Author: claimsbot

1. A compound of formula (I):
or a stereoisomer or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:
R1 is selected from \u2014COOH or \u2014C(\u2550O)NHSO2R12;
R2 is H or C1-6 alkyl;
R4 is H, C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, or aryl wherein the C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy and aryl may be optionally substituted with one or more R4a’s;
R4a is independently \u2014OH, C1-4 alkoxy, \u2014NHC(\u2550O)C1-6 alkyl, aryl, or aryloxy;
R6 is selected from H, \u2014OH or C1-4 alkyl;
R12 is C1-6 alkyl, haloC1-6 alkyl or aryl;
T is H, C1-4 alkyl, haloC1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, or halo;
W is H, C1-4 alkyl, haloC1-4 alkyl, halo or aryl;
X is H, C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, or halo;
Y is H, C1-4 alkyl, haloC1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, halo or aryl;
Z is selected from H, Cl, C1-2 alkyl and C1-2 alkoxy;
or alternatively any two adjacent T, W, X, Y and Z can be taken together to form a fused cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl ring, which may be optionally substitute with one or more R4a’s;

provided that:
(1) R2, R4, T, W, X, Y and Z are not all H;
(2) X is not propyl or t-butyl when R2, T, W, X, Y and Z are H and R4 and R6 are methyl;
(3) R4 is not methyl or phenyl, when R2, T, Y and Z are H, R6 is methyl, and X and W are both chloro;
(4) W and Y are not both aryl; or
(5) the compound is not
2. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound is a compound of formula (Ia):
3. The compound of claim 1, wherein:
R1 is selected from \u2014COOH or \u2014C(\u2550O)NHSO2R12;
R2 is H or C1-2 alkyl;
R4 is H, C1-2 alkyl, C1-2 alkoxy, or aryl wherein the C1-2 alkyl, C1-2 alkoxy and aryl may be optionally substituted with one or more R4a’s;
R4a is independently \u2014OH, C1-4 alkoxy, \u2014NHC(\u2550O)C1-6 alkyl, aryl, or aryloxy;
R6 is selected from H, \u2014OH or C1-2 alkyl;
R12 is C1-2 alkyl, haloC1-6 alkyl or phenyl;
T is H, C1-2 alkyl, haloC1-2 alkyl, or C1-2 alkoxy;
W is H, C1-2 alkyl, haloC1-2 alkyl, halo or aryl;
X is H, C1-2 alkyl, C1-2 alkoxy, or halo;
Y is H, C1-2 alkyl, haloC1-2 alkyl, halo or aryl;
Z is H;
or alternatively any two T, W, X, and Y can be taken together to form a fused cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl ring, which may be optionally substitute with one or more R4a’s.
4. The compound of claim 1, wherein:
R1 is selected from \u2014COOH or \u2014C(\u2550O)NHSO2R12;
R2 is H or C1-2 alkyl;
R4 is H or C1-2 alkyl, wherein the C1-2 alkyl may be optionally substituted with one or more R4a’s;
R4a is independently \u2014OH, C1-4 alkoxy, aryl, \u2014NHC(\u2550O)C1-6 alkyl or aryloxy;
R6 is selected from H or C1-2 alkyl;
R12 is C1-2 alkyl, haloC1-2 alkyl or phenyl;
T is H, C1-2 alkyl, haloC1-2 alkyl, or C1-2 alkoxy;
W is H, C1-2 alkyl, haloC1-2 alkyl, halo or aryl;
X is H, C1-2 alkyl, C1-2 alkoxy, or halo;
Y is H, C1-2 alkyl, haloC1-2 alkyl, halo or aryl;
Z is H;
or alternatively any two T, W, X, and Y can be taken together to form a fused cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl ring, which may be optionally substitute with one or more R4a’s.
5. The compound of claim 1, wherein:
R1 is selected from \u2014COOH or \u2014C(\u2550O)NHSO2R12;
R2 is H or C1-2 alkyl;
R4 is H or C1-2 alkyl;
R6 is C1-2 alkyl;
R12 is C1-2 alkyl, haloC1-2 alkyl or phenyl;
T is H, C1-2 alkyl, haloC1-2 alkyl, or C1-2 alkoxy;
W is H, C1-2 alkyl, haloC1-2 alkyl, halo or aryl;
X is H, C1-2 alkyl, C1-2 alkoxy, or halo;
Y is H, C1-2 alkyl, haloC1-2 alkyl, halo or aryl;
Z is H;
or alternatively any two T, W, X, and Y can be taken together to form a fused cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl ring.
6. The compound of claim 1, wherein:
R1 is selected from \u2014COOH or \u2014C(\u2550O)NHSO2R12;
R2 is H or methyl;
R4 is H or methyl;
R6 is methyl;
R12 is C1-2 alkyl, haloC1-2 alkyl or phenyl;
T is H, C1-2 alkyl, haloC1-2 alkyl, or C1-2 alkoxy;
W is H, C1-2 alkyl, haloC1-2 alkyl, halo or aryl;
X is H, C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, or halo;
Y is H, C1-2 alkyl, haloC1-4 alkyl, halo or aryl;
Z is H;
or alternatively any two T, W, X, and Y can be taken together to form a fused cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl ring.
7. The compound of claim 1, wherein:
R1 is \u2014COOH;
R2 is H or methyl;
R4 is H or methyl;
R6 is methyl;
T is H, methyl, \u2014CF3, or methoxy;
W is H, methyl, \u2014CF3, Cl, F or phenyl;
X is H, C1-2 alkyl, or halo;
Y is H, C1-2 alkyl, haloC1-4 alkyl, or halo;
Z is H;
or alternatively any two T, W, X, and Y can be taken together to form a fused cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl ring.
8. The compound of claim 1, wherein:
Rl is \u2014COOH;
R2 is H or methyl;
R4 is H or methyl;
R6 is methyl;
T is H, methyl, \u2014CF3, or methoxy;
W is H, methyl, \u2014CF3, Cl, F or phenyl;
X is H, methyl, Cl, or F;
Y is H, methyl, CF3, Cl, F;
Z is H;
or alternatively any two T, W, X, and Y can be taken together to form a fused cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl ring.
9. A compound or a stereoisomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the compound is selected from:
6-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-6-methylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
6-(4-chlorophenyl)-6-methylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-6-(3-phenylphenyl)-4,6-dimethylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-6-(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)-4,6-dimethylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-6-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-4,6-dimethylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
6-(2-methoxyphenyl)-6-methyl methylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
6-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)-6-methylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
6-(3-chlorophenyl)-6-methylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
6-methyl-6-(3-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl)cyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-4,6-dimethyl-6-(3-(trifluoro-methyl)phenyl)cyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-6-(4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl)-4,6-dimethylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-6-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl)-4,6-dimethylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-6-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)-4,6-dimethylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-4,6-dimethyl-6-(napthalen-1-yl)cyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-4,6-dimethyl-6-p-tolylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-4,6-dimethyl-6-m-tolylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-6-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)-4,6-dimethylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-4,6-dimethyl-6-(naphthalen-2-yl)cyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-6-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,6-dimethylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-6-(4-fluorophenyl)-4,6-dimethylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-6-(3-fluorophenyl)-4,6-dimethylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-6-(4-fluoro-3-methylphenyl)-4,6-dimethylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-6-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-4,6-dimethylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-6-(4-chloro-3,5-dimethylphenyl)-4,6-dimethylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-4,6-dimethyl-6-(4-methyl-naphthalen-l-yl)cyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-6-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-4,6-dimethylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-6-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-4,6-dimethylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-6-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-4,6-dimethyl-N-(methylsulfonyl)cyclohex-1-enecarboxamide,
(4RS,6RS)-6-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-4,6-dimethyl-N-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)-cyclohex-1-enecarboxamide,
(4RS,6RS)-6-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-4,6-dimethyl-N-(phenylsulfonyl)cyclohex-1-enecarboxamide,
(4S,6S)-6-(4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl)-4,6-dimethylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4R,6R)-6-(4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-4,6-dimethylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6SR)-6-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-6-hydroxy-2,4,-dimethylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-6-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-2,4,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-6-(4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl)-4-(hydroxymethyl)-6-methylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-6-(4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl)-4-(hydroxymethyl)-6-methylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-4-(tert-butoxymethyl)-6-(4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-6-methylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid,
(4RS,6RS)-4-(acetamidomethyl)-6-(4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-6-methylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid, and
(4RS,6RS)-4-(benzyloxy)-6-(4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-6-methylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid.
10. A pharmaceutical composition comprised of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim 1.
11. A pharmaceutical composition comprised of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim 3.
12. A pharmaceutical composition comprised of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim 4.
13. A pharmaceutical composition comprised of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim 5.
14. A pharmaceutical composition comprised of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim 6.
15. A pharmaceutical composition comprised of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim 8.
16. A pharmaceutical composition comprised of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim 9.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A lens module comprising:
a barrel comprising a first cylindrical part and a first threaded part connected to the first cylindrical part in an order from an image side to an object side, the first threaded part comprising a plurality of external threads, the barrel further comprising a bottom surface facing the image side;
a holder comprising a second cylindrical part and a second threaded part connected to the second cylindrical part in an order from the image side to the object side, the second threaded part comprising a plurality of internal threads, the second cylindrical part comprising a collar protruding from the inner cylindrical surface, the collar comprising a top surface facing the object side, the barrel being coupled to the holder through clearance fit engagement between the internal threads and the external threads; and
an elastic member sandwiched between the bottom surface of the barrel and the top surface of the collar, the elastic member being configured for exerting a first elastic force to the barrel and a second elastic force to the holder so that the barrel is secured to the holder.
2. The lens module of claim 1, wherein the holder comprising a central axis, and the first and second elastic forces are in a direction parallel to the central axis of the holder.
3. The lens module of claim 1, wherein the inner cylindrical surface of the second cylindrical part is in contact with the outer cylindrical surface of the first cylindrical part.
4. The lens module of claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the first cylindrical part is less than that of the external threads, and an inner diameter of the second cylindrical part is larger than an outer diameter of the internal threads.
5. The lens module of claim 1, wherein the elastic member is ring-shaped.
6. The lens module of claim 5, wherein the elastic member comprises a ring-shaped part and a plurality of elongated spring tabs stamped out from the ring-shaped part, one end of each spring tab is connected to the ring-shaped part, and another end of each spring tab is curved in a direction away from the ring-shaped part, thus forming a free end.
7. The lens module of claim 1, wherein the first elastic force is substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the barrel, and the second elastic force is substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the collar.
8. The lens module of claim 1, wherein the first and the second elastic forces are in reverse directions.
9. The lens module of claim 1, wherein the first threaded part consists of 2-3 external threads.
10. The lens module of claim 1, wherein the second threaded part consists of 2-3 internal threads.

1. A system to facilitate in-application purchases on mobile devices comprises a mobile device component connected to the network, a web component connected to the network, and a server component connected to the network and having a database component, wherein the
mobile device component comprises a device controller, embedded database controller and purchase controller;
server component comprises a data converter, configured to exchange information between database component, web component and purchase controller of mobile device component.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the device controller is configured to interface with the core system of mobile device; obtain device identification parameter values; interface with input and output components of the device.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the embedded database controller provides storing and retrieving purchasing instructions and payment request templates.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the purchase controller manages the mobile purchase process and is configured to interface with input and output components of mobile device, other controllers of mobile device component, web component and data converter of server component.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the web component is configured to provide mobile device optimized web pages containing purchase instructions and payment request samples.
6. A method to facilitate in-application purchases on mobile devices comprises steps of:
initiating the purchase by user;
checking the availability of data connection;
obtaining purchase instructions;
preparing and conducting the purchase;
confirming the purchase.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the purchase process initiated by user is transaction or payment.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein checking the availability of data connection comprises sending MNC and MCC values to converter for coverage check.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein checking the availability of data connection comprising checking active Internet connection availability.
10. The method of claim 6, wherein checking the availability of data connection comprising returning by a list of supported products and prices to mobile web browser of mobile device web component.
11. The method of claim 6, wherein obtaining purchase instructions comprises
checking MNC and MCC values with DCF coverage database;
forwarding MNC and MCC confirmation to controller.
12. The method of claim 6, wherein obtaining purchase instructions comprises
detecting an active Internet connection and downloading a latest version of database file from remote server;
extracting supported MNC, MCC, country and short code data from database file.
13. The method of claim 6, wherein obtaining purchase instructions comprises
selecting the product by user and selected product’s id is sent to web component by mobile web browser of mobile device;
receiving the product id by web component and providing payment request instructions to mobile web browser of mobile device.
14. The method of claim 6, wherein obtaining purchase instructions further comprising obtaining MSISDN value by the device controller from operating system of the device.
15. The method of claim 6, wherein preparing and conducting the purchase comprises
sending encoded transaction details via SMS text message to short code using messaging component;
obtaining MSISDN value and transaction details by short code from incoming SMS text message and sent to DCF.
16. The method of claim 6, wherein preparing and conducting the purchase comprises
obtaining MNC and MCC values from telephony component of mobile device;
comparing obtained MNC and MCC values with supported list of values.
17. The method of claim 6, wherein preparing and conducting the purchase comprises
sending the payment request instructions from mobile web browser to native messaging component of mobile device;
preparing a SMS text message with payment request by messaging component;
sending the payment request to mobile carrier via a SMS text message.
18. The method of claim 6, wherein preparing and conducting the purchase comprises updating purchasing instructions and payment request templates stored in embedded database controller.
19. The method of claim 6, wherein confirming the purchase comprises
decoding transaction details and sending to carrier billing system for making a MSISDN based transaction by DCF;
confirming transaction billing status by carrier billing to DCF.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A data transmission system including a plurality of data transmission devices connected via a transmission line so as to form a ring structure, for performing unidirectional electrical communication after each of the data transmission devices establishes clock synchronization, wherein,
each of the data transmission devices includes:
a processing section for processing data received and to be transmitted based on a predetermined communications protocol;
a transmissionreception section for outputting data received from a previous data transmission device to the processing section and transmitting a processing result from the processing section to a subsequent data transmission device;
a control section for setting the device as a master, which sends a signal synchronizing with a held reference clock to the subsequent data transmission device, or as a slave, which establishes clock synchronization using a signal received from the previous data transmission device and sends a signal to the subsequent data transmission device;
lock signal sending means for sending a lock signal in an initial operation;
clock synchronization means for receiving the lock signal sent by the previous data transmission device and establishing the clock synchronization;
start signal sending means for sending a start signal that indicates a data communication start timing;
start signal commencement timing generation means for, when the device is set as the master, outputting to the start signal sending means a start signal sending commencement signal indicating a timing at which to send the start signal, after a predetermined time period elapses after the lock signal sending means sends the lock signal; and
a signal detection section for detecting whether a signal has been received from the previous data transmission device,

the lock signal sending means
when the device is set as the master, sends to the subsequent data transmission device the lock signal synchronizing with the held reference clock, and
when the device is set as the slave, receives the lock signal sent by the previous data transmission device and establishes clock synchronization, and, after establishing the clock synchronization, sends the lock signal further to the subsequent data transmission device, and

the start signal sending means
when the device is set as the master, receives the start signal sending commencement signal from the start signal commencement timing generation means and thereafter sends the start signal to the subsequent data transmission device, and
when the device is set as the slave, sends the start signal to the subsequent data transmission device in response to reception of the start signal sent from the previous data transmission device,

whereby each of the data transmission devices performs initialization.
2. The data transmission system according to claim 1, wherein
the control section sets the device as a master or a slave based on a presence or absence of a signal detection in the signal detection section,
whereby, when there is a portion where the electrical communication is impossible, a data transmission device located most upstream in the electrical communication from the portion is set as the master.
3. The data transmission system according to claim 2, wherein,
the control section
when the device is set as the master in the initial operation, causes the lock signal sending means to send the lock signal and, after recognizing that the signal detection section has not detected a signal from the previous data transmission device within a predetermined time period, sets the device as a slave if the signal detection section of the device detects a signal from the previous data transmission device and sets the device as a master if the signal detection section of the device does not detect a signal from the previous data transmission device, and
when the device is set as the slave in the initial operation, sets the device as a slave if the signal detection section of the device detects a signal from the previous data transmission device and sets the device as a master if the signal detection section of the device does not detect a signal from the previous data transmission device.
4. The data transmission system according to claim 2, wherein,
the control section includes:
first shifting means for, when the device is set as the master in the initial operation, causing the lock signal sending means to send the lock signal and, in response to the signal detection section not detecting a signal from the previous data transmission device within a predetermined time period, setting the device as the master and performing shift to a first diag mode;
second shifting means for, when the device is set as the slave in the initial operation, setting the device as the master and performing the shift to the first diag mode in response to the signal detection section not detecting a signal from the previous data transmission device within a predetermined time period;
third shifting means for, when the device is set as the slave in the initial operation, setting the device as the slave and performing the shift to the first diag mode in response to the signal detection section detecting a signal from the previous data transmission device within a predetermined time period;
fourth shifting means for, when the device is set as the master in the first diag mode, causing the lock signal sending means to send the lock signal and, in response to the signal detection section detecting a signal from the previous data transmission device during the first diag mode, setting the device as the slave and performing shift to a second diag mode;
fifth shifting means for, when the device is set as the master in the first diag mode, causing the lock signal sending means to send the lock signal and, in response to the signal detection section not detecting a signal from the previous data transmission device, setting the device as the master and performing the shift to the second diag mode; and
sixth shifting means for, when the device is set as the slave in the first diag mode, setting the device as the slave and performing the shift to the second diag mode, and

in the second diag mode,
the lock signal sending means
when the device is set as the master, sends to the subsequent data transmission device the lock signal synchronizing with the held reference clock, and
when the device is set as the slave, receives the lock signal sent by the previous data transmission device and establishes clock synchronization and, after establishing the clock synchronization, sends the lock signal further to the subsequent data transmission device, and

the start signal sending means
when the device is set as the master, receives the start signal sending commencement signal from the start signal commencement timing generation means and thereafter sends the start signal to the subsequent data transmission device, and
when the device is set as the slave, sends the start signal to the subsequent data transmission device in response to reception of the start signal sent from the previous data transmission device.
5. The data transmission system according to claim 4, wherein,
the control section further includes:
seventh shifting means for, when the device is set as the master in the initial operation, causing the lock signal sending means to send the lock signal and, in response to the signal detection section detecting a signal from the previous data transmission device within a predetermined time period, setting the device as the master and performing shift to a third diag mode; and
eighth shifting means for, when the device is set as the master in the third diag mode, causing the lock signal sending means to send the lock signal, setting the device as the master, and performing the shift to the second diag mode.
6. The data transmission system according to claim 5, wherein the signal detection section performs signal detection based on a presence or absence of the lock signal received from the previous data transmission device.
7. The data transmission system according to claim 5, wherein the signal detection section performs signal detection based on a presence or absence of establishment of the clock synchronization in the device.
8. The data transmission system according to claim 5, wherein the signal detection section performs signal detection based on a presence or absence of the start signal received from the previous data transmission device.
9. The data transmission system according to claim 2, wherein the communications protocol used by the processing section is defined by MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport).
10. The data transmission system according to claim 5, wherein the processing section includes count means for counting a number of positional stages in relation to the data transmission device which is set as the master.
11. A data transmission method, in which a plurality of nodes are connected via a transmission line so as to form a ring structure, for performing unidirectional electrical communication after each of the nodes establishes clock synchronization using a predetermined communications protocol, the method comprising:
a step for setting one of the plurality of nodes as a master, which holds a reference clock, and setting another node as a slave;
a first lock signal sending step for, when the node is set as the master, sending to a subsequent node a lock signal synchronizing with the reference clock;
a clock synchronization step for establishing the clock synchronization using the lock signal sent from a previous node;
a second lock signal sending step for the node which is set as the slave establishing the clock synchronization and thereafter sending the lock signal to the subsequent node; and
a start signal sending step for sending, from the node, a start signal that indicates a data communication start timing,
the setting step, the first lock signal sending step, the clock synchronization step, the second lock signal sending step, and the start signal sending step being performed in an initial operation, wherein,

the node which is set as the master performs the start signal sending step after a predetermined time period elapses after the first lock signal sending step is performed, and
the node which is set as the slave performs the start signal sending step in response to reception of the start signal from the previous node,
whereby each of the nodes performs initialization.
12. The data transmission method according to claim 11, further comprising a resetting step for resetting the node as the master or slave based on a presence or absence of a signal received from the previous node,
whereby, when there is a portion where the electrical communication is impossible, a node located most upstream in the electrical communication from the portion is finally set as the master, and clock synchronization with another node is established.
13. The data transmission method according to claim 12, wherein,
the resetting step causes the first lock signal sending step to be performed in the initial operation, and
the resetting step includes:
a step for, after it is recognized that the node which has been set as the master in the initial operation has not detected a signal from the previous node within a predetermined time period, setting as a slave a node which has detected a signal from the previous node, and setting as a master a node which has not detected a signal from the previous node; and
a step, performed by the node which has been set as the slave in the initial operation, for setting as a slave a node which has detected a signal from the previous node, and setting as a master a node which has not detected a signal from the previous node.
14. The data transmission method according to claim 12, wherein,
the resetting step includes:
a first shifting step performed after the first lock signal sending step is performed, for, in response to the node which has been set as the master not detecting a signal from the previous node within a predetermined time period, setting the node as the master and performing shift to a first diag mode;
a second shifting step for setting, of nodes which have been set as slaves, a node which has not detected a signal from the previous node within a predetermined time period as the master and performing the shift to the first diag mode;
a third shifting step for setting, of the nodes which have been set as slaves, a node which has detected a signal from the previous node within the predetermined time period as the slave and performing the shift to the first diag mode;
a step, performed by the node which has been set as the master, for sending the lock signal to the subsequent node;
a fourth shifting step for setting, of nodes which have been set as the master, a node which has detected a signal from the previous node as the slave and performing shift to a second diag mode;
a fifth shifting step for setting, of the nodes which have been set as the master, a node which has not detected a signal from the previous node as the master and performing the shift to the second diag mode; and
a sixth shifting step for setting the node which has been set as the slave as the slave and performing the shift to the second diag mode,
the first shifting step, the second shifting step, and the third shifting step being performed in the initial operation, and
the step of sending the lock signal, the fourth shifting step, the fifth shifting step, and the sixth shifting step being performed in the first diag mode, and
in the second diag mode,
the first lock signal sending step, the clock synchronization step, and the second lock signal sending step are performed,
the node which has been set as the master performs the start signal sending step after a predetermined time period elapses after the first lock signal sending step is performed, and
the node which has been set as the slave performs the start signal sending step in response to reception of the start signal from the previous node.
15. The data transmission method according to claim 14, wherein
the resetting step further includes:
a seventh shifting step, performed in the initial operation after the first lock signal sending step is performed, for, in response to the node which has been set as the master detecting a signal from the previous node within a predetermined time period, setting the node as the master and performing shift to a third diag mode; and
an eighth shifting step, performed in the third diag mode by the node which has been set as the master, for sending the lock signal to the subsequent node, setting the node as the master, and performing the shift to the second diag mode.
16. The data transmission method according to claim 15, wherein the resetting step resets a node as the master or slave based on a presence or absence of detection of the lock signal received from the previous node.
17. The data transmission method according to claim 15, wherein the resetting step resets a node as the master or slave based on a presence or absence of establishment of the clock synchronization in the node.
18. The data transmission method according to claim 15, wherein the resetting step resets a node as the master or slave based on a presence or absence of detection of the start signal received from the previous node.
19. The data transmission method according to claim 12, wherein the communications protocol used by the nodes is defined by MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport).
20. The data transmission method according to claim 15, further comprising a step for counting a number of positional stages in relation to the node which is set as the master, with respect to each of the nodes.
21. A data transmission device connected to a ring-shaped data transmission system for establishing clock synchronization with another device and performing unidirectional electrical communication via a transmission line, the data transmission device comprising:
a processing section for processing data received and to be transmitted based on a predetermined communications protocol;
a transmissionreception section for outputting data received from a previous device to the processing section and transmitting a processing result from the processing section to a subsequent device;
a control section for setting the device as a master, which sends a signal synchronizing with a held reference clock to the subsequent device, or as a slave, which establishes clock synchronization using a signal received from the previous device and sends a signal to the subsequent device;
lock signal sending means for sending a lock signal in an initial operation;
clock synchronization means for receiving the lock signal sent by the previous device and establishing the clock synchronization;
start signal sending means for sending a start signal that indicates a data communication start timing;
start signal commencement timing generation means for, when the device is set as the master, outputting to the start signal sending means a start signal sending commencement signal indicating a timing at which to send the start signal, after a predetermined time period elapses after the lock signal sending means sends the lock signal; and
a signal detection section for detecting whether a signal has been received from the previous device, wherein,
the lock signal sending means
when the device is set as the master, sends to the subsequent device the lock signal synchronizing with the held reference clock, and
when the device is set as the slave, receives the lock signal sent by the previous device to establish clock synchronization, and, after establishing the clock synchronization, sends the lock signal further to the subsequent device, and

the start signal sending means
when the device is set as the master, receives the start signal sending commencement signal from the start signal commencement timing generation means and thereafter sends the start signal to the subsequent device, and
when the device is set as the slave, sends the start signal to the subsequent device in response to reception of the start signal sent from the previous device.
22. The data transmission device according to claim 21, wherein
the control section sets the device as a master or a slave based on a presence or absence of a signal detection in the signal detection section,
whereby, if there is a portion where the electrical communication is impossible in the data transmission system, and the device is located most upstream in the electrical communication from the portion, the device is set as the master.
23. The data transmission device according to claim 22, wherein,
the control section
when the device is set as the master in the initial operation, causes the lock signal sending means to send the lock signal and, after recognizing that the signal detection section has not detected a signal from the previous device within a predetermined time period, sets the device as a slave if the signal detection section of the device detects a signal from the previous device and sets the device as a master if the signal detection section of the device does not detect a signal from the previous device, and
when the device is set as the slave in the initial operation, sets the device as a slave if the signal detection section of the device detects a signal from the previous device and sets the device as a master if the signal detection section of the device does not detect a signal from the previous device.
24. The data transmission device according to claim 22, wherein,
the control section includes:
first shifting means for, when the device is set as the master in the initial operation, causing the lock signal sending means to send the lock signal and, in response to the signal detection section not detecting a signal from the previous device within a predetermined time period, setting the device as the master and performing shift to a first diag mode;
second shifting means for, when the device is set as the slave in the initial operation, setting the device as the master and performing the shift to the first diag mode in response to the signal detection section not detecting a signal from the previous device within a predetermined time period;
third shifting means for, when the device is set as the slave in the initial operation, setting the device as the slave and performing the shift to the first diag mode in response to the signal detection section detecting a signal from the previous device within a predetermined time period;
fourth shifting means for, when the device is set as the master in the first diag mode, causing the lock signal sending means to send the lock signal and, in response to the signal detection section detecting a signal from the previous device during the first diag mode, setting the device as the slave and performing shift to a second diag mode;
fifth shifting means for, when the device is set as the master in the first diag mode, causing the lock signal sending means to send the lock signal and, in response to the signal detection section not detecting a signal from the previous device, setting the device as the master and performing the shift to the second diag mode; and
sixth shifting means for, when the device is set as the slave in the first diag mode, setting the device as the slave and performing the shift to the second diag mode, and

in the second diag mode,
the lock signal sending means
when the device is set as the master, sends to the subsequent device the lock signal synchronizing with the held reference clock, and
when the device is set as the slave, receives the lock signal sent by the previous device and establishes clock synchronization and, after establishing the clock synchronization, sends the lock signal further to the subsequent device, and

the start signal sending means
when the device is set as the master, receives the start signal sending commencement signal from the start signal commencement timing generation means and thereafter sends the start signal to the subsequent device, and
when the device is set as the slave, sends the start signal to the subsequent device in response to reception of the start signal sent from the previous device.
25. The data transmission device according to claim 24, wherein,
the control section further includes:
seventh shifting means for, when the device is set as the master in the initial operation, causing the lock signal sending means to send the lock signal and, in response to the signal detection section detecting a signal from the previous device within a predetermined time period, setting the device as the master and performing shift to a third diag mode; and
eighth shifting means for, when the device is set as the master in the third diag mode, causing the lock signal sending means to send the lock signal, setting the device as the master, and performing the shift to the second diag mode.
26. The data transmission device according to claim 25, wherein the signal detection section performs signal detection based on a presence or absence of the lock signal received from the previous device.
27. The data transmission device according to claim 25, wherein the signal detection section performs signal detection based on a presence or absence of establishment of the clock synchronization in the device.
28. The data transmission device according to claim 25, wherein the signal detection section performs signal detection based on a presence or absence of the start signal received from the previous device.
29. The data transmission device according to claim 22, wherein the communications protocol used by the processing section is defined by MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport).