A sensor comprises a preferably multi-layer ceramic substrate (2) and at least one sensor element (1) arranged in, at, or on the ceramic substrate (2). The sensor element (1) can be contacted via a metallic contact (6), with the metallic contact (6) being produced via a soldering connection, which electrically connects the contact (6) with the sensor element (1) and here generates a fixed mechanic connection of the contact (6) in reference to the ceramic substrate (2). Furthermore, a method is claimed for producing the sensor according to the invention.

1. Technical Field
In general, the invention relates to a sensor preferably comprising a multi-layered ceramic substrate with at least one sensor element being arranged and/or embodied in, at, or on the ceramic substrate. Further, the invention relates to a method for the production of such a sensor.
While electronic assemblies have previously been produced on conventional circuit boards, today they are increasingly generated on and/or in ceramic substrates. The use of ceramics shows several advantages at once. Here, the high temperature resistance of ceramics is of particular importance. Additionally, the expansion of ceramics is considerably lower over the temperature progression than circuit boards of the prior art. Additionally, it is possible to produce multi-layered ceramics with integrated conductors in and/or between said layers. It is even possible to implement electric/electronic components between these layers. This leads to an extremely compact design. The contacting of such electronic assemblies commonly occurs via so-called soldering pads printed onto the substrate. In soft soldering methods of the prior art the contact is soldered onto the soldering pads in the form of a strand, metal wire, or the like. Soft welding is disadvantageous in that the soldering tin used already melts at temperatures from 200° C. to 300° C. This eliminates the enormous advantage of the high temperature resistance of ceramics, which cannot be utilized when the conventional soldering tin is used for soft soldering.
2. Description of Related Art
Solderings of the prior art are also disadvantageous, since in the connection to the solder pad is an exclusively electric connection. Such a connection is extremely unstable with regards to mechanic stress. Accordingly, the soldering site may not be subjected to any considerable mechanic stress. In case of shock, vibration, or other mechanic stress such soldering sites frequently break or tear. Consequently a separate mechanic fixation is required, for example by adhesion, joining, etc.
Hard soldering methods are an alternative to conventional soft soldering, with here the soldering temperature exceeding 450° C. Active brazing is a particular form of hard soldering. Commercial active brazing shows a melting point of approx. 850° C. Additionally, it shows the advantage that via active brazing metal the brazing process can occur directly on the ceramic. The conventional metallization of the ceramics required in conventional soft soldering or hard soldering can be omitted for active brazing, because the solder enters into a direct connection with the surface of the ceramics due to its chemical composition. By adding specific soldering elements, such as titanium, a reaction develops in active brazing at the boundary, namely between the metal and/or the metal alloy of the solder and the surface of the ceramic, so that the materials directly connect to each other without any adhesive agents being interposed. The particular advantage of active brazing is therefore given in the high mechanic resistance and high temperature stability of the connection. Consequently, a metal-ceramics connection suitable for high temperatures can be produced by active brazing.
Sensors of a generic type are known in practice. Such sensors already exist comprising multi-layered ceramics. For example, reference is made here to DE 10 2008 016 829 A1 and DE 103 14 875 A1.
In the sensors in question the connection between metal and ceramics represents a particular problem, too. Due to the fact that the actual sensor element is usually arranged on or in the ceramic and/or the ceramic substrate and for example at least one measuring electrode or at least one measuring coil must be contacted electrically, in general there is the problem how such an electric connection can be generated flawlessly and lastingly while simultaneously generate sufficiently good mechanic connections.
Usually, metallic contacts for sensors are also applied on ceramics, for example by way of soldering. Per se, such metal-ceramic soldering connections are also known from the prior art. Here, reference is made to DE 10 2004 024 920 B4. Concretely, from DE 10 2004 024 920 B4 a pressure sensor is known, in which a ceramic substrate is connected via active or hard soldering to a support structure made from metal, connected fixed to the connection housing of the pressure sensor. Here, it is disadvantageous that the ceramic substrate only serves as a fastening device for the actual pressure measuring cell. This pressure measuring cell in turn is made from metal and connected to the ceramic substrate by way of active brazing on one side. On the other side the ceramic substrate is provided with connection pins.
The measures of the prior art for electric contacting sensors are problematic in practice, however, since on the one hand they cause considerable expenses in handling/production and on the other hand they are only conditionally resistant to external-mechanical-influences. Such contacts generated by soldering are extremely "sensitive" and thus subject to malfunction.

Sensor comprising a multi-layered ceramic substrate and method for its production


A stimulating needle and catheter system is provided for delivery of an anaesthetic drug to a nerve having a fascia sheath. The position of the stimulating needle may be identified after insertion into the body of a patient by electrically stimulating and thus locating a specific nerve. When a specific nerve is located, the catheter is inserted through the needle such that the distal tip of the catheter is located at a point slightly beyond the distal tip of the needle. The distal tip of the catheter may then be manipulated and the optimum position within the nerve determined by applying an electrical impulse through a wire located within the catheter from the proximal end to the distal tip of the catheter. A tunneling device is inserted into the skin of the patient to form a subcutaneous tunnel through which the proximal end of the catheter is inserted.

A nerve block may be achieved through the administration of variable quantities of an anaesthetic agent to the plexus of a nerve. Since the nerve plexus is a very fragile structure, not capable of simple repair or reconstruction, it is crucial to do as little damage as possible in locating the point at which the plexus may be contacted.
It has been proposed to use a needle to locate the nerve in the usual way, and then to insert anaesthetic through the needle so that it emerges from the tip of the needle and contacts the nerve. An alternative procedure involves the proper positioning of the needle and the introduction of a stimulating catheter through the needle. Once properly placed adjacent the nerve and into the plexus sheath of the patient, the stimulating catheter may then be used to deliver variable amounts of anaesthetic for use as a nerve block.
It has also been proposed that an integral conductive wire be contained in the catheter, through which an electrical current may be applied to determine correct positioning of the catheter once it has been inserted through the needle. An electrical impulse sent through the conductive wire is utilized in determining proper placement of the tip of the catheter and, thus, the point at which the anaesthetic will be delivered.
Certain disadvantages exist with regard to the above referenced methods and the apparatus available to accomplish such methods. Most important among these is a danger associated with the uncertainty regarding the position of the needle tip. Such uncertainty could lead to nerve damage in manipulating the tip of the needle without knowing its position relative to nerves in the patient's body. This uncertainty can be related to 'leakage' of electricity from the needle, i.e. the electricity being applied to the needle is not exiting the needle at the tip but rather it is exiting at an unintended portion of the needle. Placement of the catheter can have similar difficulties. The catheter itself can also be unwieldy as it is usually of a very small diameter and needs to be packaged in a wound position.

Instrument and method for delivery of anaesthetic drugs


A biosensor is provided, including an identification information recording unit having identification information of the biosensor recorded thereon, where the identification information recording unit is a color tag that is attached on the biosensor and indicates the identification information by color, chroma of color, or arrangement pattern of colors. An apparatus for reading identification information of a biosensor is provided, including: a biosensor sensing unit detecting the biosensor; a light-emitting unit emitting light on an identification information recording unit when the biosensor sensing unit detects the biosensor, the identification information recording unit having the identification information of the biosensor recorded thereon; a light-receiving unit that receives the light emitted from the light-emitting unit, and reflected or refracted by or passing through the identification information recording section; and an identification information reading unit analyzing the light received by the light-receiving unit and reading the identification information of the biosensor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a biosensor having identification information recorded thereon and an apparatus for reading identification information of a biosensor and, more particularly, to a technology of reading biosensor information, such as the kind and manufacturer of biosensor, from the biosensor.
2. Description of Related Art
US Patent Application Publication No. US 2004/200721 published on Oct. 14, 2004 discloses a biosensor with a code pattern in which an identification information recording means is attached on the biosensor to record identification information of the biosensor, and biosensor information, such as the kind and manufacturer of biosensor, is read from the identification information recorded on the recording means.
In the above-mentioned US patent application Publication, the biosensor information is recorded in barcode form and is read by a barcode reader.
However, there is a problem in that since the barcode is used as an identification information recording means of the biosensor, the production cost of the biosensor rises.

Biosensor having identification information and apparatus for reading identification information of biosensor


A swivel display inclining structure used in a dual-use portable computer is disclosed to include a touch panel pivoted to the top surface of the base member of the portable computer, two spring members for supporting the touch panel in an inclined position relative to the base member of the portable computer to support the swivel display of the portable computer in an inclined open position, two latches slidably mounted on the base member of the portable computer for locking the touch panel to the base member of the portable computer in a received position, and an operating bar for pressing by the user to disengage the latches from the touch panel for enabling the touch panel to be forced outwards from the received position to the inclined position by the spring members for supporting the swivel display in the inclined open position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a swivel display inclining structure and more particularly, to such a swivel display inclining structure, which is practical for use in a dual-use portable computer for supporting the swivel display of the portable computer in an inclined open position for operation with a touch pen.
2. Description of Related Art
A regular dual-use portable computer generally comprises a base member accommodating a keyboard, and a swivel display pivoted to the base member. The swivel display can be rotated on the base member and turned about an axis relative to the base member between two reversed positions. When the user closed the swivel display on the base member with the display screen of the swivel display facing the outside opposite to the base member, the portable computer is used as a tablet PC. When the user opened the swivel display from the base member with the display screen of the swivel display facing the base member, the portable computer is used as a notebook computer. Therefore, this portable computer is called dual-use portable computer.
However, when using the dual-use portable computer as a tablet PC, the swivel display must be closed on the base member with the display screen facing the outside opposite to the base member for operation with a touch pen. This design is not an orthopedically engineered design. It is not comfortable to operate a touch pen over the display screen of the swivel display that is closed on the base member of the portable computer.


The present invention is directed to a block building system for building a wall structure that includes a plurality of pre-formed blocks configured to be stacked vertically upon one another to form the wall structure. Each block has at least one frustum-shaped protrusion on a top surface of the block, a horizontal channel formed in a bottom surface of the block, and at least one aperture extending vertically through an interior of the block. The system also has at least one base track, a plurality of T-shaped reinforcement members configured to engage with and extend upwardly from the track, a plurality of extension members that interlock with and extend T-shaped reinforcement members, and securing members. One or more courses of blocks can be vertically stacked over the base track by passing the T-shaped reinforcement members and/or extension members through the apertures formed in the blocks, thereby forming the wall structure.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to a system and method for the building of walls for commercial, public, residential and other buildings, as well as similar structures.
2. Related Art
The construction of walls for buildings and other structures typically involves methods that provide for the formation of durable and fairly long-lasting structures. Preferred construction methods may also use cost-effective materials and processes that are reasonably easy to implement, thereby reducing the overall construction cost. In one example of a conventional method used to build walls for commercial and residential structures, a combination of cinder blocks, rebar tubes, and a concrete foundation are used to provide the building materials and framework for the wall construction. In a first step, a foundation for the wall is prepared by laying a slab of wet concrete over a selected area of ground. While the concrete is still wet, a number of the rebar tubes are inserted vertically into the foundation slab. The cinder blocks are lifted up over-top of the rebar tubes so the upper ends of the rebar tubes can be threaded through vertical holes formed in the cinder blocks. The cinder blocks are then lowered down along the rebar tubes to rest on, and even slightly within, the concrete foundation. Once a first course of blocks has been formed on the concrete foundation by these steps, second and subsequent courses can be formed by passing additional sets of cinder blocks over the rebar tubes to vertically stack them on top of the first course. Drying of the concrete foundation holds the rebar tubes and first course of cinder blocks in place. To fully stabilize the structure, wet mortar is typically poured into and through the holes in the cinder block courses, thereby sealing the structure upon drying.
However, a problem with such conventional methods is that the insertion of the rebar tubes, and even in some cases the laying of the first course of cinder blocks, typically must be performed before the concrete foundation has dried. If the insertion of the tubes is not completed before the concrete foundation has dried, or if the tubes or cinder blocks are discovered to have been placed incorrectly after the concrete has already dried, then the concrete slab has to be broken up, removed and re-laid in order to properly re-do the rebar tube insertion, which can be a very costly and time-intensive procedure. It can also be difficult to stabilize the re-bar tubes in the wet concrete for a duration sufficient to achieve placement of all of the tubes, increasing the likelihood of having to re-do the insertion step.
Yet another problem with such conventional wall construction methods is the cumbersome height of the rebar tubes typically required to build wall structures. Rebar tubes are selected according to the desired height of the wall structure, with very tall rebar tubes being selected for higher walls. Unfortunately, such high rebar tubes can make it difficult to lift the cinder blocks over the tops of the rebar tubes in order to form the wall. This can especially be true when placing cinder blocks while the concrete foundation is wet, as any "jolting" of the rebar while trying to place the blocks can dislodge the rebar from its proper position in the foundation. Also, lifting the cinder blocks to the tops of the rebar tubes increases the likelihood of breaking the cinder blocks, which are susceptible to fracturing and cracking if dropped with sufficient force.
A method proposed to compensate for these problems is the use of cinder blocks having openings formed in the front sides thereof, which allows positioning of the cinder blocks by sideways insertion of the blocks onto the rebar tube frame. However, these same openings can cause undesirable leaking of the mortar from the wall when attempting to seal the structure with mortar, making it difficult to achieve a fully sealed and stabilized structure.
Accordingly, there remains a need for a system and method for building a wall structure that allows for relatively easy construction thereof. There is also a need for a system and method that do not require the insertion of materials into a wet foundation to achieve a stable structure. There is further a need for a system and method that allows for stable construction without requiring the use of very long and cumbersome rebar tubes. There is also a need for methods that allow for the construction of wall structures substantially without requiring the use of mortar.


A video game client on a client device may, for example, be operated by a broadcasting game player, and the client device may capture video generated by a video game client and transmit (e.g., stream) the video to one or more spectators. The video game client may include a local server component, such as a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) server, which executes locally at the client device. The local server component may be employed to provide statistical information from the video game to a local client component, such as a web interface. The statistical information provided by the local server component may be included in one or more visual display items that are generated by the client device. The visual display items may be included in the video that is captured and transmitted by the client device, thereby potentially providing live streaming statistical information to spectators of the video game.

The popularity and widespread appeal of video games has increased dramatically in recent years. The popularity of video games is not limited only to players, as many non-player individuals, sometimes referred to as spectators, often watch live streams of video games that are played by others. In some examples, a game player, sometimes referred to as a broadcaster, employs image capture software on the player's device to capture video of live gameplay and then stream the video to other locations, such as a video game streaming service. The video game streaming service may then, in turn, provide the streaming video to various subscribers for viewing. In some examples, the video captured from the game may be streamed live (e.g., in real time or near-real time) from the game player to the spectators for viewing. While this technology provides a number of advantages, it may also have a number of associated limitations. For example, in some cases, because the video may be captured from a player's device, spectators may be limited to viewing the same information that is provided to the player. However, spectators and players may often be interested in at least partially different information about the game. Additionally, in some cases, conventional video games may provide limited, if any, interfaces for requesting live statistical information, thereby not allowing statistical information to be specifically filtered or customized to different interests, game play styles, preferences, etc. or to be provided in a format that is easily parsed and converted into visual elements.


A spin buffer and associated method assure data integrity in shared resources in a computer system. Concurrent accesses to different semaphores by different devices are allowed. Lock and identification data within the semaphore is cached in the spin buffer so a device requesting access to a shared resource that corresponds to a semaphore that is represented in the spin buffer may determine whether any other device has ownership of the shared resource by accessing the data within the spin buffer, rather than reading from the semaphore. By caching semaphore lock information and allowing concurrent accesses to different semaphores by different devices, enhances system performance is achieved.

1. Technical Field
This invention generally relates to data processing systems, and more specifically relates to a spin buffer and method for using the spin buffer to control accesses to semaphores in a computer system to assure data integrity of shared resources while increasing system performance.
2. Background Art
The development of the EDVAC computer system of 1948 is often cited as the beginning of the computer era. Since that time, computer systems have evolved into extremely sophisticated devices. However, even today's most sophisticated computer systems continue to include many of the basic elements that were present in some of the first computer systems. For example, most modern computer systems include a processor, memory, and one or more peripheral devices. In recent times, multiple processors have been introduced to enhance the computational speed of computer systems. A computer system with multiple processors typically shares memory and peripherals among the processors, rather than having separate memory and peripherals for each processor. In order to maintain the integrity of data within the computer system, a mechanism must be provided for assuring the data needed by one processor is not corrupted by another processor.
One method for assuring data integrity in computer systems with shared resources uses special signaling constructs known as semaphores. Semaphores in computer systems are typically memory locations that contain information relating to the status of shared resources. In the most common case, a separate semaphore is assigned to each shared resource. When a device (such as a processor or a peripheral) needs access to a shared resource, it first accesses the semaphore that corresponds to the shared resource to find out if the shared resource is available. If the semaphore indicates that the shared resource is available, the requesting device changes the semaphore to indicate that the shared resource is now busy, and then accesses the shared resource. This sequence is commonly known as an atomic read-modify-write cycle. When the device has completed its interaction with the shared resource, it writes data to the semaphore to indicate that the shared resource is now available for other devices to use. When a device first accesses a semaphore to determine whether the corresponding shared resource is available, if the semaphore indicates that the resource is busy (i.e., not available), the requesting device must read from the semaphore at a later time to determine whether or not the shared resource is still busy. This process of re-reading the semaphore is known as "spinning", and is typically repeated until access to the shared resource is achieved. The steps outlined above describe the theory of using semaphores to share resources in a computer system.
While the theory as described above of using semaphores is relatively simple and straightforward, the details of its implementation pose significant challenges. For example, it is possible for a first device to read from a semaphore and determine that the shared resource is available, and yet before the first device can write data to the semaphore to indicate the shared resource is no longer available, a second device could read the semaphore, which still indicates that the shared resource is available. The first device would then perform a write to the semaphore to make the shared resource unavailable, and the second device would then follow with a similar write. The result is that both the first and the second devices would believe they have exclusive access to the shared resource, which violates the integrity of the data in the shared resource and frustrates the very purpose of providing the semaphore. Thus, a method is required for locking out accesses by a device to a semaphore during the atomic read-modify-write cycle to that semaphore by another device.
One known method for resolving this problem is to block out all accesses to all semaphores until the atomic read-modify-write cycle is complete. While this approach solves the problem identified above, it does so at the expense of prohibiting all semaphore accesses until the requesting device has completed the atomic read-modify-write cycle, rather than prohibiting only accesses to the same semaphore. For the sake of simple circuit design, this brute force approach of locking out all semaphore accesses during the atomic read-modify-write cycle has become common and accepted. This approach, however, reduces system throughput by inhibiting accesses to different semaphores during the atomic read-modify-write cycle, as described below.
Referring to FIG. 1, a prior art method 100 uses semaphores to assure data integrity when multiple devices share common resources. When a device needs a shared resource (step 102), the device locks out all semaphore accesses by other devices (step 104). The device then reads the semaphore (step 106) to determine if the shared resource is available, i.e., if the shared resource is owned by another master (step 108). If the semaphore indicates that the shared resource is owned by another master, it must "spin", which means that the device must retry to gain access of the shared resource at a later time. Notice that the accesses to semaphores must be unlocked (step 110) to allow other devices to perform semaphore operations (and even to allow the device that currently owns the desired shared resource to relinquish ownership by writing to the semaphore).
If the semaphore indicates that the shared resource is not owned by another master, the device writes to the semaphore (step 112) to indicate to other devices that it owns the shared resource. Once the device has written to the semaphore (step 112), it has acquired ownership of the shared resource (step 114). The device may then unlock semaphore accesses (step 116) to allow other devices to perform semaphore accesses.
While the prior art method 100 of controlling ownership of shared resources through semaphores avoids the problem of two devices obtaining simultaneous control of a resource, it does so at the expense of locking out all semaphore accesses (step 104) until semaphore accesses are unlocked (step 116) after it has obtained ownership of the resource (step 114).
Therefore, there existed a need to selectively disable accesses to a semaphore that is currently being accessed by one bus master while allowing accesses to all other semaphores. This method of resource allocation enhances throughput by allowing different masters to access different semaphores simultaneously.

Semaphore access control buffer and method for accelerated semaphore operations

International Business Machines Corporation


Disclosed is a marking for an article, item or substrate. The marking comprises a printable code, at least a part of which is covered by a chiral liquid crystal polymer (CLCP) layer, and further preferably including an intermediate layer including a distribution of flakes, to provide readable information of at least two different types on the article.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a marking on an article, item or substrate, which marking comprises at least two different components, i.e., a printable code and a chiral liquid crystal polymer layer that covers at least a part of the printable code.
2. Discussion of Background Information
Counterfeiting is no longer a national or a regional problem but a worldwide problem which has an impact not only on manufacturers but also on the consumer. Counterfeiting is a significant problem with goods like clothes and watches but becomes even more serious when it affects medicines and drugs. Each year thousands of people around the world die because of counterfeit drugs. Counterfeiting has also an impact on government revenues in that it affects the collection of taxes for, e.g., cigarettes and alcohol because of the existence of a black market where it is impossible to track and trace counterfeit (smuggled, diverted, etc.) products with no valid tax stamps.
Many solutions have been proposed to make counterfeiting impossible or at least very difficult and/or costly, for example RFID solutions and the use of invisible inks or mono-dimensional code or bi-dimensional code as unique identifier to avoid or at least to limit drastically the existence of fake, diversion and/or counterfeit. Despite the fact that these solutions are useful, also counterfeiters now have access to many advanced technologies that allow them to reproduce or to mimic existing security devices which are sometimes presented as unique identifier.
Another solution which also exists in the field of packaging or as a protection for items or goods and is mainly used for pharmaceuticals packaging are tamper evident structures or void tamper security evident structures which in themselves are not unique identifiers, but serve as indication when these structures have been altered that a manipulation of a packaging or an item or good has occurred. Despite the strong interest to see whether or not a packaging has been subject to manipulation, the main weaknesses of these structures are that they can be reproduced (even if it remains difficult) and their lack of uniqueness and ability to provide track and trace information.
There is then a crucial need to improve the security and avoid fake, diversion or counterfeiting of goods, items or packaging containing valuable products, which must be satisfied. There also is a crucial need to not only protect consumers from not obtaining genuine products, but very often as it could happen in some developing countries, to save people from health problems or even death due to the use of fake medicines. There is then a crucial need to be satisfied to provide unique identifiers useful for authentication, able to provide track and trace information or identification, remaining robust and having tamperproof properties.

Marking comprising a printable code and a chiral liquid crystal polymer layer


An optical lens system is provided with at least two lenses firmly bonded to each other. A first lenshas a first adhered surface and a second lens has a second adhered surface. The adhered surfaces are at least indirectly firmly bonded to each other. An optically transparent surface body made of a silicone material is arranged between the adhered surfaces. The first adhered surface is firmly bonded to a first side and the second adhered surface is firmly bonded with the opposite second side of the sheet body by means of a bonding method.

DE 10 2010 004 825 A1 describes an optical lens system with two lenses that are manufactured from glass firmly bonded to each other. In order to firmly bond the two lenses, these are pressed against each other and directly glued involving softening of the glass material, where the softening area of at least one of the two glasses is reached. The glasses are correspondingly heated for this purpose. One disadvantage here is that a high level of technological effort is needed to bond the two lenses. Particularly in the case of plano-convex lenses or plano-concave lenses, the two planar surfaces have to be bonded together to form optical lens systems. As lenses for optical lens systems, especially those for headlights, are not ground but are manufactured already with the final contour using a pressing method, deviations of the planar surface from an ideal planar surface can lead to a situation where the two planer surfaces are not in contact with each other over the entire surface when they are mated. In this respect, topographical surface deviations form gaps in the sub-micrometer range that can have an optical effect on the light collimated or shaped by the optical lens system. Consequently, simple options for the firm bonding of at least two lenses especially by means of their planar surfaces are desirable, where any planar deviations of the planar surfaces can be neglected to the greatest possible extent.

Optical lens system with at least two lenses firmly bonded to each other


An image sensing device is provided to include a pixel array including unit pixel blocks that are arranged in a first direction and a second direction crossing the first direction, each unit pixel block configured to generate pixel signals in response to incident light reflected from a target object. The unit pixel block includes normal first pixel configured to receive a portion of the incident light at a first arrival time and generate a first pixel signal in response to the incident light, and a second pixel configured to receive another portion of the incident light at a second arrival time and generate a second pixel signal in response to the incident light. The second arrival time is later than the first arrival time.

An image sensor is a semiconductor device for converting an optical image into electrical signals. With the increasing development of computer industries and communication industries, the demand for high-quality and high-performance image sensing devices in, for example, smartphones, digital cameras, game consoles, Internet of Things (IoT), robots, surveillance cameras, medical micro-cameras, etc., has been rapidly increasing.
In order to acquire a three-dimensional (3D) image using the image sensor, color information of the 3D image and the distance (or depth) between a target object and the image sensor are needed.
A method for acquiring information about the distance between the target object and the image sensor may be classified into a passive method and an active method.
The passive method may calculate the distance between the target object and the image sensor using only image information of the target object without emitting light to the target object. The passive method can be applied to a stereo camera.
The active method may be classified into a triangulation method, a Time of Flight (TOF) method, etc. After light has been emitted from a light source (e.g., a laser source) spaced apart from the image sensor by a predetermined distance, the triangulation method may sense light reflected from a target object, and may calculate the distance between the target object and the image sensor using the sensed result. After light has been emitted from the light source to the target object, the TOF method may measure a time duration in which light is reflected from the target object and returns to the image sensor, such that the TOF method may calculate the distance between the target object and the image sensor using the measurement result.
Image sensors may be classified into CCD (Charge Coupled Device)-based image sensors and CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor)-based image sensors. The CMOS image sensor can be fabricated to have lower power consumption, lower production costs, and smaller size than the CCD image sensor. The CMOS image sensors have been widely used in mobile devices, for example, smartphones, digital cameras, etc.


A domestic appliance includes an internal electrical load, a controller for controlling the internal electrical load, and a communication device coupled with the controller. The controller is configured for transmitting via the communication device data to additional domestic appliances, wherein the received data include information about a time of an impending startup of the internal electrical load, and/or for receiving via the communication device data from additional domestic appliances, wherein the received data include information about a time of an impending startup of an electrical load of an additional domestic appliance. The internal electrical load is controlled based on the received information, preventing an overload of the power supply system.

The invention relates to a domestic appliance having an internal electrical load, a controller for controlling the internal electrical load and a communication device coupled to the controller and via which the controller sends data to additional domestic appliances and/or receives data from additional domestic appliances. The invention also relates to an appliance system comprising at least two domestic appliances and to a method for operating a domestic appliance.
It is normal in households to allow a plurality of domestic appliances to run simultaneously, namely by way of example a washing machine, a dishwasher, a tumble dryer and a refrigerator. If the domestic appliances run through the respective programs without regard for the other domestic appliances respectively, a maximum admissible power consumption may be exceeded in the household or peak loads can be generated which overload the electrical power supply. This occurs by way of example due to simultaneously switching on large loads in different domestic appliances. These large loads may, by way of example, be a heater, an electric motor and a compressor. One particular challenge with simultaneous operation of a plurality of domestic appliances lies in not exceeding the maximum admissible power consumption or configuring the power consumption of individual domestic appliances in such a way that the electrical power supply is loaded as little as possible.
An appliance system is known from EP 0 727 668 A1 which includes a large number of domestic appliances which communicate with each other. The domestic appliances communicate with each other via a communication bus. A total power consumed by the domestic appliances is measured by a measuring device. The measuring device sends data via the communication bus which include information about the respective instantaneous total power. Each domestic appliance can tap the same data at the communication bus and adjust a separate power consumption by taking the information contained in the data into consideration. The domestic appliances compare the respective momentary total power with a predetermined limiting value. If the total power exceeds the predetermined limiting value the domestic appliances reduce their own power consumption. In other words, the power consumed by the domestic appliances is only reduced if the total power has already exceeded the limiting value. Peak loads can be produced in the household as a result and these overload the electrical power supply.

Domestic appliance comprising a communication unit, system of appliances and method for operating a domestic appliance


A device is provided for determining a mass flow of a first gas flowing in a flowing channel of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The device includes: sound transducers arranged at respective ends of a measuring path for providing sound signals, a temperature sensor for determining a temperature of an overall mass flowing in the flow channel, and an evaluation unit arranged downstream of the sound transducers. The evaluation unit is capable of carrying out the following: determining a flow rate of the overall mass and a speed of sound based on delay times of the sound signals, determining an overall mass flow based on the flow rate, the temperature, and a pressure of the overall mass in the flowing channel, ascertaining a proportion of a second gas flowing in the flow channel at a temperature above 10° C. and based on the speed of sound and the temperature, and correcting the overall mass flow to obtain the mass flow of the first gas.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a device for determining a mass flow of a gas flowing in a flow channel.
2. Description of the Related Art
Such a device is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,650. The known device has two ultrasonic transducers that are arranged at the ends of a measuring path and are installed on the wall of a flow channel. With the aid of the ultrasonic transducers, the delay time of sound signals along the measuring path can be determined. From the delay times, the flow rate of the gas flowing in the flow channel and the speed of the sound of the sound signal in the gas can be ascertained. In the case of the known device, the average molecular weight of the gas flowing in the flow channel is determined from the speed of sound ascertained. As a result, it is possible with a known pressure and known temperature to determine the mass flow of the gas flowing in the flow channel.
Furthermore, a built-in unit with an ultrasonic flowmeter, intended in particular for measuring the air mass in a motor-vehicle engine, is known from EP 0 477 419. This built-in unit likewise comprises sound transducers arranged at the ends of a measuring path and with which the delay time of sound signals can be determined. From the delay time of the sound signals, the flow rate of the air flowing in the flow channel can then be determined. By means of an additional temperature sensor and a further pressure sensor, the mass flow of the air flowing in the flow channel can then be ascertained. However, the air taken in always contains a certain proportion of air moisture, and consequently of water mass. On account of the additional water mass, the measured value of the air mass is susceptible to error.

Device for determining a mass flow of a first gas within an overall mixture of gases


A hydraulic pipe mechanism for an industrial vehicle includes a pulley shaft, a plurality of hydraulic hoses and a pulley set. The pulley set is provided on the pulley shaft and has at least first and second hose pulleys that are rotatably supported on the pulley shaft. The first and second hose pulleys are respectively located on sides of the pulley set and each has a guide groove for hooking the hydraulic hose therein. Each of the first and second hose pulleys has a pair of outer and inner flanges that form side walls of the guide groove respectively. Each outer flange is located on the side of the pulley set, and each inner flange is located inside the outer flange in the pulley set. Each outer flange has a first radius, and each inner flange has a second radius. The first radius is larger than the second radius.

The present invention relates to a hydraulic pipe mechanism for an industrial vehicle such as forklift truck.
In an industrial vehicle such as forklift truck, a front attachment is attached to a lift device for performing work. Generally, hydraulic pipes are arranged in the lift device for driving hydraulic equipment of the front attachment (refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-40390).
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-40390 discloses a hydraulic pipe mechanism of the forklift truck. Two hydraulic hoses are hooked in the guide groove of a hose pulley rotatably supported on a pulley shaft in the hydraulic pipe mechanism, thereby improving front visibility of operators of the industrial vehicles. However, there is a problem that the hydraulic hoses are easy to slide laterally in the guide groove.
To prevent the hydraulic hoses from sliding laterally in the guide groove of the hose pulley, hydraulic hoses 130 are respectively hooked in guide grooves 124 of hose pulleys 120 as shown in FIG. 11. Each hose pulley 120 has a pair of flanges 125 that respectively forms side walls of the guide groove 124 and is rotatably supported on the pulley shaft 117. In the hose pulley 120, a pair of the flanges 125 is formed with a radius r0 that is larger than a dimension b from a rotational axis 120a of the hose pulley 120 to an axis 130a of the hydraulic hose 130 hooked in the guide groove 124. Thus, the hydraulic hoses 130 respectively move while being appropriately guided by the hose pulleys 120. However, there arises a problem that the front visibility of the operators of the industrial vehicles deteriorates.
Meanwhile, Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 60-157795 discloses another hydraulic pipe mechanism. A cover plate corresponding to the flange that forms the side wall of the guide groove is merely provided at a side of the hose pulley in the hydraulic pipe mechanism. Thus, there arises the problem that the front visibility of operators of the industrial vehicles deteriorates similarly to the above hydraulic pipe mechanism of FIG. 11.

Hydraulic pipe mechanism for industrial vehicle


The orthosis comprises an elastic compressive distal portion extending upwards from the ankle and associated with an adjoining containment proximal portion covering a region of the calf extending between the level of the junction point between the Achilles tendon and the calf muscle and the level situated beneath the tibial tuberosity. This containment proximal portion is an essentially non-elastic deformable tubular portion made by knitting with a thermoformable yarn, and it is knitted continuously with the elastic compressive distal portion.

Such orthoses, previously known as "elasticated" stockings or socks or "elasticated" tights, are textile medical devices that produce a therapeutic effect by compression of the lower limbs, in contrast to "posture" stockings (or indeed "support" stockings or "anti-tiredness" stockings), and to "fashion" stockings, which are not medical devices with a therapeutic purpose.
EVC orthoses are designed to produce a therapeutic effect by compressing the lower limb over a greater or lesser extent, usually with a profile that is degressive going upwards from the ankle. Depending on the type of orthosis, the pressure measured at the ankle may lie in the range 10 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) to more than 36 mmHg (i.e. 13 hectopascals (hPa) to 48 hPa, where the unit mmHg is nevertheless in widespread use for measuring pressure in the field of phlebology and medical compression). In France, stockings are subdivided into four textile classes in the ASQUAL system, namely class I (13 hPa to 20 hPa≈10 mmHg to 15 mmHg at the ankle), class II (20 hPa to 27 hPa≈15 mmHg to 20 mmHg), class III (27 hPa to 48 hPa≈20 mmHg to 36 mmHg), and class IV (>48 hPa≈>36 mmHg). These compression classes may be different in other countries.
In order to enable the lower limbs to be subjected to strong compression, such orthoses are made from a knit that presents a texture that is tight to a greater or lesser extent with an incorporated elastic weft yarn, generally a covered spandex.
More precisely, under the effect of being on the limb, the stretch textile of the orthosis exerts compression that results from the return force of the elastic fibers making up the material, and the application of those elastic return forces against the perimeter of the outline generates a local pressure at a given point that is inversely proportional to the radius of curvature at the outline at said point, in application of the Laplace-Young equation.
This pressure is the "textile pressure" as defined and calculated in the meaning of French standard NF G 30-102, part B. The term "pressure" is used in the present description to designate the mean, at a given altitude, of the standardized pressures exerted locally along an outline of the leg (which outline may be circular or elliptical in the approximation of a leg model).
The knit and the yarns, and also the size of the rows of stitches are selected so as to apply predetermined pressures at different altitudes up the lower limb, e.g. at the height of the ankle, at the start of the calf, over the calf, at the popliteal space, etc., all the way up to the top of the thigh, which altitudes are conventionally written B, C, . . . , G. These various pressures are defined for each class with reference to metrological jigs such as the leg model of French standard NF G 30-102 part B, Appendix B, corresponding to the leg model of the "Hohenstein" type in the German reference RAL-GZ 387.
The above-mentioned characteristic of the pressure profile being degressive consists in exerting a maximum pressure at the ankle and then a pressure that is degressive going from the ankle to the calf or to the thigh. It relies on the fact that in the orthostatic situation the intravenous pressure is degressive from the ankle to the calf and to then to the thigh. In the event of chronic venous insufficiency, the elastic compression exerted by the orthosis on the limb induces an anti-stasis effect encouraging venous return.
More precisely, physiologically speaking, the calf is the key element of venous hemodynamics of the lower limbs and of chronic venous pathology.
The importance of the effect of the "muscle pump" or the "calf musculo-aponeurotic pump" (CMAP) have been described in terms of return venous blood flow, where physiological cycles of the calf muscles contracting and relaxing give rise, via opening and closing of valves of the veins, to emptying and filling of the venous network of the lower limb. The efficiency of CMAP decreases progressively with a subject's age, thereby naturally aggregating chronic venous insufficiency.
Chronic venous insufficiency is characterized by a failure of this muscle pump effect. When the insufficiency is severe, the ankle is also involved, because of deep refluxes or by Cockett's perforators, which play a major role in trophic disorders and ulcers.
The starting point of the invention is the search for means enabling the efficiency of the CMAP to be improved or for it to be taken over by a compressive orthosis that is better adapted to this role than are the orthoses that have been proposed in the past.
The prejudice whereby a stocking should exert maximum pressure at the ankle and then pressure that is degressive going from the ankle to the calf or to the thigh is based on the way intravenous pressures are distributed in the orthostatic situation. In that situation, the effect of gravity causes intravenous pressure to be degressive from the ankle to the thigh, whence the need for matching compression.
However, studies on venous physiology, in particular using recent tools for modeling and simulating containment such as those described in WO 2006/087442 A1 (Laboratoires Innothera), show that the effectiveness of an EVC orthosis, providing it is possible to make the CMAP operate, lies rather in improving its efficiency.
FR 2 824 471 B1 (Rodier) describes an approach consisting in providing "elective compression/containment" by means of a multizone stocking with different knits, associating a region with a very elastic knit over the foot and the ankle followed by a region with a knit that presents little elasticity from the bottom of the calf up to the popliteal space, and extended by a region in which the knit is once more very elastic from the knee to the top of the thigh. The basic idea consists in providing zones with a compressive effect (foot, ankle, and thigh) on either side of a zone with an effect that is more one of containment (calf). This zone of the orthosis produces less effect at rest than those on either side of it, however during contractions of the calf muscle it exerts increased compression, thereby increasing the power and reinforcing the emptying effect of the CMAP.
In this respect, it should be specified that the terms "compression" and "containment" define two effects that are clearly different, even though they are sometimes confused in everyday speech:                "compression" is the effect produced by an elastic orthosis both at rest and when making an effort, on a limb segment as a result of more or less strong return forces from the elastic fibers of the orthosis. These forces act in almost constant manner on the limb: at rest, the compression is present at the nominal pressure value and when making an effort the effect of the compression is increased by the contraction of the muscle masses; and        conversely, "containment" is the effect produced by an orthosis that acts in different manners between making an effort and being at rest on a limb segment under the action of a structure that is considered as being inelastic, e.g. a non-elastic bandage, also referred to as a "short-stretch bandage". At rest, that type of bandage exerts low or zero pressure; in contrast, during muscular contraction, it opposes local increases in the volume of the calf that comes into abutment against the non-elastic structure, so pressure is thus increased. Containment is thus effective and it is active while making an effort and practically inactive while at rest.
It is in order to distinguish between these two notions that the respective terms "compression" (or "compressive") and "containment" (or "containing") are used.
Concerning these definitions, the proposal of above-mentioned FR 2 824 471 B1 that makes use only of yarns and stitches that are elastic to a greater or lesser extent over the height of the orthosis produces a containment effect level with the calf, but to a very partial extent only.
It comprises rather zones that are all elastic but that present different degrees of elasticity, as has also been proposed in EP 0 934 043 B1 (Couzan) or EP 1 240 880 A2 (Stolk). Those last two documents teach making a stocking or a sock with a zone that is less rigid (more elastic) in the region of the calf, respectively in uniform manner over the entire circumference of the calf, or only in the posterior region thereof.
In addition, from a technological point of view, all of those prior art "multizone" structures are found to be difficult to make in practice, given the difficulty that exists in setting the knitting machine so as to obtain the required variable elasticity profiles, with transitions that are very abrupt between very non-uniform textures that correspond to the different zones of the stocking or the sock.
Furthermore, and above all, those orthoses that may be referred to as "semi-containment" are not specifically adapted to a given patient. Concretely, the practitioner is content merely to select an orthosis from a grid of sizes after measuring the perimeter of the ankle and of the calf. In practice, this leads to a compromise solution that does not take the real morphology of the calf into account, which morphology may vary widely from one patient to another and cannot be described suitably merely by measuring the maximum perimeter of the calf.
This drawback is particularly troublesome with products that are supposed to produce a containment effect, since the reinforcement of the effect of the CMAP depends on the non-elastic structure being a good fit to the limb segment in question, over the entire extent thereof: if the non-elastic structure is not in close contact with the limb at rest, then it will procure very little effect for a small or moderate increase in the volume of the muscle; on the contrary, if it is too small, then it will exert stress on the limb even at rest, with harmful effects on blood circulation, in addition to providing the wearer with a binding effect that runs the risk of making the orthosis particularly uncomfortable for the patient.
It thus appears to be desirable to be able to make orthoses that provide a genuine containment effect on the calf via a structure that is not elastic (as opposed to a structure of reduced elasticity) and that fits the exact morphology of the limb segment of each patient.
If it is desired to have a containment product that is rigid and made-to-measure, specifically fitting the patient, a first solution consists in using multilayer bandages, with the well-known difficulty of adjusting the bandage properly, since it must not be too tight (which would squeeze the calf) nor too loose (which would not produce any effect), thereby producing a result that is highly "operator-dependent". As explained above, the fitting of a rigid containment product is highly critical, unlike a compressive elastic structure which is much more tolerant.
In addition, the bandage needs to be readjusted regularly, and on each occasion with the same care in order to secure a good fit.
For these reasons, patients generally prefer to use some other solution, in the form of a knitted orthosis for putting on in more convenient manner and of better appearance.
The problem is then that of fabricating a product that is rigid and made-to-measure, being an exact fit to the particular morphology of the patient. The technique consists in taking the most complete possible measurements of the calf, with circumferences at several altitudes. The orthosis is then knitted on a flat knitting machine and is shaped by sewing a seam all along its length, thereby requiring an additional manufacturing step. It can be understood that such a complete made-to-measure technique is lengthy to implement, complicated, and therefore expensive, and it does not enable rigid containment products to become widespread, in spite of their manifest therapeutid advantages.

Made-to-measure orthosis for compression/containment, for reinforcing the musculo-aponeurotic pump of the calf


The invention provides a sensing device capable of outputting a correct signal precisely corresponding to a particular position (angle) such as a protruding or recessed portion of a rotating member made of a magnetic material over the entire operating temperature range regardless of the temperature coefficient of the magnetic field sensing element. The sensing device includes: a magnet for generating a magnetic field; a rotary member of magnetic material for changing the magnetic field generated by the magnet, the rotary member being disposed at a predetermined distance apart from the magnet; a giant magnetoresistance device which changes in resistance in response to the magnetic field whose magnitude is changed by the rotary member of magnetic material; and an AC coupling circuit for performing an AC coupling process on the output of signal of the giant magnetoresistance device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sensing device for detecting the change in magnetic field caused by the motion of a moving member of magnetic material, and more particularly, to a sensing device which is particularly suitable for detecting the information about the rotation of for example an internal combustion engine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Magnetoresistance devices generally refer to those devices which change in resistance in response to the direction of a magnetic field applied to a thin ferromagnetic film with respect to the direction of a current flowing through the thin ferromagnetic film.
Magnetoresistance devices have minimum resistance when a magnetic field is applied in a direction at a right angle to the direction of current. On the other hand, when the angle between the direction of the current and the direction of the applied magnetic field is 0, that is when a magnetic field is applied in a direction same as or opposite to the direction of current, the resistance has a maximum value. The change in the resistance is generally called the magnetoresistance effect, and the magnitude of the change in the resistance is referred to as the magnetoresistance variation ratio. A typical value of magnetoresistance variation ratio is 2 to 3% for Ni-Fe and 5 to 6% for Ni-Co.
FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating the construction of a conventional sensing device, wherein its side view and perspective view are shown in FIG. 20a and FIG. 20b, respectively.
The sensing device shown in FIG. 20 includes: a rotating shaft 1; a rotary member of magnetic material 2 having at least one protruding or recessed portion wherein the rotary member of magnetic material 2 is adapted to rotate in synchronization with the rotation of the rotating shaft 1; a magnetoresistance device 3 disposed at a location a predetermined distance apart from the rotary member of magnetic material 2; and a magnet 4 for applying a magnetic field to the magnetoresistance device 3. In the above construction, the magnetoresistance device 3 includes a magnetoresistance pattern 3a and a thin film surface (magnetic field sensing plane) 3b.
If the rotary member of magnetic material 2 rotates, the magnetic field applied to the magnetic field sensing plane 3b of the magnetoresistance device 3 changes in response to the rotation of the rotary member of magnetic material 2, and, as a result, the resistance of the magnetoresistance pattern 3a changes correspondingly.
FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of the sensing device using the magnetoresistance devices described above.
The sensing device includes: a Wheatstone bridge circuit 11 including magnetoresistance devices disposed at a predetermined distance apart from the rotary member of magnetic material 2 so that a magnetic field is applied from a magnet 4 to the magnetoresistance devices; a differential amplifier 12 for amplifying the output signal of the Wheatstone bridge circuit 11; a comparator 13 for comparing the output of the differential amplifier 12 with a reference values V.sub.T1 , V.sub.T2 and outputting a "0" signal or a "1" signal depending on the comparison result; a waveform shaping circuit 14 for shaping the waveform of the output of the comparator 13 and supplying a "0" or "1" signal having a sharp rising and falling edges to the output terminal 15.
The operation will be described below with reference to FIG. 22.
If the rotary member of magnetic material 2 rotates, the magnetic field applied to each of the magnetoresistance devices changes in response to the passage of the protruding and recessed portions of the rotary member of magnetic material 2 as shown in FIG. 22a. As a result, the above change in the magnetic field is detected by the magnetoresistance devices, mid-point voltages) of the Wheatstone bridge circuit 11 also change in a similar fashion.
The difference between the mid-point voltages is amplified by the differential amplifier 12. Thus, as shown in FIG. 22b, the differential amplifier 12 outputs a signal V.sub.D0 corresponding to the passage of the protruding and recessed portions of the rotary member of magnetic material 2 shown in FIG. 22a.
The comparator 13 compares the output signal V.sub.D0 of the differential amplifier 12 with the reference values V.sub.T1 , V.sub.T2 and outputs a "0" or "1" signal in response to the comparison result. The output signal of the comparator 13 is shaped by the waveform shaping circuit 14 so that a "0" or "1" output signal having sharp rising and falling edges is provided to the output terminal 15 as shown in FIG. 22c.
However, the conventional sensing device having the above construction has the problem that the change in characteristics with temperature can result in degradation in accuracy in the detected signal and deviation can occur in the output signal relative to the location of the protruding and recessed portions of the rotating member of magnetic material.
That is, MR devices broadly employed in conventional sensing devices have a large temperature coefficient compared with usual resistors, and thus exhibit a great change in resistance with temperature. Furthermore, the temperature coefficient itself changes with resistance, that is, the temperature coefficient when the MR device has a maximum resistance is different from that obtained when the MR device has a minimum resistance. More specifically, while usual resistors typically have a rather small temperature coefficient in the range from 300 to 400 ppm/.degree.C., the temperature coefficient of the MR devices is as great as about 2500 ppm/.degree.C. for the maximum resistance condition and about 2700 ppm/.degree.C. for the minimum resistance condition.
Therefore, if the Wheatstone bridge circuit 11 is constructed with MR devices as shown in FIG. 21, the mid-point voltage of the Wheatstone circuit 11 changes in response not only to the change in resistance of the MR devices caused by the change in magnetic field but also to the temperature coefficients of the MR devices. Furthermore, the difference in the temperature coefficient among the MR devices constituting the bridge circuit also produces a change in the mid-point voltage.
For example, if the characteristic shown in FIG. 22 at an ambient temperature of T.sub.0 (for example room temperature) changes due to an increase in the ambient temperature from T.sub.0 to T.sub.1, a great difference can occur between the voltages of mid-points of the Wheatstone bridge circuit 11. This difference results, as shown in FIG. 23b, in a great deviation of the output V.sub.D1 of the differential amplifier 12 which should correspond to the protruding and recessed portions of the rotating member 2 of magnetic material shown in FIG. 23a.
That is, the output V.sub.D1 of the differential amplifier 12 at temperature T.sub.1 becomes greater than that at temperature T.sub.0, or V.sub.D1 >VD.sub.0 and the output V.sub.D1 is no longer within the allowable range relative to the reference voltages V.sub.T1, V.sub.T2. As a result, as shown in FIG. 23c, the output of the waveform shaping circuit 14 also deviates from the correct waveform represented by the broken lines in the figure, and thus the output signal no longer precisely corresponds to the protruding and recessed portions of the rotating member 2 of magnetic material.
It is a general object of the present invention to solve be above problems. More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sensing device capable of outputting a correct signal precisely corresponding to a particular position (angle) such as a protruding or recessed portion of a rotating member made of a magnetic material over the entire operating temperature range regardless of the temperature coefficient of the magnetic field sensing element.

Temperature resistant magnetoresistance sensing device


A method, system, and apparatus for verifying integrity and execution state of an untrusted computer. In one embodiment, the method includes placing a verification function in memory on the untrusted computer; invoking the verification function from a trusted computer; determining a checksum value over memory containing both the verification function and the execution state of a processor and hardware on the untrusted computer; sending the checksum value to the trusted computer; determining at the trusted computer whether the checksum value is correct; and determining at the trusted computer whether the checksum value is received within an expected time period.

Obtaining a guarantee that a given code has executed untampered on an untrusted legacy computing platform has been an open research challenge. We refer to this as the problem of verifiable code execution. An untrusted computing platform can tamper with code execution in at least three ways: 1) by modifying the code before invoking it; 2) executing alternate code; or 3) modifying execution state such as memory or registers when the code is running.
Verifiable Code Execution
Two techniques, Cerium [B. Chen and R. Morris. Certifying program execution with secure procesors. In Proceedings of HotOS IX, 2003] and BIND [E. Shi, A. Perrig, and L. van Doorn. Bind: A fine-grained attestation service for secure distributed systems. In Proc. of the IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy, pages 154-168, 2005], have been proposed to address the problems of verifiable code execution. These use hardware extensions to the execution platform to provide a remote host with the guarantee of verifiable code execution. Cerium relies on a physically tamper-resistant CPU with an embedded public-private key pair and a μ-kernel that runs from the CPU cache. BIND requires that the execution platform has a TPM chip and CPU architectural enhancements similar to those found in Intel's LaGrande Technology (LT) [Intel Corp. LaGrande Technology Architectural Overview, September 2003] or AMD's Secure Execution Mode (SEM) [AMID platform for trustworthy computing. In WinHEC, September 2003] and Pacifica technology [Secure virtual machine architecture reference manual. AMD Corp., May 2005]. Unlike the present invention, neither Cerium nor BIND can be used on legacy computing platforms.
Intel's LaGrande Technology (LT) [Intel Corp. LaGrande Technology Architectural Overview, September 2003] and AMD's Secure Virtual Machine (SVM) extensions [AMD64 Architecture Programmer's Manual Volume 2: System Programming, Rev 3.11, December 2005] are also hardware-based technologies that can be used to obtain the guarantee of verifiable code execution. Unlike the present invention, however, both these technologies are not suitable for legacy computers since they require CPU architecture extensions and a cryptographic co-processor in the form of a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip.
Memory Integrity Verification
Techniques for memory integrity verification allow a remote verifier to check the memory contents of an untrusted computer to detect the presence of malicious changes. Memory integrity verification provides a strictly weaker property than verifiable code execution. The verifier can only obtain the guarantee that the code present in the memory of an untrusted computer is unmodified but cannot obtain the guarantee that the correct code will execute untampered on the untrusted computer. Prior work in the area of memory integrity verification can be classified into hardware-based and software-based approaches.
Hardware-Based Techniques.
Sailer et al. describe a "load-time attestation" technique that relies on the TPM chip standardized by the Trusted Computing Group [R. Sailer, X. Zhang, T. Jaeger, and L. van Doom. Design and implementation of a TCG-based integrity measurement architecture. In Proceedings of USENIX Security Symposium, pages 223-238, 2004]. Their technique allows a remote verifier to verify what software was loaded into the memory of a platform. However, a malicious peripheral could overwrite code that was just loaded into memory with a DMA-write, thereby breaking the load-time attestation guarantee. Also, as discussed herein, the load-time attestation property provided by the TCG standard is no longer secure since the collision resistance property of SHA-1 has been compromised.
Terra uses a Trusted Virtual Machine Monitor (TVMM) to partition a tamper-resistant hardware platform in multiple virtual machines (VM) that are isolated from each other [T. Garfinkel, B. Pfaff, J. Chow, M. Rosenblum, and D. Boneh. Terra: A virtual machine-based platform for trusted computing. In In Proceedings of ACM Symposium on Operating Systems Principles (SOSP), 2003]. CPU-based virtualization and protection are used to isolate the TVMM from the VMs and the VMs from each other. Although the authors only discuss load-time attestation using a TPM, Terra is capable of performing run-time attestation on the software stack of any of the VMs by asking the TVMM to take integrity measurements at any time. All the properties provided by Terra are based on the assumption that the TVMM is uncompromised when it is started and that it cannot be compromised subsequently. Terra uses the load-time attestation property provided by TCG to guarantee that the TVMM is uncompromised at start-up. Since this property of TCG is compromised, none of the properties of Terra hold. Even if TCG were capable of providing the load-time attestation property, the TVMM could be compromised at run-time if there are vulnerabilities in its code.
In Copilot, Petroni et al. use an add-in card connected to the PCI bus to perform periodic integrity measurements of the in-memory Linux kernel image [N. Petroni, T. Fraser, J. Molina, and W. Arbaugh. Copilot—a coprocessor-based kernel runtime integrity monitor. In Proceedings of USENIX Security Symposium, pages 179-194, 2004]. These measurements are sent to the trusted verifier through a dedicated side channel. The verifier uses the measurements to detect unauthorized modifications to the kernel memory image. The Copilot PCI card cannot access CPU-based state such as the pointer to the page table and pointers to interrupt and exception handlers. Without access to such CPU state, it is impossible for the PCI card to determine exactly what resides in the memory region that the card measures. The adversary can exploit this lack of knowledge to hide malicious code from the PCI card. For instance, the PCI card assumes that the Linux kernel code begins at virtual address 0xc0000000, since it does not have access to the CPU register that holds the pointer to the page tables. While this assumption is generally true on 32-bit systems based on the Intel x86 processor, the adversary can place a correct kernel image starting at address 0xc0000000 while in fact running a malicious kernel from another memory location. The authors of Copilot were aware of this attack [W. Arbaugh. Personal communication, May 2005]. It is not possible to prevent this attack without access to the CPU state. Also, if the host running Copilot has an IOMMU, the adversary can re-map the addresses to perform a data substitution attack. When the PCI card tries to read a location in the kernel, the IOMMU automatically redirects the read to a location where the adversary has stored the correct copy.
The kernel rootkit detector we build using the present invention is able to provide properties equivalent to Copilot without the need for additional hardware. Further, because our rootkit detector has access to the CPU state, it can determine exactly which memory locations contain the kernel code and static data. This ensures that our rootkit detector measures the running kernel and not a correct copy masquerading as a running kernel.
Software-Based Techniques.
Genuinity is a technique proposed by Kennell and Jamieson that explores the problem of detecting the difference between a simulator-based computer system and an actual computer system [R. Kennell and L. Jamieson. Establishing the genuinity of remote computer systems. In Proceedings of USENIX Security Symposium, August 2003]. Genuinity relies on the premise that simulator-based program execution is bound to be slower because a simulator has to simulate the CPU architectural state in software, in addition to simulating the program execution. A special checksum function computes a checksum over memory, while incorporating different elements of the architectural state into the checksum. By the above premise, the checksum function should run slower in a simulator than on an actual CPU. While this statement is probably true when the simulator runs on an architecturally different CPU than the one it is simulating, an adversary having an architecturally similar CPU can compute the Genuinity checksum within the alloted time while maintaining all the necessary architectural state in software. As an example, in their implementation on the x86, Kennell and Jamieson propose to use special registers, called Model Specific Registers (MSR), that hold various pieces of the architectural state like the cache and TLB miss count. The MSRs can only be read and written using the special rdmsr and wrmsr instructions. We found that these instructions have a long latency (≈300 cycles). An adversary that has an x86 CPU could simulate the MSRs in software and still compute the Genuinity checksum within the alloted time, even if the CPU has a lower clock speed than what the adversary claims. Also, Shankar et al. show weaknesses in the Genuinity approach [U. Shankar, M. Chew, and J. D. Tygar. Side effects are not sufficient to authenticate software. In Proceedings of USENIX Security Symposium, pages 89-101, August 2004].
SWATT is a technique proposed by Seshadri et al. that performs attestation on embedded devices with simple CPU architectures using a software verification function [A. Seshadri, A. Perrig, L. van Doom, and P. Khosla. SWATT: Software-based attestation for embedded devices. In Proceedings of IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy, May 2004]. The verification function is constructed so that any attempt to tamper with it will increase its running time. However, SWATT cannot be used in systems with complex CPUs. Also, since SWATT checks the entire memory, its running time becomes prohibitive on systems with large memories.
Other prior art dealing with software-based memory integrity verification that are based on computing hash values over code rely on the untrusted computer correctly performing the hash computation. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,567,917 and 6,925,566. Therefore, an attacker can defeat these techniques by simply subverting the hash computation of the untrusted computer.
Software Tamperproofing
Software tamperproofing is based on constructing self-checksumming code i.e. that computes checksums over its own instruction sequence. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,328. The claim is that doing so allows a piece of code to check its own integrity as it executes, without relying on an remote verifier. However, this claim is incorrect since all software tamperproofing techniques in existence today are vulnerable to two attacks: the Split-TLB Attack and Virtualization-based attacks. The Split-TLB Attack utilizes the existence of separate instruction and data translation look-aside buffers (TLB) in modern CPUs [G. Wurster, P. van Oorschot, and A. Somayaji. A generic attack on checksumming-based software tamper resistance. In Proceedings of IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy, May 2005]. The attack desynchronizes the instruction and data TLBs so that the same virtual address translates to one physical address when used as an instruction pointer and translates to a different physical address than when used as a data pointer. Therefore, the Split-TLB Attack ensures that self-checksumming code computes checksums not over its own instructions but over a different copy of these instructions stored elsewhere in memory.
It is also possible to circumvent self-checksumming code by running the code inside a virtual machine (VM) hosted on top of a malicious virtual machine monitor (VMM). The VMM can undetectably interpose itself in to the execution of the self-checksumming code to ensure that the checksums computed by the code will be correct even though the code has been modified.
Accordingly, there is a need for improved methods, apparatuses, and systems for verifying code integrity and guaranteeing execution of code on untrusted computer platforms. Those and other advantages of the present invention will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

Verifying integrity and guaranteeing execution of code on untrusted computer platform


In a wireless communication system, a terminal device and a base station device communicate using frequency bands selected from among a plurality of frequency bands. The base station device selects a frequency band used for a downlink and a frequency band used for an uplink as frequency bands used for communication with the terminal device from among the plurality of frequency bands, selects an association between the frequency band used for the downlink and the frequency band used for the uplink among the selected frequency bands, and transmits information indicating the selected frequency bands and information indicating the association containing identification information of the association using a signal specific to the terminal device.

For example, a WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) system has been used as a current 3rd generation mobile communication system. In the WCDMA system, a downlink (DL) frequency and an uplink (UL) frequency to be used are defined in a one-to-one correspondence relationship. That is, if a downlink frequency to be used by a terminal is determined, an uplink frequency to be transmitted by the terminal is also correspondingly determined. For example, in the WCDMA system, an interval between transmission and reception frequencies in a 2-GHz frequency band (band 1) is fixed to 190 MHz.
Further, in a 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), a specification of a current LTE (Long Term Evolution (of the 3rd generation)) communication system is being prepared. In Non-Patent Document 1, chapter 5.7.4 and Non-Patent Document 2, chapter 6.3.1, which are an LTE specification (Release 8), a default value of one frequency interval is defined for every frequency band as the transmission and reception frequency interval (the same value as that in WCDMA). Further, in specifications subsequent to Release 9, the number of the transmission and reception frequency intervals is not limited to one in each frequency band, and a new study appears to be necessary. Further, as a method of notifying of the transmission and reception interval, an uplink transmission frequency and a transmission bandwidth can be notified of using system common report information. Information of the same transmission frequency and transmission bandwidth is also included as a parameter notified of in handover. In other words, in the specifications, an uplink frequency can be freely set for a downlink frequency, that is, the transmission and reception frequency interval can be freely set. However, setting of a plurality of transmission and reception frequencies is not described in detail.
Further, LTE-A (LTE-Advanced) has been studied as an LTE communication system. LTE-A is required to realize higher speed communication than LTE and to support a wider band than LTE (a band of 100 MHz, surpassing the band of 20 MHz in LTE). However, a wide band of a continuous frequency domain is difficult to secure worldwide for LTE-A, and it is desirable to maintain compatibility with LTE as far as possible. Accordingly, carrier aggregation (CA) for realizing high-speed, large-capacity communication by securing a bandwidth of a maximum of 100 MHz by collecting a plurality of carriers each having a bandwidth of up to 20 MHz to perform communication was proposed and agreed upon at the meeting 3GPP RAN1 # 53b (see chapter 5 of Non-Patent Document 3). In the carrier aggregation, a carrier of up to 20 MHz is called a component carrier (CC). For the carrier aggregation, a detailed specification such as signaling, channel arrangement, and mapping is expected to be formulated in the future.
A UL/DL asymmetric frequency band has also been studied in LTE-A. A system of related art is a UL/DL symmetric frequency system and is not required to change a transmission and reception frequency interval. However, in the case of the UL/DL asymmetric frequency band system, a plurality of frequency intervals are likely to be needed for every band as the transmission and reception frequency interval (when UL/DL frequency bands of the CCs are the same and the CCs differ in number). In this case, a value of the transmission and reception frequency interval and how to control the interval have been studied but not specifically proposed (Non-Patent Documents 4, 5 and 6). Also, how to select frequency bands of a downlink and an uplink for carrier aggregation and to control the carrier aggregation in a terminal when the carrier aggregation is performed has not been specifically proposed.
Further, in LTE-A, it is necessary to determine a frequency band and how to perform a CA for communication to some extent in 3GPP RAN4, and carrier aggregation frequency scenarios disclosed in Non-Patent Document 7 have been studied. In Non-Patent Document 7, a frequency band to be used and how to perform the carrier aggregation were studied. For example, various CA frequency scenarios are disclosed, such as use of CCs adjacent on a frequency axis, use of CCs separate on a frequency axis, and carrier aggregation in different frequency bands.


Waste nylon 6 and/or nylon 6,6 are treated with aliphatic monocarboxylic acid to depolymerize the polymer to desirable monomer.

It has become increasingly important to salvage values from waste polymeric materials The production of monomers from waste polymer sources reduces the need to convert raw material from petroleum to the desired monomers at much greater time and expense. The provision of a new method to recover nylon values is a worthwhile objective. Since nylon 6 and nylon 6,6 share many market applications, e.g., carpets, the recovery of monomers from mixtures of nylon 6 and nylon 6,6 is particularly useful when recycling used consumer products because of the difficulty and expense of separating the nylons into their individual types.

Conversion of nylon 6 and/or nylon 6,6 to monomers


Swimming goggles are provided which include an integral left and right frames and nose bridge. The integral left and right frames and nose bridge include an outer frame and an inner frame. The outer frame includes front sections of the left and right frames, and a front section of the nose bridge. The inner frame includes rear sections of the left and right frames, and a rear section of the nose bridge. Lenses are received in the left and right frames of the outer frame and the inner frame. Pads are made of soft material and are assembled on the rear sections of the left and right frames. The outer frame and the inner frame are made of different material or of the same material with different rigidity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to swimming goggles, and particularly to swimming goggles which have a left frame, a right frame, a nose bridge and pad that integrally formed by different material or of the same material with different rigidity.
2. Related Art
Swimming goggles are generally divided into two types: separate type and integral type. The separate type has a separate connecting member connecting a left frame and a right frame together; the integral type has a left frame and a right frame integrally formed with a connecting member. Lenses of the integral type have to be fixed on the left and the right frames. If the material is too soft, the left and right frames may be deformed by pulling force when being worn, and the lenses can not be fixed with retention. So the material is restrained in rigidity. Pads of the integral type are formed on the left and right frames and are not flexible relatively, therefore touching users' faces uncomfortably.
Moreover, the connecting member, which is used to connect the left and the right frames, is made of excessive hard material. The connecting member can not meet consumers with different face profiles, and even can not touch their faces fitly, resulting in water leakage.


Microinverters useable in association with photovoltaic modules are described. A three phase-microinverter receives direct current output generated by a microsystems-enabled photovoltaic cell and converts such direct current output into three-phase alternating current out. The three-phase microinverter is interleaved with other three-phase-microinverters, wherein such microinverters are integrated in a photovoltaic module with the microsystems-enabled photovoltaic cell.

Environmental concerns pertaining to utilization of fossil fuels to generate electric power, together with the non-renewable nature of such fossil fuels, have increased demand for alternative energy sources. Exemplary electric power systems that utilize renewable energy resources include solar power systems, wind power systems, hydroelectric power systems, geothermal power systems, amongst others.
Conventional solar power systems, particularly those utilized to provide electric power to a residence, include solar panels that comprise a plurality of relatively large silicon photovoltaic cells (e.g., approximately six inches by six inches). For instance, a single solar panel can include approximately 72 cells. The solar cells are manufactured to output a certain voltage (e.g., 0.6 V for silicon cells) that is approximately constant regardless of an amount of solar radiation received at the solar cells. Additionally, the solar cells are electrically connected in series within a solar panel, such that the solar panel produces approximately 40 V. A typical residential solar system includes several solar panels (e.g., between 5 and 10), and the panels are electrically connected in series, thereby resulting in several hundred cells being electrically connected in series that collectively output a voltage that is approximately equal to the sum of the voltages of the individual cells.
In typical solar power system installations, the series connected cells are coupled to an inverter that converts direct current output by the solar power installation into alternating current suitable for provision to the electric grid. Generally, because power produced by the photovoltaic system is relatively high, the inverter tends to be relatively sizable and costly, due at least in part to a large capacitance needed in a DC link that couples the solar power system to the inverter, as well as the relatively large inductance required on an output leg of the inverter for purposes of filtering. Moreover, such inverters are generally sold separately from the solar panels themselves. Thus, to install a solar power system on a residence, the panels themselves must be mounted, wired, inverters must be added, etc., increasing the cost of installing the solar power system.

Microinverters for employment in connection with photovoltaic modules

The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois


A base station receiver and a reception method in a CDMA cellular radio system includes, in each cell, at least one base station communicating with a plurality of mobile stations situated within its area. The base stations measure the direction angle of a signal arriving from each mobile station with respect to the base station, and communicate with the mobile stations using antenna beams that change in time. The angles of the greatest gain of the beams are adjusted according to signal components arriving from the mobile station. In order to provide detection of good quality without a great deal of calculation, the detection of the desired signal utilizes simultaneously several signals received from different mobile stations taking into account the incoming direction of the signals when selecting the signals.

The invention relates to a linear RF detector comprising a detector part having a detector diode biased with bias current, and a linearizer part having an operation amplifier to the inverting input of which is connected both the output of the detector part and the feedback path coming from the output of the operation amplifier.
In a typical embodiment of the detector, the level of a received radio signal is detected, but the detector is also used for detecting the level of a transmitted radio signal. This application relates to the latter kind of detector.
Requirements set for an RF detector include good linearity, high speed and zero output voltage when the input voltage is zero. Accuracy of detection should not suffer if the detector part and the linearizer part are placed on different circuit boards.
A known detector is shown in FIG. 1. It meets all the other requirements except that the output offset voltage is not zero but depends on the differences in temperature of the detector part and the linearizer part. The detector part comprises a detector diode D1, a capacitor C and a resistor R.sub.0, and the linearizer part comprises an operation amplifier OA1 having a diode D2 and a resistor R in its feedback path. The signal whose level is to be detected is represented by generator V.sub.i cos .omega.t, where V.sub.i is the amplitude to be detected. V.sub.k is a direct-current voltage used for biasing diode D1. Starting from the universal diode current equation I.sub.D =I.sub.S (T)e.sup.Vd/Vt, where V.sub.T is a voltage proportional to absolute temperature and I.sub.S (T) is a saturation current of the diode, it is possible to show that when diode D1 has a temperature T1, whereby the saturation current is I.sub.S1 (T1), and diode D2 has a temperature T2, whereby the saturation current is I.sub.S2 (T2), the output voltage V.sub.O of the detector is represented by formula (1): ##EQU1## The first term of the formula is the desired part depending on the RF input voltage. The second term is a constant offset voltage, and the third term is a varying offset voltage depending on the temperatures and device matching of the diodes. The fourth term, where V.sub.D2 is a voltage over diode D2, generates both a temperature-dependent offset voltage and an error in that part of the output voltage which depends on amplitude V.sub.i. The part of output voltage V.sub.0 that is dependent on voltage V.sub.i is given by a non-linear function f, where I.sub.0 and I.sub.1 are Bessel functions, and is obtained from formula (2) ##EQU2## The prior art detector circuit illustrated by FIG. 1 has several advantages. First, according to formula (2) the diode bias current I.sub.b has theoretically, i.e. if the diode functions as an ideal diode, no effect on the part f(V.sub.i, V.sub.T1) of the output voltage V.sub.O that is dependent on the input voltage. The bias current will have to be set at a large enough value to enable fast charge/discharge of the circuit capacitances. On the other hand, although according to the simplified theory the performance of the circuit is not critical with respect to the bias current of the diode, there are, however, secondary influences, and so the bias current will have to be within a certain range. Second, resistor R.sub.0 does not affect the output voltage in the transfer of the input voltage. Third, the detector is fast, if R.sub.0 and C are sufficiently small. The fourth advantage is that the linear dynamic range of the detector is about 50 dB. The lowest input level to a 50 .OMEGA. impedance is -20 dBm (sensitivity dV.sub.0 /dV.sub.i has dropped to half of its nominal value) and the highest input level is +30 dBm, depending on the break down voltage of diode D1 and supply voltage of the operation amplifier.
The main disadvantage of the above-described known detector circuit concerns the output offset voltages, the values of which are predictable only if diodes D1 and D2 are matched devices and have the same temperature, so they should preferably be on the same silicon chip. However, it is often advantageous to place the detector and the linearizing amplifier on different circuit boards. It should also be noted that if diodes D1 and D2 are in the same package, RF energy will easily leak through diode D2 into the linearizing amplifier disturbing its operation. This is difficult to prevent, since D2 is in the feedback path of a fast amplifier, in the vicinity of which no filtering is allowed.
A way of eliminating the offset voltage in a circuit according to FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2. In the latter figure, offset compensation is used outside the feedback path of the linearizing amplifier. Diodes D1a and D2a are matched devices and have the same temperature, and they are preferably in the same package. Biasing voltage V.sub.k is obtained by the use of a diode D2 that is similar to diodes D1a and D1b. This makes the bias current independent of the forward voltage and the temperature of the diodes. The offset voltage of matched diodes D1a and D1b at the output of the first operation amplifier OA1 is 2*V.sub.k. The non-inverting amplification of the latter operation amplifier OA2 is 2 and the inverting amplification is 1, so the final offset at output V is 2*V.sub.k -1*2V.sub.k =O.
The circuit of FIG. 2 has exactly the same drawbacks as the circuit of FIG. 1: the detector and the linearizing amplifier must be placed on the same circuit board, which raises EMC (Electro-Magnetic Compatibility) problems when the RF input level is high (more than 10 dBm). The RF energy leaks through diode D1b into linearizer OA1 and is rectified in the p-n junctions of diode D1b and/or of the operation amplifiers. It is almost impossible to arrange an effective lowpass filter in the vicinity of D1b, because the diode is in the feedback path of a fast amplifier. An extra operation amplifier reduces the speed of the detector and raises the price, especially since the detector must be fast.

Offset-compensated linear RF detector having a detector part and a linearizer part