function switchSymbol(name,active){
	//define submenus where symbols on top should not change
	
	if(active == "active"){
		/*if(name == "technique_models"){
			document.getElementById("bg_" + name).style.background = "#dce2de";
			name = "technique";
			document.getElementById("top_"+name).style.background = "url(images/layout/top_" + name + "_active.jpg)";
			return;
		}
		if(name == "technique_materials"){
			document.getElementById("bg_" + name).style.background = "#dce2de";
			name = "technique";
			document.getElementById("top_"+name).style.background = "url(images/layout/top_" + name + "_active.jpg)";
			return;
		}
		if(name == "technique_comparison"){
			document.getElementById("bg_" + name).style.background = "#dce2de";
			name = "technique";
			document.getElementById("top_"+name).style.background = "url(images/layout/top_" + name + "_active.jpg)";
			return;
		}
		*/
		if(name != "technique_models" && name != "technique_materials" && name != "technique_comparison"){
			//change state of symbols
			document.getElementById("top_"+name).style.background = "url(images/layout/top_" + name + "_active.jpg) no-repeat";
			document.getElementById("arrow_" + name).style.background = "url(images/layout/navigation_pfeil_active.gif) center";
		}
		
		document.getElementById("bg_" + name).style.background = "#dce2de";
	}else{
		/*
		if(name == "technique_models"){
			document.getElementById("bg_" + name).style.background = "none";
			name = "technique";
			document.getElementById("top_"+name).style.background = "url(images/layout/top_" + name + "_inactive.jpg)";
		}
		if(name == "technique_materials"){
			document.getElementById("bg_" + name).style.background = "none";
			name = "technique";
			document.getElementById("top_"+name).style.background = "url(images/layout/top_" + name + "_inactive.jpg)";
		}
		if(name == "technique_comparison"){
			document.getElementById("bg_" + name).style.background = "none";
			name = "technique";
			document.getElementById("top_"+name).style.background = "url(images/layout/top_" + name + "_inactive.jpg)";
		}	
		*/
		if(name != "technique_models" && name != "technique_materials" && name != "technique_comparison"){
			//change state of symbols
			document.getElementById("top_"+name).style.background = "url(images/layout/top_" + name + "_inactive.jpg) no-repeat";
			document.getElementById("arrow_" + name).style.background = "url(images/layout/navigation_pfeil_inactive.gif) center";
		}
		
		
		document.getElementById("bg_" + name).style.background = "none";
	}
}

function switchSubmenu(name,active){
	if(active=="active") document.getElementById("bg_" + name).style.background = "#dce2de";	
	else document.getElementById("bg_" + name).style.background = "none";
}