The present disclosure discloses a method and apparatus for generating a candidate reply message. A specific embodiment of the method comprises: acquiring a text message of a currently received conversation; determining whether a pre-established conversation template matching the text message exists; and generating, in response to determining a conversation template matching the text message existing, a candidate reply message on the basis of the conversation template. According to the method provided by embodiments of the present disclosure, when the text message of the currently received conversation matches the pre-established conversation template, the candidate reply message is automatically generated, and a user may click the candidate reply message for reply, so that the time for the user to edit a reply message is saved, a period for the user to communicate with others is reduced, and the communication efficiency is improved.

With the rapid development of mobile Internet, intelligent mobile terminals have become indispensable communication tools in daily life and work. A plurality of social applications (e.g., instant messaging applications) may be installed on an intelligent mobile terminal.
In the prior art, a user may communicate with others using the social applications installed on the intelligent mobile terminal. After receiving a message through a social application, the user needs to edit a reply message word by word. In some application scenarios, when editing the reply message word by word, the user may also need to open other applications to find related contents and then edits the reply message. In this way, the period of communication between the user and the others is long and the efficiency is low.

Method and apparatus for generating candidate reply message

Beijing Baidu Netcom Science and Technology Co., Ltd.


The implementations of the present disclosure provide a BWP switching method and apparatus, and a terminal device. The method comprises: a terminal device acquiring first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information comprises first resource information and identifier information of a first search space, the first resource information is used for initiating a random access process, the identifier information of the first search space is used for detecting a downlink control channel, the first configuration information corresponds to a first BWP, and the first search space corresponds to a second BWP; and where the first BWP is in an activated state, the terminal device switching the second BWP to an activated state or maintaining the second BWP in an activated state, and executing the random access process on the first BWP and the second BWP.

When a terminal initiates a Random Access Channel (RACH) process including a RACH process triggered by Beam Failure Recovery (BFR), the terminal first determines whether a RACH resource is configured on an uplink BWP activated currently, and if so, the terminal determines whether an index of a downlink BWP activated currently is consistent with an index of the uplink BWP activated currently. If the index of the downlink BWP activated currently is consistent with the index of the uplink BWP activated currently, the uplink BWP and downlink BWP activated currently are maintained and the RACH process is initiated. If the index of the downlink BWP is inconsistent with the index of the uplink BWP, the downlink BWP activated currently is switched to a downlink BWP with the same index as that of the uplink BWP activated currently, and then the RACH process is initiated.
However, in this BWP handover process, there is a following problem for the RACH process triggered by the BFR (simply referred to as BFR RACH).
On the uplink BWP activated currently, not only a RACH resource is configured, but also an ID of SearchSpace (referred to as recoverySearchSpaceID) is configured, and the ID of the SearchSpace is bound to a downlink BWP. If the terminal switches a downlink BWP a activated currently to another BWP b when initiating a BFR RACH, and there is no ID of SearchSpace configured on the BWP b, then the terminal cannot complete the BFR RACH.

BWP switching method and apparatus, and terminal device

GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.


An active pixel sensor circuit comprising a photodiode, a storage node, and a transfer gate between the photodiode and storage node, where the potential barrier between the photodiode and the storage region is maintained during charge accumulation, thereby preventing charge tunneling between the photodiode and the storage region. This is achieved by electrically connecting the transfer gate, which controls charge transfer between the photodiode and the storage region, to the storage region. Connecting the transfer gate to the storage region maintains the potential barrier between the photodiode and the storage region at a threshold voltage during the charge integration period which prevents charge tunneling between the photodiode and the storage node. The threshold voltage is determined by the implant levels used to form the active pixel sensor and can be optimized by using optimum implant levels. This prevention of charge tunneling between the photodiode and the storage node eliminates image lag.

(1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an active pixel sensor, APS, having a transfer gate biased such that the potential barrier between the photodiode and the storage region is not affected by the charge accumulated by the photodiode.
(2) Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,935 to Tseng describes a mechanism to pre-charge or inject a background charge into a storage node and allow the charge to reset through the same output base-to-emitter junction. This removes the residual image and improves the photo-response linearity.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,623 to Tsang et al. describes an active pixel sensor using a plurality of photocells, each including a photodiode to sense illumination and a separate storage node with a stored charge that is discharged during an integration period by the photocurrent generated by the photodiode.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,566,697 B1 to Fox et al. describes a transistor coupled between a pinned photodiode and a storage node.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,501,109 B1 to Chi describes a pixel having a photodiode for light collection and a floating gated output diode for output of gate-induced-drain-leakage current to a sense amplifier. The structure is used to reduce blooming and improve image-lag performance.


Sidewall spacers, adjacent a gate electrode and source/drain regions of a MOS transistor are formed of a dielectric material that can be etched selectively to the material selected as the isolation dielectric. A layer of silicide forming metal is deposited overlying the MOS transistor and heated, wherein silicide regions are formed where the metal makes contact with silicon, for example, in the gate electrode and source/drain regions. At least a portion of the sidewall spacers are etched-away and silicide stringers, if formed on the spacers, are removed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method used in fabricating semiconductor integrated circuits, and more specifically to a method for removing silicide stringers that can form during the fabrication of MOS transistor structures.
2.Related Art
Self-ALigned metal silICIDE contact structures, commonly referred to as salicide structures, are often used in the formation of Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) transistor structures to minimize contact resistance. Thus, allowing for reduction of the size of contact structures. While the formation of these salicide structures require several process steps, advantageously, none is a masking step; hence, processes for the formation of salicide structures are widely used.
In one known salicide process for a MOS transistor, source and drain (S/D) regions are formed aligned to a gate electrode structure and/or any sidewall spacers that may be used. A blanket metal layer is deposited so that silicon, at the upper surface of source, drain and gate regions, is in contact with the metal. The wafer is then heated to a temperature sufficiently high for the metal and silicon, in contact with one another, to undergo a reaction and form a metal silicide. The unreacted metal is then removed, and regions of metal silicide are revealed. Thus, by employing a salicide process, regions of metal silicide are formed aligned, without benefit of a masking step, in this example to S/D and gate regions. During the salicide process, the sidewall spacers serve to prevent bridging of the gate silicide region with either the source or drain silicide regions. After removal of the metal not reacted to form a silicide, a second, higher temperature silicide anneal step is often employed to stabilize the silicide regions formed and to provide the lowest possible silicide resistivity.
However, as device geometries become smaller, the width of sidewall spacers becomes smaller. As a result, bridging of-adjacent silicide regions across these smaller spacers, due to remnants of the metals layer or stringers, becomes an increasingly serious problem. This stringer formation and the resultant bridging can occur due to a variety of reasons that are enhanced by the smaller spacers. For example, a limited reaction of the spacer material with the metal, or migration of silicon on the surface of the spacer can result in silicide stringers which are resistant to the selective metal etch. Alternatively the stringer formation can be due to any one of a variety of physical reasons, such as non-uniformities in the initial metal film deposition or the metal etch process. While some process alterations or optimization can help alleviate the stringer problem, often stringer formation cannot be eliminated through such means, and yield loss due to electrical shorts caused by such stringers result.
Thus it would be advantageous to have a method of forming a semiconductor integrated circuit having silicide enhanced contact regions that would provide for the removal of any silicide stringers that might form. In addition, it would be advantageous for such a silicide stringer removal process to be compatible with MOS transistor processing and not require any additional masking steps. Finally, it would be advantageous for the silicide stringer removal process to allow a choice of transistor isolation processes, for example a local oxidation of silicon (LOCOS) process or a trench isolation process.

Method for silicide stringer removal in the fabrication of semiconductor integrated circuits


The invention is based on a braking device for an electric motor with a stator (14, 16, 18) and a rotor (10), in particular for a direct current series-wound motor, with a braking element (20) that can be moved between an operating position and a braking position depending on a magnetic flux in the stator (14, 16, 18), wherein there is an air gap (32) between the braking element (20) and the stator (14, 16, 18), and with a short-circuit ring (38) for suppressing mechanical vibrations. The invention proposes that the short-circuit ring (38) be inclined in relation to the air gap (32) between the stator (14, 16, 18) and the braking element (20).

The invention is based on a braking device for an electric motor.
DE 198 60 396 A1 has disclosed a braking device for an electric motor that brakes a rotor of the electric motor in the off state. To this end, the known braking device has a braking element in the form of a two-ended lever, with a braking arm and a releasing arm; a spring prestresses the braking arm in the direction toward the rotor so that it brakes the rotor in the off state. When the electric motor is in the on state, however, a stator winding of the electric motor is supplied with current, which attracts the releasing arm of the braking element so that the braking arm is lifted away from the rotor counter to the spring tension and thus releases the rotor. Between the yoke of the stator and the releasing arm of the braking element, there is an air gap whose width depends on the position of the braking element. In addition, a short-circuit ring is press-fitted into an impact surface of the releasing arm, extending in the impact surface of the releasing arm, parallel to the air gap.


A method for hot hydrostatic pressing by means of working liquid which tends to become unstable within a transition time when in contact with a blank heated to a high working temperature and at a pressure lower than the liquid's stabilization pressure. The pressing of the blank heated to the high working temperature is carried out by raising the pressure of the working fluid to said stabilization pressure for a time shorter than the transition time. This is achieved by surrounding the heated blank by a cover adapted to delay the contact between the heated blank and the working liquid until the pressure in the working chamber is raised.

The invention belongs to the methods of hot hydrostatic pressing, wherein the blanks are heated to temperatures above the 600-700° C. range, such as hot extrusion of metals and sintered billets, HIP-ping (Hot Isostatic Pressure), hot compacting of powders and deposited powder materials, plastic deformation under high isostatic pressure, etc.
In the practice, hot blanks heated up to the above temperature range are pressed using such working liquids as special silicon oils and heat-resisting grease. At a higher temperature range, in the so-called "forging interval" about 1000-2000° C., it is known to press blanks and materials in a media of gases or colloid graphite.
Pressing in inert or reactive gases is performed in pressurized autoclaves (gasostats) at pressures up to 1500-2000 atm and temperatures up to 2000° C. A basic shortcoming of the "gas" pressing is the relatively low attainable pressure and the high complexity of the equipment. The power consumption per unit weight of the blank is high due to the great compressibility of the working gas and the impossibility to recuperate the compressed gas energy. Since the blanks are heated inside the gasostat, the working gas and the autoclave chamber are heated as well, contributing to energy losses.
The low attainable pressure in the "gas" pressing is a major limitation for such pressing methods as HIP-ping and compacting processes, where it significantly prolongs the seasoning time of the blank. A typical gasostat working cycle in such a process takes 6-8 hours. Besides, the low pressure prevents obtaining of high-quality compacted powders and deposited materials.
The pressing of hot blanks in "pseudofluid" media such as colloid graphite may be carried out at very high pressures and is energy-efficient since the "pseudofluid" has low compressibility. However, this media is characterized by a considerable internal friction, which makes the pressure non-uniform over the working volume. Colloid graphite is also prone to undesirable chemical reactions with the blank material.
JP 01269509 discloses a method of using a low-temperature working liquid for pressing resin powder at high temperature by filling the heated powder in a heat-insulated capsule with heat-insulated rubber cover and pressing the capsule in a hydrostatic press by means of said working liquid. Here the capsule and the cover protect the working liquid from contact with the heated powder during the whole processing time. Consequently, the method is limited to temperatures that a rubber cover may endure, e.g. 500-600° C.

Method and a system for hot hydrostatic pressing


A turbo decoder control comprises an address generator for addressing systematic data, parity data, and systematic likelihood ratios according to a pre-determined memory mapping. The systematic data samples are accessed in the order required by the MAP decoding algorithm such that interleaving and de-interleaving functions in the MAP decoding algorithm are performed in real-time, i.e., without delay. Such memory-mapping in combination with data handling functions (e.g., multiplexing and combinatorial logic) minimizes memory requirements for the turbo decoder and allows for use of programmable interleavers, variable block lengths, and multiple code rates.

The present invention relates generally to error-correction coding and, more particularly, to a decoder for parallel convolutional codes, i.e., turbo codes.
A new class of forward error control codes, referred to as turbo codes, offers significant coding gain for power limited communication channels. Turbo codes are generated using two recursive systematic encoders operating on different orderings of the same information bits. A subset of the code bits of each encoder is transmitted in order to maintain bandwidth efficiency. Turbo decoding involves an iterative algorithm in which probability estimates of the information bits that are derived for one of the codes are fed back to a probability estimator for the other code. Each iteration of processing generally increases the reliability of the probability estimates. This process continues, alternately decoding the two code words until the probability estimates can be used to make reliable decisions.
The maximum a posteriori (MAP) type algorithm introduced by Bahl, Cocke, Jelinek, and Raviv in "Optimal Decoding of Linear Codes for Minimizing Symbol Error Rate", IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, March 1974, pp. 284–287, is particularly useful as a component decoder in decoding parallel concatenated convolutional codes, i.e., turbo codes. The MAP algorithm is used in the turbo decoder to generate a posteriori probability estimates of the systematic bits in the code word. These probability estimates are used as a priori symbol probabilities for the second MAP decoder. Three fundamental terms in the MAP algorithm are the forward and backward state probability functions (the alpha and beta functions, respectively) and the a posteriori transition probabilities (the sigma function).
It is desirable to provide a control and data handling structure for a turbo decoder which allows for a programmable interleaver, variable block length, and multiple code rates.

Turbo decoder control for use with a programmable interleaver, variable block length, and multiple code rates


An add-on liquid overflow shut-off valve for a tank. The device is used to ensure that a holding tank is not overfilled and provides a fail safe way to prevent spillage when pumping into a holding tank. The device provides a warning indicator when the holding tank is near full. The device also has a fail safe switch which will turn off air to a pump when the holding tank is full and also blow a whistle to indicate the tank is full. The device uses a diaphragm which operates on a pressure differential. When the pressure is increase past a spring set point, the diaphragm raises a plate that activates a switching valve which shuts off air supply to an air pump and blows a whistle.

The field of the invention is generally that of devices for the storage of liquids, and more specifically, to an improved shut-off valve for use in pumping liquid into a storage vessel that shuts off the delivery pump when the tank becomes full.
Proper storage and handling of waste liquids, especially toxic liquids, has become very important because of the discovery that so many of them have been found to cause cancer and other serious diseases. Liquids that previously were treated as mere waste are now known to be highly dangerous to humans, as well as to the environment, and require careful and safe storage until they can be rendered harmless by further processing or become benign by passage of time.
The need to store these materials in leak-proof containers is now required by such government agencies as OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Agency), the National Health Institute and Others. A wide array of storage containers may be used, from small 1 and 2 gallon cans to large tanks, both underground and transportable. A container widely used in this situation is a drum or holding tank; drums are quite plentiful and its thick metal walls will safely store most materials.
These tanks, along with other such containers, contain a standard, 2 inch diameter threaded aperture in the lid known as a "bung hole" that can be used for pouring or pumping liquid into the drum as well as to have test probes inserted thereinto for the purpose of determining various attributes of the stored liquid. This same bung-hole type opening is also found in virtually all storage tanks from the very small to the extremely large. The rim of the bung hole usually contains a series of threads to accept a threaded plug known as a "bung".
One disadvantage in the use of storage tanks and drums, is that they are so well sealed no light can penetrate the interior. In many cases no incandescent lamp can be safely used to aid one looking inside because the stored contents are either poisonous or highly combustible. Often the drum is pumped completely full of liquid and the pump is not shut down soon enough with the result that liquid spills out of the lid openings over the sides and onto the ground or other supporting surface to cause the toxic condition to become a problem all over again. Positioning a person to continually observe the level of fullness in the tanks raises labor costs and places him or her in a dangerous position near the toxic material.
Many of these valves are used in the automotive quick oil change service stations. Here, oil is removed from a vehicle and stored in a pit tank. Then oil is pumped from the pit tank to a large holding tank on the ground floor. The holding tank has a shut off valve when it is near full and shuts off the pump in the pit area. A disposal company is called and a truck is sent to remove the oil from the holding tank. If or when the valve on the holding tank sticks or fails, an oil spill is inevitable.
The prior art has tried to deal with the problem of shutting off the flow of liquid into a tank, when the level reaches the uppermost safe point, but such attempts have not met with success.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,450 (Add-on Liquid Overflow Shut-Off Valve for Tank) describes a portable device for stopping delivery to a tank when the liquid reaches a preset level. This patented valve is complex, costly, is inefficient due to air leakage, can stick, wear, and cannot easily be checked to see if it is working properly.
The present invention solves these problems by providing a pressure valve with a similar function, however, containing no floats that stick, has no moving parts in the liquid, no air leakage, and provides an easy way to check the valve to ensure that it is operating properly.


A parting tool for parting seams and/or cutting threads or the like is disclosed. The parting tool may include an arc-shaped blade located between two tines of unequal length to effect a cut. The long tine may have a thorn-like point and the short tine may have a spherical thickening above the blade. The tines pass over into a shaft, which is fastened to one end of a shaft holder or mounting. The shaft mounting may include at its other end a pressure surface oriented perpendicularly to the blade and a rotation axle located at a defined distance in front of the pressure surface and oriented perpendicularly to the blade. The rotation axle may be rotatably supported in the lateral surfaces of a casing open within the rotation range of the shaft holder. A stop is provided within the casing for the shaft of the parting tool in the swivelled in, rest position. The stop may be a spring elastic element.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a parting tool for cutting seams, threads or the like, in particular, a parting tool with an arc-shaped blade located between two tines of unequal lengths to make a cut. The long tine has a thorn-like tip and the short tine a spherical thickening above the blade, and the tines pass into a shaft fastened to one end of a shaft mounting.
2. Description of the Related Technology
German Published Application 1 093 754 discloses a parting tool with a mechanism located in front of the blade to press the seam apart and to guide the parting tool in the uncut part of the seam and having a configuration such that a lateral cut into the fabric is prevented. The pressing apart of the seam and the tensioning of the threads of the seam is still effective in the part of the parting tool at which the threads run up against the blade, whereby the threads are guided to the blade in a manner such that the drawing cut desired is obtained. The parting tool is simple enough so that fundamentally only one tine is required.
German Patent 32 31 934 discloses a combination tool for the parting of fabric seams and the removal of threads and parts of threads. The parting tool shaft exhibits a cutting tool at one end and a pair of tweezers at its other end, which may be extended from and retracted into a casing. The casing length therefore corresponds to the shaft length with its two tools located at the ends of the shaft. When not in use, both tools are retracted into the casing. It is not possible to further reduce the size of the combination tool.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,710,448 discloses a cutting tool that may be extended and retracted. The smallest length of the tool therefore corresponds to the size of the casing. No further diminution is possible.
It is known from the general state of the art to reduce the size of small tools, for example, pocket knives, by making the blades pivotable at their ends. The back sides of the blades protrude slightly from the casing, so a notch in the blade may be engaged by a finger nail, a coin or the like to fold the blades out of the knife casing. This procedure is often difficult, particularly if the tool has not been used for a period of time; it is then very difficult to open.


A press is described having an upper platen. The press includes a support arm adapted to selectively move the upper platen between an open position, a partially open position and a closed position with respect to a lower platen. An electromagnet is disposed proximate the support arm and configured to selectively secure the upper platen in the closed position. Another electromagnet, which may be disposed proximate a base member, is configured selectively to secure the upper platen in a partially open position.

Heat applied transfers include a variety of indicia with inks, material layers, and adhesives that become bonded to material layers, for example, apparel such as shirts, jackets, or the like, upon pressurized contact and heating of the transfers and apparel between press platens. New developments in the construction and composition of lettering have resulted in high quality transfers that can be accurately and quickly transferred to the apparel without bleeding or partial interruptions in the bonding of the transfer, as long as the presses can be operated at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time and at a predetermined pressure. Nevertheless, heat applied transfer presses must be simple, manually operated devices in order to satisfy the user's need to economically but quickly apply various lettering, symbols and numbering indicia selected by a customer and which must be applied to a selected piece of apparel. Such an apparatus must accommodate many variations in the arrangement of transfers and apparel, as well as the types of transfers and apparel materials available.
The accuracy and precision of the temperature, the pressure and the time duration for which these parameters are applied to the transfers are particularly important to complete an efficient bonding of the transfers to materials. In particular, depending upon materials and the structure of the indicia to be applied to the apparel, indicia may be subject to inconsistent application conditions throughout the surface of apparel to which the transfer is applied. For example, excessive temperature may cause the ink or adhesive to bleed into the apparel material so that the indicia becomes discolored or a blend of different colors thus changing the original appearance of the indicia intended to be applied. Likewise, the application of excessive pressure may cause bleeding of the colors while insufficient pressure between the platen pressing surfaces may result in blotched or unattached areas where the indicia failed to adhere completely to the garment. Additionally, some indicia or apparel may require pre-curing at lower or higher temperatures or pressures or some combination of temperatures and pressures.
Although some means are known to provide improved image results on various substrates, they tend to be difficult to use, time consuming and labor intensive. As in most businesses, since the applying, forming, fixing, etc. of images on substrates is becoming more competitive, it is becoming increasingly more important to be able to form high quality images on various substrates, using different processes, in a more efficient, more controlled, inexpensive, less-time consuming manner.
Thermal or heat transfer presses are known for applying graphic images on textiles or other similar substrates, or to press foil onto a substrate. However, when used to form high definition graphic images, this process tends to be very slow, time consuming and difficult to use, and overall, too expensive. Therefore, there exists a need in the art to provide an improved and automated device for forming better resolution in graphic images, thereby providing high definition images on various substrates. For example, a device that forms a smoother surface on a substrate will provide better print resolution and a smoother feel to a printed garment.


In a multi-tone data transmission system, data are modulated on a set of M tones for being transmitted between a transmitter and a receiver. The data retransmission request device in such system is adapted to request retransmission of a data transmission unit that is hierarchically modulated at a particular hierarchical level and that is modulated on a particular group of N tones, N being a positive integer value greater than one and smaller than or equal to M.

It is well-known to tackle time-varying noise in multi-tone data transmission systems, i.e. transmission systems wherein data bits are modulated on plural tones or carriers to be conveyed between a transmitter and receiver, through various online reconfiguration mechanisms. These online reconfiguration mechanisms for instance include bitswap, Seamless Rate Adaptation (SRA) and Save Our Showtime (SOS) mechanisms.
A bitswap mechanism moves bits from tones with increasing noise to other tones without impact on the overall bitrate between transmitter and receiver.
Seamless Rate Adaptation adjusts the overall bit rate between transmitter and receiver downwards or upwards depending on the noise margin variation. In addition, the bitloading of the tones is adjusted in function of the changed overall bit rate.
Save Our Showtime is applied in case of a strong noise increase at a point in time where the noise margin of the multi-tone system is negative. Since it is impossible to accurately determine how many bits each carrier can convey, the bitloading is drastically decreased to avoid resynchronization or re-initialization of the multi-tone system. SOS is usually followed by SRA for upwards adaptation of the overall bit rate.
The above described online reconfiguration mechanisms are disadvantageous in various aspects. Online reconfiguration must first be negotiated between transmitter and receiver through a signalling protocol. Also the timing of online reconfiguration must be synchronised between transmitter and receiver. This may for instance be realised through a flag on the SYNC symbol on DMT based DSL systems. As a consequence, online reconfiguration is rather slow. In 4 kHz DMT based DSL systems, i.e. DSL systems that use a set of 4 kHz spaced apart carriers, the expected update time for online reconfiguration mechanisms is not below 128 DMT symbols or 32 milliseconds. As a result, transmission errors within the first 32 milliseconds after a noise transient must be corrected through mechanisms different from online reconfiguration. For SRA in VDSL, generation of the EOC or Embedded Operations Channel message, transmission of the EOC message, interpretation of the EOC message, and waiting for the SYNC symbol may involve a total reaction time of up to 400 milliseconds. When repeated partially for every group of 128 carriers saved through SOS, the online reconfiguration from transient to full-band execution may even occupy up to 1 second.
A fast way to correct transmission errors consists in retransmission of the erroneously received data transmission units. Thereto, the transmitter is equipped with a retransmission buffer that stores recently transmitted data transmission units. Upon receipt of an erroneous data transmission unit, the receiver requests retransmission through an Automatic Repeat request (ARQ). Upon receipt of the ARQ, the transmitter sends the stored copy of the data transmission unit to the receiver.
Although a retransmission scheme can be used to deal with noise transients in multi-tone data transmission systems up to the point in time where the bitloading has been adjusted through online reconfiguration mechanisms, retransmission is limited in capacity and introduces substantial overhead. Due to memory cost constraints and standardization requirements, the retransmission buffer typically stores about 10 milliseconds of transmitted data. In case of a strong noise transient, this may be insufficient to correct all transmission errors within the time interval required for online reconfiguration. As a result, traditional retransmission in combination with online reconfiguration may be unable to avoid line instabilities such as resynchronizations or re-initializations. Further, traditional retransmission of multi-tone symbols inherently impacts the instantaneous throughput of the line dramatically since the retransmitted data symbols occupy all or nearly all remaining bandwidth in case of a strong noise transient.
European Patent Application EP 1 011 245 entitled "Transmitter and Receiver and Data Transmission Method" describes hierarchical data modulation and data demodulation in single carrier communication systems (QPSK, BPSK, 16QAM based). In order to improve transmission efficiency, the receiver performs hierarchical demodulation, i.e. data transmission units named cells in EP 1 011 245 are demodulated from particular hierarchical noise levels. Thereafter, the receiver performs error detection and requests retransmission of an erroneous cell demodulated from a particular hierarchical level. The transmission efficiency is increased since the amount of data that must be retransmitted is reduced.
Although FIG. 10 of EP 1 011 245 and embodiment 4 described in paragraphs [0077]-[0081] of EP 1 011 245 disclose a multi-carrier system, each hierarchical modulation layer, e.g. hierarchy 1, hierarchy 2, or hierarchy 3, is tied to a distinct carrier, e.g. sub-carrier A, sub-carrier B or sub-carrier C. As a result, each cell or data transmission unit is still conveyed over a single, distinct carrier. A data cell in other words is assigned to a particular hierarchical level and as a result thereof also to a particular carrier. For this reason, EP 1 011 245 does not guarantee a stable line with optimized instantaneous throughput for multi-carrier systems in case of strong noise increases.
It is an objective of the present invention to disclose a system and method that improves the stability and instantaneous throughput of multi-tone data transmission under time varying noise. More particularly, it is an objective of the present invention to disclose an improved data retransmission request device, a data transmitter and a data retransmission method for use in multi-tone data transmission systems that resolve the above mentioned drawbacks of existing solutions.

Data retransmission request device, a data transmitter, and a data retransmission method for multi-tone systems


The steering device includes first and second motors for steering which have common electric characteristics; first and second current sensors detecting first and second current values in the first and second motor, respectively; and abnormality diagnosis units. The abnormality diagnosis units make an abnormality diagnosis indicating that the steering device is abnormal when difference between the first and second current values exceeds a predetermined threshold value. When some abnormality occurs in the current detecting units for detecting the magnitudes of a current flowing through the steering motor, an abnormality diagnosis is rapidly made by comparing the difference with the predetermined value.

In recent vehicles, there are vehicles having a steering device of a by-wire (By Wire) system in which driver's steering intension is transmitted to steered wheels through conversion into an electric signal through wires. In the steering device of the by-wire system, a steering direction and a steering quantity by the driver are converted into electric signals which are supplied to a steering device including a steering motor. In response to this, the steering device operates to turn the steered wheels in accordance with the steering intention of the driver by driving the steering motor in accordance with an electric signal (for example, see Patent document 1).
According to the steering device of the by-wire system, for example, during traveling on a road surface having undulations such as a rut, though one of a pair of the steed wheels arranged in a vehicle width direction falls into a part of the road surface having the undulations, this can suppress occurrence of uncontrollable state of the steering wheel by generation of yaw-moment in the vehicle body. As a result, this can reduce an operation load of the steering wheel on the driver.


Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein X.sub.1 is ##STR2## are disclosed. These compounds possess inhibitory activity against angiotensin converting enzyme and neutral endopeptidase and thus useful as cardiovascular agents.

Captopril, (S)-1-(3-mercapto-2-methyl-1-oxopropyl)-L-proline, having the structural formula ##STR3## is an orally active angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor useful for treating hypertension and congestive heart failure. See Ondetti et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,105,776.
Enalapril, (S)-1-N-1-(ethoxycarbonyl)-3-phenypropyl!-L-alanyl!-L-proline, having the structural formula ##STR4## is also an orally active angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. Enalapril contains the L-alanyl-L-proline dipeptide. A related compound, lisinopril, also possesses oral angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor activity and contains the L-lysyl-L-proline dipeptide. See Harris et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,374,829.
Haslanger et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,688 disclose treating hypertension by administering neutral metalloendopeptidase inhibitors alone or in combination with atrial peptides or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.
Neustadt in U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,302 disclose that mercaptoacyl aminolactams of the formula ##STR5## wherein Y includes propylene and butylene, R.sup.1 is lower alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, and R.sup.2 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy lower alkyl, aryl-lower alkyl or heteroaryl-lower alkyl are endopeptidase inhibitors. Neustadt disclose employing such compounds alone or in combination with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors to treat cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, congestive heart failure, edema, and renal insufficiency.
Delaney et al. U.K. Patent 2,207,351 disclose that endopeptidase inhibitors produce diuresis and natriuresis and are useful alone or in combination with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors for the reduction of blood pressure. Delaney et al. include various mercapto and acylmercapto amino acids and dipeptides among their endopeptidase inhibiting compounds.
Flynn et al. in European Patent Application 481,522 disclose dual inhibitors of enkephalinase and angiotensin converting enzyme of the formulas ##STR6## wherein n is zero or one and Z is O, S, -NR.sub.6 - or ##STR7## Additional tricyclic dual inhibitors are disclosed by warshawsky et al. in European Patent Applications 534,363, 534,396 and 534,492.

Mercaptoalkanoylamino and acylmercaptoalkanoylamino benzoxazepines and benzothiazepines


In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes: causing a camera module to capture a plurality of frame portions with an exposure time at a sampling clock period. The frame portions correspondingly reflect a predetermined number of first signal pulses periodically generated by a light source. The exposure time corresponds to a duration of one of the predetermined number of first signal pulses. A first data sequence is encoded into the first signal pulses. The sampling clock period is different from a duration of the first data sequence such that a second data sequence is obtained from cycling through all of the first data sequence.

For image sensor communication (ISC), a sending end includes a light source that sends light pulses into which a data sequence is encoded, and a receiving end includes a camera that captures frames correspondingly reflecting sampled light pulses, and at least one processor that processes the frames, to obtain the data sequence. ISC may be used for, for example, in-door navigation and digital signage.

Method, system, and computer-readable medium for image sensor communication using different sending data sequence rate and receiving frame rate


A method for forming a double spacer structure comprising the steps of first providing a semiconductor substrate that has a first gate and a second gate already formed thereon, wherein the gate length of the second gate is greater than the gate length of the first gate. Then, a first insulating layer is formed over the substrate and the gates. Next, a photoresist layer is formed over the first insulating layer above the second gate while exposing the first insulating layer above the first gate. Subsequently, a first etching operation is performed to establish a first spacer structure along the sidewalls of the first gate, and then the photoresist layer is removed leaving the first insulating layer over the second gate. Thereafter, a second insulating layer is formed over the substrate, the first gate and the first insulating layer, and then a second etching operation is performed to establish a second spacer structure along the sidewalls of the second gate. Therefore, a second spacer that has a width greater than the first spacer does is finally obtained.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a double spacer structure for mixed-mode IC and its manufacturing method. More particularly, the present invention relates to a double spacer structure for mixed-mode IC and its manufacturing method that utilizes a two-step-etching process.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventional mixed-mode IC includes embedded dynamic random access memory (embedded DRAM), embedded static random access memory (embedded SRAM) and application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In a mixed-mode IC, there are at least two types of transistor devices, for example, memory devices and logic devices. According to the design rules and their corresponding differences in gate is oxide dimensions a different operational voltage must be applied to the gate of each type of transistor device. For example, a device such as a memory device having a gate oxide layer thickness of about 50 .ANG. and a gate length of about 0.25 .mu.m, the gate operational voltage is about 2.5V; for a device such as a peripheral circuit device having a gate oxide thickness of about 70 .ANG. and a gate length of about 0.34 .mu.m, the gate operational voltage is about 3.3V; and for a device such as a high voltage device having a gate oxide thickness of about 120 .ANG. and a gate length of about 0.5 .mu.m, the gate operational voltage is about 5.0V.
In mixed-mode ICs, each transistor device has its own spacer structure whose width varies according to the design rules. The spacer is a means to provide a suitable resistance for the transistor channel. If the spacer width is too short, electric field between the source and the drain terminal of a transistor will be too strong and will lead to device reliability issues, for example, hot carrier problem or short channel problem. On the other hand, if the spacer width is too long, driving current between the source and the drain terminal will be too low. The main defect in the conventional method of spacer production is that there is no systematic process for the simultaneous production of spacers having different width to satisfy the needs of different types of transistor devices.
In light of the foregoing, there is a need in the art for improving the method of spacer formation.

Manufacturing method of double spacer structure for mixed-mode IC


A device for measuring a three-dimensional shape of an elongate member which comprises a first image detector and a second image detector, a projected image computing device, and a center line computing device. The first image detector and the second image detector detect a two-dimensional image of an image of the elongate member projected onto a planar surface. The projected image computing device computes each central line of the projected image of the elongate member from each of the images detected by the first image detector and the second image detector. Then, the center line computing device detects a plane including the central line obtained from the first image detector and the position of the first image detector, and another plane including the other central line obtained from the second image detector and the position of the second image detector, thereby obtaining a center line of the elongate member along which the planes intersect each other.

This invention relates to a device for measuring a three-dimensional shape of a bent elongate member.
Currently, several devices for measuring a three-dimensional shape of a bent elongate member have been proposed. Such a device is used to examine whether an elongate member is bent in accordance with a desired design. A typical measuring device has been disclosed, for example, in Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. S62-36514, which comprises a three-dimensionally moving device and contacting members attached thereto. According to the measuring device, the three-dimensionally moving device moves the contacting members into contact with the periphery of a member to be measured and detects the three-dimensional coordinates of the contacting members on the periphery of the member. After this detection is repeated several times, the measuring device determines the shape of the member from a plurality of the coordinates thus obtained.
In the prior art, the necessity of the three-dimensionally moving device makes the measuring device complicated structurally. Furthermore, the operation of attaching the contacting members to the member is bothersome for the operator.

Device for measuring a three-dimensional shape of an elongate member


The invention relates to a battery holder (1) for galvanic cells, in which a first honeycomb structure (2.1 to 2.n), comprising a lower and an upper basic cooling body (3.1, 3.2) and at least one intermediate cooling body (4), is provided, wherein in each case, galvanic cells can be arranged on a cell level (5.1 to 5.n) in each case between one of the basic cooling bodies (3.1, 3.2) and one of the intermediate cooling bodies (4) and/or between two of the intermediate cooling bodies (4), wherein the galvanic cells of one of the cell levels (5.1 to 5.n) are displaced to the side to the galvanic cells of at least one adjacent cell level (5.1 to 5.n) by half the width of a galvanic cell, and wherein the intermediate cooling body (4) and the basic cooling bodies (3.1, 3.2) are formed in an area between the galvanic cells according to the outer contours of the galvanic cells, and wherein each of the cooling bodies (3.1, 3.2, 4) comprises at least on one end which lies in an axial direction to the galvanic cells a cooling chamber (8), through which a cooling medium (K) can flow, into which the cooling medium (K) can flow from at least one cooling chamber (K) of at least one adjacent cooling body (3.1, 3.2, 4) and/or from which the cooling medium (K) can flow out into at least one cooling chamber (8) of at least one of the adjacent cooling bodies (3.1, 3.2, 4), wherein at least one cooling chamber (8) of at least one of the cooling bodies (3.1, 3.2, 4) comprises a cooling agent inflow (6) and/or a cooling agent outflow (7).

The invention relates to a battery holder with integrated cooling, in particular for the retention of cylindrical galvanic cells as are used in hybrid vehicles.
Electric and hybrid vehicles require powerful energy storage units in the form of galvanic cells for electrically driving the vehicles. For this purpose, lithium ion accumulators have become established, since they combine the advantages of a high energy density and a low memory effect. Due to the high temperatures which can on the one hand occur in the engine room of vehicles in particular, and on the other, are generated by the accumulators themselves as a result of high currents when the accumulators are being charged and discharged, it is necessary to actively cool the accumulators, since high temperatures can in part significantly reduce their working life.
The object of the invention is therefore to provide a battery holder with integrated, active cooling.

Method and device for determining the ageing of a battery


A power amplifier including: a first amplifier PA2 having an input terminal and an output terminal; a passive circuit PC3 having an input terminal and an output terminal; and a first switch SW2 having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals, one of the multi-throw terminals of the first switch SW2 being connected to the input terminal of the first amplifier PA2 and the other of the multi-throw terminals of the first switch SW2 being connected to the input terminal of the passive circuit PC3. This makes it possible to provide a power amplifier and a communication unit which can be operated with different frequencies, output powers or modulation types.

The present invention relates to a power amplifier and a communication unit which process signals; at least one of the frequencies, the output powers and the modulation types of which are different from each other; and more particularly relates to a power amplifier and a communication unit having at least one switch.
In recent years, various kinds of information communication units, such as cellular phone units and portable information terminals, have been developed or have just started to be commercialized all over the world. Each of these information communication units operates based on its unique system. Thus, the frequency bands, the output powers and the modulation types are different from each other among these systems. Consequently, transmission power amplifiers adapted for the respective systems have been developed and integrated into the terminals.
In Japan, two types of communication methods are utilized for automobile radiotelephone units and cellular phone units, i.e., an analog type FM (frequency modulation) type and a digital type xcfx80/4 shift DQPSK (differential quadrature phase shift keying) type. Both of the analog and the digital types are assigned to the frequency band of 800 MHz, while only the digital type is assigned to the 1.5 GHz band. Furthermore, a cellular phone called xe2x80x9cPHSxe2x80x9d (personal handy-phone system) is for a digital type xcfx80/4 shift DQPSK type and the 1.9 GHz band. The output power of automobile radiotelephone units and cellular phone units is on the order of 1 W, whereas that of cellular phones is on the order of 10 mW. Since the former phone units have a cell radius of several kilometers and a hand-over function, the phone units of the former type can be used for communication even during travel in an automobile or the like. On the other hand, the phone units of the latter type have a cell radius of several hundreds of meters and have been developed by such an approach as to utilize conventional indoor-use cordless phone units for outdoor use. Furthermore, though the 2.4 GHz band, i.e., the ISM (Industrial Scientific Medical) band, has been globally assigned to industrial, scientific and medical applications, it is also under consideration to apply the ISM band to wireless LANs (local area networks) within offices, factories or various kinds of sites in accordance with the spread spectrum (SS) type so as to comply with the standard in which the output power is 10 mW/MHz (frequency band: 26 MHz). As can be seen from these tendencies, information communication units, which can be used anywhere at any time, will surely be popular for use in daily life in the near future.
Conventionally, a transmission power amplifier satisfying the desired frequency band and the desired output power is integrated into the corresponding terminal depending upon which of these types the terminal is based on. Thus, a user has been required either to have terminals of different types corresponding to the domestic service areas and applications, or to buy an expensive, large-sized terminal compatible with several different types for itself.
FIG. 35 is a block diagram of a conventional example. This conventional example is a multi-stage power amplifier for transmitting two different radio frequency (RF) signals having different frequency bands and output powers, in which two banks of power amplifiers corresponding to the respective frequency bands are used.
A first power amplifier PA1 includes: a first input matching circuit PA104; a first GaAs MESFET PA101; a first inter-stage matching circuit PA105; a second GaAs MESFET PA102; a second inter-stage matching circuit PA106; a third GaAs MESFET PA103; and a first output matching circuit PA107.
A second power amplifier PA2 includes: a second input matching circuit PA204; a fourth GaAs MESFET PA201; a third inter-stage matching circuit PA205; a fifth GaAs MESFET PA202; a fourth inter-stage matching circuit PA206; a sixth GaAs MESFET PA203; and a second output matching circuit PA207.
The power amplifier of this conventional example is surely compatible with different output powers, modulation types and frequency bands, but requires a larger number of components for a single configuration. Thus, such a power amplifier is contrary to the recent requirement of downsizing a terminal and adversely increases the costs thereof.
FIG. 36 is a simplified circuit diagram of a radio frequency (RF) integrated circuit described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 8-88524 which was laid open (laid-open publication date: Apr. 2, 1996) posterior to the priority date of the present application. This patent publication relates to an RF integrated circuit including an amplifier operating in both of analog and digital types. As shown in FIG. 36, the drain 3604 of an FET 3601 on the last stage of the amplifier is connected to the input terminal of an analog type output matching circuit PC1 and the input terminal of a digital type output matching circuit PC2 via a switch SW1. The output terminal of the analog type output matching circuit PC1 and the output terminal of the digital type output matching circuit PC2 are connected to an output terminal 3605 via a switch SW2. By switching the output matching circuits PC1 and PC2 and selecting one of them via the switches, the operation corresponding to each type can be performed.
FIG. 37 shows a graph (a) showing the variations in distortion D and power added efficiency xcex7 (i.e., the ratio of the difference between the input RF power and the output RF power with respect to the DC power supplied to an amplifier) with respect to an input power Pin and a graph (b) showing the variation in output power Pout with respect to the input power Pin.
FIG. 38 is a graph showing the input power dependences of the output matching circuits PC1 and PC2. The axis of the abscissas indicates the input power Pin, while the axis of the ordinates indicates the output power Pout. Moreover, Pn denotes a nominal output power. In the region where the output power varies linearly with respect to the input power, the distortion and the power added efficiency are low. On the other hand, in the region where the output power varies non-linearly with respect to a higher input power, the distortion and the power added efficiency become high. In view of these characteristics, PC1 for the analog type and PC2 for the digital type of the power amplifier are configured so as to have the RF power input/output characteristics shown in FIG. 38. More specifically, in operation, PC1 for the analog type does not require the linearity of the output power with respect to the input power and is configured so as to have a high power added efficiency (i.e., subjected to an efficiency matching). On the other hand, PC2 for the digital type is configured so as to ensure the linearity of the output power with respect to the input power (i.e., subjected to a distortion matching) such that a distortion is not generated in an RF signal passing through the amplifier during the operation. Then, the power added efficiency thereof becomes lower than that of the analog type.
Examining the disclosure of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 8-88524, the integrated circuit described therein can be regarded as being compatible with the analog and the digital signals in the same frequency band (900 MHz) and with the same output power. Thus, in the above-described integrated circuit, the output matching circuits PC1 and PC2 thereof are subjected to an impedance matching such that the loss of a transmitted signal is minimized with respect to the same frequency band. Therefore, in the case of transmitting RF signals in different frequency bands, the impedances cannot be matched with each other, thereby increasing the loss. As a result, the integrated circuit has a problem in that a desired output power and a desired distortion cannot be obtained in such a case. Furthermore, assume that the output powers are different from each other (e.g., a power on the order of 1 W and a power on the order of 100 mW are processed by PC1 and PC2, respectively). Then, in order to output a power on the order of 100 mW by using an active element capable of outputting a power on the order of 1 W, a mechanism for controlling the input power of the FET is indispensable. If the active element is operated on the order of 100 mW by reducing the input power under such a control mechanism, then the power added efficiency is extremely decreased as compared with the operation on the order of 1 W, thereby adversely increasing the power consumption. As a result, when an information communication unit is driven by a battery, the longevity of the battery is disadvantageously shortened. In addition, such a power amplifier is not compatible with RF signals, the frequencies and the output powers of which are both different from each other. Furthermore, in case where such a power amplifier is used as an integrated part of an information communication unit having transmission and reception functions, some selection means for switching a signal to be transmitted by the power amplifier and a signal received via an antenna is required to be provided. Nevertheless, this point is not referred to in the above-cited patent publication. In other words, the correlation between the transmission function of a power amplifier for switching the output matching circuits in accordance with the analog and the digital types and the transmission/reception functions of an information communication unit is not mentioned in the above-cited patent publication.
In view of these problems, the present invention has objectives of providing a power amplifier which is commonly applicable to different systems used for various kinds of information communication units (i.e., the systems having different frequency bands, output powers to be transmitted and modulation types) and can be formed in a reduced size at lower costs, and providing a highly value-added communication unit by using such a power amplifier.
According to the present invention, a power amplifier is provided. The power amplifier includes: a first amplifier having an input terminal and an output terminal; a passive circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal; and a first switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals. In the power amplifier, one of the multi-throw terminals of the first switch is connected to the input terminal of the first amplifier and the other of the multi-throw terminals of the first switch is connected to the input terminal of the passive circuit.
In one embodiment, the power amplifier further includes a second switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals. One of the multi-throw terminals of the second switch is connected to the output terminal of the first amplifier and the other of the multi-throw terminals of the second switch is connected to the output terminal of the passive circuit.
In another embodiment, the first amplifier includes discrete components.
In still another embodiment, the power amplifier further includes a second amplifier having an input terminal and an output terminal. The single-pole terminal of the first switch is connected to the output terminal of the second amplifier.
In still another embodiment, a 3 dB band width of the second amplifier includes a range from about 800 MHz to about 2.5 GHz.
In still another embodiment, gain characteristics of the second amplifier include at least two peaks.
In still another embodiment, a first band which is a frequency range corresponding to a range from a first gain at a first peak of the gain characteristics of the second amplifier to xe2x88x923 dB of the first gain, includes 1.5 GHz and, a second band which is a frequency range corresponding to a range from a second gain at a second peak of the gain characteristics of the second amplifier to xe2x88x923 dB of the second gain, includes 1.9 GHz.
In still another embodiment, a first band which is a frequency range corresponding to a range from a first gain at a first peak of the gain characteristics of the second amplifier to xe2x88x923 dB of the first gain, includes 900 MHz and, a second band which is a frequency range corresponding to a range from a second gain at a second peak of the gain characteristics of the second amplifier to xe2x88x923 dB of the second gain, includes 1.9 GHz.
In still another embodiment, the first switch and the second amplifier are formed on one and the same semiconductor substrate.
In still another embodiment, the passive circuit is formed on the semiconductor substrate.
In still another embodiment, the power amplifier further includes a power supply controller for controlling a power to be supplied to the first amplifier in response to switching of the first switch.
In still another embodiment, the first amplifier receives, amplifies and then outputs an analog signal and the passive circuit receives and outputs a digital signal.
In still another embodiment, the first amplifier receives and outputs a first digital signal and the passive circuit receives and outputs a second digital signal.
In still another embodiment, the first amplifier receives and outputs a signal having a first frequency and the passive circuit receives and outputs a signal having a second frequency, the first frequency and the second frequency being different from each other.
In still another embodiment, the first amplifier outputs a signal having a first output power, the passive circuit outputs a signal having a second output power and a ratio of the first output power to the second output power is equal to larger than 5.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a communication unit is provided. The communication unit includes: a first amplifier having an input terminal and an output terminal; a passive circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal; a first switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals; a second switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals; a third switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals; a front end circuit; and an antenna. In the communication unit, one of the multi-throw terminals of the first switch is connected to the input terminal of the first amplifier and the other of the multi-throw terminals of the first switch is connected to the input terminal of the passive circuit. One of the multi-throw terminals of the second switch is connected to the output terminal of the first amplifier and the other of the multi-throw terminals of the second switch is connected to the output terminal of the passive circuit. One of the multi-throw terminals of the third switch is connected to the single-pole terminal of the second switch, the other of the multi-throw terminals of the third switch is connected to the front end circuit and the single-pole terminal of the third switch is connected to the antenna.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, a communication unit is provided. The communication unit includes: a first amplifier having an input terminal and an output terminal; a passive circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal; a first switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals; a first antenna; and a second antenna. One of the multi-throw terminals of the first switch is connected to the input terminal of the first amplifier and the other of the multi-throw terminals of the first switch is connected to the input terminal of the passive circuit. The output terminal of the first amplifier is connected to the first antenna and the output terminal of the second amplifier is connected to the second antenna.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, a power amplifier is provided. The power amplifier includes: a first amplifier having an input terminal and an output terminal; a second amplifier having an input terminal and an output terminal; and a first switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals. One of the multi-throw terminals of the first switch is connected to the input terminal of the first amplifier and the other of the multi-throw terminals of the first switch is connected to the input terminal of the second amplifier.
In one embodiment, the power amplifier further includes a second switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals. One of the multi-throw terminals of the second switch is connected to the output terminal of the first amplifier and the other of the multi-throw terminals of the second switch is connected to the output terminal of the second amplifier.
In another embodiment, the first amplifier and the second amplifier include discrete components.
In still another embodiment, the single-pole terminal of the first switch is connected to an output terminal of a third amplifier.
In still another embodiment, a 3 dB band width of the third amplifier includes a range from about 800 MHz to about 2.5 GHz.
In still another embodiment, gain characteristics of the third amplifier include at least two peaks.
In still another embodiment, a first band which is a frequency range corresponding to a range from a first gain at a first peak of the gain characteristics of the third amplifier to xe2x88x923 dB of the first gain, includes 1.5 GHz and, a second band which is a frequency range corresponding to a range from a second gain at a second peak of the gain characteristics of the third amplifier to xe2x88x923 dB of the second gain, includes 1.9 GHz.
In still another embodiment, a first band which is a frequency range corresponding to a range from a first gain at a first peak of the gain characteristics of the third amplifier to xe2x88x923 dB of the first gain, includes 900 MHz and, a second band which is a frequency range corresponding to a range from a second gain at a second peak of the gain characteristics of the third amplifier to xe2x88x923 dB of the second gain, includes 1.9 GHz.
In still another embodiment, at least two of the first switch, the second switch, the first amplifier, the second amplifier and the third amplifier are formed on one and the same semiconductor substrate.
In still another embodiment, the second amplifier is formed on the semiconductor substrate.
In still another embodiment, the power amplifier further includes a power supply controller for controlling a power to be supplied to at least one of the first amplifier and the second amplifier in response to switching of the first switch.
In still another embodiment, the first amplifier receives, amplifies and then outputs an analog signal and the second amplifier receives, amplifies and then outputs a digital signal.
In still another embodiment, the first amplifier receives and outputs a first digital signal and the second amplifier receives and outputs a second digital signal.
In still another embodiment, the first amplifier receives and outputs a signal having a first frequency and the second amplifier receives and outputs a signal having a second frequency, the first frequency and the second frequency being different from each other.
In still another embodiment, the first amplifier outputs a signal having a first output power, the second amplifier outputs a signal having a second output power and a ratio of the first output power to the second output power is equal to larger than 5.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, a communication unit is provided. The communication unit includes: a first amplifier having an input terminal and an output terminal; a second amplifier having an input terminal and an output terminal; a first switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals; a second switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals; a third switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals; a front end circuit; and an antenna. One of the multi-throw terminals of the first switch is connected to the input terminal of the first amplifier and the other of the multi-throw terminals of the first switch is connected to the input terminal of the second amplifier. One of the multi-throw terminals of the second switch is connected to the output terminal of the first amplifier and the other of the multi-throw terminals of the second switch is connected to the output terminal of the second amplifier. One of the multi-throw terminals of the third switch is connected to the single-pole terminal of the second switch, the other of the multi-throw terminals of the third switch is connected to the front end circuit and the single-pole terminal of the third switch is connected to the antenna.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, a communication unit is provided. The communication unit includes: a first amplifier having an input terminal and an output terminal; a second amplifier having an input terminal and an output terminal; a first switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals; a first antenna; and a second antenna. One of the multi-throw terminals of the first switch is connected to the input terminal of the first amplifier and the other of the multi-throw terminals of the first switch is connected to the input terminal of the second amplifier. The output terminal of the first amplifier is connected to the first antenna and the output terminal of the second amplifier is connected to the second antenna.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, a power amplifier is provided. The power amplifier includes: a first passive circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal; a second passive circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal; a first switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals; and an amplifier having an input terminal and an output terminal. One of the multi-throw terminals of the first switch is connected to the input terminal of the first passive circuit, the other of the multi-throw terminals of the first switch is connected to the input terminal of the second passive circuit and the output terminal of the amplifier is connected to the single-pole terminal of the first switch.
In one embodiment, the power amplifier further includes a second switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals. One of the multi-throw terminals of the second switch is connected to the output terminal of the first passive circuit and the other of the multi-throw terminals of the second switch is connected to the output terminal of the second passive circuit.
In another embodiment, the amplifier includes discrete components.
In still another embodiment, a 3 dB band width of the amplifier includes a range from about 800 MHz to about 2.5 GHz.
In still another embodiment, gain characteristics of the amplifier include at least two peaks.
In still another embodiment, a first band which is a frequency range corresponding to a range from a first gain at a first peak of the gain characteristics of the amplifier to xe2x88x923 dB of the first gain, includes 1.5 GHz and, a second band which is a frequency range corresponding to a range from a second gain at a second peak of the gain characteristics of the amplifier to xe2x88x923 dB of the second gain, includes 1.9 GHz.
In still another embodiment, a first band which is a frequency range corresponding to a range from a first gain at a first peak of the gain characteristics of the amplifier to xe2x88x923 dB of the first gain, includes 900 MHz and, a second band which is a frequency range corresponding to a range from a second gain at a second peak of the gain characteristics of the amplifier to xe2x88x923 dB of the second gain, includes 1.9 GHz.
In still another embodiment, the first switch and the amplifier are formed on one and the same semiconductor substrate.
In still another embodiment, at least one of the first passive circuit and the second passive circuit is formed on the semiconductor substrate.
In still another embodiment, the first passive circuit receives and outputs an analog signal and the second passive circuit receives and outputs a digital signal.
In still another embodiment, the first passive circuit receives and outputs a first digital signal and the second passive circuit receives and outputs a second digital signal.
In still another embodiment, the first passive circuit receives and outputs a signal having a first frequency and the second passive circuit receives and outputs a signal having a second frequency, the first frequency and the second frequency being different from each other.
In still another embodiment, the first frequency is higher than the second frequency.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, a communication unit is provided. The communication unit includes: a first passive circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal; a second passive circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal; a first switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals; a second switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals; a third switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals; a front end circuit; and an antenna. One of the multi-throw terminals of the first switch is connected to the input terminal of the first passive circuit and the other of the multi-throw terminals of the first switch is connected to the input terminal of the second passive circuit. One of the multi-throw terminals of the second switch is connected to the output terminal of the first passive circuit and the other of the multi-throw terminals of the second switch is connected to the output terminal of the second passive circuit. One of the multi-throw terminals of the third switch is connected to the single-pole terminal of the second switch, the other of the multi-throw terminals of the third switch is connected to the front end circuit and the single-pole terminal of the third switch is connected to the antenna.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, a communication unit is provided. The communication unit includes: a first passive circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal; a second passive circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal; a first switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals; a first antenna; and a second antenna. One of the multi-throw terminals of the first switch is connected to the input terminal of the first passive circuit and the other of the multi-throw terminals of the first switch is connected to the input terminal of the second passive circuit. The output terminal of the first passive circuit is connected to the first antenna and the output terminal of the second passive circuit is connected to the second antenna.
In one embodiment, the power amplifier further includes: a third passive circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal; a fourth passive circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal; a second switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals; and a third switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals. One of the multi-throw terminals of the second switch is connected to the input terminal of the third passive circuit and the other of the multi-throw terminals of the second switch is connected to the input terminal of the fourth passive circuit. One of the multi-throw terminals of the third switch is connected to the output terminal of the third passive circuit and the other of the multi-throw terminals of the third switch is connected to the output terminal of the fourth passive circuit.
In another embodiment, the power amplifier further includes a fourth switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals. One of the multi-throw terminals of the fourth switch is connected to the output terminal of the first passive circuit and the other of the multi-throw terminals of the fourth switch is connected to the output terminal of the second passive circuit.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, a communication unit is provided. The communication unit includes: a first passive circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal; a second passive circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal; a third passive circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal; a fourth passive circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal; a first switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals; a second switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals; a third switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals; a fourth switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals; a fifth switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals; an amplifier having an input terminal and an output terminal; a front end circuit; and an antenna. One of the multi-throw terminals of the first switch is connected to the input terminal of the first passive circuit, the other of the multi-throw terminals of the first switch is connected to the input terminal of the second passive circuit and the output terminal of the amplifier is connected to the single-pole terminal of the first switch. One of the multi-throw terminals of the second switch is connected to the input terminal of the third passive circuit and the other of the multi-throw terminals of the second switch is connected to the input terminal of the fourth passive circuit. One of the multi-throw terminals of the third switch is connected to the output terminal of the third passive circuit and the other of the multi-throw terminals of the third switch is connected to the output terminal of the fourth passive circuit. One of the multi-throw terminals of the fourth switch is connected to the output terminal of the first passive circuit and the other of the multi-throw terminals of the fourth switch is connected to the output terminal of the second passive circuit. One of the multi-throw terminals of the fifth switch is connected to the single-pole terminal of the fourth switch, the other of the multi-throw terminals of the fifth switch is connected to the front end circuit and the single-pole terminal of the fifth switch is connected to the antenna.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, a communication unit is provided. The communication unit includes: a first passive circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal; a second passive circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal; a third passive circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal; a fourth passive circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal; a first switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals; a second switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals; a third switch having a single-pole terminal and two multi-throw terminals; an amplifier having an input terminal and an output terminal; a first antenna; and a second antenna. One of the multi-throw terminals of the first switch is connected to the input terminal of the first passive circuit, the other of the multi-throw terminals of the first switch is connected to the input terminal of the second passive circuit and the output terminal of the amplifier is connected to the single-pole terminal of the first switch. One of the multi-throw terminals of the second switch is connected to the input terminal of the third passive circuit and the other of the multi-throw terminals of the second switch is connected to the input terminal of the fourth passive circuit. One of the multi-throw terminals of the third switch is connected to the output terminal of the third passive circuit and the other of the multi-throw terminals of the third switch is connected to the output terminal of the fourth passive circuit. The output terminal of the first passive circuit is connected to the first antenna and the output terminal of the second passive circuit is connected to the second antenna.
Thus, the invention described herein makes possible the advantages of providing a power amplifier which is commonly applicable to different systems (i.e., the systems having different frequency bands, output powers to be transmitted and modulation types) and can be formed in a reduced size at lower costs, and providing a highly value-added communication unit by using such a power amplifier.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


The present disclosure proposes a method, an apparatus, a device, and a medium for calibrating an intelligent roadside unit. The method includes: obtaining an intelligent driving vehicle within a preset range of the intelligent roadside unit; obtaining a first point cloud detected by a first radar in the intelligent driving vehicle, and obtaining location information of the intelligent driving vehicle; obtaining a second point cloud detected by a second radar in the intelligent roadside unit; and obtaining location information of the second radar based on the first point cloud, the second point cloud, and the location information of the intelligent driving vehicle.

An intelligent roadside unit is an important support for automatic driving. With intelligent requirements for the intelligent roadside unit, it is necessary to add a variety of sensor detectors, such as a radar or a camera, on the intelligent roadside unit, to improve an active sensing ability of the intelligent roadside unit.
In the related art, a location of the intelligent roadside unit may be obtained through GPS (Global Positioning System). However, the location of the intelligent roadside unit obtained through GPS cannot meet requirements of accuracy due to high requirements of automatic driving for accuracy of a map. Furthermore, the location of intelligent roadside unit, and the location of the radar in the intelligent roadside unit both should be provided during a navigation.

Method, apparatus, device and medium for calibrating intelligent roadside unit

Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.


A corrosion resistant, electrically-conductive, durable plate at least partially coated with an anchor coating and a corrosion resistant coating. The corrosion resistant coating made of at least a polymer and a plurality of corrosion resistant particles each having a surface area between about 1-20 m2/g and a diameter less than about 10 microns. Preferably, the plate is used as a bipolar plate in a proton exchange membrane (PEMFC) fuel cell stack.

Fuel cells are poised for future power generation, providing an efficient and clean alternative to current power sources, especially portable or on-site power generation. Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are especially equipped to power the automobiles of the future as they operate at low temperatures and have shown to have high power densities (over 2 kW/1 and 1 W/cm2).
As a single fuel cell will generally not provide enough power for the efficient operation of automobiles or portable electronics, generally a plurality of fuel cells are stacked to aggregate their power generation. The fuel cells are each separated by a bipolar plate, which electrically connects the fuel cells together, combining their power output, while also allowing the reaction gases and reaction products to pass to and from the fuel cells. U.S. Pat. No. 4,175,165, hereby fully incorporated by reference, describes one example of bipolar plates used in a fuel cell stack. Bipolar plates allow multiple fuel cells to be stacked together, aggregating their power, in a compact efficient design, minimizing size and electrical resistance across the fuel cell stack.
Bipolar plates in a fuel cell stack provide structured surfaces to guide reaction gases and reaction products through defined channels as they enter and leave the fuel cells while also electrically connecting the fuel cells. These bipolar plates therefore need to be gas impermeable, electrically-conductive, corrosion resistant, light-weight, strong, flexible and economical to manufacture. In particular, bipolar plates must withstand the corrosive effects of the cathodes of adjacent fuel cells, the corrosive nature of the reaction gases and reaction products (humidity), any heat transfer fluids used to cool the fuel cell stack, and combinations thereof.
Bipolar plates used today generally use machined graphite plates, that are electrically-conductive, corrosion resistant and gas impermeable. Unfortunately, graphite plates are expensive, inflexible and succumb to brittle fracture. Attempts have been made to use lower cost and more durable metals such as stainless steels, aluminum, nickel, titanium and other alloys, which can be made gas impermeable. However, these materials are susceptible to severe corrosion due to the acidic conditions of fuel cells, such as PEMFCs.
Some attempts have been made to provide metallurgical coatings to protect the base metals, but these have proven to be costly and time consuming. Recently, there have been efforts to develop a bipolar plate out of polymer-composites, however these polymer-composite plates do not have sufficient gas impermeability, nor do they provided suitable electrical conductivity. Furthermore, polymer-composite bipolar plates are prone to failure at temperatures over 80° C.
Therefore, there exists a need for a gas impermeable, electrically-conductive, corrosion resistant, light-weight, strong, flexible and low cost material for use in applications such as bipolar plates for fuel cell stacks.

Corrosion-resistant, electrically-conductive plate for use in a fuel cell stack

The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy


A system for welding with a first and second arc between a first and second electrode, respectively, and a common workpiece, where each of the electrodes is driven by a power lead from a single power source. The system comprises an inductor with a core, a center tap, a first end, a second end, a first coil section between the tap and the first end and a second coil section between the tap and the second end where the power lead is connected to the tap. A first circuit connecting the first arc in series with the first coil section and a second circuit connecting the second arc in series with the second coil section, a first separate auxiliary inductor in the first circuit between the first coil section and the first arc and a second separate auxiliary inductor in the second circuit between the second coil section and the second arc.

When using multiple arcs, such as an automatic welding process having tandem arranged electrodes, it has become common practice to use a separate power source for each electrode used to create an arc for the welding process. Such system and method is expensive and involves substantial space and weight, especially when the power sources must be moved around a pipe during the welding operation. To reduce the cost and weight for automatic welding with two or more arcs, a single power source has been suggested where a choke mounted interior of the power source limits the amount of current flow, especially when one of the arcs is inadvertently shorted. This solves the excessive current problem; however, there is a more basic problem. When there is a short circuit of one arc, all current from the power source to the choke is directed to the electrode that is short circuited. Consequently, the arc or arcs associated with the other electrodes are extinguished and must be restarted when the short circuit is cleared. To alleviate this problem, often the tandem electrode arrangement is operated in a spray mode to minimize inadvertent short circuits and, thus, eliminates the problem of a short circuit in one arc extinguishing the other arcs. This solution to the problem drastically reduces the versatility of the welding operation using tandem electrodes in an automatic welding process.


The invention provides a method and system that performs transaction processing using a payment bookmark that is associated with a user bookmarked link. The system includes a computer processor constituted by a communication portion; a database; and a bookmark processing portion. The communication portion interfaces with the user to input selection of a payment bookmark, and upon selection of the payment bookmark, the computer processor invoking the bookmark processing portion, and the payment bookmark being mapped to the user bookmarked link (UB link) stored in the database. The UB link is constituted by UB link data, and the UB link data including core link data. The bookmark processing portion performs processing to retrieve available transaction data to append to the core link data of the UB link. The bookmark processing portion outputs the UB link including the UB link data to a server over a network.

The systems and methods described herein relate to payment processing and related processing.
In the present technological environment, people routinely perform online transactions. For example, such online transactions might be in the form of a user purchasing an item from a particular merchant's website. Such processing typically involves the user interfacing with the merchant website so as to select a particular item to be purchased, and thereafter completing the purchase through further interface with the merchant website. Such further interfacing with the merchant website may include the population of fields so as to collect the user's personal data (such as home address and shipping information) and payment data. The payment data might include the user's credit card number, expiration date and related information, for example.
However, current processing techniques are insufficient in some respects to provide desired convenience for people and insufficient in some respects to provide secure and efficient processing of a requested transaction.
Therefore, improvements are needed to accommodate the evolving needs of people in performing online transactions. The systems and methods of the invention provide such improvements.

Systems and methods for bookmark payment processing


A desanding vessel is inserted in a high velocity fluid stream containing entrained particulates. The vessel comprises an upper freeboard portion having a large cross-sectional wherein the fluid stream velocity drops and particulates fall from suspension. Preferably the fluid stream is introduced offset upwardly from an axis of a horizontally oriented cylindrical vessel, released particulates falling to accumulate in a lower belly portion. The freeboard portion is maintained using a depending flow barrier adjacent the vessel's outlet which sets the depth of accumulation in the belly portion. A cleanout enables periodic removal of accumulations.

Production from wells in the oil and gas industry often contain particulates such as sand. These particulates could be part of the formation from which the hydrocarbon is being produced, introduced particulates from hydraulic fracturing or fluid loss material from drilling mud or fracturing fluids or from a phase change of produced hydrocarbons caused by changing conditions at the wellbore (Asphalt or wax formation). As the particulates are produced, problems occur due to abrasion, and plugging of production equipment. In a typical startup after stimulating a well by fracturing, the stimulated well may produce sand until the well has stabilized, often up to a month after production commences. Other wells may require extended use of the desander 10.
In the case of gas wells, fluid velocities can be high enough that the erosion of the production equipment is severe enough to cause catastrophic failure. High fluid stream velocities are typical and are even purposefully designed for elutriating particles up the well and to the surface. An erosive failure of this nature can become a serious safety and environmental issue for the well operator. A failure such as a breach of high pressure piping or equipment releases uncontrolled high velocity flow of fluid which is hazardous to service personnel. Release to the environment is damaging to the environment resulting in expensive cleanup and loss of production. Repair costs are also high.
In all cases, retention of particulates contaminates both surface equipment and the produced fluids and impairs the normal operation of the oil and gas gathering systems and process facilities.
In one prior art system, a pressurized tank ("P-Tank") is placed on the wellsite and the well is allowed to produce fluid and particulates. The fluid stream is produced from a wellhead and into a P-Tank until sand production ceases. The large size of the P-Tank usually restricts the maximum operating pressure of the vessel to something in the order of 1,000-2,100 kPa. In the case of a gas well, this requires some pressure control to be placed on the well to protect the P-Tank. Further, for a gas well, a pressure reduction usually is associated with an increase in gas velocity which in turn makes sand-laden wellhead effluent much more abrasive. Another problem associated with this type of desanding technique is that it is only a temporary solution. If the well continues to make sand, the solution becomes prohibitively expensive. In most situations with this kind of temporary solution, the gas vapors are not conserved and sold as a commercial product.
An alternate known prior art system includes employing filters to remove particulates. A common design is to have a number of fiber-mesh filter bags placed inside a pressure vessel. The density of the filter bag fiber-mesh is matched to the anticipated size of the particulates. Filter bags are generally not effective in the removal of particulates in a multiphase conditions. Usually multiphase flow in the oil and gas operations is unstable. Large slugs of fluid followed by a gas mist is common. In these cases, the fiber bags become a cause a pressure drop and often fail due to the liquid flow therethrough. Due to the high chance of failure, filter bags may not be trusted to remove particulates in critical applications or where the flow parameters of a well are unknown. An additional problem with filter bags in most jurisdictions is the cost associated with disposal. The fiber-mesh filter bags are considered to be contaminated with hydrocarbons and must be disposed of in accordance to local environmental regulation.
Clearly there is a need for more versatile and cost effective system of particulate handling.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.