A robust control (10) for a pressurized-fluid-operated, three-position shift actuator piston assembly (12). The system requires only a single controlled source of pressurized fluid (44) to provide movement to and retention in a selected one of three axially displaced positions (D, N, OD). A solenoid-controlled valve (42) is controlled by pulse width modulation. Current applied to the solenoid coil is controlled (46), voltage (V) applied to the solenoid coil is sensed and used as a control parameter and/or a relatively light detent (48, 50) biases the assembly to a neutral (N) position to provide a robust control.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a robust control for a three-position actuator piston assembly of the type utilized to control the double-acting clutches of a change-gear transmission, such as the splitter clutches or range clutches of a compound transmission. In particular, the present invention relates to a robust control for a pressurized, fluid-actuated actuator piston assembly providing three selectable, maintainable positions (axially centered, axially displaced in a first direction, and axially displaced in a second direction) and requiring only a single controllable, variable pressure fluid supply device including a pulse-width-modulated, solenoid-controlled valve.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Change-gear mechanical transmissions having double-acting clutch mechanisms, of both the synchronized and non-synchronized types, are well known in the prior art, as may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,105,395; 3,335,616; 4,428,469; 4,754,665; 4,920,815; 4,944,197; 5,086,897; 5,370,013 and 5,390,561, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Two-position and three-position, fluid-actuated, actuator piston assemblies and actuator systems associated therewith also are well known in the prior art, as may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,899,607; 4,928,544; 4,936,156; 5,054,591; 5,193,410; 5,263,379; 5,272,441 and 5,329,826, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
A transmission utilizing a three-position splitter actuator and a splitter clutch having increased backlash is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,292, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
A fluid pressure-operated, three-position shift actuator requiring only a single controlled source of pressurized fluid is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,998, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
As described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,998, the three-position piston is used to achieve a mid-position or neutral state in which neither of the splitter gears is engaged. This neutral state allows the gear set that is being shifted to, to achieve a synchronized speed with the engaging member (the sliding clutch) and, as such, provides a much smoother shift.
This mid- or neutral position is obtained by applying a constant air pressure signal to the smaller piston face side of the splitter cylinder and a lower pressure to the larger piston face side. This lower pressure is achieved by pulse width modulating (PWM'ing) a solenoid valve that applies air pressure to the aft side of the piston. This PWM'ing entails rapidly turning a three-way, two-position, solenoid-controlled valve on and then off to achieve a pressure somewhere between zero psi and the full system pressure.
Testing of the prior art system has shown that the range of PWM values resulting in this neutral state is so small that it makes utilizing this method of control difficult for vehicular transmission applications. Operating variables such as temperature, voltage, pressure, contamination and manufacturing variations for both the solenoid valve and the splitter piston all play together to affect the range of PWM values that yield neutral.

Robust control for three-position transmission shift actuator assembly


A system and method for selectively answering incoming telephone calls based on a caller ID is disclosed. Selected calls may be handled with a number of call handling functions including an auto-answer function, a custom message function, and a custom call forwarding.

Under certain circumstances a person may be unable to answer his or her telephone. A person may be temporarily away from the phone, or perhaps near the phone but unable to answer the phone. Inability to answer a phone could be the result of, for example, an injury, sickness or the like. Alternatively, an elderly or sick person may be bedridden and unable to reach the phone. It may be the case, however, that the person is simply in another room and away from the phone.
Missing the incoming call may be only an inconvenience, but could have more serious consequences, particularly in the case of a sick or an elderly person. In particular, a friend or relative may be calling to check on the welfare of a sick person. The sick person may be in need of medical attention and urgently need to speak with the friend or relative. An unanswered call may force the person to drop what he or she is doing and go to check on the sick or elderly person. Alternatively, the person may panic and call emergency services. However, it may be the case that the person is merely sleeping and not in need of medical attention. As a result, calls to emergency services or other steps may be taken unnecessarily. Such situations could be avoided if the initial phone call were received by the sick or elderly person.
Other situations can be envisioned in which an inability to answer the phone can be at least an inconvenience. For example, pets do not have the ability to answer the phone. However, a pet owner may wish to be able to call home and "speak" to a pet through the speakerphone. Alternatively, a person may own voice-activated appliances. Such a person may wish to remotely activate the appliance over the phone. Additionally, a person may wish to record a message that is specific to a particular calling party or have a particular calling party forwarded to an alternative phone. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a system that provides for automatic answering of a telephone.

Automated call handling based on caller ID


Stabilization method and system for performing dynamic chassis control in a vehicle. An electronic stability control (ESC) includes an ESC sensor set; at least one chassis actuator; and a dynamic controller operably connected to at the least one chassis actuator. The ESC sensor set generates one or more sensor fault signals. Then, the method employs a dynamic controller to evaluate the signals corresponding to the sensor fault at least after a first fast fault signal, or a second slow fault signal. If the first fast fault signal is detected, the dynamic controller generates a signal for at least one of partially or completely temporarily switching off the at least one chassis actuator, while maintaining ESC in an active state. Conversely, if the second slow fault signal is detected, the dynamic controller generates a signal for temporarily switching off the ESC.

Contemporary vehicles include a number of safety systems. One such system, the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), monitors wheel rotation during braking to avoid skidding. In addition, ABS signals may be evaluated by a controller to detect other hazardous situations, arising out of varying road conditions. For example, such signals may allow the controller to detect and thus prevent the vehicle from veering off a designated driving course. Alternatively, the controller may implement selective braking of individual wheels when traction experienced at one wheel differs from the others. As a result, a counteracting yawing torque may stabilize the vehicle, reinstating the driver's control.
Similarly, selective braking systems may address a number of other problems. An array of sensors provides the vehicle controller with real-time information about a number of vehicle states. For example, a steering angle sensor supplies information about the current steering angle. An engine management system, ABS rotational speed sensors, and yaw rate sensors all provide information about vehicle status as changes occur. To aid in stability control, accelerometers may detect rotation about the vehicle's longitudinal axis, thus identifying a rollover risk. The sensors allow the controller to intervene incrementally, before conditions reach an emergency level. Oversteer, for example can be corrected by braking the front wheel on the outside of the curve, and understeer can be similarly corrected by braking the rear wheel on the inside of the curve.
Such processes occur relatively rapidly, as conditions develop, and a safety system much achieve immediate chassis stabilization before the vehicle runs out of control. Chassis stabilization may be combined with automatic braking intervention to form a system referred to as Electronic Stability Control (ESC). When automatic steering intervention is added to ESC, the system is generally referred to as ESC II. Steering intervention allows the vehicle to deal with underlying non-homogenous road conditions, conditions of understeer and oversteer, and similar issues.
A recent improvement in such systems is the employment of chassis actuators. Usually, a combination of a controller and one or more sensors actively control chassis settings. Difficulties arise, however, because sensors may fail during operation. If such a failure goes unnoticed, the vehicle may go out of control. To counter that problem, the industry has deployed fault detection systems designed to detect a faulty sensor and transmit that fact to a corresponding controller for evaluation and an appropriate response. The controller may respond by deactivating automatic stabilization and switching to manual control. In such a case, the fault is detected over a period referred to as the detection time. A relatively high detection time may limit the controller's ability to stabilize the chassis, and therefore, that time must not exceed a long threshold value.
Fault detection reaction times generally range from 250-500 μs. That response suffices for conventional, manual chassis stabilization, but it is too slow for stabilization using chassis actuators. For effective automated control, fault detection reaction time should not exceed 150 μs. That response times is achievable, but it tends to be extremely expensive, given the required circuitry and upgraded equipment requirements for signal evaluation, as well as the further requirement for relatively high quality sensors. In addition, sensors must not only be higher quality than those seen in conventional applications, but they also must be installed in parallel to achieve the required levels of reliability.
Thus, a need remains for rapid fault detection means not only to achieve the performance levels required for automated stabilization, but which can achieve such performance in an efficient manner.


A computer system including a control logic and a storage coupled to the control logic. The storage includes a plurality of bitcells and bitlines used to transfer data between the control logic and the bitcells. The control logic provides an address of a target bitcell to the storage. Within a single clock cycle, the storage uses the address to activate the target bitcell, to precharge bitlines coupled to the target bitcell, and to access the target bitcell.

Reducing power consumption is desirable in most computer systems, and is especially desirable in battery-operated, mobile computer systems (e.g., mobile phones, digital personal assistants, laptop computers) which are provided with limited power supplies. Increasing performance also is desirable in most computer systems, and is especially desirable in mobile systems since they run an increasing number of applications which demand high performance capability from the system hardware. However, a reduction in power consumption generally entails an undesirable reduction in performance. Likewise, an increase in performance generally entails an undesirable increase in power consumption.


A mounting bracket includes a substantially planar panel defining a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a first surface, and a second surface opposite the first surface. The substantially planar panel defines a tapered slot open at the first edge, extending from the first edge toward the second edge, and terminating in a slot apex opposite the first edge. A bracket receptor includes an annular projection and a shaft extending from the annular projection. The annular projection extends beyond one or more sides of the shaft. The shaft of the bracket receptor is selectively positioned within the slot apex of the mounting bracket such that the annular projection of the bracket receptor is positioned adjacent the first surface of the substantially planar panel and the shaft of the bracket receptor extends beyond the second surface of the substantially planar panel.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to gaming devices and systems, and more particularly to new and improved mounting assemblies/systems for a gaming device.
Description of the Related Art
Games of chance have been enjoyed by people for many years and have undergone increased and widespread popularity in recent times. As with most forms of entertainment, some players enjoy playing a single favorite game, while others prefer playing a wide variety of games. Gaming devices are often used in casinos or other gaming venues to present one or more styles and options of games. In response to the diverse range of player preferences, gaming establishments commonly offer many types of gaming devices, such as slot and video machines. Slot and video machines have a wide variety of configurations. Commonly, however, these machines comprise upright cabinets or housings, to which the gaming machine is secured. The upright cabinets are then secured to a supporting stand. The upright cabinets and supporting stands are designed to structurally support the gaming machines, bring the gaming machines to a certain optimum height, and house supporting hardware, among other purposes.
Gaming devices, as well as the gaming device cabinets that support and/or enclose the devices themselves and the supporting stands, have evolved to become somewhat standardized in an effort to reduce manufacturing, installation, and other costs associated with implementation in gaming environments. In other words, a variety of gaming devices and supporting hardware are maintained within or otherwise associated with gaming cabinets and supporting stands. Such supporting hardware may include processing devices including controllers, video displays, lights and other display functions, buttons, a coin hopper, bill validator and cash box, and/or a wide range of other components. In some gaming locations, banks of gaming devices may be found that are each secured to these cabinets and their associated stands and are located, in some cases, in rows opposing one another. Back-to-back positioning of gaming devices often complicates installation, more particularly, securement of the associated cabinets near rear areas of the cabinets, which can be difficult to access during installation.
As one may expect, operators and vendors of gaming environments may need to relocate a particular gaming machine to another location in a particular venue, or may need to otherwise remove a gaming machine from a current location for service and/or repair. The relocation or removal and replacement of these gaming machines may take place many times during the course of the operating lifetime of a particular gaming machine. Installation and/or removal time is often lengthy, and exposes many components to potential damage or misplacement. Also, service, maintenance, and/or repair of the gaming devices may be difficult due to limited accessibility to the mounting components. Difficult to reach mounting locations also limit the type of tools used to secure the gaming device and may compromise any needed torque for safely and securing the gaming cabinet in the desired position. Technicians are also prone to injury trying to access difficult to reach mounting components. In some cases, to reach the mounting components, various other supporting components in the cabinets and stands such as power supplies, processing devices, hoppers, and power distribution components must be relocated and/or moved or removed and replaced, potentially adding to the time and complexity involved in installing gaming devices, servicing, or relocating gaming devices.
A current challenge for operators and vendors of gaming venues, in view of increasingly popular use by players, an increasing number of gaming machines, tables and the like in gaming environments, and the increasing mobility of gaming devices in and between venues, is the mounting of a gaming device in a quick, safe, and convenient manner, without jeopardizing safety to players, staff personnel, and/or field technicians, yet not requiring additional hardware associated with the mounting process that adds to the overall costs associated with such installation. A need exists for a mechanism that complements the increasing standardization of gaming machines, cabinets, and associated supporting stands, promotes safety and accessibility, and minimizes costs associated with the removal, relocation and replacement of gaming machines.

Mounting assemblies for a gaming device and associated methods


A device for fastening an electrode in the pacemaker bed before the entry of the electrode into a vein is provided, and includes a sheath having two parts and, with a hose extending through their interior. The two parts and of the sheath are profiled at the contacting edges of a common separating point so that they are fixed in reference to one another in the rotational direction until a user pulls them apart beyond the axial extension of the profiling. In this pulled-apart position the parts of the sheath can be rotated in reference to one another under torsion of the hose and subsequently, due to the restoring force of the hose, will be again guided together axially, which reduces the interior cross-section of the hose and allows a form-fitting grasping the electrode extending therethrough.

The invention relates to a device for affixing an electrode, in particular a pacemaker electrode, in the pacemaker bed prior to the entry of the electrode into the vein (ligature protection) having a sheath, which is provided with an interior cavity extending in the axial direction for accepting an electrode, said cavity being reducible in its cross-section in order to fasten the electrode in the operational position, with the sheath containing an elastic hose, stretchable in an axial direction against a restoring force, which simultaneously forms the interior longitudinal cavity for accepting the electrode and, along a separating point extending at its circumference, the sheath being divided in the longitudinal direction into at least two parts that can be moved in reference to one another in the axial direction.
A device of this type is known from the U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,493. Here, the two parts of the sheath are inserted into one another in a telescoping manner and can be displaced, and a pressure spring is inserted between the face of the interior part and a stop of the other part, its force moving the two components apart in the axial direction, stretching the hose, with the hose simultaneously being contracted in its middle area due to its stretching and thus grasping the electrode in a clamping fashion. This represents an expensive and easily malfunctioning construction, which depends on the good gliding ability of the two parts in reference to one another and primarily from the additionally integrated spring, with its assembly being difficult.
From the U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,298 a device of a similar type for fastening an electrode is known, in which a sheath-shaped part with a continuous interior cavity for accepting the electrode is provided in three sections. In the first section, a widening of the interior cavity is provided. An axially subsequent section, reduced in its exterior circumference, is provided with an exterior thread, and an axially continuing section comprises an elastic material and can be pressed against the electrode with the help of a nut, which through rotation and axial displacement, compresses the external thread in the radial direction. This construction is also to be considered relatively expensive and requires a high degree of care during the operation of the nut.

Suture collar with a flexible constraining means


The present application is provided with a battery box and a battery module. The battery box includes a plurality of end plates; a plurality of side plates, where one end plate is provided between adjacent side plates, and the end plates and the side plates enclose and form a cavity of the battery box. A plurality of welding members are formed by bending an end portion of each of the side plates and/or each of the end plates for enclosure for multiple times. Each of the welding members is configured to weld to a corresponding end plate or side plate.

In recent years, the emergence of new energy vehicles has played an enormous role in promoting social development and environmental protection. A power battery pack is a rechargeable battery that is the power source for the new energy vehicles and is widely used in the field of new energy vehicles. Where, in order to ensure the overall structural strength of a battery pack and realize the safe driving of the vehicle, the structural strength of a box of a battery module located inside the battery pack is also particularly important. At present, end plates and side plates of the box of the battery module are usually welded together by butt-welding to enclose and form an accommodating cavity of the box of the battery module, to ensure that battery cells are stably installed in the box of the battery module. Or the structural strength of the box of the battery module is improved by increasing the thickness of a board.
Though the box of the battery module in the prior art can increase the strength of the connection between the end plates and the side plates to a certain extent, it has the following problems respectively. (1) The strength of the butt-welding is low, where the vibration occurred during the driving of the vehicle can easily cause the connection between the end plate and the side plate to be disconnected; and the method of butt-welding is easy to leak a laser, and the laser passes through the box will cause damage to the battery cell. (2) The overall structural strength of the box of the battery module may be ensure by increasing the thickness of the board, but the weight of the entire battery pack is greatly increased, thereby increasing the energy consumption of the vehicle.

CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED


A device for three-dimensional scanning of an object includes a detector adapted to obtain orientation information of the device, optics adapted to obtain planar information about a position of the device in a first reference plane of the optics, and a processor adapted to acquire the orientation information and the planar information from the detector and from the optics, respectively, and to process such information in order to obtain an estimate of a position of the device on an axis substantially perpendicular to the first reference plane, for the purpose of obtaining a three-dimensional image of the object.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device, a system and a method for three-dimensional scanning, more particularly for three-dimensional, or 3D, detection of physical objects of any geometry.
2. Present State of the Art
It is known that many measuring instruments exist which can copy, or replicate, the three-dimensional outline of a real object having a complex shape. These instruments are called "3D scanners" and are employed for industrial design, quality control, biomedical and other applications where digital copies of real objects are needed. Such systems may require the use of different technologies, each having specific limits, advantages and costs. According to a well-known and established classification, they are divided into two macrofamilies: "contact" systems and "contactless" systems.
"Contact" 3D scanning systems probe the external surface of the object by physical contact. The structure of these systems may include a rigid-arm transport system allowing the scanning head to move along the axes of the coordinates, e.g., Cartesian ones, or, more commonly, may include articulated arms fitted with joint-mounted displacement sensors which can detect the movements of a measuring head (also called "feeler").
However, such "contact" systems with rigid or articulated arms are very bulky and difficult to move. As a matter of fact, they are totally inadequate for 3D scanning, or detection, of objects that cannot be moved from their original location, e.g., archeological finds.
As far as "contactless" systems are concerned, they employ optical systems making use of a light source (laser, light pattern and the like), and represent the most widespread solution currently available on the market. Among these, so-called "hand-held" scanners are now becoming more and more popular on the market, which use measuring-head tracking stations or place reference markers on the object itself or in the surrounding environment. These expedients are normally resorted to because the object cannot be wholly scanned by means of just one measurement, and multiple measuring steps have to be carried out. In order to ensure consistency of the results obtained by means of the various measurements, it is necessary to use common reference elements, e.g., markers, for all measurements, so as to define a univocal reference system.
However, these latter "contactless" systems using references, or markers, require post-processing operations for merging all the single measurements taken, i.e., an operator aligning and joining the single measurements. Moreover, the accuracy of the measurements is strictly dependent on the positions and quantity of the markers placed on the object. This factor introduces measurement errors that propagate into the final result, i.e., the full processing of the 3D model of the object under examination.

Device and system for three-dimensional scanning, and method thereof


A golf bag carrying system, in the form of a triple strap carrier, includes a first and a second strap secured to the golf bag to define first and second shoulder openings, respectively. The first strap second end and the second strap first end are attached to a first ring, and the second strap is led through a second ring at a central (second) location at a mid-portion of the bag. The other ends of the first and second straps are secured to the golf bag longitudinally on opposite sides of the second location at first and third locations, respectively. A third strap is attached to the first ring and to the bag at a fourth location below the third location. The mounts for securing the straps to the bag, and the straps themselves, preferably are selectively adjustable to balance the bag in single-shoulder and dual-shoulder carrying modes.

The game of golf is one of the most widely enjoyed sports activities in the world. The number of persons participating in this activity, both at the professional and recreational level, is almost unparalleled. Not only is this activity already widespread, but also the ranks of golfers continue to swell at an unprecedented rate.
The sport of golf is typically played on a course consisting of nine or eighteen "holes". A set of clubs is used to strike a golf ball along each hole comprising the course. Each hole consists of a starting location wherein a golfer places a ball and initially strikes the ball towards a green. Each green includes a recessed cup, and it is the object of the golfer to strike the ball with a series of strokes into the cup. Different clubs are used to vary the height, distance and spin of the ball, and a set of clubs may number ten or more. The holes normally vary in length from short holes of approximately one hundred yards to longer holes of five hundred yards and greater. The holes are flanked by rough areas out of which it is more difficult to play, and hazards are provided to increase the intricacy and precision required in play.
Golfers may travel over a course during play in a variety of manners. For example, a golfer may walk a course and carry his/her clubs in a specialized container known in the art as a "golf bag" or sometimes employs another to carry clubs for him/her. Other golfers employ wheeled pull carts which mountably receive a set of clubs with or without a golf bag so that a golfer may push or pull the cart as the golfer walks each hole. Motorized or engine driven carts are available at some courses and, in fact, are required for play at certain courses, wherein a golfer mounts his/her clubs on the motorized cart and drives across the course from one ball lie to the next.
The present invention concerns those persons who walk a golf course and carry their own clubs in a golf bag. This invention is thus useful for a substantial number of golfers who desire walking a golf course as a means of healthy, enjoyable exercise. One of the drawbacks which has long existed for these golfers prior to the present invention, however, is the nature of the construction of the standard golf bag. A typical golf bag which receives the set of clubs is in the form of a tubular body enclosed at one end. A single strap extends from an upper rim of the golf bag to a mid-point on the bag. The golfer or the caddy then carries such bag by inserting one arm through the strap so that the strap extends across one shoulder thus supporting the bag for travel. A small handle may also be mounted on the bag, normally between the end points of the strap, to enable the bag to be carried by the human hand.
A disadvantage to this system has long been present, in that the entire weight of the golf clubs and bag, which may typically be on the order of twenty to twenty-eight pounds, can strain the muscles of the neck and shoulders. Despite this disadvantage, some golfers still enjoy being able to carry their golf bag and clubs slung over either shoulder individually.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,704, relevant disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference, a golf bag carrying system is disclosed in the form of a dual strap carrier device that may be manufactured either in conjunction with the construction of a golf bag, as original equipment, or which may be manufactured as a retro-fit system attachable to a standard golf bag assembly. The disclosed device enables a golfer to carry a golf bag and clubs suspended from both shoulders simultaneously. To this end, in its broad form, the disclosed system is in the form of a strap assembly for use with a golf bag wherein the golf bag is in the form of an elongated tubular member having a surrounding sidewall, an enclosed end and an open end whereby the shafts of golf clubs made be inserted into the golf bag. The strap assembly includes a first strap having a first strap end secured to the golf bag at a first location proximate the open end and having a first strap second end secured to the golf bag at a second location axially spaced from the first location along an attachment axis. The first strap thereby defines a primary strap forming a first strap opening which may be secured over one of the person's shoulders. The second strap has a second strap first end secured to the golf bag proximate the second location and has a second strap second end secured to the golf bag at a third location axially spaced from the second location along the attachment axis between the second location and the closed end of the golf bag, thereby defining a second strap opening. The second strap thus forms a secondary strap opening which may be positioned over the other shoulder of the person so that the golf bag may be suspended from and supported by both shoulders in a fully supported state. In the fully supported state, therefore, the golf bag is oriented generally transversely across the back of the user.
The system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,704 is said to be useful in carrying a golf bag over either one shoulder or both shoulders, according to the desires of the carrier. However, experience shows that the primary strap opening optimal for single-shoulder use is different from that which is optimal for dual-shoulder use; and further, that when the attachment means at the second location is a ring, the straps can slide through the ring, permitting the primary strap opening to become substantially oversized; and further, that a second location which is optimal for dual-shoulder use is sub-optimal for single-shoulder use, resulting in a cumbersome single-shoulder carrying mode.
Thus, what is needed in the art is a carrying system for a golf bag that can be adjusted to be simultaneously optimum for either single-shoulder carrying or dual-shoulder carrying.
What is further needed is such a system wherein no readjustment of the system is required to shift from one carrying mode to the other.
What is further needed is such a system wherein a carrier may shift from one carrying mode to the other without having to set down the golf bag.
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide means for carrying a golf bag on either a single shoulder or on both shoulders, wherein the adjustments for both carrying modes may be simultaneously optimized.

Triple strap carrying system for a golf bag


A computer-readable medium stores a first lexicon data structure for lexicon words. The first data structure includes a host form variant field containing a host form variant such as a clitic host form variant, a host form field containing the host form of the host form variant (only present if the forms differ) such as a clitic host verbal form, and a verification field indicative of whether the host form variant is a valid word. The first data structure also includes a segment association field containing data or segmentation bits associating the host form variant with certain types of attachment entries in the lexicon, which also contain data or segmentation bits, to define valid combinations between the host form variant and at least one of the attachment entries in the lexicon. A second lexicon data structure for each of the attachment entries in the lexicon is also stored.

The present invention is related to natural language processing. More particularly, the present invention is related to natural language systems and methods for processing words and associated word-variant forms, such as verb-clitic forms, in one of a range of languages, for example Spanish, when they are encountered in a textual input.
Numerous natural language processing applications rely upon a lexicon for operation. Such applications include word breaking (for search engines), grammar checking, spell checking, handwriting recognition and speech recognition, machine translation, text mining, etc. In some languages, the large number of possible word-variant forms makes it difficult for these natural language applications to accurately analyze the words in their various forms. Word-variant forms (or simply word forms) include compound words, clitics, inflections etc. The large number of word forms makes it difficult to include all of the word forms in the lexicon. A lexicon which contains all of these possible variations, inflections, compounds, etc. of a language is referred to as a full form lexicon.
One example of a large number of word-variant forms in a language is verb-clitic attachment in Spanish. In Spanish, clitics (unstressed forms of the personal pronouns) have different behavior depending on whether they appear before or after the verb. Clitics can precede many verbal forms. In this case, they are detached: e.g. lo vi 'I saw it'; se la entregué 'I gave it to him/her'. However, when one or more clitics appear after the verb, they are attached to it forming a single word (e.g. verlo 'to see it'; entregándosela 'giving it to him/her'). These strings are referred to herein as "verb-clitic" forms. Other languages use hyphens to attach clitics (French: donnez-moi 'give me'; Portuguese: mandá-las 'to send them') or hyphens and apostrophes (Catalan: enviar-te'l 'to send it to you'). In Spanish, clitics are attached directly to the verbal form.
Clitic attachment may or may not cause changes in the verbal form. Here are examples of the possible cases:                no change:                    comer -> comerlo 'to eat -> to eat it'            decid -> decidme 'tell -> tell me'                        addition of accent mark:                    toma -> tómalo 'take -> take it'            pon ->póntela 'put ->put it on'                        deletion of final consonant:                    mirad -> miraos 'look -> look at yourselves'            freid ->freíos 'fry ->fry yourselves'                        addition of accent mark and deletion of final consonant:                    presentad -> presentáosles 'introduce -> introduce yourselves to them'            digamos -> digámoselo 'let's say -> let's say it to him/her'            peinemos -> peinémonos 'let's comb -> let's comb ourselves'                        deletion of accent mark:                    propón -> proponlo 'propose -> propose it'
As used herein, the original verbal form to which clitics attach is referred to as "clitic host" and the resulting form with the orthographic/phonological transformations as "clitic host variant."
For simple word breaking, if the desired output is only to break the different segments, dealing with clitics would appear to be quite easy. Just looking at the last letters of the words would be sufficient to determine whether a string is a verb-clitic form. However, this approach would mark as verb-clitic forms words that look like verb-clitic forms but are not. For example, the word ángeles could very well be taken for the Person 2 Singular Imperative Polite form of an inexistent verb *anger (with the needed accent added in the right position), but it is actually the plural of the noun ángel 'angel'. To solve this issue, a list of exceptions with all the known cases of false verb-clitic forms could be used. However, this solution would not prevent the treatment as verb-clitic forms of other words with similar characteristics that are unknown to the system.
In a word breaker scenario where the clitic host form has to be emitted, the computation needs to be more refined. When considering the spell checking scenario, it is obvious that low level solutions are not sufficient for the verb-clitic problem. Verbs with clitics are very common in the Spanish language and users expect spell checkers to be able to recognize them and offer appropriate suggestions when they contain an error.
Some Spellers are based on full form lexica: they list all the possible inflected forms for a given language. This way, if a string isn't found in the list, it is considered an error, and the entries from the lexicon with the smallest edit distance are offered as suggestions. Even though this is a good solution for a language with limited inflectional morphology, such as English, it poses significant problems for a highly inflectional language, such as Spanish.
As an example, one particular Spanish lexicon was found to contain around 13,400 verbs in their Infinitive base form, and there were found to be about 55 inflected forms for each verb. Therefore, without counting verb-clitic forms, a full form lexicon already needs to include around 737,000 inflected verbal forms. To recognize 240 verb-clitic forms per verb (adding over 3.2 million entries), the number of verbal forms alone would be too high (almost 4 million) to be effectively handled for these applications.
A variation of this methodology is to harvest the verb-clitic forms, i.e. to extract all the occurrences of verb-clitic forms from corpora and add only those to the list (instead of productively generating all the possible forms). This option has the shortcoming of providing little coverage for spell checking. Clitics are very frequent in Spanish; the user won't understand the inconsistency in their treatment.
The opposite solution to the use of full form lexica is to have a lexicon with only the lemmas. The lemmas can then be annotated with the morphological information needed to recognize all their inflected forms (including all the irregularities and orthographical changes for verbs, nouns, and adjectives). Note that clitics don't only attach to the Infinitive or base forms of the verbs, but also to inflected forms that can present lots of irregularities. For instance, while the 1st Person Imperative Plural form of subir 'to raise, to get on' is subamos, producing the verb-clitic form subámonos; the corresponding form of decir 'to say' is digamos, producing the verb-clitic form digámonos. This approach implies a big hit for runtime performance, especially for spell checking, where the goal is not only to recognize correct verb-clitic forms, but also to offer good suggestions for misspelled ones.

System and method for performing analysis on word variants


Nucleic acids and polypeptides were identified and isolated from Poncirus trifoliata, a sexually compatible close relative of Citrus. These sequences, when present in a plant genome, result in the expression of resistance to CTV infection. Several methods of transforming citrus plants to produce citrus plants that are resistant to the broad genetic diversity of CTV strains are described. Transformed CTV-resistant germplasm and breeding lines can be used in conventional breeding programs to create new cultivars that carry and express the resistance genes.

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) is the most important cosmopolitan viral pathogen of citrus. CTV is a member of the closterovirus group and it induces several serious disease syndromes in citrus. Lee and Bar-Joseph, Tristeza, In: L M Timmer, S M Garnsey, J H Graham, Compendium of Citrus Diseases, 2nd Edition, APS Press, St. Paul, Minn. (2000). Examples of these syndromes include 'quick decline' or death of citrus trees on sour orange rootstock, and 'stem pitting' of scion cultivars regardless of the rootstock used. These diseases severely impact the citrus industry worldwide.
Sour orange is a traditionally used rootstock in many citrus growing regions of the world because of its broad adaptability to a wide range of soil and environmental conditions, as well as its positive influence on the quality of the fruit produced by scion cultivars grafted to it. There are many historical examples of the demise and destruction of regional citrus industries based on the near-exclusive use of sour orange rootstock, following the introduction and spread of quick decline strains of the virus. In such cases, less desirable rootstock alternatives must be used to replant entire regions; if no such alternatives can be found because of severe soil or water quality limitations, then production is dramatically hindered or even abandoned. Stem pitting disease can attack all scions regardless of the rootstock used.
Some citrus and citrus-related plants show resistance to CTV. For example, some pummelo varieties have recently been found to be resistant to certain CTV strains (Garnsey et al., Differential susceptibility of pummelo and Swingle citrumelo to isolates of CTV. In: Da Graca Jv, Moreno P, Yokomi R K, Proc. 13th Conf. Int. Organiz. Citrus Virol. University of California Press, Riverside, Calif. p. 138–146, 1997). Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf. (a close relative of Citrus), however, is resistant to a wide diversity of CTV strains (Garnsey et al., Phytophylactica 19:187, 1987). This resistance is thought to be controlled by a single genetic element. Successful introgression of this resistance into rootstock cultivars has been accomplished via sexual hybridization, but the development of CTV-resistant yet commercially acceptable scion cultivars has been very difficult due to the coincident introgression of undesirable fruit characteristics from Poncirus.
A number of disease resistance (R) genes have been cloned from several other model plant species. The proteins encoded by these genes can be grouped into several classes based on structure: serine/threonine kinases, proteins with a nucleotide binding site and leucine-rich repeats (NBS-LRR), presumed extracellular LRR-containing proteins with or without a transmembrane domain, and serine/threonine receptor-like kinases. Baker et al., Science 276, 726 (1997); Staskawicz et al., Science 268, 661 (1995); and Wang et al., Plant Cell 10, 765 (1998). Presently, however, there are no reports that identify a gene which confers CTV-resistance in Citrus. Molecular cloning of such a gene would provide the means for developing CTV-resistant scion cultivars through genetic transformation. Because CTV is a serious threat to the citrus industry worldwide, the development of rootstock and scion cultivars that are resistant to a wide range of CTV strains would mitigate the impact of this pathogen on the citrus industry.

University of Florida Research Foundation


A serial-to-parallel data conversion and transmission system for converting incoming serial data sent by another system. The incoming data contains a data portion and identifying information and is converted into parallel data in response to a chip select signal. The apparatus is operable to store the data portion of the incoming data in a first register array, which is coupled to a multiple of receiving devices; and to store the identifying information in a second register array, which is coupled to a decoder. The decoder reads the identifying information from the second register array and decodes the information to determine which receiving device(s) should receive the data portion. The data portion is then transmitted from the first register array to the selected receiving device(s). The data portion is converted from serial data to parallel data upon passing through the first register array, and thus parallel data is transmitted to the selected receiving device(s).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to serial-to-parallel data conversion and transmission devices. In particular, the present invention relates to serial to parallel data conversion and transmission device for direct transmission to a receiving device without the intervention of a processor.
2. Technical Background
Conventional serial-to-parallel data conversion and transmission devices are widely employed in data communication devices. For example, in a computer system receiving remote data via the telephone network, a serial-to-parallel data conversion and transmission device would convert serially transmitted information bits sent from a remote system and received at the local end into multi-bit, for example, bytes of data, and subsequently send the received multi-bit, or, in other words, parallel data to other sections in the computer system for processing.
FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings is a schematic block diagram showing the conventional scheme for serial-to-parallel data conversion and transmission. As shown, a device A sends data to another device B over a serial data communication line DA. For example, device A and B may be personal computers, and the serial data communication line DA may be a local connection, e.g., an RS-232A bus.
Device A transmits data over the serial data link DA to device B, and the received data is converted from serial to parallel data format and stored in one of the receivers 142, 144, 146 and 148. A data conversion and transmission device 10, such as a shift register-based device, receives the incoming serial data, converts the data from serial to parallel format, and sends the data to a processor 12, such as a CPU of device B, which assigns the data to one of the receivers 142, 144, 146 and 148 for storage.
Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings, a timing diagram of the material signals in the serial-to-parallel data conversion and transmission scheme of FIG. 1 is shown for describing the operation of a conventional device. The operation of data conversion and transmission is as follows.
(1) When an active-high chip select signal CS, e.g., a logic one, is issued, device A is prohibited from transmitting data to device B. PA1 (2) When signal CS changes and remains in the logic zero state, and a clock signal CK changes from logic zero to logic one, device A is permitted to send data to device B. PA1 (3) When clock signal CK changes from logic one to logic zero while chip-select CS signal remains at logic zero, the data sent over data line DA is stored in the data conversion and transmission device 10. PA1 (4) Steps (2) and (3) are repeated for each bit supplied on data line DA. PA1 (5) Processor 12 in device B passes the data stored in data conversion and transmission device 10 in parallel form to receiver 142, 144, 146 or 148.
In the above-described conventional scheme of serial-to-parallel data conversion and transmission, system processor 12 (usually the CPU of device B) is required to intervene in order to supply data stored in data conversion and transmission device 10 to one of the receivers. This requirement not only adds to the load of the CPU of a computer system, but also reduces data transmission throughput in this serial-to-parallel data conversion and transmission system, since a heavily loaded processor must utilize critical time to process the required receiver assignment.

Apparatus and method for serial-to-parallel data conversion and transmission


A super heat-resistant silicon carbide fiber has an oxygen content of less than 0.1% by weight. In a process for producing the super heat-resistant silicon carbide fiber, a precursor fiber prepared by spinning a polycarbosilane having an oxygen content of less than 0.8% by weight is irradiated with a radiation in an oxygen-free atmosphere or in vacuo to make the precursor fiber infusible. The infusibilized fiber is fired in an oxygen-free atmosphere or in vacuo at a temperature of from 1000.degree. to 2200.degree. C. without exposure to an oxidizing atmosphere; or stabilized in the same atmosphere at a temperature of from 300.degree. to 600.degree. C. without exposure to an oxidizing atmosphere and fired in an oxygen-free atmosphere or in vacuo at a temperature of from 1000.degree. to 2200.degree. C.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a super heat-resistant silicon carbide fiber having a high heat resistance particularly in an oxygen-free atmosphere, and a process for producing the same. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with a silicon carbide fiber which is produced from an organosilicon polymer compound such as polycarbosilane and has a high strength, a high modulus of elasticity and a very high heat resistance particularly in an oxygen-free atmosphere, and a process for producing the same.
2. Prior Art
The process for producing a silicon carbide fiber through the use of an organosilicon polymer compound as a precursor generally comprises three steps of spinning, infusibilization and firing.
Among these steps, the spinning step is one for preparing a precursor fiber having a small diameter through the melt spinning of an organosilicon polymer compound such as polycarbosilane.
In the infusibilization step, the precursor fiber undergoes a crosslinking reaction so that the fiber is made insoluble and infusible in the subsequent step of firing. In the prior art, the precursor fiber has been generally heat-treated in an oxidizing atmosphere such as air to bring about the crosslinking reaction (hereinafter referred to as "thermal oxidation process").
In the firing step, the infusibilized fiber is converted into an inorganic compound to give a silicon carbide fiber. In the prior art, the infusibilized fiber has been generally treated at a high temperature of about 1200.degree. C. in an oxygen-free atmosphere or in vacuo.
The silicon carbide fiber will find applications mainly as a composite material (FRM) comprising the silicon carbide fiber and a metal, and a composite material (FRC) comprising the silicon carbide fiber and a ceramic in the future. In order to use the silicon carbide fiber for such applications, the silicon carbide fiber should have a high heat resistance at least in an oxygen-free atmosphere.
As described above, in the prior art, however, since the precursor fiber is made infusible through the crosslinking reaction of an organosilicon polymer compound by means of oxygen, the resultant silicon carbide fiber is a ternary composition comprising silicon, carbon and oxygen and containing 8 to 20% by weight of oxygen. In such a silicon carbide fiber, a defect occurs in the fiber in an oxygen-free atmosphere at a high temperature of 1300.degree. C. or above through the elimination of CO and SiO gases according to the following formulae (1) and (2): EQU SiO.sub.2 +3C.fwdarw.SiC+2CO.uparw. (1) EQU Si+C+O.fwdarw.1/2CO.uparw.+1/2SiO.uparw.+1/2SiC (2)
Further, the formation of SiC causes silicon carbide crystal grains to be coarsened. For this reason, the silicon carbide fiber prepared by the above-described conventional process exhibits a poor heat resistance due to a remarkable deterioration of the fiber strength particularly at 1500.degree. C. or above.
Other known methods of making the precursor fiber infusible include one wherein the precursor fiber is irradiated with a radiation in an atmosphere containing oxygen, such as air (see J. P. Appln. Laid-Open Gazette No. (Sho.) 53-103025). Even when this method is employed, the resultant silicon carbide fiber contains 7 to 30% by weight of oxygen as in the above-described thermal oxidation process and therefore is poor in heat resistance.
Further, some of the present inventors have disclosed a method wherein the precursor fiber is irradiated with a radiation in an oxygen-free atmosphere or in vacuo (see Proc. 1st Japan Int. SAMPE Symp., pp. 929-934, Nov. 28-Dec. 1, 1989). In the prior art, however, the fiber irradiated with a radiation for making the fiber infusible is placed as such in the air, afterwhich the infusibilized fiber is fired. Therefore, there is a limitation on the reduction of the oxygen content of the resultant silicon carbide fiber, and the silicon carbide fiber is unsatisfactory in heat resistance. Further, the above-described literature discloses that the oxygen content in the silicon carbide fiber is reduced when the infusibilized fiber is annealed by heating at about 250.degree. C. before being fired. In this method, however, the oxygen content in the silicon carbide fiber can be reduced to only 1 to 2% by weight.

Super heat-resistant silicon carbide fibers from poly-carbosilane


An input device for detecting input with respect to a three dimensional area in space. The input device includes an electromagnetic wave interference projector and receiver. The analysis of the difference between the projected interference pattern and the received interference pattern will determine the type and location of the user input. In addition, this holographic type of wave interference will display the image to be “manipulated” or “touched”.

The present invention is directed generally and in various embodiments to an apparatus and method for inputting data by interaction with a template display in space. Non-holographic versions of remotely sensed human movement and position data input devices already exist. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,281,878, Apparatus and Method for Inputting Data which is incorporated herein by reference. The present invention in various embodiments goes beyond this previous realization by using the actual projected image as the medium for sensing the human motion and location as well as a method for allowing 3 dimensional, "floating" holographic images to be used.
Input devices are used in almost every aspect of everyday life, including computer keyboards and mice, automatic teller machines, control panels, vehicle controls, and countless other applications. Input devices, like most things, typically have a number of moving parts. A conventional keyboard, for example, has moveable keys that open and close electrical contacts. Moving parts, unfortunately, are likely to break or malfunction before other components, particularly solid state devices. Such malfunction or breakage is even more likely to occur in conditions that are dirty or dusty. Furthermore, input devices have become a limiting factor in the size of small electronic devices, such as laptop computers and personal organizers. For example, to be efficient a keyboard input device must have keys that are spaced at least as far apart as the size of the user's finger tips. Such a large keyboard has become a limiting factor as electronic devices become smaller.
Some prior art devices have attempted to solve one or more of the abovementioned problems. For example, touch screens can sense a user touching an image on the monitor. Such devices, however, typically require sensors and other devices in, on, or around the monitor. Furthermore, reducing the size of such an input device is limited to the size of the monitor.
Other prior art devices sense the position of a user's finger using light sensors. Those devices, however, often require light sensors to be located above and perpendicular to the keyboard, or other input device. As a result, they tend to be bulky and are not suited for use in small, hand-held devices.
Other prior art devices sense position of a user's finger with light sensors located on the surface to be monitored. In the case of a keyboard, for example, such devices typically require that sensors be located at the comers or other boundaries of the keyboard. As a result, they are bulky because the sensors must be spread out to be at least the same size as the keyboard. Such a device does not lend itself to use in a small, hand held device or in providing a full sized keyboard, or other input device.
All of the abovementioned devices require sensor(s) to operate separate from the display (template) for sensing and inputting the data and are relative to a limited two dimensional space.

Virtual holographic input method and device


Temperature sensing devices and methods for determining downhole fluid temperature at a drill string in a borehole while drilling are disclosed. The device includes a temperature sensor capable of detecting and measuring rapid temperature changes and may be used to sense the temperature of fluid inside or outside the drill string. In addition, the device includes a thermal conductor that receives and secures the temperature sensor; the thermal conductor is in turn received and secured in a thermal insulator that provides a thermal barrier. In an embodiment, the device is disposed in a channel within an outer diameter of the drill string such that the device is protected from the side wall of the borehole and drilling fluid and cuttings can pass through the channel without becoming packed around the temperature sensor.

The present disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatus for sensing temperature proximate a drill string tool conveyed in a borehole. The present disclosure relates more particularly to methods and apparatus for sensing the temperature of drilling fluid in the inner diameter, or flowbore, of the drill string tool or in the annulus between the outer diameter of the drill string tool and the borehole.
To recover hydrocarbons from subterranean formations, wells are generally constructed by drilling into the formation using a rotating drill bit attached to the lower end of an assembly of drill pipe sections connected end-to-end to form a drill string. In some cases the drill string and bit are rotated by a drilling table at the surface, and in other cases the drill bit may be rotated by a downhole motor within the drill string above the bit, while remaining portions of the drill string remain stationary. In most cases, the downhole motor is a progressive cavity motor that derives power from drilling fluid (sometimes referred to as mud) pumped from the surface, through the drill string, and then through the motor (hence the motor may also be referred to as a mud motor).
Modern oil field operations demand a great quantity of information relating to the parameters and conditions encountered downhole. Such information typically includes borehole environmental information, such as temperature, pressure, etc., and drill string operational information. Temperature is a common downhole reading; however, sensors are often not placed optimally for temperature measurements. Sensors are typically disposed on the downhole tools and measure the temperature of the tool housing and do not track temperature changes very well. Alternatively, temperature sensors may be placed at the point of interest; however, the point of interest in a borehole is in the path of the fluid flowing either through the internal diameter (ID) of the drill pipe or through the annulus formed about the outer diameter (OD) of the pipe. In either case, an exposed temperature probe is difficult to handle and subject to erosion from the fluid flowing at hundreds of gallons per minute (GPM).
There is a need to measure small temperature changes in the borehole while drilling. Temperature changes on the order of tenths of a degree are very informative of the borehole environment and provide a method for predicting the events that will follow. Temperature has an impact on all downhole readings and being able to detect small changes in temperature allows the exact temperature coefficient in every calculation be determined, which helps correctly depict the temperature reading by subtracting the temperature effects from other readings. However, commonly used temperature measuring systems can be inaccurate due to a margin of error from +/−2° C. up to +/−5° C. at higher temperatures, non-optimal sensor positioning as previously discussed, temperature dissipation in the body in which the housing of the downhole tools acts as a shield against rapid temperature changes and delays the sensor's ability to detect rapid temperature changes, and low precision of the temperature sensor where the sensor resolution is limited to 1.0 or 0.5° C. There is a further need to prevent drilling fluid and cuttings from becoming packed around the temperature sensors. Drilling fluid acts as a thermal insulator and may prevent true temperature measurement readings as the temperature fluctuates.

Downhole temperature sensing of the fluid flow in and around a drill string tool


A province architecture includes a witness province, an action province, and a yoke province. The witness province may contain a collection layer, an envoy layer, and a naturalization layer configured to identify data and transmit data to and from multiple types of user interfaces. The action province may include a naturalization layer, a terminal layer, a unified global logic interpreter layer, a repository layer, an initiation layer, and an optimization layer are configured to process logic and generate formatted commands to and from user interfaces and persistent storage locations. The yoke province may include a nomadic layer configured to make connections to varied databases and generate commands to those databases for the transfer of data.

Architectures generally refer to how a system is designed and how the components of a system operate with each other. Reference models for computer architectures typically identify various layers through which a communication or data will pass or in which computer software or hardware may operate. Additionally, reference models may identify how various computer software and hardware components undertake functions within a layer. Some reference models are known as protocols.
For example, the Open Systems Interconnection reference model (OSIRM) identifies seven layers. They are the application, presentation, session, transport, network, data link, and physical layers. The application layer supports user functions, such as file transfers and transaction processing. The presentation layer transfers syntaxes for character coding. The session layer coordinates services, dialogue, and synchronization. The transport layer coordinates communications for reliable end-to-end communication. The network layer delivers data within a sub-network and provides addressing and internetworking. The data link layer deals with data transmission between two points. The physical layer provides bit transmission over a physical connection.
Other layered models are referred to as N-tier models. N-tier models use separate layers to divide functionality of an architecture. In an N-tier model, data or a communication passes through each layer before getting to another layer for processing. Thus, in a three tier model, data must pass through the second layer to get from the first layer to the third layer. One such model may include a graphical user interface (GUI) layer, an application controller layer, a business function objects layer, a domain layer, and a persistence layer.
Current reference models are static and require compliant objects to relay communications, such as control messages, requests, and/or data, from one layer to another in spite of the fact that the relaying layer may perform no useful function. This requirement results in unnecessary lines of code required to relay communications and clutters compliant objects and requires unnecessary processing cycles. Thus, new systems and methods are needed to ameliorate the inherent inefficiencies associated with the current reference models.


A system, method, and computer program for data communication, or “handshaking,” between wireless devices and a server on a wireless network. Upon a wireless device communicating with the server, the server obtains data from the wireless device indicative of wireless device attributes, and the server determines access of the wireless device, based upon the wireless device attributes, to applications either resident on that server or on other computer devices on the wireless network.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to computer device networks and communications. More particularly, the invention relates to computer device interface protocols and data transfer upon bridging an initial communication connection, and during ongoing communication between computer devices on a wireless network.
II. Description of the Related Art
Wireless devices, such as cellular telephones, communicate packets including voice and data over a wireless network. In existing wireless networks, upon the initial contact between two computer devices on the wireless network, the devices will exchange a summary of information, which is called "handshaking." The handshaking process allows the computer devices to initially synchronize the data pathway and pass any relevant data necessary to maintain a satisfactory connection between the devices. Computer devices can also engage in handshaking activities after an initial contact has been bridged, while communication is ongoing, in order to maintain the satisfactory connection.
In an analog or digital wireless cellular network, there is an initial handshaking session between the cellular device and the base station. Typically, when the device is turned on, the mobile switch determines the identify of the device, such as through a mobile identification number (MIN), and what cell will carry any transmission from that device and assigns a vacant channel within that cell to take any voice or data transmission from the device. Rudimentary data may also be exchanged at the initial log in of the cellular device, such as device model identification. Ongoing data exchange also occurs in the cellular network, but typically to solely manage "handoffs," or motion of the device physically from cell to cell. The base station serving an ongoing communication sends a hand-off request to the mobile switch after the signal of the device drops below a handover threshold.
With complex devices, the data necessary for exchange at the time of initial device contact can be considerable in order to establish robust communication. Further, if increasingly complex activities are undertaken during the communication, such as data or application transfer, a significant handshaking communication at such time could disrupt or sever the existing communication connection. Accordingly, it is to an improved system of handshaking between computer devices across a wireless network that the present invention is primarily directed.

System and method for handshaking between wireless devices and servers


A conditional select adder having a carry generating unit which generates a carry of two n-bit input data units X0-Xn-1, and Y0-Yn-1, and a sum generating unit which generates the sum of the input data, is provided. The carry generating unit comprises a first input unit which receives predetermined data based on the input data Xi and Yi; a second input unit which receives the initial carry; and a selection unit which receives the result of performing an XOR operation on the input data Xi and Yi, in which according to the XOR result, either predetermined data based on the input data Xi and Yi input to the first input unit, or the initial carry input to the second input unit is selected and output as a carry. The sum generating unit calculates a sum using the carry generated by the carry generating unit. Advantages include reducing power consumption, chip area, logic count, and delay time.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to digital signal processing, and more particularly, to a conditional select adder of a digital signal processor which can reduce current consumption and delay time, and a method therefor. The present invention is based on Korean Patent Application No. 2002-2538, which is incorporated herein by reference.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, circuit design technology for high speed multi-bit addition or multiplication has become important for performing calculation functions in a high-speed Digital Signal Processor (DSP). Among the calculations, addition is one of the essential operations of data path blocks in a computer system or a microprocessor system, and has a great influence on the speed performance of a system. In the prior art, current consumption and delay time in calculation are not satisfactory. Also, in recent ultra precision processes, delay time due to wiring is more important than cell delay time, and therefore it is necessary to design a circuit so as to reduce internal wiring of an adder.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a prior art 64-bit conditional select adder 100. Referring to FIG. 1, the conditional select adder 100 has a plurality of conditional selection addition modules 110 through 180, each of which generates a carry by analyzing input values to be added, and calculates a sum according to the presence of the carry, and a block carry generating block 190 which, in response to the carries generated by the conditional selection addition modules, determines the presence of the carry and feeds the result back to the conditional selection addition module.
Each of the conditional select addition modules 110 through 180 has a pre-carry-sum generating block 112 which analyzes input values to be added and generates appropriate values in advance, a sum generating block 114 which obtains a limit of the value generated by the pre-carry-sum generating block 112, but obtains a sum in each case according to the presence of a carry, and a carry generating block 116 which obtains a carry in response to a value generated by the pre-carry-sum generating block 112.
The pre-carry-sum generating block 112 of a first conditional select addition module 110 analyzes input values to be added in the first conditional select addition module 110, and adds an appropriate value in advance. At this time, the sum generating block 114 generates a sum when there is a carry and a sum when there is no carry, and the carry generating block 116 outputs the carry of the first conditional select addition module 110 to the block carry generating block 190.
Also, the pre-carry-sum generating blocks of the remaining conditional select addition modules 120 through 180 analyze input values to be added in the respective conditional select addition modules 120 through 180, and perform addition with appropriate values in advance. At this time, the sum generating block generates a sum when there is a carry, and a sum when there is no carry, and the carry generating block outputs the carry of each conditional select addition module to the block carry generating block 190.
The block carry generating block 190 receives carries from 8-bit conditional select additional modules 110 through 180 and feeds the presence of a carry back to the conditional select addition module of the next stage. As a result, the appropriate sum according to the presence of a carry is selected from among sums which are calculated in advance in the sum generating block of each of the 8-bit conditional select addition modules 110 through 180.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the sum generating block 114 of the 8-bit conditional select adder module shown in FIG. 1. The sum generating block 114 shown in FIG. 2 is formed with multiplexers using Pass Transistor Logic (PTL) based on an NMOS transistor, and uses Level Restore Blocks (LRBs) appropriate to the driving capability of a multiplexer for low power consumption and high speed operation. Here, M denotes a multiplexer, S denotes single, D denotes double, and L denotes a level restore block. For example, MS means a single multiplexer, and MDL means a double multiplexer having a level restore block.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a carry generating block 116 of the 8-bit conditional select adder module shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a block carry generating block 190 shown in FIG. 1.
As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, in the prior art adder, a carry is calculated in both the sum generating block 114 and the carry generating block 116. Therefore, since separate carry generating logic must be designed into the sum generating block 114, wiring becomes complicated and more logic is used. Also, in the prior art adder as shown in FIG. 5, in order to calculate a carry in the carry generating block 116, XNOR, XOR, AND, NAND, OR, and NOR logic operations are needed, and the pre-carry-sum generating block 112 includes logic gates such as XNOR, XOR, AND, NAND, OR, and NOR. Therefore, fan-outs of input signals 'X, Y' increase and wiring becomes complicated.
Also, since the prior art adder is based on PTL, wiring must be complicated in order to calculate a carry and a sum, and physical wire delay increases the overall delay time and consumes more space. In addition, since PTL is used, an inverted signal is always needed, which increases wiring and power consumption. Also, the block carries (BC0, BC1, BC2, BC3, BC4, BC5, BC6, and BC7) generated in the block carry generating block 190 shown in FIG. 4 are not output in synchronization, and therefore the generation of sums in the respective modules are also not synchronized.

Carry generator based on XOR, and conditional select adder using the carry generator, and method therefor


A gas exchange device designed to displace existing air or gas inside a pressurizable or inflatable article with an inert, dry gas such as nitrogen. The gas exchange device includes an elongated injection tube which inserts into a valve or opening of a pressurizable or inflatable article. As an inert gas is injected into the article through the elongated injection tube, the interior gas is exhausted through the article valve or opening into an exhaust receiving orifice. The exhausted gas is controlled so that it may be monitored for moisture content.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of gas exchange devices and more particularly, to a device designed to inject inert gas into the interior of a tire and displace the existing tire air while controlling the exiting gases to allow monitoring of relative humidity.
2. Description of the Related Art
The proper pressure maintenance of a pressurizable article depends upon the particular use and application of a pressurizable article. Typically, the primary needs relating to pressurizable articles is to simply maintain a desired pressure, as gas pressure inside an article will typically effect the operation and function of the article, whether it be a vehicle tire, an air mattress or life preserver. Depending upon the material used and quality of "air tightness", a pressurizable article will typically lose compression over time. This can is usually corrected by simply re-inflating the article. Under special circumstances, however, a pressurizable article may be subject to variable temperature conditions. If the temperature fluctuations are substantial, the air pressure inside the article may fluctuate dramatically without the introduction or release of any air into or out of the pressurizable article. Depending upon the particular application of the pressurizable article, its performance and use may be adversely effected by such a dramatic increase or decrease in pressure.
An example of a pressurizable article whose performance may be acutely affected by fluctuations in temperature is a vehicle tire. In particular, the added heat created from friction of a tire used on a high speed automobile may increase air temperature inside the tire by more than 240 degrees Fahrenheit. Under ideal gas (or inert gas) conditions the increase in air pressure is functionally related to the increase in temperature and may even be predicted. Under such "ideal" conditions, tire pressure increases are not likely to fluctuate dramatically, but instead would simply be incremental in accordance with the ideal gas law. However, the presence of an impurity such as moisture or water inside a tire can cause a detrimental alteration of the internal tire pressure.
Under certain auto racing conditions, the vehicle tires may reach very high temperatures. Unless the tires are completely vacated of impure air, even the smallest amount of moisture may be present in the tire originally from the manufacture or moisture may enter the tire through inflation with ambient air containing a significant relative humidity levels. The effect of water inside a tire may have an extreme effect upon tire pressure after an increase in temperature. This is particularly the case if the desired tire pressure is initially established when water that is present in the tire may in a condensed or liquid form and, after being exposed to a significant increase in temperature, the condensed liquid changes to a gaseous form thereby dramatically increasing the pressure inside the tire. Auto racing performance depends upon numerous variables including the ability to control such variables. Dramatic fluctuations in tire pressure will adversely affect auto car handling and will result in a competitive disadvantage.
Most existing air inflation and deflation control devices for pressurizable articles are designed to make it easier to control the existing pressure within a pressurizable article. Examples of such inventions and devices include U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,576 to Weinheimer which is described as an oral inflation and relief tube. This device is designed to act as both an inflation and relief valve for inflatable objects. The inflation relief tube is equipped with a mounting flange that can be sealed through the wall of a bladder of the inflation article. The pressurizable article may be easily inflated or deflated by simply manipulating the proper end of the oral inflation and relief tube. The Weinheimer invention, however, is not designed to displace or exchange existing air inside the pressurizable article or reduce humidity levels within the pressurizable article.
Another example of a pressure control device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,977 to Gneiding et al. which is a tire inflation valve having an over-pressure and flow control. This device is intended to replace and existing valve mount. The new valve regulates over pressuring the tire by having an internal valve disc lift when the predetermined pressure is reached thereby venting the fill gas. Although this device is well suited to control over pressure problems within a tire, if the tire cools in temperature, there may be a significant decrease in pressure, particularly if the tire gas has a high relative humidity. Such an under-inflated condition would be unacceptable for certain operations.
An example of a device designed to filter out moisture from a compressed gas prior to injection into an inflatable article or pneumatic hose is U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,910 to Fogal, Sr. described as an end-line compressed air moisture filter. The device contains an internal filter element designed to remove the moisture from the compressed air as the air passes through the valve stem.
As is evidenced by the cited prior art, there exist numerous devices designed to control over pressure of pressurizable articles or even the moisture content of injected air; however, none of these devices are designed to displace the existing air and moisture in a pressurizable article while allowing for the monitoring of relative humidity levels of the exhausted gases. The present invention is specially designed to inject inert, moisturefree gas into a pressurizable article to replace the existing air inside the pressurizable article. During the air replacement process the exhausted air may be monitored for moisture content for the purpose of ensuring that the pressurizable article contains a very low relative humidity level. For best result, the injected, inert gas is heated prior to injection into the tire so that water condensation within the tire interior will more easily be volatilized and evacuated from the interior of the tire. The present invention is ideally suited for use in auto racing conditions where auto tire pressure stability can be crucial for maximum performance.


An initializing circuit activates a self-refresh control signal generating circuit in response to power-on. The semiconductor memory device enters a self-refresh mode immediately after the power-on, and an RAS-related control circuit is in the initial state immediately after the power-on regardless of the logical state of external row address strobe signal /RAS, so that the current consumption can be nearly equal to a standby current.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device, and in particular to a dynamic semiconductor memory device operable in a self-refresh mode for internally and periodically refreshing data of memory cells. More particularly, the invention relates to a structure for reducing a current consumption of the semiconductor memory device immediately after supply of a power, i.e., power-on.
2. Description of the Background Art
FIG. 23 schematically shows a whole structure of a conventional dynamic semiconductor memory device. In FIG. 23, the conventional semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array 1 having a plurality of memory cells MC arranged in a matrix form, an address buffer 2 for taking in an externally supplied address signal Ad and producing an internal row address signal and an internal column address signal, a row select circuit 4 which decodes the internal row address signal from the address buffer 2 when activated, and drives a corresponding row in the memory cell array 1 to the selected state in accordance with the result of decoding, a sense amplifier band 6 which senses, amplifies and latches data of the memory cell columns (bit line pairs BL and /BL) in memory cell array 1 when activated, and a column select circuit 8 which decodes the column address signal from address buffer 2 when activated, and selects an addressed column in the memory cell array 1 for connecting the same to an internal data bus.
In memory cell array 1, word lines WL are arranged corresponding to the rows of memory cells, respectively, and bit line pairs BL and /BL are arranged corresponding to the columns of memory cells, respectively. FIG. 23 representatively shows one word line WL and one bit line BL. Memory cell MC includes a capacitor C for storing information, and an access transistor T which connects capacitor C to corresponding bit line BL (or bit line /BL) when the corresponding word line is selected.
Row select circuit 4 includes a row decode circuit which decodes the internal row address signal from address buffer 2, and a word line drive circuit for driving word line WL, which is arranged corresponding to the row addressed in accordance with the output signal of the row decoder circuit, to the selected state.
Sense amplifier band 6 includes sense amplifier circuits which are arranged corresponding to the bit line pairs, respectively. Generally, bit lines BL and /BL during standby are precharged, e.g., to an intermediate voltage level, and data of the memory cell is read onto one of paired bit lines BL and /BL in an active cycle. The sense amplifier circuit differentially amplifies and latches potentials on a corresponding bit line pair.
Column select circuit 8 includes a column decode circuit which decodes the internal column address signal from address buffer 2, and an I/O gate which connects a corresponding column in memory cell array 1 to an internal data line in accordance with the column select signal from the column decode circuit.
The semiconductor memory device further includes an internal control signal generating circuit 10 which generates required internal control signals in accordance with externally applied row address strobe signal /RAS, column address strobe signal /CAS and write enable signal /WE, and an I/O (input/output) circuit 12 which performs external input/output of data to and from the memory cell selected by column select circuit 8 under the control of internal control signal generating circuit 10.
Row address strobe signal /RAS is a signal defining a memory cycle, and more specifically defines a standby cycle and an active cycle. When this row address strobe signal /RAS is activated to attain L-level, the semiconductor memory device starts the memory cell selection operation. Column address strobe signal /CAS is a signal providing a start timing of the column selection operation. Write enable signal /WE is a signal designating data write/read modes. The timing of data reading is determined by column address strobe signal /CAS, and the timing of writing data into the selected memory cell is determined by activation of both column address strobe signal /CAS and write enable signal /WE. Now, an operation of the semiconductor memory device shown in FIG. 23 will be described below with reference to an operation waveform diagram of FIG. 24.
When row address strobe signal /RAS is at H-level, this semiconductor memory device is in a standby cycle, and each of internal circuits has been precharged. In this standby cycle, precharged potential levels of the internal circuits are predetermined.
When row address strobe signal /RAS falls to L-level, the active cycle starts, and the memory cell selection operation starts. In response to this falling of row address strobe signal /RAS, address buffer 2 takes in externally applied address signal Ad, and forms the internal row address signal for applying the same to row select circuit 4. Row select circuit 4 drives the word line, which corresponds to an addressed row in memory cell array 1, to the selected state in accordance with the applied internal row address signal. The potential on word line WL thus selected rises to H-level. In memory cell MC connected to the selected word line WL, access transistor T is turned on, and charges stored in capacitor C are read onto corresponding bit line BL or /BL. The other of paired bit lines holds the precharged potential level. FIG. 24 shows potential variations on bit lines BL and /BL in the case where data at L-level is stored in the memory cell. When the word line is driven to the selected state, and the potential difference on the bit line pair increases, sense amplifier band 6 is activated, and the potentials on each bit line pair are differentially amplified and latched.
When column address strobe signal /CAS falls from H-level to L-level, address buffer 2 produces and applies the internal column address signal to column select circuit 8 in accordance with externally applied address signal Ad. Column select circuit 8 selects a bit line pair corresponding to the column thus addressed, and connects the same to the internal data bus. When I/O circuit 12 is in the read mode, data of the memory cell on the column selected by column select circuit 8 is output as output data Q.
When one memory cycle is completed, row address strobe signal /RAS and column address strobe signal /CAS rise to H-level, and the internal circuits return to predetermined initial states, respectively. Thus, the potential level of selected word line WL lowers to ground potential level achieving the nonselected state, and bit lines BL and /BL are precharged to the predetermined intermediate potential level.
In the dynamic semiconductor memory device, as described above, the active cycle starts in such a state that internal signal lines and nodes are already precharged to predetermined potential levels, respectively. In a normal operation mode, row address strobe signal /RAS is lowered to L-level, and thereafter column address strobe signal /CAS is lowered to L-level. When column address strobe signal /CAS is lowered to L-level prior to lowering of row address strobe signal /RAS, a special mode such as a self-refresh mode is executed as will be described later.
FIG. 25 schematically shows a structure of a portion related to row address strobe signal /RAS and contained in internal control signal generating circuit 10 shown in FIG. 23. In FIG. 25, internal control signal generating circuit 10 includes an RAS buffer 10a which receives row address strobe signal /RAS and a power-on detection signal /POR, and generates the internal row address strobe signal in accordance with row address strobe signal /RAS when power-on detection signal /POR is active (H-level), and an RAS-related control circuit 10b which generates control signals for controlling operation of circuit portions (i.e., RAS-related circuits) related to row address strobe signal /RAS in accordance with the internal row address strobe signal from RAS buffer 10a.
RAS buffer 10a includes a gate circuit 10aa which drives the internal row address strobe signal to the active state of L-level when power-on detection signal /POR is in the active state of H-level and row address strobe signal /RAS is at L-level. Power-on detection signal /POR attains the active state of H-level when an externally applied power supply voltage is stabilized at a predetermined voltage level or a steady state.
RAS-related control circuit 10b generates control signals for controlling circuit portions related to row address strobe signal /RAS, i.e., circuits in portions related to the row selection. FIG. 25 representatively shows a row address latch instructing signal RAL for latching, as a row address signal, an external address signal applied to the row address buffer, a word line drive signal RX for providing a timing at which a selected word line is driven to the selected state in the memory cell array, and a sense amplifier activating signal SA for activating the sense amplifier band.
RAS-related control circuit 10b further generates other signals such as a bit line equalize/precharge signal for precharging/equalizing the bit lines to a predetermined potential, and a row decoder enable signal for activating the row decoder included in the row select circuit. Under the control of RAS-related control circuit 10b, row select circuit 4 and sense amplifier band 6 operate to perform operations including sensing, amplification and latching of data of memory cells connected to the selected word line when the internal row address strobe signal is active. Operations of the internal control signal generating circuit shown in FIG. 25 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 26 and 27.
Referring first to FIG. 26, description will now be given on the operation performed when the semiconductor memory device is powered on while row address strobe signal /RAS is at H-level. At time t1, row address strobe signal /RAS is at H-level, and the power is turned on, so that a potential level of an external power supply voltage EXTVcc rises. At the time of power-on, power-on detection signal /POR is still at L-level, and the internal row address strobe signal from RAS buffer 10a is at H-level.
In this state, each of the internal circuits in the semiconductor memory device is set to the initial state, and a slightly large current Ic is consumed for precharging each internal signal line to the initial state. After each of the internal signal lines and internal nodes is set to the initial state, each internal signal line is driven to a predetermined potential level in accordance with rising of the potential level of external power supply voltage EXTVcc. In this state, only a small standby current flows.
At time t2, external power supply voltage EXTVcc reaches a predetermined voltage level (or reaches the steady state at a predetermined voltage level), and responsively power-on detection signal /POR attains H-level. In RAS buffer 10a, row address strobe signal /RAS is at H-level, and therefore internal row address strobe signal from gate circuit 10aa is in the inactive state of H-level, and the internal circuits maintain the standby state.
At time t3, row address strobe signal /RAS is lowered to L-level for performing, e.g., a dummy cycle. Thereby, internal row address strobe signal from RAS buffer 10a lowers to L-level, and a control signal from RAS-related control circuit 10b is driven to the active state. In FIG. 26, an RAS-related control signal .phi.RAS is representatively shown as a signal for controlling the RAS-related circuits related to row address strobe signal /RAS. In accordance with activation of RAS-related control signal .phi.RAS, an internal circuit operates and a large current Ic flows, and sense amplifier band 6 (see FIG. 23) operates to sense and amplify memory cell data. Thereafter, current Ic is stabilized at a constant current level.
Therefore, when the semiconductor memory device is powered on in such a state that externally applied row address strobe signal /RAS is set to H-level under control of a memory controller, each internal node can be precharged with a low current consumption with the internal circuit maintained at the initial state.
Power-on detection signal /POR is supplied only to RAS buffer 10a. A CAS buffer receiving column address strobe signal /CAS is not supplied with power-on detection signal /POR. This is because activation of the internal column address strobe signal is performed after activation of the internal row address strobe signal.
When the semiconductor memory device is powered on with row address strobe signal /RAS set at H-level, in the semiconductor memory device, the internal row address strobe signal from the RAS buffer is inactive, and the internal circuits are supplied with current while maintaining the standby state, and are set to the initial state. Therefore, the current supply amount at the time of power-on slightly increases only immediately after power-on, and can be sufficiently small. Generally, a current flowing through the semiconductor memory device on standby is tens of microamperes to several microamperes.
However, there are some cases in which the memory controller may malfunction, e.g., during rise-up of the system power, and a power is supplied to the semiconductor memory device with row address strobe signal /RAS being at L-level. This state will be described below with reference to FIG. 27.
At time t1, row address strobe signal /RAS is at L-level, and the device is powered on. At time t1, the voltage level of external power supply voltage EXTVcc starts to rise. At this time, power-on detection signal /POR is still at L-level, the internal row address strobe signal from RAS buffer 10a is inactive, and the internal circuits in standby state are supplied with a current and internal nodes and signal lines are precharged to a predetermined potential. During this period, therefore, a slightly large current flows for charging the internal signal lines and internal nodes at time t1, i.e., only at the time of power-on, and the steady state is subsequently attained, so that the internal signal lines and internal nodes are precharged to the predetermined potentials, respectively.
At time t2, external power supply voltage EXTVcc reaches the predetermined voltage level or is stabilized at the constant voltage level, and power-on detection signal /POR rises to H-level. In response to rising of power-on detection signal /POR, the internal row address strobe signal from gate circuit 10aa attains L-level, and RAS-related control circuit 10b is activated. Thereby, RAS-related control signal .phi.RAS is activated, and the internal circuit operates, so that a large current flows. Subsequently, the sense amplifier completes its operation, and stabilization is attained with a relatively large current flowing.
When the power is turned on with row address strobe signal /RAS set at L-level, the internal circuit operates in response to rising of power-on detection signal /POR, and a large operation current flows. Then, a stabilized state of the internal circuit is attained with a relatively large current flowing. This results in disadvantageous increase in current consumption immediately after power-on.

Semiconductor memory device operable with reduced current consumption immediately after power-on