Organic electrolytic solutions are provided. One solution includes a lithium salt, an organic solvent including a first solvent having high permittivity and a second solvent having a low boiling point, and a phosphate compound. By using the phosphate based compound, the organic electrolytic solution and the lithium battery including the organic electrolytic solution are flame resistant and have excellent charge/discharge properties. As a result, the lithium battery is highly stable and reliable and has good charge/discharge efficiency.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an organic electrolytic solution for improving flame resistance and charge/discharge properties, and to a lithium battery including the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
As demand increases for lightweight, portable high performance electronic devices such as camcorders, mobile phones, and laptop computers, research is being conducted into batteries used as power sources for such devices. In particular, rechargeable lithium secondary batteries have 3 times the energy density per-unit weight of Pb storage batteries, Ni—Cd batteries, Ni—H batteries, and Ni—Zn batteries. In addition, lithium secondary batteries can be quickly charged. Therefore, research into and development of rechargeable lithium secondary batteries are increasing.
In general, lithium batteries operate at high operating voltages so that conventional aqueous electrolytic solutions cannot be used due to the violent reaction between the aqueous solution and the lithium contained in the anode. Accordingly, lithium batteries use organic electrolytic solutions prepared by dissolving lithium salts in organic solvents. To that end, organic solvents having high ionic conductivity, high permittivity, and low viscosity are desired. However, it is difficult to obtain organic solvents having these properties. As a result, lithium batteries use mixed solvents containing one organic solvent having high permittivity and another organic solvent having low viscosity.
When a lithium secondary battery uses a carbonate-based polar non-aqueous solvent, the reaction the electrolytic solution with carbon acting as an anode requires excess charges during initial charging. As a result of such an irreversible reaction, a passivation layer (such as a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) membrane) is formed on the surface of the anode. The SEI membrane allows the battery to be stably charged and discharged without further decomposition of the electrolytic solution. The SEI membrane also acts as an ion tunnel through which only lithium ions pass, and prevents cointercalation of the organic solvent (which solvates lithium ions and moves with the lithium ions into the carbon anode), thereby preventing a breakdown of the anode structure.
However, during charging and discharging, the lithium battery is repeatedly subjected to high voltages of 4V or greater. Under such conditions, the SEI membrane (formed of only a polar solvent and a lithium salt) cannot retain the ideal properties described above. That is, the SEI membrane cracks, and thus an insoluble salt precipitates inside and outside of the anode, and gas is generated as the solvent is continuously reduced. Accordingly, the internal pressure of the lithium battery increases and the structure of the lithium battery cracks, making it possible for the electrolytic solution to leak. Furthermore, due to the leaking electrolytic solution, the lithium oxide at the cathode can be exposed to moisture in the air, thereby igniting the lithium battery. In addition, when the battery is frequently exposed to overcharge conditions, the battery becomes overloaded, causing an exothermic reaction to occur therein. When the temperature of the battery is greater than a predetermined temperature, high temperature ignition can occur. Such high temperature ignition is primarily caused by the electrolytic solution.
These problems have been addressed by adding a flame-resistant agent to the electrolytic solution. One such flame-resistant agent is an alkyl phosphoric acid ester ((RO)3P═O). Such phosphoric acid ester compounds have good flame resistance but can be oxidized or reduced depending on the type of anode used. As a result, an excess amount of phosphoric acid ester compound should be used. In particular, when a graphite-based electrode is used as the anode, use of an excessive amount of the compound leads to a substantial decrease in the charge/discharge efficiency of the battery.
Accordingly, there is a need for an organic electrolytic solution having flame resistant properties (self extinguishing properties) and excellent charge/discharge properties which can be used to manufacture a safe and reliable lithium battery.

Organic electrolytic solution and lithium battery using the same


A detonating device includes a high explosive portion comprising high explosive; a low explosive portion comprising low explosive; and a transition portion between the high explosive portion and the low explosive portion, wherein the transition portion comprises a mixture of high explosive and low explosive.

There are many instances where detonation/ignition of explosives is useful in connection with oilfield technology, e.g., propelling and actuating certain tools and devices. Thus, involved in detonation/ignition of explosives there are numerous issues and opportunities for improvement, one of which relates to the detonation of low explosives by way of high explosives, e.g., detonation cord. The present application relates generally to using a high explosive detonation to initiate deflagration of a low explosive.


A twist grip drive handle outrigger device having a locking mechanism for use on a fishing vessel having a first tubular member for holding of an outrigger pole, which is rotatably journaled to a second tubular member that is mounted to a fixed structure. The second tubular member houses a twist grip drive handle assembly that allows manual rotation of the outrigger pole. The driver assembly constructed and arranged to provide an unlocked condition by the twisting of the handle thereby allowing adjustment of the outrigger pole upon rotation of the first tubular member. The rotation of the first tubular member allows for movement of the outrigger pole from a stowage position to a trolling position and vice versa.

While numerous methods of saltwater fishing exist, the use of a boat has many advantages for both the professional and recreational fisherman. For this reason, many boat manufacturers have built vessels directed solely to the art of fishing. Open fishing boats, so defined due to the open area around a center console, are of particular interest since they are capable of high speeds, are economical to operate, and provide a very safe platform from which to fish from.
The use of outriggers are a common fixture on fishing vessels. The open fishing vessel can be made to run extremely fast and are highly maneuverable making them the preferred vessel for most fishing events. Mounting of an outrigger system on a small open fishing vessel is typically performed from the T-top. Most open fishing vessels include the use of the T-top that, as the name implies, is formed from a "T" like structure to provide shade and rain protection for those standing around the console. The T-top does not inhibit operation of the vessel and allows an occupant to walk around the vessel uninhibited in a semi-protected position.
The Assignee of this present invention is the owner of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,738,035; 4,993,346; and 6,769,377 incorporated herein by reference, which teach the use of outriggers for use on fishing vessels having a T-top, half tower, or the like. Current boating designs for high speed fishing vessels ideally allow the placement of outriggers in a stowage position, movable to a trolling position, without interfering with the occupant area. The use of a combination control lever and locking mechanism permits placement of the outrigger by manipulation of the control lever safely within the confines of the vessel.
Fishing with outriggers is performed when a fishing vessel is driven slowly, commonly referred to as trolling, which permits the strategic placement of bait behind the vessel. Trolling allows the fishing vessel to cover large areas of water so as to increase the chance of catching fish. The quantity and spacing of the bait placed behind the vessel is generally proportional to the size of the vessel, as well as the success of the fishing expedition. If the bait is properly placed, the wake generated by the vessel can be made to appear like a school of fish. Bait that appears to be struggling or separated are most attractive to predator fish.
The positioning of bait behind a vessel would be limited to the width of the vessel but for the use of the outriggers. Most open fishing vessels have a beam less than ten feet and trolling with more than two fishing lines behind such as vessel provides very little distance between the baits and limits the ability to place bait outside of the boat wake. Further, more than two lines behind a narrow beam vessel severely limit vessel maneuvering. Even a gradual turn may cause bait lines to cross and become entangled. In addition, closely positioned baits can become entangled during a fish strike.
The use of outriggers provides a means for effectively widening the spacing of the bait, as well as adding additional bait/lines without fear of tangling of the lines. An outrigger is basically a long pole having a proximal end coupled to the vessel and a distal end that can be rotated from a stowage position outboard to a trolling position. A positioning line is drawn along the length of the outrigger pole wherein release clips secured to the positioning line are used to secure the fishing pole line at a desired location. When a fish strikes the bait, the release clip disengages the fishing line from the positioning line, and the fisherman is free to reel in the fish without interference. Proper placement of the outrigger pole and fishing line increases the chances of fish being drawn to the bait.
For example, by use of two fifteen foot outriggers, a vessel with a ten foot beam may extend the distances between bait, effectively covering a thirty foot spread behind the vessel. However, having outrigger poles extend from each side of a vessel during non-fishing times has obvious drawbacks. For this reason, outriggers must be stowable to allow for normal traveling and docking. The outriggers are typically stored within the vertical plane of the vessel, the vertical plane defined by the side walls of the vessel. In operation, the outrigger is swung laterally outward to a deployed position for fishing purposes. Typically, each outrigger pole may be ten to thirty feet long, longer poles are cable trussed to prevent excessive flexing.
Mounting outriggers to open fishing vessels presents numerous problems, mainly due to the stability of a narrow beam boat in open water, as well as the operational speeds that the open fishing vessels are capable of. A basic requirement is the safety of the vessel occupants, wherein an operator of the outrigger can be rotated while the occupant remains in the safety of the vessel, preferably while standing next to the console, beneath the T-top. Associated with this safety aspect is the need for a locking mechanism capable of withstanding the large cantilever forces presented by the outrigger arrangement. For instance, a fifteen foot outrigger secured to a T-top has a distal end cantilevered from the base. When the vessel is placed in an ocean environment, it is not uncommon for the vessel to be subjected to large sea swells wherein the twisting force of the outrigger pole places an enormous strain on the base of the outrigger. If the outrigger's sole source of outrigger pole positioning is the locking mechanism, the locking mechanism must be able to withstand the entire force presented by the cantilevered configuration.
Accordingly, what is lacking in the art is an outrigger positioner that allows for rotational movement of an outrigger pole by use of a drive handle assembly that is in a normally locked position and must be un-locked and twisted to allow movement of the outrigger pole.

Locking twist grip drive handle outrigger positioner


A system (100) and method (900) for developing an athlete (82) through the exchange of data (400) between a user (80) and the system (100). The system (100) can iteratively prompt users (80) to provide the inputs (410) that the system (100) uses to create the outputs (460) used to develop an athlete (82). The system (100) can utilize a wide range of data (400) relating to different skill areas (550) within different development categories (500).

The invention relates generally to the systems and methods for processing data. More specifically, the invention is a system and method (collectively, the "system") for processing data to facilitate the development of athletes.
While there is a growing awareness that athletes and particularly young athletes can greatly benefit from a systematic process for developing their abilities, there are a significant lack of options for doing so. No athlete development program currently exists that brings together performance psychology, personal development, and team leadership. The prior art does not offer an approach that integrates these elements in providing an interactive tool that can be used in conjunction with a highly prescriptive skills development process. It would be desirable for athletes to systematically at strengthening key performance areas using such a system.
The system is described in greater detail below in the Summary of the Invention section.

System and method for developing athletes


Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems of storing data in storage volumes while ensuring data matching between the storage volumes. In one embodiment, a system for storing data comprises a first storage area to store data, a second storage area to store data, a first storage control unit configured to control the first storage area, and a second storage control unit configured to control the second storage area. In response to a first write request issued to write data in the first storage area, the first storage control unit is configured to write data associated with the first write request to the first storage area and to transfer the first write request to the second storage control unit, and the second storage control unit is configured to write the data associated with the first write request to the second storage area. In response to a second write request issued to write data in the second storage area, the second storage control unit is configured to transfer the second write request to the first storage control unit.

The present invention relates to a plurality of storage systems, in each of which a pair of storage volumes are formed, thereby multiplexing data. More particularly, the present invention relates to a technique for accepting access requests from both of a main host computer and a sub-host computer while data matching is kept between those storage volumes.
In each of the storage systems developed in recent years, many of storage control units and/or storage volumes connected to such storage control units are dualized so that such processings as online jobs, etc. that have been executed in those systems are restored quickly from troubles and/or disasters that might occur in them. If such a dualized configuration is taken for a part or the whole of a storage system, it will also be effective for maintenance works of the system.
One of the methods for forming each storage volume in such a dual configuration is to connect each of two storage control units connected to two host computers to a main volume or subvolume. When the main host computer writes data in the main volume, the storage control unit copies the data from the main volume to the subvolume. The state between the main volume and the subvolume after such a copy operation is referred to a paired state. The sub-host computer cannot access any subvolume in such a paired state. Such a method is disclosed in JP-A No. 273242/2001
Conventionally, it has been impossible for a sub-host computer to access to any paired storage volume until the paired state is reset. In other words, the sub-host computer cannot access any storage volume while the storage volume is in a paired state.

Storage system with data redundancy between storage volumes


A plug connection comprises a first plug having a seal and a second plug configured for fitting in an opening in a partition wall. The second plug is mateable with the first plug such that the seal substantially surrounds the opening in the partition wall. A clamping device is provided on the first plug and is configured for drawing the first plug into engagement with the second plug. The clamping device engages with the second plug at a connection region. The connection region is provided with a sealing member configured to seal the connection region between the clamping device and the second plug.

With a known generic plug of the type shown, for example, in published international patent application WO 2004/047234 A1, two plugs are clamped to one another with a partition wall therebetween by a slideable clamping device which is displaceable for clamping the two plugs in a direction substantially transverse to a direction of a passage through the partition wall. Guide rails convert the pushing force into a clamping force.
However, this known clamping device is accompanied by the problem that moisture can penetrate at joints between the clamping device and the plugs, which can lead to failure of the plug connection.

Sealed plug connection through a partition wall and method of fitting


A field emitter array comprises a plurality of cathode electrodes and an anode electrode disposed opposite to the plurality of cathode electrodes. And the anode electrode is provided with a plurality of protrusions having a cap material disposed on the tip of each protrusion. A voltage below a designated value is applied between a gate electrode and the cathode electrodes, and electrons are released only from a cathode electrode with a low emission start voltage. When the electrons are emitted to the cap material provided on the protrusions, the cap material is sputtering-evaporated and is affixed to the cathode electrode. Then a cap is disposed on the each of the cathode electrodes. Then, the emission properties between each cathode electrode are consequently rendered uniform, thereby increasing the emission start voltage and maximum applied voltage of the overall field emitter array.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a field emitter array comprising a plurality of cathode electrodes and to a manufacturing method and driving method of the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional field emitters have been disclosed by C. A. Spindt et. al in J.A. Vol. P47 pp. 5248-5263 (1976) and H. F. Gray et. al in IEDM 86 pp. 776-779 (1986).
When a field emitter is used as an electron gun for a CRT display or as a electron source for a TWT (traveling wave tube), an electron beam with a large emission volume and a narrow emission spread is required. In the above conventional field emitters, a field emitter array comprising a plurality of cathode electrodes is employed to obtain this type of electron beam.
As shown in FIG. 1, this conventional field emitter array consists of a substrate 4, an insulating film 5 having a plurality of gate holes 3 formed on the substrate 4, a gate electrode 2 formed on the insulating film 5, a plurality of cathode electrodes 1 formed on the substrate 4 in each of the gate holes 3 for emitting electrons and an anode electrode 11 formed opposite to the cathode electrodes 1 for receiving electrons emitted from the cathode electrodes 1.
When a positive voltage above a predetermined value is applied to the cathode electrode 1, an electron 6 is released from near the tip of the conical cathode electrode 1. Emission properties such as the volume of electrons 6 emitted at a fixed voltage and the minimum voltage at which electrons 6 are allowed to emit depend on the shape of the cathode electrode 1, the distance between the gate electrode 2 and the cathode electrode 1, the size of the gate hole 3 of the gate electrode 2 and such like. An emitted electron 6 is radiated to an anode electrode 11 provided opposite to the cathode electrodes 1.
In the above-mentioned conventional field emitter array comprising a plurality of cathode electrodes, the emission properties of the cathode electrode vary due to the variations in the size of the gate holes, the distance between the gate electrode and the cathode electrode and the shape of the tip of the cathode electrode. Consequently, the upper threshold applied voltage, that is, the maximum value of the voltage which can be applied between the gate electrode and the cathode electrode, varies. If a voltage exceeding the upper threshold applied voltage is applied between the gate electrode and the cathode electrode, it causes an electrical short between the two electrodes to thereby destroy the field emitter array. If the applied voltage of the field emitter array is made equal to the cathode electrode which has the lowest applicable voltage in order to avoid this, there have been the problems that the overall current density of the field emitter array is not sufficiently high and a large volume of emission can not be obtained.

Field emitter array with cap material on anode electrode


A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for creating traffic information for a specialized type of vehicle. The method may include receiving initial driving information for a generic type of vehicle along a planned traffic route. The generic type of vehicle travels along the planned traffic route in larger numbers than the specialized type of vehicle. The method further includes determining an adjustment to the initial driving information for the specialized type of vehicle along the planned traffic route. The method further includes creating a specialized driving information based on the initial driving information and the adjustment that was determined. The method still further includes providing the specialized driving information relating to the planned traffic route for the specialized type of vehicle. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also provided.

Navigation systems often use a compilation of data from various individual vehicles, both past and present, in order to predict traffic conditions and travel times for future routes. The information is gathered from various types of vehicle, but is typically most accurate for the most common vehicles on the road. Often specialized vehicles, such as mopeds, scooters, or the like, have vastly different travel times than an automobile, truck or other full size vehicles along the same route. However, due to the relatively small number of specialized vehicles, this difference in travel time is not generally taken into account. Indeed, many specialized vehicles are not represented on the road in sufficient numbers to obtain reliable data to create traffic information tailored to those vehicles.

Method, apparatus, and computer program product for creating traffic information for specialized vehicle types


Aspects of the disclosure relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus may include a set of power detectors configured to generate a set of analog signals related to a set of output signal power levels of a set of transmit chains of a transmitter, respectively; an analog summer; a set of switching devices configured to send a selected one or more of the set of analog signals to the analog summer, and substantially isolated unselected one or more of the set of power detectors from the analog summer, wherein the analog summer is configured to generate a cumulative analog signal based on a sum of the selected one or more of the set of analog signals; an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to generate a digital signal based on the cumulative analog signal; and a controller configured to control the set of switching devices.

A wireless communication device typically includes a transceiver or transmitter for transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal to another wireless communication device, such as a base station (BS) or user equipment (UE). For improved transmission gain (as well as receive gain), the transceiver or transmitter is configured with a set of transmit chains coupled to a set of antennas (e.g., an antenna array), respectively. The transmit chains may be configured to achieve beamforming by the antenna array such that the transmission gain in a particular direction is significantly increased, and in other directions are significantly reduced. The direction to which the gain is maximized points substantially to a destination wireless communication device for the transmitted RF signal.
Each of the transmit chain includes a power amplifier (PA) to amplify the power of the transmit signal so that the destination device is able to successfully receive and process the signal. However, the power of the transmit signal at the output of the PA should be below some limit to prevent damage to the PA. Further, there are governmental or other type of regulations that restrict the total output signal power of the transmitter for safety and interference control purposes. Thus, for PA protection and meeting regulatory requirements, the output signal power of a transmitter should be measured and controlled.

Transmitter output signal power measurement apparatus


There is provided a scalable encoding device capable of realizing a bandwidth scalable LSP encoding with high performance by improving the conversion performance from narrow band LSPs to wide band LSPs. The device includes: an autocorrelation coefficient conversion unit (301) for converting the narrow band LSPs of Mn order to an autocorrelation coefficients of Mn order; an inverse lag window unit (302) for applying a window which has an inverse characteristic of a lag window supposed to be applied to the autocorrelation coefficients; an extrapolation unit (303) for extending the order of the autocorrelation coefficients to (Mn+Mi) order by extrapolating the inverse lag windowed autocorrelation coefficients; an up-sample unit (304) for performing an up-sample process in the autocorrelation domain which is equivalent to an up-sample process in a time domain for the autocorrelation coefficients of the (Mn+Mi) order so as to obtain autocorrelation coefficients of Mw order; a lag window unit (305) for applying a lag window to the autocorrelation coefficients of Mw order; and an LSP conversion unit (306) for converting the lag windowed autocorrelation coefficients into LSPs.

There is a need for an encoding scheme that is robust against frame loss in encoding of speech data in speech communication using packets, such as VoIP (Voice over IP). This is because packets on a transmission path are sometimes lost due to congestion or the like in packet communication typified by Internet communication.
As a method for increasing robustness against frame loss, there is an approach of minimizing the influence of the frame loss by, even when one portion of transmission information is lost, carrying out decoding processing from another portion of the transmission information (see Patent Document 1, for example). Patent Document 1 discloses a method of packing encoding information of a core layer and encoding information of enhancement layers into separate packets using scalable encoding and transmitting the packets. As application of packet communication, there is multicast communication (one-to-many communication) using a network in which thick lines (broadband lines) and thin lines (lines having a low transmission rate) are mixed. Scalable encoding is also effective when communication between multiple points is performed on such a non-uniform network, because there is no need to transmit various encoding information for each network when the encoding information has a layer structure corresponding to each network.
For example, as a bandwidth-scalable encoding technique which is based on a CELP scheme that enables high-efficient encoding of speech signals and has scalability in the signal bandwidth (in the frequency axis direction), there is a technique disclosed in Patent Document 2. Patent Document 2 describes an example of the CELP scheme for expressing spectral envelope information of speech signals using an LSP (Line Spectrum Pair) parameter. Here, a quantized LSP parameter (narrowband-encoded LSP) obtained by an encoding section (in a core layer) for narrowband speech is converted into an LSP parameter for wideband speech encoding using the equation (1) below, and the converted LSP parameter is used at an encoding section (in an enhancement layer) for wideband speech, and thereby a band-scalable LSP encoding method is realized.fw(i)=0.5×fn(i) [wherein; i=0, . . . ,Pn−1]=0.0 [wherein; i=Pn, . . . ,Pw−1]  (1)
In the equation, fw(i) is the LSP parameter of ith order in the wideband signal, fn(i) is the LSP parameter of ith order in the narrowband signal, Pn is the LSP analysis order of the narrowband signal, and Pw is the LSP analysis order of the wideband signal.
In Patent Document 2, a case is described as an example where the sampling frequency of the narrowband signal is 8 kHz, the sampling frequency of the wideband signal is 16 kHz, and the wideband LSP analysis order is twice the narrowband LSP analysis order. The conversion from a narrowband LSP to a wideband LSP can therefore be performed using a simple equation expressed in equation (1). However, the position of the LSP parameter of Pn order on the low-order side of the wideband LSP is determined with respect to the entire wideband signal including the LSP parameter of (Pw−Pn) order on the high-order side, and therefore the position does not necessarily correspond to the LSP parameter of Pn order of the narrowband LSP. Therefore, high conversion efficiency (which can also be referred to as predictive accuracy when we consider the wideband LSP to be predicted from the narrowband LSP) cannot be obtained in the conversion expressed in equation (1). The encoding performance of a wideband LSP encoding apparatus designed based on equation (1) bears improvements.
Non-patent Document 1, for example, describes a method of calculating optimum conversion coefficient β(i) for each order as shown in equation (2) below using an algorithm for optimizing the conversion coefficient, instead of setting 0.5 for the conversion coefficient by which the narrowband LSP parameter of the ith order of equation (1) is multiplied.fw—n(i)=α(i)×L(i)+β(i)×fn—n(i)  (2)
In the equation, fw_n(i) is the wideband quantized LSP parameter of the ith order in the nth frame, α(i)×L(i) is the element of the ith order of the vector in which the prediction error signal is quantized (α(i) is the weighting coefficient of the ith order), L(i) is the LSP prediction residual vector, β(i) is the weighting coefficient for the predicted wideband LSP, and fn_n(i) is the narrowband LSP parameter in the nth frame. By optimizing the conversion coefficient in this way, it is possible to realize higher encoding performance with an LSP encoding apparatus which has the same configuration as the one described in Patent Document 2.
According to Non-patent Document 2, for example, the analysis order of the LSP parameter is appropriately about 8th to 10th for a narrowband speech signal in the frequency range of 3 to 4 kHz, and is appropriately about 12th to 16th for a wideband speech signal in the frequency range of 5 to 8 kHz.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-241799    Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 3134817    Non-patent Document 1: K. Koishida et al., "Enhancing MPEG-4 CELP by jointly optimized inter/intra-frame LSP predictors," IEEE Speech Coding Workshop 2000, Proceeding, pp. 90-92, 2000.    Non-patent Document 2: S. Saito and K. Nakata, Foundations of Speech Information Processing, Ohmsha, 30 Nov. 1981, p. 91.

Scalable encoding device and scalable encoding method


Methods and apparatus for transparently managing outbound traffic from an internal user of a private network destined for a public network are disclosed. Embodiments include a firewall device operable between an internal user of a private network and an IP-compliant network. The firewall device being configured to assign a proxy agent to process a request by the internal user to form a connection with a public network element through the IP-compliant network. Disclosed embodiments include the proxy agent forming a connection only if the internal user is authorized to access the public requested network element.

The present invention relates to a system for protecting network elements connected to a public network from access over the public network, and more specifically, to a firewall system for protecting network elements connected to the Internet.
The Internet has experienced, and will continue to experience, explosive growth. As originally designed, the Internet was to provide a means for communicating information between public institutions, particularly universities, in a semi-secure manner to facilitate the transfer of research information. However, with the development and provision of user friendly tools for accessing the Internet, such as the World Wide Web (the Web), the public at large is increasingly turning to the Internet as a source of information and as a means for communicating.
The Internet's success is based, in part, on its support of a wide variety of protocols that allows different computers and computing systems to communicate with each other. All of the Internet-compatible protocols, however, find some basis in the two original Internet protocols: TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and IP (Internet Protocol). Internet protocols operate by breaking up a data stream into data packets. Each data packet includes a data portion and address information. The IP is responsible for transmitting the data packets from the sender to the receiver over a most efficient route. The TCP is responsible for flow management and for ensuring that packet information is correct. None of the protocols currently supported on the Internet, however, provides a great degree of security. This factor has hindered the growth of commercial services on the Internet.
The government, in learning of the Internet's limited transmission security capacity, has resorted to encoding secure messages using complex encryption schemes. The government abandoned consideration of the Internet for high security information, relying instead on privately operated government networks. The general public, without such concerns, has come to increasingly use the Internet. Furthermore, businesses having recognized the increasing public use of, and access to the Internet, have turned to it as a marketing mechanism through which to disseminate information about their products, services and policies.
A popular way for commercial institutions to supply information over the Internet is to establish a homepage on an Internet multi-media service known as the World Wide Web. The World Wide Web ("Web") provides a user-accessible platform that supplies information in text, audio, graphic, and video formats. Each homepage document can contain embedded references to various media. A Web user can interactively browse information by responding to entry prompts nested in a screen within a homepage. Web documents are accessed by using a TCP/IP compatible protocol called HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP). A user logged onto the Internet can access a "Web site" by supplying the Web site's address (e.g., "http://srmc.com"). Entry of such an address establishes a session between the user and the Web site.
Provision of a Web homepage involves establishing a user accessible file at a Web site. The Web site can be established on a computing system on the premises of the business or institution providing the homepage, or by contracting to have the homepage built and supported on the computing facilities of an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The assignee of the present application, Scientific Research Management Corporation (SRMC), is an Internet Service Provider.
Use of a company's computing system for support of a publicly accessible system, such as a Web site, can present a threat to the company's internal systems that share the same computing platform, or are connected to the publicly accessible computing platform. Furthermore, in cases where sensitive information is transmitted over the Internet to a company, such information is usually stored on the same computing system that is used for running the on-line Internet system. For instance, some businesses now publish homepage catalogs offering services and products for sale. A user can select products or services from a homepage catalog in an interactive session. After selecting the desired products or services, the homepage may present a payment screen inviting the user enter credit card information. Handling of such information over a public network such as the Internet, requires some measure of security to prevent the information from being intercepted. However, a more important consideration is maintaining the security of such information once it is received and stored in a computing system that is connected to the Internet.
Most computer crime is not in the form of data interception, but involves a network intruder, or "hacker" entering a publicly-accessible computing system and subverting security systems to access stored information. In the recent past there have been several publicized cases where hackers have stolen proprietary information from purportedly secure computers over the Internet.
In many cases where a publicly accessible application, such as a homepage, is set up on a business or institution's premises, it is grafted onto an existing computing system. The existing system also may contain other computing resources such as data bases, and/or internal network systems that are not intended for public access. Provision of a publicly accessible on-line system, such as a Web server, on such a system can provide a scenario that can be exploited by hackers who may attempt to reach systems beyond the Web server using it, or other systems bundled on the computing platform, as access paths. A company or institution may attempt to protect these surrounding systems by password protecting them, or by concealing them from the public with a system called a firewall.
Password protected systems are well known. However, a password prompt announces the presence of proprietary systems and may be an invitation for a hacker to investigate further. Because password systems are widely known, they are somewhat susceptible to hackers who have developed techniques for cracking, bypassing or subverting them. Using conventional desktop computers, hackers have been known to decipher passwords of reasonable lengths in a very short period of time. Provision of longer passwords may thwart a hacker's attempts, but at the expense of user convenience.
The term "firewall" was coined in the computer network environment to describe a system for isolating an internal network, and/or computers, from access through a public network to which the internal network or computers are attached. The purpose of a firewall is to allow network elements to be attached to, and thereby access, a public network without rendering the network elements susceptible to access from the public network. A successful firewall allows for the network elements to communicate and transact with the public network elements without rendering the network elements susceptible to attack or unauthorized inquiry over the public network. As used herein, the term "network element" can refer to network routers, computers, servers, databases, hosts, modems, or like devices that are typically associated with a computer network.
One technique used by firewalls to protect network elements is known as "packet filtering." A packet filter investigates address information contained in a data packet to determine whether the packet machine, from which the packet originated, is on a list of disallowed addresses. If the address is on the list, the packet is not allowed to pass.
One problem with packet filtering is that when unknown address information is encountered in the filtering check (i.e., the packet's address is not on the list), the packet is usually allowed to pass. This practice of allowing unknown packets to pass is based on an Internet design philosophy that promotes the ease of information transfer. Hence, most firewall systems utilizing packet filtering operate on an "allow to pass unless specifically restricted" basis. This practice is invoked with the perception that the packet will eventually be recognized and appropriately routed down stream of the packet filter. However this practice provides hackers with a means with which to bypass a packet filter.
Hackers have developed a technique known as "source based routing," "packet spoofing," or "IP spoofing" wherein address information within a fabricated packet is manipulated to bypass a packet filter. All network elements that are addressable over the Internet have an address consisting of four octets separated by periods. Each of the octets is an eight bit sequence representing a decimal number between zero and 255. A host computer on the Internet might have an IP address: 184.108.40.206. Source based routing involves a hacker inserting an address of a machine that resides "behind" a firewall into the source address field of a fictitious packet. Such a packet can usually pass through a firewall because most firewalls are transparent to messages that originate from behind the firewall, because the firewall assumes that such messages are inherently valid. To prevent this type of packet spoofing, the packet filter's list of disallowed addresses includes the addresses of elements residing behind the firewall.
Another packet spoofing technique involves setting the "session.sub.—active" bit of a packet. By setting this bit in a packet, a packet filter receiving the packet assumes that a valid session has already been established, and that further packet filtering checks are not necessary, thereby allowing the packet to pass. A spoofed packet having its session.sub.—active bit set can contain an "establish connection" message. Such a packet can be used to establish a session with a machine behind the firewall.
Additional packet filtering techniques involve investigations of data portions of packet to determine whether there are any suspect contents, and or investigations of suspect protocol designations. However, the drawback of these and the aforementioned packet filtering schemes is that, when used in combination, they are cumbersome. This practice impairs the speed with which packet filters do their job.
Conventional firewalls also may use an application gateway, or proxy system. These systems operate on the basis of an application, or a computing platform's operating system (OS), monitoring "ports" receiving incoming connection requests. A port is a numerically designated element contained in the overhead of a packet. A port number indicates the nature of a service associated with a packet. For example, a packet associated with the Telnet service has a port number of 23, and the HTTP service is assigned port number 80. These port number designations are merely industry suggested, a packet containing a port designation of 23 need not necessarily be associated with Telnet services. When the OS or monitoring application receives a request on a particular port, a connection is opened on that port. A program for managing the connection is then initiated, and the firewall starts a gateway application, or proxy, that validates the connection request. However, such a system is vulnerable and inefficient because of the resource intensive nature of the processes involved.
Hackers have been known to inundate a port with large numbers of slightly varying access requests in an attempt to slip a packet by an application gateway or proxy. This method of attack is known as a "denial of service attack." The typical response to such an attack is to have the OS shut down the targeted port for a period of time. This defense response is necessitated by the inefficiency of conventional port processing. The chain of processes associated with monitoring, managing, and verifying port connections is very inefficient. A denial of service attack can unduly burden system resources. Consequently, the conventional defense is to have the OS shut down the port for a period of time. This security technique prevents entry into a system through that port and restores the availability of system resources. However, it also prevents a user behind the firewall from accessing the port that has been shut down. Hence, this security measure is unacceptable.
Another problematic aspect of conventional firewall arrangements, from a security perspective, is the universal practice of combining a firewall with other packages on a same computing system. This arises in two situations. The first is where the firewall package, in and of itself, is a combination of applications. For example, Trusted Information Systems' recently released Gauntlet application is a combination Web server and firewall. The second situation is the aforementioned practice of hosting publicly accessible and/or unrelated services on a same computing platform that supports the firewall. The services sharing the platform with the firewall may include E-mail, Web servers, or even the system that the firewall is set up to protect (e.g., a database). This situation was discussed briefly above with respect to many companies' practice of grafting a firewall application onto their existing computer systems.
The provision of applications on top of, or in addition to, the firewall on a computing system provides a path through which a hacker can get behind the firewall. This is done by using the unrelated applications to attack the firewall, or to directly connect with network elements being protected by the firewall. The firewall may fail to recognize the attack because the application being exploited by the hacker is authorized to communicate through the firewall. In addition, the firewall might not be able to protect against unexpected flank attacks from shared applications because it is set up specifically to monitor requests from a designated publicly accessible application. Alternatively, the shared application may be used to completely bypass the firewall and attack, or directly connect to, a protected network element.
An example of a conventional firewall arrangement is depicted in FIG. 1. A host computer 100 communicates with an institutional computer system 106 over a public network 102 through a router 104. A router is a network element that directs a packet in accordance with address information contained in the packet. The institutional computer system 106 supports a variety of applications including a Web server 108, and an E-mail system 114. A firewall system 110 also is hosted on the institutional computer 106 to protect a port 112 that connects an internal network 116 to the institutional computer system 106. The internal network 116 may support communication between internal terminal(s) 118 and a database 120, possibly containing sensitive information. Such a firewall system 110, however, is subject to attack in many ways.
A hacker operating the host computer 100 can utilize publicly accessible applications on the institutional computer system 106, such as the Web server 108 or the E-mail system 114, to flank attack the firewall system 110 or connect to the internal network port 112. The Web server 108 or the E-mail system 114 may have authority to attach to and communicate through the firewall system 110. The hacker might be able to exploit this by routing packets through, or mimicking these network elements, in order to attach to, attack, or completely bypass the firewall system 110.
Most conventional firewalls are transparent to packets originating from behind the firewall. Hence, the hacker may insert a source address of a valid network element residing behind the firewall 110, such as the terminal 118, to a fictitious packet. Such a packet is usually able to pass through the firewall system 110. Alternatively, the hacker can set the session.sub.—active bit in the fictitious packet to pass through the firewall 110. The packet can be configured to contain a message requesting the establishment of a session with the terminal 118. The terminal 118 typically performs no checking, and assumes that such a session request is legitimate. The terminal 118 acknowledges the request and sends a confirmation message back through the firewall system 110. The ensuing session may appear to be valid to the firewall system 110.
The hacker can also attempt to attach to the port 112. A conventional application gateway system forms a connection to the port before the firewall 110 is invoked to verify the authority of the request. If enough connection requests hit the port 112, it may be locked out for a period of time, denying service to both incoming request from the public network, and more importantly, denying access to the internal network 116 for outgoing messages. It is readily apparent that conventional firewall systems, such as the one depicted in FIG. 1, are unacceptably vulnerable in many ways.
It is readily apparent that the design and implementation of conventional firewalls has rendered them highly vulnerable to hacker attack. What is needed is a true firewall system that overcomes the foregoing disadvantages and is resistant to hacker attack.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for transparently managing outbound traffic from an internal user of a private network destined for a public network


An oxide superconductor lamination member has a base, precious metal plates and an oxide superconductor layer. The precious metal plates and the oxide superconductor layer are successively laminated on the base, and the precious metal plates overlap each other at their ends. Another oxide superconductor lamination member has precious metal bases, and an oxide superconductor layer lamination on the precious metal bases. The precious metal bases overlap each other at their ends. End portions of the precious metal plates (bases) are connected by an adhesive so as to form a lap joint. The lap joint of the precious metal plates (bases) are covered with a precious metal foil.

This invention relates to an oxide superconductor lamination member and a method of manufacturing this member. More particularly, this invention relates to an oxide superconductor lamination member in which precious metal plates and an oxide superconductor layer are successively laminated on a base in such a manner that the precious metal plates overlap each other at their ends, and another oxide superconductor lamination member in which an oxide superconductor layer is laminated on each of precious metal bases and in which the precious metal bases overlap each other at their ends, and to a method of manufacturing these superconductor members.
Recently, oxide superconductors have attracted attention because of their high critical temperature and it is expected that they will be applied in various fields including that of electric power, that of magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and that of magnetic shield. To put oxide superconductors to practical use, instrumental elements or bases may be manufactured from oxide superconductors. On the other hand, a method of forming a layer of an oxide superconductor on an existing conventional base is known.
In a case where an oxide superconductor material is formed on a base, it is necessary to select a material for the base inactive in reaction with the oxide superconductor and having no effect of deteriorating the superconducting characteristics during firing of the oxide superconductor and/or to provide an intermediate inactive material. In addition, in a case where such a base material and/or intermediate inactive material are applied, a specific structure is required in which thermal stresses caused between the base or intermediate inactive material and the oxide superconductor are reduced and/or prevented from concentrating, since the present oxide superconductors are used by being cooled at liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K.).
Some superconductor members have been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-305574 discloses an arrangement in which a stable material such as palladium (Pd), silver (Ag) or gold (Au) which does not react with other superconductor member materials is interposed between a base formed of, e.g., alumina, zirconia or a copper and an Y--Ba--Cu--O superconductor. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-173790 also discloses a superconductor member having a stabilized layer of, e.g., silver (Ag) formed on a Y--Ba--Cu--O superconductor.
In a case where an oxide superconductor is laminated on a precious metal plate such as a silver plate provided as a base or an intermediate layer to form a superconductor member large in size or length, it is necessary to connect several precious metal plates to each other at their ends to form one precious metal plate or precious metal cylinder constituting a base or intermediate layer having a large overall size, because it is difficult to form such as precious metal into the shape of one large plate. Also, in a case where a precious metal is elongated into a tape-like shape, the extent of elongation is limited for a reason in terms of manufacture so long as the metal is integrally formed, and it is necessary to connect end portions of precious metal tapes if a further elongation is required.
In particular, in the case of manufacture of a large cylindrical oxide superconductor member, a thick precious metal base is required and there is therefore the problem of a considerable increase in cost.
A type of oxide superconductor lamination member is therefore advantageous in terms of reduction in manufacture cost, which has a base formed of a material cheaper than precious metals and in which thin precious metal plates and an oxide superconductor layer are successively laminated on the base.
However, since the thickness of these precious metal plates is small and since it is difficult to manufacture one large precious metal plate, it is necessary to manufacture an intermediate layer precious metal plate having a large overall size by disposing several precious metal plates so that these metal plates overlap each other at their ends.
However, if a method of simply superposing end portions of precious metal plates is used or if a precious metal paste, glass, a superconductor material having the same composition as the superconductor layers and/or an inorganic adhesive consisting of a mixture of these materials is only applied to the overlapping or superposed portions, the following drawbacks are encountered. During firing for forming a superconductor layer on the base with a precious metal plate interposed therebetween, superconductor components penetrate through the overlap portions of the precious plates because the viscosity of the superconductor is very small at high temperatures, e.g., firing temperatures of 800.degree. to 1100.degree. C., and they react with an ordinary inorganic adhesive or a base material between the precious metal plates. Compounds produced by this reaction contaminate the superconductor layer so that the superconducting characteristics are considerably impaired. Moreover, the connected portions of the precious metal plates are easy to separate, and, as shown in FIG. 15(a), the thickness of the precious metal intermediate layer in the lap joint of precious metal plates 1, 1' is increased, so that a stepped portion X is formed at the lap-joint end of the precious metal plate on the oxide superconductor layer 3 side. The thickness of the superconductor layer 3 after firing is thereby made non-uniform at this stepped portion. In particular, if the superconductor member is manufactured by a firing process including the step of melting or partially melting the oxide superconductor, the non-uniformity of the thickness of the superconductor layer 3 after firing is considerably increased by the effect of the surface tension of the superconductor melt in the melting step. If the superconductor layer 3 has such a thickness non-uniformity at the stepped portion, the critical current thereof is reduced and stresses concentrate therein when the superconductor member is immersed in liquid nitrogen, resulting in occurrence of a crack 30 in the superconductor layer 3 at the stepped portion X, as shown in FIG. 15(b).


A bicycle head is configured to be mounted on a bicycle frame. The bicycle head includes a vertical tube, a stem, a handlebar, a first brake lever, and a shift control box. One end of the stem is mounted on the vertical tube. The handlebar is fixed to another end of the stem. The first brake lever assembly is mounted on the handlebar. The first brake lever assembly includes a main body, a brake assembly, a shift switch, and a battery. The brake assembly and the battery are disposed on the main body, and the shift switch is disposed on the brake assembly. The shift control box is disposed on one of the vertical tube, the stem, and the handlebar and electrically connected to the battery and the shift switch.

In recent years, road bikes, mountain bikes and other types of bicycles are all popular in the market, and it motivates bicycle manufacturers to pay more attention on improving their products.
A bicycle can equip an electronic shifting system using an electrical signal to drive a derailleur of the bicycle. In general, there is a shift switch disposed on a brake lever assembly of the bicycle, and the shift switch is electrically connected to a control box disposed on the bicycle head. When the shift switch is activated, the shift signal is produced and transmitted to the control box, then the control box transmits the shift signal to the derailleur for shifting the derailleur. A battery is required to provide electricity for the control box to transmit the shift signal, and the battery is commonly disposed inside the control box. However, the size of the control box is difficult to be reduced due to the arrangement of the battery inside the control box, causing the control box to adversely affecting the appearance of the bicycle. Also, the control box of larger size may interfere with the operation of the handlebar. Therefore, how to reduce the size of the control box is one of the crucial topics in this field.

Bicycle head and bicycle shift control box


This invention reduces the size of the solenoid section of the control valve and simplifies its mechanism. In particular, the invention is intended to enable the control of a variable capacity compressor. In the differential pressure section B.sub.1, a path is formed between a compressor's P.sub.c pressure introducing port 15c and a suction side. In this path a P.sub.c valve disc 17 is installed which engages with or disengages from a valve seat 15e.sub.2 formed in the path on the suction side of a valve opening 15e.sub.1. The P.sub.c valve disc 17 is urged by an adjust spring 20 to close the valve opening. In the solenoid proportional control section B.sub.2, a plunger chamber R.sub.3 is formed which has a P.sub.d pressure introducing port 15g. A plunger 24 is movably installed in the plunger chamber R.sub.3 and is fitted with a connecting rod 25, which passes through a through-hole 15d.sub.1 in the solenoid proportional control section B.sub.2, the P.sub.c pressure introducing port 15c and the valve opening 15e.sub.1 to contact the P.sub.c valve disc 17. A plunger spring 26, which has greater spring force than the adjust spring 20, is installed in opposition to the adjust spring 20. In the plunger chamber R.sub.3 is installed a P.sub.d valve disc 27which opens and closes the through-hole 15d.sub.1 as the plunger 24 moves in the plunger chamber R.sub.3.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a solenoid type control valve used mainly on variable-capacity compressors of air conditioners for vehicles.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In FIG. 6 (Japanese Patent Preliminary Publication No. Showa 62-247186), a plurality of cylinders b and crank chambers c are formed in a compressor a. In the compressor, the cylinders are communicated through a valve plate e, which has a suction valve mechanism and a delivery valve mechanism, to a delivery chamber d and an annular suction chamber s.
In each cylinder b is installed a piston f, which is slidable therein and is connected through a piston rod i to a wobble plate h that is mounted on a drive shaft g driven by the engine. The delivery chamber d and the suction chamber s are connected to an external cooling circuit via a delivery port and a suction port.
As a pressure difference .DELTA.p (i.e. P.sub.c -P.sub.s) between the pressure P.sub.c in the crank chamber c and the pressure Ps in the suction chamber s increases, the stroke of the piston f becomes smaller, reducing the inclination angle of the wobble plate h and therefore the compressing capacity. Conversely, when the pressure difference .DELTA.p decreases, the stroke of the piston f increases, increasing the inclination angle of the wobble plate h and therefore the compressing capacity.
An air supply path p.sub.1 is formed to supply a high-pressure gas in the delivery chamber d to the crank chamber c. In the air supply path p.sub.1 is installed an external capacity control valve v.sub.1, which consists of a solenoid valve. To feed back, from the crank chamber c to the suction chamber s, gases bleeding from the compressing chamber in the cylinder b to the crank chamber c or gases supplied from the delivery chamber d to the crank chamber c through the air supply path p.sub.1, an air bleeder path p.sub.2 is formed between the crank chamber c and the suction chamber s. The air bleeder path p.sub.2 is adjusted in its opening degree by a self-capacity control valve v.sub.2.
When, during the startup of the compressor, the temperature in the vehicle to be cooled is high or the cooling load is high, the suction pressure P.sub.s is higher than a setting value P.sub.s0, causing the external capacity control valve v.sub.1 to be closed shutting off the air supply path p.sub.1. Since the crank chamber pressure P.sub.c is higher than the setting value P.sub.c0, the self-capacity control valve v.sub.2 is opened to open the air bleeder path p.sub.2. The pressure difference .DELTA.p between the crank chamber pressure P.sub.c and the suction pressure P.sub.s is kept smaller than the setting value .DELTA.p.sub.0. As a result, the piston f is reciprocated in the maximum stroke with the wobble plate h at a large inclination angle, performing the full-compressing capacity operation.
After this, as the compression operation proceeds, the suction pressure P.sub.s and the crank chamber pressure P.sub.c gradually decreases. When the crank chamber pressure P.sub.c reaches the setting value P.sub.c0, the self-capacity control valve v.sub.2 is closed to stop the gas flow from the crank chamber c to the suction chamber s.
As the temperature in the car lowers reducing the cooling load and the suction pressure P.sub.s becomes lower than the setting value P.sub.s0, the external capacity control valve v.sub.1 is opened, supplying the high-pressure gas from the delivery chamber d to the crank chamber c through the air supply path p.sub.1. This results in an increase in the crank chamber pressure P.sub.c, increasing the pressure difference .DELTA.p. This in turn reduces the stroke of the piston f, inclining the wobble plate h in a direction that reduces the compressing capacity.

Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho


A tamper resistant device can be used for an integrated circuit card. The device includes memory storing a first security domain that includes a telecommunication profile and a second security domain that includes an application profile. A first physical interface is configured to be coupled to a baseband processor configured to operate with a mobile telecommunications network. A second physical interface configured to be coupled to an application processor. The first physical interface configured to allow the baseband processor to access the telecommunication profile and the second physical interface is configured to allow the application processor to access the application profile. The tamper resistant device is configured to enable accessibility to the application profile if corresponding commands are received at the first interface and to enable accessibility to the telecommunication profile if corresponding commands are received at the second interface.

Due to new requirements of miniaturization and robustness, the industry has developed an evolution of the traditional SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards called "embedded UICC" (Universal Integrated Circuit Card). This evolution envisages that the SIM card is soldered (or in any case made hardly accessible) in the hosting device that can be a mobile phone, a modem, a board inserted in a device, etc.
Soldering presents distinct advantages such as the possibility of reducing the size of the SIM device and hence of the modem, the improvement of the robustness of the contacts (soldered contacts are typically more reliable than interfaces between replaceable components), the increased antitheft protection.
On the other hand, soldering a SIM (or making it hardly accessible) introduces new requirements and issues that need to be addressed. Because the SIM is not replaceable, means should be available to allow the operator change. Specific operations (such as device repairing), that today are typically performed after the SIM removal, require a way to disable the SIM card.
To address the above requirements, the industry has defined a new technological standard called "embedded UICC" or "Remote SIM provisioning."
The basic concepts of the new technological standard are the following:
one entity is defined to allow the download/enable/delete of profiles (for instance the Issuer Secure Domain Root ISD-R, see for instance "Remote Provisioning Architecture for Embedded UICC, Technical Specification, Version 1.0, 17 Dec. 2013"),
the UICC may contain several mobile network operator subscriptions;
each operator subscription is represented by a "profile";
every profile may be seen as a container; the container is managed by a security domain (for instance the Issuer Secure Domain Profile ISD-P).
Thus the profile of a eUICC contains telecommunication credential issued by a certain Mobile Network Operator (MNO), fully representing such operator in containing all the information necessary to access the corresponding mobile network.
The eUICC is a tamper resistant device or platform (i.e., a device that cannot be fraudulently altered and that would be destroyed in case of unauthorized data accessed). For platform or computing platform is intended the environment in which piece of software are executed, which may include for instance the hardware alone or also the operating system or other elements such as the API, e.g., the components with which the code of the software is executed.
Another tamper resistant device, more specifically a tamper resistant hardware platform, typically present in a high end mobile phone is the so-called Secure element. The Secure element is a different device with respect to the eUICC in that it is managed directly by the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). The Secure Element contains payment applications and credentials to allow payments over the NFC (Near Field Communication) link of an electronic device containing such NFC link, e.g., a NFC transceiver.
The Secure Element may contain user information managed by the OEM (like the user fingerprint or the user PIN, etc.).
The Secure Element is therefore similar to a eUICC, being a tamper resistant device which is used in an electronic device, e.g. a mobile terminal, to store sensitive data to access services, e.g. payment services or telecommunication services, but it does not provide the telecommunication services, i.e. does not contain a telecommunication file system or applications) and it is not managed by the MNO environment, it is managed by the OEM directly instead.
As mentioned, the embedded Secure Element and the eUICC can be both present in an electronic device.
In this context, FIG. 1 shows a possible architecture of an electronic device 10, such as a mobile device, e.g. a smartphone or a tablet.
Generally, the electronic device 11 such a mobile phone comprises an application processor 12 and a baseband processor 13. A SPI (Serial Parallel Interface) interface 17 is provided configured to exchange signals between the application processor 12 and an embedded Secure Element (eSE) device. In this case the electronic device 10 includes an embedded Secure Element 14 comprising at least an application profile, specifically a secure element profile, which is implemented by a hardware tamper resistant platform, e.g. a secure microcontroller, 11. The embedded Secure Element 14 is coupled then to a NFC controller 16 by a SWP (Single Wire Protocol) connection 19a.
Also a baseband processor 13 which may operate under the control of the application processor 12 is provided. A ISO (International Standards Organization) interface 18 is provided configured to exchange signals between the baseband processor 13 and an embedded UICC, or eUICC. In this case the device 10 includes an eUICC 15 comprising at least a telecommunication profile Pj, e.g. a profile according to the Profile Package standard with credentials to access a mobile communications network. The profile may include authentication credentials, an applet with a respective Toolkit Application Reference and OTA (Over The Air) module. The eUICC 15 is implemented in a further hardware tamper resistant platform, i.e. a hardware device 11. The eUICC 15 may be coupled then to the NFC controller 16 through a SWP (Single Wire Protocol) connection 19b.
The application processor 12 as mentioned interacts directly with the embedded Secure Element 14, but may interact indirectly, through the baseband processor 13, with the eUICC 15. If an embedded Secure Element 14 is present, typically the eUICC SWP 19b is disabled.
The embedded Secure Element and the eUICC presents many common aspects. With reference to the layer diagram of FIG. 2 showing ISO layers for both the embedded Secure Element 14 and the eUICC 15, at the hardware layer HL is implemented usually through the same hardware device 11 or similar hardware devices, for instance the ST33G1M2 secure microcontroller. In variant embodiments for the embedded Secure Element 14 the hardware protocol used may be I2C or SPI and ISO T=0 or ISO T=1 are simulated over I2C/SPI. A same level of security is provided within such hardware context. Then at the operating system level, OL, a Java Card System platform JCS is usually used in both devices 14, 15, as well as the Global Platform at a API level APL.
More in detail, e.g. a Java Card System JCS is executed by the operating system, which manages and runs applets, i.e. applications using the APIs (Application Programming Interface) provided by the Java Card System JCS.
For example, the Java Card System JCS for the eUICC comprises usually a SIM and/or USIM API which manages the basic Subscriber Identity Module commands and provides functions to higher level SIM or USIM applets. This technology is well known to those skilled in the art, rendering a more detailed description herein superfluous.
Often the Java Card System JCS comprises the GlobalPlatform module GP according to the "GlobalPlatform Card specification", e.g. version 2.2.1. Also this standard is well known to those skilled in the art, rendering a more detailed description herein superfluous. Basically, the GP module provides features such as user authentication through secure channels, or the installation and remote management of the applets. The above mentioned API functions may then be used by applets, such as the SIM or USIM applet, a basic applet B_APP and/or a secure applet S_APP. In particular in the eUICC a profile manager is preferably provided in the API layer.
Then for the Secure Element 14 payment applications in corresponding application profiles S1, S2 (the generic application being indicated with S1) are provided at the application level AL, while for the eUICC 15 a telecommunication operating system TO in an OAL layer is provided over the API layer APL, e.g. GlobalPlatform, including telecommunication SIM or USIM mechanisms, and above, at application level AL, telecommunication profiles P1, P2 (the generic profile being indicated with Pj) supplied by the MNO with the so called Remote Provisioning are provided.
Thus electronic mobile devices such as a smartphone or a tablet may contain in addition to the eUICC, other platforms for other services, with an increase of the hardware in the mobile devices and of the related costs.

Tamper resistant device for an integrated circuit card


A method for use by a multi-mode, dual band mobile terminal (10) for identifying a presence of a GSM1900 carrier that is channelized into first channels having a bandwidth of 200 kHz, and for distinguishing the GSM1900 carrier from at least a TDMA1900 carrier that is channelized into second channels having a bandwidth of 30 kHz. The method includes steps of (a) tuning a receiver (16) to a frequency of a candidate GSM1900 channel; (b) determining a value of a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) using a 200 kHz receiver passband filter; (c) if the RSSI value is above a predetermined threshold, converting the frequency of the candidate GSM1900 channel into a frequency of a TDMA1900 channel using a predetermined relationship; (d) retuning the receiver to the frequency of the TDMA1900 channel; (e) determining a RSSI value using a 30 kHz receiver passband filter for the TDMA1900 channel, and also for at least two adjacent TDMA1900 channels, assuming that two adjacent TDMA1900 channels are not used together in a same cell; and, if the at least three RSSI values are all found to be approximately equal within some threshold value, (f) making at least an initial assumption of the presence of the GSM1900 carrier. A further step can be executed of verifying that the assumed GSM1900 carrier is not actually a CDMA1900 carrier. The method has an initial step of camping on a channel of a carrier in another frequency band (e.g., a TDMA800 channel), and the steps of tuning and retuning are executed without changing a baseband clock frequency from a frequency associated with the channel that the mobile terminal is camped on.

This invention relates in general to the field of mobile terminals, such as cellular telephones, and more particularly relates to multi-mode, dual band mobile terminals.
One conventional dual band, multi-mode mobile terminal contains two receivers, one for GSM1900 (Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), 1900 MHz) service and one for AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS), 800 MHz) service. In addition to operating in different frequency bands, these system also typically exhibit different channel bandwidths and spacings. For example, TDMA1900 and AMPS channels have a width of 30 kHz, while GSM1900 employs a 200 kHz channel width.
Recently some network providers have expressed an interest providing a Digital AMPS (DAMPS) plus GSM1900 mobile terminal. As can be appreciated, due to cost and size constraints it would be very desirable to provide but a single receiver in the mobile terminal, as opposed to two separate receivers (one for each band of interest).
A single receiver mobile terminal would normally contain only one crystal oscillator, and as a result only one system-specific baseband (BB) clock can be derived at any given time (typically by using a phase locked loop (PLL)). If the mobile terminal happens to be camped on a low priority network, it must search periodically search for a higher priority network. Since, for example, the GSM1900 and DAMPS networks cannot communicate their presence to the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal must be able to search for the higher priority network itself. However, the mobile terminal does not know a priori which channels are TDMA1900, CDMA1900 or GSM1900 channels. If the mobile terminal must then periodically change its BB clock frequency when searching for other (higher priority) channels, then synchronization is lost to the current channel on which the mobile station is camped. Since this channel will normally be a channel on which the mobile terminal receives pages, which inform the mobile terminal of the presence of an incoming call, it is possible that the mobile terminal can miss incoming calls when searching for other networks. This is obviously an undesirable situation from both the user""s and the network operator""s point of view.
It is noted that one might consider using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) frequency spectrum analysis or filtering method to search for a desired carrier. However, this method is not desirable since the location of the 30 kHz carriers can vary within the 200 kHz window.
It is a first object and advantage of this invention to provide a technique that enables a mobile terminal to identify and distinguish transmissions from different wireless services, without having to retune a baseband clock that is used to receive pages.
It is another object and advantage of this invention to provide a multi-mode, dual band mobile terminal having an ability to recognize and distinguish, by example, a GSM1900 channel from a TDMA1900 channel or a CDMA1900 channel, without having to use the GSM1900-specific baseband clock, thereby reducing unnecessary baseband clock changes and a number of missed pages from a currently serving system.
It is a further object and advantage of this invention to provide a multi-mode, dual band mobile terminal having an ability to recognize and distinguish, by example, a CDMA800 carrier from a TDMA800/AMPS carrier.
The foregoing and other problems are overcome and the objects and advantages of the invention are realized by methods and apparatus in accordance with embodiments of this invention.
This invention teaches a technique to identify and distinguish, for example, a GSM1900 carrier from a TDMA1900 or a CDMA1900 carrier, without requiring a change to the system-specific BB clock frequency. The use of this invention thus aids in avoiding unnecessary BB clock frequency changes. The mobile terminal constructed and operated in accordance with this invention accomplishes this important function by selectively filtering and then measuring received signal levels.
A specific method is disclosed for identifying a GSM1900 channel with an AMPS/TDMA800/TDMA1900/GSM1900 dual band, quadruple mode mobile terminal when operating in the 800 MHz band in the AMPS or the TDMA800 mode. In this method the mobile terminal measures Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) levels in a candidate GSM1900 MHz channel through a 30 kHz bandpass filter, and a 200 kHz bandwidth GSM1900 channel is identified if the RSSI values of at least three adjacent 30 kHz channel measurements are sufficiently close together.
An underlying assumption made by the teachings of this invention is that, in accordance with typical network design practice, adjacent 30 kHz TDMA1900 channels are not used in the same cell. As such, if the mobile terminal finds sufficiently large RSSI values in at least three adjacent 30 kHz channels, the presence of TDMA1900 channels is unlikely, and instead a wider bandwidth 200 kHz GSM1900 channel may be present.
An important benefit that results from the practice of the teachings of this invention is that the mobile terminal is enabled to recognize and distinguish a GSM1900 carrier from a TDMA1900 or a CDMA1900 carrier, without requiring a change in the system-specific baseband clock frequency. Similarly, a TDMA800/AMPS carrier can be distinguished from a CDMA800 carrier (1.23 MHz bandwidth). By the use of this method the mobile terminal is enabled to reduce unnecessary baseband clock frequency changes, and thus reduces the chance that a page will be missed during a search for another network.
The method in accordance with this invention employs a technique based on a frequency spectrum analysis, and exploits to advantage the fact that the GSM1900 channel width is 200 kHz, that the TDMA800/AMPS/TDMA1900 channel width is 30 kHz, and that the CDMA800 channel width is 1.23 MHz.
This invention thus provide a method for use by a multi-mode, dual band mobile terminal for identifying a presence of a GSM1900 carrier that is channelized into first channels having a bandwidth of 200 kHz, and for distinguishing the GSM1900 carrier from at least a TDMA1900 carrier that is channelized into second channels having a bandwidth of 30 kHz. The method includes steps of (a) tuning a receiver to a frequency of a candidate GSM1900 channel; (b) determining a value of a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) using a 200 kHz receiver passband filter; (c) if the RSSI value is above a predetermined threshold, converting the frequency of the candidate GSM1900 channel into a frequency of a TDMA1900 channel using a predetermined relationship; (d) retuning the receiver to the frequency of the TDMA1900 channel; (e) determining a RSSI value using a 30 kHz receiver passband filter for the TDMA1900 channel, and also for at least two adjacent TDMA1900 channels, assuming that two adjacent TDMA1900 channels are not used together in a same cell; and, if the at least three RSSI values are all found to be approximately equal within some threshold value, (f) making at least an initial assumption of the presence of the GSM1900 carrier. A further step can be executed of verifying that the assumed GSM1900 carrier is not actually a CDMA1900 carrier.
The method has an initial step of camping on a channel of a carrier in another frequency band (e.g., a TDMA800 channel), and the steps of tuning and retuning are executed without changing a baseband clock frequency from a frequency associated with the channel that the mobile terminal is camped on.

Mobile terminal employing 30kHz/200kHz carrier identification


A method for selecting a radiation shaping filter is disclosed, which modifies the spatial distribution of the intensity and/or the spectrum of x-rays of an x-ray source of an imaging system. In an embodiment, anatomical measurement data of an object under examination is recorded, from which with the aid of the imaging system image data is created. The radiation shaping filter is selected automatically on the basis of the recorded anatomical measurement data of the object under examination. An imaging system, in which a radiation shaping filter is selected, is further disclosed.

A diaphragm is usually fitted between an x-ray source and the object under examination in x-ray imaging systems, especially in computed tomography systems, which initially defines the aperture of an x-ray bundle and the shape of a surface illuminated by the x-rays. A radiation shaping filter is frequently disposed after this diaphragm in the beam path of the x-rays, which can additionally change the x-rays in their intensity spatially or also spectrally. This generally involves planar filters which the entire x-ray beam (typically delimited by the diaphragm) passes through, without the filter in such cases having to have openings through which the x-rays could pass unchanged. Typically these filters are constructed of aluminum or Teflon.
For manipulation and further modification of the spectral or also spatial intensity distribution of the x-rays, different types of radiation shaping filters, such as so-called wedge filters or also bowtie filters (i.e. filters which additionally focus or widen out the x-rays with convex or concave-shaped surfaces, typically similar to the shape of a bowtie) are used, which can be inserted individually or in a combination of a number of radiation shaping filters into the beam path of the x-rays between an x-ray source and an object under examination. The intensity of x-rays can for example be reduced with the aid of a wedge filter transverse to the direction of propagation of the x-rays by a continuous attenuation value. The intensity minimum in such cases usually lies at the edge of an x-ray bundle used (delimited by the diaphragm). With the aid of a different filter type, such as the bowtie filter mentioned, at least local extremes of the x-ray intensity can be defined within the x-ray bundle for example.
There is also the possibility of defining the size or extent of the irradiated area or the areas of one or more radiation extremes. I.e. along with different types of radiation shaping filters there is also the possibility of selecting between different radiation shaping filters of the same type. For example, with filters of the same type, a choice can be made between "narrow filters" which spatially reduce the irradiated area, or "wide filters" and "very wide" filters, which might possibly expand the irradiated area or the area of an intensity extreme.
In addition it is likewise conceivable for the radiation shaping filter to especially influence the spectrum of the x-rays used (i.e. the spectral intensity distribution of the x-rays changes during its passage through the filter). For example in a spatial area determined by the filter the spectrum of the x-rays can be hardened, i.e. an intensity maximum of the x-rays is changed to smaller wavelengths. Likewise the spectrum of the x-rays might possibly be set softer with the aid of the filter in the predetermined spatial area (i.e. an intensity maximum is changed towards larger wavelengths).
The operator of an x-ray imaging system charged with taking an x-ray thus has the choice between a plurality of filters and their combination, in order to optimize the process of taking the x-ray. On the one hand the optimization can consist of guaranteeing the image quality of an image provided and on the other hand also of keeping the radiation load imposed on an object under examination when obtaining the image as low as possible. A corresponding optimization is largely based in such cases on the experience of the operator.
In the optimum case, for each use of the imaging system in respect of these optimization targets a suitable scan or examination protocol (i.e. a sequence of control steps) is stored, on the basis of which the imaging in the imaging system is controlled and which may possibly predetermine a radiation shaping filter to be used. If a scan protocol is not available for the application concerned, this must first be created based on the specialized knowledge of the operator. An optimum choice of radiation shaping filter in such cases may possibly not be guaranteed. Furthermore the assignment of radiation shaping filters to specific protocols is complex and hampers a simplification of the operation of an x-ray imaging system.


A fault location system (FLS) for a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable network. The FLS comprises an interactive map, a datastore, an object generator, and a display server. The datastore receives identifying information and status information of customer premises equipment (CPE) units connected to the HFC cable network. The object generator associates the identifying information and the status of CPE units with an object and further associates graphical attributes with the object. The display server graphically displays the object on the interactive map at location coordinates indicative of the street address, and graphically displays the object according to its graphical attributes. When used with a processor, the FLS applies algorithms to non-responsive CPE units selected from the interactive map to identify possible common sources of a fault.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed generally to cable network fault location and more specifically to a system and method for displaying the location of non-responding set top boxes (STBs) and cable modems (CMs) graphically, relative to the location of cable network components.
Cable networks deliver voice, data, and video to subscribers over a complex network of headends, regional data centers, hubs, and nodes. At the upstream terminus of the network is the headend and regional data center. Typically, a head end comprises the analog and digital video signal processors, video on demand systems, and other video content management devices. A regional data center comprises digital service management devices (e-mail servers, DNS, and Internet connectivity) and routers that interconnect the regional data center with a headend. A hub receives the video and data signals from the headend and regional data center, processes these signals through appropriate modulators, and sends these signals downstream to a hub. The hub provides the signals to a node that is ultimately associated with individual subscribers. A node provides an interface between the fiber-based component of the HFC cable network and the RF/cable component of the network that is the transport media to the home.
In a commercial network, a headend may service multiple hubs and a hub may service multiple nodes. A regional data center may provide digital services to multiple headends. From a node to the home, the RF/cable component of the HFC cable network may branch numerous times. Amplifiers, line extenders, and passive devices are employed to maintain signal quality across all branches (or "cascades") serviced by the node.
FIG. 1 illustrates typical prior art cable system architecture. A headend 100 comprises a network control system 102 that handles set-top provisioning, system management and interactive session set-up, a video signal processor 104 that handles content acquisition and delivery, 256 QAM Modulators 111 that generate modulated RF streams of digital video signals, a high speed data interface 106, and a billing system 107.
Headend 100 communicates with hub 108. Hub 108 comprises a cable modem termination system 110, a 256 QAM modulator 112 for downstream data traffic, a QPSK modulator for downstream Out-of-Band Data traffic 114, and a QPSK demodulator 116 for upstream Out-of-Band Data traffic. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a hub may comprise multiple instances of each device illustrated in FIG. 1.
Hub 108 communicates with nodes 120A, 120B and 120C. Nodes 120 provide an interface between the fiber-based transport medium of the cable network (between the headend 100 and upstream side of nodes 120) and the coax-based medium (between the downstream side of nodes 120 and the taps 145). The downstream side of node 120B is further illustrated as connecting to trunk amplifier 1 125 which in turn is connected to trunk amplifier 2 130. The serial path from node 120B through trunk amplifier 1 125 to trunk amplifier 2 130 is referred to as a cascade relative to node 120B. Trunk amplifier 1 125 has three branches that are cascades relative to trunk amplifier 1 125 and sub-cascades relative to node 120B.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, FIG. 1 is a greatly simplified schematic of cable network architecture. A hub typically serves 20,000 subscribers. A typical hub supports from 50 to 100 nodes with each node capable of serving 250 to 2000 subscribers. In order to maintain signal quality and quality of service commitments, trunk amplifiers maintain high signal quality. Internal trunk modules in the trunk amplifiers boost signals for delivery to subscribers' homes. Line Extender amplifiers maintain the high signal levels in cascades after the trunk amplifiers, through the neighborhoods. Taps divide out small amounts of signal for connection to the homes. Nominal cascade limits are up to 4 trunk amplifiers followed by up to 3 line extenders, with more in very rural areas. In suburban areas, cascades typically comprise 2 trunk and 2 line extenders. Because branching is unlimited, the total device count per node may be large despite short cascades.
At the downstream end of the network is the customer premises equipment (CPE). Referring again to FIG. 1, tap 145 connects a set top box (STB) 150 and a cable modem (CM) 155 to the HFC cable network via drop 147. The CPE receives content from a headend or regional data center and provides access to it by a subscriber. For example, video programming is delivered to STB 150 and high speed data services are delivered to CM 155.
The complexity of cable networks makes network fault isolation and maintenance a challenging task. The task can be partitioned into four stages:                determining that a failure has occurred or is imminent;        determining what has failed;        determining where in the network the failure is likely to be; and        determining what equipment is required to remedy, or prevent, the failure.
A failure in any of the system components that provide services will ultimately cause subscribers to complain. However, relying on subscriber complaints to identify network faults is not only bad for business but, in many situations, too imprecise to be helpful. Further, customer complaints represent the existence of a problem rather than forecast that a problem is developing. Reliance on such data alone for network fault isolation and maintenance precludes proactive responses by the cable operator.
Structural and procedural concepts for isolating and correcting faults in network components and CPE have been disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/040,391, filed Jan. 21, 2005, for "A Fault Isolation System And Method;" in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/069,155, filed Mar. 1, 2005, for "An Early Warning Fault Identification And Isolation System For A Two-Way Cable Network;" in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/069,156, filed Mar. 1, 2005, for "A Fault Detection And Isolation System For An HFC Cable Network And Method Therefor;" and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/069,080 filed Mar. 1, 2005 for "A System And Method For Identifying And Isolating Faults In A Video On Demand Provisioning System." The Ser. No. 11/040,391, the Ser. No. 11/069,155, the Ser. No. 11/069,156 and the Ser. No. 11/069,080 applications are incorporated herein in their entirety for all purposes.
Having determined that a problem in an HFC cable network has occurred, it is important to provide information to those responsible for taking remedial action as to the location of the fault and its possible causes. In particular, when field personnel are dispatched to correct problems affecting CPE, it would be very useful to understand the location of network components (hardware and transmission media) relative to the affected CPE. Typically, location information is provided in the form of printed address lists or maps.
What would be useful would be an interactive, computer-based fault management tool comprising an interactive map having data layers reflective of the street location of CPE relative to components of the physical plant (fiber, coax, and network devices). Such a fault management tool would display information relating to the state of a CPE unit and the state of a component of the physical plant. Additionally, the fault management tool would apply algorithms to fault data to identify possible common sources of a fault.

System and method for locating faults in a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable network


A system and method for cleaning tapered towers such wind turbine towers. A semicircular member hugs the tower surface. A plurality of nozzles affixed to the semicircular member sprays high pressure cleaning fluid on the tower surface as the semicircular member is raised and lowered. The spray nozzles are kept at a constant distance from the tower surface by a plurality of wheels affixed to the semicircular member. At least one constricting structure is used to force the plurality of wheels to be in constant contact with the tower surface. The constricting structure can be a spring loaded scissor apparatus and/or a bungee cord with rolling beads. A brush can be optionally added to the semicircular member to aid in cleaning.

1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field)
The presently claimed invention relates to washing systems and more particularly to washing tapered towers such as wind towers.
2. Background Art
Due to ever increasing costs and pollution caused by fossil fuels, there has been a surge in alternative or renewable energy sources. One is the use of wind energy to produce electricity. This involves the use of giant wind turbines that are driven by large blade assemblies. The turbines and blade assemblies are mounted on wind towers. Typically these wind towers are several hundred feet tall with a large base and tapered to the top of the tower. The turbines are filled with oil, which typically leaks onto the tower. In addition, the towers are subjected to all types of weather conditions, which affect the appearance of the towers. Presently, washing or cleaning of wind towers is done manually with cleaning personnel riding on cherry pickers or raised platforms using brushes or high-powered liquid washing sprayers to perform cleaning operations. These methods are dangerous because the personnel are working several hundred feet from the ground and inefficient because of the amount of time needed to move the basket of the cherry picker or the platform. A system is needed whereby a wind tower can be cleaned without endangering cleaning personnel by lifting or hoisting them on the tower. The preferred system is a method and apparatus that performs the cleaning operation, while the cleaning personnel remain on the ground surface, and it washes the wind towers as effectively as the aforementioned prior art systems.

Wind turbine tower washing apparatus and method