Patent Application
20070271411
The present invention relates to a technique of performing different operations according to the presence/absence of a part. For example, the present invention relates to a control technique which can be commonly employed for a plurality of different devices and a technique of alternatively storing two pieces of different data to a rewritable ROM.
For example, there are air conditioning systems of a first type in which an air conditioner is remote-monitored and remote-controlled by communication from a central control unit and of a second type in which an air conditioner operates singly. The air conditioners are of a first type which has a predetermined part, for example, an electronic expansion valve of an indoor unit and of a second type which does not have an electronic expansion valve.
For example, the air conditioning system of the first type employs the air conditioner of the first type, and the air conditioning system of the second type employs the air conditioner of the second type.
The air conditioner of the first type requires a communication function for performing communication with the outside for the purpose of performing communication with a central control unit. On the other hand, the air conditioner of the second type does not require the communication function since communication with the outside is unnecessary.
In a conventional air conditioner, two controllers one of which has the communication function and the other of which has no communication function according to the first and second types have to be designed and manufactured. Generally, however, in order to reduce the cost by mass production, increase in price due to designing and manufacturing of a plurality of kinds of products exerts a larger influence on price than increase in price caused by addition of a function.
The electronic circuit 21 has a control unit 5 and an integrated circuit 11 for giving an instruction to the control unit 5. In order to control each of the driving system 30a without electronic expansion valve EV and the driving system 30b with the electronic expansion valve EV, the control unit 5 and the integrated circuit 11 having the same configuration are used. Specifically, the control unit 5 directly controls each of the driving systems 30a and 30b, and the integrated circuit 11 indirectly controls each of the driving systems 30a and 30b.
Generally, in a technique of controlling the operation of an equipment by a microcomputer, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) performs the control on the basis of predetermined data (including a program in the specification). The data is written in a ROM (Read Only Memory) and the CPU controls the operation of the equipment by using necessary data in the ROM. However, even when the kinds of models to be controlled are different from each other, an agent of the control can be easily designed and manufactured by employing the same configuration for the agent of the control.
The integrated circuit 11 has a rewritable EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) 2 and a CPU 3. The CPU 3 gives the above instruction to the control unit 5. The instruction to the air conditioner 100a and the instruction to the air conditioner 100b are naturally different from each other depending on the presence/absence of the electronic expansion valve EV. Therefore, the initial value of data (referred to as “initial data” in the specification) based on which the CPU 3 operates in the case where the electronic circuit 21 is mounted on the air conditioner 100a and that in the case where the electronic circuit 21 is mounted on the air conditioner 100b are different from each other.
However, by properly selecting two different pieces of data to be stored as the initial data into the EEPROM 2 to store the selected data in the EEPROM 2 in accordance with the case where the electronic circuit 21 is mounted on the air conditioner 100a and the case where the electronic circuit 21 is mounted on the air conditioner 100b, the same configuration can be used for the electronic circuit 21 in both of the cases.
It is desirable to store the data based on which the CPU 3 operates in not the ROM but the EEPROM 2 also from the viewpoint of storing settings desired by the user as the air conditioners 100a and 100b are used.
In the conventional technique, however, which one of the air conditioners 100a and 100b is used is determined by a person and initial data of the EEPROM 2 is written accordingly from an external equipment by communication. It requires much efforts at the time of initial setting of the electronic circuit 21 or the air conditioners 100a and 100b each having the electronic circuit 21.
It is difficult to use the electronic circuit 21 which is once assembled in the air conditioner 100a or 100b and includes the EEPROM 2 into which initial data EEA or EEB is written as a patch part for the other air conditioner 100b or 100a.
The present invention has been achieved in consideration of the above circumstances and it is an object thereof to provide a technique capable of assembling a device in both of a first device performing a first function with a predetermined part and a second device performing a second function without a second part, and instructing each of the first and second functions, or a technique capable of assembling a device in both of a first device performing a first function without a predetermined part and a second device performing a second function with a second part, and instructing each of the first and second functions. It is another object of the present invention to provide a technique of automatically selecting first and second data and storing the selected data into a rewritable ROM.
In a first aspect of a function switching method in the present invention, a device is controlled in which a first function which requires an operation of a first part (94) and a second function which does not require the operation of the first part are switched depending on presence/absence of a second part (EV). The method comprises steps of (a) (S91) determining the presence/absence of the second part, and (b) (S92 to S95) determining whether the operation of the first part can be performed or not on the basis of the result of the step (a).
According to the first aspect of the function switching method in the present invention, even in a device in which the first part is assembled, the first part can be made inoperative in accordance with the presence/absence of the second part. Consequently, two kinds of devices one of which has the first part and the other of which has no first part are not manufactured according to the presence/absence of the second part. However, it is sufficient to manufacture one kind of a device always including the first part. It results in reduction of designing and manufacturing cost.
According to a second mode of the function switching method in the present invention, in the first mode of the function switching method, the first part (94) operates on the basis of a clock.
According to the second mode of the function switching method in the present invention, by making the first part inoperative in accordance with the presence/absence of the second part, generation of unnecessary clock noise can be avoided in the second function.
A first mode of a function switching device (90, 95) in the present invention has a processor (93) and a first part (94). The processor determines whether an operation of the first part can be performed or not depending on presence/absence of a second part (EV) on the outside of the function switching device, thereby instructing the outside of the function switching device to be switched between a first function which requires an operation of the first part and a second function which does not require the operation of the first part. Desirably, the function switching device further comprises determining means (12) for determining the presence/absence of the second part and transmitting a result thereof to the processor (10).
According to the first mode of the function switching device in the present invention, the device can be assembled in both of a first device performing a first function with a second part and a second device performing a second function without a second part, and can instruct each of the first and second functions. That is, the device can be used for both of the first and second devices. Thus, design and manufacturing costs of the switching device can be reduced. This can be applied to the case where the first device performs the first function without the second part and the second device performs the second function with the second part.
A second aspect (90, 95) of the function switching device in the present invention is the first mode of the function switching device and the first part (94) operates on the basis of a clock. For example, the first part (94) has a communicating function. The function switching device is included in, for example, an air conditioner (92a, 92b).
According to the second aspect of the function switching device in the present invention, by making the first part inoperative in accordance with the presence/absence of the second part, generation of unnecessary clock noise can be avoided in the second function.
A first aspect of the data storing method in the present invention is a method of storing data which controls an operation of an equipment (100c, 100d) into a rewritable ROM (2). The method comprises steps of (a) (S5) determining whether a predetermined part (EV) exists in the equipment or not, and (b) (S6, S7) alternatively storing first and second data (EEA and EEB) from a ROM (1) for storing the first and second data into the rewritable ROM on the basis of a result of determination in the step (a).
According to the first aspect of the data storing method of the present invention, depending on whether a predetermined part exists or not, the first and second data is alternatively stored into the rewritable ROM. Consequently, in correspondence with the model which varies according to whether the predetermined part exits or not, data can be automatically set in the rewritable ROM.
A second aspect of the data storing method in the present invention further comprises, in the first aspect of the data storing method, before the step (a), steps of (c) (S1) determining whether the rewritable ROM (2) can be formattable or not; (d) (S2) setting an automatic mode of automatically determining a model of the equipment in the case where the rewritable ROM can be formattable; and (e) (S4) determining whether the automatic mode has been set after the step (c) or not. The step (a) and the step (b) are executed in a case where the automatic mode is set.
According to the second aspect of the data storing method in the present invention, when the rewritable ROM can be formattable, the automatic mode can be set so that the steps (a) and (b) can be executed.
In a third aspect of the data storing method in the present invention, in the second aspect of the data storing method, the step (d) has a step (S2) of storing common data (COM), which is stored into the rewritable ROM commonly in both of the case where the predetermined part exists in the equipment and the case where the predetermined part does not exist in the equipment, from the ROM into the rewritable ROM.
According to the third aspect of the data storing method in the present invention, by setting the common data which is commonly used for both of the model which has a predetermined part and a model which does not have the predetermined part, the amount of data stored in the ROM can be reduced.
In a fourth aspect of the data storing method in the present invention, in the third aspect of the data storing method, the common data includes determination mode data (D) indicative of a mode of determining a model of the equipment. In the step (e), the determination is made on the basis of whether the determination mode data indicates the automatic mode or not.
According to the fourth aspect of the data storing method in the present invention, the automatic mode of automatically determining the model of an equipment can be easily set.
In a fifth aspect of the data storing method in the present invention, in the third mode of the data storing method, the determination is made on the basis of presence/absence of the common data (COM) in the step (c).
According to the fifth aspect of the data storing method in the present invention, common data is written in a step (d-1), so that the rewritable ROM has been once subjected to the data storing method or not can be determined.
In a sixth aspect of the data storing method in the present invention, in the second aspect of the data storing method, the step (d) has a step (S3) of storing the first data from the ROM into the rewritable ROM.
According to the sixth aspect of the data storing method of the present invention, data to be stored in the rewritable ROM is tentatively determined.
In a seventh aspect of the data storing method in the present invention, in any of the first to sixth aspects of the data storing method, the method further comprises, after the step (b), a step (S9, S10, S11 and S12) of (f) alternatively storing the first and second data into the rewritable ROM irrespective of the result of the determination in the step (a).
According to the seventh aspect of the data storing method in the present invention, data in the rewritable ROM which is automatically set can be manually reset. Thus, the present invention can flexibly deal with a change at a site in which the equipment is installed.
A first aspect of a data storing device (10, 20) in the present invention comprises: a ROM (1) for storing first and second data (EEA and EEB) for controlling operations of equipments (100c, 100d) of different kinds respectively; a rewritable ROM (2) into which the first and second data is alternatively stored from the ROM in accordance with the kind of the equipment; and a processor (3) for controlling the operation of the equipment on the basis of data stored in the rewritable ROM. Desirably, the device further comprises a determining unit (4) for determining whether a predetermined part (EV) exists in the equipment or not and giving a result of the determination to the processor. The processor alternatively stores the first and second data from the ROM into the rewritable ROM on the basis of the result of the determination.
According to a first aspect of the data storing device in the present invention, the first and second data is alternatively stored into the rewritable ROM, so that the data of the rewritable ROM can be automatically set in correspondence with the model which varies according to whether the predetermined part exists or not.
In a second aspect of the data storing device (20) in the present invention, in the first aspect of the data storing device, common data (COM), which is stored in the rewritable ROM commonly in both of the case where the predetermined part exists in the equipment and the case where the predetermined part does not exist in the equipment, is stored in the ROM (1).
In the second aspect of the data storing device in the present invention, by setting common data, which is commonly used for the model which includes the predetermined part and the model which does not include the predetermined part, the amount of data stored in the ROM can be reduced.
An equipment (100c, 100d) according to the present invention comprises a driving system (30a, 30b) and a data storing device (10). The data storing device (10) has a ROM (1) for storing first and second data (EEA, EEB) for controlling an operation of the driving system, a rewritable ROM (2) into which the first and second data is alternatively stored from the ROM in accordance with the kind of the equipment, and a processor (3) for controlling the operation of the equipment on the basis of data stored in the rewritable ROM. Desirably, the equipment further comprises a determining unit (4) for determining whether a predetermined part (EV) exists in the equipment or not and giving the result of the determination to the processor. The processor alternatively stores the first and second data from the ROM into the rewritable ROM on the basis of the result of the determination. For example, the equipment functions as an air conditioner having an electronic expansion valve as the predetermined part.
In the equipment according to the present invention, the first and second data is alternatively stored into the rewritable ROM, so that the data of the rewritable ROM can be automatically set in correspondence with the model which varies according to whether the predetermined part exists or not.
These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The indoor unit 92a includes an integrated circuit 90 functioning as a controller. The integrated circuit 90 has a CPU 93 for performing various processes and a gate array 94 as a part performing a communicating function. The indoor unit 92a is connected to the outdoor unit 91, indoor units 921, 922, . . . and 92n and a communication network 83 by the gate array 94. That is, the air conditioner shown in
The indoor unit 92a further has a determining unit 92 and an electronic expansion valve EV. The electronic expansion valve EV is provided in a not-shown refrigerant system and performs a known function. That is, the air conditioner shown in
The indoor unit 92b also has, like the indoor unit 92a, the integrated circuit 90 and the determining means 92. However, different from the indoor unit 92a, the indoor unit 92b does not have the electronic expansion valve EV and is not connected to the communication network 83. That is, the air conditioner shown in
In the indoor unit 92b, the determining means 92 determines that the electronic expansion valve EV does not exist and the result (that is, the presence of the electronic expansion valve EV) is given to the CPU 93.
Since the gate array 94 is a part performing the communicating function, it operates based on clocks. However, since the indoor unit 92b is used in the air conditioning system of the second type, the operation of the gate array 94 for connection to the communication network 83 is unnecessary. On the contrary, there is the possibility that clock noise is outputted from the gate array 94 and that unnecessary noise is caused in the air conditioning system of the second type.
In the embodiment, however, in the indoor unit 92a, a first function having both the communicating function performed by the gate array 94 and the normal control function which is necessary for both of the air conditioners of the first and second types is performed. An instruction of the first function is given by the integrated circuit 90. On the other hand, the indoor unit 92b does not have the communicating function performed by the gate array 94, and a second function having the normal control function is performed. An instruction of the second function is given by the integrated circuit 90.
When the presence of the electronic expansion valve EV is determined, the route indicated as “YES” in the diagram leading to step S92 is adopted. This is the case where the air conditioner of the first type shown in
On the other hand, when the absence of the electronic expansion valve EV is determined, the route indicated as “NO” in the diagram leading to step S93 is adopted. This is the case where the air conditioner of the second type shown in
In such a manner, the first function which needs the operation of the gate array 94 and the second function which does not need the operation of the gate array 94 are switched depending on the presence or absence of the electronic expansion valve EV. On the basis of the presence or absence of the electronic expansion valve EV, whether the gate array 94 can operate or not is determined. Consequently, according to the absence of the electronic expansion valve EV, the gate array 94 is not operated in the integrated circuit 90, electronic circuit 95 or, further, the indoor unit 92b in which the gate array 94 is assembled. Therefore, two kinds of the integrated circuits 90 and the electronic circuits 95 respect to having the gate array 94 or not are not manufactured according to the indoor units 92a and 2b which are different from each other with respect to the presence/absence of the electronic expansion valve EV. However, it is sufficient to manufacture one kind of the integrated circuit 90 and one kind of the electronic circuit 95 always including the gate array 94 by a manufacturing apparatus. It results in reduction of designing and manufacturing cost.
Particularly, since the gate array 94 operates on the basis of clocks, in the air conditioner of the second type and in the air conditioning system of the second type, generation of unnecessary clock noise can be avoided.
In the above description, the air conditioner of the first type having the electronic expansion valve EV and performing the first function and the air conditioner of the second type having no electronic expansion valve EV and displaying the second function were described as an example. However, obviously, an object of which presence or absence is to be determined is not limited to the electronic expansion valve EV. The present invention can be also generally applied to a case where the object is a predetermined part. The present invention can be also applied to a device of the first type having no predetermined part and performing the first function and a device of the second type having the predetermined part and performing the second function.
The integrated circuit 10 has a ROM 1, the EEPROM 2, and the CPU 3. The CPU 3 gives an instruction to the control unit 5. The operation of the CPU 3 and the control unit 5 is based on data stored in the EEPROM 2.
The ROM 1 stores: common data COM necessary for the operation of the CPU 3 commonly in the case where the electronic circuit 20 is mounted on the air conditioner 100c and the case where the electronic circuit 20 is mounted on the air conditioner 100d; initial data EEA which is necessary when the electronic circuit 20 is mounted on the air conditioner 100c and is not necessary in the case where the electronic circuit 20 is mounted on the air conditioner 100d; and initial data EEB which is not necessary in the case where the electronic circuit 21 is mounted on the air conditioner 100c but is necessary in the case where the electronic circuit 21 is mounted on the air conditioner 100d.
The determining unit 4 determines whether or not the electronic expansion valve EV exists in the driving system of the air conditioner on which the electronic circuit 20 is mounted and gives the result of determination to the CPU 3. Therefore, the determining unit 4 notifies the CPU 3 of the absence of the electronic expansion valve EV in the case where the electronic circuit 20 in which the determining unit 4 itself is provided is mounted on the air conditioner 100c or the presence of the electronic expansion valve EV in the case where the electronic circuit 20 is mounted on the air conditioner 100d. Based on the notification, the CPU 3 selects one of the two different pieces of data and stores the selected data from the ROM 1 to the EEPROM 2.
In the embodiment as described above, the initial data EEA and EEB is preliminarily stored in the ROM 1 and, on the basis of a result of determination of the type of the equipment, the electronic circuit 20 can automatically and alternatively the initial data EEA and EEB from the ROM 1 to the EEPROM 2. The control unit 5 receives an instruction from the CPU 3 operating on the basis of data stored in the EEPROM 2, and controls the operations of the driving system 30a or 30b. Therefore, even when there are a plurality of kinds of equipments, one kind of the configuration of the electronic circuit 20 can be designed and manufactured. To determine the kind of the equipment, for example, a result of determination of the presence/absence of the electronic expansion valve EV is used.
When the power of the air conditioner 100c or 100d on which the electronic circuit 20 is mounted is turned on, the electronic circuit 20 is also turned on. In step S1, whether a condition of enabling formatting of the EEPROM 2 (format condition) is satisfied or not is determined. For example, immediately after manufacture, no data is written on the EEPROM 2 and the format condition is satisfied. In this case, the route indicated as “Y” in the diagram leading to step S2 is adopted and the common data COM is written from the ROM 1 to the EEPROM 2.
The common data COM includes determination mode data D indicative of a mode of determination on the model of the air conditioner in addition to the conventional technique. The determination mode data D stored in the area 2c in step S2 expresses that the mode of determination is “automatic”.
After execution of step S2, in step S3, the initial data EEA is written as a default from the ROM 1 to the EEPROM 2.
Alternately, the initial data EEB may be written as a default from the ROM 1 to the EEPROM 2. In this case, as schematically shown in
After step S3 is executed, the flow of the process reaches the connector J. After steps S1, S2, and S3 are executed, the electronic circuit 20 which is detached from the air conditioner 100c or 100d and on which the formatted EEPROM 2 is mounted can be shipped from the factory and distributed. To execute steps S1, S2, and S3 for shipment from the factory, it is unnecessary to mount the electronic circuit 20 on the air conditioner 100c or 100d. Power may be supplied to the electronic circuit 20 itself in a manufacturing line of manufacturing the electronic circuit 20.
In the manufacturing line of manufacturing the air conditioner 100c or 100d, assembly is performed by using the electronic circuit 20 subjected to steps S1, S2, and S3. By turning on the power of the air conditioner 100c or 100d, the electronic circuit 20 is also turned on. In the electronic circuit 20, the common data COM is already written in step S2. Therefore, it is unnecessary to format the electronic circuit 20 again and execute steps S2 and S3.
In order not to execute steps S2 and S3, in step S1, determination is made on the basis of the presence or absence of the common data COM. In such a manner, whether or not the EEPROM 2 in the electronic circuit 20 is the EEPROM 2 which has been already subjected to the steps S1, S2, and S3 can be determined.
When it is determined in step S1 that the format condition is not satisfied in the electronic circuit 20, via the route indicated as “N” in the diagram leading to step S4, it is determined whether the mode of determination with respect to the model of the air conditioner is “automatic” or not. For example, if the electronic circuit 20 is just shipped from a factory, the determination mode data D is included in the common data COM in step S2. Moreover, since the determination mode data D indicates that the mode of determination is “automatic”, step S5 is reached via the route indicated as “Y” in the diagram. The case where negative determination is made in step S4 will be described later and the description will be postponed.
In step S5, whether the electronic expansion valve EV exists or not is determined by the determining unit 4 and the result of determination is transmitted to the CPU 3. When there is no electronic expansion valve EV, step S6 is reached via the route indicated as “N”. In this case, the air conditioner 100c on which the electronic circuit 20 is mounted has the driving system 30a. Consequently, as shown in
On the other hand, when there is the electronic expansion valve EV, step S7 is reached via the route indicated as “Y” in the diagram. In this case, since the air conditioner 100d on which the electronic circuit 20 is mounted has the driving system 30b, as shown in
Each of the integrated circuit 10 having the EEPROM 2 subjected to step S6 or S7 and the electronic circuit 20 is set to be adapted to the air conditioner 100c or 100d on which it is mounted.
As described above, whether the electronic expansion valve EV exists or not is determined in step S5 and, by using the result of determination, the kind of the equipment is determined. On the basis of the result of determination, the initial data EEA or EEB is stored from the ROM 1 to the EEPROM 2 in step S6 or S7. The initial data EEA or EEB is alternatively and automatically stored. Before execution of step S4, the mode of determination is set to “automatic” in step S2 and data is alternatively and automatically stored in the EEPROM. The mode of determination can be set to “automatic” in step S8.
Moreover, whether the mode of determination is “automatic” or not is determined in step S4 by using the determination mode data D written in the EEPROM 2 in step S2. Consequently, it is easy to set the mode of automatically determining the model of an equipment.
After the flow of process reaches the connector J from step S4, S6, or S7, the air conditioner 100c or 100d is distributed for shipment from the factory, change in the installation place, or the like. It is desirable to re-set initial data at a site where the air conditioner 100c or 100d is installed.
When the power of the air conditioner 100c or 100d is turned on at the site, after the flowchart shown in
Proceeding from step S8 to step S9 where the model determination setting is forcedly set as the air conditioner 100d or not is determined. For example, if the model determination setting is forcedly set as the air conditioner 100d in step S8, step S10 is reached via the route indicated as “Y” from step S9. The initial data EEB proper to the air conditioner 100d is written in the EEPROM 2.
If it is determined in negative in step S9, step S11 is reached via the route indicated as “N” in the diagram from step S9. In step S11, whether the model determination setting is forcedly set as the air conditioner 100c or not is determined. For example, when the model determination is forcedly set as the air conditioner 100c in step S8, step S12 is reached from step S11 via the route indicated as “Y” in the diagram. Then, the initial data EEA proper to the air conditioner 100c is written in the EEPROM 2. If it is determined in negative in step S11, step S13 is reached from step S11 via the route indicated as “N” in the diagram.
As described above, by executing the flowchart shown in
As obvious from the above process, the order of the pair of steps S9 and S50 and the pair of steps S11 and S12 can be exchanged.
In step S13, processes other than the initial setting of the EEPROM 2, for example, setting of the temperature of the air conditioner, setting of wind direction, and the like are performed. The amounts which are set in such a manner can be stored as user setting parameters in, for example, the area 2d in the EEPROM 2 in step S13.
After that, when it is determined in step S14 that the power source is off, via the route indicated as “Y” in the diagram, the flowchart is finished. If the power source is not off, step S15 is reached via the route indicated as “N” in the diagram.
In step S15, whether the model determination setting is changed or not is determined. In the case of making the change, step S8 is reached back via the route indicated as “Y” in the diagram. In the case where the model determination setting is not changed, step S13 is reached back.
As described above, after the power source is turned off, the setting at the site of the EEPROM 2 is also completed. However, there is also a case that the user desires to further change data stored in the EEPROM 2 at the site after the power source is turned off.
Also in the case where the electronic circuit 20 having the EEPROM 2 which is once mounted on the air conditioner 100c and is properly set is used as a patch for the air conditioner 100d and the power source is turned on, the flowcharts of
If step S12 is executed when the EEPROM 2 is mounted on the air conditioner 100c and is set, determination is made in negative also in step S4 and the connector J is reached (this case corresponds to the case of which description has been postponed). The program advances to step S8 via the connector J and the model determination setting is forcedly set as the air conditioner 100d. Step S10 is reached via step S9 and the initial data EEB is written.
On the other hand, if step S6 is executed and step S12 is not executed after that when the EEPROM 2 is mounted on the air conditioner 100c and is set, positive determination is made in step S4. This corresponds to the case where, for example, after step S6 is executed, the determination mode data D is left as “automatic” in step S8. Step S7 is reached via step S5 and the initial data EEB is written.
Alternately, the flowcharts of
When the mode of determination is “automatic”, an object of which presence or absence is determined by the determining unit 4 in step S5 does not have to be limited to the electronic expansion valve EV. Obviously, the object may be other parts and it is easy to realize the present invention with the other parts. The present invention can be, obviously, applied to an equipment other than the air conditioner.
While the invention has been shown and described in detail, the foregoing description is in all aspects illustrative and not restrictive. It is therefore understood that numerous modifications and variations can be devised without departing from the scope of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| P2001-291667 | Sep 2001 | JP | national |
| P2001-291665 | Sep 2001 | JP | national |
This application is a Divisional of co-pending application Ser. No. 10/489,178, filed on Mar. 10, 2004, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference and for which priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 120.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10489178 | Mar 2004 | US |
| Child | 11878554 | Jul 2007 | US |
