Methods, systems, and techniques for task-based access control are provided. Example embodiments provide a task-based access control system “TBACS,” which provides task-based permissions management using proxy task objects. In one example embodiment, the proxy task objects encapsulate activities, comprising one or more privileges, each associated with an object upon which the privilege can act. In some examples, proxy task objects may be used with a virtualization infrastructure to delegate permissions to delegate users, real or automated. Proxy task objects may also be associated with their own user interfaces for performance of the corresponding activities.

The permissions model that defines access control in existing virtualization environments is object centric. In particular, each object has privileges associated with it that are required to manipulate it. For a delegated user (e.g., a user given proper authorizations from, for example, a systems administrator) to acquire access to an object, the user needs to be given the proper set of privileges—ones that match what the object expects in order to take some action with respect to that object. These privileges are used by the virtualization environment to determine whether a specific user at a particular time has access authority to perform an action that the user desires to perform. In some virtualization systems and in other computing environments, such privileges (e.g., access rights and the like) are grouped into "roles," and a user is allocated (e.g., designated, granted, assigned, directed etc.) roles based upon what activities he or she likely needs to perform within the infrastructure. A role tends to group together a large set of privileges, comprising many different activities a delegate user may need to perform over time. For example, a user acting in a system administrator role may need to perform different activities than a user acting in a software tester role.
For example, in a company with many employees that use virtual machines as testing environments for their software under development, it may be desirable to give access to each user to power on or off a particular virtual machine within the data center that has been configured for a particular test. Powering on a virtual machine might require one set of privileges, but a different task, such as moving the virtual machine to another host might require another set of privileges. It is not necessary in many such instances, or even desirable, that every user who has the ability to power on a virtual machine also be granted the ability to move his or her virtual machine to a different host in the infrastructure, as movement of virtual machines is often reserved to users involved in some aspect of the administration of the datacenter. Accordingly, on a frequent basis, especially in very large datacenters, system administrators need to define who has access to what within the virtualization infrastructure and exactly what those delegate users can do on various parts of the infrastructure. To properly grant access proactively, they therefore must predict ahead of time what roles various users will play with respect to the objects that are managed within the datacenter (sometimes referred to herein as managed inventory objects). Sometimes it is difficult to identify the full set of privileges necessary for a user to perform a particular task because many different, seemingly unrelated privileges may be necessary to perform that task. In addition, in some virtualization environments, permissions are propagated through complex inheritance structure rules, and thus it may be difficult for the administrator to understand exactly what permissions a particular user has been given at any time.
FIGS. 1A-1I are example screen displays of an existing user interface for administering permissions in a virtualization infrastructure according to a role-based paradigm. These displays have been generated from a VMware datacenter virtualization management product called vSphere™. FIG. 1A illustrates that a role 101 comprise privileges 102a-102d; a role 101 is associated with objects 122a-122d from an inventory objects folder 121 (e.g., managed objects in the datacenter inventory); a role 101 is associated with users 112a-112d, illustrated here as stored in an ActiveDirectory group 111; and inventory objects folder 121 is associated also with users 112a-112d in ActiveDirectory group 111. All three elements, one or more roles 101, objects folder 121, and the group of users 111 are used to define what a particular user is able to do with what object in the infrastructure. Each element also is associated with its own specialized user interface: role 101 is managed by roles interface 100; inventory object folder 121 is managed by user interface 120; and users (and groups of users) 111 are managed by interface 110.
In order to grant access to a user, under this system, the administrator either assigns an existing role to a user or defines a new role. FIG. 1B illustrates use of the user interface 100, here shown as dialog 131 in the vSphere client window 130, to define a new role called "VMs Only." "VM" here refers to a virtual machine. As shown in FIG. 1B, the administrator selects which privileges, for example privilege "power on" 133 in the vApp category 132 for powering on a virtualized application. After selecting all of the desired privileges, the new role "VMs Only" 134 appears in the roles window of FIG. 1C as not yet in use (output text 135) since it has yet to be assigned to a particular user.
The administrator now needs to determine to which object to associate the role using user interface 120 (FIG. 1A). FIG. 1D illustrates that the administrator has selected an object in the datacenter "Bobby's VMs" (a folder) to which the new role will be assigned. The current set of roles already allocated to the object "Bobby's VMs" are shown under the permissions tab 142. To add the newly developed role "VMs Only," the administrator brings up the assign permissions dialog through add permissions menu 143 or other user interface (UI) control. The assign permissions dialog 150, as shown in FIG. 1E, allows the administrator to select the newly defined role 153 from a roles menu 152. The administrator also can indicate using UI control 154 whether objects further down in the object definition hierarchy will inherit this role as well. For example, all virtual machines (VMs) in Bobby's folder may inherit this role assignment because the UI control 154 has been selected. When the administrator indicates that the administrator is done (by, for example, pressing the "OK" button 155), the administrator can then select the users and/or groups who will be assigned the new role.
FIG. 1F illustrates an example process for selection of a user for role assignment. In a separate user selection dialog 160 (e.g., UI 110 in FIG. 1A), the administrator chooses that Bobby (icon 161) will have the new role assigned to him. Once this entire cycle is complete (define new role, assign to an object, assign to a user/group), the administrator can see in field 171 of the assign permissions dialog 150, as shown in FIG. 1G, that the new role "VMs Only" has been assigned to Bobby and an indication 172 of what permissions are available to Bobby in that role. The administrator can check, using the inventory UI illustrated in FIG. 1H, that the new permissions 182 have been assigned to Bobby 181 with respect to the object Bobby's VMs. As shown in FIG. 1I, when the administrator now looks at the roles defined in the system, the administrator can see the new role 134 and where and to whom it has been assigned (description 191).
Unfortunately, without asking Bobby to actually try out his newly assigned permissions, the administrator has little idea whether Bobby's new role will work as intended. If Bobby tries to add a new virtual machine and it doesn't operate as expected (e.g., he receives an error message), then the administrator must cycle through some number of the dialogs again to add more privileges and/or assign them to different inventory objects, round and round, until Bobby is successful. Moreover, because of the intricate structure of the propagation and inherency of roles across the infrastructure, it may be difficult to determine which roles are in actuality accessible to Bobby.

Task-based access control in a virtualization environment


Embodiments are provided for an imaging module configured to interface with an electronic device. According to certain aspects, the imaging module includes a support section that may secure to the electronic device and a body section that may extend beyond one or more dimensions that define the electronic device. The body section houses or secures various components that enable digital image capture, including one or more lenses, a viewfinder, and an image sensor. The body section may also articulate or rotate about an axis to increase versatility of the imaging module.

Portable electronic devices such as smart phones and tablet devices are becoming more ubiquitous as underlying technology and device capability improves. Generally, with improved technology comes more portable and advanced devices. These devices incorporate numerous components that support various device functions and applications. For example, current smart phones include components that support various types of wireless communication, image and video capture, audio and video playback, data storage, and/or the like.
To maintain portability, electronic devices have dimensions that are generally constrained to be smaller. As a result, the sizes of the device components are also constrained, which impacts device and component performance. For example, smart phone cameras are limited in the size of image sensors and the physical size of lenses, which negatively affects image quality and general camera versatility. Portable electronic devices also lack viewfinders because, among other reasons, display screens of the devices may support a live preview function. However, this forces the users to hold the device at an outstretched position, which causes the cameras to be more susceptible to camera shake. While some electronic devices contemplate incorporating modular camera components, these modular camera components are bulky and unwieldy, which is generally not desirable in consumer devices.
There is therefore an opportunity for modular imaging components that are equipped with more advanced features but are capable of conforming to the physical dimensions of the supporting electronic devices.

Articulating imaging module for electronic devices


Macrolide compounds, such as the FK506 Substance and its related compounds are provided for the prevention or treatment of adult respiratory distress syndrome. Composition containing such compounds is also disclosed.

The ARDS has been recognized as a part of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or multiple organ dysfunction syndromes (MODS). It is a life-threatening inflammatory lung condition characterized by severe acute hypoxemia, respiratory distress and pulmonary edema. In spite of the advances in ventilator and circulation therapy, it is reported that the mortality rate of patients with ARDS still remains high and it exceeds 50%.
Recently, no selective pharmacotherapy is available for ARDS. At present, in a clinical use, glucocorticoid anti-inflammatory steroids, which are very potent immunosuppressive agents, have not proved to be beneficial (TiPS, 14:436-441, 1993). Even high-dose glucocorticoid therapy of patients at risk of developing ARDS neither improved the clinical outcome nor reversed ARDS progression (Chest. 103:932-943, 1993).

Use of macrolide compounds for the treatment of ARDS


A pneumatic tire comprising a tread composed of a rubber composition containing 30 to 120 parts by mass of silica having a BET specific surface area of 180 to 280 m2/g based on 100 parts by mass of a rubber component, wherein, under a normal state with no load where the pneumatic tire is mounted with a normal rim and filled with a normal internal pressure, a grounding surface shape in which a normal load is applied and the tread is pressed against a plane surface satisfies the following equation (1): 0.95≤SL0/SL80≤1.6 (wherein, SL0 is a ground contact length in a circumferential direction of the tire on a tire equator, and SL80 is a ground contact length in a circumferential direction of the tire on a position away from the tire equator by a distance in a tire axial direction of 80% of a tread grounding half width.)

In recent years, as market demands have increased, it has been required for a longer service life of and a higher durability of a tire and for improvement in abrasion resistance of a tread rubber.
On the other hand, at the same time, it has also been required for reduction in rolling resistance of a tire due to demand for a low fuel consumption, and silica is generally used as a reinforcing filler for a high-performance tire for a passenger car.
Further, Patent Document 1 discloses that a high-performance studless tire can be provided which has both a good braking force and steering stability on ice and snow by using a rubber composition containing 0.5 to 5.0 parts by mass of a fatty acid and/or a derivative thereof for a tread and forming the tread into a specific grounding surface shape.


A method and system for providing shared access to a target storage device by multiple clients through one or more network storage nodes. A network server includes control interfaces to the one or more storage nodes and executes logic processes that control the node processes. The logic processes contain definitions of the storage nodes, maps of which storage nodes have access to the desired target storage, and assigns the preferred storage nodes to the client upon request. Each storage node implements a dynamic volume sharing process that replaces existing monolithic daemon processes and allows for scalability of backup/restore operations and concurrent execution of different storage access operations and different types of storage access operations.

Disk storage can be presented over a transmission control protocol (TCP) network for shared usage by a number of different users (clients). Access to this shared storage resource can be made available using appropriate network protocols, such as CIFS (Common Internet File System), NFS (Network File System), or any other similar network protocol such as Data Domain® Boost (DD Boost) which is provided by EMC® Corporation. For clients to access such storage, they must have direct connectivity to the network storage devices. Direct client communication is a preferred method, but is not always feasible if the storage is isolated from the clients, which is often the case due to isolation concerns arising out of security issues or physical requirements. Certain backup applications, such as EMC NetWorker® provide a mechanism for clients to access the shared storage through a central aggregation point, referred to as a storage node. In such systems, remote clients connect to the storage node that reads and writes in order, data to the shared storage on their behalf. This type of system, however, creates bottlenecks since clients must are forced to communicate with a specific pre-determined single storage node to read/write data to the target storage device. Moreover, since read/write operations are handled sequentially, concurrent operations are limited or impractical, as are parallel restoration operations.
Under present systems, clients either require direct access to a target storage device, or must go through a pre-defined single storage node to access the target storage. Multiple clients cannot access the same data unless they use the same storage node. Concurrent access to the same data volume is possible only with direct client communication to the target storage, which by itself may not be possible or desired in a number of cases.

Concurrent access to data on shared storage through multiple access points


Systems and methods may provide for receiving a first request from a remote device for access to content on a second remote device, and invoking a proxy server embedded in an HTML5-compliant browser on a local device. Additionally, the first remote device may be provided with access to the content on the second remote device via the proxy server. Moreover, input may be received from a user interface of the local device, wherein a second request may be transmitted to the first remote device for access to content on a third remote device. In one example, the first remote device is unauthorized with respect to the content on the second remote device, and the local device is unauthorized with respect to the content on the third remote device.

Embodiments generally relate to the sharing of web-based content between devices. More particularly, embodiments relate to the use of a proxy server that is embedded in a browser to share content between devices.
Certain web-based content may have access restrictions due to security and/or monetization concerns. In such a case, express authorization may need to be given to a particular device before a web server will permit access to the content in question. End users, however, may often have several devices such as a desktop computer, notebook computer, smart phone, etc., wherein each device may need to be individually authorized in order to receive the content from the web server.


A mounting arrangement for a ceiling fan has one or more blades located in the same semicircle of rotation so as to produce a center of rotational gravity that lies outside the vertical axis of the rotating fan. A ceiling fan has a counter balancing stabilizing member located in another semicircle of rotation to stabilize the rotating weight of the blade(s) so that during operation of the fan, the center of rotational gravity lies on the fan""s axis. A single bladed ceiling fan has a blade with an elongated arcuate body that tapers from one end to its other end. A stabilizing member depends from the blade. There is an opening in the stabilizing member for creating drag when the blade rotates. A cover is provided for covering the opening.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a ceiling fan and a ceiling fan blade mounting arrangement that produces a center of rotational gravity that lies outside the vertical axis of the rotating fan.
2. Discussion of Related Art
There are two methods of mounting blades to a ceiling fan so that the rotating weight of the fan is stabilized and the fan""s center of rotational gravity lies within its vertical axis: (1) An even number of blades are mounted directly across from each other so the rotating weight of one blade is stabilized and matched by its complement; and (2) an even or odd number of blades may be xe2x80x9coffsetxe2x80x9d so the sum of the blades"" rotating weight is balanced. In each case, prior ceiling fans have more than one blade arranged in the circle of rotation so that the center of rotational gravity of the fan lies within the vertical axis. Thus, upon rotation, a single bladed ceiling fan generates a center of rotational gravity that lies outside the fan""s vertical axis. Such an arrangement is perceived as non-functional and unconventional.
Likewise, a ceiling fan blade mounting arrangement where the blades are not spaced equally around the fan""s housing so as to produce a center of rotational gravity that lies outside the vertical axis of the rotating fan is unconventional as well. The present invention addresses that need.
The present invention relates to a ceiling fan blade mounting arrangement that produces a center of rotational gravity that lies outside the vertical axis of the rotating fan compensated by a stabilizing member. One aspect of the invention includes a single bladed ceiling fan. In a preferred embodiment, the blade has a cross-section that progressively tapers from a leading edge to a trailing edge. The blade includes an elongated arcuate body that tapers from one end to the other and has at least a portion that is coincident with the fan""s housing.
Another aspect of the invention regards a single bladed ceiling fan with a stabilizing member. The stabilizing member extends from the housing for stabilizing the rotating weight of the blade upon rotation of the fan. This embodiment may also utilize a blade that includes an elongated tapering arcuate body. In a preferred embodiment, this blade includes a hollow end with an opening and an opposite blade end. A cover is included for covering the opening. In a further preferred embodiment, the fan""s housing includes an upper and a lower casing, and the lower casing is free to rotate relative to the upper casing.
Another aspect of the present invention regards a blade mounting arrangement that includes at least one additional fan blade extending from the housing and arranged in the same or opposite semicircle of rotation as the single blade. The stabilizing member is modified such that it stabilizes the rotating weight of the fan blades upon rotation of the fan so the center of rotational gravity of the fan lies on the fan""s longitudinal axis accordingly. In a preferred embodiment, stabilizing members are provided stabilizing members, one corresponding to each of the fan""s blades.
Another aspect of the present invention includes two or more blades spaced at various non-opposing positions in a radial fashion about the motor housing. This embodiment may include one or more stabilizing numbers arranged about and/or between or among the multiple blades so long as the center of rotational gravity lies on the vertical axis of the fan.
In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the upper casing and/or the lower casing has an air duct formed in it. In another embodiment, at least one bore extends through the exterior surface of the upper casing for accommodating a light bulb socket. In that embodiment, a light bulb resides in the socket and provides illumination upwardly through the bore in the upper casing.
An object of the present invention is to provide a ceiling fan blade arrangement that generates a center of rotational gravity that lies outside the vertical axis of the fan when it rotates, but which may be compensated for by a stabilizing member.
Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description.

Ceiling fan and fan blade mounting arrangement for generating center or rotational gravity outside vertical axis


Turbine system including a turbine and a tubular arrangement having an exit opening. The tubular arrangement is arranged on a downstream side of the turbine. At least one flow controlling device at least partially prevents a fluid flow through the tubular arrangement from becoming detached from the tubular arrangement. The at least one flow controlling device is positioned within the fluid flow and in an area of the exit opening. The turbine system is configured to operate efficiently in an environment wherein at least an upper edge of the exit opening is arranged above a downstream liquid level.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a turbine or a turbine-generator unit having a tube connected to the turbine downstream for operation with a liquid level which is low or absent downstream of the turbine, and a turbine-generator module comprising a number of turbine-generator units of this type. The invention also relates to the use of a turbine or turbine-generator unit of this type and a method for operating a turbine or turbine-generator unit through which liquid can flow, a method for operating a plant for generating electrical energy, a method for converting a structure for retaining a liquid medium into a device for generating electrical energy, and a method for generating electrical energy at a structure for retaining a liquid medium.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A tube, generally a suction tube, of a turbine or turbine-generator unit in practice always has to open out into the tailwater and must never spray into the open air, since if it does so, particularly in the case of suction tubes with a considerable divergence, the discharge jet can become detached from the suction tube, which reduces the hydraulic efficiency and therefore also the plant efficiency of a turbine-generator unit of this type considerably, to an economically unacceptable level. For this reason, attempts should be made to avoid such a situation in practice.
For design reasons, and in this context in particular, when existing dam structures are being used, it is, however, sometimes not possible to satisfy this condition, since the tailwater level is too low from the outset. Therefore, in a plant of this type, it has hitherto been impossible to install an efficient turbine or turbine-generator unit for generating electrical energy.

Turbine with tube arrangement and method of preventing detachment of a fluid flow


Electrophoresis systems and methods comprise an electrophoresis device, wherein the electrophoresis comprises a loading channel, a separation channel, and an injection channel. The loading channel is in fluid communication with a first and second sample port. The separation channel is connected to the loading channel to form a first intersection, and an injection channel connected to the separation channel to form a second intersection and in fluid communication with a first reservoir, and wherein the separation channel is in fluid communication with a second reservoir. The electrophoresis system further comprises two electrodes coupled to the first sample port and the first reservoir, and the first sample port and the second reservoir, respectively, that are adapted to move the sample into the loading channel towards the first reservoir and form a sample plug in the separation channel, and to further move the sample plug into the separation channel towards the second reservoir.

This invention relates generally to an electrophoresis system and a method for performing microfluidic manipulation. More particularly, this invention relates to a microfluidic chip and a method for electrophoretic separation.
Electrophoresis techniques are widely used in chemical and biology fields, such as DNA sequencing, protein analysis and genetic mapping. The term electrophoresis refers to a process in which charged molecules are separated in a given separation medium, such as an electrolyte solution under influence of an electric filed. The charged molecules migrate through the separation medium and separate into distinct bands due to different electrophoretic mobilities.
A variety of commercial electrophoresis apparatus have been available for analysis of a sample. One such type of the electrophoresis apparatus is a capillary electrophoresis apparatus. The capillary electrophoresis can be considered as one of the latest and most rapidly expanding techniques in analytical chemistry. It refers to a family of related analytical techniques that uses electric fields to separate molecules within narrow-bore capillaries (typically 20-100 um internal diameter).
In capillary electrophoresis, the samples may be injected into the separation capillary in advance for subsequent separation. Current practical techniques for sample injection in the capillary include electromigration and siphoning of the sample from a container into one end of the separation capillary. For the siphoning injection technique, the sample reservoir is coupled to an input end of the capillary and is raised above a buffer reservoir that is at an exit end of the capillary for a fixed length of time. The electromigration injection technique is affected by applying an appropriate polarized electrical potential across the capillary for a given duration while the input end of the capillary is in the sample reservoir. For both sample injection techniques, the input end of the analysis capillary tube must be transferred from the sample reservoir to the buffer reservoir to perform separation. Thus, a mechanical manipulation is involved. It is also difficult to maintain consistency in injecting a fixed volume of the sample by either of these techniques, as the sample volume injected are susceptible to changes in sample viscosity, temperature, etc., thereby resulting in relatively poor reproducibility in the injected sample volumes between separation runs. Electromigration additionally suffers from electrophoretic mobility-based bias.
Therefore, there is a need for a new and improved electrophoresis system and method for performing microfluidic manipulation.

System and method for performing microfluidic manipulation


Telecommunication method which enables a subscriber of a home mobile radio network (HPLMN) to connect to a visited mobile radio network (VPLMN, VPLMNxe2x80x2) without a roaming agreement with the home mobile radio network (HPLMN) in that the subscriber is assigned a first mobile subscriber identification (IMSI1) from the number range of his home mobile radio network (HPLMN) and a second IMSI number (IMSI2) from the number range of a partner network (PPLMN), the partner network having additional roaming agreements, and a common call number (MSISDN) being allocated to the two said IMSI numbers (IMSI1, IMSI2). The two IMSI numbers (IMSI1, IMSI2) may preferably be stored on a common or on different identification modules.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a roaming method and appurtenant devices. The invention relates in particular to a roaming method and appurtenant devices which are based on the GSM specifications and which are a further development of international roaming.
Roaming is understood to mean the operation of a GSM terminal outside the home network. However, the invention may also be utilized for the problem of roaming between different GSM networks and/or non-GSM networks, for example for roaming between networks working according to different standards such as, e.g., GSM, UMTS, intelligent networks (IN), etc.
2. Related Art
By means of so-called xe2x80x9cindirect roaming,xe2x80x9d an operator of a mobile radio network, that is, a mobile operator, can offer his mobile subscribers blanket coverage without having to set up the whole radio network in his licensed territory. In addition, through xe2x80x9cindirect roaming,xe2x80x9d quick access to worldwide roaming is also made possible.
Patent document WO98/10614, the contents of which are incorporated here by reference, describes a method for xe2x80x9cindirect roamingxe2x80x9d which enables a subscriber of a home mobile radio network (Home Public Land Mobile Network, HPLMN) to connect to a visited mobile radio network (Visited Public Land Mobile Network, VPLMN) without a roaming agreement with the home mobile radio network (HPLMN), the connection taking place through means, for example an IMSI number (IMSI=International Mobile Subscriber Identity) and a MSISDN number (MSISDN=Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network), which are made available by a partner network (Partner Public Land Mobile Network, PPLMN) having a roaming agreement with the home mobile radio network (HPLMN), on the one hand, and with the visited mobile radio network (VPLMN), on the other hand.
In the method described in WO98/10614, each SIM card (SIM=Subscriber Identity Module) of the subscribers of the HPLMN contains two IMSI numbers. Each IMSI number is assigned a different call number (MSISDN). The first IMSI number belongs to the number range of the home mobile radio network (HPLMN), the second to the number range of the partner network PPLMN. In order to log on to a visited network (VPLMN-NR, NR=No Roaming) which has no roaming agreement with the HPLMN, the subscriber can exchange the first IMSI (of the HPLMN) for the second IMSI (of the PPLMN) and is thereby regarded in the visited network (VPLMN) as a subscriber of the partner network (PPLMN).
Since in the method described in WO98/10614, each IMSI is assigned another, differing MSISDN, calls with the first MSISDN for the subscriber must be diverted by means of an extravagant mechanism, in a so-called UBICOM turntable. Subscriber-specific data, for example call diversions, additional numbers, etc., are, moreover, quite conventionally assigned to the IMSI and are thus available only in the home mobile radio network (HPLMN) or in visited mobile radio networks (VPLMN-WR, WR=with roaming) having a roaming agreement with the HPLMN.
Hence an object of the invention is to offer a method and a system which avoid these drawbacks.
According to the present invention, this goal is achieved especially through the elements of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments follow besides from the dependent claims and the description.
In particular, this goal is achieved by the invention in that, in the method according to the invention, which enables a subscriber of a home mobile radio network (Home Public Land Mobile Network, HPLMN) to connect to a visited mobile radio network (Visited Public Land Mobile Network, VPLMN) without a roaming agreement with the home mobile radio network (HPLMN), in that the subscriber receives an identification module having a first mobile subscriber identification (International Mobile Subscriber Identity, IMSI) from the number range of his home mobile radio network (HPLMN) and having a second mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) from the number range of a partner network (Partner Public Land Mobile Network, PPLMN), which partner network (PPLMN) possesses additional roaming agreements, a common call number (Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network, MSISDN) is allocated to the two said mobile subscriber identifications (IMSI). The allocation of a common call number (MSISDN) to the different mobile subscriber identifications (IMSI) has the particular advantage that a subscriber can be reached via this one call number (MSISDN) even if he logs on with different mobile subscriber identifications (IMSI) to his home mobile radio network (HPLMN) and to a visited mobile radio network (VPLMN), respectively. The assignment of two (or more) mobile subscriber identifications (IMSI) to a subscriber, one from the number range of the home mobile radio network (HPLMN) and one from the number range of a partner network (PPLMN) has, moreover, the advantage that the subscriber does not depend merely upon the roaming agreements of the operator of the partner network (PPLMN), but that he can additionally profit also by roaming agreements of his home network operator possibly concluded later. As has already been mentioned at the beginning, the invention relates to mobile networks according to the GSM standard; but it may also be utilized in other mobile networks, for instance in UMTS mobile networks (UMTS=Universal Mobile Telephone System), or in particular also for roaming between different GSM and/or non-GSM networks.
In a preferred modification, the identification module activates the second mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) from the number range of a partner network (PPLMN) when it cannot log on to a network with the first mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) from the number range of its home mobile radio network (HPLMN). The activation of an alternate mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) may be initiated in various modifications, which may be implemented as common, situation-dependent modifications or as separate modifications, automatically or by the subscriber, for instance by means of the input means of his terminal.
In various modifications, the first mobile subscriber identification (IMSI)xe2x80x94from the number range of the home mobile radio network (HPLMN)xe2x80x94is (sub-modification a1) filed in the home file (Home Location Register, HLR) of this home mobile radio network, and the second mobile subscriber identification (IMSI)xe2x80x94from the number range of the partner network (PPLMN)xe2x80x94is converted from the first mobile subscriber identification (IMSI), or (sub-modification a2) the first and the second mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) are both filed in the home file (HLR) of the home mobile radio network (HPLMN) and linked to a single call number (MSISDN). Preferably, only one mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) is active at any one time.
Preferably, separate bills are prepared for the respective subscriber for at least certain ones of the at least two mobile subscriber identifications (IMSI) linked to the same call number (MSISDN), whereas a common bill is prepared for the respective subscriber for at least certain others of the at least two mobile subscriber identifications (IMSI) linked to the same call number (MSISDN). This situation-specific billing has the advantage that it is very flexible and that according to the application, and not just in connection with xe2x80x9cindirect roaming,xe2x80x9d separate bills may be prepared for a subscriber for different purposes of use, the mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) corresponding to the purpose and the billing being active in each particular instance, for instance different mobile subscriber identifications (IMSI) for official use and personal use.
The goal of the invention is especially also achieved in that an identification module according to the invention, which is intended for use in a mobile apparatus and makes possible the storage of at least two mobile subscriber identifications (IMSI), contains at least one first mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) from the number range of a home mobile radio network (HPLMN) and a second mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) from the number range of a partner network (PPLMN), the two mobile subscriber identifications (IMSI) being linked to a common call number (MSISDN).
The goal of the invention is especially also achieved in that a programmable device according to the invention having a home file (HLR) in which for every subscriber of a home mobile radio network (HPLMN) contains [sic] at least one mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) and at least one appurtenant call number MSISDN), this home file (HLR) containing for at least certain subscribers a first mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) from the number range of their home mobile radio network (HPLMN), a second mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) from the number range of a partner network (PPLMN), and a call number (MSISDN) assigned to these two mobile subscriber identifications (IMSI) jointly. Preferably in this programmable device, a flag indicates for each subscriber which of the mobile subscriber identifications (IMSI) is active at the moment.

Roaming method and devices appropriate therefor


An audit vehicle and audit method are provided for testing the performance of a remote emissions sensing system. The vehicle emits known gases. The vehicle includes a gas delivery system and senses and records telemetry information such as vehicle speed read by a sensor on a non-driven wheel, GPS information, atmospheric information, IR light information, road temperature sensing information, and gas flow rate information.

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for auditing the performance of remote (also called open path) vehicle emissions sensing systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to an audit vehicle and audit method that can be used to drive through a remote vehicle emissions sensing system whole releasing a known quantity and mixture of gas to test the performance of the sensing system.
Systems are known in the art for detecting the tail pipe emissions or exhaust plumes of the vehicles as they drive on a vehicle path such as a roadway. For example, it is known for a light beam to be projected across the roadway and received by a receiver that analyzes the received light and determines the components of the vehicles emissions. In order to test the performance of such systems, it is desirable to have a vehicle that emits known volumes, mixtures, and concentrations of gases and that can be driven through the sensing system in order to test the detection performance of the system.
It is therefore a feature and advantage of the present invention to provide a vehicle that emits known volumes, mixtures, and concentrations of gases and that can be driven through the system in order to test the detection performance of the system.
It is another feature and advantage of the present invention to provide a method for testing or auditing vehicle emissions sensing systems.
The above and other features and advantages are achieved through the use of a novel apparatus and method as herein disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for dispensing gas from a vehicle has a plurality of compressed gas cylinders filled with known concentrations of gases, referred to also as xe2x80x9cgas bottlesxe2x80x9d; a plurality of shutoff valves, one valve associated with each of the gas bottle for controlling gas flow out of that gas bottle; a manifold that receives gas from each of the shutoff valves and leads to a single pressure regulator; an output gas line leading from the pressure regulator; a master shutoff valve that controls the release of the audit gas; and a sample gas outlet opening at the end of the output line with flow through the output line measured.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a system for recording telemetry data associated with a remote emissions audit vehicle, includes: a central computer; and at least one telemetry sensing device comprising at least one of: a vehicle speed sensor mounted at a non-drive wheel; a global positioning system sensor; ambient atmospheric condition sensors; an infrared beam detector; and an output gas flow rate sensor. Data from at least one sensing device is stored by the computer.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for recording data related to the telemetry of an audit vehicle is provided. The method includes driving the audit vehicle past a remote emissions sensor while emitting a sample blend gas; and recording telemetry data relating to the audit vehicle. The telemetry data includes at least one of: vehicle speed read by a sensor on a non-drive wheel, GPS information, atmospheric information, IR light information, road temperature sensing information, and gas flow rate information.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of controlling gases emitted by an audit vehicle, includes controlling a plurality of operated valves each associated with a bottle; driving the audit vehicle past a remote sensing device; and recording data related to the audit path.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems 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.

Audit vehicle and audit method for remote emissions sensing


A method and device for dynamic device based AV delay adjustment is provided. The method comprises electrodes that are configured to be located proximate to an atrial (A) site and a right ventricular (RV) site. The method utilizes one or more processors for detecting an atrial paced (Ap) event or atrial sensed (As) event, and measures an AV interval corresponding to an interval between the Ap event or the As event and a sensed ventricular (Vs) event. The AV interval is associated with a current heart rate (HR). The method automatically dynamically adjusts a first AV delay based directly on the measured AV interval, identifies a scale factor associated with the current HR, calculates a second AV delay by scaling the first AV delay based on the scale factor and manages a pacing therapy, utilized by the IMD, based on the first and second AV delays.

Advances in implantable medical devices (IMD) and left ventricular (LV) lead design has improved electrical stimulation, delays, and pacing, resulting in a better patient outcome. Loss of atrioventricular (AV) electrical and mechanical synchrony can result in inadequate ventricular depolarization, leading to suboptimal therapy. Optimal AV delay (AVD) can improve electrical synchrony by fusing an intrinsic conduction wavefront and device pacing to produce an enhanced depolarization of the ventricles and increased cardiac output.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been shown to improve hemodynamics in heart failure (HF) patients, particularly when the AVD has been individualized for each patient. AVD programming for each patient is commonly performed in-clinic at implant, when an AVD is selected for each patient based on echocardiographic, ECG, or blood pressure metrics. This one-time, static AVD selection does not account for short-term changes (hourly; e.g., exercise, sleep) or long-term changes (monthly; e.g., disease progression) in a patient's electromechanical conduction after the patient leaves the clinic.
At least one approach has been proposed that adjusts the AVD over time. In this conventional approach, an AV interval (AVI) is measured and the AVD is set to equal the AV interval reduced by a fixed amount that the clinician programs. Periodically, the conventional approach prolongs the AVD in order to re-measure the intrinsic AV interval. The approach programs two distinct AV delays in parallel: the AVD after a sensed atrial event (AVDs) and the AVD after a paced atrial event (AVDp).
However, the conventional approach experiences certain limitations in connection with two use cases relating to AVDs and AVDp. The first use case occurs when the intrinsic AV interval is measured during atrial sensing (e.g., As-Vs event: intrinsic atrial beat is sensed by the RA lead [As] and then an intrinsic ventricular beat is sensed by the RV lead [Vs]). The As-related intrinsic AV interval is used to calculate the new AVDs value that is used to deliver ventricular pacing (Vp) after each subsequent As event. However, a new AVDp value is also programmed to handle any potential atrial paced events. In the current approach, the AVDp is set to equal the AVDs plus a fixed time period set by the clinician. In other words, the conventional approach indirectly calculates the new AVDp by extending the AVDs by the difference between the longer default paced and sensed AVD values programmed in-clinic.
The second use case occurs when an intrinsic AV interval is measured during atrial pacing (e.g., Ap-Vs event: paced atrial beat is delivered by the RA lead [Ap] and then an intrinsic ventricular beat is sensed by the RV lead [Vs]). The Ap-related intrinsic AV interval is used to calculate the new AVDp value that is used to deliver Vp after each subsequent Ap event. Like the scenario described above, a new AVDs value is also programmed to handle any potential atrial sensed events. In the current approach, the AVDs is set equal to the AVDp minus a fixed time period set by the clinician.
Typically, clinicians set the AVDp-default to be greater than the AVDs-default to account for the difference between the following intervals: (i) conduction time from an atrial paced beat to the ventricular lead (Ap-Vs) and (ii) time from an intrinsic sinoatrial nodal beat being sensed by the atrial lead to the time when that same beat is sensed by the ventricular lead (As-Vs). However, the difference between the programmed default AVDs-default and AVDp-default values is typically not based on patient-specific conduction measurements. The nature of the original atrial event (i.e., As or Ap) matters when attempting to provide synchronous therapy. When the conventional approach reprograms both the AVDs and AVDp, the device may switch from atrial sensing to atrial pacing (or vice versa) during an extended series of beats (e.g., 32 beats or 256 beats). During the extended series of beats, in which the device delivers atrial pacing, the device also uses the indirectly calculated AVDp value to determine when to deliver ventricular pacing. The AVDp is not directly calculated from a measured Ap-Vs interval, and thus a potential exists that the device is not timing the ventricular paced event in a desired manner. Given that the AVDp is not patient-specific, the indirectly calculated AVDp may not provide proper AV synchrony. Similarly, when the conventional approach measures the Ap-Vs interval in connection with an atrial paced event, the conventional approach programs the AVDs in directly. Thus a potential exists that the device is not timing the ventricular paced event in a desired manner. Given that the AVDs is not patient-specific, the indirectly calculated AVDs may not provide proper AV synchrony.
A need remains for methods and systems that provide dynamic AV timing adjustment that adapts to each patient's continually changing cardiovascular status.

Method and system for dynamic device-based delay adjustment


A lifting rod device of shower has a lifting rod, a sucker mechanism and a locking mechanism. A penetrating hole penetrates the upper end part. The locking mechanism has a support seat connected to the lifting rod, a lower wedge block that can be connected in the support seat in a forward and backward sliding manner, an upper wedge block that can be connected in the support seat in an upward and downward sliding manner and a nut, a transversal threaded rod is fixedly arranged on the lower wedge block, the threaded rod can rotationally pass through the support seat; the nut is screwed to the threaded rod and connected out of the support seat in a relying manner, and the lower wedge block can be driven to move forward and backward by rotating the nut.

The traditional lifting rod device comprises an upper wall seat, a lower wall seat and a lifting rod, the upper and the lower wall seats are mechanically (for example using dowel to destroy the wall) fixed on the wall, and the lifting rod is fixed between the upper and the lower wall seat. Two wall seats are used in the traditional lifting rod device with enhancing construction difficulty and cost, and with increasing material and manufacture cost.

Xiamen Solex High-Tech Industries Co., Ltd.


An automatic fire hydrant water supplying system provides hydrant supply water to a fire truck having a water pump; a water pump master intake valve; a water-supply fire hose, a pressure sensor upstream of the master-intake-valve, and a water-pump control system. The automatic fire hydrant water supplying system has a remotely-controllable hydrant discharge valve connectable to the hydrant and to the fire-hose. A remotely-controllable air bleed valve is in fluid communication with the master-intake-valve and the fire-hose. The water-pump control system determines whether a pressurized volume in the fire hose upstream of the master-intake-valve input port is air or water based on a difference in density between air and water as sensed by the pressure sensor and if the pressurized volume is air causes the air to be vented to atmosphere through the air-bleed-valve before opening the master-intake-valve to provide hydrant supply water to the water pump.

The present invention relates to an automatic fire hydrant water supplying system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an automatic fire hydrant water supplying system including an automatic hydrant flush valve for flushing debris from the standpipe (or barrel) of the hydrant, a remote-control hydrant supply valve for controlling the flow of water from the hydrant and an automatic air bleed valve for venting air from the fire hose supplying water to the master intake valve (MIV) of a fire truck pump and automatic refilling of the on-board water tank on the pumper fire truck.
In a typical fire scene scenario, as the pumper fire truck arrives at the fire scene, the pumper fire truck pauses at the nearest hydrant and a hydrant operator opens the hydrant to allow the initial flow of water to flush debris from the barrel and outlet of the hydrant. Thereafter, the hydrant operator attaches one end of a large-diameter, lay-flat (LDH) supply hose to the hydrant via an adapter or valve and remains at the hydrant to open the hydrant valve upon request as the pumper truck proceeds to the fire building laying out from the back of the truck the LDH supply hose.
Upon the pumper fire truck's arrival at the structure on fire, a fire truck pump operator immediately begins to pump water from the on-board water tank (or reservoir) onto the fire. As the water is being pumped from the on-board water tank, the other end of the LDH supply hose is connected to the intake valve of a fire pump (generally a centrifugal pump) on the fire truck. Once the hydrant valve is turned "On" and the hose is charged with water and bled of residual air, the pump intake valve is opened, supplying positive pressure directly to the inlet of the pump, and the speed on the fire pump is reduced to prevent an increase in discharge pressure, and the tank outlet valve controlling the flow of water from the on-board water tank is closed so that the fire pump is supplied with water from the hydrant and then the water tank on the truck is refilled.
When the lay-flat hose is initially charged with water, residual air entrapped in the hose is often pushed ahead of the water as the lay flat hose contains some air even when flat in storage on the fire truck. The trapped air must be removed to avoid loss of pressure and flow problems caused by a water hammer or by cavitation in the water pump.
Typically, removal of the air from the hose is accomplished with a manually operated valve upstream of the intake valve on the pump which may lead to problems. An operator may forget to open the manually operated air bleed valve.
As an alternative to the conventional practice of manually flushing the hydrant, manually opening the hydrant valve and manually bleeding air from the LDH supply hose, an automatic fire hydrant flush valve, a remote-controlled hydrant supply valve and an automatic air bleed valve integrated with the pumper fire truck pump control system for flushing debris from the hydrant, opening the hydrant supply valve and venting air from the fire hose supplying water to the master intake valve and filling the on board water tank of a fire truck without operator intervention is highly desirable.

Automatic fire hydrant water supplying system


A communication link manager for problem determination and recovery of a failing resource on a communication link segment in a data communication network. When a problem occurs on a link segment, the using node passes link event data to the communication link manager for analysis. The communication link manager interacts with a configuration data base to determine the physical configuration of the failing link segment and the controlling link connection subsystem manager. The communication link manager directs the appropriate link connection subsystem manager to initiate tests of the various link connection components on the link segment under its control. When the failing resource is identified, the communication link manager initiates the appropriate non-disruptive recovery procedure through the link connection subsystem manager and prompts the data link control to restart the line.

Numerous prior network link management problem diagnosis methods and devices exist in the field. These generally are designed in a manner specific to the particular physical devices that make up the data communication links. In telephone systems in general, loop back signals may be transmitted from a controlling node to the various elements making up the communication link to a target node, and signals may be propagated down the communication link to be looped back by devices in the line which are operating correctly and which can respond to the loop back commands to the control node. Such processes are, however, totally inappropriate when the data communication network devices operate under differing protocols, are supplied by different vendors and have differing diagnostic data providing capabilities.
More sophisticated techniques for problem diagnosis are also in existence where the data communication network contains devices supplied by the vendors of the host data node or control node systems. For example, the IBM Corporation markets components for a data communications system including host system mainframe computers, operator control consoles and communication network control program applications that can communicate with and diagnose problems occurring in a data communication network that includes IBM supplied modems, multiplexers, switches and the like. However, these systems share a common system architecture and communication protocol and are thus amenable to a single diagnostic application program and protocol. They avoid the difficulty encountered as mentioned above, with numerous protocols in numerous physical devices supplied by diverse vendors. Such uniform systems are, however, not often achieved and in many networks constructed by users and purchasers of various components, such uniformity cannot be brought about without major reinvestment.
In the prior art, the recovery process is usually a manual process which is disruptive to the end user. Recovery techniques have required the network operator to manually intervene and circumvent network link problems by switching to back-up components or by using alternate paths through the network with the high overhead costs associated with re-establishing communications between network resources.
Thus, the major problem the users and the purchasers are faced with is that of achieving high availability of these multiple layer, multiple vendor, multiple protocol networks. Once a failure occurs, it takes time for the operator to react to the problem, the end user usually being the first to notice the problem. Once it is determined that a problem does exist, problem determination must be performed to determine which recovery procedure provides the fastest restoration service to the end user.
It is therefore desirable that some method and system apparatus be provided that is capable of accommodating the more usually encountered data communication networks which are constructed of multiple layers of various vendors' physical devices having diverse capabilities and communication protocols.

Method and apparatus for communication link management

International Business Machines Corporation


A system for controlling a power-converter device of a DC/DC type, having an input connected to a first electric battery at an input voltage, and an output connected to a second electric battery at an output voltage, and being provided with: a transformer stage, with a primary winding coupled to the input, and a secondary winding coupled to the output; a switching stage, arranged between the input and the primary winding and supplying an alternating electrical quantity to the primary winding as a function of the input voltage; a rectifier stage arranged between the secondary winding and the output for generating the output voltage. A control stage switching controls the switching stage at a switching frequency, as a function of a measurement signal indicative of an electrical output quantity, by means of a digital average-current-mode control, obtaining the measurement signal by means of a subsampling of the electrical output quantity, at a sampling frequency, lower than the switching frequency.

Hybrid electric vehicles are known, which are equipped with a power-train, comprising a thermal engine with small engine displacement, and a dual-dry-clutch transmission (DDCT) integrating an electrical machine operating as electric motor/generator, which can be activated, among other operations, for starting the thermal engine in lieu of the starting motor.
The hybrid power-train is, for example, able to perform the following functions: engine stop and start through the electric driving motor; launch and creep in electrical mode; economy gear shifting; regenerative braking; and electric torque boost.
These electric vehicles are equipped for their operation with a high-voltage electric battery (which supplies, for example, a rated voltage of 240 V), the so-called <<traction battery>>, which can also be recharged directly from the power mains, and with a low-voltage electric battery (which supplies, for example, a rated voltage of 12 V), the so-called <<service battery>>, which is recharged starting from the traction battery. In particular, the service battery is designed to supply a wide range of electrical loads of the vehicle, such as, for example, the lights, the air-conditioning assembly, or other low-power actuator assemblies. The aforesaid electric vehicles are moreover equipped with an electrical power drive, including inter alia: a high-voltage battery-charger for charging the traction battery starting from the power mains, made up of a power-factor-corrector (PFC) stage, cascaded to which is a voltage-reduction (<<buck>> or <<step-down>>) stage; and a low-voltage battery-charger for charging the service battery starting from the traction battery, constituted basically by a DC/DC converter device.
In particular, the DC/DC converter device, generally known in the technical field as a "power transfer device", replaces the function traditionally performed by the alternator in charging the service battery and can control the recharging profile, supplying appropriate output voltages and currents (and hence powers).
The possibility is known, in this regard, of implementing appropriate algorithms for controlling a power converter (for example, the aforesaid DC/DC converter device) in a digital way, with the aid of a microprocessor or microcontroller (or similar computing and processing tool), which has been appropriately programmed.
In the example of application illustrated previously, the vehicle can, for example, be equipped with a microprocessor or microcontroller, designed to implement the strategies for control both of the high-voltage battery-charger and of the low-voltage battery-charger.
The use of a digital control system, albeit advantageous from many points of view, amongst which that of enabling a wide configurability and programmability of the control action, has the drawback of involving production costs that may even be high, linked mainly to the use of a microprocessor or microcontroller; these costs are, in particular, the higher, the higher the computing and processing power required from the same microprocessor or microcontroller.
In this regard, in the case of switching power-converter devices, the need to adopt high switching frequencies so as to reduce (in a known way) the dimensions of the analog circuit components used, comes up against the consequent need to use so-called <<high-range>> microprocessors or microcontrollers, i.e., ones capable of operating at high working frequencies (even of the order of hundreds of kilohertz), and with the consequent increase in the costs associated to the use of these components.
This disadvantage is particularly felt in the automotive sector, where, as is known, the production costs play a frequently determining role in the design choices.

System and method for digital control of a DC/DC power-converter device, in particular for automotive applications


There is provided a microprocessor-controlled rover having light and positioning sensing capabilities for the semiautonomous taking of light level readings in a more accurate manner. In embodiments, the rover comprises a cosine and V lambda corrected light sensor. The system may comprise a control computer which generates a waypoint file comprising a plurality of investigative waypoints within investigative area boundary coordinates, including that which may be configured using an on¬screen GIS database interface. The investigative waypoints may be configured appropriately by the control computer, including in accordance with the relevant light audit settings. The waypoint file may be transmitted wirelessly to the rover. As such, the rover moves to each investigative waypoint according to the position sensed by the position sensor and the location specified by each investigative waypoint. At each investigative waypoint, the rover takes light level readings including in manners for enhancing the accuracy thereof.

Large area lighting audits, such as those of sporting fields and the like, is not only time-consuming but also inaccurate.
According to conventional methods, the position of each investigative waypoint is estimated with reference to one or more known objects and a light level readings taken at each waypoint using a handheld light sensor, typically held at arm's length.
However, positioning each waypoint in such a manner is not only time-consuming but also inaccurate. Also, accurate taking of light level readings at each investigative waypoint in such a manner may be hindered by holding the light level sensor at the incorrect elevation, orientating the light sensor inaccurately, casting shadows on the light sensor and the like.
The present invention seeks to provide a way which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.
It should be noted that whereas the embodiments herein have been described with reference to a preferred embodiment of sporting field light level audits, such may be applicable to other lighting audit applications also.
It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

System and methodology for light level audit sampling


Services for a personal electronic device are provided through which a form of background processing or multitasking is supported. The disclosed services permit user applications to take advantage of background processing without significant negative consequences to a user's experience of the foreground process or the personal electronic device's power resources. To effect the disclosed multitasking, one or more of a number of operational restrictions may be enforced. By way of example, inactive network applications (e.g., VOIP applications) may be placed in a suspended state until a message is received targeting the application (e.g., an incoming phone call or a heartbeat needed message). The user application may be placed into the background state to respond to the message and then returned to the non-active state (e.g., if the message was a heartbeat needed) message or to the foreground state if appropriate (e.g., the user elects to answer the incoming call).

This disclosure relates generally to the field of computer science. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a technique for improving the user experience and power management in a personal electronic device.
Power constrained, hand-held devices (e.g., mobile phones, personal entertainment devices, and electronic pad computers) are resource limited compared to larger, fixed, systems such as desk-top, workstation and notebook computers. In such systems, the computational power available simply cannot support the execution of a large number of concurrent processes/threads without significantly degrading the user experience and consuming the device's limited power resources. In light of this recognition, system designers for these types of devices have traditionally permitted a limited multitasking capability at the operating system level (e.g., for core system functions), but have not supported multitasking at the user application level. While this approach has the benefit of minimizing the drain on the device's limited power resources, it also limits the ability to provide the user (via a user application) with an interactive environment.

Opportunistic multitasking of VOIP applications


A planarizing pad for planarizing a microelectronic substrate, and a method and apparatus for forming the planarizing pad. In one embodiment, planarizing pad material is mixed with compressed gas to form a plurality of discrete elements that are distributed on a support material. At least a portion of the discrete elements are spaced apart from each other on the support material to form a textured surface for engaging a microelectronic substrate and removing material from the microelectronic substrate. The discrete elements can be uniformly or randomly distributed on the support material, and the discrete elements can be directly affixed to the support material or affixed to the support material with an adhesive.

This invention relates to planarizing pads and methods and apparatuses for forming planarizing pads for planarizing microelectronic substrates.
Mechanical and chemical-mechanical planarization processes (collectively xe2x80x9cCMPxe2x80x9d) are used in the manufacturing of electronic devices for forming a flat surface on semiconductor wafers, field emission displays and many other microelectronic-device substrate assemblies. CMP processes generally remove material from a substrate assembly to create a highly planar surface at a precise elevation in the layers of material on the substrate assembly. FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an existing web-format planarizing machine 10 for planarizing a substrate 12. The planarizing machine 10 has a support table 14 with a top-panel 16 at a workstation where an operative portion xe2x80x9cAxe2x80x9d of a planarizing pad 40 is positioned. The top-panel 16 is generally a rigid plate to provide a flat, solid surface to which a particular section of the planarizing pad 40 may be secured during planarization.
The planarizing machine 10 also has a plurality of rollers to guide, position and hold the planarizing pad 40 over the top-panel 16. The rollers include a supply roller 20, idler rollers 21, guide rollers 22, and a take-up roller 23. The supply roller 20 carries an unused or pre-operative portion of the planarizing pad 40, and the take-up roller 23 carries a used or post-operative portion of the planarizing pad 40. Additionally, the left idler roller 21 and the upper guide roller 22 stretch the planarizing pad 40 over the top-panel 16 to hold the planarizing pad 40 stationary during operation. A motor (not shown) drives at least one of the supply roller 20 and the take-up roller 23 to sequentially advance the planarizing pad 40 across the top-panel 16. Accordingly, clean pre-operative sections of the planarizing pad 40 may be quickly substituted for used sections to provide a consistent surface for planarizing and/or cleaning the substrate 12.
The web-format planarizing machine 10 also has a carrier assembly 30 that controls and protects the substrate 12 during planarization. The carrier assembly 30 generally has a substrate holder 32 to pick up, hold and release the substrate 12 at appropriate stages of the planarizing process. Several nozzles 33 attached to the substrate holder 32 dispense a planarizing solution 44 onto a planarizing surface 42 of the planarizing pad 40. The carrier assembly 30 also generally has a support gantry 34 carrying a drive assembly 35 that can translate along the gantry 34. The drive assembly 35 generally has an actuator 36, a drive shaft 37 coupled to the actuator 36, and an arm 38 projecting from the drive shaft 37. The arm 38 carries the substrate holder 32 via a terminal shaft 39 such that the drive assembly 35 orbits the substrate holder 32 about an axis Bxe2x80x94B (as indicated by arrow xe2x80x9cR1xe2x80x9d). The terminal shaft 39 may also rotate the substrate holder 32 about its central axis Cxe2x80x94C (as indicated by arrow xe2x80x9cR2xe2x80x9d).
The planarizing pad 40 and the planarizing solution 44 defme a planarizing medium that mechanically and/or chemically-mechanically removes material from the surface of the substrate 12. The planarizing pad 40 used in the web-format planarizing machine 10 is typically a fixed-abrasive planarizing pad in which abrasive particles are fixedly bonded to a suspension material. In fixed-abrasive applications, the planarizing solution is a xe2x80x9cclean solutionxe2x80x9d without abrasive particles. In other applications, the planarizing pad 40 may be a non-abrasive pad without abrasive particles. The planarizing solutions 44 used with the non-abrasive planarizing pads are typically CMP slurries with abrasive particles and chemicals.
To planarize the substrate 12 with the planarizing machine 10, the carrier assembly 30 presses the substrate 12 against the planarizing surface 42 of the planarizing pad 40 in the presence of the planarizing solution 44. The drive assembly 35 then orbits the substrate holder 32 about the axis Bxe2x80x94B, and optionally rotates the substrate holder 32 about the axis Cxe2x80x94C, to translate the substrate 12 across the planarizing surface 42. As a result, the abrasive particles and/or the chemicals in the planarizing medium remove material from the surface of the substrate 12.
The CMP processes should consistently and accurately produce a uniformly planar surface on the substrate 12 to enable precise fabrication of circuits and photopatterns. During the fabrication of transistors, contacts, interconnects and other features, many substrates and/or substrate assemblies develop large xe2x80x9cstep heightsxe2x80x9d that create a highly topographic surface across the substrate assembly. Yet, as the density of integrated circuits increases, it is necessary to have a planar substrate surface at several intermediate stages during the fabrication of devices on a substrate assembly because non-uniform substrate surfaces significantly increase the difficulty of forming sub-micron features. For example, it is difficult to accurately focus photo patterns to within tolerances approaching 0.1 micron on non-uniform substrate surfaces because sub-micron photolithographic equipment generally has a very limited depth of field. Thus, CMP processes are often used to transform a topographical substrate surface into a highly uniform, planar substrate surface.
One conventional approach for improving the uniformity of the microelectronic substrate 12 is to engage the microelectronic substrate 12 with a planarizing pad 40 having a textured planarizing surface 42. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the planarizing pad 40 can include spaced-apart texture elements 41. The texture elements 41 can improve the planarizafion of the microelectronic substrate 12 (FIG. 1) by retaining the planarizing liquid 44 (FIG. 1) in the interstices between the texture elements. Accordingly, the texture elements 41 increase the amount of planarizing liquid in contact with the microelectronic substrate 12 and increase the planarizing rate and surface uniformity of the microelectronic substrate 12.
One conventional method for forming the texture elements 41 is to engage a mold 50 with the planarizing pad 40 while the planarizing pad 40 is in a semi-solid or plastic state. For example, the mold 50 can include columnar apertures 51 that produce corresponding columnar texture elements 41 in the planarizing pad 40. One drawback with the foregoing fabrication method is that the mold 50 may deform the texture elements 41 as the mold 50 is withdrawn from the planarizing pad 40. For example, the planarizing pad material may adhere to the mold 50 or portions of the mold 50 such that the upper surfaces of the texture elements 41 develop sharp edges or other asperities 43. The asperities 43 can scratch or otherwise damage the microelectronic substrate 12 during planarization.
The present invention is directed toward methods and apparatuses for forming planarizing pads for planarizing microelectronic substrates. A method in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes separating a planarizing pad material into discrete elements and disposing the discrete elements on a support material. The discrete elements are disposed on the support material so that portions of the discrete elements are spaced apart from each other and project from the support material. The discrete elements are configured to engage the microelectronic substrate and to remove material from the microelectronic substrate when the microelectronic substrate contacts the discrete elements and at least one of the planarizing pad and the microelectronic substrate is moved relative to the other.
In one aspect of the invention, at least a portion of the planarizing pad material is in a liquid phase and separating the planarizing pad material includes forming discrete droplets of the planarizing .pad material by mixing the planarizing pad material with a stream of gas. In another aspect of the invention, the discrete elements can be passed through apertures of a grate to control the distribution of the discrete elements on the support material. The discrete elements can be partially cured before they are disposed on the support material to partially solidify the discrete elements.
The invention is also directed toward a planarizing pad for planarizing a microelectronic substrate. In one aspect of the invention, the planarizing pad can include a support portion and a plurality of texture elements disposed on the support portion. Portions of the texture elements are spaced apart from each other and project from the support portion. The texture elements can have a generally smooth upper surface smoothly transitioning to a generally smooth side surface without asperities. In one aspect of the invention, the texture elements can have a cross-sectional dimension of from approximately 50 microns to approximately 200 microns. In another aspect of the invention, the texture elements can project from the support portion by a distance of from about 10 microns to about 200 microns.
The invention is also directed toward an apparatus for forming a planarizing pad. The apparatus can include a support device configured to hold a support material in a selected position, and can further include a vessel configured to contain a non-solid plananzing pad material. At least one nozzle is operatively coupled to the vessel and coupled to a source of compressed gas. The nozzle is configured to mix the planarizing pad material with the compressed gas to form discrete texture elements for disposing on the support material.
In one aspect of this invention, the support material is elongated in a longitudinal direction and the support device of the apparatus can include first and second rollers coupled to the support material and rotatable relative to each other to advance the support material from the first roller to the second roller. The apparatus can also include a hopper positioned between the nozzle and the support device. In another aspect of the invention, the apparatus can include two nozzles coupled to the vessel, the second nozzle being offset in the longitudinal direction and in a lateral direction transverse to the longitudinal direction relative to the first nozzle.

Method for forming a planarizing pad for planarization of microelectronic substrates


It is an object of the present invention to provide a substituted propanamide derivative or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof that is useful as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for a bone metabolic disease. The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound having General Formula (I) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient:

In general, in normal bone metabolism, bone resorption by osteoclasts is balanced with bone formation by osteoblasts to maintain homeostasis. It is thought that an imbalance between the bone resorption and the bone formation causes bone metabolic diseases. Bones retain about 99% of the total calcium in a living body and play an important role in maintaining a constant blood calcium concentration by bone formation and bone resorption. If osteoclasts, which are mainly responsible for bone resorption, are abnormally formed or activated, bone resorption is accelerated to increase blood calcium concentration, and thereby bone metabolic diseases, such as hypercalcemia, are caused.
Conventionally, for bone metabolic diseases, hormone replacement therapy using estrogen or the like has been conducted or a therapeutic agent such as a bisphosphonate or a calcitonin that suppresses osteoclast activity has been administered (refer to Non-Patent Document 1). However, none of these existing agents can be satisfactory for essentially treating hypercalcemia or bone metabolic diseases, and therefore development of agents having high therapeutic efficacy is desired.
The following substituted propanamide derivatives are known hitherto.
(1) Patent Document 1 discloses phenylalanine derivatives shown in Table 1 having an analgesic effect and a vasodilating effect and are expected to have therapeutic effects on, for example, cerebral palsy syndromes. However, the document does not mention a bone resorption-suppressing activity at all (refer to Patent Document 1).
TABLE 1(a) No.R1aR2aR3a 1H(CH2)3CH3  2HH(CH2)2OH 3HOH(CH2)2CH3 4HOH(CH2)3CH3 5HOH(CH2)5CH3 6HOCOC6H5(CH2)2CH3 7HOCOC6H5(CH2)3CH3 8HOCOC6H5(CH2)5CH3  9CH3(CH2)3CH3 10CH3OH(CH2)3CH311CH3OH(CH2)5CH312CH3OCOC6H5(CH2)3CH313CH3OCOC6H5(CH2)5CH3 14Cl(CH2)3CH3 15Cl(CH2)3CH3 16Cl(CH2)3CH3 17ClOH(CH2)3CH318ClOCO(p-Cl—C6H5)(CH2)3CH3
(2) Patent Document 2 discloses phenylalanine derivatives shown in Table 2 having a cathepsin B inhibitory activity, but does not mention a bone resorption-suppressing activity at all (refer to Patent Document 2).
TABLE 2(b) No.R1bR2bR1b + R2bR3bR4bR5b 1HHI4-(2-pyridin-4-yl-amino-thiazol-4-Hyl)phenyl 2HHI(4-morpholin-4-yl)phenylH 3HHImorpholin-4-ylH 4cyclopropylI(4-morpholin-4-yl)phenylH 5HHI(4-morpholin-4-yl)phenylCH3 6HHI4-[2-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-thiazol-4-Hyl]phenyl 7HHCH3(4-morpholin-4-yl)phenylH 8HHCH2CH3(4-morpholin-4-yl)phenylH
(3) Patent Document 3 discloses phenylalanine derivatives shown in Table 3 having a cathepsin S inhibitory activity, but does not mention a bone resorption-suppressing activity at all (refer to Patent Document 3).
TABLE 3(c) No.(R1c)m(R2c)n 13,4-dichloro3-methyl 2H3-bromo 32-tolyloxy3-methyl 43-(2-methylthiazol-4-yl)H 53-cyanoH 64-methyl3-methyl 73-methyl4-(4-dimethylaminophenyl) 82,4,5-trimethylH 93-bromo-4-methylH104-methoxy-3,5-dimethylH114-benzoyloxy-3,5-dimethylH123,5-dichloro3-methyl132-chloro-3-methylH142,3-dimethyl3-methyl153,5-dimethyl3-methyl163-chloro3-methyl173-methyl4-methoxy183-methyl4-phenoxy193-methyl4-(4-chlorophenoxy)203-methyl4-(2-methoxypyridin-5-yl)213-methyl4-(2,4-dimethoxypyridin-5-yl)223-methyl4-(3-acetylphenyl)233-methyl4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)243-methyl4-(2-acetylphenyl)253-methyl4-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)263-methyl4-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)273-methyl4-(3-hydroxymethylphenyl)283-methyl4-(5-fluoro-2-methylphenyl)293-methyl4-(4-hydroxymethylphenyl)303-methyl4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)313-methyl4-(3-aminophenyl)323-methyl4-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)333-methyl4-(4-chlorophenyl)343-methyl4-(pyridin-4-yl)353-methyl4-(4-cyanophenyl)363-methyl4-(thiophen-3-yl)373-methyl4-(pyridin-3-yl)383-methyl4-(3-nitrophenyl)393-methyl4-(2-nitrophenyl)403-methyl4-phenyl413-methyl4-(3-methylphenoxy)423-methyl4-t-butyl433-methyl4-trifluoromethyl443-methyl3-trifluoromethyl453-methyl4-benzyloxy463-methyl4-fluoro473-methyl4-nitro483-methyl4-chloro493-methyl4-bromo503-methyl4-cyano513-methyl2-trifluoromethyl523-methyl3-methyl533-methyl3,4-difluoro543-methyl3-fluoro553-methyl4-methyl563-methyl4-acetamido573-methyl3,4-dichloro583-methyl3,5-difluoro593-methyl3,5-dichloro603-methyl4-hydroxy613-methyl4-t-butoxy623-methyl4-iodo63H3-methoxy    [Patent Document 1] U.S. Pat. No. 4,004,008    [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. WO 2004/026851    [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. WO 2004/084842    [Non-Patent Document 1] Mohammad M. Iqbal, et al., Missouri Medicine, 2002, vol. 99, p. 19.

Substituted propanamide derivative and pharmaceutical composition containing the same

Abstract: [wherein, R1 represents a C6-C10 aryl group that may be substituted by a group selected from Substituent Group α, for example; R2 represents a C6-C10 aryl group that may be substituted by a group selected from Substituent Group α, for example; and X represents a hydroxyl group or a C1-C6 alkoxy group, for example].


A zoom lens comprises a first lens group having negative refractive power; a second lens group having positive refractive power; a third lens group having negative refractive power and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power. Upon varying magnification, distances between the first lens group and the second lens group, between the second lens group and the third lens group and between the third lens group and the fourth lens group vary. The second lens group includes a front lens group, an aperture stop, and a rear lens group. Each of the front lens group and the rear lens group includes at least one negative lens. At least a part of the lenses in the second lens group is moved as a group to have a component in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis.

In recent years, an imaging element to be used in an optical apparatus such as digital cameras has had high pixels. And, high optical performance has been sought for an imaging lens to be used in an imaging apparatus equipped with an imaging element having high pixels.
Under such background, there has been proposed a zoom lens which comprises, in order from an object side, a first lens group having negative refractive power, a second lens group having positive refractive power, a third lens group having negative refractive power and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power, wherein magnification varying is carried out by varying distances between the neighboring lens groups. For example, refer to Japanese Patent application Laid-Open Gazette No. 2001-343584.

Zoom lens, optical apparatus, and method for manufacturing the zoom lens


A system and method for removing contaminants from water that has a relatively low oxygen content with naturally occurring chemoautotrophic bacteria, ferrous iron, manganese, sulfide, and other contaminants. The system comprises an oxygenation vessel for oxygenating the water and a filtration vessel having bio-filtration media with surfaces that are exposed to the oxygenated water. The chemoautotrophic bacteria propagate in the presence of the oxygenated water and deposit certain of the contaminants on the bio-filtration media as by-products. The contaminants are also precipitated in the presence of the oxygenated water and settle on the bio-filtration media in at least the filtration vessel. A secondary filtration stage can further remove contaminants from the water that were not sufficiently removed by the first filtration stage.

The present invention is directed to filtration systems and, more particularly, to a system and method for removing contaminants from groundwater associated with underground natural gas wells, mining operations, and other environments.
It is often necessary to remove water from underground geological formations in order to release natural gas associated with the underground formations. Oftentimes, the formations are more than 1,000 feet below the surface of the earth. A typical formation can comprise several separate layers of the liquid and gas or can comprise a single large reservoir. A bore hole is drilled into the earth and passes through the different layers of the formation until the target layer is reached. The location and depth of the bore hole is carefully controlled because of the great expense associated with drilling the bore hole. In order to prevent collapse of the bore hole after drilling, it is usually lined with a casing along its entire length. The casing also helps to control reservoir pressure and protect surface water from contamination. The casing is cemented in place and sealed at the ground surface by a wellhead.
One or more pipes or tubes extend into the bore hole from the wellhead. One of the tubes is typically used to carry liquid to the surface. The internal pressure of many geological formations is often insufficient to naturally raise commercial quantities of the natural gas from the formation through the bore hole or does so at an inadequate flow rate. Oftentimes, a large volume of liquid is present in the underground formation and must be removed on a continuous basis in order to recover natural gas from the formation. An artificial lift system is used in conjunction with the tube(s) to remove the liquid from the underground formation. Currently, many different types of artificial lift systems are available to lift the liquid from the formation, the most common of which are progressive cavity pumps, beam pumps and subsurface gas lift (SSGL) systems.
No matter what artificial lift system is used, water retrieved from underground coal formations often contains contaminants such as iron and inorganic and organic sulfur compounds, manganese, sodium, barium, arsenic, and other trace metals, and coal fines. Some constituents indigenous to groundwater associated with underground coal seams, such as iron and manganese, are pH dependent, while other constituents, such as sulfur, are more oxygen dependent. These constituents typically exist in soluble forms in the groundwater. When the groundwater is ejected or pumped to the surface and exposed to air, iron, sulfur and manganese are oxidized, resulting in the deposition of insoluble forms and precipitate on contact surfaces causing discoloration. The precipitates may also impart foul taste and odor to the water.
Federal and state regulations dictate minimum water quality standards that must be met before water from underground formations, mines or other underground structures can be discharged into the environment. When such standards are not met, the environment may be adversely affected and gas production or other operations may be halted. Due to the excessive amounts of contaminants in the discharge water, many natural gas producers are experiencing difficulties in obtaining discharge permits from state agencies.
Prior attempts to filter the contaminated water have included activated carbon filters, capacitive deionization systems, and the like. The filters can become quickly clogged and therefore must be constantly monitored, cleaned and/or replaced, leading to great expense and reduced efficacy over time. This problem is exacerbated by the relatively large flow rates that must be accommodated. By way of example, a filtration system may be required to process approximately 100 gallons of groundwater per minute over a 24-hour period of time, depending on the number of wells associated with the filtration system, the volume of groundwater to be lifted from each well, and the frequency at which the groundwater is lifted. Thus, approximately 144,000 gallons or 3,429 barrels of groundwater may pass through the filtration system every 24 hours.
In addition, natural gas wells are typically located at remote locations where power from electrical grids may not be available. In such locations, the wells may be operated through wind, solar or gas powered generators. Accordingly, filtration systems at remote locations should require little or no electrical power to operate.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a filtration system that is capable of removing large amounts of contaminants from groundwater under large flow rates in a relatively quick and efficient manner without substantial degradation of the filtration system. It would also be desirable to provide a filtration system that requires little or no electrical power to operate.
According to the invention, a method is provided for removing contaminants from water that has a relatively low oxygen content with naturally occurring chemoautotrophic bacteria, and at least one of iron in the ferrous state and sulfide. The method comprises oxygenating the water and directing the oxygenated water to a filtration vessel. The filtration vessel has bio-filtration media with surfaces that are exposed to the oxygenated water. The chemoautotrophic bacteria propagate in the presence of the oxygenated water and at least one of the ferrous iron and sulfide. At least one of ferric iron and sulfate are deposited on the bio-filtration media as a by-product of the chemoautotrophic bacteria. At least one form of ferric iron and iron sulfate are precipitated in the presence of the oxygenated water. The water can then be removed from the filtration vessel and either discharged into the environment or directed to a secondary filtration stage.
Further according to the invention, a system is provided for removing contaminants from water that has a relatively low oxygen content with naturally occurring chemoautotrophic bacteria, and at least one of ferrous iron and sulfide. The system comprises an oxygenation vessel for oxygenating the water and a filtration vessel having first bio-filtration media with surfaces that are exposed to the oxygenated water. With this arrangement, at least one form of ferric iron and iron sulfate can be precipitated in the presence of the oxygenated water and can be deposited on the bio-filtration media as a by-product of the chemoautotrophic bacteria to thereby remove ferric iron and/or iron sulfate from the water.

System and method for removing contaminants from water


Provided is an ion generating device for organic matter decomposition for generating ions to decompose organic matter stored in a tank. The ion generating device includes a needle electrode and a plate electrode, both facing each other, and a direct-current power supply unit configured to apply a direct-current voltage with positive polarity to the needle electrode. The direct-current power supply unit includes a voltage controller configured to set the direct-current voltage to a specified voltage value to produce positive corona discharge between the needle electrode and the plate electrode under atmospheric pressure.

Conventional food waste disposers have been known to use active oxygen species in order to decompose organic matter such as food waste (See Patent Literature 1, for example). Patent Literature 1 discloses a decomposition of food waste in a tank using, as active oxygen species, superoxide (O2.−), hydroxyl radical (.OH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), singlet oxygen (1O2), ozone (O3), and so on.
Such food waste disposers using active oxygen species have advantages over food waste disposers using bacterium in terms of inhibiting production of methane gas during the decomposition and preventing foul smell.

Ion generating device for organic matter decomposition, and organic matter decomposition device


A precision voltage reference circuit which includes a pair of similar flash EEPROM memory cells, each of the pair of similar flash EEPROM memory cells having a different charge on its floating gate; circuitry for connecting each of said cells in a pair of parallel circuits in which equal current values are generated in an equilibrium condition; apparatus for sensing a voltage in each of said pair of parallel circuits to provide an output voltage which may be used as a reference value when the currents are in equilibrium; and apparatus for sensing variations in the output voltage to vary the current through the flash EEPROM memory cells to bring the currents into equilibrium when the reference voltage varies from the voltage provided at equilibrium.

1. Field Of The Invention
This invention relates to semiconductor circuits and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for providing a precision voltage reference utilizing a pair of flash EEPROM memory cells.
2. History Of The Prior Art
Precision voltage references are well known in the prior art. There have been many circuit arrangements for providing such references. However, as circuits become more and more specialized, it becomes necessary to produce such voltage references using the processes available for producing the associated circuitry. For example, the use of voltage references with large scale integrated circuits may require that the circuitry for producing the reference voltages be manufactured by the processes used for manufacturing the large scale integrated circuits. Thus, it may be possible to provide a precision voltage reference easily where individual components including precision resistors and capacitors are available. However, where integrated circuit devices must be used and both the currents and voltage which may be used by such devices are limited, the ability to provide such references becomes much more difficult. Consequently, the components available for providing such voltage references become more and more limited as the type of integrated circuits becomes more specialized and as the individual elements of the circuitry become smaller and the area more restricted.
One type of integrated circuit which utilizes precise voltage levels is a memory array. Normally, precision voltages are available from external circuitry for interrogating a memory array during a read process or for writing to such an array. However, newer flash EEPROM memory arrays used for long term storage in portable computers are designed to operate with microprocessors which use lower source voltages and do not have precision power supplies available to provide the precise higher voltage values required for programming and erasing such flash arrays. Consequently, it is necessary to generate such precision voltage references within the integrated circuit which contains the array or its control circuitry. This requires that the elements needed for providing the precision voltage references be produced by the process used in manufacturing the flash memory array.