection device. 8. The fluid-ejection device connecter of claim 1 further comprises a pair of resilient arms extending from the body adapted to seat against the fluid-ejection device when the connector is properly connected to the fluid-ejection device. 9. The fluid-ejection device connecter of claim 1, wherein the second couplers are formed integrally with the body. 10. The fluid-ejection device connecter of claim 1, wherein the first connectors are thermoplastic elastomers. 11. A print head connector comprising: a substantially rigid body comprising interconnected first and second walls; a plurality of first grooves formed in the first wall; a plurality of second grooves formed in the second wall, the second grooves connected one to one to the first grooves; a plurality of flexible first couplers protruding from an exterior portion of the first wall, each flexible first coupler disposed in a hole that passes through the first wall such that a hole passing through that flexible first coupler opens into a corresponding one of the first grooves; a plurality of substantially rigid second couplers protruding from the second wall, a hole passing through each second coupler fluidly coupled to a corresponding one of the second grooves; a first cover overlying the first wall so as to close the plurality of first grooves; and a second cover overlying the second wall so as to close the plurality of second grooves. 12. The print head connecter of claim 11, wherein the body is an absorber of light and the first and second covers are substantially transparent to the light. 13. The print head connecter of claim 11, wherein each flexible first coupler includes a chamfer that acts to align the hole passing through that flexible first coupler with a tubule protruding from the print head. 14. The print head connecter of claim 11, wherein the first and second covers are welded or heat staked to the first and second walls. 15. The print head connecter of claim 11, wherein the first and second covers are welded to the first and second walls using a beam of light. 16. The print head connecter of claim 11 further comprising a pair of resilient arms extending from the first wall adapted to seat against the print head when the connector is properly connected to the print head. 17. The print head connecter of claim 11, wherein the first couplers is substantially perpendicular to the second couplers. 18. The fluid-ejection device connecter of claim 11, wherein the flexible first couplers are over molded onto the body. 19. The fluid-ejection device connecter of claim 11, wherein the flexible first couplers are formed by at least one shot of a multiple-shot molding process. 20. The print head connecter of claim 11, wherein the second couplers are formed integrally with the body. 21. The print head connecter of claim 11, wherein each flexible first coupler is pressed against a lip formed within the hole that passes through the first wall by a corresponding protuberances protruding from a surface of the first cover. 22. A print head connector comprising: a means for flexibly connecting the print head connector to tubules of the print head; a means for substantially rigidly connecting conduits, connected to an ink delivery system, to a the print head connector; and a means for fluidly coupling the flexible connecting means to the rigid connecting means. 23. The print head connecter of claim 22 further comprises a means for indicating when the print head connector is connected to the print head. 24. The print head connecter of claim 22, wherein the flexible connecting means comprises a means for aligning the flexible connecting means with the tubules. 25. A printer comprising: a print head movably attached to the printer; a stationary ink delivery system; and a print head connector comprising: a body comprising a plurality of internal channels; a plurality of flexible first couplers protruding from an exterior portion of the body, the flexible first couplers respectively connected to tubules of the print head; and a plurality of second couplers protruding from another exterior portion of the body, the second couplers respectively connected to flexible conduits that are connected to the ink delivery system; wherein the internal channels respectively fluidly couple the flexible first couplers and the second couplers. 26. The fluid-ejection device connecter of claim 25, wherein the flexible first couplers are over molded onto the body. 27. The fluid-ejection device connecter of claim 25, wherein the flexible first couplers are formed by at least one shot of a multiple-shot molding process. 28. A method of forming a print head connector, comprising: forming a rigid body of the connector having a plurality of grooves and a plurality of substantially rigid connectors protruding from an exterior portion of the body, a hole passing through each of the substantially rigid connectors fluidly coupled to a corresponding one of the grooves, each groove separated from an adjacent groove by a rib; disposing a plurality of flexible connectors within the body so that they protrude from another exterior portion of the body and so that a hole passing through each of the flexible connectors opens into a corresponding one of the grooves; and adhering a cover to the ribs to close the grooves for forming flow passages. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein disposing a plurality of flexible connectors within the body comprises over molding the flexible connectors onto the body. 30. The method of claim 28, wherein forming a rigid body of the connector comprises forming the body using at least one shot of a multiple-shot molding process. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein disposing a plurality of flexible connectors within the body comprises forming the plurality of flexible connectors using at least one other shot of the multiple-shot molding process. 32. The method of claim 28, wherein adhering a cover to the ribs comprises welding the cover to the ribs. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein welding the cover to the ribs comprises vibration welding or using a beam of light. 34. The method of claim 28, wherein adhering a cover to the ribs comprises heat staking. 35. The method of claim 28, wherein adhering a cover to the ribs further comprises pressing each flexible coupler against the body with a corresponding protuberance protruding from a surface of the cover. 36. A method of forming a print head connector, comprising: forming a rigid body of the connector, the rigid body comprising: a first wall having a plurality of first grooves, each first groove separated from an adjacent first groove by a first rib; a second wall connected to the first wall and having a plurality of second grooves, each second groove separated from an adjacent second groove by a second rib, the second grooves connected one to one to the first grooves; and a plurality of substantially rigid connectors protruding from an exterior portion of the second wall, a hole passing through each of the substantially rigid connectors fluidly coupled to a corresponding one of the second grooves; forming a plurality of flexible connectors within the first wall so that they protrude from an exterior portion of the first wall and so that a hole passing through each of the flexible connectors opens into a corresponding one of the first grooves; adhering a first cover to the first ribs to close the first grooves; and adhering a second cover to the second ribs to close the second grooves. 37. The method of claim 36, wherein forming a plurality of flexible connectors within the first wall comprises over molding the flexible connectors onto the first wall. 38. The method of claim 36, wherein forming a rigid body of the connector comprises forming the body using at least one shot of a multiple-shot molding process. 39. The method of claim 38, wherein forming a plurality of flexible connectors within the first wall comprises forming the plurality of flexible connectors using at least one other shot of the multiple-shot molding process. 40. The method of claim 36, wherein adhering the first cover to the first ribs and adhering the second cover to the second ribs comprises welding or heat staking. 41. The method of claim 36, wherein adhering the first cover to the first ribs and adhering the second cover to the second ribs comprises welding using a beam of light. 42. A method of connecting a stationary ink delivery system of an imaging device to a movable print head of the imaging device, comprising: respectively connecting one or more flexible conduits connected to the ink delivery system to one of one or more substantially rigid couplers of a connector; and connecting the connector to the print head by respectively receiving one or more tubules of the print head within one or more flexible couplers of the connector, wherein one or more internal channels of the connector respectively fluidly couple the one or more substantially rigid couplers and the one or more flexible couplers. 43. The method of claim 42 further comprises indicating when the connector is properly connected to the print head.
CLAIM OF PRIORITY This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/618,716, filed on Oct. 13, 2004, and titled FLUID-EJECTION DEVICE CONNECTOR. BACKGROUND Many fluid handling systems include a fluid delivery system that supplies fluid to a fluid-dispensing (or ejection) device using conduits connected between the fluid delivery system and the fluid-dispensing device. Such systems can be found in printers in the form of an ink reservoir or ink delivery system connected to a print head. Some printers include a stationary reservoir fixed to a body of the printer and a movable print head that moves across a print media, such as paper, during printing. For such applications, the conduits are usually flexible and threaded around a number of bends before they are connected to the movable print head. The conduits are typically connected to the print head by fitting them over substantially rigid tubules or the like, which are attached to the print head and connected to ink delivery channels associated with ink-injecting orifices of the print head. For example, the conduits may fit over barbed ends of the connectors. Unfortunately, removing the conduits from the connectors and subsequently reattaching them may result in a leak between the connector and the conduit. Moreover, in certain systems fitting the conduits onto the connectors requires a special tool. Another concern is that, in the absence of coding the conduits to their respective connectors, it is possible to connect a conduit to the wrong connector for color printers, where each conduit supplies different colored ink to the print head. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary connector, according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the connector of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a portion of an exemplary connector, according to another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a cross-section of a portion of and exemplary connector, as viewed along line 5-5 of FIG. 1, according to certain further aspects of the invention. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary connector in operation, according to another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7 illustrates a detail of an exemplary connector in operation, according to another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary imaging device, according to another embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following detailed description of the present embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that process, electrical or mechanical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. FIG. 1 illustrates a connector 100, according to an embodiment of the invention. Connector may be used to connect a fluid-delivery system, e.g., an ink-delivery system, to a fluid-ejection device, such as a print head. Connector 100 includes a body 102 that is substantially rigid. Body 102 includes a first wall 104 and a second wall 106. For one embodiment, the first wall 104 is substantially perpendicular to the second wall 106. A plurality of grooves 108 is formed in the first wall 104. Each of the grooves 108 opens into corresponding one of a plurality of holes 110 that pass through the first wall 104. Each groove 108 is separated from an adjacent groove 108 by a rib 112. A flexible coupler 111 (e.g., a flexible female coupler) extends through each of holes 110 and protrudes from an exterior of the first wall 104. For one embodiment, body 102 is of a light absorbing material (e.g., a black material), such as a light absorbing plastic, e.g., NORYL that may contain polypropylene. For other embodiments, flexible couplers 111 are thermoplastic elastomers, such as Sanoprene, Polypropylene Copolymer, Polyphenylene Ether (PPE), etc. For one embodiment, a pair of resilient arms 114 extend from the first wall 104. For another embodiment, resilient arms 114 are substantially parallel to couplers 111, as shown in FIG. 1. Resilient arms 114 are adapted to forcibly seat against a print head, for example, when connector 100 is properly connected to the print head. For one embodiment, this indicates that connector 100 is properly connected to the print head. For some embodiments, an audible sound, e.g., a “click” is emitted when resilient arms 114 forcibly seat against a print head, thereby audibly indicating that connector 100 is properly connected to the print head. FIG. 2 is a side view of connector 100 that illustrates the second wall 106. A plurality of grooves 120 is formed in the second wall 104. Each groove 120 separated from an adjacent groove 120 by a rib 122. Substantially rigid couplers 130 protrude from an exterior of the second wall 106, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A hole (or flow passage) 132 passes through each of couplers 130 (FIG. 1) and is fluidly coupled to a corresponding one of the grooves 122. For one embodiment, couplers 130 are formed integrally with body 102. FIG. 3 illustrates a portion of a connector, such as connector 100, according to another embodiment of the invention. It is seen that a hole 310 passing through body 102 adjacent to where the first wall 104 is connected to the second wall 106 opens into each of grooves 108. FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3. FIG. 4 shows that each of holes 310 opens into a corresponding one of grooves 120. In this way, a hole 310 fluidly couples each of grooves 108 to a corresponding one of grooves 120. As best seen in FIG. 1, a first cover 150 overlies the first wall 104 and is adhered to ribs 112. Similarly, a second cover 160 overlies the second wall 106 and is adhered to ribs 122. Covers 150 and 160 respectively close grooves 108 and 120 to form internal flow channels that respectively fluidly couple couplers 111 and couplers 130. For one embodiment, covers 150 and 160 are of a plastic that is substantially transparent to light, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like, and thereby can pass light therethrough. For another embodiment, covers 150 and 160 are suitable for adhering to their respective ribs by heat staking and may be of metal, for example. FIG. 5 is a cross-section of a portion of connector 100, as viewed along line 5-5 of FIG. 1, according to another embodiment of the invention. For one embodiment, the first cover 150 includes dimples (or recesses) 502 that align with portions of couplers 111 and that extend into holes 110. This acts to reduce the amount of air in the system. For another embodiment, the first wall 150 includes protrusions 504 that for one embodiment are substantially parallel to couplers 111, as shown in FIG. 5. For some embodiments, a portion 506 of successive protrusions 504 extends into the hole 110 located between these successive protrusions 504 to form a lip within that hole 110. For other embodiments, couplers 111 are pressed against the lip so formed by corresponding protuberances 510 protruding from a surface of the first cover 150, as shown in FIG. 5. For other embodiments, an end of each of couplers 111 includes a chamfer 520 that acts to align a hole 530 passing through that coupler 111 with a tubule protruding from a print head, for example, and thus provides a self-alignment feature. For one embodiment, an opposite end of each of couplers 111 includes a chamfer 540 that acts to reduce head losses to a liquid, such as ink, flowing through the hole 530 within that coupler 111. Note that the holes 530 of couplers 111 are substantially perpendicular to the flow passages 132 of couplers 130, for one embodiment. For one embodiment, body 102, including couplers 111, is formed using an over-molding process, where body 102 is molded in a first mold, and couplers 111 are over molded onto body 102 in a second mold. Specifically, couplers 111 are molded over protrusions 504 such that portions 506 extend into couplers 111, as shown in FIG. 5. These act to prevent couplers 111 from being pushed or pulled from body 102. For another embodiment, body 102, including couplers 111, is formed within a single mold using a multiple-shot molding process, where one or more shots form body 102 and at least one other shot forms couplers 111. For another embodiment, covers 150 and 160 are respectively welded, e.g., laser welded, to ribs 112 and ribs 122 using a light beam, e.g. a laser beam, such as a CO2 laser beam. The light passes through covers 150 and 160 and is absorbed by ribs 112 and ribs 122. The light absorbed by ribs 112 and ribs 122 heats ribs 112 and ribs 122 to their melting point, producing molten rib material. Moreover, this heat causes localized melting at the exterior surfaces covers 150 and 160 respectively adjacent ribs 112 and ribs 122, producing molten cover material. This results in intermixing between the molten rib material and the molten cover material at an interface between covers 150 and 160 and their respective ribs 112 and ribs 122, which when solidified welds covers 150 and 160 to their respective ribs 112 and ribs 122. For another embodiment, a molecular exchange occurs between like material components of the molten cover material and the molten rib material, e.g., polypropylene, during welding to form a molecular bond. Alternatively, vibration welding may weld covers 150 and 160 to ribs 112 and ribs 122. FIG. 6 illustrates connecting a connector, such as connector 100, to a fluid-ejection device 600, e.g., a print head, according to another embodiment of the invention. Couplers 111 are respectively aligned with tubules (or fittings) 610 protruding from fluid-ejection device 600. For one embodiment, each of tubules 610 is barbed, as shown in FIG. 7, for forming a stronger coupling between its corresponding coupler 111. Hole 530 of each coupler 111 receives a tubule 610 therein, as shown in FIG. 7, and the resiliency of that coupler 111 causes it to forcibly engage the tubule 610. Each of flexible conduits (or tubes) 650 receives a corresponding coupler 130 therein at one of its ends. For one embodiment, an opposite end of each flexible tubes 650 is connected to a fluid delivery system, such as an ink delivery system. In this way connector 100 connects tubes that are connected to a fluid delivery system to a fluid ejection device. For one embodiment, each of tubules 610 is connected to a fluid-ejecting orifice (not shown) of fluid-ejection device 600. For another embodiment, each of tubes 650 carries different colored ink from the fluid delivery system. For this embodiment, connector 100 acts to connect tubes 650 to the proper tubules 610 so that the orifices receive the correct colored ink from the fluid delivery system. Connector 100 enables all of tubes 650 to be connected to tubules 610 substantially simultaneously instead of one by one when tubes 650 are connected directly to tubules 610, as is conventionally done. Moreover, couplers 111 are generally more robust than tubes 650 and can be repeatedly connected and disconnected from tubules 610 without compromising the seal between couplers 111 and tubules 610. When tubes 650 are connected directly to tubules 610 connecting and disconnecting tubes 650 often compromises the seal between tubes 650 and tubules 610 that can result in leaks. Using connector 100 also enables tubes 650 to be connected to tubules 610 by hand instead of having to use a special tool, as is conventionally done when tubes 650 are connected directly to tubules 610. FIG. 8 illustrates an imaging device 800, such as a printer, according to another embodiment of the invention. Imaging device 800 includes a fluid-ejection device 802, such as an inkjet print head, fluidly coupled to a stationary ink delivery system 804 by flexible conduits 810. More specifically, connector 100 is connected between flexible conduits 810 and fluid-ejection device 802, as described above, for connecting flexible conduits 810 to fluid-ejection device 802. For one embodiment, ink delivery system 804 is fixedly attached to printer 500. For some embodiments, ink delivery system 804 includes an ink reservoir 806 and, for other embodiments, an ink pump 808. Fluid-ejection device 802 is movably attached to a rail 850 of imaging device 800. Fluid-ejection device 802 is capable of ejecting fluid droplets 860, such as ink droplets, onto a printable medium 870, e.g., paper, as fluid-ejection device 802 moves across printable medium 870. Conclusion Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.
<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>Many fluid handling systems include a fluid delivery system that supplies fluid to a fluid-dispensing (or ejection) device using conduits connected between the fluid delivery system and the fluid-dispensing device. Such systems can be found in printers in the form of an ink reservoir or ink delivery system connected to a print head. Some printers include a stationary reservoir fixed to a body of the printer and a movable print head that moves across a print media, such as paper, during printing. For such applications, the conduits are usually flexible and threaded around a number of bends before they are connected to the movable print head. The conduits are typically connected to the print head by fitting them over substantially rigid tubules or the like, which are attached to the print head and connected to ink delivery channels associated with ink-injecting orifices of the print head. For example, the conduits may fit over barbed ends of the connectors. Unfortunately, removing the conduits from the connectors and subsequently reattaching them may result in a leak between the connector and the conduit. Moreover, in certain systems fitting the conduits onto the connectors requires a special tool. Another concern is that, in the absence of coding the conduits to their respective connectors, it is possible to connect a conduit to the wrong connector for color printers, where each conduit supplies different colored ink to the print head.
20041215
20080715
20060413
89870.0
B41J2015
1
JACKSON, JUANITA DIONNE
FLUID-EJECTION DEVICE CONNECTOR
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
B41J
2,004
11,013,656
ACCEPTED
Golf cart enclosure
A golf cart enclosure for removable installation about a golf cart or similar vehicle to protect the occupants thereof from precipitation such as rainfall. The enclosure comprises a front, rear and/or side panels suspended about the periphery of the roof structure of the golf cart. One or more panel pockets are positioned about the periphery of the roof structure immediately above one or more of the panel(s) such that they be rolled-up into a bight and inserted into their respective panel pocket for storage.
1. An enclosure for a golf cart or other vehicle having a roof structure secured above a body portion of the vehicle, the enclosure comprising in combination: at least one panel suspended relative to the outer periphery of the roof structure; at least one pocket positioned relative to said panel for storing said panel when said panel is rolled-up into a bight and inserted into said pocket. 2. The enclosure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pocket is positioned exteriorly of said panel. 3. The enclosure as set forth in claim 2, wherein said pocket is positioned to face inwardly. 4. The enclosure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pocket is positioned interiorly of said panel. 5. The enclosure as set forth in claim 4, wherein said pocket is positioned to face outwardly. 6. The enclosure as set forth in claim 1, wherein an upper edge of said pocket is connected to said panel. 7. The enclosure as set forth in claim 1, further including a roof panel. 8. The enclosure as set forth in claim 7, wherein an upper edge of said pocket is connected to said roof panel. 9. The enclosure as set forth in claim 1, further including a bracket affixed to said roof structure from which said panel is suspended. 10. The enclosure as set forth in claim 1, further including a bracket affixed to said roof structure from which said pocket is suspended.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to golf carts and similar vehicles. More particularly, this invention relates to golf cart enclosures comprising front, rear and/or left and right side panels composed at least partly of transparent or translucent materials that are suspended about the periphery of the golf cart from the roof structure to the undercarriage thereto to protect the occupants of the golf cart from inclement weather such as cold and precipitation. 2. Description of the Background Art Presently, there exist many types of golf cart enclosures designed to protect the occupants of the golf cart from inclement weather such as precipitation such as rain or cooler temperatures in the winter months. Basically, these types of golf cart enclosures each comprises one or more curtains or panels, typically formed at least in part of sheets of translucent or transparent materials, which are suspended from the roof structure to hand downwardly to the undercarriage of the golf cart. Commonly, a rear panel and left and right side panels are provided; however, unless the golf cart is fitted with a hard windshield, a front panel serving as a windshield may also be provided. To allow passenger ingress and egress and to allow access to the golf clubs stored at the rear of the golf cart, the panels are commonly secured to either to adjacent panels by zippers or similar fasteners or to the vertical side posts that support the roof structure. Historically, many patents have taught panels for golf carts that protect the occupants from inclement weather. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,709,533 (the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein) discloses a golf cart enclosure comprising a pair of transparent side panels slidably suspended from a curtain mechanism affixed to the peripheral underside of the roof structure of a golf cart. The side panels each extend around one-half of a golf cart and are affixed together at adjoining edges at the front and rear of the golf cart by means of snap fasteners. Similar snap fasteners are provided about the lower peripheral edge of the undercarriage of the golf cart to more securely retain the side curtain panels in their closed position about the periphery of the golf cart. U.S. Pat. No. 4,013,315 (the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein) discloses similar side panels positioned about the peripheral sides of a golf cart and secured into position by means of suction cups removably fastened to the roof of the cart. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,098,536 (the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein) discloses still another golf cart enclosure composed essentially of a unitary structure designed to be placed over the roof of a golf cart with its side panels extending downwardly about the periphery of the golf cart. A zippered opening is provided to allow ingress and egress to the golf cart. All of the above-listed golf cart enclosures functioned to protect the occupants in the event of precipitation or inclement weather. However, during good weather conditions, the enclosures were cumbersome to store in such manner that the enclosures do not interfere with the free ingress and egress to the golf cart or otherwise obstruct the open air view of the occupants of the golf cart. Specifically, the enclosures disclosed in the first two mentioned patents contemplate sliding the panels leftwardly or rightwardly in a curtain fashion whereupon tie straps are used to tie the curtains together about the upstanding roof supports of the golf cart. While both enclosures may eventually be removed from the curtain assembly or from the roof structure by means of the suction cups, respectively, such removal procedures are time consuming. The enclosure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,098,536 may entirely be removed from a golf cart in an apparent quick and easy manner. However, in regard to all three types of enclosures, once the enclosures are removed, the bulky material constituting the enclosures must be stored somewhere on or in the cart for subsequent use. Storage of such bulky material is usually cumbersome or otherwise interferes with the otherwise roomy and unobstructed open air view of the golf cart. U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,694 (the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein), assigned to the assignee of this application, was a marked improvement to the above-listed prior art golf cart enclosures. Specifically, the novel feature of our prior invention comprised peripheral flaps positioned about the periphery of the roof panel of the enclosure which allows each panel suspended therefrom to be folded and rolled upwardly in a bight and then tucked under the roof panel whereupon the flap is then fastened to the rim of the golf cart. Complete roll up and tuck-in of each panel about the periphery of the roof panel of the enclosure resulted in the entire enclosure being stored on top of the roof structure of a golf cart where it is completely out of the way of the occupants of the vehicle, thereby not obstructing the view of the occupants or otherwise interfering with their free movement. Moreover, in the event of imminent inclement weather, the bights of rolled-up panels could be quickly unfolded from under the peripheral flaps of the roof panel of the enclosure and suspended therefrom to protect the occupants from precipitation. Further, should the enclosure become soiled or otherwise require cleaning, the entire enclosure may be quickly and easily removed from the roof structure of the cart for cleaning and then quickly and easily reinstalled. U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,694 has been a commercial success in the golf cart industry. Many other patentable improvements have been, at least in part, developed based upon U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,694. Specifically, other prior art golf cart and related enclosures patents (the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein) citing U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,694 include: U.S. Pat. No. 6,805,396 Cover for the rear bag compartment of a golf cart U.S. Pat. No. 6,776,445 Golf cart cover, components therefor and methods of making the same U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,304 Golf cart cover, components therefor and methods of making the same U.S. Pat. No. 6,530,617 Frame with canvas cover for all-terrain vehicle U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,303 Cab enclosure for a self-propelled earth moving machine U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,447 Golf cart frame enclosure attachment device U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,446 ATV all-weather cab U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,801 Vehicle enclosure U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,134 Portable golf cart weathershield system U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,613 Stroller shading device U.S. Pat. No. D413,283 Removable side windows U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,399 Multipurpose cover for car U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,507 Portable shelter for releasable attachment to a snowblower, walker or other walking implement U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,317 Dual paneled golf cart enclosures U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,018 Protective cover for golf bags on a golf car U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,118 Aluminum framed vinyl closure for golf carts U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,881 Portable golf cart cover and method of manufacture therefor U.S. Pat. No. D355,403 All terrain vehicle cab U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,235 Golf cart weathershield U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,656 Golf cart enclosure U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,275 Golf cart cover U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,601 Frame and cover for wheeled vehicle U.S. Pat. No. D332,437 Combined article cab and rod bar safety cage While U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,694 has been widely commercialized, more contemporary golf cart utilize roof structures have integral gutter system that drain precipitation such as rain through the vertical roof supports. Hence, golf cart enclosures with roof panels are not optimally used with such roof structures since they cover the entirety of the roof including the integral gutter system. Precipitation such as rain then simply runs off the roof panel instead of draining through the integral gutter system. Therefore, there exists a need in the golf cart industry for a golf cart enclosure that allows the panels to be rolled-up into a bight and stored about the periphery of the roof structure without obstructing the integral gutter system of the roof structure of the golf cart. Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus which overcomes the aforementioned inadequacies of the prior art devices and provides an improvement which is a significant contribution to the advancement of the golf cart enclosure art. Another object of this invention is to provide a golf cart enclosure having suspended translucent or transparent panels to protect the occupants of the golf cart from precipitation. Another object of this invention is to provide a golf cart enclosure which may be easily mounted to the roof structure of a typical golf cart and left in place without obstruction or interference with the open air view of the occupants. Another object of this invention is to provide a golf cart enclosure including front and side panels and/or rear or front panels suspended from the roof structure of a golf cart which may be simply rolled up into a bight and stored about the periphery of the roof structure during good weather conditions and then during inclement weather, simply unrolled from about the periphery of the roof structure to protect the occupants of a golf cart from precipitation. The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the intended invention. Many other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is defined by the appended claims with a specific embodiment shown in the attached drawings. For the purpose of summarizing the invention, the invention comprises a golf cart enclosure for removable installation about a golf cart or similar vehicle to protect the occupants thereof from precipitation such as rainfall. More particularly, the enclosure comprises a front, rear and/or side panels suspended about the periphery of the roof structure of the golf cart to enclose the golf cart to protect the occupants thereof from inclement weather such as cold or precipitation. The peripheral suspension of the panels from the roof structure is achieved by connecting the uppermost edge of the panels relative to the roof structure or, less preferably, providing roof panel having a configuration substantially the same as the configuration of the roof structure and then connecting the uppermost edge of the panels to respective peripheral edges of the roof panel. The panels are configured to allow passenger ingress and egress from the golf cart. For example, the vertical edges of the panels may be connected to the vertical roof supports by any of the known fastening techniques. An exemplary fastening technique is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,615 (the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein) assigned to the assignee of this application. Also, by way of example, for adjacent panels, the vertical edges thereof may be connected to each other by zippers or similar fasteners. The novel feature of this invention comprises one or more panel pockets positioned about the periphery of the roof structure immediately above one or more of the panel(s) that can be rolled-up into a bight and inserted into the panel pocket for storage. More particularly, each panel pocket comprises a generally U-shaped elongated configuration that defines the panel pocket for receiving the bight(s) of the rolled-up panel(s). Preferably, the U-shaped configuration of each panel pocket comprises an elongated length slightly greater than the width(s) of the panel(s) intended to be stored therein. One of the upper elongated edges of the U-shaped elongated configuration of the panel pocket is connected relative to the outer periphery of the roof structure with the other upper elongated edge being left unconnected to define the panel pocket, open along one edge, for receiving the bight(s) of panel(s). During use, each panel may be folded and rolled upwardly into a bight and then tucked into its respective panel pocket. Complete roll up and tuck in of each panel into its panel pocket about the periphery of the roof structure results in all of the panels being stored up and out of the way of the occupants of the vehicle, thereby not obstructing the view of the occupants or otherwise interfering with their free ingress or egress. Moreover, in the event of imminent inclement weather, the rolled up panels may be quickly removed from their respective panel pockets, unrolled and suspended to protect the occupants from precipitation. The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a side view of the golf cart enclosure of the invention showing the panel pockets connected relative to the periphery of the roof structure of a conventional golf cart (shown in phantom); FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 along lines 2-2 illustrating the cross-sectional configuration of the first embodiment of the exterior panel pocket and the manner for connecting an upper edge thereof to the upper hem of the panel so that it faced inwardly and connected relative to the periphery of the roof structure and FIG. 2A illustrates the panel pocket filled with a panel that has been rolled-up into a bight and stored therein; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 2 illustrating the cross-sectional configuration of the second embodiment of the inwardly-facing, exterior panel pocket and the manner for connecting an upper edge thereof to the periphery of a roof panel positioned atop the roof structure and FIG. 3A illustrates the panel pocket filled with a panel that has been rolled-up into a bight and stored therein; and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 2 illustrating the cross-sectional configuration of the third embodiment of the panel pocket positioned interiorly and facing outwardly and the manner for connecting an upper edge thereof to the periphery of a roof structure and FIG. 4A illustrates the panel pocket filled with a panel that has been rolled-up into a bight and stored therein. Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, the golf cart enclosure 10 of the invention is designed to be fitted to a conventional golf cart, generally indicated by numeral 12, to protect the occupants thereof from inclement weather such as precipitation. More particularly, a conventional golf cart 12 typically comprises a wheeled carriage 14 having four vertical roof supports 16 supporting a roof structure 18. With reference to FIG. 2, one type of a roof structure 18 comprises a generally flat cross-sectional configuration with a gutter system 20 positioned about its periphery that drains through a downspout (not shown) formed internally within one of more of the vertical roof supports 16. With reference to FIG. 3, another type of roof structure 18 comprises a generally flat cross-sectional configuration without the gutter system 20. The present invention is applicable to both the gutter and gutter-less roof structures 18. The golf cart enclosure 10 of the invention may include one or more panels 22 such as, without limitation, a front panel 22F serving as a windshield protecting the front of the golf cart 12, a rear panel 22R for protecting the rear of the golf cart 12 and optionally one or more sets of golf clubs stored in the rear, and left and right side panels 22S for protecting the side of the golf cart 13. The panels 22 may comprise a single sheet of material or one or more subpanels sewn together. For example, the side panels 22S may be composed of an upper transparent subpanel 22T and a lower opaque subpanel 22Q that are sewn together. The panels 22 may be sectionalized. For example, side panel 22S may comprise two adjacent sections—a front seat section and a rear section. The vertical edges of the panels 22 and the sections thereof may be fastened together to each other or to an adjacent vertical roof support. For example, side panels 22S composed of two sections may be fastened together along their vertical edge such by any suitable fastener such as a zipper 22Z or a releasable hook and loop fastener such as Velcro. The present invention is applicable to all types and arrangements of panels 22. The present invention comprises one or more panel pockets 24 positioned relative about the periphery of the roof structure 18 immediately above one or more of respective panel(s) 22 that can be rolled-up into a bight and inserted into the panel pocket 24 for storage. The panel pockets 24 may be composed of any suitable material such as, without limitation, vinyl, laminated vinyl, fabric, laminated fabric or mesh material. More particularly, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, each panel pocket 24 comprises a generally U-shaped elongated configuration 26, preferably composed of either two sheets of side material sewn along their bottom edge 26S (see FIG. 4) or one sheet of folded material forming sides of material 26A and 26B, that defines the panel pocket 24 for receiving the bight of the rolled-up panel 24. The upper edge 26UA of one of the sides of material 26A is connected relative to the outer periphery of the roof structure 18. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper edge 26UA of the material 26A forming the U-shaped configuration 26 of the panel pocket 24 may be sewn to the upper hem 22H of the panel 22. The upper hem 22H of the panel 22 is removably connected to the peripheral edge of the roof structure 18 by any suitable fastener such as by a bead formed in the hem 22H that slides into a C-shaped bracket 28 mounted to the peripheral edge of the roof structure 18. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the golf cart enclosure 10 of the invention may include a roof panel 22R and the upper edge 26UA of the U-shaped configuration 26 of the panel pocket 24 may be then sewn to the upper hem 22H of the panel 22 and that is itself sewn to the peripheral edge of the roof panel 22R. As shown in FIG. 4, the upper edge 26UA of the material 26A may be directly connected to the peripheral edge of the roof structure 18 by a bead formed in its own hem that slides in a separate C-shaped bracket 28 mounted to the peripheral edge of the roof structure 18. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, it should therefore be appreciated that the panel pocket 24 may be supported relative to the periphery of the roof structure 18 indirectly by the upper hem 22H of the panel 22 or by the roof panel 22R, or as shown in FIG. 4, may be directly connected to the roof structure by a fastener such as the bracket 28 or the like. As noted above, each panel pocket 24 comprises a generally elongated configuration slightly greater in length than the width of the panel 22 that is to be rolled-up into a bight and stored therein. Alternatively, one or more of the panel pockets 24 may be designed with an elongated length slightly greater than two or more of the panels 22 or sections thereof aligned therebelow. For example as shown in FIG. 1, a single long panel pocket 24 for the side of the golf cart enclosure 10 may store the side panel 22S formed in two sections. For longer elongated lengths of the panel pocket 24, one or more mid supports 30 may be provided to supporting the upper peripheral edge 26UB of the other side of material 26B. Specifically, a mid support 30 may comprise any form that provides support to the upper peripheral edge 26UB of the material 26B forming the panel pocket 24. One preferred form comprises a strap 30S that is sewn at one end to the upper hem 22H of the panel 22 and that is removably connected at its other end to the upper peripheral edge 26UB by a fastener 30F such as a snap fastener. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the panel pocket 24 is preferably faced inwardly and positioned exteriorly over the respective panel(s) 22 that are to be stored therein. By being positioned exteriorly over the respective panels 22 and facing inwardly, the pockets 24 are substantially precluded from collecting debris and precipitation. However, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, it should be appreciated that, as shown in FIG. 4, the panel pocket 24 may alternatively be positioned interiorly of the respective panels 22 and reversed to face outwardly. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, any of these embodiments may include a separate valance 22V which may be sewn to the roof panel 22R or to the hem 22H of panel 22 and dimensioned to extend downwardly to conceal the pocket 24. In each of the embodiments, if the panel 22 is of a trapezoidal configuration (wider at the bottom than the top), the panel 22 may be folded vertically in from its sides to be of a uniform-width equal to or less than the panel pocket 24 into which it is to be stored. The panel 22 is then rolled upwardly into a bight and then tucked into its respective panel pocket 24 and the mid support 30 (if present) fastened to hold-up and secure the upper edge 26UB of the U-shaped configuration 26. During imminent inclement weather, such as precipitation, the panels 22 or sections thereof may be individually lowered by simply unfastening the mid support 30 (if present), removing the bight from the panel pocket 24 and unrolling the bight until the panel 22 is completely suspended from about the periphery of the roof structure 18. The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention. Now that the invention has been described,
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to golf carts and similar vehicles. More particularly, this invention relates to golf cart enclosures comprising front, rear and/or left and right side panels composed at least partly of transparent or translucent materials that are suspended about the periphery of the golf cart from the roof structure to the undercarriage thereto to protect the occupants of the golf cart from inclement weather such as cold and precipitation. 2. Description of the Background Art Presently, there exist many types of golf cart enclosures designed to protect the occupants of the golf cart from inclement weather such as precipitation such as rain or cooler temperatures in the winter months. Basically, these types of golf cart enclosures each comprises one or more curtains or panels, typically formed at least in part of sheets of translucent or transparent materials, which are suspended from the roof structure to hand downwardly to the undercarriage of the golf cart. Commonly, a rear panel and left and right side panels are provided; however, unless the golf cart is fitted with a hard windshield, a front panel serving as a windshield may also be provided. To allow passenger ingress and egress and to allow access to the golf clubs stored at the rear of the golf cart, the panels are commonly secured to either to adjacent panels by zippers or similar fasteners or to the vertical side posts that support the roof structure. Historically, many patents have taught panels for golf carts that protect the occupants from inclement weather. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,709,533 (the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein) discloses a golf cart enclosure comprising a pair of transparent side panels slidably suspended from a curtain mechanism affixed to the peripheral underside of the roof structure of a golf cart. The side panels each extend around one-half of a golf cart and are affixed together at adjoining edges at the front and rear of the golf cart by means of snap fasteners. Similar snap fasteners are provided about the lower peripheral edge of the undercarriage of the golf cart to more securely retain the side curtain panels in their closed position about the periphery of the golf cart. U.S. Pat. No. 4,013,315 (the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein) discloses similar side panels positioned about the peripheral sides of a golf cart and secured into position by means of suction cups removably fastened to the roof of the cart. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,098,536 (the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein) discloses still another golf cart enclosure composed essentially of a unitary structure designed to be placed over the roof of a golf cart with its side panels extending downwardly about the periphery of the golf cart. A zippered opening is provided to allow ingress and egress to the golf cart. All of the above-listed golf cart enclosures functioned to protect the occupants in the event of precipitation or inclement weather. However, during good weather conditions, the enclosures were cumbersome to store in such manner that the enclosures do not interfere with the free ingress and egress to the golf cart or otherwise obstruct the open air view of the occupants of the golf cart. Specifically, the enclosures disclosed in the first two mentioned patents contemplate sliding the panels leftwardly or rightwardly in a curtain fashion whereupon tie straps are used to tie the curtains together about the upstanding roof supports of the golf cart. While both enclosures may eventually be removed from the curtain assembly or from the roof structure by means of the suction cups, respectively, such removal procedures are time consuming. The enclosure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,098,536 may entirely be removed from a golf cart in an apparent quick and easy manner. However, in regard to all three types of enclosures, once the enclosures are removed, the bulky material constituting the enclosures must be stored somewhere on or in the cart for subsequent use. Storage of such bulky material is usually cumbersome or otherwise interferes with the otherwise roomy and unobstructed open air view of the golf cart. U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,694 (the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein), assigned to the assignee of this application, was a marked improvement to the above-listed prior art golf cart enclosures. Specifically, the novel feature of our prior invention comprised peripheral flaps positioned about the periphery of the roof panel of the enclosure which allows each panel suspended therefrom to be folded and rolled upwardly in a bight and then tucked under the roof panel whereupon the flap is then fastened to the rim of the golf cart. Complete roll up and tuck-in of each panel about the periphery of the roof panel of the enclosure resulted in the entire enclosure being stored on top of the roof structure of a golf cart where it is completely out of the way of the occupants of the vehicle, thereby not obstructing the view of the occupants or otherwise interfering with their free movement. Moreover, in the event of imminent inclement weather, the bights of rolled-up panels could be quickly unfolded from under the peripheral flaps of the roof panel of the enclosure and suspended therefrom to protect the occupants from precipitation. Further, should the enclosure become soiled or otherwise require cleaning, the entire enclosure may be quickly and easily removed from the roof structure of the cart for cleaning and then quickly and easily reinstalled. U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,694 has been a commercial success in the golf cart industry. Many other patentable improvements have been, at least in part, developed based upon U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,694. Specifically, other prior art golf cart and related enclosures patents (the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein) citing U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,694 include: U.S. Pat. No. 6,805,396 Cover for the rear bag compartment of a golf cart U.S. Pat. No. 6,776,445 Golf cart cover, components therefor and methods of making the same U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,304 Golf cart cover, components therefor and methods of making the same U.S. Pat. No. 6,530,617 Frame with canvas cover for all-terrain vehicle U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,303 Cab enclosure for a self-propelled earth moving machine U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,447 Golf cart frame enclosure attachment device U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,446 ATV all-weather cab U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,801 Vehicle enclosure U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,134 Portable golf cart weathershield system U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,613 Stroller shading device U.S. Pat. No. D413,283 Removable side windows U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,399 Multipurpose cover for car U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,507 Portable shelter for releasable attachment to a snowblower, walker or other walking implement U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,317 Dual paneled golf cart enclosures U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,018 Protective cover for golf bags on a golf car U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,118 Aluminum framed vinyl closure for golf carts U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,881 Portable golf cart cover and method of manufacture therefor U.S. Pat. No. D355,403 All terrain vehicle cab U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,235 Golf cart weathershield U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,656 Golf cart enclosure U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,275 Golf cart cover U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,601 Frame and cover for wheeled vehicle U.S. Pat. No. D332,437 Combined article cab and rod bar safety cage While U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,694 has been widely commercialized, more contemporary golf cart utilize roof structures have integral gutter system that drain precipitation such as rain through the vertical roof supports. Hence, golf cart enclosures with roof panels are not optimally used with such roof structures since they cover the entirety of the roof including the integral gutter system. Precipitation such as rain then simply runs off the roof panel instead of draining through the integral gutter system. Therefore, there exists a need in the golf cart industry for a golf cart enclosure that allows the panels to be rolled-up into a bight and stored about the periphery of the roof structure without obstructing the integral gutter system of the roof structure of the golf cart. Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus which overcomes the aforementioned inadequacies of the prior art devices and provides an improvement which is a significant contribution to the advancement of the golf cart enclosure art. Another object of this invention is to provide a golf cart enclosure having suspended translucent or transparent panels to protect the occupants of the golf cart from precipitation. Another object of this invention is to provide a golf cart enclosure which may be easily mounted to the roof structure of a typical golf cart and left in place without obstruction or interference with the open air view of the occupants. Another object of this invention is to provide a golf cart enclosure including front and side panels and/or rear or front panels suspended from the roof structure of a golf cart which may be simply rolled up into a bight and stored about the periphery of the roof structure during good weather conditions and then during inclement weather, simply unrolled from about the periphery of the roof structure to protect the occupants of a golf cart from precipitation. The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the intended invention. Many other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The invention is defined by the appended claims with a specific embodiment shown in the attached drawings. For the purpose of summarizing the invention, the invention comprises a golf cart enclosure for removable installation about a golf cart or similar vehicle to protect the occupants thereof from precipitation such as rainfall. More particularly, the enclosure comprises a front, rear and/or side panels suspended about the periphery of the roof structure of the golf cart to enclose the golf cart to protect the occupants thereof from inclement weather such as cold or precipitation. The peripheral suspension of the panels from the roof structure is achieved by connecting the uppermost edge of the panels relative to the roof structure or, less preferably, providing roof panel having a configuration substantially the same as the configuration of the roof structure and then connecting the uppermost edge of the panels to respective peripheral edges of the roof panel. The panels are configured to allow passenger ingress and egress from the golf cart. For example, the vertical edges of the panels may be connected to the vertical roof supports by any of the known fastening techniques. An exemplary fastening technique is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,615 (the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein) assigned to the assignee of this application. Also, by way of example, for adjacent panels, the vertical edges thereof may be connected to each other by zippers or similar fasteners. The novel feature of this invention comprises one or more panel pockets positioned about the periphery of the roof structure immediately above one or more of the panel(s) that can be rolled-up into a bight and inserted into the panel pocket for storage. More particularly, each panel pocket comprises a generally U-shaped elongated configuration that defines the panel pocket for receiving the bight(s) of the rolled-up panel(s). Preferably, the U-shaped configuration of each panel pocket comprises an elongated length slightly greater than the width(s) of the panel(s) intended to be stored therein. One of the upper elongated edges of the U-shaped elongated configuration of the panel pocket is connected relative to the outer periphery of the roof structure with the other upper elongated edge being left unconnected to define the panel pocket, open along one edge, for receiving the bight(s) of panel(s). During use, each panel may be folded and rolled upwardly into a bight and then tucked into its respective panel pocket. Complete roll up and tuck in of each panel into its panel pocket about the periphery of the roof structure results in all of the panels being stored up and out of the way of the occupants of the vehicle, thereby not obstructing the view of the occupants or otherwise interfering with their free ingress or egress. Moreover, in the event of imminent inclement weather, the rolled up panels may be quickly removed from their respective panel pockets, unrolled and suspended to protect the occupants from precipitation. The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
20041216
20080408
20061228
85008.0
B62D2506
1
GUTMAN, HILARY L
GOLF CART ENCLOSURE
SMALL
0
ACCEPTED
B62D
2,004
11,013,833
ACCEPTED
Light emitting panel assemblies
Light emitting panel assemblies include a hollow light emitting panel member having a sheet, film or substrate attached or positioned against one or both sides thereof to produce a desired effect. A pattern of deformities or disruptions may be provided on or in the sheet, film or substrate to control the output ray angle distribution to suit a particular application.
1. A light emitting panel assembly comprising a hollow light emitting panel member having a light emitting surface, a plurality of light sources within the panel member, and a sheet, film or substrate positioned against the light emitting surface, the sheet, film or substrate having a pattern of deformities or disruptions to control the output ray angle distribution of the emitted light to suit a particular application. 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein at least some of the light sources are multiple colored LEDs. 3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the multiple colored LEDs are comprised of red, blue and green LEDs. 4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the emitted light of the LEDs is mixed within the panel member to produce a white light output distribution. 5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein at least some of the light sources are LEDs with multiple colored chips. 6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the hollow light emitting panel member is filled with air or other gas. 7. The assembly of clam 1 wherein at least one surface of the hollow light emitting panel member has ridges or holes. 8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the deformities or disruptions are prismatic or lenticular elements extending across substantially the entire width of the sheet, film or substrate 9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the deformities or disruptions are prismatic or lenticular elements extending across substantially the entire length of the sheet, film or substrate. 10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the deformities or disruptions are individual optical elements that are quite small in relation to the length and width of the sheet, film or substrate. 11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the intensities of at least some of the light sources is varied to produce a colored light output distribution. 12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein at least some of the light sources are multiple colored LEDs. 13. The assembly of claim 11 wherein at least some of the light sources are LEDs with multiple colored chips. 14. A light emitting panel assembly comprising a hollow air or other gas filled light emitting panel member in which colored light from multiple colored LEDs is mixed to produce a desired light output color, and a sheet, film or substrate attached or positioned against one or both sides of the panel member to produce a desired effect. 15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the multiple colored LEDs are comprised of red, blue and green LEDs. 16. The assembly of claim 14 wherein at least some of the light sources are LEDs with multiple colored chips. 17. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the sheet, film or substrate has a pattern of deformities or disruptions to control the output ray angle distribution of the emitted light to suit a particular application. 18. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the deformities or disruptions are prismatic or lenticular elements extending across substantially the entire width of the sheet, film or substrate. 19. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the deformities or disruptions are prismatic or lenticular elements extending across substantially the entire length of the sheet, film or substrate. 20. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the deformities or disruptions are individual optical elements that are quite small in relation to the length and width of the sheet, film or substrate.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/784,527, filed Feb. 23, 2004, which is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/256,275, filed Feb. 23, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,712,481, dated Mar. 30, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/778,089, filed Jan. 2, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,838, dated Jun. 27, 2000, which is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/495,176, filed Jun. 27, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,751, dated Mar. 25, 1997. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally, as indicated, to light emitting panel assemblies each including a transparent panel member for efficiently conducting light, and controlling the light conducted by the panel member to be emitted from one or more light output areas along the length thereof. Light emitting panel assemblies are generally known. However, the present invention relates to several different light emitting panel assembly configurations which provide for better control of the light output from the panel assemblies and for more efficient utilization of light, which results in greater light output from the panel assemblies. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the light emitting panel assemblies include a light emitting panel member having a light transition area in which at least one light source is suitably mounted for transmission of light to the light input surface of the panel member. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the light source is desirably embedded, potted or bonded to the light transition area to eliminate any air gaps, decrease surface reflections and/or eliminate any lens effect between the light source and light transition area, thereby reducing light loss and increasing the light output from the panel assembly. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the panel assemblies may include reflective or refractive surfaces for changing the path of a portion of the light, emitted from the light source, that would not normally enter the panel members at an acceptable angle that allows the light to remain in the panel members for a longer period of time and/or increase the efficiency of the panel members. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the light emitting panel members include a pattern of light extracting deformities or disruptions which provide a desired light output distribution from the panel members by changing the angle of refraction of a portion of the light from one or more light output areas of the panel members. In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, the light source may include multiple colored light sources for supplying light to one or more light output areas, and for providing a colored or white light output distribution. In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the panel assemblies include a transition area for mixing the multiple colored lights, prior to the light entering the panel members, in order to effect a desired colored or white light output distribution. The various light emitting panel assemblies of the present invention are very efficient panel assemblies that may be used to produce increased uniformity and higher light output from the panel members with lower power requirements, and allow the panel members to be made thinner and/or longer, and/or of various shapes and sizes. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention then comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but several of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the annexed drawings: FIGS. 1 through 3 are schematic perspective views of three different forms of light emitting panel assemblies in accordance with this invention; FIG. 4a is an enlarged plan view of a portion of a light output area of a panel assembly showing one form of pattern of light extracting deformities on the light output area; FIGS. 4b, c and d are enlarged schematic perspective views of a portion of a light output area of a panel assembly showing other forms of light extracting deformities formed in or on the light output area; FIG. 5 is an enlarged transverse section through the light emitting panel assembly of FIG. 3 taken generally on the plane of the line 5-5 thereof; FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of another form of light emitting panel assembly in accordance with this invention; FIG. 7 is a schematic top plan view of another form of light emitting panel assembly in accordance with this invention; FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of another form of light emitting panel assembly in accordance with this invention; FIG. 9 is a schematic top plan view of another form of light emitting panel assembly in accordance with this invention; FIG. 10 is a schematic top plan view of still another form of light emitting panel assembly in accordance with this invention; FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the light emitting panel assembly of FIG. 10; FIG. 11a is a fragmentary side elevation view showing a tapered or rounded end on the panel member in place of the prismatic surface shown in FIGS. 10 and 11; FIG. 12 is a schematic top plan view of another form of light emitting panel assembly in accordance with this invention; FIG. 13 is a schematic side elevation view of the light emitting panel assembly of FIG. 12; and FIGS. 14 and 15 are schematic perspective views of still other forms of light emitting panel assemblies in accordance with this invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now in detail to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1, there is schematically shown one form of light emitting panel assembly 1 in accordance with this invention including a transparent light emitting panel 2 and one or more light sources 3 which emit light in a predetermined pattern in a light transition member or area 4 used to make the transition from the light source 3 to the light emitting panel 2, as well known in the art. The light that is transmitted by the light transition area 4 to the transparent light emitting panel 2 may be emitted along the entire length of the panel or from one or more light output areas along the length of the panel as desired to produce a desired light output distribution to fit a particular application. In FIG. 1 the light transition area 4 is shown as an integral extension of one end of the light emitting panel 2 and as being generally rectangular in shape. However, the light transition area may be of other shapes suitable for embedding, potting, bonding or otherwise mounting the light source. Also, reflective or refractive surfaces may be provided to increase efficiency. Moreover, the light transition area 4 may be a separate piece suitably attached to the light input surface 13 of the panel member if desired. Also, the sides of the light transition area may be curved to more efficiently reflect or refract a portion of the light emitted from the light source through the light emitting panel at an acceptable angle. FIG. 2 shows another form of light emitting panel assembly 5 in accordance with this invention including a panel light transition area 6 at one end of the light emitting panel 7 with sides 8, 9 around and behind the light source 3 shaped to more efficiently reflect and/or refract and focus the light emitted from the light source 3 that impinges on these surfaces back through the light transition area 6 at an acceptable angle for entering the light input surface 18 at one end of the light emitting panel 7. Also, a suitable reflective material or coating 10 may be provided on the portions of the sides of the light transition areas of the panel assemblies of FIGS. 1 and 2 on which a portion of the light impinges for maximizing the amount of light or otherwise changing the light that is reflected back through the light transition areas and into the light emitting panels. The panel assemblies shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 include a single light source 3, whereas FIG. 3 shows another light emitting panel assembly 11 in accordance with this invention including two light sources 3. Of course, it will be appreciated that the panel assemblies of the present invention may be provided with any number of light sources as desired, depending on the particular application. The panel assembly 11 of FIG. 3 includes a light transition area 12 at one end of the light emitting panel 14 having reflective and/or refractive surfaces 15 around and behind each light source 3. These surfaces 15 may be appropriately shaped including for example curved, straight and/or faceted surfaces and if desired, suitable reflective materials or coatings may be provided on portions of these surfaces to more efficiently reflect and/or refract and focus a portion of the light emitted for example from an incandescent light source which emits light in a 360° pattern through the light transition areas 12 into the light input surface 19 of the light emitting panel 14. The light sources 3 may be mechanically held in any suitable manner in slots, cavities or openings 16 machined, molded or otherwise formed in the light transition areas of the panel assemblies. However, preferably the light sources 3 are embedded, potted or bonded in the light transition areas in order to eliminate any air gaps or air interface surfaces between the light sources and surrounding light transition areas, thereby reducing light loss and increasing the light output emitted by the light emitting panels. Such mounting of the light sources may be accomplished, for example, by bonding the light sources 3 in the slots, cavities or openings 16 in the light transition areas using a sufficient quantity of a suitable embedding, potting or bonding material 17. The slots, cavities or openings 16 may be on the top, bottom, sides or back of the light transition areas. Bonding can also be accomplished by a variety of methods that do not incorporate extra material, for example, thermal bonding, heat staking, ultrasonic or plastic welding or the like. Other methods of bonding include insert molding and casting around the light source(s). A transparent light emitting material of any suitable type, for example acrylic or polycarbonate, may be used for the light emitting panels. Also, the panels may be substantially flat, or curved, may be a single layer or multi-layers, and may have different thicknesses and shapes. Moreover, the panels may be flexible, or rigid, and may be made out of a variety of compounds. Further, the panels may be hollow, filled with liquid, air, or be solid, and may have holes or ridges in the panels. Each light source 3 may also be of any suitable type including, for example, any of the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,897,771 and 5,005,108, assigned to the same assignee as the present application, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. In particular, the light sources 3 may be an arc lamp, an incandescent bulb which also may be colored, filtered or painted, a lens end bulb, a fine light, a halogen lamp, a light emitting diode (LED), a chip from an LED, a neon bulb, a fluorescent tube, a fiber optic light pipe transmitting from a remote source, a laser or laser diode, or any other suitable light source. Additionally, the light sources 3 may be a multiple colored LED, or a combination of multiple colored radiation sources in order to provide a desired colored or white light output distribution. For example, a plurality of colored lights such as LEDs of different colors (red, blue, green) or a single LED with multiple colored chips may be employed to create white light or any other colored light output distribution by varying the intensities of each individual colored light. A pattern of light extracting deformities or disruptions may be provided on one or both sides of the panel members or on one or more selected areas on one or both sides of the panel members, as desired. FIG. 4a schematically shows one such light surface area 20 on which a pattern of light extracting deformities or disruptions 21 is provided. As used herein, the term deformities or disruptions are used interchangeably to mean any change in the shape or geometry of the panel surface and/or coating or surface treatment that causes a portion of the light to be emitted. The pattern of light extracting deformities 21 shown in FIG. 4a includes a variable pattern which breaks up the light rays such that the internal angle of reflection of a portion of the light rays will be great enough to cause the light rays either to be emitted out of the panel through the side or sides on which the light extracting deformities 21 are provided or reflected back through the panel and emitted out the other side. These deformities or disruptions 21 can be produced in a variety of manners, for example, by providing a painted pattern, an etched pattern, a machined pattern, a printed pattern, a hot stamped pattern, or a molded pattern or the like on selected light output areas of the panel members. An ink or printed pattern may be applied for example by pad printing, silk screening, ink jet, heat transfer film process or the like. The deformities may also be printed on a sheet or film which is used to apply the deformities to the panel member. This sheet or film may become a permanent part of the light panel assembly for example by attaching or otherwise positioning the sheet or film against one or both sides of the panel member similar to the sheet or film 27 shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 in order Lo produce a desired effect. By varying the density, opaqueness or translucence, shape, depth, color, area, index of refraction, or type of deformities 21 on an area or areas of the panels, the light output of the panels can be controlled. The deformities or disruptions may be used to control the percent of light emitted from any area of the panels. For example, less and/or smaller size deformities 21 may be placed on panel areas where less light output is wanted. Conversely, a greater percentage of and/or larger deformities may be placed on areas of the panels where greater light output is desired. Varying the percentages and/or size of deformities in different areas of the panel is necessary in order to provide a uniform light output distribution. For example, the amount of light traveling through the panels will ordinarily be greater in areas closer to the light source than in other areas further removed from the light source. A pattern of light extracting deformities 21 may be used to adjust for the light variances within the panel members, for example, by providing a denser concentration of light extracting deformities with increased distance from the light source 3 thereby resulting in a more uniform light output distribution from the light emitting panels. The deformities 21 may also be used to control the output ray angle distribution of the emitted light to suit a particular application. For example, if the panel assemblies are used to provide a liquid crystal display backlight, the light output will be more efficient if the deformities 21 cause the light rays to emit from the panels at predetermined ray angles such that they will pass through the liquid crystal display with low loss. Additionally, the pattern of light extracting deformities may be used to adjust for light output variances attributed to light extractions of the panel members. The pattern of light extracting deformities 21 may be printed on the light output areas utilizing a wide spectrum of paints, inks, coatings, epoxies, or the like, ranging from glossy to opaque or both, and may employ half-tone separation techniques to vary the deformity 21 coverage. Moreover, the pattern of light extracting deformities 21 may be multiple layers or vary in index of refraction. Print patterns of light extracting deformities 21 may vary in shapes such as dots, squares, diamonds, ellipses, stars, random shapes, and the like, and are desirably 0.006 square inch per deformity/element or less. Also, print patterns that are 60 lines per inch or finer are desirably employed, thus making the deformities or shapes 21 in the print patterns nearly invisible to the human eye in a particular application thereby eliminating the detection of gradient or banding lines that are common to light extracting patterns utilizing larger elements. Additionally, the deformities may vary in shape and/or size along the length and/or width of the panel members. Also, a random placement pattern of the deformities may be utilized throughout the length and/or width of the panel members. The deformities may have shapes or a pattern with no specific angles to reduce moire or other interference effects. Examples of methods to create these random patterns are printing a pattern of shapes using stochastic print pattern techniques, frequency modulated half tone patterns, or random dot half tones. Moreover, the deformities may be colored in order to effect color correction in the panel members. The color of the deformities may also vary throughout the panel members, for example to provide different colors for the same or different light output areas. In addition to or in lieu of the patterns of light extracting deformities 21 shown in FIG. 4a, other light extracting deformities including prismatic surfaces, depressions or raised surfaces of various shapes using more complex shapes in a mold pattern may be molded, etched, stamped, thermoformed, hot stamped or the like into or on one or more areas of the panel member. FIGS. 4b and 4c show panel areas 22 on which prismatic surfaces 23 or depressions 24 are formed in the panel areas, whereas FIG. 4d shows prismatic or other reflective or refractive surfaces 25 formed on the exterior of the panel area. The prismatic surfaces, depressions or raised surfaces will cause a portion of the light rays contacted thereby to be emitted from the panel member. Also, the angles of the prisms, depressions or other surfaces may be varied to direct the light in different directions to produce a desired light output distribution or effect. Moreover, the reflective or refractive surfaces may have shapes or a pattern with no specific angles to reduce moire or other interference effects. As best seen in the cross sectional view of FIG. 5, a back reflector (including trans reflectors) 26 may be attached or positioned against one side of the panel member 14 of FIG. 3 using a suitable adhesive 28 or other method in order to improve light output efficiency of the panel assembly 11 by reflecting the light emitted from that side back through the panel for emission through the opposite side. Additionally, a pattern of light extracting deformities 21, 23, 24 and/or 25 may be provided on one or both sides of the panel member in order to change the path of the light so that the internal critical angle is exceeded and a portion of the light is emitted from one or both sides of the panel. Moreover, a transparent film, sheet or plate 27 may be attached or positioned against the side or sides of the panel member from which light is emitted using a suitable adhesive 28 or other method in order to produce a desired effect. The member 27 may be used to further improve the uniformity of the light output distribution. For example, the member 27 may be a colored film, a diffuser, or a label or display, a portion of which may be a transparent overlay that may be colored and/or have text or an image thereon. If adhesive 28 is used to adhere the back reflector 26 and/or film 27 to the panel, the adhesive is preferably applied only along the side edges of the panel, and if desired the end edge opposite the light transition areas 12, but not over the entire surface area or areas of the panel because of the difficulty in consistently applying a uniform coating of adhesive to the panel. Also, the adhesive changes the internal critical angle of the light in a less controllable manner than the air gaps 30 (see FIG. 5) which are formed between the respective panel surfaces and the back reflector 26 and/or film 27 when only adhered along the peripheral edges. Additionally, longer panel members are achievable when air gaps 30 are used. If adhesive were to be used over the entire surface, the pattern of deformities could be adjusted to account for the additional attenuation in the light caused by the adhesive. Referring further to FIG. 2, the panel assembly 5 shown therein also includes molded posts 31 at one or more corners of the panel 7 (four such posts being shown) which may be used to facilitate mounting of the panel assembly and providing structural support for other parts or components, for example, a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel as desired. FIG. 6 shows another form of light emitting panel assembly 32 in accordance with this invention including a panel member 33, one or more light sources 3, and one or more light output areas 34. In addition, the panel assembly 32 includes a tray 35 having a cavity or recess 36 in which the panel assembly 32 is received. The tray 35 may act as a back reflector as well as end edge and/or side edge reflectors for the panel 33 and side and/or back reflectors 37 for the light sources 3. Additionally, one or more secondary reflective or refractive surfaces 38 may be provided on the panel member 33 and/or tray 35 to reflect a portion of the light around one or more corners or curves in a non-rectangular shaped panel member 33. These secondary reflective/refractive surfaces 38 may be flat, angled, faceted or curved, and may be used to extract a portion of the light away from the panel member in a predetermined pattern. FIG. 6 also shows multiple light output areas 34 on the panel member that emit light from one or more light sources 3. FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of still another form of light emitting panel assembly 40 in accordance with this invention including a panel member 41 having one or more light output areas 42 and one or more light transition areas (mixing areas) 43 containing a plurality of light sources 3 at one or both ends of the panel. Each transition area mixes the light from one or more light sources having different colors and/or intensities. In this particular embodiment, each of the light sources 3 desirably employs three colored LEDs (red, blue, green) in each transition mixing area 43 so that the light from the three LEDs can be mixed to produce a desired light output color that will be emitted from the light output area 42. Alternatively, each light source may be a single LED having multiple colored chips bonded to the lead film. Also, two colored LEDs or a single LED having two colored chips may be used for a particular application. By varying the intensities of the individual respective LEDs, virtually any colored light output or white light distribution can be achieved. FIG. 8 shows yet another form of light emitting panel assembly 45 in accordance with this invention including a light emitting panel member 46 and a light source 3 in a light transition area 48 integral with one end of the panel member. In this particular embodiment, the panel member 46 is three-dimensionally curved, for example, such that light rays may be emitted in a manner that facilitates aesthetic design of a lighted display. FIG. 9 schematically shows a another form of light emitting panel assembly 50 in accordance with this invention, including a panel member 51 having multiple light output areas 52, and mounting posts and/or mounting tabs 53. This particular panel assembly 50 may serve as a structural member to support other parts or components as by providing holes or cavities 54, 55 in the panel member 51 which allow for the insertion of modular components or other parts into the panel member. Moreover, a separate cavity or recess 56 may be provided in the panel member 51 for receipt of a correspondingly shaped light transition area 57 having one or more light sources 3 embedded, bonded, cast, insert molded, epoxied, or otherwise mounted or positioned therein and a curved reflective or refractive surface 58 on the transition area 57 and/or wall of the cavity or recess 56 to redirect a portion of the light in a predetermined manner. In this way the light transition area 57 and/or panel member may be in the form of a separate insert which facilitates the easy placement of the light source in a modular manner. A reflector 58 may be placed on the reflective or refractive surface of the cavity or recess 56 or insert 57. Where the reflector 58 is placed on the reflective or refractive surface of the cavity or recess 56, the cavity or recess may act as a mold permitting transparent material from which the transition area 57 is made to be cast around one or more light sources 3. FIGS. 10 and 11 schematically show another form of light emitting panel assembly 60 in accordance with this invention including a panel member 61 having one or more light output areas 62. In this particular embodiment, an off-axis light transition area 63 is provided that is thicker in cross section than the panel member to permit use of one or more light sources 3 embedded or otherwise mounted in the light transition area that are dimensionally thicker than the panel member. Also, a three-dimensional reflective surface 64 (FIG. 11) may be provided on the transition area 63. Moreover, a prism 65 (FIG. 11) or tapered, rounded, or otherwise shaped end 66 (FIG. 11a) may be provided at the end of the panel opposite the light sources 3 to perform the function of an end reflector. The light sources 3 may be oriented at different angles relative to each other and offset to facilitate better mixing of the light rays 67 in the transition area 63 as schematically shown in FIG. 10 and/or to permit a shorter length transition area 63 to be used. FIGS. 12 and 13 schematically show still another form of light emitting panel assembly 70 in accordance with this invention which includes one or more light transition areas 71 at one or both ends of the panel member 72 each containing a single light source 73. The transition area or areas 71 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 collect light with multiple or three-dimensional surfaces and/or collect light in more than one plane. For example each transition area 71 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 has elliptical and parabolic shape surfaces 74 and 75 in different planes for directing the light rays 76 into the panel member at a desired angle. Providing one or more transition areas at one or both ends of the panel member of any desired dimension to accommodate one or more light sources, with reflective and/or refractive surfaces on the transition areas for redirecting the light rays into the panel member at relatively low angles allows the light emitting panel member to be made much longer and thinner than would otherwise be possible. For example the panel members of the present invention may be made very thin, i.e., 0.125 inch thick or less. FIG. 14 schematically illustrates still another form of light emitting panel assembly 80 in accordance with this invention including a light emitting panel 81 and one or more light sources 3 positioned, embedded, potted, bonded or otherwise mounted in a light transition area 82 that is at an angle relative to the panel member 81 to permit more efficient use of space. An angled or curved reflective or refractive surface 83 is provided at the junction of the panel member 81 with the transition area 82 in order to reflect/refract light from the light source 3 into the body of the panel member 81 for emission of light from one or more light emitting areas 84 along the length of the panel member. FIG. 15 schematically illustrates still another form of light emitting panel assembly 90 in accordance with this invention including a light transition area 91 at one or both ends of a light emitting panel member 92 containing a slot 93 for sliding receipt of an LED or other suitable light source 3. Preferably the slot 93 extends into the transition area 91 from the back edge 94, whereby the light source 3 may be slid and/or snapped in place in the slot from the back, thus allowing the transition area to be made shorter and/or thinner. The light source 3 may be provided with wings, tabs or other surfaces 95 for engagement in correspondingly shaped recesses or grooves 96 or the like in the transition area 91 for locating and, if desired, securing the light source in place. Also, the light source 3 may be embedded, potted, bonded or otherwise secured within the slot 93 in the light transition area 91 of the panel member 92. Light from a secondary light source 97 may be projected through the panel member 92 for indication or some other effect. The various light emitting panel assemblies disclosed herein may be used for a great many different applications including for example LCD back lighting or lighting in general, decorative and display lighting, automotive lighting, dental lighting, phototherapy or other medical lighting, membrane switch lighting, and sporting goods and apparel lighting or the like. Also the panel assemblies may be made such that the panel members and deformities are transparent without a back reflector. This allows the panel assemblies to be used for example to front light an LCD or other display such that the display is viewed through the transparent panel members. Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of the specification. The present invention includes all such equivalent alterations and modifications, and is limited only by the scope of the claims.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>This invention relates generally, as indicated, to light emitting panel assemblies each including a transparent panel member for efficiently conducting light, and controlling the light conducted by the panel member to be emitted from one or more light output areas along the length thereof. Light emitting panel assemblies are generally known. However, the present invention relates to several different light emitting panel assembly configurations which provide for better control of the light output from the panel assemblies and for more efficient utilization of light, which results in greater light output from the panel assemblies.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the light emitting panel assemblies include a light emitting panel member having a light transition area in which at least one light source is suitably mounted for transmission of light to the light input surface of the panel member. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the light source is desirably embedded, potted or bonded to the light transition area to eliminate any air gaps, decrease surface reflections and/or eliminate any lens effect between the light source and light transition area, thereby reducing light loss and increasing the light output from the panel assembly. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the panel assemblies may include reflective or refractive surfaces for changing the path of a portion of the light, emitted from the light source, that would not normally enter the panel members at an acceptable angle that allows the light to remain in the panel members for a longer period of time and/or increase the efficiency of the panel members. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the light emitting panel members include a pattern of light extracting deformities or disruptions which provide a desired light output distribution from the panel members by changing the angle of refraction of a portion of the light from one or more light output areas of the panel members. In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, the light source may include multiple colored light sources for supplying light to one or more light output areas, and for providing a colored or white light output distribution. In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the panel assemblies include a transition area for mixing the multiple colored lights, prior to the light entering the panel members, in order to effect a desired colored or white light output distribution. The various light emitting panel assemblies of the present invention are very efficient panel assemblies that may be used to produce increased uniformity and higher light output from the panel members with lower power requirements, and allow the panel members to be made thinner and/or longer, and/or of various shapes and sizes. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention then comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but several of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.
20041216
20070220
20050526
62012.0
1
NEGRON, ISMAEL
LIGHT EMITTING PANEL ASSEMBLIES HAVING LEDS OF MULTIPLE COLORS
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,013,917
ACCEPTED
Control device of a vehicle radiator system
A control device of a vehicle radiator system mainly has a temperature comparator, a temperature sensor, a keyboard and a display. The temperature sensor is positioned near an engine of the vehicle and outputs a detecting signal to the temperature comparator. Since the temperature comparator has a preset temperature value, the temperature comparator compares the preset temperature value with a current temperature value in the detecting signal to determine whether a start signal is output to a water gate driver device and a fan driver to open the water gate and start the fan drive. Since the vehicle driver sets the current temperature value through the keyboard and the preset temperature value is lower than an original fixed over-heat temperature value in the radiator system, the radiator system can be started appropriately to ensure the engine works at a safe temperature condition to prevent damage to its components.
1. A control device of a vehicle engine radiator system, comprising: a temperature comparator having a preset temperature value, outputs and inputs, wherein the outputs are adapted to connect to a water gate driver device and a fan driver of a fan of a radiator system and the preset temperature value is used to be a comparison reference value; a temperature sensor connected to the input of the temperature comparator through a converter and adapted to be positioned near an engine to detect a temperature of the engine; a keyboard connected to the input of the temperature comparator; and a display connected to the output of the temperature comparator. 2. The control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is connected to an over-heat detecting circuit having outputs and a fixed over-heat temperature value that is higher than the preset temperature value, wherein the outputs of the over-heat detecting circuit are adapted to connect to the water gate driver device and the fan driver. 3. The control device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the outputs of the over-heat detecting circuit are connected to an alarm device. 4. The control device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the alarm device comprises an indicator. 5. The control device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the alarm device comprises a speaker. 6. The control device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the alarm device comprises a speaker. 7. The control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display is a liquid crystal device. 8. The control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display is a light emitting diode indicator. 9. The control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the temperature comparator is a microprocessor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control device for a vehicle radiator and more particularly to a control device for a vehicle radiator that allows the thermostat to be preset to particular conditions whereby an optimum cooling effect is provided. 2. Description of Related Art The four-stroke engine is commonly cooled by water circulating around it and the thus heated water is cooled in a radiator that has air passing over or through it. The cooling system may be actuated at a level pre-set by the manufacturer of the vehicle, however, the circumstances in which the vehicle may operate will usually vary tremendously, such as from a short drive in the depths of an icy winter to driving through a mountainous region on a very hot summer's day. This means the vehicle may overheat due to the existing cooling system operating or not operating at the most suitable time. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The main objective of the present invention is to provide a control device of a vehicle radiator system that enables the vehicle driver to preset an appropriate temperature value to start or stop the radiator system. Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of an engine radiator system and an engine of a vehicle; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a control device in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 3 is a function block of a second embodiment of a control device in accordance with the present invention; and FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a temperature comparator of the control device in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to FIG. 1, a radiator system mainly includes a water tank (10) used to store cooling water, a pipe (12), a water gate (13), a water gate driver device (131), a temperature sensor (14), a fan (15) and a fan driver (151). The pipe (12) forms a circuit between the water tank (11) and an engine (20). The water gate (13) is positioned in the pipe (12) and is driven by the water gate driver device (131). The temperature sensor (14) is positioned near the engine (20) to detect the temperature of the engine (20) and outputs the detecting signal to the water gate driver device (131). The water gate driver device (131) controls the water gate (13) to be in an open or closed condition based on the detecting signal of the temperature sensor (14). The water gate driver device (131) and the fan driver (151) are able to be implemented by a relay element. With further reference to FIG. 2, a first embodiment of the control device (30) of the vehicle radiator system (10) has a temperature comparator (31), a temperature sensor (34), a keyboard (32) and a display (33). The temperature comparator (31) has a preset temperature value (T0), outputs and inputs. The outputs are connected to the water gate driver device (131) and the fan driver (151) of the radiator system (10). The preset temperature value (T0) is used to be a comparison reference value of the temperature comparator (31). The temperature comparator (31) includes a microprocessor. The temperature sensor (34) is positioned near the engine (20) to detect the temperature (TP) of the engine (20) and is connected to the input of the temperature comparator (31) through a converter (341). The temperature sensor (34) outputs the detecting signal (TP′) and then the converter (341) transforms the detecting signal to a readable detecting signal (TP) for the temperature comparator (31). The temperature comparator (31) reads a readable detecting signal and determines a current temperature value (TP) of the readable detecting signal. The keyboard (32) is connected to the input of the temperature comparator (31) and the display (33) is connected to the output of the temperature comparator (31). The vehicle driver uses the keyboard (32) to set the preset temperature value (T0) of the temperature comparator (31) and the display (33) will show the preset temperature value (T0) to the vehicle driver. The display (33) can be a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED) indicator. With further reference to FIG. 4, when the control device (30) in accordance with the present invention is turned on, the temperature comparator (31) firstly checks whether or not the water gate (13) is in the closed condition. The temperature comparator (31) will go to the next step when the water gate (13) is in the closed condition. In the next step, the temperature comparator (31) will detect whether the keyboard (32) is pressed or not. If the keyboard (32) is pressed, the temperature comparator (31) will enter a presetting a new preset temperature value procedure to preset a new temperature value (T0). If not, the temperature comparator (31) starts to receive the detecting signal and determines the current temperature value (TP). Then, the temperature comparator (31) reads the preset temperature value (T0) and compares the preset temperature value (T0) with the current temperature value (TP). If the current temperature value (TP) is larger than the preset temperature value (T0), the temperature comparator (13) will output a start signal to the water gate driver device (131) and the fan driver (151). The water gate driver device (131) will be triggered and then controls the water gate (13) to open. At the same time, the fan driver (151) will be also triggered to control the fan (15) to work. Once the water gate (13) is opened, the cooling water flows from the water tank (11) and enters to the pipe (12) to decrease the temperature of the engine. The fan (15) operates to keep the cooling water of the water tank (11) at a low temperature condition. If the current temperature value (TP) of the engine is lower than the preset temperature value (T0), the temperature comparator (13) will output a stop signal to the water gate driver device (131) and the fan driver (15) to close the water gate (13) and turn off the fan (15). Then, the temperature comparator (31) will go back to the checking keyboard (32) step. Since the radiator system has one meter to indicate the temperature of the temperature sensor (34), if the vehicle driver does not often read the current temperature of the engine from the meter, the engine could become over-heated without the vehicle driver knowing this situation immediately. With reference to FIG. 3, the present invention further includes an over-heat detecting circuit (40) and an alarm device (34). With further reference to FIG. 1, the over-heat detecting circuit (40) has the fixed over-heat temperature value (T1), input terminals and output terminals. The fixed over-heat temperature value (T1) is larger than the preset heat temperature value (T0) of the temperature comparator (13). The input terminals are connected to the temperature sensor (34) to obtain the current temperature value (TP′) of the engine (20). The output terminals are connected to the water gate driver device (131) and fan driver (151). Since the fixed over-heat temperature value (T1) is larger than the preset temperature value (T0), the radiator system still can be driven when the temperature comparator (31) has malfunctioned. That is, the over-heat detecting circuit (40) is a backup device for driving the radiator system. Therefore, the current temperature value (TP′) is larger than the fixed over-heat temperature value (T1), the over-heat detecting circuit (40) will output a start signal to the water gate driver device (131) and the fan driver (151). The over-heat detecting circuit will stop outputting the start signal when the current temperature value (TP′) is lower than the fixed over-heat temperature value (T1). The alarm device (34) is connected to the output of the over-heat detecting circuit (40). When the over-heat detecting circuit (40) outputs the start signal, the alarm device (34) is driven and outputs the alarm signal to the vehicle driver until the over-heat detecting circuit (40) stops outputting the start signal. Thus, the vehicle driver can hear the alarm signal and notice immediately the temperature of the engine is too high to drive safely. Based on the foregoing description, the present invention provides the following advanced functions. That is, when a vehicle manufactured for use in an area with cold weather and set with a high over-heat temperature value (100 degrees centigrade) in the radiator system, but then is driven in a different area with hotter weather, the temperature of the cooling water is not sufficiently cool as it was in the cold weather. Therefore, the vehicle driver sets a temperature value lower than the original over-heat temperature value to make the radiator device start earlier. Therefore, the present invention keeps the engine working at a safe temperature condition to ensure the engine has an optimum efficiency to prevent damage to the components of the engine. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control device for a vehicle radiator and more particularly to a control device for a vehicle radiator that allows the thermostat to be preset to particular conditions whereby an optimum cooling effect is provided. 2. Description of Related Art The four-stroke engine is commonly cooled by water circulating around it and the thus heated water is cooled in a radiator that has air passing over or through it. The cooling system may be actuated at a level pre-set by the manufacturer of the vehicle, however, the circumstances in which the vehicle may operate will usually vary tremendously, such as from a short drive in the depths of an icy winter to driving through a mountainous region on a very hot summer's day. This means the vehicle may overheat due to the existing cooling system operating or not operating at the most suitable time.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The main objective of the present invention is to provide a control device of a vehicle radiator system that enables the vehicle driver to preset an appropriate temperature value to start or stop the radiator system. Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
20041216
20080513
20060622
68968.0
F01P702
0
JIANG, CHEN WEN
CONTROL DEVICE OF A VEHICLE RADIATOR SYSTEM
SMALL
0
ACCEPTED
F01P
2,004
11,014,075
ACCEPTED
RFID tag design with circuitry for wafer level testing
Technologies suitable for on-wafer testing in the ubiquitous computing era are disclosed. Among the inventive features disclosed are: 1) clustering of wafer test probe landing area sites for parallel test sequencing; 2) on wafer test wiring that runs along the wafer's scribe regions; 3) on-wafer test wiring that can be scribed and yet thwart the spread of contamination into the product die; 4) an RFID tag design that allows for on-wafer testing without imposing substantial semiconductor surface area penalty; 5) an RFID tag design that includes built-in self test (BIST) circuitry for the RFID tag's non-volatile memory.
1. An apparatus, comprising: an RFID tag comprising a receive signal path from one or more primary inputs to a controller, said receive signal path to process an electrical receive signal originating from said inputs as a consequence of said inputs having received a wireless signal, a second signal path flowing into said receive signal path from a die edge of said RFID tag, said second signal path to transport an electrical test signal that emulates said receive signal while said RFID tag is being tested on wafer, said receive signal path flowing through both a first input of a logic circuit and said logic circuit's output, said logic circuit having a second input coupled to said second signal path. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the said logic circuit is a multiplexer 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the said logic circuit is an OR gate. 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second signal path traces back to an open circuit, said open circuit caused by the scribing of said wafer. 5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein, at the region of said open circuit, said signal path flows through said RFID tag's semiconductor substrate prior to being opened as a result of a scribing each individual die from the wafer. 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said multiplexer's channel select input is coupled to a passive pull-up or pull-down resistor, or active equivalent, said pull- up or pull-down device(s) to cause said channel select input to have a first state while said RFID tag is being tested on wafer and a second state while said RFID tag is receiving said wireless signal. 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said RFID tag further comprises a rectifier coupled to said input(s), a node where a supply voltage for said RFID tag is to appear residing downstream from an output of said rectifier, a diode's cathode coupled to said node, said diode's anode coupled to wiring that provides said RFID tag's supply voltage while said RFID tag is being tested on wafer. 8. An apparatus, comprising: an RFID tag comprising a receive signal path that flows from one or more primary inputs, said receive signal path to process an electrical receive signal originating from said inputs as a consequence of said inputs having received a wireless signal, said RFID tag further comprising a rectifier coupled to said inputs, a node where a supply voltage for said RFID tag is to appear residing downstream from an output of said rectifier, a diode's cathode coupled to said node, said diode's anode coupled to wiring that provides said RFID tag's supply voltage while said RFID tag is being tested on wafer. 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said RFID tag further comprises a multiplexer to multiplex between test signals generated while said RFID tag is being tested on wafer, said multiplexer having its power supply node coupled to said wiring. 10. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a second signal path flowing into said receive signal path from a die edge of said RFID tag, said second signal path to transport an electrical test signal that emulates said receive signal while said RFID tag is being tested on wafer, said receive signal path flowing through both a first input of a multiplexer and said multiplexer's output, said multiplexer having a second input coupled to said second signal path, said multiplexer's channel select input coupled to a passive pull-up or pull-down resistor, or active equivalent, said passive pull-up or pull-down device(s) to cause said channel select input to have a first state while said RFID tag is being tested on wafer and a second state while said RFID tag is receiving said wireless signal. 11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said receive signal path flows to a controller. 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said controller is coupled to a non-volatile memory. 13. An apparatus, comprising: an RFID tag comprising a receive signal path that flows from one or more primary inputs, said receive signal path to process an electrical receive signal originating from said inputs as a consequence of said inputs having received a wireless signal, said RFID tag also comprising a test signal path (possibly including active circuits) to transport a test signal while said RFID tag is being tested on wafer, said test signal path tracing from, or back to, an open circuit residing within the semiconductor substrate of said RFID tag, said open circuit caused by the scribing of said wafer. 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said RFID tag further comprises a rectifier coupled to said inputs, a node where a supply voltage for said RFID tag is to appear residing downstream from an output of said rectifier, a diode's cathode coupled to said node, said diode's anode coupled to wiring that provides said RFID tag's supply voltage while said RFID tag is being tested on wafer. 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said RFID tag further comprises a second signal path flowing into said receive signal path from a die edge of said RFID tag, said second signal path to transport an electrical test signal that emulates said receive signal while said RFID tag is being tested on wafer. 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said receive signal path flows through both a first input of a multiplexer and said multiplexer's output, said multiplexer having a second input coupled to said second signal path. 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said multiplexer's channel select input is coupled to a passive pull-up or pull-down resistor, or active equivalent, said passive pull-up or pull-down device(s) to cause said channel select input to have a first state while said RFID tag is being tested on wafer and a second state while said RFID tag is receiving said wireless signal. 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said test signal path is said second signal path. 19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said RFID tag further comprises a multiplexer to multiplex between test signals generated while said RFID tag is being tested on wafer, said multiplexer having its power supply node coupled to said wiring. 20. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said receive signal path flows to a controller. 21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said controller is coupled to a non-volatile memory. 22. An apparatus, comprising: an RFID tag comprising a receive signal path from one or more primary inputs to a controller, said receive signal path to process an electrical receive signal originating from said inputs as a consequence of said inputs having received a wireless signal, said RFID tag also comprising a response signal path that flows from said controller through an impedance controller to said inputs, said response signal path to communicate to a system that sends said wireless signal, a third signal path flowing from said response signal path to a die edge of said RFID tag, said third signal path to transport a response signal while said RFID tag is being tested on wafer. 23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said third signal path flows to an open circuit residing within the semiconductor substrate of said RFID tag, said open circuit caused by the scribing of said wafer. 24. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said RFID tag further comprises a fourth signal path flowing into said receive signal path from a die edge of said RFID tag, said fourth signal path to transport an electrical test signal that emulates said receive signal while said RFID tag is being tested on wafer. 25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said receive signal path flows through both a first input of a multiplexer and said multiplexer's output, said multiplexer having a second input coupled to said fourth signal path. 26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said fourth signal path traces back to an open circuit, said open circuit caused by the scribing of said wafer. 27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein, at the region of said open circuit, said signal path flows through said RFID tag's semiconductor substrate. 28. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said multiplexer's channel select input is coupled to a passive pull-up or pull-down resistor, or active equivalent, said passive pull-up or pull-down device(s) to cause said channel select input to have a first state while said RFID tag is being tested on wafer and a second state while said RFID tag is receiving said wireless signal. 29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said RFID tag further comprises a rectifier coupled to said inputs, a node where a supply voltage for said RFID tag is to appear residing downstream from an output of said rectifier, a diode's cathode coupled to said node, said diode's anode coupled to wiring that provides said RFID tag's supply voltage while said RFID tag is being tested on wafer. 30. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said RFID tag further comprises a rectifier coupled to said input(s), a node where a supply voltage for said RFID tag is to appear residing downstream from an output of said rectifier, a diode's cathode coupled to said node, said diode's anode coupled to wiring that provides said RFID tag's supply voltage while said RFID tag is being tested on wafer. 31. A method, comprising: applying a supply voltage to an RFID tag that has not yet been diced from its wafer, said supply voltage applied to said RFID tag at a die edge of said RFID tag, a channel of a multiplexer of said RFID tag being enabled as a consequence of said applying; and, propagating a test signal through said multiplexer channel as part of testing said RFID tag on wafer. 32. The method of claim 31 further comprising ceasing said application of said supply voltage to said RFID tag after said on wafer testing of said RFID tag is complete. 33. The method of claim 32 further comprising dicing said RFID tag from said wafer. 34. The method of claim 33 further comprising receiving a wireless signal at an input(s) of said RFID tag, said RFID tag generating a second supply voltage from an electrical receive signal that originates from said input(s), another channel of said multiplexer being enabled as a consequence of said generating. 35. The method of claim 34 wherein: data carried by said wireless signal flows through said another channel; and, said test signal includes test data intended to emulate wirelessly received data. 36. The method of claim 35 wherein, prior to said propagating said test signal through said multiplexer, said test signal was propagated through a scribe region of said wafer. 37. The method of claim 31 wherein said test signal includes test data intended to emulate wirelessly received data. 38. The method of claim 37 wherein said RFID tag comprises a controller coupled to non-volatile memory, said test data being write data to be written into said non-volatile memory by said controller. 39. The method of claim 38 wherein said test signal includes a command for said controller that causes said controller to write said test data into said non- volatile memory. 40. The method of claim 39 further comprising sending a second command to said controller through said multiplexer channel as part of testing said RFID tag on wafer, said second command to cause said controller to read data from said non-volatile memory. 41. The method of claim 40 further comprising sending said data read from said non-volatile memory off said RFID tag to a wafer test probe. 42. The method of claim 31 further comprising after said applying and prior to said propagating: specifically addressing said RFID tag from a wafer test probe, said test signal received by said RFID tag as well as other RFID tags on said wafer, said addressing to ensure that said test signal is applied at said RFID tag and not at said other RFID tags. 43. The method of claim 42 wherein said wafer test probe also sends said test signal. 44. The method of claim 42 wherein said addressing further comprises sending an RFID tag identifier to said RFID tag as well as said other RFID tags, said RFID tag identifier matching said RFID tag's identifier and not any of said other RFID tags' identifiers, each identifier being uniquely coded into its respective RFID tag. 45. The method of claim 31 wherein said RFID tag comprises a controller coupled to non-volatile memory, said method comprising sending write data to said RFID tag as part of testing said RFID tag on wafer, said write data to be written into said non-volatile memory by said controller, said write data containing information that emulates said RFID tag's identification. 46. The method of claim 31 wherein a multiplexer designed into said RFID tag is powered from said applying but not from said RFID tags generation of its supply voltage from its reception of a wireless signal.
CROSS REFERENCE Cross Reference to related U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ filed on Dec. 15, 2004, titled, “Wafer Level Testing For RFID Tags”, by John Hyde, Rob Glidden, Andy Hourch, Jay Kuhn and Ron Oliver, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ filed on Dec. 15, 2004, titled, “RFID Tag With BIST Circuitry” by Dennis Hara and Rob Glidden. FIELD OF INVENTION The field of invention relates generally to the electronic arts; and, more specifically, to approaches for highly efficient on wafer functional testing. BACKGROUND “Moore's law” essentially describes the fundamental relationship between technological progress in the semiconductor arts and its commercial applications. According to one version of Moore's law, continually reduced transistor size (approximately a 60% critical dimension reduction every 18 months) and continually increased wafer size has resulted in the persistent decline of semiconductor integrated circuit “per unit cost”. The history of the computing industry over the past 35-40 years serve as a proof of Moore's law in which shipped volume continually expands while per unit cost continually falls. Over the course of the 1960s, 1970s and into the 1980s, the growth of the industry depended on low volume, highly expensive mainframe computers that were only affordable to large organizations such as major corporations and government institutions. From the 1980s through the 1990s the primary growth market of the industry shifted into higher volume but less expensive personal computers targeted for most desktops (home or office) in the industrialized world. Currently, in the mid 2000s, another shift is underway in which the growth of the industry is expected to depend (often wirelessly) on commodity-like computing systems that are shipped in extraordinarily high volumes and are priced at extraordinarily low prices. This new era, referred to by some as the “ubiquitous computing” era, is expected to transfer the focus of new uses for computing intelligence from approximately every person (as with the personal computer) to potentially almost any object. Traditional perspectives are therefore being challenged that computing system intelligence is too expensive to implement in certain “cost sensitive” applications. Examples include, to list just a few, smart electricity meters that transmit a home's electricity usage to a utility company, smart refrigerators that can download the identity of its contents to its owner's personal digital assistant while the owner is shopping in the grocery store; and, smart automobile dashboards that can track a car's GPS location and dynamically provide correct driving instructions to a specific destination. Another “ubiquitous computing” application is Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) tags. An RFID tag is a semiconductor chip that can positively respond to a wireless signal that inquires into the RFID tag's existence. RFID tags are expected to be applied at least to automated inventory management and distribution systems. As an example, after affixing an RFID tag to a pallet, the pallet will be able to wirelessly identify itself so as to enable the ability to track its whereabouts or manage its logistical transportation in an automated fashion. RFID tags, like other solutions for the ubiquitous computing era, are sensitive to costs of production. Here, the less expensive an RFID tag, the easier it is to justify the expense of distributing RFID tags amongst goods that are warehoused and/or transported. In order to improve the cost structure of an RFID tag, its cost of manufacturing must be understood. RFID tags, being semiconductor chips, are manufactured on wafers each containing many discrete RFID tag chips. If the RFID tag chips from a same wafer are not functionally tested for the first time until after they have been diced from the wafer and individually packaged, the expense of packaging the portion of chips that ultimately fail their functional test is pure economic waste. Therefore it behooves the RFID tag manufacturer to eliminate this waste through “on wafer” functional testing. On wafer functional testing is the functional testing of semiconductor chips that have not yet been diced into individual chips from their corresponding wafer. FIG. 1a shows a traditional wafer 100 that has been organized into multiple identical patterns, each consisting of geometric data present on a mask set, or “reticle”. (Though the term “reticle” literally applies to the tooling used to pattern the wafer, herein we shall use the term to signify the portion of a wafer uniquely fabricated from this pattern, for expediency.) A single reticle 101 has been shaded in FIG. 1a. Each reticle typically contains multiple semiconductor chips (often identically designed). Breaking down the design of the wafer as a whole into an array of reticles allows for “step-and-repeat” processes that are applied to the wafer during the manufacture of its semiconductor chips (e.g., photolithography). Referring to FIG. 1b, when the chips on the semiconductor wafer 100 are ready to be tested, a tester 103 applies and receives test signals through a wafer test probe 102. A wafer test probe 102 is a special fixture that is designed to land on specific “landing pads” that have been manufactured on the wafer 100 for the purpose of receiving and/or sending test signals from/to the tester 103 to/from the wafer 100. Based on the results observed by the tester 103 in response to the signals applied by the tester 103, the tester identifies defective chips. The defective chips are identified as scrap, and, as a consequence, any packaging and further testing costs associated with their production is avoided. SUMMARY An RFID tag is described having a receive signal path from one or more primary inputs to a controller. The receive signal path is to process an electrical receive signal originating from the input(s) as a consequence of the inputs having received a wireless signal. The RFID tag has a second signal path flowing into the receive signal path from a die edge of the RFID tag. The second signal path is to transport an electrical test signal that emulates the receive signal while the RFID tag is being tested on wafer. The receive signal path flows through both a first input of a logic circuit and the logic circuit's output. The logic circuit has a second input coupled to the second signal path. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figures The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which: FIG. 1a shows a semiconductor wafer; FIG. 1b shows a wafer tester and corresponding test probe involved in the testing of a wafer; FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a reticle design for a wafer; FIG. 3a shows another embodiment of a reticle design for a wafer that includes conductive traces for testing individual chips within the reticle that run through and across the reticle's scribe lines; FIG. 3b shows an “on wafer” testing method that can be performed with the reticle design of FIG. 3a; FIGS. 4a through 4f show various depictions of a design for conductive traces that run through a reticle's scribe lines; FIG. 5 shows an electrical design for an RFID tag capable of being functionally tested “on-wafer”; FIG. 6 shows an “on-wafer” testing methodology that can be performed with the RFID tag of FIG. 5; FIGS. 7a through 7e relate to the testing of a semiconductor chip's non volatile memory “on-wafer” with “built-in-self-test” (BIST) circuitry that has been embedded into the semiconductor chip. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Implementing on-wafer testing in the ubiquitous computing era is particularly challenging because, even though the avoidance of packaging defective die will result in cost savings, those savings can be easily diminished if the functional testing is too slow; and/or, if the additional circuitry used to support on wafer testing consumes too much semiconductor surface area. Here, as discussed in the background, a typical feature of the ubiquitous computing era is the extremely low cost of the manufactured end product. As prolonged test times and larger die size each correspond to increased production costs, a well designed on-wafer test technology will be able to successfully test semiconductor chips without prohibitively increasing the production costs, as influenced by the testing time and size, of each manufactured die. By emphasizing extremely small die size, at today's minimum feature sizes, tens and possibly hundreds of thousands of die can be manufactured on a single wafer; which, in turn, corresponds to a massive number of manufactured end product per unit of fixed production cost (i.e., the cost of processing a wafer). With massive numbers of die on wafer, individually testing each die on wafer can easily lead to prolonged test times if the testing technology is not efficiently designed. At another extreme, if a chip designer integrates a significant amount of circuitry into the die's design in order to make the die capable of being tested on wafer, the number of die per wafer can be dramatically reduced (owing to increased die size). Thus, a successful on wafer testing approach will be able to limit the die size increase imposed by on wafer testing; while, at the same time, streamline the testing methodology itself so that an entire wafer having a massive number of die can be fully tested within a reasonable amount of time. The following detailed description outlines a number of features that address the issues described above. The detailed description has been divided into three primary sections in an attempt to organize these features. A first section, “1.0 Reticle Design”, outlines reticle design features that promote reduced test times through “parallelization” of specific testing sequences; and, efficiently uses wafer surface area by integrating on-wafer testing circuitry in traditionally unused areas. A second section “2.0 Die Design” outlines a design for an RFID tag die that includes various design efficiencies that enable the die to be tested on-wafer without dramatically increasing the transistor count of the die. A third section “3.0 Built-In-Self-Test (BIST)” describes in significant detail a particular feature of the die design presented in Section 2.0 that permits on-die memory space to be thoroughly and rapidly tested without dramatically increasing the per die test time and/or complexity of the die's design. Each of these sections is presented in sequence immediately below. 1.0 Reticle Design FIG. 2 shows a full reticle 201 and portions of its eight neighboring reticles. Within the reticle a grid is observed that depicts the reticle's individual die sites. A die site is the semiconductor wafer surface area where an individual chip is located. According to the depiction of FIG. 2, each of the reticle's “corner” die sites 206, 210, 214, 218 have been shaded. A shaded die site in FIG. 2 is meant to depict a die site that has been designed to include wafer test probe landing pads (i.e., a “test probe” site). These may appear in the corners, near the corners, or at any convenient location within the reticle. Recall from the discussion in the background of FIG. 1b that a wafer test probe 102 is a special fixture that is designed to land on specific “landing pads” that have been manufactured on the wafer 100 for the purpose of receiving and/or sending test signals from/to the tester 103 to/from the wafer 100. As such, referring to FIG. 2, each of test probe sites 206, 210, 214 and 218 include such landing pads so that a wafer test probe may make contact with them and apply/receive signals to/from the individual die within the reticle 201. As will be discussed in more detail further below with respect to FIG. 3a, in an embodiment, each corner test probe site is wired (e.g., through a bus) to each “product” die site in the reticle 201. In the depiction of FIG. 2 not only are the corner die sites 206, 210, 214, 218 of the reticle 201 used as a test probe sites, but also, the corner dies sites 202, 203, 204, 207, 208, 209, 211, 212, 213, 215, 216, 217 of each of the reticle's six neighboring reticles are also used as test probe sites. Owing to the symmetries of a grid of reticles each containing a grid of die sites, designing each reticle so as to have a its corner die sites reserved as test probe die sites results in the formation of “clusters” of test probe sites (e.g., a first cluster that includes die sites 202, 203, 204, 206; a second cluster that includes die sites 207, 208, 209, 210;, etc.). The presence of the clusters can dramatically improve the time efficiency of the wafer testing procedure through “parallelization” of reticle testing. Here, according to traditional approaches, on wafer testing was essentially a step-and-repeat process at a single die level of granularity. That is, a wafer probe would “land on” a single die, test it, and then move on to a next die site. By so doing, time is consumed moving the positioning of the wafer test probe relative to the wafer to make contact with only a single die and then fully test the product. In a sense, die were tested entirely “in series”. By contrast, the presence of the clusters allows for the product die within a reticle, as well as within multiple reticles, to be tested “in parallel”. Here, a wafer test probe whose landing head includes four test probe site interfaces can simultaneously make contact to each of the test probe sites within a cluster upon only a single landing of the head upon the wafer's surface. As such, time will be consumed in moving the positioning of the wafer test probe relative to the wafer for each “group of four” reticles on the wafer. By so doing, time is only consumed moving the positioning of the wafer test probe relative to the wafer so as to make contact with each “group of four” reticles on the wafer; and then, simultaneously testing the group of four reticles that are joined by their test probe site clusters. Thus, after the product die of a first group of four reticles are simultaneously tested, the “four-headed” wafer test probe may move to the cluster of a next group of four reticles (e.g., four reticles whose product die have not yet been tested). In the embodiment of FIG. 2, test probe sites are put in or near each reticle corner so that, for instance, some freedom exists with respect to the allowable patterns of hops between clusters over the surface of the wafer; and/or, to permit full testing of a reticle even though a test probe site within the reticle did not yield from the wafer's manufacture (i.e., with respect to the later point, essentially, 4:1 redundancy is “built into” each reticle to protect against manufacturing defects that impact a particular wafer test probe site's effectiveness). Of course in alternate embodiments, the degree of redundancy may vary. For example, for design approaches that seek less redundancy, a reticle may be populated with only two or three test probe sites (which results in two or one more product die per reticle, respectively). Design approaches seeking no redundancy may populate a reticle with only one test probe site, or may choose to implement redundancy in the routing but not necessarily through multiple probe sites. Here, as the number of test probe sites per reticle drops below four, the location of the test probe site(s) should vary across reticles to promote the formation of clusters (e.g., of two neighboring reticles, a first leftmost reticle has a test probe site in an upper left corner but not an upper right corner; and, a second rightmost reticle has a test probe site in an upper right corner but not an upper left corner). Recall from above that, in an embodiment, each test site within a reticle is wired to every product die within the reticle. This design point serves to further support the redundancy of multiple test probe sites per wafer. That is, for example, should a particular test probe site not yield, any single other test probe site can be used to fully test the reticle's product die. FIG. 3a shows an embodiment of a reticle design of X columns and Y rows having a test probe site 306, 310, 314, 318 in each corner of the reticle. The product die are labeled by their x,y (column, row) coordinate values. Each test probe site is separately wired to each product die through a dedicated bus. Optionally all busses may be made accessible at each probe site for further accesses to redundant data busses. That is, bus 321 is dedicated to the ability of test probe site 306 to communicate to each of the product die; bus 320 is dedicated to the ability of test probe site 318 to communicate to each of the product die; bus 322 is dedicated to the ability of test probe site 310 to communicate to each of the product die; and, bus 323 is dedicated to the ability of test probe site 314 to communicate to each of the product die. For simplicity each bus 320, 321, 322, 323 is drawn as a single wire. It should be understood that each bus typically includes multiple wires. Importantly, the bus wiring is observed to run through the “scribe” regions of the wafer 301, 302, 303, 304. A wafer's scribe regions are areas of the wafer that are consumed when the wafer is “diced” into its individual die/chips. Here, a narrow saw blade creates a kerf between the die. Routing the bus wiring 320, 321, 322, 323 between the multiple test probe sites 306, 310, 314, 318 and the product die along the wafer's scribe areas 301, 302, 303, 304 results in better design efficiency because little or no product die space is compromised. According to one embodiment, the wafer is fully tested before any scribing activity occurs. As such, the bus wiring 320, 321, 322, 323 should be fully intact and operable when on wafer testing takes place. After the wafer has been fully tested, the bus wiring 320, 321, 322, 323 is no longer of any use. As such, the destruction to the bus wiring 320, 321, 322, 323 by the scribing of the wafer is of no consequence. FIG. 3b shows a wafer test methodology that can be performed upon the reticle design of FIG. 3a. According to the methodology of FIG. 3b, a wafer probe lands on 330 one of the wafer probe test sites 306, 310, 314, 318. Then, each of the reticle's product die are “powered up” by the wafer tester through the wafer probe and test probe site that the wafer probe is in contact with 331 (e.g., a power supply voltage and ground reference are applied). Then, functional testing commences. According to the approach of FIG. 3b, functional testing within the reticle may be performed serially (i.e., one die at a time) 332, or by additional parallelism in which the stimulus and correct response are provided and compared locally with the actual response. Here, the tester sends signals and commands from the wafer probe, through the test probe site that the wafer probe has landed on, over the bus to the “targeted” nth product die. The targeted die performs certain acts in response to the signals and/or commands. These acts (and/or the results thereof) are monitored by the tester via return signals/responses sent from the targeted die, over the bus wiring, through the test landed on test probe site, and into the wafer test probe. When the testing of the targeted die is complete, typically, the same set of signals/commands are applied to the next (e.g., n+1th) targeted die in the reticle. Once all product die in the reticle have been tested (e.g., n=N), the testing of the reticle is completed. Importantly, recalling the discussion of FIG. 2 that pertained to the clustering of test probe sites, note that separate instances of the methodology of FIG. 3b can be simultaneously executed on neighboring reticles if the wafer test probe is positioned on a test probe site from each reticle in a cluster and is retrofitted to communicate with the die of multiple reticles in the same time frame. That is, for example, if four neighboring reticles are being tested at the same time, four separate instances of methodology 332 may overlap in time (e.g, with equal or unequal values of n). FIGS. 4a through 4f show various designs for conductive traces that run through a reticle's scribe lines. Here, the conductive traces may correspond to any of the individual wires within any of the individual busses 320, 321, 322 and 323 discussed above in FIG. 3a. An issue with running wiring through a scribe region is contamination of a product die's interconnect metallization. Contamination or corrosion of metal lines may result, for instance, simply by exposing it to an air medium at normal humidity and temperature levels. Thus, if the metal of a scribe region wire were physically in contact with the wiring of a product die, and if this metal were to be exposed to an air medium (a likely occurrence given that the scribe region wiring is apt to be severed in an air medium during the sawing process), contamination is apt to start at or near the severed end of the scribe wire and spread into the product die. In order to avoid the introduction of a potential failure mechanism to the product die from the occurrence of the events described above, the designs outlined in FIGS. 4a through 4f effectively “embed” a conductive channel of a scribe region wire within the semiconductor substrate itself. The embedded conductive channel is positioned such that it is intersected by a line along which the wafer itself is scribed. As such, when the wafer is scribed, a scribe region wire is severed along its embedded conductive channel rather than any metal conductor. Because the semiconductor wafer (which is typically made of silicon) does not contaminate (e.g., because it possesses a native protective oxide), the product die's metallization is effectively prevented from contamination by the embedded conductive channel even though the scribe region wiring was exposed to an air medium during the scribing process. FIGS. 4a and, 4b show “pre-scribing” perspectives of scribe region wiring having an embedded conductive channel along a scribe line as described just above. For 4c shows a more detailed embodiment of the approach of FIGS. 4a and 4b showing field oxides (and having die seal contacts directly over the embedded on wafer testing channel). As such, FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c show the wiring before the wafer has been scribed. FIG. 4a shows a three dimensional perspective of a pair of scribe region wires 417-A and 417-B that run to a pair of die (a first die on the left hand side of FIG. 4a and a second die on the right hand side of FIG. 4b). FIG. 4b shows a top view of wire 417-A of FIG. 4a. FIG. 4c shows a cross-section view. Referring to FIG. 4a, each of the wires includes a respective conductive channel 405-A, 405-B that is embedded in the semiconductor wafer. Wire elements 402-A and 402-B run within the scribe region (between scribe lines 407-A and 407-B) that separate the neighboring die shown in FIG. 4a. Wire elements 402-A and 402-B can be viewed primarily as bus wires that run between their respective die and wafer test probe site. Wire elements 401-A and 401-B run into their respective product die. Each of wire elements 401-A, 401-B, 402-A and 402-B are implemented, in an embodiment, with the standard interconnect wiring metallurgy of the applicable manufacturing process. Referring to wiring 417-A of FIG. 4a and 4b, wiring elements 401 and 402 are shown as standard interconnect metal having contacts (which may also be referred to as “vias”) that drop down to the conductive channel 405. In the particular embodiments depicted in FIGS. 4b and 4c, the conductive channel is formed with regions 405, 412 (405c, 412c) of the semiconductor wafer that have been doped with donor atoms (n). Here, the n type conductive channel is formed with a well 412, 412c (an “n well”) that has been doped with less donor atoms than the regions of the conductive channel 405, 405c directly beneath the contacts 430, 430c of the wiring. The n well 412, 412c essentially isolates the conductive channel from the surrounding region of the semiconductor wafer that has been doped with acceptor atoms (p type). Alternative substrate, well and/or conductive channel doping schemes can be readily configured by those of ordinary skill (including a reverse approach having a p well and p+contact regions). FIGS. 4b and 4c in addition also show a ground trace 419, 419c (or “die seal”) that runs over the conductive channel 405; this ground trace is not necessarily essential, but its use around the perimeter of the die can be customary, such that when tied to the otherwise high impedance substrate, differing substrate potentials from electrical switching noise can be avoided. The ground trace has not been drawn in FIG. 4a so that the underlying structures can be more easily seen. In an embodiment, the ground trace 419, 419c like wire elements 401 and 402, is formed with the standard metal interconnect technology of the applicable manufacturing process. As noted above, the ground trace 419, 419c is designed to be strongly tied to the silicon substrate via its connection through multiple contacts to p+ wells 418. The multiple contacts observed in FIG. 4b essentially form a very low resistance between the ground trace 419 and the p+ well and p− substrate 418. The p well/substrate can be viewed as a ground node when the surrounding p substrate region itself is grounded. FIG. 4d shows an electrical circuit model for the wiring structure observed in FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c. Here, the n type conductive channel corresponds to a small resistance 422; with the n well 412 and p type surrounding substrate activing as reverse biased diodes 420, 421 on each side of resistance 422. Grounding the surrounding p substrate as described above essentially corresponds to the anode of diodes 420, 421 being grounded. As such, under normal operating conditions where the scribe-and-break region wiring only receives voltage levels at or above ground, only a very small leakage current should ever flow from the conductive channel to the surrounding p substrate (i.e., diodes 420 and 421 are nominally “off”). FIGS. 4e and 4f(b) show depictions of the structures depicted in FIGS. 4a and 4c, respectively, after the wafer has been scribed along scribe lines 407-A and 407-B. For comparison, FIG. 4f(a) shows the configuration that would exist without the embedded on wafer test wiring that is depicted in FIG. 4c. Note the exposure of only the embedded conductive channel 405 to any “air” that is present around the periphery of the die, making it no different from other exposed silicon edges. The metal wire element 401 is surrounded by insulation/passivation material so as to be effectively shielded from airborne contaminants. As such, contamination of the conductive trace whose edge resides at the edge of the die after scribing is avoided. Also, noise that is effectively received at the die edge by the conductive channel 405 should be attenuated through the capacitance formed with the ground wiring 419. 2.0 Die Design FIG. 5 shows a design for an RFID tag that is capable of being tested “on wafer”. Here, as an example, the design observed in FIG. 5 may be instantiated in each of the product die observed in the reticle design of FIG. 3a. The circuitry that has been designed-in to support the on wafer testing, as will be described and emphasized in more detail below, has been minimized to impose only modest semiconductor surface area consumption. As discussed at length above at the onset of this detailed description, the less semiconductor surface area consumed by an RFID tag's circuitry for supporting on-wafer testing, the smaller the RFID tag becomes—resulting in potentially more RFID tags per wafer and therefore lower manufactured cost per RFID tag. Moreover, the power consumption of the testing circuitry is designed to consume little (if any) power while the RFID tag is in service after manufacturing and test. Thus, because RFID tags are generally designed to be operational without receiving an external supply of power, any additional on wafer testing circuitry designed into an RFID tag should not only attempt to minimize surface area utilization but also attempt to minimize power consumption. It should be appreciated that although the present description refers to an RFID tag, at least some of the techniques for implementing on wafer testing of individual die without prohibitively increasing surface area or power consumption may be applied to semiconductor die targeted for other applications (i.e., non RFID tag die). Before further explaining some of the on wafer testability design efficiencies, however, an overview of the RFID tag design will first be provided. Recall that an RFID tag is a semiconductor chip that can positively respond to a wireless signal that inquires into its existence. Here, the wireless signal is received at antennae 501 and is converted into electrical signal(s) that are processed by rectifier 502 and demodulator 503. The rectifier 502 forms a DC power supply voltage from an electrical signal received from the antennae 501 having time varying amplitude (i.e., the RFID tag is powered with energy carried by the wireless signal). The DC power supply voltage (VDD) is fed to a power management unit (PMU) 504 that regulates the power consumption of an oscillator 509, demodulator 511, micro- controller 510 and non-volatile memory 513 in light of the individual usage of each. The oscillator 509 acts as the source for a clock signal that is supplied to other components within the RFID tag (most notably the micro-controller 510 and non-volatile memory 513). The demodulator (503) converts an electrical signal from the antennae 501 into a bit sequence. The bit sequence is set to the micro-controller 510 which interprets the bit sequence as commands. Often, the command includes a unique identifying sequence and essentially requests the micro-controller 510 to compare this sequence received by way of the wireless signal with another pattern that is stored in the non-volatile memory 513. The ID tag stored in the non-volatile memory 513 corresponds to the ID of the RFID tag chip itself. The command received by way of the wireless signal essentially seeks to establish whether or not an RFID tag semiconductor chip having the pattern included in the command exists within range of the wireless signal. Here, as is known in the art, electromagnetic waves (e.g., that are used to form the wireless signal) do not produce reflected energy if a receiving load (such as antennae 501) has an impedance that matches that of the medium over which the waves travel (e.g., 377 ohms in free space). According to one embodiment, the impedance of the antennae 501 is nominally designed to match the medium through which the wireless signals propagate. As such, under nominal conditions, the RFID tag is designed to not reflect significant electromagnetic wave energy back to the reader (e.g., an automated inventory tracking and management system) that is sending the wireless signal. Better said, the nominal design point of the RFID tag is to remain essentially invisible to the system that sends the wireless signal. Accordingly, if the comparison does not result in a match (i.e., the RFID tag 500 of FIG. 5 is not the RFID tag the wireless signal seeks to confirm/deny the presence of), the micro controller 510 responds “negatively” by keeping the impedance of antennae 501 adjusted to its nominal design point (i.e., the RFID tag's antennae 501 does not reflect any energy causing the RFID tag to remain invisible to the system that is sending the wireless signal). By contrast, if the comparison results in a match (i.e., the RFID tag 500 of FIG. 5 is the RFID tag that the wireless signal seeks to confirm/deny the presence of), the micro controller responds “positively” by adjusting the impedance of antennae 501 through impedance control unit 512. The change of impedance causes the antennae 501 to reflect energy back to the system sending the wireless signal so that the system can realize the presence of the sought-for RFID tag. In more sophisticated implementations, the micro-controller 510 can communicate messages back to the system by modulating the. antennae's impedance in this manner. With an overview of the basic functions of the RFID tag 500 having been explained, a description of the circuitry used during on-wafer testing of the RFID tag is now in order. To first order, electrical “I/O” signals 514 sent from the tester over the scribe region wiring are used to “emulate” a signal sent from demodulator 503. That is, wireless signals are not received at antennae 501. Nevertheless, because the demodulator is downstream from the antennae 501, it may be said that the electrical signal from the tester also emulates a signal that originates from the antennae 501. If the RFID tag is to be tested in this manner, a DC power supply voltage needs to be directed to the RFID tag 500 (because the RFID tag 500 cannot generate power from rectifier 502 if a signal is not being received at antennae 501). Here, the VDD_Test 5071,2 input is used to supply the RFID tag's power consumption during its on-wafer test. The power received at the VDD_Test 5071,2 input is also supplied by the tester through the scribe wiring. According to the design approach of FIG. 5, this “artificial” power supply voltage is applied to the anode side of a diode 505 whose cathode side is coupled to the RFID tag's power supply rail VDD 506 at the rectifier 502 output. As such, the RFID tag's rectifier 502 is bypassed during the on-wafer test. Multiplexers 515, 516, 519 and 520 are embedded in the RFID tag design to promote on-wafer testing. Multiplexers 515 and 516 have their channel select input coupled to the VDD_Test node 5071,2 which itself is pulled down by a resistor (or active device) 508. When the artificial supply voltage is applied at the VDD_Test node 5071,2, each of the channel select inputs for multiplexers 515 and 516 are in a “logic high” state. According to the design embodiment of FIG. 5, this forces multiplexers 515 and 516 to select “channel A” during on wafer test. During in seervice operation of the RFID tag 500 (i.e., after its manufacture and test), the VDD_Test node 5071,2 is left “open” because the scribe process creates an open circuit at the die edge 514 where the VDD_Test voltage is received, and, resistor 508 pulls down its potential to approximately ground (i.e., a logic “low”). As such, during in the field operation of the RFID tag 500, the channel select of multiplexers 515 and 516 are configured to select “channel B”. Thus, each of multiplexers 515 and 516 are configured to select channel A during on-wafer test and channel B during in-service operation. In an alternative approach the channel select of multiplexers 515 and 516 could be tied to a separate ground line supplied by the tester, which is left open by the scribe process. By coupling this ground line to a passive pull-up resistance connected to VDD, a logic high channel select value will occur during in the field operation and a logic low channel select value will occur during on- wafer test. Channel A of multiplexer 515 is coupled to test signal input 521. Test signal input 521 transports the aforementioned input signal provided by the tester that emulates a wirelessly received signal. Here, the tester could send a signal that represents a packet containing some command to be performed by the micro-controller 510 (e.g., read non volatile memory command). The signal would be received at input 521 and would flow to the channel A input of multiplexer 515. In wafer test mode, channel A of multiplexer 515 is “selected”. As such the signal sent by the tester would be forwarded to demodulator 511. Modulation is a form of signal encoding that prepares a signal carrying data for travel. A demodulator effectively reverses the modulation process so as to re-create the original signal prior to its modulation. The tester supplies the demodulated signal to the controller. The micro-controller 510 ultimately receives the demodulated version of the signal send by the tester to input 521 and interprets any command or instruction included therein. Note that the micro-controller includes an ID register 517 whose data content is established by a specific combination of pull-up/pull-down resistances. In an embodiment, such as an embodiment that conforms to the reticle design of FIG. 3a where multiple product die are coupled to the same bus, at least in order to send an initial command to a particular product die, the tester has to uniquely identify the particular product die. ID register 517 is used for this purpose. ID register 517 is designed to have a value that is a function of its corresponding die's location within its reticle. For example, for the approach of FIG. 3a, a unique register value may be assigned for each unique x,y location. By designing a micro-controller to respond to a signal that includes the content of its ID register 517, the tester supplied signals need only include a targeted product die's ID register contents in order to specifically communicate to the targeted die. Although in a bussed system as depicted in FIG. 3a the tester signal will reach the micro-controller of every die in the reticle, only the targeted die will respond because of the match between its register ID 517 contents and the identifier provided in the signal supplied by the tester. In one embodiment, the tester is designed to tell a targeted die to write an identifier value into the non-volatile memory 513. Once an identifier value has been written into the non-volatile memory 513, the RFID tag 500 will behave as it should in service. That is, nominally, the RFID tag is designed to have its ID value “programmed” into the non-volatile memory 513. Once the tester has programmed an ID value into the non-volatile memory 513, the RFID tag 500 can be more fully tested against the acts it is expected to perform in service. A good example is a test in which the tester sends a signal through input 521 that includes an identifier that the micro-controller 510 will compare against the identifier stored in the non volatile memory 513. If the micro-controller 510 finds a match, the micro-controller is expected to send a signal to the impedance modulator 512 that causes it to change its impedance. Note that the input 530 to the impedance modulator 512 is also coupled to an input channel of multiplexer 519. Thus, with the tester's selection of this channel (via input 522 from the scribe-and-break region bus), the tester can test whether or not the micro-controller 510 is capable of: 1) identifying a match between an ID value that is received through the demodulator 511 and an ID value stored in non volatile memory 513; and, 2) in response to such a match, generating the appropriate input signal to the impedance modulator 512 (which is sent to the tester through multiplexer 519 and its output 523) that causes the antennae 501 to sufficiently change its impedance. This essentially corresponds to testing the basic function of the RFID tag itself. A methodology for another test is outlined in FIG. 6. The methodology of the test observed in FIG. 6 is determines whether the RFID tag 500 can successfully write and read information to and from the non volatile memory 513. First, the tester sends 601 a write command and write data through input 521. The write command and write data flows through demodulator 511 and into micro-controller 510. The micro-controller 510 interprets the command and writes 602 it into the memory 513. Then, the tester sends a read command 603 through input 521. The micro-controller interprets the read command and reads 604 the previously written 602 data from the memory 513. The data that is read from the memory 513 is then sent 605 to the tester via micro-controller output 531, multiplexer 519 and output 523. If the tester receives the same data that was written, correct write and read operation is verified. In another test, the non-volatile memory 513 can be tested for manufacturing defects with an embedded non volatile memory (NVM) built-in- self-test (BIST) controller 518. Details of various BIST testing possibilities are provided in more detail below in section 3.0 “Built-In-Self-Test (BIST)”. However, note that in the particular embodiment of FIG. 5, the NVM BIST controller 518 has a pair of outputs 531 and 532. Here, one output (e.g., output 531) is used to signify an error in the execution of a BIST test; and, the other output (e.g., output 532) is used to signify successful completion of a BIST test. Thus, during a BIST test, the tester configures multiplexers 519, 520 to respectively select NVM BIST controller 518 outputs 531 and 532 (via multiplexer channel select inputs 522 and 524, respectively). If there is a problem, multiplexer output 523 is activated by the controller 518. If the test is successful, multiplexer output 525 is activated by the controller 518. As discussed above, multiplexer 516 is configured to force selection of channel A during on wafer test and force selection of channel B during nominal operation. Thus from the schematic of FIG. 5, during on wafer test, the RFID tag is driven by a tester supplied clock signal via input 527. Proper operation of the RFID tag's oscillator 509 is verified during on wafer test through the tester's selection of the input channel of multiplexer 520 that is coupled to the output of the RFID tag's oscillator 509. Before moving on to a discussion of the NVM BIST controller 518, note that each of signal lines 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 525 and power supply line 527 are essentially I/Os 514 that are associated with the scribe bus. As such, each of these lines will become open circuits after the RFID tag die 500 is scribed from the wafer. All the test described are examples of a specific embodiment. In general the tester may send any arbitrary sequence to the tag. Also the tag may be configured with other multiplexers to return any desired signal, including analog signals if desired, to the tester. With these techniques any desired degree of test coverage and operability may be obtained. 3.0 Built-In-Self-Test (BIST) As noted above, the size of an RFID tag should consume as little semiconductor surface area as is practicable. Nevertheless, robust on wafer testing should include thorough testing of the non-volatile memory 513. Memory testing generally involves writing test data into the memory 513, reading the written test data back from the memory 513 and comparing it against its expected value. Typically, in order to be thorough, test data is written into each memory address (to ensure each address is functional). Because each address location is accessed, however, thoroughly testing a memory can be time consuming. As such, the micro-controller 510 of FIG. 5 includes an embedded non-volatile memory (NVM) built-in-self-test (BIST) controller 518. By incorporating a BIST controller 518 within the RFID tag itself, the memory testing function is distributed across the wafer die rather being centrally controlled. As such, the non-volatile memory of multiple RFID tags can be simultaneously tested on the wafer (by running the BIST controller of each of a plurality of RFID tags simultaneously) so as to reduce overall testing time as compared to a centralized testing approach. The BIST controller 518 includes logic circuitry that generates data patterns which are written into the non-volatile memory 513. The data patterns are then read from memory and compared against their expected values. Any discrepancies between a read memory value and its expected value is flagged as an error. The BIST controller 518 also includes logic circuitry for the comparison and flag functions described just above. In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 7a, in order to keep the semiconductor surface area consumption of the BIST controller 718 low, the BIST controller uses a pseudo random pattern as a basis for generating the test data patterns. Mathematically, each test pattern can be viewed as an output value from a pseudo random pattern equation. Because pseudo random pattern equations can be simple to implement, the pseudo-random data pattern generation logic circuitry 730 need only include a relatively small amount of logic circuitry to generate the test data values. Note that the pseudo-random data pattern generation logic is coupled to the comparison logic circuitry 731 that compares read test values against their expected value (e.g., the logic circuitry that implements the pseudo random pattern equation is also used to generate the expected value used by the comparison logic circuitry 731 for each read data value). FIG. 7b shows a depiction of the architecture for a memory 713 such as non-volatile memory 513 of FIG. 5. The architecture shows an array of memory cells each having a specific row and column location. Each specific row and column location corresponds to a unique address that can be presented to the memory. A memory can have various functional failure mechanisms, at least some of which stem from the electric fields emanating/terminating from/at neighboring or proximate storage cells as a function of the data they contain. That is, certain data patterns held amongst a family of proximately located cells are more prone to cause at least one of the storage cells to “flip” one or more of its stored bits. Specific details concerning the ability of a pseudo-random pattern to provide sufficient coverage of these patterns is provided in more detail below with respect to FIGS. 7d and 7e. FIG. 7c shows a method that can be performed by an on wafer RFID tag, such as the RFID tag of FIG. 5, that includes an embedded BIST controller and is in communication with a wafer tester (e.g., through a bus routed along the wafer's scribe-and-break regions). According to the methodology of FIG. 7c, the wafer tester sends a BIST command through the wafer test probe toward a targeted die on the wafer 701. The BIST command can be, for instance, a command to generate test values with a pseudo-random pattern generator and write them into the non-volatile memory. Then, the targeted die 702 (specifically, the BIST controller) executes the command. For example, continuing with the above example, the BIST controller will generate random patterns and write them into the non-volatile memory. The targeted die then sends a result or response to the tester. For example, referring to FIG. 5, if the test data is properly generated and written into the non-volatile memory 513, outputs 532 and 525 are activated (or, if a problem arises, outputs 531 and 523 are activated). Another process of FIG. 7c may then be performed to read the written data from the non volatile memory and report the result to the tester (e.g., the tester sends a “read and compare” command to the BIST controller 701; the BIST controller reads the test data and compares it against its expected values 702; and, the BIST controller indicates whether all the data matched (via outputs 532 and 525) or whether all the data did not match 703 (via outputs 531 and 523). Recall from the discussion above that a memory can have various functional failure mechanisms, at least some of which stem from the electric fields emanating/terminating from/at neighboring or proximate storage cells as a function of the data they contain. In order to thoroughly stress any semiconductor memory, different combinations of data patterns are warranted because particularly troublesome data patterns may not be predictable a priori depending on manufacturing tolerances. FIGS. 7d and 7e reveal that using a pseudo random pattern in a “non-aligned” manner with respect to the rows and columns of the non volatile memory can be used to provide a vast, if not exhaustively complete, number of proximate cell data pattern combinations. By having such pattern combinations, the cells of the non-volatile memory will experience varied electric field emanation/termination conditions (e.g., a first cell will have a first electric field emanation/termination condition, a second cell will have a first electric field emanation/termination condition, etc.) both statically (while the memory is holding its contents) and dynamically (while the memory is being read and written). Moreover, the ability to generate varied electric field emanation/termination conditions from cell to cell is achieved at the expense of only a small amount of logic circuitry owing to the simplicity of generating psuedo random patterns as discussed above. The “non alignment” can also be achieved with relatively simple logic circuitry as well. As such, robust testing is achieved at the expense of relatively small semiconductor surface area. Referring to FIG. 7d, multiple pseudo random data patterns 751-1, 751-2, 751-3, . . . 751-M are written across the columns of the non volatile memory. That is, a first pseudo random pattern 751-1 is written across a first set of rows and columns of the non volatile memory, a second pseudo random pattern 751-2 is written across a second set of rows and columns of the non volatile memory, etc. The patterns are written such that a “next” pattern starts at both a different row and a different column location than its predecessor pattern. In the depiction of FIG. 7d, the pseudo random data patterns clearly end at different row locations (i.e., the data can be viewed as being written continuously across the columns of a row before moving on to the next row). However, the further condition that a next pattern end at a different column location than its predecessor causes neighboring patterns to be “non aligned” with respect to each other such that each subsequent random data pattern ends one further column out than its predecessor random data pattern. Specifically, pattern 751-1 ends at column 1, pattern 751-2 ends at column 2, etc. The non alignment has the effect of scrambling or mixing the proximate cell data pattern combinations such that a large number of different combinations can be achieved with a psuedo random pattern that is significantly smaller than the overall memory capacity of the non-volatile memory itself. FIG. 7e shows an example of a non-volatile memory having one row and eighteen columns; where, each cell is designed to store eighteen bits. The first data pattern starts at row 0 and data bit 0 and ends at row 7 and data bit 1. Window 750 shows a first combination of data surrounding a center data value of 0. Window 751 shows second combination of data surrounding a center data value of 0. Comparison of the specific data patterns within the windows 750, 751 reveals them to be different. Thus, the potential failure mechanisms being tested for are different. This corresponds to robust testing because different stress conditions are being created. By contrast, if the first pseudo-random data pattern were aligned with the second (i.e., if the first pseudo-random data pattern ends at row 6 and data bit 17), the data pattern within window 750 would not only be found at window 751, but also repeatedly through the body of the memory at the same relative location of each subsequent data pattern. This would correspond to less robust testing because there would be fewer unique test patterns being written into the memory. A similar effect can be gained by making the length of the pseudo-random pattern (in terms of the number of bits) to be greater than the number of bits that can be stored along one or more columns—but at a value that does not cause alignment of neighboring runs of the pseudo random data pattern. Here pieces of the pseudo-random pattern would be stored at each bit cell. In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>“Moore's law” essentially describes the fundamental relationship between technological progress in the semiconductor arts and its commercial applications. According to one version of Moore's law, continually reduced transistor size (approximately a 60% critical dimension reduction every 18 months) and continually increased wafer size has resulted in the persistent decline of semiconductor integrated circuit “per unit cost”. The history of the computing industry over the past 35-40 years serve as a proof of Moore's law in which shipped volume continually expands while per unit cost continually falls. Over the course of the 1960s, 1970s and into the 1980s, the growth of the industry depended on low volume, highly expensive mainframe computers that were only affordable to large organizations such as major corporations and government institutions. From the 1980s through the 1990s the primary growth market of the industry shifted into higher volume but less expensive personal computers targeted for most desktops (home or office) in the industrialized world. Currently, in the mid 2000s, another shift is underway in which the growth of the industry is expected to depend (often wirelessly) on commodity-like computing systems that are shipped in extraordinarily high volumes and are priced at extraordinarily low prices. This new era, referred to by some as the “ubiquitous computing” era, is expected to transfer the focus of new uses for computing intelligence from approximately every person (as with the personal computer) to potentially almost any object. Traditional perspectives are therefore being challenged that computing system intelligence is too expensive to implement in certain “cost sensitive” applications. Examples include, to list just a few, smart electricity meters that transmit a home's electricity usage to a utility company, smart refrigerators that can download the identity of its contents to its owner's personal digital assistant while the owner is shopping in the grocery store; and, smart automobile dashboards that can track a car's GPS location and dynamically provide correct driving instructions to a specific destination. Another “ubiquitous computing” application is Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) tags. An RFID tag is a semiconductor chip that can positively respond to a wireless signal that inquires into the RFID tag's existence. RFID tags are expected to be applied at least to automated inventory management and distribution systems. As an example, after affixing an RFID tag to a pallet, the pallet will be able to wirelessly identify itself so as to enable the ability to track its whereabouts or manage its logistical transportation in an automated fashion. RFID tags, like other solutions for the ubiquitous computing era, are sensitive to costs of production. Here, the less expensive an RFID tag, the easier it is to justify the expense of distributing RFID tags amongst goods that are warehoused and/or transported. In order to improve the cost structure of an RFID tag, its cost of manufacturing must be understood. RFID tags, being semiconductor chips, are manufactured on wafers each containing many discrete RFID tag chips. If the RFID tag chips from a same wafer are not functionally tested for the first time until after they have been diced from the wafer and individually packaged, the expense of packaging the portion of chips that ultimately fail their functional test is pure economic waste. Therefore it behooves the RFID tag manufacturer to eliminate this waste through “on wafer” functional testing. On wafer functional testing is the functional testing of semiconductor chips that have not yet been diced into individual chips from their corresponding wafer. FIG. 1 a shows a traditional wafer 100 that has been organized into multiple identical patterns, each consisting of geometric data present on a mask set, or “reticle”. (Though the term “reticle” literally applies to the tooling used to pattern the wafer, herein we shall use the term to signify the portion of a wafer uniquely fabricated from this pattern, for expediency.) A single reticle 101 has been shaded in FIG. 1 a. Each reticle typically contains multiple semiconductor chips (often identically designed). Breaking down the design of the wafer as a whole into an array of reticles allows for “step-and-repeat” processes that are applied to the wafer during the manufacture of its semiconductor chips (e.g., photolithography). Referring to FIG. 1 b, when the chips on the semiconductor wafer 100 are ready to be tested, a tester 103 applies and receives test signals through a wafer test probe 102 . A wafer test probe 102 is a special fixture that is designed to land on specific “landing pads” that have been manufactured on the wafer 100 for the purpose of receiving and/or sending test signals from/to the tester 103 to/from the wafer 100 . Based on the results observed by the tester 103 in response to the signals applied by the tester 103 , the tester identifies defective chips. The defective chips are identified as scrap, and, as a consequence, any packaging and further testing costs associated with their production is avoided.
<SOH> SUMMARY <EOH>An RFID tag is described having a receive signal path from one or more primary inputs to a controller. The receive signal path is to process an electrical receive signal originating from the input(s) as a consequence of the inputs having received a wireless signal. The RFID tag has a second signal path flowing into the receive signal path from a die edge of the RFID tag. The second signal path is to transport an electrical test signal that emulates the receive signal while the RFID tag is being tested on wafer. The receive signal path flows through both a first input of a logic circuit and the logic circuit's output. The logic circuit has a second input coupled to the second signal path.
20041215
20071211
20060615
92594.0
G01R3126
1
FAN, HONGMIN
RFID TAG DESIGN WITH CIRCUITRY FOR WAFER LEVEL TESTING
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
G01R
2,004
11,014,110
ACCEPTED
System and method for connection capacity reassignment in a multi-tier data processing system network
A method, computer program product, and a data processing system for data prioritization in a multi-tier network system is provided. A server having a plurality of processors receives data from a client. A priority of the client is then identified. Responsive to identifying the priority, the data is queued in a queue of a first plurality of queues associated with a first processor of the plurality of processors. The queue is one of a plurality of queues associated with the first processor and is associated with the priority. Additionally, mechanisms for reassigning connection capacity from one priority class to another priority class at the network layer in a multi-tier network system is provided. As the capacity of connections of one priority class approaches saturation, spare capacity may be reassigned from another class to the priority class approaching saturation between the first-tier systems. Additionally, mechanisms for replicating or mirroring the connection capacity reassignment between second-tier systems is provided.
1. A method of reassigning connection capacity between prioritized connection classes in a multi-tiered network system, the method comprising the computer implemented steps of: allocating a first transmission capacity to connections of a first priority class terminated by a first node and a second node in the network; allocating a second transmission capacity to connections of a second priority class terminated by the first node and the second node; identifying a first traffic load of the first priority class that exceeds a predefined threshold; responsive to identifying the first traffic load, reassigning a portion of the second transmission capacity to the first priority class; and responsive to reassigning the portion, directing a third node to reassign a portion of a transmission capacity of connections of the second priority class terminated by the third node to connections of the first priority class terminated by the third node. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the first traffic load comprises measuring the traffic load of the connections of the first priority class terminated by the first node and the second node. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: comparing the first traffic load with the predefined threshold, wherein the predefined threshold specifies a value of the first traffic load at which capacity of another priority class may be reassigned to the first priority class. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein reassigning the portion is performed responsive to determining the first traffic load exceeds the predefined threshold. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying a traffic load of the connections of the second priority class terminated by the first node and the second node; and comparing the traffic load of the connections of the second priority class terminated by the first node and the second node with a second predefined threshold, wherein the second predefined threshold specifies a value of the second traffic load at which a portion of the second transmission capacity may be reassigned to another priority class. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein reassigning the portion is performed responsive to determining the traffic load of the connections of the second priority class terminated by the first node and the second node is less than the second predefined threshold. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying a traffic load of the connections of the second priority class terminated by the first node and the second node; and comparing the traffic load of the connections of the second priority class terminated by the first node and the second node with a second predefined threshold, wherein the second predefined threshold specifies a value of the second traffic load at which the portion is to be reallocated from the connections of the first priority class terminated by the first node and the second node to the connections of the second priority class terminated by the first node and the second node. 8. A computer program product for reassigning connection capacity between prioritized connection classes in a multi-tier network system, the computer program product comprising: first instructions that allocate a first transmission capacity to connections of a first priority class terminated by a first node and a second node in the network; second instructions that allocate a second transmission capacity to connections of a second priority class terminated by the first node and the second node; third instructions that identify a first traffic load of the first priority class that exceeds a predefined threshold; fourth instructions that, responsive to the third instructions identifying the first traffic load, reassign a portion of the second transmission capacity to the first priority class; and responsive to reassigning the portion, directing a third node to reassign a portion of a transmission capacity of connections of the second priority class terminated by the third node to connections of the first priority class terminated by the third node. 9. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the third instructions measure the traffic load of the connections of the first priority class terminated by the first node and the second node. 10. The computer program product of claim 8, further comprising: fifth instructions that compare the first traffic load with the predefined threshold, wherein the predefined threshold specifies a value of the first traffic load at which capacity of another priority class may be reassigned to the first priority class. 11. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein the fourth instructions reassign the portion in response to the fifth instructions determining the first traffic load exceeds the predefined threshold. 12. The computer program product of claim 8, further comprising: fifth instructions that identify a traffic load of the connections of the second priority class terminated by the first node and the second node; and sixth instructions that compare the traffic load of the connections of the second priority class terminated by the first node and the second node with a second predefined threshold, wherein the second predefined threshold specifies a value of the second traffic load at which a portion of the second transmission capacity may be reassigned to another priority class. 13. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the fourth instructions reassign the portion responsive to the sixth instructions determining the traffic load of the connections of the second priority class terminated by the first node and the second node is less than the second predefined threshold. 14. The computer program product of claim 8, further comprising: fifth instructions that identify a traffic load of the connections of the second priority class terminated by the first node and the second node; and sixth instructions that compare the traffic load of the connections of the second priority class terminated by the first node and the second node with a second predefined threshold, wherein the second predefined threshold specifies a value of the second traffic load at which the portion is to be reallocated from the connections of the first priority class terminated by the first node and the second node to the connections of the second priority class terminated by the first node and the second node. 15. A data processing system for reassigning connection capacity between prioritized connection classes in a network system, comprising: a communication interface connected with a communication medium, wherein the communication interface has a transmission capacity partitioned into a first transmission capacity of a first priority and a second transmission capacity of a second priority; a memory that contains a set of instructions for reassigning connection capacities between the first priority and the second priority; and a processing unit that, responsive to execution of the set of instructions, identifies a traffic load of the first transmission capacity that exceeds a predefined threshold and, responsive to identifying the traffic load, that reassigns a portion of the first transmission capacity to the second transmission capacity, wherein the system issues a directive to a node connected with the communication medium that directs the node to reassign connection capacity of another communication medium. 16. The data processing system of claim 15, wherein the processing unit reassigns the portion responsive to determining the traffic load exceeds the predefined threshold. 17. The data processing system of claim 15, wherein the processing unit, responsive to execution of the set of instructions, identifies a traffic load of the second priority class and compares the traffic load of the second priority class with a second predefined threshold, wherein the second predefined threshold specifies a value of the traffic load of the second priority class at which a portion of the second transmission capacity may be reassigned to another priority class. 18. The data processing system of claim 17, wherein the processing unit reassigns the portion responsive to determining the traffic load of the second priority class is less than the second predefined threshold. 19. The data processing system of claim 15, wherein the processing unit, responsive to execution of the set of instructions, identifies a traffic load of the second priority class and compares the traffic load of the second priority class with a second predefined threshold, wherein the second predefined threshold specifies a value of the second traffic load at which the portion is to be reallocated from the first priority class to the second priority class. 20. The data processing system of claim 15, wherein the first transmission capacity is allocated to a connection pool that is a first subset of the connections available on the communication medium, and the second transmission capacity is allocated to a connection pool that is a second subset of the connections available on the communication medium.
RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is related to commonly assigned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. AUS920040470US1) entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REQUEST PRIORITY TRANSFER ACROSS NODES IN A MULTI-TIER DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM NETWORK,” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. AUS920040471US1) entitled “METHOD, COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT, AND DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR DATA QUEUING PRIORITIZATION IN A MULTI-TIERED NETWORK,” which are hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Technical Field The present invention relates generally to an improved data processing system and, in particular, to a mechanism for data queue prioritization in a multi-tier network system. Still more particularly, the present invention provides a mechanism for queuing client data prioritized in a networked data processing system on a per-processor basis. Additionally, the present invention provides a mechanism for dynamically adjusting the priority of persistent connections between a mid-tier and backend data server at the network layer in a multi-tier network. 2. Description of Related Art Various networked data processing system traffic control schemes for queuing and filtering network traffic are used for providing service level agreement (SLA) traffic prioritization. For example, the Linux network stack has infrastructure for traffic control that has queuing disciplines (qdisc) and filters. A hierarchy of qdiscs can be constructed jointly with a class hierarchy to support Quality of Service (QoS) features. Traffic can be routed to different classes by employing filters that are matched against packet header fields. For receive side, that is the server side in a multi-tier network, prioritization is provided on a connection basis. For example, when an incoming connection is established, the connection may be prioritized based on one or more priority filters to queue the connection in one of a plurality of queues allocated to different priority classes. However, such queuing mechanisms rely on connection prioritizations. For example, in a network using the transport control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), a connection is established after completion of a three-phase process typically referred to as a three-way handshake. In such systems, prioritization is limited to granting or denying a connection based on a client priority level and, for example, network metrics such as traffic loads. In implementations where prioritization is enforced only at the connection level, priority is enforced depending on the arrival of the incoming connections when multiple priority clients are serviced concurrently. For example, if the arrival of the connections are a mix of high and low priority connections then high priority connections are serviced prior to servicing the low priority connections. However, after the connections are established, all the connections are treated without any discrimination. Additionally, SLA traffic prioritization may sometimes result in inefficient utilization of the overall network system transmission capacity. For example, the network system transmission capacity may be partitioned into capacities that are respectively allocated to different traffic priority classes. In the event that one traffic priority class experiences a heavy load, the network system capacity allocated to that traffic priority class may become saturated, or consumed. In the event that a second traffic priority class experiences a traffic load below the capacity allocated to the second traffic priority class, an idle portion of the second traffic priority class capacity will be unused, while at the same time traffic of the first priority class may be blocked from transmission due to saturation of the first traffic priority class. In such a situation, the overall network transmission capacity is underutilized. It would be advantageous to provide a mechanism for network-level prioritization for providing SLA prioritization queuing of inbound traffic at a server providing connectivity to clients of different priorities. It would be further advantageous to provide a mechanism for providing network-level prioritization in a multi-processor system of a multi-tier network for priority queuing of incoming traffic on a per-processor basis. It would further be advantageous to provide a mechanism to more efficiently utilize network transmission capacity in a network featuring SLA prioritization of traffic data. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a method, computer program product, and a data processing system for data prioritization in a multi-tier network system. A server having a plurality of processors receives data from a client. A priority of the client is then identified. Responsive to identifying the priority, the data is queued in a queue of a first plurality of queues associated with a first processor of the plurality of processors. The queue is one of a plurality of queues associated with the first processor and is associated with the priority. Additionally, mechanisms for reassigning connection capacity from one priority class to another priority class at the network layer in a multi-tier network system based on changes in SLAs used for the first-tier setups to facilitate optimized utilization of the transmission capacity of a multi-tier network is provided. As the capacity of connections of one priority class approaches saturation, spare capacity may be reassigned from another class to the priority class approaching saturation between the first-tier systems. Additionally, mechanisms for replicating or mirroring the connection capacity reassignment between second-tier systems is provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 depicts a pictorial representation of a multi-tier network of data processing systems in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be implemented; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a data processing system that may be implemented as a server depicted in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a client data processing system that may have data prioritized in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a server configuration for enforcing data prioritization on a network level in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a data queue diagram configuration for service level agreement prioritization on a multi-processor server in a multi-tier network in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a data queuing routine run on a server in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7A is a diagrammatic illustration of a multi-tier network system in which request priority transfers are implemented according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7B is a diagrammatic illustration of prioritized data queues configured to facilitate data processing prioritization transfer in a multi-tier network in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7C is a diagrammatic illustration of a priority filter that facilitates transferring request priority classes across nodes in a multi-tier network of data processing systems in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 a flowchart of runtime processing performed by a priority filter for transferring request priorities across nodes in a multi-tier network in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9A is a diagrammatic illustration of a priority filter that facilitates dynamic reassignment of connection capacities between connection priority classes in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9B is a diagrammatic illustration of the priority filter shown in FIG. 9A after reassignment of connection capacity between connection priority classes in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9C is a diagrammatic illustration of a web server, web application server, and a backend database server and connections therebetween in which connection capacity may be reassigned between priority classes in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9D is a diagrammatic illustration of the web server, web application server, and the backend database server and connections therebetween depicted in FIG. 9C after connection capacity reassignment between priority classes has been performed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a connection priority reassignment routine for reassigning connection capacity between different priority classes in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a connection priority reallocation routine for reallocating connection capacity previously reassigned to another connection priority class in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference now to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts a pictorial representation of a multi-tier network of data processing systems in which the present invention may be implemented. Network data processing system 100 is a network of computers in which the present invention may be implemented. Network data processing system 100 contains a network 102, which is the medium used to provide communications links between various devices and computers connected together within network data processing system 100. Network 102 may include connections, such as wire, wireless communication links, or fiber optic cables. In the depicted example, web server 104 is connected to network 102 along with storage unit 107. In addition, clients 108, 110, and 112 are connected to network 102. These clients 108, 110, and 112 may be, for example, personal computers or network computers. In the depicted example, web server 104 may be implemented as an HTTP server that sends web pages to clients 108-112 responsive to receiving an HTTP request from, for example, browsers running on clients 108-112. Additionally, web server 104 may provide data other than HTTP data, such as applications, to clients 108-112. Clients 108, 110, and 112 are clients to web server 104. Web server 104 interfaces and communicates with web application server 105. Web application server 105 handles application operations between browser-issued requests issued by clients 108-112 and back end applications or databases maintained by data store 106, such as a backend database system, that interfaces with web application server 105. Network data processing system 100 may include additional servers, clients, and other devices not shown. In the depicted example, network data processing system 100 is the Internet with network 102 representing a worldwide collection of networks and gateways that use the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite of protocols to communicate with one another. At the heart of the Internet is a backbone of high-speed data communication lines between major nodes or host computers, consisting of thousands of commercial, government, educational and other computer systems that route data and messages. Of course, network data processing system 100 also may be implemented as a number of different types of networks, such as for example, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN). FIG. 1 is intended as an example, and not as an architectural limitation for the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a data processing system that may be implemented as a server, such as web server 104 or web application server 105 in FIG. 1, is depicted in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Data processing system 200 may be a symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) system including a plurality of processors 202 and 204 connected to system bus 206 although other multi-processor configurations may be suitably substituted therefor. Also connected to system bus 206 is memory controller/cache 208, which provides an interface to local memory 209. I/O bus bridge 210 is connected to system bus 206 and provides an interface to I/O bus 212. Memory controller/cache 208 and I/O bus bridge 210 may be integrated as depicted. Peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus bridge 214 connected to I/O bus 212 provides an interface to PCI local bus 216. A number of modems may be connected to PCI local bus 216. Typical PCI bus implementations will support four PCI expansion slots or add-in connectors. Communications links to clients 108-112 in FIG. 1 may be provided through modem 218 and network adapter 220 connected to PCI local bus 216 through add-in connectors. Additional PCI bus bridges 222 and 224 provide interfaces for additional PCI local buses 226 and 228, from which additional modems or network adapters may be supported. In this manner, data processing system 200 allows connections to multiple network computers. A memory-mapped graphics adapter 230 and hard disk 232 may also be connected to I/O bus 212 as depicted, either directly or indirectly. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware depicted in FIG. 2 may vary. For example, other peripheral devices, such as optical disk drives and the like, also may be used in addition to or in place of the hardware depicted. The depicted example is not meant to imply architectural limitations with respect to the present invention. The data processing system depicted in FIG. 2 may be, for example, an IBM eServer pSeries system, a product of International Business Machines Corporation in Armonk, N.Y., running the Advanced Interactive Executive (AIX) operating system or LINUX operating system. With reference now to FIG. 3, a block diagram illustrating a data processing system is depicted in which the present invention may be implemented. Data processing system 300 is an example of a client computer, such as client 108 shown in FIG. 1. Data processing system 300 employs a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) local bus architecture. Although the depicted example employs a PCI bus, other bus architectures such as Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) and Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) may be used. Processor 302 and main memory 304 are connected to PCI local bus 306 through PCI bridge 308. PCI bridge 308 also may include an integrated memory controller and cache memory for processor 302. Additional connections to PCI local bus 306 may be made through direct component interconnection or through add-in boards. In the depicted example, local area network (LAN) adapter 310, SCSI host bus adapter 312, and expansion bus interface 314 are connected to PCI local bus 306 by direct component connection. In contrast, audio adapter 316, graphics adapter 318, and audio/video adapter 319 are connected to PCI local bus 306 by add-in boards inserted into expansion slots. Expansion bus interface 314 provides a connection for a keyboard and mouse adapter 320, modem 322, and additional memory 324. Small computer system interface (SCSI) host bus adapter 312 provides a connection for hard disk drive 326, tape drive 328, and CD-ROM drive 330. Typical PCI local bus implementations will support three or four PCI expansion slots or add-in connectors. An operating system runs on processor 302 and is used to coordinate and provide control of various components within data processing system 300 in FIG. 3. The operating system may be a commercially available operating system, such as Windows XP, which is available from Microsoft Corporation. An object oriented programming system such as Java may run in conjunction with the operating system and provide calls to the operating system from Java programs or applications executing on data processing system 300. “Java” is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. Instructions for the operating system, the object-oriented programming system, and applications or programs are located on storage devices, such as hard disk drive 326, and may be loaded into main memory 304 for execution by processor 302. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware in FIG. 3 may vary depending on the implementation. Other internal hardware or peripheral devices, such as flash read-only memory (ROM), equivalent nonvolatile memory, or optical disk drives and the like, may be used in addition to or in place of the hardware depicted in FIG. 3. Also, the processes of the present invention may be applied to a multiprocessor data processing system. As another example, data processing system 300 may be a stand-alone system configured to be bootable without relying on some type of network communication interfaces As a further example, data processing system 300 may be a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, which is configured with ROM and/or flash ROM in order to provide non-volatile memory for storing operating system files and/or user-generated data. The depicted example in FIG. 3 and above-described examples are not meant to imply architectural limitations. For example, data processing system 300 also may be a notebook computer or hand held computer in addition to taking the form of a PDA. Data processing system 300 also may be a kiosk or a Web appliance. A client, such as client 108, initiates a communication connection with web server 104. In the illustrative examples provided herein, communication connections between a client and server are described with reference to the TCP/IP protocol suite, although other communication protocols may be suitably substituted therefor. Implementations of the present invention are not limited to any particular protocol and those described are provided only to facilitate an understanding of the invention. FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a server configuration for enforcing data prioritization on a network level in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Server 400 is an example of a data processing system, such as data processing system 200 shown in FIG. 2, that provides connectivity to clients of different priority classes and is implemented as a multi-processor data processing system. A client, such as client 108, will initiate a communication connection with server 400 by first engaging in a handshake with server 400. To establish a connection, a client addresses frame 402 to server 400 and applies frame 402 to network media 410, e.g., a 10baseT, 100baseT, or other suitable network media. Frame 402 comprises various encapsulated headers. In the present example, the client and server connect over the Internet and thus frame 402 comprises a link header 402a, e.g., an Ethernet header, network layer header 402b, e.g., an IP header, and transport layer header 402c, e.g., a TCP header. For example, frame 402 may encapsulate a synchronization (SYN) segment comprising transport layer header 402c having an asserted SYN flag for initiating a handshake with server 400. Server 400 receives frame 402 via network interface card 420, e.g., an Ethernet card, that conveys the frame to link layer 431, e.g., an Ethernet driver, of network stack 430. Link layer 431 decapsulates, or demultiplexes, the IP datagram from the frame and passes the IP datagram to network layer 432 of network stack 430. Network layer 432 demultiplexes the TCP segment from the IP datagram and passes the TCP segment to transport layer 433 of network stack 430. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, filter 440 additionally receives the demultiplexed IP datagram for priority filtering of the imminent connection. Filter 440 preferably comprises logic for determining a priority-level of the client that originated the data. For example, filter 440 may determine a priority level of the client based on a source address, e.g., an IP source address, and port number read from the network layer header 402b in frame 402. The determination of the priority level is made by comparing one or more data values from frame 402 with pre-established criteria that is coded in, or accessed by, filter 440. In the illustrative example, filter 440 includes (or interfaces with) table 441 that associates or maps client addresses, e.g., IP network addresses, with priority levels that are associated with clients, for example according to service level agreements (SLAs) to which clients are subscribed. Table 441 is illustrative only and various other data structures that associate a client identifier, e.g., a network address, and a priority level may be suitably substituted therefor. As shown in FIG. 1, clients 108-112 having respective IP addresses of IP-A, IP-B and IP-C, and table 441 associates priority levels of low, low, and high, respectively, to clients 108-112. After (or concurrently with) identification of the client priority, the web server and client complete the connection, for example by completion of a three-way handshake. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, traffic received by the web server after establishment of the connection with a client is priority filtered at a network layer on a per-processor basis in accordance with a client priority identified at connection of the client with the server. FIG. 5 is a data queue diagram configuration for service level agreement prioritization on a multi-processor server in a multi-tier network in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Data queue configuration 510 may be implemented as computer-readable instructions stored in a memory, such as local memory 209, and fetched therefrom by a processing unit, such as processor 202 or 204 shown in FIG. 2. In the illustrative example, assume web server 104 is a symmetric multi-processor system comprising n central processing units (designated CPU0-CPUn). In the illustrative example, each of processors CPU0-CPUn respectively have two queues allocated thereto for bi-level prioritization. Particularly, processor CPU0 has two queues 500a and 500b for bi-level prioritization queuing of data received by web server 104 from clients having one of two priority levels assigned thereto. In the present example, queue 500a is allocated for data received from clients of a first (max) priority, and queue 500b is allocated for frames received from clients of a low (max−1) priority. In the illustrative examples, queues of two priorities per processor are shown. However, the bi-level prioritization provided in the examples is illustrative only and is chosen to facilitate an understanding of the invention, and any number of processor queues and corresponding client priority levels may be substituted for the configuration shown. In a similar manner, other processors within the web server have similarly configured queues. In the illustrative example, processor CPU1 has queue 501a allocated for data received from high priority clients, and queue 501b is allocated for data received from clients of a low priority. Likewise, processor CPUn has queues 502a-502b allocated for respective data received from high and low priority clients. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a data queuing routine run on a server, such as server 400 shown in FIG. 4, providing prioritized services to clients in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The priority queuing routine shown in FIG. 6 is executed at a network layer, for example within network stack 430 shown in FIG. 4. The routine begins and awaits receipt of data. On receipt of the data (step 602), an evaluation is made to determine that the data was targeted to the receiving system (step 604), e.g., by evaluation of the destination address in network layer header 402b. In the event the data was not destined for the receiving system, the data is dropped into a bit bucket or otherwise discarded (step 606), and the data queuing routine cycle ends (step 626). Returning again to step 604, in the event that the data is destined to the receiving system, an evaluation is then made to determine if the data comprises traffic of an existing connection (step 607). For example, a source address and port number of the data may be read and compared with existing connection sockets. If the data is not part of an existing connection, a priority level of the client that originated the data is identified, and a connection with the client is established (step 609). The data queuing routine cycle then ends according to step 626. Returning again to step 607, if the data is traffic of an existing connection, an evaluation is then made to determine if the data has affinity with any of the system CPUs (step 608). As referred to herein, data is said to have affinity with a processor when the processor, or resources associated with the processor such as a cache system or the like, holds data, such as context data, necessary for processing of the data. If the data is identified as having affinity for any of the system processors, a priority of the data is then identified (step 610). For example, the source address of network layer header 402b may be read and compared to a predefined criteria that correlates source addresses and priority levels as defined or accessed by filter 440 shown in FIG. 4. An evaluation of the priority is then made (step 612). In the event the data priority is evaluated as low at step 612, the data is placed in the low priority queue of the processor with which the frame is identified as having affinity (step 614), and the prioritization routine cycle then ends according to step 626. Alternatively, if the data is evaluated as high priority data at step 612, the data is placed in the high priority queue of the processor with which the data is identified as having affinity (step 616). The prioritization routine cycle then ends according to step 626. Returning again to step 608, if the data is not identified as having affinity with any system processors, the priority level of the frame is then checked (step 618), and an evaluation is then made to determine if the data was originated from a client having a low priority (step 620). If it is determined that the data originated from a client having a low priority, a CPU is then chosen and the data is placed in a low priority queue of the chosen CPU (step 624). For example, a CPU chosen for queuing of the data may be made by a round robin selection routine. Other scheduling mechanisms may be suitably substituted therefor. Once the data is placed in a low priority queue of a CPU, the prioritization routine cycle then ends according to step 626. Returning again to step 620, in the event that the data is identified as originating from a high priority client (that is, the client priority is not identified as a low priority at step 620), the data is placed in a high priority queue of one of the system processors (step 622), for example by selecting the processor that has the lowest number of tasks in its respective high priority queue. The prioritization routine cycle then ends according to step 626. Data is then retrieved from the processor queues based on the queue priority for transmission of the data across the network. For example, data queued on a per-processor basis at web server 104 shown in FIG. 1 that comprises a database transaction to be performed on data store 106 is transmitted from web server 104 to web application server 105 according to the data prioritization, that is with processing precedence provided to higher priority requests with respect to lower priority requests. Thus, the transmission of data during processing of a transaction in a multi-processor data processing system deployed in a multi-tier network is made in accordance with client priority classes. By allowing multiple queuing mechanisms at the data queue level in the TCP/IP network stack and correlating the connection priority with the data priority, higher priority clients are ensured to get requests serviced before a lower priority client. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a mechanism for extending or transferring request priorities from node-to-node in a multi-tier network system is provided. FIG. 7A is a diagrammatic illustration of a multi-tier network system in which data priority transfers are implemented according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrative example, a web server 704 implemented as an HTTP server sends web pages or other data to clients 708 and 709 by way of respective client connections 710 and 711 responsive to receiving HTTP requests therefrom. Additionally, web server 704 may provide data other than HTTP data, such as applications, to clients 708 and 709. Web server 704 interfaces and communicates with web application server 705. Web application server 705 handles application operations between browser-issued requests issued by clients 708 and 709 and back-end applications or databases, such as back-end database server 706 that interfaces with web application server 705 and that executes database transactions on database 702. In general, respective connections 710 and 711 between clients 708 and 709 and web server 704 are established as dynamic or short-lived connections. Connections 715a-715b and 720a-720b respectively interconnecting web server 704 with web application server 705 and web application server 705 with backend database server 706 are persistent connections. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a priority of a transaction request submitted by a client that is received at web server 704 is identified by web server 704 as described above. The priority is then propagated to a persistent connection with back-end database server 706. To this end, web server 704, during establishment of persistent connections 715a-715b with web application server 705, assigns priorities to connections 715a-715b. Likewise, application server 705, during establishment of persistent connections 720a and 720b with back-end database server 706, assigns priorities to connections 720a and 720b. In the illustrative example, each of connections 715a-715b and 720a-720b are representative of one or more similar connections. For example, connections 715a may be implemented as a pool of a plurality of connections each assigned (or collectively assigned) a common priority. In the present example, connections 715a and 720a are respectively representative of one or more connections of a first priority class, high (HI), and connections 715b and 720b are respectively representative of one or more connections of a second, lower priority class, low (LO). Prioritized processing of client requests is provided by transferring, or extending, priority processing across all nodes involved in processing a client request. Each of the nodes involved in processing the transaction, e.g., web server 704, web application server 705, and backend database server 706, provides priority precedence in processing of data. For example, web server 704, on receipt of data from a client, identifies a priority of the client data by, for example, the mechanisms described above with respect to FIG. 4. Data is then queued and processed at web server 704 according to the data priority corresponding to the client priority level identified by web server 704. For example, assume web server 704 has received and queued both high priority data of a transaction request from a high priority client to be processed by backend database server 706 and low priority data of a transaction request from a low priority client to be processed by backend database server 706. The high priority data is transmitted to web application server 705 prior to transmission of the low priority data due to the processing precedence provided to the high priority client. Web application server 705, in turn, processes the data received from web server 704 according to the client data priority. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, web application server 705 priority processes data according to the connection on which the data is received at web application server 705. In the illustrative example, data received by web application sever 705 via HI priority connections 715a is placed in high priority queue 731a of (or interfaced with) priority filter 731, and data received by web application server via LO priority connections 715b is placed in low priority queue 731b of (or interfaced with) priority filter 731. Accordingly, high priority data processed and transmitted with precedence over low priority data by web server 704 is likewise provided processing precedence by web application server 705. Web application server 705, in turn, transmits high priority data to backend database server 706 with precedence over low priority data. Thus, the backend system (backend database sever 706 in the present example) may queue and process high priority data with greater precedence over lower priority data. In the illustrative example, backend database server 706 places high priority data in high priority queue 707a of (or interfaced with) filter 707, and places low priority data in low priority queue 707b of (or interfaced with) priority filter 707. Thus, by configuring each node to identify data priority based on a connection by which the data is received, prioritized processing is provided across each tier involved in transaction processing in a multiple tiered data processing system network. The priority of processing data is reciprocally provided in multi-tier network 700. That is, data received (e.g., return data resulting from execution of a database transaction by backend database server 706) by web application server 705 via a priority class HI connection 720a from backend database server 706 is provided greater processing precedence by web application server 705 than transactions received via priority class LO connections 720b. Likewise, data received by web server 704 from web application server 705 via HI priority connections 715a is provided greater processing precedence than data received by web server 704 from web application server 705 via low priority connections 715b. Thus, prioritization of transaction processing is provided in multi-tier network 700 during both transaction request and transaction return messaging. With reference now to FIG. 7B, a diagrammatic illustration of prioritized data queues configured to facilitate data processing prioritization transfer in a multi-tier network is shown in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Data queues 760a-762b may be implemented as computer-readable instructions stored in a memory, such as a local memory, and fetched therefrom by a processing unit of a server system deployed as a front-end node in multi-tier network 700. Data queues 760a-762b are preferably implemented within, or interface with, a priority filter, such as priority filter 730 run by web server 704. Data queues 760a-762b are examples of per-processor data queues, such as queues 500a-502b shown in FIG. 5, for frame-level data queuing as described above. In the present example, high priority queues 760a, 761a, and 762a are logically mapped to high priority connections 715a, and low priority queues 760b, 761b, and 762b are logically mapped to low priority connections 715b. Logical mappings 770a-772b for associating respective queues 760a-762b with connections of a particularly priority may be implemented by, for example, a linked list, relational database, or any other suitable data structure. Thus, data queued in high priority queues 760a-762a to be transmitted to web application server 705 is provided precedence for transmission via high priority connections 715a over data queued in low priority queues 760b-762b for transmission via low priority connections 715b. In the illustrative examples, queues and connections of two priority classes are shown. However, the bi-level prioritization provided in the examples is illustrative only and is chosen to facilitate an understanding of the invention, and any number of queues and connection priority levels may be substituted for the configuration shown. To facilitate transfer of processing priorities across nodes of multi-tier network 700, priority filters are implemented in each node involved in processing of the transaction. With reference now to FIG. 7C, a diagrammatic illustration of a priority filter that maps client connections to back-end connections for transferring priority classes across nodes in a multi-tier network of data processing systems is shown in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Priority filter 731 is preferably implemented as a set of computer-readable instructions and may be implemented in, or interface with, a network stack of the host server, e.g., web application server 705, running priority filter 731. In intermediate nodes, i.e., nodes that receive data to be processed and that must forward data to another node in multi-tier network 700, transfer of priority classes is facilitated by logical mappings between front-end and back-end server addresses. In the illustrative example, web application server 705 has two network addresses through which front-end connections may be made with web server 704, namely IP addresses 9.3.192.7 and 9.3.192.9, and web application server 705 has two network addresses through which back-end connections may be made with back-end database server 706, namely IP addresses of 9.3.190.7 and 9.3.190.9. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, priority classes are transferred from a requesting entity to a target entity via an intermediate server of multi-tier network 700 by way of mappings between prioritized connections. To this end, associations between web application server front-end addresses and back-end address are defined by filter 731. In the illustrative example, table 740 defines front-end (destination) addresses at which data is received by web application server 705, e.g., from web server 704 on behalf of clients 708 and 709 and corresponding priorities of the front-end addresses. Particularly, record 741 of table 740 defines a priority class of HI for requests received by web application server 705 with a destination address of 9.3.192.7, and record 742 of table 740 defines a priority class of LO for requests received by web application server 705 with a destination address of 9.3.192.9. Another table 750 defines source (back-end) addresses with which web application server 705 connects with back-end database server 706 and corresponding priorities for the back-end addresses. Particularly, record 751 of table 750 defines a priority class of HI for connections with back-end database server 706 established with the web application server source address of 9.3.190.7, and record 752 of table 750 defines a priority class of LO for connections with back-end database server 706 established with the web application server source address of 9.3.190.9. Thus, on identification of a priority of data received by web application server 705, the request priority may be transferred to the back-end database by sending the request on a connection that has a corresponding priority. For example, assume a request for a database query is issued by client 708 and is received by web application server 705 from web server 704. The request is analyzed to determine the destination address to which the request was directed. On identification of the destination address of the request, a priority of the request is determined based on the association of the destination address and priority class. Alternatively, the request priority may be identified by way of the connection on which the data is received by web application server 705. For example, web application server 705 may simply identify any data received over connections 715a as high priority data and any data received over connections 715b as low priority data. Upon identification of the data priority, a source address that corresponds to the determined priority class is then identified and the request is communicated to the back-end service via the source address that has a corresponding priority. As an example, assume a request from client 708 is sent to web application server 705 via web server 704 and that web server 704 connects with web application server 705 by addressing a request to the low priority front-end address (9.3.192.9) of web application server 705. For example, web server 704 may connect with web application server 705 on low priority connection 715b that terminates at the low priority front-end address of web application server 705 after identifying client 708 as having a low priority SLA. Such an identification of client 708 may be made by a filter mechanism that identifies client priority SLAs, such as filter 441 shown and described in FIG. 4. On receipt of the request data by the web application server, the request is supplied to priority filter 731 and the front-end address at which the data was received by web application server 705 is read. In the present example, priority filter 731 reads the front-end address of web application server 705 to which the request was addressed and identifies the request as a LO priority address by way of the front end destination address and priority association defined in record 742. On identification of the request as a LO priority request, web application server 705 then communicates the request to back-end database server 706. Particularly, web server 705 includes the low priority source address (9.3.190.9) in the request and supplies the request to low priority connection 720b for communication to back-end database server 706. Accordingly, by implementing a priority filter in back-end database server 706 that queues requests according to the request priority, backend database server 706 may process requests according to predefined priority classes that have been originally identified at a front-end node of multi-tier network 700, e.g., web server 704, and that has been propagated through each node involved in conveying the transaction request to backend database server 706. In the illustrative example, back-end database server 706 includes priority filter 707 that provides a higher precedence to requests received over high priority connection 720a than requests received over low priority connection 720b. Particularly, priority filter 707 includes, or interfaces with, high priority queue 707a and low priority queue 707b in which requests received over respective high priority connections 720a and low priority connections 720b are queued. Accordingly, processing of requests received at back-end database server 706 may be performed according to priority classifications that are transferred between multiple tiers in a network of data processing systems. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of runtime processing performed by a priority filter for transferring request according to request priorities across nodes in a data processing system network in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The runtime routine processing depicted in flowchart 800 is preferably implemented by computer-readable instructions implemented as a filter, such as priority filter 730, that is processed by a data processing system, such as web application server 705 and is used to dispatch queued data from prioritized queues. The runtime priority filter routine begins, for example, on system boot or another invocation, and awaits receipt of a request, such as a database transaction request or other back-end service transaction. On receipt of the request (step 802), e.g., upon dispatch from a queue, an evaluation of the request priority is made by the priority filter (step 804). In particular, the request is evaluated to determine if the request is a low priority request. In the event the request is evaluated as a low priority request, the run-time priority filter routine proceeds to evaluate whether a connection exists for LO priority requests (step 806). If a low priority connection does not exist, one is established (step 808) and the routine then proceeds to send the request on the newly established LO priority connection (step 810). If, at step 806, it is determined that a LO priority connection already exists, e.g., low priority connections 720b in FIG. 7A, the runtime priority filter routine then proceeds to send the request on the LO priority connection according to step 810. After the request is send via the LO priority connection, the runtime priority filter cycle then completes (step 818). Returning again to step 804, if the request is not evaluated as a LO priority request, an evaluation is made to determine if a HI priority connection exists (step 812). If a HI priority connection does not exist, one is established (step 814) and the routine then proceeds to send the request on the newly established HI priority connection (step 816). If, at step 812, it is determined that a HI priority connection already exists, e.g., high priority connections 720a, the runtime priority filter routine then proceeds to send the request on the HI priority connection according to step 816. After the request is sent via the HI priority connection, the runtime priority filter cycle then completes according to step 818. Thus, by implementing data prioritization at the backend service, e.g., in filter 707, data processing priority is provided to clients of different priorities in a multi-tier network. For example, filter 707 may include high priority queue 707a and low priority queue 707b for providing processing precedence for data received over high priority connections 720a and low priority connections 720b. It should be understood that the examples of bi-priority request filtering and priority transfers are illustrative only, and the teachings of the invention may be extended to a system having any number of request priority classes. As described, embodiments of the present invention provide mechanisms for transferring request priorities across nodes in a network of data processing systems. By transferring request priorities across multiple nodes in a data processing system network, the precedence of request processing is ensured in any node involved in conveying or processing of a transaction in a multi-tiered data processing system network. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, connections between two network nodes may have priorities dynamically reassigned for facilitating efficient network transmission capacity utilization. With reference again to FIGS. 7A and 7B, high priority connections 715a and 720a preferably comprise a plurality of respective connections that communicatively connect web server 704 with web application server 705 and web application server 705 with backend database server 706 used for conveyance therebetween of data classified as high priority. Low priority connections 715b and 720b preferably comprise a plurality of connections that communicatively connect web server 704 with web application server 705 and web application 705 with backend database server 706 for conveyance therebetween of data classified as low priority. That is, each of high priority connections 720a and low priority connections 720b comprise respective connection pools of high and low priority. The number of high priority connections 715a and 720a and low priority connections 715b and 720b is limited by the network infrastructure capacity, e.g., by the particular network interface cards terminating high priority connections 715a and 720a and low priority connections 715b and 720b, the respective processing capacity of web application server 705 and backend database server 706, and the like. Thus, a finite number of connections allocated to high priority connections 715a and 720a and low priority connections 715b and 720b may be respectively defined that represent the maximum number of concurrent connections that may be supported thereby. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, connections may be dynamically reassigned between connection priority classes to facilitate optimized utilization of network transmission capacity in a multi-tier network that services prioritized data transfers. In a preferred embodiment, a priority filter may define a maximum number of connections on a priority basis. For example, a maximum number of connections concurrently sustainable over high priority connections 715a and a maximum number of connections concurrently sustainable over low priority connections 715b may be defined in priority filter 730 run by web server 704 and in priority filter 731 run by web application server 705. Likewise, a maximum number of connections concurrently sustainable over high priority connections 720a and a maximum number of connections concurrently sustainable over low priority connections 720b may be defined in priority filter 731 run by web application server 705 and in backend database server filter 707. As referred to herein, a maximum number of connections that may be sustained over a common priority set of connections is referred to as the connections capacity. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a portion of a capacity of connections of a first priority may be reassigned to the capacity of connections of another priority to facilitate optimized network transmission capacity in a multi-tier network system. For example, if the number of high priority connections being utilized for transaction transmissions exceeds a saturation threshold that is a predefined portion of the total available high priority connections, an attempt may be made to reassign a subset of the low priority connections to the high priority connections. Reassignment of the subset of low priority connections to the high priority connections is preferably contingent on the number of low priority connections being utilized for low priority data transmissions being below an idle threshold that is a predefined portion of the total available low priority connections. That is, reassignment of a portion of the low priority connections capacity may be made if sufficient low priority connection capacity is idle or not in use. Thus, in the event that the amount of high priority data being transferred over the high priority connections is approaching the capacity of the high priority connections, the capacity of the high priority connections may be increased by reassigning connections designated as low priority to the high priority connections pool. Reassignment of the low priority connections to the high priority connections may be made, for example, by re-designating a subset of the low priority connections as high priority connections. With reference now to FIG. 9A, a diagrammatic illustration of a priority filter, or a module thereof, that facilitates dynamic reassignment of connection capacities between connection priority classes is shown in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Priority filter 950 is preferably implemented as a set of computer-readable instructions and may be implemented in, or interface with, a network stack of the host server running priority filter 950. Priority filter 950 is an example of a priority filter, such as priority filter 730 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, run by a network node that terminates a network connection. In the present example, priority filter 950 is run by a server that has two network addresses through which connections may be made with another network node. Particularly, priority filter 950 is illustrative of a priority filter run by web server 704 shown in FIG. 7 that establishes connections with web application server 705. In the illustrative example, priority filter 950 is implemented as a table having records 951 and 952 that respectively define two IP addresses 9.3.194.7 and 9.3.194.9 through which the network node running priority filter 950 establishes respective high and low priority connections 715a and 715b with web application server 705. Additionally, capacities of the connections established with respective addresses are defined in records 951 and 952. In the illustrative example, record 951 of filter 950 defines a priority class of HI for data transactions to be transmitted on connections having a source address of 9.3.194.7, and record 952 of filter 950 defines a priority class of LO for data transactions to be transmitted on connections having a source address of 9.3.194.9. In the filter configuration depicted in FIG. 9A, each of the high priority connections and low priority connections are respectively allocated a connection capacity of 100. In general, the connection capacity allocated to high priority connections and low priority connections comprises subsets or partitions of an overall transmission capacity of the network node running priority filter 950. The connection capacity may, for example, comprise a number of connections in a connection pool, logical channels on a connection medium, or the like. Thus, in the configuration shown, each of the high priority connections and low priority connections have equal capacity for transmission of respective data of high and low priority classes. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, capacity of one connection priority class may be reassigned to another connection priority class. Reassignment may be made, for example, on identification of predefined network metrics, such as traffic loads identified on respective high and low priority connections. For example, assume a large number of high priority clients relative to low priority clients are connecting with web server 704. Thus, the high priority connections terminated at source address 9.3.194.7 will experience a relatively high load, and low priority connections terminated at source address 9.3.194.9 will experiencing a relatively low load. In such a situation, capacity of the low priority connections is dynamically reassigned to the high priority connections. FIG. 9B is a diagrammatic illustration of priority filter 950 shown in FIG. 9A after reassignment of connection capacity from the low priority connection priority class to the high priority connection capacity class. In the illustrative example, half (50) the original connection capacity (100) has been reassigned from the low priority connections to the high priority connections resulting in a high priority connection capacity of 150 and a low priority connections capacity of 50. Preferably, the priority filter includes, or interfaces with, a traffic evaluation module that monitors the connection priorities of clients requesting connection with web server 704. For example, priority filter 730 may include a module for accumulating traffic metrics that indicate the relative loads of high and low priority clients. To facilitate connection capacity reassignment, the reassignment is propagated to each node in the multi-tier network. For example, on detection of a traffic condition that results in web server 704 reassigning low priority connection capacity to the high priority connection capacity, web server 704 issues a reassignment command to web application server 705 directing web application server 705 to configure the termination of high priority connections 715a and low priority connections 715b according to the capacity reassignment. In the example provided above with reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B, web server 704 would issue a reassignment directive to web application server 705 that directs web application server 705 to increase the capacity of high priority connections terminated at web application server high priority address 9.3.192.7 by 50 connections, and to reduce the capacity of low priority connections terminated at web application server low priority address 9.3.192.9 by 50 connections. In a similar manner, web application server 705 increases the capacity of high priority connections 720a and decreases the capacity of low priority connections 720b that interconnect web application server 705 with backend database server 706. Reassignment of capacity of low priority connections 720b to high priority connections 720a is preferably performed in corresponding proportion to the reassignment made between web server 704 and web application server 705. In a like manner, web application server 705 issues a directive to backend database server 706 to configure the termination of high priority connections 720a and low priority connections 720b according to the reassignment made at web application server 705. Thus, the connection capacity reassignment invoked at web server 704 in response to traffic conditions detected thereby is propagated through intervening nodes and to the backend database server 706. FIG. 9C is a diagrammatic illustration of web server 704, web application server 705 and backend database server 706 and connections therebetween prior to reassignment of connection capacity. In the illustrative example, dashed lines in connections 715a-715b and 720a-720b are each representative of a connection capacity of 50. Accordingly, each of the high priority connections 715a and 720a are configured with a connection capacity of 100. After the exemplary reassignment described above, a connection capacity of 50 has been reassigned from low priority connection 715b to high priority connection 715a, and from low priority connection 720b to high priority connection 720a as diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 9D. With reference now to FIG. 10, a flowchart of a connection priority reassignment routine for reassigning connections between different priority classes is shown in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The connection priority reassignment routine depicted in FIG. 10 is preferably implemented as computer-readable instructions implemented as, or that interface with, a priority filter that is processed by a data processing system, such as web server 704 shown in FIG. 7, in a multi-tier network system. The connection priority reassignment routine begins, for example on system boot or on invocation by a user such as a system administrator, and measures the high priority connections load (step 1002). The high priority connections load may be determined as a current number of connections being used on high priority connections, such as high priority connections 715a shown in FIG. 7, a measure of the number of high priority client requests received over a predefined interval at web sever 704, or by another suitable mechanism for identifying prioritized traffic loads. Alternatively, the high priority connections load may be a count of the number of high priority clients that have entered into an SLA with an administrator of web server 704. The high priority connections load is then compared with a saturation threshold (step 1004). The saturation threshold is a value that defines a high priority connection load level at which an attempt to add additional high priority connection capacity from another connection priority level is to be made. If the high priority connection load does not exceed the saturation threshold, the connection priority reassignment routine cycle then ends (step 1016). If, however, it is determined that the high priority connection load level exceeds the saturation threshold, the low priority connections load is measured (step 1006). Measurement of the low priority connections load may be made, for example, by reading a current load of the low priority connections, measuring an average load of the low priority connections over a predefined interval, a count of the number of clients that have a low priority SLA serviced by web server 704, or by another suitable mechanism. The low priority connections load is then compared with an idle threshold (step 1008). The idle threshold is a value that defines a low priority connection load level below which capacity of the low priority connections may be reassigned to the high priority connections without unduly impacting transmission performance of the low priority connections. For example, the idle threshold may be defined as fifty percent of the overall low priority connections capacity. Thus if the current load level of the low priority connections is less than fifty percent of the low priority connections capacity, a portion of the low priority connections capacity may be reassigned to the high priority connections. If it is determined that the low priority connections load is not less than the idle threshold at step 1008, the connection priority reassignment routine then evaluates whether the resource limits of the high priority connections have been reached (step 1009). If the resource limits on the high priority connections have been reached, the connection priority reassignment routine then ends according to step 1016. If it is determined that the resource limits have not been reached at step 1009, additional capacity that has not been assigned to any connection priority level is added to the high priority connections (step 1011). An evaluation is then made to determine if there is an additional downstream node (step 1013). If there is no downstream node, the connection priority reassignment routine cycle then ends according to step 1016. If a downstream node exists, a directive to add additional capacity to the high priority connections is issued to the downstream node (step 1015), and the connection priority reassignment routine cycle then ends according to step 1016. Returning again to step 1008, if the low priority connections load is determined to be less than the idle threshold at step 1008, the connection priority reassignment routine cycle then reassigns a portion of the low priority connections capacity to the high priority connections capacity (step 1010). An evaluation is then made to determine if there is another downstream node to be reconfigured according to the connection capacity reassignment (step 1012). If no downstream node exists, the connection priority reassignment routine cycle then ends according to step 1016. If it is determined that a downstream node exists at step 1012, the node issues a directive to the downstream node that directs the downstream node to reconfigure the connections according to the connection capacity reassignment (step 1014), and the connection priority reassignment routine cycle then ends according to step 1016. With reference now to FIG. 11, a flowchart of a connection priority reallocation routine for reallocating connection capacity previously reassigned to another connection priority class is shown in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The connection priority reallocation routine depicted in FIG. 11 is preferably implemented as computer-readable instructions implemented as, or that interface with, a priority filter that is processed by a data processing system, such as web server 704 shown in FIG. 7, in a multi-tier network system. The connection priority reallocation routine begins, for example on system boot or on invocation by a user such as a system administrator, and evaluates whether any low priority connection capacity has previously been reassigned to the high priority connection capacity (step 1102). If no low priority connection capacity has been previously reassigned to the high priority connections capacity, the connection priority reallocation routine cycle then ends (step 1114). If it is determined that any low priority connections capacity has previously been reassigned to the high priority connections capacity, a measurement of the low priority connections load is made (step 1104). An evaluation is then made to determine if the low priority connections exceeds a minimum spare capacity threshold (step 1106). As referred to herein, the minimum spare capacity threshold defines a low priority connection load level at which previously reassigned low priority connections capacity (or a portion thereof) is to be reallocated to the low priority connections capacity. If the low priority connections load does not exceed the minimum spare capacity threshold, the connection priority reallocation routine cycle then ends according to step 1114. If it is determined that the low priority connections load exceeds the minimum spare capacity threshold at step 1106, the low priority connections capacity (or a portion thereof) that was previously reassigned to the high priority connections capacity is reallocated to the low priority connections capacity (step 1108). An evaluation is then made to determine if there is another downstream node to be reconfigured according to the connection capacity reallocation (step 1110). If no downstream node exists, the connection priority reallocation routine cycle then ends according to step 1114. If it is determined that a downstream node exists at step 1110, the node issues a directive to the downstream node that directs the downstream node to reconfigure the connections according to the connection capacity reallocation (step 1112), and the connection priority reassignment routine cycle then ends according to step 1114. As described, the present invention provides mechanisms for reassigning connection capacity from one priority class to another priority class to facilitate optimized utilization of transmission capacity in a multi-tier network. As the capacity of connections of one priority class approaches saturation, spare capacity may be reassigned from another class to the priority class approaching saturation, and connection capacity reassignment is propagated through the multi-tier network. Additionally, mechanisms for reallocating connection capacity that was previously reassigned to connections of a priority class from which the capacity was originally reassigned is provided. Accordingly, the overall network capacity is more effectively utilized. It is important to note that while the present invention has been described in the context of a fully functioning data processing system, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the processes of the present invention are capable of being distributed in the form of a computer readable medium of instructions and a variety of forms and that the present invention applies equally regardless of the particular type of signal bearing media actually used to carry out the distribution. Examples of computer readable media include recordable-type media, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a RAM, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and transmission-type media, such as digital and analog communications links, wired or wireless communications links using transmission forms, such as, for example, radio frequency and light wave transmissions. The computer readable media may take the form of coded formats that are decoded for actual use in a particular data processing system. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Technical Field The present invention relates generally to an improved data processing system and, in particular, to a mechanism for data queue prioritization in a multi-tier network system. Still more particularly, the present invention provides a mechanism for queuing client data prioritized in a networked data processing system on a per-processor basis. Additionally, the present invention provides a mechanism for dynamically adjusting the priority of persistent connections between a mid-tier and backend data server at the network layer in a multi-tier network. 2. Description of Related Art Various networked data processing system traffic control schemes for queuing and filtering network traffic are used for providing service level agreement (SLA) traffic prioritization. For example, the Linux network stack has infrastructure for traffic control that has queuing disciplines (qdisc) and filters. A hierarchy of qdiscs can be constructed jointly with a class hierarchy to support Quality of Service (QoS) features. Traffic can be routed to different classes by employing filters that are matched against packet header fields. For receive side, that is the server side in a multi-tier network, prioritization is provided on a connection basis. For example, when an incoming connection is established, the connection may be prioritized based on one or more priority filters to queue the connection in one of a plurality of queues allocated to different priority classes. However, such queuing mechanisms rely on connection prioritizations. For example, in a network using the transport control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), a connection is established after completion of a three-phase process typically referred to as a three-way handshake. In such systems, prioritization is limited to granting or denying a connection based on a client priority level and, for example, network metrics such as traffic loads. In implementations where prioritization is enforced only at the connection level, priority is enforced depending on the arrival of the incoming connections when multiple priority clients are serviced concurrently. For example, if the arrival of the connections are a mix of high and low priority connections then high priority connections are serviced prior to servicing the low priority connections. However, after the connections are established, all the connections are treated without any discrimination. Additionally, SLA traffic prioritization may sometimes result in inefficient utilization of the overall network system transmission capacity. For example, the network system transmission capacity may be partitioned into capacities that are respectively allocated to different traffic priority classes. In the event that one traffic priority class experiences a heavy load, the network system capacity allocated to that traffic priority class may become saturated, or consumed. In the event that a second traffic priority class experiences a traffic load below the capacity allocated to the second traffic priority class, an idle portion of the second traffic priority class capacity will be unused, while at the same time traffic of the first priority class may be blocked from transmission due to saturation of the first traffic priority class. In such a situation, the overall network transmission capacity is underutilized. It would be advantageous to provide a mechanism for network-level prioritization for providing SLA prioritization queuing of inbound traffic at a server providing connectivity to clients of different priorities. It would be further advantageous to provide a mechanism for providing network-level prioritization in a multi-processor system of a multi-tier network for priority queuing of incoming traffic on a per-processor basis. It would further be advantageous to provide a mechanism to more efficiently utilize network transmission capacity in a network featuring SLA prioritization of traffic data.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention provides a method, computer program product, and a data processing system for data prioritization in a multi-tier network system. A server having a plurality of processors receives data from a client. A priority of the client is then identified. Responsive to identifying the priority, the data is queued in a queue of a first plurality of queues associated with a first processor of the plurality of processors. The queue is one of a plurality of queues associated with the first processor and is associated with the priority. Additionally, mechanisms for reassigning connection capacity from one priority class to another priority class at the network layer in a multi-tier network system based on changes in SLAs used for the first-tier setups to facilitate optimized utilization of the transmission capacity of a multi-tier network is provided. As the capacity of connections of one priority class approaches saturation, spare capacity may be reassigned from another class to the priority class approaching saturation between the first-tier systems. Additionally, mechanisms for replicating or mirroring the connection capacity reassignment between second-tier systems is provided.
20041216
20081202
20060622
67921.0
H04L100
1
PATEL, AJIT
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONNECTION CAPACITY REASSIGNMENT IN A MULTI-TIER DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM NETWORK
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
H04L
2,004
11,014,133
ACCEPTED
System and method for computer-aided technician dispatch and communication
A system and method for computer aided technician dispatch and communication are disclosed. The system comprises a communications system linking a plurality of subscribers, a team of technicians, a service representative, and a user; an input terminal (100) for receiving information, the information comprising service request information from the plurality of subscribers (116), and work order information from the team of technicians (110), a server (116) coupled to the input terminals for processing the information and generating a graphical representation of the information, and , a display (104) for receiving the graphical representation and presenting the graphical representation to a user (112). A method for computer aided technician dispatch and communication comprises five steps. Those steps are (1) communicating with a plurality of subscribers and team of technicians; (2) receiving information, the information comprising service request information from the subscriber and work order information from the team of technicians, (3) entering the information in an input terminal, the input terminal coupled to a server; (4) processing the information, the processing resulting in a graphical representation of the information; and (5) displaying the graphical representation to a user.
1. A method for automatically assigning technicians to a plurality of unassigned work orders, comprising: creating a list comprised of the plurality of unassigned work orders; determining a number of technicians that are qualified to complete each of the plurality of unassigned work orders in the list; grouping the plurality of unassigned work orders in the list as a function of the number of technicians determined to be qualified to complete each of the plurality of unassigned work orders; ordering each group of unassigned work orders as a function of an estimated time to complete a respective work order within the group; and producing a displayable set of technician assignments using the grouping and ordering of the unassigned work orders and time availability of the technicians to assign technicians to the plurality of unassigned work orders. 2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying to a user any unassigned work order not having at least one qualified technician. 3. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of additionally using a calculated distance between an unassigned work order and at least one predetermined location when assigning technicians to the plurality of unassigned work orders. 4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of assigning a number of points to each of the plurality of unassigned work orders in the list to indicate a perceived difficulty and using the points in the step of determining the number of technicians that are qualified to complete each of the plurality of unassigned work orders in the list. 5. The method as recited in claim 4, further comprising the step of using the points to determine time of availability of the technicians. 6. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying a graphical representation of a status of each of the unassigned work orders in the list. 7. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of creating the list comprised of the plurality of unassigned work orders over a predetermined time period. 8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the predetermined time period comprises a day. 9. A computer-readable medium having instructions for automatically assigning technicians to a plurality of unassigned work orders, the instructions performing steps comprising: creating a list comprised of the plurality of unassigned work orders; determining a number of technicians that are qualified to complete each of the plurality of unassigned work orders in the list; grouping the plurality of unassigned work orders in the list as a function of the number of technicians determined to be qualified to complete each of the plurality of unassigned work orders; ordering each group of unassigned work orders as a function of an estimated time to complete a respective work order within the group; and using the grouping and ordering of the unassigned work orders and time availability of the technicians to assign technicians to the plurality of unassigned work orders. 10. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 9, wherein the instructions perform the further step of displaying to a user any unassigned work order not having at least one qualified technician. 11. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 9, wherein the instructions perform the further step of additionally using a calculated distance between an unassigned work order and at least one predetermined location when assigning technicians to the plurality of unassigned work orders. 12. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 9, wherein the instructions perform the further steps of assigning a number of points to each of the plurality of unassigned work orders in the list to indicate a perceived difficulty and using the points in the step of determining the number of technicians that are qualified to complete each of the plurality of unassigned work orders in the list. 13. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 12, wherein the instructions further perform the step of using the points to determine time of availability of the technicians. 14. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 9, wherein the instructions perform the further step of displaying a graphical representation of a status of each of the unassigned work orders in the list. 15. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 9, further comprising the step of creating the list comprised of the plurality of unassigned work orders over a predetermined time period. 16. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 15, wherein the predetermined time period comprises a day.
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/919,450 filed Aug. 28, 1997. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the field of technician dispatch and more particularly to a system and method for computer-aided technician dispatch and communication. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Cable television and subscriber programming systems are well-known in the art. These systems typically consist of a service center and a plurality of subscriber locations, all serviced by a team of technicians. The service center includes a service representative, who is responsible for receiving incoming calls and requests for service. A dispatcher, who is responsible for ensuring that technicians are dispatched to subscriber locations that require service and for monitoring the technicians' progress, coordinates with the customer service representative at the service center site, or may be located at a different location. As subscribers need assistance, they call the service representative. The service representative typically screens the request, and determines whether or not technician assistance is required. Should technician assistance be required, the service representative generates a work order request. This work order request includes the customer's name, address, telephone number, date of service appointment, current service status, service requested, and other desirable service information. A computer may be used to aid in the input, storage, and transfer of this information. This work order is then forwarded to the dispatcher to assign the work order to a technician. Typically, the problem of assigning technicians to subscribers and tracking the technicians' progress is solved manually. In a conventional system, the information received by the dispatcher is in a list-based format and not formatted graphically. In the prior art, dispatchers use a conventional map and colored pins to represent the location of work orders and the location of technicians on the map. However, it is difficult to maintain the accuracy of this map throughout the day, as unexpected events may occur that interfere with the tracking of work orders. Further, there is a limit to the amount of information that a dispatcher can import from the map and from a list of job orders. As the day progresses, work order information, such as status, location, technician assigned, etc., may change, and, although this information may be entered in a computer immediately, it may be some time before the map is updated to reflect changes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of this invention to automate both the assignment of technicians to subscribers and monitoring the technician's progress throughout the day. This objective is achieved by providing an integrated computer and display system for conveying information regarding the location of technicians and the status of work orders to a dispatcher graphically. It is a further object of this invention to represent a work order as an icon on a display system. It is a further object of this invention to represent different statuses of a work order as different icons on a display system. It is a further object of this invention to quickly allow a dispatcher to discern whether a work order represents a specific type of service request such as an outage. In another embodiment, a system for computer-aided technician dispatch and communication is disclosed. The system comprises a communications system linking a plurality of subscribers, a team of technicians, a service representative, and a user; an input terminal for receiving information, the information comprising service request information from the plurality of subscribers, and work order information from the team of technicians, a server coupled to the input terminals for processing the information and generating a graphical representation of the information, and, a display for receiving the graphical representation and presenting the graphical representation to a user. In another embodiment, a method for computer aided technician dispatch and communication in accordance with the invention comprises five steps. Those steps are (1) communicating with a plurality of subscribers and a team of technicians; (2) receiving information, the information comprising service request information from the subscriber and work order information from the team of technicians, (3) entering the information in an input terminal, the input terminal coupled to a server; (4) processing the information, the processing resulting in a graphical representation of the information; and (5) displaying the graphical representation to a user. A technical advantage of the present invention is that a system and method for computer-aided technician dispatch and communication is provided. Another technical advantage is that the invention displays graphical representations of service requests or work orders on a map in accordance with their actual positions. Another technical advantage is that the invention automatically updates the graphical representations as changes to their statuses are recognized. Another technical advantage is that the invention allows technician information to be entered into the database. Another technical advantage is that the invention automatically routes pending, unassigned service requests or work orders in accordance with a predefined algorithm to account for skill and distance factors. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for computer-aided technician dispatch. FIG. 2 shows a representation of the map display window. FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a digitized map used in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a tree diagram of the menu structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows a tree diagram of the Admin. Mode menu structure. FIG. 6 shows a tree diagram of the Routing and Dispatch menu structure. FIG. 7 illustrates a preferred embodiment the routing process. FIG. 8 illustrates the assignment process according to one embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, which illustrates a block diagram of a system for computer-aided technician dispatch, a subscriber service request input terminal 100 is provided for a user, such as a service representative 112 or dispatcher 114. Work order/technician information input terminal 102 may also provided for a user. Both subscriber service request input terminal 100 and work order/technician information input terminal 102 are coupled to server 116. Server 116 may comprise map generation means 118, service request/work order processing means 120, routing means 122, and a database 124. In one embodiment, a separate work order generating means may be provided. In another embodiment, a separate work order processing means may be provided to process technician information. Other processors and databases may be provided as required. In the preferred embodiment, map generation means, service request/work order processing means 120, routing means 122 and database 124 are integrated applications running under a common operating system, such as Windows 95 or UNIX. Display 104 is provided for displaying information to a user. A plurality of displays may be provided throughout the system. In a preferred embodiment, display 104 comprises an input window (not shown) and a map window (not shown). Other windows may be provided as necessary. Subscribers 108 are linked by communications system 106 to service representative 112, dispatcher 114, and a team of technicians 110. Communications system 106 may be a standard telephone, a cellular phone, a facsimile, pager, e-mail, or any other means of communicating. Technicians may communicate over communications system 106 by telephone, cellular telephone, radio, wireless computer, or any other means of communicating. In a preferred embodiment, subscribers 108 communicate solely with service representative 112, while the technicians 110 communicate primarily with dispatcher 114. Occasionally, the technicians 110 may be required to communicate with subscribers 108 for various reasons, such as to confirm an appointment, to change an appointment, to get directions, etc. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, service representative 112 may comprise an automated call answering system 113 to record and enter subscriber service requests. For example, by using the numeric keypad on a telephone, a subscriber 108 may be able to request a service call by navigating a series of menus without actually speaking to service representative 112. Service representative 112 may be required to contact subscribers 108 in the event of scheduling difficulties or for other reasons. In an alternate embodiment, service representative 112 may further comprise an e-mail mailbox that receives and processes electronic service request via e-mail. In a preferred embodiment, team of technicians 110 may be able to access server 116 directly in order to enter work order information. Subscribers typically communicate service requests to service representative 102. These service requests may include reception difficulty, disconnection requests, addition or deletion of channels, or any other service request. Technicians typically communicate work order status, including completed, in service, or not completed; location information; scheduling information; or any other required information. In a preferred embodiment, technician location may be tracked using a global positioning system sensor, which transmits the technician location to the server directly. Other means of transmitting location or data to the server may also be used. Referring to FIG. 2, which depicts a flowchart of the method for computer-aided technician dispatch, in step 200, a service request is received. Typically this will be from a subscriber or a potential subscriber, but it may also be from a technician. In step 202, the service representative determines whether or not the service request is for a current subscriber or not. If it is not, in step 204 the service representative may have the potential subscriber give necessary subscriber information, which may include name, address, telephone number, etc. If the service request is from a current subscriber, in step 206, the server retrieves the subscriber information from the database. In step 208, the service request is entered into the service request input terminal 100. Next, in step 210, the information is processed, and a graphical representation of the service request is created. In order to develop this, the service status of the service request may be considered: Once the graphical representation is complete, the map and graphical representations of service requests are displayed in step 212. Referring again to FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment, once the service request information is entered into input terminal 100, a work order is created. A work order is a compilation of all information for use either by team of technicians 110, dispatcher 114, or service representative 112. Typically, a work order may be assigned a number to facilitate reference by team of technicians 110 or dispatcher 114. Work order information may be entered, updated, deleted, or otherwise accessed through work order input terminal 102. Referring now to FIG. 3, which illustrates an example of a display means 301 comprised of a digitized map in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a representation of a service area is shown in map window 300. Map window 300 may be moved up, down, left, or right using the pan buttons 350. Further, the amount of the service area that is displayed in map window 300 may be adjusted using zoom control 352. Zoom control 352 may provide a plurality of levels of detail. Service requests are represented in map window 300 by using graphical representations of the service request. In a preferred embodiment, icons 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, and 312 are used as graphical representations. A different icon may be used to represent the various statuses of a service request. For example, a service request that is assigned to a technician may be shown as 302. A service request that has been canceled may be shown as 304. A service request that has been completed by a technician may be shown as 306. A service request that is currently being serviced by a technician may be shown as 308. A service request that is unassigned may be shown as 310. A service request that represents an outage may be shown as 312. Other graphical representations may be used to show these and other service request statuses. Other information may be conveyed through the properties of the graphical representations of the service requests. For instance, the color of the graphical representation of the service request may mean different things. A red graphical representation of a service request may indicate that the technician is late for a scheduled appointment; a flashing graphical icon may indicate that a technician is spending more time that was allotted for a certain service request, etc. Other properties of the graphical representations may be used to convey other information as well. A user may have the ability to have all outages that have been reported and entered displayed at once using the Outages: Show button 354. This will cause outages, indicated by graphical representation 312, to be shown on the map. Referring to FIG. 4, which shows a tree diagram of the menu structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, the system starts by having the user log on to the system 400. In this step, the user may be required to enter a user name and password. Once this is complete, the user selects a service area or fulfillment center in step 402. This may be especially useful when one service center serves several service areas. Once the fulfillment center is chosen, the user is launched into the dispatch work space 404. From this platform, the user may select either the Admin. Mode 406 or the Dispatch Mode 408. The Admin. Mode 406 allows the user to run administrative functions, such as functions dealing with technicians 410, work orders 412, quota 414, which are defined as the effort needed to complete a work product or task on a work order, or scheduled areas 416, which are defined as the boundaries that subdivide a service area. Each Admin. Mode 406 area will be discussed in detail below. Referring to FIG. 5, which shows a tree diagram of the Admin. Mode menu structure, Techs window 410 gives the user two options. They are the Add Tech option 502 and the Edit option 504. The Add Tech option 502 allows the user to enter information about a technician, which may include the technician's name, phone number, start date, and termination date. Other information may be added if required. The Edit option 504 provides the ability to edit information that already exists. From Edit 504, the user may edit Shift information 506, edit Skills information 508, edit Driver information 510, and edit Private information 512. From the edit shift information 510 the user may enter and update information dealing with the technician's Scheduled Hours 514, the Scheduled Areas 516 that the technician may be assigned jobs from, and the daily Start/End Location 518 for a technician. The Start/End Location 518 information may be entered as an address, as a longitude/latitude position, or any other positioning system. The edit Skills information 508 allows the user to update and add new skills to a particular technician's record. This may involve assigning a number of points to a technician based on his or her assessed skill level. The edit Driver information 510 allows the user to enter information such as a commercial driver license information, height, weight, eye color, birth date, gender, etc. Comments may be added as necessary. The edit Private information 512 may be used to record miscellaneous comments about a particular technician. The Admin. Mode 406 also allows a user to define Schedule Areas 412. As discussed earlier, schedule areas are defined as the boundaries that subdivide a service area. These subdivisions may be defined by a franchise tax area, zip codes, geographical codes, or any other means for dividing a service area. The user may define the schedule areas based on these methods. New schedule areas may be added as appropriate. Quota 414 may be set in Admin. Mode 406. The user may assign a particular number of points to a particular task depending on the difficulty of the task. For example, connecting a customer to cable in a pre-wired apartment may be worth 20 points, indicating a low skill requirement and a low time requirement, while installing cable to a home that has not been pre-wired may be worth 50 points. These points are used to determine how many jobs a technician may complete in a given work day, and the amount of skill required to complete them. Referring to FIG. 6, which shows a tree diagram of the Routing and Dispatch menu structure, from the Routing and Dispatch window 408, the user may use the automatic routing feature 418, enter the Work Order Processing window 420, or view the fulfillment center map 422. The automatic routing feature 418 is used to automatically route unassigned work orders or service requests to available technicians. If the user does not desire to use the automatic routing feature 418, the user may manually assign the service request or work order from the Routing and Dispatch window 408. From the Routing and Dispatch window 408 the user may select the Work Order Processing window 422. This window allows the user to choose to update Job information 602, Equipment information 604, and Comments 606. From the Job information window 602, the user may enter and edit information regarding the particular work that was done or is pending, what products or services have been requested and their current statuses, and the current products that the subscriber has. The user may also launch into the Customer window 608, the Service Location window 610, the Work Order window 612, and the Products window 614. Customer window 608 allows the user to update or enter information such as the customer type (e.g., regular, corporate, school, etc.), customer language preference, customer birth date, customer title, customer name, customer social security number, customer phone number, and any other information that may be required. Service Location window 610 allows the user to update or enter information regarding a particular service location, such as the address of the service location, postal route information, service location unit type (e.g., apartment, house, etc.) Work Order window 612 displays a schedule for a particular technician for a given time period, and may be used to cancel assigned work orders. Products window 614 allows unrequested equipment to be added to a customer's records. From the Equipment information window 604, the user may update information regarding the subscriber's current equipment and any requested equipment. The user may add a converter, box 616, Remove a converter box 618, Swap a converter box 620, or refresh a converter box 622. Comments window 606 allows comments to be entered as necessary. The user may also view the map 422 from the Routing and Dispatch window. This feature may be available from every menu for convenience. From the view map 422 option, the user may select a particular service request or work order that has been plotted on the map and have the Work Order Processing window 420 for that particular request displayed. Referring to FIG. 3, the user may also view outages by selecting the “Show Outages” option 354. Referring again to FIG. 6, the user may also select the “Show Tech” option from the Routing and Dispatch window 408. This will bring up the map window and show all jobs that are assigned to a particular technician. Referring now to FIG. 7, which is a diagram representing the routing process, first the input is received in step 701. Next, a list of all unassigned work orders is created in step 702. This may be done for a particular day, or any other time period. Next, in step 704, a list of available technicians to complete the work orders, which, as discussed earlier, contain service request information and may include additional information, is created. In step 706, a determination of the technicians that are qualified to complete the pending work orders is made. This may be done based on a skill rating that each technician may be assigned, and may include comparing the required time for the work order to a technician's available time. This list is temporarily associated with the work order record. Next, in step 708, the number of qualified technicians is counted and this number is also temporarily associated with the record. At the completion of step 708, each work order record should have a corresponding list of qualified technicians and number of qualified technicians associated with it. In step 710, a determination is made as to whether or not there are any work orders that do not have any qualified technicians. To make this determination, a counter n which is initially set to 0 is compared to the number of qualified technicians associated with each work order, generated in step 706. If there are any work orders that do not have any qualified technicians, a message indicating such is sent to the user in step 712. If there is at least one qualified technician for each work order, or a message has been sent to the user in step 712, a determination is next made as to whether or not any unassigned work orders remain to be assigned in step 714. If there are not, a message indicating such is displayed in step 728 and the process is completed in step 730. If there are, in step 716 a determination of whether or not any of the unassigned work orders have qualified technicians still available. If there are not any qualified technicians available (i.e., all of the available time for the qualified technicians is allocated) a message indicating this is sent to the user via a display in step 718, the remaining work orders are classified as “unassigned” in step 720 and the process is completed in step 730. If there are qualified technicians available for the unassigned work orders, in step 722 the counter n, which was originally set at 0, is incremented by 1. A determination is then made in step 724 if there are any work orders that have n qualified technicians associated. If there are not, the process loops back to step 714. If there are, the process assigns the work orders having n qualified technicians available in step 726. Next, in step 732, the process again creates a list of unassigned work orders. This list will not include the work orders previously assigned by step 726. The assignment in step 726 will be discussed in view of FIG. 8. Once the work orders having n qualified technicians is complete, the process loops back to step 714. Referring to FIG. 8, which illustrates the assignment process, in step 801, input is received. In step 802, the process counts the number of work orders having n qualified technicians available and then assigns this a number to a variable, i. In step 804, the process arranges the work orders in decreasing time-to-complete order. In this step, each work order is assigned a number from i to 1, where the work order that takes the longest to complete is assigned i and the work order that takes the shortest amount of time is assigned 1. The process, in step 806, then determines whether the number of qualified technicians, n, is equal to 1. If it is, the process, in step 808 starting with work order i assigns the work orders to the qualified technicians. If the technician does not have time available to complete the work order, determined in step 810, the work order is classified as “unassigned” in step 812 and, in step 814, a message is sent to the user indicating such. If it is determined in step 810 that the technician does have enough available time to complete the work, the work order is classified as “assigned,” in step 816, and the technician's schedule is updated in step 818. In step 822, 1 is decremented by 1, and in step 822, if i=0, indicating that all work orders having n technicians have been reviewed, the process returns to step 714 of FIG. 7. If i is not equal to 0, the process loops back to step 808 to continue reviewing these work orders. If, in step 806, n does not equal 1, distance will determine which of the at least one qualified technician will be assigned the work order. In step 826, a distance comparison for work order i is made. The comparison is made between work order i's location and the qualified technicians' assigned start and end points, as well as to other previously assigned work orders. The technician having the minimum distance in any of these comparisons will be assigned the work order. In step 828, a determination is made as to whether or not the technician has time available to complete the work order. If he does, in step 830, the work order is classified as “assigned” and in step 832 the technician's schedule is adjusted to include the work order. If the technician does not have time available to complete the work order, that technician is removed from the qualified technician list for work order i in step 834. A check is then made in step 836 to determine if any of the qualified technicians have available time to complete the work order i. If they do not, the work order is classified as “unassigned” in step 838. In step 840, a message is displayed to the user indicating such. If at least one technician has available time, the process loops back to step 826. Once the work order is classified as either “assigned” or “unassigned,” the process decrements i by 1 in step 842. In step 844, if i=0, indicating that all work orders have been reviewed, the process, in step 826, returns to step 714 of FIG. 7. If i is greater than 0, the process loops back to step 826. As an example of how this process works according to one embodiment of the invention, assume that there are 6 work orders (W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, and W6) to complete and 3 technicians (T1, T2, and T3) available. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 and Table 1, step 702 would return the data in the column entitled “Unassigned Work Order” and step 706 would return the data in the column entitled “Qualified Technicians.” Next, the step 708 would return the data in the column entitled “Number of Qualified Technicians.” The data in these columns would then be associated with the particular work order(s). For instance, work order W2 would have T1 and T2 associated with it, as well as the number of technicians that can complete the job, which is 2. TABLE 1 Unassigned Work Order Number of Qualified (time to complete) Qualified Technicians Technicians W1(4) T1 1 W2(3) T1, T2 2 W3(2) T2 1 W4(4) T1, T2, T3 3 W5(1) T1, T2 2 W6(5) None 0 Next, in step 710, the process determines that W6 does not have any qualified technicians. This would cause a message to be sent to the user in step 712. Since there are unassigned work orders (step 714), and there are qualified technicians for the unassigned work orders (step 716), the process looks at work orders with n=1 qualified technicians (step 724). Thus, the assignment process begins (step 726). Referring to FIG. 8 and Table 1, there are two work orders that have n equal to 1, W1 and W3. Thus, in step 802 i is equal to 2. The result of step 804 would be W1 followed by W3, with W1 assigned i=2 and W3 assigned i=1. Assuming that both technicians had available time to complete the work orders, step 816 would first assign W1 to T1 and, after decrementing i in step 820 and looping back to step 808, step 816 would then assign W3 to T2. Next, the process would loop back to step 714 of FIG. 7 and would look for work orders with n=2. Referring to Table 1, there are two work orders, W2 and W5, that have two qualified technicians. Step 804 of FIG. 8 would put the work orders in the order W2 followed by W5. The process, in step 826, considers the distance from the start location, the end location, or any previously assigned work order locations to the work order location in question. For example, referring to Tables 2 and 3, the distance data relative to the two qualified technicians for W2 is considered. Since the minimum distance for W2 from a previous point is 5 miles (from W1), T1 is selected to complete W2. TABLE 2 Technician 1 Location Miles To W2 W1 5 Start Location 16 End Location 20 TABLE 3 Technician 2 Location Miles To W2 W3 7 Start Location 6 End Location 14 Once a technician is selected, the process confirms that the selected technician has available time to complete the work order (step 828). Here, assuming T1 that T1 has available time (at least 3 hours) to complete W2, T1 is assigned W2 (step 830) and T1's schedule is updated to reflect this (step 832). After i is decremented (step 842), the same type of analysis is repeated for W5. The process then considers the work orders that have n=3 qualified technicians available using a similar type of analysis. Although the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made without departing from the intended scope as defined by the appended claims.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Cable television and subscriber programming systems are well-known in the art. These systems typically consist of a service center and a plurality of subscriber locations, all serviced by a team of technicians. The service center includes a service representative, who is responsible for receiving incoming calls and requests for service. A dispatcher, who is responsible for ensuring that technicians are dispatched to subscriber locations that require service and for monitoring the technicians' progress, coordinates with the customer service representative at the service center site, or may be located at a different location. As subscribers need assistance, they call the service representative. The service representative typically screens the request, and determines whether or not technician assistance is required. Should technician assistance be required, the service representative generates a work order request. This work order request includes the customer's name, address, telephone number, date of service appointment, current service status, service requested, and other desirable service information. A computer may be used to aid in the input, storage, and transfer of this information. This work order is then forwarded to the dispatcher to assign the work order to a technician. Typically, the problem of assigning technicians to subscribers and tracking the technicians' progress is solved manually. In a conventional system, the information received by the dispatcher is in a list-based format and not formatted graphically. In the prior art, dispatchers use a conventional map and colored pins to represent the location of work orders and the location of technicians on the map. However, it is difficult to maintain the accuracy of this map throughout the day, as unexpected events may occur that interfere with the tracking of work orders. Further, there is a limit to the amount of information that a dispatcher can import from the map and from a list of job orders. As the day progresses, work order information, such as status, location, technician assigned, etc., may change, and, although this information may be entered in a computer immediately, it may be some time before the map is updated to reflect changes.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>It is therefore an object of this invention to automate both the assignment of technicians to subscribers and monitoring the technician's progress throughout the day. This objective is achieved by providing an integrated computer and display system for conveying information regarding the location of technicians and the status of work orders to a dispatcher graphically. It is a further object of this invention to represent a work order as an icon on a display system. It is a further object of this invention to represent different statuses of a work order as different icons on a display system. It is a further object of this invention to quickly allow a dispatcher to discern whether a work order represents a specific type of service request such as an outage. In another embodiment, a system for computer-aided technician dispatch and communication is disclosed. The system comprises a communications system linking a plurality of subscribers, a team of technicians, a service representative, and a user; an input terminal for receiving information, the information comprising service request information from the plurality of subscribers, and work order information from the team of technicians, a server coupled to the input terminals for processing the information and generating a graphical representation of the information, and, a display for receiving the graphical representation and presenting the graphical representation to a user. In another embodiment, a method for computer aided technician dispatch and communication in accordance with the invention comprises five steps. Those steps are (1) communicating with a plurality of subscribers and a team of technicians; (2) receiving information, the information comprising service request information from the subscriber and work order information from the team of technicians, (3) entering the information in an input terminal, the input terminal coupled to a server; (4) processing the information, the processing resulting in a graphical representation of the information; and (5) displaying the graphical representation to a user. A technical advantage of the present invention is that a system and method for computer-aided technician dispatch and communication is provided. Another technical advantage is that the invention displays graphical representations of service requests or work orders on a map in accordance with their actual positions. Another technical advantage is that the invention automatically updates the graphical representations as changes to their statuses are recognized. Another technical advantage is that the invention allows technician information to be entered into the database. Another technical advantage is that the invention automatically routes pending, unassigned service requests or work orders in accordance with a predefined algorithm to account for skill and distance factors.
20041216
20100525
20050505
60893.0
2
KARDOS, NEIL R
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPUTER-AIDED TECHNICIAN DISPATCH AND COMMUNICATION
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,014,378
ACCEPTED
Method and system for financial advising
A method of providing financial advice to a client that provides sufficient confidence that their goals will be achieved or exceeded but that avoids excessive sacrifice to the client's current or future lifestyle and avoids investment risk that is not needed to provide sufficient confidence of the goals a client personally values. The method comprises obtaining typical client background information, as well as a list of investment goals, and ideal and acceptable values in dollar amounts and timing for each goal. The client is then asked to provide their preferences for each goal on the list compared to each other goal in the list, wherein the client's preference is expressed in terms of the price, in money or time, that the client is willing to pay in one goal to achieve another goal or a greater amount or sooner timing of other goals on the list. A matrix can be used to express these value contrasts. A recommendation is then created using the portfolio value, and the client goal preferences and the ideal and acceptable values of goals, by simulating models of the relevant capital markets and investing exclusively in passive investment alternatives to avoid the risk of potential material underperformance of active investments under the premise of avoiding investment risk that is not needed to confidently buy the client the goals they personally value. The recommendation may include a range of portfolio values over their life or time horizon within which the client's portfolio should remain in order to ensure the recommendation remains within a “comfort zone”, which represents sufficient confidence that the client's goals will be achieved while avoiding excessive current sacrifice. Periodic monitoring of the recommendation is also performed to capture changes to the client's goals and actual portfolio values based on the results of the capital markets. Appropriate changes to the recommendation can then be made to ensure that the recommendation remains within the “comfort zone”
1. A method of financial advising, comprising: determining an initial value of a client investment portfolio; obtaining a list of client investment goals, the list including ideal and acceptable values for each of the investment goals, wherein the ideal and acceptable values for each goal correspond to at least one of a dollar amount and a time for achieving the goal; obtaining a relative value comparison between pairs of investment goals within the list of goals, the relative value comparison being represented in terms of the price, in money or time, that the client is willing to pay in one goal within each pair of investment goals to achieve the other goal in the same pair of investment goals on the list; electronically simulating a plurality of model investment portfolio allocations using a capital market modeling technique; using the relative value comparison among the goals and the simulation of the plurality of portfolio allocations to obtain a recommendation comprising an investment allocation and a recommended value for each investment goal, where the recommended value for each goal is not better than the ideal value and not worse than the acceptable value; and wherein the recommendation has a measured confidence of exceeding the recommended value for each goal; and communicating the recommendation to the client. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the portfolio allocations include only passive investments only in order to avoid the possibility that the client investment portfolio will materially underperform the recommended portfolio asset allocation. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the market modeling technique comprises a Monte Carlo analysis of potential performance. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the ideal value of each goal is expressed either in terms of a soonest time for achieving the goal or a largest dollar value of the goal; and the acceptable value of each goal is a smaller dollar value or a later date for achieving that goal compared to the ideal value, and that is still acceptable to the client. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of using the relative value comparison among the goals further comprises determining whether relatively low valued goals can be achieved with only slight modifications to the values of other goals on the list. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining a relative value comparison among the goals further comprises developing a matrix of the goals that represents the relative comparison between the pairs of investment goals, and the step of using the relative value comparison comprises using the goal matrix to develop the recommendation. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: periodically monitoring the recommendation to determine whether, based on a current value of the client investment portfolio, the recommendation still has sufficient confidence of achieving the recommended set of goals or whether new advice is needed; determining whether the client would like to add new goals or remove goals from the list of investment goals, or make changes to the relative value contrast among the goals; and reperforming the simulating, using and communicating steps if the recommendation does not provide sufficient confidence, or has excessive confidence that therefore is subjecting the client to undue sacrifice to their lifestyle, planned lifestyle or excessive investment risk, or if the client has made changes to the relative value comparison among the goals. 8. A method of financial advising, comprising: determining an initial value of a client investment portfolio; obtaining a list of client investment goals, the list including ideal and acceptable values for each of the investment goals, wherein the ideal and acceptable values for each goal correspond to at least one of a dollar amount and a time for achieving the goal; obtaining a relative value comparison between pairs of investment goals within the list of goals, the relative value comparison being represented in terms of the price, in money or time, that the client is willing to pay in one goal within each pair of investment goals to achieve the other goal in the same pair of investment goals on the list; developing a matrix of the goals that represents the relative comparison between the pairs of investment goals electronically simulating a plurality of model investment portfolio allocations using a capital market modeling technique; using the goal matrix and the simulation of the plurality of portfolio allocations to obtain a recommendation comprising an investment allocation and a recommended value for each investment goal, where the recommended value for each goal is not better than the ideal value and not worse than the acceptable value; and wherein the recommendation has a measured confidence of exceeding the recommended value for each goal; and communicating the recommendation to the client. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the portfolio allocations include only passive investments only in order to avoid the possibility that the client investment portfolio will materially underperform the recommended portfolio asset allocation. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the market modeling technique comprises a Monte Carlo analysis of potential performance. 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the ideal value of each goal is expressed either in terms of a soonest time for achieving the goal or a largest dollar value of the goal; and the acceptable value of each goal is a smaller dollar value or a later date for achieving that goal compared to the ideal value, and that is still acceptable to the client. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of using the relative value comparison among the goals further comprises determining whether relatively low valued goals can be achieved with only slight modifications to the values of other goals on the list. 13. The method of claim 8, further comprising: periodically monitoring the recommendation to determine whether, based on a current value of the client investment portfolio, the recommendation still has sufficient confidence of achieving the recommended set of goals or whether new advice is needed; and reperforming the simulating, using and communicating steps if the recommendation does not provide sufficient confidence, or has excessive confidence that therefore is subjecting the client to undue sacrifice to their lifestyle, planned lifestyle or excessive investment risk. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of periodically monitoring further comprises determining whether the client would like to add new goals or remove goals from the list of investment goals, or make changes to the relative value contrast among the goals; and the steps of simulating, using and communicating are reperformed if the client has made changes to the relative value comparison among the goals. 15. A method of financial advising, comprising: determining an initial value of a client investment portfolio; obtaining a list of client investment goals, the list including ideal and acceptable values for each of the investment goals, wherein the ideal and acceptable values for each goal correspond to at least one of a dollar amount and a time for achieving the goal; obtaining a relative value comparison between pairs of investment goals within the list of goals, the relative value comparison being represented in terms of the price, in money or time, that the client is willing to pay in one goal within each pair of investment goals to achieve the other goal in the same pair of investment goals on the list; developing a matrix of the goals that represents the relative comparison between the pairs of investment goals electronically simulating a plurality of model investment portfolio allocations using a capital market modeling technique; and using the goal matrix and the simulation of the plurality of portfolio allocations to obtain a recommendation comprising an investment allocation and a recommended value for each investment goal, where the recommended value for each goal is not better than the ideal value and not worse than the acceptable value; and wherein the recommendation has a measured confidence of exceeding the recommended value for each goal. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising communicating the recommendation to the client. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the portfolio allocations include only passive investments only in order to avoid the possibility that the client investment portfolio will materially underperform the recommended portfolio asset allocation. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the market modeling technique comprises a Monte Carlo analysis of potential performance. 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the ideal value of each goal is expressed either in terms of a soonest time for achieving the goal or a largest dollar value of the goal; and the acceptable value of each goal is a smaller dollar value or a later date for achieving that goal compared to the ideal value, and that is still acceptable to the client. 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of using the relative value comparison among the goals further comprises determining whether relatively low valued goals can be achieved with only slight modifications to the values of other goals on the list. 21. The method of claim 16, further comprising: periodically monitoring the recommendation to determine whether, based on a current value of the client investment portfolio, the recommendation still has sufficient confidence of achieving the recommended set of goals or whether new advice is needed; and reperforming the simulating, using and communicating steps if the recommendation does not provide sufficient confidence, or has excessive confidence that therefore is subjecting the client to undue sacrifice to their lifestyle, planned lifestyle or excessive investment risk. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of periodically monitoring further comprises determining whether the client would like to add new goals or remove goals from the list of investment goals, or make changes to the relative value contrast among the goals; and the steps of simulating, using and communicating are reperformed if the client has made changes to the relative value comparison among the goals.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a non-provisional application of pending U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/530,144, filed Dec. 17, 2003, by David B. Loeper, titled “Method and System for Providing Investors Financial Planning Advice, Giving Consideration to Individual Values, Without Unnecessary Sacrifice or Undue Investment Risk with Accurate Confidence Levels,” and is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/916,358, filed Jul. 27, 2001, by David B. Loeper, titled “Method, System and Computer Program for Auditing Financial Plans,” which is a non-provisional of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/221,010, filed Jul. 27, 2000, by David B. Loeper, titled “Method, System and Computer Program for Auditing Financial Plans; and is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/434,645, filed Nov. 5, 1999, by David B. Loeper, titled “Method, System, and Computer Program for Auditing Financial Plans,” which is a non-provisional application of U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 60/107,245, filed Nov. 5, 1998, the entirety of each of which applications are incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the field of financial services, and in particular to a new method of financial advising. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of financial advising includes various best practices. These best practices include identifying a client's financial goals (e.g. desired retirement age, desired annual income at retirement, desired vacation budget in retirement, desired estate value at death. etc.). In some application of general industry practices, but not all, clients are also asked to rank the stated goals in relative order of importance. Generally accepted “Best practices” also include identifying the client's risk tolerance and creating an investment allocation aimed at producing the highest return for the client's risk tolerance and then based on that allocation's expected return, calculating the savings needed to achieve the client's goals. In a conventional approach, to determine the client's risk tolerance a financial advisor uses a risk tolerance questionnaire or asks the client about their tolerance for investment risk defined by various mathematical methods like standard deviation, semi-variance or more commonly the largest level of annual portfolio losses with which the client could tolerate. This risk tolerance inquiry may be more nuanced, such as attempting to determine the amount of assets or percentage of value of a retirement plan that the client is willing to put into assets of various risks. Whatever method of attempting to identify the client's risk tolerance is used, the result of this inquiry is then used in recommending an allocation and related investments to an individual. Often, investors are advised to accept a risk tolerance that is at or near the client's maximum endurance level for losses in their portfolio value. Often the allocations are tested using a Monte Carlo simulation based on assumptions of the capital markets, samples of historical data, or both. The results of these simulations normally are used to convey a confidence level and/or a percentage risk of failure to achieve a desired income level, assets at retirement or any other of the client's identified goals. In other approaches, such as wealth management, the client may define their risk tolerance and goals, and the advisor may provide advice regarding asset allocation relative to those risks and goals. Often, the financial advisor has the capability of running Monte Carlo simulations of future returns of various financial plans. These simulations can provide results which include a confidence level and therefore either an implicit or explicit percentage risk of failure to achieve a desired income level, assets at retirement, ending estate value, or other goals. As before, the client may be advised to allocate their assets in the asset classes modeled and to invest in a variety of managed or unmanaged portfolio choices. Advisors may advise the client that actively managed investment alternatives can exceed the performance of the asset classes themselves (i.e. that they can outperform the market). Often, the fact that such actively managed investment alternatives also carry the risk of materially underperforming the market may not be adequately conveyed to the client by the advisor, or such risk may simply not be adequately understood by the investor, or the advisor and that uncertainty is not normally considered in the confidence calculation. Typical disclaimers used in the industry, which are in significant part intended to provide legal safe harbor to the advisor (e.g. “past performance is not a guarantee of future results”), may not adequately convey to the client the nature of the risk in actively managed investments. This is because normally the confidence calculation was based on the uncertainty of asset class returns; but actively managed portfolios may equal, exceed or under-perform their respective asset classes thereby introducing additional uncertainty absent from the confidence calculation. Therefore, what that confidence number means may or may not be fully understood by the client, or the financial advisor for that matter. Furthermore, current approaches often involve periodic reviews of the performance of the client's portfolio. As part of the review the client may be provided with a chart, graph or other representation of how their portfolio has performed relative to the various capital markets (i.e. the client's optimal allocation to various asset classes for their risk tolerance). If performance was lower than expected or assumed by the advisor in the original consultation, the client may be advised to change investment managers, wait for a more favorable environment for the manager's “style” or perhaps increase the amount contributed to the portfolio. Alternatively, the client may be advised to eliminate one or more of the lowest-ranked goals. If, on the other hand, performance was better than expected, the client will typically not be advised to reduce the amount contributed to the portfolio, even if such a reduction based on the superior performance is possible (i.e., maintaining the original “risk tolerance” level). Thus, there is a need in the industry for a new method of financial advising that eliminates the substantial uncertainties associated with investing the client's assets in actively managed investment alternatives, does not position clients at their maximum tolerance for risk if there are more appealing choices the client could make that enable them to have sufficient confidence of achieving the goals they value and thus eliminates the aforementioned difficulties associated with conveying such risks to the client. Furthermore, there is a need to provide clients with periodic feedback that does not simply chart how their portfolio has performed relative to the market, but rather provides clients with a practical understanding of the concrete impact that the performance of their portfolio has had their desired goals. There is also a need for a more nuanced approach to evaluating client goals, which comprises more than a simple linear ranking of goals, but rather which interrelates all of the client's goals so that the client can make more informed and satisfying choices about their goals in light of the performance of their portfolio. As a result, the inventive system will be more highly valued by clients compared to current approaches. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The method of the invention is directed to applying a new method of financial advising that is more appropriate and more highly valued by individuals. The advising discipline includes a new method of identifying and assessing not only the client's goals, as in traditional services, but also identifying and assessing the price that the client is willing to pay in one goal to “buy” another goal (or portion of a goal) that is valued more highly. The method also includes a means of modeling the uncertainty in future markets so that represented confidence levels can be easily and fully understood by the client. The method includes a means of using probability analysis to define the balance between too much uncertainty and too much sacrifice. Thus, the method combines mathematical market simulation with the profiling of the client's goals, and the balance between too much and too little risk, to produce a package of goals and an investment strategy that balance the desire to have sufficient confidence, avoid unnecessary risk, yet make the most of the client's lifestyle and do so in a manner that is easily understood by the individual investor. Thus, Monte Carlo simulation and/or historical market analysis can be used to model market uncertainty in a manner that provides the client with a balance of sufficient confidence yet that also avoids undue sacrifice to their goals. Further, the method includes investing exclusively in passive investments, for which it is possible to mathematically prove in all material respects risk of underperforming or outperforming the targeted asset allocation. This is unlike actively managed investments, which carry the risk of material uncertainty of underperforming or potentially outperforming the asset allocation strategy. The method further comprises a periodic review and reanalysis of the client's goals. Quarterly reprioritization of goals can be performed, to eliminate outdated goals or goals that have become unimportant for any reason, and to add new goals. The periodic review and reanalysis also includes reviewing value of the client's portfolio to ensure that it remains within the “comfort zone,” i.e. the balance between insufficient confidence and too much sacrifice to one's lifestyle. By properly assessing the client's goals and their relative weighting, both unacceptable sacrifice and insufficient confidence can be avoided. The proper relative weighting of goals, in accordance with the client's subjective assessment and the advisor's interpretation of that assessment, is important in providing advice that minimizes any sacrifice as perceived by the client. A recommendation should include a target value for each goal not worse than the acceptable value and not better than the ideal value. A recommendation under this method of financial advice will have rational, sufficient confidence yet avoid excessive sacrifice to one's goals. Clients are preferably provided with a range of future portfolio values that would provide an acceptable range of confidence. Recommendations are reviewed periodically for changes in client's goals, changes in priorities among client's goals, and whether the risk of unacceptable outcomes has become too high (i.e. too much uncertainty which requires new advice about the choices the client has to bring the confidence level back into the “comfort zone”, or whether the performance of the portfolio has brought them to the point of having choices to increase goals or reduce risk). Because of the wide range of uncertainty in capital markets and changes to a client's future goals (in most reasonable probability simulation methods, a client may have an equal chance [i.e. 1 in 1000] at being broke in just a few years or dying with a multi-million dollar estate based only upon the uncertainty of asset class returns, exclusive of the uncertainty of active investment results relative to the markets and excluding the likelihood of future changes to client's goals) and therefore the notion of being able to have certainty to avoid an unsatisfactory result is erroneous. Also, attempting to provide the highest confidence level possible, can only come at the price of compromising client's goals and/or accepting more investment risk which contradicts the notion of avoiding unnecessary sacrifice to the client's lifestyle. In essence, in the absence of a reasoned acceptable range of confidence (i.e. attempting to get to the highest confidence level possible) no amount of conservatism (sacrifice) is too much. Therefore, this method embraces and manages the uncertainties of the future to provide continuous advice about the best choices a client can make about their lifestyle as well as the optimal acceptance and avoidance of investment risk in light of the uncertainties of the future, (not only in the markets, and not only by avoiding the added uncertainty of active investments, but also the uncertainty of the client's desire and willingness to change their goals or priorities throughout their lives as may be desired, or as may be necessary to obtain reasoned confidence, based on how the capital markets performed.) This method accomplishes this balance of the best choices based on what is currently known, what is currently planned to be desired, and reasonable confidence considering the effect of the uncertainty of future asset class returns on the client's lifestyle and their willingness to modify their goals. While traditional best practices attempt to be “right” about where a client may end up falling in the wide range of market uncertainties (assuming they do not change their goals and their active portfolio implementation doesn't under-perform the asset classes) the reality of the wide potential extremes of outcomes sets up financial advisors and their client's for a continuous stream of surprises without a means of taking a determined course of action based on random market events. When short term market environments produce disappointing results in traditional advising methods, the typical first course of action, is inaction (i.e. wait because we hope in the long term things work out). If short term market environments or fortunate active management selection produce unexpectedly positive results, traditional best practices normal action is again inaction, merely celebrating the random fortunate outcome. By contrast, the present method of financial advising defines specific values in advance where new advice would be required (if the clients goals and priorities remain unchanged) allowing client's to prepare for and know what prudent modifications in terms of reducing or delaying goals (or accepting more investment risk) make sense based on what has happened in extremely poor environments and where client's have the choice to increase a goal or have the goal sooner, or reduce investment risk where results are exceptional, in either case requiring determined action of new advice needing to be designed. Critical to this process is the creation of a confidence range that considers the uncertainties of the markets, and that the “action point” or portfolio(s) value(s) for needing compromising advice is relatively infrequent (i.e. the client would have little confidence in an advisor if half the time their advice is to reduce goals or delay goals and half the time increasing goals). Likewise, before goals are added, moved to an earlier date or portfolio risk is increased, thus setting a new expectation for the client, it is also important that there is fairly high confidence the addition or increase in the goals will not need to be compromised again at some future date if they remain unchanged by the client. Therefore depending on the approach used to calculate probabilities and how well the assumptions are designed to calculate the probabilities, the preferred embodiment would have more than half of random market environments requiring no change, less than one in five requiring a compromise and the remaining environments requiring a positive change to goals, or reduction in portfolio risk, assuming client goals are unchanged and the uncertainty of active investing is avoided. This method accomplishes this by defining the comfort zone where normal market environments do not require new advice (unless the client changes their goals or priorities), where particularly poor markets must be probabilistically extreme to require compromising advice, and where fairly frequent positive random markets results in occasional, but more frequent, opportunities to produce advice about improvements to goals (or portfolio risk reduction). Such a relationship with a financial advisor, where things are normally “on track”, where poor markets are “still on track”, where extremely poor markets have some prudent advice solutions that are unlikely to be extreme and where occasional favorable markets have positive advice improvements, dramatically improves the comfort and confidence the client has in the advisor, and the advisor's advice and more importantly about the client's lifestyle. An example of defining such a range would be calculating all of the future portfolio values throughout the client's time horizon needed to have 75% confidence of exceeding the client's currently recommended goals (i.e. 750 of 1000 statistically potential portfolio results) and the portfolio values that would have 90% confidence (i.e. 900 of 1000 statistically potential portfolio results) in exceeding all of the client goals. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIGS. 1A to 1C constitute a flow diagram outlining the method of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an exemplary report generated in accordance with the present method; FIG. 3 is an exemplary goal prioritization matrix in accordance with the present method; FIG. 4 is an exemplary report generated in accordance with the present method; FIG. 5 is an exemplary chart generated in accordance with the present method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION A new method for financial advising is disclosed with the goal of finding a balance for the client between insufficient confidence (i.e. too much uncertainty) and unnecessary sacrifice. Current techniques attempt to identify the client's maximum tolerance for risk, and then to optimize asset allocation based on that maximum risk, without consideration of whether such risk is warranted. The client is periodically advised of the status of their portfolio based on actual performance of the market. Typically, this status review consists of a recitation of the performance of the client's portfolio compared to the market. Less often, the client is provided with an updated % risk of not achieving their stated goals, or current probability of “achieving” goals (which is actually the chance of exceeding, but rarely is disclosed as such). If actual performance of the client's investment portfolio is poor, the client will usually be advised to stick to their long term plan in hope that things work out in the long term or less frequently to increase contributions to the portfolio or to eliminate one or more of their low-ranked goals. Alternatively, if performance is better than expected, the client may be advised to make no changes (even if it would be possible for the client to contribute less, while still maintaining the same risk of exceeding their investment goals). The present method is intended to help the client make the most of the one life they have, by confidently achieving the goals the client uniquely values, without needlessly sacrificing their current lifestyle and by avoiding unnecessary investment risks. Thus, the method obtains from clients only that information that is necessary and material for the advisor to understand the client's goals. It identifies the ideal dreams of the client as well as the acceptable compromises, and the priorities and proportion in amount and timing among each. It also avoids unnecessary risk, and provides performance benchmarks that are practically understandable to the client (e.g. “buying the beach house.”) It further provides a comfort range based on a rational level of confidence in performance of the investment alternatives, thereby avoiding too much uncertainty as well as too much sacrifice. It provides a means of working with the client to provide solutions based on acceptable compromises to achieve prioritized goals, and provides the client with an understandable analysis of the progress made toward goals, while allowing the client to change goals or priorities on demand. Thus, the method is used to subject the client to no more risk than is necessary to achieve the client's goals (i.e. no more investment risk than is necessary to permit the client to live life in the best possible way while achieving the goals that the client values most highly or partially in proportion to other goals). Additionally, the method implements a new notion of how each of the client's goals interrelate to one another, and the number of goal achievement options that exist depending on the client's desires. The method comprises organizing a range of goals, interrelating their timing (i.e. when each is expected to be “achieved”), and amounts (i.e. the relative dollar “cost” of each goal). The method allows the advisor and client to reorient and re-evaluate goals going forward as a means for reconfiguring the client's portfolio and desired goals for the future. Thus, based on actual market performance, the client can be advised (or at least presented with the option) to change or reprioritize their goals or reduce or increase investment risk. For example the client may be advised that their highly valued investment goals can be achieved simply by delaying retirement for one year (the date of retirement in this case is not a critically valued goal of the client), or by dropping the number of annual vacation trips at retirement from 4 to 1. Furthermore, the method allows the advisor and client to make slight changes in goal priorities that could allow the client to keep a low-ranked goal, even though portfolio performance has been lower than normal. This differs from present methods in which advisors simply advise the client to “wait for the long term” (i.e. no action) save more money or eliminate one or more of the lowest ranked goals when the portfolio performs poorly. In one aspect of the invention, an assessment of goals of an investor is carried out by a financial advisor. The financial advisor may be an individual, an organization, or one or more organizations, and may include the use of programmed computers. The investor may be any legal or natural person or group of persons. Typically, the investor will be an individual or couple, but could also be an institution that has an investment portfolio and liabilities it wishes to fund like an endowment, pension find, or foundation. The example below is tailored to financial advising for individuals or couples. However, such principles may be applied to investors other than individuals; for example, these principles may be applied to charities seeking proper management of funds or endowments. In this example, a financial advisor will obtain certain information from the individual or couple, who will be referred to as the client. Referring to FIG. 1A, the financial advisor may ask the client for certain background information at step 105. This information is typically briefer and easier to obtain than the type of information typically required in designing a financial plan. Because of the amount of uncertainties in the future, the information collected does not need to be as arduous as is typical in planning because there are many details that are immaterial in the context of the overall vast uncertainty of the future. In general, such information includes broad but not detailed information about the client and the client's current finances, information about anticipated future income of the client, and the like. Information about the client includes such as age (or ages if the “client” is a couple), current assets, current income, current residence, and current expenses. Information about future income will be in the nature of assumptions as to future income from sources other than investments, such as earned income, Social Security, pensions and other sources of resources. Residence is important for calculation the impact of local taxes, including state, county and municipal taxes. The nature of this information will vary if the technique is applied to investors or clients who are not individuals. Having received this relatively straightforward information at step 110, the financial advisor now asks the client to identify their goals, as at block 112. Goals typically include the availability of resources at various times, such as a range of annual income during retirement, a desired range of funds in an estate at a particular point, a range of desires for anticipated large expenditures, such as educational expenses for a child, major future purchases such as a vacation home, a retirement vacation travel budget, a desired estate value at death, or any other expenditure of any description. Goals can be relatively serious or frivolous, and no accounting between the two is made during the goal identification phase of the method because traditional financial planning methods have advisors coaching clients about being realistic in goal setting which eliminates the potential for achieving “frivolous” goals this method of financial advising would enable. Furthermore, the kinds of goals will vary between clients. For example, a childless couple may have no need for an estate or to pay for education. The advisor should be careful to elicit all of the goals of the client, including both common goals and those that are rare or even unique to the client. The advisor, having obtained the identity of the goals, at block 113, then can ask the client to identify an ideal value of each goal, as at step 115. Values of goals can be in the form of an ideal retirement age, or an ideal number of annual vacation trips during retirement. Other values can be in the nature of one or more planned cash withdrawals at one or more defined points in the future, or for recurring expenses or a future major expense (e.g. “the beach house”). The value of goals may also include amounts and timing of savings to be added to the portfolio prior to retirement. Ideal values of goals are those values which the client most prefers in each separate category, without regard to whether achieving each of those ideal values is realistic. The advisor should communicate that the ideal goals need not be realistic, all taken together. In general, clients will want to save less, retire sooner, avoid risk, have a greater retirement income, and have a larger estate, and the ideal values of goals will reflect these desires. Any appropriate verbal formulation may be used by the client and advisor to communicate the ideal value of each goal. The ideal value can be expressed variously depending on the nature of the goal, as noted above, in terms of timing (ideally as soon as possible) and values (ideally as much as possible). The ideal values of goals are received by the advisor, as indicated by block 120, and recorded. The advisor can then ask the client to identify “acceptable” values of each goal, as indicated by block 125. An acceptable value of a goal will generally the a smaller dollar value, such as of annual retirement income, an estate, funding for education of children, or a large future purchase or a later date, such as when one retires or a later date for a large future purchase that the client would find as acceptable, i.e. they would be satisfied compromising the goal (or delaying it) to that level if it were necessary to achieve another goal they personally valued more. It should be noted that the acceptable size or timing of a goal is not the smallest or latest bearable or tolerable amount, but rather is the amount that is sufficient for the client to be reasonably pleased. When a value represents a time, such as retirement age or a date of a major future purchase, to be deemed an acceptable value of that goal, the date must be sufficiently soon that the client will be reasonably happy. It will be understood that a variety of verbal formulations can be used by the client and advisor to communicate the acceptable value of each goal. The acceptable goals are received, as indicated at block 127. An exemplary illustration of ideal and acceptable values for a variety of goals is shown in FIG. 2, in which the “client” has identified an ideal retirement age of 63 years, and an acceptable retirement age of 68 years. Likewise the client has identified an ideal travel budget goal of $25,000 and an acceptable value of $5,000. Upon receipt of these values, the client is then asked to provide relative values for each of the goals, as indicated at block 128. These must be provided in a numerical form for purposes of calculation, but can be obtained in verbal form from a client and then converted to a numerical form through interpretation by the advisor. The client may be prompted to provide the relative value, of for example, achieving an earlier retirement date, versus their lifestyle once retired, of increasing the amount saved each year prior to retirement, of reducing their travel budget prior to or during retirement, of reducing the amount of an estate, of reducing the maximum amount available for education of children, and the like. For example, while it may be acceptable to have a $5,000 travel budget, would it be worth it to you to delay retirement one year if it meant you could have a $10,000 retirement travel budget. The set of relative values may involve, if done in other methods without the limiting bounds of ideal and acceptable profiling as in this method, a rather unwieldy large set of questions, which could be presented in the format of a questionnaire. But this method, having the constrained bounds of ideal and acceptable goals to work from, simplifies the process to merely giving a relative value contrast amongst goals, learned by the advisor in a simple conversation or perhaps with the aid of a simple goal matrix. There are numerous manners of inquiring about such preferences. For example, relative weighting may be inquired in a verbal format, such as “Is an early retirement as important as, less important than, much less important than, more important than, or much more important than, having additional income during retirement?” The questions may be asked with quantitative values, such as “Is delaying retirement by five years about the same as, much preferable to, somewhat preferable to, somewhat less preferable to, or very much less preferable to, having $3,000 less in annual spending during retirement?” As goals are generally expressed in terms of timing and monetary amounts, the comparisons will involve relative weighing of these types of values. As will be appreciated, this manner of questioning and of relative weighing of goals can and will be applied to all of the goals identified by the client so that a comprehensive interrelation of goals is developed and will be conceptually understood by the financial advisor for him or her to formulate their recommendation for the client. This conceptual interrelation will enable the client and financial advisor to obtain a deeper understanding of the relative importance of each of the client's goals that is substantially more nuanced than techniques in the prior art that require the client simply to rank goals in ascending or descending order. The interrelation can provide insights to the client themselves about the relationships of goals in a way that they may not have previously considered nor understood. Ultimately, a goal matrix is developed, similar to the one illustrated in FIG. 3, in which goals are listed on the vertical and acceptable compromises are listed on the horizontal. As can be seen, the matrix can provide an easy visual comparison of each individual goal against each other goal. In the illustrated embodiment, the client has identified that in order to reduce the investment risk in the portfolio, they would be willing to retire later and/or reduce the size of their estate. A further analysis shows that, as to the latter two goals, the client would be willing to reduce the size of their estate in order to achieve their early retirement age. Arranging goals in a matrix allows the financial advisor to determine the relative importance of each goal compared to each other goal, which then allows the advisor to propose a recommendation that provides sufficient confidence and comfort of achieving or exceeding those goals each client uniquely values, without unnecessary sacrifice to their lifestyle and avoids unnecessary investment risks. Alternatively, the financial advisor can use the matrix to identify lower ranked (perhaps even frivolous) goals which can be achieved either through a minor change in the client's investment allocation (i.e. a minor increase in investment risk) or only slightly reducing or delaying other goals. Providing such an additional benefit to the client will result in significant customer satisfaction, compared to traditional practices of profiling the client to be realistic at the beginning which would ignore what would otherwise be considered a frivolous goal, or in simple ranking methods where frivolous goals would be completely eliminated due to their low rank. The use of a matrix provides an additional advantage, in that it can point out apparent contradictions in the client's relative valuations of goals. As can be seen from FIG. 3, a contradiction appears in the client's prioritization of retirement age and estate size. The client in this example has identified that in order to achieve their early retirement age they would be willing to reduce the size of their estate, however, they have also identified that in order to achieve their estate goal they would be willing to retire later. The identification of this contradiction highlights the many times fine differences exist between goal values, and thus can be used by the advisor and the client to obtain a deeper understanding of the actual relative prioritization of these goals. In the illustrated example, upon identifying the conflict, the advisor could ask the client more detailed questions about their relative prioritization of estate value versus retirement age or if there are preferred values for either between the ideal and acceptable extremes the advisor may want to consider when designing a recommendation. For example, if delaying retirement by only one year confidently “buys” an estate equal to what the couple inherited from their parents of say perhaps $500,000 (far above the acceptable minimum estate, yet far below the ideal as well) the client may be willing to make that trade of delaying retirement one year. Likewise, the client may be willing to compromise their estate below that $500,000 number if many other goals (travel budget, retirement lifestyle, retirement age etc.) must be compromised to only acceptable levels to have sufficient overall confidence. After receipt of the relative goal value information, as indicated at block 129, the financial advisor uses the matrix to develop a recommendation, as indicated at block 130. In the analysis, the ideal and acceptable values of goals are taken as extremes of each of the goals (i.e. they are bookends). Each goal has a representative dollar value of achievement (e.g. cost of the “beach house,” cost of “child's college tuition”, both in ideal—the most, and acceptable, i.e. adequate). These assembled values along with the advisor's understanding of the relative priorities amongst goals are used by the advisor to build a recommendation. The advisor then uses these values and performs simulations of various model allocations, and making assumptions about the future performance of the associated capital markets. The advisor uses the results of these simulations in combination with the goals matrix of FIG. 3 to determine which model allocation will allow the client to achieve their most highly valued goals, which goals, if any, will need to be adjusted closer to their “acceptable” value, and which goals can be achieved at or near their “ideal” value. Likewise, using this method the advisor can also recommend which lower value goals can be achieved with only slight modifications to the values of other goals (e.g. increase pre-retirement savings by $X to achieve one more Jamaica trip per year in retirement). As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, a variety simulations can be performed. In a preferred embodiment of the inventive method, the capital market assumptions are those based on the assumption that assets in a portfolio will be invested passively. As previously discussed, investing in actively managed investment alternatives carries a risk of materially underperforming the relevant asset classes to which the investment belongs thereby introducing a risk not being modeled if one uses only the risk and return characteristics of the asset classes. Although actively managed investments also carry the potential for returns that are substantially above those of the associated asset class or classes, it is known that any active implementation has the potential for a wide range of possible outcomes (from materially underperforming the market or asset class to substantially out-performing the market, and all points in between) thus also carrying and introducing a level of risk that is difficult, if not impossible, to adequately predict, and thus can provide widely varying outcomes from year to year. Also, in the absence of being able to know this risk, any confidence numbers presented to the client can be substantially flawed if this additional risk beyond the asset class uncertainty was not considered. Saying a client has 82% confidence if investing in these asset classes (i.e. passively) may be a reasonably and directionally sound representation. However, saying the client has 82% confidence based on the asset classes modeled, then investing in a manner that introduces an opportunity for exceeding market results and a risk of materially underperforming market results (neither of which were modeled) makes that confidence number of questionable value to the client because it can be substantially flawed. Thus, recommendations should not include investing any assets in any actively-managed fund. The fact that a given fund or fund manager has done better than the markets in the past is not an indication that the fund will be more successful in the future. The uncertainties involved in investing in any manner other than fully passive investment create a divergence between the predicted probability. Rather, the inclusion of actively managed funds in a recommendation creates an additional element of uncertainty. Moreover, there is no reliable model for predicting this additional element of uncertainty, although one can model potential impacts of the amount of uncertainty introduced and based on the confidence and comfort targeted under this method, even a small amount of active uncertainty (i.e. well below any actual historical ranges) introduces an irrational investment risk that could be avoided. With a managed find, one cannot use statistical techniques to accurately model the risk of underperforming or outperforming the market but the possible risk it introduces can conceptually be estimated and shown to be an irrational risk this method of advising would avoid based upon a key tenet of the method of avoiding unnecessary investment risks. By contrast, the use of passive investment alternatives provides a relatively high degree of predictability to the forecast simulations. Although such investments have essentially no chance of ever significantly outperforming the associated asset class or classes, but likewise they will never materially underperform their classes by more than their expenses which can be accurately modeled. Thus, passive investments form the basis for investing using the present method, by avoiding the unnecessary risk of potentially material market under-performance. The model used to simulate market results is preferably one that bears a realistic relationship to actual historical market returns. However, a well-designed model should not slavishly follow the data available for historical markets. Historical market data is available for only a limited period of time, and only represents a portion of the outcomes possible in the future. A well-designed model is valid regardless of short term market changes. A model that slavishly follows market returns, such as modeling based on the most recent twenty years, changes each time new data is added. Even for long periods of time, such as 30 years, the limited historical data the industry has shows that for volatile assets like large cap stocks, 30 year returns based on monthly data back to 1926 show a 30 year average return ranging from 7.17% to 14.29%. If one uses either of these 30 year results as an input to a simulation engine, they would be simulating a 50% chance of doing better or worse than the market has ever done, which is statistically erroneous. Such dependence on trailing returns is not appropriate for a reliable model of market behavior. Indeed, depending on the time period selected, there will be significant variation when a model based on trailing returns is tested against actual historical returns. A model with higher levels of confidence will not be so dependent on the data. A model using Monte Carlo analysis is preferred to model the possible future results to enable the expansion of the probability that we have not yet seen either the best or worst the markets may produce. A well-designed model will show various defined characteristics when compared with historical results. Of course, in conducting such a comparison, it should be kept in mind that historical results represent a relatively short period, and a relatively small number of potential results. A well-designed model should include results, in such areas as average return and standard deviation, at the extremes that fall beyond actual historical results. For example, at the 5th and 95th percentiles, simulated results should be respectively, higher and lower than the 5th and 95th percentile for historical results depending on the number of simulations being run . . . i.e. mathematically the greater extremes will exist in larger number of simulations, though their probabilities of occurrence once a statistically valid number of simulations has been run will be too remote of a probability to be useful in advising a client about a dynamic and changing set of goals and priorities. The best and worst results should be better and worse than the best and worst historical results. Otherwise, the simulation would indicate that the worst or best possible results had occurred in the relatively short period of time for which there is accurate data. The amount of the variation should depend on the volatility of the asset class. For example, simulated results will be very close to real results at the 50th percentile for Treasury bills, and will generally be further away from real results as the market becomes more volatile, such as small capitalization stocks. Testing should also indicate that the variation between the simulated returns and actual returns, at the extremes, is greater in asset classes with higher volatility. For example, the best and worst results for small cap stocks are likely to be significantly better and worse, respectively, than the historical results. If the model is found not to predict results along the foregoing lines, then the model may be found to be unrealistic. The modeling assumptions should then be adjusted. Asset classes can include all U.S. stocks, U.S. large capitalization stocks, U.S. large capital growth stocks, one or more foreign markets, U.S. mid-capitalization stocks, U.S. small capitalization stocks, Treasury bills and bonds, corporate and municipal bonds of various maturity, cash, cash equivalents, and other classes of assets. The testing of the model should take into account variations in historical markets. For example, using randomly-selected historical results in the generation of returns in a Monte Carlo simulation can result in obtaining an excessive number of selected results from either bull or bear markets. If data from those markets appears excessively in simulated returns, the simulated returns can be skewed excessively in a positive or negative direction. Thus, the inputs for the Monte Carlo data should be selected so that unusual results, such as those from the unusual bull markets of the 1990's, or those from the long bear market of 2000 to 2003, are not overrepresented. Models which are found to predict that an excessive percentage of outcomes will be worse than history are inappropriate, as a plan based on such a model is likely to result in unnecessary sacrifice to the lifestyle of the client. Similarly, models which are found to result in an inappropriately large percentage of outcomes superior to history will overstate the confidence that the client can have in the recommendation. Models that fail to account for fluctuations in markets (e.g., assuming a constant annual rate of return) will miss significant risks associated with market fluctuations and completely ignore the uncertainty of future markets. By employing these simulated return techniques, the advisor designs an appropriate recommendation for the client. In the process of designing a recommendation, the financial advisor tests the effect and sensitivity to various goals based on their conceptual understanding of relative priorities and iteratively works their way to the best solution among the goals, priorities and desire to avoid or tolerance to accept investment risk. The recommendation that results will at a minimum fulfill at least all of the acceptable values and dates of the goals of the client while providing as little deviation as possible from the ideal values of those goals that the client has indicated are most important. The goal matrix is used in this process. This may be an iterative process for the advisor, and it may involve the creation of a number of test plans that are developed and compared using the goals matrix. While one might be tempted to create a testing algorithm, the required inputs would be unwieldy as previously discussed and the practical reality that the client's goals and priorities will change throughout their life anyway (client's are not clairvoyant) make such an effort a rather useless expense of energy and lead to a false sense of precision that is inadvisable considering the vast uncertainties of the future. The financial advisor will develop these recommendations using a computer having various background information relating to the client stored therein. Thus, the client's background information will typically be stored in memory or on some form of storage medium, and a program running on the computer (or a connected computer via a network connection) will use the background information in concert with the market simulation techniques to develop the recommendation. The recommendation will include a current asset amount, the time and amount of all contributions (currently planned) to the portfolio assets, the time and amount of all withdrawals (currently planned) from the portfolio assets, and allocations of assets among one or more classes of passive investments, which allocations may be constant or may change at various times. The appropriate recommendation will have sufficient but not excessive confidence of exceeding a recommended result for each goal, not better than the ideal value and not worse than the acceptable value. As previously noted, a recommendation with better than the ideal value of a goal is considered undesirable, because it would indicate that some other goal has been sacrificed unnecessarily or that the client is sacrificing too much by contributing more to the portfolio than is necessary and thus will have less cash available for present (i.e. non-retirement) use. If the ideal value of the goal has been properly elicited from the client, a target better than the ideal value will be of no or almost no additional value or utility to the client. It will be understood that a part of the process of the evaluation under this method is running a series of simulations using appropriate modeling, as discussed above. It will be appreciated that appropriate modeling provides superior results. i.e. does not contain un-modeled risks. As previously explained, the modeling of capital markets is preferably carried out assuming passive investment alternatives. The advisor may rely on prior testing of capital market models, or may take the additional step of conducting a comparison. As indicated at step 140, the appropriateness of the model for the particular recommendation may be tested by comparing against historical results, using techniques explained in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/434,645, filed Nov. 5, 1999, titled “Method, System, and Computer Program for Auditing Financial Plans,” to David B. Loeper, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein. As noted above, if the modeled results differ significantly from historical results at the 50th percentile, or differ inappropriately at the extremes, then the model must be re-evaluated and altered to provide appropriate results. This is indicated at step 145. The recommendation can then be re-evaluated, and may need to be altered by the advisor, as indicated at step 150. The selected recommendation can then be presented to the client (step 155) in a report similar to that shown in FIG. 2, which can be part of a larger report, in electronic or hard copy form. The recommendation will include an assessment of the current confidence level, the recommended size and timing of goals, recommendations for investment, and a range of portfolio values within which it is not necessary to re-evaluate, whether any changes are needed based on the market's behavior (identified by the “comfort level” zone in FIG. 2). The portfolio value “zones” will be discussed further below in connection with FIG. 5. The recommendation includes recommended values of each goal, not better than the ideal value, and not worse than the acceptable value. Investment recommendations are preferably classes of assets which are passively invested (e.g. large cap, mid cap and small cap stocks, foreign stocks, Treasury and or municipal or corporate fixed income securities, and cash equivalents). The client can review the recommendation, and provide feedback or question the advisor about the recommendations for the impact of alternative allocations, recommended values between the ideal and acceptable goals, etc. This could be needed due to the conceptual nature of the discussion of relative priorities. These reasons may point out an error in the data obtained as to the identity of the goals, the ideal and/or acceptable values of the goals, and/or the relative values embodied in the goal matrix. After consultation, the advisor can make the appropriate changes, and then repeat the steps above of designing a recommendation. The revised recommendation is then provided to the client. Using the relative goal-weighting technique, it can often be found that a relatively small change in one goal (e.g. increasing retirement age by one year where client loves their job and doesn't mind working an additional year), can be sufficient to make a significant change in another goal (e.g. buying beach house 5 years earlier). In general, by increasing savings during working years, delaying retirement, and reducing spending during retirement, a greater likelihood of EXCEEDING all of the client's identified goals exists. However, it is an important feature of the present invention that the advisor and client recognize that such steps involve some certainty of sacrifice for the client, and that a recommendation that achieves too high a certainty of exceeding all or most of one's goals more goals may not be desirable because it can unduly sacrifice current or future enjoyment of the only life the client has. Once again, the importance of investing in passive investment alternatives is considered key to providing the client with a recommendation that includes an accurate estimate of the confidence level being represented. As previously stated, a reasonable estimate of the confidence level can only be provided when both reasonable capital market assumptions are use and passive investments are assumed. If the advice to be provided were to be for investment of one or more assets in managed funds, or in individual stocks, individual parcels of real estate, or other assets that behave differently than the capital markets that were modeled, then the confidence being represented to the client will be flawed because the specific uncertainty introduced cannot be predicted with certainty, was not included in the confidence calculation and therefore cannot be modeled to produce any particular confidence level that would be representative. A recommendation of managed portfolios, carries a degree of unpredictability that makes them less desirable for use with the present method because of this uncertainty of their future behavior (we can reasonably estimate potential market uncertainty but not how any one money manager may behave) and the importance of the confidence calculation being an reasonable estimate in the value provided in this method (an obvious contradiction exists if one is measuring and advising to have sufficient but not excessive confidence but how one implements it introduces an unknowable effect on confidence that isn't modeled). FIGS. 2 and 4 show an exemplary form used to convey information regarding the recommendation to a client. The method of profiling the client's goals can be understood by comparing the resulting recommendation for two clients with identical background information and ideal and acceptable values of goals, but who have different relative weightings of those goals. In the example of FIG. 2, although not shown, the client has prioritized the following goals: (a) retirement income, (b) minimum savings prior to retirement, (c) educating their son through graduate school, and (d) maximizing their travel budget in retirement. The resulting recommendation meets their desired low level of savings, annual travel budget, and support of their son's education, while other goals are compromised much closer to the acceptable level but importantly are generally not completely eliminated unless the value to the client was extraordinarily low in context of other goals. In the example of FIG. 4, the recommendation reflects goals that, although not shown, are significantly different than the previous client. The highly valued goals of the client in FIG. 4 are: (a) early retirement, and (b) a minimum value of an estate—here, an estate of $1,000,000 (in this client's case their desire was to not spend principle and wanting to maintain the real spending power of their portfolio). The goals are achieved here by compromising the amount of savings prior to retirement as well as an increased investment risk. FIGS. 2 and 4 also place the recommended, ideal and acceptable values of goals on a continuum of comfort assessment. This combined package of the client's life long goals along with the recommended investment strategy/allocation to passive investments and approximate current portfolio values are combined to calculate those future portfolio values necessary to have sufficient confidence (i.e. avoid too much uncertainty) and those potential future portfolios values that would place them at excessive confidence (i.e. too much sacrifice to their lifestyle). In this example, there are three categories: “uncertain”—where confidence is deemed too low to have reasonable comfort about one's ability to live as currently planned and recommended and the risk of undesired material changes is therefore too high, and is thus unacceptable; “sacrifice”—where there is a certainty of giving up excessive time or current or future spending and leaves one with a very high likelihood (i.e. 90%) of leaving an estate larger than planned at the price of other goals and/or unnecessary investment risk (volatility of the investment portfolio); and “comfort”—which provides an appropriate balance between the risk of too much uncertainty and too much lifestyle sacrifice. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the “comfort” range resides between 75% and 90% confidence. The recommended values of goals will be somewhere within this “comfort” range. The acceptable values of goals normally fall in the “sacrifice” region, while the ideal values of goals normally reside in the “uncertain” region. While this is not necessarily always the case, ideal and acceptable sets of goals that fall in inappropriate areas offer another opportunity for the advisor to coach the client about needing to be more realistic about their acceptable goals (i.e. if the acceptable falls below the comfort zone) or to coach the client that they can have grander aspirations (i.e. if the ideal goals fall into the sacrifice zone). As the graphical display shows, there is a range of potential outcomes and targeted potential portfolio values where if one's goals remain unchanged there is no reason to be concerned . . . i.e. comfort. This range will of course vary for the particular client. The “comfort” or “confidence” values represent the results of the historical market analysis and/or Monte Carlo analysis of the relevant capital markets based on the passive investment allocations recommended by the financial advisor. In one embodiment, 1000 market environments, both good and bad, are simulated based on thoroughly analyzed capital market assumptions designed in a manner to realistically model the nature of the potential range of capital market outcomes. The “comfort” or “confidence” level is the percentage of those 1000 simulations in which the client's goals are exceeded. In order to appropriately implement and manage the recommendation created using the method as described so far, it is important that the advisor and client periodically monitor the effect of the capital market results on the progress being made of the recommendation in order to keep the client rationally confident about their financial future yet avoid undue sacrifice or capitalize on opportunities to reduce investment risk. As part of this monitoring step, the advisor and client can make changes necessary to maintain a recommendation within the “comfort” zone throughout its life. This periodic review is important because it allows the advisor and client to efficiently react to make appropriate changes to the recommendation when actual market performance is outside of the performance needed to maintain confidence, and avoid sacrifice. It also allows the client and advisor to address any changes to the client's goals or relative priorities among goals that have occurred since the previous review period. Thus, for example, where actual market performance for the period were worse than required to maintain sufficient confidence, the advisor can recommend a change in allocation, an increase in contribution amount, or a change in values and/or prioritization of goals in order to maintain the client within the “comfort” zone. Corresponding changes can be made where actual market performance for the period was better as well offering the opportunity to increase goals, obtain goals earlier, or reduce the portfolio risk. The periodic review advantageously will also capture changes to the client's goals, or their ideal/acceptable values of those goals. This provides a degree of flexibility to the recommendation that corresponds to the natural changes in the client's life and their financial and other priorities. Thus, where the client originally identified “paying son's education expenses,” as a high priority goal, this goal could be eliminated where, for example, the son receives a scholarship or decides not to attend college. Likewise, if the client is the beneficiary of a large family estate payout, the Pre-Retirement Savings value could be changed accordingly. Additionally, even if the client does not add or delete goals, they will be requested to review their existing goal matrix to incorporate any changes to the relative prioritizations of their goals represented in the matrix. Once any/all changes have been identified, a calculation can be made of needed portfolio values necessary for the client to remain in the “comfort” zone. These results can be provided to the user in the form of a graphical display similar to that shown in FIG. 5, in which portfolio value is indicated on the vertical axis and client age is indicated on the horizontal axis. Again, the “comfort” range is identified in the center, with “sacrifice” and “uncertain” above and below, respectively. It will be understood, referring to FIG. 5, that the range of portfolio values based on the uncertainty of passive portfolio allocation naturally narrows as the end point of the plan, and a certain dollar amount, is approached. Thus, the middle range in FIG. 5 represents the portfolio values that would produce 75% to 90% confidence at each year throughout the client's life. This is in contrast to current methods of probability based financial advising, in which the range of risk actually expands toward the end point of the plan. Using the inventive method, the financial advisor and client are able to make periodic adjustments to the client's recommendation in order to ensure it remains within the “comfort” zone. The financial advisor will advise the client to review and change the portfolio if the value approaches the edge of, or falls outside of, the comfort zone. If the markets have unexpectedly high returns, such as those from an extraordinarily unusual bull market, for a time period near the beginning of the recommendation, the plan assets, or portfolio assets, will likely exceed the upper limit for that year (or other time period). Thus, the advisor can recommend a change to the recommendation that would move the plan from the “sacrifice” zone back down into the “comfort,” zone. Such changes could, for example, include a reduction in Annual Savings (FIGS. 2, 4), a reduction in portfolio risk, increasing planned retirement income, etc. Alternatively, if the markets have returns that produce portfolio values less than the lower limit of the comfort zone, the advisor would recommend similar changes to the plan (e.g. a change to goals or values of goals, increase investment risk or timing of goals) to place it back within the “comfort” zone. As previously mentioned, how often such events occur is controlled by the target confidence range. If the range were in the middle, say a comfort range of 43-57%, many market environments would require significant reductions to goals (nearly half). Whereas if the range is too small, say 80-82%, while negative adjustments would be less frequent, positive changes would occur very frequently only with a frequent likelihood of needing to be reduced once again in the future. While the specific values of 75-90% are not rigidly required (obviously these are dependent on how the capital market assumptions are built as well) the notion is that market behavior driven changes are not frequent and are unlikely to be very extreme by measuring confidence toward a tail of the distribution with the odds tilted in favor of exceeding client goals (clients can change their goals and priorities at any time and is obviously always better to get a better understanding of what how they would like to live their life), and positive changes to goal recommendations are more frequent than reductions or delays in goals, and that positive improvements to recommendations (enhancing recommended goals) are no more likely to need to be reduced again later than any recommendation previously made (again, controlled by measuring confidence toward the distribution tail that favors odds tilted toward exceeding the results). Likewise, if there is a bias in the capital market assumptions which caused the modeling to be inaccurate, the portfolio value review will tend to reveal such assumptions. For example, if the assumptions were overly pessimistic, the portfolio value might tend toward the upper limit of the comfort zone. If the assumptions were overly optimistic, the portfolio value might tend toward the lower limit of the comfort zone. Appropriate changes to the assumptions can then be implemented. Referring to FIG. 1B, the step of monitoring the current status of the recommendation and making appropriate changes is indicated at step 160, while the step or reassessing client goals is indicated at step 165, and the step of preparing new recommendations based on those goals and the client's current situation and evaluating the model used to generate such recommendation is indicated at steps 130-150. It is noted that the timing of this periodic review is not critical, though in a preferred embodiment the review would occur quarterly. When an alteration occurs in the client's goals or their relative importance, as noted in block 175, the financial advisor must obtain the client's new goals and/or their new relative weighting, as indicated at step 180. The financial advisor then prepares a new recommendation for consideration, incorporating the client's current goals, and develops a proposed recommendation based on the modified goal information, as indicated at block 130. A revised recommendation is presented to the client (step 155), along with a range of portfolio values within which the client would remain in the comfort zone and would therefore not require reassessment if goals and priorities have not changed. If the performance of the markets (and therefore also the passively invested portfolio(s) which cannot materially underperform the markets) is within the appropriate range, and the client's goals have not changed, then the current recommendation, with current passive investments, is used, as indicated by step 190. Providing the client with an assessment similar to that of FIG. 5 is highly advantageous to the client because it provides a clear and easily understandable indication of progress toward the goals they wish to plan their life around, and clearly places that progress within the context of the balance between undue sacrifice and excessive uncertainty previously discussed. Using the present method, the client will easily be able to tell, based on what has happened with the performance of the portfolio, when a change in the recommendation is required to maintain that balance. The present method significantly differs from conventional prior art methods in that prior art methods often attempt to assess the risk based merely on a client's stated willingness to endure losses in their portfolio or some other mathematical method. Such a willingness to endure risk bears little or no relationship to whether accepting such risk makes sense for what the client wishes to achieve when considering acceptable compromises to goals that would enable them to accept less investment risk. Also, using such a prior art risk assessment, the client has no way of knowing whether or when losses incurred as time passes are sufficient to trigger a review of the traditional financial plan. The present method also differs from the prior art in that it employs passive investments whose potential wide range of future potential behavior can be relatively accurately estimated. This is in contrast with typical financial planning systems which advocate the use of actively managed investment alternatives, which introduce a risk that the client's portfolio may materially underperform the associated asset classes, and whose future behavior can not be accurately estimated. It should be noted that the client should be advised that a reassessment of the recommendation is advisable whenever a goal is added/deleted, the ideal or acceptable values of an existing goal has changed, or the relative priorities of any of the existing goals has changed (step 175). The same is true for changes in background information, such as where a client receives a significant inheritance, thereby increasing the present portfolio balance. Previously acceptable goals for savings may become unattainable, such as where a client loses a job and is therefore forced to save less or when the client receives a promotion that may make additional savings less of a burden and thereby enabling more, or greater, or sooner goals to be modified, or portfolio risk reduced. Additionally, acceptable and ideal values of goals for post-retirement spending may change if a client is promoted and becomes accustomed to a more expensive lifestyle; a child who was expected to require substantial college tuition payments may choose not to go to college or may obtain a scholarship, thereby eliminating a goal of providing for the child's education. Likewise, a client may change jobs or careers and decide that an early retirement is of less value to then than other goals. It will be understood that the process of monitoring the status of the recommendation and the client's goals and their relative importance preferably will continue throughout the duration of the financial advising relationship with the client. The method of providing advice according to the invention can be generalized. In a generalized form, a method of the invention is used to provide investment advice as well as advice about the best choices about life goals given at least two goals (one being some targeted end value or series of spending goals or liabilities, and the other being the desire to avoid unnecessary investment risk). In this generalized method, a client may be an individual, corporation, or institution. Background information may include a current portfolio value, current program expenses, and current development expenses, for example. The client is prompted to identify a spending or target end goal, their tolerance for investment risk and their desire to avoid investment risk, and identify both ideal and acceptable values for each. The goals may vary depending on the nature of the client. For example, for a charitable institution engaged in planning investment of an existing or newly donated sum, the goals may include levels of investment risk, a desired annual income for programs, an annual budget for development and a desired value of a portfolio at a certain date in the future. The client is then prompted to identify relative values of such goals. A charitable institution may weigh a desire to engage in present spending against a desire to have a large sum in the future for a capital project. A recommendation under this method appropriate to the client, the goals, the ideal and acceptable values of each goal, the relative values of all goals, may then be developed. As with other recommendations, the investments must be passive, in order for the confidence assessments to be directionally accurate. A range of values on a year by year basis (or other time period) may be provided within which the goals of the client can be reasonably confident of exceeding such goals, yet avoiding undue sacrifice or excessive compromise to the goals can be calculated. If the value of the portfolio falls outside this range, then the recommendation should be reviewed. Similarly, if background information changes, if goals are added or deleted, or if ideal or acceptable values of goals change or the relative weight of goals change, then the recommendation should be reviewed. The method of providing advice, including the steps of obtaining background information the client, identifying a set of client goals, identifying ideal and acceptable values for each goal, and identifying relative weighting of the various goals, and designing a recommendation with results for each goal not better than the ideal value and not worse than the acceptable value, may be applied using a variety of techniques of measuring the confidence and or likelihood of various outcomes. In one preferred embodiment, the technique of using a Monte Carlo based model of capital markets, properly considering the market's uncertainty and behavior in random time periods and specifically not ignoring the risk of active investments potential risk of material underperformance is assessed and can be used in the development, and in the future assessment of the confidence of a recommendation, even if the recommendation is not developed and reviewed using the goal-based methods set forth above. The present invention can be embodied in the form of methods and apparatus for practicing those methods. The present invention can also be embodied in the form of program code embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storage medium, wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. The present invention can also be embodied in the form of program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a machine, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. When implemented on a general-purpose processor, the program code segments combine with the processor to provide a unique device that operates analogously to specific logic circuits. While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, the invention should not be regarded as limited to preferred embodiments, but to include variations within the spirit and scope of the invention.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The field of financial advising includes various best practices. These best practices include identifying a client's financial goals (e.g. desired retirement age, desired annual income at retirement, desired vacation budget in retirement, desired estate value at death. etc.). In some application of general industry practices, but not all, clients are also asked to rank the stated goals in relative order of importance. Generally accepted “Best practices” also include identifying the client's risk tolerance and creating an investment allocation aimed at producing the highest return for the client's risk tolerance and then based on that allocation's expected return, calculating the savings needed to achieve the client's goals. In a conventional approach, to determine the client's risk tolerance a financial advisor uses a risk tolerance questionnaire or asks the client about their tolerance for investment risk defined by various mathematical methods like standard deviation, semi-variance or more commonly the largest level of annual portfolio losses with which the client could tolerate. This risk tolerance inquiry may be more nuanced, such as attempting to determine the amount of assets or percentage of value of a retirement plan that the client is willing to put into assets of various risks. Whatever method of attempting to identify the client's risk tolerance is used, the result of this inquiry is then used in recommending an allocation and related investments to an individual. Often, investors are advised to accept a risk tolerance that is at or near the client's maximum endurance level for losses in their portfolio value. Often the allocations are tested using a Monte Carlo simulation based on assumptions of the capital markets, samples of historical data, or both. The results of these simulations normally are used to convey a confidence level and/or a percentage risk of failure to achieve a desired income level, assets at retirement or any other of the client's identified goals. In other approaches, such as wealth management, the client may define their risk tolerance and goals, and the advisor may provide advice regarding asset allocation relative to those risks and goals. Often, the financial advisor has the capability of running Monte Carlo simulations of future returns of various financial plans. These simulations can provide results which include a confidence level and therefore either an implicit or explicit percentage risk of failure to achieve a desired income level, assets at retirement, ending estate value, or other goals. As before, the client may be advised to allocate their assets in the asset classes modeled and to invest in a variety of managed or unmanaged portfolio choices. Advisors may advise the client that actively managed investment alternatives can exceed the performance of the asset classes themselves (i.e. that they can outperform the market). Often, the fact that such actively managed investment alternatives also carry the risk of materially underperforming the market may not be adequately conveyed to the client by the advisor, or such risk may simply not be adequately understood by the investor, or the advisor and that uncertainty is not normally considered in the confidence calculation. Typical disclaimers used in the industry, which are in significant part intended to provide legal safe harbor to the advisor (e.g. “past performance is not a guarantee of future results”), may not adequately convey to the client the nature of the risk in actively managed investments. This is because normally the confidence calculation was based on the uncertainty of asset class returns; but actively managed portfolios may equal, exceed or under-perform their respective asset classes thereby introducing additional uncertainty absent from the confidence calculation. Therefore, what that confidence number means may or may not be fully understood by the client, or the financial advisor for that matter. Furthermore, current approaches often involve periodic reviews of the performance of the client's portfolio. As part of the review the client may be provided with a chart, graph or other representation of how their portfolio has performed relative to the various capital markets (i.e. the client's optimal allocation to various asset classes for their risk tolerance). If performance was lower than expected or assumed by the advisor in the original consultation, the client may be advised to change investment managers, wait for a more favorable environment for the manager's “style” or perhaps increase the amount contributed to the portfolio. Alternatively, the client may be advised to eliminate one or more of the lowest-ranked goals. If, on the other hand, performance was better than expected, the client will typically not be advised to reduce the amount contributed to the portfolio, even if such a reduction based on the superior performance is possible (i.e., maintaining the original “risk tolerance” level). Thus, there is a need in the industry for a new method of financial advising that eliminates the substantial uncertainties associated with investing the client's assets in actively managed investment alternatives, does not position clients at their maximum tolerance for risk if there are more appealing choices the client could make that enable them to have sufficient confidence of achieving the goals they value and thus eliminates the aforementioned difficulties associated with conveying such risks to the client. Furthermore, there is a need to provide clients with periodic feedback that does not simply chart how their portfolio has performed relative to the market, but rather provides clients with a practical understanding of the concrete impact that the performance of their portfolio has had their desired goals. There is also a need for a more nuanced approach to evaluating client goals, which comprises more than a simple linear ranking of goals, but rather which interrelates all of the client's goals so that the client can make more informed and satisfying choices about their goals in light of the performance of their portfolio. As a result, the inventive system will be more highly valued by clients compared to current approaches.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The method of the invention is directed to applying a new method of financial advising that is more appropriate and more highly valued by individuals. The advising discipline includes a new method of identifying and assessing not only the client's goals, as in traditional services, but also identifying and assessing the price that the client is willing to pay in one goal to “buy” another goal (or portion of a goal) that is valued more highly. The method also includes a means of modeling the uncertainty in future markets so that represented confidence levels can be easily and fully understood by the client. The method includes a means of using probability analysis to define the balance between too much uncertainty and too much sacrifice. Thus, the method combines mathematical market simulation with the profiling of the client's goals, and the balance between too much and too little risk, to produce a package of goals and an investment strategy that balance the desire to have sufficient confidence, avoid unnecessary risk, yet make the most of the client's lifestyle and do so in a manner that is easily understood by the individual investor. Thus, Monte Carlo simulation and/or historical market analysis can be used to model market uncertainty in a manner that provides the client with a balance of sufficient confidence yet that also avoids undue sacrifice to their goals. Further, the method includes investing exclusively in passive investments, for which it is possible to mathematically prove in all material respects risk of underperforming or outperforming the targeted asset allocation. This is unlike actively managed investments, which carry the risk of material uncertainty of underperforming or potentially outperforming the asset allocation strategy. The method further comprises a periodic review and reanalysis of the client's goals. Quarterly reprioritization of goals can be performed, to eliminate outdated goals or goals that have become unimportant for any reason, and to add new goals. The periodic review and reanalysis also includes reviewing value of the client's portfolio to ensure that it remains within the “comfort zone,” i.e. the balance between insufficient confidence and too much sacrifice to one's lifestyle. By properly assessing the client's goals and their relative weighting, both unacceptable sacrifice and insufficient confidence can be avoided. The proper relative weighting of goals, in accordance with the client's subjective assessment and the advisor's interpretation of that assessment, is important in providing advice that minimizes any sacrifice as perceived by the client. A recommendation should include a target value for each goal not worse than the acceptable value and not better than the ideal value. A recommendation under this method of financial advice will have rational, sufficient confidence yet avoid excessive sacrifice to one's goals. Clients are preferably provided with a range of future portfolio values that would provide an acceptable range of confidence. Recommendations are reviewed periodically for changes in client's goals, changes in priorities among client's goals, and whether the risk of unacceptable outcomes has become too high (i.e. too much uncertainty which requires new advice about the choices the client has to bring the confidence level back into the “comfort zone”, or whether the performance of the portfolio has brought them to the point of having choices to increase goals or reduce risk). Because of the wide range of uncertainty in capital markets and changes to a client's future goals (in most reasonable probability simulation methods, a client may have an equal chance [i.e. 1 in 1000] at being broke in just a few years or dying with a multi-million dollar estate based only upon the uncertainty of asset class returns, exclusive of the uncertainty of active investment results relative to the markets and excluding the likelihood of future changes to client's goals) and therefore the notion of being able to have certainty to avoid an unsatisfactory result is erroneous. Also, attempting to provide the highest confidence level possible, can only come at the price of compromising client's goals and/or accepting more investment risk which contradicts the notion of avoiding unnecessary sacrifice to the client's lifestyle. In essence, in the absence of a reasoned acceptable range of confidence (i.e. attempting to get to the highest confidence level possible) no amount of conservatism (sacrifice) is too much. Therefore, this method embraces and manages the uncertainties of the future to provide continuous advice about the best choices a client can make about their lifestyle as well as the optimal acceptance and avoidance of investment risk in light of the uncertainties of the future, (not only in the markets, and not only by avoiding the added uncertainty of active investments, but also the uncertainty of the client's desire and willingness to change their goals or priorities throughout their lives as may be desired, or as may be necessary to obtain reasoned confidence, based on how the capital markets performed.) This method accomplishes this balance of the best choices based on what is currently known, what is currently planned to be desired, and reasonable confidence considering the effect of the uncertainty of future asset class returns on the client's lifestyle and their willingness to modify their goals. While traditional best practices attempt to be “right” about where a client may end up falling in the wide range of market uncertainties (assuming they do not change their goals and their active portfolio implementation doesn't under-perform the asset classes) the reality of the wide potential extremes of outcomes sets up financial advisors and their client's for a continuous stream of surprises without a means of taking a determined course of action based on random market events. When short term market environments produce disappointing results in traditional advising methods, the typical first course of action, is inaction (i.e. wait because we hope in the long term things work out). If short term market environments or fortunate active management selection produce unexpectedly positive results, traditional best practices normal action is again inaction, merely celebrating the random fortunate outcome. By contrast, the present method of financial advising defines specific values in advance where new advice would be required (if the clients goals and priorities remain unchanged) allowing client's to prepare for and know what prudent modifications in terms of reducing or delaying goals (or accepting more investment risk) make sense based on what has happened in extremely poor environments and where client's have the choice to increase a goal or have the goal sooner, or reduce investment risk where results are exceptional, in either case requiring determined action of new advice needing to be designed. Critical to this process is the creation of a confidence range that considers the uncertainties of the markets, and that the “action point” or portfolio(s) value(s) for needing compromising advice is relatively infrequent (i.e. the client would have little confidence in an advisor if half the time their advice is to reduce goals or delay goals and half the time increasing goals). Likewise, before goals are added, moved to an earlier date or portfolio risk is increased, thus setting a new expectation for the client, it is also important that there is fairly high confidence the addition or increase in the goals will not need to be compromised again at some future date if they remain unchanged by the client. Therefore depending on the approach used to calculate probabilities and how well the assumptions are designed to calculate the probabilities, the preferred embodiment would have more than half of random market environments requiring no change, less than one in five requiring a compromise and the remaining environments requiring a positive change to goals, or reduction in portfolio risk, assuming client goals are unchanged and the uncertainty of active investing is avoided. This method accomplishes this by defining the comfort zone where normal market environments do not require new advice (unless the client changes their goals or priorities), where particularly poor markets must be probabilistically extreme to require compromising advice, and where fairly frequent positive random markets results in occasional, but more frequent, opportunities to produce advice about improvements to goals (or portfolio risk reduction). Such a relationship with a financial advisor, where things are normally “on track”, where poor markets are “still on track”, where extremely poor markets have some prudent advice solutions that are unlikely to be extreme and where occasional favorable markets have positive advice improvements, dramatically improves the comfort and confidence the client has in the advisor, and the advisor's advice and more importantly about the client's lifestyle. An example of defining such a range would be calculating all of the future portfolio values throughout the client's time horizon needed to have 75% confidence of exceeding the client's currently recommended goals (i.e. 750 of 1000 statistically potential portfolio results) and the portfolio values that would have 90% confidence (i.e. 900 of 1000 statistically potential portfolio results) in exceeding all of the client goals.
20041215
20100727
20050630
93416.0
1
WEIS, SAMUEL
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FINANCIAL ADVISING
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,014,397
ACCEPTED
Stapler with tape dispenser and flag dispenser
A combination stapler, tape dispenser and flag dispenser is provided which includes a stapler having a housing. Disposed in the housing is a tape dispenser, as well as a flag dispenser.
1. A combination stapler, tape dispenser and flag dispenser, comprising: a stapler having a housing; a tape dispenser disposed in said housing; and a flag dispenser disposed in said housing. 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said stapler has two arms, and said tape dispenser is disposed in one of said two arms, and said flag dispenser is disposed in the other of said two arms. 3. The device of claim 2 wherein said stapler has a major arm and a minor arm, and said tape dispenser is disposed on said major arm and said flag dispenser is disposed on said minor arm. 4. The device of claim 2 further comprising a dispensing mechanism associated with said major arm, said dispensing mechanism configured for dispensing staples. 5. The device of claim 3 wherein said major arm and said minor arm are pivotally attached to a pivot member allowing said major arm and said minor arm to pivot with respect to each other. 6. The device of claim 2 wherein said tape dispenser is disposed at a proximal end of one of said arms, and said flag dispenser is disposed at a proximal end of said other of said arms. 7. The device of claim 1 wherein said housing is configured so that said stapler, said tape dispenser and said flag dispenser include replaceable expendables associated with at least one of said stapler, said tape dispenser and said flag dispenser. 8. The device of claim 2 further comprising a flat surface at the end of each arm configured to permit the device to stand on said flat surfaces. 9. A combination flag dispenser disposed in a stapler for dispensing flags, comprising: a storage bin configured to store the flags; and a cover having a slot for feeding flags through said cover; wherein said storage bin and said cover are removably disposed in the stapler. 10. The flag dispenser of claim 9 wherein said storage bin and said cover are received in a receiving structure of said stapler. 11. The flag dispenser of claim 10 further comprising a tab on said cover and a receiving formation on said receiving structure, wherein said tab is configured to be received in said receiving structure 12. The flag dispenser of claim 9 wherein said cover is contoured with an arm of the stapler. 13. The flag dispenser of claim 9 wherein said bin has a plurality of walls for retaining the flags in the bin. 14. The flag dispenser of claim 13 further comprising arms on said cover configured to encapsulate at least two of said plurality of walls of said bin when said cover is placed over said bin. 15. A combination stapler having a housing and a tape dispenser disposed in the housing for dispensing tape, comprising: a convex contour in the stapler housing having a concave contour for receiving a tape roll; and a pin disposed in said concave contour and configured to be placed through the center of said tape roll. 16. The tape dispenser of claim 15 further comprising a cutting blade disposed on said stapler housing and configured to cut the tape from the tape roll. 17. The tape dispenser of claim 15 further comprising opposing walls on said concave contour, wherein said pin is retained in said opposing walls. 18. The tape dispenser of claim 17 further comprising a passage on said opposing walls of said concave contour, said passage configured to receive said pin, wherein said passage extends in at least one of a first direction and a second direction. 19. The tape dispenser of claim 18 wherein said first direction is generally perpendicular to said second direction. 20. The tape dispenser of claim 17 further comprising an end of said passage at said convex contour configured to receive said pin in said passage.
RELATED APPLICATION The present application claims priority under 35 USC§ 120 from U.S. Ser. No. 60/599,567 filed Aug. 6, 2004. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to office products, and more specifically to staplers, tape dispensers and flag dispensers. In today's work place, a user typically has several office supplies which he/she uses throughout the day to carry out a broad range of tasks. Ranging in size and function, office supplies are usually individually designed for one specific function. It is not unusual for a user to have multiple supplies, such as a stapler, a tape dispenser, a flag dispenser and the like, located in the immediate work space. Clutter in the work space can lead to an unpleasant work environment and reduced efficiency. Additionally, since many office supplies are smaller than other objects used in the work space, they frequently get misplaced. Further, when a user simultaneously needs more than one office supply to perform a task, the user can find himself/herself shorthanded. Thus, there is a need for an office supply that addresses the issues and concerns described above. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide an office appliance that combines the functions of multiple office appliances. This objective is met by combination stapler, tape dispenser and flag dispenser which includes a stapler having a housing. Disposed in the housing is a tape dispenser, as well as a flag dispenser. In another embodiment, an office appliance is provided including a flag dispenser disposed in a stapler for dispensing flags. The flag dispenser includes a storage bin configured to store the flags, and a cover having a slot for feeding the flags through the cover. The storage bin and the cover are removably disposed in the stapler. In yet another embodiment, a combination stapler having a housing and a tape dispenser disposed in the housing for dispensing tape is provided. The tape dispenser includes a convex contour in the stapler housing having a concave contour for receiving a tape roll. Also included in the tape dispenser is a pin disposed in the concave contour and configured to be placed through the center of the tape roll. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the combination stapler with tape dispenser and flag dispenser; FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the combination stapler of FIG. 1 showing the tape dispenser; FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the combination stapler of FIG. 1 showing the flag dispenser and the tape dispenser; FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the combination stapler of FIG. 1 showing the flag dispenser removed from the stapler; and FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a magazine member and a base member of the combination stapler of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the present combination appliance includes a stand-up stapler, tape dispenser and flag dispenser, and is generally designated 10. For convenience of reference, the combination stand-up stapler, tape dispenser and flag dispenser 10 will hereinafter be referred to as the combination stapler 10. The combination stapler 10 incorporates multiple office tools into a single housing or housing assembly 11 while generally retaining the configuration of a conventional stapler. Further, the combination stapler 10 allows the user to replace the expendables used with the multiple office tools of the combination stapler. The first component of the combination stapler 10 is a stapler 12 having two arms, a major arm 14 in which a dispensing mechanism 16 is disposed, and a minor arm 18, which is used to impart force against the dispensing mechanism, as is known in the art. At least one of the major and minor arms 14, 18 is preferably provided with an optional resilient grip-enhancing pad 19. The major and minor arms 14, 18 meet at a spring-loaded pivot 20 at a proximal end of each arm 22, 24, respectively. At the pivot 20, a housing 26 of the major arm 14 fits over a housing 28 of the minor arm 18, and the pivot extends through the minor arm such that the minor arm is pivotable with respect to the major arm. The pivot 20 is preferably a pin positively retained in and extending from a first inside surface 30 of the major arm housing 26 to a second inside surface 32 of the major arm housing. Referring now to FIG. 5, the dispensing mechanism 16 includes a base member 34 and a staple magazine member 36 pivotally secured to one another at their distal ends 38, 40, respectively, by the pivot 20. However, it is contemplated that a separate, dedicated pivot be provided to the ends 38, 40. The staple magazine member 36 is preferably a channel-like member having a general “U”-shape when viewed in section configured for receiving staples 42, as is known in the art. The base member 34 is also preferably a channel-like member having a generally inverted “U”-shape when viewed in section where spaced, generally parallel legs of the “U”-shape are preferably configured to fit within legs of the magazine member “U”. In a closed position, the base member 34 is generally axially aligned with, and fits within the “U”-shape of the staple magazine member 36 to form a closed channel around the staples 42. When the magazine member 36 is opened from the base member 34, the magazine member is pivoted about the pivot 20 with respect to the base member and the major arm 14 so that staples can be placed into the magazine member. Also included in the dispensing mechanism 16 and preferably disposed within the channel of the staple magazine member 36, a staple feeder (not shown) is preferably mounted within the legs of the “U” for sliding movement along the length of the magazine member, as is known in the art. The feeder is biased away from the pivot 20 and toward a front end 44 of the magazine member 36 by a tension spring 46. Preferably attached at the base member 34 at one end, wrapped around a base pin 48, and attached to the feeder at the other end, the tension spring 46 biases the staples 42 towards the front end 42. A staple drive clearance 50 is formed near the front end 44 at a bottom wall 51 of the staple magazine member 36. When the staples 42 are biased towards the front end 44, a staple driver bar 52 engages and drives the staple adjacent the front end from the staple magazine member 36 into a workpiece (not shown). The staple driver bar 52 is preferably a thin member attached to the major arm 14. The staple base member 34 is biased away from the major arm 14 by a compression spring 54 disposed between the major arm and the base member. When a user operates the stapler 12, the major arm 14 and the minor arm 18 pivot with respect to each other and towards each other. When the minor arm 18 overcomes the bias of the spring-loaded pivot 20 (FIG. 1), and engages the magazine member 36, the base member 34 disposed within the channel of the magazine member is pivoted relative to and towards the major arm 14. The pivoting of the base member 34 overcomes the bias of the compression spring 54 to move the base member and the magazine member 36 relative to the driver bar 52, which is fixed with respect to the major arm 14. The relative motion of the driver bar 52 with respect to the base member 34 and the magazine member 36 drives the staple 42 through the staple drive clearance 50 and into a workpiece (not shown). Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, opposite the proximal ends 20, 22 of each of the arms 14, 18, a respective distal end 56, 58 of each arm is preferably provided with a flat surface 60. The flat surface 60 is configured to enable the stapler 12 to stand upright on the arms 14, 18, when not in use. Other stapler configurations are contemplated and the present stapler 12 is not deemed limited to the structure described above. Near the proximal end 22 of the major arm 14, a tape dispenser 62 is preferably located within the arm 14 and is accessible at a first outward side 64. The first outward side 64 of the major arm 14 has a generally convex contour 66, and disposed within the convex contour is a concave contour or chamber 68 in which a tape roll 70 is removably inserted. A pin 72 inserted through the center of the tape roll 70 maintains the tape roll securely in the major arm 14. The pin is positioned into two opposing holes 74 on two opposing walls 76 in the concave contour 68. Extending from the two opposing holes 74, are two opposing passages 78 which are generally “L”-shaped and form channels on the two opposing walls 76. To remove a depleted tape roll 70 from the tape dispenser 62, the pin 72 is moved within the passage 78 in a first direction, and then moved within the passage in a second direction generally 90-degrees from the first direction. At an outward end 80 of the passage 78, the pin 72 can be removed from the two opposing walls 76, and the tape roll 70 can be replaced. The tape dispenser 62 also includes a cutting blade 81 disposed at an end 79 of the concave contour 68. The cutting blade 81 is preferably a metal strip with a serrated edge disposed on the main arm 14 and configured to receive and cut tape from the tape roll 70, as is well known in the art. Other configurations of tape cutters are contemplated. As seen in FIGS. 3-4, on an outwardly facing surface 82 of the minor arm 18, a flag dispenser 84 is preferably disposed proximate the first end 24. In the preferred embodiment, the flag dispenser 84 has a flag storage bin 86 and a cover 88 which forms a cavity 90 for placement of flags 92. The cover 88 preferably has two arms 94 which generally extend perpendicularly to an exterior surface 89 of the cover 88. A slot 96 is preferably generally centrally disposed on the cover 88 for dispensing the flags 92. Preferably, the flag storage bin 86 has walls 98 having a size and shape that enables the bin to fit within the arms 94 of the cover 88. Together, the storage bin 86 and the cover 88 are removably placed in a receiving portion 100 of the minor arm 18. Forming a cavity in the minor arm 18, the receiving portion 100 includes a receiving formation 102, such as projections and grooves for receiving and properly locating the cover 88. In the preferred embodiment, the receiving formation 102 is a projection 104 on one end, and a slot 106 on the opposite end. A resilient tab 108 is preferably disposed on the cover 88 and is configured to engage the slot 106 of the receiving formation 102 to retain the flag dispenser 84 within the minor arm 18. Preferably opposite the tab 108 are two spaced projections 110 configured for engaging the projection 104 between the projections. It is also contemplated that the flag dispenser 84 may be retained in the receiving formation 102 in other ways. Flags 92 are accessible to the user at the slot 96 where the flags are fed from the storage bin 86 up through the slot. When replacement of the flags 92 is required, the resilient tab 108 is pressed, the slotted cover 88 is removed from the minor arm 18, and the storage bin 86 is removed from the slotted cover for reloading of flags. In the preferred embodiment, the combination stapler 10 has a smooth, contoured housing assembly, with the tape dispenser 62 and the flag dispenser 84 forming a part of the stapler 12. However, it is contemplated that the combination stapler 10 may be a series of separate housings that are removably attached to the stapler 12, for example, the tape dispenser 62 may be removably attached to the stapler. Further, although the preferred embodiment of the combination stapler 10 includes the tape dispenser 62 and the flag dispenser 84, it is contemplated that additional or substitute office supplies may be incorporated, such as pencil sharpeners, erasers, Post-it® note dispensers, and the like. While specific embodiments of the present stapler with tape dispenser and flag dispenser have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention relates generally to office products, and more specifically to staplers, tape dispensers and flag dispensers. In today's work place, a user typically has several office supplies which he/she uses throughout the day to carry out a broad range of tasks. Ranging in size and function, office supplies are usually individually designed for one specific function. It is not unusual for a user to have multiple supplies, such as a stapler, a tape dispenser, a flag dispenser and the like, located in the immediate work space. Clutter in the work space can lead to an unpleasant work environment and reduced efficiency. Additionally, since many office supplies are smaller than other objects used in the work space, they frequently get misplaced. Further, when a user simultaneously needs more than one office supply to perform a task, the user can find himself/herself shorthanded. Thus, there is a need for an office supply that addresses the issues and concerns described above.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The object of the present invention is to provide an office appliance that combines the functions of multiple office appliances. This objective is met by combination stapler, tape dispenser and flag dispenser which includes a stapler having a housing. Disposed in the housing is a tape dispenser, as well as a flag dispenser. In another embodiment, an office appliance is provided including a flag dispenser disposed in a stapler for dispensing flags. The flag dispenser includes a storage bin configured to store the flags, and a cover having a slot for feeding the flags through the cover. The storage bin and the cover are removably disposed in the stapler. In yet another embodiment, a combination stapler having a housing and a tape dispenser disposed in the housing for dispensing tape is provided. The tape dispenser includes a convex contour in the stapler housing having a concave contour for receiving a tape roll. Also included in the tape dispenser is a pin disposed in the concave contour and configured to be placed through the center of the tape roll.
20041214
20061205
20060209
73079.0
B26B1100
1
LOPEZ, MICHELLE
STAPLER WITH TAPE DISPENSER AND FLAG DISPENSER
SMALL
0
ACCEPTED
B26B
2,004
11,014,479
ACCEPTED
Recessed in-floor fitting
Embodiments of the present invention include an in-floor fitting for providing access to an underfloor electric distribution system. The in-floor fitting includes a cover configured to move between open and closed positions and being moved to an open position to allow a cable to pass therethrough. The in-floor fitting includes a receptacle positioned below the cover and configured to operatively connect to a cable comprising at least one of an electrical cable and a communication cable, wherein the cover is substantially flush with a surface of a floor when the cable is operatively connected to the receptacle and the cover is in the closed position.
1. An in-floor fitting for providing access to an underfloor electric distribution system, comprising: a cover configured to move between open and closed positions, said cover being moved to an open position to allow a cable to pass therethrough, a receptacle positioned below said cover and configured to operatively connect to a cable comprising at least one of an electrical cable and a communication cable, wherein said cover is substantially flush with a surface of a floor when the cable is operatively connected to said receptacle and said cover is in said closed position. 2. The in-floor fitting of claim 1, further comprising an intumescent insert receiving said receptacle and being positioned with respect to said cover to define a passage therebetween for receiving said cable. 3. The in-floor fitting of claim 1, further comprising a top plate, said top plate comprising at least one interior passage for receiving said receptacle and support legs extending toward said cover to define a channel therebetween for receiving said cable. 4. The in-floor fitting of claim 1, further comprising a top plate and wherein said cover is defined by a ring, said receptacle being received in said top plate and said top plate including legs extending between said top plate and said ring to define a passage, said cable extending from said receptacle through said passage and said cover in said closed position. 5. The in-floor fitting of claim 1, wherein said cover is defined by a trim ring connected to at least one access door, said access door being configured to move relative to said trim ring between said open and closed positions. 6. The in-floor fitting of claim 1, wherein said cover is defined by at least one access door including an egress door configured to open an egress door opening, wherein when said access door is in said closed position and said egress door is open, said cable extends through said egress door opening. 7. The in-floor fitting of claim 1, wherein an audio/video (AV) device is operatively connected to said receptacle and is positioned between said cover and said receptacle, and wherein said cover is configured to be substantially flush with said surface when said AV connector is operatively connected to said receptacle. 8. The in-floor fitting of claim 1, wherein said cover is defined by at least one access door and a ring, said access door having an opening and being connected to said ring such that said access door can move from between an open and closed position, said cable being connected to said receptacle when said access door is in said open position, said access door being moved to said closed position such that said cable is received in said opening and said access door is substantially flush with said ring. 9. An in-floor fitting, comprising: an intumescent insert having at least one interior opening; a top plate having a top surface, said top plate being mounted over said intumescent insert, said top plate comprising at least one interior passage and support legs extending upwardly from said top surface; a trim ring having an upper surface, said trim ring being mounted to distal ends of said support legs; at least one access door movably secured to said trim ring, said at least one access door being movable to an open position and a closed position, wherein said at least one access door is configured to be substantially flush with said upper surface of said trim ring when said access door is in a closed position, said at least one access door comprising an egress door configured to open and close relative to said at least one access door; and at least one of an electrical receptacle and a communication device, wherein a top surface of said at least one of an electrical receptacle and a communication device is substantially flush with said top surface of said top plate, and wherein at least a portion of said at least one of an electrical receptacle and a communication device is housed within said at least one interior opening of said intumescent insert. 10. The in-floor fitting of claim 9, wherein an audio/video (AV) device is operatively connected to said at least one of an electrical receptacle and a communication device and is positioned between said at least one access door and said top surface of said top plate, and wherein said at least one access door is configured to be substantially flush with a surface of a floor when said AV connector is operatively connected to said at least one of an electrical receptacle and a communication device. 11. The in-floor fitting of claim 9, wherein said top plate and said trim ring define a central passage therebetween that receives a plug connected to said at least one of an electrical receptacle and a communication device. 12. The in-floor fitting of claim 9, wherein when said egress door is in said open position and said access door is in said closed position, said access door defines an egress door opening that receives a cable therethrough while said access door remains substantially flush with said upper surface. 13. The in-floor fitting of claim 9, wherein said trim ring has two access doors that each include an ingress door opening to receive said ingress door of said other access door or receive therethrough said at lease one of an electrical receptacle and a communication device. 14. The in-floor fitting of claim 9, wherein said at least one access door includes at least one egress opening and when said at least one access door is in said open position, said at least one of an electrical receptacle and a communication device is operably connected to a cable, said at least one access door then being moved to said closed position such that said cable extends through said egress opening and said at least one access door is substantially flush with said upper surface. 15. The in-floor fitting of claim 9, further comprising both an electrical receptacle and a communication device, said at least one access door including at least one egress opening, each of said electrical receptacle and said communication device being operably connected to a cable, each of said cables extending through said at least one egress opening such that said at least one access door is in the closed position and is substantially flush with said top surface. 16. An in-floor fitting, comprising: an intumescent insert; a top plate being mounted to said intumescent insert, said top plate comprising support legs extending upwardly therefrom; a trim ring having an upper surface, said trim ring being mounted to distal ends of said support legs; at least one access door secured to said trim ring and being movable relative to said trim ring to an open position and a closed position, wherein said at least one access door is configured to be substantially flush with said upper surface of said trim ring when said access door is in said closed position, said at least one access door defining an opening; and at least one receptacle, wherein at least a portion of said at least one receptacle is housed within said top plate and said intumescent insert. 17. The in-floor fitting of claim 16, wherein said intumescent insert includes at least one interior opening and said top plate includes a top surface, said at least one receptacle being housed within said interior opening of said intumescent insert and substantially flush with said top surface of said top plate. 18. The in-floor fitting of claim 16, wherein said support legs define a central passage between said trim ring and said top plate, said central passage receiving a plug head of a cable that is connected to said at least one receptacle such that said cable extends through said opening of said at least one access door when said at least one access door is in said closed position. 19. The in-floor fitting of claim 16, wherein said at least one access door includes an egress door that moves relative to said at least one access door to an open position and a closed position, wherein when said egress door is in said open position, said opening receives a cable therethrough with said at least one access door in said closed position. 20. The in-floor fitting of claim 16, wherein when said at least one access door is in said open position, said at least one receptacle is operably connected to a cable, said at least one access door then being moved to said closed position such that said cable extends through said opening and said at least one access door is substantially flush with said upper surface.
RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is related to, and claims priority from, Provisional Application No. 60/532,187, filed Dec. 23, 2003, titled “Recessed In-Floor Fitting,” the complete subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to an in-floor fitting for carrying electrical equipment in the floors of buildings. More particularly, the present invention relates to a recessed in-floor fitting that remains flush with the floor even when receiving a cable plug. In-floor fittings such as poke-thru fittings, afterset fittings, and preset fittings are installed in concrete floors to provide electrical receptacles and communication/data receptacles (or jacks) at desired locations in buildings. Poke-thru fittings are designed to be installed in an opening in a floor, such as a concrete slab or steel deck, in a building structure such as an office building to provide electrical receptacles and/or communication/data receptacles at desired locations in buildings. As explained in U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,643, source power and signal cables, loosely positioned in a plenum, which is between the ceiling of the floor below and the floor above (that is, the floor in which the opening is in), may be pulled from the plenum and connected with or passed through the poke-thru fitting for activation of services for and on the floor above. More specifically, high voltage source power cables are connected with power receptacles that may be mounted within the poke-thru fitting or surface mounted on the floor above the fitting. Lower voltage communication/data signal cables have traditionally been passed through the poke-thru fitting to provide above floor connections between these cables and equipment positioned on the floor above. More recently, poke-thru fittings have been developed that also provide for mounting the communication/data receptacle within the fitting. Standards promulgated by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) require poke-thru fittings to enable the fire rating of the floor to be substantially the same with or without the floor opening and fitting therein. As a result, poke-thru fittings typically incorporate fire-retarding material, generally intumescent material, to retard the transmission of heat and flame from a fire in the plenum, for example. The intumescent material is activated upon exposure to a fire's heat and flames, rising through the floor opening from a fire below the floor. The intumescent material absorbs the heat and expands to fill open spaces in the floor. Components of many in-floor fittings upwardly protrude above the surface of the floor when electrical and communications devices within the fittings are operatively connected to an above-floor system (e.g., a personal computer). For example, access doors and egress doors of the access doors may be open and/or ajar due to the fact that cabling and/or wiring is passing through an in-floor fitting. Such protrusions may be aesthetically unpleasant and may also pose tripping hazards. Thus, a need exists for a poke-thru assembly that addresses the problems described above. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Certain embodiments of the present invention include an in-floor fitting for providing access to an underfloor electric distribution system. The in-floor fitting includes a cover configured to move between open and closed positions and being moved to an open position to allow a cable to pass therethrough. The in-floor fitting includes a receptacle positioned below the cover and configured to operatively connect to a cable comprising at least one of an electrical cable and a communication cable, wherein the cover is substantially flush with a surface of a floor when the cable is operatively connected to the receptacle and the cover is in the closed position. Certain embodiments of the present invention include an in-floor fitting. The in-floor fitting includes an intumescent insert having at least one interior opening and a top plate having a top surface. The top plate is mounted over the intumescent insert and the top plate comprises at least one interior passage and support legs extending upwardly from the top surface. The in-floor fitting further includes a trim ring having an upper surface and being mounted to distal ends of the support legs. The in-floor fitting further includes at least one access door movably secured to the trim ring and that is movable to an open position and a closed position. The at least one access door is configured to be substantially flush with the upper surface of the trim ring when the access door is in a closed position. The at least one access door comprises an egress door configured to open and close relative to the at least one access door. The in-floor fitting further includes at least one of an electrical receptacle and a communication device, wherein a top surface of the at least one of an electrical receptacle and a communication device is substantially flush with the top surface of the top plate and at least a portion of the at least one of an electrical receptacle and a communication device is housed within the at least one interior opening of the intumescent insert. Certain embodiments of the present invention include an in-floor fitting. The in-floor fitting includes an intumescent insert, a top plate being mounted to the intumescent insert and comprising support legs extending upwardly therefrom, and a trim ring having an upper surface and being mounted to distal ends of the support legs. The in-floor fitting further includes at least one access door secured to the trim ring and movable to an open and a closed position. The at least one access door is configured to be substantially flush with the upper surface of the trim ring when the access door is in the closed position. The at least one access door defines an opening. The in-floor fitting further includes at least one receptacle, wherein at least a portion of the at least one receptacle is housed within the top plate and the intumescent insert. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric exploded view of a poke-thru assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of the poke-thru assembly of FIG. 1 with one access door in an open position. FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the poke-thru assembly of FIG. 1 with the access doors in a closed position. FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of the poke-thru assembly of FIG. 1 with the access doors closed and a cable passing through an egress door opening. FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of the poke-thru assembly of FIG. 1 with both access doors in an open position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric exploded view of a poke-thru assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The assembly 10 includes a bottom plate 12, an intumescent insert 14, a top plate 16, a trim ring 18, and access doors 20. The bottom plate 12 includes an upper surface 22 and a lower surface 24. An electrical opening 26 is formed from the upper surface 22 through the lower surface 24 and into a channel 27 defined by a cylindrical electrical conduit 28. A communication opening 30 is formed from the upper surface 22 through the lower surface 24 and into a channel 32 defined by a cylindrical communication conduit 34. The intumescent insert 14 includes a generally cylindrical main body 36 defined by an outer wall 38 and upper and lower surfaces 40 and 42. An electrical opening 44 and a communication opening 46 extend from the upper surface 40 to the lower surface 42. The top plate 16 includes a generally circular main body 48 with upwardly extending support legs 50. The main body 48 includes an electrical receptacle mounting structure 52 that is configured to receive and retain an electrical receptacle 53 (such as a duplex receptacle). Similarly, a communication mounting structure 54 is formed through the main body 48 and is configured to receive and retain a communications device 56 (such as a telephone, data, audio/visual connector, jack or device). The electrical receptacle mounting structure 52 and the communication mounting structure 54 are configured to securely retain the electrical receptacle 53 and the communication device 56, while at the same time, allowing cabling or wiring connected to each of the electrical receptacle 53 (such as wiring 58) and the communication device 56 to pass therethrough. The intumescent insert 14 is configured to be sandwiched between the bottom plate 12 and the top plate 16. When the assembly 10 is fully assembled, electrical wiring (such as wiring 58) connected to the electrical receptacle 53 passes through an electrical passage defined by the mounting structure 52, the electrical opening 44, the electrical opening 26 and the channel 27. Similarly, communication/data cables pass through a communication passage defined by the mounting structure 54, the communication opening 46, the communication opening 30, and the channel 32. Each upwardly extending leg 50 includes an upright portion 60 having a first end 62 secured to the main body 48 of the top plate 16 and a second end 63 having a mounting tab 64. The mounting tab 64 includes a fastener through-hole 66. The mounting tabs 64 are configured to securely support the trim ring 18. The trim ring 18 includes fastener through-holes 68 that are configured to align with the fastener through-holes 66 of the mounting tabs 64. The trim ring 18 may be secured to the mounting tabs 64 through screws, nails, rivets, and the like. Alternatively, the trim ring 18 may include latching members, clasps, barbs, or the like that are configured to securably engage reciprocal structures formed on the mounting tabs 64. The trim ring 18 includes an annular body 70 defining a central passage 72. The fastener through-holes 68 are positioned proximate an internal edge 74 of the annular body 70, but may be formed at different areas of the annular body 70. The trim ring 18 is configured to be securely mounted slightly above, or flush with, a top surface of a floor (not shown). The trim ring 18 also includes hinge-mounting structures 76 configured to retain hinges 78 formed on the access doors 20. The hinges 78 are pivotally secured within the hinge-mounting structures 76. Thus, the access doors 20 may be pivoted between open and closed positions by way of the hinges 78 pivoting about the hinge-mounting structures 76 relative to the trim ring 18. Each access door 20 may be held in a closed position against the trim ring 18 with at least one spring clip 79 mounted thereto. The access doors 20 define a cover for the poke-thru assembly 10 when in the closed position. Each access door 20 includes a semi-circular main body 80 having egress door openings 84 formed at an interior edge 85. An egress door 86 is configured to be movably secured within at least one egress door opening 84 on each access door 20. That is, the egress doors 86 may slide, pivot, or otherwise move relative to the egress door openings 84. FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of a poke-thru assembly 10 with one access door 20 in an open position. As shown in FIG. 2, each access door 20 includes two egress door openings 84 but pivotally retains one egress door 86. An egress door 86 secured to one of the access doors 20 covers an opening defined by the egress door opening 84 of the access door 20 to which the egress door 86 is secured, and an egress door opening 84 of the access door 20 to which the egress door 86 is not secured. That is, each access door 20 includes an egress door opening 84 for the egress door 86 to which the access door 20 is connected to, and an egress door opening 84 that is a reciprocal opening for the egress door 86 of the other access door 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the access doors 20 may be spring biased such that pressing down on the access doors 20 may deactivate a spring activated latch mechanism, thereby allowing the access door 20 to be pivoted into an open position in the direction of arrow A. The egress doors 86 may be pivoted into an open position by pushing downwardly thereon so that the egress door 86 is positioned below the surface of the access door 20. That is, instead of opening upwardly above the surface of the access door 20, the egress doors 86 are pushed downwardly below the access doors 20. In order to close the egress doors 86, the access doors 20 are opened and the egress doors 86 are swung back into a closed position. The access doors 20 have latching members that snapably, latchably, or otherwise removably secure the egress doors 86 into a closed position, but that also allow quick and easy opening of the egress doors 86. Once the access doors 20 are open, electrical and communication cables (not shown) may be guided into the cavity formed between the upper surface of the intumescent insert and the central passage 72. The cables may be electrically connected to the electrical receptacle 53 (i.e., a plug mating with an electrical outlet of the electrical receptacle) and the communication device 56. As shown in FIG. 2, the top surface of the electrical receptacle 53 and the communication device 56 are substantially flush with an upper surface 73 of the intumescent insert 14. That is, the bulk of the electrical receptacle 53 and the communication device 56 are housed within electrical opening 44 and the communication opening 46 (FIG. 1), respectively, of the intumescent insert 14. The legs 50 support the trim ring 18 and access doors 20 a distance D above the upper surface 73 (and hence the electrical receptacle 53 and the communication device 56). The distance D is adequate to allow an entire plug portion of an electrical cable, or large audio/video type connectors, to be housed within the central passage 72; below the surface of the trim ring 18 and the surface of the floor. FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of a poke-thru assembly 10 with the access doors 20 in a closed position. As shown in FIG. 3, the access doors 20 and the egress doors 86 are substantially flush with an upper surface of the trim ring 18. FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of a poke-thru assembly 10 with the access doors 20 closed and a cable 90 passing through an egress door opening 84. The cable 90 is positioned within the central passage 72 when at least one of the access doors 20 is in an open position (as shown in FIG. 2). FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of a poke-thru assembly 10 with both access doors 20 in an open position. Referring again to FIG. 4, after the cable is positioned within the central passage 72, an egress door 86 proximate the cable 90 is then depressed into an open position. Once the cable 90 is mated to an appropriate structure (e.g., the electrical receptacle 53 of the communication device 56), the access doors 20 are closed around the cable such that the cable 90 is positioned within an egress door opening 84. The egress door opening 84 (defined by the aligned egress door openings 84 of the two access doors 20) is sized to allow the cable to pass therethrough, while at the same time ensuring that the closed access doors 20 are flush with the top surface of the trim ring 18. Hence, the poke-thru assembly 10 does not include any components that protrude above a top surface of the trim ring 18, or substantially above the top surface of the floor. Likewise, another cable can be positioned in the poke-thru assembly 10 with the plug received in the central passage 72 and mated to the communications device 56 and the cable extending through an egress door opening 84 such that the access doors 20 are flush with the top surface of the trim ring 18. Both cables may be positioned within the poke-thru assembly 10 at the same time. Alternatively, one of the receptacles of the recessed in-floor fitting may be a receptacle, jack, device, or power receptacle for being connected to an audio/visual connector or plug. Alternatively, embodiments of the present invention may be used with a split dome configuration, as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,545,215, entitled “Split Dome Cover Assembly for an In-Floor Fitting,” which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety. Thus, the egress doors may slide into open and close positions. Also, alternatively, embodiments of the present invention may be used with various in-floor fittings, such as afterset fittings, preset fittings, poke-thru fittings, and the like. While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention generally relates to an in-floor fitting for carrying electrical equipment in the floors of buildings. More particularly, the present invention relates to a recessed in-floor fitting that remains flush with the floor even when receiving a cable plug. In-floor fittings such as poke-thru fittings, afterset fittings, and preset fittings are installed in concrete floors to provide electrical receptacles and communication/data receptacles (or jacks) at desired locations in buildings. Poke-thru fittings are designed to be installed in an opening in a floor, such as a concrete slab or steel deck, in a building structure such as an office building to provide electrical receptacles and/or communication/data receptacles at desired locations in buildings. As explained in U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,643, source power and signal cables, loosely positioned in a plenum, which is between the ceiling of the floor below and the floor above (that is, the floor in which the opening is in), may be pulled from the plenum and connected with or passed through the poke-thru fitting for activation of services for and on the floor above. More specifically, high voltage source power cables are connected with power receptacles that may be mounted within the poke-thru fitting or surface mounted on the floor above the fitting. Lower voltage communication/data signal cables have traditionally been passed through the poke-thru fitting to provide above floor connections between these cables and equipment positioned on the floor above. More recently, poke-thru fittings have been developed that also provide for mounting the communication/data receptacle within the fitting. Standards promulgated by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) require poke-thru fittings to enable the fire rating of the floor to be substantially the same with or without the floor opening and fitting therein. As a result, poke-thru fittings typically incorporate fire-retarding material, generally intumescent material, to retard the transmission of heat and flame from a fire in the plenum, for example. The intumescent material is activated upon exposure to a fire's heat and flames, rising through the floor opening from a fire below the floor. The intumescent material absorbs the heat and expands to fill open spaces in the floor. Components of many in-floor fittings upwardly protrude above the surface of the floor when electrical and communications devices within the fittings are operatively connected to an above-floor system (e.g., a personal computer). For example, access doors and egress doors of the access doors may be open and/or ajar due to the fact that cabling and/or wiring is passing through an in-floor fitting. Such protrusions may be aesthetically unpleasant and may also pose tripping hazards. Thus, a need exists for a poke-thru assembly that addresses the problems described above.
<SOH> BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Certain embodiments of the present invention include an in-floor fitting for providing access to an underfloor electric distribution system. The in-floor fitting includes a cover configured to move between open and closed positions and being moved to an open position to allow a cable to pass therethrough. The in-floor fitting includes a receptacle positioned below the cover and configured to operatively connect to a cable comprising at least one of an electrical cable and a communication cable, wherein the cover is substantially flush with a surface of a floor when the cable is operatively connected to the receptacle and the cover is in the closed position. Certain embodiments of the present invention include an in-floor fitting. The in-floor fitting includes an intumescent insert having at least one interior opening and a top plate having a top surface. The top plate is mounted over the intumescent insert and the top plate comprises at least one interior passage and support legs extending upwardly from the top surface. The in-floor fitting further includes a trim ring having an upper surface and being mounted to distal ends of the support legs. The in-floor fitting further includes at least one access door movably secured to the trim ring and that is movable to an open position and a closed position. The at least one access door is configured to be substantially flush with the upper surface of the trim ring when the access door is in a closed position. The at least one access door comprises an egress door configured to open and close relative to the at least one access door. The in-floor fitting further includes at least one of an electrical receptacle and a communication device, wherein a top surface of the at least one of an electrical receptacle and a communication device is substantially flush with the top surface of the top plate and at least a portion of the at least one of an electrical receptacle and a communication device is housed within the at least one interior opening of the intumescent insert. Certain embodiments of the present invention include an in-floor fitting. The in-floor fitting includes an intumescent insert, a top plate being mounted to the intumescent insert and comprising support legs extending upwardly therefrom, and a trim ring having an upper surface and being mounted to distal ends of the support legs. The in-floor fitting further includes at least one access door secured to the trim ring and movable to an open and a closed position. The at least one access door is configured to be substantially flush with the upper surface of the trim ring when the access door is in the closed position. The at least one access door defines an opening. The in-floor fitting further includes at least one receptacle, wherein at least a portion of the at least one receptacle is housed within the top plate and the intumescent insert.
20041216
20070227
20050623
57556.0
3
PATEL, DHIRUBHAI R
RECESSED IN-FLOOR FITTING
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
2,004
11,014,677
ACCEPTED
Optical semiconductor device with multiple quantum well structure
An optical semiconductor device with a multiple quantum well structure, in which well layers and barrier layers comprising various types of semiconductor layers are alternately layered, in which device well layers (6a) of a first composition based on a nitride semiconductor material with a first electron energy and barrier layers (6b) of a second composition of a nitride semiconductor material with electron energy which is higher in comparison with the first electron energy are provided, followed, seen in the direction of growth, by a radiation-active quantum well layer (6c), for which the essentially non-radiating well layers (6a) and the barrier layers (6b) arranged in front form a superlattice.
1-15. (canceled) 16. An optical semiconductor device with a multiple quantum well structure, comprising: at least one combination of alternating essentially non-radiating well layers and barrier layers, both comprising various semiconductor layers based on a nitride semiconductor material and a radiation-active quantum well layer, disposed over the essentially non-radiating well layers and barrier layers. 17. The optical semiconductor device according to claim 16, wherein the well layers comprise thin aluminum-indium-gallium-nitride layers and the barrier layers comprise gallium-nitride or aluminum-gallium-nitride layers which are thicker than the well layers and the radiation-active quantum well comprises an indium-gallium-nitride layer. 18. The optical semiconductor device according to claim 16, wherein the radiation-active quantum well follows an uppermost barrier layer. 19. The optical semiconductor device according to claim 16, wherein layer thickness of the radiation-active quantum well is greater than layer thickness of the essentially non-radiating well layers. 20. The optical semiconductor device according to claim 16, wherein the essentially non-radiating well layers are thinner than 2 nm and the barrier layers are at least 3 nm thick. 21. The optical semiconductor device according to claim 17, wherein the well layers and barrier layers are doped with silicon. 22. The optical semiconductor device according to claim 21, wherein the dopant concentration is from 1017 to 1018 cm−3. 23. The optical semiconductor device according to claim 16, wherein within at least one of the essentially non-radiating well layers and indium content increases in a direction of growth. 24. The optical semiconductor device according to claim 23, wherein in the essentially non-radiating well layers the indium content, remote from the quantum well layer, lies below 5%. 25. An optical semiconductor device with a multiple quantum well structure, comprising: at least one combination of alternating well layers and barrier layers, both comprising various semiconductor layers based on a nitride semiconductor material, wherein at least one of the well layers shows a stepped potential profile similar to a delta potential. 26. The optical semiconductor device according to claim 25, wherein the at least one of the well layers has at least one pair of single layers, of which a first of the at least one pair, in a direction of growth, has a lower indium content than a second of the at least one pair in a direction of growth. 27. The optical semiconductor device according to claim 26, wherein the second of the at least one pair has an increased indium content of less than 5% than the first of the at least one pair. 28. The optical semiconductor device according to claim 26, wherein the indium content of the first of the at least one pair of single layers is less than 5%. 29. The optical semiconductor device according to claim 26, wherein the at least one well layer comprises a plurality of single layers whose indium content increases in direction of growth. 30. The optical semiconductor device according to claim 29, wherein the indium content increase is smaller than 5%. 31. The optical semiconductor device according to claim 29, wherein the thickness of each of the plurality of single layers comprises at least one monolayer. 32. The optical semiconductor device according to claim 25, wherein the well layers are essentially non-radiating well layers. 33. The optical semiconductor device according to claim 25, wherein a radiation-active quantum well layer is disposed over the well layers and barrier layers.
The invention relates to an optical semiconductor device with a multiple quantum well structure, in which well layers and barrier layers comprising various types of semiconductor layers are alternately layered. A device of this type is known for example from EP 0 666 624 B1 or from Journal of Crystal Growth 189/190 (1998) pages 786-789. The high quantum efficiency of indium-gallium-nitride (InGaN)-based LEDs and laser diodes is caused by the self-organized growth of indium-rich islands in the active quantum well. As a result, the injected charge carriers are spatially localized at these islands and are prevented from non-radiating recombination at lattice defects. The nucleation of these quantum dots must be initiated by suitable buffer layers. In particular, indium-containing structures are suitable before the actual active zone as a buffer layer. Indium-containing nitridic semiconductors (GaxAlyIn1−(x+y)N semiconductors) have a tendency toward segregation and formation of indium-containing phases. This leads to varying strain fields at the growth surface, promoting the formation of indium-rich islands in the active quantum well. GaInN layers approximately 100 nm thick can be deposited before the active zone in order to improve the GaInN quantum dot nucleation. Previously, an optimum efficiency could be achieved with, for example, 2- to 10-fold quantum well structures. As can be shown experimentally, the emitted photons are generated exclusively in the two uppermost quantum wells (i.e. those closest to the p side). A suitable choice of growth parameters achieves the effect that the emission takes place exclusively in the uppermost of the quantum wells. The lower quantum wells serve for improving the nucleation of the GaInN islands in the uppermost quantum well. Dispensing with them causes the optical output power to be reduced by over 50%. However, these quantum wells lead to a considerable increase in the forward voltage. The forward voltage can be improved by reducing the number of wells at the expense of the quantum efficiency. The piezo fields, which lead to the observed increase in the forward voltage, can be compensated by high doping levels in the quantum well region. However, this adversely effects the crystal quality of the active layer or impairs the injection behavior and consequently reduces the internal quantum efficiency. The invention is based on the object of improving in this respect an optical semiconductor device of the type stated at the beginning. The invention achieves this object by the features of patent claim 1. The invention provides a multiple quantum well structure with well layers and barrier layers comprising various types of semiconductor layers which are layered alternately one on top of the other, in which the well layers are thin layers of a first composition based on a nitride semiconductor material with a first electron energy and the barrier layers are layers which are thicker in comparison, of a second composition of a nitride semiconductor material with electron energy which is higher in comparison with the first electron energy. Acting as the radiation-active quantum well, seen in the direction of growth, is firstly one of the last quantum well layers or the last quantum well layer. The well layers arranged in front, which essentially do not radiate, and the barrier layers form a superlattice for this last layer. In a particularly preferred development, in the superlattice, the well layers are thin aluminum-gallium-indium-nitride layers and the barrier layers are gallium-nitride layers which are thicker in comparison and the active quantum well has indium-gallium-nitride. Within at least one well layer of the superlattice, the In content preferably increases in the direction of growth, i.e. in the direction of the radiation-active quantum well layer. At the same time, the indium content remote from the radiation-active quantum well layer is preferably below 5%. In a particularly preferred development, at least one of the well layers of the superlattice has at least one pair of single layers, of which the first single layer in the direction of growth has a lower indium content than the second single layer in the direction of growth. This well layer preferably has a plurality of single layers whose indium content increases step by step from the single layer lying furthest away from the radiation-active quantum well layer to the single layer lying closest to the radiation-active quantum well layer. It is particularly preferred for the steps of the increase in indium content to be smaller than 5%. It is also particularly preferred for the indium content of the single layer furthest away from the radiation-active quantum well layer to be less than 5%. The thickness of the single layers preferably lies in the range of just a few monolayers, particularly preferably approximately one monolayer. The particular advantage of the step-by-step increase in the In content is that a potential profile resembling a delta potential is produced, in particular in the case where the thickness of the single layers does not significantly exceed that of a monolayer. The difference in the energy level in the barrier layers and the energy level obtained for one electron in the well layer is consequently not greater than in the case of a rectangular well layer with a significantly lower indium content as the uppermost single layer of the stepped well layer. This achieves the effect that the advantages of a reduced overall indium content are retained, but the strain is at the same time influenced by the high indium content of the last single layer in such a way that the nucleation of InGaN-rich phases is improved and, consequently, the quantum efficiency is increased. A further advantage arises for the following reason: the epitaxial growth of indium-containing III-V semiconductors (for example InGaAs, InGaN) is made more difficult by the relatively great atom radius of the indium. With constant fluxes of the group III components, indium is therefore incorporated with a delay. The indium concentration increases during the growth and approaches an equilibrium value exponentially. During the enriching phase, a certain indium coverage is formed on the growth surface. Only when this coverage is achieved is a constant amount of indium incorporated into the crystal. If, however, too much indium is offered, the indium present on the surface forms metallic droplets, which reduce the quality of the deposited layers. In particular, however, such indium droplets produce shunts at the p-n junction, reducing not only the quantum efficiency but also the stability with respect to electrostatic discharging (ESD). These effects are reduced by initially depositing indium-containing layers with a low indium content, preferably less than 5%, then increasing the indium content in subsequent layers. In the case of the active layer itself, the substructure is then already prepared by the well layers in such a way that InGaN compositions with a higher indium content can be deposited. The nucleation of indium-rich phases is advantageously improved by the increasing indium content in the well layer or layers. The harmful formation of indium droplets is at least considerably reduced. Further advantageous developments and refinements of the invention are the subject of subclaims. The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment with the aid of the figures, in which: FIG. 1a, b shows a schematic representation of the layer structure of a device according to the invention, FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of the quantum well structure of the device according to FIG. 1, FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the quantum well structure of a customary type, and FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of the profile of the conduction band according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention. According to FIG. 1a, initially a buffer layer 3 of aluminum-gallium-nitride (AlGaN) is formed on a substrate 1 of silicon carbide (SiC), to which a first contact electrode 2 is connected. This is followed by a further layer 4 of aluminum-gallium-nitride. A further buffer layer 5 of silicon-doped gallium nitride is arranged over the layer 4 and the quantum well structure 6a, b, still to be explained in more detail, is arranged over that, followed by the actual active layer 6c. Arranged over the active layer 6 is a further layer 7 of aluminum-gallium-nitride, which serves as an electron barrier. This layer 7 is preferably doped with magnesium. A further GaN layer, not designated, may be arranged between the layers 6 and 7. A gallium-nitride layer 8, on which a second contact electrode 9 of the device is provided, is arranged over the layer 7. The right-hand side of the layer structure shows in a schematically indicated manner the band gap of the single layers between the valence band and the conduction band. The buffer layer 3 functionally serves as a growth layer, which is required to allow the LED structure to grow on the silicon carbide substrate 1. The further aluminum-gallium-nitride layer 4 between the layers 3 and 5 has an aluminum content which changes in the direction of the gallium-nitride layer 5. The gallium-nitride layer 5 is preferably silicon-doped. The layer 7 of magnesium-doped aluminum-gallium-nitride arranged over the active layer 6 serves as an electron barrier. This basic structure of FIG. 1a can be used as standard for gallium-aluminum-indium-nitride light-emitting diodes (LEDs). FIG. 1b is an enlarged representation of the active layer 6 according to the invention. The layer with the quantum well structure 6 is constructed by layers 6a of gallium-indium-nitride (GaInN) being arranged between individual gallium-nitride (GaN) layers 6b. The actually active, i.e. light-emitting, layer 6c of gallium-indium-nitride (GaInN) is followed by the uppermost gallium-nitride layer 6b. As can be seen, layers 6a and 6b of different thickness alternate. The thinner layers 6a of indium-gallium-nitride and the thicker layers 6b of gallium-nitride in this case form superlattices, in which the wells 6a are thin, i.e. thinner than 3 nm, and the layers 6b are 3 nm and above. The layers are produced by vapor-phase or molecular-beam epitaxy. In this case, a slow growth of 1-10 nm/min, preferably 1-2 nm/min, at low temperatures around 700° C. is intended. The indium content lies below 24%, preferably however below 20%, and is therefore preferably reduced in comparison with customary indium contents. The layers 6a and 6b, depicted only once in the figure, may be arranged repeatedly one above the other, the structure preferably being repeated x=3 times. The uppermost gallium-nitride layer 6b is followed by the actually active, i.e. illuminating, layer 6c of indium-gallium-nitride. It may preferably be envisaged to dope the quantum well structure 6a, 6b with silicon in a concentration of 1017 to 1018 cm−3. This once again provides a significant improvement in comparison with an undoped structure. FIG. 2 shows the energy conditions for the valence band VB and the conduction band CB. The electron energy is plotted in the direction of the y-axis, the quantum wells with a width corresponding to the layer thickness are plotted in the direction of the x-axis. The uppermost gallium-nitride layer 6b is followed by the actually active layer 6c. FIG. 3 shows by comparison the valence band with thicker quantum wells of gallium-indium-nitride than in the case of the invention. The effect of the piezoelectric fields produced by the strains is indicated by the sloping lines. The use according to the invention of GaInN/GaN superlattices with thin wells (to a quantum well width of approximately 2 nm) in a layer structure according to FIG. 1 and with quantum well conditions according to FIG. 2 allows the forward voltage to be significantly lowered and, at the same time, the high internal quantum efficiency of the indium-gallium-nitride-based optical semiconductor device to be maintained. The piezo fields otherwise forming are avoided entirely or have virtually no effect any longer. In comparison with customary single quantum-well structures, in which no gallium-indium-nitride superlattice is deposited before the active well, the device structure according to the invention has twice the conversion efficiency. Superlattices are understood as meaning generally a particularly periodic sequence of layers only a few atomic layers thick. The superlattice is separated from the active well by a GaN or AlGaN barrier (>3 nm). The silicon doping of the quantum well structure is significantly improved in comparison with the undoped structure. In comparison with known superlattice structures, the device structure according to the invention has a forward voltage that is lowered by >0.5 V. In comparison with SQW (Single Quantum Well) structures, in which no GaInN superlattice is deposited before its active quantum well, it has been possible to double the conversion efficiency. The combination of thin, and low-indium-content, optically inactive quantum wells (“pre-wells”) with an active quantum well 6c allows the emission behavior of the previously known multiple quantum well structures to be maintained and the forward voltage to be lowered. The thin GaInN quantum wells improve the quality of the active quantum well, while the low layer thickness of the “pre-wells” and their low indium content have the effect of reducing the formation of disturbing piezo fields. The forward voltage is therefore not increased by this nucleation layer in comparison with a SQW structure. FIG. 4 shows the profile of the conduction band in an InGaN well layer 6a between two GaN barrier layers, the GaN barrier layer 6a comprising a total of 4 single layers 60a to 63a. The indium content increases step by step from the single layer 60a lying furthest away from the radiation-active quantum well layer 6c to the single layer 63a lying closest to the radiation-active quantum well layer 6c. The steps of the increase in the indium content are smaller than 5% and the indium content of the single layer 60a lying furthest away from the radiation-active quantum well layer 6c is less than 5%. The layer thickness of each of the single layers 60a to 63a lies in the range of just a few monolayers or corresponds approximately to one monolayer of the composition. This produces a potential profile which is similar to a delta potential. Consequently, the difference between the energy level in the barrier layers and the energy level obtained for an electron in the stepped well layer is no greater than in the case of a rectangular well layer (represented on the right-hand side in the figure) with a much lower indium content than the uppermost single layer of the stepped well layer. This achieves the effect that the advantages of a reduced overall indium content are maintained, but at the same time the strain is influenced by the high indium content of the last single layer in such a way that the nucleation of InGaN-rich phases is improved, and consequently the quantum efficiency is increased. The description of the invention on the basis of the above exemplary embodiment is of course not to be understood as a restriction of the invention to this embodiment. Rather, the invention also relates to devices in other material systems in which similar problems are to be solved.
20041216
20060912
20050602
88201.0
1
NGUYEN, TRUNG Q
OPTICAL SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE WITH MULTIPLE QUANTUM WELL STRUCTURE
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,014,805
ACCEPTED
Method and apparatus to manage power consumption of a semiconductor device
Briefly, a method an apparatus of a power management system of a semiconductor device capable of managing a power consumption of the semiconductor device by varying an operating voltage of the semiconductor device according to a voltage value based on a reference number.
1. A method comprising: generating a reference number related to one or more voltage levels; and managing a power consumption of a semiconductor device by varying an operating voltage of the semiconductor device according to a required voltage value based on the reference number. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein generating comprises: mapping a required voltage level according to a range of frequency values; and decoding the required voltage level and an operating frequency of the semiconductor device to provide the reference number. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein generating comprises: decoding a required voltage level and operating frequencies of two or more units of the semiconductor device to provide the reference number. 4. The method of claim 1, comprising: decoding the reference number to produce the required voltage value according to the required voltage level. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein decoding the voltage level comprises: manipulating the reference number with a property of the semiconductor device to provide the required voltage value. 6. A semiconductor device comprising: a power management unit capable of managing a power consumption of the semiconductor device by varying an operating voltage of the semiconductor device according to a required voltage value based on a reference number, wherein the reference number related to one or more voltage levels. 7. The semiconductor device of claim 6, comprising: a mapping registers to map a required voltage level according to a range of frequency values; and a voltage level decoder to decode the required voltage level and an operating frequency of the semiconductor device to provide the reference number. 8. The semiconductor device of claim 7, wherein the voltage level decoder is capable of decoding a required voltage level and operating frequencies of two or more units of the semiconductor device to provide the reference number. 9. The semiconductor device of claim 6, comprising: a voltage value decoder to decode the reference number and to produce a required voltage value according to the required voltage level. 10. The semiconductor device of claim 7, wherein the voltage level decoder is capable of manipulating the reference number with a property of the semiconductor device to provide the required voltage value. 11. An apparatus comprising: a power management unit able to vary a voltage of the apparatus according to a required voltage value related to a reference number based on a required voltage level, wherein the required voltage level is related to a required operating frequency of the apparatus. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, comprising: one or more frequency control registers to provide a required operating frequency value; one or more mapping registers to map a range of frequency values to the required voltage level; and a voltage level decoder to assign the reference number to the required voltage level according to the required operating frequency value. 13. The apparatus of claim 11, comprising: one or more setting registers to match one or more voltage values to the required voltage level to provide a matched voltage value; and a voltage value decoder to decode the required voltage value from the reference number and the matched voltage value. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the voltage value decoder is capable of manipulating the reference number with one or more properties of the apparatus to produce the voltage value. 15. A hand held device comprising: a voltage regulator to provide a voltage value of a semiconductor device, wherein the semiconductor device includes a power management unit able to vary a voltage of the voltage regulator according to a required voltage value related to a reference number based on a required voltage level, wherein the required voltage level is related to a required operating frequency of the apparatus. 16. The hand held device of claim 15, wherein the semiconductor device comprises: one or more frequency control registers to provide a required operating frequency value; one or more mapping registers to map a range of frequency values to the required voltage level; and a voltage level decoder to assign the reference number to the required voltage level according to the required operating frequency value. 17. The hand held device of claim 15, wherein the semiconductor device comprises: one or more setting registers to match one or more voltage values to the required voltage level to provide a matched voltage value; and a voltage value decoder to decode the required voltage value from the reference number and the matched voltage value. 18. The hand held device of claim 17, wherein the voltage value decoder is capable of manipulating the reference number with one or more properties of the semiconductor device to produce the voltage value. 19. An article comprising a storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, result in: generating a reference number related to one or more voltage levels; and managing a power consumption of a semiconductor device by varying an operating voltage of the semiconductor device according to a required voltage value based on the reference number 20. The Article of claim 19, wherein the instruction of generating when executed, results in: mapping a required voltage level according to a range of frequency values; and decoding the required voltage level and an operating frequency of the semiconductor device to provide the reference number. 21. The Article of claim 19, wherein the instruction of generating when executed, results in: decoding a required voltage level and operating frequencies of two or more units of the semiconductor device to provide the reference number. 22. The Article of claim 19, the instructions when executed, result in: decoding the reference number to produce the required voltage value according to the required voltage level. 23. The Article of claim 19, wherein the instruction of decoding the voltage level when executed, results in: manipulating the reference number with a property of the semiconductor device to provide the required voltage value
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Semiconductor devices are commonly referred to in the art as “chips”. Some semiconductor devices may include micro-electronic systems. For example, a system-on-chip (SOC) may include a graphic controller, a processor, a modem, one or more wireless communication units, an input/output interface unit, a display controller, a digital signal processor, one or more memories, or the like. Systems-on-chip may be used, for example, in battery operated devices and/or low power devices, and may include a dynamic voltage management (DVM) mechanism to control a power consumption of system-on-chip or other elements of the battery operated and/or low power device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanied drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a wireless communication device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a power management system according to exemplary embodiments of the invention; FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a method to vary an operating voltage of a semiconductor device according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a method to vary an operating voltage of a semiconductor device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention. Some portions of the detailed description, which follow, are presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits or binary digital signals within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations may be the techniques used by those skilled in the data processing arts to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities within the computing system's registers and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computing system's memories, registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices. In addition, the term “plurality” may be used throughout the specification to describe two or more components, devices, elements, parameters and the like. For example, “plurality of mobile stations” describes two or more mobile stations. It should be understood that the present invention may be used in a variety of applications. Although the present invention is not limited in this respect, the circuits and techniques disclosed herein may be used in many apparatuses such as, for example a hand held devices, battery operated devices wireless communication devices of a radio system and the like. Wireless communication devices intended to be included within the scope of the present invention include, by way of example only, wireless local area network (WLAN) devices, two-way radio devices, digital radio devices, analog radio devices, cellular radiotelephone devices and the like. Types of hand held devices intended to be within the scope of the present invention include, although are not limited to, tablet computers, personal data assistance (PDA), portable electronic mail (Email) device, or the like. Some embodiments of the invention may be implemented, for example, using a machine-readable medium or article which may store an instruction or a set of instructions that, if executed by a machine (for example, by stations of wireless communication system, and/or by other suitable machines), cause the machine to perform a method and/or operations in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Such machine may include, for example, any suitable processing platform, computing platform, computing device, processing device, computing system, processing system, computer, processor, or the like, and may be implemented using any suitable combination of hardware and/or software. The machine-readable medium or article may include, for example, any suitable type of memory unit, memory device, memory article, memory medium, storage device, storage article, storage medium and/or storage unit, for example, memory, removable or non-removable media, erasable or non-erasable media, writeable or re-writeable media, digital or analog media, hard disk, floppy disk, Compact Disk Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), Compact Disk Recordable (CD-R), Compact Disk Rewriteable (CD-RW), optical disk, magnetic media, various types of Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs), a tape, a cassette, or the like. The instructions may include any suitable type of code, for example, source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code, or the like, and may be implemented using any suitable high-level, low-level, object-oriented, visual, compiled and/or interpreted programming language, e.g., C, C++, Java, BASIC, Pascal, Fortran, Cobol, assembly language, machine code, or the like. Turning to FIG. 1, a wireless communication device 100 in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention is shown. Although the scope of the present invention is not limited in this respect, wireless communication device 100 may be a cellular mobile device, a wireless device of a wireless local area network (WLAN) and/or a wireless metropolitan area network (WPAN) such as, for example, an access point, a wireless personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile computer, a mobile data terminal, and the like. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, wireless communication device 100 may include an antenna 110, a semiconductor device 120, a display 130, a speaker 140, a microphone 150, a voltage regulator 160, a power source 160, and a keyboard 180, although the scope of the present invention is in no way limited to this exemplary embodiment of the invention. Although the scope of the present invention is not limited in this respect, in some embodiments of the invention, semiconductor device 120 may include a system on chip (SOC), which may be capable of performing at least some tasks of a mobile communication device. For example, semiconductor device 120 may include a wireless communication unit 121 capable of operating in a cellular radiotelephone system and/or in a WLAN and/or in a WPAN and/or in piconets and/or in other like systems or networks. In addition, semiconductor device 120 may include a processor 122, a memory 123, an input/output (I/O) interface unit 124, a power management unit 125, an audio/video unit 126, a display controller 127 and a frequency generator 128. Although the scope of the present invention is not limited in this respect, antenna 110 may include one or more antennas and the antennas may include an internal antenna, an antenna array, a dipole antenna, a multi-poles antenna, a multi directional antenna or the like. In some embodiments of the invention, antenna 110 may be operably coupled to the wireless communication unit 121 and may receive and/or transmit modulated radio frequency (RF) signals. Processor 122 may include a digital signal processor (DSP) and/or other type of processor and may be operably connected by a bus 129 to the other units of semiconductor device 120, if desired. In some exemplary embodiments of the present invention, I/O interface unit 124 may be operably coupled to keyboard 180 and may transfer keyboard strokes to processor 122, if desired. Memory 123 may include a Flash memory and/or any other desired type of memory and may be capable of storing applications, operating systems, temporary data values or the like. Audio/Video unit 126 may be coupled to loudspeaker 140 and microphone 150 and may process audio signals In addition, in some other embodiments of the invention audio/video unit 126 may include a graphic processor and may be coupled to a camera or video camera (not shown) and may be able to process images and/or video which may be displayed on display 130, if desired. Display controller 127 may control display 130, which may include a liquid crystal display and/or any other type of graphic or alphanumeric display, if desired. Although the scope of the present invention is not limited in this respect, frequency generator 128 may generate a desired clock frequency of semiconductor device 120. According to some embodiments of the invention the clock frequency may be varied to control a power consumption of semiconductor device 120. Power management unit 125 may receive from bus 129 a reference number, which may be related to the clock frequency and may be used as a basis for varying an operating voltage of semiconductor device 120 by converting the reference number to a voltage value. Power management unit 125 may provide the voltage value to voltage regulator 160 which may set the voltage of semiconductor device 120 according to this value, if desired. Although the scope of the present invention is not limited in this respect, in some embodiment of the invention semiconductor device 120 may include a software and/or hardware and/or any combination of hardware and software that may translate a required operating frequency of the semiconductor device 120 into corresponding reference numbers related to a required operating frequency and/or a required operating voltage level of the semiconductor device. The reference numbers may be further manipulated by software and/or hardware and/or any combination of hardware and software to provide a required voltage value, if desired. Turning to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a portion of a power management system 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown. Although the scope of the present invention is not limited in this respect, power management system 200 may be capable of controlling power consumption of semiconductor device 120 In this exemplary embodiment of the invention, power management system 200 may be implemented within semiconductor device 120. It should be understood that power management system 200 may be implemented by hardware and/or software and/or any suitable combination of hardware and software. Although the scope of the present invention is not limited in this respect, power management system 200 may include one or more frequency control registers 220, which may control an operating frequency of semiconductor device 120; one or more mapping registers 230, which may map a frequency range to a voltage level; one or more voltage setting registers 240, which may set the voltage level to a voltage value; a voltage level decoder 250; a voltage value decoder 260; and a power management unit 270. Although the scope of the present invention is not limited to this respect, it should be understood that in some embodiments of the present invention, memories and/or look up tables and/or a software functions and/or hardware units and the like may be used to fulfill functions of frequency control registers 220, mapping registers 230 and voltage setting registers 240, although the scope of the present invention is not limited in this respect. Although the scope of the present invention is not limited in this respect, in some embodiments of the invention, a bus 280 may provide values from different units of semiconductor device 120 to registers 220, 230 and 240. For example, processor 122 of FIG. 1 may provide a required operating frequency value to frequency control registers 220. Frequency control registers 220 may provide the required operating frequency value to frequency generator 128, which may set the required operating frequency of semiconductor device 120. In addition, frequency control registers 220 may provide the required operating frequency value to power management unit 270 and to decoder 250. Additionally or alternatively, the semiconductor device may include two or more processors and/or other units that may require different operating frequencies, which may be provided to frequency control registers 220, if desired. According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, processor 122 may provide a range of frequency values to mapping registers 230. Mapping registers 230 may map a range of frequency values to a required voltage level. For example, the required voltage level value may be a reference number related to a voltage level, e.g., high, medium or low voltage levels. In another exemplary embodiment, the reference number may be related to first, second, third, forth voltage level and the like. Mapping registers 230 may match between a range of frequencies and the reference number that relates to the voltage level, if desired. Voltage level decoder 250 may assign a reference number to the required voltage level according to the required operating frequency. Although the scope of the present invention is not limited in this respect, setting registers 240 may match one or more voltage values to the required voltage level and may provide a matched voltage value to voltage value decoder 260, if desired. Voltage value decoder 260 may decode the required voltage value from the reference number (e.g. the required voltage level) and the matched voltage value. According to some embodiments of the invention, power management unit 270 may receive the required voltage and the required operating frequency and may set an external voltage regulator (e.g. voltage regulator 160) to provide the required voltage to semiconductor device 120. Although the scope of the present invention is not limited in this respect, for example, an operating voltage range of semiconductor device may include a sub-range of a 0.5V to 1.8V range. An operating frequency range may vary, e.g., from a few MHz to about one Gigahertz, if desired. In some embodiments of the invention, the power may be calculated according to the formula ½*C*V2*F, where C may be the charged capacitance on every toggle of a gate of semiconductor device 120, V may represent a supply voltage of semiconductor device 120 and F may represent an operating frequency, although the scope of the present invention is not limited in this respect. According to some other embodiments of the present invention, a frequency controller 290 may provide a required frequency value to frequency control registers 220 (shown with dotted line). Frequency controller 290, which may include a hardware unit, may monitor the power consumption of units and/or components and/or cores of semiconductor device 120, and may vary frequencies of those units and/or components and/or cores to the required frequency, although the scope of the present invention is not limited in this respect. In addition, a monitor 295 (shown with dotted line) may monitor a temperature of the semiconductor device, a process skew or any other property that may be determined, e.g., automatically, by circuits of the semiconductor device.. Monitor 295 may provide indications of the monitored properties to decoder 260 which may decode the required voltage value according to the required voltage level. Voltage value decoder 260 may be capable of manipulating a reference number with the one or more monitored properties, although the scope of the present invention is not limited in this respect. Turning to FIG. 3, a flowchart of a method to vary an operating voltage of a semiconductor device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown. Although the scope of the present invention is not limited in this respect, for example, power management system 200 may employ one or more methods and/or algorithms and/or mechanisms to vary the operating voltage of semiconductor device 120, if desired. According to one embodiment of the invention, power management system 200 may receive a required voltage level e.g., from decoder 250 (text block 300). For example, the request may receive when for example, an operating frequency have been changed, or if one or more environmental parameters such as, for example a temperature, have been changed (text block 310). The required voltage value may be determined, for example, by decoder 260 (text block 320), and power management unit 270 may drive a voltage change sequence to be executed by an external voltage regular, for example, voltage regulator 160 of FIG. 1, if desired (text block 330). Turning to FIG. 4, a flowchart of a method to vary an operating voltage of a semiconductor device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Although the scope of the present invention is not limited in this respect, the semiconductor device may include a system on a chip, for example, on semiconductor device 120 of FIG. 1. Furthermore, the semiconductor device may include a processor (e.g. processor 122) that may operate a software application to control power consumption characteristics of the semiconductor device (e.g. semiconductor device 120). In one embodiment of the invention, the software application may request a frequency change and, in some embodiments of the invention, a frequency change request may be made by hardware, if desired (text block 400). A power management system of the semiconductor device may determine if the required frequency change may be higher then an operating frequency of the semiconductor device (text block 410). For example, in some embodiments of the invention the software may use frequency control registers (e.g. frequency control registers 220) to vary the frequency, if desired. According to some embodiments of the invention, the power management system may determine the required voltage level (text box 420) and, if the required voltage level is higher then a current voltage level (text box 430), the software and or the hardware may call a voltage change task (text box 430). For example, in some embodiments of the invention the voltage change task may control a power management unit (e.g. power management unit 270) to change the voltage of the semiconductor device. In this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method may end by changing the operating frequency of the semiconductor device to the required frequency (text box 450). For example, the software application may set frequency generator 128 of FIG. 1 to the required frequency, if desired. Although the scope of the present is not limited to this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the required frequency may be lower than the operating frequency (text box 410) and the software may change the operating frequency to the required frequency (text box 460). According to this embodiment of the invention, the required frequency level may be lower then the current frequency level (text box 480) and the software may call the voltage change task to change the voltage of the semiconductor device according to the required voltage level (text box 490). In some embodiments of the invention the voltage change task may wait for an acknowledge (ACK) signal from the power management unit (e.g. power management unit 220) as is shown in text blocks 440 and 450, although the scope of the present invention is not limited in this respect. While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Semiconductor devices are commonly referred to in the art as “chips”. Some semiconductor devices may include micro-electronic systems. For example, a system-on-chip (SOC) may include a graphic controller, a processor, a modem, one or more wireless communication units, an input/output interface unit, a display controller, a digital signal processor, one or more memories, or the like. Systems-on-chip may be used, for example, in battery operated devices and/or low power devices, and may include a dynamic voltage management (DVM) mechanism to control a power consumption of system-on-chip or other elements of the battery operated and/or low power device.
<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanied drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a wireless communication device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a power management system according to exemplary embodiments of the invention; FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a method to vary an operating voltage of a semiconductor device according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a method to vary an operating voltage of a semiconductor device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"? It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.
20041220
20080527
20060622
88665.0
H01Q1112
1
LE, THANH C
METHOD AND APPARATUS TO MANAGE POWER CONSUMPTION OF A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
H01Q
2,004
11,015,040
ACCEPTED
Reduced visibility insect screen
A reduced visibility insect screening is described having a transmittance of at least about 0.75 and a reflectance of about 0.04 or less. In an alternative embodiment, an insect screening material includes screen elements having a diameter of about 0.005 inch (0.13 mm), having a bond strength greater than 5500 psi (40 mega Pascals), and having the same transmittance and reflectance limits. In another embodiment of the invention, a screening includes screen elements having a diameter of about 0.005 inch (0.1 mm) or less and a coating on the screen elements having a matte black finish, where the screening has the same transmittance and reflectance limits.
1-86. (canceled) 87. An insect screen comprising: a frame defining a frame perimeter and an opening; and, a screen mounted to said frame spanning said opening, the screen having a plurality of elements-with a coating disposed or deposited thereon; the elements having a width between about 0.0035 inch and about 0.007 inch. 88-117. (canceled) 118. The reduced visibility insect screening of claim 87, wherein the frame is a composite frame. 119. The reduced visibility insect screening of claim 118, wherein the composite frame is comprised of wood and metal. 120. A reduced visibility insect screening disposed in a frame comprising: elements defining openings having a first dimension and a second dimension; the first dimension and the second dimension being 0.06 inches or less; the elements having a diameter of 0.007 inches or less; the screening having an open area of 66% or greater; and the screening having a light reflectance of 0.04 or less. 121. The reduced visibility insect screening of claim 120 wherein the frame is removably attachable to a fenestration unit. 122. The reduced visibility insect screening of claim 120, wherein the frame is a composite frame. 123 The reduced visibility insect screening of claim 122, wherein the composite frame is comprised of wood and metal. 124. A reduced visibility insect screening spanning an opening in a building structure, the screening comprising: elements defining openings having a first dimension and a second dimension; the first dimension and the second dimension being 0.06 inches or less; the elements having a diameter of 0.007 inches or less; the screening having an open area of 66% or greater; and the screening having a light reflectance of 0.04 or less. 125. A reduced visibility insect screening disposed in a frame comprising: elements defining openings having a first dimension and a second dimension; the first dimension and the second dimension being 0.06 inches or less; the elements having a diameter of 0.007 inches or less; and the screening having a light reflectance of 0.04 or less. 126. The reduced visibility insect screening of claim 125 wherein the frame is removably attachable to a fenestration unit. 127. A reduced visibility insect screening spanning an opening in a building structure, the screening comprising: elements defining openings having a first dimension and a second dimension; the first dimension and the second dimension being 0.06 inches or less; the elements having a diameter of 0.007 inches or less; and the screening having a light reflectance of 0.04 or less. 128. A reduced visibility insect screening disposed in a frame comprising: elements having a diameter of 0.007 inches or less; the screening having an open area of 66% or greater; and the screening having a light reflectance of 0.04 or less. 129. The reduced visibility insect screening of claim 128 wherein the frame is removably attachable to a fenestration unit. 130. A reduced visibility insect screening spanning an opening in a building structure, the screening comprising: elements having a diameter of 0.007 inches or less; the screening having an open area of 66% or greater; and the screening having a light reflectance of 0.04 or less. 131. A reduced visibility insect screening disposed in a frame comprising: elements defining openings having a first dimension and a second dimension; the first dimension and the second dimension being less than 0.06 inches; the screening having an open area of 66% or greater; and the screening having a light reflectance of 0.04 or less. 132. The reduced visibility insect screening of claim 131 wherein the frame is removably attachable to a fenestration unit. 133. A reduced visibility insect screening spanning an opening in a building structure, the screening comprising: elements defining openings having a fist dimension and a second dimension; the first dimension and the second dimension being less than 0.06 inches; the screening having an open area of 66% or greater; and the screening having a light reflectance of 0.04 or less. 134. A reduced visibility insect screening disposed in a frame comprising: elements defining openings having a first dimension and a second dimension; the first dimension and the second dimension being 0.06 inches or less; the elements having a diameter of 0.007 inches or less; and the screening having an open area of 66% or greater. 135. The reduced visibility insect screening of claim 134 wherein the frame is removably attachable to a fenestration unit. 136. A reduced visibility insect screening spanning an opening in a building structure, the screening comprising: elements defining openings having a first dimension and a second dimension; the first dimension and the second dimension being 0.06 inches or less; the elements having a diameter of 0.007 inches or less; and the screening having an open area of 66% or greater. 137. A reduced visibility insect screening in a frame that permits ventilation therethrough having a light transmittance greater than 0.363 and a light reflectance of 0.04 or less. 138. The screening of claim 137, wherein the light transmittance is greater than 0.65. 139. The screening of claim 138, wherein the light reflectance is less than 0.019. 140. The screening of claim 137, wherein the light transmittance is greater than 0.741. 141. The screening of claim 140, wherein the light reflectance is less than 0.019. 142. The screening of claim 137, wherein the light reflectance is less than 0.019. 143. The screening of claim 137, wherein the frame is removably attachable to a fenestration unit. 144. A reduced visibility insect screening spanning an opening of a building structure that permits ventilation therethrough having a light transmittance greater than 0.363 and a light reflectance of 0.04 or less. 145. The screening of claim 144, wherein the light transmittance is greater than 0.65. 146. The screening of claim 145, wherein the light reflectance is less than 0.019. 147. The screening of claim 144, wherein the light transmittance is greater than 0.741. 148. The screening of claim 147, wherein the light reflectance is less than 0.019. 149. The screening of claim 144, wherein the light reflectance is less than 0.019. 150. The screening of claim 144, wherein the frame is removably attachable to a fenestration unit.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This patent application is a continuation in part of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/068,069, filed Feb. 6, 2002, titled “REDUCED VISIBILITY INSECT SCREEN,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to insect screens such as, for example, for windows and doors, that are less visible than conventional insect screens. A screen or screening is a mesh of thin linear elements that permit ventilation but excludes insect pests. To the ordinary observer, the screens are less visible in the sense that the interference to observing a scene either on the exterior or the interior of the screen is substantially reduced. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Insect screens are installed on windows and doors in homes to promote ventilation while excluding insects. Insect screens are, however, widely regarded as unattractive. From the inside of a window, some screens obstruct or at least distract from the view to the outside. From the outside, many people believe that screens detract from the overall appearance of a home or building. Homebuilders and realtors frequently remove screens from windows when selling homes because of the improved appearance of the home from the outside. Homeowners frequently remove screens from windows that are not frequently opened to improve the view from the inside and the appearance of the window. A wide variety of insect screen materials and geometries are available in the prior art. Fiberglass, metallic and synthetic polymer screens are known. These screens suffer from reduced visual appeal due to relatively low light transmission, high reflection or both. Standard residential insect screens include a mesh with horizontal and vertical elements. The most common insect screens have about 18 elements per inch in one direction and 16 elements per inch the other direction, often expressed as being a 18×16 mesh. Some standard screens have a 18×14 mesh. The typical opening size is about 0.040 inch by 0.050 inch. Screens designed to exclude gnats and other very small insects usually include screen elements in a 20×20 mesh. The most common materials for the screen elements are aluminum and vinyl-coated fiberglass. Stainless steel, bronze and copper are also used for insect screen elements. Typical element diameters for insect screens are 0.011 inch for aluminum, bronze and some stainless steel offerings and 0.009 inch for galvanized steel and stainless steel. Some products on the market advertise a black or charcoal colored screen mesh that is allegedly less visible from the inside of a house. Color coating changes and material changes have made some incremental improvements in the visual appeal of screening to the average observer, but most observers continue to object to the darkening effect that current insect screening causes in observing screens from inside and outside. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION We have found unique features for the elements used to form insect screening that maximize transmission and minimize reflection resulting in reduced visibility of the screening and enhanced viewing through it. The awareness of the insect screen is substantially reduced while the ability to observe details of the viewed scene is greatly enhanced. A reduced visibility insect screening is described where the transmittance of the screening is at least about 0.75 and the reflectance of the screening is about 0.04 or less. In an alternative embodiment, an insect screening material includes screen elements having a diameter of about 0.005 inch (0.13 mm) or less. The screen elements have a tensile strength of at least about 5500 psi (40 mega Pascals). Again, the transmittance of the screening is at least about 0.75 and the reflectance of the screening is about 0.04 or less. In another embodiment of the invention, a screening is described including screen elements having a diameter of about 0.005 inch (0.1 mm) or less and a coating on the screen elements-having a matte black finish. The transmittance of the screening is at least about 0.75 and the reflectance of the screening is about 0.04 or less. In further alternative embodiments, the transmittance of the screening is at least about 0.80 or the reflectance of the screening is about 0.03 or less, or 0.02 or less. The screening may have an open area of at least about 75%, or at least about 80%. The screening may define mesh openings having a largest dimension not greater than about 0.060 inch (1.5 mm). The screen elements may have a diameter less than about 0.005 inch (0.1 mm), and may have a tensile strength greater than about 5500 psi (40 mega Pascals). The screen elements may be made of a metal such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum and aluminum alloy, or a polymer such as polyethylene, polyester and nylon. Alternatively, the screen elements may be made of an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene or an amide such as polyamide, polyaramid and aramid. In one embodiment, the screen elements include a coating, specifically a black matte coating such as electroplated black zinc. In one embodiment the screen elements are made of stainless steel with an electroplated black zinc coating. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention may be more completely understood by considering the detailed description of various embodiments of the invention that follows in connection with the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view of an insect screen in accordance with the invention. FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the insect screen shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the insect screen shown in fragmentary view in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating light paths in reflection from a window unit with a screen. FIG. 5 is an illustration of inside and outside viewing perspectives of an insect screen on a window unit. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the reflectance for embodiments of the invention and comparative example screen embodiments. FIG. 7 is a graph showing the transmittance for embodiments of the invention and comparative example screen embodiments. FIG. 8 is a graph showing the transmittance versus the reflectance for embodiments of the invention and comparative example screen embodiments. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing specular and diffuse reflections from a matte surface. FIG. 10 is a photograph taken through a microscope of uncoated screen elements. FIG. 11 is a photograph taken through a microscope of stainless steel screen elements coated with a coating of electrodeposited black zinc. FIG. 12 is a photograph taken through a microscope of stainless steel screen elements coated with flat paint. FIG. 13 is a photograph taken through a microscope of stainless steel screen elements coated with gloss paint. FIG. 14 is a photograph taken through a microscope of stainless steel screen elements coated with chromium carbide through a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process. FIG. 15 is a diagram of an integrating sphere spectrophotometer for measuring the reflectance and transmittance of a screen material. FIG. 16 is a front view of a test fixture for measuring the snag resistance of a screen material. FIG. 17 is a side view of the test fixture of FIG. 16. FIG. 18 is a graph showing the single element ultimate tensile strength for embodiments of the invention and comparative example screen embodiments. FIG. 19 is a depiction of a snag on an unbonded insect screening. FIG. 20 is a depiction of a snag on an insect screening having a paint coating. FIGS. 21-25 are graphs plotting pounds of force applied to a rigid element versus inches of travel as the element moved against a screen mesh fabric for a snag resistance test for five different examples of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT We have found unique features for insect screening of the invention. We have found that by reducing the size of and selecting proper color and texture for the elements used in the screening, reflection and transmission are controlled such that the visibility of the screening is markedly reduced. The insect screening of the invention maintains comparable mechanical properties when compared to prior art insect screening, but is substantially improved in visual appearance. The insect screening of the invention can be used in the manufacture of original screens and can be used in replacement screens for windows, doors, patio doors, vehicles and many other structures where screening is used. The insect screening of the invention can be combined with metal frames, wooden frames or composite frames and can be joined to fenestration units with a variety of joinery techniques including adhesives, mechanical fasteners such as staples or tacks, splines, binding the screening material into recesses in the screen member frame or other common screen joining technology. When properly installed in conventional windows and doors, the ordinary observer viewing from the interior or the exterior through the insect screening of the invention has a substantially reduced awareness of the screening and a substantially improved ability to observe the scene on the other side of the screen. We have found that the combination of reduced element size in the screening and coating on the screen elements combine to provide the improved visual properties of the insect screening of the invention. The selected materials disclosed for the screening of the invention are not limiting. Many different materials can satisfy the requirements of the invention. Screen Within Frame and on Fenestration Unit FIG. 1 is a fragmentary drawing of a portion of an insect screen 10 in accordance with the present invention. The insect screen 10 consists of a frame 20 including a frame perimeter 40 defining a frame opening. An insect screening 30 fills the opening defined by the frame perimeter 40. The frame 20 supports the screening 30 on all sides of the screening 30. The frame 20 is preferably sufficiently rigid to support the screening tautly and to allow handling when the screen 10 is placed in or removed from a window or door unit. FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the insect screening shown in FIG. 1. The spaces between screen elements 70 define openings or holes in the screening 30. In a preferred embodiment, the screen elements 70 include horizontal elements 80 and vertical elements 90. Preferably, the horizontal and vertical elements 80, 90 are constructed and arranged to form a mesh where a horizontal metal element intersects a vertical metal element perpendicularly. The intersecting horizontal and vertical metal elements 80, 90 may be woven together. Alternatively, the intersecting horizontal and vertical metal elements 80, 90 may be fused together although they may or may not be woven. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the insect screen shown in FIG. 1 positioned in a fenestration unit 110. The frame 20 includes two pairs of opposed frame members. A first pair of opposed frame members 50 is oriented along a horizontal frame axis. A second pair of opposed frame members 60 is oriented along a vertical frame axis. The four frame members 50, 60 form a square or rectangle shape. However, the frame may be any shape. Goal of Making Screen Less Visible When light interacts with a material, many things happen that are important to the visibility of insect screening. The visibility of screening can be influenced by light transmission, reflection, scattering and variable spectral response resulting from element dimensions, element coatings, and the dimensions of the mesh openings. In order to reduce the visibility of the screening, the transmittance is maximized, the reflectance is minimized, the remaining reflection is made as diffuse as possible, and any spectral reflectance is made as flat or colorless as possible. To accomplish this, it is beneficial to use screen elements with the smallest dimensions possible while still meeting strength requirements. Maximizing the dimensions of the grid openings will decrease visibility, but the dimensions of the grid openings are also chosen to achieve the desired insect exclusion and strength qualities. In measuring to what degree an insect screening has achieved reduced visibility, the inventors have found that transmittance and reflectance are the most important factors for visibility of a screen from the exterior of a home. Because the sun is a much stronger light source than interior lighting, visibility of the screen from the exterior of the home is more difficult to reduce than visibility from the interior, as discussed further herein. Also, in double hung windows, the presence of an insect screen on the bottom half of the window contrasts with bare sash on the top half of the window to make the screening stand out. FIG. 4 shows light paths for one typical viewing situation involving an observer outside a building looking at a screen and window. FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of screen 404 and glass 406 in the window. The window separates an exterior viewing location 410 from an interior scene 412, where the screen 404 is on the exterior side of the glass 406. Screen units are commonly positioned on the exterior of the glass, for example, in double-hung windows, sliding windows and sliding doors. Screening 404 is comprised of many elements, including elements 408, 414, 416, 418, and 420. FIG. 4 generally illustrates the path of light ray 400 and light ray 402 as they interact with screen 404 and glass 406. Light rays 402 and 404 are from the sun, which typically dominates the effects of any interior lights during a sunny day. The paths of light ray 400 and light ray 402 depict the ways in which reflectance and transmission affect the visibility of a screen for an outside observer of an exterior screen. For example, light 402 travels toward glass 406 and reflects off element 408 in a direction away from glass 406. Reflectance is the ratio of light that is reflected by an object compared to the total amount of light that is incident on the object. Solid, non-incandescent objects are generally viewed in reflection. (It is also possible to view an object in an aperture mode where it is visible due to its contrast with a light source from behind it. A smaller screen element size decreases the visibility of a screen viewed in the aperture mode.) Accordingly, objects generally appear less visible if they reflect lower amounts of light. A perfectly reflecting surface would have a quantity of 1 for reflectance, while a perfectly absorbing surface would have a quantity of 0 for reflectance. Another quantity that affects the visibility of screening is transmittance. When looking through screening, the viewer sees light emanating from or reflected from objects on the other side of the screening. As transmittance of the screening decreases, the viewer sees less light from the objects on the other side of the screening, and the presence of the screening becomes more apparent. Transmittance is defined as the ratio of light transmitted through a body relative to the total amount of light incident on the body. A value of 0 for transmittance would correspond to an object which light cannot penetrate. A value of 1 for transmittance would correspond to a perfectly transparent object. In the case of a window in a home viewed through an exterior insect screen by an outside observer, the light seen has traveled through the screen twice, as shown in FIG. 4. For example, the light 400 travels away from the viewer and through the screen 404. Next, the light is reflected off the window 406 and travels back through the screen 404 toward the outside viewer's eye. Reducing the visibility of an exterior screen to an outside viewer is considered the most difficult because the intensity of sunlight is so much greater than lights within a building. If the visibility of an exterior screen for an exterior viewer is minimized, the screen will also be less visible for an inside viewer of an exterior screen, and for an inside and outside viewer of an interior screen. However, another important optical feature for invisibility of a screen to an inside viewer is a small element size, as will be further discussed. If the reflectance is minimized, the transmittance is maximized, and the screen element diameter is sufficiently small, the screening will be much less perceptible to inside viewers than conventional screens. To achieve an insect screen that has reduced visibility, it is desirable to design insect screens with a low reflectance and high transmittance. Material choices and characteristics like color and texture can reduce reflectance. For example, dark matte colors reflect less light than light glossy colors or shiny surfaces. Reducing the cross-sectional area of the material and increasing the distance between the screen elements can increase transmittance. However, material that is too thin may not be strong enough to function properly in a typical dwelling. Similarly, insects may be able to pass through the screen if the distance between the elements is too large. Therefore, it is desirable to obtain a combination of strength, optical and mechanical characteristics within functional limits to achieve a screen with reduced visibility. Inside and Outside Viewers With reference to FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view of a dwelling 500 is shown to illustrate how inside and outside observers view screens. Dwelling 500 separates the outside 502 from the inside 504. An inside viewer 506 is illustrated inside 504 of the dwelling 500 while an outside viewer 508 is illustrated outside 502. Window 510 is located in a wall of dwelling 500 and also separates the inside 504 from the outside 502. Screen 512 covers the window 510 on the outside 502 side of window 510. The inside viewer 506 in FIG. 5 is separated from window 510 by the width of sink 518, which represents a typical close range interior viewing distance, frequently about 2 feet. The closer the viewer 506 stands to the screen 512, the more obvious the screen 512 will appear. For example, at 12 inches, which is a relatively close range interior viewing distance, the normal visual acuity of the human eye is about 0.0035 inch (0.09 mm). Elements having a diameter of less than about 0.0035 inch will likely not be perceived by a viewer of normal eyesight at a distance of 12 inches (30.5 cm). Therefore, the perceived visibility is affected by the diameter of the screen elements and the distance between the viewer 506 and the screen 512. At about 24 inches, the normal visual acuity is about 0.007 inch. For this reason, elements having a diameter of about 0.007 inch will not be resolvable to a viewer at about 24 inches from the screening. Inside a building or dwelling, interior lighting fixtures such as light 514 provide the primary interior light source that would reflect from the screen. Outside of the dwelling, the sun 516 provides a much stronger light source that will reflect off the screen 512. Accordingly, the reflectance of the screen will generally be of greater importance to the visibility of the screen to the outside viewer 508 than to the inside viewer 506, because much more light is incident on the screen from the exterior 502 than from the interior 504. However, the shape of the elements, which are normally round, may cause sunlight to be reflected into the interior of the building, impacting the visibility of the screen to an inside viewer. The transmittance of the screen affects visibility of the screen for both the inside viewer 506 and the outside viewer 508. The inside viewer 506 views the exterior scene by the sunlight that is reflected off the outside objects and then transmitted through the screening 512. The less light transmitted through the screening 512, the more the inside viewer's perception of the exterior view is negatively affected by the screening. As discussed above in relation to FIG. 4, when looking through the screening, the exterior viewer sees light reflecting from or emanating from the objects on the interior side of the screening. As the transmittance of the screening decreases, the presence of the screening becomes more apparent. The perspective of inside and outside viewers has been discussed so far with respect to a screen that is on the exterior side of a window. This is the configuration used in most double hung windows, sliding windows, and sliding doors. However, many window units have screens on the interior side of the window, such as casement windows or awning windows. Where the screen is inside of the glass, the reflectance and transmittance of the insect screening will still impact the visibility of the screen. Generally, screens on the outside of the glass are the most obvious type to the outside viewer, so this is the harder configuration to address for outside viewing. As discussed above, the size of the individual screen elements has an important impact on the visibility of a screen to an inside observer. If a screening possesses reflectance and transmittance qualities that are acceptable for outside viewing, and a sufficiently small element diameter, the screening will also be less visible to the inside observer than conventional insect screens, whether the screen is on the inside or outside of the glass. Specular Versus Diffuse Reflectance FIG. 9 illustrates two types of reflection that occur from surfaces: specular reflection and diffuse reflection. In specular reflection, light has an angle of reflection measured from the normal to the surface that is equal to the angle of incidence of the beam measured from the normal, where the reflected beam is on the opposite side of the normal to the surface from the incident beam. In diffuse reflection, an incident beam of light is reflected at a range of angles that differ significantly from the angle of incidence of the incident parallel beam of light. In FIG. 9, light rays are shown interacting with a surface 902. Light ray 904 is incident on the surface 902 at an angle of incidence αi. A portion of the light ray 904 is specularly reflected as light ray 906, where the angle of reflection αr is equal to the angle of incidence αi. However, light rays 908, 910, and 912 are examples of diffusely reflected light rays that are reflected at a range of different reflection angles. For reducing the visibility of screening, diffuse reflection is preferred over specular reflection because diffuse reflection disperses the power of the incident light over multiple angles. In specular reflection, the light beam is generally redirected to the reflection angle while maintaining much of its power. Providing a dull or roughened surface increases diffuse reflection from a screen mesh. Reflectance & Transmittance Testing Procedure Measurements for reflectance and transmittance may be made with an integrating sphere spectrophotometer. For the purposes of the data presented herein, a Macbeth Color-Eye 7000 spectrophotometer, manufactured by GretagMacbeth of Germany, was used to obtain transmittance and reflectance measurements for wavelengths of 360 to 750 nm. The spectrophotometer shown in FIG. 15 contains an integrating sphere 1502 useful when measuring samples in reflection or transmission. Integrating sphere 1502 contains front port 1510 and exit port 1508. The front port 1510 measures about 25.4 mm in diameter. A xenon flash lamp 1504 is located at the base of the integrating sphere. Detector 1506 measures the amount of light emitted from integrating sphere 1502. Detector 1506 contains viewing lens 1512 for viewing the light. Viewing lens 1512 contains a large area view. For reflectance measurement, the spectrophotometer is set to a measurement mode of: CRILL, wherein the letters correspond to the following settings for the machine: C—Reflection, specular included; R—Reflection; I—Included Specular, I—Included UV; L—Large Lens; L—Large Aperture. When measuring reflectance, the sample is held flat against the front port 1510. Next, a light trap is placed behind the sample to prevent stray light from entering integrating sphere 1502. The light source 1504 emits light into the integrating sphere 1502. Some of the light is reflected off the sample and exits the integrating sphere 1502 through the exit port 1508. Once the light exits the exit port 1508, it enters the detector 1506 through viewing lens 1512. The spectrophotometer produces a number that is a ratio indicating the light reflected by the sample relative to the light reflected by a perfectly reflective surface. For a transmittance measurement, the spectrophotometer is set to a measurement mode of: BTIILL, wherein the letters correspond to the following settings for the machine: B—Barium; T—Transmittance; I—Included Specular, I—Included UV; L—Large Lens; L—Large Aperture. The front port 1510 of the spectrophotometer is blocked with an object coated with barium oxide, identical to the interior surface of the sphere 1502. When measuring the transmittance of a sample, it is necessary to hold the sample flat against the exit port 1508 of the integrating sphere 1502. The light source 1504 emits light into the integrating sphere 1502. Some of the light exits the integrating sphere 1502 through exit port 1508. Once the light that is transmitted through the sample enters the detector 1506 through viewing lens 1512, the spectrophotometer produces a number that is a ratio indicating the light transmitted by the sample relative to the light transmitted where there is no sample. Data collected for reflectance and transmittance for a number of screen samples will be described below with respect to FIGS. 6 and 7. Data for Reflectance and Transmittance Table 1 contains average values of test data for optical qualities of insect screening embodiments. TABLE 1 Optical Data for Examples Sample Description Transmittance Reflectance 1 Black Zn Cr 0.828 0.006 2 Flat Paint 0.804 0.012 3 Glossy Paint 0.821 0.014 4 Black Ink 0.874 0.013 5 PVD Cr(x)C(y) 0.887 0.019 6 Stainless Steel 0.897 0.044 Base Examples of the present invention will now be described. Six different samples were prepared and tested for optical qualities related to the present invention. Each of Samples 1-6 was formed by starting with a base screening of stainless steel elements having a diameter of 0.0012 inch. The elements are made of type 304 stainless steel wire. The base screening has 50 elements per inch in both horizontal and vertical directions. It is a woven material and has openings with a dimension of 0.0188 inch by 0.0188 inch. The open area of this base material is about 88%, measured experimentally using a technique that will be described further herein. This material is commercially available from TWP, Inc. of Berkley, Calif. Sample 6 is the base screening without any coating. FIG. 10 is a photograph of Sample 6 taken through a microscope. To form Sample 1, the base screening was coated by electroplating it with zinc and then a conversion coating of silver chromate was applied. The zinc reacts with the silver chromate to form a black film on the surface of the screen elements. A photograph of Sample 1 taken through a microscope is shown in FIG. 11. The black zinc coating bonds the horizontal and vertical screen elements together at their intersections. The coating increases the thickness of the screen element and therefore reduces the transmittance of the resulting screening by about 0.07 compared to the uncoated screening of Sample 6. The black finish decreases reflectance of incident light dramatically compared to the uncoated Sample 6. To form Samples 2 and 3, the base screening was coated with about two to three coats of flat black paint and glossy black paint, respectively. As the paint was being applied manually, the painter visually inspected the surface and attempted to apply a uniform coating of paint. Depending on the speed of the spray apparatus passing over the various portions of the surface, two or three coats were applied to different areas of Samples 2 and 3, based on the painter's visual observations, to achieve a fairly even application of paint. Photographs of Samples 2 and 3 taken through a microscope are shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, respectively. The paint coating joins the horizontal and vertical screen elements together at their intersections and provides a black finish. The coating increases the thickness of the screen element and therefore reduces the transmittance of the resulting screening compared to the uncoated screening of Sample 6. The black color of both Samples 2 and 3 decreases reflectance of incident light compared to the uncoated Sample 6, with the flat black paint of Sample 2 having a lower reflectance than the glossy paint. Sample 4 was coated with black ink. The application of ink to the screening does not significantly bond or join the horizontal and vertical screen elements together at their intersections. The coating of ink increases the thickness of the screen element a small amount and therefore reduces the transmittance of the resulting screening compared to the uncoated screening of Sample 6. The black finish decreases the reflectance of incident light compared to the uncoated Sample 6. Sample 5 was coated with chromium carbide by physical vapor deposition (PVD). A photograph taken through a microscope of Sample 5 is shown in FIG. 14. The chromium carbide coating does not bond the horizontal and vertical screen elements together at their intersections, but does provide a black finish. The coating increases the thickness of the screen element very slightly and therefore reduces the transmittance of the resulting screening compared to the uncoated screening of Sample 6. The black finish decreases reflectance of incident light compared to the uncoated Sample 6. Several commercially available insect screenings were tested for their optical qualities as a basis for comparison to the samples of the invention. The following table contains average values of actual test data from each material. TABLE 2 Optical Data for Comparative Examples Description (material, color, manufacturer, trade name if Sample any) Transmittance Reflectance A Al, Gray, Andersen Windows 0.658 0.025 B FG, Black, Andersen 0.576 0.029 Windows C FG, Black, Phifer 0.625 0.025 D Al, metallic, Phifer, Brite- 0.779 0.095 Kote ™ E Al, Charcoal, Phifer 0.741 0.019 F Polyester, Black, Phifer, Pet 0.363 0.024 Screen ® G FG, Gray, Phifer 0.652 0.060 Samples A, D and E are made of aluminum elements. Samples B, C, and G are made of vinyl-coated fiberglass elements. Sample F is made of a polyester material. FIG. 6 shows a comparison of reflectance values for both commercially available screening Samples A-G and screenings of the present invention Samples 1-6. Lower values for reflectance correspond to screening that appears more invisible because less light is reflected in the direction of the viewer. Samples 1-4 have the lowest values for reflectance. The least reflective commercially available Sample E has an average reflectance value of 0.019, which is equivalent to the average value of the second-most reflective Sample 5. FIG. 7 shows a comparison of transmittance values for the screen materials set forth in the tables above. Higher values for transmittance correspond to screens with preferred optical qualities. Screening Samples 1-6 have higher transmittance values than the commercially available Samples A-G. FIG. 8 is a graph of transmittance versus reflectance for the screen materials set forth in the tables above. Samples 1-5 all have a transmittance of at least about 0.80 and a reflectance of no more than about 0.020. None of the comparative samples have a transmittance greater than 0.78. None of the comparative samples have both a transmittance of greater than 0.75 or 0.80 and a reflectance of less than 0.020, 0.025, 0.030 or 0.040, while samples 1-5 have those qualities. Percent Open Area The percent open area also relates to the invisibility of an insect screen. Assuming a square mesh, the percent open area (POA) can be computed as follows: POA=((W/(D+W))2*100 where: D=element diameter, and W=opening width. Many commercially available screenings have a rectangular mesh. The POA for a rectangular mesh can be computed as follows: POA=(1−N*D)(1−n*d)*100 where: N=number of elements per inch in a first direction, D=element diameter of the elements extending in the first direction, n=number of elements per inch in a second direction, and d=element diameter of the elements extending in the second direction Generally, screens appear less visible if they contain a larger percentage of open area. For example, Sample 6 has about 88% open area, corresponding to 50 elements per inch in either direction, screen elements of woven 0.0012-inch (0.03-mm) type 304 stainless steel wire, and openings sized 0.0188 inch (0.5 mm)×0.0188 inch (0.5 mm). In contrast, standard insect screening has about 70% open area and often have opening sizes of 0.05 inch by 0.04 inch. Standard gnat-rated insect screens often have a percent open area of about 60% and opening sizes of about 0.037 inch by 0.037 inch with elements of about 0.013 diameter. Decreasing the wire diameter can increase the percent open area. It is desirable to select a wire diameter that allows for the largest percent open area while maintaining suitable strength. Screening is commercially available made of unwelded 5056 aluminum wire of 0.011-inch (0.28 mm) diameter. The term unwelded indicates that the horizontal and vertical elements are not bonded or welded together at their intersections. Importantly, type 304 stainless steel wire has almost three times the tensile strength of 5056 aluminum wire. Accordingly it is possible to use a smaller wire diameter of 0.0066 inch (0.17 mm) of type 304 stainless steel to achieve tensile strength similar to the 5056 aluminum screening. Additional materials may be selected within the scope of the present invention to increase the percent open area by decreasing the diameter of the screen elements. These materials include, but are not limited to: steel, aluminum and its alloys, ultra high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene, polyesters, modified nylons, and aramids. It is also possible to use an array of man-made fibers for generalized use in the industrial arts. An example of this material is sold under the trademark KEVLAR®. Generally, the percent open area corresponds roughly to the percentage of transmittance through a particular screening. However, accepted techniques for calculating percent open area like those expressed above do not account for the elements crossing each other in the screening, and therefore over-estimate the percent open area by a few percent. The amount of error inherent in these calculations depends on the thickness of the wire. Strength of Screen Elements FIG. 18 illustrates the single element ultimate tensile strength for elements of Sample 6 and comparative Samples A, B, D, E and F. Samples 1-5 consist of the same material as Sample 6 but with a coating added. Therefore Samples 1-5 have ultimate tensile strengths that are about the same as for Sample 6. The electroplated zinc coating applied to Sample 1 may in fact increase the ultimate tensile strength of those elements. As discussed above, the diameter of the elements in Sample 6 is much smaller than commercially available insect screen elements. Therefore, inventive elements must have a higher tensile strength than elements used in prior screening materials to achieve similar strength specifications as prior screening materials. In FIG. 18, ultimate tensile strength is charted in Ksi or 1000×psi. The tensile strength for the elements of Sample 6 is about 162 Ksi, which is over three times stronger than Sample D, which is the strongest element in the commercially available Samples A, B, D, E and F. A minimum desirable tensile strength for the screen elements is about 5500 psi or more, or about 6000 psi or more. Preferably, at least about a tenth of pound of force is required to cause a single screen element to break. About 0.16 pound force is required to break a 0.0012-inch stainless steel element of Sample 6. Snag Resistance Snag resistance is a measure of how a screen reacts to forces that could cause a break, pull, or tear in the screen elements, such as clawing of the screening by a cat. Snag resistance is important because birds, household animals, and projectiles come into contact with screens. FIGS. 16 and 17 show a test fixture 1700 used to measure snag resistance. Test fixture 1700 includes a screen guide 1702 made from two 0.5×6-inch pieces of fiberglass laminate material 1710 and 1712. The pieces 1710 and 1712 are approximately 0.060 inches thick and are used to guide the screen cloth 1704 during the test by placing the screen cloth 1704 between pieces 1710 and 1712 of screen guide 1702. The pieces 1710 and 1712 contain an upper clearance hole to attach the screen guide 1702 to an instrument that measures the maximum load. Pieces 1710 and 1712 also contain a lower clearance hole to support a snagging mandrill 1706. When preparing a sample of screening 1704 for a test, a 2-inch×6-inch sample strip of screen 1704 is cut out so that the warp and weft directions lie with and perpendicular to the test direction. The warp direction is along the length of a woven material while the weft direction is across the length of the woven material. The screen guide 1702 is hung from a load cell gooseneck and a snagging mandrill 1706 is carefully passed through the screen 1704. The test is started and the snag mandrill 1706 is moved through the screen 1704 at the rate of 0.5 inch/minute and continued until 0.5 inch is traveled. At this point, the test is terminated and the sample is removed. Care must be taken not to damage the sample when removing it from the test fixture. Several measurements may be recorded, including the maximum load obtained and the load at a specific extension divided by the extension (lb-force/in). Samples were also visually inspected to determine the failure mode. Three failure modes are generally possible with insect screens. The first failure mode is element breakage because the joints hold and the sections of element between the joints break. The second failure mode is joint breakage. This occurs when the elements hold and the joints break. The third failure mode occurs when the elements break and the joints slip. This third failure mode is a combination of element breakage and joint breakage. Generally, element breakage is the preferred failure mode because it disturbs less surface area on the screen. FIG. 19 illustrates a screen with unbonded elements corresponding to Sample 6 after undergoing the snag resistance test described above. The screen elements appear to have slid together due to the force of the snagging mandrill 1706. FIG. 19 is generally an example of the joint breakage failure mode. As no coating forms a bond at the intersections of the elements in Sample 6, any joint strength is due to frictional forces between the elements in the weave. Conversely, FIG. 20 shows a screen with elements coated and joined at their intersections by paint after undergoing the snag resistance test. Unlike the unbonded elements shown in FIG. 19, the painted elements appear to have broken at several locations rather than merely sliding together. FIG. 20 is an example of the element breakage and joint breakage failure mode discussed above. The failure mode shown in FIG. 20 is preferred over the failure mode shown in FIG. 19 because less surface area is disturbed on the screen, creating a more desirable appearance, and a less visible screening, after a snag. The element breakage mode is preferred over the element breakage and joint breakage failure mode because even less surface area is disturbed on the screening. To achieve an element breakage mode, the joint strength needs to be sufficient to cause the elements to give way before the joints when a snagging force is applied to the screening. On the other hand, it may be desirable in some situations to select element and joint strength so that joint breakage occurs before element breakage, resulting in a more resilient screen. When a force is applied to this type of screening, the element stays intact while the bonds break or slip. The force on the element is then distributed to the other adjacent bonds. FIGS. 21-25 illustrate the screen snag resistance of Samples 1-3 and 5-6 in terms of pounds of force versus displacement of the snag mandrill 1706. Samples 5 and 6, shown on FIGS. 21 and 22, respectively, show a relatively smooth curve compared to Samples 1-3, shown on FIGS. 23-25, respectively. A smooth curve indicates that the joints between elements are very weak or not bonded. Sample 4 would likely have results similar to Sample 6 in FIG. 22, as the ink coating does not form significant bonds. The joints on Samples 1-3 are much stronger than the joints on Samples 5 and 6. Accordingly, the graph lines on FIGS. 23-25 for Samples 1-3 have several jagged edges. Each sharp drop in the graph corresponds to an element break or a bond break. Sample 2 was able to withstand the largest amount of force of all the samples before an element or bond break. Size and Spacing of Exemplary Screen Elements In FIG. 2, a width or diameter W of the screen elements 70 is illustrated. The width W may be less than about 0.007 inch or 0.0035 inch to fall beneath the visual acuity of a normal viewer at either 24 inches or 12 inches, respectively. The smaller the screen element that meets strength requirements, the less visible will be the insect screening. In another embodiment, W is about 0.001 inch (0.025 mm) to about 0.0015 inch (0.04 mm), or about 0.0012 inch. Stainless steel wire, for example, can be provided in this size range and be sufficiently strong for use in insect screening. Each screen element 70 has a length to span the distance between opposed frame members 50, 60 (FIG. 1). The plurality of screen elements 70 includes a plurality of horizontal screen elements 80 and a plurality of vertical screen elements 90. The horizontal screen elements 80 are spaced apart from each other a distance DV and the vertical screen elements 90 are spaced apart from each other a distance DH. The spacing depends on the types of insects the user wishes to exclude. Opening sizes are chosen to exclude the types of insects that the screening is designed to keep out. Preferably, the largest values for DH and DV are selected that still exclude the targeted insects, so that transmittance is maximized and reflection is minimized. A screen mesh that excludes most insects is typically constructed with a DV and DH of about 0.040 inch (1 mm) or 0.050 inch (1.3 mm). For a screen mesh for excluding smaller insects, like gnats or no-see-ums, a smaller mesh opening is necessary, such as a square opening with a DH and DV of about 0.037 or 0.04 inch (1 mm). In embodiments of the present invention, DH and DV may be less than about 0.060 inch (1.5 mm), less than about 0.050 inch (1.25 mm), less than about 0.040 inch (1.0 mm), or less than about 0.030 inch (0.75 mm). DV and DH may be equal to form a square opening, or they may differ so that the mesh opening is rectangular. For example, DV may be about 0.050 inch (1.25 mm) while DH is about 0.040 (1 mm). All other permutations of the above mentioned dimensions for DH and DV are also contemplated. Typically, the vertical and horizontal screen elements are positioned to be perpendicular to each other and aligned with the respective frame members. Table 3 below lists experimentally measured screen element dimensions for Samples 1-3 and 6. The percent black area is the percentage of the screening that is occupied by the screen elements. The percent open area and the black area add to 100 for a specific screening. TABLE 3 Dimension Data for Examples Experimentally Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Measured Percent Element Element Coating Coating Screen Percent Black Open Diameter Diameter Thickness Thickness Sample Area Area (mm) +/− 0.002 (mils) +/− 0.08 (mm) +/− 0.001 (mils) +/− 0.1 1 Black 17.0% 83% 0.039 1.5 0.004 0.15 Zn 2 Flat 19.6% 80.4% 0.045 1.8 0.007 0.28 Paint 3 Glossy 18.4% 81.6% 0.042 1.7 0.006 0.24 Paint 6 14.1% 85.9% 0.033 1.3 — — Stainless Steel Base The experimental measurements of Samples 1-3 and 6 in Table 3 were measured by backlighting a sample of each screening and taking a digital photograph. The percent of black area on the photo image was then measured using image analysis software. Knowing the number of elements that were present in each image and the dimensions of the sample, the average coated element thickness was calculated for column 3. For each of Samples 1-6, the underlying uncoated element has a diameter of 0.0012 inch, so this amount was subtracted from the coated element diameter of column 3 to arrive at the average coating thickness of columns 4 and 5. The PVD CrC coating of Sample 5 and the ink coating of Sample 4 are too thin to be reliably measured by this experimental technique. Based on the deposition technique, the coating of Sample 5 is estimated to be about 0.02 mils (0.5 μm). Because this coating and the ink coating are extremely thin, the percent black area for Samples 4 and 5 are roughly equivalent to the uncoated Sample 6. The plurality of horizontal and vertical screen elements 80, 90 can be constructed and arranged to form a mesh where a horizontal screen element intersects a vertical screen element perpendicularly. The intersecting horizontal and vertical screen elements 80, 90 may be woven together. Optionally, the intersecting horizontal and vertical screen elements 80, 90 are bonded together at their intersections, as described in more detail below with respect to coating alternatives. Materials for the Screen Mesh In order to provide a material for the screening 30 that will withstand the handling that is associated with screen use, several factors are important, such as the screen element diameter and the ultimate tensile strength of the material. In addition, other factors are considered in selecting a material, such as the coefficient of thermal expansion, the brittleness, and the plasticity of a material. The coefficient of thermal expansion is significant because expansion or contraction of the screen elements due to temperature changes may alter the normal alignment of the horizontal and vertical screen elements, thereby leading to visible distortion of the screening. In one embodiment, materials from the categories of glass fibers, metals or polymers meet the requirements for screen element strength at the desired diameters, such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, polyethylene, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, polyester, modified nylon, polyamide, polyaramid, and aramid. One material that is particularly suited for the screen elements is stainless steel. The high tensile strength of about 162 Ksi and low coefficient of thermal expansion of about 11×10−6K−1 for stainless steel are desirable. Coating or Finish Alternatives The surface 100 of the screen elements 70 is a dark, non-reflective, and preferably dull or matte finish. A dark non-reflective, dull or matte finish is defined herein to mean a finish that absorbs a sufficient amount of light such that the screen mesh 30 appears less obtrusive than a screen mesh 30 without such finish. The dark non-reflective or matte finish may be any color that absorbs a substantial amount of light, such as, for example, a black color. The dark non-reflective or matte finish can be applied to the screen element surface 100 by any means available such as, for example, physical vapor deposition, electroplating, anodizing, liquid coating, ion deposition, plasma deposition, vapor deposition, and the like. Liquid coating may be, for example, paint, ink, and the like. For example, a PVD chromium carbide coating or black zinc coating may be applied to the screen elements in one embodiment. The black zinc coating is prefered to the CrC coating because it is rougher, more matte, and less shiny. Alternatively, glossy or flat black paint or black ink may be applied to the screen elements. The flat paint coating is preferred to the glossy paint coating because it is less reflective. Other carbides can also be used to provide a dark finish, such as titanium aluminum carbide or cobalt carbide. The use of a coating on the screen elements may provide the additional advantage of forming a bond at the intersections of the screen elements. A coating of paint provides some degree of adhesion of the elements at the intersections. Some coatings such as black zinc create bonds at the intersections of the elements. The coating thickness and overall element diameter for Samples 1-3 and 5-6 are listed in Table 3 above. The improved screening materials of the invention typically comprise a mesh of elements in a screening material. The elements comprise long fibers having a thin coating disposed uniformly around the fiber. The coating comprises the layer that is about 0.10 to 0.30 mils (0.004 to 0.007 mm), preferably about 0.15 mils (0.004 mm). Virtually any material can be used in the coating of the invention that is stable to the influence of outdoor light, weather and the mechanical shocks obtained through coating manufacture, screen manufacture, window assembly, storage, distribution and installation. Such coatings typically have preferred formation technologies. The coatings of this invention, however, can be made using aqueous or solvent based electroplating, chemical vapor deposition techniques and the application of aqueous or solvent based coating compositions having the right proportions of materials that form the thin durable coatings of the invention. Both organic and inorganic coatings can be used. Examples of organic coatings include finely divided carbon, pigmented polymeric materials derived from aqueous or solvent based paints or coating compositions, chemical vapor deposited organic coatings and similar materials. Inorganic coating compositions can include metallic coatings comprising metals such as aluminum, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, nickel, copper, zinc, silver, tin, antimony, titanium, platinum, gold, lead and others. Such metallic coatings can be two or more layers covering the element and can include metal oxide materials, metal carbide materials, metal sulfide materials and other similar metal compounds that can form stable, hard coating layers. Chemical vapor deposition techniques occur by placing the screening or element substrate in an evacuated chamber or at atmosphere and exposing the substrate to a source of chemical vapor that is typically generated by heating an organic or inorganic substance causing a substantial quantity of chemical vapor to fill the treatment chamber. Since the element or screening provides a low energy location for the chemical vapor, the chemical vapor tends to coat any uncoated surface due to the interaction between the element and the coating material formed within the chamber. In electroplating techniques, the element or screening is typically placed in an aqueous or solvent based plating bath along with an anode structure and a current is placed through the bath so that the screen acts as the cathode. Typically, coating materials are reduced at the cathode and that electrochemical reduction reaction causes the formation of coatings on the substrate material. Applications for the Insect Screen The screening 30 can be used with or without a frame 20 in certain applications, such as in a screen porch or pool enclosure. The insect screen 10 can be used in conjunction with a fenestration unit 110, such as a window or door. The insect screen 10 may be used in any arrangement of components constructed and arranged to interact with an opening in a surface such as, for example, a building wall, roof, or a vehicle wall such as a recreational vehicle wall, and the like. The surface may be an interior or exterior surface. The fenestration unit 110 may be a window (i.e. an opening in a wall or building for admission of light and air that may be closed by casements or sashes containing transparent, translucent or opaque material and may be capable of being opened or closed), such as, for example, a picture window, a bay window, a double-hung window, a skylight, casement window, awning window, gliding window and the like. The fenestration unit 110 may be a doorway or door (i.e. a swinging or sliding barrier by which an entry may be closed and opened), such as, for example, an entry door, a patio door, a French door, a side door, a back door, a storm door, a garage door, a sliding door, and the like. The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Insect screens are installed on windows and doors in homes to promote ventilation while excluding insects. Insect screens are, however, widely regarded as unattractive. From the inside of a window, some screens obstruct or at least distract from the view to the outside. From the outside, many people believe that screens detract from the overall appearance of a home or building. Homebuilders and realtors frequently remove screens from windows when selling homes because of the improved appearance of the home from the outside. Homeowners frequently remove screens from windows that are not frequently opened to improve the view from the inside and the appearance of the window. A wide variety of insect screen materials and geometries are available in the prior art. Fiberglass, metallic and synthetic polymer screens are known. These screens suffer from reduced visual appeal due to relatively low light transmission, high reflection or both. Standard residential insect screens include a mesh with horizontal and vertical elements. The most common insect screens have about 18 elements per inch in one direction and 16 elements per inch the other direction, often expressed as being a 18×16 mesh. Some standard screens have a 18×14 mesh. The typical opening size is about 0.040 inch by 0.050 inch. Screens designed to exclude gnats and other very small insects usually include screen elements in a 20×20 mesh. The most common materials for the screen elements are aluminum and vinyl-coated fiberglass. Stainless steel, bronze and copper are also used for insect screen elements. Typical element diameters for insect screens are 0.011 inch for aluminum, bronze and some stainless steel offerings and 0.009 inch for galvanized steel and stainless steel. Some products on the market advertise a black or charcoal colored screen mesh that is allegedly less visible from the inside of a house. Color coating changes and material changes have made some incremental improvements in the visual appeal of screening to the average observer, but most observers continue to object to the darkening effect that current insect screening causes in observing screens from inside and outside.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>We have found unique features for the elements used to form insect screening that maximize transmission and minimize reflection resulting in reduced visibility of the screening and enhanced viewing through it. The awareness of the insect screen is substantially reduced while the ability to observe details of the viewed scene is greatly enhanced. A reduced visibility insect screening is described where the transmittance of the screening is at least about 0.75 and the reflectance of the screening is about 0.04 or less. In an alternative embodiment, an insect screening material includes screen elements having a diameter of about 0.005 inch (0.13 mm) or less. The screen elements have a tensile strength of at least about 5500 psi (40 mega Pascals). Again, the transmittance of the screening is at least about 0.75 and the reflectance of the screening is about 0.04 or less. In another embodiment of the invention, a screening is described including screen elements having a diameter of about 0.005 inch (0.1 mm) or less and a coating on the screen elements-having a matte black finish. The transmittance of the screening is at least about 0.75 and the reflectance of the screening is about 0.04 or less. In further alternative embodiments, the transmittance of the screening is at least about 0.80 or the reflectance of the screening is about 0.03 or less, or 0 . 02 or less. The screening may have an open area of at least about 75%, or at least about 80%. The screening may define mesh openings having a largest dimension not greater than about 0.060 inch (1.5 mm). The screen elements may have a diameter less than about 0.005 inch (0.1 mm), and may have a tensile strength greater than about 5500 psi (40 mega Pascals). The screen elements may be made of a metal such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum and aluminum alloy, or a polymer such as polyethylene, polyester and nylon. Alternatively, the screen elements may be made of an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene or an amide such as polyamide, polyaramid and aramid. In one embodiment, the screen elements include a coating, specifically a black matte coating such as electroplated black zinc. In one embodiment the screen elements are made of stainless steel with an electroplated black zinc coating.
20041217
20070410
20050609
77348.0
1
JOHNSON, BLAIR M
REDUCED VISIBILITY INSECT SCREEN
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,015,073
ACCEPTED
Metal plate reinforced plastic trowel blade for power troweling
A trowel blade for use with power trowels includes a plastic trowel blade having a reinforcing metal plate affixed to and overlying at least a portion of one face thereof. The blade is adapted for use in combination with a power trowel having a rotor including a plurality of rotor arms for mounting trowel blades thereon.
1. A trowel blade for power trowels comprising a generally rectangular, elongate plastic trowel blade having two opposite faces, two longitudinally extending, opposite working edges and two transversely extending side edges interconnecting the working edges, a metal plate affixed to and overlying at least a portion of one face of said trowel blade and an elongate mounting means on said metal plate for mounting said trowel blade to said power trowel, said metal plate overlying from 50% to 100% of the length of said plastic blade and from 33% to 100% of the width of said plastic blade between the longitudinal centerline of said mounting means and each working edge of said blade. 2. A trowel blade, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said metal plate overlies from 70% to 100% of the length of the plastic blade. 3. A trowel blade, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mounting means is connected to said plastic trowel blade by first fasteners and is connected to said power trowel via second fasteners. 4. A trowel blade, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said metal plate overlies from 55% to 70% of the width of said plastic blade between the longitudinal centerline of said mounting means and each working edge of said blade. 5. A trowel blade, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said metal plate is centered on said plastic blade between the side edges thereof. 6. A trowel blade, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mounting means is centered on said plastic blade between the side edges thereof. 7. A trowel blade, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elongate mounting means is an elongate mounting bar. 8. A trowel blade, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elongate mounting means is an elongate mounting bar and said metal plate and said mounting bar are centered on said plastic blade between the side edges thereof. 9. A trowel blade, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said metal plate has a thickness of from 0.05 to 0.125 inches. 10. A trowel blade, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said metal plate has a hardness of Rockwell 30-60 HRC. 11. A trowel blade, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plastic blade is formed of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. 12. A trowel blade, as claimed in claim 11, wherein said plastic blade has a thickness of from 0.25 to 0.50 inches. 13. In combination with a power trowel having a rotor assembly including a plurality of arms extending radially outwardly from a central hub, a plurality of trowel blades mounted on said plurality of rotor arms, each said trowel blade comprising a generally rectangular, elongate plastic trowel blade having two opposite faces, two longitudinally extending, opposite working edges and two transversely extending side edges interconnecting the working edges, a metal plate affixed to and overlying at least a portion of one face of said trowel blade and an elongate mounting means on said metal plate for mounting said trowel blade to said rotor arms, said metal plate overlying from 50% to 100% of the length of said plastic blade and from 33% to 100% of the width of said plastic blade between the longitudinal centerline of said mounting means and each working edge of said blade. 14. A power trowel, as claimed in claim 13, wherein said metal plate overlies from 70% to 100% of the length of the plastic blade. 15. A power trowel, as claimed in claim 13, wherein said mounting means is connected to said plastic trowel blade by first fasteners and is connected to said rotor arms via second fasteners. 16. A power trowel, as claimed in claim 13, wherein said metal plate overlies from 55% to 70% of the width of said plastic blade between the longitudinal centerline of said mounting means and each working edge of said blade. 17. A power trowel, as claimed in claim 13, wherein said metal plate is centered on said plastic blade between the side edges thereof. 18. A power trowel, as claimed in claim 13, wherein said mounting means is centered on said plastic blade between the side edges thereof. 19. A power trowel, as claimed in claim 13, wherein said elongate mounting means is an elongate mounting bar. 20. A power trowel, as claimed in claim 13, wherein said elongate mounting means is an elongate mounting bar and said metal plate and said mounting bar are centered on said plastic blade between the side edges thereof. 21. A power trowel, as claimed in claim 13, wherein said metal plate has a thickness of from 0.05 to 0.125 inches. 22. A power trowel, as claimed in claim 21, wherein said metal plate has a hardness of Rockwell 30-60 HRC. 23. A power trowel, as claimed in claim 13, wherein said plastic blade is formed of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. 24. A power trowel, as claimed in claim 23, wherein said plastic blade has a thickness of from 0.25 to 0.50 inches.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/530,896, filed Dec. 22, 2003, now pending. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to trowel blades for cast-in-place flooring and, more particularly, to metal plate reinforced plastic trowel blades for power troweling. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The traditional floor finishing process for providing a smooth dense floor typically associated with interior cast-in-place concrete, terrazzo, epoxy or co-polymer flooring involves using hand or mechanical power troweling. Power troweling machines are available in two basic styles: walk-behind and ride-on. These machines have, historically, been fitted with various types of steel blades or, more recently, plastic blades, for different aspects of the finishing process. Most walk-behind power trowels include a single set of horizontal rotating blades encircled by a guard ring cage, a gas or electric engine and a handle for machine control and steering. The blades are attached to radially extending, spaced apart arms of a spider assembly or rotor, which is caused to rotate by a shaft driven by the engine. Each rotor typically mounts three- or four-blades and has a diameter ranging from 2 to 5 feet, giving a finished area per revolution of slightly more than 3 to almost 20 square feet. A typical 36-inch diameter walk-behind power trowel can finish 7000 to 15,000 square feet of concrete per day. Since walk-behind power trowels weigh less than ride-on trowels, they can be put on slabs sooner than their heavier counterparts. Even so, concrete needs to be a bit harder before power troweling than hand troweling. Configured with either two or three sets of rotating blades, typical ride-on power trowels range in size from approximately 6 feet to slightly more than 10 feet in path width, to produce a troweled area of about 17 to 40 square feet, respectively. The largest units weigh more than a ton and can finish about 30,000 square feet per day. Ride-on trowels can be configured with two or more rotors, each having a plurality of radially oriented, spaced-apart blades. The blades on adjacent rotors may be overlapping or non-overlapping. Overlapping blades are spaced so that each set of blades overlaps slightly with the other set as the blades rotate. Because the two sets overlap, no unfinished concrete is left between them, as is the case with a non-overlapping configuration. There are three basic types of blades for both walk-behind and ride-on trowels: float, finish and combination. Float blades are normally about ten inches wide and are intended to run flat on the concrete shortly after the concrete has been poured and screeded. The blades, which have their leading edges turned up slightly so that fresh concrete won't be damaged, push aggregate down into the concrete and bring water to the surface. Finishing blades are used after floating is completed. They, typically, are rectangular in shape with the opposite long sides serving as the finishing edges. About six inches wide, they are pitched during use to apply more pressure to the concrete than with float blades, so that the surface can be compacted. The pitch angles for finishing blades are increased slightly on each successive pass to put increasingly greater pressure on the concrete surface. If the blades are pitched too much, a washboard effect may result, necessitating reducing the blades' pitch and refinishing the surface. Combination blades can both float and finish. They are, typically, about 8 inches wide, and are a combination of floating and finishing blades. They have a finishing edge and a float edge, are normally wider than finishing blades but narrower than float blades, and are more expensive than either finishing or floating blades. Combination blades are popular because operators don't have to stop and change the blades on each rotor for each operation. Their disadvantage is that they are not as efficient at either floating or finishing as the blades designed specifically for these jobs. One edge of the combination blade is pitched upwardly for floating, the pitched edge allowing fresh concrete to flow under the blade during floating, and the opposite edge is flat for finishing. Mounting systems for mounting the blades, whether float, finish or combination, to the trowel arms on the rotors vary. In many systems, blades are bolted directly to the trowel arm. In other systems, the blades are connected to a mounting bar and the bar is bolted to the trowel arm. During the final stage of finishing, a finish or combination blade is used to provide a smooth, dense finish. During this stage, burnish marks can occur on the finish, which are generally caused by the steel from which these blades have historically been made. In the past, to avoid these burnish marks, power troweling would have to stop and hand finishing would have to be used to complete the finishing process, which is both time and labor intensive. One relatively recent solution to the burnishing problem has been substituting plastic for steel as the material for the finishing blades. However, in most instances, the plastic blades are not strong or rigid enough to finish the concrete floor to an optimum level. Moreover, plastic blades can only be used on walk-behind trowels, as the ride-on trowels are much too heavy for the plastic blades. Accordingly, there still exists a need for a stronger, more rigid blade that can be used on both styles of power trowels while also providing a burnish-free finish for many different types of floor systems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a trowel blade capable of providing a burnish-free finish for many different types of floor systems and which is suitable for use with both walk-behind and ride-on power trowels. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a trowel blade capable of providing a burnish-free finish when used with power trowels which is simple to use and inexpensive to manufacture. It is another object of the present invention to provide a metal reinforced plastic trowel blade which is capable of providing burnish-free finishes when used with both walk-behind and ride-on power trowels. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a plastic trowel blade having a metal plate affixed to and overlying at least a portion of one face thereof for providing reinforcement of the plastic blade sufficient for use thereof with ride-on trowels while, at the same time, contributing to the desired flexibility of the blade. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a metal plate reinforced, elongate plastic trowel blade having an elongate mounting means extending longitudinally thereof and connected thereto for attachment to the trowel arm of a power trowel. The foregoing and other objects are achieved in accordance with the present invention by providing a plastic trowel blade having a reinforcing metal plate affixed to and overlying at least a portion of one face thereof. The plate desirably overlies from 50% to 100% of the length of the blade and, preferably, from 70% to 100% of the length of the blade. Depending upon the thickness of the metal plate, the plate overlies from 33% to 100% of the width of the blade between the longitudinal centerline of the mounting means and each elongate edge of the blade, the thinner the plate the greater the overlap can be. In a preferred embodiment, the plate overlies from 55% to 70% of the width of the blade between the longitudinal centerline of the mounting means and each of the opposite elongate edges. In another aspect of the invention, there is provided, in combination with a power trowel having at least one rotor arm for mounting a trowel blade thereon, a plastic trowel blade having a metal plate affixed to and overlying at least a portion of one face thereof and means for attaching said trowel blade to said rotor arm. In still another aspect of the invention, there is provided, in combination with a power trowel having a rotor assembly including a plurality of arms extending radially outwardly from a central hub, a plurality of plastic trowel blades attached to said plurality of rotor arms, each said plastic trowel plate having a metal plate affixed to and overlying at least a portion of one face thereof, and means for attaching said trowel blades to said rotor arms. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ride-on power trowel. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a walk-behind power trowel. FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a four arm rotor assembly mounting four trowel blades and suitable for use with ride-on and walk-behind power trowels. FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a prior art finish trowel blade. FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a prior art combination trowel blade. FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a finish trowel blade of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a combination trowel blade of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The generally accepted technique for preparing a finished concrete surface proceeds through the steps of pouring, screeding, floating and finishing. The floating and finishing steps are typically accomplished, particularly on larger projects, using power trowels. Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a conventional ride-on power trowel 10 comprising an operator seating and control station 12, an engine 14, at least two downwardly projecting rotor or spider assemblies 16, each assembly having a plurality of radially extending, spaced-apart arms and a trowel blade mounted on each arm for providing at least two sets of horizontal rotating blades encircled by a guard ring cage 18. FIG. 2 shows a conventional walk-behind power trowel 20 comprising a handle 22 for machine control and steering, an electric or gas engine 24, a single rotor or spider assembly 26 having a plurality of radially extending, spaced-apart arms and a trowel blade mounted on each arm for providing a single set of horizontal rotating blades encircled by a guard ring cage 28. A typical four arm spider assembly 30 suitable for use with either a ride-on or walk-behind power trowel is illustrated in FIG. 3. The assembly includes four radially extending arms 32 emanating from a central hub 34, which receives a drive shaft (not shown). A trowel blade 36 is mounted via bolts 38 on each trowel arm 32. It will be appreciated that each rotor assembly may contain more or less than four arms for mounting trowel blades thereon, the number of arms being a matter of design choice. A conventional prior art finish trowel blade 50 is illustrated in FIG. 4. The blade 52 is generally rectangular and has two finishing edges 54, 56. Blade 52 is mounted to the trowel arm via a mounting means, which is attached to the blade and to the trowel arm. Illustrated here is a typical mounting bar 58, which is attached to the blade using screw fasteners and is bolted to the trowel arms. Finishing trowel blades are typically about six inches wide and, thus, are smaller than conventional float blades, which are generally used immediately following pouring and screeding in order to embed the aggregate in the concrete and bring water to the surface. As a result, finishing blades provide a greater pressure per square inch from the weight of the power trowel. Frequently, operators prefer not to use separate blades for floating and finishing in order to save the time required to change the blades on the spider arms of the power trowel. In such a case, they use combination trowel blades, which combine the function of float blades and finish blades. A typical prior art combination blade 60 is illustrated in FIG. 5. Combination blades are also generally rectangular, including a finishing edge 62 and a floating edge 64 and are mounted to a trowel arm via mounting means, such as mounting bar 66 via screw fasteners and/or bolts. They are narrower than float blades but wider than finish blades to permit them to perform their dual function. Their disadvantage, aside from their increased cost, is that they are not as effective at either floating or finishing as the blades specifically designed for those jobs. In accordance with the present invention, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is provided a plastic trowel blade 70, 100 having a metal reinforcing plate 72, 102 overlying a portion of one face of the blade, with face 74, 104 of blade 70, 100 in face-to-face contact with face 76, 106 of metal plate 72, 102. The other face 78, 108 of the blade frictionally contacts the concrete during finishing. Blade 70 (FIG. 6) is a finishing blade having two finishing edges 80, 82. Blade 100 (FIG. 7) is a combination blade having a finishing edge 110 and a floating edge 112. As previously stated, floating edge 112 is turned up or elevated above the base of the blade 100, for example, by beveling the underside of the floating edge 112 and, desirably, beveling the underside of the side edges 114, 116 as well. Trowel blades, such as finishing blade 70 and combination blade 100 are typically generally elongated and rectangular with opposite elongate edges constituting the working edge of the blades, and opposing sides or transverse edges 84, 86 and 114, 116, respectively, connecting the elongate edges. Desirably, the plate 72, 102 overlies from 50% to 100% of the length of the blade 70, 100, wherein the length dimension is measured in the longitudinal direction of the blade 70, 100, i.e., between the side or transverse edges 84, 86 and 114, 116. In a particularly preferred embodiment, plate 72, 102 overlies from 70% to 100% of the length of the blade 70, 100 and the plate 72, 102 is centered between the side or transverse edges 84, 86 and 114, 116 of the blade. The width of the plate 72, 102 relative to the width of the blade 70, 100 depends upon the thickness of the plate 72, 102 and affects the flexibility of the blade 70, 100. This flexibility is less important with float blades than with finishing blades and combination blades. During finishing, with either a finishing blade or a combination blade, the blade is pitched relative to the floor surface in order to apply increased pressure on the floor surface with the finishing edge of the blade in order to density the floor material, such as concrete. During this process, the blade should flex a small amount to prevent creating a washboard effect. Thus, measuring the width of the plate from the longitudinal centerline CL of the mounting means 88, 118 to each of the longitudinally extending edges 90, 92 and 120, 122 of the plate, and measuring the width of the blade from the centerline CL of the mounting means 88, 118 to each longitudinal edge 80, 82 and 110, 112 of the blade, the plate desirably overlies from 33% to 100% of the width of the blade on each side of the mounting means 88, 118, depending upon the thickness of the plate. If there is insufficient plate overlying the blade, the blade will be too flexible. On the other hand, extending the plate overlap to at or near 100% is generally undesirable, at least for a finishing edge, since, with use, a finishing edge abrades. If the edge of the plate is too close to the edge of the blade, at some time during its use, the plate edge, instead of the plastic blade edge, will contact the concrete. The thinner the plate, the greater the overlap can be. In a preferred embodiment, the plate overlies from 55% to 70% of the width of the blade on each side of the mounting means 88, 118. Typically, the plate 72, 102 is affixed to the plastic trowel blade 70, 100 using conventional fasteners, such as screws. As can be seen in the Figures, in one embodiment of the invention, a mounting means 88, 118, such as a mounting bar, extends longitudinally along the upper face 94, 124 of plate 72,102, preferably centered between the side or transverse edges 84, 86 and 114, 116 of the blade, and is affixed to the blade 70, 90 via screw fasteners extending through countersunk or counterbored apertures (not shown) in the underside 78, 108 of the blade, through the blade and into apertures 96, 126. In this connection, it has been noted that counterbored apertures in the blade underside 78, 108 allow the fastener to better grip the mounting means 88, 118 and prevents the mounting means from being pulled away from the plate when stressed during use. Additional apertures 98, 128 are provided in mounting bar 88, 118 for attaching the blade 70, 90 to the rotor arms of the power trowels using bolts, which extend through the rotor arms and are received in apertures 98, 128. It will be appreciated that the mounting means need not be a mounting bar, but can be any well known mounting means, such as a channel. The metal plates are desirably formed of relatively thin, strong material. Typical plates may be formed of any metal having a hardness of Rockwell 30-60 HRC (this range includes metals ranging from cold rolled steel to a very hard heat-treated steel) and a thickness of 0.05-0.125 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the metal plate is formed of {fraction (3/32)}-inch thick 1075 grade high-carbon mechanical trowel steel with a Rockwell hardness of 42-44 HRC. The plastic trowel blade is desirably formed of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) having a thickness in the range 0.25 to 0.5 inches, preferably about 0.375 inches. Desirably, the plastic will have a density in the range of about 0.93-0.96 gm/cm3 and a tensile strength of about 3000 psi or higher. In addition, the plastic should have good abrasion resistance. UHMWPE which is suitable for use in the trowel blade of the present invention is available from Rochling Engineered Plastics under the trademark POLYSTONE M Natural. Another suitable plastic is available under the trademark SUSTARIN (Acetal Extruded) from Sustaplast Engineered Plastics of Edgewood, N.Y. Other plastic materials may be used in lieu of the preferred materials provided that they are chemically inert with respect to the metal reinforcing material and the flooring material, e.g., concrete, terrazzo, epoxy and co-polymer flooring, and exhibit the requisite hardness, strength, rigidity and abrasion resistance, together with the metal reinforcing plate, for providing a smooth, dense finish for traditional troweled floors. While the present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design other than as defined in the appended claims.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The traditional floor finishing process for providing a smooth dense floor typically associated with interior cast-in-place concrete, terrazzo, epoxy or co-polymer flooring involves using hand or mechanical power troweling. Power troweling machines are available in two basic styles: walk-behind and ride-on. These machines have, historically, been fitted with various types of steel blades or, more recently, plastic blades, for different aspects of the finishing process. Most walk-behind power trowels include a single set of horizontal rotating blades encircled by a guard ring cage, a gas or electric engine and a handle for machine control and steering. The blades are attached to radially extending, spaced apart arms of a spider assembly or rotor, which is caused to rotate by a shaft driven by the engine. Each rotor typically mounts three- or four-blades and has a diameter ranging from 2 to 5 feet, giving a finished area per revolution of slightly more than 3 to almost 20 square feet. A typical 36-inch diameter walk-behind power trowel can finish 7000 to 15,000 square feet of concrete per day. Since walk-behind power trowels weigh less than ride-on trowels, they can be put on slabs sooner than their heavier counterparts. Even so, concrete needs to be a bit harder before power troweling than hand troweling. Configured with either two or three sets of rotating blades, typical ride-on power trowels range in size from approximately 6 feet to slightly more than 10 feet in path width, to produce a troweled area of about 17 to 40 square feet, respectively. The largest units weigh more than a ton and can finish about 30,000 square feet per day. Ride-on trowels can be configured with two or more rotors, each having a plurality of radially oriented, spaced-apart blades. The blades on adjacent rotors may be overlapping or non-overlapping. Overlapping blades are spaced so that each set of blades overlaps slightly with the other set as the blades rotate. Because the two sets overlap, no unfinished concrete is left between them, as is the case with a non-overlapping configuration. There are three basic types of blades for both walk-behind and ride-on trowels: float, finish and combination. Float blades are normally about ten inches wide and are intended to run flat on the concrete shortly after the concrete has been poured and screeded. The blades, which have their leading edges turned up slightly so that fresh concrete won't be damaged, push aggregate down into the concrete and bring water to the surface. Finishing blades are used after floating is completed. They, typically, are rectangular in shape with the opposite long sides serving as the finishing edges. About six inches wide, they are pitched during use to apply more pressure to the concrete than with float blades, so that the surface can be compacted. The pitch angles for finishing blades are increased slightly on each successive pass to put increasingly greater pressure on the concrete surface. If the blades are pitched too much, a washboard effect may result, necessitating reducing the blades' pitch and refinishing the surface. Combination blades can both float and finish. They are, typically, about 8 inches wide, and are a combination of floating and finishing blades. They have a finishing edge and a float edge, are normally wider than finishing blades but narrower than float blades, and are more expensive than either finishing or floating blades. Combination blades are popular because operators don't have to stop and change the blades on each rotor for each operation. Their disadvantage is that they are not as efficient at either floating or finishing as the blades designed specifically for these jobs. One edge of the combination blade is pitched upwardly for floating, the pitched edge allowing fresh concrete to flow under the blade during floating, and the opposite edge is flat for finishing. Mounting systems for mounting the blades, whether float, finish or combination, to the trowel arms on the rotors vary. In many systems, blades are bolted directly to the trowel arm. In other systems, the blades are connected to a mounting bar and the bar is bolted to the trowel arm. During the final stage of finishing, a finish or combination blade is used to provide a smooth, dense finish. During this stage, burnish marks can occur on the finish, which are generally caused by the steel from which these blades have historically been made. In the past, to avoid these burnish marks, power troweling would have to stop and hand finishing would have to be used to complete the finishing process, which is both time and labor intensive. One relatively recent solution to the burnishing problem has been substituting plastic for steel as the material for the finishing blades. However, in most instances, the plastic blades are not strong or rigid enough to finish the concrete floor to an optimum level. Moreover, plastic blades can only be used on walk-behind trowels, as the ride-on trowels are much too heavy for the plastic blades. Accordingly, there still exists a need for a stronger, more rigid blade that can be used on both styles of power trowels while also providing a burnish-free finish for many different types of floor systems.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a trowel blade capable of providing a burnish-free finish for many different types of floor systems and which is suitable for use with both walk-behind and ride-on power trowels. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a trowel blade capable of providing a burnish-free finish when used with power trowels which is simple to use and inexpensive to manufacture. It is another object of the present invention to provide a metal reinforced plastic trowel blade which is capable of providing burnish-free finishes when used with both walk-behind and ride-on power trowels. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a plastic trowel blade having a metal plate affixed to and overlying at least a portion of one face thereof for providing reinforcement of the plastic blade sufficient for use thereof with ride-on trowels while, at the same time, contributing to the desired flexibility of the blade. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a metal plate reinforced, elongate plastic trowel blade having an elongate mounting means extending longitudinally thereof and connected thereto for attachment to the trowel arm of a power trowel. The foregoing and other objects are achieved in accordance with the present invention by providing a plastic trowel blade having a reinforcing metal plate affixed to and overlying at least a portion of one face thereof. The plate desirably overlies from 50% to 100% of the length of the blade and, preferably, from 70% to 100% of the length of the blade. Depending upon the thickness of the metal plate, the plate overlies from 33% to 100% of the width of the blade between the longitudinal centerline of the mounting means and each elongate edge of the blade, the thinner the plate the greater the overlap can be. In a preferred embodiment, the plate overlies from 55% to 70% of the width of the blade between the longitudinal centerline of the mounting means and each of the opposite elongate edges. In another aspect of the invention, there is provided, in combination with a power trowel having at least one rotor arm for mounting a trowel blade thereon, a plastic trowel blade having a metal plate affixed to and overlying at least a portion of one face thereof and means for attaching said trowel blade to said rotor arm. In still another aspect of the invention, there is provided, in combination with a power trowel having a rotor assembly including a plurality of arms extending radially outwardly from a central hub, a plurality of plastic trowel blades attached to said plurality of rotor arms, each said plastic trowel plate having a metal plate affixed to and overlying at least a portion of one face thereof, and means for attaching said trowel blades to said rotor arms.
20041217
20060613
20050630
62797.0
1
HARTMANN, GARY S
METAL PLATE REINFORCED PLASTIC TROWEL BLADE FOR POWER TROWELING
SMALL
0
ACCEPTED
2,004
11,015,803
ACCEPTED
Apparatus for controlling power of processor having a plurality of cores and control method of the same
Embodiments of an apparatus and methods for controlling power of a processor having a plurality of cores can independently control individual or selected cores and power supply circuits corresponding to the cores based on, for example, an operation state of the processor or a power mode. Embodiments of an apparatus for controlling power of a processor having a plurality of cores can include a plurality of power supply units each capable of independently supplying a supply power to a plurality of cores provided in one processor, a unit for checking at least one among a use state, a use amount and a power mode of each core and for turning on/off each checked core, and a unit that contacts with the unit for checking for controlling the power supply units in response to an on/off operation of each core.
1. An apparatus for controlling power of a processor having a plurality of cores, comprising: a plurality of power supply means each for independently supplying power to one of a plurality of cores provided in one processor; means for checking at least one among a core use state, a core power mode or a core use amount of each core and for turning on/off said each core; and means for controlling the plurality of power supply means according to said on/off operation of said each core. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said power supply means includes a plurality of DC/DC converters and a power input unit. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for checking said each core and for turning on/off said each core is a plurality of device drivers. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for checking said each core and for turning on/off said each core is at least one device driver. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein an embedded controller controls one of the power supply means for supplying power to each corresponding core in response to the control of said each core by the device driver. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said power supply means includes a plurality of DC/DC converters and power input units, wherein said DC/DC converters and power input units that correspond to the plurality of power supply means are connected with one another. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the core power mode is at least one member chosen from (1) a higher performance mode, (2) an adaptive mode having performance requirements that change responsive to a current processor amount of use, and (3) a power saving mode to reduce power consumption by the processor. 8. A method for controlling power of a processor having a plurality of cores, comprising: checking a use state of each of a plurality of cores provided in one processor; and independently disconnecting power supplied to at least one core that is not being currently used as a result of the checking. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein a device driver provided in an operating system (OS) checks said at least one core that is not currently used among the plurality of the cores provided in said one processor. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein an embedded controller independently turns off a corresponding power supply that supplies power to each core when the device driver provided in the OS turns off said each core that is not currently used. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein a power supplied to a user selected core among the plurality of cores is independently disconnected. 12. The method according to claim 8, comprising discontinuing use of a core when an error occurs in said core. 13. The method of claim 12, comprising determining system failure when an error occurs in all of the plurality of cores. 14. The method of claim 8, comprising independently setting the use state of at least one core according to a power management mode of the processor. 15. A method for controlling power of a processor having a plurality of cores, comprising: checking a power management mode of a processor having a plurality of cores; and selectively turning on each core of said plurality of cores based on the checked management mode and the use amount of the processor. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein said checking a power management mode comprises checking whether the power management mode is at least one member chosen from (1) a higher performance mode, (2) an adaptive mode having performance requirements that change responsive to a current processor amount of use, and (3) a power saving mode to reduce power consumption by the processor. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein said checking a power management mode of a processor comprises checking whether the power management mode set in the processor is a none mode or an adaptive mode. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein when the checked power management mode is the none mode, a device driver of an operating system (OS) turns on all of the cores, and an embedded controller turns on all of a plurality of DC/DC converters, wherein each DC/DC converter respectively provides power to one of said plurality of cores. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein when the power management mode is the adaptive mode, a single selected core among the plurality of the cores is turned on, comprising: determining a use amount of the selected core; enabling at least one additional core when the use amount is greater than a first prescribed value; and disabling said at least one additional core when a processor use amount is less than a second prescribed value. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein when the none mode or the adaptive mode is set, when an error occurs in a prescribed core, the power management mode is automatically set to a constant mode, and the prescribed core having the error is turned off, and a DC/DC converter that supplies power to the core having an error is turned off. 21. The method of claim 15, wherein a device driver performs the on/off controls and the use amount checks of the cores, respectively, and wherein an embedded controller performs the on/off controls of DC/DC controllers that supply power to the cores, respectively. 22. A portable computer, comprising: a first circuit configured to determine a use state of a plurality of cores of a single processor; and a second circuit configured to independently provide power to at least two cores based on the corresponding use state of the core. 23. The portable computer of claim 22, wherein the use state includes a core use state and a core use amount. 24. The portable computer of claim 23, wherein the second circuit is configured to operate according to a power management mode of the processor, wherein the power management mode is at least one member chosen from (1) a higher performance mode, (2) an adaptive mode having performance requirements that change responsive to a current processor amount of use, and (3) a power saving mode to reduce power consumption by the processor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the power of a processor and a control method of the same, and in particular to an apparatus for controlling the power of a processor having a plurality of cores and a control method of the same. 2. Background of the Related Art Generally, a portable computer such as a notebook computer, etc. has been widely used. The portable computer uses a battery power having a limited capacity as a system power. As shown in FIG. 1, a DC supply power converted and outputted by a DC/DC converter 10 is supplied to a core 21 through a power input unit 20 provided in a processor 200. The core 21 operates using the DC supply power. Recently, a process having a plurality of different cores has been developed and commercially used. As shown in FIG. 2, a processor 210 having a plurality of cores includes a first core 21 and a second core 22. The first and second cores 21 and 22 are operated using the DC supply power supplied from the power input unit 20. Since the first and second cores 21 and 22 are designed to use a lot of the power, the first and second cores 21 and 22 use a first DC/DC converter 10 and a second DC/DC converter 11. Here, the first and second DC/DC converters 10 and 11 are alternately turned on/off, so that the power corresponding to 50% of the total power consumption is stably supplied to each element in the system. However, when one of the first core 21 and the second core 22 in the processor 210 is not used, for example, when only the first core 21 is used, since the first and second DC/DC converters 10 and 11 are alternately turned on/off, an unnecessary leakage current occurs by the second core 22 that is not currently used. Accordingly, the battery power having a limited capacity is inefficiently used. As described above, the related art portable computers and processor have various disadvantages. For example, since the power is applied irrespective of the using state (error state, use amount, etc.) of each core and the power management mode set in the processor, leakage current occurs, and the power is inefficiently used. The above references are incorporated by reference herein where appropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or alternative details, features and/or technical background. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to solve at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described hereinafter. Another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for controlling the power of a processor having a plurality of cores and a method for controlling a supply power supplied to a processor having a plurality of cores based on a use amount or an operation state of each core. Another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for controlling the power of a processor having a plurality of cores and a control method of the same capable of controlling cores and supply power based on a power mode. Another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for controlling the power of a processor having a plurality of cores and a method for controlling a supply power supplied to a processor having a plurality of cores that independently supplies power to each of the plurality of cores. In order to achieve at least the above objects in a whole or in part, there is provided an apparatus for controlling power of a processor having a plurality of cores that includes a plurality of power supply devices each for independently supplying power to one of a plurality of cores provided in one processor, a first device for checking at least one among a core use state, a core power mode or a core use amount of each core and for turning on/off said each core and a second device for controlling the plurality of power supply devices according to said on/off operation of said each core. To further achieve at least the above objects in a whole or in part, there is provided a method for controlling power of a processor having a plurality of cores that includes checking a use state of each of a plurality of cores provided in one processor and independently disconnecting power supplied to at least one core that is not being currently used as a result of the checking. To further achieve at least the above objects in a whole or in part, there is provided a method for controlling power of a processor having a plurality of cores that includes checking a power management mode of a processor having a plurality of cores and selectively turning on each core of said plurality of cores based on the checked management mode and the use amount of the processor. To further achieve at least the above objects in a whole or in part, there is provided a portable computer that includes a first circuit configured to determine a use state of a plurality of cores of a single processor and a second circuit configured to independently provide power to at least two cores based on the corresponding use state of the core. Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained as particularly pointed out in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements wherein: FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the construction of a conventional power control apparatus of a processor having one core; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the construction of a related art power control apparatus of a processor having a plurality of cores; FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating construction of a preferred embodiment of a power control apparatus of a processor having a plurality of cores according to the present invention; FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a preferred embodiment of a power control method based on the use of a core in a processor having a plurality of cores according to the present invention; and FIGS. 5 and 6 are flow charts of a preferred embodiment of a power control method based on the use of a plurality of cores and a power mode according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a power control apparatus and method of a processor having a plurality of cores according to the present invention will now be described. The processor can be in a portable computer or the like. First, a power management mode will be described. In the case of a conventional processor, the maximum clock frequency is a prescribed frequency such as 1.7 GHz. Further, the clock frequency is variably controlled. For example, the clock frequency could be classified into a plurality of steps or speeds ranging from 600 MHz to a maximum 1.7 GHz, so that the processor can be properly operated. The input voltage could be varied, corresponding to the operation frequency of the processor, to thereby control the speed and power consumption of the processor. In the case of the battery mode, it is possible to reduce the clock frequency of the processor to 600 MHz. At this time, the input voltage is reduced, so that the use amount of the battery or battery life is extended. The above-described function can be implemented in a process called SpeedStep. Namely, the operation mode of the process could be changed by changing the input power. The above operation mode could be classified into the following categories. 1. The maximum battery mode is operated at a minimum frequency and voltage. As the use of the power is increased, it is needed to control the clock frequency. It is called Degrade Mode. 2. The battery optimized mode is operated at a minimum frequency and voltage. According to embodiments of the present invention, it means that one core of the processor is operated. It is called Constant Mode. 3. The automatic mode is directed to changing the frequency and voltage based on the use of the processor. It is called Adaptive Mode. 4. The maximum performance mode is operated at a maximum frequency and maximum voltage. According to embodiments of the present invention, it means that a plurality of cores of a processor are operated. It is called None Mode. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating construction of a power control apparatus of a processor having a plurality of cores according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example, a processor 300 can include a plurality of cores such as a first core 31 and a second core 33. The processor 300 can further include a first power input unit 30 for applying power to the first core 31, and a second power input unit 32 for applying power to the second core 33. A first DC/DC converter 100 is preferably connected with the first power input unit 30 for applying a DC component to the first core 31. A second DC/DC converter 110 is preferably connected with the second power supply unit 32 for applying a DC power to the second core 33. As shown in FIG. 3, the DC/DC converters 100 and 110, the power input parts 30 and 32 and the cores 31 and 33 can be correspondingly be coupled to each other. However, the present invention is not intended to be so limited. A device driver 50 in an operating system OS can check the state of use (e.g., normal operation states of used core or non-used core) of the first and second cores 31 and 33 provided in the processor 300. When a prescribed or certain error occurs in a certain core, the power management mode of the processor can be automatically changed to the constant mode for thereby independently turning off a corresponding core. In addition, an embedded controller 40 can turn on/off the first and second DC/DC converters 100 and 110. For example, a DC/DC converter that supplies power to the core having an error can be independently turned off based on an embedded controller 40 interface with the device driver 50. When an error does not occur in the first and second cores, the device driver 50 preferably checks the power management mode set in the processor 300. For example, in the case that the none mode is set, both the first and second cores can be turned on, and both the first and second DC/DC converters 100 and 110 can be turned on based on an interface with the embedded controlled 40. When the power management mode of the processor 300 is set to the adaptive mode that is first implemented in an embodiment of the present invention, one core between the first and second cores (or additional ones), for example, only the first core 31 can be turned on, and only the first DC/DC converter 100 can be turned on based on an interface with the embedded controller 40. The amount of use of the first core can be checked. For example, when the amount of the use of the first core reaches 100%, both the first and second cores 31 and 33 are turned on, and both the first and second DC/DC converters 100 and 110 are turned on based on an interface with the embedded controller 40. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an ON/OFF control signal can be performed in a device driver of the OS (Operating System), a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) of the system or an EC (embedded controller). However, the present invention is not intended to be so limited. The amount of the use of the first and second cores, (e.g., the entire amount of the use of the processor) can be checked. For example, when the entire amount of the use of the processor is below 50%, only the first core 31 preferably is turned on, and only the first DC/DC converter 100 is turned on based on an interface with the embedded controller 40. The ON/OFF operations can be optimally performed or performed in combination based on the use state of each core and various power management modes, so that battery power consumption because of current leakage can be reduced or prevented. The performance of the processor can be maintained in a selected or an optimum state. Operations according to embodiments of the present invention will now be described. FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a power control method based on the use of a core in a processor having a plurality of cores according to the present invention. The embodiment of a power control method can be applied to and will be described using the apparatus of FIG. 3. However, the present invention is not intended to be so limited. For example, in the portable computer such as a notebook computer, etc., when a power supply and a system booting sequence are performed (block S40), the embedded controller 40 can allow the first and second DC/DC converters 100 and 110 to be turned on. Further, the device driver 50 can allow the first and second cores 31 and 33 provided in the processor 300 to be turned on (block S41). In addition, the device driver 50 can check the use state (e.g., status) of the first and second cores 31 and 33 provided in the processor (block S42). As a result of the check, in the case that a non-use core is detected (block S43), for example, when the first core is being used, and the second core is not used, the device driver 50 can allow the first core 31 to maintain a turned on state and allows the second core 33 to be turned off (block S45). The device driver 50 can provide the use state of the plurality of cores based on an interface with the embedded controller 40. For example, the device driver can inform the embedded controller 40 of a state that the first core is being used, and the second core is not used. The embedded controller 40 can allow the first DC/DC converter 100 to maintain a turned on state where the first DC/DC converter 100 supplies the DC power to the first core that is currently being used and can allow the second DC/DC converter 110 to be turned off where the second DC/DC converter 110 applies the DC power to the second core (block S46). Thereafter, it can be checked whether the system is completed (e.g., enabled) or not (block S47). When the system is not intended to be turned off, it is preferably operated based on the constant mode by the core that is not turned off (block S48). From block S48, control can jump to block S42. The disconnection of the power supply with respect to the core can be designated by a user (e.g., block S44). For example, the user can designate a certain process for disconnecting the power supply supplied to the second core 33, and the embedded controller 40 can allow the second DC/DC converter 100 to be turned off where the second DC/DC converter 110 applies the power to the second core 33 and can allow the second core 33 to be turned off based on an interface with the device driver 50. As described above, the power control method of FIG. 4 can control each unnecessary (e.g., unused) core and DC/DC converter to be independently turned off based on the use state of each core provided in the processor or a user's selection. Thus, it is possible to efficiently reduce or prevent the leakage of current and over consumption of battery power. FIGS. 5 and 6 are flow charts illustrating another embodiment of a power control method based on the use of a plurality of cores and a power mode according to the present invention. The embodiment of a power control method can be applied to and will be described using the apparatus of FIG. 3. However, the present invention is not intended to be so limited. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the device driver 50 can check the user state of at least two cores (e.g., first and second cores 31 and 33) provided in the interior of the processor (block S50). As a result of the check, when a certain error occurs in one core, for example, an error occurs in the first core 31 (block S51), the device driver 50 can allow the power management mode of the processor 300 to be automatically set to a selected mode (e.g., the constant mode). Then, the first core 31 can be turned off and the corresponding first DC/DC converter 100 can be turned off (block S52). As described above, the current leakage does not occur by the first core 31 which has an error, and the first DC/DC converter 100 adapted to apply the power responsive to the first core. Further, a normal operation can be achieved by additional cores, e.g., the second core 33, that does not have any error. Then, a check can be performed for an error in each of the at least two cores (block S53). As a result of the check, for example in the case that the error occurs in both the cores (e.g., all processor cores), the error occurs in both the first and second cores 31 and 33 (block S53), it can be judged as the system fail (block S54). As a result of the check, when the error does not occur in the cores, the device driver 50 can confirm a selected (block S53) power management mode (e.g., set in the processor 300). For example, the power management mode could be set to none mode, constant mode or adaptive mode or the like, for example, based on the user's selection. The confirmed power management mode can be (e.g., set) the none mode (block S55), where the device driver can 50 allow the first and second cores 31 and 33 to be turned on and allow the first and second DC/DC converters 100 and 110 to be turned on based on an interface with the embedded controller 40. Therefore, both the first and second cores 31 and 33 (e.g., all cores) are operated to achieve a higher or the maximum performance in the processor (block S56). In this case, over power consumption can occur. The confirmed power management mode can be (e.g., set) the adaptive mode (block S58), where the device driver can 50 allow a certain preset core/subset of cores, for example, the first core 31 to be turned on and allow the first DC/DC converter 100 to be turned on based on an interface with the embedded controller 40 (block S59). Further, the use amount of the preset core can be checked (blocks S60, S62). For example, when the use amount of the first core reaches 100% (block S60), the additional core/cores (e.g., second core 33) that was turned off, can be turned on so that both the first and second cores (e.g., additional) are turned on. The second DC/DC converter 110 that was turned off, can be turned on based on an interface with the embedded controller 40, so that both the first and second DC/DC converters 100 and 110 are turned on. When multiple cores (e.g. both the first and second cores 31 and 33) are turned on, the device driver 50 checks the use amounts of the cores (e.g., first and second cores), respectively, for thereby checking the entire use amount of the processor. For example, as a result of the check, when the entire use amount of the processor is below a prescribed amount (e.g., 50%) (block S62), the second core 33 can be turned off, and the second DC/DC converter 110 can be turned off based on an interface with the embedded controller 40 (block S63). In the none mode or adaptive mode, when an error occurs in one of two cores, the device driver 50 can allow the power management mode to be automatically set to the constant mode for thereby turning off the core that has an error, and the DC/DC converter that applies the power to the core is turned off. The above operations can be repeatedly performed (block S57). Therefore, when the power management mode of the processor is set in the adaptive mode, the device driver 50 can allow the first and second cores (e.g., a plurality of cores) to be selectively turned on/off based on the use amount of a core being used or the entire use amount of the processor. The embedded controller 40 can allow the first and second DC/DC converters to be selectively turned on/off to reduce or minimize the power consumption of the battery by the leakage current. Therefore, the performance of the processor can be improved or optimized. Embodiments according to the present invention relate to a power control apparatus and methods of a processor having a plurality of cores. In the processor having a plurality of cores according to embodiments of the present invention, power applied to the cores can be controlled based on at least one member chosen from of the use amount and the operation state of the cores. The cores can also be controlled based on the power mode. However, the present invention is not intended to be so limited as other user selected or system criteria can be used to independently control operations of each of a plurality of cores. Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments. Furthermore, for ease of understanding, certain method procedures may have been delineated as separate procedures; however, these separately delineated procedures should not be construed as necessarily order dependent in their performance. That is, some procedures may be able to be performed in an alternative ordering, simultaneously, etc. As described above, embodiments of the present invention have various advantages. In embodiments according to the present invention, the usage states with respect to the cores provided in one processor can be checked, so that it is possible to uncouple the power supply to the cores that are not currently used. In addition, it is possible to independently disconnect the power supply applied to a prescribed core that a user designates. The states of uses of the cores provided in one processor can be checked, and the core having an error is directly disabled and power supply devices that apply a corresponding power to the disabled core can be disabled (e.g., off). Cores could be turned on/off based on the power management mode set in the processor. Cores can be selectively turned on/off based on the use amount of the processor while a DC/DC converter corresponding thereto is turned on/off In addition, the leakage current occurring because of at least one unnecessary core and power supply device can be reduced or prevented, and the processor is efficiently used. Thus, according to embodiments it is possible to efficiently use the power based on the use of the power matching with the operation state of the processor and the power mode. The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the power of a processor and a control method of the same, and in particular to an apparatus for controlling the power of a processor having a plurality of cores and a control method of the same. 2. Background of the Related Art Generally, a portable computer such as a notebook computer, etc. has been widely used. The portable computer uses a battery power having a limited capacity as a system power. As shown in FIG. 1 , a DC supply power converted and outputted by a DC/DC converter 10 is supplied to a core 21 through a power input unit 20 provided in a processor 200 . The core 21 operates using the DC supply power. Recently, a process having a plurality of different cores has been developed and commercially used. As shown in FIG. 2 , a processor 210 having a plurality of cores includes a first core 21 and a second core 22 . The first and second cores 21 and 22 are operated using the DC supply power supplied from the power input unit 20 . Since the first and second cores 21 and 22 are designed to use a lot of the power, the first and second cores 21 and 22 use a first DC/DC converter 10 and a second DC/DC converter 11 . Here, the first and second DC/DC converters 10 and 11 are alternately turned on/off, so that the power corresponding to 50% of the total power consumption is stably supplied to each element in the system. However, when one of the first core 21 and the second core 22 in the processor 210 is not used, for example, when only the first core 21 is used, since the first and second DC/DC converters 10 and 11 are alternately turned on/off, an unnecessary leakage current occurs by the second core 22 that is not currently used. Accordingly, the battery power having a limited capacity is inefficiently used. As described above, the related art portable computers and processor have various disadvantages. For example, since the power is applied irrespective of the using state (error state, use amount, etc.) of each core and the power management mode set in the processor, leakage current occurs, and the power is inefficiently used. The above references are incorporated by reference herein where appropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or alternative details, features and/or technical background.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>An object of the invention is to solve at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described hereinafter. Another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for controlling the power of a processor having a plurality of cores and a method for controlling a supply power supplied to a processor having a plurality of cores based on a use amount or an operation state of each core. Another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for controlling the power of a processor having a plurality of cores and a control method of the same capable of controlling cores and supply power based on a power mode. Another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for controlling the power of a processor having a plurality of cores and a method for controlling a supply power supplied to a processor having a plurality of cores that independently supplies power to each of the plurality of cores. In order to achieve at least the above objects in a whole or in part, there is provided an apparatus for controlling power of a processor having a plurality of cores that includes a plurality of power supply devices each for independently supplying power to one of a plurality of cores provided in one processor, a first device for checking at least one among a core use state, a core power mode or a core use amount of each core and for turning on/off said each core and a second device for controlling the plurality of power supply devices according to said on/off operation of said each core. To further achieve at least the above objects in a whole or in part, there is provided a method for controlling power of a processor having a plurality of cores that includes checking a use state of each of a plurality of cores provided in one processor and independently disconnecting power supplied to at least one core that is not being currently used as a result of the checking. To further achieve at least the above objects in a whole or in part, there is provided a method for controlling power of a processor having a plurality of cores that includes checking a power management mode of a processor having a plurality of cores and selectively turning on each core of said plurality of cores based on the checked management mode and the use amount of the processor. To further achieve at least the above objects in a whole or in part, there is provided a portable computer that includes a first circuit configured to determine a use state of a plurality of cores of a single processor and a second circuit configured to independently provide power to at least two cores based on the corresponding use state of the core. Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained as particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
20041220
20091222
20050714
82335.0
1
CONNOLLY, MARK A
APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING POWER OF PROCESSOR HAVING A PLURALITY OF CORES AND CONTROL METHOD OF THE SAME
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
2,004
11,015,856
ACCEPTED
Electrical socket assembly and plug connector coupled thereto
An electrical socket assembly includes an insulating body, a plurality of first terminals, and a plurality of second terminals. The insulating body has first terminal grooves formed on a lower side thereof, and second terminal grooves formed on an upper side thereof. The first terminals are respectively positioned in the first terminal grooves for transmitting non-USB-compliant signals, and the second terminals are respectively positioned in the second terminal grooves for transmitting and receiving USB-compliant signals. The electrical socket assembly may be coupled with a standard USB plug connector for transmission of the USB-compliant signals, and with another plug connector for transmission of the non-USB-compliant signals.
1. An electrical socket assembly, comprising: an insulating body including a seat, a connection plate which projects outwardly from said seat and which has opposite first and second sides, first terminal grooves formed in said first side of said connection plate, and second terminal grooves formed in said second side of said connection plate; a shield housing surrounding said seat and said connection plate; a plurality of first terminals respectively positioned in said first terminal grooves for transmitting non-USB-compliant signals; and a plurality of second terminals respectively positioned in said second terminal grooves for transmitting and receiving USB-compliant signals, wherein the first terminals are non-USB terminals, and wherein the second terminals are USB terminals. 2. The electrical socket assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said first terminals has a contact end exposed on said first side, and a coupling end projecting out of said seat. 3. The electrical socket assembly of claim 2, wherein each of said second terminals has a contact end exposed on said second side, and a coupling end projecting out of said seat. 4. The electrical socket assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-USB-compliant signals include audio signals. 5. An electrical connector assembly, comprising: an electrical socket and a plug connector matable with said electrical socket; said electrical socket including: an insulating seat, a connection plate which projects outwardly from said seat and which has opposite first and second sides, first terminal grooves formed in said first side of said connection plate, and second terminal grooves formed in said second side of said connection plate; a plurality of first terminals respectively positioned in said first terminal grooves for transmitting audio signals; and a plurality of second terminals respectively positioned in said second terminal grooves for transmitting and receiving data signals; a shield housing surrounding said insulating seat and said connection plate; said plug connector having a plurality of third terminals for contacting said first terminals, respectively. 6. The electrical connector assembly of claim 5, wherein said electrical socket is further adapted for mating with a standard USB plug connector having fourth terminals for contacting said second terminals, respectively. 7. The electrical connector assembly of claim 6, wherein said plug connector has no terminals to contact said second terminals when mating with said electrical socket.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrical socket assembly, and more particularly to an electrical socket assembly that conforms to universal serial bus (USB) specifications, and that has the ability to transmit both USB- and non-USB-compliant signals. The present invention relates also to a plug connector that is electrically coupled to the electrical socket assembly for transmitting the non-USB-compliant signals. 2. Description of the Related Art It is becoming the standard for digital devices that interface with a PC (personal computer) to be USB-based. Examples of such digital devices include MPEG (Moving Pictures Experts Group) Audio Layer-3 players, which are commonly referred to simply as MP3 players, digital cameras, and digital camcorders. In the case of the MP3 player, this digital device typically includes the player itself with all the required circuitry and buttons for user manipulation, an audio port, and a data port. An MP3 player is used in conjunction with a pair of earphones or headphones, and a cable for connection to a PC. An earphone connector of the earphones is connected to the audio port of the MP3 player. The cable, assuming that the MP3 player is USB-based, has a USB “A” connector on one end for connection to a USB socket of a PC, and a mini USB “B” connector on its other end for connection to the data port of the MP3 player. There are many different types of mini USB “B” connectors, but the USB “A” connector is standardized to enable coupling to the USB socket of any PC or USB hub. In order to listen to music, the user connects the earphones to the audio port, and operates the MP3 player. When desiring to transfer MP3 files from the PC to the MP3 player, the user connects the mini USB “B” connector of the cable to the data port of the MP3 player, and the USB “A” connector of the cable to the USB socket of the PC. Hence, two different ports are required for one MP3 player. This runs counter to efforts at making the MP3 player more lightweight and compact, and increases overall manufacturing costs. Another drawback of the conventional configuration is that the connection life between the earphone connector of the earphones and the audio port of the MP3 player is limited, i.e., approximately 10,000 connections. That is, wear in at least one of the elements becomes too severe following 10,000 connections and disconnections. This is in contrast to USB connectors and sockets, which have a connection life of approximately three times that of other connectors and sockets, such as the earphone connector and audio port. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of this invention is to provide an electrical socket assembly that conforms to USB specifications, and that has the ability to transmit both USB- and non-USB-compliant signals. Another object of this invention is to provide a plug connector that is electrically coupled to the electrical socket assembly for transmission of the non-USB-compliant signals. The electrical socket assembly includes: an insulating body having a seat, a connection plate which projects outwardly from the seat and which has opposite first and second sides, first terminal grooves formed in the first side of the connection plate, and second terminal grooves formed in the second side of the connection plate; a shield housing surrounding said seat and said connection plate; a plurality of first terminals respectively positioned in the first terminal grooves for transmitting non-USB-compliant signals; and a plurality of second terminals respectively positioned in the second terminal grooves for transmitting and receiving USB-compliant signals. A plug connector is matable with the electrical socket assembly. The plug connector has a plurality of third terminals for contacting the first terminals, respectively. The electrical socket assembly can mate with a standard USB plug connector having fourth terminals for contacting the second terminals, respectively. The plug connector has no terminals to contact the second terminals when mating with the electrical socket assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical socket assembly and a plug connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electrical socket assembly of FIG. 1, illustrating the electrical socket assembly in an assembled state; FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the electrical socket assembly and the plug connector of FIG. 1, illustrating the electrical socket assembly and the plug connector in an assembled and interconnected state; FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a connection plate of the electrical socket assembly taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 1; and FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the electrical socket assembly of FIG. 1, illustrating the electrical socket assembly in a state interconnected with a standard mini USB “B” connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an electrical socket assembly 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is employed in an electronic device (not shown), such as an MP3 player. The electrical socket assembly 2 is electrically coupled to a circuit board of the electronic device, and allows for the transfer of both USB- and non-USB-compliant signals. For example, the electrical socket assembly 2 allows for the transfer of both data and audio signals. The electrical socket assembly 2 conforms to USB specifications to thereby allow for the connection of a USB cable (not shown) thereto. As an example, a 5-pin mini USB “B” connector of the cable is connected to the electrical socket assembly 2, and a USB “A” connector of the cable is connected to a USB socket of a data transfer device (not shown), such as a PC, thereby allowing for data transfer to the electronic device from the data transfer device. The electrical socket assembly 2 may be configured to allow for the reception of various types of mini USB “B” connectors thereto, and may even be configured to enable connection with a standard USB “B” connector. A plug connector 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention may also be connected to the electrical socket assembly 2. This interconnection between the plug connector 1 and the electrical socket assembly 2 allows for the transmission of the above-mentioned non-USB-compliant signals from the electronic device. If the non-USB-compliant signals include audio signals, output may be performed to a signal output device 8, such as a set of headphones. The electrical socket assembly 2 includes an insulating body 3, a shield housing 6, a plurality of first terminals 41, and a plurality of second terminals 51. The insulating body 3 includes a seat 31 having a front surface 311 and a rear surface 312, and a connection plate 32 integrally extended outwardly from the front surface 311 of the seat 31 along a forward, long axis direction (X) of the electrical socket assembly 2. The connection plate 32 includes a first side 321 and a second side 322 provided respectively on lower and upper sides of the connection plate 32. With reference also to FIG. 4, a plurality of spaced-apart first terminal grooves 325 are formed in the first side 321 and extend starting from the seat 31 along the long axis direction (X), and a plurality of spaced-apart second terminal grooves 326 are formed in the second side 322 and extend starting from the seat 31 along the long axis direction (X). A plurality of spaced-apart first passageways 323 are formed through the seat 31 extending from the front surface 311 to the rear surface 312 thereof along the long axis direction (X), and are respectively aligned with the first terminal grooves 325 of the connection plate 32. Further, a plurality of spaced-apart second passageways 324 are formed through the seat 31 extending from the front surface 311 to the rear surface 312 thereof along the long axis direction (X), and are respectively aligned with the second terminal grooves 326 of the connection plate 32. Hence, the first passageways 323 are formed under the second passageways 324. The shield housing 6 defines a connecting space 61 for receiving the insulating body 3, and a connecting opening 62 in spatial communication with the connecting space 61. The plug connector 1 is inserted in the connecting space 61 through the connecting opening 62. In this embodiment, the shape and size of the connecting opening 62 correspond to USB specifications to enable reception of one of the different types of mini USB “B” connectors. The first terminals 41 are inserted into the first passageways 323, and are used both to transmit non-USB-compliant signals and for grounding purposes. As an example, the signals transmitted through the first terminals 41 include audio signals. That is, one of the first terminals 41 may be used to transmit monophonic audio signals, two of the first terminals 41 may cooperate to transmit stereophonic audio signals, another one of the first terminals 41 may be grounded, and the remaining first terminals 41 may be used to transmit microphone signals, line control signals, etc. Each of the first terminals 41 includes a middle section 410 seated in one of the first passageways 323 of the insulating body 3, a contact end 411 protruded from the front surface 311 of the insulating body 3 and at least partly positioned in one of the first terminal grooves 325 of the connection plate 32 of the insulating body 3, and a coupling end 412 protruded from the second surface 312 of the insulating body 3. The second terminals 51 are inserted into the second passageways 324, and are used to transmit USB-compliant signals. Each of the second terminals 51 includes a middle section 510 seated in one of the second passageways 324 of the insulating body 3, a contact end 511 at least partly positioned in one of the second terminal grooves 326 of the connection plate 32 of the insulating body 3, and a coupling end 512 protruded from the second surface 312 of the insulating body 3. The connecting opening 62 of the shield housing 6 is proximate to the contact ends 411 of the first terminals 41, and to the contact ends 511 of the second terminals 51. The coupling ends 412, 512 of the first and second terminals 41, 51, respectively, protrude from the shield housing 6 as described above to thereby allow for electric coupling of the first and second terminals 41, 51 to the circuit board of the electronic device in which the electrical socket assembly 2 is mounted. The plug connector 1 includes a plurality of third terminals 11 for contacting the contact ends 411 of the first terminals 41, respectively, as shown in FIG. 3, when the plug connector 1 is inserted into the shield housing 6. It is noted that none of the third terminals 11 are in contact with any of the second terminals 51 when the plug connector 1 is inserted into the shield housing 6. The third terminals 11 of the plug connector 1 receive non-USB-compliant signals from the first terminals 41. With reference to FIG. 5, when a standard mini USB “B” connector 100 is inserted into the shield housing 6 through the opening 62, fourth terminals 71 in the mini USB “B” connector 100 are in electrical contact with the second terminals 51, respectively. This allows for the transfer of USB-compliant signals to the electronic device. The electrical socket assembly 2 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is able to transmit both USB- and non-USB-compliant signals. Hence, the electronic device to which the electrical socket assembly 2 is applied need not employ two different sockets, as in the prior art device. This allows for a more compact structure of the electronic device, and lower manufacturing costs. Further, since the electrical socket assembly 2 is made using USB technology, wear occurring from connecting and disconnecting the plug connector 1 or a standard USB connector to and from the electrical socket assembly 2 is less than that when using other conventional connection structures. In addition, because of the shielding that results from utilizing the USB structure, the quality of the signals through the electrical socket assembly 2 is better than that when using a conventional socket and earphone connector combination. While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrical socket assembly, and more particularly to an electrical socket assembly that conforms to universal serial bus (USB) specifications, and that has the ability to transmit both USB- and non-USB-compliant signals. The present invention relates also to a plug connector that is electrically coupled to the electrical socket assembly for transmitting the non-USB-compliant signals. 2. Description of the Related Art It is becoming the standard for digital devices that interface with a PC (personal computer) to be USB-based. Examples of such digital devices include MPEG (Moving Pictures Experts Group) Audio Layer-3 players, which are commonly referred to simply as MP3 players, digital cameras, and digital camcorders. In the case of the MP3 player, this digital device typically includes the player itself with all the required circuitry and buttons for user manipulation, an audio port, and a data port. An MP3 player is used in conjunction with a pair of earphones or headphones, and a cable for connection to a PC. An earphone connector of the earphones is connected to the audio port of the MP3 player. The cable, assuming that the MP3 player is USB-based, has a USB “A” connector on one end for connection to a USB socket of a PC, and a mini USB “B” connector on its other end for connection to the data port of the MP3 player. There are many different types of mini USB “B” connectors, but the USB “A” connector is standardized to enable coupling to the USB socket of any PC or USB hub. In order to listen to music, the user connects the earphones to the audio port, and operates the MP3 player. When desiring to transfer MP3 files from the PC to the MP3 player, the user connects the mini USB “B” connector of the cable to the data port of the MP3 player, and the USB “A” connector of the cable to the USB socket of the PC. Hence, two different ports are required for one MP3 player. This runs counter to efforts at making the MP3 player more lightweight and compact, and increases overall manufacturing costs. Another drawback of the conventional configuration is that the connection life between the earphone connector of the earphones and the audio port of the MP3 player is limited, i.e., approximately 10,000 connections. That is, wear in at least one of the elements becomes too severe following 10,000 connections and disconnections. This is in contrast to USB connectors and sockets, which have a connection life of approximately three times that of other connectors and sockets, such as the earphone connector and audio port.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The object of this invention is to provide an electrical socket assembly that conforms to USB specifications, and that has the ability to transmit both USB- and non-USB-compliant signals. Another object of this invention is to provide a plug connector that is electrically coupled to the electrical socket assembly for transmission of the non-USB-compliant signals. The electrical socket assembly includes: an insulating body having a seat, a connection plate which projects outwardly from the seat and which has opposite first and second sides, first terminal grooves formed in the first side of the connection plate, and second terminal grooves formed in the second side of the connection plate; a shield housing surrounding said seat and said connection plate; a plurality of first terminals respectively positioned in the first terminal grooves for transmitting non-USB-compliant signals; and a plurality of second terminals respectively positioned in the second terminal grooves for transmitting and receiving USB-compliant signals. A plug connector is matable with the electrical socket assembly. The plug connector has a plurality of third terminals for contacting the first terminals, respectively. The electrical socket assembly can mate with a standard USB plug connector having fourth terminals for contacting the second terminals, respectively. The plug connector has no terminals to contact the second terminals when mating with the electrical socket assembly.
20041216
20061031
20060622
94233.0
H01R13648
3
NGUYEN, TRUC T
ELECTRICAL SOCKET ASSEMBLY AND PLUG CONNECTOR COUPLED THERETO
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
H01R
2,004
11,016,301
ACCEPTED
Printhead-to-media spacing adjustment apparatus and method
An apparatus for adjusting the printhead-to-media spacing in an inkjet printer is disclosed. The apparatus includes a carriage rod that is fixed in position relative to a media support and a carriage for supporting at least one printhead. The carriage has a contact surface that abuts the carriage rod to allow the carriage to be supported thereon and moveable laterally along the length of the carriage rod. The apparatus further includes an actuating means that moves the carriage relative to the carriage rod along an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the carriage rod. During the movement, the contact surface of the carriage remains in abutment with the carriage rod to thereby allow the carriage to continue to be supported on the carriage rod. A method of printhead-to-media spacing adjustment, implementable using the apparatus, is also disclosed.
1. A printhead-to-media spacing adjustment apparatus in a printer comprising: a carriage rod fixed in position relative to a media support; a carriage for supporting at least one printhead, the carriage having a contact surface that abuts the carriage rod to allow the carriage to be supported thereon and moveable laterally along the length of the carriage rod; and an actuating means that moves the carriage relative to the carriage rod along an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the carriage rod with the contact surface remaining in abutment with the carriage rod to thereby move the carriage relative to the media support so as to adjust the printhead-to-media spacing. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact surface of the carriage comprises an at least substantially planar surface portion. 3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a plane of the surface portion forms an oblique angle with a plane of the media support when the carriage is mounted on the carriage rod. 4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the oblique angle is in the range of between 5° and 85°. 5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the oblique angle is about 45°. 6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the carriage rod comprises a carriage rod of a circular cross-section. 7. An apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an anti-rotation rail that is spaced-apart from the carriage rod and that has a surface that abuts the carriage for preventing the carriage from rotating about the carriage rod. 8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the carriage comprises an anti-rotation rail contacting surface that abuts the surface of the anti-rotation rail, wherein the anti-rotation rail contacting surface is at least substantially parallel to the planar surface portion of the carriage. 9. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the actuating means comprises a cam that is pivoted to the carriage and rotatable to abut the anti-rotation rail to move the carriage relative to the carriage rod. 10. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the actuating means comprises a cam that is pivoted to the carriage and rotatable to cause the carriage rod to move the carriage relative to the carriage rod. 11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the cam abuts the carriage rod. 12. An apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a collar that is attached to the carriage and abuts the carriage rod to be moveable along the length of the carriage rod together with the carriage, and wherein the cam abuts the collar to move the carriage relative to the carriage rod. 13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the collar has a surface that is in contact with a first portion of the carriage rod and the planar surface portion of the carriage is in contact with a second portion of the carriage rod, wherein the first and second portions of the carriage rod are on opposite sides of a vertical axis through the cross-section of the carriage rod. 14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the two portions of the carriage rod subtend an angle of between 90° and 170° at the centre of the circular cross-section of the carriage rod. 15. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a carriage preloader that biases the carriage toward the carriage rod. 16. A printer having a printhead-to-media spacing adjustment apparatus, wherein the printhead-to-media spacing adjustment apparatus comprises: a carriage rod fixed in position relative to a media support; a carriage for supporting at least one printhead, the carriage having a contact surface that abuts the carriage rod to allow the carriage to be supported thereon and moveable laterally along the length of the carriage rod; and an actuating means that moves the carriage relative to the carriage rod along an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the carriage rod with the contact surface remaining in abutment with the carriage rod to thereby move the carriage relative to the media support so as to adjust the printhead-to-media spacing. 17. A method for adjusting a printhead-to-media spacing in a printer having a carriage rod fixed in position relative to a media support and a carriage for supporting at least one printhead, the method comprising: supporting the carriage on the carriage rod to allow the carriage to be moveable laterally along the length of the carriage rod; and moving the carriage relative to the carriage rod along an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the carriage rod to thereby move the carriage relative to the media support so as to adjust the printhead-to-media spacing. 18. A method according to claim 17, wherein moving the carriage rod comprises moving the carriage off the carriage rod. 19. A method according to claim 17, wherein supporting the carriage on the carriage rod comprises supporting the carriage on the carriage rod with a contact surface of the carriage abutting the carriage rod and wherein moving the carriage rod comprises moving the carriage relative to the carriage rod along the axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the carriage rod with the contact surface remaining in abutment with the carriage rod. 20. A method according to claim 17, further comprising biasing the carriage toward the carriage rod.
BACKGROUND This invention relates generally to a printer, and in particular to an apparatus and a method in an inkjet printer for adjusting the printhead-to-media spacing to accommodate different thicknesses of print media. In a typical printer, such as an inkjet printer, the default printhead-to-media spacing is typically set to accommodate a commonly used, single-sheet-thickness, bond-weight paper, such as 20-lb. bond-weight paper. Envelopes and other print media are usually substantially thicker than a single sheet of such paper, and because of this, it is desirable to enable printhead-to-media spacing to be adjusted, either via user selection, or via automatic media thickness sensing, or both, so as to accommodate such thicker media. To accomplish this kind of adjustment in the past, various approaches have been made to effect changes in such spacing. Typically, the carriage which supports the printheads is itself supported on two spaced structures, one of which is called a carriage rod, and the other of which is called an anti-rotation rail. The carriage is mounted for lateral shifting along the carriage rod and also for rocking about the axis of the carriage rod. A portion of the carriage rides back and forth freely on the anti-rotation rail. Rocking of the carriage, which is usually produced by raising and lowering of the carriage where it overlies the anti-rotation rail, is effective to change printhead-to-media spacing. U.S. Pat. No. 6,666,537 discloses an implementation that creates such rocking of a carriage. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,414,453; 6,616,354; and 6,672,696 disclose other implementations that involve rocking of a carriage to change the printhead-to-media spacing. For printheads of a small swath, rocking of the carriage about the carriage rod is an acceptable and effective method of adjusting the printhead-to-media spacing. The difference in orifice-and-media spacing for a proximal orifice that defines one end of the swath of a printhead and a distal orifice that defines the other end of the swath is often small and thus negligible. However, with printheads of larger swaths, such as a one-inch or wider swath, this difference in orifice-and-media spacing for proximal and distal orifices on a printhead may become significant and therefore may no longer be ignored if uniform print quality is to be maintained across all the orifices. SUMMARY According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printhead-to-media spacing adjustment apparatus in a printer that includes a carriage rod fixed in position relative to a media support and a carriage for supporting at least one printhead. The carriage has a contact surface that abuts the carriage rod to allow the carriage to be supported thereon and moveable laterally along the length of the carriage rod. The apparatus further includes an actuating means that moves the carriage relative to the carriage rod along an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the carriage rod with the contact surface remaining in abutment with the carriage rod to thereby move the carriage relative to the media support so as to adjust the printhead-to-media spacing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is an isometric drawing of a portion of an inkjet printer showing a printhead-to-media spacing adjustment apparatus thereof according to an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus including a carriage rod, a carriage, a collar and an anti-rotation rail; FIG. 2 is an isometric drawing of a portion of the carriage in FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction of an arrow A in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an isometric drawing similar to that in FIG. 2, further showing the collar in FIG. 1 attached to the carriage; FIG. 4A is an isometric drawing similar to that in FIG. 3, further showing the carriage in FIG. 1, with the collar and a cam attached thereto, mounted on the carriage rod, wherein a wall portion of the carriage is left out to show the cam in a first position that leaves the carriage fully seated on the carriage rod so as to obtain a minimum printhead-to-media spacing; FIG. 4B is an isometric drawing similar to that in FIG. 4A, wherein the cam is shown rotated to a second position to lift the carriage off the carriage rod so as to increase the printhead-to-media spacing; FIG. 5A is side elevation drawing of the carriage in FIG. 1, as seen in the direction of an arrow B in FIG. 1, showing the cam and the carriage in a position as shown in FIG. 4A; FIG. 5B is an enlarged version of a portion of FIG. 5A; FIG. 6A is side elevation drawing similar to that in FIG. 5A, showing the cam and the carriage in a position as shown in FIG. 4B; FIG. 6B is an enlarged version of a portion of FIG. 6A; FIG. 7 is a printhead-to-media spacing adjustment apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention, wherein a cam is rotated to come into direct contact with a carriage rod to lift a carriage, to which the cam is pivoted, off the carriage rod; FIG. 8 is a printhead-to-media spacing adjustment apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the invention, wherein a cam is rotated to come into direct contact with an anti-rotation rail to lift a carriage, to which the cam is pivoted, off a carriage rod; FIG. 9 is a printhead-to-media spacing adjustment apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the invention, wherein a carriage is supported on a carriage rod of a square cross-section; and FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a sequence of steps for adjusting the printhead-to-media spacing in the inkjet printer in FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Generally, a printhead-to-media spacing adjustment apparatus of an image forming device according to an embodiment includes a carriage rod, a carriage for supporting at least one printhead and an actuating means. The carriage rod is fixed in position relative to a print platen or media support. The carriage has a contact surface that abuts the carriage rod to allow the carriage to be supported thereon and moveable laterally along the length of the carriage rod. The actuating means is adapted to move the carriage relative to the carriage rod along an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the carriage rod with the contact surface remaining in abutment with the carriage rod. In this manner, the carriage is moveable relative to the media support for adjusting the printhead-to-media spacing. Such an apparatus is able to adjust printhead-to-media spacing such that the printhead is maintain at least substantially parallel to the media support for each printhead-to-media spacing setting. In other words, the spacing between the orifices of the printhead and the media support is at least substantially even for each printhead-to-media spacing setting. Referring to FIG. 1, an inkjet printer 2, having a printhead-to-media spacing adjustment apparatus 4 according to one embodiment of the invention is partially shown. The apparatus 4 includes a generally cylindrical carriage rod 6 and an anti-rotation rail 8 that is spaced apart from the carriage rod 6. Both the carriage rod 6 and the anti-rotation rail 8 are fixed to a frame 10 (partially shown) of the printer 2. The printer 2 also includes a media support 12 which is also fixed to the frame 10 of the printer 2. The apparatus 4 further includes a carriage 20 that is mounted on the carriage rod 6 for reversible lateral movement or shifting along the length of the carriage rod 6. The carriage 20 has four slots 22 in a front portion thereof for receiving four respective inkjet cartridges 24 (only one of which is shown). The carriage movement is effected by a motor drive and belt mechanism (not shown). The carriage 20 is rockable or rotatable about a longitudinal axis 23 of the carriage rod 6 in a direction indicated by an arrow X in FIG. 1. The anti-rotation rail 8 abuts a rear portion of the carriage 20 to prevent the rotation of the carriage 20 about the longitudinal axis 23 of the carriage rod 6 so as to maintain the carriage 20 such that the printheads (not shown) of the inkjet cartridges 24 when supported therein are at least substantially parallel to the media support 12. For some printing modes, the initial printhead-to-media spacing is set and left alone during the course of the print job. In other printing modes, the printhead-to-media spacing is controlled over the course of the print job to sustain the desired printhead-to-media spacing to cater to contours in the sheet medium surface. The printhead-to-media spacing adjustment apparatus 4 is described in more detail next with reference to FIGS. 2-6. As discussed above, the apparatus 4 according to one embodiment includes the cylindrical carriage rod 6, the anti-rotation rail 8 and the carriage 20. The apparatus 4 further includes a pair of collars 28 (one of which is shown in FIG. 3). The anti-rotation rail 8 is an awning-like structure stamped out of a sheet metal, such as but not limited to EG steel. The anti-rotation rail 8 includes a mounting portion 30 (FIG. 5A) and an overhanging portion 32 connected to the mounting portion 30. The undersurface of the overhanging portion 32 may include a high molecular weight polyethylene coating thereon. The coating may be conveniently applied as a strip of tape (not shown) although other means of lubricating the undersurface of the overhanging portion 32 can readily be devised by a person skilled in the art. The carriage 20 and the collars 28 are molded from polycarbonate plastic or other suitable materials. Referring to FIG. 2, the carriage 20 includes two lateral bearings 34 (only one of which is shown in the figure) that extend from each side of a medial portion of the carriage 20. Each bearing 34 has a carriage rod contact surface that includes an arcuate surface portion 36 and an at least substantially planar surface portion 38 adjoining the arcuate surface portion 36 tangentially. The carriage 20 includes a ramp member 40 (FIG. 5A) at the rear portion thereof. The ramp member 40 has an anti-rotation rail contacting ramp surface 42 that is at least substantially parallel to the planar surface portion 38. The apparatus 4 further includes an actuating means, such as a pair of ganged cams 50 (only one of which is shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A and 6A). Each cam 50 is pivotably mounted to the carriage 20 opposite a recess 51 at the side of the carriage 20 for receiving one of the collars 28. The cams 50 are jointly driven by a motor (not shown). The motor receives the command signal from the controller and rotate the cams accordingly. Each cam 50 has a curved circumferential surface 52 with a varying distance from a cam axis 54. As each cam 50 rotates, different portions of the curved circumferential surface 52 of that cam 50 are brought to face the corresponding recess 51. In this manner, the distance from the cam axis 54 to the portion of the cam circumferential surface 52 that faces the recess 51 changes. During printing, a sheet medium 25 (FIG. 5A), such as a sheet of paper, an envelope or other print medium is transported appropriately through the printer 2 along a print media path (not completely shown) that includes a print zone 26 between the printheads of the inkjet cartridges 24 and the media support 12. Each printhead has a plurality of individually-controllable orifices or nozzles (not shown) through which ink in the respective ink cartridge 24 is expelled. The nozzles are arranged in at least one column. The distance between the first and the last nozzle in the column is known as the swath or swath width of the printhead or printer. The swath width may be upwards of a few millimeters, with some reaching widths of one inch or longer. Each completed movement of the carriage 20 across a medium in the print zone 26 prints what is known as a swath on the medium. After the printing of a swath, the medium is advanced by the swath width, to allow printing of a next swath on the medium. The content of the ink in the inkjet cartridges 24 typically includes a relatively large amount of water. As the wet ink contacts a sheet medium, especially paper, the water in the ink saturates the paper fibers, causing the fibers to expand, which in turn causes the paper to buckle. Such buckling action is also referred to as cockling. Cockling of the paper tends to cause the paper to bend in an uncontrolled manner with some portions curling upward towards the printheads. Cockling thus varies the distance between the printheads and the sheet medium therebelow, which reduces print quality. In some cases, an upwardly buckling sheet may contact one or more pen nozzles causing ink to smear on the medium. In extreme cases, an upwardly buckling sheet medium may come into firm contact with one or more nozzles and in the process damaging these nozzles. The distance between the printheads and the sheet medium, or more specifically an outer ink-ejection surface of the printheads and a printing surface of the sheet medium 25, is commonly known as the pen-to-paper spacing (PPS) or printhead-to-media spacing. To ensure optimal print quality, the printhead-to-media spacing is adjusted according to the media type, more specifically the media thickness. FIGS. 5A and 6A show the carriage 20 moved to a first position and a second position relative to the carriage rod 6 to attain a first and a second printhead-to-media spacing d1, d2 respectively. In the first position, the carriage 20 is completely resting or fully seated on the carriage rod 6 to define the first printhead-to-media spacing d1, which is the minimum printhead-to-media spacing d1. The capability of the carriage 20 to be moved away from or off the carriage rod 6 along a movement axis Y, transverse to the longitudinal axis 23, permits raising and lowering of the carriage 20 relative to the media support 12. It is such movement of the carriage 20 that is employed to vary the specific printhead-to-media spacing in order to accommodate different types of print media. The printhead-to-media spacing is set for a given print job according to the media type selected for the print job. The media type is selected by the user and specified to the inkjet printer 2 through the inkjet printer driver (not shown). Specifically, the media type is included as one parameter among the print control information that is sent to the inkjet printer 2. The printer driver may include a look-up table or other data which associates an appropriate printhead-to-media spacing with the designated media type. In such a case, the printer driver receives the designated media type, converts the media type to a corresponding printhead-to-media spacing value using the look-up table and sends the printhead-to-media spacing value to the inkjet printer 2 as one parameter among the print control information. Alternatively, the printer 2 may instead include the look-up table to determine the appropriate printhead-to-media spacing for the designated media type. In either case, the inkjet printer 2 receives a parameter from the printer driver. Based on the received parameter the printer 2, or more specifically a controller (not shown) thereof, generates a command to cause the spacing adjustment apparatus 4 to set a printhead-to-media spacing in accordance with the parameter. In some embodiments, the media type is detected by a sensor in the printer 2, and the printer 2 determines the appropriate printhead-to-media spacing for the sensed media type. During assembly, the carriage rod 6 and the anti-rotation rail 8 are fixed to the frame 10 of the printer 2, spaced apart from each other. The carriage 20 is mounted to the carriage rod 6 with the arcuate surface portion 36 of the bearings 34 fully in contact with the carriage rod 6 to be seated thereon and with the ramp surface 42 abutting the undersurface of the overhanging portion 32 of the anti-rotation rail 8. The cams 50 are pivotably mounted to the carriage 20 and rotated to be clear of the recesses 51. The collars 28 are then slipped onto the carriage rod 6 on either side of the carriage 20 and slid along the carriage rod 6 into the recesses 51 of the carriage 20 to be attached thereto. When attached to the carriage 20, the two rectangular slots 56 of each collar 28 receive two corresponding guide pins 58 that extend from a wall of the carriage 20. A leg 59 of each collar 28 is received in a gap between an end of the corresponding bearing 34 and a corresponding retainer guide 60 to be moveable therebetween. The collars 28 when attached to the carriage 20 are moveable along the length of the carriage rod 6 together with the carriage 20. When mounted in this manner, each collar 28 surrounds its corresponding bearing 34 and has a carriage rod contacting surface 62 (FIG. 3) that is adjacent the arcuate surface portion 36 of the bearing 34. The carriage 20 is also moveable relative to the collar 28 in a direction of a double-ended arrow Z in FIG. 3, as guided by the gaps between the bearings 34 and retainer guides 60, and guide pins 58. When mounted on the cylindrical carriage rod 6 in the first position, the printheads are held at least substantially parallel to and at a first distance from the media support 12 corresponding to the printhead-to-media spacing d1. Also, in this position, a plane of the planar contact surface 38 of the carriage 20 forms an oblique angle α (FIG. 5B) with a plane of the media support 12. This oblique angle α may be in the range of between 5° and 85°, and is shown in the figures to be about 45°. With such an arrangement, the carriage rod contacting surface 62 of the collar 28 is in contact with a first portion 70 (FIG. 6B) of the carriage rod 6 and the planar surface portion 38 of the carriage 20 is in contact with a second portion 72 of the carriage rod 6. The first and second portions 70, 72 of the carriage rod 6 are on opposite sides of a vertical axis through the cross-section of the carriage rod 6. The two portions 70, 72 of the carriage rod 6 subtend an angle β of between 90° and 170° at the centre of the circular cross-section of the carriage rod 6. In other words, the collar 28 cooperates with the planar surface portion 38 to define a V-bearing that is in abutment with the carriage rod 6. As only the planar surface portion 38 of the carriage 20 moves relative to the carriage rod 6, the carriage 20 is still substantially firmly seated on the carriage rod 6 when the carriage 20 is moved away from carriage rod 6 since the carriage 20 remains in contact with the carriage rod 6 at four different points 70, 72. The abutment of the ramp surface 42 of the carriage 20 with undersurface of the anti-rotation rail 8 defines a fifth point of contact between the carriage 20 and other fixed components of the printer 2. In some embodiments, the apparatus 4 may include a carriage preloader (not shown), such as a cantilevered leaf spring that spans the length the carriage rod 6, which biases the carriage 20 toward the carriage rod 6. This carriage preloader ensures that the carriage 20 remains in contact with the carriage rod 6 at the five contact points 70, 72 during the movement of the carriage 20 along the length of the carriage rod 6. During use, the cams 50 are synchronously rotated so that their respective curved circumferential surface 52 comes into contact with an abutment surface 74 of the corresponding collar 28, orthogonal to the leg 59 of that collar 28, to push the carriage 20 away from the collar 28 so as to move the carriage 20 relative to the carriage rod 6, more specifically move the carriage away from or off the carriage rod 6. The carriage 20 instead of being supported on the carriage rod 6 at the arcuate surface portion 36 begins to be dragged up the carriage rod 6 with the planar surface portion 38 in contact with the carriage rod 6 as described above. Thus, the carriage 20 remains to be supported on the carriage rod 6 with the planar surface portions 38 that form the V-bearings abutting the carriage rod 6. In this manner, the distance between the printheads and the media support 12 is varied to correspond to the desired printhead-to-media spacings d1, d2. The cams 50 are rotated to lift the carriage 20 off the carriage rod 6 and to lower the carriage 20 back towards the carriage rod 6 along the movement axis Y to increase and decrease the printhead-to-media spacing respectively. Any desired printhead-to-media spacing between the minimum spacing and a maximum spacing may be attained by rotating the cams 50 until a corresponding point on the cams 50 abuts the abutment surface 74 of the collars 28. The cams 50 are held at that position until the printhead-to-media spacing needs to be further adjusted. In one embodiment the cams 50 may be rotated to correspond to three alternative printhead-to-media spacings. For example, one small printhead-to-media spacing may be used for non-cockling media, another medium spacing for cockling media and a large spacing for envelopes and cardstock. As another example, a small printhead-to-media spacing may be used for single-side printing on plain paper, a medium spacing for doubled sided printing on the plain paper and a large spacing for envelops and cardstock. Accordingly, the apparatus 4 implements a method 80 (FIG. 10) for adjusting a printhead-to-media spacing in the printer 2. The method includes supporting 82 the carriage 20 on the carriage rod 6 to allow the carriage 20 to be moveable laterally along the length of the carriage rod 6, and moving 84 the carriage 20 relative to the carriage rod 6 along an axis Y transverse to a longitudinal axis 23 of the carriage rod 6 to thereby move the carriage 20 relative to the media support 12 so as to adjust the printhead-to-media spacing. The carriage 20 is moved along the axis Y by moving the carriage 20 away from or off the carriage rod 6. The carriage 20 may be supported on the carriage rod 6 with a contact surface 38 of the carriage 20 abutting the carriage rod 6 and the carriage 20 may be moved relative to the carriage rod 6 along the axis Y with the contact surface 38 remaining in abutment with the carriage rod 6. In some embodiments, the method may further include biasing the carriage 20 toward the carriage rod 6. Advantageously, the apparatus that embodies the invention is able to adjust and maintain the printhead-to-media spacing such that the spacing is at least substantially uniform throughout the swath of a printhead for each spacing setting. In other words, the printhead may be maintained at least substantially parallel to the media support regardless of the spacing setting. Moreover, complicated models that were required in the prior art to account for dot placement accuracy and flight trajectory error due to the spacing differential between the first and last nozzle in a swath of a printhead is not required for the apparatus. It is unlikely that the overall size of a printer with such an apparatus for adjusting the printhead-to-media spacing to several different values would be impacted in any dimension. The design of the apparatus also allows relatively easy incorporation of a carriage preloader in the printer. Although the present invention is described as implemented in the above-described embodiment, it is not to be construed to be limited as such. For example, the cams 50 may be rotatable to come into direct contact with the carriage rod 6 to move the carriage 20 relative to the carriage rod 6 as shown in FIG. 7. As another example, a single cam 50 that is centrally disposed on the carriage 20 may be used to abut the carriage rod 6 directly or a single collar 28 to move the carriage 20 relative to the carriage rod 6. As a further example, the carriage 20 may be supported on both the carriage rod 6 and the anti-rotation rail 8 as shown in FIG. 8. In such a case, the cam 50 may be rotatable to come into direct contact, as shown in FIG. 8 or via a collar 28, with the anti-rotation rail 8 for moving the carriage 20 relative to the carriage rod 6. As yet a further example, the carriage rod 6 may be of a polygonal cross section, for example a square cross section as shown in FIG. 9. In such a case, if the carriage 20 is balanced, an anti-rotation rail is unlikely to be necessary. Other actuating means may also be employed in place of the cam 50 to move the carriage 20 relative to the carriage rod 6 along the movement axis Y in FIG. 5A. As an example, a bolt may be inserted through a threaded hole in a plate (all not shown) fixed to the carriage 20. The bolt may be oriented with its longitudinal axis along the movement axis Y. A free end of the bolt abuts either the collar 28 or the carriage rod 6. The bolt is turned in one direction to raise, and in the other direction, to lower the carriage. As another example, an actuating means may be one (not shown) that is fixed to the carriage 20 and has a ramped surface. This actuating means is moveable along an axis such that interruption of movement of its ramped surface is translated to movement of the carriage 20 along the movement axis Y. As a further example, the collar 28 may include a rack (not shown) extending in the direction of the movement axis Y and the carriage 20 may include a corresponding pinion (not shown) fixed thereto. The rack and pinion are arranged such that teeth on the rack engage those on the pinion. The pinion may either be driven directly using a motor or via a gear train. The circular movement of the pinion is translated to linear movement of the carriage 20 along the movement axis Y. The embodiments described above relates to “on-axis” printing systems where the main ink supply is stored locally within replaceable inkjet cartridges mounted on a moving carriage. However, the invention is equally applicable to “off-axis” printing systems wherein the main ink supply is stored at a stationary location in the printer that is remote from the printing zone.
<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>This invention relates generally to a printer, and in particular to an apparatus and a method in an inkjet printer for adjusting the printhead-to-media spacing to accommodate different thicknesses of print media. In a typical printer, such as an inkjet printer, the default printhead-to-media spacing is typically set to accommodate a commonly used, single-sheet-thickness, bond-weight paper, such as 20-lb. bond-weight paper. Envelopes and other print media are usually substantially thicker than a single sheet of such paper, and because of this, it is desirable to enable printhead-to-media spacing to be adjusted, either via user selection, or via automatic media thickness sensing, or both, so as to accommodate such thicker media. To accomplish this kind of adjustment in the past, various approaches have been made to effect changes in such spacing. Typically, the carriage which supports the printheads is itself supported on two spaced structures, one of which is called a carriage rod, and the other of which is called an anti-rotation rail. The carriage is mounted for lateral shifting along the carriage rod and also for rocking about the axis of the carriage rod. A portion of the carriage rides back and forth freely on the anti-rotation rail. Rocking of the carriage, which is usually produced by raising and lowering of the carriage where it overlies the anti-rotation rail, is effective to change printhead-to-media spacing. U.S. Pat. No. 6,666,537 discloses an implementation that creates such rocking of a carriage. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,414,453; 6,616,354; and 6,672,696 disclose other implementations that involve rocking of a carriage to change the printhead-to-media spacing. For printheads of a small swath, rocking of the carriage about the carriage rod is an acceptable and effective method of adjusting the printhead-to-media spacing. The difference in orifice-and-media spacing for a proximal orifice that defines one end of the swath of a printhead and a distal orifice that defines the other end of the swath is often small and thus negligible. However, with printheads of larger swaths, such as a one-inch or wider swath, this difference in orifice-and-media spacing for proximal and distal orifices on a printhead may become significant and therefore may no longer be ignored if uniform print quality is to be maintained across all the orifices.
<SOH> SUMMARY <EOH>According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printhead-to-media spacing adjustment apparatus in a printer that includes a carriage rod fixed in position relative to a media support and a carriage for supporting at least one printhead. The carriage has a contact surface that abuts the carriage rod to allow the carriage to be supported thereon and moveable laterally along the length of the carriage rod. The apparatus further includes an actuating means that moves the carriage relative to the carriage rod along an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the carriage rod with the contact surface remaining in abutment with the carriage rod to thereby move the carriage relative to the media support so as to adjust the printhead-to-media spacing.
20041216
20071204
20060622
94892.0
B41J25308
0
NGUYEN, LAM S
PRINTHEAD-TO-MEDIA SPACING ADJUSTMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
B41J
2,004
11,016,745
ACCEPTED
Process for manufacturing hollow plastic bodies
Process for manufacturing hollow plastic bodies, especially motor-vehicle fuel tanks, from an extruded parison of closed cross section, in which at least one cut is made in the parison which is then formed by moulding.
1-11. (canceled) 12. A process for manufacturing a hollow body using a mould, comprising the steps of: incorporating at least one of an accessory and a duct within the hollow body; after said step of incorporating, closing said mould; wherein said at least one of said accessory and said duct is supported by a preassembled structure which comprises at least one device configured to anchor said preassembled structure to an internal wall of the hollow body such that there is no interface between said at least one of said accessory and said duct and an external atmosphere. 13. A process for manufacturing a hollow body according to claim 12, wherein said device includes tabs and said process further comprises a step of welding said tabs to said internal wall. 14. A process for manufacturing a hollow body according to claim 13, wherein said tabs are supported by an arm. 15. A process for manufacturing a hollow body according to claim 12, further comprising positioning a fastener on the preassembled structure, said fastener being configured to fasten an accessory at a later time. 16. A process for manufacturing a hollow body according to claim 12, further comprising positioning the preassembled structure precisely in the hollow body with means for positioning. 17. A process for manufacturing a hollow body according to claim 12, wherein the hollow body is made of plastic. 18. A process for manufacturing a hollow body according to claim 12, wherein the hollow body is a multilayered structure made of stacked layers. 19. A process for manufacturing a hollow body according to claim 18, wherein said stacked layers include a central layer of EVOH surrounded by two layers of adhesive. 20. A process for manufacturing a hollow body according to claim 19, wherein said adhesive is made of maleic-anydride-grafted PE. 21. A process for manufacturing a hollow body according to claim 20, wherein said stacked layers further include external layers of HDPE. 22. A process for manufacturing a hollow body according to claim 18, wherein said multilayered structure was obtained by coextrusion. 23. A process for manufacturing a hollow body according to claim 12, wherein the hollow body is a fuel tank. 24. A process for manufacturing a hollow body according to claim 12, comprising a step of incorporating said accessory within said hollow body and wherein said accessory is supported by said preassembled structure. 25. A process for manufacturing a hollow body according to claim 12, comprising a step of incorporating said duct within said hollow body, and wherein said duct is supported by said preassembled structure.
The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of hollow plastic bodies. Hollow plastic bodies are used in a number of diverse and varied industries for many uses, especially as gas and liquid tanks. For certain particular uses, these hollow bodies often have to meet sealing standards in relation to the environmental requirements with which they must comply. At the present time, both in Europe and in the world, there is a considerable tightening of the requirements relating to limiting the leakage of pollutants into the atmosphere and into the environment in general. The design of hollow bodies intended to contain liquids and gases is consequently moving rapidly towards techniques capable of providing a greater guarantee of them being sealed and being safe under varied operating conditions. Moreover, endeavours have also been made to reduce as far as possible the losses arising from the various ducts and accessories associated with the hollow bodies. Sometimes one means used has been to incorporate certain accessories and ducts actually within the hollow bodies, thus eliminating any interface between them and the external atmosphere. The insertion of accessories into a parison intended subsequently to be blown in order to produce a hollow body is itself well known and found in many industrial applications in the manufacture of hollow bodies, particularly in that of liquid and gas tanks. However, inserting accessories into a closed cylindrical parison proves to be tricky when they are bulky: this is because it is important for the parison to cover the accessories without interfering with them before the blowing operation is carried out. Patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,952,347 discloses a process for manufacturing a plastic fuel tank which comprises the extrusion of two parallel flat sheets between which the accessories are inserted. The two sheets are then moulded by bringing together, and closing, two walls of a mould into which a blowing gas is injected and the ends of which produce the weld of the two sheets to each other so as to form the hollow body containing the accessories within it. However, this process has the drawback of having to position two extrusion heads and/or extruders capable of simultaneously producing two flat sheets, the thickness uniformity and the production uniformity of which are constant from one sheet to another and at any point on each of the sheets. The object of the invention is to provide a process which avoids the drawbacks of the known processes and allows bulky accessories to be easily and rapidly inserted into and positioned in a hollow body without any risk of producing undesirable irregularities in the walls of the hollow body obtained. For this purpose, the invention relates to a process for manufacturing hollow plastic bodies from an extruded parison of closed cross section, in which at least one cut is made in the parison which is then formed by moulding. The term “hollow body” is understood to mean any article whose surface has at least one empty or concave part. In particular, the process according to the invention is well suited to the manufacture of hollow articles which are in the form of closed bodies, such as tanks. The hollow bodies produced by the process according to the invention are made of plastic, that is to say a material comprising at least one polymer made of synthetic resin. All types of plastic may be suitable. Plastics that are very suitable belong to the category of thermoplastics. The term “thermoplastic” is understood to mean any thermoplastic polymer, including thermoplastic elastomers, and blends thereof. The term “polymer” is understood to mean both homopolymers and copolymers (especially binary or ternary copolymers). Examples of such copolymers are, without being restrictive: random copolymers, sequenced copolymers, block copolymers and graft copolymers. Any type of thermoplastic polymer or copolymer whose melting point is below the decomposition temperature is suitable. Synthetic thermoplastics which have a melting range spread out over at least 10 degrees Celsius are particularly suitable. As examples of such materials, there are those which exhibit polydispersity in their molecular mass. In particular, it is possible to use polyolefins, grafted polyolefins, thermoplastic polymers, polyketones, polyamides and copolymers thereof. One copolymer often used is the copolymer ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH). A blend of polymers or copolymers can also be used, as can a compound of polymeric materials with inorganic, organic and/or natural fillers such as, for example, but not restrictively: carbon, salts and other inorganic derivatives, and natural or polymeric fibres. It is also possible to use multilayered structures consisting of stacked layers fastened to one another, comprising at least one of the polymers or copolymers described above. Such multilayered structures may be obtained by means of a coextrusion head or by a technique of completely or partially covering a substrate layer with one or more other layers. An example of the covering technique is the spraying of plastic onto the substrate layer using a spray gun. One polymer often used is polyethylene. Excellent results have been obtained with high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The term “extruded parison” is understood to mean the product obtained by passing, through a die, a composition of at least one thermoplastic melt homogenized in an extruder whose head is terminated by the die. According to the invention, the parison has a closed cross section. Preferably, this cross section is circular or elliptical. In accordance with the process according to the invention, at least one cut is made in the parison leaving the die mounted on the extrusion head. The cutting operation consists in cutting the wall of the parison, right through its thickness, in a curve of predetermined shape and length. Preferably, the curve of the cut is rectilinear. Also preferably, the cut is made continuously over the entire length of the parison. Most preferably, the cut is made as a straight line over the entire length of the parison. Next, the cut parison undergoes a forming operation by moulding, that is to say inserting it between at least two parts of a mould and then closing these parts and pressing at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time. Preferably, the moulding operation comprises a blowing operation and a welding operation. These two separate operations may be carried out independently in a sequence in any order. They may also, preferably, be carried out, at least in part, concomitantly. The blowing operation inside the mould, the walls of which may be maintained at a defined temperature by any suitable heating or cooling means, allows the cut parison to undergo a forming operation. The welding operation in the mould consists in pinching the periphery of the parison, at least partially, and in welding together, by hot fusion welding, the surfaces of the parison which have been pinched. Optionally, the hollow body obtained may also undergo a surface treatment. Examples of such surface treatments are, non-restrictively: fluorination, sulphonation and covering with another composition or material. Preferably, the process is carried out in an integrated manufacturing line comprising the extrusion of the parison and its forming by moulding. In particular, identical parisons are produced by means of a knife blade which cuts, transversely, at regular intervals, the extrudate leaving the die. Preferably, the parison is cut longitudinally, along a generatrix of the latter. In this case, it is particularly advantageous that this cut be made in the direction of flow of the parison. One particularly preferred technique is that in which the parison is cut twice over its entire length, that is to say along two separate lines, so as to produce two separate sheets. Cutting along two parallel generatrices is very particularly preferred. The two sheets obtained may be held apart at a constant distance until the step of closing the mould. As a variant, it is also possible to modify, over time, the spacing of the two sheets until the mould is closed. According to this variant, it is also possible to bring the sheets together at the moment when the mould closes. This makes it possible, advantageously, to reduce the manufacturing scrap. Another preferred technique is that in which the two parts of the cut parison are held apart at a sufficient distance from each other so that it is possible to insert between them, before moulding, an object intended to be incorporated inside the hollow body. Thus, it is possible in particular to insert a bulky object. It is also possible to combine the double cutting which produces two separate sheets with the technique of keeping the parts of the cut parison apart by a sufficient distance. In the latter case, it is then the separate sheets which are kept apart. This bulky object may be conventionally introduced via the lower side of the sheets, in the opposite direction to the flow. More advantageously, this object may be introduced laterally, or even via the top of the sheet. In this way, it is possible to choose the region or the side of the sheet where the available space is least cluttered. This way of proceeding is particularly advantageous in the case of large objects. In one particular embodiment of the process according to the invention, the sheets obtained by cutting the parison are guided by means of a guiding device. This guiding device may be chosen from among any device for guiding a flattened plastic object, which is itself well known. For example, wheels and/or rollers may be used. The guiding device may also include a device for transversely and/or longitudinally stretching the sheet. The process according to the invention is beneficial when it is desired to insert into the cut parison at least one accessory intended to be incorporated into the hollow body. The process according to the invention is particularly advantageous when it is desired to insert between the sheets at least one accessory intended to be incorporated into the hollow body. The term “accessory” is understood to mean any object or device which is generally associated with the hollow body in its usual method of use or operation and which interacts with it in order to fulfil certain useful functions. Non-limiting examples of such accessories are: liquid pumps, pipettes, reservoirs or baffles internal to the hollow body, and ventilation devices. Preferably, the inserted accessory, especially when it is inserted as several examples, which may or may not be identical, is supported by a preassembled structure. This has the advantage of being able to produce the preassembled structure, supporting all or at the very least several accessories to be introduced into the hollow body, in a separate process prior to their introduction into the hollow body. As a result, the subsequent mounting, by insertion, into the hollow body is greatly facilitated and this allows the production of preassembled structures of relatively complex accessories to be more easily subcontracted. It is also possible, independently of the above insertion of accessories, to insert, between the sheets, a preassembled structure which comprises at least one device for anchoring this structure to the internal wall of the hollow body. Such a device is, for example, an arm provided with a tab for fastening to the wall of the hollow body. These tabs may, for example, be fastened by welding to the wall of the hollow body, upon closing the mould. Alternatively, they may be judiciously placed so as to be pressed, by jamming, between opposed walls of the hollow body. The preassembled structure may also be designed so that it also supports an anchoring device which will be used only later for fastening an accessory. One example is the fastening of an accessory which comes from a manufacturer different from that of the preassembled structure and which it would be desirable to insert at the same time as those already present in this structure. Another example could also be the possibility of fastening an accessory after the manufacture of the hollow body, in a step independent of this manufacture, via an opening that would be made in its wall. Alternatively, it may be advantageous to combine the insertion of at least one accessory on a preassembled structure with the structure having the anchoring device. Here, the benefit resides in reducing the number of objects to be inserted, each of them possibly fulfilling both functions, that of a support for the accessories and that of anchoring them in the wall, or for an accessory to be introduced later. It is also possible to reheat or cool at least one part of the sheets by any suitable means, such as, for example, but non-restrictively: the radiation from infrared lamps, the convection of hot or cold gases, etc. When the sheets are completely separate over their entire perimeter before they are moulded, it is much easier to bring up and position the heating and/or cooling means. The process according to the invention is well suited to the use of means for positioning bulky objects and preassembled structures which can be mounted very precisely in the hollow body. An example of these means is the use of supports in the form of films, sheets or plates made of polyolefin, which are attached to the object or the structure at points such that it is possible to support and move the object or the structure while holding it, by pulling, between grippers. The films, sheets or plates are, for example, attached to the structure at points located at 180° to each other. Advantageously, the films, sheets or plates are extended to the outside of the perimeter of the sheets and thus make it possible to hold and continuously position the object or the structure while the mould is closing. The films, sheets or plates are in this way held between the pinching regions of the parison which are intended to be fastened together. A preferred method of fastening is welding. In this way, the films, sheets or plates melt, at least on the surface, during the operation of welding them to the internal surface of the parison. The films, sheets or plates generally have thicknesses of at least 5 μm. This thickness generally does not exceed 20 mm. Preferably, films at least 50 μm in thickness are used. These preferred films generally do not exceed 1 mm in thickness. The advantage of using films with such a small thickness is that it limits the losses of gas and/or liquid contained in the hollow body right at the regions where the sheets are joined. An additional way of precisely positioning the bulky objects or the preassembled structures inside the hollow body is to provide the films, sheets or plates serving as support with plastic cones intended to be inserted precisely in the corresponding relief parts located on the edges of the mould, in the parison welding regions. The invention also allows the use of moveable moulds and the lateral insertion of a blowing nozzle a few moments before the closing of the mould, this having the advantage of being able to shorten the cycle time and increase the production rates. The process according to the invention is well suited to the manufacture of hollow bodies which are fuel tanks. In particular, it is suitable for the manufacture of fuel tanks intended to be fitted to motor vehicles. The FIGURE which follows is given for the purpose of illustrating a specific embodiment of the invention, without in any way wishing to restrict the scope thereof. It represents an extrusion blow-moulding machine with continuous extrusion used for producing motor-vehicle fuel tanks. The tubular multilayer extrudate (1) of circular cross section, which has external layers made of high-density polyethylene and a central barrier layer made of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) surrounded by two layers of adhesive made of maleic-anhydride-grafted polyethylene, leaves the extrusion head (2) and is separated into two sheets (1), using two steel blades (3) placed at 180° to each other, at the exit of the circular die mounted on the extrusion head (2). The two sheets (1) are guided and kept apart using wheels (not shown) and rollers (4). At the start of a cycle, the two parts (7) of an open mould lie beneath the extrusion head (2). A robot (not shown) then positions the structure (5) supporting the accessories to be incorporated into the tank. A blowing nozzle (6) is also positioned between the two parts of the mould. The latter is then closed around the combination of sheets and accessories, causing the two sheets to be welded together, while blowing air is injected under pressure via the nozzle (6) so as to carry out the forming operation on the sheets.
20041221
20070123
20050519
67257.0
1
MCDOWELL, SUZANNE E
PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING HOLLOW PLASTIC BODIES
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,017,299
ACCEPTED
Dual cure polyurea coating composition
A two component polyurea coating composition that exhibits a dual cure phenomena. The coating composition comprises a polyaspartic ester that is combined together with a polyisocyanate in such a manner that the polyisocyanate is present is an amount that is greater than a normal stoichiometric amount for the polyaspartic ester. By over indexing the polyaspartic ester with the polyisocyanate advantages of moisture curing and or “fast curing” can be combined together in the final finish.
1. A coated object comprising: a substrate; and a coating on said substrate which comprises a cured non-aqueous polyurea coating composition comprising a polyaspartic ester and a polyisocyanate, wherein the polyisocyanate is present in an amount that is greater than a normal stoichiometric amount for the polyaspartic ester prior to curing, such that the coating composition provides a hybrid curing system that combines the fast cure of a polyaspartic ester polyurea reaction with the enhanced adhesion and superior film properties of a slower moisture cure polyurea wherein the coating composition cures dry to handle after air drying at 72° F. and 40% relative humidity in less than 120 minutes. 2. A coated object according to claim 1, wherein the polyaspartic ester is over indexed with the polyisocyanate above 1.5 of NCO to NH. 3. A coated object according to claim 1, wherein the polyaspartic ester comprises a blend of polyaspartic esters. 4. A coated object according to claim 3, wherein said blend includes aldimine. 5. A coated object according to claim 1, wherein the polyisocyanate is a member selected from the group consisting of aliphatic polyisocyanates, alicyclic polyisocyanates, aromatic polyisocyanates, and mixtures thereof. 6. A coated object according to claim 1, wherein the polyisocyanate is a member selected from the group consisting of aliphatic polyisocyanates, alicyclic polyisocyanates, aromatic polyisocyanates, and mixtures thereof. 7. A coated object to claim 6, wherein the polyisocyanate comprises an aliphatic polyisocyanate. 8. A coated object according to claim 1, wherein said substrate has been initially coated or treated prior to applying said coating. 9. A coated object according to claim 8 further including an intercoating of a cured non-aqueous polyurea coating composition such that said coating is a recoat as applied. 10. A coated object accordingly to claim 8, wherein said substrate has a zinc rich urethane coating applied prior to topcoating with said coating. 11. A coated object according to claim 1, wherein said coating contains a pigment. 12. A coated object according to claim 11, wherein said pigment is titanium dioxide. 13. A coated object according to claim 11, wherein said pigment is a metallic silver pigment. 14. A coated object according to claim 1, wherein said coating composition further includes a tin catalyst.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/934,936, filed Aug. 22, 2001, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a polyurea coating composition that can be applied as a wet finish on any substrate. More particularly, the present invention relates to a two component polyurea coating composition that exhibits a dual cure phenomena. Two component coating compositions containing a polyisocyanate component in combination with an isocyanate-reactive such as a polyhydroxyl component or a polyamine are known. These coating compositions are suitable for the formation of high quality coatings and can be adjusted to produce coatings which are hard, elastic, abrasion resistant, solvent resistant and weather resistant. Generally, there are two mechanisms by which the curing of polyurea coating compositions takes place-moisture cure or plural component “fast cure” which involves cross-linking the polyisocyanate component with an amine. Aliphatic coating compositions which rely upon moisture cure demonstrate very slow curing times which can limit their use in some applications. Coating compositions which rely upon plural “fast cure” are susceptible to adhesion problems when the curing proceeds too quickly. In accordance with the present invention, polyurea coating compositions based on a two component system of a polyisocyanate component and a polyaspartic ester isocyanate-reactive component are produced which demonstrate a dual cure phenomena which results in improved film properties and curing times. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to other features, characteristics, embodiments and alternatives of the present invention which will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds below, the present invention provides a polyurea coating composition that exhibits a dual cure phenomena, the polyurea coating composition including: a polyaspartic ester; and a polyisocyanate, wherein the polyisocyanate is present in an amount that is greater than a normal stoichiometric amount for the polyaspartic ester. The present invention further provides a method of preparing a polyurea coating composition which involves: providing a polyaspartic ester; providing a polyisocyanate; and mixing the polyaspartic ester and the polyisocyanate together so that the polyisocyanate is present in an amount that is greater than a normal stoichiometric amount for the polyaspartic ester. The present invention also provides a surface finish which comprises a cured composition that includes a polyaspartic ester and a polyisocyanate, wherein the polyisocyanate is present in an amount that is greater than a normal stoichiometric amount for the polyaspartic ester prior to curing. The present invention still further provides a method for a forming a surface finish which involves: providing a polyaspartic ester; providing a polyisocyanate; mixing the polyaspartic ester and the polyisocyanate together so that the polyisocyanate is present in an amount that is greater than a normal stoichiometric amount for the polyaspartic ester; applying the mixed composition to a surface to form a surface coating; and allowing the applied surface coating to cure. The present invention further provides a coated object of: a substrate; and a coating on the substrate of a polyurea coating composition including a polyaspartic ester, and a polyisocyanate, wherein the polyisocyanate is present in an amount that is greater than a normal stoichiometric amount for the polyaspartic ester, and wherein the coating composition cures dry to handle after air drying at 72° F. and 40% relative humidity in less than 120 minutes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The polyurea coating compositions of the present invention provide a hybrid curing system that combines the “fast cure” of a polyaspartic ester polyurea reaction with the enhanced adhesion and superior film properties of a slower curing moisture cure polyurea. The polyurea coating compositions of the present invention demonstrate enhanced adhesion, rapid cure rates and light stability, and can be used to produce bubble free, low to high film builds wit thicknesses that range from less that 1 mil to greater thank 20 mil. The coating compositions of the present invention comprise two component polyureas that have exceptional direct-to-substrate adhesion and are based the use of a polyaspartic ester that is over indexed with a polyisocyanate. On component is a polyaspartic ester based component that can be pigmented or clear and incorporated with or without solvents. The other component is a polyisocyanate that can be incorporated with or without solvents. Suitable polyisocyanates for use in accordance with the present invention include aliphatic polyisocyanates such as hexamethylenediisocyanate (HDI) and lysine diisocyanate; alicyclic polyisocyanates such as dicyclohexylene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), cyclohexane diisocyanate (CHDI); aromatic polyisocyanates such as tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), naphthylene diisocyanate (NDI), xylylene diisocyanate (XDI) and tetramethylxylylene diisocyanate (TMXDI); and mixtures thereof. Higher functional Biruet polyisocyanates are usually preferred over trimers, dimmers, and hexamethylenediisocyanate (HDI) was found to be particularly useful for purposes of the present invention. Suitable polyaspartic esters include single polyaspartic esters, or blends, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,126,170; 5,243,012; 5,736,604 and 6,458,293, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. In formulating the coating compositions of the present invention, the polyaspartic ester is over indexed with an aliphatic polyisocyanate. That is, the polyisocyanate was used in an amount that is greater than the stoichiometric amount one would normally calculate for a specific amount of a polyaspartic ester. During the course of the invention, the applicant determined that measurable improvements in the film properties of a coating produced from the polyurea coating compositions of the present invention were obtained at an over indexing of the polyaspartic ester to a polyisocyanate at above about 1.5 NCO to NH. Optimum film properties were obtained without the use of a secondary catalyst at an over indexing of the polyaspartic ester to a polyisocyanate at above about 2.5±0.5 NCO to NH. When over indexing the polyaspartic ester with a polyisocyanate above about 3.0 NCO to NH, without the use of a secondary catalyst, the air dry cure times increase unfavorably. Although not intending to be bound by an particular theory, and understanding that an applicant need not comprehend the scientific principles on which the practical effectiveness of his invention rests, applicant theorizes that by selectively over indexing the polyaspartic ester to the polyisocyanate, it is possible to reach an optimum balance between moisture curing and “fast curing” which involves cross-linking the polyisocyanate component with an aliphatic amine. When the mechanism of moisture curing predominates, surface adhesion is optimized; however, the curing times are very long and the film is susceptible to the formation of CO2 bubbles when the applied dried film thickness exceeds 5 mil, or under high humidity conditions. When the cross-linking mechanism associated with fast curing predominates, surface adhesion is reduced in favor of quicker curing times. Applicant has determined that within an over indexing range of from about 1.5 up to about 3.0 of NCO to NH, the polyurea coating compositions of the present invention demonstrate a dual cure property in which the cross-linking mechanism associated with fast curing causes the surface of a coating to dry relatively fast, while the mechanism of moisture curing at the interface between the coating layer and substrate allows the coating composition to cure more slowly and thereby develop good adhesive properties. The polyurea coating compositions of the present invention can be applied to virtually any surface as a wet coating which can be applied in any conventional manner such as spraying, dipping, brushing, etc. Once applied, if desired, the coatings can be air dried or forced dried according to conventional methods. The coating compositions can be suitably applied over a temperature range of about 40° F. to about 95° F. and relative humidity levels of about 40% to about 95%. The polyurea coating compositions of the present invention have been found to produce finishes that have strong adhesion properties, high tensile strengths, chemical resistance to solvents and other chemical agents, resistance to ultraviolet light, and excellent color and gloss retention. The finishes are hard as well as impact and chip resistant, and can be recoated as desired. The coatings of the present invention can be applied to substrates such as cement, asphalt, metal, glass, and wood. The coatings may be used as an overcoat, on top of other coatings or treated surfaces such as zinc coated or zincated surfaces. It is noted that the polyurea coating compositions can include single polyaspartic esters or blends of polyaspartic with or without additional catalytic agents. In addition, the compositions can include other conventional components such as pigments, dyes, fillers, carriers, solvents, surface texturing agents, etc. For convenience of field use, the two components of the compositions can be formulated to be mixed in a 1:1 ratio. Such a mixing ratio eliminates the need for measuring different amounts of the two components. The coating compositions have been determined to be particularly useful as an alternative to conventional coatings that require baking, when the parts or articles to be coated are too large or otherwise unsuitable for baking. The following non-limiting examples were conducted to evaluate performance characteristics of the polyurea coating compositions of the present invention. The polyurea coating compositions tested in the following examples were non-pigmented clear coats that were applied at a dry film thickness (DFT) of 2 mil. The coating compositions were batch mixed and air spray applied. Performance characteristics in the examples were evaluated using the following evaluation scale (ranging from 0 to 5): 0=Total Failure 1=Near Total Failure 2=Partial Failure 3=Marginal 4=Acceptable 5=Excellent EXAMPLE 1 Crosshatch Adhesion In this Example, non-pigmented coatings were tested according to the procedure set forth in ASTM 1-3359-95, Test Method B. The test results are presented in Table 1 below: TABLE 1 Bonderite 1000 Stoichiometric Untreated Cold Pre-Treated Cold Grit Blasted Index Rolled Steel Rolled Steel Steel 1.00 0 4 2 1.25 0 4 2 1.50 1 5 3 1.75 2 5 4 2.00 3 5 4 2.25 4 5 5 2.50 5 5 5 2.75 5 5 5 3.00 5 5 5 EXAMPLE 2 Conical Mandrel In this Example, non-pigmented coatings were tested according to the procedure set forth in ASTM D 522-93, Test Method A. The test results are presented in Table 2 below. TABLE 2 Bonderite 1000 Stoichiometric Untreated Cold Pre-Treated Cold Grit Blasted Index Rolled Steel Rolled Steel Steel 1.00 0 3 N/A 1.25 0 4 N/A 1.50 0 4 N/A 1.75 1 5 N/A 2.00 2 5 N/A 2.25 4 5 N/A 2.50 5 5 N/A 2.75 5 5 N/A 3.00 5 5 N/A EXAMPLE 3 Recoat, Chemical Resistance and Drying In this Example, non-pigmented coatings were tested according to the procedures set forth in ASTM D 3359-95, Test Method B (for recoat) and ASTM D 1308-87 (for Chemical resistance using n-methyl N-methylpyrrolidinone (NMP), 37% HCl, 20% HCl, 100% acetic acid and 50% acetic acid). In addition, drying characteristics were tested as indicated. The test results are presented in Table 3 below. TABLE 3 Recoat After Chemical Dry to Handle 48 Hour Cure: Resistance Air Dry @ 72° F. Stoichiometric Intercoat After 30 and 40% Relative Index Adhesion Day Cure Humidity @ 2 mils DFT 1.00 0 2 <30 Minutes 1.25 1 3 <45 Minutes 1.50 2 3 <45 Minutes 1.75 3 3 <45 Minutes 2.00 4 4 <45 Minutes 2.25 5 4 <60 Minutes 2.50 5 5 <60 Minutes 2.75 5 5 <75 Minutes 3.00 5 5 <120 Minutes EXAMPLE 4 Exposure to UV Light In this Example, Gloss White coatings were tested according to the procedure set forth in ASTM D 4587-91, Procedure A (8 hour UV/70° C. followed by 4 hour CON/50° C.). The test results are presented in Table 4 below. TABLE 4 42 Day 42 Day Stoichiometric Index QUV-B 60 Gloss QUV-B Delta E 1.00-89.9 Gloss White 52.1 0.609 2.50-96.2 Gloss White 78.7 0.411 EXAMPLE 5 Black Semi Gloss In this example Black Semi Gloss coatings were prepared as follows: TABLE 5 Percent Suppl Solvent % # Raw Material EqWt Solids lb/gal lb/gal H20 1. ASPARTIC BLACK 313.00 100 9.17 0.00 0 430 2. WOLLASTOCOAT 0.00 100 24.20 0.00 0 M-400 AS 3. ACEMAT HK 188 0.00 100 17.50 7.51 0 4. BYK 307 10% IN 0.00 9 7.61 7.51 0 EA 5. ACETATE 0.00 0 7.29 7.29 0 6. DESMODUR N100 382.00 50 8.40 7.53 0 50% CUT 1. ASPARTIC BLACK 207.92 22.67 207.92 22.67 0 430 2. WOLLASTOCOAT 158.06 6.53 158.06 6.53 0 M-400 AS 3. ACEMAT HK 188 29.64 1.69 29.64 1.69 0 4. BYK 307 10% IN 1.80 0.24 0.16 0.02 0 EA 5. ACETATE 137.23 18.82 0.00 0.00 0 6. DESMODUR N100 420.33 50.04 210.17 22.13 0 50% CUT 7. Total 954.99 100.00 605.95 53.05 Weight Solids, ⅔ = 63.45 Weight/gallon = 9.55 Volume Solids, ⅓ = 53.05 NCO: OH Ratio = 1.66 P/3 Ratio = 0.45 Mix Ratio = 1.00 PVC, % = 15.51 VOC, lbs/gal = 3.49 # Raw Material 1. a polyaspartic ester from Bayer Material Science, Pittsburgh, PA. 2. a surface modified wollastonite from NYCO, Calgary, Alberta, Canada 3. a filler/glass flattening agent from Degausa Corp., Düsseldorf, Germany 4. a silicon surface additive from Byk Chemie, Wessel, Germany 5. Acetate 6. An aliphatic polyisocyanate from Bayer Material Science, Pittsburgh, PA. EXAMPLE 6 High Gloss White In this example High Gloss White coatings were prepared as follows: TABLE 6 Percent Suppl Solvent % # Raw Material EqWt Solids lb/gal lb/gal H20 1. DESMOPHEN 7053 277.00 100 8.83 0.00 0 2. Ti-Pure R-900 0.00 100 33.30 0.00 0 3. Aerosil 200 0.00 100 18.40 0.00 0 4. Aerosil R-972 0.00 100 18.40 0.00 0 5. Disperbyk-160 0.00 29 7.93 7.27 0 6. BYK 307 10% IN 0.00 9 7.61 7.51 0 EA 7. ACETATE 0.00 0 7.29 7.29 0 8. DESMODUR 272.00 70 8.90 7.51 0 N-100/ea 30% 1. DESMOPHEN 7053 181.67 20.57 181.67 20.57 0 2. Ti-Pure R-900 442.67 13.29 442.67 13.29 0 3. Aerosil 200 1.89 0.10 1.89 0.10 0 4. Aerosil R-972 2.83 0.15 2.83 0.15 0 5. Disperbyk-160 4.72 0.59 1.37 0.13 0 6. BYK 307 10% IN 1.89 0.25 0.17 0.02 0 EA 7. ACETATE 109.19 14.98 0.00 0.00 0 8. DESMODUR 445.49 50.05 311.84 32.26 0 N-100/ea 30% 9. Total 1190.35 100.00 942.44 66.54 Weight Solids, ⅔ = 79.17 Weight/gallon = 11.90 Volume Solids, ⅓ = 66.54 NCO:OH Ratio = 2.50 P/B Ratio = 0.91 Mix Ratio = 1.00 PVC, % = 20.41 VOC, lbs/gal = 2.48 # Raw Material 1. a polyaspartic ester from Bayer Material Science, Pittsburgh, PA. 2. titanium dioxide from DuPont de Nemours, Willmington, Delaware. 3. a silicon from Degausa Corp., Düsseldorf, Germany 4. a silicon from Degausa Corp., Düsseldorf, Germany 5. a wetting agent from BYK Chemie, Wessel, Germany 6. a silicon surface additive from BYK Chemie, Wessel, Germany 7. Acetate 8. An aliphatic polyisocyanate from Bayer Material Science, Pittsburgh, PA. EXAMPLE 7 Blended Aspartic In this example a blend of polyaspartic esters was used to prepare coating as follows: TABLE 7 Percent Suppl Solvent % # Raw Material EqWt Solids lb/gal lb/gal H20 1. DESMOPHEN 7053 277.00 100 8.83 0.00 0 2. DESMOPHEN 7052 325.00 90 8.66 7.35 0 3. Ti-Pure R-900 0.00 100 33.30 0.00 4. BAROTE 1075 0.00 100 33.00 0.00 0 3. Aerosil 200 0.00 100 18.40 0.00 0 6. Methyl Ethyl 0.00 9 6.71 6.71 0 Ketone 7. DESMODUR 224.00 85 9.19 7.51 0 N-100/ea 15% 1. DESMOPHEN 7053 122.83 13.91 122.83 13.91 0 2. DESMOPHEN 7052 18.70 2.16 16.83 1.91 0 3. Ti-Pure R-900 436.44 13.11 436.44 13.11 0 4. BAROTE 1075 87.29 2.65 87.29 2.65 0 3. Aerosil 200 4.36 0.24 4.36 0.24 0 6. Methyl Ethyl 288.07 25.01 0.00 0.00 0 Ketone 7. DESMODUR 229.84 25.01 195.37 20.42 0 N-100/ea 15% 8. Total 1187.53 100.00 863.12 52.22 Weight Solids, ⅔ = 72.68 Weight/gallon = 11.88 Volume Solids, ⅓ = 52.22 NCO:OH Ratio = 2.05 P/B Ratio = 1.58 Mix Ratio = 3.00 PVC, % = 30.62 VOC, lbs/gal = 3.24 # Raw Material 1. a polyaspartic ester from Bayer Material Science, Pittsburgh, PA. 2. a polyaspartic ester from Bayer Material Science, Pittsburgh, PA. 3. titanium dioxide from Degausa Corp., Düsseldorf, Germany 4. barium sulfate 5. a silicon from Degausa Corp., Düsseldorf, Germany 6. Methyl Ethyl Ketone 7. an aliphatic polyisocyanate from Bayer Material Science, Pittsburgh, PA. EXAMPLE 8 Metallic Over Indexed In this example coatings having a metallic finish were prepared as follows: TABLE 8 Percent Suppl Solvent % # Raw Material EqWt Solids lb/gal lb/gal H20 1. DESMOPHEN 7053 277.00 100 8.83 0.00 0 2. Aerosil 200 0.00 100 18.40 0.00 0 3. Sparkle Silver 0.00 62 12.08 6.55 0 5251-AR 4. BYK 307 10% IN 0.00 9 7.61 7.51 0 EA 5. Acetate 0.00 9 7.53 7.53 0 6. DESMODUR 318.00 60 8.74 7.51 0 N-100/ea 40% 1. DESMOPHEN 7053 241.97 27.40 241.97 27.40 0 2. Aerosil 200 2.83 0.15 2.83 0.15 0 3. Sparkle Silver 54.67 4.53 33.90 1.35 0 5251-AR 4. BYK 307 10% IN 1.62 0.21 0.15 0.02 0 EA 5. Acetate 134.10 17.81 0.00 0.00 0 6. DESMODUR 436.09 79.90 261.65 25.67 0 N-100/ea 40% 7. Total 871.28 100.00 540.50 55.60 Weight Solids, ⅔ = 62.04 Weight/gallon = 8.71 Volume Solids, ⅓ = 53.60 NCO:OH Ratio = 1.37 P/B Ratio = 0.07 Mix Ratio = 1.00 PVC, % = 2.71 VOC, lbs/gal = 3.31 # Raw Material 1. a polyaspartic ester from Bayer Material Science, Pittsburgh, PA. 2. a silicon from Degausa Corp., Düsseldorf, Germany 3. a metallic silver pigment 4. a silicon surface additive from BYK Chemie, Wessel, Germany 5. Acetate 6. an aliphatic polyisocyanate from Bayer Material Science, Pittsburgh, PA. EXAMPLE 9 Blend with Aldimine In this example a blend of polyaspartic esters was used to prepare coatings as follows: TABLE 9 Percent Suppl Solvent % # Raw Material EqWt Solids lb/gal lb/gal H20 1. DESMOPHEN 7053 277.00 100 8.83 0.00 0 2. DESMOPHEN 7052 325.00 90 8.66 7.35 0 3. Desmophen XP-7076 139.00 100 7.30 0.00 0 4. BYK 307 10% IN EA 0.00 9 7.61 7.51 0 5. Byk-321 0.00 52 7.51 7.52 0 6. Acetate 0.00 0 7.29 7.29 0 7. Desmodur XP-7100 205.00 100 9.50 0.00 0 1. DESMOPHEN 7053 214.31 24.27 214.31 24.27 0 2. DESMOPHEN 7052 71.12 8.21 64.01 7.24 0 3. Desmophen XP-7076 31.50 4.32 31.50 4.32 0 4. BYK 307 10% IN EA 0.95 0.13 0.09 0.01 0 5. Byk-321 0.00 52 7.51 7.52 0 6. Acetate 94.30 12.94 0.00 0.00 0 7. Desmodur XP-7100 475.73 50.08 475.73 50.08 0 8. Total 888.39 100.00 785.88 85.95 Weight Solids, ⅔ = 88.46 Weight/gallon = 8.88 Volume Solids, ⅓ = 85.95 NCO:OH Ratio = 1.90 P/B Ratio = 0.00 Mix Ratio = 1.00 PVC, % = 0.00 VOC, lbs/gal = 3.03 # Raw Material 1. a polyaspartic ester from Bayer Material Science, Pittsburgh, PA. 2. a polyaspartic ester from Bayer Material Science, Pittsburgh, PA. 3. a polyaspartic ester from Bayer Material Science, Pittsburgh, PA. 4. a silicon surface additive from BYK Chemie, Wessel, Germany 5. a silicon surface additive from BYK Chemie, Wessel, Germany 6. Acetate 7. an aliphatic polyisocyanate from Bayer Material Science, Pittsburgh, PA. EXAMPLE 10 Childlife Green In this example coatings having a childlike green finish were prepared as follows: CHILDLIFE GREEN POLYOL # Raw Material QUANTITY UNITS DESMOPHEN NH1420 (XP-7053) DA- 82.86 Lb ASPARTIC YELLOW OXIDE SHADE PA 51.79 Lb GREEN ASPARTIC SHADE PASTE 60.00 Lb ASPARTIC BLACK SHADE PASTE 30.00 Lb WOLLASTACOAT M-400 (10012) 273.59 Lb DESMPHEN 1220 54.45 Lb BYK 307 10% IN ACETATE 0.77 Lb T-12 (10% IN PMA) 1.27 Lb ACETATE 99% 16.04 Lb 1. a polyaspartic ester from Bayer Material Science, Pittsburgh, Pa. 2. color shade 3. color shade 4. color shade 5. colorshade 6. a surface modified wollastonite from NYCO, Calgany, Alberta, Canada 7. a polyaspartic ester from Bayer Material Science, Pittsburgh, Pa. 8. a silicone surface additive from Byk Chemie, Wessel, Germany 9. a tin catalyst 10. Acetate PHYSICAL PROPERTIES DESCRIPTION VALUE TOTAL WEIGHT 880.864 TOTAL VEH WT % 100.000 PIGMENT WT % 0.000 VOLATILE WT % 30.000 ORG. SOLV. WT % 30.000 SOLIDS WT % 70.000 VEH SOLIDS WT % 70.000 DENSITY 8.809 BULKING FACTOR 0.114 P/B RATIO 0.000 CPSFA @ 1 MIL 0.0265 MATERIAL VOC 316.662 TOTAL VOLUME 100.000 TOTAL VEH VOL % 100.000 PIGMENT VOL % 0.000 VOLATILE VOL % 35.094 ORG. SOLV. VOL % 35.094 SOLIDS VOL % 64.906 VEH SOLIDS VOL % 64.906 SPEC. GRAVITY 1.058 P.V.C. % 0.000 SPREAD @ 1 MIL 1041.089 COATING VOC 316.662 CHILDLIFE GREEN ACTIVATOR # RAW MATERIAL QUANTITY UNITS DESMODUR N-100 (TOLONATE HDB) 616.61 Lb ACETATE 99% 264.26 Lb 1. an aliphatic polyisocyanate from Bayer Material Science, Pittsburgh, Pa. 2. ethyl acetate PHYSICAL PROPERTIES DESCRIPTION VALUE TOTAL WEIGHT 629.948 TOTAL VEH WT % 44.389 PIGMENT WT % 55.611 VOLATILE WT % 3.331 ORG. SOLV. WT % 2.728 SOLIDS WT % 96.669 VEH SOLIDS WT % 41.057 DENSITY 13.295 BULKING FACTOR 0.075 P/B RATIO 0.354 CPSFA @ 1 MIL 0.0180 MATERIAL VOC 43.455 TOTAL VOLUME 47.384 TOTAL VEH VOL % 70.363 PIGMENT VOL % 29.637 VOLATILE VOL % 5.988 ORG. SOLV. VOL % 4.793 SOLIDS VOL % 94.012 VEH SOLIDS VOL % 64.375 SPEC. GRAVITY 1.597 P.V.C. % 31.524 SPREAD @ 1 MIL 1507.950 COATING VOC 43.980 EXAMPLE 11 Gloss White Over Zinc Rich Primer In this example Gloss White coatings of the present invention were topcoated over a zinc rich moisture cure urethane (i.e. zinc rich urethane-ZRU) primer. ZRU PRIMER Finish: Flat Color: Gray Volume Solids: 63% ± 2% Weight Solids: 87.9% ± 2% Theoretical VOC: <340 g/l: 2.8 lbs/gal Zinc Content in Dry Film: 86% ± 2% Theoretical Coverage Wet mils: 3.0 to 8.0 Dry mils: 2.0 to 5.0 above profile Coverage: 202 to 336 sq ft theoretical Drying Schedule @ 5.0 mils wft 77° F. 5% RH: Unaccelerated Accelerated To Touch: 20 minutes 5 minutes To recoat: atomospheric 4-6 hours 5 minutes To cure: atomospheric 3 days 6-8 hours Drying time is temperature, humidity and film thickness dependent. Shelf Life: 6 months unopened Store indoor at 40° F.-100° F. GLOSS WHITE TOPCOAT Finish: Gloss White Volume Solids: 53.5%-85.5% ± 2% Weight Solids: 60%-88% ± 2% Theoretical VOC: <384 g/l: 3.2 lbs/gal* Typical Exampel - can vary based on customer requirements with higher solids lower VOC capability. Mix Ratio: 1:1 to 2:1 Induction Time: None Theoretical Coverage: @ 57% Volume Solids equals 914 sq ft @ 1 mil DFT Shelf Life: 12 months unopened Store indoor at 40° F.-100° F. Hardness: H-2H Direct Impact: >320 inch/lbs Reverse Impact: >160 inch/lbs Conical Mandrel: ⅛″ pass Gravel-O-Meter: 5+ Graffiti and Chemical Resistance: Good Salt Spray Direct: B-1000 @ 2.5 mils DFT >500 hours Gloss White @ 2.5 mils DFT Over 3.5 mils DFT ZRU >10,000 hours Drying Schedule @ 2.0 mils WFT 77° F. 50% RH To Touch: 20 minutes To Handle: 40 minutes Drying time is temperature, humidity and film thickness dependent. Weathering: QUV-A Gloss White 60 Gloss D E* Initial 2400 hours 2400 hours 92 88 <2.0 Florida Gloss White 60 Gloss D E* Initial 24 months 24 months 92 87 <2.5 Recommended Uses On steel, aluminum and galvanized where resistance to rust and corrosion undercutting is required As a primer for urethane coatings system Low temperature cure application As a spot primer on hand and power tool cleaned surfaces Product Finish Structural Steel General Maintenance Industrial and Transportation From the above examples, it can be seen that the properties of the polyurea coating compositions of the present invention begin improving as the polyaspartic ester is over indexed with polyisocyanate at above a 1.00 and continues to improve up to a stoichiometric index of about 2.25, after which the properties maintain the level of improvement. Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, from the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the present invention and various changes and modifications can be made to adapt the various uses and characteristics without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as described above and set forth in the following claims.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention relates to a polyurea coating composition that can be applied as a wet finish on any substrate. More particularly, the present invention relates to a two component polyurea coating composition that exhibits a dual cure phenomena. Two component coating compositions containing a polyisocyanate component in combination with an isocyanate-reactive such as a polyhydroxyl component or a polyamine are known. These coating compositions are suitable for the formation of high quality coatings and can be adjusted to produce coatings which are hard, elastic, abrasion resistant, solvent resistant and weather resistant. Generally, there are two mechanisms by which the curing of polyurea coating compositions takes place-moisture cure or plural component “fast cure” which involves cross-linking the polyisocyanate component with an amine. Aliphatic coating compositions which rely upon moisture cure demonstrate very slow curing times which can limit their use in some applications. Coating compositions which rely upon plural “fast cure” are susceptible to adhesion problems when the curing proceeds too quickly. In accordance with the present invention, polyurea coating compositions based on a two component system of a polyisocyanate component and a polyaspartic ester isocyanate-reactive component are produced which demonstrate a dual cure phenomena which results in improved film properties and curing times.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>According to other features, characteristics, embodiments and alternatives of the present invention which will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds below, the present invention provides a polyurea coating composition that exhibits a dual cure phenomena, the polyurea coating composition including: a polyaspartic ester; and a polyisocyanate, wherein the polyisocyanate is present in an amount that is greater than a normal stoichiometric amount for the polyaspartic ester. The present invention further provides a method of preparing a polyurea coating composition which involves: providing a polyaspartic ester; providing a polyisocyanate; and mixing the polyaspartic ester and the polyisocyanate together so that the polyisocyanate is present in an amount that is greater than a normal stoichiometric amount for the polyaspartic ester. The present invention also provides a surface finish which comprises a cured composition that includes a polyaspartic ester and a polyisocyanate, wherein the polyisocyanate is present in an amount that is greater than a normal stoichiometric amount for the polyaspartic ester prior to curing. The present invention still further provides a method for a forming a surface finish which involves: providing a polyaspartic ester; providing a polyisocyanate; mixing the polyaspartic ester and the polyisocyanate together so that the polyisocyanate is present in an amount that is greater than a normal stoichiometric amount for the polyaspartic ester; applying the mixed composition to a surface to form a surface coating; and allowing the applied surface coating to cure. The present invention further provides a coated object of: a substrate; and a coating on the substrate of a polyurea coating composition including a polyaspartic ester, and a polyisocyanate, wherein the polyisocyanate is present in an amount that is greater than a normal stoichiometric amount for the polyaspartic ester, and wherein the coating composition cures dry to handle after air drying at 72° F. and 40% relative humidity in less than 120 minutes.
20041220
20070130
20050519
99576.0
1
GORR, RACHEL F
DUAL CURE POLYUREA COATING COMPOSITION
SMALL
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,017,374
ACCEPTED
Smoke evacuation system
A smoke evacuating system for use during surgical procedures, particularly minimally invasive procedures involving the use of a laser or cautery at a surgical site having an associated higher than ambient pressure, wherein the system includes a filter with a site side and an outlet side and a fluid conduit extending between the surgical site and the filter. The filter includes a filter media and a housing substantially surrounding the filter media with a space between the filter media and the housing to collect condensed vapor. The filter exhibits low resistance or a low pressure drop and resists fluid flow, whereby the higher than ambient pressure is not substantially diminished and generates a fluid flow in the fluid flow path tending to carry smoke to and through the filter.
1. A system for passively exhausting a volume having a pressure that exceeds a pressure of an ambient environment, wherein a resulting pressure differential between the pressure of the volume and the pressure of the ambient environment induces a fluid flow through the system from the volume to the ambient environment, the system comprising: a fluid conduit adapted to be operably coupled to the volume; and a filter operably coupled to the conduit, wherein a pressure drop across the system is approximately 0.5 to approximately 30 mm Hg when a fluid flow rate for the fluid is approximately 0.2 to approximately 30.0 liters per minute. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the volume is a pressurized surgical site. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the pressure drop across the system is approximately 0.5 to approximately 20 mm Hg when the fluid flow rate for the fluid is approximately 1.0 to approximately 20.0 liters per minute. 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the pressure drop across the system is approximately 2.0 to approximately 3.0 mm Hg when the fluid flow rate for the fluid is approximately 1.8 liters per minute. 5. The system of claim 2, wherein the pressure drop across the system is approximately 1.0 mm Hg when the fluid flow rate for the fluid is approximately 3.6 to 3.8 liters per minute. 6. The system of claim 2 further comprising a valve adapted to control the fluid flow. 7. The filter of claim 2 further comprising an odor removing media. 8. The filter of claim 7 further comprising a particulate removing media. 9. A method for passively exhausting a pressurized surgical site without causing a pressure reduction at the pressurized surgical site that substantially adversely affects a surgical procedure, wherein the pressurized surgical site has a pressure that exceeds the pressure of an ambient environment, wherein the system includes a fluid conduit and a filter operably coupled to the conduit, the method comprising: connecting a first end of a system to the pressurized surgical site so the system is in fluid communication with the pressurized surgical site; placing a second end of the system in fluid communication with the ambient environment; and allowing a pressure differential between the pressurized surgical site and the ambient environment to induce a fluid flow through the system from the pressurized surgical site to the ambient environment. 10. The method of claim 9 further comprising generating a pressure drop across the system of approximately 0.5 to approximately 30 mm Hg when a fluid flow rate for the fluid is approximately 0.2 to approximately 30.0 liters. 11. The method of claim 9 further comprising generating a pressure drop across the system of approximately 0.5 to approximately 20 mm Hg when a fluid flow rate for the fluid is approximately 1.0 to approximately 20.0 liters. 12. An evacuating system for use during surgical procedures, comprising: a conduit adapted to be operably coupled to a pressurized surgical site; a filter adapted to be operably coupled to the conduit, the conduit providing a substantially unobstructed fluid flow path from the pressurized surgical site to the filter, the filter having a filter media, wherein a fluid flows through the filter at a rate corresponding to a maintained pressure drop from the surgical site to ambient, wherein the fluid flow is induced as a result of the pressure in the pressurized surgical site; and a control operably coupled to the conduit for controlling the fluid flow. 13. A filter for use in surgical procedures, wherein the filter is adapted to be operably coupled to a pressurized surgical site such that a fluid flows from the pressurized surgical site through the filter into the ambient at a rate of approximately 0.02 to 20 liters per minute as a pressure drop of approximately 0.5 to 30 mm Hg is maintained generally from the surgical site to the ambient, and wherein the fluid flow is induced by the pressure in the pressurized surgical site. 14. The filter according to claim 13, wherein the pressure drop is approximately 2 to 3 mm Hg at a fluid flow rate of approximately 1.8 liters per minute. 15. A passive filter device for use during minimally invasive surgery involving at least one body wall penetrating device and cauterizing, lasing or otherwise disrupting tissue, comprising: a proximal portion for attachment to the at least one body wall penetrating device; a conduit extending from the proximal portion for carrying cauterization, laser or tissue disruption byproducts; a manual control device for opening and closing the conduit; and a distal portion including a filter to capture the cauterization, laser or tissue disruption byproducts, wherein the filter maintains a pressure drop from a surgical site to an ambient atmosphere. 16. The passive filter device according to claim 15, wherein a fluid carrying cauterization, laser or tissue disruption byproducts is induced to flow through the device by pressure at a site of the cauterizing, lasing or otherwise disrupting tissue, and flows through the filter to the ambient at a maintained pressure drop from the site to the ambient. 17. The passive filter device according to claim 16, wherein the fluid flows at a rate of approximately 0.2 to 20 liters per minute. 18. The passive filter device according to claim 16, wherein a pressure drop of approximately 0.5 to 20 mm Hg is maintained from the site to the ambient, and the fluid flows at a rate of approximately 0.2 to 20 liters per minute. 19. A smoke evacuating system comprising a filter, a conduit and a flow controller, the system adapted to be operably coupled to a pressurized site, wherein the system enables a fluid flow from the pressurized site to the ambient of from approximately 0.2 liters per minute to approximately 20 liters per minute, wherein a pressure drop of approximately 0.5 mm Hg to approximately 30 mm Hg is maintained from the pressurized site to the ambient, and wherein the fluid flow is induced as a result of the pressure in the pressurized site. 20. The smoke evacuating system of claim 20, wherein the system exhibits a pressure drop of approximately 2 to 3 mm Hg at a fluid flow rate of approximately 1.8 liters per minute. 21. A smoke evacuating system comprising a filter and means for regulating a fluid flowing through the filter, wherein the fluid flows at a fluid flow rate from a site through the filter to the ambient at a maintained pressure drop from the site to the ambient, and wherein the fluid flow is induced as a result of the pressure at the site. 22. The system according to claim 21, said means for regulating selected from a group consisting of valves suitable for initiating, stopping, and reducing the fluid flow. 23. A smoke evacuating system for use during surgical procedures comprising a filter and means for regulating a fluid flow through the filter, the system adapted to be operably coupled to a pressurized surgical site, wherein the system enables a fluid flow rate from the pressurized surgical site through the filter to the ambient at a maintained pressure drop from the surgical site to the ambient, and wherein the fluid flow is induced as a result of the pressure in the pressurized surgical site. 24. The system according to claim 23, wherein the means for regulating is between the surgical site and the filter. 25. The system according to claim 23, further comprising a conduit, said means for regulating operably coupled to the conduit. 26. The system according to claim 23, said means for regulating is selected from a group consisting of valves suitable for initiating, stopping, and reducing a fluid flow. 27. The system of claim 23 wherein the filter is operably coupled to a pressurized surgical site by a trocar. 28. A system for passively exhausting a plurality of smoke particles from a surgical site pressurized to a standard pneumoperitoneum pressure used in the field of laparoscopic surgery, the pressure of the surgical site exceeding a pressure of an ambient environment, the system comprising: a fluid conduit adapted to be operably coupled to the surgical site; and a filter operably coupled to the conduit, wherein the system relies on a pressure differential between the pressure of the surgical site and the pressure of the ambient environment to generate a fluid flow through the system from the surgical site to the ambient environment, and wherein the system has a generally corresponding fluid flow resistance and fluid flow rate adapted to evacuate the plurality of smoke particles from the surgical site without decreasing the pressure of the surgical site in a manner that substantially adversely affects the surgical procedure. 29. The system of claim 28, wherein the generally corresponding fluid flow resistance and fluid flow rate are approximately 0.5 to approximately 30 mm Hg and approximately 0.2 to approximately 30 liters per minute, respectively. 30. The system of claim 28, wherein the generally corresponding fluid flow resistance and fluid flow rate are approximately 0.5 to approximately 20 mm Hg and approximately 1.0 to approximately 20.0 liters per minute, respectively. 31. The system of claim 28, wherein the generally corresponding fluid flow resistance and fluid flow rate are approximately 2.0 to approximately 3.0 mm Hg and approximately 1.8 liters per minute, respectively. 32. The system of claim 28, wherein the generally corresponding fluid flow resistance and fluid flow rate are approximately 1.0 mm Hg and approximately 3.6 to 3.8 liters per minute, respectively. 33. The system of claim 28 further comprising a valve adapted to control the fluid flow. 34. The filter of claim 28 further comprising an odor removing media. 35. The filter of claim 34 further comprising a particulate removing media.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/405,297, filed Apr. 2, 2003 which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/544,695, filed Apr. 7, 2000, which has issued to U.S. Pat. No. 6,589,316 issued Jul. 8, 2003 which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/046,265, filed Mar. 23, 1998, which has issued to U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,259 issued Aug. 29, 2000, which claims the priority benefit of a U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/066,331, filed Nov. 21, 1997. FIELD The present invention relates to smoke removal and filtering and, more particularly, to a smoke evacuation system for use in surgical procedures, including minimally invasive surgical procedures such as laparoscopy, during which cautery or a laser is used. BACKGROUND U.S. Pat. No. 5,578,000 (Greff et al.) discloses a smoke evacuation system including a trocar having a working channel, a stopcock or valve communicating with the channel, a source of wall vacuum, a fluid conduit connected between the stopcock of the trocar and the source of wall vacuum, a first filter for applying a first reduction in suction and separating smoke into its components and a residual gas, and a flow restriction to generate a second reduction in suction. The flow restriction is along a passage formed by the conduit, the filter and working channel. Greff et al. note that smoke has been handled by simply allowing it to escape into the operating room, thereby subjecting the surgeon and staff to contaminants. They recognize that closed, recirculating systems involving two trocars have been used, as have probes which are inserted through a trocar, but that such systems do not adequately solve the problems associated with smoke and the removal thereof, e.g., contamination, smell and impaired visibility of a surgical site. Other problems inadequately addressed by currently available evacuation systems are loss of the pressure in the pneumoperitoneum, and/or tissue drying, particularly if pressure loss is compensated for by increasing insufflation gas flow. While the smoke evacuation system disclosed in the Greff et al. patent may be well suited for its intended purpose, it would be advantageous if the dependency on a remote, “in-wall” vacuum source could be eliminated thereby reducing the cost and complexity of the system. SUMMARY The present invention provides an improvement over currently known smoke evacuation systems, methods and techniques, including laparoscopic smoke evacuation systems such as the system disclosed in the Greff et al. patent. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a smoke evacuating system for use during surgical procedures comprising a filter for operable coupling to a surgical site, said filter exhibiting a pressure drop ranging from approximately 0.5 to 20 mm/Hg, with a preferred pressure drop ranging from approximately 1 to 3 mm/Hg. The filter may be coupled directly to the patient. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a smoke evacuating system for use during surgical procedures, particularly minimally invasive procedures, involving a surgical site having an associated higher than ambient pressure, wherein the system comprises a filter with a inlet side (the side generally closest to the surgical site) and an outlet side and a fluid conduit extending between the surgical site and the filter. The fluid conduit defines a substantially unobstructed fluid flow path between the surgical site and filter, and the higher than ambient pressure and a pressure drop associated with the filter generate and enable a fluid flow in the fluid flow path, the filter causing a low pressure drop (i.e., pressure differential from side to side) in the fluid flow from the inlet side to the outlet side. In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a smoke evacuating system for use during surgical procedures, particularly minimally invasive procedures, including a conduit for operable coupling to a surgical site, said conduit operably carrying a filter exhibiting a pressure drop ranging from approximately 1 to 3 mm/Hg and defining a substantially unobstructed fluid flow path between the surgical site and the filter. The conduit may include a connector for being connected to a trocar or other tubular member. An on/off valve may be incorporated to control the flow of fluid through the conduit, whereby, when the valve is open, the flow path from the surgical site to the filter is substantially unobstructed. An advantage of the present invention is that it eliminates dependency on a built-in, in wall vacuum source. It does not require high vacuum suction and the requisite high resistance filters or combination of flow restrictors or reducers and filters. Further, it simplifies smoke evacuation and filtering by eliminating the need for multiple, in-line structures (filters, resistors, etc.) for stepping down or reducing suction. While the present invention may be used in surgical procedures, it may also be used in industry to remove smoke and/or chemicals from areas such as workstations. For example, it might be used at or adjacent to chip or electronic equipment manufacturing stations to reduce workers' exposure to smoke produced as connections are formed. Similarly, it might be used to reduce exposure to etching chemicals. A feature of the present invention is a balanced smoke evacuation system wherein a filter with a relatively low pressure drop performs a filtering function and a flow regulating function, helping to preserve the pressure at or in a pressurized surgical site such as a laparoscopy with a pneumoperitoneum while providing for sufficient flow therefrom to remove smoke from the site, thereby reducing the need for substantial or constant reinsufflation of the surgical site. Surgical aerosols, or bio-aerosols, include smoke from burning tissue, but also often include moisture, steam or mist produced by cells as they are heated and/or ruptured by certain surgical instruments such as lasers or ultrasonic scissors (e.g., “Harmonic Scissors” by Ethicon). Additionally, some surgeons are now using heated, humidified gas for insufflation to help maintain a normal body temperature and to help reduce tissue dessication. One embodiment of the invention is adapted for use in surgical procedures during which surgical aerosols, particularly moist or moisture containing aerosols, are produced and/or in which heated and/or humidified gas is used by including a space or region into which moisture can move, gather and/or be collected without diminishing flow rate or the efficiency of the filter. Another embodiment of the invention includes an elbow member adapted to be coupled between a trocar and the conduit to position the conduit to reduce any potential inconvenience to the surgeon and/or staff during a procedure. An advantage of the smoke evacuation system of the present invention is that it provides for the intra-operative or intra-procedural evacuation and filtration of smoke from a pressurized surgical site, e.g., the abdominal cavity, without requiring suction and without rapidly exhausting the pressurizing gas or causing a substantial pressure reduction at the pressurized surgical site. Other advantages are that the invention does not require an operator, it continuously removes smoke from the pressurized cavity (once the valve in valved embodiments is opened) to improve visibility without venting, it reduces operating time, it eliminates surgical smoke from the operating room, thereby reducing the health risk stemming from exposure to such smoke, it eliminates the need to apply suction to a patient thereby reducing potential tissue damage, and it is inexpensive. Other features and advantages of the smoke evacuating apparatus and method of the present invention will become more fully apparent and understood with reference to the following description and drawings, and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of the smoke evacuation system of the present invention. FIG. 2 depicts the filter of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 depicts a portion of the filter of FIG. 2 in cross section. FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of the filter. FIG. 5 depicts a connector stopcock or valve for use in the smoke evacuation system of the present invention. FIG. 6 depicts, largely representationally, a trocar (and obturator) of a type suitable for use with the present. FIG. 7 depicts an elbow connector connecting a trocar and a valve connector. FIG. 8 depicts another embodiment of the filter. FIG. 9 depicts another embodiment of the smoke evacuation system of the present invention. FIG. 10 depicts another embodiment of the smoke evacuation system of the present invention. FIG. 11 depicts the filter of one embodiment of the present invention coupled to a surgical site. FIG. 12 depicts a portion of one embodiment of the filter of the invention in cross section. DESCRIPTION The accompanying Figures depict embodiments of the smoke evacuation apparatus or system of the present invention, and features and components thereof. With regard to means for fastening, mounting, attaching or connecting the components of the present invention to form the apparatus as a whole, unless specifically described otherwise, such means are intended to encompass conventional fasteners such as machine screws, machine threads, snap rings, hose clamps such as screw clamps and the like, rivets, nuts and bolts, toggles, pins and the like. Components may also be connected by friction fitting, or by welding or deformation, if appropriate. Unless specifically otherwise disclosed or taught, materials for making components of the present invention are selected from appropriate materials such as metal, metallic alloys, natural or synthetic fibers, plastics and the like, and appropriate manufacturing or production methods including casting, extruding, molding and machining may be used. The components of the invention may be constructed from any such suitable materials for use in surgical rooms or in surgical procedures. Any references to front and back, right and left, top and bottom, upper and lower, and horizontal and vertical are intended for convenience of description, not to limit the present invention or its components to any one positional or spacial orientation. Referring to the Figures, particularly FIG. 1, the present invention provides a smoke evacuating system 14 for use during surgical procedures. The system 14 includes a filter 16 and a generally flexible fluid conduit 18 connected to the filter 16. The conduit 18 may be provided in one or more pieces. The system 14, particularly the end of the conduit 18, may include an integral or attachable male or female connector (of the type well known in the art) for facilitating the connection of the conduit 18 to the exhaust port or vent valve of a trocar, or the system 14 may include a Leur lock-type valve 17 (see FIG. 5) operably coupled to the conduit 18, and it may include a generally tubular member 20, such as a typical well known trocar with an exhaust port (not shown). Referring to FIG. 3, the filter 16 comprises a housing 24 with an inlet connector 26 and an outlet connector 28. Stepped hose barb type connectors may be used, as depicted in the Figures. The housing 24 may be made from polypropylene or other suitable material. The housing 24 contains the filter media 32, which comprises two thin, flat circular, disk shaped layers 34, 36. One layer 36, the layer adjacent to the outlet connector 28, is formed of 0.2 μm hydrophobic 200 mg/square cm PTFE, and the other layer 34 is made of a 200 g/square m 50% cellulose/carbon fiber blend. The layers 34, 36 are immediately adjacent to each other and each has a large surface area. Together, they form a filter media 32 having a surface area generally corresponding to its filtration area, i.e., approximately 7.5 square cm, approximately 100 times larger than the cross sectional area of the lumen of the depicted {fraction (1/4)} inch conduit 18. Although a disk-shaped filter is depicted, other shapes may be used as long as a pressure drop suitable for low flow, low pressure filtering is achieved. The filter 24, one or both layers, may be designed to exhibit a “change filter” color change indicative that useful life of the filter is over or nearly over. The odor removing layer 34 may be formed by or incorporate carbon or charcoal based material, or a diatomaceous earth material or other odor removing or reducing agent may be used. The filter media 32 is potted or contained in the housing 24. The housing 24 has an inlet manifold 26 and an outlet manifold 28. On each side of the filter media 32, in the respective manifolds, the housing has a plurality of annular grooves 42. The housing 24 may be formed around the filter media 32, or it may be formed in pieces which are joined to pot the media 32. An alternative, button or rivet-like embodiment of the filter 16, wherein the outlet 28 is substantially reduced to an outlet port 28′, is depicted in FIG. 4. This embodiment of the filter 16 may be carried at the free end of the conduit 18 or it, or a similar embodiment with a suitable protruding inlet connector for extending through the abdominal wall, may be coupled directly to the abdomen of a patient, for example, through a needle stick or other suitable opening. Referring to FIG. 12, in one embodiment, a space 55 may be provided between the housing 24 and the filter media 32. This space 55, which may also be referred to as a water trap, provides an area in which moisture and/or condensed vapor may collect during use of the system and filter of the present invention. In some applications, such as high smoke, laser, or harmonic scalpel procedures, a substantial amount of water vapor may be produced along with smoke. Although the filter media 32 or filter paper may be made from hydrophobic material, in some high vapor-producing procedures, the filter media 32 may be unable to shed the water or vapor that condenses because there is little or no space or area for the moisture or liquid to move to and/or settle into. In an embodiment of the invention containing a space 55 between the filter media 32 and the housing 24, the space 55 provides an area or region in which water vapor can condense and settle without effecting the efficiency of the filter. FIG. 12 depicts one embodiment of a filter having a space 55 between the filter media 32 and the housing 24. The space 55 may be provided in a variety of orientations and locations with respect to the filter media 32 and the housing 24. For instance, the space 55 may be near the filter media 32 on the inlet 26 side of the housing 24 or, in other embodiments, on the outlet 28 side of the housing 24, or both. In addition, the space 55 may be near the outer and/or peripheral portions or regions 57 of the filter media 32 and housing 24. The space 55 may also have a variety of geometries in different embodiments of the invention, and it may be provided in one or more locations. In one embodiment of the invention, such as that depicted in FIG. 12, more than one space 55 may exist. FIG. 12, for instance, shows spaces 55 near the outer portions 57 of the housing, on the inlet side of the filter media 32, and on the outlet side of the filter media. This is advantageous because it provides for liquid collection spaces 55 which will be effective despite how the system may be positioned or oriented during a surgical procedure. FIG. 12 depicts condensed vapor 61 collecting in the space 55 near the inlet side of the filter media 32. The system 14 provides a substantially unobstructed fluid flow path through the fluid conduit 18 between a valve 18 and filter 16 and, when the valve 18 is open, between a pressurized surgical site “S” and the filter 16. The filter 16 provides flow regulation of a fluid (insufflation gas carrying smoke) flowing along the fluid flow path in that it provides resistance to flow, whereby flow rates in some embodiments range from one (1) to four (4) liters/minute and, in other embodiments, range from 1 to 3.8 liters/minute. The filter 16 exhibits or has an associated pressure drop from one side to the other of from approximately one-half (0.5) to twenty (20) mm of mercury, with a pressure drop of from approximately two (2) to three (3) mm of mercury being preferred in another embodiment, and a pressure drop of approximately one (1) mm of mercury being preferred in yet another embodiment. The latter pressure drops correspond generally to flow rates of 1.8 liters/minute and 3.6 to 3.8 liters/minute, respectively. Higher pressures and/or lower pressure drops will produce higher correlative flow rates, and the filter 16 may be available in several specifications to be matched with the patient, function or procedure involved. The size and length of the fluid conduit or tube 18 may be varied to assist in providing desired flow characteristics (approximately 1.0 to 30 liters per minute) in conjunction with the resistance or pressure drop of the filter 16 of the present invention. The filter, therefore, may be designed for low flow applications, medium flow applications, or high flow applications. For instance, the filter 16 may operate at flow rates of about 0.2 to 30 liters per minute when coupled to pressurized surgical sites, wherein pressure drops of approximately 0.5 to 30 mm Hg exist. In one embodiment, the invention may be a “passive” smoke evacuation system and method. In this embodiment, the filter 16 may be designed to regulate the flow of smoke and gases from a surgical site to the ambient air outside a patient's body without the use of a vacuum supply. The filter 16, in this embodiment, is designed to have a pressure drop at an associated flow rate sufficient to evacuate smoke from the pressurized cavity to the ambient air outside of the cavity without loss of pneumoperitoneum. For instance, in one embodiment, the filter 16 may have a resistance such that it causes a fluid flow rate of from approximately 0.2 to 30 liters per minute when coupled to a pressurized surgical site, wherein a pressure drop of approximately 0.5 to 30 mm Hg is maintained from the surgical site to ambient air, and wherein the fluid flow is induced as a result of the pressure in the pressurized surgical site. In other embodiments, the filter 16 may have a resistance such that a fluid flow rate of from about 1 to 20 liters per minute results at an associated pressure drop of from about 0.5 to 20 mm Hg. In some embodiments, the tube 18 may be four to six feet in length, with a length of from 1.5 to 3.0 feet being preferred. If quarter inch tubing is selected, the lumen of the tube 18 typically would be 3 mm in diameter, but inner diameters ranging from 2 to 12 mm may be used. The parameters of diameter and length of tube 18, size of trocar (for one preferred example, 3 mm), and the resistance or pressure drop associated with filter 16 may be relatively adjusted to accommodate different patients, surgical procedures and/or operating room settings, as long as adequate low pressure, low flow smoke filtering and odor removal is achieved. The present invention may be embodied in a completely disposable, single use unit or components thereof, e.g., the filter or tubing, may be disposable with other component reusable. Typically, the trocar 20 or tubular member to which the conduit 18 is coupled, either directly or through an exhaust port or valve, is grounded to eliminate any errant current. The present invention encompasses a method for evacuating smoke from a surgical site, particularly from a minimally invasive site such as a laparoscopy with a pneumoperitoneum. For example, for evacuating smoke from a surgical site in the abdominal cavity during a laparoscopic procedure, the method of the present invention comprises the steps of operably coupling a conduit 18 to the pneumoperitoneum, for example to the tubular member 21 (FIG. 7) extending from the pneumoperitoneum, and coupling a filter 16 having a low pressure drop there across to the conduit 18, whereby there is a substantially unobstructed, low volume fluid flow path between the pneumoperitoneum and the filter 18, whereby particulate material and odor are removed from the fluid. The fluid is induced to flow through the conduit 18 and filter 16 by the generally complementary pressure of the insufflating gas of the pneumoperitoneum and the pressure drop of the filter 16. In one embodiment, the flow may be controlled, e.g., initiated, stopped or reduced by incorporating a valve (such as a Leur lock valve (FIG. 5) or the like) with the conduit 18 or by using a valved trocar or the like. The apparatus and method of the present invention may be used in laparoscopic procedure involving a pneumoperitoneum, i.e., a condition in which air or gas is collected or insufflated into the peritoneal cavity, but it also may be used in any other surgical procedure involving a substantially enclosed and/or pressurized surgical site such as thoracoscopy. Referring to FIG. 10, in one embodiment, the conduit 18 may be fitted with flow generating device 48 such as an in-line blower or impeller, which may be battery powered such as some commercially available models, for drawing air, smoke, particulate matter and contaminants into the conduit for filtration, whereby the invention may be used for “open” surgical procedures. In this embodiment, the selected flow generating device 48 may be located on either side of the filter 16, although positioning it on the outlet side of the filter 16 may protect it from contaminants and, in non-disposable embodiments, lengthen its useful life. The flow generating device 48 may be incorporated with the filter 16 itself, for example, in the outlet connector. With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, for use in open site surgical procedures, the site or intake end of the conduit 18 may be expanded as at 19 and provided with a grille 21. In this embodiment the expanded end 19 may be, for example, inserted partially into a deep wound or connected to a patient's body near a surgical site (e.g., by using adhesive, straps, sutures or the like). The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential spirit or attributes thereof. It is desired that the embodiments described herein be considered in all respects as illustrative, not restrictive, and that reference be made to the appended claims for determining the scope of the invention.
<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>U.S. Pat. No. 5,578,000 (Greff et al.) discloses a smoke evacuation system including a trocar having a working channel, a stopcock or valve communicating with the channel, a source of wall vacuum, a fluid conduit connected between the stopcock of the trocar and the source of wall vacuum, a first filter for applying a first reduction in suction and separating smoke into its components and a residual gas, and a flow restriction to generate a second reduction in suction. The flow restriction is along a passage formed by the conduit, the filter and working channel. Greff et al. note that smoke has been handled by simply allowing it to escape into the operating room, thereby subjecting the surgeon and staff to contaminants. They recognize that closed, recirculating systems involving two trocars have been used, as have probes which are inserted through a trocar, but that such systems do not adequately solve the problems associated with smoke and the removal thereof, e.g., contamination, smell and impaired visibility of a surgical site. Other problems inadequately addressed by currently available evacuation systems are loss of the pressure in the pneumoperitoneum, and/or tissue drying, particularly if pressure loss is compensated for by increasing insufflation gas flow. While the smoke evacuation system disclosed in the Greff et al. patent may be well suited for its intended purpose, it would be advantageous if the dependency on a remote, “in-wall” vacuum source could be eliminated thereby reducing the cost and complexity of the system.
<SOH> SUMMARY <EOH>The present invention provides an improvement over currently known smoke evacuation systems, methods and techniques, including laparoscopic smoke evacuation systems such as the system disclosed in the Greff et al. patent. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a smoke evacuating system for use during surgical procedures comprising a filter for operable coupling to a surgical site, said filter exhibiting a pressure drop ranging from approximately 0.5 to 20 mm/Hg, with a preferred pressure drop ranging from approximately 1 to 3 mm/Hg. The filter may be coupled directly to the patient. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a smoke evacuating system for use during surgical procedures, particularly minimally invasive procedures, involving a surgical site having an associated higher than ambient pressure, wherein the system comprises a filter with a inlet side (the side generally closest to the surgical site) and an outlet side and a fluid conduit extending between the surgical site and the filter. The fluid conduit defines a substantially unobstructed fluid flow path between the surgical site and filter, and the higher than ambient pressure and a pressure drop associated with the filter generate and enable a fluid flow in the fluid flow path, the filter causing a low pressure drop (i.e., pressure differential from side to side) in the fluid flow from the inlet side to the outlet side. In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a smoke evacuating system for use during surgical procedures, particularly minimally invasive procedures, including a conduit for operable coupling to a surgical site, said conduit operably carrying a filter exhibiting a pressure drop ranging from approximately 1 to 3 mm/Hg and defining a substantially unobstructed fluid flow path between the surgical site and the filter. The conduit may include a connector for being connected to a trocar or other tubular member. An on/off valve may be incorporated to control the flow of fluid through the conduit, whereby, when the valve is open, the flow path from the surgical site to the filter is substantially unobstructed. An advantage of the present invention is that it eliminates dependency on a built-in, in wall vacuum source. It does not require high vacuum suction and the requisite high resistance filters or combination of flow restrictors or reducers and filters. Further, it simplifies smoke evacuation and filtering by eliminating the need for multiple, in-line structures (filters, resistors, etc.) for stepping down or reducing suction. While the present invention may be used in surgical procedures, it may also be used in industry to remove smoke and/or chemicals from areas such as workstations. For example, it might be used at or adjacent to chip or electronic equipment manufacturing stations to reduce workers' exposure to smoke produced as connections are formed. Similarly, it might be used to reduce exposure to etching chemicals. A feature of the present invention is a balanced smoke evacuation system wherein a filter with a relatively low pressure drop performs a filtering function and a flow regulating function, helping to preserve the pressure at or in a pressurized surgical site such as a laparoscopy with a pneumoperitoneum while providing for sufficient flow therefrom to remove smoke from the site, thereby reducing the need for substantial or constant reinsufflation of the surgical site. Surgical aerosols, or bio-aerosols, include smoke from burning tissue, but also often include moisture, steam or mist produced by cells as they are heated and/or ruptured by certain surgical instruments such as lasers or ultrasonic scissors (e.g., “Harmonic Scissors” by Ethicon). Additionally, some surgeons are now using heated, humidified gas for insufflation to help maintain a normal body temperature and to help reduce tissue dessication. One embodiment of the invention is adapted for use in surgical procedures during which surgical aerosols, particularly moist or moisture containing aerosols, are produced and/or in which heated and/or humidified gas is used by including a space or region into which moisture can move, gather and/or be collected without diminishing flow rate or the efficiency of the filter. Another embodiment of the invention includes an elbow member adapted to be coupled between a trocar and the conduit to position the conduit to reduce any potential inconvenience to the surgeon and/or staff during a procedure. An advantage of the smoke evacuation system of the present invention is that it provides for the intra-operative or intra-procedural evacuation and filtration of smoke from a pressurized surgical site, e.g., the abdominal cavity, without requiring suction and without rapidly exhausting the pressurizing gas or causing a substantial pressure reduction at the pressurized surgical site. Other advantages are that the invention does not require an operator, it continuously removes smoke from the pressurized cavity (once the valve in valved embodiments is opened) to improve visibility without venting, it reduces operating time, it eliminates surgical smoke from the operating room, thereby reducing the health risk stemming from exposure to such smoke, it eliminates the need to apply suction to a patient thereby reducing potential tissue damage, and it is inexpensive. Other features and advantages of the smoke evacuating apparatus and method of the present invention will become more fully apparent and understood with reference to the following description and drawings, and the appended claims.
20041220
20070821
20050519
68076.0
1
PHAM, MINH CHAU THI
SMOKE EVACUATION SYSTEM
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,017,449
ACCEPTED
Hydraulic cushioning of a variable valve timing mechanism
A phaser comprising a housing, a rotor, and first and second passages. The housing has at least one chamber defined by an advance wall, an arcuate outer wall, and a retard wall. The rotor has at least one vane projecting from an outer circumference, separating the chamber in the housing into advance and retard chambers. The first passage facilitates fluid communication to a first port in the advance or retard chamber and a second passage to a second port in the other advance or retard chambers. Each port is spaced apart form the first wall or second wall of the vane, such that when the vane is moved towards the advance or retard wall of the chamber far enough, the passages are obstructed by the housing and fluid flow to the passages is restricted, such that impact of the vane with the walls of the chamber is cushioned.
1. A variable cam timing phaser for an internal combustion engine with at least one camshaft comprising: a housing with an outer circumference for accepting drive force and at least one chamber defined by an advance wall, an arcuate outer wall, and a retard wall; a rotor for connection to a camshaft coaxially located within the housing and having an outer circumference, and at least one vane projecting from the outer circumference of the rotor, separating the chamber in the housing into an advance chamber and a retard chamber, the vane having a first wall, a second wall, and a top and being capable of movement within the chamber to shift the relative angular position of the housing and the rotor; a first passage facilitating fluid communication to a first port in the advance or retard chamber and a second passage facilitating fluid communication to a second port in the other advance or retard chamber, each port being spaced apart from the first wall or second wall of the vane such that, when the vane is moved in the chamber towards the advanced wall or the retard wall far enough that the passage is obstructed by the housing, and fluid flow to the first passage or the second passage is restricted, such that an impact of the vane with the advance wall or the retard wall is cushioned. 2. The variable cam timing phaser of claim 1, wherein the phaser is cam torque actuated. 3. The variable cam timing phaser of claim 1, wherein the phaser is torsion assist. 4. The variable cam timing phaser of claim 1, wherein the phaser is oil pressure actuated.
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of parent application Ser. No. 10/376,876, filed Feb. 28, 2003 entitled “Hydraulic Cushioning Of A Variable Valve Timing Mechanism” which claims priority from an invention which was disclosed in Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/374,241, filed Apr. 19, 2002, entitled “Hydraulic Cushioning of a Variable Valve Timing Mechanism.” The aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention pertains to the field of variable valve timing (VCT) systems. More particularly, the invention pertains to a VCT mechanism having hydraulic cushioning. 2. Description of the Related Art The performance of an internal combustion engine can be improved by the use of dual camshafts, one to operate the intake valves of the various cylinders of the engine and the other to operate the exhaust valves. Typically, one of such camshafts is driven by the crankshaft of the engine, through a sprocket and chain drive or a belt drive, and the other of such camshafts is driven by the first, through a second sprocket and chain drive or a second belt drive. Alternatively, both of the camshafts can be driven by a single crankshaft powered chain drive or belt drive. Engine performance in an engine with dual camshafts can be further improved, in terms of idle quality, fuel economy, reduced emissions or increased torque, by changing the positional relationship of one of the camshafts, usually the camshaft which operates the intake valves of the engine, relative to the other camshaft and relative to the crankshaft, to thereby vary the timing of the engine in terms of the operation of intake valves relative to its exhaust valves or in terms of the operation of its valves relative to the position of the crankshaft. Consideration of information disclosed by the following U.S. Patents, which are all hereby incorporated by reference, is useful when exploring the background of the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,231 shows a rotary actuator that restricts oil flow to prevent leakage without using the sealing members of the vane and reduces the velocity of the vane as it approaches impact with the housing, thus cushioning the impact of the vane against the stops. Multiple passages and switches are used to move oil to separate passages as the vane nears the stop. The vane is used to block the primary passage and switch to the bypass circuit. Specifically, the vane blocks a main path and oil is supplied to a subpath. A small amount of oil flows into the bypath and the majority of the oil flows and pushes against a ball valve, which is in opposition to a spring. The force of the oil overcomes the spring and pushes the ball valve from its seat and oil behind the ball valve and moves into a passage which leads the oil to bear against a cutout of the vane. When the pressure is great enough, the vane separates from the stopper so that a new oil chamber is formed therebetween. At the same time, oil passes through a path and reaches a boundary between the other vane and stopper and effects a similar separation when the vane advances, opening a main oil path. The oil from the main path is fed directly into a second diametrically opposed newly opened oil chamber from the main path. Simultaneously, oil the other chamber is discharged from the oil port via the main path as the rotation of the vanes takes place. A cushion effect is created so that the impact or shock of the vane against the spring is moderate. U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,023 describes a VCT system within the field of the invention in which the system hydraulics includes a pair of oppositely acting hydraulic cylinders with appropriate hydraulic flow elements to selectively transfer hydraulic fluid from one of the cylinders to the other, or vice versa, to thereby advance or retard the circumferential position on of a camshaft relative to a crankshaft. The control system utilizes a control valve in which the exhaustion of hydraulic fluid from one or another of the oppositely acting cylinders is permitted by moving a spool within the valve one way or another from its centered or null position. The movement of the spool occurs in response to an increase or decrease in control hydraulic pressure, PC, on one end of the spool and the relationship between the hydraulic force on such end and an oppositely direct mechanical force on the other end which results from a compression spring that acts thereon. U.S. Pat. No. 5,107,804 describes an alternate type of VCT system within the field of the invention in which the system hydraulics include a vane having lobes within an enclosed housing which replace the oppositely acting cylinders disclosed by the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,023. The vane is oscillatable with respect to the housing, with appropriate hydraulic flow elements to transfer hydraulic fluid within the housing from one side of a lobe to the other, or vice versa, to thereby oscillate the vane with respect to the housing in one direction or the other, an action which is effective to advance or retard the position of the camshaft relative to the crankshaft. The control system of this VCT system is identical to that divulged in U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,023, using the same type of spool valve responding to the same type of forces acting thereon. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,172,659 and 5,184,578 both address the problems of the aforementioned types of VCT systems created by the attempt to balance the hydraulic force exerted against one end of the spool and the mechanical force exerted against the other end. The improved control system disclosed in both U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,172,659 and 5,184,578 utilizes hydraulic force on both ends of the spool. The hydraulic force on one end results from the directly applied hydraulic fluid from the engine oil gallery at full hydraulic pressure, PS. The hydraulic force on the other end of the spool results from a hydraulic cylinder or other force multiplier which acts thereon in response to system hydraulic fluid at reduced pressure, PC, from a PWM solenoid. Because the force at each of the opposed ends of the spool is hydraulic in origin, based on the same hydraulic fluid, changes in pressure or viscosity of the hydraulic fluid will be self-negating, and will not affect the centered or null position of the spool. U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,805 provides an improved VCT method which utilizes a hydraulic PWM spool position control and an advanced control algorithm that yields a prescribed set point tracking behavior with a high degree of robustness. In U.S Pat. No. 5,361,735, a camshaft has a vane secured to an end for non-oscillating rotation. The camshaft also carries a timing belt driven pulley which can rotate with the camshaft but which is oscillatable with respect to the camshaft. The vane has opposed lobes which are received in opposed recesses, respectively, of the pulley. The camshaft tends to change in reaction to torque pulses which it experiences during its normal operation and it is permitted to advance or retard by selectively blocking or permitting the flow of engine oil from the recesses by controlling the position of a spool within a valve body of a control valve in response to a signal from an engine control unit. The spool is urged in a given direction by rotary linear motion translating means which is rotated by an electric motor, preferably of the stepper motor type. U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,738 shows a control system which eliminates the hydraulic force on one end of a spool resulting from directly applied hydraulic fluid from the engine oil gallery at full hydraulic pressure, PS, utilized by previous embodiments of the VCT system. The force on the other end of the vented spool results from an electromechanical actuator, preferably of the variable force solenoid type, which acts directly upon the vented spool in response to an electronic signal issued from an engine control unit (“ECU”) which monitors various engine parameters. The ECU receives signals from sensors corresponding to camshaft and crankshaft positions and utilizes this information to calculate a relative phase angle. A closed-loop feedback system which corrects for any phase angle error is preferably employed. The use of a variable force solenoid solves the problem of sluggish dynamic response. Such a device can be designed to be as fast as the mechanical response of the spool valve, and certainly much faster than the conventional (fully hydraulic) differential pressure control system. The faster response allows the use of increased closed-loop gain, making the system less sensitive to component tolerances and operating environment. U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,725 shows a control system which utilizes engine oil pressure for actuation. The system includes A camshaft has a vane secured to an end thereof for non-oscillating rotation therewith. The camshaft also carries a housing which can rotate with the camshaft but which is oscillatable with the camshaft. The vane has opposed lobes which are received in opposed recesses, respectively, of the housing. The recesses have greater circumferential extent than the lobes to permit the vane and housing to oscillate with respect to one another, and thereby permit the camshaft to change in phase relative to a crankshaft. The camshaft tends to change direction in reaction to engine oil pressure and/or camshaft torque pulses which it experiences during its normal operation, and it is permitted to either advance or retard by selectively blocking or permitting the flow of engine oil through the return lines from the recesses by controlling the position of a spool within a spool valve body in response to a signal indicative of an engine operating condition from an engine control unit. The spool is selectively positioned by controlling hydraulic loads on its opposed end in response to a signal from an engine control unit. The vane can be biased to an extreme position to provide a counteractive force to a unidirectionally acting frictional torque experienced by the camshaft during rotation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,380 discloses a valve timing control device with a locking mechanism for connecting the housing member and the rotor and a canceling device that cancels the locking mechanism. A vane divides a chamber into a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber. At least one of the walls defining the chambers has a bump or bulge into the chamber and a tapered cut bottom near the rotor. When the vane is flat or flush against the bulge, a small chamber is created with the sides being defined by the vane and the housing, the top of the chamber being the bulge and the bottom of the chamber being the rotor. The fluid flows from this chamber to passages leading to the advance or retard chambers. The ports of the passages are large and the tapered cut of the housing ensures that no obstruction of fluid can occur as the vane moves and becomes flush with the bulge of the housing. For damping, the rotor has a receiving hole that becomes aligned with the canceling hole in the housing that receives the lock pin. The lock pin has a small diameter and a large diameter portion and is biased from the housing towards the rotor by a spring. When the rotor is rotated relative to the housing at the maximum retard condition the canceling hole and the receiving hole align and prevents the vane from colliding with the housing. U.S. Pat. No. 6,247,434 shows a multi-position variable camshaft timing system actuated by engine oil. Within the system, a hub is secured to a camshaft for rotation synchronous with the camshaft, and a housing circumscribes the hub and is rotatable with the hub and the camshaft and is further oscillatable with respect to the hub and the camshaft within a predetermined angle of rotation. Driving vanes are radially disposed within the housing and cooperate with an external surface on the hub, while driven vanes are radially disposed in the hub and cooperate with an internal surface of the housing. A locking device, reactive to oil pressure, prevents relative motion between the housing and the hub. A controlling device controls the oscillation of the housing relative to the hub. U.S. Pat. No. 6,250,265 shows a variable valve timing system with actuator locking for internal combustion engine. The system comprising a variable camshaft timing system comprising a camshaft with a vane secured to the camshaft for rotation with the camshaft but not for oscillation with respect to the camshaft. The vane has a circumferentially extending plurality of lobes projecting radially outwardly therefrom and is surrounded by an annular housing that has a corresponding plurality of recesses each of which receives one of the lobes and has a circumferential extent greater than the circumferential extent of the lobe received therein to permit oscillation of the housing relative to the vane and the camshaft while the housing rotates with the camshaft and the vane. Oscillation of the housing relative to the vane and the camshaft is actuated by pressurized engine oil in each of the recesses on opposed sides of the lobe therein, the oil pressure in such recess being preferably derived in part from a torque pulse in the camshaft as it rotates during its operation. An annular locking plate is positioned coaxially with the camshaft and the annular housing and is moveable relative to the annular housing along a longitudinal central axis of the camshaft between a first position, where the locking plate engages the annular housing to prevent its circumferential movement relative to the vane and a second position where circumferential movement of the annular housing relative to the vane is permitted. The locking plate is biased by a spring toward its first position and is urged away from its first position toward its second position by engine oil pressure, to which it is exposed by a passage leading through the camshaft, when engine oil pressure is sufficiently high to overcome the spring biasing force, which is the only time when it is desired to change the relative positions of the annular housing and the vane. The movement of the locking plate is controlled by an engine electronic control unit either through a closed loop control system or an open loop control system. U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,846 shows a control valve strategy for vane-type variable camshaft timing system. The strategy involves an internal combustion engine that includes a camshaft and hub secured to the camshaft for rotation therewith, where a housing circumscribes the hub and is rotatable with the hub and the camshaft, and is further oscillatable with respect to the hub and camshaft. Driving vanes are radially inwardly disposed in the housing and cooperate with the hub, while driven vanes are radially outwardly disposed in the hub to cooperate with the housing and also circumferentially alternate with the driving vanes to define circumferentially alternating advance and retard chambers. A configuration for controlling the oscillation of the housing relative to the hub includes an electronic engine control unit, and an advancing control valve that is responsive to the electronic engine control unit and that regulates engine oil pressure to and from the advance chambers. A retarding control valve responsive to the electronic engine control unit regulates engine oil pressure to and from the retard chambers. An advancing passage communicates engine oil pressure between the advancing control valve and the advance chambers, while a retarding passage communicates engine oil pressure between the retarding control valve and the retard chambers. U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,655 shows multi-position variable cam timing system having a vane-mounted locking-piston device. An internal combustion engine having a camshaft and variable camshaft timing system, wherein a rotor is secured to the camshaft and is rotatable but non-oscillatable with respect to the camshaft is described. A housing circumscribes the rotor, is rotatable with both the rotor and the camshaft, and is further oscillatable with respect to both the rotor and the camshaft between a fully retarded position and a fully advanced position. A locking configuration prevents relative motion between the rotor and the housing, and is mounted within either the rotor or the housing, and is respectively and releasably engageable with the other of either the rotor and the housing in the fully retarded position, the fully advanced position, and in positions therebetween. The locking device includes a locking piston having keys terminating one end thereof, and serrations mounted opposite the keys on the locking piston for interlocking the rotor to the housing. A controlling configuration controls oscillation of the rotor relative to the housing. U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,787 shows a multi-position variable camshaft timing system actuated by engine oil pressure. A hub is secured to a camshaft for rotation synchronous with the camshaft, and a housing circumscribes the hub and is rotatable with the hub and the camshaft and is further oscillatable with respect to the hub and the camshaft within a predetermined angle of rotation. Driving vanes are radially disposed within the housing and cooperate with an external surface on the hub, while driven vanes are radially disposed in the hub and cooperate with an internal surface of the housing. A locking device, reactive to oil pressure, prevents relative motion between the housing and the hub. A controlling device controls the oscillation of the housing relative to the hub. It has became more common for variable camshaft timing mechanisms to be made in a vane/housing format. Working hydraulic chambers are created by imposing either single or multiple vanes of a rotor attached to the camshaft into a cavity in a housing that is attached to the camshaft sprocket. The circumferential length of the pocket or cavity in the housing determines the relative phase travel of the camshaft relative to the sprocket/housing. The control is accomplished by exhausting fluid such as oil from one chamber while simultaneously filling the opposing chamber. This causes the variable camshaft timing mechanism to move the camshaft relative to the crankshaft manifested in a phase position. The rate of change of the camshaft is determined in part by how fast the oil can exhaust from the resisting or draining hydraulic chamber. As the rotor of the VCT reaches the end of its travel limited by the cavity of the housing, the rotor will impact the housing and cause undesirable noise. As can be seen, there is need in a phaser to reduce the noise at the end of travel and keeping suitable rate of change in the phase position of the camshaft. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A phaser comprising a housing, a rotor, and first and second passages. The housing has at least one chamber defined by an advance wall, an arcuate outer wall, and a retard wall. The rotor has at least one vane projecting from an outer circumference, separating the chamber in the housing into advance and retard chambers. The first passage facilitates fluid communication to a first port in the advance or retard chamber and a second passage to a second port in the other advance or retard chambers. Each port is spaced apart form the first wall or second wall of the vane, such that when the vane is moved towards the advance or retard wall of the chamber far enough, the passages are obstructed by the housing and fluid flow to the passages is restricted, such that impact of the vane with the walls of the chamber is cushioned. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 shows a vane-type VCT phaser. FIG. 2A shows the vane in a central or null position. FIG. 2B shows the vane in a retard position. FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows VCT system suitable for the present invention. FIG. 5 shows a Cam Torque Actuated (CTA) VCT system applicable to the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a close-up of FIG. 2B. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIGS. 1 through 2B, a vane-type VCT phaser comprises a housing 201, the outside of which has sprocket teeth 208 that mesh with and are driven by timing chain 209. Coaxially located within the housing 201, free to rotate relative to the housing 201, is a rotor 202 with vanes 205 projecting from the rotor's circumference 220. The vanes 205 separate chambers in the housing defined by an arcuate outer wall, an advance wall 216 and a retard wall 218 into advance and retard chambers 206, 207. The vanes 205 are formed of a first wall 215, a second wall 214, and top 223. Along the circumference of the rotor 202, a distance from the first and second walls 215, 214 of vanes 205, are advance and retard passages 213, 212 extending from chambers 206 and 207 to a central control valve 204. The central control valve 204 routes pressurized fluid to the advance and retard chambers 206, 207 by the advance and retard passages 213, 212. A small fluid passage 224 is also present between the housing 201 and the circumference 220 of the rotor 202 not exposed to the chambers 206, 207. FIG. 2A shows a close-up of the vane 205 and the advance and retard chambers 206, 207 in a central or null position. In this position, restrictions on the fluid in the chambers 206, 207 is not present. FIG. 2B shows the phaser in the retard position. In this position, fluid from the central control valve 204 is supplied to the retard chamber 207 from retard passage 212. The fluid entering the retard chamber 207 forces the vane 205 to move to the left as shown by the figure, to a retard position, where the first wall 215 of the vane 205 and the advance wall 216 of the housing 201 forms a fluid pocket 228. Fluid moves from the fluid pocket 228 to newly formed passage 230, where the fluid is restricted or obstructed between the housing 201 and the circumference 220 of the rotor 201 as shown by the diagonal portion of FIG. 6. From the restricted passage 230, fluid exits back to central control valve 204 through advance passage 213. Fluid in the fluid pocket 228, shown by the crosshatched portion is not under any restriction. Since fluid is restricted upon exit from the advance chamber 206 in the restricted passage 230, the movement of the vane 205 is also slowed as it nears the advance wall 216 of the chamber, cushioning the vane from impact with the advance wall 216. As discussed in the background, undesirable noise occurs when the vane 205 slams into the advance wall 216 or the retard wall 218 of the chamber in the housing 201. The restricted passage 230 prevents the vane 205 from slamming against the advance wall 216 of the chamber of the housing 201 and similarly the retard wall 218 on the opposite side of the chamber of the housing 201 by decelerating the amount of fluid that can exit the advance chamber 206 through the restricted passage 230 as described above. While it is not shown, the same restriction occurs when the phaser is in the advance position, such that fluid is supplied from the central control valve 204 to the advance chamber 206 forcing the vane 205 to the right, to an advance position, where the second wall 214 of the vane 215 and the retard wall 218 of the housing 201 forms a fluid pocket 228. Fluid moves from the fluid pocket 228 to newly formed passage 230, where the fluid is restricted between the housing 201 and the circumference 220 of the rotor 202 not exposed to the chamber, similar to that shown by the diagonal portion of FIG. 6. From the restricted passage 230, fluid exits back to central control valve 204 through retard passage 212. Fluid in the fluid pocket 228, similar to that shown by the crosshatched portion in FIG. 6 is not under any restriction. Since fluid is restricted upon exit from the retard chamber 207 in the restricted passage 230, the movement of the vane 205 is also slowed as it nears the retard wall 218 of the chamber. It is noted that the present invention contemplates application in any type VCT phaser including Cam Torque Actuated (CTA), oil pressure actuated (OPA), or torsion assist (TA) phasers. It is further noted that normal phasing operation is defined as the rate of change of the camshaft when passages are fully within the cavity of the housing 1. It will be recognized by one skilled in the art that this description is common to vane phasers in general, and the specific arrangement of vanes, chambers, passages and valves shown in FIG. 1 may be varied within the teachings of the invention. For example, the number of vanes and their location can be changed, some phasers have only a single vane, others as many as a dozen, and the vanes might be located on the housing and reciprocate within chambers on the rotor. The housing might be driven by a chain or belt or gears, and the sprocket teeth might be gear teeth or a toothed pulley for a belt. Referring to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown. A pair of separate inlet sources 28, 30 is introduced each with a check valve 32 and a separate exhaust port 12, 13 respectively. As can be seen, the phaser of VCT system would have an unlimited supply of fluid to fill the chambers 6, 7 and their respective exhaust ports 12, 13 thereby limiting the velocity of the rotor 2 near the end of travel. Thus good VCT response in all directions is achieved while limiting the velocity and thus the impact energy as the vane 5 approaches its mechanical stops due to the physical limitations of the housing cavity. As discussed supra, the rate of change of the camshaft is determined, in part, by how fast fluid can exhaust from the resisting hydraulic chamber. As the rotor 2 of the VCT reaches the end of its travel, as limited by the housing 1, the rotor 2 will impact the housing 1 and cause undesirable noise. The present invention permits the fluid to exhaust normally from the hydraulic chamber and thus does not limit the actuation rate of the VCT during normal phasing until the rotor nears the end of its travel. At this point the exhaust port would be restricted by the close clearance between the rotor 2 and the housing 1 by the provision of the distances 20, 22 at each end of the housing cavity respectively. In order to facilitate the normal fluid flow, separate inlet passages 28, 30 cures the possible defect of insufficient flow out of the exhaust chamber to the inlet chamber (see FIG. 3). Without the separate inlet passage, fluid might not be exhaust sufficiently during the end of travel time segments. The end result may be insufficient fluid flow out of the exhaust chamber into the opposite chamber. However, the vane still moves in that the volume of the opposite chamber is increasing. This increase may cause the opposite chamber to draw undesirable material such as ambient air around the phaser. The present invention gradually decelerates the VCT rotor 2 to a stop, thus limiting the impact energy with which the rotor 2 impacts the housing 1. The present invention contemplates application in any type VCT phaser. For example, in FIG. 3 when fluid is exhausting from chamber 6 via passage 13, at the end of travel of vane 5 the fluid flow rate may be decreased due to the structure of the present invention. At this juncture, chamber 7 still needs to be filled with sufficient fluid flow of a suitable rate. If the flow is below a threshold value, undesirable effects including entry of ambient air may get into chamber 7. The introduction of inflow passage 30 reduces or solves the undesirable effect problem by introducing sufficient fluid flow rate thereby resulting in sufficient fluid flow into chamber 7. Similar results occur at the opposite end of travel of the vane. It is noted that only a portion of the phaser is shown here. The phaser may have more than one similar structure as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3, or 6. For example, the phaser may have 2, 4, or 8 similar structures. FIG. 4 is a schematic depiction that shows, in part, the VCT system of the present invention. A null position is shown in FIG. 4. Solenoid 120 engages spool valve 114 by exerting a first force upon the same on a first end 29. The first force is met by a force of equal strength exerted by spring 21 upon a second end 17 of spool valve 114 thereby maintaining the null position. The spool valve 114 includes a first block 19 and a second block 23 each of which blocks fluid flow respectively. The phaser 542 includes a vane 558, a housing 57 using the vane 558 to delimit an advance chamber A and a retard chamber R therein. Typically, the housing 57 and the vane 558 are coupled to crankshaft (not shown) and camshaft (also not shown) respectively. Vane 558 is permitted to move relative to the phaser housing by adjusting the fluid quantity of advance and retard chambers A and R. If it is desirous to move vane 558 toward the retard side, solenoid 120 pushes spool valve 114 further right from the original null position such that fluid in chamber A drains out along duct 40 through duct 180. The fluid is in fluid communication with an outside sink (not shown) by means of having block 19 sliding further right to allow said fluid communication to occur. Simultaneously, fluid from a source passes through duct 51 and is in one-way fluid communication with duct 70 by means of one-way valve 150, thereby supplying fluid to chamber R via duct 50. This can occur because block 23 moved further right causing the above one-way fluid communication to occur. When the desired vane position is reached, the spool valve is commanded to move back left to its null position, thereby maintaining a new phase relationship of the crank and cam shaft. Referring to FIG. 5, a Cam Torque Actuated (CTA) VCT system applicable to the present invention is shown. The CTA system uses torque reversals in camshaft caused by the forces of opening and closing engine valves to move vane 942. The control valve in a CTA system allows fluid flow from advance chamber 92 to retard chamber 93 or vice versa, allowing vane 942 to move, or stops fluid flow, locking vane 942 in position. CTA phaser may also have oil input 913 to make up for losses due to leakage, but does not use engine oil pressure to move phaser. The detailed operation of CTA phaser system is as follows. FIG. 5 depicts a null position in that ideally no fluid flow occurs because the spool valve 140 stops fluid circulation at both advance end 98 and retard end 910. When cam angular relationship is required to be changed, vane 942 necessarily needs to move. Solenoid 920, which engages spool valve 140, is commanded to move spool 140 away from the null position thereby causing fluid within the CTA circulation to flow. It is pointed out that the CTA circulation ideally uses only local fluid without any fluid coming from source 913. However, during normal operation, some fluid leakage occurs and the fluid deficit needs to be replenished by the source 913 via a one way valve 914. The fluid in this case may be engine oil. The source 913 may be the oil pan. There are two scenarios for the CTA phaser system. First, there is the Advance scenario, wherein an Advance chamber 92 needs to be filled with more fluid than in the null position. In other words, the size or volume of chamber 92 is increased. The advance scenario is accomplished by way of the following. Solenoid 920 pushes the spool valve 140 toward right such that the left portion 919 of the spool valve 140 still stops fluid flow at the advance end 98. But simultaneously the right portion 917 moved further right leaving retard portion 910 in fluid communication with duct 99. Because of the inherent torque reversals in camshaft, drained fluid from the retard chamber 93 feeds the same into advance chamber 92 via one-way valve 96 and duct 94. Similarly, for the second scenario, a retard chamber 93 needs to be filled with more fluid than in the null position. In other words, the size or volume of chamber 93 is increased. The retard scenario is accomplished by way of the following. Solenoid 920 reduces its engaging force with the spool valve 140 such that an elastic member 921 forces spool 140 to move left. The right portion 920 of the spool valve 140 stops fluid flow at the retard end 910. But simultaneously the left portion 919 moves further right leaving Advance portion 98 in fluid communication with duct 99. Because of the inherent torque reversals in camshaft, drained fluid from the Advance chamber 92 feeds the same into Retard chamber 93 via one-way valve 97 and duct 95. As can be appreciated, with the CTA cam phaser, the inherent cam torque energy is used as the motive force to re-circulate oil between the chambers 92, 93 in the phaser. This varying cam torque arises from alternately compressing, then releasing, each valve spring, as the camshaft rotates. It should be noted that FIGS. 4 and 5 are used to show different types of VCT system suitable for the present invention. Some structures are not depicted in detail. For these details, refer to FIGS. 2-3. The following are terms and concepts relating to the present invention. It is noted the hydraulic fluid or fluid referred to supra are actuating fluids. Actuating fluid is the fluid which moves the vanes in a vane phaser. Typically the actuating fluid includes engine oil, but could be separate hydraulic fluid. The VCT system of the present invention may be a Cam Torque Actuated (CTA) VCT system in which a VCT system that uses torque reversals in camshaft caused by the forces of opening and closing engine valves to move the vane. The control valve in a CTA system allows fluid flow from advance chamber to retard chamber, allowing vane to move, or stops flow, locking vane in position. The CTA phaser may also have oil input to make up for losses due to leakage, but does not use engine oil pressure to move phaser. A vane is a radial element actuating fluid acts upon, housed in chamber. A vane phaser is a phaser which is actuated by vanes moving in chambers. There may be one or more camshaft per engine. The camshaft may be driven by a belt or chain or gears or another camshaft. Lobes may exist on camshaft to push on valves. In a multiple camshaft engine, most often has one shaft for exhaust valves, one shaft for intake valves. A “V” type engine usually has two camshafts (one for each bank) or four (intake and exhaust for each bank). A chamber or cavity is defined as a space within which vane rotates. Chamber may be divided into advance chamber (makes valves open sooner relative to crankshaft) and retard chamber (makes valves open later relative to crankshaft). Check valve is defined as a valve which permits fluid flow in only one direction. A closed loop is defined as a control system which changes one characteristic in response to another, then checks to, see if the change was made correctly and adjusts the action to achieve the desired result (e.g. moves a valve to change phaser position in response to a command from the ECU, then checks the actual phaser position and moves valve again to correct position). The control valve is a valve, which controls flow of fluid to phaser. The control valve may exist within the phaser in CTA system. The control valve may be actuated by oil pressure or solenoid. Crankshaft takes power from pistons and drives transmission and camshaft. Spool valve is defined as the control valve of spool type. Typically the spool rides in bore, connects one passage to another. Most often the spool is most often located on center axis of rotor of a phaser. A Differential Pressure Control System (DPCS) is a system for moving a spool valve, which uses actuating fluid pressure on each end of the spool. One end of the spool is larger than the other, and fluid on that end is controlled (usually by a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) valve on the oil pressure), full supply pressure is supplied to the other end of the spool (hence differential pressure). The Valve Control Unit (VCU) is a control circuitry for controlling the VCT system. Typically the VCU acts in response to commands from ECU. A driven shaft is any shaft, which receives power (in VCT, most often camshaft). Driving shaft is any shaft which supplies power (in VCT, most often crankshaft, but could drive one camshaft from another camshaft). ECU is Engine Control Unit that is the car's computer. Engine Oil is the oil used to lubricate engine, pressure can be tapped to actuate phaser through control valve. The housing is defined as the outer part of phaser with chambers. The outside of housing can be pulley (for timing belt), sprocket (for timing chain) or gear (for timing gear). Hydraulic fluid is any special kind of oil used in hydraulic cylinders, similar to brake fluid or power steering fluid. Hydraulic fluid is not necessarily the same as engine oil. Typically the present invention uses “actuating fluid.” The lock pin is disposed to lock a phaser in position. Usually lock pin is used when oil pressure is too low to hold phaser, as during engine start or shutdown. An Oil Pressure Actuated (OPA) VCT system uses a conventional phaser, where engine oil pressure is applied to one side of the vane or the other to move the vane. An open loop is used in a control system which changes one characteristic in response to another (say, moves a valve in response to a command from the ECU) without feedback to confirm the action. Phase is defined as the relative angular position of camshaft and crankshaft (or camshaft and another camshaft, if phaser is driven by another cam). A phaser is defined as the entire part which mounts to cam. The phaser is typically made up of rotor and housing and possibly spool valve and check valves. A piston phaser is a phaser actuated by pistons in cylinders of an internal combustion engine. The rotor is the inner part of the phaser, which is attached to a camshaft. Pulse-width Modulation (PWM) provides a varying force or pressure by changing the timing of on/off pulses of voltage or fluid pressure. The solenoid is an electrical actuator, which uses electrical current flowing in coil to move a mechanical arm. A Variable force solenoid (VFS) is a solenoid whose actuating force can be varied, usually by PWM of supply voltage or with a current controller. A VFS is an alternative to an on/off (all or nothing) solenoid. The sprocket is a member used with chains such as engine timing chains. Timing is defined as the relationship between the time a piston reaches a defined position (usually top dead center (TDC)) and the time something else happens. For example, in VCT or VVT systems, timing usually relates to when a valve opens or closes. Ignition timing relates to when the spark plug fires. A Torsion Assist (TA) or Torque Assisted phaser is a variation on the OPA phaser, which adds a check valve in the oil supply line (i.e. a single check valve embodiment) or a check valve in the supply line to each chamber (i.e. two check valve embodiment). The check valve blocks oil pressure pulses due to torque reversals from propagating back into the oil system, and stop the vane from moving backward due to torque reversals. In the TA system, motion of the vane due to forward torque effects is permitted; hence the expression “torsion assist” is used. Graph of vane movement is step function. A VCT system includes a phaser, control valve(s), control valve actuator(s) and control circuitry. Variable Cam Timing (VCT) is a process, not a thing, that refers to controlling and/or varying the angular relationship (phase) between one or more camshafts, which drive the engine's intake and/or exhaust valves. The angular relationship also includes phase relationship between cam and the crankshafts, in which the crank shaft is connected to the pistons. Variable Valve Timing (VVT) is any process which changes the valve timing. VVT could be associated with VCT, or could be achieved by varying the shape of the cam or the relationship of cam lobes to cam or valve actuators to cam or valves, or by individually controlling the valves themselves using electrical or hydraulic actuators. In other words, all VCT is VVT, but not all VVT is VCT. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The invention pertains to the field of variable valve timing (VCT) systems. More particularly, the invention pertains to a VCT mechanism having hydraulic cushioning. 2. Description of the Related Art The performance of an internal combustion engine can be improved by the use of dual camshafts, one to operate the intake valves of the various cylinders of the engine and the other to operate the exhaust valves. Typically, one of such camshafts is driven by the crankshaft of the engine, through a sprocket and chain drive or a belt drive, and the other of such camshafts is driven by the first, through a second sprocket and chain drive or a second belt drive. Alternatively, both of the camshafts can be driven by a single crankshaft powered chain drive or belt drive. Engine performance in an engine with dual camshafts can be further improved, in terms of idle quality, fuel economy, reduced emissions or increased torque, by changing the positional relationship of one of the camshafts, usually the camshaft which operates the intake valves of the engine, relative to the other camshaft and relative to the crankshaft, to thereby vary the timing of the engine in terms of the operation of intake valves relative to its exhaust valves or in terms of the operation of its valves relative to the position of the crankshaft. Consideration of information disclosed by the following U.S. Patents, which are all hereby incorporated by reference, is useful when exploring the background of the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,231 shows a rotary actuator that restricts oil flow to prevent leakage without using the sealing members of the vane and reduces the velocity of the vane as it approaches impact with the housing, thus cushioning the impact of the vane against the stops. Multiple passages and switches are used to move oil to separate passages as the vane nears the stop. The vane is used to block the primary passage and switch to the bypass circuit. Specifically, the vane blocks a main path and oil is supplied to a subpath. A small amount of oil flows into the bypath and the majority of the oil flows and pushes against a ball valve, which is in opposition to a spring. The force of the oil overcomes the spring and pushes the ball valve from its seat and oil behind the ball valve and moves into a passage which leads the oil to bear against a cutout of the vane. When the pressure is great enough, the vane separates from the stopper so that a new oil chamber is formed therebetween. At the same time, oil passes through a path and reaches a boundary between the other vane and stopper and effects a similar separation when the vane advances, opening a main oil path. The oil from the main path is fed directly into a second diametrically opposed newly opened oil chamber from the main path. Simultaneously, oil the other chamber is discharged from the oil port via the main path as the rotation of the vanes takes place. A cushion effect is created so that the impact or shock of the vane against the spring is moderate. U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,023 describes a VCT system within the field of the invention in which the system hydraulics includes a pair of oppositely acting hydraulic cylinders with appropriate hydraulic flow elements to selectively transfer hydraulic fluid from one of the cylinders to the other, or vice versa, to thereby advance or retard the circumferential position on of a camshaft relative to a crankshaft. The control system utilizes a control valve in which the exhaustion of hydraulic fluid from one or another of the oppositely acting cylinders is permitted by moving a spool within the valve one way or another from its centered or null position. The movement of the spool occurs in response to an increase or decrease in control hydraulic pressure, P C , on one end of the spool and the relationship between the hydraulic force on such end and an oppositely direct mechanical force on the other end which results from a compression spring that acts thereon. U.S. Pat. No. 5,107,804 describes an alternate type of VCT system within the field of the invention in which the system hydraulics include a vane having lobes within an enclosed housing which replace the oppositely acting cylinders disclosed by the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,023. The vane is oscillatable with respect to the housing, with appropriate hydraulic flow elements to transfer hydraulic fluid within the housing from one side of a lobe to the other, or vice versa, to thereby oscillate the vane with respect to the housing in one direction or the other, an action which is effective to advance or retard the position of the camshaft relative to the crankshaft. The control system of this VCT system is identical to that divulged in U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,023, using the same type of spool valve responding to the same type of forces acting thereon. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,172,659 and 5,184,578 both address the problems of the aforementioned types of VCT systems created by the attempt to balance the hydraulic force exerted against one end of the spool and the mechanical force exerted against the other end. The improved control system disclosed in both U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,172,659 and 5,184,578 utilizes hydraulic force on both ends of the spool. The hydraulic force on one end results from the directly applied hydraulic fluid from the engine oil gallery at full hydraulic pressure, P S . The hydraulic force on the other end of the spool results from a hydraulic cylinder or other force multiplier which acts thereon in response to system hydraulic fluid at reduced pressure, P C , from a PWM solenoid. Because the force at each of the opposed ends of the spool is hydraulic in origin, based on the same hydraulic fluid, changes in pressure or viscosity of the hydraulic fluid will be self-negating, and will not affect the centered or null position of the spool. U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,805 provides an improved VCT method which utilizes a hydraulic PWM spool position control and an advanced control algorithm that yields a prescribed set point tracking behavior with a high degree of robustness. In U.S Pat. No. 5,361,735, a camshaft has a vane secured to an end for non-oscillating rotation. The camshaft also carries a timing belt driven pulley which can rotate with the camshaft but which is oscillatable with respect to the camshaft. The vane has opposed lobes which are received in opposed recesses, respectively, of the pulley. The camshaft tends to change in reaction to torque pulses which it experiences during its normal operation and it is permitted to advance or retard by selectively blocking or permitting the flow of engine oil from the recesses by controlling the position of a spool within a valve body of a control valve in response to a signal from an engine control unit. The spool is urged in a given direction by rotary linear motion translating means which is rotated by an electric motor, preferably of the stepper motor type. U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,738 shows a control system which eliminates the hydraulic force on one end of a spool resulting from directly applied hydraulic fluid from the engine oil gallery at full hydraulic pressure, P S , utilized by previous embodiments of the VCT system. The force on the other end of the vented spool results from an electromechanical actuator, preferably of the variable force solenoid type, which acts directly upon the vented spool in response to an electronic signal issued from an engine control unit (“ECU”) which monitors various engine parameters. The ECU receives signals from sensors corresponding to camshaft and crankshaft positions and utilizes this information to calculate a relative phase angle. A closed-loop feedback system which corrects for any phase angle error is preferably employed. The use of a variable force solenoid solves the problem of sluggish dynamic response. Such a device can be designed to be as fast as the mechanical response of the spool valve, and certainly much faster than the conventional (fully hydraulic) differential pressure control system. The faster response allows the use of increased closed-loop gain, making the system less sensitive to component tolerances and operating environment. U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,725 shows a control system which utilizes engine oil pressure for actuation. The system includes A camshaft has a vane secured to an end thereof for non-oscillating rotation therewith. The camshaft also carries a housing which can rotate with the camshaft but which is oscillatable with the camshaft. The vane has opposed lobes which are received in opposed recesses, respectively, of the housing. The recesses have greater circumferential extent than the lobes to permit the vane and housing to oscillate with respect to one another, and thereby permit the camshaft to change in phase relative to a crankshaft. The camshaft tends to change direction in reaction to engine oil pressure and/or camshaft torque pulses which it experiences during its normal operation, and it is permitted to either advance or retard by selectively blocking or permitting the flow of engine oil through the return lines from the recesses by controlling the position of a spool within a spool valve body in response to a signal indicative of an engine operating condition from an engine control unit. The spool is selectively positioned by controlling hydraulic loads on its opposed end in response to a signal from an engine control unit. The vane can be biased to an extreme position to provide a counteractive force to a unidirectionally acting frictional torque experienced by the camshaft during rotation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,380 discloses a valve timing control device with a locking mechanism for connecting the housing member and the rotor and a canceling device that cancels the locking mechanism. A vane divides a chamber into a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber. At least one of the walls defining the chambers has a bump or bulge into the chamber and a tapered cut bottom near the rotor. When the vane is flat or flush against the bulge, a small chamber is created with the sides being defined by the vane and the housing, the top of the chamber being the bulge and the bottom of the chamber being the rotor. The fluid flows from this chamber to passages leading to the advance or retard chambers. The ports of the passages are large and the tapered cut of the housing ensures that no obstruction of fluid can occur as the vane moves and becomes flush with the bulge of the housing. For damping, the rotor has a receiving hole that becomes aligned with the canceling hole in the housing that receives the lock pin. The lock pin has a small diameter and a large diameter portion and is biased from the housing towards the rotor by a spring. When the rotor is rotated relative to the housing at the maximum retard condition the canceling hole and the receiving hole align and prevents the vane from colliding with the housing. U.S. Pat. No. 6,247,434 shows a multi-position variable camshaft timing system actuated by engine oil. Within the system, a hub is secured to a camshaft for rotation synchronous with the camshaft, and a housing circumscribes the hub and is rotatable with the hub and the camshaft and is further oscillatable with respect to the hub and the camshaft within a predetermined angle of rotation. Driving vanes are radially disposed within the housing and cooperate with an external surface on the hub, while driven vanes are radially disposed in the hub and cooperate with an internal surface of the housing. A locking device, reactive to oil pressure, prevents relative motion between the housing and the hub. A controlling device controls the oscillation of the housing relative to the hub. U.S. Pat. No. 6,250,265 shows a variable valve timing system with actuator locking for internal combustion engine. The system comprising a variable camshaft timing system comprising a camshaft with a vane secured to the camshaft for rotation with the camshaft but not for oscillation with respect to the camshaft. The vane has a circumferentially extending plurality of lobes projecting radially outwardly therefrom and is surrounded by an annular housing that has a corresponding plurality of recesses each of which receives one of the lobes and has a circumferential extent greater than the circumferential extent of the lobe received therein to permit oscillation of the housing relative to the vane and the camshaft while the housing rotates with the camshaft and the vane. Oscillation of the housing relative to the vane and the camshaft is actuated by pressurized engine oil in each of the recesses on opposed sides of the lobe therein, the oil pressure in such recess being preferably derived in part from a torque pulse in the camshaft as it rotates during its operation. An annular locking plate is positioned coaxially with the camshaft and the annular housing and is moveable relative to the annular housing along a longitudinal central axis of the camshaft between a first position, where the locking plate engages the annular housing to prevent its circumferential movement relative to the vane and a second position where circumferential movement of the annular housing relative to the vane is permitted. The locking plate is biased by a spring toward its first position and is urged away from its first position toward its second position by engine oil pressure, to which it is exposed by a passage leading through the camshaft, when engine oil pressure is sufficiently high to overcome the spring biasing force, which is the only time when it is desired to change the relative positions of the annular housing and the vane. The movement of the locking plate is controlled by an engine electronic control unit either through a closed loop control system or an open loop control system. U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,846 shows a control valve strategy for vane-type variable camshaft timing system. The strategy involves an internal combustion engine that includes a camshaft and hub secured to the camshaft for rotation therewith, where a housing circumscribes the hub and is rotatable with the hub and the camshaft, and is further oscillatable with respect to the hub and camshaft. Driving vanes are radially inwardly disposed in the housing and cooperate with the hub, while driven vanes are radially outwardly disposed in the hub to cooperate with the housing and also circumferentially alternate with the driving vanes to define circumferentially alternating advance and retard chambers. A configuration for controlling the oscillation of the housing relative to the hub includes an electronic engine control unit, and an advancing control valve that is responsive to the electronic engine control unit and that regulates engine oil pressure to and from the advance chambers. A retarding control valve responsive to the electronic engine control unit regulates engine oil pressure to and from the retard chambers. An advancing passage communicates engine oil pressure between the advancing control valve and the advance chambers, while a retarding passage communicates engine oil pressure between the retarding control valve and the retard chambers. U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,655 shows multi-position variable cam timing system having a vane-mounted locking-piston device. An internal combustion engine having a camshaft and variable camshaft timing system, wherein a rotor is secured to the camshaft and is rotatable but non-oscillatable with respect to the camshaft is described. A housing circumscribes the rotor, is rotatable with both the rotor and the camshaft, and is further oscillatable with respect to both the rotor and the camshaft between a fully retarded position and a fully advanced position. A locking configuration prevents relative motion between the rotor and the housing, and is mounted within either the rotor or the housing, and is respectively and releasably engageable with the other of either the rotor and the housing in the fully retarded position, the fully advanced position, and in positions therebetween. The locking device includes a locking piston having keys terminating one end thereof, and serrations mounted opposite the keys on the locking piston for interlocking the rotor to the housing. A controlling configuration controls oscillation of the rotor relative to the housing. U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,787 shows a multi-position variable camshaft timing system actuated by engine oil pressure. A hub is secured to a camshaft for rotation synchronous with the camshaft, and a housing circumscribes the hub and is rotatable with the hub and the camshaft and is further oscillatable with respect to the hub and the camshaft within a predetermined angle of rotation. Driving vanes are radially disposed within the housing and cooperate with an external surface on the hub, while driven vanes are radially disposed in the hub and cooperate with an internal surface of the housing. A locking device, reactive to oil pressure, prevents relative motion between the housing and the hub. A controlling device controls the oscillation of the housing relative to the hub. It has became more common for variable camshaft timing mechanisms to be made in a vane/housing format. Working hydraulic chambers are created by imposing either single or multiple vanes of a rotor attached to the camshaft into a cavity in a housing that is attached to the camshaft sprocket. The circumferential length of the pocket or cavity in the housing determines the relative phase travel of the camshaft relative to the sprocket/housing. The control is accomplished by exhausting fluid such as oil from one chamber while simultaneously filling the opposing chamber. This causes the variable camshaft timing mechanism to move the camshaft relative to the crankshaft manifested in a phase position. The rate of change of the camshaft is determined in part by how fast the oil can exhaust from the resisting or draining hydraulic chamber. As the rotor of the VCT reaches the end of its travel limited by the cavity of the housing, the rotor will impact the housing and cause undesirable noise. As can be seen, there is need in a phaser to reduce the noise at the end of travel and keeping suitable rate of change in the phase position of the camshaft.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>A phaser comprising a housing, a rotor, and first and second passages. The housing has at least one chamber defined by an advance wall, an arcuate outer wall, and a retard wall. The rotor has at least one vane projecting from an outer circumference, separating the chamber in the housing into advance and retard chambers. The first passage facilitates fluid communication to a first port in the advance or retard chamber and a second passage to a second port in the other advance or retard chambers. Each port is spaced apart form the first wall or second wall of the vane, such that when the vane is moved towards the advance or retard wall of the chamber far enough, the passages are obstructed by the housing and fluid flow to the passages is restricted, such that impact of the vane with the walls of the chamber is cushioned.
20041220
20070327
20050512
96176.0
1
CHANG, CHING
HYDRAULIC CUSHIONING OF A VARIABLE VALVE TIMING MECHANISM
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,017,520
ACCEPTED
Tie-down assembly
A tie-down assembly includes a housing configured to receive a pair of bails. A cross-bar and post are used to rotatably connect the bails to the housing. The pair of bails can be identical to allow a strap to be cinched to the housing. Alternatively, the bails can be shaped differently, for example, to center a strap within the bail or to facilitate the use of multiple straps.
1. A tie-down assembly, comprising: a housing; a cross-bar; first and second bails each having a portion disposed between the cross-bar and the housing; and a post rotatably connecting the cross-bar and the housing, wherein the first and second bails are movably connected to the housing by the cross-bar and the post. 2. The tie-down assembly of claim 1, wherein the first bail has a different shape than the second bail. 3. The tie-down assembly of claim 2, wherein the first bail is curved. 4. The tie-down assembly of claim 3, wherein the first bail is archoidal. 5. The tie-down assembly of claim 3, wherein the second bail is curved. 6. The tie-down assembly of claim 2, wherein the second bail has a flattened portion. 7. The tie-down assembly of claim 3, wherein the second bail is square. 8. The tie-down assembly of claim 3, wherein the second bail is rectangular. 9. The tie-down assembly of claim 3, wherein the second bail is trapezoidal. 10. The tie-down assembly of claim 2, wherein the cross-bar has an opening therethrough and the post extends through the opening. 11. The tie-down assembly of claim 10, wherein a portion of the post is deformed, thereby securing the post to the cross-bar. 12. The tie-down assembly of claim 10, wherein the post is welded to the cross-bar. 13. The tie-down assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a recessed portion adapted to receive the first and second bails. 14. A tie-down assembly, comprising: a housing; a cross-bar having an opening; a first bail having a portion disposed between the housing and the cross-bar, the second bail having a curved portion; a second bail having a portion disposed between the housing and the cross-bar, the second bail having a flattened portion; a post rotatably connecting the housing and the cross-bar, a first portion of the post being disposed through the opening of the cross-bar, a second portion of the post being secured to the cross-bar, wherein the first bail and the second bail are movably connected to the housing by the cross-bar and the post. 15. The tie-down assembly of claim 14, wherein the housing comprises a recessed portion adapted to receive the first and second bails. 16. The tie-down assembly of claim 14, wherein the first bail is archoidal. 17. The tie-down assembly of claim 16, wherein the second bail is trapezoidal. 18. The tie-down assembly of claim 14, wherein the second bail is square. 19. The tie-down assembly of claim 14, wherein the second bail is rectangular. 20. The tie-down assembly of claim 14, wherein the second bail is trapezoidal. 21. A method of securing cargo, comprising: a) providing a tie-down assembly comprising: a housing; a cross-bar; first and second bails each having a portion disposed between the cross-bar and the housing; and a post rotatably connecting the cross-bar and the housing, wherein the first bail and the second bail are movably connected to the housing by the cross-bar and the post; b) providing a strap; c) inserting the strap through the first and second bails; d) cinching the strap, thereby securing the cargo.
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a tie-down assembly of the type used to secure tie-down ropes or straps in place, for example, inside an automobile such as a truck. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Tie-down assemblies have been used for some time to secure freight transported in vehicles. Tie-down assemblies are firmly mounted inside a vehicle, such as a truck, ship, or container. As needed, straps, ropes, or lines are then fastened to the tie-down assemblies to hold freight in a desired location or position. In the past, several types of tie-down assemblies have reached widespread acceptance. A first approach uses a D-ring formed of circular cross-section, heavy gauge wire. The D-ring is pivotably mounted within a U-channel that is in turn welded in place. This tie-down assembly does not allow the channel to rotate in use, and welding operations are required to mount the assembly in place. Two examples of this approach are identified as lashing rings B40 and B50 as distributed by the Buyers Products Company. A second approach is to provide a sheet metal bracket that surrounds a D-ring at least partially. The bracket is in turn secured in place, as for example with threaded fasteners. This approach provides a light weight, low cost design. Examples of this type of tie-down assembly are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,921, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and cargo tie-down models 39F and 300F of the A. L. Hansen Mfg. Co. A third approach is to provide a metal cup that defines a recess in which a cross-bar is pivotably mounted with a threaded fastener that defines a pivot axis. The cross-bar defines a stud at each end, and a rectangular section bail is mounted onto these studs. An example of this approach is shown as model 10-40 of A. L. Hansen Mfg. Co. This approach requires a threaded fastener to secure the cross-bar in place. A fourth approach utilizes a ring to which is secured an axle that passes through a mounting post. An example of this approach is shown as model CAT-340 of Austin Hardware. A fifth approach utilizes a mounting plate and a cross-bar. The cross-bar defines an integral post and two opposed recesses that receive ends of a tie-down bail. The integral post passes through a bearing washer and a central opening in the central panel and defines an enlarged head that secures the tie-down assembly together. This approach is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,869, which is incorporated by reference herein, is titled “Tie Down Assembly,” and is assigned to A.L. Hansen Mfg. Co. BRIEF SUMMARY The various preferred embodiments provide significant improvements and advantages over previously known tie-down assemblies. According to a first aspect of the invention, a tie-down assembly is provided. The tie-down assembly includes a housing configured to receive a pair of bails. A cross-bar and post are used to rotatably connect the bails to the housing. The pair of bails can be identical or have different geometries. Exemplary geometries include an archoidal or D-shape, and a trapezoidal shape. The foregoing paragraph has been provided by way of general introduction, and is not intended to limit the scope of the following claims. The presently preferred embodiments, together with further advantages will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective side view of an exemplary tie-down assembly having two bails; FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of an exemplary tie-down assembly having two bails; FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective rear view of an exemplary tie-down assembly having two bails; FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of an exemplary tie-down assembly having two bails; FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section side view of an exemplary tie-down assembly having two bails; FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective side view of an exemplary tie-down assembly having two bails; FIG. 7 illustrates a plan view of an exemplary tie-down assembly having two bails; and FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-section side view of an exemplary tie-down assembly having two bails. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention is described with reference to the drawings in which like elements are referred to by like numerals. The relationship and functioning of the various elements of this invention are better understood by the following detailed description. However, the embodiments of this invention as described below are by way of example only, and the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings. It should also be understood that the drawings are not to scale and in certain instances details have been omitted, which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention, such as conventional details of fabrication and assembly. Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a first embodiment of the present invention, and in particular, a tie-down assembly 10. Generally, tie-down assembly 10 includes a housing 14, a channel-shaped cross-bar 18, bails 22 and 26, and post 30. One end of the post is secured to the cross-bar, and the other end of the post extends through a central opening in the housing. The ends of the bails are disposed through the channel formed by the cross-bar, and thus are rotatably attached to the housing. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, housing 14 is a cup-shaped member having a bottom plate 34 and a peripheral flange 42. Bottom plate 34 is recessed relative to flange 42 to form an interior portion of housing 14. The interior portion is sized so as to receive bails 22 and 26. Accordingly, bails 22 and 26 are set flush with the flange and out of the way when the tie-down assembly is not in use. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, openings 54 are provided through bottom plate 34. Bolts or any other suitable fixing device can be disposed through openings 54 to mount the housing to a desired mounting surface. For example, the housing can be mounted to an interior side panel on an automobile, a truck bed, a boat, or an airplane. Alternatively, the housing can be mounted to a floor, ceiling, or wall surface in a building. Ribs 44 are provided on bottom plate 34 to act as stiffeners and to reinforce housing 14. Recess 56, which is described in greater detail below, is also provided on bottom plate 34. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 5-8, cross-bar 18 is used to rotatably secure bails 22 and 26 to housing 14. Cross-bar 18 is provided with a channel-shaped recess sufficiently large to receive the ends of bails 22 and 26. The channel allows the bails to rotate into and away from interior recess of the housing. Cross bar 18 is secured to housing 14 by post 30. Post 30 can be formed integrally with cross-bar 18, as shown in FIG. 5. When post 30 is formed integrally with cross-bar, end 31 of post 30 is welded or forged to a central region of cross-bar 18. Alternatively, an opening can be provided through cross-bar 18 so that end 31 of post 30 can be secured to cross-bar 18, as shown in FIG. 6. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, end 31 of post 30 is deformed or welded to secure the post to the cross-bar. As illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 and 8, end 32 of post 30 extends through a central opening in plate 34 of housing 14. Recess 56, illustrated in FIG. 3, is provided so that end 32 does not protrude from plate 34. End 32 of post 30 is secured to housing 14 by welding or upsetting end 32 of post 30 to bearing washer 50. As a result, the post, the cross-bar, and the bails freely rotate about axis A shown in FIGS. 5 and 8. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 7-8, two bails are provided in the tie-down assembly. The tie-down bails can be used either individually or cooperatively. For example, both bails can be used in combination to secure freight by passing a strap through the first and second bail openings and then cinching the strap back through the first bail opening. As such, the strap does not need to be knotted, as with conventional single-bail tie-downs. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 7-8, bail 22 is D-shaped, while bail 26 is shaped as a bi-laterally symmetrical trapezoid. This bail geometry facilitates access to each individual bail, in particular, when multiple straps are necessary. In addition, such bail geometry can provide more secure cinching compared to the use of identical bails. The embodiments described above and shown herein are illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description and attached drawings. The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the bails can be forged or cast in any number of materials, shapes and sizes. The bails can be provided with a round cross-section, or a cross-section of any suitable shape. Alternatively, three or more bails can be provided with the tie-down assembly, depending on the overall size of the housing, the cross-bar, and the post. The shape and structure of the housing can also be changed as necessary for various applications. For example, a square housing can alternatively be provided so as to fit within a square opening. Additionally, the mounting openings can be formed on the flange rather than the bottom plate. Accordingly, these and other changes which come within the scope of the claims are intended to be embraced herein.
<SOH> BACKGROUND INFORMATION <EOH>Tie-down assemblies have been used for some time to secure freight transported in vehicles. Tie-down assemblies are firmly mounted inside a vehicle, such as a truck, ship, or container. As needed, straps, ropes, or lines are then fastened to the tie-down assemblies to hold freight in a desired location or position. In the past, several types of tie-down assemblies have reached widespread acceptance. A first approach uses a D-ring formed of circular cross-section, heavy gauge wire. The D-ring is pivotably mounted within a U-channel that is in turn welded in place. This tie-down assembly does not allow the channel to rotate in use, and welding operations are required to mount the assembly in place. Two examples of this approach are identified as lashing rings B40 and B50 as distributed by the Buyers Products Company. A second approach is to provide a sheet metal bracket that surrounds a D-ring at least partially. The bracket is in turn secured in place, as for example with threaded fasteners. This approach provides a light weight, low cost design. Examples of this type of tie-down assembly are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,921, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and cargo tie-down models 39F and 300F of the A. L. Hansen Mfg. Co. A third approach is to provide a metal cup that defines a recess in which a cross-bar is pivotably mounted with a threaded fastener that defines a pivot axis. The cross-bar defines a stud at each end, and a rectangular section bail is mounted onto these studs. An example of this approach is shown as model 10-40 of A. L. Hansen Mfg. Co. This approach requires a threaded fastener to secure the cross-bar in place. A fourth approach utilizes a ring to which is secured an axle that passes through a mounting post. An example of this approach is shown as model CAT-340 of Austin Hardware. A fifth approach utilizes a mounting plate and a cross-bar. The cross-bar defines an integral post and two opposed recesses that receive ends of a tie-down bail. The integral post passes through a bearing washer and a central opening in the central panel and defines an enlarged head that secures the tie-down assembly together. This approach is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,869, which is incorporated by reference herein, is titled “Tie Down Assembly,” and is assigned to A.L. Hansen Mfg. Co.
<SOH> BRIEF SUMMARY <EOH>The various preferred embodiments provide significant improvements and advantages over previously known tie-down assemblies. According to a first aspect of the invention, a tie-down assembly is provided. The tie-down assembly includes a housing configured to receive a pair of bails. A cross-bar and post are used to rotatably connect the bails to the housing. The pair of bails can be identical or have different geometries. Exemplary geometries include an archoidal or D-shape, and a trapezoidal shape. The foregoing paragraph has been provided by way of general introduction, and is not intended to limit the scope of the following claims. The presently preferred embodiments, together with further advantages will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
20041220
20061114
20060622
94390.0
B61D4500
1
GORDON, STEPHEN T
TIE-DOWN ASSEMBLY
SMALL
0
ACCEPTED
B61D
2,004
11,017,650
ACCEPTED
Content delivery network and associated methods and mechanisms
A plurality of files are distributed across a plurality of computers, some of which may form a peer-to-peer network. In response to a request for a file, the file is caused to be provided from a given one of the computers, wherein the request for the file is resolved based, at least in part, on a measure of availability of at least one of the computers that is supposed to have a copy of the file, and wherein the measure of availability for a computer is based, at least in part, on at least one of the measurements selected from: (a) a measurement of bandwidth to the computer; (b) a measurement of a cost of a connection to the computer, and (c) a measurement of reliability of a connection to the computer. A copy of the requested file may not be provided to unlicensed parties or to unauthorized parties. An unauthorized or unlicensed copy of a file may not be allowed to be provided.
1. A content delivery method comprising: causing a plurality of files to be distributed across a plurality of computers; responsive to a request, the request including at least a name for a file, the name having been determined, at least in part, using a given function of the data that comprises the contents of the file, causing a copy of the file to be provided from a given one of the plurality of computers, wherein the request for the file is resolved based, at least in part, on a measure of availability of at least one of the computers. 2. A method, in a system in which a plurality of files are distributed across a plurality of computers, the method comprising: obtaining a name for a file, the name having been determined at least in part as a given function of the data that comprises the contents of the file, wherein the contents of the particular file may represent a digital message, a digital image, a video signal or an audio signal; and responsive to a request, the request including at least the name, providing a copy of the file from a given one of the computers, wherein the request for the file is resolved based, at least in part, on a measure of availability of at least one computer having a copy of the requested file. 3. A method comprising: distributing a set of files from a first computer across a network of computers distinct from the first computer; for at least one file in the set of files, applying an MD5 function to the contents of a file to obtain a True Name for the file; in response to a request, the request including at least the True Name of the particular file, causing a copy of the particular file to be provided from a given one of the computers, wherein the request for the particular file is resolved based, at least in part, on a measure of availability of at least one of the computers. 4. A content delivery method comprising: distributing a plurality of files across a network of computers; for a particular file, determining a True Name using at least a given function of the data, wherein the data used by the function to determine the name comprises the contents of the particular file; obtaining a request, the request including at least the True Name of the particular file; and responsive to the request, causing the particular file to be provided from one of the servers of the network of computers, wherein the request for the file is resolved based, at least in part, on a measure of availability of at least one of the computers having a copy of the file. 5. A content delivery method, comprising: distributing a set of files across a network of servers; for a particular file representing a digital image, the file having a contextual name specifying at least one location in the network at which the file may be located, determining another name for the particular file, the other name including a True Name for the file which was determined using a message digest function of the data, where the data used by the given function comprises the contents of the particular file; obtaining a request for the particular file, the request including at least the True Name of the particular file; and responsive to the request, providing the particular file from one of the servers of the network of servers, said providing being based at least in part on the True Name of the particular file, wherein the request for the file is resolved based, at least in part, on a measure of availability of at least one of the servers having a copy of the requested file. 6. A method comprising: applying an MD5 function to the contents of an image file containing data representing a digital image to obtain a True Name for the file; distributing copies of the image file from a first server across a network of servers distinct from the first server; obtaining a request for the image file, the request including at least the True Name of the file; and responsive to the request, causing a copy of the image file to be provided from one of the servers of the network of servers, wherein the request for the file is resolved based, at least in part, on a measure of availability of at least one of the servers having a copy of the file. 7. A method as in any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 wherein the measure of availability for a computer is based on at least one of the measurements selected from: (a) a measurement of bandwidth to the computer; (b) a measurement of a cost of a connection to the computer, and (c) a measurement of reliability of a connection to the computer. 8. A method as in claim 1 wherein at least some of the plurality of computers form a peer-to-peer network. 9. A method comprising: distributing a set of files from a first computer across a network of computers; in response to a request for a file, causing the file to be provided from a given one of the computers in the network, wherein the request for the file is resolved based, at least in part, on a measure of availability of at least one of the computers in the network, and wherein the measure of availability for a computer is based, at least in part, on at least one of the measurements selected from: (a) a measurement of bandwidth to the computer; (b) a measurement of a cost of a connection to the computer, and (c) a measurement of reliability of a connection to the computer. 10. A method as in claim 9 wherein the request for the file is resolved based, at least in part, on a measure of availability of at least one of the computers in the network that is supposed to have a copy of the file. 11. A method as in claim 9 wherein the request for the particular file includes at least a name determined as a function of the contents of the file. 12. A method as in claim 9 wherein at least some of the plurality of computers form a peer-to-peer network. 13. A method as in claim 9 wherein the network of computers are distinct from the first computer. 14. A method as in any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: maintaining accounting information relating to data files in the system; and using the accounting information as a basis for a system in which charges are based on an identity of the data files. 15. A method as in claim 9, further comprising: maintaining accounting information relating to data files in the system; and using the accounting information as a basis for a system in which charges are based on an identity of the data files. 16. A method as in claim 15, wherein the maintaining of accounting information includes at least some of activities selected from: (a) tracking which files have been stored on a computer; and (b) tracking which files have been transmitted from a computer. 17. A method comprising: causing a set of files to be distributed from a first computer across a network of computers distinct from the first computer; maintaining accounting information relating to data files in the system; and in response to a request for a file, causing the file to be provided from a given one of the computers, wherein the request for the file is resolved based, at least in part, on a measure of availability of at least one of the computers that is supposed to have a copy of the file, and wherein the measure of availability for a computer is based, at least in part, on at least one of the measurements selected from: (a) a measurement of bandwidth to the computer; (b) a measurement of a cost of a connection to the computer, and (c) a measurement of reliability of a connection to the computer. 18. A method as in claim 17, further comprising: using the accounting information as a basis for a system in which charges are based on an identity of the data files. 19. A method as in claim 18, wherein the maintaining of accounting information includes at least some of activities selected from: (a) tracking which files have been stored on a computer; and (b) tracking which files have been transmitted from a computer. 20. A method comprising: (A) distributing a set of files from a first computer across a network of computers distinct from the first computer; (B) maintaining accounting information relating to files in the system, wherein the maintaining of accounting information includes at least some of activities selected from: (b1) tracking which files have been stored on a computer; and (b2) tracking which files have been transmitted from a computer; and (C) in response to a request for a file, causing the file to be provided from a given one of the computers in the network, wherein the request for the file is resolved based, at least in part, on a measure of availability of at least one of the computers in the network that is supposed to have a copy of the file, and wherein the measure of availability for a computer is based, at least in part, on at least one of the measurements selected from: (c1) a measurement of bandwidth to the computer; (c2) a measurement of a cost of a connection to the computer, and (c3) a measurement of reliability of a connection to the computer. 21. A method as in claim 20, wherein some of the computers communicate with each other using a TCP/IP communication protocol. 22. A method as in any one of claims 1-6 or claim 9 or claim 17 or claim 20, wherein a copy of the requested file is not provided to unlicensed parties or to unauthorized parties. 23. A method as in any one of claims 1 to 6 or 9, further comprising: not allowing an unauthorized or unlicensed copy of a file to be provided from one of the computers.
RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a continuation of and claims priority to co-pending application Ser. No. 09/987,723, filed Nov. 15, 2001 (allowed), (the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference), which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/283,160, filed Apr. 1, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,415,280, which is a division of application Ser. No. 08/960,079, filed Oct. 24, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,978,791 filed Oct. 24, 2001 which is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/425,160, filed Apr. 11, 1995, now abandoned. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to data processing systems and, more particularly, to data processing systems wherein data items are identified by substantially unique identifiers which depend on all of the data in the data items and only on the data in the data items. 2. Background of the Invention Data processing (DP) systems, computers, networks of computers, or the like, typically offer users and programs various ways to identify the data in the systems. Users typically identify data in the data processing system by giving the data some form of name. For example, a typical operating system (OS) on a computer provides a file system in which data items are named by alphanumeric identifiers. Programs typically identify data in the data processing system using a location or address. For example, a program may identify a record in a file or database by using a record number which serves to locate that record. In all but the most primitive operating systems, users and programs are able to create and use collections of named data items, these collections themselves being named by identifiers. These named collections can then, themselves, be made part of other named collections. For example, an OS may provide mechanisms to group files (data items) into directories (collections). These directories can then, themselves be made part of other directories. A data item may thus be identified relative to these nested directories using a sequence of names, or a so-called pathname, which defines a path through the directories to a particular data item (file or directory). As another example, a database management system may group data records (data items) into tables and then group these tables into database files (collections). The complete address of any data record can then be specified using the database file name, the table name, and the record number of that data record. Other examples of identifying data items include: identifying files in a network file system, identifying objects in an object-oriented database, identifying images in an image database, and identifying articles in a text database. In general, the terms “data” and “data item” as used herein refer to sequences of bits. Thus a data item may be the contents of a file, a portion of a file, a page in memory, an object in an object-oriented program, a digital message, a digital scanned image, a part of a video or audio signal, or any other entity which can be represented by a sequence of bits. The term “data processing” herein refers to the processing of data items, and is sometimes dependent on the type of data item being processed. For example, a data processor for a digital image may differ from a data processor for an audio signal. In all of the prior data processing systems the names or identifiers provided to identify data items (the data items being files, directories, records in the database, objects in object-oriented programming, locations in memory or on a physical device, or the like) are always defined relative to a specific context. For instance, the file identified by a particular file name can only be determined when the directory containing the file (the context) is known. The file identified by a pathname can be determined only when the file system (context) is known. Similarly, the addresses in a process address space, the keys in a database table, or domain names on a global computer network such as the Internet are meaningful only because they are specified relative to a context. In prior art systems for identifying data items there is no direct relationship between the data names and the data item. The same data name in two different contexts may refer to different data items, and two different data names in the same context may refer to the same data item. In addition, because there is no correlation between a data name and the data it refers to, there is no a priori way to confirm that a given data item is in fact the one named by a data name. For instance, in a DP system, if one processor requests that another processor deliver a data item with a given data name, the requesting processor cannot, in general, verify that the data delivered is the correct data (given only the name). Therefore it may require further processing, typically on the part of the requester, to verify that the data item it has obtained is, in fact, the item it requested. A common operation in a DP system is adding a new data item to the system. When a new data item is added to the system, a name can be assigned to it only by updating the context in which names are defined. Thus such systems require a centralized mechanism for the management of names. Such a mechanism is required even in a multi-processing system when data items are created and identified at separate processors in distinct locations, and in which there is no other need for communication when data items are added. In many data processing systems or environments, data items are transferred between different locations in the system. These locations may be processors in the data processing system, storage devices, memory, or the like. For example, one processor may obtain a data item from another processor or from an external storage device, such as a floppy disk, and may incorporate that data item into its system (using the name provided with that data item). However, when a processor (or some location) obtains a data item from another location in the DP system, it is possible that this obtained data item is already present in the system (either at the location of the processor or at some other location accessible by the processor) and therefore a duplicate of the data item is created. This situation is common in a network data processing environment where proprietary software products are installed from floppy disks onto several processors sharing a common file server. In these systems, it is often the case that the same product will be installed on several systems, so that several copies of each file will reside on the common file server. In some data processing systems in which several processors are connected in a network, one system is designated as a cache server to maintain master copies of data items, and other systems are designated as cache clients to copy local copies of the master data items into a local cache on an as-needed basis. Before using a cached item, a cache client must either reload the cached item, be informed of changes to the cached item, or confirm that the master item corresponding to the cached item has not changed. In other words, a cache client must synchronize its data items with those on the cache server. This synchronization may involve reloading data items onto the cache client. The need to keep the cache synchronized or reload it adds significant overhead to existing caching mechanisms. In view of the above and other problems with prior art systems, it is therefore desirable to have a mechanism which allows each processor in a multiprocessor system to determine a common and substantially unique identifier for a data item, using only the data in the data item and not relying on any sort of context. It is further desirable to have a mechanism for reducing multiple copies of data items in a data processing system and to have a mechanism which enables the identification of identical data items so as to reduce multiple copies. It is further desirable to determine whether two instances of a data item are in fact the same data item, and to perform various other systems' functions and applications on data items without relying on any context information or properties of the data item. It is also desirable to provide such a mechanism in such a way as to make it transparent to users of the data processing system, and it is desirable that a single mechanism be used to address each of the problems described above. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides, in a data processing system, a method and apparatus for identifying a data item in the system, where the identity of the data item depends on all of the data in the data item and only on the data in the data item. Thus the identity of a data item is independent of its name, origin, location, address, or other information not derivable directly from the data, and depends only on the data itself. This invention further provides an apparatus and a method for determining whether a particular data item is present in the system or at a location in the system, by examining only the data identities of a plurality of data items. Using the method or apparatus of the present invention, the efficiency and integrity of a data processing system can be improved. The present invention improves the design and operation of a data storage system, file system, relational database, object-oriented database, or the like that stores a plurality of data items, by making possible or improving the design and operation of at least some or all of the following features: the system stores at most one copy of any data item at a given location, even when multiple data names in the system refer to the same contents; the system avoids copying data from source to destination locations when the destination locations already have the data; the system provides transparent access to any data item by reference only to its identity and independent of its present location, whether it be local, remote, or offline; the system caches data items from a server, so that only the most recently accessed data items need be retained; when the system is being used to cache data items, problems of maintaining cache consistency are avoided; the system maintains a desired level of redundancy of data items in a network of servers, to protect against failure by ensuring that multiple copies of the data items are present at different locations in the system; the system automatically archives data items as they are created or modified; the system provides the size, age, and location of groups of data items in order to decide whether they can be safely removed from a local file system; the system can efficiently record and preserve any collection of data items; the system can efficiently make a copy of any collection of data items, to support a version control mechanism for groups of the data items; the system can publish data items, allowing other, possibly anonymous, systems in a network to gain access to the data items and to rely on the availability of the data items; the system can maintain a local inventory of all the data items located on a given removable medium, such as a diskette or CD-ROM, the inventory is independent of other properties of the data items such as their name, location, and date of creation; the system allows closely related sets of data items, such as matching or corresponding directories on disconnected computers, to be periodically resynchronized with one another; the system can verify that data retrieved from another location is the desired or requested data, using only the data identifier used to retrieve the data; the system can prove possession of specific data items by content without disclosing the content of the data items, for purposes of later legal verification and to provide anonymity; the system tracks possession of specific data items according to content by owner, independent of the name, date, or other properties of the data item, and tracks the uses of specific data items and files by content for accounting purposes. Other objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) depict a typical data processing system in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention operates; FIG. 2 depicts a hierarchy of data items stored at any location in such a data processing system; FIGS. 3-9 depict data structures used to implement an embodiment of the present invention; and FIGS. 10(a)-28 are flow charts depicting operation of various aspects of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention is now described with reference to a typical data processing system 100, which, with reference to FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), includes one or more processors (or computers) 102 and various storage devices 104 connected in some way, for example by a bus 106. Each processor 102 includes a CPU 108, a memory 110 and one or more local storage devices 112. The CPU 108, memory 110, and local storage device 112 may be internally connected, for example by a bus 114. Each processor 102 may also include other devices (not shown), such as a keyboard, a display, a printer, and the like. In a data processing system 100, wherein more than one processor 102 is used, that is, in a multiprocessor system, the processors may be in one of various relationships. For example, two processors 102 may be in a client/server client/client, or a server/server relationship. These inter-processor relationships may be dynamic, changing depending on particular situations and functions. Thus, a particular processor 102 may change its relationship to other processors as needed, essentially setting up a peer-to-peer relationship with other processors. In a peer-to-peer relationship, sometimes a particular processor 102 acts as a client processor, whereas at other times the same processor acts as a server processor. In other words, there is no hierarchy imposed on or required of processors 102. In a multiprocessor system, the processors 102 may be homogeneous or heterogeneous. Further, in a multiprocessor data processing system 100, some or all of the processors 102 may be disconnected from the network of processors for periods of time. Such disconnection may be part of the normal operation of the system 100 or it may be because a particular processor 102 is in need of repair. Within a data processing system 100, the data may be organized to form a hierarchy of data storage elements, wherein lower level data storage elements are combined to form higher level elements. This hierarchy can consist of, for example, processors, file systems, regions, directories, data files, segments, and the like. For example, with reference to FIG. 2, the data items on a particular processor 102 may be organized or structured as a file system 116 which comprises regions 117, each of which comprises directories 118, each of which can contain other directories 118 or files 120. Each file 120 being made up of one or more data segments 122. In a typical data processing system, some or all of these elements can be named by users given certain implementation specific naming conventions, the name (or pathname) of an element being relative to a context. In the context of a data processing system 100, a pathname is fully specified by a processor name, a filesystem name, a sequence of zero or more directory names identifying nested directories, and a final file name. (Usually the lowest level elements, in this case segments 122, cannot be named by users.) In other words, a file system 116 is a collection of directories 118. A directory 118 is a collection of named files 120—both data files 120 and other directory files 118. A file 120 is a named data item which is either a data file (which may be simple or compound) or a directory file 118. A simple file 120 consists of a single data segment 122. A compound file 120 consists of a sequence of data segments 122. A data segment 122 is a fixed sequence of bytes. An important property of any data segment is its size, the number of bytes in the sequence. A single processor 102 may access one or more file systems 116, and a single storage device 104 may contain one or more file systems 116, or portions of a file system 116. For instance, a file system 116 may span several storage devices 104. In order to implement controls in a file system, file system 116 may be divided into distinct regions, where each region is a unit of management and control. A region consists of a given directory 118 and is identified by the pathname (user defined) of the directory. In the following, the term “location”, with respect to a data processing system 100, refers to any of a particular processor 102 in the system, a memory of a particular processor, a storage device, a removable storage medium (such as a floppy disk or compact disk), or any other physical location in the system. The term “local” with respect to a particular processor 102 refers to the memory and storage devices of that particular processor. In the following, the terms “True Name”, “data identity” and “data identifier” refer to the substantially unique data identifier for a particular data item. The term “True File” refers to the actual file segment, or data item identified by a True Name. A file system for a data processing system 100 is now described which is intended to work with an existing operating system by augmenting some of the operating system's file management system codes. The embodiment provided relies on the standard file management primitives for actually storing to and retrieving data items from disk, but uses the mechanisms of the present invention to reference and access those data items. The processes and mechanisms (services) provided in this embodiment are grouped into the following categories: primitive mechanisms, operating system mechanisms, remote mechanisms, background mechanisms, and extended mechanisms. Primitive mechanisms provide fundamental capabilities used to support other mechanisms. The following primitive mechanisms are described: 1. Calculate True Name; 2. Assimilate Data Item; 3. True File; 4. Get True Name from Path; 5. Link path to True Name; 6. Realize True File from Location; 7. Locate Remote File; 8. Make True File Local; 9. Create Scratch File; 10. Freeze Directory; 11. Expand Frozen Directory; 12. Delete True File; 13. Process Audit File Entry; 14. Begin Grooming; 15. Select For Removal; and 16. End Grooming. Operating system mechanisms provide typical familiar file system mechanisms, while maintaining the data structures required to offer the mechanisms of the, present invention. Operating system mechanisms are designed to augment existing operating systems, and in this way to make the present invention compatible with, and generally transparent to, existing applications. The following operating system mechanisms are described: 1. Open File; 2. Close File; 3. Read File; 4. Write File; 5. Delete File or Directory; 6. Copy File or Directory; 7. Move File or Directory; 8. Get File Status; and 9. Get Files in Directory. Remote mechanisms are used by the operating system in responding to requests from other processors. These mechanisms enable the capabilities of the present invention in a peer-to-peer network mode of operation. The following remote mechanisms are described: 1. Locate True File; 2. Reserve True File; 3. Request True File; 4. Retire True File; 5. Cancel Reservation; 6. Acquire True File; 7. Lock Cache; 8. Update Cache; and 9. Check Expiration Date. Background mechanisms are intended to run occasionally and at a low priority. These provide automated management capabilities with respect to the present invention. The following background mechanisms are described: 1. Mirror True File; 2. Groom Region; 3. Check for Expired Links; and 4. Verify Region; and 5. Groom Source List. Extended mechanisms run within application programs over the operating system. These mechanisms provide solutions to specific problems and applications. The following extended mechanisms are described: 1. Inventory Existing Directory; 2. Inventory Removable, Read-only Files; 3. Synchronize directories; 4. Publish Region; 5. Retire Directory; 6. Realize Directory at location; 7. Verify True File; 8. Track for accounting purposes; and 9. Track for licensing purposes. The file system herein described maintains sufficient information to provide a variety of mechanisms not ordinarily offered by an operating system, some of which are listed and described here. Various processing performed by this embodiment of the present invention will now be described in greater detail. In some embodiments, some files 120 in a data processing system 100 do not have True Names because they have been recently received or created or modified, and thus their True Names have not yet been computed. A file that does not yet have a True Name is called a scratch file. The process of assigning a True Name to a file is referred to as assimilation, and is described later. Note that a scratch file may have a user provided name. Some of the processing performed by the present invention can take place in a background mode or on a delayed or as-needed basis. This background processing is used to determine information that is not immediately required by the system or which may never be required. As an example, in some cases a scratch file is being changed at a rate greater than the rate at which it is useful to determine its True Name. In these cases, determining the True Name of the file can be postponed or performed in the background. Data Structures The following data structures, stored in memory 110 of one of more processors 102 are used to implement the mechanisms described herein. The data structures can be local to each processor 102 of the system 100, or they can reside on only some of the processors 102. The data structures described are assumed to reside on individual peer processors 102 in the data processing system 100. However, they can also be shared by placing them on a remote, shared file server (for instance, in a local area network of machines). In order to accommodate sharing data structures, it is necessary that the processors accessing the shared database use the appropriate locking techniques to ensure that changes to the shared database do not interfere with one another but are appropriately serialized. These locking techniques are well understood by ordinarily skilled programmers of distributed applications. It is sometimes desirable to allow some regions to be local to a particular processor 102 and other regions to be shared among processors 102. (Recall that a region is a unit of file system management and control consisting of a given directory identified by the pathname of the directory.) In the case of local and shared regions, there would be both local and shared versions of each data structure. Simple changes to the processes described below must be made to ensure that appropriate data structures are selected for a given operation. The local directory extensions (LDE) table 124 is a data structure which provides information about files 120 and directories 118 in the data processing system 100. The local directory extensions table 124 is indexed by a pathname or contextual name (that is, a user provided name) of a file and includes the True Name for most files. The information in local directory extension table 124 is in addition to that provided by the native file system of the operating system. The True File registry (TFR) 126 is a data store for listing actual data items which have True Names, both files 120 and segments 122. When such data items occur in the True File registry 126 they are known as True Files. True Files are identified in True File registry 126 by their True Names or identities. The table True File registry 126 also stores location, dependency, and migration information about True Files. The region table (RT) 128 defines areas in the network storage which are to be managed separately. Region table 128 defines the rules for access to and migration of files 120 among various regions with the local file system 116 and remote peer file systems. The source table (ST) 130 is a list of the sources of True Files other than the current True File registry 126. The source table 130 includes removable volumes and remote processors. The audit file (AF) 132 is a list of records indicating changes to be made in local or remote files, these changes to be processed in background. The accounting log (AL) 134 is a log of file transactions used to create accounting information in a manner which preserves the identity of files being tracked independent of their name or location. The license table (LT) 136 is a table identifying files, which may only be used by licensed users, in a manner independent of their name or location, and the users licensed to use them. Detailed Descriptions of the Data Structures The following table summarizes the fields of an local directory extensions table entry, as illustrated by record 138 in FIG. 3. Field Description Region ID identifies the region in which this file is contained. Pathname the user provided name or contextual name of the file or directory, relative to the region in which it occurs. True Name the computed True Name or identity of the file or directory. This True Name is not always up to date, and it is set to a special value when a file is modified and is later recomputed in the background. Type indicates whether the file is a data file or a directory. Scratch File the physical location of the file in the file ID system, when no True Name has been calculated for the file. As noted above, such a file is called a scratch file. Time of last the last access time to this file. If this file is a access directory, this is the last access time to any file in the directory. Time of last the time of last change of this file. If this file is modification a directory, this is the last modification time of any file in the directory. Safe flag indicates that this file (and, if this file is a directory, all of its subordinate files) have been backed up on some other system, and it is therefore safe to remove them. Lock flag indicates whether a file is locked, that is, it is being modified by the local processor or a remote processor. Only one processor may modify a file at a time. Size the full size of this directory (including all subordinate files), if all files in it were fully expanded and duplicated. For a file that is not a directory this is the size of the actual True File. Owner the identity of the user who owns this file, for accounting and license tracking purposes. Each record of the True File registry 126 has the fields shown in the True File registry record 140 in FIG. 4. The True File registry 126 consists of the database described in the table below as well as the actual True Files identified by the True File IDs below. Field Description True Name computed True Name or identity of the file. Compressed compressed version of the True File may File ID be stored instead of, or in addition to, an uncompressed version. This field provides the identity of the actual representation of the compressed version of the file. Grooming tentative count of how many references have been delete count selected for deletion during a grooming operation. Time of last most recent date and time the content of this file was access accessed. Expiration date and time after which this file may be deleted by this server. Dependent processor IDs of other processors which contain references processors to this True File. Source IDs source ID(s) of zero or more sources from which this file or data item may be retrieved. True File ID identity or disk location of the actual physical representation of the file or file segment. It is sufficient to use a filename in the registration directory of the underlying operating system. The True File ID is absent if the actual file is not currently present at the current location. Use count number of other records on this processor which identify this True File. A region table 128, specified by a directory pathname, records storage policies which allow files in the file system to be stored, accessed and migrated in different ways. Storage policies are programmed in a configurable way using a set of rules described below. Each region table record 142 of region table 128 includes the fields described in the following table (with reference to FIG. 5): Field Description Region ID internally used identifier for this region. Region file file system on the local processor system of which this region is a part. Region a pathname relative to the region file system pathname which defines the location of this region. The region consists of all files and directories subordinate to this pathname, except those in a region subordinate to this region. Mirror zero or more identifiers of processors which are processor(s) to keep mirror or archival copies of all files in the current region. Multiple mirror processors can be defined to form a mirror group. Mirror number of copies of each file in this region that duplication should be retained in a mirror group. count Region specifies whether this region is local to a single status processor 102, shared by several processors 102 (if, for instance, it resides on a shared file server), or managed by a remote processor. Policy the migration policy to apply to this region. A single region might participate in several policies. The policies are as follows (parameters in brackets are specified as part of the policy): region is a cached version from [processor ID]; region is a member of a mirror set defined by [processor ID]. region is to be archived on [processor ID]. region is to be backed up locally, by placing new copies in [region ID]. region is read only and may not be changed. region is published and expires on [date]. Files in this region should be compressed. A source table 130 identifies a source location for True Files. The source table 130 is also used to identify client processors making reservations on the current processor. Each source record 144 of the source table 130 includes the fields summarized in the following table, with reference to FIG. 6: Field Description source ID internal identifier used to identify a particular source. source type type of source location: Removable Storage Volume Local Region Cache Server Mirror Group Server Cooperative Server Publishing Server Client source includes information about the rights of this rights processor, such as whether it can ask the local processor to store data items for it. source measurement of the bandwidth, cost, and availability reliability of the connection to this source of True Files. The availability is used to select from among several possible sources. source information on how the local processor is to access the location source. This may be, for example, the name of a removable storage volume, or the processor ID and region path of a region on a remote processor. The audit file 132 is a table of events ordered by timestamp, each record 146 in audit file 132 including the fields summarized in the following table (with reference to FIG. 7): Field Description Original path of the file in question. Name Operation whether the file was created, read, written, copied or deleted. Type specifies whether the source is a file or a directory. Processor ID of the remote processor ID generating this event (if not local). Timestamp time and date file was closed (required only for accessed/modified files). Pathname Name of the file (required only for rename). True Name computed True Name of the file. This is used by remote systems to mirror changes to the directory and is filled in during background processing. Each record 148 of the accounting log 134 records an event which may later be used to provide information for billing mechanisms. Each accounting log entry record 148 includes at least the information summarized in the following table, with reference to FIG. 8: Field Description date of entry date and time of this log entry. type of entry Entry types include create file, delete file, and transmit file. True Name True Name of data item in question. owner identity of the user responsible for this action. Each record 150 of the license table 136 records a relationship between a licensable data item and the user licensed to have access to it. Each license table record 150 includes the information summarized in the following table, with reference to FIG. 9: Field Description True Name True Name of a data item subject to license validation. licensee identity of a user authorized to have access to this object. Various other data structures are employed on some or all of the processors 102 in the data processing system 100. Each processor 102 has a global freeze lock (GFL) 152 (FIG. 1), which is used to prevent synchronization errors when a directory is frozen or copied. Any processor 102 may include a special archive directory (SAD) 154 into which directories may be copied for the purposes of archival. Any processor 102 may include a special media directory (SMD) 156, into which the directories of removable volumes are stored to form a media inventory. Each processor has a grooming lock 158, which is set during a grooming operation. During this period the grooming delete count of True File registry entries 140 is active, and no True Files should be deleted until grooming is complete. While grooming is in effect, grooming information includes a table of pathnames selected for deletion, and keeps track of the amount of space that would be freed if all of the files were deleted. Primitive Mechanisms The first of the mechanisms provided by the present invention, primitive mechanisms, are now described. The mechanisms described here depend on underlying data management mechanisms to create, copy, read, and delete data items in the True File registry 126, as identified by a True File ID. This support may be provided by an underlying operating system or disk storage manager. The following primitive mechanisms are described: 1. Calculate True Name; 2. Assimilate Data Item; 3. True File; 4. Get True Name from Path; 5. Link Path to True Name; 6. Realize True File from Location; 7. Locate Remote File; 8. Make True File Local; 9. Create Scratch File; 10. Freeze Directory; 11. Expand Frozen Directory; 12. Delete True File; 13. Process Audit File Entry; 14. Begin Grooming; 15. Select For Removal; and 16. End Grooming. 1. Calculate True Name A True Name is computed using a function, MD, which reduces a data block B of arbitrary length to a relatively small, fixed size identifier, the True Name of the data block, such that the True Name of the data block is virtually guaranteed to represent the data block B and only data block B. The function MD must have the following properties: 1. The domain of the function MD is the set of all data items. The range of the function MD is the set of True Names. 2. The function MD must take a data item of arbitrary length and reduce it to an integer value in the range 0 to N−1, where N is the cardinality of the set of True Names. That is, for an arbitrary length data block B, 0≦MD(B)≦N. 3. The results of MD(B) must be evenly and randomly distributed over the range of N, in such a way that simple or regular changes to B are virtually guaranteed to produce a different value of MD(B). 4. It must be computationally difficult to find a different value B′ such that MD(B)=MD(B′). 5. The function MD(B) must be efficiently computed. A family of functions with the above properties are the so-called message digest functions, which are used in digital security systems as techniques for authentification of data. These functions (or algorithms) include MD4, MD5, and SHA. In the presently preferred embodiments, either MD5 or SHA is employed as the basis for the computation of True Names. Whichever of these two message digest functions is employed, that same function must be employed on a system-wide basis. It is impossible to define a function having a unique output for each possible input when the number of elements in the range of the function is smaller than the number of elements in its domain. However, a crucial observation is that the actual data items that will be encountered in the operation of any system embodying this invention form a very sparse subset of all the possible inputs. A colliding set of data items is defined as a set wherein, for one or more pairs x and y in the set, MD(x)=MD(y). Since a function conforming to the requirements for MD must evenly and randomly distribute its outputs, it is possible, by making the range of the function large enough, to make the probability arbitrarily small that actual inputs encountered in the operation of an embodiment of this invention will form a colliding set. To roughly quantify the probability of a collision, assume that there are no more than 230 storage devices in the world, and that each storage device has an average of at most 220 different data items. Then there are at most 250 data items in the world. If the outputs of MD range between 0 and 2128, it can be demonstrated that the probability of a collision is approximately 1 in 229. Details on the derivation of these probability values are found, for example, in P. Flajolet and A. M. Odlyzko, “Random Mapping Statistics,” Lecture Notes in Computer Science 434: Advances in Cryptology—Eurocrypt '89 Proceedings, Springer-Verlag, pp. 329-354. Note that for some less preferred embodiments of the present invention, lower probabilities of uniqueness may be acceptable, depending on the types of applications and mechanisms used. In some embodiments it may also be useful to have more than one level of True Names, with some of the True Names having different degrees of uniqueness. If such a scheme is implemented, it is necessary to ensure that less unique True Names are not propagated in'the system. While the invention is described herein using only the True Name of a data item as the identifier for the data item, other preferred embodiments use tagged, typed, categorized or classified data items and use a combination of both the True Name and the tag, type, category or class of the data item as an identifier. Examples of such categorizations are files, directories, and segments; executable files and data files, and the like. Examples of classes are classes of objects in an object-oriented system. In such a system, a lower degree of True Name uniqueness is acceptable over the entire universe of data items, as long as sufficient uniqueness is provided per category of data items. This is because the tags provide an additional level of uniqueness. A mechanism for calculating a True Name given a data item is now described, with reference to FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b). A simple data item is a data item whose size is less than a particular given size (which must be defined in each particular implementation of the invention). To determine the True Name of a simple data item, with reference to FIG. 10(a), first compute the MD function (described above) on the given simple data item (Step S212). Then append to the resulting 128 bits, the byte length modulo 32 of the data item (Step S214). The resulting 160-bit value is the True Name of the simple data item. A compound data item is one whose size is greater than the particular given size of a simple data item. To determine the True Name of an arbitrary (simple or compound) data item, with reference to FIG. 10(b), first determine if the data item is a simple or a compound data item (Step S216). If the data item is a simple data item, then compute its True Name in step S218 (using steps S212 and S214 described above), otherwise partition the data item into segments (Step S220) and assimilate each segment (Step S222) (the primitive mechanism, Assimilate a Data Item, is described below), computing the True Name of the segment. Then create an indirect block consisting of the computed segment True Names (Step S224). An indirect block is a data item which consists of the sequence of True Names of the segments. Then, in step S226, assimilate the indirect block and compute its True Name. Finally, replace the final thirty-two (32) bits of the resulting True Name (that is, the length of the indirect block) by the length modulo 32 of the compound data item (Step S228). The result is the True Name of the compound data item. Note that the compound data item may be so large that the indirect block of segment True Names is itself a compound data item. In this case the mechanism is invoked recursively until only simple data items are being processed. Both the use of segments and the attachment of a length to the True Name are not strictly required in a system using the present invention, but are currently considered desirable features in the preferred embodiment. 2. Assimilate Data Item A mechanism for assimilating a data item (scratch file or segment) into a file system, given the scratch file ID of the data item, is now described with reference to FIG. 11. The purpose of this mechanism is to add a given data item to the True File registry 126. If the data item already exists in the True File registry 126, this will be discovered and used during this process, and the duplicate will be eliminated. Thereby the system stores at most one copy of any data item or file by content, even when multiple names refer to the same content. First, determine the True Name of the data item corresponding to the given scratch File ID using the Calculate True Name primitive mechanism (Step S230). Next, look for an entry for the True Name in the True File registry 126 (Step S232) and determine whether a True Name entry, record 140, exists in, the True File registry 126. If the entry record includes a corresponding True File ID or compressed File ID (Step S237), delete the file with the scratch File ID (Step S238). Otherwise store the given True File ID in the entry record (step S239). If it is determined (in step S232) that no True Name entry exists in the True File registry 126, then, in Step S236, create a new entry in the True File registry 126 for this True Name. Set the True Name of the entry to the calculated True Name, set the use count for the new entry to one, store the given True File ID in the entry and set the other fields of the entry as appropriate. Because this procedure may take some time to compute, it is intended to run in background after a file has ceased to change. In the meantime, the file is considered an unassimilated scratch file. 3. True File The True File process is invoked when processing the audit file 132, some time after a True File has been assimilated (using the Assimilate Data Item primitive mechanism). Given a local directory extensions table entry record 138 in the local directory extensions table 124, the True File process can provide the following steps (with reference to FIG. 12), depending on how the local processor is configured: First, in step S238, examine the local directory extensions table entry record 138 to determine whether the file is locked by a cache server. If the file is locked, then add the ID of the cache server to the dependent processor list of the True File registry table 126, and then send a message to the cache server to update the cache of the current processor using the Update Cache remote mechanism (Step 242). If desired, compress the True File (Step S246), and, if desired, mirror the True File using the Mirror True File background mechanism (Step S248). 4. Get True Name from Path The True Name of a file can be used to identify a file by contents, to confirm that a file matches its original contents, or to compare two files. The mechanism to get a True Name given the pathname of a file is now described with reference to FIG. 13. First, search the local directory extensions table 124 for the entry record 138 with the given pathname (Step S250). If the pathname is not found, this process fails and no True Name corresponding to the given pathname exists. Next, determine whether the local directory extensions table entry record 138 includes a True Name (Step S252), and if so, the mechanism's task is complete. Otherwise, determine whether the local directory extensions table entry record 138 identifies a directory (Step S254), and if so, freeze the directory (Step S256) (the primitive mechanism Freeze Directory is described below). Otherwise, in step S258, assimilate the file (using the Assimilate Data Item primitive mechanism) defined by the File ID field to generate its True Name and store its True Name in the local directory extensions entry record. Then return the True Name identified by the local directory extensions table 124. 5. Link Path to True Name The mechanism to link a path to a True Name provides a way of creating a new directory entry record identifying an existing, assimilated file. This basic process may be used to copy, move, and rename files without a need to copy their contents. The mechanism to link a path to a True Name is now described with reference to FIG. 14. First, if desired, confirm that the True Name exists locally by searching for it in the True Name registry or local directory extensions table 135 (Step S260). Most uses of this mechanism will require this form of validation. Next, search for the path in the local directory extensions table 135 (Step S262). Confirm that the directory containing the file named in the path already exists (Step S264). If the named file itself exists, delete the File using the Delete True File operating system mechanism (see below) (Step S268). Then, create an entry record in the local directory extensions with the specified path (Step S270) and update the entry record and other data structures as follows: fill in the True Name field of the entry with the specified True Name; increment the use count for the True File registry entry record 140 of the corresponding True Name; note whether the entry is a directory by reading the True File to see if it contains a tag (magic number) indicating that it represents a frozen directory (see also the description of the Freeze Directory primitive mechanism regarding the tag); and compute and set the other fields of the local directory extensions appropriately. For instance, search the region table 128 to identify the region of the path, and set the time of last access and time of last modification to the current time. 6. Realize True File from Location This mechanism is used to try to make a local copy of a True File, given its True Name and the name of a source location (processor or media) that may contain the True File. This mechanism is now described with reference to FIG. 15. First, in step S272, determine whether the location specified is a processor. If it is determined that the location specified is a processor, then send a Request True File message (using the Request True File remote mechanism) to the remote processor and wait for a response (Step S274). If a negative response is received or no response is received after a timeout period, this mechanism fails. If a positive response is received, enter the True File returned in the True File registry 126 (Step S276). (If the file received was compressed, enter the True File ID in the compressed File ID field.) If, on the other hand, it is determined in step S272 that the location specified is not a processor, then, if necessary, request the user or operator to mount the indicated volume (Step S278). Then (Step S280) find the indicated file on the given volume and assimilate the file using the Assimilate Data Item primitive mechanism. If the volume does not contain a True File registry 126, search the media inventory to find the path of the file on the volume. If no such file can be found, this mechanism fails. At this point, whether or not the location is determined (in step S272) to be a processor, if desired, verify the True File (in step S282). 7. Locate Remote File This mechanism allows a processor to locate a file or data item from a remote source of True Files, when a specific source is unknown or unavailable. A client processor system may ask one of several or many sources whether it can supply a data object with a given True Name. The steps to perform this mechanism are as follows (with reference to FIGS. 16(a) and 16(b)). The client processor 102 uses the source table 145 to select one or more source processors (Step S284). If no source processor can be found, the mechanism fails. Next, the client processor 102 broadcasts to the selected sources a request to locate the file with the given True Name using the Locate True File remote mechanism (Step S286). The request to locate may be augmented by asking to propagate this request to distant servers. The client processor then waits for one or more servers to respond positively (Step S288). After all servers respond negatively, or after a timeout period with no positive response, the mechanism repeats selection (Step S284) to attempt to identify alternative sources. If any selected source processor responds, its processor ID is the result of this mechanism. Store the processor ID in the source field of the True File registry entry record 140 of the given True Name (Step S290). If the source location of the True Name is a different processor or medium than the destination (Step S290a), perform the following steps: (i) Look up the True File registry entry record 140 for the corresponding True Name, and add the source location ID to the list of sources for the True Name (Step S290b); and (ii) If the source is a publishing system, determine the expiration date on the publishing system for the True Name and add that to the list of sources. If the source is not a publishing system, send a message to reserve the True File on the source processor (Step S290c). Source selection in step S284 may be based on optimizations involving general availability of the source, access time, bandwidth, and transmission cost, and ignoring previously selected processors which did not respond in step S288. 8. Make True File Local This mechanism is used when a True Name is known and a locally accessible copy of the corresponding file or data item is required. This mechanism makes it possible to actually read the data in a True File. The mechanism takes a True Name and returns when there is a local, accessible copy of the True File in the True File registry 126. This mechanism is described here with reference to the flow chart of FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b). First, look in the True File registry 126 for a True File entry record 140 for the corresponding True Name (Step S292). If no such entry is found this mechanism fails. If there is already a True File ID for the entry (Step S294), this mechanism's task is complete. If there is a compressed file ID for the entry (Step S296), decompress the file corresponding to the file ID (Step S298) and store the decompressed file ID in the entry (Step S300). This mechanism is then complete. If there is no True File ID for the entry (Step S294) and there is no compressed file ID for the entry (Step S296), then continue searching for the requested file. At this time it may be necessary to notify the user that the system is searching for the requested file. If there are one or more source IDs, then select an order in which to attempt to realize the source ID (Step S304). The order may be based on optimizations involving general availability of the source, access time, bandwidth, and transmission cost. For each source in the order chosen, realize the True File from the source location (using the Realize True File from Location primitive mechanism), until the True File is realized (Step S306). If it is realized, continue with step S294. If no known source can realize the True File, use the Locate Remote File primitive mechanism to attempt to find the True File (Step S308). If this succeeds, realize the True File from the identified source location and continue with step S296. 9. Create Scratch File A scratch copy of a file is required when a file is being created or is about to be modified. The scratch copy is stored in the file system of the underlying operating system. The scratch copy is eventually assimilated when the audit file record entry 146 is processed by the Process Audit File Entry primitive mechanism. This Create Scratch File mechanism requires a local directory extensions table entry record 138. When it succeeds, the local directory extensions table entry record 138 contains the scratch file ID of a scratch file that is not contained in the True File registry 126 and that may be modified. This mechanism is now described with reference to FIGS. 18(a) and 18(b). First determine whether the scratch file should be a copy of the existing True File (Step S310). If so, continue with step S312. Otherwise, determine whether the local directory extensions table entry record 138 identifies an existing True File (Step S316), and if so, delete the True File using the Delete True File primitive mechanism (Step S318). Then create a new, empty scratch file and store its scratch file ID in the local directory extensions table entry record 138 (step S320). This mechanism is then complete. If the local directory extensions table entry record 138 identifies a scratch file ID (Step S312), then the entry already has a scratch file, so this mechanism succeeds. If the local directory extensions table entry record 138 identifies a True File (S316), and there is no True File ID for the True File (S312), then make the True File local using the Make True File Local primitive mechanism (Step S322). If there is still no True File ID, this mechanism fails. There is now a local True File for this file. If the use count in the corresponding True File registry entry record 140 is one (Step S326), save the True File ID in the scratch file ID of the local directory extensions table entry record 138, and remove the True File registry entry record 140 (Step S328). (This step makes the True File into a scratch file.) This mechanism's task is complete. Otherwise, if the use count in the corresponding True File registry entry record 140 is not one (in step S326), copy the file with the given True File ID to a new scratch file, using the Read File OS mechanism and store its file ID in the local directory extensions table entry record 138 (Step S330), and reduce the use count for the True File by one. If there is insufficient space to make a copy, this mechanism fails. 10. Freeze Directory This mechanism freezes a directory in order to calculate its True Name. Since the True Name of a directory is a function of the files within the directory, they must not change during the computation of the True Name of the directory. This mechanism requires the pathname of a directory to freeze. This mechanism is described with reference to FIGS. 19(a) and 19(b). In step S332, add one to the global freeze lock. Then search the local directory extensions table 124 to find each subordinate data file and directory of the given directory, and freeze each subordinate directory found using the Freeze Directory primitive mechanism (Step S334). Assimilate each unassimilated data file in the directory using the Assimilate Data Item primitive mechanism (Step S336). Then create a data item which begins with a tag or marker (a “magic number”) being a unique data item indicating that this data item is a frozen directory (Step S337). Then list the file name and True Name for each file in the current directory (Step S338). Record any additional information required, such as the type, time of last access and modification, and size (Step S340). Next, in step S342, using the Assimilate Data Item primitive mechanism, assimilate the data item created in step S338. The resulting True Name is the True Name of the frozen directory. Finally, subtract one from the global freeze lock (Step S344). 11. Expand Frozen Directory This mechanism expands a frozen directory in a given location. It requires a given pathname into which to expand the directory, and the True Name of the directory and is described with reference to FIG. 20. First, in step S346, make the True File with the given True Name local using the Make True File Local primitive mechanism. Then read each directory entry in the local file created in step S346 (Step S348). For each such directory entry, do the following: Create a full pathname using the given pathname and the file name of the entry (Step S350); and link the created path to the True Name (Step S352) using the Link Path to True Name primitive mechanism. 12. Delete True File This mechanism deletes a reference to a True Name. The underlying True File is not removed from the True File registry 126 unless there are no additional references to the file. With reference to FIG. 21, this mechanism is performed as follows: If the global freeze lock is on, wait until the global freeze lock is turned off (Step S354). This prevents deleting a True File while a directory which might refer to it is being frozen. Next, find the True File registry entry record 140 given the True Name (Step S356). If the reference count field of the True File registry 126 is greater than zero, subtract one from the reference count field (Step S358). If it is determined (in step S360) that the reference count field of the True File registry entry record 140 is zero, and if there are no dependent systems listed in the True File registry entry record 140, then perform the following steps: (i) If the True File is a simple data item, then delete the True File, otherwise, (ii) (the True File is a compound data item) for each True Name in the data item, recursively delete the True File corresponding to the True Name (Step S362). (iii) Remove the file indicated by the True File ID and compressed file ID from the True File registry 126, and remove the True File registry entry record 140 (Step S364). 13. Process Audit File Entry This mechanism performs tasks which are required to maintain information in the local directory extensions table 124 and True File registry 126, but which can be delayed while the processor is busy doing more time-critical tasks. Entries 142 in the audit file 132 should be processed at a background priority as long as there are entries to be processed. With reference to FIG. 22, the steps for processing an entry are as follows: Determine the operation in the entry 142 currently being processed (Step S365). If the operation indicates that a file was created or written (Step S366), then assimilate the file using the Assimilate Data Item primitive mechanism (Step S368), use the True File primitive mechanism to do additional desired processing (such as cache update, compression, and mirroring) (Step S369), and record the newly computed True Name for the file in the audit file record entry (Step S370). Otherwise, if the entry being processed indicates that a compound data item or directory was copied (or deleted) (Step S376), then for each component True Name in the compound data item or directory, add (or subtract) one to the use count of the True File registry entry record 140 corresponding to the component True Name (Step S378). In all cases, for each parent directory of the given file, update the size, time of last access, and time of last modification, according to the operation in the audit record (Step S379). Note that the audit record is not removed after processing, but is retained for some reasonable period so that it may be used by the Synchronize Directory extended mechanism to allow a disconnected remote processor to update its representation of the local system. 14. Begin Grooming This mechanism makes it possible to select a set of files for removal and determine the overall amount of space to be recovered. With reference to FIG. 23, first verify that the global grooming lock is currently unlocked (Step S382). Then set the global grooming lock, set the total amount of space freed during grooming to zero and empty the list of files selected for deletion (Step S384). For each True File in the True File registry 126, set the delete count to zero (Step S386). 15. Select For Removal This grooming mechanism tentatively selects a pathname to allow its corresponding True File to be removed. With reference to FIG. 24, first find the local directory extensions table entry record 138 corresponding to the given pathname (Step S388). Then find the True File registry entry record 140 corresponding to the True File name in the local directory extensions table entry record 138 (Step S390). Add one to the grooming delete count in the True File registry entry record 140 and add the pathname to a list of files selected for deletion (Step S392). If the grooming delete count of the True File registry entry record 140 is equal to the use count of the True File registry entry record 140, and if the there are no entries in the dependency list of the True File registry entry record 140, then add the size of the file indicated by the True File ID and or compressed file ID to the total amount of space freed during grooming (Step. S394). 16. End Grooming This grooming mechanism ends the grooming phase and removes all files selected for removal. With reference to FIG. 25, for each file in the list of files selected for deletion, delete the file (Step S396) and then unlock the global grooming lock (Step S398). Operating System Mechanisms The next of the mechanisms provided by the present invention, operating system mechanisms, are now described. The following operating system mechanisms are described: 1. Open File; 2. Close File; 3. Read File; 4. Write File; 5. Delete File or Directory; 6. Copy File or Directory; 7. Move File or Directory; 8. Get File Status; and 9. Get Files in Directory. 1. Open File A mechanism to open a file is described with reference to FIGS. 26(a) and 26(b). This mechanism is given as input a pathname and the type of access required for the file (for example, read, write, read/write, create, etc.) and produces either the File ID of the file to be opened or an indication that no file should be opened. The local directory extensions table record 138 and region table record 142 associated with the opened file are associated with the open file for later use in other processing functions which refer to the file, such as read, write, and close. First, determine whether or not the named file exists locally by examining the local directory extensions table 124 to determine whether there is an entry corresponding to the given pathname (Step S400). If it is determined that the file name does not exist locally, then, using the access type, determine whether or not the file is being created by this opening process (Step S402). If the file is not being created, prohibit the open (Step S404). If the file is being created, create a zero-length scratch file using an entry in local directory extensions table 124 and produce the scratch file ID of this scratch file as the result (Step S406). If, on the other hand, it is determined in step S400 that the file name does exist locally, then determine the region in which the file is located by searching the region table 128 to find the record 142 with the longest region path which is a prefix of the file pathname (Step S408). This record identifies the region of the specified file. Next, determine using the access type, whether the file is being opened for writing or whether it is being opened only for reading (Step S410). If the file is being opened for reading only, then, if the file is a scratch file (Step S419), return the scratch File ID of the file (Step S424). Otherwise get the True Name from the local directory extensions table 124 and make a local version of the True File associated with the True Name using the Make. True File Local primitive mechanism, and then return the True File ID associated with the True Name (Step S420). If the file is not being opened for reading only (Step S410), then, if it is determined by inspecting the region table entry record 142 that the file is in a read-only directory (Step S416), then prohibit the opening (Step S422). If it is determined by inspecting the region table 128 that the file is in a cached region (Step S423), then send a Lock Cache message to the corresponding cache server, and wait for a return message (Step S418). If the return message says the file is already locked, prohibit the opening. If the access type indicates that the file being modified is being rewritten completely (Step S419), so that the original data will not be required, then Delete the File using the Delete File OS mechanism (Step S421) and perform step S406. Otherwise, make a scratch copy of the file (Step S417) and produce the scratch file ID of the scratch file as the result (Step S424). 2. Close File This mechanism takes as input the local directory extensions table entry record 138 of an open file and the data maintained for the open file. To close a file, add an entry to the audit file indicating the time and operation (create, read or write). The audit file processing (using the Process Audit File Entry primitive mechanism) will take care of assimilating the file and thereby updating the other records. 3. Read File To read a file, a program must provide the offset and length of the data to be read, and the location of a buffer into which to copy the data read. The file to be read from is identified by an open file descriptor which includes a File ID as computed by the Open File operating system mechanism defined above. The File ID may identify either a scratch file or a True File (or True File segment). If the File ID identifies a True File, it may be either a simple or a compound True File. Reading a file is accomplished by the following steps: In the case where the File ID identifies a scratch file or a simple True File, use the read capabilities of the underlying operating system. In the case where the File ID identifies a compound file, break the read operation into one or more read operations on component segments as follows: A. Identify the segment(s) to be read by dividing the specified file offset and length each by the fixed size of a segment (a system dependent parameter), to determine the segment number and number of segments that must be read. B. For each segment number computed above, do the following: i. Read the compound True File index block to determine the True Name of the segment to be read. ii. Use the Realize True File from Location primitive mechanism to make the True File segment available locally. (If that mechanism fails, the Read File mechanism fails). iii. Determine the File ID of the True File specified by the True Name corresponding to this segment. iv. Use the Read File mechanism (recursively) to read from this segment into the corresponding location in the specified buffer. 4. Write File File writing uses the file ID and data management capabilities of the underlying operating system. File access (Make File Local described-above) can be deferred until the first read or write. 5. Delete File or Directory The process of deleting a file, for a given pathname, is described here with reference to FIGS. 27(a) and 27(b). First, determine the local directory extensions table entry record 138 and region table entry record 142 for the file (Step S422). If the file has no local directory extensions table entry record 138 or is locked or is in a read-only region, prohibit the deletion. Identify the corresponding True File given the True Name of the file being deleted using the True File registry 126 (Step S424). If the file has no True Name, (Step S426) then delete the scratch copy of the file based on its scratch file ID in the local directory extensions table 124 (Step S427), and continue with step S428. If the file has a True Name and the True File's use count is one (Step S429), then delete the True File (Step S430), and continue with step S428. If the file has a True Name and the True File's use count is greater than one, reduce its use count by one (Step S431). Then proceed with step S428. In Step S428, delete the local directory extensions table entry record, and add an entry to the audit file 132 indicating the time and the operation performed (delete). 6. Copy File or Directory A mechanism is provided to copy a file or directory given a source and destination processor and pathname. The Copy File mechanism does not actually copy the data in the file, only the True Name of the file. This mechanism is performed as follows: (A) Given the source path, get the True Name from the path. If this step fails, the mechanism fails. (B) Given the True Name and the destination path, link the destination path to the True Name. (C) If the source and destination processors have different True File registries, find (or, if necessary, create) an entry for the True Name in the True File registry table 126 of the destination processor. Enter into the source ID field of this new entry the source processor identity. (D) Add an entry to the audit file 132 indicating the time and operation performed (copy). This mechanism addresses capability of the system to avoid copying data from a source location to a destination location when the destination already has the data. In addition, because of the ability to freeze a directory, this mechanism also addresses capability of the system immediately to make a copy of any collection of files, thereby to support an efficient version control mechanisms for groups of files. 7. Move File or Directory A mechanism is described which moves (or renames) a file from a source path to a destination path. The move operation, like the copy operation, requires no actual transfer of data, and is performed as follows: (A) Copy the file from the source path to the destination path. (B) If the source path is different from the destination path, delete the source path. 8. Get File Status This mechanism takes a file pathname and provides information about the pathname. First the local directory extensions table entry record 138 corresponding to the pathname given is found. If no such entry exists, then this mechanism fails, otherwise, gather information about the file and its corresponding True File from the local directory extensions table 124. The information can include any information shown in the data structures, including the size, type, owner, True Name, sources, time of last access, time of last modification, state (local or not, assimilated or not, compressed or not), use count, expiration date, and reservations. 9. Get Files in Directory This mechanism enumerates the files in a directory. It is used (implicitly) whenever it is necessary to determine whether a file exists (is present) in a directory. For instance, it is implicitly used in the Open File, Delete File, Copy File or Directory, and Move File operating system mechanisms, because the files operated on are referred to by pathnames containing directory names. The mechanism works as follows: The local directory extensions table 124 is searched for an entry 138 with the given directory pathname. If no such entry is found, or if the entry found is not a directory, then this mechanism fails. If there is a corresponding True File field in the local directory extensions table record, then it is assumed that the True File represents a frozen directory. The Expand Frozen Directory primitive mechanism is used to expand the existing True File into directory entries in the local directory extensions table. Finally, the local directory extensions table 124 is again searched, this time to find each directory subordinate to the given directory. The names found are provided as the result. Remote Mechanisms The remote mechanisms provided by the present invention are now described. Recall that remote mechanisms are used by the operating system in responding to requests from other processors. These mechanisms enable the capabilities of the present invention in a peer-to-peer network mode of operation. In a presently preferred embodiment, processors communicate with each other using a remote procedure call (RPC) style interface, running over one of any number of communication protocols such as IPX/SPX or TCP/IP. Each peer processor which provides access to its True File registry 126 or file regions, or which depends on another peer processor, provides a number of mechanisms which can be used by its peers. The following remote mechanisms are described: 1. Locate True File; 2. Reserve True File; 3. Request True File; 4. Retire True File; 5. Cancel Reservation; 6. Acquire True File; 7. Lock Cache; 8. Update Cache; and 9. Check Expiration Date. 1. Locate True File This mechanism allows a remote processor to determine whether the local processor contains a copy of a specific True File. The mechanism begins with a True Name and a flag indicating whether to forward requests for this file to other servers. This mechanism is now described with reference to FIG. 28. First determine if the True File is available locally or if there is some indication of where the True File is located (for example, in the Source IDs field). Look up the requested True Name in the True File registry 126 (Step S432). If a True File registry entry record 140 is not found for this True Name (Step S434), and the flag indicates that the request is not to be forwarded (Step S436), respond negatively (Step S438). That is, respond to the effect that the True File is not available. One the other hand, if a True File registry entry record 140 is not found (Step S434), and the flag indicates that the request for this True File is to be forwarded (Step S436), then forward a request for this True File to some other processors in the system (Step S442). If the source table for the current processor identifies one or more publishing servers which should have a copy of this True File then forward the request to each of those publishing servers (Step S436). If a True File registry entry record 140 is found for the required True File (Step S434), and if the entry includes a True File ID or Compressed File ID (Step S440), respond positively (Step S444). If the entry includes a True File ID then this provides the identity or disk location of the actual physical representation of the file or file segment required. If the entry include a Compressed File ID, then a compressed version of the True File may be stored instead of, or in addition to, an uncompressed version. This field provides the identity of the actual representation of the compressed version of the file. If the True File registry entry record 140 is found (Step S434) but does not include a True File ID (the File ID is absent if the actual file is not currently present at the current location) (Step S440), and if the True File registry entry record 140 includes one or more source processors, and if the request can be forwarded, then forward the request for this True File to one or more of the source processors (Step S444). 2. Reserve True File This mechanism allows a remote processor to indicate that it depends on the local processor for access to a specific True File. It takes a True Name as input. This mechanism is described here. (A) Find the True File registry entry record 140 associated with the given True File. If no entry exists, reply negatively. (B) If the True File registry entry record 140 does not include a True File ID or compressed File ID, and if the True File registry entry record 140 includes no source IDs for removable storage volumes, then this processor does not have access to a copy of the given file. Reply negatively. (C) Add the ID of the sending processor to the list of dependent processors for the True File registry entry record 140. Reply positively, with an indication of whether the reserved True File is on line or off line. 3. Request True File This mechanism allows a remote processor to request a copy of a True File from the local processor. It requires a True Name and responds positively by sending a True File back to the requesting processor. The mechanism operates as follows: (A) Find the True File registry entry record 140 associated with the given True Name. If there is no such True File registry entry record 140, reply negatively. (B) Make the True File local using the Make True File Local primitive mechanism. If this mechanism fails, the Request True File mechanism also fails. (C) Send the local True File in either it is uncompressed or compressed form to the requesting remote processor. Note that if the True File is a compound file, the components are not sent. (D) If the remote file is listed in the dependent process list of the True File registry entry record 140, remove it. 4. Retire True File This mechanism allows a remote processor to indicate that it no longer plans to maintain a copy of a given True File. An alternate source of the True File can be specified, if, for instance, the True File is being moved from one server to another. It begins with a True Name, a requesting processor ID, and an optional alternate source. This mechanism operates as follows: (A) Find a True Name entry in the True File registry 126. If there is no entry for this True Name, this mechanism's task is complete. (B) Find the requesting processor on the source list and, if it is there, remove it. (C) If an alternate source is provided, add it to the source list for the True File registry entry record 140. (D) If the source list of the True File registry entry record 140 has no items in it, use the Locate Remote File primitive mechanism to search for another copy of the file. If it fails, raise a serious error. 5. Cancel Reservation This mechanism allows a remote processor to indicate that it no longer requires access to a True File stored on the local processor. It begins with a True Name and a requesting processor ID and proceeds as follows: (A) Find the True Name entry in the True File registry 126. If there is no entry for this True Name, this mechanism's task is complete. (B) Remove the identity of the requesting processor from the list of dependent processors, if it appears. (C) If the list of dependent processors becomes zero and the use count is also zero, delete the True File. 6. Acquire True File This mechanism allows a remote processor to insist that a local processor make a copy of a specified True File. It is used, for example, when a cache client wants to write through a new version of a file. The Acquire True File mechanism begins with a data item and an optional True Name for the data item and proceeds as follows: (A) Confirm that the requesting processor has the right to require the local processor to acquire data items. If not, send a negative reply. (B) Make a local copy of the data item transmitted by the remote processor. (C) Assimilate the data item into the True File registry of the local processor. (D) If a True Name was provided with the file, the True Name calculation can be avoided, or the mechanism can verify that the file received matches the True Name sent. (E) Add an entry in the dependent processor list of the true file registry record indicating that the requesting processor depends on this copy of the given True File. (F) Send a positive reply. 7. Lock Cache This mechanism allows a remote cache client to lock a local file so that local users or other cache clients cannot change it while the remote processor is using it. The mechanism begins with a pathname and proceeds as follows: (A) Find the local directory extensions table entry record 138 of the specified pathname. If no such entry exists, reply negatively. (B) If an local directory extensions table entry record 138 exists and is already locked, reply negatively that the file is already locked. (C) If an local directory extensions table entry record 138 exists and is not locked, lock the entry. Reply positively. 8. Update Cache This mechanism allows a remote cache client to unlock a local file and update it with new contents. It begins with a pathname and a True Name. The file corresponding to the True Name must be accessible from the remote processor. This mechanism operates as follows: Find the local directory extensions table entry record 138 corresponding to the given pathname. Reply negatively if no such entry exists or if the entry is not locked. Link the given pathname to the given True Name using the Link Path to True Name primitive mechanism. Unlock the local directory extensions table entry record 138 and return positively. 9. Check Expiration Date Return current or new expiration date and possible alternative source to caller. Background Processes and Mechanisms The background processes and mechanisms provided by the present invention are now described. Recall that background mechanisms are intended to run occasionally and at a low priority to provide automated management capabilities with respect to the present invention. The following background mechanisms are described: 1. Mirror True File; 2. Groom Region; 3. Check for Expired Links; 4. Verify Region; and 5. Groom Source List. 1. Mirror True File This mechanism is used to ensure that files are available in alternate locations in mirror groups or archived on archival servers. The mechanism depends on application-specific migration/archival criteria (size, time since last access, number of copies required, number of existing alternative sources) which determine under what conditions a file should be moved. The Mirror True File mechanism operates as follows, using the True File specified, perform the following steps: (A) Count the number of available locations of the True File by inspecting the source list of the True File registry entry record 140 for the True File. This step determines how many copies of the True. File are available in the system. (B) If the True File meets the specified migration criteria, select a mirror group server to which a copy of the file should be sent. Use the Acquire True File remote mechanism to copy the True File to the selected mirror group server. Add the identity of the selected system to the source list for the True File. 2. Groom Region This mechanism is used to automatically free up space in a processor by deleting data items that may be available elsewhere. The mechanism depends on application-specific grooming criteria (for instance, a file may be removed if there is an alternate online source for it, it has not been accessed in a given number of days, and it is larger than a given size). This mechanism operates as follows: Repeat the following steps (i) to (iii) with more aggressive grooming criteria until sufficient space is freed or until all grooming criteria have been exercised. Use grooming information to determine how much space has been freed. Recall that, while grooming is in effect, grooming information includes a table of pathnames selected for deletion, and keeps track of the amount of space that would be freed if all of the files were deleted. (i) Begin Grooming (using the primitive mechanism). (ii) For each pathname in the specified region, for the True File corresponding to the pathname, if the True File is present, has at least one alternative source, and meets application specific grooming criteria for the region, select the file for removal (using the primitive mechanism). (iii) End Grooming (using the primitive mechanism). If the region is used as a cache, no other processors are dependent on True Files to which it refers, and all such True Files are mirrored elsewhere. In this case, True Files can be removed with impunity. For a cache region, the grooming criteria would ordinarily eliminate the least recently accessed True Files first. This is best done by sorting the True Files in the region by the most recent access time before performing step (ii) above. The application specific criteria would thus be to select for removal every True File encountered (beginning with the least recently used) until the required amount of free space is reached. 3. Check for Expired Links This mechanism is used to determine whether dependencies on published files should be refreshed. The following steps describe the operation of this mechanism: For each pathname in the specified region, for each True File corresponding to the pathname, perform the following step: If the True File registry entry record 140 corresponding to the True File contains at least one source which is a publishing server, and if the expiration date on the dependency is past or close, then perform the following steps: (A) Determine whether the True File registry entry record contains other sources which have not expired. (B) Check the True Name expiration of the server. If the expiration date has been extended, or an alternate source is suggested, add the source to the True File registry entry record 140. (C) If no acceptable alternate source was found in steps (A) or (B) above, make a local copy of the True File. (D) Remove the expired source. 4. Verify Region This mechanism can be used to ensure that the data items in the True File registry 126 have not been damaged accidentally or maliciously. The operation of this mechanism is described by the following steps: (A) Search the local directory extensions table 124 for each pathname in the specified region and then perform the following steps: (i) Get the True File name corresponding to the pathname; (ii) If the True File registry entry 140 for the True File does not have a True File ID or compressed file ID, ignore it. (iii) Use the Verify True File mechanism (see extended mechanisms below) to confirm that the True File specified is correct. 5. Groom Source List The source list in a True File entry should be groomed sometimes to ensure there are not too many mirror or archive copies. When a file is deleted or when a region definition or its mirror criteria are changed, it may be necessary to inspect the affected True Files to determine whether there are too many mirror copies. This can be done with the following steps: For each affected True File, (A) Search the local directory extensions table to find each region that refers to the True File. (B) Create a set of “required sources”, initially empty. (C) For each region found, (a) determine the mirroring criteria for that region, (b) determine which sources for the True File satisfy the mirroring criteria, and (c) add these sources to the set of required sources. (D) For each source in the True File registry entry, if the source identifies a remote processor (as opposed to removable media), and if the source is not a publisher, and if the source is not in the set of required sources, then eliminate the source, and use the Cancel Reservation remote mechanism to eliminate the given processor from the list of dependent processors recorded at the remote processor identified by the source. Extended Mechanisms The extended mechanisms provided by the present invention are now described. Recall that extended mechanisms run within application programs over the operating system to provide solutions to specific problems and applications. The following extended mechanisms are described: 1. Inventory Existing Directory; 2. Inventory Removable, Read-only Files; 3. Synchronize Directories; 4. Publish Region; 5. Retire Directory; 6. Realize Directory at Location; 7. Verify True File; 8. Track for Accounting Purposes; and 9. Track for Licensing Purposes. 1. Inventory Existing Directory This mechanism determines the True Names of files in an existing on-line directory in the underlying operating system. One purpose of this mechanism is to install True Name mechanisms in an existing file system. An effect of such an installation is to eliminate immediately all duplicate files from the file system being traversed. If several file systems are inventoried in a single True File registry, duplicates across the volumes are also eliminated. (A) Traverse the underlying file system in the operating system. For each file encountered, excluding directories, perform the following: (i) Assimilate the file encountered (using the Assimilate File primitive mechanism). This process computes its True Name and moves its data into the True File registry 126. (ii) Create a pathname consisting of the path to the volume directory and the relative path of the file on the media. Link this path to the computed True Name using the Link Path to True Name primitive mechanism. 2. Inventory Removable, Read-Only Files A system with access to removable, read-only media volumes (such as WORM disks and CD-ROMs) can create a usable inventory of the files on these disks without having to make online copies. These objects can then be used for archival purposes, directory overlays, or other needs. An operator must request that an inventory be created for such a volume. This mechanism allows for maintaining inventories of the contents of files and data items on removable media, such as diskettes and CD-ROMs, independent of other properties of the files such as name, location, and date of creation. The mechanism creates an online inventory of the files on one or more removable volumes, such as a floppy disk or CD-ROM, when the data on the volume is represented as a directory. The inventory service uses a True Name to identify each file, providing a way to locate the data independent of its name, date of creation, or location. The inventory can be used for archival of data (making it possible to avoid archiving data. When that data is already on a separate volume), for grooming (making it possible to delete infrequently accessed files if they can be retrieved from removable volumes), for version control (making it possible to generate a new version of a CD-ROM without having to copy the old version), and for other purposes. The inventory is made by creating a volume directory in the media inventory in which each file named identifies the data item on the volume being inventoried. Data items are not copied from the removable volume during the inventory process. An operator must request that an inventory be created for a specific volume. Once created, the volume directory can be frozen or copied like any other directory. Data items from either the physical volume or the volume directory can be accessed using the Open File operating system mechanism which will cause them to be read from the physical volume using the Realize True File from Location primitive mechanism. To create an inventory the following steps are taken: (A) A volume directory in the media inventory is created to correspond to the volume being inventoried. Its contextual name identifies the specific volume. (B) A source table entry 144 for the volume is created in the source table 130. This entry 144 identifies the physical source volume and the volume directory created in step (A). (C) The file system on the volume is traversed. For each file encountered, excluding directories, the following steps are taken: (i) The True Name of the file is computed. An entry is created in the True Name registry 124, including the True Name of the file using the primitive mechanism. The source field of the True Name registry entry 140 identifies the source table entry 144. (ii) A pathname is created consisting of the path to the volume directory and the relative path of the file on the media. This path is linked to the computed True Name using Link Path to True Name primitive mechanism. (D) After all files have been inventoried, the volume directory is frozen. The volume directory serves as a table of contents for the volume. It can be copied using the Copy File or Directory primitive mechanism to create an “overlay” directory which can then be modified, making it possible to edit a virtual copy of a read-only medium. 3. Synchronize Directories Given two versions of a directory derived from the same starting point, this mechanism creates a new, synchronized version which includes the changes from each. Where a file is changed in both versions, this mechanism provides a user exit for handling the discrepancy. By using True Names, comparisons are instantaneous, and no copies of files are necessary. This mechanism lets a local processor synchronize a directory to account for changes made at a remote processor. Its purpose is to bring a local copy of a directory up to date after a period of no communication between the local and remote processor. Such a period might occur if the local processor were a mobile processor detached from its server, or if two distant processors were run independently and updated nightly. An advantage of the described synchronization process is that it does not depend on synchronizing the clocks of the local and remote processors. However, it does require that the local processor track its position in the remote processor's audit file. This mechanism does not resolve changes made simultaneously to the same file at several sites. If that occurs, an external resolution mechanism such as, for example, operator intervention, is required. The mechanism takes as input a start time, a local directory pathname, a remote processor name, and a remote directory pathname name, and it operates by the following steps: (A) Request a copy of the audit file 132 from the remote processor using the Request True File remote mechanism. (B) For each entry 146 in the audit file 132 after the start time, if the entry indicates a change to a file in the remote directory, perform the following steps: (i) Compute the pathname of the corresponding file in the local directory. Determine the True Name of the corresponding file. (ii) If the True Name of the local file is the same as the old True Name in the audit file, or if there is no local file and the audit entry indicates a new file is being created, link the new True Name in the audit file to the local pathname using the Link Path to True Name primitive mechanism. (iii) Otherwise, note that there is a problem with the synchronization by sending a message to the operator or to a problem resolution program, indicating the local pathname, remote pathname, remote processor, and time of change. (C) After synchronization is complete, record the time of the final change. This time is to be used as the new start time the next time this directory is synchronized with the same remote processor. 4. Publish Region The publish region mechanism allows a processor to offer the files in a region to any client processors for a limited period of time. The purpose of the service is to eliminate any need for client processors to make reservations with the publishing processor. This in turn makes it possible for the publishing processor to service a much larger number of clients. When a region is published, an expiration date is defined for all files in the region, and is propagated into the publishing system's True File registry entry record 140 for each file. When a remote file is copied, for instance using the Copy File operating system mechanism, the expiration date is copied into the source field of the client's True File registry entry record 140. When the source is a publishing system, no dependency need be created. The client processor must occasionally and in background, check for expired links, to make sure it still has access to these files. This is described in the background mechanism Check for Expired Links. 5. Retire Directory This mechanism makes it possible to eliminate safely the True Files in a directory, or at least dependencies on them, after ensuring that any client processors depending on those files remove their dependencies. The files in the directory are not actually deleted by this process. The directory can be deleted with the Delete File operating system mechanism. The mechanism takes the pathname of a given directory, and optionally, the identification of a preferred alternate source processor for clients to use. The mechanism performs the following steps: (A) Traverse the directory. For each file in the directory, perform the following steps: (i) Get the True Name of the file from its path and find the True File registry entry 140 associated with the True Name. (ii) Determine an alternate source for the True File. If the source IDs field of the TFR entry includes the preferred alternate source, that is the alternate source. If it does not, but includes some other source, that is the alternate source. If it contains no alternate sources, there is no alternate source. (iii) For each dependent processor in the True File registry entry 140, ask that processor to retire the True File, specifying an alternate source if one was determined, using the remote mechanism. 6. Realize Directory at Location This mechanism allows the user or operating system to force copies of files from some source location to the True File registry 126 at a given location. The purpose of the mechanism is to ensure that files are accessible in the event the source location becomes inaccessible. This can happen for instance if the source or given location are on mobile computers, or are on removable media, or if the network connection to the source is expected to become unavailable, or if the source is being retired. This mechanism is provided in the following steps for each file in the given directory, with the exception of subdirectories: (A) Get the local directory extensions table entry record 138 given the pathname of the file. Get the True Name of the local directory extensions table entry record 138. This service assimilates the file if it has not already been assimilated. (B) Realize the corresponding True File at the given location. This service causes it to be copied to the given location from a remote system or removable media. 7. Verify True File This mechanism is used to verify that the data item in a True File registry 126 is indeed the correct data item given its True Name. Its purpose is to guard against device errors, malicious changes, or other problems. If an error is found, the system has the ability to “heal” itself by finding another source for the True File with the given name. It may also be desirable to verify that the error has not propagated to other systems, and to log the problem or indicate it to the computer operator. These details are not described here. To verify a data item that is not in a True File registry 126, use the Calculate True Name primitive mechanism described above. The basic mechanism begins with a True Name, and operates in the following steps: (A) Find the True File registry entry record 140 corresponding to the given True Name. (B) If there is a True File ID for the True File registry entry record 140 then use it. Otherwise, indicate that no file exists to verify. (C) Calculate the True Name of the data item given the file ID of the data item. (D) Confirm that the calculated True Name is equal to the given True Name. (E) If the True Names are not equal, there is an error in the True File registry 126. Remove the True File ID from the True File registry entry record 140 and place it somewhere else. Indicate that the True File registry entry record 140 contained an error. 8. Track for Accounting Purposes This mechanism provides a way to know reliably which files have been stored on a system or transmitted from one system to another. The mechanism can be used as a basis for a value-based accounting system in which charges are based on the identity of the data stored or transmitted, rather than simply on the number of bits. This mechanism allows the system to track possession of specific data items according to content by owner, independent of the name, date, or other properties of the data item, and tracks the uses of specific data items and files by content for accounting purposes. True names make it possible to identify each file briefly yet uniquely for this purpose. Tracking the identities of files requires maintaining an accounting log 134 and processing it for accounting or billing purposes. The mechanism operates in the following steps: (A) Note every time a file is created or deleted, for instance by monitoring audit entries in the Process Audit File Entry primitive mechanism. When such an event is encountered, create an entry 148 in the accounting log 134 that Shows the responsible party and the identity of the file created or deleted. (B) Every time a file is transmitted for instance when a file is copied with a Request True File remote mechanism or an Acquire True File remote mechanism, create an entry in the accounting log 134 that shows the responsible party, the identity of the file, and the source and destination processors. (C) Occasionally run an accounting program to process the accounting log 134, distributing the events to the account records of each responsible party. The account records can eventually be summarized for billing purposes. 9. Track for Licensing Purposes This mechanism ensures that licensed files are not used by unauthorized parties. The True Name provides a safe way to identify licensed material. This service allows proof of possession of specific files according to their contents without disclosing their contents. Enforcing use of valid licenses can be active (for example, by refusing to provide access to a file without authorization) or passive (for example, by creating a report of users who do not have proper authorization). One possible way to perform license validation is to perform occasional audits of employee systems. The service described herein relies on True Names to support such an audit, as in the following steps: (A) For each licensed product, record in the license table 136 the True Name of key files in the product (that is, files which are required in order to use the product, and which do not occur in other products) Typically, for a software product, this would include the main executable image and perhaps other major files such as clip-art, scripts, or online help. Also record the identity of each system which is authorized to have a copy of the file. (B) occasionally, compare the contents of each user processor against the license table 136. For each True Name in the license table do the following: (i) Unless the user processor is authorized to have a copy of the file, confirm that the user processor does not have a copy of the file using the Locate True File mechanism. (ii) If the user processor is found to have a file that it is not authorized to have, record the user processor and True Name in a license violation table. The System in Operation Given the mechanisms described above, the operation of a typical DP system employing these mechanisms is now described in order to demonstrate how the present invention meets its requirements and capabilities. In operation, data items (for example, files, database records, messages, data segments, data blocks, directories, instances of object classes, and the like) in a DP system employing the present invention are identified by substantially unique identifiers (True Names), the identifiers depending on all of the data in the data items and only on the data in the data items. The primitive mechanisms Calculate True Name and Assimilate Data Item support this property. For any given data item, using the Calculate True Name primitive mechanism, a substantially unique identifier or True Name for that data item can be determined. Further, in operation of a DP system incorporating the present invention, multiple copies of data items are avoided (unless they are required for some reason such as backups or mirror copies in a fault-tolerant system). Multiple copies of data items are avoided even when multiple names refer to the same data item. The primitive mechanisms Assimilate Data Items and True File support this property. Using the Assimilate Data Item primitive mechanism, if a data item already exists in the system, as indicated by an entry in the True File registry 126, this existence will be discovered by this mechanism, and the duplicate data item (the new data item) will be eliminated (or not added). Thus, for example, if a data file is being copied onto a system from a floppy disk, if, based on the True Name of the data file, it is determined that the data file already exists in the system (by the same or some other name), then the duplicate copy will not be installed. If the data item was being installed on the system by some name other than its current name, then, using the Link Path to True Name primitive mechanism, the other (or new) name can be linked to the already existing data item. In general, the mechanisms of the present invention operate in such a way as to avoid recreating an actual data item at a location when a copy of that data item is already present at that location. In the case of a copy from a floppy disk, the data item (file) may have to be copied (into a scratch file) before it can be determined that it is a duplicate. This is because only one processor is involved. On the other hand, in a multiprocessor environment or DP system, each processor has a record of the True Names of the data items on that processor. When a data item is to be copied to another location (another processor) in the DP system, all that is necessary is to examine the True Name of the data item prior to the copying. If a data item with the same True Name already exists at the destination location (processor), then there is no need to copy the data item. Note that if a data item which already exists locally at a destination location is still copied to the destination location (for example, because the remote system did not have a True Name for the data item or because it arrives as a stream of un-named data), the Assimilate Data Item primitive mechanism will prevent multiple copies of the data item from being created. Since the True Name of a large data item (a compound data item) is derived from and based on the True Names of components of the data item, copying of an entire data item can be avoided. Since some (or all) of the components of a large data item may already be present at a destination location, only those components which are not present there need be copied. This property derives from the manner in which True Names are determined. When a file is copied by the Copy File or Directory operating system mechanism, only the True Name of the file is actually replicated. When a file is opened (using the open File operating system mechanism), it uses the Make True File Local primitive mechanism (either directly or indirectly through the Create Scratch File primitive mechanism) to create a local copy of the file. The Open File operating system mechanism uses the Make True File Local primitive mechanism, which uses the Realize True File from Location primitive mechanism, which, in turn uses the Request True File remote mechanism. The Request True File remote mechanism copies only a single data item from one processor to another. If the data item is a compound file, its component segments are not copied, only the indirect block is copied. The segments are copied only when they are read (or otherwise needed). The Read File operating system mechanism actually reads data. The Read File mechanism is aware of compound files and indirect blocks, and it uses the Realize True File from Location primitive mechanism to make sure that component segments are locally available, and then uses the operating system file mechanisms to read data from the local file. Thus, when a compound file is copied from a remote system, only its True Name is copied. When it is opened, only its indirect block is copied. When the corresponding file is read, the required component segments are realized and therefore copied. In operation data items can be accessed by reference to their identities (True Names) independent of their present location. The actual data item or True File corresponding to a given data identifier or True Name may reside anywhere in the system (that is, locally, remotely, offline, etc). If a required True File is present locally, then the data in the file can be accessed. If the data item is not present locally, there are a number of ways in which it can be obtained from wherever it is present. Using the source IDs field of the True File registry table, the location(s) of copies of the True File corresponding to a given True Name can be determined. The Realize True File from Location primitive mechanism tries to make a local copy of a True File, given its True Name and the name of a source location (processor or media) that may contain the True File. If, on the other hand, for some reason it is not known where there is a copy of the True File, or if the processors identified in the source IDs field do not respond with the required True File, the processor requiring the data item can make a general request for the data item using the Request True File remote mechanism from all processors in the system that it can contact. As a result, the system provides transparent access to any data item by reference to its data identity, and independent of its present location. In operation, data items in the system can be verified and have their integrity checked. This is from the manner in which True Names are determined. This can be used for security purposes, for instance, to check for viruses and to verify that data retrieved from another location is the desired, and requested data. For example, the system might store the True Names of all executable applications on the system and then periodically redetermine the True Names of each of these applications to ensure that they match the stored True Names. Any change in a True Name potentially signals corruption in the system and can be further investigated. The Verify Region background mechanism and the Verify. True File extended mechanisms provide direct support for this mode of operation. The Verify. Region mechanism is used to ensure that the data items in the True File registry have not been damaged accidentally or maliciously. The Verify True File mechanism verifies that a data item in a True File registry is indeed the correct data item given its True Name. Once a processor has determined where (that is, at which other processor or location) a copy of a data item is in the DP system, that processor might need that other processor or location to keep a copy of that data item. For example, a processor might want to delete local copies of data items to make space available locally while knowing that it can rely on retrieving the data from somewhere else when needed. To this end the system allows a processor to Reserve (and cancel the reservation of) True Files at remote locations (using the remote mechanism). In this way the remote locations are put on notice that another location is relying on the presence of the True File at their location. A DP system employing the present invention can be made into a fault-tolerant system by providing a certain amount of redundancy of data items at multiple locations in the system. Using the Acquire True File and Reserve True File remote mechanisms, a particular processor can implement its own form of fault-tolerance by copying data items to other processors and then reserving them there. However, the system also provides the Mirror True File background mechanism to mirror (make copies) of the True File available elsewhere in the system. Any degree of redundancy (limited by the number of processors or locations in the system) can be implemented. As a result, this invention maintains a desired degree or level of redundancy in a network of processors, to protect against failure of any particular processor by ensuring that multiple copies of data items exist at different locations. The data structures used to implement various features and mechanisms of this invention store a variety of useful information which can be used, in conjunction with the various mechanisms, to implement storage schemes and policies in a DP system employing the invention. For example, the size, age and location of a data item (or of groups of data items) is provided. This information can be used to decide how the data items should be treated. For example, a processor may implement a policy of deleting local copies of all data items over a certain age if other copies of those data items are present elsewhere in the system. The age (or variations on the age) can be determined using the time of last access or modification in the local directory extensions table, and the presence of other copies of the data item can be determined either from the Safe Flag or the source IDs, or by checking which other processors in the system have copies of the data item and then reserving at least one of those copies. In operation, the system can keep track of data items regardless of how those items are named by users (or regardless of whether the data items even have names). The system can also track data items that have different names (in different or the same location) as well as different data items that have the same name. Since a data item is identified by the data in the item, without regard for the context of the data, the problems of inconsistent naming in a DP system are overcome. In operation, the system can publish data items, allowing other, possibly anonymous, systems in a network to gain access to the data items and to rely on the availability of these data items. True Names are globally unique identifiers which can be published simply by copying them. For example, a user might create a textual representation of a file on system A with True Name N (for instance as a hexadecimal string), and post it on a computer bulletin board. Another user on system B could create a directory entry F for this True Name N by using the Link Path to True Name primitive mechanism. (Alternatively, an application could be developed which hides the True Name from the users, but provides the same public transfer service.) When a program on system B attempts to open pathname F linked to True Name N, the Locate Remote File primitive mechanism would be used, and would use the Locate True File remote mechanism to search for True Name N on one or more remote processors, such as system A. If system B has access to system A, it would be able to realize the True File (using the Realize True File from Location primitive mechanism) and use it locally. Alternatively, system B could find True Name N by accessing any publicly available True Name server, if the server could eventually forward the request to system A. Clients of a local server can indicate that they depend on a given True File (using the Reserve True File remote mechanism) so that the True File is not deleted from the server registry as long as some client requires access to it. (The Retire True File remote mechanism is used to indicate that a client no longer needs a given True File.) A publishing server, on the other hand, may want to provide access to many clients, and possibly anonymous ones, without incurring the overhead of tracking dependencies for each client. Therefore, a public server can provide expiration dates for True Files in its registry. This allows client systems to safely maintain references to a True File on the public server. The Check For Expired Links background mechanism allows the client of a publishing server to occasionally confirm that its dependencies on the publishing server are safe. In a variation of this aspect of the invention, a processor that is newly connected (or reconnected after some absence) to the system can obtain a current version of all (or of needed) data in the system by requesting it from a server processor. Any such processor can send a request to update or resynchronize all of its directories (starting at a root directory), simply by using the Synchronize Directories extended mechanism on the needed directories. Using the accounting log or some other user provided mechanism, a user can prove the existence of certain data items at certain times. By publishing (in a public place) a list of all True Names in the system on a given day (or at some given time), a user can later refer back to that list to show that a particular data item was present in the system at the time that list was published. Such a mechanism is useful in tracking, for example, laboratory notebooks or the like to prove dates of conception of inventions. Such a mechanism also permits proof of possession of a data item at a particular date and time. The accounting log file can also track the use of specific data items and files by content for accounting purposes. For instance, an information utility company can determine the data identities of data items that are stored and transmitted through its computer systems, and use these identities to provide bills to its customers based on the identities of the data items being transmitted (as defined by the substantially unique identifier). The assignment of prices for storing and transmitting specific True Files would be made by the information utility and/or its data suppliers; this information would be joined periodically with the information in the accounting log file to produce customer statements. Backing up data items in a DP system employing the present invention can be done based on the True Names of the data items. By tracking backups using True Names, duplication in the backups is prevented. In operation, the system maintains a backup record of data identifiers of data items already backed up, and invokes the Copy File or Directory operating system mechanism to copy only those data items whose data identifiers are not recorded in the backup record. Once a data item has been backed up, it can be restored by retrieving it from its backup location, based on the identifier of the data item. Using the backup record produced by the backup to identify the data item, the data item can be obtained using, for example, the Make True File Local primitive mechanism. In operation, the system can be used to cache data items from a server, so that only the most recently accessed data items need be retained. To operate in this way, a cache client is configured to have a local registry (its cache) with a remote Local Directory Extensions table (from the cache server). Whenever a file is opened (or read), the Local Directory Extensions table is used to identify the True Name, and the Make True File Local primitive mechanism inspects the local registry. When the local registry already has a copy, the file is already cached. Otherwise, the Locate True File remote mechanism is used to get a copy of the file. This mechanism consults the cache server and uses the Request True File remote mechanism to make a local copy, effectively loading the cache. The Groom Cache background mechanism flushes the cache, removing the least-recently-used files from the cache client's True File registry. While a file is being modified on a cache client, the Lock Cache and Update Cache remote mechanisms prevent other clients from trying to modify the same file. In operation, when the system is being used to cache data items, the problems of maintaining cache consistency are avoided. To access a cache and to fill it from its server, a key is required to identify the data item desired. Ordinarily, the key is a name or address (in this case, it would be the pathname of a file). If the data associated with such a key is changed, the client's cache becomes inconsistent; when the cache client refers to that name, it will retrieve the wrong data. In order to maintain cache consistency it is necessary to notify every client immediately whenever a change occurs on the server. By using an embodiment of the present invention, the cache key uniquely identifies the data it represents. When the data associated with a name changes, the key itself changes. Thus, when a cache client wishes to access the modified data associated with a given file name, it will use a new key (the True Name of the new file) rather than the key to the old file contents in its cache. The client will always request the correct data, and the old data in its cache will be eventually aged and flushed by the Groom Cache background mechanism. Because it is not necessary to immediately notify clients when changes on the cache server occur, the present invention makes it possible for a single server to support a much larger number of clients than is otherwise possible. In operation, the system automatically archives data items as they are created or modified. After a file is created or modified, the Close File operating system mechanism creates an audit file record, which is eventually processed by the Process Audit File Entry primitive mechanism. This mechanism uses the True File primitive mechanism for any file which is newly created, which in turn uses the Mirror True File background mechanism if the True File is in a mirrored or archived region. This mechanism causes one or more copies of the new file to be made on remote processors. In operation, the system can efficiently record and preserve any collection of data items. The Freeze Directory primitive mechanism creates a True File which identifies all of the files in the directory and its subordinates. Because this True File includes the True Names of its constituents, it represents the exact contents of the directory tree at the time it was frozen. The frozen directory can be copied with its components preserved. The Acquire True File remote mechanism (used in mirroring and archiving) preserves the directory tree structure by ensuring that all of the component segments and True Files in a compound data item are actually copied to a remote system. Of course, no transfer is necessary for data items already in the registry of the remote system. In operation, the system can efficiently make a copy of any collection of data items, to support a version control mechanism for groups of the data items. The Freeze Directory primitive mechanism is used to create a collection of data items. The constituent files and segments referred to by the frozen directory are maintained in the registry, without any need to make copies of the constituents each time the directory is frozen. Whenever a pathname is traversed, the Get Files in Directory operating system mechanism is used, and when it encounters a frozen directory, it uses the Expand Frozen Directory primitive mechanism. A frozen directory can be copied from one pathname to another efficiently, merely by copying its True Name. The Copy File operating system mechanism is used to copy a frozen directory. Thus it is possible to efficiently create copies of different versions of a directory, thereby creating a record of its history (hence a version control system). In operation, the system can maintain a local inventory of all the data items located on a given removable medium, such as a diskette or CD-ROM. The inventory is independent of other properties of the data items such as their name, location, and date of creation. The Inventory Existing. Directory extended mechanism provides a way to create True File Registry entries for all of the files in a directory. One use of this inventory is as a way to pre-load a True File registry with backup record information. Those files in the registry (such as previously installed software) which are on the volumes inventoried need not be backed up onto other volumes. The Inventory Removable, Read-only Files extended mechanism not only determines the True Names for the files on the medium, but also records directory entries for each file in a frozen directory structure. By copying and modifying this directory, it is possible to create an on line patch, or small modification of an existing read-only file. For example, it is possible to create an online representation of a modified CD-ROM, such that the unmodified files are actually on the CD-ROM, and only the modified files are online. In operation, the system tracks possession of specific data items according to content by owner, independent of the name, date, or other properties of the data item, and tracks the uses of specific data items and files by content for accounting purposes. Using the Track for Accounting Purposes extended mechanism provides a way to know reliably which files have been stored on a system or transmitted from one system to another. True Names in Relational and Object-Oriented Databases Although the preferred embodiment of this invention has been presented in the context of a file system, the invention of True Names would be equally valuable in a relational or object-oriented database. A relational or object-oriented database system using True Names would have similar benefits to those of the file system employing the invention. For instance, such a database would permit efficient elimination of duplicate records, support a cache for records, simplify the process of maintaining cache consistency, provide location-independent access to records, maintain archives and histories of records, and synchronize with distant or disconnected systems or databases. The mechanisms described above can be easily modified to serve in such a database environment. The True Name registry would be used as a repository of database records. All references to records would be via the True Name of the record. (The Local Directory Extensions table is an example of a primary index that uses the True Name as the unique identifier of the desired records.) In such a database, the operations of inserting, updating, and deleting records would be implemented by first assimilating records into the registry, and then updating a primary key index to map the key of the record to its contents by using the True Name as a pointer to the contents. The mechanisms described in the preferred embodiment, or similar mechanisms, would be employed in such a system. These mechanisms could include, for example, the mechanisms for calculating true names, assimilating, locating, realizing, deleting, copying, and moving True Files for mirroring True Files, for maintaining a cache of True Files, for grooming True Files, and other mechanisms based on the use of substantially unique identifiers. While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to data processing systems and, more particularly, to data processing systems wherein data items are identified by substantially unique identifiers which depend on all of the data in the data items and only on the data in the data items. 2. Background of the Invention Data processing (DP) systems, computers, networks of computers, or the like, typically offer users and programs various ways to identify the data in the systems. Users typically identify data in the data processing system by giving the data some form of name. For example, a typical operating system (OS) on a computer provides a file system in which data items are named by alphanumeric identifiers. Programs typically identify data in the data processing system using a location or address. For example, a program may identify a record in a file or database by using a record number which serves to locate that record. In all but the most primitive operating systems, users and programs are able to create and use collections of named data items, these collections themselves being named by identifiers. These named collections can then, themselves, be made part of other named collections. For example, an OS may provide mechanisms to group files (data items) into directories (collections). These directories can then, themselves be made part of other directories. A data item may thus be identified relative to these nested directories using a sequence of names, or a so-called pathname, which defines a path through the directories to a particular data item (file or directory). As another example, a database management system may group data records (data items) into tables and then group these tables into database files (collections). The complete address of any data record can then be specified using the database file name, the table name, and the record number of that data record. Other examples of identifying data items include: identifying files in a network file system, identifying objects in an object-oriented database, identifying images in an image database, and identifying articles in a text database. In general, the terms “data” and “data item” as used herein refer to sequences of bits. Thus a data item may be the contents of a file, a portion of a file, a page in memory, an object in an object-oriented program, a digital message, a digital scanned image, a part of a video or audio signal, or any other entity which can be represented by a sequence of bits. The term “data processing” herein refers to the processing of data items, and is sometimes dependent on the type of data item being processed. For example, a data processor for a digital image may differ from a data processor for an audio signal. In all of the prior data processing systems the names or identifiers provided to identify data items (the data items being files, directories, records in the database, objects in object-oriented programming, locations in memory or on a physical device, or the like) are always defined relative to a specific context. For instance, the file identified by a particular file name can only be determined when the directory containing the file (the context) is known. The file identified by a pathname can be determined only when the file system (context) is known. Similarly, the addresses in a process address space, the keys in a database table, or domain names on a global computer network such as the Internet are meaningful only because they are specified relative to a context. In prior art systems for identifying data items there is no direct relationship between the data names and the data item. The same data name in two different contexts may refer to different data items, and two different data names in the same context may refer to the same data item. In addition, because there is no correlation between a data name and the data it refers to, there is no a priori way to confirm that a given data item is in fact the one named by a data name. For instance, in a DP system, if one processor requests that another processor deliver a data item with a given data name, the requesting processor cannot, in general, verify that the data delivered is the correct data (given only the name). Therefore it may require further processing, typically on the part of the requester, to verify that the data item it has obtained is, in fact, the item it requested. A common operation in a DP system is adding a new data item to the system. When a new data item is added to the system, a name can be assigned to it only by updating the context in which names are defined. Thus such systems require a centralized mechanism for the management of names. Such a mechanism is required even in a multi-processing system when data items are created and identified at separate processors in distinct locations, and in which there is no other need for communication when data items are added. In many data processing systems or environments, data items are transferred between different locations in the system. These locations may be processors in the data processing system, storage devices, memory, or the like. For example, one processor may obtain a data item from another processor or from an external storage device, such as a floppy disk, and may incorporate that data item into its system (using the name provided with that data item). However, when a processor (or some location) obtains a data item from another location in the DP system, it is possible that this obtained data item is already present in the system (either at the location of the processor or at some other location accessible by the processor) and therefore a duplicate of the data item is created. This situation is common in a network data processing environment where proprietary software products are installed from floppy disks onto several processors sharing a common file server. In these systems, it is often the case that the same product will be installed on several systems, so that several copies of each file will reside on the common file server. In some data processing systems in which several processors are connected in a network, one system is designated as a cache server to maintain master copies of data items, and other systems are designated as cache clients to copy local copies of the master data items into a local cache on an as-needed basis. Before using a cached item, a cache client must either reload the cached item, be informed of changes to the cached item, or confirm that the master item corresponding to the cached item has not changed. In other words, a cache client must synchronize its data items with those on the cache server. This synchronization may involve reloading data items onto the cache client. The need to keep the cache synchronized or reload it adds significant overhead to existing caching mechanisms. In view of the above and other problems with prior art systems, it is therefore desirable to have a mechanism which allows each processor in a multiprocessor system to determine a common and substantially unique identifier for a data item, using only the data in the data item and not relying on any sort of context. It is further desirable to have a mechanism for reducing multiple copies of data items in a data processing system and to have a mechanism which enables the identification of identical data items so as to reduce multiple copies. It is further desirable to determine whether two instances of a data item are in fact the same data item, and to perform various other systems' functions and applications on data items without relying on any context information or properties of the data item. It is also desirable to provide such a mechanism in such a way as to make it transparent to users of the data processing system, and it is desirable that a single mechanism be used to address each of the problems described above.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>This invention provides, in a data processing system, a method and apparatus for identifying a data item in the system, where the identity of the data item depends on all of the data in the data item and only on the data in the data item. Thus the identity of a data item is independent of its name, origin, location, address, or other information not derivable directly from the data, and depends only on the data itself. This invention further provides an apparatus and a method for determining whether a particular data item is present in the system or at a location in the system, by examining only the data identities of a plurality of data items. Using the method or apparatus of the present invention, the efficiency and integrity of a data processing system can be improved. The present invention improves the design and operation of a data storage system, file system, relational database, object-oriented database, or the like that stores a plurality of data items, by making possible or improving the design and operation of at least some or all of the following features: the system stores at most one copy of any data item at a given location, even when multiple data names in the system refer to the same contents; the system avoids copying data from source to destination locations when the destination locations already have the data; the system provides transparent access to any data item by reference only to its identity and independent of its present location, whether it be local, remote, or offline; the system caches data items from a server, so that only the most recently accessed data items need be retained; when the system is being used to cache data items, problems of maintaining cache consistency are avoided; the system maintains a desired level of redundancy of data items in a network of servers, to protect against failure by ensuring that multiple copies of the data items are present at different locations in the system; the system automatically archives data items as they are created or modified; the system provides the size, age, and location of groups of data items in order to decide whether they can be safely removed from a local file system; the system can efficiently record and preserve any collection of data items; the system can efficiently make a copy of any collection of data items, to support a version control mechanism for groups of the data items; the system can publish data items, allowing other, possibly anonymous, systems in a network to gain access to the data items and to rely on the availability of the data items; the system can maintain a local inventory of all the data items located on a given removable medium, such as a diskette or CD-ROM, the inventory is independent of other properties of the data items such as their name, location, and date of creation; the system allows closely related sets of data items, such as matching or corresponding directories on disconnected computers, to be periodically resynchronized with one another; the system can verify that data retrieved from another location is the desired or requested data, using only the data identifier used to retrieve the data; the system can prove possession of specific data items by content without disclosing the content of the data items, for purposes of later legal verification and to provide anonymity; the system tracks possession of specific data items according to content by owner, independent of the name, date, or other properties of the data item, and tracks the uses of specific data items and files by content for accounting purposes. Other objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification.
20041222
20120117
20050526
94948.0
150
PHAM, KHANH B
METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND DEVICES SUPPORTING DATA ACCESS IN A DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM
UNDISCOUNTED
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,018,170
ACCEPTED
Cooling water scale and corrosion inhibition
A methods of the present invention for inhibiting silica scale formation and corrosion in aqueous systems where soluble silica residuals (SiO2) are maintained in excess of 200 mg/L, and source water silica deposition is inhibited with silica accumulations as high as 4000 mg/L (cycled accumulation) from evaporation and concentration of source water. The methods of the present invention also provides inhibition of corrosion for carbon steel at corrosion rates of less than 0.3 mpy (mils per year), and less than 0.1 mpy for copper, copper alloy, and stainless steel alloys in highly concentrated (high dissolved solids) waters. The methods of the present invention comprise pretreatment removal of hardness ions from the makeup source water, maintenance of electrical conductivity, and elevating the pH level of the aqueous environment. Thereafter, specified water chemistry residual ranges are maintained in the aqueous system to achieve inhibition of scale and corrosion.
1. A method for controlling silica or silicate scale formation in an aqueous water system with silica contributed by source water, the methods of the present invention comprising the steps: a) removing hardness ions from said source water; b) controlling the conductivity of said aqueous system water such that said aqueous system water possesses a conductivity from approximately 10,000 to 150,000 μmhos; and c) elevating and maintaining the pH of said aqueous system water such that said aqueous system water possesses a pH of approximately 9.0 or greater. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein in step a), said hardness ions comprise ions of calcium and magnesium. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said aqueous system water contains soluble SiO2 in excess of 200 mg/L. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein said aqueous system water contains soluble SiO2 in excess of 300 mg/L. 5. The methods of the present invention of claim 3 wherein in step a), said hardness ions are removed in amounts equal to or less than approximately 20% of the SiO2 present within said source water. 6. The methods of the present invention of claim 3 wherein in step a), said hardness ions are removed in amounts equal to or less than approximately 5% of the SiO2 present within said source water. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein in step c), said pH is maintained at 9.6 or higher. 8. The method of claim 1 wherein in step a), said hardness ions are removed via a method selected from the group consisting of ion exchange, selective ion removal with reverse osmosis, reverse osmosis, electro chemical removal, chemical precipitation, evaporation and distillation. 9. The method of claim 1 wherein in step c), said pH is increased by adding an alkali agent. 10. The method of claim 8 wherein said alkali agent comprises sodium hydroxide. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein in step c), said pH is elevated by evaporating a portion of said aqueous system water. 12. The method of claim 1 wherein in step c), said pH is elevated by distilling a portion of said aqueous system water. 13. The method of claim 1 wherein in step c), said source water comprises water utilized for cooling processes, water utilized for cooling tower systems, water utilized for evaporative cooling, water utilized for cooling lakes or ponds, water utilized for enclosed or secondary cooling and heating loops. 14. A method for inhibiting corrosion of a metallic substance in an aqueous system wherein said aqueous system derives water from make-up source water, the methods of the present invention comprising the steps: a) removing hardness ions from said source water; b) controlling the conductivity of said aqueous system water such that said aqueous system water possesses a conductivity from approximately 10,000 to 150,000 μmhos; and c) elevating and maintaining the pH of said aqueous system water such that said aqueous system water possesses a pH of approximately 9.0 or greater. 15. The method of claim 14 wherein in step a), said hardness ions comprise ions of calcium and magnesium. 16. The method of claim 14 wherein said aqueous system water contains soluble SiO2 in excess of 200 mg/L. 17. The method of claim 14 wherein said aqueous system water contains soluble SiO2 in excess of 300 mg/L. 18. The method of claim 14 wherein in step a), said hardness ions are removed in amounts equal to or less than approximately 20% of the SiO2 present within said source water. 19. The method of claim 16 wherein in step a), said hardness ions are removed in amounts equal to or less than approximately 5% of the SiO2 present within said source water. 20. The method of claim 14 wherein in step c), said pH is maintained at 9.6 or higher. 21. The method of claim 14 wherein in step a), said hardness ions are removed via a method selected from the group consisting of ion exchange, selective ion removal with reverse osmosis, reverse osmosis, electro chemical removal, chemical precipitation, evaporation and distillation. 22. The method of claim 14 wherein in step c), said pH is increased by adding an alkali agent. 23. The method of claim 22 wherein said alkali agent comprises sodium hydroxide. 24. The method of claim 14 wherein in step c), said pH is elevated by evaporating a portion of said aqueous system water. 25. The method of claim 14 wherein in step c), said pH is elevated by distilling a portion of said aqueous system water. 26. The method of claim 14 wherein said metallic substrate is selected from the group consisting of carbon steel, copper, copper alloy and stainless steel alloy. 27. The method of claim 1 wherein prior to step a), said methods of the present invention comprises the step: a) analyzing said source water to determine the concentration of SiO2 present therein. 28. The method of claim 14 wherein prior to step a), said methods of the present invention comprises the step: a) analyzing said source water to determine the concentration of SiO2 present therein. 29. The method of claim 1 wherein in step b), said conductivity of said aqueous system water is controlled such that said aqueous system water possesses a conductivity from approximately 20,000 to 150,000 μmhos. 30. The method of claim 14 wherein in step b), said conductivity of said aqueous system water is controlled such that said aqueous system water possesses a conductivity from approximately 20,000 to 150,000 μmhos. 31. The method of claim 1, wherein said source water contains silica in an amount of 4000 mg/L or less.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Not Applicable STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Silica is one of the major scale and fouling problems in many processes using water. Silica is difficult to deal with because it can assume many low solubility chemical forms depending on the water chemistry and metal surface temperature conditions. Below about pH 9.0, monomeric silica has limited solubility (125-180 mg/L as SiO2) and tends to polymerize as these concentrations are exceeded to form insoluble (amorphous) oligomeric or colloidal silica. At higher pH, particularly above about pH 9.0, silica is soluble at increased concentrations of the monomeric silicate ion or in the multimeric forms of silica. Since conversion can be slow, all of these forms may exist at any one time. The silicate ion can react with polyvalent cations like magnesium and calcium commonly present in process waters to produce salts with very limited solubility. Thus it is common for a mixture of many forms to be present: monomeric, oligomeric and colloidal silica; magnesium silicate, calcium silicate and other silicate salts. In describing this complex system, it is common practice to refer to the mixture merely as silica or as silica and silicate. Herein these terms are used interchangeably. To address such problem, methods of the present inventions for controlling deposition and fouling of silica or silicate salts on surfaces in a aqueous process have been derived and include: 1) inhibiting precipitation of the material from the process water; 2) dispersing precipitated material after it has formed in the bulk water; 3) maintaining an aqueous chemical environment that supports formation of increased residuals of soluble silica species; and 4) producing a non-adherent form of silica precipitants in the bulk water. The exact mechanism by which specific scale inhibition methods of the present inventions function is not well understood. In industrial application, most scale and corrosion control methods of the present inventions used in aqueous systems typically rely on the addition of a scale and corrosion inhibitor in combination with controlled wastage of system water to prevent scale and corrosion problems. In this regard, the major scale formation potentials are contributed by the quantity of hardness (calcium and magnesium) and silica ions contributed by the source water, while the major corrosive potential results from the ionic or electrolytic strength in the system water. Treatment methods of the present inventions to minimize corrosion have further generally relied on the addition of chemical additives that inhibit corrosion through suppression of corrosive reactions occurring at either the anode or the cathode present on the metal surface, or combinations of chemical additives that inhibit reactions at both the anode and cathode. The most commonly applied anodic inhibitors include chromate, molybdate, orthophosphate, nitrite and silicate whereas the most commonly applied cathodic inhibitors include polyphosphate, zinc, organic phosphates and calcium carbonate. In view of toxicity and environmental concerns, the use of highly effective heavy metal corrosion inhibitors, such as chromate, have been strictly prohibited and most methods of the present inventions now rely on a balance of the scale formation and corrosive tendencies of the system water and are referred to in the art as alkaline treatment approaches. This balance, as applied in such treatment approaches, is defined by control of system water chemistry with indices such as LSI or Ryznar, and is used in conjunction with combinations of scale and corrosion inhibitor additives to inhibit scale formation and optimize corrosion protection at maximum concentration of dissolved solids in the source water. These methods of the present inventions, however, are still limited by the maximum concentration of silica and potential for silicate scale formation. Moreover, corrosion rates are also significantly higher than those available with use of heavy metals such as chromate. Along these lines, since the use of chromate and other toxic heavy metals has been restricted, as discussed above, corrosion protection has generally been limited to optimum ranges of 2 to 5 mils per year (mpy) for carbon steel when treating typical source water qualities with current corrosion control methods of the present inventions. Source waters that are high in dissolved solids or are naturally soft are even more difficult to treat, and typically have even higher corrosion rates. In an alternative approach, a significant number of methods of the present inventions for controlling scale rely on addition of acid to treated systems to control pH and reduce scaling potentials at higher concentrations of source water chemistry. Such method allows conservation of water through modification of the concentrated source water, while maintaining balance of the scale formation and corrosive tendencies of the water. Despite such advantages, these methods of the present inventions have the drawback of being prone to greater risk of scale and/or corrosion consequences with excursions with the acid/pH control system. Moreover, there is an overall increase in corrosion potential due to the higher ionic or electrolytic strength of the water that results from addition of acid ions that are concentrated along with ions in the source water. Lower pH corrosion control methods of the present inventions further rely on significantly higher chemical additive residuals to offset corrosive tendencies, but are limited in effectiveness without the use of heavy metals. Silica concentration must still be controlled at maximum residuals by system water wastage to avoid potential silica scaling. In a further approach, source water is pretreated to remove hardness ions in a small proportion of systems to control calcium and magnesium scale potentials. These applications, however, have still relied on control of silica residuals at previous maximum guideline levels through water wastage to prevent silica scale deposits. Corrosion protection is also less effective with softened water due to elimination of the balance of scale and corrosion tendency provided by the natural hardness in the source water. Accordingly, there is a substantial need in the art for methods of the present inventions that are efficiently operative to inhibit corrosion and scale formation that do not rely upon the use of heavy metals, extensive acidification and/or water wastage that are known and practiced in the prior art. There is additionally a need in the art for such processes that, in addition to being efficient, are extremely cost-effective and environmentally safe. Exemplary of those processes that would likely benefit from such methods of the present inventions would include cooling water processes, cooling tower systems, evaporative coolers, cooling lakes or ponds, and closed or secondary cooling and heating loops. In each of these processes, heat is transferred to or from the water. In evaporative cooling water processes, heat is added to the water and evaporation of some of the water takes place. As the water is evaporated, the silica (or silicates) will concentrate and if the silica concentration exceeds its solubility, it can deposit to form either a vitreous coating or an adherent scale that can normally be removed only by laborious mechanical or chemical cleaning. Along these lines, at some point in the above processes, heat is extracted from the water, making any dissolved silicate less soluble and thus further likely to deposit on surfaces, thus requiring removal. Accordingly, a methods of the present invention for preventing fouling of surfaces with silica or silicates, that further allows the use of higher levels of silica/silicates for corrosion control would be exceptionally advantageous. In this respect for cooling water, an inhibition method has long been sought after that would enable silica to be used as a non-toxic and environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitor. To address these specific concerns, the current practice in these particular processes is to limit the silica or silicate concentration in the water so that deposition from these compounds does not occur. For example in cooling water, the accepted practice is to limit the amount of silica or silicates to about 150 mg/L, expressed as SiO2. Reportedly, the best technology currently available for control of silica or silicates in cooling water is either various low molecular weight polymers, various organic phosphate chemistries, and combinations thereof. Even with use of these chemical additives, however, silica is still limited to 180 mg/L in most system applications. Because in many arid areas of the U.S. and other parts of the world make-up water may contain from 50-90 mg/L silica, cooling water can only be concentrated 2 to 3 times such levels before the risk of silica or silicate deposition becomes too great. A method that would enable greater re-use or cycling of this silica-limited cooling water would be a great benefit to these areas. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above-identified deficiencies in the art. In this regard, the invention relates to methods for controlling silica and silicate fouling problems, as well as corrosion of system metallurgy (i.e. metal substrates) in aqueous systems with high concentrations of dissolved solids. More particularly, the invention is directed to the removal of hardness ions from the source water and control of specified chemistry residuals in the aqueous system to inhibit deposition of magnesium silicate and other silicate and silica scales on system surfaces, and to inhibit corrosion of system metallurgy. To that end, we have unexpectedly discovered that the difficult silica and silicate scaling problems that occur in aqueous systems when silica residuals exceed 200 mg/L as SiO2 or reach as high as 4000 mg/L of silica accumulation (cycled accumulation from source water) can be controlled by initially removing hardness ions (calcium and magnesium) from the makeup source water (i.e., water fed to the aqueous system) using pretreatment methods of the present inventions known in the art, such as through the use of ion exchange resins, selective ion removal with reverse osmosis, reverse osmosis, electrochemical removal, chemical precipitation, or evaporation/distillation. Preferably, the pretreatment methods of the present invention will maintain the total hardness in the makeup water at less than 20% of the makeup silica residual (mg/L SiO2), as determined from an initial assessment of the source water. In some embodiments, the total hardness ions will be maintained at less than 5% of the makeup silica residual. When source makeup water is naturally soft, with less than 10 mg/L hardness as CaCO3, pretreatment removal of hardness ions may be bypassed in some systems. Thereafter, the conductivity (non-neutralized) in the aqueous system is controlled such that the same is maintained between 10,000 and 150,000 [mhos, and preferably between 20,000 to 150,000 μmhos and the pH of the source water elevated to a pH of 9.0, and preferably 9.6, or higher. With respect to the latter, the pH may be adjusted by the addition of an alkaline agent, such as sodium hydroxide, or by simply removing a portion of the aqueous system water through such well known techniques or processes as evaporation and/or distillation. In a related application, we have unexpectedly discovered that the excessive corrosion of carbon steel, copper, copper alloys, and stainless steel alloys in aqueous systems due to high ionic strength (electrolytic potential) contributed by high dissolved solids source water or highly cycled (10,000 to 150,000 μmhos non-neutralized conductivity) systems can likewise be controlled by the methods of the present inventions of the present invention. In such context, the methods of the present invention comprises removing hardness ions (calcium and magnesium) from the makeup source water using known pretreatment methods of the present inventions, such as ion exchange resins, selective ion removal with reverse osmosis, reverse osmosis, electrochemical removal, chemical precipitation, or evaporation/distillation. The pretreatment methods of the present invention will preferably maintain the total hardness ratio in the makeup water at less than 20%, and preferably at least less than 5%, of the makeup silica residual (mg/L SiO2), as determined from an initial analysis of the source water. When source makeup water is naturally soft, with less than 10 mg/L hardness as CaCO3, pretreatment removal of hardness ions may be bypassed in some systems. Thereafter, the conductivity (non-neutralized) in the aqueous system is controlled such that the same is maintained between 10,000 and 150,000, and more preferably 20,000 to 150,000, μmhos. Alkalinity is then controlled as quantified by pH at 9.0 or higher, with a pH of 9.6 being more highly desired in some applications. Control of soluble silica at a minimum residual concentration of 200 mg/L as SiO2 to support corrosion inhibition. With respect to the latter, the SiO2 may be adjusted by the addition of a silica/silicate agent, such as sodium silicate, or by simply removing a portion of the aqueous system water through such well known techniques or processes as evaporation and/or distillation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and sequences of steps for constructing and operating the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments and that they are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention. According to the present invention, there is disclosed methods for inhibiting silica and silicate scale in aqueous systems and providing exceptional metal corrosion protection that comprise the removal of hardness from the makeup source water prior to being fed into the aqueous system and thereafter controlling the aqueous system within specified water chemistry control ranges. Specifically, hardness ions (calcium and magnesium) are removed from the makeup source water using pretreatment methods known in the art, which include methods such as ion exchange resins, selective ion removal with reverse osmosis, reverse osmosis, electrochemical removal, chemical precipitation, or evaporation/distillation. The pretreatment methods will preferably maintain the total hardness ratio in the makeup water at less than 20% of the makeup silica residual (mg/L SiO2). In a more highly preferred embodiment, the pretreatment methods will maintain the total hardness ions present in the makeup water at less than 5% of the makeup silica residual. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the silica residual can be readily determined by utilizing known techniques, and will preferably be determined prior to the application of the methods of the present invention. Along these lines, when source makeup water is naturally soft, with less than 10 mg/L hardness as CaCO3, pretreatment removal of hardness ions may be bypassed in some systems. Conductivity (non-neutralized) is controlled in the aqueous system such that the same is between approximately 10,000 and 150,000 μmhos through control or elimination of blowdown wastage from the system. In a more highly preferred embodiment, conductivity will be maintained between approximately 20,000 and 150,000 μmhos. The higher level of ionic strength in this control range increases the solubility of multivalent metal salts that are less soluble at lower ionic strengths of other methods of the present inventions. This residual control parameter also provides indirect control of silica and alkalinity (pH) residuals contributed by concentration of naturally available silica and alkalinity in the source water or by addition of adjunct forms of these chemicals. Aqueous system pH is maintained at 9.0 or greater as contributed by the cycled accumulation of alkalinity from the source water or through supplemental addition of an alkalinity adjunct, such as sodium hydroxide, to the system when required. The minimum pH will provide increased solubility of silica and control of silicate scale and support corrosion protection for metals. Along these lines, in certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the pH may be raised and maintained to a level of 9.6 of higher. Silica residuals (soluble) will be maintained in the system at levels of greater than 200 mg/L as contributed by the cycled accumulation of silica from the source water or through supplemental addition of adjunct forms of silica to the system when required. In certain applications, such levels may be maintained at levels of greater than 300 mg/L. The minimum residual of soluble silica will support corrosion inhibition for metals, and more particularly, inhibit corrosion of carbon steel to less than 0.3 mpy and less than 0.1 mpy for copper, copper alloys and stainless steel alloys present in the aqueous system. With respect to the mechanisms by which the methods of the present inventions effectively achieve their results, excess source water silica (beyond the soluble residuals attained with specified pH control) is probably adsorbed as non-adherent precipitates that form following reaction with small amounts of metals (Ca, Mg, Fe, Al, Zn) or solids introduced by source water or scrubbed from the air by the tower system. This is the probable result of the expanded solubility of the monomeric and multimeric species of silica with the methods of the present invention that impede polymerization of excess silica until it reacts with these incrementally introduced adsorption materials to form small quantities of non-adherent precipitants. The adsorption and precipitation of high ratios of silica on small amounts of solids such as magnesium hydroxide has been demonstrated by the Freundlich isotherms, and is common experience in water treatment chemical precipitation processes. The small quantity of precipitate is removed from the circulating water through settling in the tower basin or drift losses. Control of the lower solubility hardness scale formations and resultant nucleation sites on cooling system surfaces are controlled with the methods of the present invention disclosed herein, through pretreatment removal of the majority of the scale forming (hardness) metal ions and control of system water at the specified higher ionic strength control ranges. The higher level of ionic strength in this control range increases the solubility of scale forming metal salts. Such approach is well suited to address a further complication in controlling silica and silicate fouling brought about from the phenomena that colloidal silica tends to be more soluble as temperature is raised, while the polyvalent metal salts of the silicate ion tend to be less soluble with increasing temperature. As a result, control or minimization of polyvalent metals in the aqueous solution will prohibit formation of the insoluble salts on heat transfer surfaces, and promote increased solubility of other forms of silica at the elevated temperatures of heat transfer surfaces. The present methods thereby eliminate potential reaction of insoluble silica forms with hardness scale or metal salt deposits on system surfaces and their nucleation sites that initiate silica or silicate scale formations. The higher residuals of soluble silica and higher pH levels maintained via the present methods of the present inventions provide highly effective polarization (corrosion barrier formation) and exceptional corrosion protection for carbon steel, copper, copper alloy and stainless steel metals (less than 0.3 mpy for mild steel, and less than 0.1 mpy copper, copper alloy, and stainless steel). Comparable corrosion rates for carbon steel in aqueous systems with existing methods of the present inventions are optimally in the range of 2 to 5 mpy. Though not fully understood, several corrosion inhibition mechanisms are believed to be contributing to the metals corrosion protection provided by the methods of the present inventions of the present invention, and the synergy of both anodic and cathodic inhibition functions may contribute to the corrosion inhibition process. An anodic corrosion inhibitor mechanism results from increased residuals of soluble silica provided by the present methods, particularly in the multimeric form. Silicates inhibit aqueous corrosion by hydrolyzing to form negatively charged colloidal particles. These particles migrate to anodic sites and precipitate on the metal surfaces where they react with metallic ion corrosion products. The result is the formation of a self-repairing gel whose growth is self-limited through inhibition of further corrosion at the metal surface. Unlike the monomeric silica form normally found in source water that fails to provide effective corrosion inhibition, the methods of the present invention provide such beneficial effect by relying upon the presence and on control of total soluble silica residuals, with conversion of natural monomeric silica to the multimeric forms of silica at much higher levels, through application of the combined control ranges as set forth above. In this regard, the removal of most source water calcium and magnesium ions is operative to prevent reaction and adsorption of the multimeric silica forms on the metal oxide or metal salt precipitates from source water, which is believed to be an important contribution to the effectiveness of this corrosion inhibition mechanism afforded by the present invention. The resultant effective formation and control of the multimeric silica residuals with such methods of the present invention has not heretofore been available. In addition to an anodic corrosion inhibition mechanism, a cathodic inhibition mechanism is also believed to be present. Such inhibition is caused by an increased hydroxyl ion concentration provided with the higher pH control range utilized in the practice of the present invention. In this regard, iron and steel are generally considered passive to corrosion in the pH range of 10 to 12. The elevated residual of hydroxyl ions supports equilibrium with hydroxyl ion produced during oxygen reduction at the cathode, and increases hydroxyl ion availability to react with iron to form ferrous hydroxide. As a consequence, ferrous hydroxide precipitates form at the metal surface due to very low solubility. The ferrous hydroxide will further oxidize to ferric oxide, but these iron reaction products remain insoluble at the higher pH levels attained by implementing the methods described herein to polarize or form a barrier that limits further corrosion. At the 9 to 10 pH range (as utilized in the practice of the present invention), effective hydroxyl ion passivation of metal surfaces may be aided by the pretreatment reduction of hardness ions (calcium and magnesium) in the source water that may compete with this reaction and interfere with metal surface barrier formation. Galvanized steel and aluminum may be protected in general by the silicate corrosion inhibitor mechanism discussed herein, but protective films may be destabilized at water-air-metal interfaces. Steel, copper, copper alloy, stainless steel, fiberglass, and plastic are thus ideal aqueous system materials for application of the methods of the present inventions of the present invention. The extensive improvement in corrosion protection provided by the methods of the present invention is not normally attainable with prior art methods when they utilize significantly higher residuals of aggressive ions (e.g., chloride and sulfate) and the accompanying greater ionic or electrolytic strength present in the aqueous system water. This may result from either use of acid for scale control and/or concentration of source water ions in the aqueous system. As is known, corrosion rates generally increase proportionately with increasing ionic strength. Accordingly, through the ability to protect system metals exposed to this increased electrolytic corrosion potential, opportunity for water conservation and environmental benefits that result with elimination of system discharge used with previous methods to reduce corrosion or scaling problems in aqueous systems can be readily realized through the practice of the methods disclosed herein. Still further, the methods of the present inventions of the present invention can advantageously provide gradual removal of hardness scale deposits from metal surfaces. This benefit is accomplished through both pretreatment removal of the majority of the scale forming (hardness) metal ions and control of system water at the specified higher ionic strength control ranges. Solubility of hardness salts is increased by the higher ionic strength (conductivity) provided by the present methods of the present invention, which has been determined with high solids water such as seawater, and may contribute to the increased solubility of deposits present within the aqueous environment so treated. Studies conducted with hardness scale coated metal coupons in treated systems demonstrated a significant deposit removal rate for CaCO3 scale films in ten days. Control of source water hardness at lower specified residuals will probably be required to achieve optimum rate of hardness scale removal. Furthermore, the present methods advantageously prohibits microorganism propagation due to the higher pH and dissolved solids levels that are attained. Biological fouling potentials are thus significantly reduced. In this regard, the methods of the present inventions disclosed herein create a chemical environment that inhibits many microbiological species that propagate at the pH and dissolved solids chemistry ranges used with previous treatment approaches. The reduction in aqueous system discharge also permits use of residual biocides at more effective and economical dosages that impede development of problem concentrations of any microbiological species that are resilient in the aqueous environment generated through the practice of the methods of the present inventions disclosed herein. A still further advantage of the methods of the present invention include the ability of the same to provide a lower freeze temperature in the aqueous system, comparable to ocean water, and avert potential mechanical damage from freezing and/or operational restrictions for systems located in freeze temperature climates. Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the particular combination of parts and steps described and illustrated herein is intended to represent only certain embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative devices and methods of the present inventions within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, since the methods of the present invention provides both effective silicate scale control and corrosion inhibition when using high silica or high dissolved solids source waters, extensive variation in source water quality can be tolerated. These source waters might otherwise be unacceptable and uneconomical for use in such aqueous systems. In addition, such modifications may include, for example, using other conventional water treatment chemicals along with the methods of the present invention, and could include other scale inhibitors, such as for example phosphonates, to control scales other than silica, corrosion inhibitors, biocides, dispersants, defoamers and the like. Accordingly, the present invention should be construed as broadly as possible. As an illustration, below there are provided non-restrictive examples of an aqueous water system that has been treated with methods conforming to the present invention. Examples of Silicate Scale Inhibitor Method The following analytical tests were performed on a cooling tower system treated with the methods of the present invention to demonstrate the efficacy of the present invention for controlling the solubility of silica and silicate species, and preventing scale deposition of these species. Two samples of each of the following: 1) varying source water; 2) the resultant treated system water; and 3) tower sump insoluble accumulations, for a total of six samples were analyzed from different operating time frames. Although the exact mechanism of action of the process is not completely understood, the methods of the present invention minimize the turbidity of the treated water, which is considered a demonstration of an effective silica and silicate scale inhibitor. Methods that produce treated water of less than eight nephelometric turbidity units (NTU) are considered improvements over the current available technology. Turbidity measurements (Table 1) performed on samples taken from the cooling systems, before and after filtration through a 0.45-micron filter, illustrate effective silicate inhibition in the treated water. The turbidity levels are well below typical cooling tower systems, in particular at such high concentrations (80 COC), and indicate the methods of the present invention provide controlled non-adherent precipitation of excess silica and other insoluble materials entering the system. Clean heat exchanger surfaces have confirmed that the method silica precipitation is non-adherent. The precipitated silica forms are contained in the cooling tower sump. However, the volume of precipitant and scrubbed accumulations in the tower sump were not appreciably greater than previous treatment methods due to reduction of insoluble multivalent metal salt precipitates by pretreatment removal. TABLE 1 Tower Water Turbidity Analyses Sample No. 1: (Turbidity, NTU) Neat, 4 NTU; Filtered, 2 NTU Sample No. 2: (Turbidity, NTU) Neat, 3 NTU The cooling tower and makeup water analytical tests performed in Table 2 and Table 3 illustrate the effectiveness of the methods of the present invention in maintaining higher levels of soluble silica in the cooling tower system when parameters are controlled within the specified pH and low makeup hardness ranges. Soluble silica residuals are present at 306 and 382 mg/L in these tower samples at the respective 9.6 and 10.0 pH levels. The lower cycles of concentration (COC) for silica in these tower samples, as compared to the higher cycled residuals for soluble chemistries (chloride, alkalinity, conductivity), indicate that excess silica is precipitating as non-adherent material, and accumulating in the tower basin. This is confirmed by the increased ratio of silica forms found in tower basin deposit analyses. System metal and heat exchange surfaces were free of silica or other scale deposits. TABLE 2 Cooling Tower Sample No. 1/Makeup/Residual Ratios (COC) SAMPLE/TESTS Tower (*adjunct) Makeup (soft) COC Conductivity, 33,950 412 82.4 μmhos (Un-neutralized) pH 10.01 8.23 NA Turbidity, NTUs 3 0.08 NA Neat Filtered (0.45μ) — — — Copper, mg/L Cu ND ND NA Zinc, mg/L ND ND NA Silica, mg/L SiO2 382 9.5 40.2 Calcium, mg/L 16.0 0.20 NA CaCO3 Magnesium, mg/L 3.33 0.05 NA CaCO3 Iron, mg/L Fe ND ND NA Aluminum, mg/L ND ND NA Al Phosphate, mg/L ND ND NA PO4 Chloride, mg/L 6040 80 75.5 Tot. Alkalinity, 13200 156 84.6 mg/L ND = Not Detectable; NA = Not Applicable; COC = Cycles of Concentration TABLE 3 Cooling Tower Sample No. 2/Makeup/Residual Ratios (COC) SAMPLE/TESTS Tower (no adjunct) Makeup (soft) COC Conductivity, 66,700 829 80 μmhos (Un-neutralized) pH 9.61 7.5 NA Turbidity, NTUs 4 0.08 NA Neat Filtered (0.45μ) 2 — — Zinc, mg/L ND ND NA Silica, mg/L SiO2 306.4 11 28 Calcium, mg/L 21.5 0.20 NA CaCO3 Magnesium, mg/L 0.65 0.05 NA CaCO3 Iron, mg/L Fe ND ND NA Aluminum, mg/L ND ND NA Al Phosphate, mg/L ND ND NA PO4 ND = Not Detectable; NA = Not Applicable; COC = Cycles of Concentration Microscopic and chemical analysis of deposit samples from accumulated residue in the tower basin of a system treated by present methodology are shown in Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 2. Both analyses illustrate the significant ratio of silica materials in the deposit. The major proportion of this silica is the probable result of silica adsorption or reaction with insoluble precipitates of multivalent metals as they concentrated in the tower water. Visual inspections of heat transfer equipment in the system treated by this method have confirmed that it has remained free of silica and other scale deposits. System heat transfer efficiencies were also maintained at minimum fouling factor levels. Exhibit 1 MICROSCOPICAL ANALYSIS - POLARIZED LIGHT MICROSCOPY DEPOSIT DESIGNATION: Cooling Tower Basin Deposit % ESTIMATED CONSTITUENTS >30 Amorphous silica, including assorted diatoms, probably including amorphous magnesium silicate; calcium carbonate (calcite) 1-2 Assorted clay material including feldspar; hydrated iron oxide; carbonaceous material <1 Silicon dioxide (quartz); assorted plant fibers; unidentified material including possibly aluminum oxide (corundum) CHEMICAL ANALYSIS - DRIED SAMPLE DEPOSIT DESIGNATION: Cooling Tower Basin Deposit % ESTIMATED CONSTITUENTS 12.1 CaO 8.5 MgO 5.2 Fe3O4 3.7 Fe2O3 <0.5 Al2O3 13.2 Carbonate, CO2 51.1 SiO2 5.7 Loss on Ignition Most probable combinations: Silica ˜54%, Calcium Carbonate ˜32%, Oxides of Iron ˜9%, Mg and Al Oxides ˜5%. Examples of Corrosion Inhibition Methods of the Present Invention The data in Table 4 illustrate the effectiveness of the methods of the present invention in inhibiting corrosion for carbon steel and copper metals evaluated by weight loss coupons in the system. No pitting was observed on coupon surfaces. Equipment inspections and exchanger tube surface testing have confirmed excellent corrosion protection. Comparable corrosion rates for carbon steel in this water quality with existing methods of the present inventions are optimally in the range of 2 to 5 mpy. TABLE 4 CORROSION TEST DATA Specimen Type Carbon Steel Copper Test location Tower Loop Tower loop Exposure period 62 Days 62 Days Corrosion Rate (mpy) 0.3 <0.1 Examples of Scale Deposit Removal The data in Table 5 illustrate harness (CaCO3) scale removal from metal surfaces in a tower system treated with the methods of the present invention through coupon weight loss reduction. Standard metal coupons that were scaled with CaCO3 film were weighed before and after ten days of exposure and the visible removal of most of the scale thickness. The demonstrated CaCO3 weight loss rate will provide gradual removal of hardness scale deposits that have occurred in a system prior to method treatment. TABLE 5 SCALE DEPOSIT REMOVAL TEST DATA Specimen Type Carbon Steel Copper Test location Tower Loop Tower loop Exposure period 10 Days 10 Days Scale Removal (mpy) 8.3 8.1
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Silica is one of the major scale and fouling problems in many processes using water. Silica is difficult to deal with because it can assume many low solubility chemical forms depending on the water chemistry and metal surface temperature conditions. Below about pH 9.0, monomeric silica has limited solubility (125-180 mg/L as SiO 2 ) and tends to polymerize as these concentrations are exceeded to form insoluble (amorphous) oligomeric or colloidal silica. At higher pH, particularly above about pH 9.0, silica is soluble at increased concentrations of the monomeric silicate ion or in the multimeric forms of silica. Since conversion can be slow, all of these forms may exist at any one time. The silicate ion can react with polyvalent cations like magnesium and calcium commonly present in process waters to produce salts with very limited solubility. Thus it is common for a mixture of many forms to be present: monomeric, oligomeric and colloidal silica; magnesium silicate, calcium silicate and other silicate salts. In describing this complex system, it is common practice to refer to the mixture merely as silica or as silica and silicate. Herein these terms are used interchangeably. To address such problem, methods of the present inventions for controlling deposition and fouling of silica or silicate salts on surfaces in a aqueous process have been derived and include: 1) inhibiting precipitation of the material from the process water; 2) dispersing precipitated material after it has formed in the bulk water; 3) maintaining an aqueous chemical environment that supports formation of increased residuals of soluble silica species; and 4) producing a non-adherent form of silica precipitants in the bulk water. The exact mechanism by which specific scale inhibition methods of the present inventions function is not well understood. In industrial application, most scale and corrosion control methods of the present inventions used in aqueous systems typically rely on the addition of a scale and corrosion inhibitor in combination with controlled wastage of system water to prevent scale and corrosion problems. In this regard, the major scale formation potentials are contributed by the quantity of hardness (calcium and magnesium) and silica ions contributed by the source water, while the major corrosive potential results from the ionic or electrolytic strength in the system water. Treatment methods of the present inventions to minimize corrosion have further generally relied on the addition of chemical additives that inhibit corrosion through suppression of corrosive reactions occurring at either the anode or the cathode present on the metal surface, or combinations of chemical additives that inhibit reactions at both the anode and cathode. The most commonly applied anodic inhibitors include chromate, molybdate, orthophosphate, nitrite and silicate whereas the most commonly applied cathodic inhibitors include polyphosphate, zinc, organic phosphates and calcium carbonate. In view of toxicity and environmental concerns, the use of highly effective heavy metal corrosion inhibitors, such as chromate, have been strictly prohibited and most methods of the present inventions now rely on a balance of the scale formation and corrosive tendencies of the system water and are referred to in the art as alkaline treatment approaches. This balance, as applied in such treatment approaches, is defined by control of system water chemistry with indices such as LSI or Ryznar, and is used in conjunction with combinations of scale and corrosion inhibitor additives to inhibit scale formation and optimize corrosion protection at maximum concentration of dissolved solids in the source water. These methods of the present inventions, however, are still limited by the maximum concentration of silica and potential for silicate scale formation. Moreover, corrosion rates are also significantly higher than those available with use of heavy metals such as chromate. Along these lines, since the use of chromate and other toxic heavy metals has been restricted, as discussed above, corrosion protection has generally been limited to optimum ranges of 2 to 5 mils per year (mpy) for carbon steel when treating typical source water qualities with current corrosion control methods of the present inventions. Source waters that are high in dissolved solids or are naturally soft are even more difficult to treat, and typically have even higher corrosion rates. In an alternative approach, a significant number of methods of the present inventions for controlling scale rely on addition of acid to treated systems to control pH and reduce scaling potentials at higher concentrations of source water chemistry. Such method allows conservation of water through modification of the concentrated source water, while maintaining balance of the scale formation and corrosive tendencies of the water. Despite such advantages, these methods of the present inventions have the drawback of being prone to greater risk of scale and/or corrosion consequences with excursions with the acid/pH control system. Moreover, there is an overall increase in corrosion potential due to the higher ionic or electrolytic strength of the water that results from addition of acid ions that are concentrated along with ions in the source water. Lower pH corrosion control methods of the present inventions further rely on significantly higher chemical additive residuals to offset corrosive tendencies, but are limited in effectiveness without the use of heavy metals. Silica concentration must still be controlled at maximum residuals by system water wastage to avoid potential silica scaling. In a further approach, source water is pretreated to remove hardness ions in a small proportion of systems to control calcium and magnesium scale potentials. These applications, however, have still relied on control of silica residuals at previous maximum guideline levels through water wastage to prevent silica scale deposits. Corrosion protection is also less effective with softened water due to elimination of the balance of scale and corrosion tendency provided by the natural hardness in the source water. Accordingly, there is a substantial need in the art for methods of the present inventions that are efficiently operative to inhibit corrosion and scale formation that do not rely upon the use of heavy metals, extensive acidification and/or water wastage that are known and practiced in the prior art. There is additionally a need in the art for such processes that, in addition to being efficient, are extremely cost-effective and environmentally safe. Exemplary of those processes that would likely benefit from such methods of the present inventions would include cooling water processes, cooling tower systems, evaporative coolers, cooling lakes or ponds, and closed or secondary cooling and heating loops. In each of these processes, heat is transferred to or from the water. In evaporative cooling water processes, heat is added to the water and evaporation of some of the water takes place. As the water is evaporated, the silica (or silicates) will concentrate and if the silica concentration exceeds its solubility, it can deposit to form either a vitreous coating or an adherent scale that can normally be removed only by laborious mechanical or chemical cleaning. Along these lines, at some point in the above processes, heat is extracted from the water, making any dissolved silicate less soluble and thus further likely to deposit on surfaces, thus requiring removal. Accordingly, a methods of the present invention for preventing fouling of surfaces with silica or silicates, that further allows the use of higher levels of silica/silicates for corrosion control would be exceptionally advantageous. In this respect for cooling water, an inhibition method has long been sought after that would enable silica to be used as a non-toxic and environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitor. To address these specific concerns, the current practice in these particular processes is to limit the silica or silicate concentration in the water so that deposition from these compounds does not occur. For example in cooling water, the accepted practice is to limit the amount of silica or silicates to about 150 mg/L, expressed as SiO 2 . Reportedly, the best technology currently available for control of silica or silicates in cooling water is either various low molecular weight polymers, various organic phosphate chemistries, and combinations thereof. Even with use of these chemical additives, however, silica is still limited to 180 mg/L in most system applications. Because in many arid areas of the U.S. and other parts of the world make-up water may contain from 50-90 mg/L silica, cooling water can only be concentrated 2 to 3 times such levels before the risk of silica or silicate deposition becomes too great. A method that would enable greater re-use or cycling of this silica-limited cooling water would be a great benefit to these areas.
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above-identified deficiencies in the art. In this regard, the invention relates to methods for controlling silica and silicate fouling problems, as well as corrosion of system metallurgy (i.e. metal substrates) in aqueous systems with high concentrations of dissolved solids. More particularly, the invention is directed to the removal of hardness ions from the source water and control of specified chemistry residuals in the aqueous system to inhibit deposition of magnesium silicate and other silicate and silica scales on system surfaces, and to inhibit corrosion of system metallurgy. To that end, we have unexpectedly discovered that the difficult silica and silicate scaling problems that occur in aqueous systems when silica residuals exceed 200 mg/L as SiO 2 or reach as high as 4000 mg/L of silica accumulation (cycled accumulation from source water) can be controlled by initially removing hardness ions (calcium and magnesium) from the makeup source water (i.e., water fed to the aqueous system) using pretreatment methods of the present inventions known in the art, such as through the use of ion exchange resins, selective ion removal with reverse osmosis, reverse osmosis, electrochemical removal, chemical precipitation, or evaporation/distillation. Preferably, the pretreatment methods of the present invention will maintain the total hardness in the makeup water at less than 20% of the makeup silica residual (mg/L SiO 2 ), as determined from an initial assessment of the source water. In some embodiments, the total hardness ions will be maintained at less than 5% of the makeup silica residual. When source makeup water is naturally soft, with less than 10 mg/L hardness as CaCO 3 , pretreatment removal of hardness ions may be bypassed in some systems. Thereafter, the conductivity (non-neutralized) in the aqueous system is controlled such that the same is maintained between 10,000 and 150,000 [mhos, and preferably between 20,000 to 150,000 μmhos and the pH of the source water elevated to a pH of 9.0, and preferably 9.6, or higher. With respect to the latter, the pH may be adjusted by the addition of an alkaline agent, such as sodium hydroxide, or by simply removing a portion of the aqueous system water through such well known techniques or processes as evaporation and/or distillation. In a related application, we have unexpectedly discovered that the excessive corrosion of carbon steel, copper, copper alloys, and stainless steel alloys in aqueous systems due to high ionic strength (electrolytic potential) contributed by high dissolved solids source water or highly cycled (10,000 to 150,000 μmhos non-neutralized conductivity) systems can likewise be controlled by the methods of the present inventions of the present invention. In such context, the methods of the present invention comprises removing hardness ions (calcium and magnesium) from the makeup source water using known pretreatment methods of the present inventions, such as ion exchange resins, selective ion removal with reverse osmosis, reverse osmosis, electrochemical removal, chemical precipitation, or evaporation/distillation. The pretreatment methods of the present invention will preferably maintain the total hardness ratio in the makeup water at less than 20%, and preferably at least less than 5%, of the makeup silica residual (mg/L SiO 2 ), as determined from an initial analysis of the source water. When source makeup water is naturally soft, with less than 10 mg/L hardness as CaCO 3 , pretreatment removal of hardness ions may be bypassed in some systems. Thereafter, the conductivity (non-neutralized) in the aqueous system is controlled such that the same is maintained between 10,000 and 150,000, and more preferably 20,000 to 150,000, μmhos. Alkalinity is then controlled as quantified by pH at 9.0 or higher, with a pH of 9.6 being more highly desired in some applications. Control of soluble silica at a minimum residual concentration of 200 mg/L as SiO 2 to support corrosion inhibition. With respect to the latter, the SiO 2 may be adjusted by the addition of a silica/silicate agent, such as sodium silicate, or by simply removing a portion of the aqueous system water through such well known techniques or processes as evaporation and/or distillation. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?
20041221
20061017
20050714
63101.0
1
HRUSKOCI, PETER A
COOLING WATER SCALE AND CORROSION INHIBITION
SMALL
1
CONT-ACCEPTED
2,004
11,018,358
ACCEPTED
Removal of residual acetaldehyde from polyester polymer particles
In one embodiment, there is provided a process comprising introducing polyester polymer particles containing residual acetaldehyde into a vessel at a temperature within a range of 130° C. to 195° C. to form a bed of particles within the vessel, flowing a gas through at least a portion of the particle bed, and withdrawing finished particles from the vessel having a reduced amount of residual acetaldehyde. In this process, it is not necessary to introduce a hot flow of gas at high flow rates otherwise required to heat up cool particles to a temperature sufficient to strip acetaldehyde. Rather, this process provides a benefit in that, if desired, gas introduced into the vessel at low flow rates and low temperatures can nevertheless effectively strip acetaldehyde in a reasonable time because the hot particles quickly heat a the gas to the particle temperature.
1. A process comprising introducing polyester polymer particles containing residual acetaldehyde into a vessel at a temperature within a range of 130° C. to 190° C. to form a bed of particles within the vessel, flowing a gas through at least a portion of the particle bed at a gas flow rate not exceeding 0.15 SCFM per pound of particles per hour, and withdrawing finished particles from the vessel having a reduced amount of residual acetaldehyde. 2. The process of claim 1, wherein the particles introduced into the stripping zone have an It.V. of at least 0.70 dL/g, and contain a level of residual acetaldehyde in excess of 10 ppm. 3. The process of claim 2, wherein the particles have an It.V. of at least 0.75 dL/g It.V. obtained in a melt phase production process for making the particles. 4. The process of claim 3, wherein the particles have a degree of crystallinity of at least 25% before being exposed to the flow of gas. 5. The process of claim 1, wherein the finished particles are introduced into dryer to form dried particles fed to a melt processing zone, wherein the finished particles dried in the dryer have not been solid state polymerized. 6. The process of claim 1, wherein the finished particles are loaded into a shipping container and have not been solid state polymerized prior to loading into the container. 7. The process of claim 1, wherein the finished particles have a residual level of acetaldehyde of less than 5 ppm. 8. The process of claim 1, wherein the particles have an It.V. of at least 0.75 dL/g obtained in a melt phase process for the production of the particles, the particles have a degree of crystallinity of at least 25% prior to introducing the particles into the zone, the particles are continuously fed into the zone without first solid state polymerizing the particles, and the finished particles have a residual acetaldehyde level of 7 ppm or less. 9. The process of claim 1, wherein the gas has a nitrogen content of of less than 85% by volume. 10. The process of claim 1, wherein gas is introduced at a temperature of 70° C. or less. 11. The process of claim 10, wherein the gas is introduced at a temperature of 50° C. or less. 12. The process of claim 1, wherein the process is continuous. 13. The process of claim 12, wherein the acetaldehyde stripping zone comprises a vessel having a particle inlet, a particle outlet, a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a particle bed within the vessel, and gas is introduced into the vessel through the gas inlet and exits through the gas outlet after flowing through at least a portion of the particle bed, and the particles are introduced into the particle inlet and finished particles are discharged from the vessel through the particle outlet. 14. The process of claim 13, wherein a stream of polyester polymer particles is introduced into the vessel through the particle inlet at a temperature of at least 90° C. 15. The process of claim 14, wherein the temperature of the particles introduced into the vessel ranges from 130° C. to 190° C. 16. The process of claim 13, wherein the gas inlet to a and the finished particle outlet are located below the gas outlet and the particle inlet, the gas is introduced into the particle bed at any point below ½ of the particle bed, the particles introduced into the particle inlet form a bed and move gravity to form a flow in a direction towards the bottom of the vessel while the gas flows countercurrent to the direction of the particle flow. 17. The process of claim 13, wherein the vessel has an aspect ratio L/D of at least 4. 18. The process of claim 13, wherein the pressure within the vessel measured at the gas inlet/vessel junction ranges from 0 psig to 10 psig. 19. The process of claim 1, wherein the process is continuous, the particles are fed to the acetaldehyde stripping zone at a feed rate, and for each pound of particles fed per hour, the flow rate of the introduced gas is at least 0.005 standard cubic feet per minute (SCFM). 20. The process of claim 21, wherein the flow rate is not greater than 0.10 SCFM. 21. The process of claim 22, wherein the flow rate is no greater than 0.05 SCFM. 22. The process of claim 21, wherein the residence time of the particles in the stripping zone ranges from 10 hours to 36 hours. 23. The process of claim 1, wherein the gas is ambient air. 24. The process of claim 1, wherein the It.V. of the particles is at least 0.75 dL/g. 25. The process of claim 1, wherein the finished particles have an It.V. of at least 0.70 dL/g and 5 ppm or less acetaldehyde without solid state polymerizing the polymer. 26. The process of claim 1, wherein the residual acetaldehyde content of the particles fed to the zone is greater than 10 ppm, and the level is reduced to 10 ppm or less. 27. The process of claim 1, wherein the residual acetaldehyde content of the particles fed to the zone is greater than 20 ppm, and the level is reduced to 5 ppm or less. 28. The process of claim 1, wherein the polyester polymer particles are fed to a vessel through a particle inlet, and the It.V. differential, defined as finished particle It.V. - feed particle It.V. is less than +0.025 dL/g. 29. The process of claim 28, wherein the It.V. differential is +0.020 dL/g or less. 30. The process of claim 29, wherein the It.V. differential is +0.015 dL/g or less. 31. The process of claim 1, wherein the polyester polymer particles are fed to a vessel through a particle inlet, and the L* color differential defined as (finished particle L* color−feed particle L* color) is less than 5. 32. The process-of claim 31, wherein the L* color differential is 3 or less. 33. The process of claim 1, wherein the polyester polymer particles are fed to a vessel through a particle inlet, and the b* color value of the finished particles is less than the b* color value of the particles fed to the vessel, or is greater than the b* color value of the particles fed to the vessel by no more than 1.0, or remains unchanged. 34. The process of claim 33, wherein the b* remains unchanged or is less. 35. The process of claim 1, wherein the particles are pellets. 36. The process of claim 1, wherein the polyester polymer comprises: (a) a carboxylic acid component comprising at least 80 mole % of the residues of terephthalic acid, derivates of terephthalic acid, naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, derivatives of naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof, and (b) a hydroxyl component comprising at least 60 mole % of the residues of ethylene glycol or propane diol, based on 100 mole percent of carboxylic acid component residues and 100 mole percent of hydroxyl component residues in the polyester polymer. 37. The process of claim 1, wherein the acid component comprises the residues or terephthalic acid in an amount of at least 92 mole % and ethylene glycol in an amount of at least 92 mole %. 38. A process comprising crystallizing polyester polymer particles to produce a hot stream of crystallized polyester polymer particles having an average degree of crystallinity of at least 25% and having a particle temperature in excess of 90° C., continuously feeding the hot stream of particles at a temperature of at least 130° C. into a vessel before the temperature of the hot stream drops below 50° C., feeding a flow of gas into the vessel and through at least a portion of the stream of particles at a gas flow rate not exceeding 0.15 SCFM per pound of particles per hour to form a stream of finished polyester polymer particles having a reduced level of residual acetaldehyde relative to the level residual acetaldehyde prior to entry into the vessel. 39. The process of claim 40, wherein temperature of the hot stream is in excess of 130°. 40. The process of claim 41, wherein the hot stream is introduced into the vessel before the temperature of the stream drops below 90° C. 41. The process of claim 40, wherein the average degree of crystallinity is at least 30%. 42. A process comprising continuously feeding a stream of polyester polymer particles having a residual acetaldehyde level into a vessel, allowing the particles to form a bed and flow by gravity to the bottom of the vessel, continuously withdrawing finished particles from the vessel having a residual acetaldehyde level which is less than the residual acetaldehyde level of the stream of particles fed to the vessel and in no event greater than 10 ppm, continuously introducing a flow of gas into the vessel, and passing the flow of gas through the particles within the vessel, wherein the temperature of the particles introduced into the vessel is within a range of 130° C. to 190° C. and have an It.V. of at least 0.72 dL/g obtained without polymerization in the solid state. 43. The process of claim 42, wherein the particles comprise: (a) a carboxylic acid component comprising at least 92 mole % of the residues of terephthalic acid or derivates of terephthalic acid or mixtures thereof, and (b) a hydroxyl component comprising at least 92 mole % of the residues of ethylene glycol, based on 100 mole percent of carboxylic acid component residues and 100 mole percent of hydroxyl component residues in the polyester polymer. 44. The process of claim 43, wherein the acetaldehyde content of the finished particles is 3 ppm or less, the gas is ambient air, and the temperature of the gas introduced into the vessel is 50° C or less. 45. Polyester polymer particles obtained by converting to particles a polyester polymer made in a melt phase process to an It.V. of at least 0.70 dL/g without adding an acetaldehyde scavenger to the polymer during melt phase process, crystallizing the particles to form a stream of crystallized particles, and thereafter contacting the particles with a flow of gas effective to form a finished stream of particles having a residual acetaldehyde content of 1 0 ppm or less without solid state polymerizing the particles. 46. The particles of claim 45, having a residual acetaldehyde content of 5 ppm or less.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/606,660, filed Sep. 2, 2004, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the removal of residual acetaldehyde from polyester particles. 2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A conventional process for the preparation of a polyethylene terephthalate based resin (PET) is characterized as a two stage process: a melt phase process which includes the esterification and polycondensation reactions, and a solid state polymerization process for increasing the molecular weight of the polymer in the solid state rather than in the melt. In a solid state polymerization process, PET is exposed to temperatures of 200-230° C. and a constant counter-current flow of nitrogen through the resin for a significant length of time. In such a conventional process, the molecular weight of the resin is increased in the melt phase up to an It.V. of about 0.55 to 0.65, followed by pelletization, after which the pellets are crystallized, and then solid state polymerized with an optional annealing step after crystallization. In the melt phase, residual acetaldehyde is formed by degradation reactions occurring at the high temperatures experienced during the last stages of polycondensation. In a conventional process, attempting to further increase the molecular weight at these It.V. levels causes a marked increase in the formation of acetaldehyde. However, elevated temperatures in the melt phase are required to facilitate the polycondensation molecular weight building reactions. Accordingly, the polymer is made only to a low It.V. of about 0.55 to 0.60 dL/g in the melt phase, followed eventually by the further increase in the molecular weight of the polymer in the solid state. During solid state polymerization, the particles are exposed to a counter-current flow of nitrogen gas to carry off ethylene glycol, water, and/or other condensates generated during polycondensation. The use of nitrogen also minimizes the oxidative degradation of the PET resin at solid stating temperatures. The nitrogen gas also helps safeguard against oxidation of antimony metal in resins containing reduced antimony as a reheat agent. Although the solid state polymerization provides a product with limited degradation products, the process adds a considerable amount of cost (conversion and capital) to the PET manufacturing process. It would be desirable to eliminate the step of solid state polymerization by the manufacture of a polyester polymer resin in the melt phase having a high It.V. while minimizing the level of residual acetaldehyde, while also providing a crystallized particle to reduce the agglomeration of the particles in dryers feeding extruders for the formation of articles such as preforms and sheet. 3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one embodiment, there is provided a process comprising introducing polyester polymer particles containing residual acetaldehyde into a vessel at a temperature within a range of 130° C. to 195° C. to form a bed of particles within the vessel, flowing a gas through at least a portion of the particle bed, and withdrawing finished particles from the vessel having a reduced amount of residual acetaldehyde. In this process, it is not necessary to introduce a hot flow of gas at high flow rates otherwise required to heat up cool particles to a temperature sufficient to strip acetaldehyde. Rather, this process provides a benefit in that, if desired, gas introduced into the vessel at low flow rates and low temperatures can nevertheless be effective to strip acetaldehyde in a reasonable time because the hot particles quickly heat the low flow of gas to the particle temperature. In a variety of other embodiments, the polyester polymer forming the particles is polymerized in the melt phase to an It.V. of at least 0.72 dL/g, or the particles are partially crystallized before being exposed to the flow of gas, or the polyester polymer particles finished by the above method are dried in a dryer and fed to a melt processing zone without solid state polymerizing the particles, or the finished polyester polymer particles have a residual level of acetaldehyde of less than 5 ppm, or the process comprises a combination of any two or more of these features. In yet another embodiment, there is provided a process comprising crystallizing polyester polymer particles to produce a hot stream of crystallized polyester polymer particles having an average degree of crystallinity of at least 25% and having a particle temperature in excess of 90° C., continuously feeding the hot stream of particles at a temperature of at least 130° C. into a vessel before the temperature of the hot stream drops below 50° C., feeding a flow of gas into the vessel and through the stream of particles in an amount sufficient to form a stream of finished polyester polymer particles having a reduced level of residual acetaldehyde relative to the level residual acetaldehyde prior to entry into the vessel. In this embodiment, heat energy imparted to particles during crystallization is harnessed as the heat energy transferred to the gas in the stripping vessel needed to reduce the level of residual acetaldehyde on or in the particles. There is also provided a process comprising continuously feeding a stream of polyester polymer particles having a residual acetaldehyde level into a vessel, allowing the particles to form a bed and flow by gravity to the bottom of the vessel, continuously withdrawing finished particles from the vessel having a residual acetaldehyde level which is less than the residual acetaldehyde level of the stream of particles fed to the vessel and in no event greater than 10 ppm, continuously introducing a flow of gas into the vessel, and passing the flow of gas through the particles within the vessel, wherein the particles introduced into the vessel have an It.V. of at least 0.72 dL/g obtained without polymerization in the solid state. In this embodiment, particles having high It.V. and low levels of residual acetaldehyde are made without the need for solid state polymerization, thereby avoiding the costly solid state polymerization step. In all of these embodiments, the use of costly acetaldehyde scavengers can also be avoided if desired. These and other features of the invention are described in further detail below. 4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates an acetaldehyde stripping vessel. FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram for crystallizing and stripping acetaldehyde from polyester polymer particles. FIG. 3 illustrates a lab model of a modified chromatograph column used to conduct experiments. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific processes and conditions described, as specific processes and/or process conditions for processing plastic articles as such may, of course, vary. It must also be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents. References to a composition containing “an” ingredient or “a” polymer is intended to include other ingredients or other polymers, respectively, in addition to the one named. Ranges may be expressed herein as “within” or “between” or from one value to another. In each case, the end points are included in the range. Ranges expressed as being greater than or less than a value exclude the end point(s). By “comprising” or “containing” or “having” is meant that at least the named compound, element, particle, or method step etc must be present in the composition or article or method, but does not exclude the presence of other compounds, materials, particles, method steps, etc, even if the other such compounds, material, particles, method steps etc. have the same function as what is named. Regardless of the context, the expression of a temperature means the temperature applied to the polymer unless otherwise expressed as the “actual” polymer temperature. It is also to be understood that the mention of one or more method steps does not preclude the presence of additional method steps or intervening method steps between those steps expressly identified. In the first embodiment of the invention, polyester polymer particles containing residual acetaldehyde are introduced into a vessel at a temperature within a range of 130° C. to 195° C. to form a bed of particles within the vessel, a flow of gas is allowed to pass through at least a portion of the particle bed, and finished particles are withdrawn from the vessel having a reduced amount of residual acetaldehyde. In this first embodiment, a stream of polyester polymer particles is fed into the vessel at an elevated temperature. The elevated temperature is at least 130° C., or at least 140° C., or at least 150° C., or at least 160° C., and preferably under 195° C., or 1 90° C. or less. By feeding a stream of hot particles to the stripping vessel, costs associated with heating a flow of gas or providing for a high gas flow rate are avoided if desired. The hot particles provide the heat energy transferred to the gas to provide a gas temperature within the vessel sufficient to effectuate acetaldehyde stripping. The polyester polymer particles introduced into the vessel contain a level of residual acetaldehyde. The invention reduces the amount of acetaldehyde present in the polyester polymer particles fed to the acetaldehyde stripping vessel. In one embodiment, the level of residual acetaldehyde present in the particles fed to the vessel is greater than 10 ppm, or greater than 20 ppm, or 30 ppm or more, or 40 ppm or more, and even 50 ppm or more. Finished particles are particles treated by a flow of gas and having a level of residual acetaldehyde which is less than the level of residual acetaldehyde present on or in the particles fed to the vessel. Preferably, the level of residual acetaldehyde present on the finished particles is 10 ppm or less, or 7 ppm or less, or 5 ppm or less, or 3 ppm or less, or 2 ppm or less, or 1.5 ppm or less. In another embodiment, the reduction in acetaldehyde is at least 5 ppm, or at least 10 ppm, or at least 20 ppm, or at least 30 ppm. When a relative comparison is made, the amount of residual acetaldehyde can be measured according to standard techniques in the industry so long as the same test method is used. Otherwise, the test method used to determine the residual acetaldehyde content is ASTM F2013-00 “Determination of Residual Acetaldehyde in Polyethylene Terephthalate Bottle Polymer Using an Automated Static Head-Space Sampling Device and a Capillary GC with a Flame Ionization Detector”. The polyester polymer particles are exposed to a flow of gas across the particles in the particle bed within the vessel. The temperature of the gas as introduced into the vessel containing the bed of particles is desirably within a range of 0C to 200° C. At the preferred low gas flow rates described below, the gas temperature quickly equilibrates to the particle temperature in the bed within the vessel. For example, gas introduced at a temperature higher than the temperature of the particles will quickly equilibrate to the lower particle temperature at low gas flow rates relative to the flow rate of the particles introduced into the vessel. Likewise, gas introduced into the vessel at a temperature lower than the temperature of the particles will quickly equilibrate to the higher particle temperature at low gas flow rates relative to the flow rate of the particles introduced into the vessel. While it is possible to introduce gas at high temperature into the vessel, it is unnecessary and represents a waste of energy to heat the gas. Therefore, it is preferred to introduce gas into the vessel at the low end of the temperature spectrum. In a more preferred embodiment, the gas is introduced into the vessel at a temperature of 70° C. or less, or 60° C. or less, or 50° C. or less, or 40° C. or less, and preferably at 10C or more, or 15° C. or more, or 20° C. or more, and most preferably is introduced at about the ambient air temperature. Signs of oxidation and/or polycondensation reactions include an increase in the It.V. of the particles, or a change in L*, a*, and/or b* color, or a combination of two or more of these signs. To prevent polycondensing or oxidizing the polyester polymer to any significant extent, the temperature of the gas exiting the stripping vessel is preferably 195° C. or less. The gas can be introduced into the vessel by any conventional means, such as by a blower, fans, pumps, and the like. The gas may flow co-current to or countercurrent to or across the flow of particles through the vessel. The preferred flow of gas through the bed of particles is countercurrent to the particle flow through the bed. The gas can be introduced at any desired point on the vessel effective to reduce the level of acetaldehyde on the particles fed to the vessel. Preferably, the gas introduction point in to the lower half of the bed height, and more preferably to the lower ¼ of the bed height. The gas flows through at least a portion of the particle bed, preferably through at least 50 volume % of the bed, more preferably through at least 75% of the particle bed volume. Any gas is suitable for use in the invention, such as air, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. Some gases are more preferred than others due to the ready availability and low cost. For example, the use of air rather than nitrogen would lead to significant operating cost improvements. It was believed that the use of nitrogen gas was required in operations which pass a hot flow of gas through a bed of particles, such as in a crystallizer, because nitrogen is inert to the oxidative reactions which would otherwise occur between many polyester polymers and ambient oxygen resulting in pellet discoloration. However, by keeping the process temperature low such that the gas exiting the vessel does not exceed 195° C., particle discoloration is minimized. In one embodiment, the gas contains less than 90 vol % nitrogen, or less than 85 vol % nitrogen, or less than 80 vol % nitrogen. In another embodiment, the gas contains oxygen in an amount of 17.5 vol % or more. The use of air at ambient composition (the composition of the air at the plant site on which the vessel is located), or air which is not separated or purified, is preferred. Desirably, ambient air is fed through the gas inlet. While the air can be dried if desired, it is not necessary to dry the air since the object of the invention is to strip acetaldehyde from the particles. Any vessel for containing particles and allowing a feed of gas and particles into and out of the vessel is suitable. For example, there is provided a vessel having at least an inlet for gas, and inlet for the polyester polymer particles, an outlet for the gas, and an outlet for the finished particles. The vessel preferably insulated to retain heat. The gas inlet and the finished particle outlet is desirably located below the gas outlet and the particle inlet, preferably with the latter being toward the top of the vessel and the former being toward the bottom of the vessel. The gas is desirably introduced into the bed within the vessel at about Y2 or 1/4, of the bed height within the vessel. The particles are preferably introduced at the top of the vessel, and move by gravity to the bottom of the vessel, while the gas preferably flows countercurrent to the direction of the particle flow. The particles accumulate within the vessel to form a bed of particles, and the particles slowly descend down the length of the vessel by gravity to the finished particle outlet at the bottom of the vessel. The bed height is not limited, but is preferably at a substantially constant height in a continuous process and is at least 75% of the height of the stripping zone containing the particles within the vessel. The vessel preferably has an aspect ratio L/D of at least 2, or at least 4, or at least 6. While the process can be conducted in a batch or semi batch mode in which as the particles would not flow and the stream of gas can be passed through the bed of particles in any direction, the process is preferably continuous in which a stream of particles continuously flows from the particle inlet to the finished particle as the particles are fed to the vessel. A suitable gas flow rate introduced into the vessel and passing through at least a portion of the particle bed is one which is sufficient to reduce the amount of residual acetaldehyde on the particles introduced into the vessel. However, to obtain one of the advantages of the invention, that is, lowering energy requirements on the gas and reducing capital costs on the gas, the gas flow rate at the gas inlet is low. For example, for every one (1) pound of particles charged to the vessel per hour, suitable gas flow rates introduced into the vessel are at least 0.0001 standard cubic feet per minute (SCFM), or at least 0.001 SCFM, or at least 0.005 SCFM. High flow rates are also suitable, but not necessary, and should be kept sufficiently low to avoid unnecessary energy consumption by the gas pumps, fans, or blowers. Moreover, it is not desired to unduly cool the particles or dry particles, both objects which typically require the use of high gas flow rates to achieve. The gas flow rate in the process of the invention is preferably not any higher than 0.15 SCFM, or not higher than 0.10 SCFM, or not higher than 0.05 SCFM, or even not higher than 0.01 SCFM for every one (1) pound of charged particles per hour. The optimal flow rate is desirably set to provide the needed level of acetaldehyde removal without unnecessary energy consumption. Moreover, by providing low gas flow rates to the vessel, the gas is quickly heated within the vessel by the hot particles, thereby providing a hot gas throughout a substantial portion of the particle bed within the vessel effective to strip residual acetaldehyde from the particles. Since the inlet gas pressure can be substantially atmospheric or at very low pressure, suitable devices to move the gas through the vessel are advantageously fans or blowers, although any suitable device for providing a motive force to a gas can be used. If desired, the residence time of the particles can be shortened by increasing the temperature at which stripping occurs. This temperature is largely controlled by the temperature of the particles introduced into the vessel. The heat transfer from the particles rapidly heat the gas after it enters the vessel. At the point where the gas enters the vessel, the particles undergo a temperature change depending on the flow rate and temperature of the gas. An additional advantage of this process is the capability to integrate the heat energy between different steps for producing polyester polymer particles in that the hot gas stream exiting the vessel can now be used to provide heat transfer to other suitable parts of a polyester polymer plant or as a source of combustion, such as a source of hot gas to a furnace to lower the energy requirements of the furnace. The overall process for making polyester polymer resin, however, becomes much more economical if the crystallized particles introduced into the acetaldehyde stripping zone do not have to be heated up to temperature after crystallization. Allowing the crystallized particles to cool after crystallization, followed by heating the particles back up to the desired introductory temperature for acetaldehyde stripping, wastes energy. Accordingly, there is provided an integrated process wherein polyester polymer particles are crystallized in a crystallization zone, discharged as a stream of particles from the crystallization zone at particle temperatures in excess of 90° C., or in excess of 100° C., or in excess of 120° C., or in excess of 130° C., or even in excess of 140° C., and before the stream of particles is allowed to drop to a temperature below 50° C., or below 70° C., or below 90° C., or below 130° C., the stream of hot particles is fed to an acetaldehyde stripping zone in which a flow of gas is introduced at a temperature within a range of about 0C to 250° C., and the gas is passed through the stream of polyester polymer particles in an amount sufficient to form a stream of finished polyester polymer particles having a reduced level of the residual acetaldehyde. The degree of crystallinity of the polyester polymer particles is not particularly limited. It is preferred to employ crystallizable polyester polymers. The process of the invention is capable of producing high It.V. polyester polymer particles having low levels of residual acetaldehyde ready to be shipped or fed to a dryer feeding an injection molding machine or extruder for making an article, such as sheet or preforms. To reduce the tendency of the particles to stick to each other in the dryer, it is preferred to feed the dryer with partially crystallized particles. Therefore, in one embodiment, the polyester polymer particles fed to the acetaldehyde stripping zone are partially crystallized, preferably to a degree of crystallinity of at least 25%, or at least 30%, or at least 35%, and up to about 60%. The particles can be crystallized to a higher degree of crystallinity, but satisfactory results in decreasing the level of particles agglomeration can be obtained within these ranges. The pressure within the vessel is not particularly limited. The vessel can be maintained close to ambient conditions, with a slight amount of pressure to force gas into the vessel. Within the vessel, a slight pressure gradient will exist if hot particles are introduced from the air inlet to the air outlet. A pressure gradient also exists due to the pressure drop from friction of the gas on the pellets. The pressure within the vessel measured at the gas inlet close to the gas inlet/vessel junction ranges from about 0 psig to about 30 psig, preferably from about 0 psig to about 10 psig, or from about 0 psig to 5 psig. The residence time of the particles in contact with the flow of gas within the vessel is also not particularly limited. Suitable residence times range from 2 hours, or from 10 hours, or from 18 hours, and up to about 48 hours, or 36 hours, or 30 hours. The process of the invention provides the flexibility of adjusting a number of variables to maintain a constant particle It.V. and to mitigate discoloring the particles. The process variables include the, particle introductory temperature, the particle residence time, the gas flow rate, and the gas introductory temperature. Optimal process conditions to minimize oxidation reactions, discoloration, maintain the It.V. of the particles, and remove acetaldehyde while keeping the production costs low are to introduce the gas at ambient temperature, to feed particles within a range of 150° C. to 170° C. into a vertical cylindrical vessel at an air flow rate ranging from 0.002 SCFM to 0.009 SCFM per 1 lb of PET. The size of the vessel is such that the residence time of the pellets averages about 10 to 24 hours. The process of the invention provides an advantageous low cost means for reducing residual acetaldehyde from a polyester polymer having a high molecular weight and high It.V., such as at least 0.70 dL/g. The low level of acetaldehyde may also be obtained without the need for adding an acetaldehyde scavenging compound into the melt phase for the production of the high It.V. polyester polymer. Thus, there are provided several additional embodiments comprising: 1. A polyester polymer resin having an It.V. of at least 0.70 dL/g and 5 ppm or less acetaldehyde without solid state polymerizing the polymer; 2. A polyester polymer resin made in a melt phase to an It.V. of at least 0.70 dL/g without adding an acetaldehyde scavenger to the polymer during melt phase production, the polyester polymer having an acetaldehyde content of 5 ppm or less acetaldehyde, and preferably an acetaldehyde content of 5 ppm or less without solid state polymerizing the polymer. In conventional polyester production technology, the polyester polymer is polymerized in the melt to a relatively low It.V. of 0.5 to about 0.65 dL/g partly because a further increase in It.V. results in the build up of unacceptably high levels of acetaldehyde. As a result, the molecular weight of the polymer is further advanced in the solid state rather than in a melt to avoid further increased, and to actually decrease, the levels of residual acetaldehyde. With the process of the invention, however, to solid state polymerization process may be avoided altogether while obtaining a particle with low residual acetaldehyde. Thus, there is also provided another embodiment where a stream of polyester polymer particles having a residual acetaldehyde level are fed continuously into a vessel, allowed to form a bed and flow by gravity to the bottom of the vessel, continuously withdrawn from the vessel as finished particles having a residual acetaldehyde level which is less than the residual acetaldehyde level of the stream of particles fed to the vessel and in no event greater than 10 ppm, continuously introducing a flow of gas into the vessel, and passing the flow of gas through the particles within the vessel, wherein the particles introduced into the vessel have an It.V. of at least 0.72 dL/g obtained without polymerization in the solid state. The finished particles are directly or indirectly packaged into shipping containers, which are then shipped to customers or distributors. It is preferred to subject the crystallized particles to any process embodiment described herein without solid state polymerizing the particles at any point prior to packaging the particles into shipping containers. With the exception of solid state polymerization, the particles may be subjected to numerous additional processing steps in-between any of the expressed steps. Shipping containers are containers used for shipping over land, sea or air. Examples include railcars, semi-containers, Gaylord boxes, and ship hulls. One of the advantages of the invention is that the stripping process is conducted at a temperature low enough where the polymer does not polycondense and build up molecular weight. Thus, in an embodiment of the invention, process conditions are established such that the It.V. differential measured as the It.V. of the finished polyester polymer and the It.V. of the polyester polymer fed to the acetaldehyde stripping zone, is less than +0.025 dL/g, or +0.020 dL/g or less, or +0.015 dL/g or less, or +0.010 dL/g or less, and preferably −0.02 dL/g or more, or −0.01 dL/g or more, and most preferably close to 0, within experimental error. The It.V. values described throughout this description are set forth in dL/g units as calculated from the inherent viscosity measured at 25° C. in 60/40 wt/wt phenol/tetrachloroethane. The inherent viscosity is calculated from the measured solution viscosity. The following equations describe such solution viscosity measurements and subsequent calculations to Ih.V. and from Ih.V. to It.V: ηinh=[In(ts/to)]/C where ηinh=Inherent viscosity at 25° C. at a polymer concentration of 0.50 g/100 mL of 60% phenol and 40% 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane In=Natural logarithm ts=Sample flow time through a capillary tube to=Solvent-blank flow time through a capillary tube C=Concentration of polymer in grams per 100 mL of solvent (0.50%) The intrinsic viscosity is the limiting value at infinite dilution of the specific viscosity of a polymer. It is defined by the following equation: where ηint=Intrinsic viscosity ηr=Relative viscosity=ts/to ηsp=Specific viscosity=ηr−1 Instrument calibration involves replicate testing of a standard reference material and then applying appropriate mathematical equations to produce the “accepted” I.V. values. Calibration Factor=Accepted IV of Reference Material/Average of Replicate Determinations Corrected IhV=Calculated IhV×Calibration Factor The intrinsic viscosity (ItV or Tint) may be estimated using the Billmeyer equation as follows: ηint=0.5[e0.5×Corrected IhV−1]+(0.75×Corrected IhV) There is also provided an embodiment where the process conditions are established such that the L* color value differential measured as (L* finished polyester polymer−L* of the particle feed) is 5 or less, or 3 or less, or 2 or less, and desirably greater than −3, or greater than −2, or greater than −1. Preferred L* value differentials are close to 0. While positive changes where the L* is actually increased in the finished polymer are acceptable and even desirable, consideration should be taken into account as to the reason why the L* is increased. In some cases, L* can increase due to the oxidation of a metal, which may or may not be a significant consideration depending upon the function of the metal. If the metal is present as a reheat additive, its function as a reheat additive will diminish if oxidized even though the L* color brightness increases. In this case, the amount of metal present can be increased proportionately to allow for the presence of sufficient elemental metal to act as a reheat additive, but in many cases, the amount of metal remaining after its oxidation to function as a reheat agent is a balance against the additional brightness obtained as indicated by the increase in L*. The particular end use application and cost will control the degree of increase in L* and reduction in reheat which can be tolerated. However, if the function of the metal is already served or not impacted by an oxidation reaction, then an increase in L* to any degree may actually be desired. Another advantage of the invention is that the stripping process is conducted under conditions to prevent the polymer from exhibiting a significant change in color in the direction toward more yellowness. Accordingly, there is provided another embodiment in which process conditions are established such that the b* color value of the finished polyester polymer is less than the b* color value of the polyester polymer fed to the acetaldehyde stripping zone, or is unchanged, or is greater than by not more than 1.0, but is preferably unchanged or less. For example, a finished particle b* color value of −2.1 is less than a feed particle b* color value of −1.5. Likewise, a finished b* color value of +2.0 is less than a feed particle b* color value of +2.7. b* color value shifts in the direction toward the blue end of the b* color spectrum is desirable. In this way, the process conditions do not add a substantially greater yellow hue to the particles. The measurements of L*, a*, and b* color values are conducted according to the following methods. The instrument used for measuring color should have the capabilities of a HunterLab UltraScan XE, model U3350, using the CIELab Scale(L*, a*, b*), D65 (ASTM) illuminant, 100 observer, integrating sphere geometry. Particles are measured in RSIN reflection, specular component included mode according to ASTM D6290, “Standard Test Method for Color Determination of Plastic Pellets”. Plastic pellets are placed in a 33-mm path length optical glass cell, available from HunterLab, and allowed to settle by vibrating the sample cell using a laboratory Mini-Vortexer (VWR International, West Chester, Pa.). The instrument for measuring color is set up under ASTM E1164 “Standard Practice for Obtaining Spectrophotometric Data for Object-Color Evaluation.” Color is determined on a sample by using its absolute value−the value determined by the instrument. The measurements of %crystallinity are obtained from differential scanning calorimetry according to the following equation: %crystallinity=[ΔHm/ΔHmo]·100% where ΔHm is the heat of melting of the polymer determined by integrating the area under the curve (Joule/gram) of the melting transition(s) observed during the first scan of 25° C. to 300° C. at 20° C. per minute in a Perkin Elmer differential scanning calorimeter and ΔHmo is a reference value of 140.1 J/g and represents the heat of melting if the polyethylene terephthalate is 100% crystalline. The shape of the polyester polymer particles is not limited, and can include regular or irregular shaped discrete particles without limitation on their dimensions, including, stars, spheres, spheroids, globoids, cylindrically shaped pellets, conventional pellets, pastilles, and any other shape, but particles are distinguished from a sheet, film, preforms, strands or fibers. The number average weight (not to be confused with the number average molecular weight) of the particles is not particularly limited. Desirably, the particles have a number average weight of at least 0.10 g per 100 particles, more preferably greater than 1.0 g per 100 particles, and up to about 100 g per 100 particles. The polyester polymer of this invention is any thermoplastic polyester polymer. A polyester thermoplastic polymers of the invention are distinguishable from liquid crystal polymers and thermosetting polymers in that thermoplastic polymers have no ordered structure while in the liquid (melt) phase, they can be remelted and reshaped into a molded article, and liquid crystal polymers and thermosetting polymers are unsuitable for the intended applications such as packaging or stretching in a mold to make a container. The polyester polymer desirably contains alkylene terephthalate or alkylene naphthalate units in the polymer chain. More preferred are polyester polymers which comprise: (a) a carboxylic acid component comprising at least 80 mole % of the residues of terephthalic acid, derivates of terephthalic acid, naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, derivatives of naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof, and (b) a hydroxyl component comprising at least 60 mole %, or at least 80 mole %, of the residues of ethylene glycol or propane diol, based on 100 mole percent of carboxylic acid component residues and 100 mole percent of hydroxyl component residues in the polyester polymer. Typically, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate are made by reacting a diol such as ethylene glycol with a dicarboxylic acid as the free acid or its dimethyl ester to produce an ester monomer and/or oligomers, which are then polycondensed to produce the polyester. More than one compound containing carboxylic acid group(s) or derivative(s) thereof can be reacted during the process. All the compounds containing carboxylic acid group(s) or derivative(s) thereof that are in the product comprise the “carboxylic acid component.” The mole % of all the compounds containing carboxylic acid group(s) or derivative(s) thereof that are in the product add up to 100. The “residues” of compound(s) containing carboxylic acid group(s) or derivative(s) thereof that are in the product refers to the portion of said compound(s) which remains in the oligomer and/or polymer chain after the condensation reaction with a compound(s) containing hydroxyl group(s). More than one compound containing hydroxyl group(s) or derivatives thereof can become part of the polyester polymer product(s). All the compounds containing hydroxyl group(s) or derivatives thereof that become part of said product(s) comprise the hydroxyl component. The mole % of all the compounds containing hydroxyl group(s) or derivatives thereof that become part of said product(s) add up to 100. The residues of hydroxyl functional compound(s) or derivatives thereof that become part of said product refers to the portion of said compound(s) which remains in said product after said compound(s) is condensed with a compound(s) containing carboxylic acid group(s) or derivative(s) thereof and further polycondensed with polyester polymer chains of varying length. The mole % of the hydroxyl residues and carboxylic acid residues in the product(s) can be determined by proton NMR. In another embodiment, the polyester polymer comprises: (a) a carboxylic acid component comprising at least 90 mole %, or at least 92 mole %, or at least 96 mole % of the residues of terephthalic acid, derivates of terephthalic acid, naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, derivatives of naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof, and (b) a hydroxyl component comprising at least 90 mole %, or at least 92 mole %, or at least 96 mole % of the residues of ethylene glycol, based on 100 mole percent of the carboxylic acid component residues and 100 mole percent of the hydroxyl component residues in the polyester polymer. The reaction of the carboxylic acid component with the hydroxyl component during the preparation of the polyester polymer is not restricted to the stated mole percentages since one may utilize a large excess of the hydroxyl component if desired, e.g. on the order of up to 200 mole % relative to the 100 mole % of carboxylic acid component used. The polyester polymer made by the reaction will, however, contain the stated amounts of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues and ethylene glycol residues. Derivates of terephthalic acid and naphthalane dicarboxylic acid include C1-C4 dialkylterephthalates and C1-C4 dialkylnaphthalates, such as dimethylterephthalate and dimethylnaphthalate. In addition to a diacid component of terephthalic acid, derivates of terephthalic acid, naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, derivatives of naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof, the carboxylic acid component(s) of the present polyester may include one or more additional modifier carboxylic acid compounds. Such additional modifier carboxylic acid compounds include mono-carboxylic acid compounds, dicarboxylic acid compounds, and compounds with a higher number of carboxylic acid groups. Examples include aromatic dicarboxylic acids preferably having 8 to 14 carbon atoms, aliphatic dicarboxylic acids preferably having 4 to 12 carbon atoms, or cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids preferably having 8 to 12 carbon atoms. More specific examples of modifier dicarboxylic acids useful as an acid component(s) are phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, cyclohexanediacetic acid, diphenyl-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, and the like, with isophthalic acid, naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, and cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid being most preferable. It should be understood that use of the corresponding acid anhydrides, esters, and acid chlorides of these acids is included in the term “carboxylic acid”. It is also possible for tricarboxyl compounds and compounds with a higher number of carboxylic acid groups to modify the polyester. In addition to a hydroxyl component comprising ethylene glycol, the hydroxyl component of the present polyester may include additional modifier mono-ols, diols, or compounds with a higher number of hydroxyl groups. Examples of modifier hydroxyl compounds include cycloaliphatic diols preferably having 6 to 20 carbon atoms and/or aliphatic diols preferably having 3 to 20 carbon atoms. More specific examples of such diols include diethylene glycol; triethylene glycol; 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; propane-1,3-diol; butane-1,4-diol; pentane-1,5-diol; hexane-1,6-diol; 3-methylpentanediol- (2,4); 2-methylpentanediol-(1,4); 2,2,4-trimethylpentane-diol-(1,3); 2,5-ethylhexanediol-(1,3); 2,2-diethyl propane-diol-(1,3); hexanediol-(1,3); 1,4-di-(hydroxyethoxy)-benzene; 2,2-bis-(4-hydroxycyclohexyl)-propane; 2,4- dihydroxy-1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-cyclobutane; 2,2-bis-(3-hydroxyethoxyphenyl)-propane; and 2,2-bis-(4-hydroxypropoxyphenyl)-propane. As modifiers, the polyester polymer may preferably contain such comonomers as such as isophthalic acid, naphthalane dicarboxylic acid, cyclohexanedimethanol, and diethylene glycol. The polyester pellet compositions may include blends of polyalkylene terephthalates and/or polyalkylene naphthalates along with other thermoplastic polymers such as polycarbonate (PC) and polyamides. It is preferred that the polyester composition should comprise a majority of the polyester polymers, more preferably in an amount of at least 80 wt. %, or at least 95 wt. %, and most preferably 100 wt. %, based on the weight of all thermoplastic polymers (excluding fillers, inorganic compounds or particles, fibers, impact modifiers, or other polymers which may form a discontinuous phase). It is also preferred that the polyester polymers do not contain any fillers, fibers, or impact modifiers or other polymers which form a discontinuous phase. The polyester compositions can be prepared by polymerization procedures known in the art sufficient to effect esterification and polycondensation. Polyester melt phase manufacturing processes include direct condensation of a dicarboxylic acid with the diol, optionally in the presence of esterification catalysts, in the esterification zone, followed by polycondensation in the prepolymer and finishing zones in the presence of a polycondensation catalyst; or ester exchange usually in the presence of a transesterification catalyst in the ester exchange zone, followed by prepolymerization and finishing in the presence of a polycondensation catalyst, and each may optionally be solid stated according to known methods. Once the polyester polymer is manufactured in the melt phase polymerization, it is solidified. The method for solidifying the polyester polymer from the melt phase process is not limited. For example, molten polyester polymer from the melt phase may be directed through a die, or merely cut, or both directed through a die followed by cutting the molten polymer. A gear pump may be used as the motive force to drive the molten polyester polymer through the die. Instead of using a gear pump, the molten polyester polymer may be fed into a single or twin screw extruder and extruded through a die, optionally at a temperature of 190° C. or more at the extruder nozzle. Once through the die, the polyester polymer can be drawn into strands, contacted with a cool fluid, and cut into pellets, or the polymer can be pelletized at the die head, optionally underwater. The polyester polymer melt is optionally filtered to remove particulates over a designated size before being cut. Any conventional hot pelletization or dicing method and apparatus can be used, including but not limited to dicing, strand pelletizing and strand (forced conveyance) pelletizing, pastillators, water ring pelletizers, hot face pelletizers, underwater pelletizers and centrifuged pelletizers. The polyester polymer may also be crystallized if desired as noted above. The method and apparatus used to crystallize the polyester polymer is not limited, and includes thermal crystallization in a gas or liquid. The crystallization may occur in a mechanically agitated vessel; a fluidized bed; a bed agitated by fluid movement; an un-agitated vessel or pipe; crystallized in a liquid medium above the Tg of the polyester polymer, preferably at 140° C. to 190° C.; or any other means known in the art. Also, the polymer may be strain crystallized. The polymer may also be fed to a crystallizer at a polymer temperature below its Tg (from the glass), or it may be fed to a crystallizer at a polymer temperature above its Tg. For example, molten polymer from the melt phase polymerization reactor may be fed through a die plate and cut underwater, and then immediately fed to an underwater thermal crystallization reactor where the polymer is crystallized underwater. Alternatively, the molten polymer may be cut, allowed to cool to below its Tg, and then fed to an underwater thermal crystallization apparatus or any other suitable crystallization apparatus. Or, the molten polymer may be cut in any conventional manner, allowed to cool to below its Tg, optionally stored, and then crystallized. In each of these embodiments, the articles of manufacture are not limited, and include sheet and bottle preforms. The bottle preforms can be stretch blow molded into bottles by conventional processes. Thus, there is also provided in an embodiment the bottles made from the particles of the invention, or made by any of the processes of the invention, or made by any conventional melt processing technique using the particles of the invention. Not only may containers be made from particles made according to the process of this invention, but other items such as sheet, film, bottles, trays, other packaging, rods, tubes, lids, filaments and fibers, and other molded articles may also be manufactured using the polyester particles of the invention. Beverage bottles made from polyethylene terephthalate suitable for holding water or carbonated beverages, and heat set beverage bottle suitable for holding beverages which are hot filled into the bottle are examples of the types of bottles which are made from the crystallized pellets of the invention. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate non-limiting process flow embodiments describing how the invention could be practiced. In FIG. 1, a stream of hot crystalline polyester particles containing a level of residual AA greater than 10 ppm is introduced into a vessel 105 through particle inlet pipe 101. The particles form a bed 106 within the vessel 105 and move downward toward the vessel outlet 103 to form a stream of crystalline polyester particles having a reduced level of residual acetaldehyde of 10 ppm or less. A stream of gas is fed into the vessel through a side inlet 103 toward the lower ⅓ of the vessel height. Other suitable locations, not illustrated, include a bottom inlet closer toward the particle outlet 103, or a top feed. After picking up acetaldehyde from the particles, the gas is removed from the vessel 105 through gas outlet 104. The location of 103 and 104 relative to each other are preferably chosen so that gas flows across the majority of the particles in the bed 106. The polyester particle stream flowing into particle inlet 101 are at a temperature of 120 to 180° C., and contain more than 10 ppm acetaldehyde. The stream rate of the particles is not limited as this process will be effective at a very wide range of rates. The mass of the particles in the bed 106 is selected to give the desired residence time for particles in the vessel 105. For example, if the rate of particles in stream 101 is 10,000 lbs/hr, and an average residence time of 20 hours is desired, the mass of particles in the bed 106 should be (10,000 lb/hr)(20 hr)=200,000 lbs. The size of the vessel 105 is sufficient to contain the bed 106. Preferably the vessel 105 is insulated to prevent unnecessary heat losses. The average temperature of the particles in the bed 106 is within 120° C. and 180° C. and will depend primarily on the temperature, rate, and feed location of particle stream though particle inlet 101, the temperature, rate, and feed location of gas through inlet 102, and heat losses from the vessel 105. At low inlet gas rates, the gas stream will not have a large impact on the average temperature of particles in the bed 106. Particles are removed 106 from the vessel containing less than 10 ppm acetaldehyde. The temperature of stream 103 is not limited and depends primarily on the temperature and rate of incoming particles 101 the temperature and rate of inlet gas 102, and heat losses from the vessel 105. The level of acetaldehyde in stream 103 depends primarily on the rate and acetaldehyde content of particles in inlet stream 101, the temperature and mass of particles in bed 106, the rate and temperature of gas 102, fed to the vessel, and the rate at which acetaldehyde is chemically generated in the polymer during the stripping process. At steady state, the rate of pellet removal 106 is on average the same as the rate of particles at the inlet 101. One skilled in the art is aware that these rates may be intentionally set differently to adjust the mass of the bed 106. The rate at the gas inlet 102 is preferably greater than 0.0001 SCFM per lb/hr of particles 101 fed to the stripper. There is a balance between having sufficient gas to dilute the acetaldehyde and ensure a large driving force for acetaldehyde to leave the polymer particles, versus the cost of providing higher gas rates to the stripper. At the low gas rates that are preferred, the temperature of the gas is not limited as it does not have a large impact on the temperature of particles in the bed 106. At high gas flow rates, for example 1 lb/hr of air in stream 102 per 1 lb/hr of particles in stream 101 the gas temperature can have a significant impact on the temperature of bed 106 and must be chosen to give a bed temperature between 120 and 180° C. The inlet gas stream 102, is preferably air substantially free of acetaldehyde. The rate at the gas outlet 104 is on average the same as the average rate of the gas inlet 102. The temperature is not limited, and will depend primarily on the temperature of the bed 106 through which the gas has last flowed before exiting the vessel. The concentration of acetaldehyde at the gas outlet 104, will depend on the amount of acetaldehyde removed from the polymer particles and the gas flow rate. FIG. 2 is another non-limiting example of an embodiment in which the heat energy from the particles imparted during crystallization is integrated with the energy required for stripping AA. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a molten polyester polymer stream is fed to an underfluid cutter 203 through line 201 using a gear pump 202 as the motive force. While an underfluid cutter is illustrated, any conventional type of pelletizer can be employed to make pellets which are eventually fed to a crystallizer. The source of the molten polymer may be from pellets fed through an extruder to the gear pump 202 or from the melt phase high polymerizer or finisher (not shown) fed to the gear pump 202. The liquid medium is fed into cutter 203 through a feed pipe 206 into the cutter 203. A suitable liquid medium comprises water entering the housing at a fluid velocity of 1 ft/s to 8 ft/s, preferably 1 ft/s to 4 ft/s. The flow of liquid medium through the cutter 203 sweeps the cut particles away from the cutter and into the outlet pipe 208 for transport into a crystallizer 209. As illustrated, the crystallizer 209 is an underfluid crystallizer having a high liquid temperature in which the liquid is kept under a pressure equal to or greater than the vapor pressure of the liquid to keep the fluid in the liquid state. Crystallizer 203 comprises of a series of pipes in a coil or stacked to form a three dimensional box or any other shape, including a long linear tube. The liquid (e.g. water) temperature at the outlet pipe 208 and through the crystallizer pipes 209 is above the Tg of the particles, and preferably at any temperature within a range of greater than 100° C. to 190° C., and more preferably from 140 to 180° C. While underfluid crystallizer is illustrated, any conventional crystallizer is suitable. For example, a suitable crystallization method includes passing a countercurrent gas of hot nitrogen or air or both at a gas feed temperature of 160° C. to 220° C. through a bed of solid pellets agitated by the gas flow or by mechanical agitation, or alternatively, the heat source to the pellets is provided by heat transfer through the jacketed walls of a vessel. The particles attain a degree of crystallization ranging from 20% to about 65%, or about 25% to about 50% after discharge from the crystallizers. After flowing through the crystallization pipes, the crystallized particles are fed through pipe 210 to a particle/liquid separator 211. A separator 211 is not needed, however, if conventional crystallization techniques are applied which use a gas or the walls of a vessel as the heat transfer source. The method or equipment for separating particles from liquid is not limited. Examples of suitable separators include centrifugal dryers, solid or screen bowl centrifuges, pusher centrifuges, or simple filters or screens into which the particle/liquid slurry is fed with the liquid flowing through the screen and out through liquid outlet pipe 212. The liquid in pipe 212 may optionally be re-circulated as a source of liquid for the feed into the underfluid cutter. The particles are discharged from separator 211 through particle outlet pipe 213 and fed into vessel 105, the AA stripping vessel. In the event that a conventional crystallizer is used, the particles can be fed directly or indirectly from the crystallizer to the AA stripping vessel 105. The particles fed to the vessel 105 have high heat energy imparted by the crystallizer 209. The heat energy in the particles is used as the source of heat transferred to the gas supplied to the vessel 105 through line 103 which flows through the particle bed 106. In this embodiment, the polyester particle stream is fed into vessel 105 at a temperature of at least 50° C. The crystallized particle stream discharged from the separator 211, or discharged from a conventional crystallizer, is typically at a temperature in excess of 90° C., or in excess of 120° C., or in excess of 130° C. Between the conventional crystallizer, or the separator 211, and the stripping vessel 105, the particles may cool somewhat through heat losses to the piping, or heat losses in the separator 211, or within optional equipment between the separator 211 and the vessel 105. Between the discharge from the crystallizer, whether conventional or as illustrated in FIG. 2 as 109, the temperature of the crystallized particles preferably does not drop below 50° C., or does not drop below 75° C., or does not drop below 90° C., or does not drop below 100° C., or does not drop below 10° C. In this embodiment, the stream of crystallized particles is fed into the stripping vessel 105 through particle inlet pipe 101 at a temperature of at least 130° C., while a flow of gas is fed through gas inlet 102 and through the bed of crystallized particles 106. The feed temperature of at least 130° C. is preferred because at lower temperatures, the residence time of the particles in th vessel is undesirably long. Finished particles are discharged through particle outlet line 103 and the gas is discharged preferably toward the top of the vessel 105 through a gas discharge line 104. In the event that the temperature of the crystallized particles from a crystallizer or from a liquid/solid separator drops below 130° C., the stream of crystallized particles can be reheated to at least 130° C. by any conventional heating means. Even though thermal energy may be to be applied to reheat the stream of crystallized particles, the integrated process requires the application of less energy than would be required if, for example, the particle temperature falls to ambient temperature. Suitable heating devices include pre-heaters or thermal screws. Experiment Set 1 This set of experiments illustrates the effects of time and temperature on the residual acetaldehyde, molecular weight, color, and crystallinity of the polyester polymer particles. Three different polyethylene terephthalate based polymers representing three different geometries were placed in a fluidized bed reactor and exposed to either 150° C., 160° C., or 185° C. temperatures and a low air flow rate for at least 24 hours. More specifically, the experiments were conducted in a column reactor comprised of a modified chromatography column to allow for the introduction of a gas stream over the polymer particles and to regulate the temperature of the polymer particles, a round bottom flask, and a condensor. The column reactor is illustrated in FIG. 3. The outside glass wall 301 contains an inside glass wall 302 within which is a chamber 303 for polymer particles. At the bottom of the chamber 303 is a fritted glass support 304, through which is fed a gas at a gas inlet port 306 flowing through a coil of glass tubing 305. On the outside glass wall is provided a connector 307 for a round bottom flask and a connector 308 for a condenser. The temperature of the column reactor, polymer particles within the column and the gas flowing over the polymer particles in the column is regulated by refluxing a suitable solvent in a round bottom flask connected to the column at inlet 307. A condenser is attached to the column at 8 to allow for the refluxing solvent to be reclaimed to the reactor. Cumene (b.p.=150° C.), cyclohexanol (b.p.=160° C.) or diethyl octoate (b.p.=185° C.) was used as the temperature regulating solvent. The experiments were conducted in two stages by charging the vessel with 1.5 pounds (680 g) of a partially crystallized PET resin. In the first set of experiments, the resin was charged to the vessel at 7:00 a.m., and about 60 grams samples were collected at each time interval indicated on Table 1. In a second set of experiments, the resin was charged to the vessel at 5:00 p.m., and about 60 grams samples were collected at each time interval as indicated on Table 1 below. The samples were submitted for residual acetaldehyde analysis using the test method as described above, for inherent viscosity test measurements as described above, to color (reflectance) analysis as described above, and for %crystallinity analysis as described above. Within each set of experiments, three different runs were made. In the first run, a polyester polymer thermally crystallized at 175° C. to a degree of crystallinity of 33% and having an It.V. of 0.816 was used (“Polymer 1”). In the second run, a polyester polymer crystallized with a roll processing unit to a degree of crystallinity of 35.7% and having an It.V. of 0.802 was used (“Polymer 2“). In the third run, a polyester polymer crystallized underwater to a degree of crystallinity of 30.5% and having an It.V. of 0.820 was used (“Polymer 3”). In each case, the polyester polymer was a polyethylene terephthalate based polymer having 2.0 mol % (of total dicarboxylic acid content) isophthalic acid modification. The average particle dimensions were about 1.84×2.68×2.43 mm, 2.45×3.09×3.90 mm, and 2.75 mm diameter, respectively. Within the second set of experiments, one run was performed using Polymer 1, except the second experiment was performed at the higher temperature of 160° C. Within the third set of experiments, three runs were performed using the same polymers as in the first set of experiments, except that the third set of experiments was performed at the higher temperature of 185° C. The air flow for each experiment was set at 0.0067 SCFM using ambient plant air. The amount of solvent charged to the round bottom flask connected to the column reactor was 1000 ml. The residence time of the particles was varied and are detailed in Tables 1 through 7.in each case. The polymer charge was 1.5 lbs in each case. The polymer was added to the column reactor after the column had reached the target temperature of 150° C., 160° C., or 185° C., depending upon the solvent used in each set of experiments. The time at which the polymer was added to the vessel was set as the start time for the experiment (Time=0 hr). The temperature of the polymer particles was measured by a thermocouple placed on the fritted glass support (4 in FIG. 3) The results of the experiments run at 150° C. using Polymer 1 are reported on Table 1. The results of the experiments run at 160° C. using Polymer 1 are reported on Table 2. The results of the experiments run at 185° C. using Polymer 1 are reported on Table 3.The results of the experiments run at 150° C. using Polymer 2 are reported on Table 4. The results of the experiments run at 185° C. using Polymer 2 are reported on Table 5.The results of the experiments run at 150° C. using Polymer 3 are reported on Table 6. The results of the experiments run at 185° C. using Polymer 3 are reported on Table 7. TABLE 1 Polymer 1, 150° C., 0.0067 SCFM Residual Elapsed Acetaldehyde lt.V. % Time (hr) (ppm) (dl/g) L* a* b* Crystallinity 0.00 45.23 0.811 65.78 −1.345 −3.06 32.6 1.00 34.91 0.803 66.1 −1.33 −3.20 34.2 2.00 32.28 0.815 66.33 −1.32 −3.29 32.3 3.00 25.43 0.812 66.48 −1.32 −3.38 33.9 3.83 19.98 0.810 66.44 −1.23 −3.37 31.9 6.33 10.95 0.812 66.41 −1.27 −3.23 31.3 8.00 7.26 0.821 66.76 −1.22 −3.28 34.5 9.50 6.00 0.819 66.90 −1.25 −3.25 38.3 14.00 5.37 0.803 66.69 −1.18 −3.29 33.5 16.00 3.39 0.813 67.37 −1.19 −3.41 30.6 18.00 2.95 0.816 66.35 −1.16 −3.17 32.5 20.50 2.63 0.816 67.35 −1.15 −3.36 32.4 22.58 2.54 0.816 67.29 −1.18 −3.46 34.8 23.50 2.50 0.821 67.10 −1.15 −3.43 35.7 23.75 2.45 0.829 66.86 −1.1933 −3.21 33.7 TABLE 2 Polymer 1 at 160° C., 0.0067 SCFM Residual Elapsed Acetaldehyde lt.V. % Time (hr) (ppm) (dl/g) L* a* b* Crystallinity 0.00 57.02 0.831 65.29 −1.37 −3.37 28.42 1.50 47.40 0.831 66.08 −1.31 −3.70 26.55 2.50 28.95 0.823 66.85 −1.28 −3.78 28.52 3.50 20.55 0.821 66.38 −1.21 −3.60 27.57 4.83 12.51 0.813 66.48 −1.18 −3.48 27.44 6.75 7.16 0.822 67.07 −1.20 −3.73 28.99 8.58 5.22 0.822 65.99 −1.09 −3.41 30.21 23.75 3.00 0.810 66.50 −1.06 −3.40 30.06 TABLE 3 Polymer 1 at 185° C. and 0.0067 SCFM Residual Elapsed Acetaldehyde lt.V. Time (hr) (ppm) (dl/g) L* a* b* % Crystallinity 0.00 43.36 0.821 65.98 −1.35 −3.12 34.24 1.00 34.90 0.810 65.49 −1.30 −3.12 33.15 2.00 13.78 0.809 67.43 −1.20 −3.36 32.95 3.00 8.13 0.818 67.69 −1.13 −3.21 31.78 4.00 6.85 0.820 66.94 −1.07 −3.02 30.77 5.50 6.44 0.808 67.52 −0.99 −2.90 37.23 7.50 5.13 0.826 67.16 −0.96 −2.36 36.85 15.00 2.92 0.813 68.68 −0.73 −2.05 38.99 17.17 2.40 0.827 68.82 −0.71 −1.77 40.49 18.50 2.21 0.845 68.46 −0.66 −1.69 38.36 20.00 1.78 0.858 69.36 −0.63 −1.68 39.68 21.33 1.71 0.857 69.47 −0.67 −1.53 38.05 23.00 1.48 0.852 68.56 −0.55 −1.28 40.64 23.17 1.25 0.826 69.47 −0.6 −1.34 38.53 TABLE 4 Polymer 2 at 150° C. and 0.0067 SCFM Residual Elapsed Acetaldehyde lt.V. Time (hr) (ppm) (dl/g) L* a* b* % Crystallinity 0.00 7.52 0.800 55.43 −0.97 −0.06 36.18 2.00 6.08 0.809 55.84 −1.00 −0.23 40.91 3.00 5.11 0.807 56.03 −1.07 −0.21 34.31 4.42 4.19 0.810 56.42 −1.02 −0.31 41.44 6.00 3.47 0.806 56.02 −1.04 −0.31 45.63 7.58 2.94 0.812 56.47 −1.03 −0.56 40.89 9.42 2.53 0.797 56.91 −0.95 −0.45 41.97 14.00 1.71 0.793 56.59 −0.94 −0.18 36.38 16.00 1.61 0.804 55.16 −0.95 −0.48 52.75 18.00 1.38 0.801 56.5 −0.98 −0.47 42.43 20.08 1.24 0.803 56.32 −0.97 −0.41 37.04 22.00 1.22 0.797 56.43 −0.95 −0.48 41.59 23.92 1.14 0.800 57.17 −0.98 −0.58 42.00 24.50 1.04 0.804 56.50 −0.95 −0.45 37.18 39.25 0.86 0.797 56.35 −0.94 −0.47 47.70 TABLE 5 Polymer 2 at 185° C. and 0.0067 SCFM Residual Elapsed Acetaldehyde lt.V. Time (hr) (ppm) (dl/g) L* a* b* % Crystallinity 0.00 20.67 0.810 55.49 −0.80 −0.32 35.20 1.00 5.415 0.799 56.53 −0.85 −0.59 35.67 1.83 3.63 0.786 56.00 −0.78 −0.46 35.70 2.83 2.60 0.812 56.70 −0.81 −0.6 35.69 4.75 1.72 0.793 56.91 −0.78 −0.72 45.51 6.83 1.18 0.802 55.58 −0.77 −0.38 40.25 12.75 0.84 0.798 57.65 −0.78 −1.04 40.15 14.50 0.79 0.797 57.36 −0.78 −0.72 37.84 16.42 0.69 0.803 57.91 −0.81 −0.61 40.64 18.25 0.63 0.816 57.85 −0.75 −0.77 41.98 21.00 0.65 0.815 57.88 −0.77 −1.00 41.06 TABLE 6 Polymer 3 at 150° C. and 0.0067 SCFM Residual Elapsed Acetaldehyde lt.V. Time (hr) (ppm) (dl/g) L* a* b* % Crystallinity 0.00 19.83 0.800 68.21 −1.78 −2.17 33.74 1.00 16.94 0.794 68.39 −1.74 −2.20 37.90 2.08 12.38 0.806 69.12 −1.71 −2.20 33.55 3.00 9.61 0.807 68.98 −1.74 −2.17 33.93 4.00 7.37 0.744 69.21 −1.68 −2.13 33.15 5.08 6.41 0.854 69.23 −1.65 −2.20 34.67 6.08 4.72 0.848 69.26 −1.71 −1.99 34.29 8.00 3.26 0.791 69.02 −1.68 −2.09 31.14 13.67 1.44 0.796 69.65 −1.64 −2.20 39.72 16.00 1.17 0.809 69.83 −1.65 −2.27 44.10 18.00 1.02 0.840 69.45 −1.65 −2.21 37.24 20.00 0.91 0.835 69.59 −1.65 −2.15 38.29 21.67 0.84 0.792 69.83 −1.62 −2.13 31.35 22.00 0.81 0.840 69.69 −1.64 −2.10 46.21 24.00 0.79 0.791 69.76 −1.64 −2.15 39.03 TABLE 7 Polymer 3 at 185° C. and 0.0067 SCFM Residual Elapsed Acetaldehyde lt.V. Time (hr) (ppm) (dl/g) L* a* b* % Crystallinity 0.00 18.01 0.840 67.86 −1.61 −2.45 27.28 1.00 13.81 0.831 68.95 −1.63 −2.37 29.90 2.00 4.76 0.825 70.29 −1.50 −2.21 29.10 3.00 2.09 0.813 71.15 −1.46 −2.14 31.60 5.00 1.51 0.830 71.45 −1.45 −1.96 27.64 7.00 1.27 0.836 71.60 −1.43 −1.80 34.25 10.00 1.05 0.844 71.12 −1.40 −1.81 34.23 14.00 0.81 0.849 71.87 −1.38 −1.64 35.58 18.00 0.57 0.859 71.98 −1.38 −1.49 36.54 23.00 0.38 0.880 71.95 −1.35 −1.37 37.30 The results indicated that for all temperatures tested, 150° C., 160° C., and 185° C., the level of residual acetaldehyde remaining after 24 hours was less than 3 ppm for all samples tested. When the process was conducted at 185° C., an increase in molecular weight was observed due to the polycondensation reactions occurring at this high temperature. Also, at 185° C., a significant increase in L* was observed, and an increase in the a* and b* color value were also observed. However, when the process temperature was lowered to below 160° C., no significant change in the molecular weight, L*, a* or b* was observed. Based upon the experimental observations, one may conclude that residual acetaldehyde formed during the melt phase polymerization of PET may be effectively removed by exposing the resin to a flow of gas at a temperature which does not significantly affect the fitness of the particles for its desired use as indicated by insubstantial changes in the It.V., L*, or b* color values of the particles. The finding that the b* color value can remain unchanged in the presence of atmospheric oxygen is an important consideration because in solid state polymerization operations, great care is taken to minimize the concentration of oxygen to prevent changes in b* color at the high temperature conditions.
<SOH> 2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>A conventional process for the preparation of a polyethylene terephthalate based resin (PET) is characterized as a two stage process: a melt phase process which includes the esterification and polycondensation reactions, and a solid state polymerization process for increasing the molecular weight of the polymer in the solid state rather than in the melt. In a solid state polymerization process, PET is exposed to temperatures of 200-230° C. and a constant counter-current flow of nitrogen through the resin for a significant length of time. In such a conventional process, the molecular weight of the resin is increased in the melt phase up to an It.V. of about 0.55 to 0.65, followed by pelletization, after which the pellets are crystallized, and then solid state polymerized with an optional annealing step after crystallization. In the melt phase, residual acetaldehyde is formed by degradation reactions occurring at the high temperatures experienced during the last stages of polycondensation. In a conventional process, attempting to further increase the molecular weight at these It.V. levels causes a marked increase in the formation of acetaldehyde. However, elevated temperatures in the melt phase are required to facilitate the polycondensation molecular weight building reactions. Accordingly, the polymer is made only to a low It.V. of about 0.55 to 0.60 dL/g in the melt phase, followed eventually by the further increase in the molecular weight of the polymer in the solid state. During solid state polymerization, the particles are exposed to a counter-current flow of nitrogen gas to carry off ethylene glycol, water, and/or other condensates generated during polycondensation. The use of nitrogen also minimizes the oxidative degradation of the PET resin at solid stating temperatures. The nitrogen gas also helps safeguard against oxidation of antimony metal in resins containing reduced antimony as a reheat agent. Although the solid state polymerization provides a product with limited degradation products, the process adds a considerable amount of cost (conversion and capital) to the PET manufacturing process. It would be desirable to eliminate the step of solid state polymerization by the manufacture of a polyester polymer resin in the melt phase having a high It.V. while minimizing the level of residual acetaldehyde, while also providing a crystallized particle to reduce the agglomeration of the particles in dryers feeding extruders for the formation of articles such as preforms and sheet.
<SOH> 3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In one embodiment, there is provided a process comprising introducing polyester polymer particles containing residual acetaldehyde into a vessel at a temperature within a range of 130° C. to 195° C. to form a bed of particles within the vessel, flowing a gas through at least a portion of the particle bed, and withdrawing finished particles from the vessel having a reduced amount of residual acetaldehyde. In this process, it is not necessary to introduce a hot flow of gas at high flow rates otherwise required to heat up cool particles to a temperature sufficient to strip acetaldehyde. Rather, this process provides a benefit in that, if desired, gas introduced into the vessel at low flow rates and low temperatures can nevertheless be effective to strip acetaldehyde in a reasonable time because the hot particles quickly heat the low flow of gas to the particle temperature. In a variety of other embodiments, the polyester polymer forming the particles is polymerized in the melt phase to an It.V. of at least 0.72 dL/g, or the particles are partially crystallized before being exposed to the flow of gas, or the polyester polymer particles finished by the above method are dried in a dryer and fed to a melt processing zone without solid state polymerizing the particles, or the finished polyester polymer particles have a residual level of acetaldehyde of less than 5 ppm, or the process comprises a combination of any two or more of these features. In yet another embodiment, there is provided a process comprising crystallizing polyester polymer particles to produce a hot stream of crystallized polyester polymer particles having an average degree of crystallinity of at least 25% and having a particle temperature in excess of 90° C., continuously feeding the hot stream of particles at a temperature of at least 130° C. into a vessel before the temperature of the hot stream drops below 50° C., feeding a flow of gas into the vessel and through the stream of particles in an amount sufficient to form a stream of finished polyester polymer particles having a reduced level of residual acetaldehyde relative to the level residual acetaldehyde prior to entry into the vessel. In this embodiment, heat energy imparted to particles during crystallization is harnessed as the heat energy transferred to the gas in the stripping vessel needed to reduce the level of residual acetaldehyde on or in the particles. There is also provided a process comprising continuously feeding a stream of polyester polymer particles having a residual acetaldehyde level into a vessel, allowing the particles to form a bed and flow by gravity to the bottom of the vessel, continuously withdrawing finished particles from the vessel having a residual acetaldehyde level which is less than the residual acetaldehyde level of the stream of particles fed to the vessel and in no event greater than 10 ppm, continuously introducing a flow of gas into the vessel, and passing the flow of gas through the particles within the vessel, wherein the particles introduced into the vessel have an It.V. of at least 0.72 dL/g obtained without polymerization in the solid state. In this embodiment, particles having high It.V. and low levels of residual acetaldehyde are made without the need for solid state polymerization, thereby avoiding the costly solid state polymerization step. In all of these embodiments, the use of costly acetaldehyde scavengers can also be avoided if desired. These and other features of the invention are described in further detail below.
20041221
20110104
20060302
64723.0
C08G6302
1
ZEMEL, IRINA SOPJIA
REMOVAL OF RESIDUAL ACETALDEHYDE FROM POLYESTER POLYMER PARTICLES
UNDISCOUNTED
0
ACCEPTED
C08G
2,004