A system and method for reducing harmonics in a circuit is disclosed. The system comprises a main rectifier,   (            n      3        -    1    )

Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
The present invention relates to a system and method for reducing harmonics in a circuit, and in particular, to an autotransformer-based system and method of current harmonics reduction in a circuit.
AC to DC conversion is used in various applications such as motor drives. A three-phase diode bridge is a typical example of an AC to DC converter. These devices draw line currents that are rich in harmonics during the conversion process. With the widespread use of such non-linear devices to satisfy our technological needs, it has become necessary to tackle problems associated with current harmonics such as overheating of distribution transformers, transmission lines, voltage distortion and power system instability, all of which can lead to power system breakdowns. This has become all the more imperative due to the growing presence of loads that need good quality power such as computers.
Several methods have been developed over the years to reduce line current harmonics. One approach specifically geared towards diode bridge type loads is to increase the number of line phases connected to the diode bridge and hence the number of rectification pulses. However the use of bulky line frequency magnetics is a drawback. In addition, increasing the number of pulses to achieve greater harmonic current reduction usually results in complicated transformer construction and an increase in cost and size.
FIG. 1 shows the schematic diagram of a conventional wye-wye-delta transformer based 12-pulse rectification scheme. The delta-connected windings of the transformer produce a new set of three-phase voltages that lead by 30xc2x0 with respect to the wye-connected winding voltages. Additional line inductors may be inserted in both lines to further reduce line current distortion. In this case, the entire load power flows through the transformer windings resulting in a bulky and costly solution.
The configuration in FIG. 2 uses a wye-delta transformer to produce a second set of three phases that is 30xc2x0 out of phase with respect to the mains line-voltages. As shown, the mains lines are connected directly to one of the diode bridges. As compared to the transformer of FIG. 1, the wye-delta transformer is rated for only half the load power and hence is smaller in size. However, the diode bridges have to share power equally in order to achieve good harmonic cancellation. For this, inductors have to be inserted in the main lines. This is done to match the leakage impedance of the wye-delta transformer and act as line impedance to the second diode bridge.
In the 12-pulse scheme shown in FIG. 3 and further described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,101,113, an autotransformer is used to generate the second three-phase set. The use of an autotransformer reduces the overall size of the scheme. However the new set of voltages generated through the transformer is not isolated with respect to the original mains inputs. This can cause undesirable interaction between the voltages in either set. Such an interaction takes place through the diode bridge connections and results in the flow of triplen harmonic currents in the system. As a result, true 12-pulse operation is inhibited. In order to prevent interaction between the two voltage sets, a zero-sequence-blocking transformer, which provides a high zero-sequence impedance to triplen harmonic currents, or an autotransformer constructed on a four-limb core must be used. In both cases, this significantly increases the overall size and cost of the scheme. Further, like in the other conventional schemes shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this scheme requires equal power sharing between the diode bridges for good harmonic current reduction. Hence, matched line impedances are required at both diode bridge inputs.
Not only is the reduction of line harmonics desirable, current standards for industrial and residential power electronic equipment such as IEC-555 and EN-61000 require that these be within limits. These standards are now being widely followed in Europe. In the US, IEEE-519 recommendations setting limits on harmonic current generation and source voltage distortion by power electronic equipment are being followed on a voluntary basis.
The present invention overcomes the drawbacks present in existing schemes. In particular, the invention uses interaction between the auxiliary voltages generated by the autotransformer and the main voltages to generate additional three phase voltage sets suitable for increased pulse rectification operation, thus obviating the need for special transformer construction, additional magnetics like zero-sequence-blocking devices, and equal power sharing between diode bridges. Since the autotransformer of the present invention is used exclusively for harmonic current reduction and not for load power delivery, it has a power rating significantly smaller than the transformers used in existing rectification schemes. This in turn results in an extremely simple autotransformer configuration that is compact, cost-effective and rugged and which provides an ideal retrofit solution that fully utilizes the rating of the diode bridge present in an existing load device connected thereto. The present invention also meets the performance objectives specified in IEEE 519 recommendations for sources with impedance 2% or less.
It is in view of the above problems that the present invention is developed. The present invention is directed towards a system for reducing harmonics in a circuit, the circuit being powered by a main three phase power source having a main three phase voltage set, each main phase voltage having a main voltage amplitude and a main voltage phase. The system comprises a main rectifier, an auxiliary rectifier connected to the main rectifier, and an autotransformer connected to the main rectifier and the auxiliary rectifier, the autotransformer adapted to generate a set of three-phase auxiliary voltages, each auxiliary voltage having an auxiliary voltage amplitude and phase, the auxiliary voltage amplitude ranging between 0.70 and 0.75 times the main voltage amplitude, and the auxiliary voltage phase ranging between 55 and 65 degrees out of phase with the main voltage phase, whereby twelve pulse rectification is achieved. The main rectifier has a main rectifier power and the auxiliary rectifier has an auxiliary rectifier power such that the main rectifier power and the auxiliary rectifier power are not substantially equal. In one embodiment, the system is adapted to connect to a load having a load power, wherein the main rectifier power is at least seventy-five percent of the load power.
The autotransformer comprises a plurality of primary windings connected in a delta configuration, and a plurality of secondary windings, each of the secondary windings being electrically connected to a primary winding and magnetically coupled to a different primary winding. The plurality of primary windings comprises a first primary winding, a second primary winding and a third primary winding, and the plurality of secondary windings comprises a first secondary winding, a second secondary winding and a third secondary winding, and wherein the first secondary winding is electrically connected to the first primary winding and magnetically coupled to the third primary winding, the second secondary winding is electrically connected to the second primary winding and magnetically coupled to the first primary winding, and the third secondary winding is electrically connected to the third primary winding and magnetically coupled to the second primary winding.
The system may further comprise a main choke connected between the autotransformer and the main rectifier and an auxiliary choke connected between the autotransformer and the auxiliary rectifier. Alternatively, a choke may be connected between the power source and the autotransformer. In one embodiment, the main rectifier and the auxiliary rectifier are three phase diode bridges, each having three ac inputs and two dc outputs such that the ac inputs of the main diode bridge are connected to the main power source via the primary windings of the autotransformer, the ac inputs of the auxiliary diode bridge are connected to the secondary windings of the autotransformer, and the dc outputs of the main diode bridge and the auxiliary diode bridge are connected in parallel.
The present invention is also directed to a system for reducing harmonics in such a circuit, wherein the system comprises a main rectifier, a first auxiliary rectifier connected to the main rectifier, a second auxiliary rectifier connected to the main rectifier and the first auxiliary rectifier, and an autotransformer connected to the main rectifier, the first auxiliary rectifier, and the second auxiliary rectifier, the autotransformer adapted to generate a first and second set of three-phase auxiliary voltages, each first set of auxiliary voltages having a first auxiliary voltage amplitude and a first auxiliary voltage phase and each second set of auxiliary voltages having a second auxiliary voltage amplitude and a second auxiliary voltage phase, the first and second auxiliary voltage amplitude ranging between 0.73 and 0.78 times the main voltage amplitude, and the first auxiliary voltage phase ranging between 35 and 40 degrees leading with respect to the main voltage phase, and the second auxiliary voltage phase being between 35 and 40 degrees lagging with respect to the main voltage phase, whereby eighteen pulse rectification is achieved.
The plurality of primary windings of the autotransformer comprises a first primary winding, a second primary winding and a third primary winding, and the plurality of secondary windings of the autotransformer comprises a first secondary winding, a second secondary winding, a third secondary winding, a fourth secondary winding, a fifth secondary winding and a sixth secondary winding, and wherein the first secondary winding is electrically connected to the first primary winding and magnetically coupled to the third primary winding, the second secondary winding is electrically connected to the second primary winding and magnetically coupled to the first primary winding, the third secondary winding is electrically connected to the third primary winding and magnetically coupled to the second primary winding, the fourth secondary winding is electrically connected to the first primary winding and magnetically coupled to the second primary winding, the fifth secondary winding is electrically connected to the second primary winding and magnetically coupled to the third primary winding, and the sixth secondary winding is electrically connected to the third primary winding and magnetically coupled to the first primary winding. The main rectifier has a main rectifier power, the first auxiliary rectifier has a first auxiliary rectifier power, and the second auxiliary rectifier has a second auxiliary rectifier power such that the main rectifier power is not substantially equal to either the first or second auxiliary rectifier power. In one embodiment, the system is adapted to connect to a load having a load power, wherein the main rectifier power is at least 66 percent of the load power, and wherein the remainder of the load power is shared substantially equally between the first auxiliary rectifier and the second auxiliary rectifier.
The system may further comprise a main choke connected between the autotransformer and the main rectifier, a first auxiliary choke connected between the autotransformer and the first auxiliary rectifier, and a second main choke connected between the autotransformer and the second auxiliary rectifier. Alternatively, a choke may be connected between the power source and the autotransformer. In one embodiment, the main rectifier, the first auxiliary rectifier and the second auxiliary rectifier are three phase diode bridges, each having three ac inputs and two dc outputs such that the ac inputs of the main rectifier are connected to the main power source via the primary windings of the autotransformer, the ac inputs of the first auxiliary rectifier are connected to the first, second and third secondary windings of the autotransformer, the ac inputs of the second auxiliary rectifier are connected to the fourth, fifth and sixth secondary windings of the autotransformer, and the dc outputs of the main diode bridge, the first auxiliary diode bridge, and the second auxiliary diode bridge are connected in parallel.
The present invention is also directed to the autotransformer itself.
The present invention is also directed to a method of reducing harmonics in such a circuit. The method comprises the steps of connecting a plurality of primary windings in a delta configuration, and connecting a plurality of secondary windings to the plurality of primary windings, each of the secondary windings being electrically connected to a primary winding and magnetically coupled to a different primary winding such that the autotransformer generates a set of three-phase auxiliary voltages, each auxiliary voltage having an auxiliary voltage amplitude and phase, the auxiliary voltage amplitude ranging between 0.70 and 0.75 times the main voltage amplitude, and the auxiliary voltage phase ranging between 55 and 65 degrees out of phase with the main voltage phase.
Alternatively, the method may comprise connecting a plurality of primary windings in a delta configuration, and connecting a plurality of secondary windings to the plurality of primary windings, each of the secondary windings being electrically connected to a primary winding and magnetically coupled to a different primary winding such that the autotransformer generates a first and second set of three-phase auxiliary voltages, each first set of auxiliary voltages having a first auxiliary voltage amplitude and a first auxiliary voltage phase and each second set of auxiliary voltages having a second auxiliary voltage amplitude and a second auxiliary voltage phase, the first and second auxiliary voltage amplitudes ranging between 0.73 and 0.78 times the main voltage amplitude, the first auxiliary voltage phase ranging between 35 and 40 degrees leading with respect to the main voltage phase, and the second auxiliary voltage phase ranging between 35 and 40 degrees lagging with respect to the main voltage phase.
The present invention is also directed to an autotransformer-based 2n-pulse rectification system having n phases and being powered by a main three phase power source having a main three phase voltage set, each main three phase voltage set having a main voltage amplitude and a main voltage phase. The system comprises a main rectifier,   (            n      3        -    1    )
auxiliary rectifiers connected C to the main rectifier, and an autotransformer connected to the main rectifier and the   (            n      3        -    1    )
auxiliary rectifiers, the autotransformer adapted to generate   (            n      3        -    1    )
three-phase auxiliary voltage sets, each auxiliary voltage set having an auxiliary voltage amplitude, k, and an auxiliary voltage phase, xcex1, wherein   k  =            4      +              2                          3                                  cos                                (                          θ              -                                                7                                                        xe2x80x83                                                      π                                6                                      )
and wherein   α  =            sin              -        1                        (                                                  3                                    sin                                      xe2x80x83                                    θ                    -          0.5                k            )
assuming a main voltage amplitude of one and a main voltage phase of ninety degrees, wherein   θ  =            180            xc2x0        n
and its integral multiples for all possible real values of k.
The autotransformer comprises a plurality of primary windings connected in a delta configuration, and (nxe2x88x923) secondary windings, each of the secondary windings being electrically connected to a primary winding and magnetically coupled to a different primary winding. The system may further comprise a main choke connected between the autotransformer and the main rectifier and   (            n      3        -    1    )
auxiliary chokes connected between the autotransformer and the n auxiliary rectifiers. Alternatively, a choke is connected between the power source and the autotransformer. In one embodiment, the main rectifier and the   (            n      3        -    1    )
auxiliary rectifiers are three phase diode bridges, each having three ac inputs and two dc outputs such that the ac inputs of the main diode bridge are connected to the main power source via the primary windings of the autotransformer, and the ac inputs of each   (            n      3        -    1    )
auxiliary diode bridge are connected to the secondary windings of the autotransformer, and the dc outputs of the main diode bridge and each   (            n      3        -    1    )
auxiliary diode bridge are connected in parallel.
Finally, the present invention is directed to an autotransformer-based 2n-pulse rectification system having n phases for connection to a load having a load power. The system comprises a main rectifier having a main rectifier power rating, Pmdb, wherein       P    mdb    ≥      (                  n        +        3                    2                n              )
times the load power,   (            n      3        -    1    )
auxiliary rectifiers connected to the main rectifier and having an auxiliary rectifier power rating, Pauxdb, wherein       P    auxdb    ≤      (          3              2                n              )
times the load power, and the autotransformer connected to the main rectifier and the   (            n      3        -    1    )
auxiliary rectifiers.

Abstract: auxiliary rectifiers connected to the main rectifier, and an autotransformer connected to both the main rectifier and the auxiliary rectifiers which provides 2n-pulse rectification where n equals the number of phases of the system. The autotransformer generates   (            n      3        -    1    )

Abstract: and its integral multiples for all possible real values of k. The main rectifier has a main rectifier power rating, Pmdb wherein       P    mdb    ≥      (                  n        +        3                    2                n              )

Abstract: times the load power, and the auxiliary rectifiers each have an auxiliary power rating, Pauxdb, wherein       P    auxdb    ≤      (          3              2                n              )

Abstract: times the load power.


A method, system and computer readable medium for managing program switch requests, the method includes: (i) receiving a request from a first user device to switch from a current program to a next program; wherein the first user device filters the current program by using a first user device set of packet identifiers; (ii) associating the first user device set of packet identifiers with multiple streams of the next program; and (iii) transmitting to the user device the multiple streams of the next program; wherein these multiple streams are associated with the first user device set of packet identifiers.

MPEG Compliant Streams
Methods and systems for compressing and transmitting media signals are known in the art. Compressed digital video is largely becoming the preferred medium to transmit to video viewers everywhere. Part of the Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) specifications are standardized methods for compressing and transmitting video. Various audio compression techniques are also known in the art. In general, MPEG is used today for transmitting video over terrestrial, wireless, satellite and cable communication channels and also for storing digital video.
An audio stream is organized as an ordered sequence of frames. A video stream is usually organized as an ordered sequence of pictures. Each picture includes a plurality of slices, each slice including a plurality of macro blocks. The audio and video streams are provided to an audio encoder and video encoder respectively to generate compressed audio and video elementary streams, also referred to as elementary streams.
Elementary streams are packetized to produce PES packets. PES packets made up of elementary streams that form a program share a common time base. The PES packets may also include additional information. PES packets of distinct elementary streams can be arranged as a Transport Stream.
A Transport Stream combines one or more programs with one or more independent time bases into a single stream. Transport Streams include Transport packets of 188 bytes. Transport Stream packets start with a Transport packet header. The header includes a packet identifier (PID). Transport Stream packets of one PID value carry data of a single elementary stream. The packet identifiers are used by user devices to filter selected streams (relating, for example, to a certain television channel to which the user wishes to be tuned to) out of the Transport Stream.
A Transport Stream includes Program Specific Information (PSI) tables. The PSI tables specify which PIDs and accordingly which elementary streams are associated to form each program.
The PSI tables include a Program Association Table (PAT) and a Program Map Table (PMT) as well as other tables. Each table may be encapsulated in multiple Transport Stream packets. Packets that convey the PAT have a zero valued PID. PAT lists PID values for all PMT. The PAT lists two sets of values—one is a programs number (PN) and the other is the PID value of the Program Map Table associated with that program number. Program Number values are associated with television channels. A certain television channel broadcasts a certain program at a certain point in time. This program includes multiple elementary streams that are multiplexed together and broadcast to multiple user devices.
A program map table lists PID values of all the streams (audio, video, data, etc.) that form a program. A program map table may also include additional metadata pertaining to these streams.
If a user requests to be tuned to a certain television channel (such as but not limited to HBO, CNN, National Geographic, ABC, NBC, Channel four, and the like) a user device (such as a set top box) performs the following operations: (i) retrieve the PAT (filtering zero value PID packets), (ii) find (using the program number associated with the certain television channel) the PID value of the program map table associated with the television channel, (iii) filters the packets that convey the various elementary streams of a program that is being broadcast by the selected television channel based upon their PID values (as listed in the program map table). It is noted that the filtering process is also known as extraction.
In many cases, the user also has to be tuned to a different frequency, as only few programs are transmitted on a single carrier wave.
These mentioned above processes are time consuming and slow down the switching from one program to another. This is noticeable also in switched unicast systems that transmit a unique (unicast) program per user.

System, method and computer readable medium for managing program switch requests


A method and system for redundancy management of an individual blade controller rotor system is provided. The blade controller rotor system has a control computer in a stationary frame and multiple blade controllers in a rotary frame. Each of the blade controllers corresponds to a blade of a rotor system. A slip ring interfaces the stationary frame and the rotary frame. Data is transferred, via the slip ring, between each blade controller and the control computer. Each blade controller accepts and transmits information, including historical blade positions, from the other blade controllers. Each blade controller can determine a valid position for its blade based on a historical position of another blade.

Traditional rotor systems, such as those found in helicopters and wind turbines, encompass several rotary blades and a control system. However, significant improvements can be made to the rotor system by adopting individual blade control (IBC), such as to the maneuverability, performance, structural load, and acoustic signature. Rotorcraft have not adopted IBC in regular use partly due to insufficient supporting safety technologies.
Where IBC has been implemented in rotorcraft, traditional control systems are left intact as a safety backup. However, this redundant configuration poses limitations, both physical and cost, on the system. Without the redundancy, current IBC systems can experience catastrophic failure. As a result, there is a need for a technology that provides redundancy management for IBC rotor systems to decrease the likelihood of loss of blade command position.

Redundancy management for rotor systems with individual blade control

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


A heat resistant negative working photosensitive composition that comprises                (a) one or more polybenzoxazole precursor polymers (I):

In microelectronic applications, polymers that demonstrate high temperature resistance are generally well known. Precursors of such polymers, such as polyimide precursor polymers and polybenzoxazole precursor polymers can be made photoreactive with suitable additives. The precursors are converted to the desired polymer by known techniques such as exposure to high temperatures. The polymer precursors are used to prepare protective layers, insulating layers, and relief structures of highly heat-resistant polymers.
Negative-working photosensitive compositions containing high temperature resistant polymers have been disclosed in, for example, DE-A-2,308,830; DE-A-2,437,348; EP-A-0 119,162, or EP-A-0 624,826, U.S. Pat. No. 5,486,447, U.S. Pat. No. 5,856,065 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,825. The polyamide resist resin in these disclosures contained pendant olefinic groups, which can be crosslinked upon action of irradiation of suitable wavelength, thus forming a negative pattern. While these systems had good imaging properties (high sensitivity, high contrast, low unexposed film loss), some of them (DE-A-2,308,830; DE-A-2,437,348; EP-A-0 119,162, or EP-A-0 624,826) employed organic solvents as developers, which creates environmental concerns during device manufacture.
Furthermore, the prior art photosensitive compositions containing high temperature resistant polymers used NMP (N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone) as a solvent. Since it has been established that NMP has detrimental effects on the performance of chemically amplified 248 and 193 nm photoresists (U.S. Pat. No. 6,277,546 B1; "Influence of Polymer Properties On Airborne Chemical Contamination of Chemically Amplified Resists", W. D, Hinsberg, S. A. MacDonald, N. J. Clecak, C. D. Snyder, and H. Ito, SPIE vol. 1925, pp. 43–52, 1993), use of NMP-containing compositions is prohibited in many semiconductor fabrication facilities where such chemically amplified resists are used.
There are examples in the literature of positive working photosensitive formulations of highly heat-resistant polymer precursors, which contain no NMP and developable in alkaline developer (U.S. Pat. No. 4,339,521, U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,584, U.S. Pat. No. 6,127,086, U.S. Pat. No. 6,177,225 B1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,214,516 B1). While these inventions address the environmental concerns they sometimes exhibit inferior imaging properties such as low contrast and somewhat high dark erosion.
The purpose of this invention is to provide a negative working photosensitive composition suitable for making high temperature resistant patterns, which would have excellent imaging properties, contain no NMP and employ environmentally acceptable aqueous base solutions as developer.

Abstract: wherein x is an integer from about 10 to about 1000, y is an integer from 0 to about 900 and (x+y) is about less then 1000; Ar1 is a tetravalent aromatic group, a tetravalent heterocyclic group, or mixtures thereof; Ar2 is a divalent aromatic, a divalent heterocyclic, a divalent alicyclic, or a divalent aliphatic group that may contain silicon; Ar3 is a divalent aromatic group, a divalent aliphatic group, a divalent heterocyclic group, or mixtures thereof; Ar4 is Ar1 (OH)2 or Ar2; G is a monovalent organic group a carbonyl, carbonyloxy or sulfonyl group;        (b) one or more photo-active compounds which release acid upon irradiation (PAGs);        (c) one or more latent crosslinkers each of which contains at least two ˜N—(CH2OR)n units (n=1 or 2, wherein R is a linear or branched C1–C8 alkyl group);        (d) at least one solvent, and        (e) at least one dissolution rate modifier,        with the proviso that when the latent crosslinker is highly reactive, the dissolution rate modifier does not contain carboxylic acid groups.


A method and apparatus for estimating the frequency of a periodic signal and for canceling the interference in a modem signal. Power line noise may interfere with electronic signals. Since power lines may be either 50 Hz or 60 Hz, depending on the country, frequency estimation of the periodic power line noise is necessary. Modem signals are received and autocorrelated in order to identify the periodic characteristics of the signal over time. Once the frequency is identified, the power line noise is modeled based on creating a circular buffer. Initially, the circular buffer is composed of scaled samples of one cycle of the fundamental frequency of the power line noise. Thereafter, samples are received, scaled, and combined with previous buffer values in order to update the buffer. In this manner, the buffer models the power line noise, so that the power line noise may be removed from the system.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains matter subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure document as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office files and records but otherwise retains all copyrights whatsoever.
The present invention relates to noise detection and, more particularly, to estimation and cancellation of noise in a system or device.
Electronic signals are often composed of a desired signal and noise. The noise may be considered anything undesirable that is included in the electronic signal. At times, the noise may interfere with the interpretation of the desired signal within the electronic signal. In order to interpret the desired signal with greater accuracy, the noise should be removed from, or reduced in, the electronic signal without significantly degrading the desired signal.
One example of a device that receives an electronic signal is a modem. A modem typically modulates information for transmission over a communication channel and demodulates signals received from the communication channel to recover information. Noise may corrupt the modulated signal, thereby degrading the desired signal, thereby requiring the use of noise reduction techniques to recover the desired signal. Other devices which are sensitive to noise include medical devices such as EKG monitors, audio systems, and industrial devices. For example, even though an electronic device is internally well-buffered, such as in the case of an EKG monitor, external power line noise can filter into the system, interrupting the desired signal. As another example, where a machining device has motion control as part of its feedback, the motion control may experience interference from power line noise due to the harsh environment of the machining device.
Moreover, some devices use power lines as the medium by which to send data. The interference from the power line in that instance may significantly interfere with the data communication. Further, other types of electronic signals, such as video signals, may experience a xe2x80x9chumxe2x80x9d due to power line noise. In the case where the video signal must be precise, the xe2x80x9chumxe2x80x9d may interfere with the video.
Noise in a system may be either periodic or non-periodic. One source of periodic noise is the interference from AC power lines. Power line noise is commonly either 50 Hz or 60 Hz, depending on the power convention for the particular country. This type of noise may effect an electronic device in various ways. A high speed modem, for example, may suffer from periodic power line interference from one of several sources. There could be power line noise carried on the phone line to which the modem is connected. There could also be noise from an insufficiently filtered power supply for either the modem itself or the host computer to which the modem is attached.
There are various approaches to reduce noise, and in particular periodic noise, on a system. Two known approaches involve filtering the noise. First, a simple high pass filter may be used. The filter is designed to pass frequencies in the range of the desired signal and to block other frequencies. Thus, this approach may not require that the filter be designed specifically for a known frequency (such as in the power line example of 50 Hz or 60 Hz). In the alternative, a narrow notch filter may be designed if one has a priori knowledge of the frequency of the periodic interference. Both of these approaches may be useful if the frequency of the periodic noise does not fall within the range of the desired signal.
In those instances that require knowledge of the frequency of noise, a method and apparatus may be required for determining the frequency of an interfering periodic signal. Techniques exist which are known in the art for estimating frequencies of periodic signals on a communication channel. These techniques often involve generating a power density spectrum from a data sequence, and then analyzing the spectrum to identify peaks. While these techniques are useful for analysis of an arbitrary spectrum, they may require a large amount of computation. It is desirable to minimize the computational demands of the noise reduction technique. Another known approach is to filter the data sequence using narrow bandpass filters, with one filter centered at each frequency in question, and then compare the amplitudes of the filter outputs. This may be simpler than generating the complete spectrum, but a simpler approach is still desirable.
Once the frequency of the periodic noise is determined, the noise should be reduced or eliminated. In the power line example, desired signals (audio, data communications, etc.) are often corrupted by periodic interference such as from 50/60 Hz power line noise. Various techniques for removing the interference from the signal have been developed, such as high-pass filtering, notch filtering, and adaptive noise cancellation techniques. These techniques are often inadequate for a number of reasons. First, the interference often contains harmonics that exist in the same frequency range as the signal, in which case high-pass filtering is not sufficient. Second, the frequency of the interfering signal may not be known exactly, in which case a notch filter is not acceptable. Third, adaptive noise cancellation techniques typically require a reference which consists of the interference alone without the signal. In many cases, such a reference is unavailable. Fourth, the noise cancellation techniques often treat the periodic noise and the non-periodic desired signal in the same manner causing, in many instances, the desired signal to degrade when attempting to eliminate the noise within the system. For example, a notch filter, which is set at 60 Hz, treats the periodic noise and any desired signal component at 60 Hz equally, so that the desired signal may also be degraded.
A high speed modem is one example of a device that may suffer from periodic interference. Such interference will likely have harmonics throughout the frequency range of the modulated signal. As a further complication, the frequency of the periodic interference may be known approximately but not exactly. In addition, there will typically not be an interference reference available. Accordingly it is desirable to have an improved frequency estimator and interference cancellation method and apparatus.
In a first aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus is provided for identifying the frequency of a periodic signal within an electronic signal by treating the periodic signal as the primary signal and by treating the remaining portion of the electronic signal as background noise, uncorrelated with the periodic signal.
In a second aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus is provided for modeling and reducing periodic noise from an electronic signal. The periodic noise is treated as the primary signal and the remaining portion of the electronic signal is treated as background noise, uncorrelated with the periodic signal.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for determining the frequency of a periodic signal.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for removing periodic interference, such as power line noise, from an electronic signal.

Low complexity frequency estimator and interference cancellation method and device


Provided is a semiconductor pressure sensor which includes: five connection pads having plate shapes and formed of conductive materials, respectively, and arranged in parallel with each other; and four semiconductor resistance units connecting a predetermined pair of the connection pads to each other among the connection pads and having resistance values varying in proportion to a variation of a length due to the external pressure, wherein the five connection pads include a power supply pad, a first output voltage pad, a first ground pad, a second output voltage pad, and a second ground pad.

In general, a pressure sensor is used in the technical field of sensors widely used in vehicles, environmental facilities, medical devices, and the like, and is used in devices that require pressure measurement in environments where vibrations or sudden pressure changes occur frequently. A measurement principle of the pressure sensor is to use a fact that a shape of a semiconductor is changed in proportion to a pressure applied to the semiconductor so as to vary a resistance value of the semiconductor. The pressure sensor includes a Wheatstone bridge to which a voltage is applied, so that, when an external pressure is applied to the Wheatstone bridge, the resistance value of the semiconductor generated due to physical bending is measured to detect a degree of pressure.
A conventional semiconductor pressure sensor is a sensing element exposed to an environment where the pressure is applied, and includes an electronic package having at least one highly doped semiconductor strain gage.


An apparatus includes a nut plate with a plurality of retention tabs integrally attached to the nut plate. A spring assembly is contained with the plurality of retention tabs. The apparatus also includes a nut retained by the retention tabs.

The present disclosure relates to the field of nut plates, and more particularly to a nut plate assembly including a Belleville washer stack.
A typical gas turbine engine operates in an extremely harsh environment characterized by very high temperatures and vibrations. A conventional gas turbine engine includes a compressor for compressing entering air, a combustor for mixing and burning the compressed gases that emerge from the compressor with fuel, a turbine for expanding the hot gases to generate thrust to propel the engine, and an exhaust nozzle for allowing hot gases to exit the engine. Thus, the exhaust nozzle must accommodate extremely hot gases exiting the engine. Other considerations critical to engine design are avoiding air leakage and insulating certain engine components from exposure to hot gases.
In certain areas exposed to these hot exhaust gases, specialized materials are used that can withstand hot temperatures. Such specialized materials, although especially resistant to temperature, can be susceptible to fracture or cracking when attachment means, such as bolt and nut assemblies, are placed under a high level of torque.
Additionally, a typical gas turbine engine also includes many areas where access to a nut and bolt assembly is only available from one side of the assembly. A nut plate is often used to obviate the need to apply torque to the nut in order to engage the bolt with the nut in these problematic areas.


A high-performance crystal oscillator providing effective bias resistors with low power consumption and minimal substrate surface area. In various embodiments of the invention, a switched-capacitor resistor is operably coupled to circuit components, such as an oscillation source, a current source, an input buffer, or an amplifier to provide a bias resistance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to the field of electronic circuitry and, more specifically, to oscillator circuits.
2. Description of the Related Art
As microelectronic fabrication processes advance, there is an increasing demand for oscillator circuits that are capable of providing accurate, high-gain signal amplification while consuming minimal power. Power consumption of crystal oscillators is very important in many applications because of the need to implement "stop modes" and to perform "wake-ups" with minimal delays related to start-up time for the crystal oscillator. Low-power crystal oscillator designs, especially those employing capacitive coupling, require a large amount of resistance for internal biasing. Current methods for providing bias resistance require trade-offs between size, power consumption, and variability.
Current methods for implementing high-value resistors in crystal oscillators are generally too variable or too expensive. For example, a resistor providing 250 MΩ of resistance requires approximately 1.0 mm2 of silicon area for the highest density passive resistor currently available in a TSMC 0.25 micron process. These resistors could be made smaller; however, the decrease in resistor size comes at the expense of power consumption.
These resistors can be implemented with biased transistors operating in the linear region. However, the resistance provided by this approach is highly variable, with a possible variation of an order of magnitude for 100 mV change in Vds. This variation results in clipping and distortion on the oscillator signals, adding undesired harmonics and wasting power. Diode-connected transistors can also be used to provide bias resistance. However, this approach also results in undesired variability, clipping and excessive power consumption.
In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that there is a need for an improved low-power, high performance crystal oscillator circuit. In particular, there is a need for a high-performance crystal oscillator providing effective oscillator bias resistors with low power consumption and minimal substrate surface area.
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional processes and technologies will become apparent to one of skill in the art after reviewing the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings and detailed description which follow.


An extendable and heat shrinkable polyamide monofilament which has an extension of 6% or more to a loading variation in the range of 1.25 g/d-1.75 g/d and a heat shrinkage factor of 7% or more on immersing said monofilament into boiling water. The recited polyamide monofilament is woven into a wear-resistant fabric such as a papermaking fabric.

The present invention relates to an extendable and heat shrinkable polyamide mono-filament used for making endless fabrics and a wear-resistant endless fabric having arranged therein an extendable and heat shrinkable polyamide mono-filament; and, in particular the invention relates to a wear-resistant paper making fabric.
Conventional endless fabrics include many fabrics such as a belt conveyor, a dehydration conveyor, a filtration fabric, a power transmitting belt, a dryer canvas for paper making, a felt for paper making or a fabric for paper making. All of these endless fabrics have problems in that they extend in the warp direction and shrink in the weft direction, that is, draw up in length while shrinking in width because of the application of strong tensile forces in the warp direction in actual use. Further, these fabrics are poor in attitude stability because they also draw up in length while shrinking in width with loading in the vertical direction. Furthermore, they also have a problem in that the fabrics are required to have a large resistance to wear because they are worn away by contact with driving rolls or controlling rolls during running of the machinery. They are also required to have a smooth running surface for smooth running and a flat upper surface for carrying something on the fabric. These problems are common to endless fabrics, however, satisfactory countermeasures have not hitherto been found for solving the problems. The present invention has successfully solved these problems.
The aforementioned requirements are particularly needed for making fabrics used to made endless belts for use in paper making processes. The fabrics for paper making are also required to have properties described hereinafter which are unique to paper making in addition to the aforementioned properties. The description of the common problems described above referring to fabrics for paper making applies to most endless fabrics as do the solutions to the problems. Thus, the present invention is described with reference to a fabric for paper making as a typical example.
There have hitherto been set out many problems in addition to the aforementioned relating to fabrics for paper making. These problems are roughly classified into:
(a) problems relating to the quality of the paper itself such as the prevention of wire marks or satisfactory intertwinement of paper fibers or problems of yields in paper making; PA1 (b) the improvement of the resistance to wear or the extension of the working life of a fabric; and PA1 (c) problems of good water drainage property. PA1 (a) being closely related to the structure of the paper making surface of the fabric; PA1 (b) being related to the structure of the running surface of the fabric; and PA1 (c) being related to the whole fabric.
These problems relate to each other in many points, i.e. the problems of:
There have hitherto been proposed many solutions to problem (a). Nevertheless, the investigations that have been carried out have not been sufficient for the problem of (b), that is, the improvement of the resistance to wear of fabrics for paper making; the only exception being preventing the warp from wear by making the paper making fabric with a running side of the weft wearing type. In recent years, there have been increased requirements such as the increase in the rate of paper making, the increase in the amount of loading fillers or the increasing necessity of producing neutral paper. Thus, the resistance to wear of the fabric for paper making has become an issue in the industry.
In general, endless fabrics including fabrics for paper making desirably have the wear resistant weft on the running surface from the viewpoint of the attitude stability of the fabric in use and the extension of its working life. This is because the wearing of the warp causes a change in the size of the fabric and finally the break of the warp. This further causes the direct break of the fabric itself, so that a paper making fabric of a warp wearing type has a short working life.
For the purpose of improving the resistance to wear, a polyamide yarn having resistance to wear has been conventionally employed as a weft. However, such an attempt did not change the substantial structure of the fabric but only utilized the properties of a material to be used, and thus any epoch-making advantageous effects could not be expected from the fabric. On the other hand, a disadvantage of poor attitude stability was found in fabrics for paper making composed of a polyamide yarn.
Therefore, fabrics for paper making which were less extendable and excellent in attitude stability were conventionally constructed by using a polyester yarn having an excellent rigidity as either a warp or a weft.
Also, in such conventionally used fabrics for paper making, a yarn having a large diameter was used as a weft on the running side of the fabrics in order to satisfy the aforementioned requirements. Such an attempt was successful to a certain extent in obtaining improvement of the resistance to wear. However, these attempts lead to an imbalance between the weft and the warp because of the larger diameter of the weft. Too many disadvantages were present to be used in practice such as the deterioration of the crimping ability or the appearance of wire marks.
Furthermore, as will be understood from the aforementioned problem (c), the water drainage property is also affected by the change of the structure of a fabric, and all problems will not be solved by such temporary means.
In view of such conventional technical problems, the present inventors have invented a special, extendable and heat shrinkable polyamide monofilament which is excellent in resistance to wear, attitude stability and surface smoothness effect for the construction of an endless fabric. This has improved the structure of a fabric for paper making in the form of an endless fabric with use of the filament to improve the resistance to wear, and also improved the performance in making paper from the standpoint of water drainage property and the wire-marking property.

Extendable and heat shrinkable polyamide mono-filament for endless fabric and endless fabric


An engine oil viscosity measurement system is provided. The system includes: a solenoid response module that determines an actual response time based on a position signal; an expected response module that determines an expected response time based on a system voltage and engine oil temperature; and a diagnostic module that diagnoses viscosity of the engine oil based on the actual response time and the expected response time.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Motor oil is a type of liquid oil used for lubrication by various types of motors. In particular, internal combustion engines use motor oil to provide lubrication between mechanical components. The motor oil also serves as a cooling system to the engine. The motor oil dissipates heat generated by friction between the mechanical components.
Oil viscosity is the ability of oil to flow and is expressed as a proportionality constant between the shear stress and shear rate of a fluid. Viscosity is typically affected by temperature, chemical properties, and other constituents in the oil. Viscosity influences the oil's ability to flow which in-turn influences the motivating force, or pressure, required to push the oil sufficiently to develop the necessary flow. For example, hot oil flows faster than cold oil, which can influence operating pressure characteristics of the system. The rate of oil flow is important to the life of an engine. Previously, engine oil viscosity was of interest only to provide good hydrodynamic lubrication of load-bearing surfaces and to assure adequate flow throughout the engine. With recent advancements in engine controls that use engine oil for precise timing, oil viscosity has become increasingly important. Such advancements include cam phasing, active fuel management, and two-step valve actuation. These are all positive displacement devices that require an oil flow source to develop sufficient pressure which provides hydraulic actuation of components within an engine. Thus, their function can be sensitive to the viscosity characteristics of the oil. Engine oil viscosity can be difficult to forecast due to the variability of oil change intervals associated with driving conditions as well as various oil chemistries, and aftermarket oil additives.
Providing a control system to diagnose the viscosity of the engine oil would enhance the operation of engine components that rely on the engine oil.

Engine oil viscosity diagnostic systems and methods


Two previously undescribed human cdc25 genes, designated cdc25 A and cdc25 B, which have been shown to have an endogenous tyrosine phosphatase activity that can be specifically activated by B-type cyclin, in the complete absence of cdc2 are described. As a result of this work, new approaches to regulating the cell cycle in eukaryotic cells and, particularly, to regulating the activity of tyrosine specific phosphatases which play a key role in the cell cycle are available. Applicant's invention relates to methods of regulating the cell cycle and, specifically, to regulating activation of cdc2-kinase, through alteration of the activity and/or levels of tyrosine phosphatases or through alteration of the interaction of components of MPF. The present invention also relates to agents or compositions useful in the method of regulating (inhibiting or enhancing) the cell cycle. Such agents or compositions can be inhibitors (such as low molecular weight peptides or compounds, either organic or inorganic) of the catalytic activity of tyrosine specific PTPases (particularly cdc25), blocking agents which interfere with interaction or binding of the tyrosine specific PTPase with cyclin or the cyclin/cdc2 complex, or agents which interfere directly with the catalytic activity of the PTPases. The invention also pertains to an assay for identifying agents which after stimulation of kinase activity of pre-MPF and thus alter activation of MPF and entry into mitosis. Such agents are also the subject of this invention.

In eukaryotic cells, mitosis is initiated following the activation of a protein kinase known as "M-phase promoting factor" (MPF; also known as the H-phase specific histone kinase, or more simply as the H-phase kinase). This kinase consists of at least three subunits: the catalytic subunit (cdc2), a regulatory subunit (cyclin B) and a low molecular weight subunit (p13-Sucl) (Brizuela, L. et al., EMBO J. 6:3507-3514 (1987); Dunphy, W. et al., Cell 54:423-431 (1988); Gautier, J. et al., Cell 54:433-439 (1988); Arion, D. et al., Cell 55:371-378 (1988); Draetta, G. et al., Cell 56:829-838 (1989); Booher, R. et al., Cell 58:485-497 (1989); Labbe, J-C. et al., EMBO J. 8:3053-3058 (1989); Meijer, L. et al., EMBO J. 8:2275-2282 (1989); Gautier, J. et al., Cell 60:487-494 (1990); Gautier, J. and J. Maller, EMBO J. 10:177-182 (1991)). cdc2 and related kinases also associate with other cyclins (Giordana, A. et al., Cell 58:981-990 (1989); Draetta, G. et al., Cell 56:829-838 (1989); Richardson, H. E. et al., Cell 59:1127-1133 (1989)), and comprise a family of related enzymes that act at various stages of the division cycle (Paris, J. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:1039-1043 (1990); Elledge, S. J. and M. R. Spottswood, EMBO J. 10:2653-2659 (1991); Tsai, L-H. et al., Nature 353:174-177 (1991)).
The cdc2/cyclin B enzyme is subject to multiple levels of control. Among these, the regulation of the catalytic subunit by tyrosine phosphorylation is the best understood. In a variety of eukaryotic cell types, cdc2 is one of the most heavily tyrosine phosphorylated proteins (Draetta, G. et al., Nature 336:738-744 (1988); Dunphy, W. G. and J. W. Newport, Cell 58:181-431 (1989); Morla, A. O. et al., Cell 58:193-203 (1989)). Phosphorylation of the tyrosine 15 and also threonine 14 residues of cdc2 is regulated, in part, by the accumulation of cyclin above a threshold level at which association with cdc2 occurs (Solomon, M. J. et al., Cell 63:1013-1024 (1990)). Tyrosine phosphorylation inhibits the cdc2/cyclin B enzyme, and tyrosine dephosphorylation, which occurs at the onset of mitosis, directly activates the pre-MPF complex (Gautier J. et al., Nature 339:626-629 (1989); Labbe, J. C. et al., EMBO J. 8:3053-3058 (1989); Morla, A. O. et al., Cell 58:193-203 (1989); Dunphy, W. G. and J. W. Newport, Cell 58:181-431 (1989); Morla, A. O. et al., Cell 58:193-203 (1989); Gould, K. and P. Nurse, Nature 342:39-45 (1989); Jessus, C. et al., FEBS LETTERS 266:4-8 (1990)).
Given the role of cdc2 dephosphorylation in activation of MPF, there is much interest in the regulation of the cdc2 phosphatase. Genetic studies in fission yeast have established that the cdc25 gene function is essential for the initiation of mitosis (Nurse, P. et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 146:167-178 (1976). The cdc25 gene product serves as a rate-determining activator of the cdc2 protein kinase (Russell, P. and P. Nurse, Cell 45:145-153 (1986); Ducommun, B. et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Common. 167:301-309 (1990); Moreno, S. et al., Nature 344:549-552 (1990)). Moreover, the mutant cdc2-F15, whose product cannot be phosphorylated on tyrosine, bypasses the requirement for cdc25 protein function (Gould, K. and P. Nurse, Nature 342:39-45 (1989)). Additional work has suggested that cdc25 is the cdc2 phosphatase. (Kumagai, A. and W. G. Dunphy, Cell 64:903-914 (1991); Strausfeld, U. et al., Nature 351:242-245 (1991)) and that cdc25 is the cdc2 phosphatase which dephosphorylates tyrosine and possibly threonine residues on p34.sup.cdc2 and regulates MPF activation. (Dunphy, W. G. and A. Kumagai, Cell 67:189-196 (1991); Gautier, J. et al., Cell 67:197-211 (1991)).
The universal intracellular factor MPF triggers the G2/M transition of the cell cycle in all organisms. In late G2, it is present as an inactive complex of tyrosine-phosphorylated p34.sup.cdc2 and unphosphorylated cyclin B.sup.cdc13. In M phase, its activation as an active MPF displaying histone H1 kinase activity originates from the specific tyrosine dephosphorylation of the p34.sup.cdc2 subunit by the tyrosine phosphatase p80.sup.cdc25. Little is known about the signals which control or determine timing of MPF activation and entry into mitosis or about ways in which those signals can be blocked or enhanced, resulting in inhibition or facilitation of entry into mitosis.
Because the signals that control dephosphorylation of cdc2 on tyrosine and threonine play a key role in controlling timing of MPF activation and entry into mitosis, there is great interest in the proteins which control cdc2 dephosphorylation. Further knowledge of these proteins and their regulatory functions would be useful because it would provide a basis for a better understanding of cell division and, possibly, an approach to altering how it occurs.

Human cdc25 genes, encoded products and uses thereof


When a radio communication is made between a predetermined base station and a communication terminal, the communication terminal is allowed to make a communication if a predetermined registration processing is made. If the above registration processing is not executed, then predetermined functions other than a communication function of the communication terminal are limited. Moreover, when a predetermined operation mode is set by an operation means, at least a transmission processing at a radio communication means is stopped and an execution of predetermined functions other than the radio communication processing is not restricted. Thus, when a communication terminal apparatus incorporates therein other functions than an audio reproducing function, operation of such function can be limited properly. Moreover, when other functions such as an audio reproducing function are incorporated into a communication terminal apparatus, operations of the functions thus incorporated can be limited properly and the communication functions can be stopped properly.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of controlling a communication terminal and a communication terminal apparatus for use with a radio telephone apparatus called a portable telephone terminal and a communication system using such communication terminal apparatus, for example. More specifically, this invention relates to a method of controlling the execution of the functions in a communication terminal having one or more functions different from a communication function, a communication terminal apparatus and a communication system using such communication terminal.
2. Description of the Related Art
Heretofore, there have been proposed various combined terminals which are communication terminal apparatus for use as radio telephone apparatus having other functions different from a telephone function combined therewith. Since radio telephone apparatus are generally designed to be compact in size so that users can usually carry them when in use, there are radio telephone apparatus having a radio telephone function and extra functions such as a clock function and a schedule managing function to display necessary information such as time information and schedule information on a display device of a terminal apparatus.
As a storage capacity of a semiconductor memory is increasing and an audio data compression technology is improving in recent years, a memory incorporated within a memory card becomes able to store audio data of approximately several 10s of minutes to several hours, for example. Small reproducing apparatus having this memory card as a recording medium (storage medium) and a headphone are now commercially available as audio players capable of reproducing audio data or sounds so that users can listen to reproduced audio data or sounds through the headphone.
There is proposed a highly-capable combined terminal having an audio reproducing apparatus incorporated within a portable terminal apparatus. Because the portable telephone terminal incorporates the audio reproducing apparatus using the above memory as the recording medium, when the portable telephone terminal is not in use as a telephone for making a telephone conversation, a user can listen to audio data or sounds reproduced through the headphone attached to the portable telephone terminal. With this arrangement, services of portable telephone terminals can be expanded.
The above portable telephone terminal can download audio data on the memory card attached thereon from a center through a radio telephone network line, for example, and can store the audio data thus downloaded in the memory card. Therefore, users can get audio data with ease, which is very convenient for users.
A distribution service for distributing audio data to the above portable telephone terminal incorporating the audio reproducing apparatus may be a pay distribution service. Since it has been customary that such pay distribution service is under control of a telephone company for operating a radio telephone system, the telephone company may collect charges for the pay distribution services from users. Even when the audio data distribution service is free, the telephone company usually serves the free audio distribution to the users of the portable telephone terminals as one of additional services. Therefore, with respect to the above free audio distribution service, it is desirable that only those who had contracted with the telephone company should be served.
Further, since the audio reproducing apparatus of the portable telephone terminal is essentially the portable telephone terminal, the telephone company may charge for the audio data distribution service each time a user reproduces audio data by the portable telephone terminal. Specifically, when audio data that has been downloaded on the portable telephone terminal is reproduced, a real time accounting is made possible by transmitting data indicating the reproduction of audio data to the center of the radio telephone company through the telephone network line. In this manner, when the portable telephone terminal incorporates the audio reproducing apparatus, the audio data distribution service becomes possible under the condition that a copyright concerning the reproduction of music can be protected reliably.
On the other hand, since it is customary that the telephone company sells the portable telephone terminal incorporating the audio reproducing apparatus to the contractors of the telephone network line, even when a user who is a contractor of the telephone network line has canceled the contract of the radio telephone network line, the portable telephone terminal itself still remains for the user. If the portable telephone terminal the contract of which has been canceled is used as the audio reproducing apparatus, then a user become able to freely listen to downloaded audio data reproduced from the audio reproducing apparatus out of control of the telephone company, which is undesirable from a copyright protection standpoint.
There are places and situations in which a use of the portable telephone terminals should preferably be prohibited. In such places and situation, users are usually requested to switch off the portable telephone terminal and a use of the terminal should be prohibited. In hospitals, for example, in order to protect medical equipment from malfunctioning due to radio waves from the portable telephone terminals, it is recommended that users should switch off the portable telephone terminals. This applies for the portable telephone terminal incorporating the audio reproducing apparatus as well so that users are requested to switch off the portable telephone terminals in the hospital. However, at the same time the power-switch of the portable telephone terminal is turned off, the audio reproducing function assembled into the portable telephone terminal also is de-energized so that a user cannot listen to a piece of music reproduced by the audio reproducing function incorporated in the portable telephone terminal through the headphone attached to the portable telephone terminal in the waiting room of the hospital, for example.
While the problem encountered with the portable telephone terminal incorporating the audio reproducing apparatus has been described so far, there arises a similar problem when a similar communication terminal incorporates other functions which are not directly related to radio communications.

Method of controlling a communication terminal having a plurality of functions, communication terminal apparatus, communication control system


An electronic printing system for imaging lines of pixels on thermally sensitive paper is disclosed. The pixels are imaged in accordance with digital data representing whether a particular pixel is to be imaged or not. The system may also operate in a gray scale mode where the optical density of the imaged pixels varies in accordance with digital data. Other features enable the system to image the lines at a high rate of speed and with a lessened power requirement, thus enabling the use of relatively insensitive thermal paper.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a high speed thermal printing system, and specifically a system capable of printing graphic material (for example, well logs) at relatively high speeds under adverse environment conditions while maintaining constant image quality.
2. Background
Basic high-speed thermal printers comprise a fixed thermal printhead, a resilient drive roller which is driven by a stepping motor, an electronic control circuit, and a power supply. The thermal printhead usually has a linear array of resistance heater elements, typically 200 elements/inch, across the width of the printhead. The printhead also contains a shift register stage, a latch stage, and a current driver for each heater element. The printer operates by pressing thermally sensitive paper (thermal paper) against the thermal printhead through the use of a resilient drive roller. The data to be recorded are shifted serially into the shift registers transferred to the latches, and then finally recorded by activating the current drivers with a print signal, or strobe pulse. New data can be shifted into the shift registers while the previous line of data stored in the latches is being printed.
Typical control circuits for thermal printheads account for the fact that the thermal elements in the printhead which were activated on a previous image line have a residual temperature which placed those elements at a higher temperature in relation to those elements which were not used in printing the previous image line. The usual solution which has been employed for that problem is to use a full length strobe pulse for heater elements which were not active during the printing of the previous image line, and a shorter strobe pulse for those heater elements which are used to print both the present and the previous line. This solution, however, requires shifting data into the thermal printhead twice for each image line being printed. The technique also permits intentional variation of density for gray scale presentations. However, in that case data must be shifted into the thermal printhead once for each shade of gray. The result is that the printing speed is limited.
Additionally, present thermal printers, as described above, are not able to produce uniform image quality when printing speed and ambient temperature conditions vary. This is because once a printhead element is heated to a certain temperature, it does not cool immediately upon removal of the driving current. Variations in either the printing speed or ambient temperature will affect the rate at which the printhead element cools. These two variables will thus cause the image density to vary unless they are compensated for.
Most present thermal printers are also not able to handle the high current axed power levels required to print an "all black" image. The useful life of the printhead is shortened considerably if such "all black" imaging is done repetitively. Furthermore, the power needed for present thermal printers to generate "all black" images imposes an increased power supply requirement with attendant increases in size and cost. This same factor also limits the ambient temperature conditions under which present thermal printers can operate. In order to operate under conditions of high ambient temperature, thermal paper must be used which is relatively insensitive so that it can be stored without darkening due simply to high ambient temperature. Currently available thermal printers have problems with such insensitive thermal paper for the same reasons that they have problems generating "all black images," i.e., shorter printhead life and increased power supply costs.
In summary, currently available thermal printers are not able to print 16-level gray scale images at speeds on the order of 1-inch per second due to the time required to shift data into the thermal printhead 16 times per image line. Also, available thermal printers which attempt to print large-area "all black" images at high speed cause overheating of the thermal printhead, and require larger and more costly power supplies. For the same reason, these printers have problems when relatively insensitive thermal paper is used.
The present invention was developed to overcome the problems discussed above. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic thermal printing system capable of printing in either a gray scale or graphics mode at high speeds. A further object of the present invention is to minimize the power requirements for generating a given image, thus facilitating the use of relatively insensitive thermal paper. It is still a further object of the present invention to provide images of uniform quality in spite of variations in printing speed, ambient temperature, and line to line variation in the use of particular resistance elements.

Electronic printing system for imaging thermally sensitive paper


An open-end spinning device comprises a spinning rotor rotating in a vacuum-loaded rotor housing which can be closed by a conduit plate having a receptacle receiving a replaceable conduit-plate adapter and a locking device, e.g., a bar spring, for spring-biasing the conduit-plate adapter into the receptacle. A blocking device comprising a hood-like cover is associated with the locking device for movement into an operating position only when the locking device is positioned in a locking position in which it reliably fixes the conduit-plate adapter.

The present invention relates generally to an open-end spinning device.
Such open-end spinning devices are known e.g. from German Patent Publication DE 195 24 837 A1. Such spinning devices basically have a rotor housing in which a spinning rotor rotates at a high speed. This rotor housing, which is open to the front, is closed in an airtight manner during the spinning process by a conduit plate. The conduit plate is a component of a pivot housing, and more specifically, the conduit plate is either screwed onto the pivot housing or is already permanently integrated into the pivot housing.
Moreover, a sliver-opening device is arranged in the pivot housing and includes, among other things, a driven sliver drawing-in cylinder and a driven opening cylinder. The arrangement of these driven, rotating structural elements is such that they are automatically taken out of operation or braked when the spinning device is opened, that is, when the pivot housing is swung away from the rotor housing. During the spinning operation when the pivot housing is pivoted into engagement with the rotor housing, the conduit plate rests with an annular lip seal on the rotor housing and closes the latter in an airtight manner.
A replaceable conduit-plate adapter is arranged in a central recess of the conduit plate. The conduit-plate adapter, on the one hand, forms the mouth area of the fiber guide conduit and, on the other hand, fixes a centrally arranged yarn withdrawal nozzle. The conduit-plate adapter is mounted with a conically designed shoulder body in a correspondingly designed receptacle of the conduit plate and is fixed via suitable fastening device which load the conduit-plate adapter with a force component in the direction of the receptacle bottom. Moreover, the conduit-plate adapter is aligned in an angularly precise manner within its receptacle via an adjusting-pin arrangement.
According to German Patent Publication DE 195 24 837 A1 the conduit-plate adapter is fixed, for example, by a bar spring which engages in a tangential groove on the conical shoulder body. The free end of the bar spring fastened to the pivot housing extends out of the pivot housing and can be actuated by the operating personnel to release or disengage the conduit-plate adapter.
These known devices have the disadvantage that, when the pivot housing is closed, the operating personnel cannot recognize whether the conduit-plate adapter is locked, i.e., fixed in place, according to instructions. A conduit-plate adapter which is not properly locked can slide out of its receptacle during the spinning process and come in contact with the spinning rotor rotating at a high speed, which causes considerable damage to the spinning device.


The present invention relates to an apparatus which may be in the form of a pump or compressor and which can function to compress or accelerate a fluid such as air, gas, gaseous mixtures and/or liquid. In particular, the invention provides a mechanism in which fluid can be admitted and then discharged continuously from each of the radial compartments that make up the compressor chamber.

For the most part pumps and compressors utilize a mechanical action so as to force an admitted fluid drawn into the system to increase its velocity which is then converted into pressure or alternatively a pumping action.
Typically compressors and pumps based around a piston connected to a crank has the piston reciprocating in the cylinder and the reciprocating action results in pumping fluid which passes into the cylinder. The pump is typically electrically powered, for example by a motor or even in some cases internal combustion motors and so forth.
As the person skilled in the art is well aware one disadvantage of this type of pump is that pumping occurs only when the piston is in the compressive stroke. When a piston is in the drawdown stroke, no pumping occurs as the drawdown stroke is required to suck additional fluid into the cylinder or housing.
Therefore, half the action of the piston does not contribute to the pumping action.
There are a variety of other problems with such arrangements not the least wherein the piston has a short stroke and this results in increased wear and tear on the pump. As is to be expected these types of piston pumps generally suffer from excessive noise levels making them unsuitable for many applications.
While there are alternatives to piston based pumps and compressors for the most part these center around rotary volumetric designs, typically with radial vanes driven by an electric motor. These kinds of pumps and compressors draw fluid from the atmosphere through an intake opening directed to a pressure tank through a minimum pressure valve which opens only when a predetermined minimum pressure has been reached within the compressor unit or pump apparatus.
One of the main disadvantages of rotary volumetric type based compressors and pump apparatus is the intermittent operation type control system which means that the operations of the electric motor is suspended when the pressure reaches the upper limit value, and while this may reduce electric power loss and improved consumption of the arrangement, nonetheless since the motor is started over again and again from the stationary state when the pressure falls thereafter, it is impossible to promptly supply compressed air or a pumping action when required.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a fluid compressor and/or pump apparatus which can compress or pump a fluid, such as air, gas, gaseous mixtures and liquids which may overcome at least some of the above mentioned disadvantages.
From hereonafter throughout this specification the use of the word compressing is to be considered synonymous with the ability to also pump therefore while the apparatus described throughout this invention may relate to the compressing of a fluid, it is to be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the apparatus defined is equally capable of pumping fluid.


Methods, devices, and computer program products for energy and/or cost efficient selection of cyclic prefix length, based at least in part on consideration of propagation and channel conditions, are disclosed. The conditions can relate to, for example, the frequency selectivity and time dispersion of a radio channel, as well as its radio propagation profile and environmental conditions.

Machine-to-machine (M2M) communication is becoming an increasingly critical consideration in the development of future communication technologies. In M2M communications, machine type communication (MTC) devices such as smart meters, signboards, cameras, remote sensors, laptops, and appliances typically utilize a wireless communication network to transmit data to a receiving host (e.g., a data collection server). MTC devices may differ dramatically from other wireless communication devices (WCDs). For instance, many MTC devices are designed to wirelessly transmit sporadic bursts of one or a few short packets containing measurements, reports, and triggers, such as temperature, humidity, or wind speed readings. In some cases, MTC devices are expected to be installed in a fixed location or have low mobility.
Some M2M services (and devices) often place different requirements on a wireless network than traditional services, such as voice and web streaming. Another distinguishing characteristic in wireless networks with M2M communications is the increasingly large number of MTC devices. Both of these characteristics bring forth new challenges for wireless communication networks to develop a cost, spectrum, and energy efficient radio access technology that can be used in M2M applications and MTC devices.
For example, MTC devices are typically low complexity devices, targeting low-end (low average revenue per user, low data rate, high latency tolerances, etc.) applications. These devices often have severe limitations on power/energy consumption as well as cost. Cost may be understood, for example, with respect to both the cost of manufacturing a device as well as the cost for operating the device. For example, a given device manufactured with a slower processor in the reception chain can have lower manufacturing costs than a similar device with a faster processor. In some aspects, operating costs may be associated with the energy consumed during operation. Several factors can affect the cost of manufacturing and operating a given device. These cost drivers may include, for instance, processing speed (mainly at reception), the number of antennas, and operational bandwidth.
In addition to cost constraints, because of an industry evolution towards M2M communications, the number of radio links between stationary devices is expected to increase significantly in the next generation of communication systems. One reason for this anticipated evolution is the likely increase of wireless backhaul links, due to the expected higher density of radio network deployment and due to the introduction of multi-hop communications involving several hops between communicating end users. Presently, this type of wireless link does not typically require very advanced link adaptation due to the lower degree of radio channel variations.
These differences are compounded by the fact that wireless networks supporting M2M communications may be required to serve a significantly larger number of devices than is typical required in conventional wireless networks, as MTC devices are expected to be cheap and widely deployed. As a result, designing for M2M communications in a wireless communication network creates several challenges.
Considering the anticipated high variety of radio links in the next generation of wireless communications systems, proposals have been provided that target this differing nature of wireless links. For example, it has been proposed to modify the radio interface such that every feature of the physical layer processing can be adapted according to the channel type, traffic to be exchanged, and hardware capabilities of the involved end user devices. In this respect, and upon consideration that future wireless access is likely going to be based in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Modulation (OFDM) variant, it has been proposed to modify the physical resource block (PRB) size and the sub-carrier size, according to the channel variations, device type, and traffic type to be exchanged. The reduction of PRB size is likely related to the lower amount of traffic to be exchanged. The change in sub-carrier size is likely related to the expected lower hardware capability and cost, and consequently, the reduction in energy consumption of the given device involved.
A cyclic prefix (CP) can be used in OFDM systems to, inter alia, mitigate inter-symbol interference (ISI). Such interference is often attributable to multipath propagation. In some cases, the last part of the transmitted symbol is transmitted at the beginning of the symbol. Thus, an ambiguity that might be observed at the end of the frame due to the existence of different symbols can be resolved where the first part of the signal is also used. Presently, in 3GPP LTE (Advanced), there are three different cyclic prefix configurations. In the most common configuration, the cyclic prefix length (in seconds) is equal to 5.2 and 4.7 microseconds, within an OFDM symbol length of 66.67 microseconds. This corresponds to an overhead of 7.24% and 6.59% respectively, if overhead is calculated as the ratio of the cyclic prefix length to the sum of the cyclic prefix and symbol length.

Apparatuses, methods, and computer program products for selecting a cyclic prefix length


An integrated circuit package system includes providing die; forming leads adjacent the die; forming a die paddle adjacent the leads with the die thereover; and forming a cavity for isolating one of the die and a die attach segment of the die paddle.

The integrated circuit package is the building block used in an electronic system to provide applications for usage in products such as a personal computer, communications equipment, military devices, industrial robotics, aircraft, and a vast line of consumer products from automotive vehicles to kitchen appliances.
The integrated circuit such as a chip or die is a very tiny and easily damaged device that can be protected with an encapsulant. Even static electricity can be devastating to the very sensitive circuitry of the modern chip or die. Its entire internal contents both functional and physical have protection from damage during normal operating conditions as required by the electronic system in which it is used.
The integrated circuit package is typically mounted and electrically connected to a printed circuit board that is a component in an electronic system. A lead frame is commonly used inside an integrated circuit package to provide many electrical connections between the circuitry within the package and the printed circuit board within the electronic system. Often electrical connections are made with solder balls or bond wires, typically of gold or aluminum material.
The circuitry within a package consists of integrated circuits built onto one side, such as the top, of a piece of semiconductor material such as silicon chip or die. The other side of a silicon chip or die, the bottom for example, is mounted, or typically bonded, with an electrically insulating and thermally conductive die attach layer, such as epoxy onto one side of the die. The opposing die surface is free of any circuitry components such as silicon chips or dice.
The die is typically a semi-rigid electrically and thermally conductive material made of metal used for the handling and manufacturability of the integrated circuit chip or die within the confines of the integrated circuit package. The die often has an "electrical connection" to the circuitry on residing on a silicon chip or die.
There are many industry objectives with regard to integrated circuit packaging. One is for higher circuitry density per area, another is for higher performance, yet another improved reliability, and yet another is for higher profitability as a result of lower unit costs for both the silicon supplier and the electronic systems product producers.
There is a continually growing industry demand for integrated circuit packages containing electrically isolated multiple dies within a single integrated circuit package. This provides for more silicon chips or dice due to the ability to mount more than one chip or die in a single package. For example, an integrated circuit package with multiple chips or dice can have two separated and isolated groups or types of chips or dice within it. An integrated circuit package with four chips or dice can have four separated and isolated groups or types of chips or dice within it.
The practice of producing integrated circuit packages with isolated multiple chips or dice clearly addresses the objectives, namely higher density demands of the electronic industry. Another objective, higher performance, is satisfied by the fact that more than one die is isolated from other die allowing the designers to chose, mix, or match as needed from different chip or dice technologies whether proven, newly developed, or leading edge proprietary.
For those of ordinary skill in the art, are aware of the various beneficial electrical properties such as noise or cross talk reduction that results from having isolated pads within an integrated circuit package. Cost savings can result from higher density and smaller printed circuit boards.
Manufacturers use minimal attachments for multiple die attach surfaces. The minimal attachments suspend the die attach surfaces in the package during assembly. The minimal attachments allow easy separation in the completed package but poor placement control during assembly, encapsulation, or final processing.
Attempts to provide multiple die in an integrated circuit package have failed to solve manufacturability requirements such as reliability, yield, or cost. They have been plagued with unacceptable structural integrity such as issues related to mold bleeding [encapsulation conformance], poor electrical connectivity, or contamination. These issues often lead to early failure or reliability resulting in high costs or low yield.
Thus, a need still remains for an integrated circuit package system to provide improved connectivity, pricing, and dimensions. In view of the increasing demand for improved integrated circuits and particularly more connections in smaller products at lower costs, it is increasingly critical that answers be found to these problems.
Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus, solutions to these problems have long eluded those skilled in the art.

Integrated circuit package system with multiple die


A new baking utensil for the handling of bakery pans, and particularly for the handling of pizza pans. The inventive device includes an elongate lower arm with a pan supporting end region having a notch being for accepting a lip of a pan. Extending from the pan supporting end region is a pan stopping flange. An elongate upper arm having a pan grabbing end region at one end is pivotally coupled to the lower arm at its other end so that the upper arm is pivotable between an open position and a closed position. Extending from the pan grabbing end region is a pan grabbing flange which is positioned in relation to the pan stopping flange such that a lip extending from a pan is held between the pan grabbing flange and the pan stopping flange when the upper arm is positioned in the closed position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to cooking utensils and more particularly pertains to a new baking utensil for the handling of bakery pans, and particularly for the handling of pizza pans.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of cooking utensils is known in the prior art. More specifically, cooking utensils heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art cooking utensils include U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,472; U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,166; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 246,087; U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,384; U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,463; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 306,115.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new baking utensil. The inventive device includes an elongate lower arm with a pan supporting end region having a notch being for accepting a lip of a pan. Extending from the pan supporting end region is a pan stopping flange. An elongate upper arm having a pan grabbing end region at one end is pivotally coupled to the lower arm at its other end so that the upper arm is pivotable between an open position and a closed position. Extending from the pan grabbing end region is a pan grabbing flange which is positioned in relation to the pan stopping flange such that a lip extending from a pan is held between the pan grabbing flange and the pan stopping flange when the upper arm is positioned in the closed position.
In these respects, the baking utensil according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of the handling of bakery pans, and particularly for the handling of pizza pans.


A subsurface explorer (SSX) for exploring beneath the terrestrial surface of planetary bodies such as the Earth, Mars, or comets. This exploration activity utilizes appropriate sensors and instrument to evaluate the composition, structure, mineralogy and possibly biology of the subsurface medium, as well as perhaps the ability to return samples of that medium back to the surface. The vehicle comprises an elongated skin or body having a front end and a rear end, with a nose piece at the front end for imparting force to composition material of the planetary body. Force is provided by a hammer mechanism to the back side of a nose piece from within the body of the vehicle. In the preferred embodiment, a motor spins an intermediate shaft having two non-uniform threads along with a hammer which engages these threads with two conical rollers. A brake assembly halts the rotation of the intermediate shaft, causing the conical roller to spin down the non-uniform thread to rapidly and efficiently convert the rotational kinetic energy of the hammer into translational energy.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is a subsurface explorer (SSX) for exploring beneath the surface of the terrestrial surface of planetary bodies such as the Earth, Mars, or comets.
2. Description of the Prior Art and Related Information
Conventional drilling requires that material be excavated entirely out of a hole, that the hole usually be lined to prevent collapse, and that power be transmitted to the excavation site from the surface by means of a relatively heavy mechanical linkage. The mass (and to a large degree the power and cost) of conventional systems grow proportionally to the desired depth of penetration since heavy mechanical components are distributed along the length of the excavated hole.
Excavation of compacted subsurface material requires energy. While the amount of energy needed to excavate a given volume of subsurface material varies considerably depending on the specific mineral and morphological structure of the medium, as well as the means for excavation, the specific energy requirements for conventional rotary drilling of medium strength rock is about 200 megajoules per cubic meter (Mj/m3). Typical modem rotary drilling equipment is just capable of operating with this level of performance.
Thus, there is a need for a simple, subsurface exploring system and method which requires less energy and support than conventional drilling.
The invention is a subsurface explorer (SSX) for exploring beneath the surface of the terrestrial surface of planetary bodies such as the Earth, Mars, moons or comets. The explorer may carry appropriate sensors and instruments to evaluate the composition, structure, mineralogy and possible biology of the subsurface medium, as well as perhaps returning samples of that medium back to the surface. The exploration capability of the SSX enables scientific research and resource exploration which may not be possible or may be prohibitively expensive by alternative means such as conventional drilling.
The SSX is a relatively small robotic vehicle capable of penetrating underground, through soil, rock, or mixtures thereof, to depths many times deeper than would be possible using conventional drilling techniques of comparable mass and power. This is possible because the vehicle excavates material ahead of it""s travel, moves it only a short distance to the rear of the vehicle, and recompacts it behind the vehicle. The excavated and recompacted material may also be called xe2x80x9coverburden.xe2x80x9d Unlike prior art systems, with the present invention, the vehicle itself is compact and essentially self-contained, with power delivered to it over a fine tether which is paid out from the vehicle and becomes embedded in the recompacted medium behind the vehicle as it progresses.
One of the oldest techniques for excavation of compacted soil and rock is percussion, or hammering. Hammering of rock causes a network of fine cracks to form ahead of the hammer in zones where the compressive strength of the material is exceeded. These cracks interlock under repeated blows to ultimately create from the rock a collection of particles. In the absence of any active mechanism to remove the particles, they are ground into a fine powder. This powder can flow in a fashion similar to a fluid around the SSX as it advances, especially under the extreme acoustic excitation of the hammering action. Thus a simple, perhaps the simplest, mechanism for excavating the subsurface medium is to have an internal hammer mechanism in the SSX. In short, the SSX can be a self-contained pile driver.
The hammer mechanism of the SSX is preferably contained within the body of the SSX, which should be sealed against intrusion of dust generated by the percussive action. It should have a free volume in which to accelerate the hammer. Thus, the front end of the vehicle should not be the hammer mechanism itself, but instead may be an intermediate material which seals the front of an acceleration volume and transmits the percussive shock from the hammer to the surrounding medium. This front portion can be called a xe2x80x9cchisel,xe2x80x9d also referred to herein as a nose piece. The hammer impacts the chisel, which in turn imparts forces on the medium which are large compared to the compressive strength of the terrain material. The momentum of the hammer is conserved with the hammer-chisel assembly, depending somewhat on the amount of rebound in the hammer from the chisel. In the case of zero rebound, the final kinetic energy of the hammer-chisel assembly is equal to the initial kinetic energy of the hammer times the ratio of the hammer mass to the combined hammer-chisel mass. This ratio becomes adverse if the chisel becomes massive. To achieve good energy transfer from the hammer to the chisel, the hammer should be made as massive as possible, and the nose and shell should be as light as possible.
The hammer mechanism may comprise a hammer portion, used as a flywheel, rotated to high surface speeds. A non-uniform pitch thread on an intermediate shaft is used to convert the rotational motion to linear motion for the hammer portion, which in turn imparts force to a nose piece which pommels the material in front of the nose piece, causing vibrational exitation of the material thereby fracturing the material.

Method and apparatus for subsurface exploration