This invention describes compounds of Formula (I) which are modulators of potassium channels and are useful for treating conditions affected by abnormal potassium channel activity including erectile dysfunction and irritable bowel syndrome.

Potassium channels are transmembrane proteins which are ubiquitously expressed in mammalian cells and represent one of the largest and the most diverse group of ion channels from a molecular perspective. Potassium channels play a key role in regulation of cell membrane potential and modulation of cell excitability. Potassium channels are largely regulated by voltage, cell metabolism, calcium and receptor mediated processes. [Cook, N. S., Trends in Pharmacol. Sciences 1988, 9, 21; and Quast, U., et al., Trends in Pharmacol. Sciences 1989, 10, 431]. Calcium-activated potassium (KCa) channels are a diverse group of ion channels that share a dependence on intracellular calcium ions for activity. The activity of KCa channels is regulated by intracellular [Ca2+], membrane potential and phosphorylation. On the basis of their single-channel conductances in symmetrical K+ solutions, KCa channels are divided into three subclasses: large conductance (BK or Maxi-K) are those having a conductance of greater than about 150 picosemens (pS); intermediate conductance are those having a conductance of about 50–150 pS; and small conductance are those having a conductance of less than about 50 pS. Large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels are present in many excitable cells including neurons, cardiac cells and various types of smooth muscle cells. [Singer, J. et al., Pflugers Archiv. 1987, 408, 98; Baro, I., et al., Pflugers Archiv. 1989, 414 (Suppl. 1), S168; and Ahmed, F. et al., Br. J. Pharmacol. 1984, 83, 227].
Potassium ions play a dominant role in controlling the resting membrane potential in most excitable cells and maintain the transmembrane voltage near the K+ equilibrium potential (Ek) of about −90 millivolts (mV). It has been shown that opening of potassium channels shift the cell membrane potential towards the Ek, resulting in hyperpolarization of the cell. [Cook, N. S., Trends in Pharmacol. Sciences 1988, 9, 21]. Hyperpolarized cells show a reduced response to potentially damaging depolarizing stimuli. Those BK channels which are regulated by both voltage and intracellular Ca2+ act to limit depolarization and calcium entry and may be particularly effective in blocking damaging stimuli. Therefore cell hyperpolarization via opening of BK channels may result in protection of neuronal cells, as well as other types of cells, e.g., cardiac cells. [Xu, W., Liu, Y., Wang, S., McDonald, T., Van Eyk, J. E., Sidor, A., and O'Rourke, B. Cytoprotective Role of Ca2+-activated K+ Channels in the Cardiac Inner Mitochondrial Membrane. Science 2002, 298, 1029–1033].
BK channels have been shown to be one of two physiologically relevant potassium channels in relaxing human smooth muscle, including both intestinal and penile smooth muscle. Evidence that relaxation of smooth muscle is beneficial to irritible bowel syndrome and erectile dysfunction has been reported. See the following references: Christ, G. J. Drug News Perspect. 2000, 13, 28–36; Poynard T. et al. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2001, 15, 355–361; and Argentieri, T. M. U.S. patent application 2002/0183395.
A variety of synthetic and naturally occurring compounds with BK opening activity have been reported. 4-Aryl-3-hydroxyquinolin-2-one derivatives are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,892,045, issued Apr. 6, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 5,922,735, issued Jul. 13, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 6,353,119, issued Mar. 5, 2002. 4-Arylquinolin-2-one derivatives are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,184,231, published Feb. 6, 2001 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,972,961, published Oct. 26, 1999. See also Hewawasam, P. et. al. J. Med. Chem. 46 2819–2822 (2003). Other quinolinones are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,538,022; Japanese Pat. No. 2002371078; and PCT patent application WO 2002026713.
Despite advances in the art, further advances are needed for compounds capable of modulating potassium channels, in particular, large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels. Such compounds would be useful in treating conditions arising from dysfunction of cellular membrane polarization and conductance.

Compounds for the treatment of male erectile dysfunction


This invention is directed to antibodies which react with human islet amyloid polypeptide and which do not significantly react with insulin or calcitonin gene-related peptides. Preparations of antibodies are provided which bind to islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) which is substantially free of islet amyloid, and when isolated from humans, has the following amino acid sequence in positions 1-37:. Lys-Cys-Asn-Thr-Ala-Thr-Cys-Ala-Thr-Gln-Arg-Leu-Ala-Asn-Phe-Leu-Val- His-Ser-Ser-Asn-Asn-Phe-Gly-Ala-Ile-Leu-Ser-Ser-Thr-Asn-Val-Gly- Ser-Asn-Thr-Tyr.

Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is characterized by an impaired insulin response to elevated glucose levels which, in contrast to insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), is not primarily due to loss of beta-cells even though the total beta-cell mass is moderately diminished in NIDDM (1, 2). Despite the apparent multifactorial nature of the pathogenesis of NIDDM, and regardless of whether beta-cell dysfunction is primary or secondary, the most substantial and uniform morphological aspect of this disease with respect to the islets of Langerhans is the deposition of amyloid. These deposits (islet amyloid=IA) which are exclusively limited to the islets of Langerhans occur in more than 90% of NIDDM patients and in over 65% of adult diabetic cats (3-5). IA occurs also in old persons and in aged cats but less frequently and to a lesser extent. IN contrast to the NIDDM cases, no IA deposits have been found in association with IDDM.
The significance of IA has been a matter of discussion ever since the first description of the phenomenon in 1990 (6). Although isolated and purified IA might potentially have served as a useful marker for detection of an islet cell dysfunction associated with the development of NIDDN it has not been possible heretofore to achieve a chemical analysis of IA. The principal obstacle to chemical characterization and to amino acid sequencing of the subunits has resided in the difficulty encountered in effectuating solubilization (depolymerization) of the IA fibrils (7). This difficulty of solubilizing IA, which has contributed to the elusive nature of this material, constitutes a direct contrast to the two major systemic forms of amyloid (i.e. AA or secondary amyloid and AL or primary amyloid) both of which can be depolymerized with 6M guanidine hydrochloride after suspension in distilled water. These properties of systemic forms of amyloid have permitted purification and direct chemical analysis of the amyloid fibril protein subunits.
In all instances, amyloid is a pathological deposit of polymerized subunits which form beta-pleated sheet fibrils (8). Many different types of amyloid exist and these may occur systemically or be localized to individual tissues (9). Each type is characterized by its protein subunits, and up to now seven different proteins have been shown to be capable of forming amyloid fibrils in vivo (10-17).
Amyloid in polypeptide hormone producing tissues has been proposed to consist of corresponding hormones (18, 19). This is best supported for human medullary carcinoma of the thyroid where the subunits of the amyloid fibrils formed have been shown, after amino acid sequencing, to consist of procalcitonin (13). Since amyloid deposits are common in insulin producing tumors (19) and because there is a close relationship between the amyloid fibrils in islet beta-cells and insulin-producing tumors, it was believed previously that the amyloid in these locations is derived from insulin or its precursor. The invention is based on our discovery that IA mainly contains a hitherto unknown polypeptide, now named IAPP.
In an International Type Search Report compiled by the Swedish Patent Office during the priority year, the references 26-31 have been cited. References 26-28 deals with unsuccessful attempts to isolate and characterize the major component of islet amyloid. Reference 29 describes a systemic form of amyloid that is completely distinct from islet amyloid. See for instance the preceding paragraph. References 30 and 31 have been cited as defining the general state of the art and have not been considered to be of any particular relevance.

Antibodies to islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) and subunits thereof


The invention includes a method and array for replicating and analyzing one or a plurality of different target sequences in nucleic acid samples. The different reactions for replicating the target sequences occur simultaneously on an array with selectively heatable array elements with their reaction surfaces, some of which have been modified differently, and in the sample solution disposed thereabove. The target sequences are analyzed using molecular detection on reaction surfaces of said array that have been modified with probe strands. The target strands are replicated and analyzed simultaneously, successively, or alternately.

The invention relates to a method for replicating and analyzing one or a plurality of different target sequences in nucleic acid sequences and apparatus including an array to be selectively heated for replicating and analyzing a plurality of target sequences in nucleic acid samples.
It is known that when analyzing nucleic acid sequences, the latter must almost always be multiplied because frequently too few copies of the nucleic acid sequences sought are present in the initial sample. In addition, selective reproduction of the sequences to be analyzed facilitates their detection in the presence of a great excess of other nucleic acid sequences.
Replication is generally performed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). For this, the complete sample solution is alternately heated and cooled cyclically in order to permit the steps of denaturing the double strand (approx. 95° C.), hybridizing the primer (e.g. 50° C.), and extending the primer (e.g. 75° C.) to run repeatedly one after the other.
So-called thermocyclers are commercially available for this purpose; these are devices in which the reaction is performed in small, typically 500-μL, reaction vessels. The reaction vessels can be combined to create palettes to enable parallel processing of a plurality of samples. Miniaturized analysis systems in which the PCR is performed are also described.
Kopp et al. describe a hydrostatically operated flow system with three different heated zones. A flow channel is configured such that it alternately passes through the three set temperature areas so that in this manner the temperature cycle is created for the PCR (M.U. Kopp, A.D. de Mello, A. Manz: "Chemical Amplification: Continuous-Flow PCR on a Chip", Science 280 (1198) 1046).
Z. Chen et al. provide a similar system, in this case the movement of the liquid being initiated by the thermosyphon principle (Z. Chen, S. Qian, W. R. Abrams, D. Malamud, H. H. Bau, Anal. Chem. 76 (2004) 3707).
Liu et al. describe a printed circuit board-based integrated analysis system that combines both sample preparation and DNA multiplication and microarray detection (R. H. Liu, J. Yang, R. Lenigk, J. Bonanno, P. Grodzinski: "Self-Contained, Fully Integrated Biochip for Sample Preparation, Polymerase Chain Reaction Amplification, and DNA Microarray Detection", Analytical Chemistry 76 (2004) 1824).
In the strand displacement amplification (SDA) method, cyclical heating and cooling of the sample are not needed. Special nick enzymes and primers at a constant temperature ensure that the double strands are separated by newly formed complementary strands and the old complementary strand is displaced (SDA with thermophilic enzymes, U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,211; SDA combined with bioelectronic chips U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,868 B1).
Fluorimetric analysis of the replicated target strands can be performed simultaneous to the PCR. In this real-time PCR, the nearly complete PCR process is not required, but rather it is possible to draw conclusions about the content of nucleic acids with the target sequence in the starting material just from the temporal course of the analysis signal.
The analysis of nucleic acids can also be performed on selectively heatable electro-chemical analysis arrays, such as are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,255,677 B1 and DE application 10 2004 017750.
Also known are analysis systems in which both replication and also analysis occur on one array. U.S. Pat. No. 6,326,173 B1 and Nat. Biotechnol. 18 (2000) 199 describe e.g. electrically induced hybridization of the target with the primer. The primers can be dissolved homogeneously or immobilized. Replication occurs using SDA. Optical methods are used for the analysis.
Primarily the great degree of complexity in terms of time and equipment are disadvantageous in most of the known methods, as is the complicated technical operation. In addition, the replication step generally occurs separate from the analysis step in terms of both time and equipment.
For this reason widespread use of conventional DNA sequence analysis technology for instance in medicine has not been possible in the past.
In all of the previous PCR variants it has been a hindrance that all of the components for the PCR analysis solution must go through the entire temperature cycle. Therefore only certain thermally stable polymerases can be used for the primary extension, which increases costs and limits versatility. One alternative is to re-add the polymerase after each cycle, which is very inconvenient.
Otherwise the analysis is generally performed using optical methods that increase the complexity of the equipment, or using separating methods (electrophoresis) that do not permit parallel determination of a large number of different target sequences, or only permit it with difficulty.
However, a rapid and simple method for parallel determination of many target sequences (even in trace amounts) is desirable. A miniaturized analysis system with integrated PCR or SDA that permits determination of a plurality of target sequences would be very advantageous. For instance, individual therapy with targeted and sparing use of medications would be possible. Costs and side-effects could be reduced, and the success of therapy could be improved. Development of medications would also profit greatly from such a novel method because frequently gene expression must be monitored for testing new drugs.

Method and array for the replication and analysis of nucleic acids


A covering device comprising a cap of flexible material having at least one recess, that is penetrable by a fastening element. The recess is enclosed by a cup-spring-type area which is formed in one piece with the cap.

The present invention relates to a covering device comprising a cap of flexible material having at least one recess, which during normal operational use is penetrated by a fastening element.
The aforementioned types of covering devices are generally known and are used for example, as protective devices on machine tools. In many applications, conventional covering devices require spring lock washers, plain washers, or expensive special screws, for example, to guarantee the screw clamping force required for a long service life and all types of stresses. Furthermore, conventional covering devices often require costly corrosion protection.
The object of the present invention is to provide an improved covering device of the type mentioned at the outset to attain simplified assembly and a greater reliability with respect to localizing the covering device on a component part to be covered, and which solves the aforementioned problems of conventional covering devices.

Covering device allowing simplified fastening


It is inter alia disclosed an apparatus (1; 3) with a detecting means (2) for detecting whether a transport unit (4) to be transported by a vehicle is secured by at least one securing means (5; 7) against a movement in at least one direction relative to the vehicle, and with a means (10; 30) for changing an operating mode of an electronic device associated with the transport unit (4) depending upon a result of the detecting, or for outputting a signal for changing the operating mode depending on a result of the detecting. Moreover, a corresponding method (200; 300; 400), a corresponding computer program and an apparatus (1′) for receiving the output signal and for changing the operating mode on the basis of the received signal are disclosed.

Recently, real-time monitoring of transport goods has been gaining importance. To accomplish this monitoring, the transport goods themselves or transport units that can be used to transport one or more transport goods are equipped with electronic devices that detect variables affecting the transport goods and can transmit them wirelessly (e.g. via cellular mobile radio systems) to a control center from which they can e.g. be queried by the logistics company responsible for the transport or by the customer. These variables include the current location of the transport good (tracking), current temperature, information about vibrations, current humidity or current light exposure, to name only a few examples. These variables can also be collected over time intervals and then be provided in the form of a profile (either by the electronic devices themselves or by the control center).
This real-time monitoring provides a number of advantages:                Identification and avoidance of deviations of the variables from their desired target status: for example, loading a transport unit into a wrong vehicle or keeping a transport unit for too long in a location with too much sunlight can be identified.        Increasing security: for example, unauthorized access to the transport goods can be identified in real time and automatically trigger alarms to the customer and/or logistics company, e.g. by SMS or email.        Compliance with evidence obligations of a legal nature: for example, for temperature-managed transports for which the customer or logistics company must demonstrate that certain temperature limits were complied with during transport, this demonstration can be provided in real time.        Improving processes for the logistics company: the logistics company can measure and benchmark their transport processes and individual components thereof in real time. Until now, this has only been possible with considerable work and high costs, if at all.        Liability relief        Reduction in insurance totals        Expansion of the transport portfolio
Currently, however, there is no option available for monitoring air freight transports in real time. This is due to the fact that a necessary part of real-time monitoring is the radio-based transmission of the transport goods' variables by the electronic devices with which the transport goods or transport units are equipped. Radio-based applications that are to be used in aircraft are, however, subject to certification by the responsible aviation authority, such as the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Both these authorities are currently refusing to allow aircraft transport of actively transmitting units that are not under the control of the flight operator.
The basis for issuing permission for such units to be transported in aircraft could, however, be a forced shutdown of these units or at least a forced deactivation of these units' radio modules during the entire flight, ruling out interference with the aircraft's internal radio and control systems.

Changing the operating mode of an electronic device associated with a transport unit


By using catalytic partial oxidation or autothermal reforming process, a catalytic oxidizer installed in the engine's Exhaust Gas Recycle (EGR) line can be used to produce from fossil fuels or bio-fuels a reformate gas containing H2 and CO for an IC engine or a gas turbine. Thus, a system consisting of an EGR Oxidizer and an IC engine/gas turbine can be used by itself as a driving device, or can be combined with an electric generator and a battery bank to produce, store and transmit electricity to be used in stationary or mobile power generation, transportation and utility etc.

Internal Combustion Engines and Gas Turbines:
In the 20th century, various types of internal combustion (IC) engines and gas turbines have successfully been developed and been widely used over the years in the stationary power generation, transportation and utility applications. For example, the 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines are used for motorcycle, chainsaw, lawn mower, weed eater, automobile, small power generator etc, the diesel engines are used for truck, bus, stationary power generator etc, and the gas turbines are used for airplanes, power generators etc. Currently, most of the IC engines and gas turbines utilize homogeneous flame combustion of various hydrocarbons (HC) to generate power, and it is known that the timing of ignition, the composition of the fuel/air mixture, the vaporization of the fuels, and the temperature and pressure at the ignition point are very important for a complete combustion. However, despite all the necessary controls and the technology advances over the years, any internal combustion engine or gas turbine will still emit pollutants such as unburned hydrocarbons, CO, NOx, diesel particulates etc.
To reduce the HC, CO, NOx and diesel particulate pollutants from the internal combustion engine's exhaust gas, catalytic converters and/or diesel particulate traps containing supported Pt group metal catalyst have successfully been used commercially for several decades. However, for this pollution removing technology, it is necessary to use an on-board computer as well as various electronic/mechanical devices to reduce the pollutants by controlling precisely the ignition timing, and the air/fuel ratio of the combustion gas. Also, these devices are required to improve the efficiency of the catalytic converters or traps, which are installed in the engine's exhaust pipe lines.
Various other types of IC engines have also been developed successfully in recent years, and these engines can use different fuels such as hydrogen, natural gas, liquefied propane gas, gasoline/ethanol mixture (flex fuel), diesel/bio-diesel mixture etc.
Catalytic Combustion Technology:
Since 1970's, extensive research and development on catalytic combustion technologies have been studied over the years. As demonstrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,975,900, 5,235,804, 5,326,253 and 6,358,040, herein incorporated by references, the catalytic combustion of HC over the supported Pd and other catalysts using various type of reactor designs can reduce the reaction's peak temperature and, thus, can reduce the formation of NOx, while achieving low CO and HC emissions. However, the reaction peak temperatures are frequently found to be exceeding the upper limits of the catalyst, and they would shorten the catalyst life and cause failures during the applications.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,960,840 to Willis et al, herein incorporated by reference, two catalytic reactors are used with a gas turbine generator to achieve better exhaust emission. Air and natural gas are first compressed and heat exchanged and a primary catalytic reactor is used to raise the turbine's inlet temperature. After the turbine, a second low-pressure catalytic reactor is used to combust the remaining fuels and to recover the heat. But for this primarily catalytic reactor system, water (or steam), CO2 or the recycle exhaust gas are not used in the feed gas to absorb the reaction heats as well as to perform steam reforming and water gas shift reactions. Furthermore, since no precise control of O2/C ratio is described, a sudden momentary increase in O2/C ratio of the feed mixture can cause the run away oxidation reactions over the Pt group metal catalysts, and produce within a few milliseconds excess reaction heats. These heats can permanently deactivate or even melt and destroy the catalysts, and thus reduce the reactor's reliability and its useful life.
Fuel Reforming and Fuel Cells
Fuel cell technologies offer promise and potential as a more efficient, cleaner and quieter process for generating electricity. Therefore, devices using more efficient fuel cell technologies can potentially be used to replace the internal combustion engines for the applications in stationary or mobile power generation, utility and transportation.
However, despite the technology improvements in recent years, every fuel cell technology has limited short operating life, difficult for mass production, and still very expensive and unreliable. For example, the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) requires a constant and continuous supply of hydrogen to the stacks (i.e. electrodes) to generate electricity and thus, a reliable source of hydrogen becomes a limitation in this process. Furthermore, fuel cell catalysts are sensitive to some residual hydrocarbons and/or impurities such as sulfur, calcium, magnesium, phosphors etc. and thus, the hydrogen fuel also needs to be purified, a yet further limitation of this process. Another required improvement in fuel cell technology is the seamless integration of the fuel reformer and the fuel cell stack for long hour continuous and reliable operation. For example, a sudden increase/decrease in power requirement can cause flow disturbance to the reformer and thus create unstable operation in the fuel cell stacks.
For fuel cell reforming technology, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,894 to Hwang, et al., herein incorporated by reference, hydrogen can be produced from commercial diesel oil by an autothermal reforming (ATR) process, and this reforming process can also be used to generate hydrogen from natural gas, LPG and JP-4 fuels. In this autothermal reforming process, a mixture of #2 diesel oil, water and air is fed into a reformer, which comprises two catalytic zones to yield hydrogen and CO for the fuel cell stack. In the first catalytic reaction zone, the majority of the hydrocarbon (i.e. diesel oil) is reacted over the monolithic palladium and platinum catalyst under very high space velocity (about 10 millisecond contact time) and the feed mixture preferably containing H2O to C ratio of 1.5 to 3.0 and an O2 to C ratio of 0.35 to 0.55.
The main purpose of this reaction zone is to promote catalytic partial oxidation (CPO) reactions to convert most of the feed hydrocarbons into useful CO and hydrogen, and the produced reaction heats can simultaneously be used to raise the feed mixture to a temperature between 600 and 1000° C. for the subsequent second reaction zone. Depending on the O2 to C ratio, either diesel oil or O2 will completely be converted and totally be consumed in this CPO zone. Therefore, at O2/C<0.5, all oxygen molecules are expected to be completely consumed, the diesel oil in the feed mixture can partially (up to 100%) be converted by this CPO reaction to CO and H2, and the % oil conversion can be controlled by adjusting the O2/C ratio of the feed mixture. However, this reaction zone must avoid the complete combustion reactions of hydrocarbons, because the complete combustion reactions at high O2/C ratio>1.0 would produce CO2 and water instead of H2 and CO, and this CO2 cannot be used by most of the fuel cell stacks to generate electricity. In other words, the complete combustion reactions directly convert useful fuels into waste products. Therefore, to improve the fuel cell's thermal efficiency, the optima O2/C ratio in the feed stream to the reformer must be kept within a narrow range, typically between 0.35 and 0.55.
In the second catalytic reaction zone of this ATR technology, the remaining small portion of the unconverted hydrocarbons are reacted with H2O in the presence of a steam reforming (SR) catalyst at 2,000 to 20,000/hr space velocity to yield more hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Since the rate of steam reforming reactions is much slower than that of the CPO reactions, the H2O/C ratio in the feed mixture has a limited effect on the reformer's overall hydrogen production. Thus, this ratio is typically kept below 3.0 without reducing the fuel cell's overall thermal efficiency. In other words, there are almost no advantages of using H2O/C ratio over 3.0 in the feed mixture.
In U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,436,363 and 6,849,572 to Hwang, et al., herein incorporated by reference, the ATR process and the layered Pt group metal catalysts can successfully be used to produce H2 from natural gas or LPG. This ATR process and catalysts have been used in a hydrogen demonstration station as well as in several prototype PEMFC demonstration units for generating electricity from natural gas or LPG.
In addition to U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,894 to Hwang, et al., several U.S. patents such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,837 to Heck et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,807 to Schmidt et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,848 to Deluga et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 7,262,334 to Schmidt et al. have successfully demonstrated that the Pt group metal catalysts and the CPO reactions can produce within a very short contact time the CO and H2 from various hydrocarbons, ethanol or other bio-fuels. Furthermore, recent study by Salge et al. (Science, Vol 314, Nov. 3, 2006) had concluded that CO and H2 could be produced from soy oil and glucose-water over Rh—CeO2 catalyst by the CPO reactions.
Fuel Pretreater, Vaporizer and Delivery System:
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,415,755 to Lathi and Johnson, herein incorporated by reference, a plate or a tube fuel processor is used to vaporize the fuel with the hot exhaust gas before injecting the fuel into a combustion source. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,601 to Pantone, herein incorporated by reference, a fuel pretreater apparatus and the method for pretreating an alternate fuel for internal combustion engines, furnaces, boilers and turbines are described. In this patent, an engine's by-pass exhaust stream is used to vaporize fuel in a volatilization chamber and also to carry this HC fuel through a heated reactor prior to its being introduced into the fuel burning equipment, such as an IC engine. The reactor is preferably interposed in the exhaust conduit and is formed by a reactor tube having a reactor rod mounted coaxially therein in spaced relationship. The exhaust stream passing through the exhaust conduit provides the thermal energy to the reactor to pretreat the vaporized fuel stream. This fuel processor for pretreating the fuels was later explained by the inventor as a self-inducing plasma generator. In this patent, the Pt group metal catalysts and the catalytic processes were not used to carry out the partial oxidation reactions of the fuels with the recycled exhaust gas, and it did not describe the requirement and necessity of controlling the O2/C, H2O/C and CO2/C ratios of the fuel mixture.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,063 to Smith et al, herein incorporated by reference, a pre-engine catalyst was used to produce synthesis gas (CO and H2) from natural gas for the subsequent IC engine. Portion of the exhaust gas was also re-circulated to the engine together with additional injection of fresh air and natural gas. It was demonstrated that this feed mixture can reduce NOx formation and can improve engine's efficiency. However, though the synthetic gas was produced from natural gas by the catalytic partial oxidation reactions over a monolithic Rh catalyst, this pre-engine catalyst was not installed in the EGR line, and water was not used in the feed mixture. It is known that the addition of water in the feed mixture to the catalytic oxidizer can further reduce or prevent coke formation, which will allow and improve the utilization of various heavier HC as engine fuels. Furthermore, water can also improve the total hydrogen production via water gas shift and steam reforming reactions.
Though some current models of passenger car and diesel truck are equipped with EGR line and some exhaust gas is re-circulated back to the engine for the purpose of reducing the engine's peak temperature and, thus, reducing the NOx emission, there are no commercial on-board catalytic reformers currently installed in the EGR line, and no fuel/water/air mixture injected into this reformer for the purpose of providing hydrogen to assist and to improve combustion's efficiency of an engine or a gas turbine
Plasmatron Fuel Converter:
In U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,425,332 and 7,028,644 to Rabinovich, Cohn et al, herein incorporated by references, a Plasmatron fuel processor can generate electrically conducting gas (plasma) and this plasma gas can initiate non-catalytic partial oxidation reactions of various fuels to produce hydrogen rich reformate for an IC engine. Based on their experiments, the addition of CO and H2 gas to an IC engine's air inlet can increase gasoline engine's efficiency by 20-25%, reduce NOx emission up to 90% and reduce diesel engine's exhaust emission by 90%. Therefore, this plasma on-board reformer for the IC engines offers a cost effective near-term solution to reduce gasoline consumption and CO2 emission. Furthermore, to remove emissions from trucks and buses, this Plasmatron fuel processor can also produce H2 for the purpose of regenerating a NOx or a diesel particulate trap (Bromberg et al, Diesel Engine Emission Reduction Workshop, Newport, R.I., Aug. 24-28, 2003).
However, a fuel reformer containing Pt group metal catalysts has been found to be very effective in carrying out the catalytic partial oxidation reactions of various fuels to produce CO and H2. Therefore, if this catalytic fuel reformer is installed in the EGR line and if it uses the hot exhaust gas to initiate the CPO reactions, this catalytic reformer can effectively be used to replace the non-catalytic Plasmatron fuel converter as an on-board fuel processor for the IC engines, and it can also be used to generate a reducing gas for the purpose of regenerating the NOx and/or diesel particulate traps.
Integrated Catalytic and Turbine System and Process for the Generation of Electricity:
A co-pending application U.S. Ser. No. 11/711,988 was filed on Feb. 28, 2007. According to this invention, a single integrated catalytic and turbine generator or a system combining several single integrated catalytic and turbine generators in series can be used to generate electricity. For example, a fuel mixture comprising the HC (or bio-fuel), steam and an oxygen containing gas are introduced into the reformer and are reacted over a Pt group metal catalyst in a reaction zone to produce a high pressure reformate containing steam, H2, CO, CO2, N2, O2 and unconverted HC. This high-pressure reformate stream can be used to drive a turbine and a generator to produce electricity. However, to improve the durability of the catalyst life, the H2O/C and O2/C ratios of the feed stream must be controlled individually and/or simultaneously so that the temperature in the reactor zone can continuously be kept between 150 and 1200° C., preferably between 150 and 1000° C.
From thermodynamic equilibrium calculations as demonstrated in this co-pending patent application, the addition of water (steam) into the air and fuel feed mixture can reduce the adiabatic temperature, and the reactor can be operated without coke formation in a broader range of O2/C and H2O/C ratios. In addition, due to higher heat capacity, the CPO reactions of the fuels in the presence of steam and CO2 can reduce the reaction peak temperature and thus can improve the durability, life and the performance of the catalyst.
The first reformer's operating conditions of this single Integrated Catalytic and Turbine Generator system can be modified to convert fuels into H2 for an IC engine or a gas turbine. For example, the reformer can be installed in the exhaust gas recycle (EGR) line to produce H2 and CO from the fuels and the hot recycled exhaust gas, and it can also crack catalytically the heavier HC molecules into lighter HC molecules. The produced reformate which comprises unconverted HC, H2 and CO can be admitted into an IC engine or a gas turbine to carry out additional homogeneous or catalytic combustion inside the engine/gas turbine. Since H2 can be combusted more rapidly and cleanly, this on-board EGR Oxidizer can improve the performance of an IC engine or a gas turbine.

Catalytic EGR oxidizer for IC engines and gas turbines

Abstract: The Oxidizer can also be used to provide reducing gases to regenerate the NOx or diesel particulate traps, so that the traps can continuously be used for reducing emissions from IC engine, diesel truck, gas turbine, power plant etc.


One embodiment provides a modular green roof tray, house plant growth media and horticulture growth media, and a tree protection mat for weed and moisture control made from recycled disposable diapers. The growth medium and tree protection mat contain superabsorbent materials from diaper that can absorb waters and greatly reduce irrigation so to provide a drought resistant feature. One embodiment also provides a manufacturing process to perform 100% recycling of disposed diapers.

Green roof systems are used on the roofs of buildings and provide an environment to host vegetation. A green roof system can offer energy consumption reduction, sound insulation, food and flower production, reduction of greenhouse gas emission, preservation of habitat and biodiversity, storm water retention, reduction in the urban heat island effect, and other benefits.
The main concerns for a green roof system include structural strength, managing or avoiding water leakage, and irrigation of roof plants. A building with a green roof must be strong enough to support the growth medium and the plants, especially after it is saturated with water. Waterproofing is a challenge as there may be a sustained water pressure on the roof in some systems. The aforementioned aspects are important for an intensive green roof, while irrigation is important for an extensive green roof. Current green roof technologies uses light weight growth medium to reduce the load on the infrastructure. For flat roofs, the main concerns are waterproof and structural design. For inclined roofs, the growth medium immobilization and water retention need extra considerations. Pitched sheets or stair-like designs have been used for this type of roof. The thinner growth medium layer of an extensive green roof allows less water uptake and retention. In areas with infrequent precipitation and/or high evaporation rates, irrigation may be required on a daily basis, which may offset the cost savings from a green roof system.
A similar situation requiring an environment to host vegetation exists in tree protection. Tree protection is important, especially for young and newly planted trees, whose root system has not yet well developed. Most widely used method is mulching with wood chips that are recycled from green waste. This can preserve moisture, reduce competition from weeds, and allow trees obtain essential nutrients to survive early growth. But they are not very efficient and long-lasting and will degrade quickly. Usually trees need to be re-mulched annually in spring.
One alternative solution for tree protection, especially for young trees, is to place weed mat around tree. These weed mats are usually made of plastic materials whose functions are just like mulch but last longer. Two different types of mats are available on the market right now: mats with and without pores. The major difference is that weed mat with pores allows rain water seep in while weed mat without pores cannot. It seems weed mat with pores are more effective for water permeate through; however, it is less favorable for the customers in the market. The argument preferring mat without pores is that the same pores that allow water seep in can quickly evaporate out because of its high surface area and small pore sizes. Both types of weed mats and wood chips' mulches rely primarily on the soil around trees for holding moisture. The mat or the mulch has no or very limited capability to absorb water. Therefore the moisture content can vary in a wide range depends on the properties of soil and weather.
Meanwhile, hundreds of billions of dirty diapers are disposed annually as solid wastes and only a very small fraction of them are recycled. This is mainly due to the lack of technologies for efficient and cost-effective recycling. The valuable materials in these disposed diapers could have found great applications if they can be properly processed.
Disposable diapers are made of a variety of components. First, an absorbent pad made of cellulose or cellulose acetate and superabsorbent polymer (SAP) e.g., sodium polyacrylate is used to absorb body fluids. This pad is then placed into a tissue carrier, which can be made of polyester nonwoven fabrics or tissue paper. This tissue wrapped pad is then sandwiched in between a layer of nonwoven fabric for interior and a non-permeable film for exterior. The nonwoven fabric includes of a hydrophilic layer to allow water to flow to the absorbent pad and a hydrophobic layer to keep the surface in contact with skin dry. The non-permeable film is made of polyethylene or cloth-like polyolefin films to prevent liquid leakage. To put all the above components together, hot-melt adhesives are used. Elastomeric materials, such polyurethane, polyester or rubber are used in cuffs for both the waist and the leg to maintain tightness. Adhesive tapes or hook tapes are used to provide mechanical grip for closure. Other components, such as lotions applied on the surface of top sheet, decorative film, wetness indicator, and acquisition and distribution layers are very common in disposable diapers.
The complexity of the disposable diapers arises from the consumers' need for a comfortable, effective, easy-to-use, and low-cost product. However, such a system has made traditional recycling impossible to do efficiently and cost-effectively with current technologies. As a result, most after-consumer disposable diapers end up as solid waste piling up in landfill fields. The lack of a product that can consume the recycled materials and proper purification technologies to produce high purity materials have played a great role in the landfill problem.


Device for removing a complete vascular occlusion using a CTO catheter, at the distal end of which are disposed stretching tongs and IVUS monitoring, whereby the CTO catheter is combined with an IVUS catheter to form an integrated unit.

Vascular disease, in particular cardiac infarction, is one of the most common fatal illnesses. It is caused by disease of the coronary arteries (arterios clerosis), in which the build-up of deposits (arteriosclerotic plaque) causes occlusions in the coronary arteries. In particularly serious cases this can result in a complete occlusion of the coronary vessels, which is known as a "Chronic Total Coronary Occlusion" (CTO). These occlusions have in the past generally been treated only by means of a bypass operation. In recent years laser angioplasty (PTLA) has additionally become established as a way of removing plaque, particularly in the case of long stenoses (>2 cm) and in the case of complete occlusions. However, PTLA involves a considerable risk of injury in the form of hemorrhage, damage or perforation/dissection of the vascular wall.
In February 2002 the FDA authorized a new instrument—known as a CTO catheter—to remove the CTO. This device works in a similar way to stretching tongs and presses out the plaque in the coronary arteries piece by piece and permits a gradual removal of the entire vascular occlusion. Such a CTO catheter to remove the CTO is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,270 "Manual Actuator for a Catheter System for Treating a Vascular Occlusion" and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,516 "Method for Treating Vascular Occlusion", in particular FIG. 18. As a product, the Frontrunner CTO catheter from LuMend, Inc., Redwood City, Calif. is known.

Medical device for removing a vascular occlusion


A decision field is displayed having a number of result tokens spaced apart at different locations about the decision field, with each result token displaying a respective potential result. A decision point is also displayed within the decision field. This decision point is associated with two or more direction options which are preferably graphically depicted along with the decision point, and the player is enabled to make a direction input to select one of the direction options. Once the player has made their direction input to select one of the direction options associated with the decision point, a graphically depicted player token is caused to traverse the decision field along a player token path that includes a path portion associated with the selected direction option. The player token path may eventually intersect one or more result tokens of the decision field and the player is then awarded the potential result displayed by the respective result token or tokens intersected by the player token path.

A large number of different gaming machines have been developed to provide various formats and graphic presentations for conducting games and presenting game results. For example, numerous mechanical reel-type gaming machines, also known as slot machines, have been developed with different reel configurations, reel symbols, and paylines. More recently, gaming machines have been developed with video monitors that are used to produce simulations of mechanical spinning reels. These video-based gaming machines may use one or more video monitors to provide a wide variety of graphic effects in addition to simulated spinning reels, and may also provide secondary/bonus games using different reel arrangements or entirely different graphics. Video based gaming machines may also be used to show card games or various types of competitions such as actual or simulated horse races in which wagers may be placed. Game manufacturers are continuously pressed to develop new game presentations, formats, and game graphics in an attempt to provide high entertainment value for players and thereby attract and keep players.

Method, apparatus, and program product for presenting gaming results through a player decision field


A method, system, and device for planning a path for a forced landing of an aircraft based on image recognition are provided. The method includes: calculating an endurance distance of an aircraft based on sensor data and meteorological information; obtaining an alternative landing area by a satellite image containing contour information and a terrain image recognition model; obtaining a current satellite image of the alternative landing area and determining a landing area; and selecting a landing site by a landing site decision model and generating a path for a forced landing, such that the aircraft completes a forced landing task according to the path for the forced landing. The method, system, and device can automatically recognize image information, select a best landing site, and generate a path for a forced landing to assist a pilot in performing a forced landing task.

With the development of technologies, aircrafts have become one of the main traffic and transportation means. An aircraft can be in service for more than ten years. With the increased service time of the aircraft, various failures will inevitably occur on the aircraft. In case of severe weather conditions, the aircraft may also be damaged to some extent, making the aircraft unable to reach a destination safely.
When the aircraft cannot reach the destination safely, a pilot must make a forced landing based on the current condition of the aircraft. At present, in case of aircraft malfunction, the pilot can perform a forced landing task only by receiving a remote instruction from a tower. All operations performed by the pilot are responses made based on visual recognition. However, in the face of poor visibility or cloud occlusion, it is difficult to make a correct response only based on visual recognition without auxiliary equipment. The forced landing task is usually done as a last resort and characterized by very short response time and a high real-time requirement. It is important that assistance to the pilot is provided as much as possible to improve the success probability of forced landing.

Method, system, and device for planning path for forced landing of aircraft based on image recognition

Zhuhai Xiangyi Aviation Technology Company LTD.


A frequency mixer includes a first N channel MOS transistor, second and third N channel MOS transistors constituting a local oscillator signal differential pair, and having substantially identical properties, a first load, and a second load. The first N channel MOS transistor receives an RF signal at its gate. A local oscillator signal is applied to the gates of the second and third N channel MOS transistors. The drain current of the second and third N channel MOS transistors is output to the drain of the first N channel MOS transistor. An amplitude-current conversion circuit receives the RF signal and provides an output current to the drain of the first N channel MOS transistor to decrease monotonously the output current with respect to the amplitude of the RF signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to frequency mixers, and more particularly, to a frequency mixer directed to improving linearity.
2. Description of the Background Art
For frequency conversion in a radio communication transceiver, a frequency mixer is employed for converting, for example, an RF signal (radio frequency signal) into an IF signal (intermediate frequency signal).
This frequency mixer functions to multiply two signals of different frequencies to generate a signal based on the multiplied result, i.e. a signal having a frequency of the sum and difference of the frequencies of an RF signal and a local oscillator signal. By taking out only the signal that has a frequency of the difference, the IF signal can be obtained.
As used herein, a local oscillator signal refers to a signal output from an oscillator that generates a signal having a frequency substantially equal to the value of frequency-conversion from an IF signal to an RF signal in a radio communication transceiver.
A conventional frequency mixer is formed of a transistor receiving an RF signal at its gate for conversion into a drain current (referred to as RF transconductor), a differential pair including two transistors, receiving differential local oscillator signals at their gates for conversion into a drain current (referred to as local oscillator signal differential pair), and a load to convert the drain current of the transistors in the local oscillator signal differential pair into a voltage to obtain an IF signal.
The drain of the transistor in the RF transconductor is connected in common with the sources of the two transistors in the local oscillator signal differential pair. Furthermore, two loads are connected to the respective drains of the two transistors in the local oscillator signal differential pair.
In accordance with such a configuration, the transistor of the RF transconductor converts the RF signal into a drain current. The current path thereof is switched by the two transistors of the local oscillator signal differential pair in response to the local oscillator signal applied to respective gates, whereby the multiplied result of the RF signal and the local oscillator signal appears as the differential IF signal at the two loads to be output.
Furthermore, the frequency mixer is configured to allow the drain current of the transistor in the local oscillator signal differential pair to be reduced by compensating for a portion of the drain current of the transistor in the RF transconductor through a constant-current source (for example, refer to IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits, Vol. 35, No. 12, pp. 1927-1933, referred to as Document 1 hereinafter; and IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits, Vol. 38, No. 1, pp. 30-42, referred to as Document 2 hereinafter).
Thus, the frequency mixer disclosed in Documents 1 and 2 can reduce the drain current of the transistors in the local oscillator signal differential pair that is required to conduct a current flow to the drain of the transistor in the RF transconductor.
Even in the case where the gate-source voltage of the transistor in the local oscillator signal differential pair is smaller, i.e. when a local oscillator signal of smaller amplitude is input, the frequency conversion operation described in the foregoing can be carried out, allowing the linearity in the local oscillator signal differential pair to be improved, i.e. improvement of linearity in the relationship between the local oscillator signal (input) in the local oscillator signal differential pair and the drain current (output) of the transistor in the local oscillator signal differential pair.
At a point in time where the momentary voltage of the RF input signal, when having a large amplitude, is small in the frequency mixer disclosed in Documents 1 and 2, the gate voltage of the transistor in the RF transconductor will become extremely low. Therefore, there are occasions where the drain current of that transistor (the output current of the RF transconductor) becomes smaller than the current of the constant current source. In order to reduce the current flowing to the drain of the transistor in the RF transconductor (input current of the RF transconductor) at this stage, the potential at the connection node among the drain of the transistor in the RF transconductor, the constant current source, and the sources of the transistors in the local oscillator signal differential pair rises. In response, the gate-source voltage of the transistor in the local oscillator signal differential pair is reduced, whereby the transistor in the local oscillator signal different pair is turned off such that the drain current of that transistor becomes 0. As a result, no current will flow to the load connected to the drain of the transistor in the local oscillator signal differential pair, and the IF signal will be fixed in voltage.
Thus, the frequency mixer disclosed in Documents 1 and 2 had the disadvantage that the linearity of the local oscillator signal differential pair is degraded when the amplitude of the RF input signal is large.

Frequency mixer preventing degradation in linearity on amplitude of input signal


An in-vivo sensing system and a method for creating a summarized graphical presentation of a data stream captured in-vivo. The graphical presentation may be in the form of for example a color bar. The color bar may be a fixed display along side a streaming display of the data stream. A cursor or other indicator may move along the fixed color bar as the data stream is displayed and/or streamed so as to indicate to a health professional what part of the data stream may be currently displayed. The color content in the color bar may map out the data stream and give indication of the location of anatomical sites as well as possible locations of pathology.

Known in-vivo imaging devices include ingestible capsules that may capture images from the inside of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Captured images may be transmitted to an external source to be examined, for example, for pathology by a healthcare professional. In some embodiments, in-vivo devices may include various other sensors that may transmit data to an external source for monitoring and diagnosis.
An in-vivo device may collect data from different points along a body lumen, for example lumens of the GI tract, and transmit them externally for analysis and diagnosis. The GI tract is a very long and curvy path such that it may be difficult to get a good indication of where along this tract each transmitted datum was obtained.
Time bars are known to be used when reviewing data, so as to indicate to the health professional how far along the image stream he/she may have advanced. However, since the in-vivo device may stall or advance at different speeds through various sections of a body lumen, for example, the GI tract, it may not be positively determined in some cases where or at what distance along the GI tract was a particular datum, for example an image, captured. In addition, on the time bar there May be no indication as to when the device may have reached certain anatomical milestones, for example, the duodenum, the cecum, or other anatomical locations in the GI tract.
Localization methods have been applied. Some localization methods may indicate the spatial position of the device in space at any given time. Although this information together with the time log may give the health professional a better indication of the rate at which the device has advanced it may still be difficult to correlate the spatial position of the device in space to the specific anatomy of, for example, the GI tract.
An in-vivo device may collect data from more than one sensor along the very long and curvy path resulting in multiple data streams captured by the in-vivo sensor. It may be time consuming and difficult to review multiple long streams of data. In addition, it may be difficult for a health profession to get an overall view of the contents of all the data obtained.

System and method for presentation of data streams


A system and a method for monitoring change of intraocular pressure and a contact lens for sensing change of intraocular pressure are provided. The contact lens includes a first material layer and a first pattern. The center of the first material layer has an optical region, and the optical region corresponds to a cornea region of an eyeball. The first pattern is formed on the optical region. Furthermore, the contact lens may further include a second material layer and a second pattern. The second material layer is located on the first material layer. The second pattern is formed on the second material layer and overlaps with the first pattern to form a moire pattern.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to monitoring technology for an intraocular pressure (IOP), and in particular, to a system and a method for monitoring change of intraocular pressure and a contact lens for sensing an intraocular pressure change.
2. Related Art
An intraocular pressure of a human body is one of the standards for measuring glaucoma. An excessive change in the intraocular pressure causes damage to optic nerves, so if the change in the intraocular pressure can be observed and tracked, the occurrence opportunity of the glaucoma will be reduced.
The most common manner for measuring an intraocular pressure is a contact applanation tonometer, for example, a Goldmann tonometer. However, frequent use of the contact tonometer for measurement causes a burden to eyes of a user, so the contact tonometer cannot be used as a device for long-term monitoring of an intraocular pressure.
The change of the intraocular pressure indirectly causes a cornea curvature change, so the change of the intraocular pressure can be observed through measuring the change in the cornea curvature. For a patient with glaucoma, an excessive change of an instant intraocular pressure value brings about the danger of blindness. Consequently, the monitored change of the intraocular pressure value becomes an important parameter.
Cornea curvature of a human body is generally obtained in the following manner: A projection device is used to project a stripe pattern onto a cornea of the human body, a recorder is used to record an image reflected from a surface of the cornea, and a change amount of the stripe pattern in the reflected image is analyzed to calculate curvature of the cornea surface. During the measurement, the head of the user must be fixed on a bracket of a measuring instrument, so that the eye of the user is located in a measuring region where the measuring instrument can observe the eyeball. After the location of the eyeball is determined, the stripe pattern to be measured is projected to a region where the cornea is located. In this case, the measuring instrument begins to record the change amount of the stripes and converts the recorded data into a height change of the cornea surface, so as to obtain an absolute value of the cornea curvature. However, in this measurement maimer, a professional person is required to assist in operating the instrument, and in the operation process, movement of the user head causes an error in the measurement result. The reflective cornea curvature measurement manner has complex calculation and is limited to the weak reflected image. Therefore, poor contrast of the reflected image increases an error value of the calculated curvature. Additionally, this kind of measuring instrument is usually too large to carry, and therefore is unsuitable to be used as a device for monitoring an intraocular pressure.

System and method for monitoring change of intraocular pressure and contact lens for sensing change of intraocular pressure


A method and apparatus to save power in a soft access point for a network. If no network traffic is detected for an integral number of TBTT (Target Beacon Transmission Time) intervals immediately prior to a current TBTT interval, and if no network traffic is detected for a first time slot in the current TBTT interval, then the soft access point sends a CTS (Clear-to-Send) packet addressed to itself to quiet the network for a second time slot and enters a low power mode for the second time slot. At the beginning of a third time slot, the soft access point puts itself into an active mode and monitors network traffic.

Many types of cell phones and mobile devices can be configured to serve as access points for wireless local area networks. For example, if a landline Internet connection is not available, one may configure a cell phone as a hot spot for other devices, such as a laptop, so that the laptop may connect with the Internet. In such situations, it is desirable to efficiently use the battery power of the cell phone so that the wireless local area network may be up and running as long as possible.

Power saving in soft access point devices


The method of controlling ground bounce during DC parametric tests disclosed herein is based on the formulation of tests that best achieve two broad goals. The first goal is to reduce the number of I/O pins that are switched simultaneously. In the formulation of the VIL and VIH tests this goal is implemented by preferably only switching one input at a time. The second goal is to simultaneously switch I/O pins that are distant from one another. In the formulation of the VOL and VOH tests this goal is implemented by partitioning the outputs into subsets and selecting preferably one and only one output at a time from each and every subset.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of methods for DC parametric testing. More specifically, this invention relates to methods for minimizing ground bounce during DC parametric testing using boundary scan registers.
2. The Conventional Art
At least at one point during the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs) it is desirable to test the integrity and performance of the interface between the IC and the outside world. This interface includes, among others, inputs, outputs, and power pins. Inputs and outputs can come in various types such as unidirectional, bidirectional, and 3-state. Power pins can have various DC voltage values such as ground, positive three, and positive five. The specific choices from among the various types of inputs, outputs, and power pins is dictated by the design of the IC.
One group of tests for integrity and performance of the IC interface are DC parametric tests. DC parametric tests consist of three sets of tests. First, there are the input parametric tests of voltage input low (VIL) and voltage input high (VIH). The purpose of the input parametric tests is to determine the DC characteristics of the IC interface with a logic 0 and a logic 1, respectively, driven at the inputs. Second, there are the output parametric tests of voltage output low (VOL) and voltage output high (VOH). The purpose of the output parametric tests is to determine the DC characteristics of the IC interface with the appropriate input to drive a logic 0 and a logic 1, respectively, at the outputs. Third, there is the leakage test for 3-state output buffers. The purpose of the leakage test is to determine the amount of current sunk or sourced by 3-state output buffers when they are in their high-impedance state.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that a boundary scan register (BSR) is a multi-function register that usually resides between the input/output (I/O) buffers and the core logic of an IC. The BSR includes sets of storage cells, known as boundary scan (BS) cells. These BS cells can function in one of three ways. First, the BS cell can drive the input of an output buffer. Second, the BS cell can be driven by the output of an input buffer. Third, the BS cell can control the enable signal of one or more 3-state output buffer. A shift mode allows external control over the contents of the BS cells in the BSR. The shift mode in conjunction with a parallel drive mode allows control of the outputs independent of the core logic. Similarly, shift mode and parallel load mode provides observability of the inputs. Controlling the BSR is done using external I/O pins usually through a finite state machine.
Turning first to FIG. 1, a block diagram of IC 10 having a BSR is shown. Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the BSR shown is only for example purposes. The actual layout, order, function, and number of BS cells will depend on the specific application. Further, IC 10 may well have additional pins, depending on the design, which are not shown in the interest of clarity. In FIG. 1, the BSR starts with the BSR input pin 12. In accordance with the IEEE 1149.1 standard, the BSR input pin 12 is known as the test data in (TDI) pin. Next the BSR includes bidirectional output BS cell 16 (b0) connected between the core logic (not shown) of IC 10 and bidirectional output buffer 18 which is in turn connected to bidirectional pin 24. In this case, pin 24 is bidirectional so that it is also connected to bidirectional input buffer 30 which is in turn connected to bidirectional input BS cell 28 (b1) which is further in turn connected to the core logic. Bidirectional output enable BS cell 22 (e0) controls bidirectional output buffer 18. For reference purposes, also labeled are bidirectional output 20 and bidirectional input 26. Next the BSR includes 3-state output BS cell 34 (t0) which is connected between the core logic and 3-state output buffer 36 which is in turn connected to 3-state output pin 38. In this case, there is a second 3-state output BS cell 60 (t1) which is connected between the core logic and 3-state output buffer 62 which is in turn connected to 3-state output pin 64. 3-state output buffers 36 and 62 are controlled by 3-state output enable BS cell 56 (e1). Next the BSR includes 2-state output BS cell 42 which is connected between the core logic and 2-state output buffer 44 which is in turn connected to 2-state output pin 46. Next the BSR includes input BS cell 50 which is connected between the core logic and input buffer 52 which is in turn connected to input pin 54. Finally, the BSR ends with BSR output pin 68. In accordance with the IEEE 1149.1 standard, the BSR output pin 68 is known as the test data out (TDO) pin.
The remaining pins 14, 32, 40, 48, 58, and 66 are power pins which are connected to the power rails (not shown) of IC 10. During the discussion and examples that follow, whether a particular power pin (14, 32, 40, 48, 58, and 66) has a DC voltage value such as ground, positive three, or positive five will be stated if that distinction is required. Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that IC 10 is unlikely to have as many power pins as are shown here. The large number of power pins shown here is in the interest of providing a flexible example, there is no requirement that IC 10 have this many power pins or that they exhibit the alternating pattern shown here to perform the present invention.
In general, the techniques involved in performing DC parametric tests are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The particular techniques used will depend on the design of the IC. A common set of techniques is described in the IEEE 1149.1 standard for JTAG BSRs.
Turning now to FIG. 2, a flow diagram of the steps of a conventional VIL test is shown. The conventional VIL test starts at step 80. Next, at step 82, all of the bidirectional outputs are disabled while all of the inputs are held at their initial value, whatever that initial value might be. Next, at step 84, a logic 0 is applied to all of the inputs simultaneously. Next, at step 86, the values that result from the application of logic 0 to all of the inputs is captured into the BSR. Next, at step 88, the contents of the BSR are shifted out while the BSR output pin is strobed for the expected values. Any value at the BSR output pin that is not as expected may indicate a problem and a failure of this test. The conventional VIL test ends at step 90.
Returning to FIG. 1, an example of the conventional VIL test shown in FIG. 2 will be illustrated. The conventional VIL test starts at step 80 of FIG. 2. Then, at step 82 of FIG. 2, bidirectional output buffer 18 is disabled by loading a disable value into bidirectional output enable BS cell 22 while the inputs at pins 26 and 54 are held at their initial value. Then, at step 84 of FIG. 2, a logic 0 is applied to input pins 26 and 54 simultaneously. Then, at step 86 of FIG. 2, the values that result from the application of logic 0 to input pins 26 and 54 is captured into the BS cells (28 and 50 respectively) of the BSR. Then, at step 88 of FIG. 2, the contents of the BS cells of the BSR are shifted out while the BSR output pin 68 is strobed for the expected value. The conventional VIL test ends at step 90 of FIG. 2.
Turning now to FIG. 3, a flow diagram of the steps of a conventional VIH test is shown. The conventional VIH test starts at step 92. Next, at step 94, all of the bidirectional outputs are disabled while all of the inputs are held at their initial value. Next, at step 96, a logic 1 is applied to all of the inputs simultaneously. Next, at step 98, the values that result from the application of logic 1 to all of the inputs is captured into the BSR. Next, at step 100, the contents of the BSR are shifted out while the BSR output pin is strobed for the expected values. The conventional VIH test ends at step 102.
An example of the conventional VIH test shown in FIG. 3 would be similar to the example illustrated for FIG. 2 above except that a logic 1 rather than a logic 0 is applied to input pins 26 and 54 at step 96 of FIG. 3.
Turning now to FIG. 4, a flow diagram of the steps of a conventional VOL test is shown. The conventional VOL test starts at step 104. Next, at step 106, all of the bidirectional input pins are floated externally. Next, at step 108, a logic 0 is loaded into all output BS cells and an output enabling value is loaded into all enable BS cells. Next, at step 110, the outputs are driven and the output pins are strobed for the expected value. The conventional VOL test ends at step 112.
Returning to FIG. 1, an example of the conventional VOL test shown in FIG. 4 will be illustrated. The conventional VOL test starts at step 104 of FIG. 4. Then, at step 106 of FIG. 4, bidirectional input pin 26 is externally floated. Then, at step 108 of FIG. 4, a logic 0 is loaded into output BS cells 16, 34, 42, and 60 and output enabling values are loaded into enable BS cells 22 and 56. Then, at step 110 of FIG. 4, the outputs are driven and pins 24, 38, 46 and 64 are strobed for the expected value. The conventional VOL test ends at step 112 of FIG. 4.
Turning now to FIG. 5, a flow diagram of the steps of a conventional VOH test is shown. The conventional VOH test starts at step 114. Next, at step 116, all of the bidirectional input pins are floated externally. Next, at step 118, a logic 1 is loaded into all output BS cells and an output enabling value is loaded into all enable BS cells. Next, at step 120, the outputs are driven and the output pins are strobed for the expected value. The conventional VOH test ends at step 122.
An example of the conventional VOH test shown in FIG. 5 would be similar to the example illustrated for FIG. 4 above except that a logic 1 rather than a logic 0 is loaded into output BS cells 16, 34, 42, and 60 at step 118 of FIG. 5.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that when a conductor is switched from a logic 0 to a logic 1 or vice versa, the actual voltage on the conductor undergoes oscillations, called transients, before settling down to its final value. The amount of time, called the time constant, that it takes for these transients to settle down will depend on the amount of current involved in the switching and the values of the resistance, inductance, and capacitance (RLC) of the parasitic circuit formed by the conductor and its neighboring devices. The amplitude of these transients is directly related to the amount of current involved in the switching such that the greater the amount of current then the greater the amplitude.
In an IC, ground bounce, also called simultaneous switching noise and delta I noise, is the transient that occurs due to the presence of parasitic RLC circuits. With higher switching frequencies and smaller device dimensions, the parasitic RLC circuits can cause transients to appear on the power and ground rails. If the amplitude of these transients, either individually or in combination, is great enough, the IC may experience a malfunction and/or the DC parametric tests may be invalidated. Test invalidation may occur despite the fact that the IC under test could operate properly in its target environment because automatic test equipment (ATE) is generally more sensitive than the target environment for the IC. The magnitude of the ground bounce may depend on whether the conductor is being switched from logic 0 to logic 1 or vice versa. In either case, it is therefore important to control the generation of ground bounce when performing DC parametric tests.
Turning now to FIG. 6, a schematic of a CMOS inverter having modeled parasitic RLC circuits is shown. CMOS inverter 130 includes transistors 134 and 136 connected as shown between the core logic (not shown) of the IC and bonding pad 138. CMOS inverter 130 is shown further connected to power rail 140 (VDD) and ground rail 142. Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the CMOS inverter shown here is only one of many possible I/O buffers that are available and that the principles of ground bounce explained with respect to the CMOS inverter apply similarly to the other possible I/O buffers. CMOS inverter 130 is shown with model parasitic RLC circuit 144 connected between CMOS inverter 130 and power rail 140. Likewise, model parasitic RLC circuit 146 is connected between CMOS inverter 130 and bonding pad 138 and model parasitic RLC circuit 148 is connected between CMOS inverter 130 and ground rail 142.
Based on FIG. 6, ground bounce will occur when CMOS inverter 130 is switched from low to high or vice versa. For example, when CMOS inverter 130 is switched from low to high, the current drawn from power rail 140 causes parasitic RLC circuit 144 to oscillate. While the voltage value at power rail 140 remains constant, the voltage value at the point between parasitic RLC circuit 144 and CMOS inverter 130 goes through transients before settling down to essentially the same voltage value as that at power rail 140. It is ground bounce such as this that should be controlled when performing DC parametric tests.
One method of controlling the ground bounce generated during DC parametric tests is to employ IC design techniques that reduce the parasitic RLC circuits. These IC design techniques include increasing the width of the power and ground rails, having multiple power and ground rails, adding extra power and ground pins to evenly share the switching current, adding unequal delay paths to stagger switching times, and using output buffers with controlled or slow switching. Among the drawbacks to these IC design techniques are first that they are only available to one who is responsible for the IC design and are not available during testing of the IC and second that they are not always sufficient by themselves since the operations performed by a circuit during test may not be anticipated by the IC designers.
A second method of controlling the ground bounce generated during DC parametric tests is to perform the tests on a trial and error basis. That is, run one of the tests, if the test is invalid or causes damage to the IC then determine at which step in the test the problem occurred and redesign that step in the test. Through repetition of this process, eventually specific tests will be formulated. Among the drawbacks to this trial and error method is that time may be wasted running invalid tests and ICs may have to be sacrificed before specific tests are formulated. With the drive to higher integration densities and larger ICs, the cost associated with this method can be unacceptable.

Method for minimizing ground bounce during DC parametric tests using boundary scan register


The present disclosure discloses a power-adjustable mobile phone and a power adjustment method thereof. The method comprises following steps of: a. determining whether a maximum power transmission instruction from a base station is received before establishing a phone call; b. determining whether an interrupt signal emitted from a range sensor is received after it is determined that the maximum power transmission instruction from the base station is received; c. setting a maximum output power of a radio frequency power amplifier (RFPA) to be a first output power when it is determined that the interrupt signal is not received, and setting the maximum output power of the RFPA to be a second output power when it is determined that the interrupt signal is received; and d. controlling the RFPA to output radio frequency (RF) signals with the maximum output power.

Various organs of a human body are lossy dielectrics, so that electromagnetic field in human body will generate currents that absorb and dissipate electromagnetic energy. This physical process is usually represented as the specific absorption rate (SAR) in the biological dosimetry.
The SAR refers to the electromagnetic power absorbed or dissipated by per unit mass of human tissues, and has a unit of watts per kilogram (W/Kg).
Mobile phones radiate a great amount of electromagnetic waves to the outside during use, and the mobile phone are generally putted beside his/her ear during a phone call, therefore the long-term use of the mobile phones will cause brain dysfunction and influence human health. Thus, it is necessary for the mobile phones to pass an SAR test before shipment.
Currently the SAR test tests the SAR mainly by disposing the mobile phone at 2 to 3 centimeters away from a human face.
Various data of the current antenna using a GSM850 frequency band will be described with reference to table 1:
TABLE 1RadiationMaximumpower of theoutput power ofDAC value ofantennaRFPARFPASARData28.2 dBm    33 dBm5801.2 W/KgStandard  28 dBm33 ± 2 dBm<10231.0 W/Kg
As shown in table 1, the radiation power of the antenna using the GSM850 frequency band is 28.2 dBm, and the standard value is specified to be higher than 28 dBm. The standard value of the SAR is 1.0 W/Kg, but the SAR of the GSM850 has reached 1.2 W/Kg.
The radiation power of the antenna of a mobile phone is directly related to the SAR. The higher the radiation power of the antenna is, the greater the SAR will be. Therefore, one of the approaches to reduce the SAR is to reduce the radiation power of the antenna. Therefore, the SAR can be reduced by directly reducing the output power of the radio frequency power amplifier (RFPA) so as to reduce the radiation power of the antenna.
However, a resulting problem is that: if the maximum output power of the RFPA is reduced, the radiation power of the antenna will be reduced simultaneously. If the maximum output power of the RFPA is reduced to 32 dBm, then the radiation power of the antenna will be reduced by about 1 dBm simultaneously. Consequently, the radiation power of the antenna cannot meet the standard when it is tested in a free space.
Thus, when the radiation power of the antenna is adjusted to meet the standard, i.e., higher than 28 dBm, during related tests on the mobile phone, the SAR will be found to reach 1.2 W/Kg, which is out of the limit, in the SAR test. In this case, the antenna radiation power test and the SAR test cannot meet the standard simultaneously by directly reducing the output power of the RFPA.

Mobile phone performing power adjustment and power adjustment method thereof

Huizhou TCL Mobile Comunication Co., Ltd


This invention relates to aqueous suspensions of water-insoluble inorganic materials on a silica basis and insoluble in water, which are in finely subdivided form, stabilized with at least one organic polymeric material constituted by a partially crosslinked acrylic polymer or copolymer.

It is well-known that aluminosilicates, and in particular the zeolites of 4 A type corresponding to the general formula EQU Na.sub.2 O.Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.2SiO.sub.2.4.5H.sub.2 O
are generally used in detergents and cleansing agents.
These zeolites of 4 A type are interesting for application in the field of detergency in that they are capable of sequestering and fixing calcium ions from aqueous solutions; their calcium fixing power (cation exchange power) is preferably comprised within the range of from 50 to 200 mg of CaO per gram of aluminosilicate.
Due to this reason, the zeolites are valuable substitutes for sodium tripolyphosphate and are used in order to partially or completely replace the latter.
The use of zeolites of 4 A type in the preparation of detergent and cleansing agents led to the development of new technologies of preparation, which require the use of zeolites as aqueous suspension endowed with good characteristics of fluidity and storage stability, even for many days, and containing an amount of zeolite which should be as large as possible.
It is well-known that the zeolites of 4 A type are produced as a finely subdivided powder consisting of particles with an average size comprised within the range of from 0.5 to 10 micrometers.
To be used in the field of detergent and cleansing agents, zeolites of 4 A type are suspended in water and this operation is preferably directly carried out during the manufacture of the same zeolites, after their filtering and washing steps.
For the stabilization of the aqueous suspensions of zeolites--which should still be fluid also after their storage and transport, and should capable of being mixed and pumped through the normal pipes, a large number of stabilizers have been proposed in the past.
Thus, French patent N. 2,287,504 discloses suspensions of water-insoluble aluminosilicates and borosilicates, stabilized with a dispersing agent. Among such dispersing agents, organic polymeric compounds having a molecular weight higher than 1500 and containing carboxy and/or hydroxy groups, and in particular those of natural origin, such as e.g., polysaccharides, are mentioned.
French patent N. 2,512,690 discloses suspensions of zeolites of 4 A type stabilized with a non-ionic surface active agent selected from among macromolecular polymeric organic compounds containing hydroxy groups and with an alkali-metal hydroxide.
European patent application publ. N. 154,291 proposes that the stability of the aqueous suspensions containing a macromolecular polymeric organic compound comprising carboxy and/or hydroxy groups as the stabilizing agent is improved by means of the further addition of xanthan gum.
Italian patent application publ N. 20,238 A/84 proposes that the aqueous suspensions of zeolite are stabilized by means of the addition of a water-soluble resin selected from the group consisting of xanthan gum, guar gum and mixtures thereof.
The aqueous suspensions stabilized with the above cited stabilizer agents are capable of being pumped through the usual pipelines by means of the industrial pumps and are resistant to the vibrations which they are exposed to during their transport, but show the drawback that they cannot be stored without stirring for a long time period without undergoing the phenomenon of decantation. Furthermore, in the case of the aqueous suspensions stabilized by means of the above cited stabilizer agents, the settled material is hard and difficult to be removed.
In Italian patent application publ. N. 19,861 A/87, the drawbacks which affect the prior art have been overcome by using suitable stabilizing agents selected from the group consisting of special quaternary ammonium or phosponium compounds, in combination with polymers containing hydroxy groups.
Unfortunately, these products showed good suspending properties at room temperature, whereas at higher temperatures, i.e., above 50.degree. C., have displayed poorer suspending properties.
The present Applicant has found now that the aqueous suspensions of water-insoluble inorganic materials on silica basis and in finely subdivided form can be improved as regards their useful storage life, if small amounts of a partially crosslinked polymeric material are added, also at higher than room temperature values.

Stable aqueous-suspensions of inorganic materials on silica basis and insoluble in water