A Viterbi decoder includes an ACS unit that performs state metric updates for every symbol cycle. State metric updates involve adding the state metrics corresponding to a likely input symbol to the respective branch matrix, comparing the results of the additions to determine which is smaller, and selecting the smaller result for the next state metric. The ACS unit includes two parallel adders followed by a parallel comparator that generates a multiplexer-select signal. The outputs of the parallel adders are input into a multiplexer and the multiplexer-select signal is input into the multiplexer for a decision.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to add-compare-select circuits, and more specifically to fast bit-parallel add-compare-select circuits for Viterbi decoders.
2. Background of the Related Art
Viterbi decoders are used in a wide range of communications and data storage applications, and are known to be the performance-limiting units in wireless DSP cores. The add-compare-select (ACS) circuit of the Viterbi decoder generally sets the performance of the unit. Thus, the overall speed of a Viterbi decoder is largely determined by the ACS computation time.

Fast bit-parallel Viterbi decoder add-compare-select circuit


A personal computer, wherein a setup processing is performed to select a display mode, either a normal-display mode or a reverse-display mode, and also to select one of the external devices such as a printer and an external floppy disk drive. Also, a display auto-off mode and a display auto-off period are set during the setup processing. A period is measured during which no data is input from a keyboard. When the measured time value exceeds the display auto-off period, the supplement of power to the back light is stopped automatically.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a personal computer which is portable and is capable of being driven by a built-in battery, and more particularly to a personal computer having a setup processing function, which has means for selecting and setting normal/reverse display and external units such as a floppy disk drive, a printer and the like, and which is adapted for an arrangement where a display section is provided having a specific function section such as a back light which necessitates a relatively large power.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a variety of portable, internal-battery-operable personal computers have been developed. Each of these computers has means for selecting and setting a normal/reverse display mode and external devices connected to the computer, from a view point of operability and functionality. In a prior art, the selecting/setting means is realized by manual switches which are arranged on the main body of the computer and positioned such that the operator can easily operate them. For this reason, a conventional personal computer is provided with many switches, resulting in complicated operations and hardware arrangement.
Furthermore, this type of personal computer must be operated not only with an AC adapter but by a built-in battery in order to ensure the usability irrespective of a place where it is used.
In order to satisfy such demand, a back-lit liquid crystal display (LCD) may be used. However, as is well known in the art, a back-lit LCD consumes a relatively large amount of power. Therefore, it is difficult to use the personal computer for a long time with only the use of a normal built-in battery. On the contrary, if a large-capacity built-in battery is used in order to satisfy this requirement, a weight of the built-in battery is increased, resulting in a decreased convenience of portability.

Personal computer for setting, in a software setup operation normal/reverse display, connection of an external device, and an automatic display off function


A flow control apparatus having a flow monitoring system capable of detecting and identifying flow present within the administration feeding set loaded to the flow control apparatus is disclosed. The flow control apparatus comprises a single sensor capable of detecting the presence or absence of fluid in the administration feeding set. A software subsystem may be operatively associated with the single sensor that is capable of identifying between upstream and downstream flow conditions present within the administration feeding set loaded to the flow control apparatus.

Administering fluids containing medicine or nutrition to a patient is generally well known in the art. Typically, fluid is delivered to the patient by an administration feeding set loaded to a flow control apparatus, such as a pump, connected to a source of fluid which delivers fluid to a patient.
A flow control apparatus of the prior art may also be capable of monitoring and detecting fluid flow conditions that can occur within the loaded administration feeding set during operation of the flow control apparatus. Generally, prior art flow monitoring systems that are capable of monitoring and detecting flow conditions may rely on separate sensors being placed at the upstream and downstream sides of the administration feeding set in order to distinguish between an upstream or a downstream flow condition.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved flow control apparatus having a flow monitoring system capable of identifying between an upstream flow condition and a downstream flow condition using a single sensor, thereby making it possible to monitor the flow of the fluid and recognize any problem that has occurred in the delivery of the fluid.

Flow monitoring system for a flow control apparatus


An uplink synchronization method and an apparatus are provided. The method includes: sending, by a network device, a timing advance command to a communications device, where the timing advance command includes a timing advance TA reference value, and the TA reference value corresponds to a carrier in a timing advance group TAG; determining, by the communications device, a TA offset of the carrier based on carrier information of the carrier; and adjusting, by the communications device, an uplink transmission timing of the carrier based on the TA reference value and the TA offset of the carrier.

In a wireless communications system, a signal is transmitted through an air interface path, and there is a delay before the signal arrives at a receive end. In the wireless communications system, a specified frame structure is used for transmission. For uplink (from a terminal to a network-side transmission point) transmission, a plurality of terminals have different transmission delays due to different paths during uplink transmission. To achieve a consistent timing relationship between a transmit end and a receive end to avoid interference between uplink transmission from different terminals in one cell, the transmit end needs to have a timing advance (TA). FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of uplink synchronization. As shown in FIG. 1, to enable a base station to receive uplink transmission at a T0 moment, a terminal 1 needs to send uplink transmission according to a TA1, and a terminal 2 needs to send uplink transmission according to a TA2. In this way, the base station can receive both the uplink transmission from the terminal 1 and the uplink transmission from the terminal 2 at the T0 moment.
There is also a relationship between a TA and a duplex mode of a carrier. Using a long term evolution (LTE) system as an example, a TA offset (TA offset) is further configured for a time division duplex (TDD) carrier. In this case, for the TDD carrier, an absolute time of an uplink timing advance is a product of the uplink timing advance (namely, NTA+NTA offset) and a time granularity unit Ts. In other words, the uplink timing advance includes two parts: One part is a TA reference value NTA, and the other part is the TA offset NTA offset. In both LTE and NR, a plurality of timing advance groups (TAG) are supported. In LTE, TA reference values of carriers in each TAG are the same, and TA offsets of all the carriers in each TAG are also the same.
However, in an NR system, TA reference values of carriers in each TAG are the same, but carriers in one TAG may correspond to different TA offsets. Therefore, in the NR system, a problem of uplink out-of-synchronization between different terminals needs to be resolved when the carriers correspond to different TA offsets.

Uplink synchronization method, and apparatus


A plurality of memory devices can be erase block tagged in parallel by issuing an erase pulse to memory devices that do not have memory blocks with erase block latches that indicate the block is erased. The status of the memory block is read after the erase pulse. If there are blocks remaining to be erased, erase block tag patterns are generated. Each memory block at a particular sector address has a unique erase block tag pattern to set the erase block latch for that particular memory block. The patterns are transmitted in parallel to the memory devices in a data burst.

Memory devices are typically provided as internal, semiconductor, integrated circuits in computers or other electronic devices. There are many different types of memory including random-access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), and flash memory.
Memory devices are typically tested as part of the manufacturing process. This decreases the number of bad parts leaving a manufacturer's facility. As memory devices become more complicated and more densely manufactured, testing per die takes a longer period of time. When this time is multiplied by the large number of dies to be tested, the testing process turns into a significant portion of the manufacturing process. This adds cost to an integrated circuit that is typically being sold at a small profit margin.
Memory devices presently have indicators written to them when they have been erased in order to let a tester know that a particular block on a particular die has been erased. This is referred to in the art as tagging the block. This is accomplished by writing to an individual block on a per die basis. Since each block is typically a megabyte in size and a die may have hundreds of blocks, tagging each die on each block may take a considerable amount of time.
For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for a more expeditious way to tag erasure of a memory block.

Multiple erase block tagging in a flash memory device


A gravel packing screen with an inflow control device and a bypass. A well screen includes a flow restricting device for restricting inward flow through the screen, and a bypass device for increasing a proportion of the inward flow which passes through the flow restricting device, the bypass device including a material which swells in response to contact between the material and fluid in a well. A method of gravel packing a well includes installing a screen in the well, the screen including a flow restricting device which restricts flow through the screen, and a bypass device for selectively permitting relatively unrestricted flow through the screen; and actuating the bypass device in response to contact between a material of the bypass device and fluid in the well, thereby increasingly restricting flow through the screen. Flow through the flow restricting device and flow through the bypass device may be in parallel.

The present invention relates generally to equipment utilized and operations performed in conjunction with a subterranean well and, in an embodiment described herein, more particularly provides a gravel packing screen with an inflow control device and a bypass.
Although some wells can be completed with sand control screens for controlling sand production, many wells are benefited by additionally having a gravel pack placed around the screens. Furthermore, some well completions are benefited by having flow restrictors, such as inflow control devices, integral to the screens to restrict the flow of produced fluid through the screens. In some cases, the inflow control devices may variably restrict the fluid flow, and may have the capability to respond to changed downhole conditions and/or be remotely controlled (e.g., "intelligent" inflow control devices). Very long horizontal open hole completions can benefit substantially from the use of inflow control devices in screens.
In spite of these facts, few (if any) wells have been completed with a screen having an integral inflow control device and with a gravel pack installed about the screen. This may be due to the fact that the presence of the inflow control device integral to the screen would impair or prevent the successful placement of the gravel pack around the screen when using conventional slurry pumping techniques, since the inflow control device significantly restricts the available flow rate through the screen during the gravel packing operation. Conventional slurry pumping techniques require a much greater flow rate through the screen at certain points in the gravel packing operation than is practically possible with the inflow control device in place.
Therefore, it may be seen that improvements are needed in the arts of well screen construction and gravel packing. It is among the objects of the present invention to provide such improvements.

Gravel packing screen with inflow control device and bypass


A control system provides secure transmission of programs, including at least one of video, audio, and data, between a service provider and a customer's set top unit over a digital network. Program bearing data packets are recieved in a first network protocol over a first data link and removed from the first network protocol. Packets representing a particular program requested by a customer having a set top unit are selected. Conditional access is provided to the selected program. In particular, program bearing packets are encrypted according to a first encryption algorithm using a first key, which is then encrypted according to a second encryption algorithm using a second key. The first keys are transported in packets to the customer's set top units along with the program packets. A public key cryptographic technique encrypts the second key such that the public key used in the encryption corresponds to the private key of the customer's set top unit. After the conditional access layers have been added, the packets are encapsulated and output in a second network protocol destined for the set top unit.

Recent advances in digital signal processing techniques and, in particular, advancements in digital compression techniques, have led to an abundance of proposals for providing new digital services to the customer's home via existing telephone and coaxial cable lines. For example, proposals have been made to provide hundreds of CATV channels to customers by compressing digital video, transmitting the compressed digital video over conventional coaxial CATV cables, and then decompressing the video at the customer's set top unit. Another proposed application of this technology is a "movie on demand" video system in which a customer communicates directly with a video service provider via the telephone lines or coaxial CATV cables to request a particular video program from a video library, and the requested video program is routed to the caller's home via the telephone lines or via the coaxial CATV cables for immediate viewing.
Such an exemplary system typically has three distinct segments: (1) a service provider (SP), which provides the video, audio, interactive games and the like (collectively referred to hereinafter as "programs") to the system; (2) a customer, who purchases the programs from the service provider; and, (3) a network operator, which provides a transmission path or connection between the SP and the customer for delivery of the programs. A layer of complexity is added to the operation and design of the system if the network operator is defined as a telephone company by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In such a case, the network operator is subject to regulation under the jurisdiction of the FCC. The system will then be further categorized into Level 1 services (L1) and Level 2 services (L2). Level 1 services provide the information session connection and define the portion of the system responsible for setting up and maintaining interactive communication sessions between customers and SPs. Level 1 services are provided by the network operator and are regulated by the FCC. Level 2 services, on the other hand, define the portion of the system responsible for providing the programs requested to the L1 portion of the system from the SP and for terminating the service at the customer end of the network. A provider of Level 2 services is defined by the FCC as an enhanced services provider and is not regulated by the FCC. Significantly, these FCC regulations limit the control a Level 1 services provider may have over Level 2 services.
In a Level 1/Level 2 system, which is under the jurisdiction of the FCC, the SP resides in Level 2 and the control that the SP can exercise over Level 1 services is restricted. However, in any system where a SP is delivering programs to a customer over a network, the SP has a need to prevent the unauthorized access to the programs provided to the customer. For example, a nonsubscriber may attempt to illegitimately receive the programs intended for the use of paying subscribers. This protection of programs through the prevention of unauthorized access is referred to as "conditional access." As used herein the terms "conditional access" and "conditional access layer" broadly refer to the control mechanisms, data structures and commands that provide for selective access or denial of specific services. Prior art systems have provided conditional access by encrypting the programs at the SP site and decrypting the programs at the customer site.
For example, Lee et al., U.S. Pat. No. Re. 33,189, discloses a system using an encryption mechanism for providing conditional access in a satellite television system and is hereby incorporated by reference. In Lee, a program is scrambled at a SP site using a frequently changing random number. The random numbers are encrypted with a key and broadcast along with the program to customer sites. Customers who have paid receive the key, encrypted with the unique ID that is embedded in their set top unit (STU). These customers' STUs can decrypt the key using the unique ID embedded therein. The customers' STU can then decrypt the encrypted random numbers, as they are broadcast, and use the random numbers, along with the key, to decrypt the program. As noted above, the key in the Lee invention must be securely transmitted; otherwise, an unauthorized user could get access to the key and gain access to the broadcast programs. Lee protects the key by using the unique ID of the STU to encrypt it. Such a technique works fine in a broadcast environment where there is a single broadcaster to multiple users. In that environment, the broadcaster can take adequate measures to protect the list of valid customer STU IDs. However, in a telephone architecture regulated by the FCC, as described above, multiple service providers (i.e., broadcasters) must have access to the multiple users. In such an environment, the list of unique STU IDs is vulnerable to discovery by unauthorized parties, and the security of the system may be breached. Additionally the Lee system is appropriate for a broadcast environment in which the SPs have the only reasonable means to address the STUs. Therefore, the system is not susceptible to compromise by unauthorized users addressing the STUs. However, in a digital network environment where STUs are uniquely addressable, and multiple SPs have access to multiple STUs, an unauthorized user could put information on the network addressed to individual STUs and thereby compromise the system. Applicants have recognized that a conditional access system in a digital network environment must have a mechanism that allows the STU to authenticate the identity of the SP. Thus, applicants have recognized that an improved encryption technique is needed.
Moreover, while encryption has provided conditional access, the problem of where to perform the conditional access in an FCC regulated system remains unresolved. Applicants have recognized that a solution that performs the conditional access within the L1 portion of the system is unnecessarily complicated by FCC regulation.
Applicants have recognized that conditional access should be performed while a program is still in control of the Level 2 service provider, i.e., before it is delivered to the L1 portion of the system. Access to the program and vital conditional access information can be closely controlled by a service provider. Unfortunately, the file server equipment currently available to service providers does not provide the necessary functionality to perform conditional access before a program is output from the file server. As a result, there is a need for method and apparatus to provide conditional access to a program after it exits a file server, but before it enters the L1 portion of the system.
The problem is complicated further when considered in the context of a typical digital network environment. In such an environment it is expected that the SPs will store programs on file servers in the form of Moving Picture Expert Group (MPEG-2) Systems transport packets, as defined in MPEG-2 Systems International Standards Reference (ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 N0801, November 1994, ISO Reference No. 13818-1), which is hereby incorporated by reference. Importantly, although the MPEG-2 Systems International Standards Reference does not standardize on a particular method of conditional access, it does contemplate the addition of conditional access to the MPEG-2 transport packets. Thus, to conform to the MPEG-2 standard, it is necessary that conditional access be added to programs at the MPEG-2 transport packet layer rather than at a higher network protocol layer. However, when a program leaves a service provider's file server, it will not be in a convenient format for applying conditional access. Rather, the program, in the form of MPEG-2 transport packets, will leave the file server enveloped in a first network protocol. Additionally, in some applications, the packets may then need to be re-mapped into a second network protocol to conform to the network protocol provided by the network operator. Thus, in this context there is a need for method and apparatus for removing the MPEG-2 transport packets of a particular program from a first network protocol, providing conditional access to the MPEG-2 transport packets, and then mapping the MPEG-2 transport packets back into the first network protocol or into a second network protocol.

Method and apparatus for providing conditional access in connection-oriented, interactive networks with a multiplicity of service providers


The invention relates to the use of agents that bind the complement protein C5 in the treatment of diseases associated with inappropriate complement activation, and in particular in the treatment of myasthenia gravis.

The complement system is an essential part of the body's natural defence mechanism against foreign invasion and is also involved in the inflammatory process. More than 30 proteins in serum and at the cell surface are involved in complement system function and regulation. Recently it has become apparent that, as well as the ˜35 known components of the complement system which may be associated with both beneficial and pathological processes, the complement system itself interacts with at least 85 biological pathways with functions as diverse as angiogenesis, platelet activation, glucose metabolism and spermatogenesis (Mastellos, D., et al., Clin Immunol, 2005. 115(3): p. 225-35).
The complement system is activated by the presence of foreign antigens. Three activation pathways exist: (1) the classical pathway which is activated by IgM and IgG complexes or by recognition of carbohydrates; (2) the alternative pathway which is activated by non-self surfaces (lacking specific regulatory molecules) and by bacterial endotoxins; and (3) the lectin pathway which is activated by binding of manna-binding lectin (MBL) to mannose residues on the surface of a pathogen. The three pathways comprise parallel cascades of events that result in the production of complement activation through the formation of similar C3 and C5 convertases on cell surfaces resulting in the release of acute mediators of inflammation (C3a and C5a) and formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC). The parallel cascades involved in the classical and alternative pathways are shown in FIG. 1.
Complement can be activated inappropriately under certain circumstances leading to undesirable local tissue destruction. Inappropriate complement activation has been shown to play a role in a wide variety of diseases and disorders including acute pancreatitis, Alzheimer's disease, allergic encephalomyelitis, allotransplatation, asthma, adult respiratory distress syndrome, burn injuries, Crohn's disease, glomerulonephritis, haemolytic anaemia, haemodialysis, hereditary angioedema, ischaemia reperfusion injuries, multiple system organ failure, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, septic shock, systemic lupus erythematosus, stroke, vascular leak syndrome, transplantation rejection and inappropriate immune response in cardiopulmonary bypass operations. Inappropriate activation of the complement system has thus been a target for therapeutic intervention for many years and numerous complement inhibitors targeting different parts of the complement cascade are under development for therapeutic use.
In ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction, the body recognises the dead tissue in the brain or heart as foreign and activates complement so causing further local damage. Similarly in cardiopulmonary bypass operations, the body recognises the plastic surfaces in the machine as foreign, activates complement and can result in vascular damage. In autoimmune diseases, the body may wrongly recognise itself as foreign and activate complement with local tissue damage (e.g. joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis and muscle weakness in myasthenia gravis).
Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune disease that results in progressive fatigue, loss of muscle tone and increasing paralysis. These symptoms are caused by inappropriate activation of complement resulting in an immune response directed against the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AchR) which leads, in turn, to reduced neuromuscular transmission. Myasthenia gravis may occur in association with other diseases such as a thymic tumor or thyrotoxicosis, as well as with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus.
There is currently no cure for myasthenia gravis. The disease is usually treated initially using anticholinesterase agents, such as neostigmine bromide (Prostigmin) and pyridostigmine bromide (Mestinon), which help improve neuromuscular transmission and increase muscle strength. Treatment with anticholinesterase agents is, however, associated with adverse side effects caused from acetylcholine accumulation including gastrointestinal complaints and increased bronchial and oral secretions. In addition, although anticholinesterase agents often provide symptomatic benefit, they do not influence the course of the disease. Patients who do not respond to anticholinerterase agents may also be treated with long-term immunosuppressive drugs such as the cortocosteroid prednisone, or other immunosuppressant drugs such as cyclosporine, azathioprine and cyclophosphamide. These immunosuppressant drugs are, however, associated with serious side effect. Corticosteroids side effects include weight gain, osteoporosis, hypertension and glaucoma. Azathioprine and cyclosporine are associated with liver dysfunction and an increased risk of malignancy. In some cases, thymectomy is recommended as an alternative to drugs but the response is unpredictable and symptoms of the disease may continue for months or years after surgery.
Experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) may be induced in animal models by immunisation with purified AChR or anti-AChR antibodies and these models are useful in assessing the effect of complement inhibitors on the progression of the disease. The complement inhibitor soluble complement receptor 1 (sCR1) has been shown to delay weight loss and reduce clinical signs of EAMG, suggesting that this molecule may be useful in the treatment for myasthenia gravis (Piddlesden et al, J. Neuroimmunol., 1996, 71: 173-177). However, daily injections of sCR1 were required to achieve these effects and, although sCR1 reduced weight loss, it did not completely prevent it. sCR1 does not therefore completely prevent the symptoms of myasthenia gravis.
Furthermore, sCR1 acts by binding early products of the complement cascade, C3b and C4b. The complement system plays an important and valuable role in defence against pathogens and many of the early by-products of the cascade are important in the recognition and opsonisation of pathogenic organisms. For this reason, therapeutic intervention in the earlier stages of the classical and alternative pathways is considered to carry the risk of increased susceptibility to microbial infection (Roos, A., et al., Immunobiology, 2002, 205(4-5): p. 595-609).
There is thus a great need for agents that improve upon the currently available treatments for myasthenia gravis.


A computer-implemented method for tracking changes to a volume is disclosed. The method may comprise: 1) identifying a first snapshot of a volume, 2) identifying a window within which the first snapshot was created, the window beginning with a first point known to have occurred before the first snapshot and ending with a second point known to have occurred after the first snapshot, 3) identifying at least one change to the volume that occurred within the window, and 4) associating the at least one change that occurred within the window with both the first snapshot and a second snapshot created after the first snapshot. Corresponding systems and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Some conventional methods for backing up data may involve creating a backup based on a snapshot of one or more volumes of a computing system. For example, a conventional, volume-based backup program may create a base (or full) backup of a volume based on an initial snapshot of the volume. When blocks of the volume change, the conventional, volume-based backup program may create an incremental backup of the volume (as opposed to an additional full backup) by: 1) taking a new snapshot, 2) identifying each block (e.g., each sector or cluster) of the volume that has changed since the last snapshot, and then 3) capturing each of the changed blocks.
In some situations, developers of a backup program may wish to integrate their program with one or more third-party snapshot providers in order to leverage specialized features or advantages offered by the third-party snapshot provider. For example, developers of a software-based backup program may wish to utilize and support snapshots provided by hardware-based and off-host snapshot providers in order to take advantage of the performance benefits offered by hardware-based and off-host snapshots.
Unfortunately, conventional backup programs may be unable to utilize or fully support third-party snapshots since conventional backup programs are typically unable to identify the exact point when a third-party snapshot is created. For example, because many third-party snapshot providers (such as hardware-based and off-host snapshot providers) do not track or identify the blocks of a volume that have changed since the creation of a prior snapshot, conventional backup programs are typically unable to create incremental backups from third-party snapshots. As such, conventional volume-based backup programs may only be able to utilize and support creating full backups (as opposed to incremental backups) from snapshots provided by third-party snapshot providers.

Systems and methods for tracking changes to a volume


Disclosed is a mobile telephone terminal provided with a main housing having an antenna unit, a speaker unit, a LCD, a key array including a plurality of keys, and a microphone unit, and comprising (a) the main housing including a front end and at least one side end, and (b) a replaceable sub-housing including a front end, a first wing and a second wing extended from both side surfaces of the front end in the longitudinal direction, and an accommodation area disposed between the front end and the first and second wings, wherein the replaceable sub-housing surrounds a designated area of the main housing and is attached to and detached from the main housing in the longitudinal direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile telephone terminal, and more particularly to an interchangeable mobile telephone terminal provided with a replaceable sub-housing, thereby being used as a flip-type terminal and a bar-type terminal.
2. Description of the Related Art
Usually, mobile telephone terminals, also referred to as portable units, communicate with a counterpart mobile terminal via wireless communication with a base station, such as voice communication, picture communication, data transmission, etc. That is, the mobile telephone terminals provide a wireless communication service to users via wireless communication with the base station. These conventional mobile telephone terminals are divided into several types according to their functions, external shapes, and wearing locations.
The mobile telephone terminals may be divided into bar-type terminals, flip-type terminals, and folder-type terminals, according to their shapes. Further, the mobile telephone terminals may be divided into telephone terminals for voice communication, telephone terminals for picture communication, and telephone terminals for Internet communication, according to their functions. Moreover, the mobile telephone terminals may be divided into necklace-type terminals, wristlet-type terminals, etc., according to their wearing locations.
Among the aforementioned various types of mobile telephone terminals, individual configurations of the types of the mobile telephone terminals according to their shapes are described. The bar-type mobile telephone terminal comprises a bar-type housing, a data transmitting and receiving unit, and a data input and output unit. Herein, the data transmitting and receiving unit, and the data input and output unit are installed on the bar-type housing. The flip-type mobile telephone terminal comprises a bar-type housing and a flip. Herein, the flip is connected to the bar-type housing by a hinge unit, thereby being opened from and closed into the bar-type housing. The flip serves to protect a plurality of keys arranged on the bar-type housing and as a sound reflector. The folder-type mobile telephone terminal comprises a main housing, a folder, and a hinge unit for rotatably connecting the folder to the main housing. Further, the folder-type mobile telephone terminal comprises a data transmitting and receiving unit and a data input and output unit, which are installed on designated areas of the folder and the main housing.
The aforementioned bar-type, folder-type, and flip-type mobile telephone terminals are selected in accordance with users' preferences and inclinations. That is, the mobile telephone terminals are selected according to users' age, gender, country, or region. When a user purchases a conventional bar-type mobile telephone terminal, the user has no option but to keep the bar-type mobile telephone terminal and cannot change the external shape of the mobile telephone terminal, thereby causing the user to become bored with the bar-type mobile telephone terminal. As a result, in order to solve this problem, the user needs to additionally purchase a different type of mobile telephone terminal, thereby imposing a heavy economic burden on the user.

Replaceable sub-housing and interchangeable mobile telephone terminal using the same to be used both as flip-type terminal and bar-type terminal


An apparatus including a bias voltage generator and one or more cascode drivers. Each of the one or more cascode drivers may include a plurality of cascode transistors. The bias voltage generator may control the cascode bias voltages provided to the cascode transistors based on a plurality of programmable control bits received by the bias voltage generator. The received plurality of programmable control bits may include a first set of programmable control bits, which may be used to control the magnitude of the cascode bias voltages, and a second set of programmable control bits, which may be used to control the stability of the cascode bias voltages.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to driver circuits and, more particularly, to a cascode driver circuit with gate oxide protection.
2. Description of the Related Art
Drivers are electronic circuits that are typically used to control other circuits or components. A cascode driver is a specific type of driver that includes transistors at the output of the driver arranged in a cascode configuration. Various cascode driver designs include a structure where the main supply voltage of the circuit is higher than the gate oxide voltage tolerance of the cascode driver transistors. To protect the gate oxide of the cascode transistors, the driver circuitry is typically designed such that the cascode bias voltage provided to the transistors is maintained at half the supply voltage. This type of driver design may result in a non-linear driver, which does not make use of the current carrying capability of the driver, and usually takes up a significant amount of space.

Cascode driver with gate oxide protection


The present disclosure provides a display module and a display device. The display module includes: a substrate in which the substrate includes a first surface and a second surface that are arranged to face each other, and a plurality of side surfaces simultaneously connected to the first surface and the second surface; a display layer arranged on the first surface of the substrate; and a protection structure arranged at a connection position between two adjacent sides of the plurality of side surfaces of the substrate.

Electrophoretic display mainly includes a thin film transistor substrate (TFT), an electronic ink film (EINK Film) and a protective film. The electronic ink film is located between the thin film transistor substrate and the protective film. In order to achieve the sealing of the electronic ink film, for example, a sealant is usually used to seal between the protective film and the thin film transistor substrate. However, the thin film transistor substrate located at the lower layer is usually made of a glass material, so it is prone to cause the problem of poor cracking due to vibration and falling at the four corners, resulting in damage to the circuit.

Chongqing BOE Smart Electronics System Co., Ltd.


A reflective type display device is provided, and includes a drive layer that includes pigment particles containing at least two colors of pigments, and transparent electrodes provided on a top surface and a bottom surface of drive layer, respectively, so as to drive the pigment particles. The drive layer includes transparent particles provided among the pigment particles. In the reflective type display device, the pigment particles are arranged among the transparent particles that form the drive layer and a lighting device is disposed on the bottom surface of the drive layer. Thus, uniform lighting may be provided even in a dark environment regardless of the size of the display device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a reflective type display device of which a screen may be watched through lighting provided from an external environment.
2. Description of the Related Art
Reflective type display devices, commonly referred to as "electronic paper", are variously developed as a screen display element together with a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a plasma display panel, and an electro luminescence element. The reflective type display device includes a thin flexible film coated with pigment particles so as to display characters or images when the pigments are driven by an electric signal and easily secure flexibility while implementing a clear image quality as if an image is printed on an ordinary paper. A drive layer of the reflective type display device is made of pigment particles that contain pigments of at least two different colors in which transparent electrodes are arranged on the top surface and the bottom surface of the drive layer, respectively, so as to drive the pigment particles. In a reflective type display device that implements only a black and white screen, black and white pigments are introduced into the pigment particles, respectively.
In general, the reflective type display device allows the screen to be watched through lighting provided from an external environment. However, as the reflective type display device is mounted on a device that is used in an everyday environment like an electronic book terminal, the necessity of a separate lighting device has increased. In fact, a lighting device such as a compact light emitting diode equipped on an electronic book terminal has now appeared on an after-market. Typically, the drive layer made of pigment particles does not transmit light. Thus, when the display device is provided with a lighting device, the lighting device is arranged on the top surface of the drive layer.
FIG. 1 illustrates a structure in which a lighting device is provided in a conventional reflective type display device 10.
As described above, the display device 10 includes a drive layer 11 which is made of pigment particles 11a in which transparent electrodes 13b and 13a are disposed on the top surface and the bottom surface of the drive layer 11, respectively. At least one of the transparent electrodes 13a and 13b is an active element. For example, the transparent electrode provided on the bottom surface of the drive layer 11 may be made of a thin film transistor. The other of the transparent electrode may be configured as a passive element. For example, the transparent electrode provided on the top surface of the drive layer 11 may be made of an Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) film. The pigment particles 11a are driven in response to a signal applied to the transparent electrodes 13a and 13b such that black or white pigment 11b is oriented toward the top surface of the drive layer 11. Thus, the display device 10 outputs a screen.
As described above, the lighting device is disposed on the display device 10, specifically, on the top surface of the drive layer 11. The lighting device is provided with a light source 15a such as a light emitting diode and a light guide plate 15b. The light guide plate 15b may be attached to the transparent electrode 13b positioned on the top surface of the drive layer 11. In addition, the display device 10 is provided with a protection film 17 attached to the light guide plate 15b so as to prevent damage of the light guide plate 15b. This is because, when damage such as a scratch occurs on the light guide plate 15b which substantially forms a screen transmission region, image quality may be degraded. Light emitted from the light source 15a is diffused to a screen display region of the display device 10 through the light guide plate 15b and absorbed to or reflected by the pigment particles 11a of the drive layer 11, thereby allowing a screen implemented on the display device 10 to be watched even in a dark environment.
However, the lighting device has a disadvantage in that it is difficult for the lighting device to provide lighting evenly to the screen display region. In other words, at a point distant from a light source, the lighting at the point is lowered. Accordingly, when the lighting device is installed in the reflective type display device, there is a limit in fabricating the screen display region in a large size. In order to provide lighting evenly over the entire screen display region, a plurality of light sources may be arranged at regular intervals. However, this also causes an increase of manufacturing costs. Further, a reflection pattern may be formed on the light guide plate so as to provide lighting evenly over the screen display region. However, since the output screen passes through the light guide plate, the reflection pattern becomes the cause of degradation of image quality.


A light manifold assembly 10 having a relatively thin and low profile manifold 30 which is selectively placed within the frame 16 of a back window 14 and which receives light and/or laser energy 44 which is generated by a source 18 which is remotely located from the manifold 30.

This invention relates to a light manifold assembly and more particularly, to a light manifold assembly which has a relatively thin and substantially low-profile manifold portion which selectively receives a laser signal and which utilizes the received laser signal to provide a desired pattern of light.
Light assemblies are used in a wide variety of apparatuses to selectively provide light. For example, light assemblies are used within vehicles to selectively provide light which is indicative of the activation of the vehicle""s brakes or the initiation of a turn type maneuver.
It is desirable to place the light emitting portion of one of these light assemblies upon the back window or back portion of the vehicle and to cause the deployed light emitting portion to provide light which is indicative of the braking of the vehicle. This xe2x80x9cback windowxe2x80x9d placement has been found to increase the ability of other vehicle drivers to xe2x80x9ctake noticexe2x80x9d of the provided braking indication and therefore facilitates communication with other drivers.
While these light assemblies are adapted to be selectively and operatively mounted within the back window or back of the vehicle, such arrangements are relatively bulky and unaesthetic due to their relatively large size and width. Particularly, this relatively large size and width is typically caused by the use of at least one light generator which is typically housed within the deployed light assembly and which selectively provides the desired light.
There is therefore a need for a light manifold assembly which overcomes at least some of these previously delineated drawbacks.
It is a first object of the present invention to provide a light manifold assembly which overcomes at least some of the previously delineated drawbacks of prior light assemblies.
It is a second object of the present invention to provide a light manifold assembly which overcomes at least some of the previously delineated drawbacks of prior light assemblies and which includes a relatively thin light manifold which may be selectively deployed within the back window and/or frame of a vehicle.
It is a third object of the present invention to provide a light manifold assembly which overcomes at least some of the previously delineated drawbacks of prior light assemblies and which further includes a relatively thin and low-profile light manifold which is adapted to be selectively deployed upon the back window frame of a vehicle and which is further adapted to receive light energy from an energy source which is remote from the deployed light manifold.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a light manifold is provided and is selectively disposed upon a vehicle having a window and is coplanar to said window.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a light manifold assembly is provided. The light manifold assembly includes a manifold having a longitudinal axis of symmetry; a source of light energy which is remotely located from the manifold; and a conduit which optically connects the source of light energy to the manifold and which communicates the light energy into the manifold along an axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the manifold.
These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and by reference to the following drawings.


A composition effective for the control of insects is disclosed, wherein the composition contains a phenyl pyrazole compound or a halopyridyl compound, and a food attractant containing at least one saccharide where the composition is free or substantially free of glucose. Also disclosed is a method of applying the composition to an area where the insects are to be controlled.

Compositions for controlling insects such as cockroaches are known in the art. Generally, the compositions contain at least one substance toxic to the insects, and additionally some type of food attractant. Most toxic substances, also known as toxicants, are based on chemicals which are either capable of instant and/or delayed killing action. The food attractants used include various sweetening agents, together with the toxicant. The prior art describes insecticide bait compositions containing a very general array of sugars and sweeteners as food attractants for cockroach control, without regard to diversity of feeding preferences by field cockroach strains.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,386,071 relates to an insecticide natural bait composition which includes, in a broad sense, sugar or sugar substitute. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,845,103 relates to an insecticide bait composition for the control of cockroaches in which the food attractant system comprises various ingredients, including a mixture of liquid food, for example, molasses, corn syrup, maple syrup, or honey.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,710 relates to a stable aerosol foam insecticide bait composition which includes a food attractant to facilitate consumption by the crawling insects, sugars or a sugar composition.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,985,413 relates to poison bait for control of insects, particularly cockroaches, wherein the bait contains a saccharide as a component in an amount of 10-40% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. Examples of saccharide in the '413 patent are sucrose, glucose, d-fructose, lactose, black sugar, brown sugar, and soft brown sugar. Among the preferred sugars mentioned in the '413 patent are black sugar, brown sugar and soft brown sugar. The content of the saccharide is normally preferred between 10-40% by weight.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,955, we previously detailed the unexpected superior results of insecticidal bait compositions having a high ratio of fructose to glucose, without regard to the toxic substance within the compositions. Despite the fact that glucose is considered the universal metabolic fuel and one of the most common substances used to attract insects to toxicants, we found that glucose actually repels certain strains of cockroaches.

High fructose containing insecticide compositions and methods of using the same


An optical switch for routing signals includes a latch receiver connected to a waveguide that routes the signals and an actuator that includes an upper plate, a lower plate and a latch connected to the lower plate, the lower plate of the actuator moving vertically when power is applied to the lower plate, causing the latch to move vertically and engage the latch receiver. A latching system includes a switch that includes a latch formed to include an extension on one end of the latch, the latch being driven by power, a latch receiver that is formed to receive the latch and a controller that controls the extension of the latch to engage the latch receiver when the power is applied to the latch, and controls the extension of the latch to lock in place against the latch receiver when the power is removed from the latch.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to switches. More specifically, the systems and methods of the invention relate to actuator and latching systems and methods that may be used in a switch.
2. Description of Related Art
Micro-electromechanical (MEMS) technology switches are used in many applications. For example, a MEMS switch may be used in microfluidics to open and close a valve, or to direct a flow of fluid through a pipe. Optical communications systems may utilize large amounts of bandwidth. In order to improve efficiency, many optical communications systems utilize MEMS optical switches. The switches may be used in optical communications systems to control a lightwave through a waveguide or to add/drop channels in a multiplexer. For example, the optical switches may add or drop input signals from a fiber optic source to a different fiber optic output port sometimes using optical multiplexers. The optical switches may also include both a shuttle mechanism that holds a routing waveguide structure, and an actuator that physically moves the shuttle mechanism.
Conventional optical switches typically use separate components for the optical switch and the switch actuator. The optical switch may also include a latching mechanism to lock the position of the shuttle in place to save power and to prevent a loss of a switch position during a power failure. Conventional latching mechanisms have been formed to include a pair of V-shaped thermal actuators that move away from each other when power is applied to the actuators. The movement opens a path for a latch to move through. When power is removed and the thermal actuators relax, a distance between the thermal actuators decreases to secure the latch and the shuttle is held in a predetermined position.
The conventional latches discussed above are quite large and consume too much space for a MEMS device. For example, the latches are formed to be 100 μm in a parallel direction to the waveguides and 400 μm in a perpendicular direction to the waveguides. When an array of switches using the conventional latches is integrated into a multiplexer, the size of the switches in the perpendicular direction greatly increases the overall size of a chip. For example, when using a 32- or 64-channel system, the 400 μm width of the latch adds 1.28 cm or 2.56 cm to the width of the chip, respectively, resulting in chips that can be 4 cm wide. Chips that are formed to be 4 cm wide result in an increased manufacturing cost and are difficult to package.

Actuator and latching systems and methods


A mobile station is configured to acquire at least one of country information and carrier in formation as output control information. The mobile station is also configured to receive download data that includes harmful level information. The mobile station includes a predetermined rule for determining whether output of the data is to be permitted based on the harmful level information and the output control information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile station with an output function of data, and an output control method in the mobile station.
2. Related Background Art
Presently, quite a lot of contents browsable on the Internet include contents offensive to public order and decency. One of methods of controlling display of such contents is the method by the Platform for Internet Content Selection of W3C (World Wide Web Consortium). In this method, for example, a content creator sets harmful level information on a content created thereby, based on harmful levels as shown in the table of FIG. 4. Specific setting methods thereof include, for example, a method of defining and setting a label or labels such as the "PICS-Labels" on each web page (e.g., reference is made to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-44441).

Mobile station and output control method


Technologies are generally described for systems, methods and devices effective to analyze a file. In some examples, a processor may receive the file. The file may include content and instructions. The content may include data executable by a browser. The processor may analyze the instructions. The processor may identify an internet protocol (IP) address in the instructions based on the analysis. The processor may compare the identified IP address with a list of IP addresses associated with an attack. The processor may generate an alert based on the comparison.

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Malicious software, or malware, may be used to obtain access to a computer system, accumulate information from a computer or system, or to disrupt computer systems operations. Malware is often hidden or disguised in non-threatening files. Malware may be used to cause a denial of service or distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack. A denial of service or distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack may be a malicious attempt to make a resource on a network unavailable to users and may be perpetrated by saturating a target with external communication requests to lead to server overload.

Correlation of advertising content to malicious software


A power transmitting system for a motor vehicle having a manually operated member for selecting one of operating states of the power transmitting system, which include a neutral state, wherein a power transmitting path between a drive power source and a drive wheel of the motor vehicle is electrically disconnected by a first power disconnecting device, and is mechanically disconnected by a second power disconnecting device which is operated in response to an operation the manually operated member to the neutral state. Also disclosed is a hybrid drive system including a start-up control device operated upon operation of the manually operated member from a non-drive state to a drive state, for controlling the reaction torque of a motor/generator to rise according to one of predetermined rise characteristics which is selected depending upon a vehicle running condition.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to a power transmission system and a hybrid drive system for a motor vehicle, and more particularly to techniques for controlling a vehicle drive force upon shifting of a power transmitting device from a non-drive position such as a neutral position "N" to a drive position such as a forward drive position "D", and electrically disconnecting a power transmitting path between a drive power source and drive wheels of the vehicle.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
JP-A-7-67208 discloses an example of a known hybrid drive system of a motor vehicle, which is equipped with (a) a drive power source including an engine operated by combustion of a fuel, and a motor/generator, and (b) a power transmitting device such as an automatic transmission interposed between the drive power source and drive wheels of the vehicle. Generally, the power transmitting device has non-drive positions (non-drive state) such as a neutral position "N" and a parking position "P" in which power is not transmitted therethrough from the drive power source to the drive wheels, and drive positions (drive state) such as a forward drive position "D" and a reverse position "R" in which the power is transmitted therethrough. The power transmitting device is electrically or mechanically shifted from one of those operating positions to another, for instance, from one of the non-drive positions to one of the drive positions, by operation of manually operated selecting means such as a shift lever.
There is also proposed a hybrid drive system of a motor vehicle, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 7-294148 (not published at the time the present invention was made) filed in the name of the assignee of the present application. Such a hybrid drive system includes (a) a synthesizing/distributing mechanism which includes a first rotary element connected to the engine, a second rotary element connected to the motor/generator and a third rotary element connected to an output member, and which is adapted to mechanically synthesize and distribute forces in relation to those rotary elements, (b) electrically neutralizing means for placing the hybrid drive system in an electrically neutral state or mode in which the motor/generator is placed in a non-load state while the above-indicated second rotary element is permitted to freely rotate, for disconnecting a power transmitting path between the engine and the above-indicated output member, when one of the non-drive positions of the power transmitting device is selected by the manually operated selecting means, and (c) start-up control means operated when the power transmitting device is shifted from the non-drive state to the drive state, for gradually increasing a reaction torque of the motor/generator from zero for transmitting the power from the engine to the output member through the synthesizing/distributing mechanism, and wherein the power transmitting device is disposed between the output member of the synthesizing/distributing mechanism and the drive wheels of the motor vehicle. U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,651 discloses a planetary gear device used as the synthesizing/distributing mechanism.
Commonly, such a hybrid drive system is not equipped with a fluid-operated torque converter as provided on an ordinary motor vehicle having an engine as the drive power source and an automatic transmission. Therefore, the hybrid drive system may suffer from a considerable shifting shock or an excessive amount of drive line load, due to an abrupt change in the vehicle drive force upon operation of the manually operated selecting means to shift the power transmitting device from a non-drive state to a drive state. If, for example, the drive position is selected by the selecting means while the engine or the motor/generator is operating with the accelerator pedal being depressed when the power transmitting device is placed in the non-drive state, an excessive load may act on the power transmitting device and other components in the drive line, or the power transmitting device may be subject to a large shifting shock. The hybrid drive system having the synthesizing/distributing mechanism tends to suffer from such an excessive load or shifting shock when the engine is operated at a relatively high speed with the power transmitting device placed in the non-drive state, if the characteristic relating to an increase or rise of the reaction torque of the motor/generator is permanently fixed.
In the hybrid drive system including the synthesizing/distributing mechanism and the electrically neutralizing means as described above, the power transmitting path between the engine and the drive wheels of the vehicle is electrically disconnected. Described more specifically, the operation of the manually operated selecting means to a non-drive position (non-drive state) to electrically neutralize the hybrid drive system is detected by a suitable detector, and a controller commands the electrically neutralizing means to establish the electrically neutral state of the hybrid drive system, in response to an electric signal generated by the detector. To provide mechanical fail-safe means for mechanically disconnecting the power transmitting path upon operation of the selecting means to the non-drive state, a suitable actuator should be provided to mechanically disconnect the power transmitting path between the engine and the drive wheels, upon generation of the electric signal from the detector when the shift lever is operated to the non-drive state. Thus, the mechanical fail-safe means requires such an exclusive actuator and complicate control of the actuator, leading to an increase in the cost of manufacture of the hybrid drive system.
The second power disconnecting means may use suitable clutch means such as frictional coupling clutches, and positive or claw clutches, for mechanically disconnecting the power transmitting power between the drive power source and the vehicle drive wheel. Where the positive clutches are used, each of these clutches is operated by a suitable releasing member such as a hub sleeve which is mechanically connected to the manually operated selecting means such as a shift lever, through connecting means such as a push-pull cable or a linkage. The frictional coupling clutches may be of a hydraulically operated type or a spring type such a diaphragm spring type. Where the frictional coupling clutches of the spring type are used, each of these clutches is operated by a releasing member such as a release fork connected to the manually operated selecting means through suitable connecting means as described above. Where the frictional coupling clutches of the hydraulically operated type are used, each of these clutches is operated by switching of a hydraulic circuit by a manual shift valve which is mechanically connected to the manually operated selecting means through suitable connecting means.
The power source may includes an engine and an electric motor. In this case, the power transmitting system may further comprise an electrically controlled torque converter which includes the electric motor and a planetary gear mechanism. In this instance, the second power disconnecting means may include clutches for disconnecting the power transmitting path between the drive power source and the drive wheels when the manually operated selecting means is operated to the non-drive or neutral state.
While the first power disconnecting means may be adapted to be operated to electrically disconnect the power transmitting path when the manually operated selecting means is operated to the non-drive state, the first power disconnecting means need not be so adapted, since the power transmitting path is mechanically disconnected by the second power disconnecting means when the selecting means is operated to the non-drive state.
Where the power drive source includes an engine and an electric motor, the first power disconnecting means may include means for establishing an electrically neutral state of the power transmitting system in which the electric motor is in a non-load condition with a rotor shaft thereof being freely rotatable, to electrically disconnect the power transmitting path.

Vehicle power transmitting system having devices for electrically and mechanically disconnecting power source and vehicle drive wheel upon selection of neutral state


The invention comprises a method and apparatus for enabling a user of a personal wireless communication handset to define a macro for selectively operating a feature of the personal wireless communication handset and store the macro in the device's memory. The user can then playback the macro to effect rapid operation of the feature. The macro can be triggered by pressing a dedicated “hot key”, by pressing an overloaded existing key on the keypad, or by pressing a “soft key” under a menu-driven user interface.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a typical modern wireless communication system 10. The system is comprised of a series of base stations 14. A set of personal wireless communication handsets 12 communicate with the base stations 14. The personal wireless communication handsets 12 communicate with the base stations 14 over a forward link channel 18 and a reverse link channel 20. FIG. 1 shows a variety of types of personal wireless communication handsets. For example, FIG. 1 shows a hand-held portable telephone, a vehicle mounted mobile telephone and a fixed-location, wireless, local-loop telephone. Such systems offer voice and data services. Other modern communication systems operate over wireless satellite links rather than through terrestrial base stations.
Handsets, such as cellular or PCS telephones, are commonly used in the above-described system. FIG. 2 shows a typical cellular handset 20. The handset 20 has a keypad section 22, a display portion 24, and an antenna 26. A power switch 28 to turn the handset on or off is also provided. The keypad section 22 comprises a numerical keypad 30, two soft keys 32, 34 and an up/down toggle key 36. The soft keys 32, 34 serve to select the option shown directly above them in the display portion 24.
Modern electronic products, including such handsets, typically offer numerous features or options to be selected by the user. The features offered in handsets may include, among others, a mute capability, a choice of rings to announce incoming calls, a vibrate-mode instead of a ring, and a selector defining the size of the display.
Such options and features are generally accessed via a menu-driven user interface. A menu system typically has several levels of hierarchy to reach desired features or options. As the number of features and options increase, the user is required to proceed through an increasingly greater number of hierarchical levels to reach the desired setting.
For example, a user of a typical handset may wish to set his handset to vibrate instead of ring in announcing an incoming call while he is in a meeting or at the office. Prior to entering the meeting or the office, he must go through a procedure such as the following, using the user interface of the handset, described with reference to FIGS. 3a–3d. First, he must press the "MENU" soft key 34, as shown in FIG. 3a, to access the menu options. Then, referring to FIG. 3b, he must use the up/down toggle key 36 to select one of the options, "PHONE SETTINGS", as shown on the display 24 which contains the desired setting. He must then press the "SELECT" soft key 34. In FIG. 3c, The user must again select one of the options, "RING SETTINGS", as shown on the display 24, and press the "SELECT" soft key 34. Finally, in FIG. 3d, he selects "VIBRATE" from the choices illustrated on the display 24, and then presses the "SELECT" soft key 34 to complete the selection. Upon exiting the meeting or the office, the user must repeat this cumbersome procedure to set the handset to ring to announce an incoming call. A user may be required to go through these steps on a regular basis if he must regularly toggle his handset between ring and vibrate.
Even if a user does not regularly use a feature, he may wish to have that feature be readily accessible. For example, a user may want to use the "mute" function offered by a handset when he does not wish the party on the other end to hear what is being said. In such an instance, the user may not have the time to go through a lengthy, menu-driven process to mute the handset. Although this feature may not be used on a regular basis, it must be readily available when needed.
Consequently, to access a feature or to change an option, a user must extensively navigate the several levels of the menu system, requiring the user to enter several key presses on the keypad. This can be time consuming, inconvenient and confusing, and often results in users not utilizing the capabilities of their cellular phones.
A method or apparatus is needed to allow users to readily access any desired feature, even if the feature is deeply embedded in the hierarchical menu structure. Thus, there is a need to allow users to design their own shortcuts to provide quick access to the user's preferred settings and features. There is also a need to allow users to activate several features or settings at once by combining the activation steps into a single shortcut step.

Method and apparatus for defining and executing features in a personal wireless handset


An apparatus and method for simulating airport lighting aids by providing a generator having a processor structured to receive a plurality of navigation signals representative of position and altitude of a host aircraft; a signal generator operated by the processor, the generator being structured to retrieve airport information from a database as a function of the position signal, compare the position and altitude signals with a glide path, and output a signal representative of a degree of coincidence with the glide path as a function of the position and altitude signals; and a plurality of indicators structured to receive the signal output by the signal generator and responsively output a visual indication of the degree of coincidence with the glide path.

Aircraft landing at airports during marginal Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) or in cases of reduced cues such as night flight are aided by an Instrument Landing System (ILS). The ILS is a radio beam that originates on the ground at an ILS equipped airport and generates a glide slope that an aircraft can safely follow during an instrument approach to the runway. The ILS radio beam is detected by equipment onboard the aircraft and provides lateral, along-course, and vertical guidance to aircraft attempting to land at an ILS equipped airport. However, not all airport runways have an ILS generated radio glideslope.
Airports may substitute or also provide airport lighting aids as described in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) for Basic Flight Information and ATC Procedures at Chapter 2: AERONAUTICAL LIGHTING AND OTHER AIRPORT VISUAL AIDS as published by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration (U.S.)), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The airport lighting aids may provide vertical visual approach slope guidance to the runway, which is especially useful during marginal Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) or in cases of reduced cues. For example, various known Approach Light Systems (ALS) provide the basic means to transition from instrument flight to visual flight for landing. Operational requirements dictate the sophistication and configuration of the ALS for a particular runway. ALS are a directional pattern of high intensity signal lights starting at a landing threshold of the runway and extending a prescribed distance into the approach area. The signal lights shine upwardly toward the aircraft along the approach slope or glide path that guide the pilot visually during approach and landing. Some ALS include sequenced flashing lights which appear to the pilot as a ball of light traveling towards the runway at high speed. A number of precision and nonprecision configurations of ALS are known and illustrated in the AIM at Chapter 2. These known ALS and equivalents thereof are considered within the scope of the simulated airport lighting aid invention.
Another known airport lighting aid is the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) system, as described in the FAA's AERONAUTICAL LIGHTING AND OTHER AIRPORT VISUAL AIDS and in FAA Advisory Circular AC 150/5345-28D, dated May 23, 1985, incorporating Change 1, Subject: Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) systems, which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. The PAPI uses a single row of either two or four light units. These systems have an effective visual range of about 5 miles during the day and up to 20 miles at night. The row of light units is normally installed on the left side of the runway as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in which the glide path indications are as depicted.
According to the PAPI system, either two or four identical light units are placed on one side of the runway in a line perpendicular to the runway centerline to define the visual glide path angle. The light units each have a white segment in an upper part of the beam and red segment in a lower part of the beam separated by a pink transition zone. In the two-light Type L-881 system shown in FIG. 1, the lights are positioned and aimed to produce a signal presentation wherein a pilot on or close to the established approach path (center) sees the light unit nearest the runway as red (shown as a darkened circle) and the other light unit as white (shown as white in a black circle). When above the approach path (right) the pilot sees both light units as white; and when below the approach path (left) the pilot sees both light units as red.
According to the four-light Type L-880 system PAPI system shown in FIG. 2, the signal presentation is such that a pilot on or close to the established approach path (center) sees the two light units nearest the runway as red and the two light units farthest from the runway as white. When above the approach path (center right) the pilot sees the light unit nearest the runway as red and the three light units farthest from the runway as white; and when further above the approach path (far right) the pilot sees all the light units as white. When below the approach path (center left) the pilot sees the three light units nearest the runway as red and the light unit farthest from the runway as white; and when further below the approach path (far left) the pilot sees all light units as red.
The visual glide path angle provided by the PAPI is the center of the center of the on-course zone, and is normally 3 degrees when measured from the horizontal, but may vary if jet aircraft are supported by the airport, if obstacles to flight are located at the airport, or if elevated terrain affects the approach to the airport. Other considerations in siting the PAPI indicator lights include whether the terrain drops off rapidly near the approach threshold, and whether severe turbulence is experienced on approach. On short runways, the PAPI indicator lights are located as near the threshold as possible to provide the maximum amount of runway for braking after landing. Thus, the PAPI indicator lights are positioned and aimed to produce a minimum Threshold Crossing Height (TCH), which is the height of the lowest on-course signal at a point directly above the intersection of the runway centerline and the threshold, and clearance over obstacles in the approach area.
FIG. 3 illustrates a known tri-color airport lighting aid system. Tri-color visual approach slope indicators normally consist of a single light unit projecting a three-color visual approach path into the final approach area of the runway. The below glide path indication is red, the above glide path indication is amber, and the on glide path indication is green. Tri-color visual approach slope indicators have a useful range of approximately one-half to one mile during the day and up to five miles at night depending upon the visibility conditions.
FIG. 4 illustrates a known pulsating airport lighting aid system in which the visual approach slope indicators normally consist of a single light unit projecting a two-color visual approach path into the final approach area of the runway. The on glide path indication is a steady white light. The slightly below glide path indication is a steady red light. If the aircraft descends further below the glide path, the red light starts to pulsate. The above glide path indication is a pulsating white light. The pulsating rate increases as the aircraft deviates further above or below the desired glide path. The useful range of the pulsating light system is about four miles during the day and up to ten miles at night.
FIG. 5 illustrates a Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) system, as described in the FAA's AERONAUTICAL LIGHTING AND OTHER AIRPORT VISUAL AIDS, and in each of FAA Advisory Circulars AC 150/5340-25 dated Sep. 24, 1976, and AC 150/5345-28C dated Mar. 23, 1976, both incorporated in their entirety herein by reference. The VASI is another known airport lighting aid system that provides a visual glide path angle by directing a beam of light at approaching aircraft to indicate to the pilot whether the aircraft is within the appropriate glide path for approaching the intended runway. VASI lighting aid systems are visible from 3–5 miles during the day and up to 20 miles or more at night, and are arranged to provide visual descent guidance information during the approach after the aircraft is visually aligned with the runway. Lateral course guidance is provided independently by the runway or runway lights. As described in the FAA's AERONAUTICAL LIGHTING AND OTHER AIRPORT VISUAL AIDS, VASI installations are typically either 2, 4, 6 12, or 16, light units arranged in bars referred to as near, middle, and far bars. Most VASI installations are 2 bars, near and far, and may include 2, 4, or 12 light units, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,571, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AIMING AIRCRAFT VISUAL APPROACH SLOPE INDICATOR, which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. Two-bar VASI installations provide one visual glide path which is normally set at 3 degrees. Some VASI are three bars spaced intermittently along one or both sides of the runway, near, middle, and far, such as to provide an additional visual glide path to accommodate high cockpit aircraft. Three-bar VASI installations provide two visual glide paths. The lower glide path is provided by the near and middle bars and is normally set at 3 degrees while the upper glide path, provided by the middle and far bars, is normally ¼ degree higher. This higher glide path is intended for use only by high cockpit aircraft to provide a sufficient threshold crossing height or TCH. Although normal glide path angles are 3 degrees, angles at some locations may be steeper to give proper obstacle clearance. VASI installations having 2, 4, or 6 light units are located on one side of the runway, usually the left. Where the installation includes 12 or 16 light units, the units are usually located on both sides of the runway.
The basic principle of the VASI is that of color differentiation between red and white. Each light unit aims a narrow split beam of light at approaching aircraft. The lights each have a white segment in the upper part of the beam and red segment in the lower part of the beam with the transition zone being pink. The light units are arranged so that the pilot using the VASI during an approach sees the combination of lights shown in FIG. 5 for a 2-bar VASI (4 light units) system. The farthest light unit of a two unit system, for example, is aligned and positioned so that the bottom of the red or lower segment (shown as a darkened circle) is parallel to the glide path and forms the upper limit of an ideal glide path for the runway. In such a system, the light unit closest to approaching aircraft is aligned and positioned so that the top of the white or upper segment (shown as white in a black circle) is aimed into the glide path, and the bottom of the white segment is approximately parallel to the glide path and forms the lower limit of the ideal glide path. When an aircraft is on the proper glide path (center) the closest unit appears white to the pilot and the farthest appears red. If the approach is too high (right) both units are seen as white, and a low approach (left) is indicated by both units appearing red.
The PAPI and VASI airport lighting aid systems are controlled from the ground. However, as described in FAA Advisory Circular AC 150/5340-27A, dated Mar. 4, 1986, Subject: Air-to-Ground Control of Airport Lighting Systems, which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference, radio control of airport lighting aids is available at selected airports to provide airborne control of lights by keying the aircraft's microphone. Control of lighting systems is often available at locations without specified hours for lighting and where there is no control tower or Flight Service Station (FSS) or when the tower or FSS is closed (locations with a part-time tower or FSS) or specified hours.
While airport lighting aids such as PAPI or VASI or another lighting aid are located at most airports, not all airports provide either an ILS radio glideslope or a visual glide path angle; approach safety is thereby degraded during marginal Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) or in cases of reduced cues such as night flight.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,210,930, APPROACH SYSTEM WITH SIMULATED DISPLAY OF RUNWAY LIGHTS AND GLIDE SLOPE INDICATOR, issued to Richard D. Henry on Jul. 1, 1980, attempts to provide simulated runway lights and Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) for the pilot using an airborne image camera, its respective image scan plate and image Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) to form a display that portrays what the pilot would see, were it not for limited visibility conditions. The on-board CRT continuously enacts and displays, according to position of the aircraft, what would otherwise be visible to the pilot as the runway lights of an illuminated runway, were it not for obscured vision. This is obtainable by RF microwave signals from a plurality of from ground-based emitters at spaced locations along the length of a runway and at approximately the same locations as the runway lights thereon and reflectors which reflect the RF wave energy to the opposite ends of the runway. The RF emitters and reflectors substitute RF energy for visible spectrum light. The RF energy from the ground-based portion of the system is received and processed by instruments in the aircraft to create a display on the CRT.
While the ground-based RF system of providing simulated runway lights and Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) may be useful in limited visibility conditions, the system requires that airports be equipped with additional equipment and energy sources along the runway with the aircraft using receptor equipment to detect the energy. Such a system fails to provide a simulated glideslope or visual glide path angle if not all airports are equipped with the RF emitters and reflectors.

Simulated visual glideslope indicator on aircraft display


An infrared transceiver module for enabling a multiple direction infrared communication includes a transfer element for enlarging the working angles of infrared emission and reception of a transmitter and receiver portion. The transfer element has a surface area larger than the surface area of the transmitter and receiver portion. Infrared signal beam transmitting from the transmitter and receiver portion is repeatedly refracted by said transfer element and transmitted in multiple directions from the transfer element. Exterior signal beams coming to any portion of the transfer element are also repeatedly refracted by said transfer element and received by said transmitter and receiver portion. Therefore, a multiple direction infrared transmission and reception is obtained.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to an infrared transceiver module, and particularly relates to an infrared transceiver module having a wider transmission and reception angle, in which infrared signals are transmitted and received from multiple directions.
2. Related Art
Data transmission through infrared is a known technique. Infrared signals transmitted and received for wireless communication avoids physical wiring and makes products portable. Therefore, infrared transmission has been widely used in personal computers, notebook computers, personal digital assistants, mobile phones, remote controls and so on.
In computers, for example, data communication between two computers can be made through infrared transmission in a convenient way, besides networks and movable storage media, especially when the two are nearby. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, two computers 10, 10′ having infrared transceiver 20, 20′ respectively communicate by two transceivers 20, 20′ facing to each other. Since the two transceivers 20, 20′ work in specific directions, they have to be aligned with each other so that the infrared signals transmitted from the transceiver 20 of the computer 10 can be received by the transceiver 20′ of the computer 10′, or vice versa.
Though an infrared transceiver can be mounted on any side of a computer, the computers of a same series should have transceivers at the same sides. As a result, when positioning two computers of the same series, the computers have to be placed in opposite directions as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in which the displays 11 of the computers 10, 10′ are facing to different directions that a user cannot monitor them at the same time and encounters inconvenience.
A possible solution for the aforesaid problem is to equip each computer 10, 10′ with four transceivers 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d and 20′a, 20′b, 20′c, 20′d at each sides so that two specific transceivers at corresponding sides of the computers 10, 10′ can communicate well. Though this method makes communication possible without limitation of the computer positions, it needs more transceivers, such as more threes 20b, 20c, 20d and 20′b, 20′c, 20′d, that costs more on the transceivers themselves and the related circuits in the computers 10, 10′.
All these multiple directional transceivers require positional adjustments for communication in specific directions. Therefore, it is desired to develop an infrared transceiver module having a wider working range of transmitting and receiving infrared signals in multiple directions without the need of adjusting the position of the transceiver.

Infrared transceiver module for a wider working range


A shifting device for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle is presented, which has two shift gates, wherein the first shift gate is an automatic shift gate and the second shift gate is a step-by-step shift gate. A selector lever support is mounted with the selector lever pivotably around the selector axis. The selector lever support accommodates the selector lever pivotably around a shifting axis and can be caused by a locking pin to mesh with a complementary recess of the housing.

Steadily increasing requirements are imposed on shifting devices for automatic transmissions in terms of operating comfort. Therefore, there has been an increasing trend to additionally provide also manual shifting functions, besides the conventional automatic shifting functions. A second, separate shift gate is required for this in the shifting device. The selection of this shift gate makes it possible for the driver of the vehicle to shift the transmission step by step in a simple manner. To change over into the step-by-step shift gate from the conventional automatic shifting operation, it is necessary to mount the selector lever pivotably via a selector axis. It is furthermore necessary to fix the selector lever in the step-by-step shift gate.
A selector means for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle has been known from DE 44 26 207, in which the selector lever can be pivoted to and fro between two different shift gates. The first shift gate makes possible the automatic operation, and the second shift gate makes possible a manual step-by-step shifting. To make this shifting device as compact as possible, the selector axis and the shifting axis of the selector lever were placed in a common plane. Furthermore, the two axes are orthogonal to one another. To change over from the automatic operation to manual operation, the selector lever is pivoted into the step-by-step shift gate. It now engages guide elements of a complementary design, which pick up and forward the signals of the manual shifting operation. This shifting device is complicated and therefore expensive as a consequence of a large number of components.
Furthermore, DE 195 26 059 discloses a shifting device for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, in which a selector lever is pivotable within a gear shifting gate around a selector axis that is located lower than it and is held in the shift positions P, R, N and D by spring forces acting at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the gear shifting gate against locking means located offset in relation to one another on the side, which locking means are associated with the shift positions. The selector axis of the selector lever is mounted in an intermediate part by means of a universal joint, the intermediate part being mounted pivotably around the selector axis on a housing that is a rigid part of the vehicle body, and the selector lever can be pivoted manually relative to the intermediate part in the selected shift position (D) associated with the automatic shifting around a drag bearing located higher than the selector axis in the direction of the selection movement to bridge over shifting contacts for the step-by-step shifting of the gears of the transmission.

Shifting device for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle


A fluid ejection system (20) comprising a cartridge (24), an ejector (32, 300) and, optionally, a fill station (28) for filling the cartridge with a fluid, such as a vaccine. In some embodiments (52), the cartridge includes a transfer passageway (96) for receiving fluid from the fill station. In other embodiments (200, 400), the cartridge includes a vented fluid reservoir (208, 408) offset from an ejection chamber (224, 420). In yet other embodiments (500, 600), the cartridge includes a vented fluid reservoir chamber (512, 636) inline with the ejection chamber (508, 644). In still other embodiments (700, 1000, 1100), the cartridge includes first and second chambers (728, 736, 1036, 1048, 1136, 1148) initially fluidly sealed from on another by a valve, e.g., either a traveling valve (704, 800, 900, 1200, 1300) or a temporarily stationary valve (1004, 1104).

Vaccination of humans and animals against various diseases has been, and continues to be, an important component of controlling the spread of these diseases. For example, measles remains a critical public health issue for humans, resulting in over one million deaths per year globally. Vaccination against measles is one of the most cost-effective public health measures available to control the spread of measles, and global eradication of the disease is technically feasible using current vaccinations. A global eradication campaign is presently under consideration by the World Health Organization. Unlike past and ongoing eradication campaigns for smallpox and polio, however, a simple and low-cost vaccine administration technique is not presently available for measles. Current practice remains injection using a hypodermic syringe.
Hypodermic syringe methods of vaccination have numerous drawbacks, including the need for skilled personnel, risk of blood-borne disease, high cost, patient aversion to injection and the need to safely dispose of large quantities of needles and syringes. For a measles eradication campaign on a global scale, use of conventional needles and syringes is generally considered impractical. Streamlined techniques utilizing alternatives to hypodermic syringes, such as jet injectors, are necessary for safe and cost-effective mass vaccination campaigns.
Another issue regarding measles vaccination lies in reconstituting the vaccine. Current vaccine administration techniques require reconstitution of the vaccine by drawing a sterile diluent from a sealed vial via needle and syringe and injecting the diluent into another sealed vial containing lyophilized vaccine. The vial containing the diluent and lyophilate is then shaken to mix the diluent and lyophilate and complete the reconstitution. Thus, even if needle-free administration of the vaccine is subsequently used, the reconstitution process requires the use of needles and syringes, providing an opportunity for contamination of the reconstituted vaccine by reuse of dirty diluent-injection needles, the need to dispose of used diluent needles and syringes, a chance for use of the wrong diluent, occasion for measurement errors in obtaining proper dilution and the possibility of needle stick injuries by less-skilled, fatigued or distracted personnel. Moreover, the use of separate supply vials for vaccine and diluent requires multiple sterile containers to be ordered, transported, inventoried, coordinated and monitored.
Jet injection of vaccines was used successfully for many years until concerns regarding patient-to-patient contamination from multiple use injectors arose in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Substantial efforts are now underway to develop new injectors that utilize disposable fluid pathways to prevent contamination. Typically, these disposable pathways are in the form of cartridges that are similar in shape and functions to a conventional hypodermic syringe having a generally cylindrical barrel, or housing, and a plunger. Rapid movement of the plunger in the housing toward an orifice generates high pressures, and a jet of high-velocity liquid issues from the orifice and pierces the skin of a patient.
What is needed is an ejection system that may be used for, among other things, administering vaccines while reducing or eliminating the drawbacks of conventional vaccination systems, including the vaccination systems discussed above.