The present invention provides systems and methods for pre-filter in a VHF receiver using Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) filters. The system includes an antenna, and first and second Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) filters. The first MEMS filter filters a signal received by the antenna based on a first pre-defined bandwidth, and the second MEMS filter filters the signal filtered by the first MEMS filter based on a second bandwidth. The system also includes an analog to digital converter that converts the signal filtered by the second MEMS filter into a digital signal, a down converter that down converts the digital signal produced by the A to D converter, and a digital signal processor that processes the down converted digital signal produced by the down converter. The first and second MEMS filters or the down converter are adjustable based on a received tuning signal.

The need for passive off-chip components has long been a key barrier against communication transceiver miniaturization. In particular, the majority of the high-Q bandpass filters commonly used in the RF and IF stages of heterodyning transceivers are realized using off-chip, mechanically-resonant components, such as crystal and ceramic filters and SAW devices. Due to higher quality factor Q, such technologies greatly outperform comparable filters implemented using transistor technologies, in insertion loss, percent bandwidth, and achievable rejection. High Q is further required to implement local oscillators or synchronizing clocks in transceivers, both of which must satisfy strict phase noise specifications. Off-chip elements (e.g., quartz crystals) are utilized for this purpose.
Being off-chip components, the above mechanical devices must interface with integrated electronics at the board level, and this constitutes an important bottleneck against the miniaturization of super-heterodyne transceivers. For this reason, recent attempts to achieve single-chip transceivers for paging and cellular communications have utilized alternative architectures that attempt to eliminate the need for off-chip high-Q components via higher levels of transistor integration. Unfortunately, without adequate front-end selectivity, such approaches have suffered somewhat in overall performance, to the point where they so far are usable only in less demanding applications.
Given this, and recognizing that future communication needs will most likely require higher levels of performance, single-chip transceiver solutions that retain high-Q components and that preserve super-heterodyne-like architectures are desirable.
Although mechanical circuits, such as quartz crystal resonators and SAW filters, provide essential functions in the majority of transceiver designs, their numbers are generally suppressed due to their large size and finite cost. Unfortunately, when minimizing the use of high-Q components, designers often trade power for selectivity (i.e., Q), and hence, sacrifice transceiver performance. As a simple illustration, if the high-Q IF filter in the receive path of a communication subsystem is removed, the dynamic range requirement on the subsequent IF amplifier, IQ mixer, and A/D converter circuits, increases dramatically, forcing a corresponding increase in power consumption. Similar trade-offs exist at RF, where the larger the number or greater the complexity of high-Q components used, the smaller the power consumption in surrounding transistor circuits.
Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) are presently being considered for use in receivers. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,680,660 to Nguyen presents using MEMS filters to perform channel selection in a conventional heterodyne conversion receiver. Nguyen fails to simplify the design of a heterodyne based VHF receiver and thus fails to provide significant improvement.
Therefore, there exists a need for a narrow band MEMS pre-filter in a VHF receiver that results in lower production costs, increased reliability, reduced weight, reduced power dissipation, and higher signal to noise ratio.


The method and the apparatus for detecting a deteriorating condition in a bank of standby batteries includes injecting an audio frequency current into one of the battery buses or cables, detecting an audio frequency current signal, matched to the injected audio frequency current signal, that is carried by the battery bus and detecting a voltage drop, at the audio frequency, across the bank of standby batteries. In one embodiment, current transformers are utilized in connection with an oscillator (to inject the AF current signal) and detection circuits (comparators and operational amplifiers) are utilized to generate a representative current signal and a representative voltage signal. The device detects when the standby batteries are operating in a normal, stable condition, that is, when the bank is neither being recharged nor is discharging DC power to the load. During normal, stable operating conditions, a differential relationship is established between the representative voltage and representative current signals. In one embodiment, a microprocessor-based system monitors the float voltage of the battery in order to ascertain when the battery system is in a normal, stable operating condition. The microprocessor also initially establishes the differential between the representative voltage and the representative current signals. The method includes determining when the differential relationship between the voltage and current signals exceeds a predetermined value and issues an alarm signal at that time. The alarm signal may be deferred until the differential relationship exceeds the predetermined value for a predetermined period of time. In one embodiment, this analysis is conducted in the microprocessor-based system.

DC power is needed for many types of telephone communication equipment and for control equipment used at electric utility substations and power plants. The DC power, required for this communication equipment and control equipment used at utility substations and power plants, is normally supplied by a DC power source which, in turn, is supplied with AC power from an AC power source. A typical DC power source for these applications is a battery charger.
A bank of standby batteries is utilized as a backup DC power source when the normally AC powered, DC power source either cannot supply all the power required by the components or when the AC power supply goes off line, as during a power failure at the local electric utility.
Standby storage batteries are designed to deliver energy to a load over a relatively long period of time at a slowly declining voltage, in contrast with the short-duration, high energy discharge typically provided by automotive batteries. Each standby storage battery includes one or more electrochemical cells, with multiple cells being connected in series so that the overall voltage, measured across the battery terminals, is equal to the sum of the individual cell voltages. Individual batteries are further connected together in series to form a battery bank having a higher voltage.
The potential difference, or voltage difference or differential, measured across the positive and negative terminals of a battery cell, is a characteristic of the particular chemistry of that cell. For example, in lead-acid batteries, the open circuit cell voltage is approximately 2.0 volts, while in a nickel-cadmium cell, the potential difference is approximately 1.2 volts. In each cell, positive and negative reactants, or active materials, are bound into a number of metallic grids to form positive and negative plates, respectively. Plates of like polarity are attached to a rigid, metallic supporting strap, which is fitted with a terminal post for connection to external loads. The assemblies of positive and negative plates with their respective straps and terminal posts are suspended in a jar or container containing a solution, which is an electrolyte, and the plates are separated by insulating material to ensure that no direct contact occurs between plates of opposite polarity. Such contact between the plates would result in a short circuit which would quickly discharge the cell, rendering it useless. The jar or other type of container is permanently sealed by means of a cover with holes therethrough. The positive and negative terminal posts protrude through these holes or openings.
When an electric load is connected between the positive and negative terminals of the battery, a spontaneous chemical reaction occurs between the electrolyte and the active materials in the battery plates and causes an electric current to be delivered into the load. The battery discharges by delivering DC current to the connected load. While the battery discharges, its terminal voltage gradually declines. The chemical reaction in the battery is reversible, i.e., nearly all of the energy removed from the battery during discharge can be returned by forcing a charging current of opposite polarity through the battery. The ability of a stationary storage battery or standby battery to deliver energy to a load, i.e., the battery's capacity, is defined by a non-linear relationship of battery voltage to the duration and magnitude of discharge current. This battery capacity is commonly expressed in ampere-hours (AH). For example, if the starting terminal voltage of a fully charged 100 AH lead-acid battery is 2.22 volts, and if the nominal discharge voltage is 1.75 volts, the battery can typically supply a current of approximately 12 amperes continuously for 8 hrs. before its terminal voltage reaches 1.75 volts. At 24 amperes, however, the voltage may decline to 1.75 volts in only two to three hours. Manufacturers generally develop and supply charts showing curves and tables relating current, time and voltage for their batteries. Other factors which may affect battery capacity include temperature, thickness of the active material in the plates, plate surface area in contact with the electrolyte, specific gravity of the electrolyte and the internal resistance of the cell.
A storage battery, like any source of electrical energy, has an internal impedance, which includes resistive, inductive and capacitive components. When the battery is discharging only direct current or DC is involved; capacitive and inductive components of the impedance have no effect on the power delivered by the battery. As the battery discharges, the current produces a voltage drop across the internal resistance of the battery in accordance with Ohm's law. This voltage drop causes the voltage across the battery terminals to be somewhat less than an "ideal", that is, the expected voltage, and the voltage drop consequently diminishes the ability of the battery to power the load. The internal resistance of a storage battery at the time of manufacture is made as low as possible to minimize the voltage dropped during battery discharge. A typical 200 AH lead-acid battery may have an initial internal resistance as low as 0.5 milliohms. Over the life of the battery, however, the internal resistance will increase, at a rate determined by such factors as how many times the battery undergoes cycles of discharging and recharging, the effects of continuous charging on the electrical conductivity of internal cell connections (e.g., electrochemical corrosion of the positive grid alloy), and the temperature of the electrolyte. The internal resistance of any cell will eventually increase to a level where the voltage drop across it during discharge is so great that the battery can no longer deliver power at its rated capacity. It is typical for batteries to be replaced when actual capacity falls to 80% of rated capacity, as determined by a controlled discharge test.
In most cases, internal cell resistance will not cause serious problems until the battery is near the end of its useful life, typically 12 to 15 years. In some cases, however, an increase in internal resistance of a cell will be abnormally rapid. Within only one or two years of its life, the cell resistance will become high enough such that heating effects from high discharge currents (so-called ohmic, or I.sup.2 R, heating) will melt or vaporize metallic connections among internal cell components, causing the battery circuit to open. An increase of only 500 milliohms in the internal resistance of a 200 AH lead-acid battery bank, for example, could result in such an open circuit under heavy load. A frequent cause of rapidly increasing cell resistance may be due to defects in the manufacturing process, including a faulty connection of internal cell elements, improper plate formation and certain deficiencies of the grid alloys.
If the battery circuit opens (an internal battery condition), it will no longer be able to discharge power into the load, and will consequently be useless as a standby energy source. Moreover, flammable gases released during charging reactions may accumulate within the battery jar or container, and may ignite when internal connections burn (by ohmic heating), causing an explosion that may damage equipment and seriously injure personnel. It is, therefore, very advantageous to have advance warning of an abnormal increase in cell resistance.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,943 to Russo discloses an open battery bank detector. Russo's non-intrusive open battery bank detector senses an alternating current component of the DC trickle charge carried by one of a pair of cables connected between the battery charger and the bank of batteries. When the AC component reaches a threshold level, a sensor circuit trips a relay which activates an alarm.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,546,309 to Kang discloses an apparatus and a method for locating ground faults. The Kang device utilizes a low frequency current generator having a variable output, a Hall-effect current probe for detecting the low frequency current produced by the generator, a filter and an amplifier connected to the output of the Hall-effect current probe for identifying and amplifying the low frequency signal. A readout element is connected to the output of the amplifier to indicate the relative magnitude of the low frequency signal.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,134 to Burkum discloses an apparatus and a method for measuring battery condition. The Burkum device measures the impedance of secondary cells that form the battery. The impedance measurement is made at a frequency selected to be different from those frequencies otherwise present in the charger-load circuit. A first application of the testing device monitors the battery for a change in impedance that can signal a developing defect in one or more individual cells or intercell connections. In a second application, the testing device is utilized to compare the impedance of individual cells and electrical connections to locate faulty components. A digital measurement of the measured AC current at the selected frequency is supplied to a computer or a digital system. A digital version of the measured voltage across the battery at the selected frequency is also supplied to the computer. The computer divides the voltage by the current measurement and records or logs the resulting impedance value on a regular basis.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,385 to Gabriel discloses an apparatus and a method for utilizing a polarization voltage to determine charge state of a battery. The test signal is a continuous square wave signal having a frequency less than 3 Hz. The test signal alternates between a voltage adequate to charge the battery and a lower voltage. The charging voltage is retained for a time sufficient to allow a polarization voltage to develop across individual battery cells.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,920 to Wurst discloses an on-line battery impedance measurement device. The impedance of battery cells within a battery bank is measured by dividing the bank into at least two battery strings. A load current is imposed on one of the battery strings and the battery cell voltage is measured within that string.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,355 to McShane discloses a method and an apparatus for the detection and control of thermal runaway in a battery under charge. The circuit determines the internal resistance or impedance and conductance (admittance) of the battery during the charge cycle. Since the charging current to the battery increases with time under a thermal runaway condition, a variable voltage source is connected between a regulator, which measures the voltage between the terminals of a battery and controls the voltage of the voltage source charging the battery, and the battery bank. The variable voltage source is connected between that regulator and the battery and introduces an offset voltage. By increasing the apparent voltage measured by the regulator between the battery bank terminals, the variable voltage source can be used to regulate the primary voltage source and thus reduce the charge applied to the battery upon detection of an impending thermal runaway condition. A microprocessor determines the conductance of the battery bank by applying a current pulse to the system with a current source. Conductance is the change in current flowing through the battery due to the current source divided by the change in the voltage of the battery due to the applied change in current. The microprocessor can also utilize impedance to detect a deteriorating condition. Thermal runaway is detected by the microprocessor when the absolute or relative conductance/impedance value exceeds a threshold, when the rate of change in the conductance/impedance exceeds a threshold, or a relationship between the ambient temperature (as measured by a temperature sensor) and the battery conductance/impedance exceeds a threshold. Upon detecting a thermal runaway condition an alarm is sounded.

High sensitivity battery resistance monitor and method therefor


A locking system for mechanical joining of floorboards has a locking groove which is formed in the underside of and extends in parallel with the first joint edge at a distance from the joint plane, and a portion projecting from the lower part of the second joint edge and below the first joint edge and integrated with a body of the board. The projecting portion supporting at a distance from the joint plane a locking element cooperating with the locking groove and thus positioned entirely outside the joint plane seen from the side of the second joint edge, the projecting portion having a different composition of materials compared with the body of the board. The projecting portion presents at least two horizontally juxtaposed parts, which differ from each other at least in respect of the parameters material composition and material properties.

WO 94/26999 discloses a locking system for mechanical joining of building boards, especially floorboards. A mechanical locking system permits locking together of the boards both perpendicular to and in parallel with the principal plane of the boards on long sides as well as short sides. Methods for making such floorboards are described in SE 9604484-7 and SE 9604483-9. The principles of designing and laying the floorboards as well as the methods for making the same that are described in the above three documents are applicable also to the present invention, and therefore the contents of these documents are incorporated by reference in present description.
With a view to facilitating the understanding and description of the present invention as well as the understanding of the problems behind the invention, now follows with reference to FIGS. 1-3 a brief description of floorboards according to WO 94/26999. This description of prior art should in applicable parts be considered to apply also to the following description of embodiments of the present invention.
A floorboard 1 of known design is shown from below and from above in FIGS. 3a and 3b, respectively. The board is rectangular and has a top side 2, an underside 3, two opposite long sides 4a, 4b which form joint edges, and two opposite short sides 5a, 5b which form joint edges.
Both the long sides 4a, 4b and the short sides 5a, 5b can be joined mechanically without any glue in the direction D2 in FIG. 1c. To this end, the board 1 has a planar strip 6 which is mounted at the factory and which extends horizontally from one long side 4a, the strip extending along the entire long side 4a and being made of a flexible, resilient aluminum sheet. The strip 6 can be mechanically fixed according to the illustrated embodiment, or fixed by means of glue or in some other fashion. Other strip materials can be used, such as sheet of some other metal, and aluminum or plastic sections. Alternatively, the strip 6 can be integrally formed with the board 1, for instance by some suitable working of the body of the board 1. The strip, however, is always integrated with the board 1, i.e. it is not mounted on the board 1 in connection with laying. The width of the strip 6 can be about 30 mm and its thickness about 0.5 mm. A similar, although shorter strip 6′ is arranged also along one short side 5a of the board 1. The edge side of the strip 4 facing away from the joint edge 4a is formed with a locking element 8 extending along the entire strip 6. The locking element 8 has an active locking surface 10 facing the joint edge 4a and having a height of e.g. 0.5 mm. In connection with laying, the locking element 8 cooperates with a locking groove 14, which is formed in the underside 3 of the opposite long side 4b of an adjacent board 1′. The short side strip 6′ is provided with a corresponding locking element 8′, and the opposite short side 5b has a corresponding locking groove 14′.
For mechanical joining of both long sides and short sides also in the vertical direction (direction D1 in FIG. 1c), the board 1 is further along its one long side 4a and its one short side 5a formed with a laterally open recess 16. The recess 16 is defined downwards by the associated strip 6, 6′. At the opposite edges 4b and 5b there is an upper recess 18 defining a locking tongue 20 (see FIG. 2a) cooperating with the recess 16 to form a tongue-and-groove joint.
FIGS. 1a-1c show how two such boards 1, 1′ can be joined by downwards angling. FIGS. 2a-2c show how the boards 1, 1′ can instead be joined by snap action. The long sides 4a, 4b can be joined by both methods whereas the short sides 5a, 5b—after laying of the first row—are normally joined after joining of the long sides and merely by snap action. When a new board 1′ and a previously laid board 1 are to be joined along their long sides according to FIGS. 1a-1c, the long side 4b of the new board 1′ is pressed against the long side 4a of the previously laid board 1 according to FIG. 1a, so that the locking tongue 20 is inserted into the recess 16. The board 1′ is then angled downwards to the subfloor 12 according to FIG. 1b. Now the locking tongue 20 completely enters the recess 16 while at the same time the locking element 8 of the strip 6 enters the locking groove 14. During this downwards angling, the upper part of the locking element 8 can be active and accomplish a guiding of the new board 1′ towards the previously laid board 1. In the joined state according to FIG. 1c, the boards 1, 1′ are locked in both D1 direction and D2 direction, but may be displaced relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the joint.
FIGS. 2a-2c illustrate how also the short sides 5a and 5b of the boards 1, 1′ can be mechanically joined in both D1 and D2 direction by the new board 1′ being moved essentially horizontally towards the previously laid board 1. This can be carried out after the long side 4b of the new board 1′ has been joined as described above. In the first step in FIG. 2a, bevelled surfaces adjacent to the recess 16 and the locking tongue 20 cooperate so that the strip 6′ is forced downwards as a direct consequence of the joining of the short sides 5a, 5b. During the final joining, the strip 6′ snaps upwards as the locking element 8′ enters the locking groove 14′. By repeating the operations shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the entire floor can be laid without glue and along all joint edges. Thus, prior-art floorboards of the above-mentioned type are joined mechanically by, as a rule, first being angled downwards on the long side, and when the long side is locked, the short sides are snapped together by horizontal displacement along the long side. The boards 1, 1′ can be taken up again in reverse order, without the joint being damaged, and be laid once more.
For optimal function, it should be possible for the boards, after being joined, along their long sides to take a position where there is a possibility of a small play between the locking surface 10 and the locking groove 14. For a more detailed description of this play, reference is made to WO 94/26999.
In addition to the disclosure of the above-mentioned patent specifications, Norske Skog Flooring AS (licensee of Valinge Aluminum AB) introduced a laminate flooring with a mechanical joining system according to WO 94/29699 in January 1996 in connection with the Domotex fair in Hannover, Germany. This laminate flooring marketed under the trademark Alloc®, is 7.6 mm thick, has a 0.6 mm aluminum strip 6 which is mechanically fixed to the tongue side and the active locking surface 10 of the locking element 8 has an inclination of about 70.degree.-80.degree. to the plane of the board. The joint edges are impregnated with wax and the underside is provided with underlay board which is mounted at the factory. The vertical joint is designed as a modified tongue-and-groove joint. The strips 6, 6′ on long side and short side are largely identical, but slightly bent upwards to different degrees on long side and short side. The inclination of the active locking surface varies between long side and short side. The distance of the locking groove 14 from the joint edge, however, is somewhat smaller on the short side than on the long side. The boards are made with a nominal play on the long side which is about 0.05-0.10 mm. This enables displacement of the long sides and bridges width tolerances of the boards. Boards of this brand have been manufactured and sold with zero play on the short sides, which is possible since the short sides need not be displaced in connection with the locking which is effected by snap action. Boards of this brand have also been made with more bevelled portions on the short side to facilitate snapping in according to FIGS. 2a-c above. It is thus known that the mechanical locking system can be designed in various ways and that long side and short side can be of different design.
WO 97/47834 (Unilin) discloses a mechanical joining system which is essentially based on the above known principles. In the corresponding product which this applicant began to market in the latter part of 1997, biasing between the boards is strived for. This leads to high friction and difficulties in angling together and displacing the boards. This document also shows that the mechanical locking on the short side can be designed in a manner different from the long side. In the described embodiments, the strip is integrated with the body of the board, i.e. made in one piece with and of the same material as the body of the board.


A system and method for controlling deployment of an inflatable passenger restraint utilize distance-based thresholds to improve deployment time in high-speed crash events and to improve event discrimination for side impacts. The invention uses an acceleration signal to calculate distance and to calculate average acceleration using three buffers holding differing numbers of samples. The three average accelerations are used to determine the length of the acceleration curves above and below the zero axis which is defined as positive and negative jerk. Average acceleration and jerk are compared to the distance-based thresholds to determine whether or not to deploy the inflatable restraint.

A number of systems and methods for actuating vehicular safety devices are well known in the art. Typically, a sensor is used to determine vehicle acceleration (and therefore deceleration). The signal is processed to determine when to activate various passive safety devices, such as inflatable restraints and safety belt pre-tensioners.
To provide optimum protection for the passengers of the vehicle, it is important to accurately and expeditiously determine the relative severity of a crash event to allow sufficient time for the deployment of an inflatable restraint. It is also important to refrain from deploying an inflatable restraint for crash events in which the restraint would not benefit the passengers. Such events may include low-velocity impacts, side impacts, and the like.

System and method for the detection and discrimination of vehicle crash events


A lift frame adapted to be pivotally mounted on a hoist include a tubular sleeve guide that guides a lift slide. The lift slide carries a lift frame for supporting a load such as a beam or truss to be lifted, and is spring loaded in an upward direction by a spring extending between a slider tube and the lift frame. The spring keeps the bracket seated on the load for a limited distance along the lift path. The lift slide has a stop that limits the amount of downward movement of the lift slide relative to the guide as the load is lifted. Specifically, a pair of frames are mounted at opposite ends of a spreader bar for lifting an elongated beam. A bracket on each lift slide engages one end of the beam and supports it under spring load for a selected amount of vertical travel, and thereafter the beam or load is directly lifted mechanically by having the stop on the lift slide engaging the sleeve guide.

The present invention relates to a lifting frame assembly used with a hoist or crane for holding elongated beams, trusses and the like, which has a pair of spaced apart lifting frames mounted onto a spreader bar. The lifting frames have lift slides that support the beam and provide a spring load on the beam to be lifted for a selected amount of vertical travel of the spreader bar. The load lift slides also remain engaged with the beam being lifted under the spring load for a selected amount of lowering movement of the lift frame assemblies after the beam is supported on an object.
A problem arises in the construction industry when placing long trusses or beams (called beams for convenience in this specification), into position, in particular, in that the rigging is generally controlled by a crane operator in a cab some distance away from the actual placement. It is possible for a lifted load to unexpectedly hang-up on the surrounding structure before it is secured in its final position. This condition is difficult for the hoist operator to sense. If the crane continues to lower the frame, the lifting hardware will likely prematurely dis-engage from the load. If the now unsecured load dislodges from the surrounding structure, the load falls out of control. This can result in damage to the structure being built, and hazards to workers.
In the prior art there have been springloaded lifts of various designs, but generally the holders and rigging are fairly complex and do not provide for a direct, limited amount of spring load needed for ensuring proper operation.

Frame for lifting beams and other elongated loads


A method is provided for fabricating a semiconductor device. According to the method, a semiconductor layer is formed over a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate, and a gate is formed on the semiconductor layer. Source and drain extension regions and a deep drain region are formed in the semiconductor layer. A deep source region is formed in the semiconductor layer. A drain metal-semiconductor alloy contact is located on the upper portion of the deep drain region and abutting the drain extension region. A source metal-semiconductor alloy contact abuts the source extension region. The deep source region is located below and contacts a first portion of the source metal-semiconductor alloy contact. The deep source region is not located below and does not contact a second portion of the source metal-semiconductor alloy contact. The second portion of the source metal-semiconductor alloy contact is an internal body contact that directly contacts the semiconductor layer.

A conventional radio frequency ("RF") MOSFET produced on a silicon-on-insulator ("SOI") substrate includes a body contact in order to eliminate the floating body effect. While logic MOSFETs on an SOI substrate can tolerate the floating body effect, RF MOSFETs cannot do so, especially MOSFETs that are to be used for analog applications. This is because such RF MOSFETs need to be modeled very accurately, and the floating body effect is difficult to model because it is not a steady-state effect. Furthermore, the floating body effect often induces a kink in the drain current versus drain-source voltage (Id-Vds) characteristic. This degrades the linearity as well as the power gain of the transistor. Therefore, a body contact is provided for an RF MOSFET on an SOI substrate in order to give the transistor a body-tied configuration. The external contact to the body ensures a stable body potential. However, this external body contact requires extra area, and more specifically increases the perimeter of the drain-to-body junction. This increases the capacitance and reducing the achievable cut-off frequency (fT) and maximum frequency (fmax).

Method for fabricating MOSFET on silicon-on-insulator with internal body contact


A power meter having complex quadrature output current and voltage filters provides power measurements in high amplitude and frequency variation and/or high jitter environments without requiring high computational overhead. A pair of filters, one for voltage and one for current each have a response determined by complex non-conjugate poles. The response of the filters is such that only the positive or negative half plane of the complex frequency spectrum is passed and provide complex outputs representing the real and imaginary parts of both the current and voltage. At least one indication of a power delivered to a load is computed from the complex current and voltage outputs, which may be the real and/or reactive power.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to power measurement circuits and systems, and more particularly to a power measurement system that provides for measurement of complex power, including reactive and real power delivered to a load.
2. Background of the Invention
Power measurements performed by integrated circuits (ICs), such as those used in motor control and power supply systems typically measure voltage and current delivered to a load using analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and then compute a measured power level by multiplying the voltage and current measurements to obtain a power measurement. Systems such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,521,482 typically assume that the measured power is a real power value, or for A/C power measurements, use a power factor to adjust the power calculated from the voltage and current measurements to obtain the real power. Such power computations are accurate for a fixed-frequency stable sine wave. For DC power measurements, the power factor correction is not needed.
However, making accurate A/C power measurements when the frequency and/or amplitude varies rapidly, such as in some A/C motor control applications, and when jitter is present is very difficult and requires extensive computations in order to preserve accuracy of the measurements. Further, measurement of complex power including both real and reactive power metrics is desirable for total modeling of the load conditions which is useful in monitoring and controlling power delivery in applications such as motor control.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a less computation-intensive system and method for performing A/C power measurements. It would further be desirable to provide such a system and method that provides a complex power measurement output.

Power meter having complex quadrature output current and voltage filters


In a backhoe comprising: a diesel engine able to increase a speed due to an accelerating operation; an exhaust gas cleaning device having a DPF for catching a particulate matter included in an exhaust gas exhausted from the diesel engine; and a filter regeneration means to combust and remove the particulate matter deposited in the DPF of the exhaust gas cleaning device, the filter regeneration means requires to increase the speed of the diesel engine during an automatic regeneration for automatically combusting and removing the particulate matter deposited in the DPF. In this manner, a working machine able to require an operator to increase the speed of the diesel engine at appropriate timing, in order to increase a temperature of the exhaust gas to a temperature required for regeneration of the DPF can be provided.

To improve and solve a recent environment problem, an exhaust gas regulation to a diesel engine is tightened. Also in a working machine such as a construction machine and an agricultural machine, techniques for decreasing the particle matter (the particulate matter) included in an exhaust gas are variously developed to deal with the strict exhaust gas regulation.
In general, an exhaust gas cleaning device to catch the particulate matter included in the exhaust gas is provided to the diesel engine. The exhaust gas cleaning device lets the exhaust gas pass through an internally-provided Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) to catch the particulate matter. Since the caught particulate matter is gradually deposited in the DPF of the exhaust gas cleaning device, the DPF has to be regenerated by arbitrarily removing the particulate matter so that the DPF is not clogged to increase an air resistance of the exhaust system.
As a technique related to the regeneration of the above-mentioned DPF, there is an exhaust gas cleaning filter regeneration device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications JP-A 2005-337062.
The exhaust gas control filter regeneration device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications JP-A 2005-337062 is a device that regenerates an exhaust gas cleaning filter provided in an exhaust flow path of an engine to drive a hydraulic pump for supplying an operating oil to a working hydraulic device via a hydraulic circuit, comprising: a load oil path connected to the hydraulic circuit; a filter regeneration load for applying a load to the hydraulic pump, the filter regeneration load being arranged in the load oil path; an oil path opening-closing means to supply the operating oil from the hydraulic pump to the load oil path and to the filter regeneration load at regeneration of the exhaust gas cleaning filter; and a hydraulic operation means to operate a fuel injection amount regulation lever of the engine, the hydraulic operation means being arranged in the load oil path and being operated by a pressure of the operating oil from the hydraulic pump at the regeneration of the exhaust gas cleaning filter, wherein the load of the hydraulic pump is increased to increase the load of the engine by supplying the operating oil from the hydraulic pump to the load oil path and to the filter regeneration load due to the oil path opening-closing means at the regeneration of the exhaust gas cleaning filter, and the fuel injection amount regulation lever is operated by the hydraulic operation means.
In addition, as the above-mentioned technique related to the regeneration of the DPF, there is a working vehicle disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications JP-A 2010-77954.
The working vehicle disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications JP-A 2010-77954 has a configuration that, upon detection of a differential pressure equal to or larger than a pressure of a predetermined value in a pressure sensor at a moment immediately before stopping an engine, automatically starts up an electric power source of the working vehicle to inform an operator of the detection even after the stopping the engine, and when the operator selects a regeneration mode with use of a selection switch, automatically starts the engine to regenerate the DPF at an idling engine speed, and the working vehicle automatically stops the engine and the electric power source after the differential pressure in the pressure sensor becomes a predetermined value or less.
Moreover, as the above-mentioned technique related to the regeneration of the DPF, there are techniques disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications JP-A 2010-127253 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications JP-A 2010-270611.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications JP-A 2010-127253 is a technique for performing close of an intake throttle (close of an intake valve and an exhausting valve) and the post injection at the regeneration process of the DPF, and automatically stops the engine upon completion of the regeneration.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications JP-A 2010-270611 is a technique for regenerating the DPF without stopping the engine at the clogging of the DPF through judgment of the clogging of the DPF on the basis of a working state of the engine during the operation of a construction machine.


A PLL circuit provides a self-selecting divide ratio, which is varied as necessary to lock the circuit to a reference clock which may have several possible frequencies, thereby enabling the VCO to employ a type of oscillator having a superior jitter characteristic. The PLL circuit includes a variable divider which divides the VCO output by a divide ratio value provided by a frequency band select circuit, which provides the divide ratio needed to drive the phase difference between the reference and divided clocks toward zero while the VCO clock output operates within a predetermined frequency range. The self-selecting variable divide ratio allows the VCO's oscillator to have a narrow output frequency range, thereby allowing the use of an oscillator type with a jitter characteristic which may be low enough to meet the requirements of JEDEC, for example.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of phase-locked loop (PLL) circuits, and particularly to PLL circuits used to distribute multiple clock signals.
2. Description of the Related Art
Most digital electronic circuits operate in response to a clock signal. In some applications, a number of different integrated circuits (ICs) each require their own clock signal, with all the clock signals derived from and in phase with a reference clock.
One method of accomplishing this is with the use of a phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit, which receives a reference clock and produces an output signal which is in-phase with the reference clock. A conventional PLL circuit is shown in FIG. 1. Here, a reference clock 10 having a frequency fref is applied to one input of a phase detector 11, which also receives a second input 12. The phase detector produces an output 14 which varies with the phase difference between its two input signals. Output 14 is provided to a loop filter 16, the output of which is applied to the control input 18 of a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) 20. The VCO produces an output 22 having a frequency fVCO which is applied to the input of a divide-by-N circuit 24. The output 26 of divider 24 has a frequency fdiv, and is fed back to input 12 of phase detector 10.
In operation, N is typically a fixed integer. The frequency fVCO is N times higher than fref, and is divided down to fref by divider 24. When the loop is "locked", the voltage applied by loop filter 16 to VCO input 18 drives the phase difference between phase detector input signals 10 and 12 to zero, such that output 26—CLK OUT—has a frequency fdiv which is equal to fref, and which is in phase with fref.
VCO 20 is conventionally made from a ring oscillator, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Ring oscillators have a wide output frequency range; as such, they are well-suited for use in PLL circuits which lock to a reference clock that can have several different frequencies. For example, the frequency fref of reference clock 10 might switch between frequencies of 100 MHz, 200 MHz, and 400 MHz. If N is a fixed integer, the VCO output needs to have a wide frequency range if the PLL is to be capable of locking onto each of these reference clocks.
One drawback to the use of a ring oscillator-based VCO is its relatively high jitter specification. In some applications, clock jitter is required to be less than a particular value. For example, for a particular type of DRAM known as DDR DRAM, the Joint Electron Device Engineering Council (JEDEC) has established limits for certain parameters associated with DDR DRAM—including the amount of jitter which may be present in the clock signals fed to the DDR DRAM chips. The clock signals generated with some PLL circuits, such as ones employing a ring oscillator-based VCO, may exceed the JEDEC specification.

PLL circuit with self-selecting variable divide ratio


A new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant named ‘KLEC04064’, characterized by its semi-trailing to cascading plant habit; freely branching growth habit; numerous double flowers that are pale yellow and pink in color; and good garden performance.

The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant, botanically known as Petunia×hybrida, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name KLEC04064.
The new Petunia is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Stuttgart, Germany. The objective of the breeding program is to create new compact and freely branching Petunias with trailing plant habit and double flowers with attractive flower coloration.
The new Petunia originated from a cross-pollination made by the Inventor in 2002 of a proprietary selection of Petunia×hybrida identified as code number V 184, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Petunia×hybrida identified as code number V 186, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Petunia was selected as a single plant from the resulting progeny of the stated cross-pollination in May, 2003 in a controlled environment in Stuttgart, Germany.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal vegetative cuttings since June, 2003, in Stuttgart, Germany has shown that the unique features of this new Petunia are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.


A method is disclosed for evaluating the terrain surrounding a radar site. The method comprises to calculate the radar horizon around a radar site from stored terrain elevation information. The information obtained can be used for controlling the scanning profile of the radar, by letting the radar scan above the calculated horizon, and thus avoiding transmitting into the terrain.

When positioning a land-based radar which purpose is to scan the horizon around a geographical site, it is often practical to know at which elevation to start scanning. This way one can avoid spending time scanning directly into e.g. mountains.
One possible solution is for the radar to initiate a search in elevation (e.g. from the highest allowed elevation and down) for the horizon, typically on a sector-by-sector basis, and detect where the ground clutter level starts to be significant.
A radar can get a certain amount of false echo above the horizon (e.g. birds, second-time-around echo from distant planes, etc) which may set the horizon higher than necessary. Sometimes radar echo are also sufficiently absorbed by surrounding terrain so that the horizon may be set lower than required.
Rain, snow and fog can also affect such a measurement.
In addition a radar often has a minimum range of detection. This result in objects which constitute part of the horizon and being "too close" blocks the view without the radar detecting this.
Another important issue in military applications is Electronic Warfare where radar silence is an important counter measure. This means that search elevation have to be found without using the radar actively.

Method for evaluating and controlling a radar installation


Systems and methods for using endpoint references in a publish-subscribe system are described. In one aspect, an endpoint reference is created by a component of the pub-sub system. The endpoint reference includes an endpoint address and one or more contexts. Each context is directed to a respective component of the pub-sub system. Each context is transparent to the respective component, and selectively opaque to all other pub-sub system components.

A Web service is programmable application logic accessible using standard Internet protocols. Publish-subscribe ("pub-sub") Web service systems provide mechanisms for a Web service to register interest in receiving messages when events occur in other services and applications. For instance, messages generated by publishers may be forwarded to a central messaging hub or broker that in turn sends these messages to subscribers that have previously subscribed to receive some or all of these messages. A "subscriber" may send a request message indicating interest, or "subscription", to an "event source" (another Web service) regarding notifications about certain events (e.g., current stock quotes, etc.). The request indicates that such event notifications are to be sent by the event source to an "event sink." In a simplest scenario, the subscriber is the event sink. In another scenario, the subscriber is a third party independent from the event sink that manages the subscription for the event sink.
A subscriber may want to include context, cookies, or other non-standard data within each event notification sent by an event source to an event sink as part of a subscription. For purposes of discussion, such non-standard data is hereinafter often collectively referred to as "context". Such context, for example, may be used by the event sink and/or an intermediary (a gateway, firewall, etc.) to configure operations, to transmit state or other data to the subscriber, etc. For instance, a security intermediary may use context included with an event notification to discard notifications that do not include an appropriate authorization token (context); a logging intermediary may use the non-standard data to log events that are part of a business relationship, and so on.
Unfortunately, a subscription request message from a subscriber to an event source is not designed to encapsulate such context. In particular, a subscription request is designed to encapsulate only a minimal amount of information—typically a 128-bit GUID or a Universal Resource Identifier (URI) address (network or logical) of an event sink. Accordingly, to include context within a subscription request, a subscriber typically modifies the request in a proprietary manner to add any context with the message. This means that components in a pub-sub system that desire to transmit context to another entity must share a common set of assumptions with at least that entity about how context in a subscription and/or event notification message is to be parsed, and subsequently interpreted. When an event source sends the context to the entity, for instance, with an event notification, the event source must at a minimum be able to decode the additional information present in the subscription. Instructions to implement such decoding of context information may have been provided via a document, a phone call, a piece of code sent to an event source developer, etc. Additionally, every time the subscriber wants to change the amount or the format of the additional data (context) it is likely that the event source will need to change as well to decode this new style.
For example, a subscriber may serialize context within the GUID or URI address of the event sink. Alternatively, the subscriber may add a data field to the structure of the subscription request to hold the context. Regardless of the manner in which the context is inserted into the subscription request, there must be tight coupling between the subscriber and the event source to extract, parse, and maintain such context. Additionally, serialization of context within a 128-bit GUID or URI substantially limits the format and quantity of the context being conveyed.
Intermediaries may have differing context requirements, such as authentication criteria. Additionally, certain context may need to be hidden from some recipients. This is because all intermediaries that receive context during normal communication flow of an event notification to an event sink may not be within a same trust domain. That is, one intermediary may not have authorization to access to context of another intermediary. These additional requirements result in even tighter coupling requirements between pub-sub components. Such tight coupling between pub-sub components is undesirable because respective components are generally more expensive and time consuming to create and maintain. Moreover, since context extraction for forwarding with event notifications is performed based on event source implementations, the subscriber has little, if any, control over the information sent to intermediaries and event sinks once the information has been sent to the event source.

Using endpoint references in a pub-sub system


A vehicle body includes a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal side rails, a first cross member and a second cross member. Each cross members spans between and interconnects the side rails. A multi-piece well includes a well floor having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. A first frame side support is secured to the first side of the well floor and a second frame side support is secured to the second side of the well floor. The first and second frame side supports define opposite side walls of the well. A first frame end support is secured to the first end of the well floor and a second frame end support is secured to the second end of the well floor. The first and second frame end supports define opposite end walls of the well.

A typical automotive body/frame includes longitudinal rails connected to one another by one or more cross members in the rear region of the vehicle body, e.g., in order to form a closed vehicle frame. In this respect, the position of each cross member is varied in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and adapted to the respective configuration of the motor vehicle or the motor vehicle type. It is also known to provide wells or pans in automotive bodies, such as, for example, trunk wells and spare-tire wells. One known well configuration is a one-piece deep-drawn part which is secured in an opening located in a floor panel of secured to the frame. The opening in the floor panel can be flanked by the cross members but the one-piece well itself does not form part of the structural body/frame and the overall benefit to body rigidity and strength for the one-piece deep-drawn part is minimal. Further, this known one-piece deep-drawn well design provides for an increased tooling and process cost.

Structural pan for automotive body/frame


A circuit and a method for regulating a voltage supply where the method includes the steps of concurrently measuring temperature, IR drop and frequency response within the circuit, adjusting voltage supplied to the circuit in response to the measured temperature, IR drop and frequency response, and determining a correction value based on the variance of the measured frequency response from an expected frequency response and providing a correction for subsequent predetermined frequency response values. The frequency response measurement is dependent upon the constant bandgap voltage source which may very according to temperature. Upon a determination that corrections may be required for the bandgap voltage source to compensate for temperature variations, the measurement process which uses the bandgap voltage source can be altered to compensate for the temperature variations.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to a system and method for regulating voltage while correcting for variations in temperature. In particular, the present invention relates to a system and method for regulating voltage while correcting for bandgap voltage stores temperature variations.
2. Description of the Related Art
A bandgap voltage is a reference that is commonly provided in integrated circuits. Usually, it is about 1.262 Volts.
Bandgap voltage is used as a reference in many circuits because it is considered to be a constant voltage source. In reality, the bandgap voltage does vary with temperature thus introducing errors into circuits that rely on the bandgap voltage as a constant reference. One reference that addresses this issue is by V. Gupta and G. A. Rincon-Mora, entitled "Predicting the Effects of Error Sources in Bandgap Reference Circuits and Evaluating their Design Implications," IEEE's Midwest Symposium on Circuits and Systems (MWSCAS), vol. 3, pp. 575-578, Tulsa, Okla., 2002.
A bandgap reference voltage supply is used in applications where precise voltage is needed. If there are variations in the reference voltage itself, any other circuits that depend upon this constant reference will produce results that are not precise. It is therefore important to provide some correction to a bandgap reference voltage such that it stays constant in the presence of temperature variations. There is more than one approach to correct a bandgap reference voltage. In the prior art, attempts have been made to correct the actual value of the bandgap reference voltage. However, these previous attempts to correct the variations in bandgap voltage are not totally attractive for many implementations.
Therefore, there is need to provide a corrective mechanism to deal with the bandgap voltage source errors caused by temperature variations.

Temperature dependent voltage source compensation

International Business Machines Corporation


A melamine polymetaphosphate having a solubility of from 0.01 to 0.10 g/100 ml in water at 25.degree. C., a pH of from 2.5 to 4.5 in the form of a 10 wt % aqueous slurry at 25.degree. C. and a melamine content of from 1.0 to 1.1 mol per mol of phosphorus atom.. A process for producing such a melamine polymetaphosphate, which comprises the following steps (a) and (b):. (a) a step of mixing melamine, urea and an aqueous orthophosphoric acid solution containing at least 40 wt % of orthophosphoric acid, in such a ratio that melamine is from 1.0 to 1.5 mol per mol of orthophosphoric acid and urea is from 0.1 to 1.5 mol per mol of orthophosphoric acid, at a temperature of from 0 to 140.degree. C., to form a reaction mixture, and stirring the reaction mixture at a temperature of from 0 to 140.degree. C., while removing water, to obtain a powdery product of a double salt of orthophosphoric acid with melamine and urea; and PA1 (b) a step of calcining the powdery product obtained in step (a) at a temperature of from 240 to 340.degree. C. for from 0.1 to 30 hours, while preventing agglomeration, to obtain a melamine polymetaphosphate.

With respect to melamine polyphosphate, various types of melamine polyphosphate compounds are disclosed in literatures. For example, JP-B-40-28594 discloses a process which comprises calcining melamine orthophosphate at a temperature of from 180 to 250.degree. C. to obtain a calcined melamine phosphate wherein a part of melamine orthophosphate remains. However, it has been pointed out that this melamine phosphate is a composite of melamine orthophosphate and melamine pyrophosphate and does not have adequate water resistance.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,920,796 discloses that melamine pyrophosphate is formed by calcining melamine orthophosphate at a temperature of from 170 to 325.degree. C.
Further, U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,757 discloses a process for producing melamine pyrophosphate, which comprises reacting pyrophosphoric acid and melamine in an aqueous medium at a temperature of from 0 to 60.degree. C.
JP-A-61-126091 discloses a process for producing melamine condensed phosphate, which comprises subjecting condensed phosphoric acid and melamine to a solid phase reaction substantially in the absence of an aqueous medium at a temperature of from naturally generated temperature to 170.degree. C.
It is known to employ urea as a condensing agent for the production of a polyphosphate. For example, JP-B-53-2170 discloses a process for producing an amide polyphosphate containing amide-type nitrogen, wherein a phosphoric acid source, such as ammonium orthophosphate, orthophosphoric acid, condensed phosphoric acid, phosphoric anhydride, urea phosphate or a mixture thereof, and a nitrogen source, such as melamine, a cyanamide derivative such as dicyan cyanamide, guanidine or guanyl urea, or a mixture thereof, are subjected to a heat condensation reaction in the presence of a condensing agent, such as urea, urea phosphate or a mixture thereof. With respect to the production conditions, it is disclosed that heat condensation is carried out at a molar ratio of urea/phosphoric acid (as H.sub.3 PO.sub.4)/cyanamide derivative=0.8 to 1.5/1/0.05 to 1 in an atmosphere of ammonia gas at a temperature of from 150 to 350.degree. C. for from 10 minutes to 5 hours, preferably from 1 to 4 hours. Example 1 of the same publication discloses that ammonium phosphate, industrial urea and melamine were mixed at a molar ratio of urea/phosphoric acid (as H.sub.3 PO.sub.4)/melamine=1/1/0.5 to obtain a material for calcination, which was subjected to heat condensation at a temperature of from 240 to 260.degree. C. for 2.5 hours to obtain a substantially water-insoluble amide polyphosphate (nitrogen: 33.48 wt %, diphosphorus pentoxide: 44.73 wt %, elution ratio (10 g of a sample was put into 100 ml of water and stirred for 1 hour at a predetermined temperature, whereupon the elution ratio (%) was determined): 1.36%, pH of the 1% solution: 8.26).
JP-B-53-15478 discloses a process for producing an ammonium polyphosphate hardly soluble in water, which comprises calcining crystalline urea phosphate, or ammonium phosphate and urea, as starting material, wherein the starting material is heat-condensed in the presence of melamine or melamine phosphate in an amount of from 5 to 50 wt % as melamine (based on the total amount of the starting material and melamine or melamine phosphate) to obtain a modified ammonium polyphosphate. Example 1 of the same publication discloses that a starting material prepared by mixing ammonium phosphate, industrial urea and melamine at a molar ratio of urea/phosphoric acid (as H.sub.3 PO.sub.4)/melamine=1/1/0.5, was subjected to heat condensation by a rotary indirect heating furnace at a temperature of from 260 to 270.degree. C. for 1.5 hours to obtain a product, then the product was pulverized to a particle size whereby all particles pass through 32 mesh (standard sieve) and then subjected to heat condensation by a rotary indirect heating furnace in an ammonia gas atmosphere at 270.degree. C. for 1.5 hours to obtain a substantially water-insoluble modified ammonium polyphosphate (total nitrogen: 34.52 wt %, ammonia type nitrogen: 8.15 wt %, diphosphorus pentoxide: 44.03 wt %, elution ratio (10 g of a sample was put into 100 ml of water and stirred for 1 hour at a temperature of 25.degree. C., whereupon the elution ratio (%) was determined): 0.31%, pH of the 1% solution: 7.60).
JP-B-55-49004 discloses a process for producing a mixture of a hardly soluble ammonium polyphosphate and melamine, which comprises a solid phase reaction by heating a mixture of melamine phosphate and urea at a temperature of at least 240.degree. C. Example 2 of the same publication discloses a mixture of a hardly soluble ammonium polyphosphate and melamine (phosphorus: 14.5%, water-solubility (10 g of a sample was put into 100 ml of water, followed by shaking at room temperature for 30 minutes, whereupon the elution ratio (%) was determined): 4.8%), which was obtained by using 10 kg of melamine phosphate and 6 kg of urea (1.5 mol of urea per mol of phosphoric acid).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,043,987 discloses a process for producing an ammonium melamine polyphosphate as a salt of a substituted ammonium polyphosphate. Example 1 of the same patent discloses that while stirring 100 g of condensed phosphoric acid, 47 g of urea was added thereto, then 8 g of melamine was added to the mixture, and the entire amount was calcined at 240.degree. C. for 30 minutes to obtain an ammonium melamine polyphosphate as a foam solid (solubility in water at 25.degree. C.: 5.4 g/100 ml, pH of the 10 wt % aqueous slurry at 25.degree. C.: 5.68). The remaining foam solid was pulverized, and the pulverized product was heat-treated by a metal pressure container under a pressure of 4.times.10.sup.5 Pa at a temperature of 170.degree. C. for 13 hours to obtain a pulverized product (carbon: 4%, nitrogen: 18%, phosphorus: 29%, solubility in water at 25.degree. C.: 3.92 g/100 ml, pH of the 10 wt % aqueous slurry at 25.degree. C.: 6.63).
On the other hand, it is well known to utilize a melamine polyphosphate as a flame retardant, and many proposals have been made heretofore. For example, JP-A-53-49054 discloses a polyamide resin composition having improved flame retardancy, which is prepared by adding an inorganic filler and melamine phosphate to a polyamide.
JP-A-61-126091 discloses that condensed melamine phosphate is useful as a flame retardant for a thermoplastic resin such as polyester, polyamide or polyolefin, for a thermosetting resin such as a phenol or urethane epoxy resin, or for a cellulose material.
Further, JP-A-7-316415 discloses a flame retardant polyphenylene ether resin composition, which is prepared by adding melamine phosphate to a polyphenylene ether resin composition.
Each of melamine orthophosphate, melamine pyrophosphate and calcined melamine phosphate disclosed in the above-described prior art has a large water content and no adequate heat stability and thus has a drawback that dissociation of water and melamine is remarkable before the heating temperature reaches 300.degree. C. and a drawback that the content of water-soluble components is high. The above-described condensed melamine phosphate is improved in that dissociation of water and ammonia due to heating at a temperature of 300.degree. C. is little, but still has a drawback that the content of water-soluble components is high. Accordingly, although such melamine orthophosphate and melamine polyphosphates are effective as flame retardants for cellulose materials or resins having low molding temperatures, they can be hardly effectively used as flame retardants for resins having high molding temperatures, with which resin temperatures become 300.degree. C. even temporarily.
Further, the above-mentioned amide polyphosphate prepared by using urea as a condensing agent, the mixture of ammonium polyphosphate and melamine, or the ammonium melamine polyphosphate, is improved in that dissociation of water by heating at a temperature of 300.degree. C. is little, but undergoes thermal decomposition and dissociation of ammonia. Further, most of them have a drawback that the content of water-soluble components is high. Accordingly, they may be effective as flame retardants for cellulose materials or resins having low molding temperatures, but can be hardly effectively used as flame retardants for resins having high molding temperatures, with which the resin temperatures become 300.degree. C. even temporarily.

Melamine polymetaphosphate and process for its production


An insulating layer is disposed in areas between pixel electrodes adjacent to each other so as to rest on peripheries of the pixel electrodes. An organic layer is disposed to include a common layer that continuously covers the pixel electrodes and the insulating layer. A common electrode is disposed on the organic layer. A sealing layer conducts sealing to cover the organic layer and the common electrode. The pixel electrodes have depressed portions whose upper surfaces are recessed on ends including the peripheries of the pixel electrodes. The common layer has depressed portions whose upper surfaces are recessed in correspondence with the depressed portions of the pixel electrodes. The common electrode has depressed portions whose upper surfaces are recessed in correspondence with the depressed portions of the common layer. The sealing layer is curved in correspondence with the depressed portions of the common electrode.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an organic electroluminescent display device.
2. Description of the Related Art
An organic electroluminescent display device has a structure in which an organic film is sandwiched between an anode and a cathode (refer to JP 2012-216338 A). As usual, plural organic films are laminated on each other, and one of those organic films is a light emitting layer. In order to obtain light emission of one color (for example, white) in plural pixels, the organic film for making the light emitting layer is wholly continuously formed. Alternatively, in order to obtain the light emission of plural colors in the plural pixels, the organic film for making the light emitting layer is separated for each of pixels, but the organic film for making a hole injection layer, an electron injection layer, a hole transport layer, or an electron transport layer is continuously formed. Even in any case, at least one organic film is continuously formed over the pixels adjacent to each other.
In a high-quality display device, the pixels adjacent to each other come closer to each other by miniaturization of the pixels. For that reason, a light generated in any pixel may penetrate to the adjacent pixels. If colors of the pixels adjacent to each other are different from each other, there arises such a problem that the colors are mixed together. JP 2012-216338 A discloses such a problem that pixels from which no light is to be emitted emits a light by leakage of a current to the adjacent pixels, but fails to disclose such a problem that the light per se penetrates to the adjacent pixels.

Organic electroluminescence display device


An information distribution system configured to deliver various types of content provided by an information distributor to information receivers through a network and transmitting the content to be distributed converted to colors, color values, or color digital values. By converting the content to colors, color values, or color digital values, it is possible to reduce the amount of information transmitted. Due to this, it becomes possible to shorten the time required for distribution of content and to improve practicality. Further, it becomes possible to reduce the distribution costs.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information distribution system, more particularly relates to an information distribution system for distributing various types of information of newspapers, magazines, encyclopedias, security reports, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "content") through the Internet or another open network to information receivers. This information distribution system can distribute vast amounts of content safely at a high speed.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, the spread of the Internet and other open networks (hereinafter referred to as "networks") has led to an increase in electronic newspapers, electronic books, etc. prepared and distributed by information distributors. Homes and companies are now able to receive content such as electronic newspapers and electronic books on PCs and view them on-line or download them for viewing.
The information distribution systems of the related art, however, are configured to distribute one day's worth of a newspaper or one volume's worth of a book as it is as text data or image data, so the amount of the information transmitted becomes enormous. Accordingly, unless a broadband network or other high-speed communications line is used, it takes too much time to distribute the information and therefore the systems are impractical. Further, even if using the high-speed communication lines, the amount of the information transmitted remains the same, so the problem arises of the distribution costs increasing in proportion to the amount of information transmitted. Further, the problem arises of the need to lay new high-speed communication lines.
Further, even if high-speed communication lines are already laid, the problem of the communication speed of the lines between the high-speed line network and the PCs remains.


An escrow system that comprises correlating confidential data defining a fixed condition or set of conditions for a release of escrow with data presented in an indefinite series of confidential presentations seeking to satisfy that condition or set of conditions. The system involves a process whereby the conditions for a release of the escrow are fixed (i.e. reduced to writing and not subject to change for a specified period of time) but are not fully disclosed to a party seeking a release of the escrow. Instead, a party seeking a release of the escrow is permitted to submit an indefinite number of confidential presentations seeking to satisfy all of those fixed conditions, both disclosed and undisclosed. The fact and contents of each such presentation are treated as confidential unless the presentation results in a determination by the System that all of the fixed conditions have been satisfied.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention is concerned generally with enhancing the ability of parties to engage in efficient bargaining. It has specific application and utility in situations where an aspect of the consideration (i.e., the thing of value) being sought by one of the parties is understood by at least one of the parties to be unavailable, or not readily available, from other sources (such as a buyout by one partner of another partner's interest in a partnership, a conveyance of closely held stock, or a contract for the provision of unique goods or services, etc.), with the result that the value that is ascribed to the consideration by one or both of the parties may be substantially influenced by their perception of the value placed on it by the other side, resulting in inefficiencies in the informational exchange and bargaining process that takes place between the parties. The invention provides a system or method whereby parties who find themselves in such situations may take unilateral steps to determine whether an outcome that they deem to be acceptable is acceptable to the other side, without first having to fully disclose that proposed outcome, or having to signify any willingness to consider compromise, to the other side. The invention does this by providing a unique system for the handling of escrow,1 with the result that the operational and functional aspects of the invention will be most readily appreciated and understood by parties who are experienced in the use or provision of escrow services, such as law firms and banking institutions. (For example, the Inventor is an attorney experienced in the use and provision of escrow services and of escrow-based instruments, such as letters of credit, maritime letters of undertaking and bonds posted in admiralty proceedings.) The principles that underlie the invention, and that give rise to its utility, will be most readily appreciated and understood by game theorists, i.e., by economists, mathematicians, and 2strategic analysts familiar with the study of "non-cooperative bargaining" as addressed in game theory and in studies of the so-called "strategy of conflict," as discussed infra at note 3.
(2) Background Art

Asymmetrical escrow system for use in non-cooperative bargaining relationships


Disclosed is a poly(ethylene-aliphatic diene) copolymer having superior miscibility, adhesivity, printability and scratch resistance, compared to conventional TPO based TPEs or SBC TPEs, by introducing a variety of functional groups to an end portion of the ethylene-aliphatic diene copolymer such that the poly(ethylene-aliphatic diene) copolymer may be utilized in a variety of fields, and a method thereof.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a poly(ethylene-aliphatic diene) copolymer having improved properties such as adhesion, printability and the like by introducing a variety of functional groups, and a preparation method thereof.
Description of the Related Art
Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) consist of soft segments having elasticity and hard segments preventing deformation due to thermoplasticity. TPEs may be formed by a method identical to a method of processing thermoplastics. TPEs also have elasticity, which is a property of thermoplastic rubber, at room temperature. By varying amounts of soft segments and hard segments in TPEs, TPEs having various properties may be produced.
TPEs are utilized as a material in various fields such as shoes, adhesives, vehicles, industrial supplies, constructions, civil engineering, marine industries, wires, cables, electronic devices, electrical appliances, sports equipment, packing materials, medical supplies and the like. TPEs are also used in large quantities as a plastic conditioner or as compatibilizers for polymer alloys. The alloys using TPEs are utilized in electrical and electronic devices, cameras and the like. In addition, TPEs may provide properties such as conductivity, photosensitivity, selective separation and the like and, as such, may be utilized in fields requiring high functionality such as electrical engineering, optics, medicine, and printing. TPEs are attracting considerable attention due to such high functionality thereof. Particularly, in medical supplies, TPEs may be utilized as a high purity rubber material, without a vulcanization agent. People have great interest and are studying for such an advantage of TPEs.
Research and development for types of soft segments and hard segments, molecular weights, and arrangements of TPE products are being conducted. Thus, TPE products having high performance and functionality are being produced and TPE product types are being varied. In addition, demand for TPEs is increasing every year due to continuous use development and concern on the environment. As a result, TPE market is being expanded actively.
TPEs are classified into thermoplastic olefinic elastomers (TPO), thermoplastic styrenic block copolymers (SBC), thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), thermoplastic polyamides (TPAE), thermoplastic polyester elastomers (TPEE), and the like.
Most TPO based TPEs are block copolymers in which polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene, nylon, styrene-acrylonitrile and the like, which are hard, and ethylene propylene diene (EPDM) rubber, natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and the like, which are soft, are copolymerized. Among these, a random block copolymer consisting of ethylene/α-olefin is the most widely utilized. Most TPO based TPEs are a random copolymer. Recently, to improve properties of TPO based TPEs, methods using metallocene catalysts or introducing living polymerization has been proposed (Olefin-diene Copolymer, Korean Application Pub. Nos. 2012-0052385 and 2011-0114475).
As SBC based TPEs, Kraton Performance Polymers Inc. prepares and sells SBS (polystyrene/polybutylene binary copolymer), SEPS (polystyrene/poly(ethylene-propylene)/polystyrene terpolymer), SEBS (polystyrene/poly(ethylene-butylene))/polystyrene terpolymer) and the like under the registered trademark "Kraton". As similar products to the SBC based TPEs, a variety of polymers such as Solprene and Calprene series of Dynasol, SEPTON of KURARAY CO., LTD., and the like are commercially available.
Molecules of TPO based or SBC based TPEs are non-polar. Thus, the TPO based or SBC based TPEs do not adhere easily to metal, wood and plastic materials, and do not have miscibility with other polymers. For these reasons, use of the TPO based or SBC based TPEs is limited.

Poly(ethylene-aliphatic diene) copolymer and preparation method thereof

KOREA INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY


Described is a wet chemical surface treatment involving NH4OH that enables extremely strong direct bonding of two wafer such as semiconductors (e.g., Si) to insulators (e.g., SiO2) at low temperatures (less than or equal to 400° C.). Surface energies as high as ˜4835±675 mJ/m2 of the bonded interface have been achieved using some of these surface treatments. This value is comparable to the values reported for significantly higher processing temperatures (less than 1000° C.). Void free bonding interfaces with excellent yield and surface energies of ˜2500 mJ/m2 have also be achieved herein.

Wafer bonding enables the formation of non-standard material stacks that are becoming increasingly important for various high performance microelectronic device applications. As the semiconductor industry faces fundamental challenges in device scaling, there is more impetus to explore alternative materials and device structures, and the flexibility afforded by wafer bonding can potentially impact several promising new technologies.
For instance, three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuits (ICs) formed by wafer bonding will allow system designers greater possibilities for optimizing circuit performance and increasing circuit functionality; stacking different semiconductors (e.g., GaAs and Si) by wafer bonding facilitates the monolithic integration of optical and electronic devices; alternative substrates such as silicon-on-sapphire, which have high defect densities when formed by conventional heteroepitaxy, can be realized with much lower defect densities by wafer bonding and result in improved RF circuit performance; and the fabrication of novel device structures such as double-gate metal-oxide-semiconductor (DGMOS) transistors with improved performance and scalability can be aided by wafer bonding.
To achieve the requirements of the semiconductor industry for these various applications, the wafer bonding process must meet some stringent criteria. First and foremost, the bonding process must be compatible with established silicon processing, which precludes the introduction of non-standard materials and, in many cases, restricts allowable process temperatures. In addition, the wafer bonding process should exhibit: defect-free bonded interfaces, high bond strength, and scalability to large sample sizes (i.e., 200-300 mm diameter wafers). Finally, the bonding process reliability must be high to gain acceptance in manufacturing.
Wafer bonding has become virtually standard in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate preparation and is used extensively for micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device fabrication applications that tolerate high temperature processing (often greater than 1000° C.). However, many microelectronic device applications of wafer bonding (such as those in which dopant diffusion needs to be minimized, where back-end materials such as metals and low-k dielectrics are already part of the material stack, and where the wafer stack contains materials with large differences in their coefficients of thermal expansion) require that process temperatures be maintained at or below 400° C. Thus, the requirement of a low temperature bonding process that results in void and bubble free bonding interfaces with a high surface energy is crucial to realizing the full potential of wafer bonding for microelectronic applications.
Wafer bonding performed at low temperatures, however, results in bonded interfaces with low surface energies. This is a significant drawback, limiting the kinds of processing that can be performed subsequent to bonding. There have been several reports in the literature that suggest that the surface energy for low temperature bonding may be significantly enhanced by an oxygen plasma treatment of the wafer surfaces. Amirfeiz, et al. "Formation of silicon structures by plasma-activated wafer bonding", J. Electrochem. Soc., 147 (7), 2693 (2000) have reported surface energies γ of approximately 1600 mJ/m2 for bonding of Si/Si and γ of approximately 900 mJ/m2 for bonding of SiO2/SiO2 following an O2 plasma surface treatment and storage at room temperature. However, Amirfeiz, et at observed severe void formation at the interface after annealing.
Similarly, D. Pasquariello et al. "Oxidation and induced damage in oxygen plasma in-situ wafer bonding", J. Electrochem. Soc., 147 (7), 2699 Nov. 1, 2002 (2000) have achieved fairly high surface energies γ of approximately 1400 mJ/m2 for direct bonding between Si wafers following O2 plasma treatment for temperatures as low as 200° C. However, the bonded interfaces displayed voids. Thus, while plasma treatments of the wafer surfaces prior to bonding yield high surface energies for low anneal temperatures (less than 400° C.), void formation at the interfaces still appears to be a problem. Void free bonding interfaces have been demonstrated at low temperatures using wet chemical pre-treatments of the bonding surfaces, however these techniques tend to have lower surface energies, typically less than 1400 mJ/m2.
In view of the drawbacks mentioned hereinabove with prior bonding processes, there is a need for providing a low temperature process for the direct bonding of wafers where the resultant bonded structure has high surface energies and contains bonding interfaces that have low defect density.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Low temperature fusion bonding with high surface energy using a wet chemical treatment


A method for mitigating a 5G roaming attack using a security edge protection proxy (SEPP), includes receiving, at an SEPP, user equipment (UE) registration messages for outbound roaming subscribers. The method further includes creating, in a SEPP security database, UE roaming registration records derived from UE registration messages. The method further includes receiving, at the SEPP, a packet data unit (PDU) session establishment request message. The method further includes performing, using at least one parameter value extracted from the PDU session establishment request message, a lookup in the SEPP security database for a UE roaming registration record. The method further includes determining, by the SEPP and based on results of the lookup, whether to allow or reject the PDU session establishment request message.

In 5G telecommunications networks, the network node that provides service is referred to as a producer network function (NF). A network node that consumes services is referred to as a consumer NF. A network function can be both a producer NF and a consumer NF depending on whether it is consuming or providing service.
A given producer NF may have many service endpoints, where a service endpoint is a combination of Internet protocol (IP) address and port number on a network node that hosts a producer NF. Producer NFs register with a network function repository function (NRF). The NRF maintains an NF profile of available NF instances and their supported services. Consumer NFs can subscribe to receive information about producer NF instances that have registered with the NRF.
In addition to consumer NFs, another type of network node that can subscribe to receive information about NF service instances is a service communication proxy (SCP). The SCP subscribes with the NRF and obtains reachability and service profile information regarding producer NF service instances. Consumer NFs connect to the service communications proxy, and the service communication proxy load balances traffic among producer NF service instances that provide the required service or directly routes the traffic to the destination producer NF.
In addition to the SCP, other examples of intermediate proxy nodes or groups of network nodes that route traffic between producer and consumer NFs include the security edge protection proxy (SEPP), the service gateway, and nodes in the 5G service mesh. The SEPP is the network node used to protect control plane traffic that is exchanged between different 5G public land mobile networks (PLMNs). As such, the SEPP performs message filtering, policing and topology hiding for all application programming interface (API) messages.
The service gateway is a node that sits in front of a group of producer NFs that provide a given service. The service gateway may load balance incoming service requests among the producer NF that provide the service in a manner similar to the SCP.
The service mesh is a name for a group of intermediate proxy nodes that enable communications between producer and consumer NFs. The service mesh may include one or more SCPs, SEPPs, and service gateways.
One problem with the existing Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) service architecture is that modes in the 5G network are subject to denial of service (DoS) attacks for messaging concerning outbound roaming subscribers. An outbound roaming subscriber is a subscriber of an operator's network that is roaming in a visited network. Normal messaging for legitimate outbound roaming subscribers involves authentication, signaling for authenticating the subscriber, followed by registration signaling for registering the subscriber to operate in the visited network. When the subscriber attempts to establish a packet data unit (PDU) session, PDU session establishment signaling is routed to the unified data management (UDM) function in the home network for authorization.
One problem with this architecture is that the home network does not authenticate PDU session establishment requests before forwarding the requests to the unified data management function and the home network. An attacker can repeatedly send fake PDU session establishment requests and overwhelm the UDM in the home network.
Accordingly, in light of these difficulties there exists a need for methods, systems, and computer readable media for mitigating 5G roaming security attacks using an SEPP.

Methods, systems, and computer readable media for mitigating 5G roaming security attacks using security edge protection proxy (SEPP)


A recording medium driving apparatus employing a compact and high-functionality switching mechanism for loading and unloading a recording medium. The switching mechanism includes a first switching lever movable in a predetermined direction, and a second switching lever whose direction of movement is reversed by an inverting link after moving with the first switching lever in the predetermined direction, the first switching lever includes an arm driving portion for a cartridge and a holder control section for a cartridge holder, and the second switching lever includes a magnetic head control portion. The direction of motion of the second switching lever is reversed when the first switching lever moves so that driving and controlling are shared between both levers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a recording medium driving apparatus in which a recording medium of a cartridge (hard case) having a disc therein is pulled to a position where the recording medium is ready to be driven and the recording medium is ejected after use and, more particularly, to a recording medium driving apparatus in which switching means for pulling and ejecting the recording medium is compact and features a high functionality.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a Mini Disc M as one example of the recording medium.
In the Mini disc M, a magneto-optical recording disc is accommodated in a hard case cartridge C having a generally square shape in plan view. The cartridge C has on its underside an aperture exposing a disc center hole (clamp hole). A shutter S is slidably supported on the right-hand side edge portion of the cartridge C with respect to the direction of insertion of the cartridge C (direction of X1), and when the shutter S is slid in a direction of X2, a window formed in the cartridge is seen. In a reproduction only Mini Disc M, a window appears on only the underside of the cartridge C, and an optical head faces the disc inside through the window.
In a recordable Mini Disc M, windows appear on both top and bottom sides of the cartridge C when the shutter S is slid, exposing the disc inside through the top and bottom windows. During a recording operation, an optical head faces the bottom surface of the disc through the bottom window of the cartridge C and a magnetic head Mm contacts the top surface of the disc through the top window of the cartridge C.
In a driving apparatus (disc device) for driving the Mini Disc M, a holder into which the Mini Disc is inserted is arranged, and a pull member 81 is arranged on one side of the holder as shown in FIG. 15. A pulling pawl 82 is integrally formed with the pull member 81. When the cartridge C is inserted into the holder in the X1 direction, an insertion forward edge C2 of the cartridge C touches an inclined face 82a of the pulling pawl 82, pivoting the pull member 81 in a direction of (iii), and when the cartridge C is further inserted in the X1 direction, the pulling pawl 82 is received within and engaged with a locking notch C1 on one side of the cartridge C under the urging of a spring or the like. By the driving force of the pull member 81 in the X1 direction, the cartridge C in the holder is pulled in the X1 direction.
At the moment the cartridge C is fully pulled into the holder, the disc in the cartridge C is clamped onto a clamp table in a disc driving section.
In the disc device into which the cartridge C such as the Mini Disc M shown in FIG. 15 is inserted, the shutter S is opened before the cartridge C is loaded onto the clamp table of the driving section, and thus the travel of the cartridge C in its insertion process is long. During a reproduction operation, a reproduction is started by driving the optical head at the moment the loading of the cartridge C is inserted and loaded by the pull member 81, while during a recording, a switching operation is still required to cause the magnetic head to touch the disc through the window of the cartridge C after the loading of the cartridge C is completed. Since the pulling operation of the cartridge and the touching operation of the magnetic head with the disc are conventionally performed by separate driving sources, the disc device requires two respective driving sources therewithin, thereby rendering itself complicated.
It is contemplated that a common motor is shared to perform a series of steps covering the pulling operation of the cartridge C by the pull member 81 and a subsequent position control operation of the magnetic head. With such a series of steps implemented, however, the magnetic head needs has to be controlled after the cartridge C is pulled in by the pull member 81, and thus, a switching lever cooperating with the insertion member 81 needs a drive section for the pull member 81, while a control section or a drive section for controlling the magnetic head is also required, and such an arrangement results in a long switching lever and a long overall stroke of travel of the switching lever. As a result, the long switching lever and its long stroke of travel needs an increased dimension of the apparatus, and the apparatus becomes bulky. Conversely, to perform the series of steps for the insertion of the cartridge C and control of the magnetic head in a compact apparatus, the travel of the insertion of the cartridge C should be shortened and narrowed, respectively. In such an arrangement, the cartridge C has to be inserted deep into the holder to such an extent that operational inconveniences result.

Compact switching means for driving a recording medium