A small and low-cost capacity equalizing apparatus for equalizing the capacities of battery blocks constituting an assembled battery, each battery block comprising one or multiple secondary batteries and the battery blocks being connected in series.

The present invention relates to a capacity equalizing apparatus for secondary batteries.
In recent years, attention is being given to an enclosed nickel-metal hydride battery (hereafter referred to as a "nickel-hydrogen battery" in this description) being excellent in basic characteristics, such as energy density, output density, cycle life. Development has been advancing to make this nickel-hydrogen battery practical as a power source for motors and as a drive source for various loads in electric vehicles, such as pure electric vehicles (PEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). In the case that this nickel-hydrogen battery is used as a power source for electric vehicles, a battery capacity of approximately 50 to 120 Ah and a total voltage of approximately 100 to 350 V are required to obtain a predetermined drive output. The output voltage of a cell (one nickel-hydrogen cell), the minimum unit constituting the nickel-hydrogen battery, is approximately 1.2 V. Hence, an assembled battery comprising multiple battery blocks, each battery block having one or multiple cells and the battery blocks being connected in series, is used to obtain a desired total voltage.
The temperatures of the cells constituting the assembled battery are not uniform. In particular, in an environment in which the assembled battery is used in a vehicle, temperature differences are apt to occur among the cells. Furthermore, the charging level and the charging efficiency (the ratio of the charged electric quantity to the supplied electric quantity) are different with each cell depending on production process and usage conditions after the production. For these reasons, the cells constituting the assembled battery have variations for each cell in the actual charged state (the ratio obtained by subtracting the discharged electric quantity from the fully charged state of the cell) and the actual capacity (dischargeable electric quantity). If the assembled battery being varying in cell capacity as described above is charged and discharged repeatedly as one unit, cells having small capacities are overcharged or over discharged, and the variation in the capacity among the cells increases. As a result, the range of the capacity being usable as the capacity of the assembled battery is getting narrow. In other words, the service life of the assembled battery is apparently shortened significantly. Hence, for the purpose of preventing the cells constituting the assembled battery from being overcharged or over discharged, it is important to carry out a control to equalize the capacities of the cells or the battery blocks of the assembled battery.
Japanese Laid-open Patent Application Hei 6-253463 has disclosed a battery charging method in accordance with a conventional example, wherein multiple batteries are connected in series and charged. In this method in accordance with the conventional example, a battery pack (assembled battery) comprising batteries connected in series is first fully charged. Then, the voltage of each battery is detected, and a battery having a high voltage is discharged so that the voltage differences among the batteries become small. This prevents the voltage of either one of the batteries from becoming abnormally high and prevents the battery from being overcharged. Since the voltage of a battery is nearly proportional to its capacity, the variation in the capacity among the batteries is equalized.
Furthermore, Japanese Laid-open Patent Application Hei 6-253463 has also disclosed a circuit in accordance with a conventional example, wherein a discharge means comprising a discharge resistance and a discharge switch connected in series is connected in parallel with each battery to individually discharge each of the batteries constituting the battery pack. A microcomputer detects the voltage of each battery on the basis of a signal input to a voltage detection terminal connected to the positive electrode terminal of each battery. The microcomputer then directly on-off controls the discharge switch.
In an electric vehicle, a high-voltage circuit including an assembled battery is insulated from the chassis to prevent risks. On the other hand, a low-voltage circuit including devices, such as a microcomputer for controlling the charging and discharging of the assembled battery, uses the potential of the chassis as a reference potential. Hence, it is necessary to provide a circuit configuration wherein the high voltage generated by the battery blocks or cells constituting the assembled battery is not applied directly to the low-voltage circuit including devices, such as the microcomputer.
In the case that the circuit in accordance with the above-mentioned conventional example is installed in an electric vehicle, for the purpose of providing sufficient insulation between the low-voltage circuit and the high-voltage circuit and transmitting signals from the low-voltage circuit to the high-voltage circuit, it is necessary to use, for example, large and expensive transmission devices, the input and output terminals of which are insulated from each other. The transmission device is, for example, a photocoupler, the light-emitting diode and the light-sensitive diode of which are insulated from each other. In the above-mentioned conventional example, since the number of the transmission devices, the input and output terminals of which are insulated from each other, is required to be equal to at least the number of the battery blocks or cells, a capacity equalizing apparatus including the circuit becomes high in cost and large in size.
For the purpose of solving the problem encountered in the above-mentioned conventional example, the present invention is intended to provide a small and low-cost capacity equalizing apparatus for equalizing the capacities of battery blocks constituting an assembled battery, each battery block comprising one or multiple secondary batteries and the battery blocks being connected in series.

Capacity equalizing apparatus for secondary batteries

Abstract: The capacity equalizing apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises an assembled battery, n discharge devices and a controller. The assembled battery has a configuration wherein n battery blocks (n is a positive integer of 2 or more), each comprising one or multiple secondary batteries, are connected in series. The n discharge devices, each connected across the positive and negative electrode terminals of each of the n battery blocks, discharge the secondary batteries inside the respective battery blocks. The controller has a first control section to which the battery blocks are electrically connected and a second control section electrically insulated from the first control section. The controller individually controls at least two of the discharge devices.


The present invention provides a 1,2,4-triazolone derivative represented by Formula (1A) having an antagonistic activity on the arginine-vasopressin 1b receptor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound or the salt as an active ingredient, in particular, a therapeutic or preventive agent exhibiting favorable pharmacokinetics in a disease such as mood disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, eating disorder, hypertension, gastrointestinal disease, drug addiction, epilepsy, cerebral infarction, cerebral ischemia, cerebral edema, head injury, inflammation, immune-related disease, or alopecia.

The arginine-vasopressin (AVP) is a peptide composed of nine amino acids, is biosynthesized mainly in the hypothalamus, and is highly involved in regulation of plasma osmolality, blood pressure, and body fluid volume as a posterior pituitary hormone.
Three subtypes of AVP receptors, V1a, V1b, and V2 receptors, have been cloned until now. They are all known to be seven-transmembrane receptors. The V2 receptor is coupled to Gs to increase the cAMP level. The V1a receptor is coupled to Gq/11 to facilitate PI response and increase the intracellular Ca level. The V1a receptor is expressed in, for example, the brain, liver, adrenal gland, and vascular smooth muscle and is involved in vasoconstriction. The V1b receptor is also coupled to Gq/11, like the Via receptor, to facilitate PI response (see Non-Patent Literatures 1 and 2). The V1b receptor is observed most commonly in the pituitary gland (expressed in 90% or more ACTH secreting cells of the anterior lobe) and is supposed to participate in the ACTH secretion from the anterior pituitary by AVP. The V1b receptor is present in various areas of the brain at high levels: the limbic cortex system including the hippocampus, amygdala, and entorhinal cortex, the cerebral cortex, the olfactory bulb, and the raphe nucleus, which are the origin of the serotonin nervous system, in addition to the pituitary gland (see Non-Patent Literatures 3 and 4).
In recent years, involvement of the V1b receptor in mood disorder or anxiety disorder has been suggested, and usefulness of V1b receptor antagonists has been being studied. The V1b receptor KO mice exhibit reduced aggressive behavior (see Non-Patent Literature 5). In addition, injection of a V1b receptor antagonist in the septal area prolonged the time spent in the open arm (anxiolytic-like effect) in an elevated plus-maze test (see Non-Patent Literature 6). In recent years, a V1b receptor specific antagonist, a 1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one compound that can be administered peripherally, has been discovered (see Patent Literatures 1 to 3). In addition, the 1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one compound was reported to show antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects in a variety of animal models (see Non-Patent Literatures 7 and 8). The compound disclosed in Patent Literature 1 shows a high affinity (1×10−9 mol/L to 4×10−9 mol/L) for and selectively acts on the V1b receptor, and this compound antagonizes AVP, AVP+CRF, and restraint stress-induced ACTH increases.
Recently, V1b receptor antagonists having structures different from that of the 1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one compound have been reported, such as quinazolin-4-on derivatives (see Patent Literatures 4 and 10), β-lactam derivatives (see Patent Literatures 5 and 7), azinon/diazinon derivatives (see Patent Literature 6), benzimidazolone derivatives (Patent Literature 8), isoquinoline derivatives (see Patent Literatures 9 and 10), pyridopyrimidin-4-one derivatives (see Patent Literature 11), pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine derivatives (see Patent Literature 12), pyrazolo[1,2-a]pyrazine derivatives (see Patent Literature 13), tetrahydroquinoline sulfonamide derivatives (see Non-Patent Literature 9), and thiazole derivatives (see Non-Patent Literature 10). However, compounds with a 1,2,4-triazolone skeleton disclosed in the present invention have not been reported.

1, 2, 4-triazolone derivative and use thereof as an antagonist on the arginine-vasopressin 1B receptor


A device for adjusting horological functions of a timepiece, including a mechanism for selection and actuation, including: a drive driving a driving pinion in the clockwise and anti-clockwise directions, a driven pinion driven when the driving pinion turns clockwise and anti-clockwise, the driven pinion moving into a first position by the driving pinion turning clockwise, in which the driven pinion actuates an actuator of a first horological function, and moving into a second position by the driving pinion turning anti-clockwise, in which second position, the driven pinion actuates an actuator of a second horological function, the driven pinion not actuating the actuator of the first horological function when it is in its second position, and vice versa. The mechanism for selection and actuation includes at least two driven pinions, and the adjusting device includes a control mechanism selectively bringing the driving pinion into engagement with each of the driven pinions.

This type of adjusting device is used in mechanical timepieces comprising an indicator of a horological function derived from time, such as the days of the month, the days of the week, the phases of the moon, the various time zones, as well as other functions. Many prior art documents describe embodiments.
Swiss patent application CH 707 870 discloses a mechanism for selecting and actuating n functions of a horological movement, comprising a winding stem which is capable of meshing with an actuation device of one function, this latter being arranged in a manner such as to be capable of displacement and occupying n selection positions and n actuation positions, in which the actuating device is kinematically connected to an actuation means in order to permit the actuation of the function in question. The mechanism also comprises a selector device which can be used to displace the actuation device into a selection position. The mechanism also comprises a base on which the actuation device is mounted in a movable manner so that, under the action of said selector device, it can be positioned in a selection position as well as, under the action of an axial displacement of the winding stem, it can be positioned in an actuation position. The document states that the proposed mechanism for selection and actuation works in a bidirectional manner.
European patent application EP 2 701 014 discloses a clutch yoke, or in fact a clutch device, for a horological mechanism, comprising at least one element for guiding a correction mobile in rotation, at least one friction element intended to cooperate with a portion of said mobile, and at least one resilient element intended to resiliently return said friction element. These elements permit distribution of the torque resisting rotation between the shaft of the yoke and the shaft of said mobile which is rotatably mounted on the yoke to be established such that a change in the direction of rotation of the mobile will initially pivot the yoke until it reaches a stable position before the mobile itself starts to turn into this position; this is in order to prevent the yoke from remaining blocked in one position, which would then not allow a second attributed function to be carried out and/or would lead the mechanism to be immobilized.
European patent application EP 1 152 303 discloses a mechanism for winding and correction of at least two indicator means, the mechanism being disposed in a manner such that the sliding pinion is only disengaged from the winding pinion in a setting position, by providing two first—and two second superimposed setting wheels as well as two wig-wag pinions for winding, respectively for correction mounted pivotably with the aid of corresponding yokes, in a manner such that this mechanism has the advantages of a conventional winding mechanism controlling two functions while being capable of carrying out a third function such as correction of an indication derived from time.
European patent application EP 2 444 861 discloses a device for selecting functions, in particular for a horological movement, which can be used to connect, at one's own discretion and via a differential, respectively an epicyclic gear train, a driving wheel with one of at least two driven wheels in order to select a corresponding function.
European patent application EP 2 012 199 discloses a timepiece provided with a device for adjusting the horological functions and indications, comprising a means for selecting each horological indication to be adjusted and a means for adjusting the selected horological indications. At least the means for selecting the indication to be adjusted is kinematically connected to a selection cam comprising a corresponding profile with two states, respectively corresponding to a non-selection state and to a selection state, the adjusting device comprising means for connecting the adjusting means to each of the selected horological indications.
European patent application EP 2 701 015 discloses a device for correction of functions displayed by a timepiece, which can be used to modify the information for a plurality of temporal functions displayed by that timepiece. It comprises a pusher for changing the function, the actuation of which displaces a control wheel to bring the latter into engagement with a corrector pinion for the selected function and a stem the rotation of which in one direction or the other pivots the control wheel, which in turn drives one of the corrector pinions in order to correct the information on the selected function upwardly or downwardly, such that that device carries out a bidirectional correction.
Patent application WO 2016/155814 discloses a mechanism for winding and/or correction of at least two horological functions and a device for selection of a horological function from a winding function and a plurality of correction functions, comprising a control member, for example a stem, which can be used to select the winding function by displacement of the control means in a first direction and of sequentially selecting a function from among the plurality of correction functions by displacement of the control member in a second direction.
Swiss patent CH 592 325 discloses a device for rapid correction of the date indications of a calendar watch by rotation of a winding stem which is kinematically connected to the winding wheel train when it is turned in a given direction and which is kinematically connected to a date ring when it is turned in the opposite direction. To this end, the device comprises a mobile crown wheel mounted in a rotational manner on an eccentric axis comprising two opposing segments in the form of a circular arc, in a manner such that said mobile crown wheel meshes with the ratchet wheel when the winding stem is turned in one direction and with a mobile for correction of the date indications when the winding stem is turned in the reverse direction.
French patent application FR 2 169 861 describes a device for setting and correction of a watch with the aid of a winding stem having a delay mechanism. Furthermore, the device comprises a sliding pinion which, in the intermediate position of the winding stem, is capable of meshing with a setting wheel which meshes with an intermediate wheel driving a day and date correction wheel the axis of which is mounted in a displaceable manner in an elongate opening in a lever. The intermediate wheel and the correction wheel are connected via a pivoting lever against which the axes of these wheels bear with a contact friction, in a manner such that the correction wheel pivots in said elongate opening when the pivoting lever pivots about the intermediate wheel, thereby allowing the day and date correction wheel to engage either with a date ring or with a day star drive wheel. Thus, when the winding stem is turned, in its intermediate position, in one direction, the day and date correction wheel meshes with the date ring and can be used to change the date displayed, and when the winding stem, in its intermediate position, is turned in the opposite direction, the day and date correction wheel meshes with the drive wheel and can be used to change the day that is displayed.
Swiss patent CH 548 632 concerns a timepiece equipped with a time setting and correction device, the latter comprising a yoke carrying a correction wheel which can be alternately engaged with winding, setting, correction or the like mobiles. To this end, said yoke can be brought into the desired position by turning a manoeuvring stem, in its pushed in position, whereupon a sliding pinion of said manoeuvring stem drives the yoke via a pinion mounted loosely on the manoeuvring stem. In the pulled-out position of the manoeuvring stem, the sliding pinion of said manoeuvring stem then drives one of the mobiles, as a function of the angular position of the yoke, in a manner such as to permit winding, setting, correction of the date or day displayed, or any other similar horological function.
In summary, the prior art solutions which are known at this time in this field are complex in construction and involve a large number of moving parts and are also bulky as regards thickness. Furthermore, the number of functions that they can be used to adjust is limited, generally to three or four functions, in particular because either a single driven pinion is used or that non-displaceable driven pinions are used.

Device for adjusting the functions of a timepiece

Manufacture d'Horlogerie Audemars Piguet SA


A method and system for delaying retransmission of data to a wireless terminal in response to a determination that a communication path to the wireless terminal does not currently exist. For instance, when a server, e.g., a proxy server or an application server, sends data to a cellular base station for transmission to a wireless terminal, the base station could determine that a radio link to the wireless terminal is not currently available. In order to prevent the server from continuously retransmitting the data to the base station due to the absence of an acknowledgement from the wireless terminal, the base station can notify the server to delay retransmission. A benefit of this arrangement is that the base station will not have to receive and buffer many copies of the same data while the base station waits for a communication path to the wireless terminal to become available.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to wireless communications and more particularly to a method and system for delaying retransmission of data traffic to a wireless terminal.
2. Description of Related Art
A wireless terminal is a form of telecommunications technology that enables people to communicate with others. The wireless terminal can take a variety of forms. The wireless terminal may be, for example, a cellular phone, a pager, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable computer with wireless modem, or a fixed wireless terminal.
An air interface separates the wireless terminal from a radio access network. The radio access network facilitates communication over the air interface, as between the wireless terminal and a remote terminal. The communication between the wireless terminal and the remote terminal may take the form of data traffic or voice traffic. The data traffic may represent data, such as session initiation protocol (SIP) messages, SIMPLE (SIP for Instant Messaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions) messages, wireless access protocol (WAP) messages, or some other type of messages. The voice traffic, on the other hand, may represent voice communications as produced, for instance, by a voice coder (vocoder).
The radio access network typically has a base station. In at least code division multiple access (CDMA) protocol, the base station assigns to a wireless terminal an air interface traffic channel to convey voice traffic or data traffic. The traffic channel defines a radio link layer connection to convey the voice traffic or the data traffic from the base station to the wireless terminal. Under many existing procedures, if a base station already assigned to a wireless terminal a traffic channel to convey voice traffic, then the base station cannot assign to the wireless terminal a traffic channel to convey data traffic. In CDMA, all traffic channels assigned to convey voice traffic to the wireless terminal would have to be released before the base station could assign a traffic channel to convey data traffic.
A proxy server may be communicatively coupled to the radio access network. The proxy server may enable the wireless terminal and the remote terminal to engage in instant messaging, short mail, or push-to-talk (PTT) communication sessions between the wireless terminal and the remote terminal.
In common with these types of communication sessions and others is that the proxy server has to send to the wireless terminal, data traffic. The proxy server typically sends the data traffic to the base station over the air interface. If the base station assigned to the wireless terminal a traffic channel to convey data traffic, then a radio link layer connection to the wireless terminal is available to convey the data traffic. The base station will send the data traffic to the wireless terminal. In turn, the wireless terminal will receive the data traffic and send an acknowledgement back to the proxy server. The acknowledgment indicates to the proxy server that the wireless terminal received the data traffic.
If, on the other hand, the base station assigned to the wireless terminal a traffic channel to convey voice traffic, then a radio link layer connection to the wireless terminal is unavailable to convey data traffic. The base station will buffer the data traffic. The base station will, for instance, buffer the data traffic in a packet control function (PCF) resident on the base station. When the base station releases all traffic channels assigned to the wireless terminal to convey voice traffic, then the base station may assign a traffic channel to the wireless terminal to convey data traffic. By assigning a traffic channel to convey the data traffic, the base station will be able to send to the wireless terminal the data traffic buffered in the PCF.

Method and system for delaying retransmission of data traffic to a wireless terminal


A cache memory device includes a plurality of cache areas, each the cache area comprising a plurality of entries. The cache memory device is configured to maintain a separate lock attribute for each the cache area and temporarily assign possession of a lock attribute for a particular the cache area to a processor thread attempting to update the particular the cache area, the processor thread being unable to update the particular the cache area without possession of the lock attribute for the particular the cache area.

The present invention relates to computer storage, particularly, to a method, device and storage system for building and allowing cache access.
Cache memory is memory disposed between the central processing unit (CPU) of a computing system and the main memory of the computing system. Due to the location and speed of cache memory in a computing system architecture, cache memory is often used to hold the most frequently accessed data and program codes during the execution of a program. Threads within the computing system may directly interact with the cache, thereby avoiding the need to access information from the relatively slower main memory or hard disk.
In some systems, multiple threads from a processor may request access to cache memory in order to update the cached data. This is especially true with multi-core processors. However, if two separate threads are permitted to simultaneously update the same data in the cache memory, the integrity of the data may be crippled. On the other hand, delays in cache access may slow down the performance of the computing system.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Managing processor thread access to cache memory using lock attributes

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


A head mount wearable device is provided. The housing includes a first surface and a second surface, in which the first surface faces the face of a user and the second surface is opposite to the first surface when a user wears the head mount wearable device, a pair of lenses disposed inside at least one opening formed through the housing from the first surface to the second surface, at least one mounting member connected to the housing and configured to be worn by a user where the pair of lenses are positioned in front of the eyes of a user, and a holder assembly formed on the second surface or close to the second surface to hold a mobile device including a display and holding the mobile device where the display of the mobile device faces the opening.

The disclosure relates to a head mount wearable device. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a head mount wearable device to which a mobile device is detachably attached.
Recently, various electronic devices that users can wear directly on their body have been developed. Devices designed to be worn on a body can be called wearable devices. For example, wearable devices include a head mount wearable device that is worn on the head of a user, smart glasses, a smart watch or a wristband, a contact lens type device, a ring type device, a shoe type device, a clothing type device or a glove type device, and may have various shapes that can be detachably attached to the body or the clothing of users. Since wearable devices are worn directly on a body, portability and accessibility of a user can be improved.
A head mount wearable device of wearable devices can be provided as a part of a mobile device (e.g., a smartphone) or may be separably combined with a mobile device. A head mount wearable device can provide images using the display of a mobile device.
The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the disclosure.


A perovskite lanthanum gallate electrolyte doped with strontium and magnesium and a solid oxide fuel cell incorporating a doped lanthanum gallate electrolyte with a cathode on one side, an anode on the other side and a buffer layer comprising a mixed electronic and oxide-ion conductor between the anodes and/or the cathode and the electrolyte to block unwanted chemical reactions while permitting electronic and oxide-ion transport.

The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) promises a high conversion efficiency (40 to 60%) of chemical energy to electric power with negligible pollution and is attractive for use in the co-generation of electric power. The prototype SOFCs now being marketed use yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as the oxide-ion electrolyte. This requires an operating temperature T.sub.op .apprxeq.1000.degree. C. if conventional ceramic membranes are used. The interconnect between individual cells must be stable in both the oxidizing atmosphere at the cathode and the reducing atmosphere at the anode, and at T.sub.op .apprxeq.1000.degree. C. it is necessary to use a conducting ceramic for the interconnects. However, even the ceramic of choice, Ca-doped LaCrO.sub.3, loses oxygen from the side exposed to the anodic atmosphere and gains oxygen on the side exposed to the cathodic atmosphere. This causes the interconnect membranes to warp. An operating temperature in the range 600.degree. C.<T<800.degree. C. could allow the use of an oxidation-resistant stainless steel or another alloy as the interconnect material. The lower operating temperature would also reduce operating costs, increase durability, extend service life, and permit more frequent cycling.
Two approaches to a T.sub.op <800.degree. C. are under active consideration: (1) reduction of the thickness of the YSZ electrolyte membrane to l.ltoreq.10 .mu.m and (2) use of a solid electrolyte having an oxide-ion conductivity at or below 800.degree. C. that is comparable to that of YSZ at 1000.degree. C. The most promising traditional material for the second approach is CeO.sub.2 doped with an alkaline-earth oxide, AO, or a rare earth oxide, Ln.sub.2 O.sub.3, but reduction of Ce.sup.4+ to Ce.sup.3+ in the anodic gas introduces into the electrolyte an unwanted polaronic conduction.
There is a need for a solid electrolyte having a high oxide-ion conductivity at a reduced operating temperature, negligible electronic conductivity over a wide range of oxygen partial pressure, viz 10.sup.-22 <Po.sub.2 <1 atm, and stable performance over extended periods of time.
The pseudo-cubic perovskite system La.sub.1-x Sr.sub.x Ga.sub.1-y Mg.sub.y O.sub.3-0.5(x+y) is attracting increasing attention as an oxide-ion solid electrolyte competitive with yttria-stabilized zirconia; it demonstrates an oxide-ion conductivity .sigma..sub.o .gtoreq.0.10 S/cm at 800.degree. C., a negligible electronic conduction at temperatures T<1000.degree. C. over a broad range of oxygen partial pressure from pure oxygen Po.sub.2 =1 atm) to moistened hydrogen (Po.sub.2.sup..about. 10.sup.-22 atm), and a stable performance over long operating periods. These superior electrical and chemical properties make it a strong candidate for use as the solid electrolyte in reduced-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (RTSOFCs) operating at or below 800.degree. C.
A typical prior art doped gallate, La.sub.0.9 Sr.sub.0.1 Ga.sub.0.8 Mg.sub.0.2 O.sub.2.85, has an ionic conductivity of 0.07-0.1 S/cm.sup.2 at 800.degree. C. However, at room temperature it always contains an undesirable nonconducting second phase LaSrGaO.sub.4. The presence of this phase, which may gradually disappear at higher temperatures, may explain the unusually rapid decrease of ionic conductivity with decreased temperature. For instance, the conductivity, measured by a 4 probe DC measurement technique, was 0.075 S/cm at 800.degree. C., but only 0.028 S/cm at 700.degree. C.

Solid oxide fuel cell and doped perovskite lanthanum gallate electrolyte therefor

The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System


Syringe shield for using a syringe that includes a barrel, a tip and a plunger when manipulating a radioactive solution. The syringe shield includes: a shield body in which the syringe is insertable, the shield body having a window; a first flange at a first open end of the syringe shield; a second flange at a second open end of the syringe shield; wherein the second flange, the shield body, and the window include radiation shielding material, and wherein the tip of the syringe is accessible by the second open end of the syringe shield and the plunger extends outside the first open end when the syringe is inserted in the syringe shield.

Radioactive drugs, such as metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) combined with radioactive iodine (I-131), are often used in the treatments of cancers and other such afflictions. Typically, these drugs are produced in a specialty pharmacy, packaged in syringes, then transported to medical facilities so that they can be administered to a patient in need. While effective, these drugs pose numerous dangers to various personnel responsible for its fabrication, transportation, handling and usage.
In particular, the medical professionals responsible for filling syringes with these drugs are at risk of exposure to radioactivity, which may be hazardous for their health. As such, it is essential that the syringes, while they are being filled with these radioactive drugs, are covered by a shielded syringe holding device fabricated from a material that prevents excessive radioactivity from escaping the syringe to the surrounding environment.
While various syringe shields currently exist, they are typically sized to house syringes for low volumetric capacities such as 10 mL or 12 mL. There is a need for syringe shields that can house a syringe containing a full dose of the radioactive drug and that is still is easy to manipulate.
In addition, current syringe shields used when syringes are filled with radioactive drugs typically cover the barrel of the syringe and leave the tip of the syringe accessible for manipulation without additional barrier. As a result, the user will be exposed to the radiation emitted therefrom. Furthermore, current syringe shields used when syringes are filled with radioactive drugs comprise complicated mechanical means to secure the syringe to the shield. This complicates the process of filling the syringe, thereby making it more difficult for the user to safely fill the syringe.
There is a need to ease the use of such syringe shields and to better protect the users.

Shielded syringe holding device for filling a syringe with a radioactive solution


Embodiments of telecommunications equipment with a memory device are presented herein.

The prevalence of cable and fiber is ever increasing as consumers desire ever increasing amount of bandwidth to receive content (e.g., network data) and communicate, e.g., via a telephone. One aspect of cable management and maintenance of a cable system is managing information regarding the numerous devices, network elements and equipment used in a telecommunications infrastructure. Traditionally designations of the interconnections of various equipment and components within a telecommunication network have been maintained on printed grids or labels provided with a piece of telecom equipment. Theses grids or labels are hand written and typically a technician setting up or maintaining a network must refer to a grid for each component or cabinet. Traditionally, equipment support information is maintained separately from the equipment itself.
These hardcopy records of equipment interconnections and information may be difficult and inconvenient to use. Additionally, maintaining the information for an entire site in a telecommunications network infrastructure, such as a central office, may involve tediously updating the designation labels at each of the individual cabinets, panels, components and so forth. Further, maintaining hard copies of product literature regarding the installation, operation, and configuration of telecommunications cabinets, components, equipment, and devices takes up valuable real estate in a centralized equipment location which might otherwise be available for additional telecom equipment. Costs such as rental, fees, operating cost, taxes, and material cost are driven upward as the space necessary to house the equipment used within a telecommunications network increases.
Thus, improving the density of equipment installable at a site and minimizing the cost of telecom infrastructure is an ever present goal in the telecommunication industry which may be frustrated by the traditional designation and information management methods.


The apparatus is a self clearing conveyor for materials which clump together. A rotating multi-faced drum is located above the moving surface of a conveyor and rotates in a direction opposite from the movement of the conveyor. Material which is higher than the adjustable clearance between the drum and the conveyor is thrown upstream on the conveyor to try again, even if the material is initially stuck to or entangled with material passing below the drum.

This invention deals generally with conveyors and more specifically with an apparatus to prevent blockage on a conveyor which moves materials that tend to adhere together or entangle to form large masses.
A common problem of conveyors with linearly moving surfaces, such as chain or belt conveyors, which handle organic materials is the tendency of such materials to either clump together because of their moisture content or to entangle to form large accumulations of the material. Sod and tree branches are typical examples of the two types of materials which have these characteristics. Unfortunately, in a typical conveyor system, such large bodies of material eventually contact some discontinuity, for instance a flow control device or an edge in the sidewalls of the conveyor, get caught, and stop moving. Since large bodies of material have such great size and weight, once they stop moving they tend to accumulate more material upstream and the entire conveyor becomes blocked. Typically the only solution is to shut down the conveyor, climb in, and clear it by hand. Such manual clearing, of course, decreases production time and increases labor costs.


The rotation of a rotating magnet is detected by magnetic sensors. The rotational speed is detected from pulse signals detected by magnetic sensors, and the rotational direction is detected from the difference in a shift in phase. Signals different in pulse width are generated according to the rotational direction. A signal selection circuit outputs a pulse signal with timing for the rotational speed. A rotational speed determining circuit outputs a decision signal Sf of a high level when the rotational speed reaches a predetermined speed. When a self-diagnostic circuit determines that the magnetic sensors have malfunctioned, a binary error code generating circuit generates an error signal Sg and a 4-bit error code signal Sh. When the signal Sf of the rotating magnet is brought to a high level, the signal selection circuit outputs an error code signal and allows output an output current Is.

The present invention is related to Japanese patent application No. Hei. 11-347541, filed Dec. 7, 1999; the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a detected signal processing device, and more particularly, to a detected signal processing device suitable for a rotating sensor that detects a rotational direction and a rotational speed of a rotor and outputting rotational direction signals different in waveform according to the rotational direction based on the result of detection with timing corresponding to the detected rotational speed.
A detected signal processing device for the rotating sensor is known as disclosed in JP-A No. H10-70524. This discloses a rotating sensor of a type or system wherein information other than a rotational speed, such as a rotational direction, self-diagnostic information is superimposed on a rotational pulse signal as binary data, and the generated signal is transmitted. In such a device, however, a binary data word corresponding to data is additionally provided between pulse signals indicative of a rotational speed. Thus, since the time interval between the pulse signals becomes short as the rotational speed becomes fast, a transmittable data length is limited.
When, for example, a pulse width (time) of a pulse signal, which constitutes a data word, is narrowed (shortened) to avoid it, the number of bits for the data word can be increased even at the same rotational speeds. When the numbers of bits for data words are set identical to each other, the upper limit of a detectable rotational speed can be increased.
However, the shortening of the pulse width in this way means nonresistance to noise upon a detecting operation. A trade-off relation is established between characteristics of the two. In either case, restraints are placed on a transmittable data word at high rpm.
The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing. An object of the present invention is to provide a detected signal processing device for a rotating sensor and a detected signal outputting method therefor, which are capable of reliably transmitting signals without restraints placed thereon due to a rotational speed and an adverse effect exerted thereon due to noise, even if a signal indicative of a rotational direction and other data are added to a signal indicative of the rotational speed.
Accordingly, in a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a detected signal processing device suitable for a rotating sensor. A determining means determines whether the rotational speed of a rotor reaches a predetermined rotational speed. Signal pattern generating means utilizes rotational direction signals in combination to thereby generate each transfer signal different from the rotational direction and rotational speed of the rotor as a signal pattern. Signal processing means outputs a signal generated by the signal pattern generating means with timing corresponding to the rotational speed when the signal generated by the signal pattern generating means exists, where it is determined by the determining means that the rotational speed of the rotor has reached the predetermined rotational speed.
Since the rotational direction does not change suddenly when the rotational speed reaches the predetermined rotational speed since the rotor starts rotating in either a normal rotational direction or a reverse rotational direction, the rotational direction can be regarded as being maintained even though the rotational direction signals are not output continuously. Further, if the state of the rotational direction is output as the rotational direction signals again when the rotational speed reaches a state where the rotor may be rotated in the reverse direction as the rotational speed is reduced, then the state of the rotation of the rotor can sufficiently be represented as a detected signal.
In such a state in which the rotational speed of the rotor reaches the predetermined rotational speed, the output of either one of signals corresponding to the direction of rotation thereof with the timing indicative of the rotational speed allows the recognition of the rotational speed. Therefore, the signal patterns generated by combining signals different in waveform corresponding to the rotational direction in plural form can be output as transfer signals.
Thus, the transfer signals other than the rotational speed and the rotational direction can be output using the rotational direction signals different in waveform at other than the rotational speed at which no change is considered to occur in the rotational direction of the rotor. Even when the rotational speed of the rotor becomes fast, the signal pattern for each transfer signal can sufficiently be recognized within a range in which the rotational direction signals can be recognized. Therefore, the transfer signal or pulse signal can reliably be output without placing restraints or the like on its pulse width and the number of pulses thereof as distinct from the case where another signal pattern is superimposed between the conventional pulse signals indicative of the rotational speeds and the result of superimposition is output.
According to another aspect of the invention, rotational direction signals different in waveform corresponding to a rotational direction are utilized in combination in plural form on condition that the rotational speed of a rotor reaches a predetermined rotational speed or higher to thereby generate each transfer signal different from the rotational direction and rotational speed of the rotor as a signal pattern. The generated signal is output with timing corresponding to the rotational speed. Thus, since the rotor is kept at the predetermined rotational speed and the rotational direction does not change in such a state, the transfer signal corresponding to the signal pattern generated by utilizing the different rotational direction signals in combination in plural form can be output as an alternative to the output thereof as each rotational direction signal. Thus, each transfer signal can be output with timing indicative of the rotational speed of the rotating sensor. Further, since the transfer signal can be recognized if the rotational direction signal can be recognized at this time, the transfer signal can reliably be output without being affected by the rotational speed.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Detected signal processing device for rotating sensor and detected signal outputting method therefor


The invention relates to a plug connection (1) having a plug connector (2) and a mating plug connector (3). The plug connector (2) and the mating plug connector (3) can be plugged together in order to form the plug connection (1), wherein the plug connector (2) has a contact support (4) with at least one contact chamber for receiving a contact partner, and the contact support (4) is inserted into an outer housing (5) of the plug connector (2). Each contact partner is primarily locked in the contact chamber of the contact partner, and a secondary lock (6) is provided for a secondary locking of the contact partners in the contact chambers thereof. The invention is characterized in that the secondary lock (6) is formed by a longitudinal web (16), at the two ends of which a respective latching element (17) is arranged that interacts with the contact support (4), and at least one force absorbing web (19) is arranged on the upper face of the longitudinal web (16).

In such a connection the plug connector and the mating plug connector may be plugged together to form the plug connection, wherein the plug connector has a contact support having at least one contact chamber for receiving a contact and the contact support is inserted into an outer housing of the plug connector, wherein each contact is primarily latched in its contact chamber and a secondary latch is provided so as to secondarily latch the contacts in their contact chambers.
Plug connectors of such plug connections that comprise a contact support are known. The contact support has at least one contact chamber, generally multiple contact chambers, into which is inserted in each case a contact. The contact is at the end of the electrical conductor. In order for the plug connector to function in a reliable manner, the contact is primarily latched in its associated contact chamber. This latching arrangement is produced by way of example by a resilient tab that projects out of the contact and comes into contact with an undercut in the contact chamber if the contact when in its intended desired position has been inserted into the contact chamber.
Furthermore, it is known that the contact is not only primarily latched in its contact chamber but that a so-called secondary latching procedure is also performed. Such a secondary latching procedure is performed by way of example using latching tabs, latching latches or the like.
In order for the plug connection to function during operation, i.e. when the plug connector has been inserted into the mating plug connector, it is necessary for these two elements to be permanently and reliably connected to one another. Latching elements for this purpose are already known, so-called CPAs (connector position assurance).
However, it is in addition also necessary in order for the plug connector of the plug connection to function that the contact support is reliably and permanently secured in its intended desired position. Depending upon the embodiment of the plug connector, this intended desired position may be a final position when the contact support has been inserted into the outer housing. However, this intended desired position may also be a pre-latching position into which the contact is initially moved with regard to the outer housing, wherein subsequently further measures (such as for example inserting the contacts) are performed and the contact support is only afterwards moved into its intended final position into the outer housing. In both cases, it is possible in a disadvantageous manner that although the contact support has been inserted into its outer housing this contact support may during the course of further assembly or plugging-in procedures move back out of this position with the result that these further assembly and plugging-in procedures may not be performed reliably, i.e. are encumbered with errors.


An apparatus for generating carbon monoxide comprising an enclosure (6) having an inlet and an outlet at least one of which is provided with means (8) restricting air flow from the inlet to the outlet, a container (1) located within the enclosure (6) arranged to receive carbon material (2) in intimate contact with an electrical heating element (3), and means (5) for causing air to move from the inlet to the outlet.

Gas sensors that are sensitive to carbon monoxide (CO) are used in various types of alarm. The most common of these are used in installed or portable life safety alarms (industrial or residential) where elevated CO levels pose risk to health/life and in other alarms where the presence of CO is sought to be detected as indicative of other danger (e.g. fire). Examples range from gas-fired boilers, heating and cooking appliances, through personal alarms worn by workers in areas where dangerous levels of CO might be present in the atmosphere, to fire detection devices which may use CO sensors alone or in conjunction with other fire sensors such as heat and/or smoke sensors within a fire detector or system.
Certain types of CO sensors are prone to deteriorate over time, such that their performance can be effectively limited after only a few years of operation. The precise timing of their failure is not accurately predictable since it depends on factors such as the environment in which they are installed. To ensure that the sensor is operating correctly, it needs to be tested. In addition to this, CO sensors often need testing for other reasons, and the requirement to test is covered increasingly by national and international Standards.
In order to test the operation of such CO sensors, it is preferable to introduce small quantities of CO in the vicinity of the detector, at a concentration which is sufficient to activate the detector, but which, if released into the local environment is well within the safe human exposure limits. Existing methods of achieving this include the breaking of a small glass vial containing CO, and a pressurised canister containing CO diluted with air or nitrogen for example. These methods can be inconvenient and do not lend themselves very well to repeated operation with a number of sensors. They may also constitute a hazard due to the pressurisation of the canister or the concentration of the gas. Whilst some CO sensors are cross-sensitive to other gases also, testing with a stimulus of CO gas overcomes any difficulty of knowing the levels of cross-sensitivity and its variation with time, temperature, etc.
There are various methods of producing CO on an industrial scale, but these either are not suited to scaling down, or involve the use of hazardous chemicals. The present invention relates to a low power method for small-scale production of CO which can be incorporated into a small portable device for the testing of sensors. It overcomes the need to store the CO gas, uses no toxic or hazardous chemicals, and does not involve high pressures. Furthermore, this method is controllable by electrical/electronic means.
The present invention provides apparatus for generating carbon monoxide comprising an enclosure having an inlet and an outlet at least one of which is provided with means restricting air flow from the inlet to the outlet, a container located within the enclosure arranged to receive carbon material in intimate contact with an electrical heating element, and means for causing air to move from the inlet to the outlet.
Preferably, the apparatus is battery powered and also the container may be readily replaced.
In order that the present invention be more readily understood, an embodiment thereof will now be described with regard to the accompanying drawing which show a side view of an embodiment of the present invention.
The invention is based on the principle of heating carbon within an enclosure with a restricted supply of air. This will form both carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. At a temperature of 708° C. and above the carbon dioxide will be reduced to carbon monoxide by the hot carbon. This process is used on a large scale for industrial production of carbon monoxide, but for this invention is utilised in a small low power/portable device. One embodiment of this is illustrated in FIG. 1.
A heatproof tube 1, made of ceramic, silica glass or a mica composite, of typical dimensions 50 mm long and 6 mm diameter is filled with carbon granules 2. A wire heating element 3 is included along the centre of the tube. Metal end caps 4 keep the carbon granules 2 in the tube 1 and provide electrical terminations for the element 3. The end caps 4 have a number of small holes to allow the passage of air and other gases through the tube. The tube 1 is supported within an outer casing 6 of typical dimensions 70×25×25 mm., by airtight heat-insulating bulkheads 7. A controlled amount of air is blown through the tube 1 by the fan 5.
The mixture of gases produced emerges via the holes 8 in the casing 6. In use, the fan 5 and heating element 3 are powered for a short period of typically 20 seconds to allow the carbon to reach the temperature at which CO formation becomes spontaneous, and produce sufficient for testing the operation of a CO sensor. Control of the amount of CO produced can be by control of the current and its duration applied to the element, or could incorporate a separate reference sensor for more accurate control. The restricted air flow is controlled by the fan speed, size of the holes in the end caps 4 and the size of the carbon granules, and is maintained at a value that optimises the production of CO.
The overall small size and low power nature of the device means that it may be housed in a portable instrument and powered from batteries, allowing it to be carried to the sensor to be tested.
The casing 6 and its contents can be in the form of a replaceable cartridge, to enable the efficiency of the device to be maintained should the carbon become depleted after a period of use.
Key Features.
Heating of carbon in a restricted and/or controlled atmosphere on a small scale.
Low power consumption with respect to industrial CO generation permits application to a small/portable, preferably battery-powered device.
Replaceable cartridge.
Option of control of amount of CO using a built-in sensor.
Small, safe amounts of carbon monoxide.
No hazardous materials or potentially dangerous pressures.

Portable carbon monoxide generation apparatus for testing CO sensors, detectors and alarms


A hollow body is made from a flat baked wafer cake by first juxtaposing the wafer cake with a cavity of a deep-drawing mold and then forming edge regions of the cake with a plurality of deformations out of a plane of the cake at a uniformly spacing around a periphery of the cake. Then the cake is pushed by a deep-drawing punch into the cavity to it into a hollow body and to form each of the deformations into a multilayer fold.

It is known to make a hollow baked product from an edible, baked flat wafer cake that can be shaped when hot and that has a rigid cup shape during and/or after the shaping process, normally when it has cooled. More particularly, the hollow baked product is at least partially formed from a fluent bakable batter for long-life bakery products made of flour and/or starch, preferably dough and bakable batter being used as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,754,268. The simple method of baking a flat wafer piece is combined with the possibility of plasticizing it at or just below baking temperature through the melted sugar content so as to be able to easily mechanically reshape it, but then to let the sugar solidify through simple and rapid cooling and thus to stabilize the obtained shape. This results in a brittle, hard product. At room temperature, these wafers substantially consisting of a starch-sugar (sugar substitute)-protein mixture are below the glass transition temperature. Moreover, the sugar portion is mostly solidified as a glassy melt and therefore has a particularly crisp texture.
Typical sugar contents for rolled ice cream cones are, for example, 30 to 50% by weight based on flour, or 60 to 100% in the case of hollow wafer sticks.
Methods and apparatuses for shaping wafer-like long-life bakery products are also known and, accordingly, can also be found in patent literature, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,855 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,694,741 that describe an apparatus and a method for making rolled, preferably conical hollow wafers usable as ice-cream cones. In the thus produced individual wafers, in particular baked from a sugar-containing dough, in the soft and shapable state for baking, the flat wafer cakes are first rolled into a particular shape of the hollow wafers and are then solidified in this shape, where each flat wafer cake is first freely rolled into a predetermined shape of the hollow wafer, and then the finish-rolled hollow wafer is calibrated by plastically shaping edge regions to a predetermined longitudinal extension of the hollow wafer, and subsequently, the calibrated hollow wafer solidifies.
These rolled cones have proven themselves in practice due to their properties such as, for example, stability, appearance, haptics, processability, ease of filling, etc. and are therefore one of the most common wafer-like hollow body shapes.
An alternative apparatus for making a wafer product is shown in DE 10 005 500. Here, substantially flat wafer product is deep drawn so that side walls are formed that are preferably perpendicular opposite each other in the upper region, the wafer product being created by using a shaping punch and pressing a substantially flat wafer piece into a corresponding hollow mold, and where the upper edge of the preferably perpendicularly opposing side walls of the deep-drawn wafer product are cut to be flush. The also disclosed production method is comparable to the shaping method of die forging. After the baking process, the wafer sheet is pressed in the hot and therefore shapable state by a punch into a die and is squeezed between these two elements.
Another method for shaping an edible hollow container from wafer dough is shown in WO 1999/033348. Here, an also flat wafer sheet is drawn by means of a punch into a die. Due to the shapes, in particular the proportions between the circumference of the baked flat wafer cake and the circumference of the opening of the finished hollow container, bulging can occur in the region of the opening.
In practice, experience has shown that it can be desirable to provide edible, hollow baked products, in particular edible hollow containers from wafer-like dough or baked substances, with reinforcement ribs so as to positively influence their physical properties. However, implementing ribs with the above-described production methods is limited in that after solidifying, thicker areas have different physical properties and, for example become soft or too hard. Nevertheless, in order to provide thicker regions in wafer products, it is therefore advantageous to configure these regions in a multilayer manner. Forming folds during a deep-drawing process is one possibility to achieve this multilayer arrangement.
The disadvantage of the prior art is that it is not possible to provide specific structures with multilayer regions in hollow, baked products or edible hollow containers such that the structures have improved stability, appearance, physical properties, crispness, eating experience and sound during consumption, etc.

Method and apparatus for making a hollow baked product


A connector housing includes a housing body, a sealing member interposed between an outer circumferential surface of the housing body and an inner circumferential surface of a mating housing body to seal a space between the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface, a restriction wall portion standing on the outer circumferential surface of the housing body and positioned on a side of the rear opening with respect to a position of the sealing member, and a restriction flexible piece formed on a circumferential wall of the housing body and formed in a cantilever beam shape, the restriction flexible piece being configured such that a projection of a free end thereof is pushed up by a connector terminal so the free end protrudes from the outer circumferential surface, and the free end restricts movement of the sealing member toward the side of the connection side opening.

Conventionally, many of wire harnesses to be wired in places where liquid such as water could get on, such as wire harnesses arranged underfloor of a motor vehicle, are provided with a structure for preventing ingress of the liquid into an interior of a connector housing provided at an end of the wire harness. One place that could be a liquid ingress path is a path passing through a connection side opening positioned on a side for connection with a mating connector housing. As one example of a structure for preventing the ingress of the liquid, a structure in which the above-mentioned path is sealed with a sealing member made of resin is known.
There is also proposed a structure for sealing with a sealing member a rear side where a connector terminal is accommodated and where an electric wire portion of an electric wire with terminal extends outside, the rear side being another example of the liquid ingress path although it is not the path passing through the connection side opening positioned on the side for connection with a mating connector housing (refer for example to Patent Document 1). In this structure, the sealing member fitted from a rear opening of a connector housing is retained by a component mounted from further rear side so that it does not fall off from the connector housing. By applying this structure to the path passing through the connection side opening positioned on the side for connection with the mating connector housing, it is possible to prevent the ingress of the liquid through this path.


As part of the present invention, a memory cell may be operated using reference cells having a threshold offset circuit. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a threshold offset value may be determined for a memory cell to be operated based on a location (e.g. memory segment within a memory array) of the memory cell. An input offset circuit of a global reference cell may be adjusted by the threshold offset value for the memory cell; and the memory cell may be operated (e.g. read, written or erased) using the global reference cell whose input offset circuit has been adjusted by the threshold offset value. According to some embodiments of the present invention global reference cells may consist of multiple sets of reference cells, wherein, according to some aspects, each set of the multiple sets of reference cells may be used for operating a different memory array segment. According to other aspects, each set of the multiple sets of reference cells may be used for operating a different state of memory array cells.

As is well known in the art, non-volatile memory (NVM) cells may have bits stored therein that may be read, such as by means of a sense amplifier. In general, the sense amplifier determines the logical value stored in the cell by comparing the output of the cell with a reference level. If the current output is above the reference, the cell is considered erased (with a logical value of 1) and if the current output is below the reference, the cell is considered programmed (with a logical value of 0). In terms of threshold voltage of the cell itself, programming a cell increases the threshold voltage of the cell, whereas erasing decreases the threshold voltage.
Different current levels are associated with different logical states, and a NVM cell's current level may be correlated to the amount of charge stored in a charge storage region of the cell. The cell prior to the storing of any charge within a charge storage region may be referred to as "native" or in its "initial" state.
Generally, in order to determine whether an NVM cell is at a specific state, for example erased, programmed, or programmed at one of multiple possible program states within a multi-level cell ("MLC"), the cell's current level is compared to that of a reference cell whose current level is preset at a level associated with the specific state being tested for.
In the simplest case, a "program verify" reference cell with a current set at level defined as a "program verify" level may be compared to a cell being programmed (i.e. charged) in order to determine whether a charge storage area of the cell has been sufficiently charged so as to be considered "programmed."
In the case where the cell is an MLC, the cell may have several possible program states, and one or more program reference cells, each with one or more different current levels corresponding to each of the NVM cell's possible program states, may be used to determine the state of the MLC.
For reading a cell, the current levels of one or more "read verify" reference cells may be compared to the current of the cell being read. An "erase verify" reference cell with a current set at a level defined as an "erase verify" level may be compared against a memory cell during an erase operation in order to determine when the memory cell's charge storage area has been sufficiently discharged so as to consider the cell erased. Enough margins should be kept between the different reference levels so that the logical state interpretation is free of mistakes under the different operation conditions (e.g. temperature and voltages changes and retention of the stored charge). In the simplest case it is common to define the margin between the read level and the erase verify level as the "erase margin" and the margin between the read level and the program verify level as the "program margin". The margin between the initial NVM cell level and the lowest reference level, usually the erase verify level, is referred to as 'cycle margin' ("CM"). Other margins and levels may be defined for different purposes. In a MLC NVM, few margins and levels are defined to assure a correct operation and interpretation of the different levels.
The positioning of the different reference levels is accomplished using data extracted from the NVM array during manufacturing. That is, during the manufacturing process, after fabrication, an NVM array may be tested to determine the native current levels of each of its cells. The presetting of the reference level is made using this data.
As FIG. 1 shows, native threshold voltages, and hence native currents, distribution across an NVM array may be different in different segments of the NVM array. Native threshold voltage distributions on an array may be in the order of 0.7V or more across the array. However, the distributions across an array segment may be lower, for example 0.2V. Thus, establishing the lowest reference voltage to be slightly higher than the highest native threshold voltage of the array (e.g., native threshold voltage found in a NVM cell in segment 1D of FIG. 1) may result in a large CM for cells in array segments whose NVM cells have native threshold voltages relatively lower than those in the segment with the NVM cell having the highest native threshold voltage.

Method, system and circuit for operating a non-volatile memory array


A MOS semiconductor device and the methods for constructing the device. The MOS device provided with first and second MOS transistors are formed on two identical wafer sections. The impurity region of the first transistor and a first group of gate side wall spacers are aligned to the gate of the first transistor. The impurity region of the second transistor and a second group of gate side wall spacers are aligned to the gate of the second MOS transistor. The second group of gate side wall spacers have a thickness different from that of the first group of gate side wall spacers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a CMOS semiconductor device having a lightly doped drain (LDD) NMOS transistor and a single drain type PMOS transistor, and the methods for constructing the same.
2. Description of Related Art
The development of a fast MOS device has been usually accompanied by its miniaturization. With greater packing density of transistors, the field strength inside such devices also has increased. This causes several problems, such as a decrease in threshold voltage, punch-through, and "hot-carrier" effect. These problems degrade device characteristics.
Among all of the above problems, the hot carrier effect is especially detrimental to MOS device performance. The hot carrier effect is caused by an acceleration of a carrier inside a channel due to an intense field that is present across the depletion layer near the drain. A carrier which has gained sufficient energy may penetrate through the potential barrier between the silicon and the gate oxide film, entering the gate oxide film as a "hot carrier." The hot-carrier inside the oxide film may then become trapped and change the shape of the potential barrier at the interface between the silicon and the oxide film, consequently altering the threshold voltage and/or the mutual conductance.
An accelerated carrier inside the channel may generate new electron/hole pairs via an impact ionization. The newly generated carriers, in turn, may produce other electron/hole pairs via the same process. Thus, the impact ionization may propagate throughout the channel and produce an avalanche of hot carriers to be injected to the gate oxide film.
In addition, holes generated by the ionization increase the potential of the substrate by forming currents. The increase in the substrate potential may cause a break-down of parasitic bipolar transistors, and change the drain withstanding voltage.
The hot-carrier effect is more pronounced in NMOS transistors than in PMOS transistors, because a channel electron in NMOS can cause an impact ionization more readily than a channel hole in PMOS. In addition, the NMOS channel electron can move more easily into the NMOS oxide film than the PMOS channel hole into the PMOS oxide film. This is because the potential barrier between the silicon and the gate oxide film in NMOS is lower than that in PMOS.
Conventionally, LDD NMOS transistors have been used to relieve the hot-carrier effect. In an LDD NMOS transistor, lowering the impurity concentration near the drain reduces the field intensity and diminishes the hot-carrier effect. However, the low impurity concentration of the drain region adds a parasitic resistance between the drain and the channel. The parasitic resistance decreases the drain current.
If the impurity concentration near the drain region becomes too large, the substrate current also becomes large, amplifying the hot carrier effect. On the other hand, if the impurity concentration becomes too low, the drive current decreases because of a parasitic resistance. Thus, the impurity concentration is usually carefully selected to take account of both the hot carrier effect and the parasitic resistance.
One conventional CMOS design which addresses the above problems comprises the LDD NMOS transistors and the PMOS transistors of the single-drain type. In the design, the gate side wall spacers of NMOS and PMOS transistors are usually set to an equal thickness to simplify their manufacture.
n.sup.+ source and drain regions of the LDD NMOS transistors are generally formed by As ion-implantation, because the diffusion rate of As is low and allows the formation a thin junction. On the other hand, the p.sup.+ source and drain regions of PMOS transistors are generally formed by B ion-implantation.
Because B diffuses faster than As, the connection depth and side spreading of p.sup.+ source and drain regions are larger than those of n.sup.+ regions. Consequently, the effective channel length of the PMOS transistor is much shorter than that of the NMOS transistor. This implies that, if the size of NMOS channels were reduced, then the size of PMOS channels would be reduced even further. Such undesired reduction in PMOS channel size results in the distortion of PMOS structures. Thus, it is difficult to use the conventional technique to produce CMOS devices with very small LDD NMOS transistors.

CMOS semiconductor device with (LDD) NMOS and single drain PMOS


Provided are processes for preparation of mycophenolic acid.

Mycophenolic acid, has the chemical name 6-[4-Hydroxy-6-methoxy-7-methyl-3-oxo-5-phthalanyl]-4-methyl-4-hexenoic acid, 6-[1,3-Dihydro-4-hydroxy-6-methoxy-7-methyl-3-oxo-5-isobenzofuranyl]-4-methyl-4-hexenoic acid, molecular formula of C17H20O6, molecular weight of 320.35, CAS Registry number of 24280-93-1 and a structure of:

Mycophenolic acid (MPA), isolated by Gosio in 1893, is the first well characterized antibiotic (Bentley 2001). It is produced by several species of Penicillium, including P. brevi-compactum, P. scabrum, P. nagemi, P. roqueforti, P. patris-mei and P. viridicatum (Clutterbuck et al. 1932, Jens and Filtenborg 1983).
MPA, in addition to its antibiotic activity (Abraham 1945), also has antifungal (Gilliver 1946), antiviral (Ando et al. 1968) and antitumor properties (Noto et al. 1969), and has been used clinically in the treatment of psoriasis (Johnson 1972). More recently, it has been recognized as a powerful immunosuppressant (Bentley 2000).
At least one reason for the pharmacological properties of MPA is that in several biological systems it interferes with guanine biosynthesis at the level of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPD). MPA has, therefore, a pronounced inhibitory effect on nucleic acid synthesis (Franklin and Cook 1969). The inhibition of IMPD is also the basis for the lymphocyte-specific immunosuppressive effect of MPA. Since lymphocytes primarily depend on de novo guanine biosynthesis, the reduction of this pathway results in suppression of T and B lymphocyte proliferation.
MPA was withdrawn due to its high incidence of side effects (primarily infections such as herpes zoster and gastrointestinal side effects such as stomach discomfort). The 2-morpholinoethyl ester derivative, mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept®) does not have these drawbacks and has a better bioavailability than mycophenolic acid. Mycophenolate mofetil was recently approved (in the United States in 1995 and in Europe in 1996) for prophylaxis of organ rejection in patients receiving allogeneic renal transplants (Shaw and Nowak 1995, Sollinger 1995). After oral administration, the ester form rapidly hydrolyzes to free acid. MPA is then converted mainly to an inactive glucuronide metabolite, which is eliminated by urinary excretion (Bentley 2001, Wiwattanawongsa et al. 2001).
MPA is isolated from a fermentation broth in WO 01/21607, WO 01/64931 and GB 1158387. The isolation of MPA from a fermentation broth however is inefficient. The MPA isolated by conventional processes has a high degree of impurities.
The invention provides an efficient process for isolation of mycophenolic acid.

Process for preparation of mycophenolic acid and ester derivatives thereof

TEVA Gyógyszergyár Zártkōrūen Mūkōdō Részvénytársaság


3-Phenylisoxazoline derivatives of the formula (I), and the use thereof as herbicides, are described.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the technical field of herbicides, especially that of herbicides for selective control of broad-leaved weeds and weed grasses in crops of useful plants.
Description of Related Art
WO1999/05130 A1 discloses herbicidally active 3-phenylisoxazolines substituted in the 5 position by a hydroxyl and trifluoromethyl group inter alia. WO2005/021516 A1, WO1995/014680 A1, WO 2008/035315 A1, WO2005/051931 A1 and WO2005/021515 A1 each describe, inter alia, 3-phenylisoxazoline-5-carboxylic acids, -carboxylic esters and -carbaldehydes substituted on the phenyl ring in the 3 and 4 positions by alkoxy radicals. These compounds are described as precursors for preparation of pharmacologically active 3-arylisoxazoline-5-carboxamides. J. Med. Chem. 42 (1999) 2760 described the compounds methyl 3-(3-cyanophenyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylate, ethyl 3-(3-cyanophenyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylate, 3-(3-cyanophenyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid and methyl 3-(3-cyanophenyl)-5-(methoxymethyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylate as pharmacologically active. Indian Journal of Chemistry, Section B: Organic Chemistry Including Medicinal Chemistry (1993), 32B(9), 938-41 discloses the compound methyl 5-methyl-3-(3-nitrophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylate. Izvestiya Akademii Nauk, Seriya Khimicheskaya (1996), (2), 426-429 mentions the compound methyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylate. Under the following CAS numbers, the compounds which follow each one are known:    1326815-55-7: 3-(3-bromophenyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid,    1326814-80-5: 3-(5-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid,    1326811-51-1: 3-(5-bromo-2-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid,    1326813-57-3: 3-(3-bromo-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid,    1326814-71-4: ethyl 3-(3-chlorophenyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylate,    1326810-45-0: 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid,    1326815-81-9: 3-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid,    1326813-44-8: 3-(4-chloro-3-nitrophenyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid,    1326810-59-6: 3-(2-chloro-5-nitrophenyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid,    1326814-16-7: 3-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid,    1326815-03-5: 3-(3-fluorophenyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid,    1326810-73-4: 3-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid,    1326811-86-2: 3-(2,5-difluorophenyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid,    1326811-50-0: 3-(2,3-difluorophenyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid,    1326813-45-9: 3-(4-fluoro-3-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid,    1326813-37-9: 3-[2-fluoro-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid,    1326811-79-3: 3-(3-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid    1326811-74-8: 3-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid,    1326814-78-1: 3-(3-methylphenyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid    1326813-55-1: 3-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid,    1326815-05-7: 5-methyl-3-(3-nitrophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid,    1326812-83-2: 5-methyl-3-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid,    1027426-25-0: methyl 3-(3-cyanophenyl)-5-(ethoxymethyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylate,    1026410-22-9: methyl 3-(3-cyanophenyl)-5-(isopropoxymethyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylate,    1027205-06-6: methyl 5-(butoxymethyl)-3-(3-cyanophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylate,    231300-28-0: methyl 3-(3-cyanophenyl)-5-(2-methoxyethyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylate, and    1026948-50-4: 3-(3-cyanophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid.
No herbicidal effect of the compounds known by their CAS numbers has been disclosed.

3-phenylisoxazolin derivatives with herbicidal action

Abstract: In this formula (I), X2 to X6 and R1 to R3 are radicals such as hydrogen, halogen, and organic radicals such as substituted alkyl. W* is carboxyl, cyano or CHO.


An entertainment device that includes an output generator that produces audible outputs is disclosed. The output generator produces outputs in response to user inputs. In one embodiment, the entertainment device includes several actuators that can be activated by a user. The output generator produces different outputs in response to different user inputs.

Many different types of toys have been developed for entertainment and amusement of infants and children. Such toys have a variety of configurations and designs. Many of these toys include an output system that generates an output such as music, sound effects, and/or lights.
Some conventional toys include various user input devices. For example some toys include movable buttons or switches that a user can press or move to provide an input to the toy. Usually, the output systems of such toys generate outputs in response to activation of such input devices. Many of these toys play an audible output such as a song or a speech phrase in response to some of the user inputs. However, infants and children quickly become disinterested in conventional toys.
A need exists for an new entertainment device that provides user activated outputs. A need also exists for an entertainment device that produces different compositions in response to different user inputs. A need also exists for an entertainment device that produces different segments of a composition in response to different user inputs.

Entertainment device and method of using the same


Disclosed is a technique for verifying the validity of security certificates received by a mobile device. The technique can involve diverting a security certificate into a secure environment, such as a payment application, by modifying an import address table (e.g., implementing a “hook”) that is accessed by the security layer of the mobile device. Once diverted, the payment application can create a copy of the security certificate. The copy may be stored in a list of security certificates that is subsequently uploaded to a payment processing system for authentication. In some embodiments, a checksum is generated for the import address table using a cryptographic hash function. The checksum allows the payment application or the payment processing system to determine whether an unauthorized modification of the import address table is present.

Some merchants initiate payment transactions with consumers by using a mobile POS device belonging to the merchant, such as a smartphone or tablet computer (e.g., Apple iPad or the like). For example, a small, mobile card reader can be plugged into the audio jack of the mobile POS device, and point-of-sale (POS) software can be executed by the mobile POS device to facilitate payment transactions completed using a payment card (e.g., credit card or debit card). The merchant swipes the consumer's payment card through the card reader, and the card reader communicates the card's data to the POS software in the POS device. The POS software can then confirm the authenticity of the card and communicate with a remote payment authorization system to obtain authorization for the transaction.
This type of payment model, however, requires that a number of security-related issues be addressed. For example, cryptographic protocols, such as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS), are often used to secure communications transmitted between devices over a computer network. But attackers often attempt to hack these protocols, for example, by installing malicious software ("malware") or transmitting bogus security certificates to a device. Consequently, a problem exists, particularly (though not exclusively) for devices that participate in electronic payment transactions, of how to know that security certificates received by a mobile device are valid and that sensitive information is protected from these threats.

Creation and validation of a secure list of security certificates


A process and a system that create and encrypt rich formatted passwords that increase password strength and security in some embodiments are disclosed. The process increases password security by converting a set of password tokens and a set of password appearance alterations into a rich formatted password and then encrypting the rich formatted password. The system of some embodiments includes (i) a data converter for assembling a rich formatted password from a data object comprising a set of password tokens and a set of password appearance alterations received at a password creation user interface (UI) of a computing device and (ii) a data encrypter for encrypting rich formatted passwords and decrypting encrypted rich formatted passwords, and (iii) a database for storing and retrieving encrypted rich formatted passwords.

The embodiments herein relate generally to password security, and more particularly to enhancing the strength and security of passwords by altering the appearance of passwords.
Password security is a matter of great importance for most individuals, companies, organizations, government agencies, and any groups or entities that deal with sensitive data (hereafter referred to as "password users" or "users"). Passwords that are weak are easily cracked using any of several known techniques. When passwords are cracked sensitive information is often compromised. Thus, users typically seek to increase password strength. One way to increase password strength is to increase the number of alphanumeric characters, punctuation marks, and other keyboard symbols (hereafter referred to collectively as "password tokens") used in the overall password. Passwords can be case-based (i.e., uppercase, lowercase) which requires a user to input combinations of keyboard keys (i.e., shift+the alphabetical character) in order to input some of the password tokens. Although password strength can be increased by using different cases and increasing the overall number of tokens in the password, most users prefer to use fewer password tokens for ease of use and in order to be able to remember the password when needed. For example, a password that includes 100 tokens, some of mixed case, is both difficult to remember and is cumbersome to use, because it is easy to mistype one or two of the tokens. Taken as a whole, users generally rely on passwords of phrases, names, dates, times, and other such items that do not have any particular significance to the general public, but which have memorable significance in the mind of the user. Thus, many users rely on short passwords, despite the reduced security provided. This is a problem for anyone who maintains the confidence and privacy password-protected information.
In response, there currently exist many requirements and restrictions on passwords that are designed to help increase the security of passwords. These requirements and restrictions vary from website-to-website, computer-to-computer, and device-to-device. The result is that each user must create multiple passwords in order to meet the requirements of each website, computer, and/or device. This makes it difficult for the user to remember the passwords themselves, as well as which password is for which website, computer or device.
Therefore, what is needed is a program that can be integrated into existing login systems and which allows users to create complex, highly secure passwords using memorable text in a rich format, thereby increasing password security.

Process and system for strengthening password security


The present invention is based on a regulation circuit (200a, 200b) for making available a constant current supply on the basis of a transformer principle, in which there flows through the luminescent diodes (D1, . . . ,DN) a triangular a.c. current (ID) varying periodically around a d.c. current value. With this method it is afforded by means of a circuitry provision that both the charging and also the discharging current (IL1) of an inductive reactance (XL1) connected in series to the luminescent diodes (D1, . . . ,DN), functioning as a storage choke (L1) for filtering of mains harmonics, flows as diode current (ID) through the luminescent diodes (D1, . . . ,DN). The advantage of this method consists in a significant reduction of the overall power loss (PV, ges) of the LED illumination module (100). According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention the ceramic circuit board (102) of the LED illumination module (100) in accordance with the invention has a direct mains current supply (104, 108), which for protection from mechanical damage is accommodated in a transparent housing (106) having a highly transparent polymer mass (110) serving as optically active lens surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a current supply for LEDs. Thereby, a transformer principle is put to use which generates a triangular a.c. current, which varies periodically around a d.c. current value, through the luminescent diodes. By means of this process it is provided that both the charging and also discharging current of an inductive reactance in the load circuit flows as diode current through the luminescent diodes.
2. Description of the Related Art
High-power light emitting semiconductor luminescent diodes ("Light-Emitting Diodes", LEDs), briefly referred to as light diodes, have long since achieved their place in many fields in which there is need for optical display systems or illumination systems having low energy consumption, such as e.g. in traffic and signaling technologies. Through decisive technical innovations in the field of light emitting semiconductor components, with the aid of which there can today be obtained a higher light yield and an extension of the color spectrum over the entire wavelength range of visible light between 780 nm (violet) and 380 nm (dark red), optoelectronics is, in terms of lighting technology, embracing completely new markets.
For the attainment of a uniform illumination of surfaces, diffuser plates are employed as a rule. Due to the mains operation, above all in case of outdoor applications, light housings are usually necessary in order to protect the electronic components employed from the penetration of moisture.
In order to understand the central idea of the present invention, there will be briefly explained below the most important features of conventional processes and technologies according to the state of the art for the production of semiconductor luminescent diodes, above all the so-called "Chip-On-Board" (COB) Technology, which has greatly increased in significance in the last few years.
In "Chip-On-Board" (COB) Technology, the raw LED-chip is applied to the circuit board, with conductive adhesive, with the structure and the terminals upwards ("face up"). This procedure is called, in Anglo-American terminology, "die bonding". After the curing of the adhesive there is effected in a further working step the connection of the chip terminals with the circuit board with the aid of a wire bonder, known from the production of integrated circuits. Thereby, the individual chip terminals and the circuit board are connected by a gold wire. Through the employment of special circuit board materials excellent heat conduction properties can be attained. From this there results a longer working life and a higher light yield per unit area. After application of a polymeric layer, the LED array is protected from mechanical damage due to shock or vibrations. Special circuit boards with reflector layers thereby serve for light bundling and increase of light intensities at smaller emission angles.
In comparison to conventional LED modules, through the employment of luminescent diodes which are applied to a circuit board as an LED array by means of COB technology, there can be produced efficient illumination units of high light yield, long working life, space-saving construction and a relatively slight cost outlay. Due to the light current values which can be attained, these modules are interesting not only as signalling or background illumination, but can be directly put to use as illumination means. LED arrays produced with COB technology having an emission angle of 180° permit a bright illumination of surfaces with a homogeneous light distribution, which is comparable with illumination by means of illumination equipment with fluorescent lamps operated at 40 to 50 mA. A further plus point is the 50% lesser current consumption in comparison with such illumination equipment.
Point light sources formed of high power luminescent diodes with COB technologies are ideally suited for small work and reading lights, as flexibly employable light sources in spot illumination, as central light source for orientation lights etc.
From DE 100 26 661 A1 there is known a universal compact LED illumination module which can be employed for indoor and outdoor lights in mains operation and without employment of further operating devices, such as e.g. mains transformers or specially dimensioned switch power unit parts. The light emitting semiconductor components provided as light sources are thereby controlled and supplied with current via a capacitor power unit part. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the light emitting surfaces of the individual luminescent diodes emerge lens-like from the molding mass. As outer structural form for the LED illumination module disclosed herein there serves a molding mass (e.g. a casting resin) or a housing in which the electronic components are mounted protected from the penetration of moisture. The module can thereby be operated as a lamp or light directly from a current supply mains, can be positioned anywhere, and can be economically produced.
In the case of conventional capacitor power unit parts according to the state of the art (in contrast to the electronic solution in accordance with the invention) the effective value of the input alternating voltage can be selected to be variable (e.g. between 100 VAC and 277 VAC); even a supply of the mains part with d.c. voltage is possible.
Since, however, in the case of a capacitor mains power unit circuit the size of the capacitors employed increases strongly with increasing operating power, only low powers can be realized with such a mains power unit with acceptable structural size. Further, the performance of the electrolytic capacitors conventionally employed in the capacitor mains power units deteriorates with a number of operating hours. For the reasons mentioned above there is needed for the operation of high power LEDs (having an operating power of up to 4 W) the employment of alternative electronic solutions.