[System] You are an expert US patent attorney. Draft a set of independent and dependent claims based on the provided invention description. Use correct USPTO formatting.

[User]
Title: Apparatus And Method For Sending And Receiving Broadcast Signals

Technical Field and Background:
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for transmitting broadcast signals, an apparatus for receiving broadcast signals and methods for transmitting and receiving broadcast signals. Discussion of the Related Art As analog broadcast signal transmission comes to an end, various technologies for transmitting/receiving digital broadcast signals are being developed. A digital broadcast signal may include a larger amount of video/audio data than an analog broadcast signal and further include various types of additional data in addition to the video/audio data. That is, a digital broadcast system can provide HD (high definition) images, multi-channel audio and various additional services. However, data transmission efficiency for transmission of large amounts of data, robustness of transmission/reception networks and network flexibility in consideration of mobile reception equipment need to be improved for digital broadcast.

Invention Disclosure:
Discussed herein is a broadcast signal receiver. The broadcast signal receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a synchronization and demodulation module configured to perform signal detection and OFDM demodulation on a received broadcast signal, a frame parsing and deinterleaving module configured to parse and deinterleave the signal frame of the broadcast signal, a demapping and decoding module configured to convert the data of at least one Physical Layer Pipe (PLP) of the broadcast signal into a bit domain and to FEC-decode the data, and an output processing module configured to receive the data of the at least one PLP and to output the received data in a data stream form.

[Assistant]
1. A broadcast signal receiver, comprising:
a waveform transformer configured to Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)-demodulate a received broadcast signal;
a pilot detector configured to detect pilots included in the broadcast signal;
a frame parser configured to parse a signal frame of the broadcast signal, the signal frame comprising a preamble and at least one subframe;
a demapper and decoder configured to convert Physical Layer Pipe (PLP) data of the broadcast signal into a bit domain and to Forward Error Correction (FEC)-decode the PLP data; and
an output processor configured to receive the PLP data and to output a data stream,
wherein the pilots comprise Continual Pilots (CPs) and Scattered Pilots (SPs), and an SP pattern of the SPs is defined by Dx and Dy, the Dx being a separation of the SPs in a frequency direction and the Dy being a number of symbols forming one scattered pilot sequence in a time direction,
wherein an amplitude of the SPs is determined from an SP boosting parameter and the SP pattern of the SPs, and
wherein the preamble comprises SP boosting information and the SP boosting information indicates the SP boosting parameter having a plurality of boosting levels.

2. The broadcast signal receiver of claim 1, wherein:
the SP boosting parameter comprises five levels for the SP pattern, and
a first level of the five levels indicates 0 dB at which power boosting is not performed.

3. The broadcast signal receiver of claim 1, wherein:
the pilots further comprise preamble pilots,
the preamble pilots are transmitted at a boosted power level, and
a boosted amplitude of the preamble pilots is determined based on at least one of a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) size, a Guard Interval (GI) length, and a pilot pattern of the preamble.

4. The broadcast signal receiver of claim 1, wherein:
the subframe comprises at least one subframe boundary symbol,
the pilots further comprise subframe boundary pilots, and
the subframe boundary symbol comprises the subframe boundary pilots and at least one null carrier.

5. A method of receiving a broadcast signal, the method comprising:
Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)-demodulating a received broadcast signal;
detecting pilots included in the broadcast signal;
parsing a signal frame of the broadcast signal, the signal frame comprising a preamble and at least one subframe;
converting Physical Layer Pipe (PLP) data of the broadcast signal into a bit domain and Forward Error Correction (FEC)-decoding the PLP data; and
receiving the PLP data and outputting a data stream,
wherein the pilots comprise Continual Pilots (CPs) and Scattered Pilots (SPs), and an SP pattern of the SPs is defined by Dx and Dy, the Dx being a separation of the SPs in a frequency direction and the Dy being a number of symbols forming one scattered pilot sequence in a time direction,
wherein an amplitude of the SPs is determined from an SP boosting parameter and the SP pattern of the SPs, and
wherein the preamble comprises SP boosting information and the SP boosting information indicates the SP boosting parameter having a plurality of boosting levels.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein:
the SP boosting parameter comprises five levels for the SP pattern, and
a first level of the five levels indicates 0 dB at which power boosting is not performed.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein:
the pilots further comprise preamble pilots,
the preamble pilots are transmitted at a boosted power level, and
a boosted amplitude of the preamble pilots is determined based on at least one of a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) size, a Guard Interval (GI) length, and a pilot pattern of the preamble.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein:
the subframe comprises at least one subframe boundary symbol,
the pilots further comprise subframe boundary pilots, and
the subframe boundary symbol comprises the subframe boundary pilots and at least one null carrier.


[System] You are an expert US patent attorney. Draft a set of independent and dependent claims based on the provided invention description. Use correct USPTO formatting.

[User]
Title: Method And Device For Detecting Fault In Synchronization Link

Technical Field and Background:
At present, in a PTN requiring high-precision time synchronization, a Precision Time Protocol (PTP) is generally employed to perform the 1588 time synchronization of nodes. In the PTN, a node employing PTP to perform time synchronization is called a PTP node. PTP nodes generally may include a Grandmaster Clock (GM) node, a Boundary Clock (BC) node and a Transparent Clock (TC) node. The method for PTP time synchronization may include that after a GM node establishes a synchronization link with BC nodes, the GM node transmits synchronization time to a BC node and then the BC nodes accomplish time synchronization one by one. With the rapid development of mobile communication network technologies, the PTN network is getting larger and more complicated. Once a certain BC node has a time error, for example, time error caused by a frequency layer fault or a fault generated by a device during time transfer, other BC nodes behind this BC node with fault in the synchronization link will have a bigger synchronization time error, which finally affects the normal operation of services in the system. Generally, the fault detection on a synchronization link is conducted by a network administrator node by node. However, since there is a huge number of PTP nodes involved in synchronization in a PTN, it is very time-consuming to locate the fault manually. Moreover, manual detection not only raises the network management and maintenance cost but also impacts the reliability of the network. Since fault detection is manually conducted on a node in a system in the existing technologies, a fault link cannot be identified rapidly, and thus the network management and maintenance cost cannot be reduced and the reliability of network cannot be guaranteed.

Invention Disclosure:
Disclosed are a method and a device for detecting a fault in a synchronization link. The method includes: setting one or more reference nodes corresponding to a node to be detected (101); when the node to be detected starts a detection function, acquiring reference time from the one or more reference nodes and acquiring synchronization time from a synchronization path (102); and determining, by the node to be detected, whether there is a fault in the synchronization link between the node to be detected and a Grandmaster Clock (GM) node by using all the reference time and the synchronization time (103).

[Assistant]
1. A method for detecting a fault in a synchronization link, comprising:
setting one or more reference nodes corresponding to a node to be detected;
when the node to be detected starts a detection function, acquiring reference time from the one or more reference nodes and acquiring synchronization time from a synchronization path; and
determining, by the node to be detected, whether there is a fault in the synchronization link between the node to be detected and a Grandmaster Clock (GM) node by using all the reference times and the synchronization time,
wherein the step of the node to be detected starting the detection function comprises:
establishing, by the node to be detected, one or more detection links which are not overlapped with the existing synchronization link with the one or more reference nodes; and
transmitting, by the node to be detected, a time fault detection message in the one or more detection links in a Transparent Clock (TC) mode.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of acquiring the reference time from the one or more reference nodes comprises:
interacting, by the node to be detected, time stamp information with the one or more reference nodes via the time fault detection message through one or more detection links;
calculating a time offset between the node to be detected and a corresponding reference node one by one according to the time stamp information acquired through the detection link; and
calculating the reference time according to the time offset.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of the node to be detected determining whether there is a fault in the synchronization link between the node to be detected and the GM node by using all the reference times and the synchronization time comprises:
detecting whether all the reference times are available reference times;
in the case that all the reference times are not available reference times, ending;
in the case that all the reference times are available reference times, selecting reference time and calculating a difference between the reference time and the synchronization time;
in the case that the difference is greater than a preset fault threshold, determining that there is a fault in the synchronization link between the node to be detected and the GM node; and
in the case that the difference is not greater than the preset fault threshold, determining that there is no fault in the synchronization link between the node to be detected and the GM node.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step of detecting whether all the reference times are available reference times comprises:
calculating a difference between any two of the reference times; and
in the case that the calculated difference is less than a preset threshold, determining that all the reference times are available reference times.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: before setting the one or more reference nodes corresponding to the node to be detected, detecting whether there is a synchronization link having a fault,
wherein the step of detecting whether there is a synchronization link having a fault comprises:
selecting a Boundary Clock (BC) node in a synchronization link, wherein the BC node acquires in real time a time offset between the BC node and a BC node in an adjacent synchronization link to serve as a comparison offset;
calculating a difference between the comparison offset and a synchronization time offset; and
in the case that the difference is greater than a preset time difference threshold, determining that the synchronization link on which the BC node is located has a fault.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: before setting the one or more reference nodes corresponding to the node to be detected, detecting whether there is a synchronization link having a fault,
wherein the step of detecting whether there is a synchronization link having a fault comprises:
selecting, in a synchronization link, a BC node having a Global Positioning System (GPS) function, wherein the BC node acquires external reference time via the GPS function and checks synchronization time periodically acquired by itself;
calculating a difference between the external reference time and the synchronization time;
in the case that the difference is greater than a preset fault threshold, determining that the synchronization link on which the BC node is located has a fault; and
in the case that the difference is not greater than the preset fault threshold, determining that the synchronization link on which the BC node is located has no fault.

7. A device for detecting a fault in a synchronization link, comprising:
a processor; and
a memory configured to store instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
set one or more reference nodes corresponding to a node to be detected,
acquire reference time from the one or more reference nodes and acquire synchronization time when the node to be detected starts the detection function, and
determine whether there is a fault in the synchronization link between the node to be detected and a Grandmaster Clock (GM) node by using all the reference times and the synchronization time;
wherein the processor executes the instructions further to establish one or more detection links which are not overlapped with the existing synchronization link with the one or more reference nodes and transmit a time fault detection message in the one or more detection links in a Transparent Clock (TC) mode.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein
the processor executes the instructions further to:
interact time stamp information with the one or more reference nodes via the time fault detection message through the one or more detection links, calculate a time offset between the node to be detected and a corresponding reference node one by one according to the time stamp information, and calculate the reference time according to the time offset.

9. The device according to claim 7, wherein
the processor executes the instructions further to:
detect whether all the reference times are available reference times and end operations in the case that all the reference times are not available reference times;
in the case that all the reference times are available reference times, select reference time and calculate a difference between the reference time and the synchronization time;
in the case that the difference is greater than a preset fault threshold, determine that there is a fault in the synchronization link between the node to be detected and the GM node; and
in the case that the difference is not greater than a preset fault threshold, determine that there is no fault in the synchronization link between the node to be detected and the GM node.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein
the processor executes the instructions further to:
calculate a difference between any two of the reference times, and in the case that the calculated difference is less than a preset threshold, determine that all the reference times are available reference times.

11. The device according to claim 7, the processor executes the instructions further to:
select a Boundary Clock (BC) node in a synchronization link, wherein the BC node acquires in real time a time offset between the BC node and a BC node in an adjacent synchronization link to serve as a comparison offset,
calculate a difference between the comparison offset and a synchronization time offset, and in the case that the difference is greater than a preset time difference threshold, determine that the synchronization link on which the BC node is located has a fault.

12. The device according to claim 7, the processor executes the instructions further to:
select, in a synchronization link, a BC node having a Global Positioning System (GPS) function, wherein the BC node acquires external reference time via the GPS function and checks synchronization time periodically acquired by itself;
calculate a difference between the external reference time and the synchronization time;
in the case that the difference is greater than a preset fault threshold, determine that the synchronization link on which the BC node is located has a fault; and
in the case that the difference is not greater than the preset fault threshold, determine that the synchronization link on which the BC node is located has no fault.


[System] You are an expert US patent attorney. Draft a set of independent and dependent claims based on the provided invention description. Use correct USPTO formatting.

[User]
Title: Method And System For Knock Control

Technical Field and Background:
Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems divert a portion of the exhaust gases back to the intake to cool combustion temperatures and reduce throttling losses, thus improving vehicle emissions and fuel economy. In turbocharged engines, an EGR system may include a cooled low-pressure EGR (LP-EGR) circuit wherein exhaust gases are diverted after the gases pass through the turbine of the turbocharger and injected before the compressor upon passage through an EGR cooler. The amount of LP-EGR routed through the EGR system is measured and adjusted based on engine speed and load during engine operation to maintain desirable combustion stability of the engine while providing emissions and fuel economy benefits. One example EGR system is shown by Styles et al. in US 20120023937. Therein, LP-EGR is provided at a fixed EGR percentage rate of fresh airflow over a large area of an engine map, including from mid-load down to minimum engine load, even as engine load changes. At higher engine loads, the EGR percentage rate is varied based on engine operating conditions. In addition, at very low engine loads and/or engine idle conditions, no EGR (0% EGR) may be delivered. Such an approach improves transient control and extends the use of EGR over a wider range of operating conditions. However the inventors herein have identified a potential issue with such an approach. Specifically, there may be transient maneuvers such as accelerations or throttle tip-ins where the engine may enter a high load operating region from a region of low or 0% EGR. Herein, the engine may enter the high load operating region fast enough that the transport delay of EGR filling the intake system can delay EGR entering the combustion chamber in sufficient concentration to provide the required knock mitigation. As a result, excessive engine knock or pre-ignition can occur. To mitigate the knock or pre-ignition, inefficient use of spark retard or combustion mixture enrichment may be required degrading fuel economy, and offsetting the fuel economy benefits of the prior EGR usage. The abnormal combustion events can also erode drive cycle fuel efficiency and potentially damage the engine. In one example, some of the above issues can be at least partly addressed by a method for an engine comprising: in response to increasing load while operating with lower EGR, increasing EGR, and fueling the engine with split fuel injection per cycle until EGR is higher than a threshold. In this way, knock and pre-ignition during transient tip-ins can be better mitigated. As an example, an engine system may be configured with a low pressure EGR (LP-EGR) system configured to recirculate a portion of exhaust gas from an exhaust manifold, downstream of an exhaust turbine, to an intake manifold, upstream of an intake compressor via an EGR valve. The exhaust gas may be cooled upon passage through an EGR cooler before being delivered to the intake. Based on engine operating conditions, such as engine speed-load conditions, a target EGR rate may be determined and various engine actuators including the EGR valve may be adjusted to provide the target EGR rate. If there is a transport delay in the delivery of the desired engine dilution, the engine may become knock-limited. To improve knock control on any such maneuver that transitions the engine into a knock-limited regime where the actual EGR rate is less than the EGR rate desired for proper knock mitigation, while the EGR rate is increased to a threshold rate, the engine may be transiently operated with split fuel injection. In particular, until the EGR rate reaches the target EGR rate, fuel may be delivered at least as a first intake stroke injection and a second compression stroke injection. The first intake stroke injection may be adjusted to be lean and at or around spark timing so as to reduce the propensity for cylinder knock or pre-ignition. The second compression stroke injection may then be adjusted to be rich and after spark timing so as to bring the overall combustion air-fuel ratio at or around stoichiometry. Split fuel injection may be continued until the threshold EGR rate is reached, following which single fuel injection may be resumed.

Invention Disclosure:
Methods and systems are provided for improving engine knock tolerance, in particular when rapidly ramping in LP-EGR from low levels of EGR. Until a desired LP-EGR rate is achieved, fuel may be delivered as a split injection with at least an intake stroke injection and a compression stroke injection to compensate for the transport delay in EGR filling the intake system. Subsequently, single fuel injection may be resumed.

[Assistant]
1. A method, comprising:
in response to increasing engine load while operating an engine with lower EGR,
increasing EGR; and
fueling the engine with split fuel injection per cycle until EGR is higher than a threshold.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein operating with lower EGR includes operating with no low pressure EGR (LP-EGR), and wherein increasing EGR includes increasing LP-EGR, the increasing LP-EGR including increasing recirculation of cooled exhaust residuals from an exhaust manifold, downstream of an exhaust turbine, to an intake manifold, upstream of an intake compressor.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein increasing EGR further includes delivering LP-EGR at a fixed rate relative to airflow as engine load increases.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising fueling the engine with single fuel injection per cycle after EGR is higher than the threshold.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the threshold is based on knock tolerance of the engine at the increasing engine load.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the split fuel injection per cycle includes at least a first intake stroke injection and a second compression stroke injection.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the increasing engine load is in response to an operator pedal tip-in.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein a timing of the first intake stroke injection is adjusted to be a lean homogeneous intake stroke injection and wherein a timing of the second compression stroke injection is adjusted to be a rich stratified compression stroke injection.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein fueling the engine with split fuel injection per cycle includes maintaining an overall cylinder combustion air-fuel ratio around stoichiometry.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising while fueling the engine with split fuel injection per cycle, maintaining ignition timing.


[System] You are an expert US patent attorney. Draft a set of independent and dependent claims based on the provided invention description. Use correct USPTO formatting.

[User]
Title: Electric Assist Bicycle

Technical Field and Background:
In a known electric assist bicycle including a motor, power is fed from a power storage such as a battery, a human driving force, which includes a pedal force applied to a pedal, is detected by a torque sensor, and an auxiliary driving force (assisting force) of the motor is added according to the human driving force. Thus, such an electric assist bicycle can smoothly travel on an uphill or the like. In such an electric assist bicycle, a motor drive unit including the motor is disposed at a crank shaft. Moreover, the electric assist bicycle configured thus has a relatively heavy motor drive unit that is disposed at a low position at the center of the electric assist bicycle (that is, the intermediate point between the front wheel and the rear wheel) in the longitudinal direction thereof. Thus, the front and rear wheels of the electric assist bicycle configured thus can be more easily lifted than an electric assist bicycle having a motor in the hub of the front or rear wheel. Such an electric assist bicycle can easily pass over a step of a path, achieving ease of handling and high riding stability. Motor drive units to be provided in such an electric assist bicycle are broadly classified into a so-called double-shaft motor drive unit 100 that includes, as shown in FIG. 14 , an auxiliary-driving force output sprocket 103 that outputs an auxiliary driving force from a motor in addition to a driving sprocket (also called a front sprocket or a chain sprocket) 102 serving as a human driving force output wheel disposed near one end of a crank shaft 101 , and a so-called single-shaft motor drive unit 200 , as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 , in which a human driving force generated by a pedal force and an auxiliary driving force generated by a motor are combined in the motor drive unit 200 and the combined force is outputted from a driving sprocket 201 . The double-shaft motor drive unit 100 is disclosed in, for example, Patent Literature 1. As shown in FIG. 14 , the auxiliary-driving force output sprocket 103 protrudes to the outside of a unit case 104 of the motor drive unit 100 from a portion behind the driving sprocket 102 in the motor drive unit 100 . The driving sprocket 102 that outputs a human driving force and the auxiliary-driving force output sprocket 103 that outputs an auxiliary driving force are engaged with a chain 105 serving as an endless driving force transmission member. The human driving force and the auxiliary driving force are combined by the chain 105 and then the combined force is transmitted to the rear wheel. Further behind the auxiliary-driving force output sprocket 103 , a tensioner device (also called a guide device) 106 is provided in engagement with the chain 105 , which has been engaged with the auxiliary-driving force output sprocket 103 , so as to guide the chain 105 downward. Moreover, a tension sprocket 107 provided in the tensioner device 106 increases the winding angle of the chain 105 engaged with the auxiliary-driving force output sprocket 103 . Meanwhile, the so-called single-shaft motor drive unit 200 is disclosed in, for example, Patent Literature 2. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 , the outer periphery of a crank shaft 202 that receives a human driving force transmitted from the pedal has a cylindrical human-power transmission member 203 that receives the human driving force transmitted by serration coupling and so on, and a combined force member 205 where the human driving force transmitted via the human-power transmission member 203 is combined with an auxiliary driving force from a motor 204 . Moreover, the human driving force from the human-power transmission member 203 is transmitted to the combined force member 205 via a one-way clutch 206 . A large-diameter gear 205 a that receives an auxiliary driving force from the motor 204 via a speed reduction mechanism 207 is formed on one end of the combined force member 205 , whereas the driving sprocket 201 is attached to another end of the combined force member 205 , the driving sprocket 201 serving as a driving force output wheel engaged with a chain 208 serving as an endless driving force transmission member. A combined force on the combined force member 205 is transmitted from the driving sprocket 201 to the rear wheel through the chain 208 . As shown in FIGS.

Invention Disclosure:
Provided is an electric assist bicycle that can apply a sufficient auxiliary driving force with a satisfactory gear change, preclude problems caused by interference between a mount or a battery and a front derailleur, and prevent a reduction in torque transmission efficiency. A cylindrical human-power transmission member that receives a transmitted human driving force is disposed on the outer periphery of a crank shaft, and a combined-force transmission member that receives the combined force of a human driving force and an auxiliary driving force from a motor is disposed on the outer periphery of the crank shaft. The electric assist bicycle includes a speed reduction mechanism that has pairs of reduction gears and a selection clutch engageable with the reduction gears, combines the human driving force and the auxiliary driving force, and changes gears for the combined force of the human driving force and the auxiliary driving force.

[Assistant]
1. An electric assist bicycle comprising a motor drive unit with a motor disposed at an intermediate position between a front wheel and a rear wheel, the electric assist bicycle being capable of traveling with a combination of a human driving force generated by a pedal force from a pedal and an auxiliary driving force generated by the motor,
the electric assist bicycle comprising a crank shaft that receives the human driving force transmitted from the pedal and rotates about an axis that is different from an axis of the motor,
the crank shaft having a cylindrical human-power transmission member on an outer periphery of the crank shaft, the human-power transmission member receiving the transmitted human driving force,
the crank shaft having a combined-force transmission member on the outer periphery of the crank shaft, the combined-force transmission member receiving a combined force of the human driving force and the auxiliary driving force from the motor,
the electric assist bicycle comprising a speed reduction mechanism that has pairs of reduction gears and a selection clutch engageable with the reduction gears, combines the human driving force and the auxiliary driving force, and changes gears for the combined force of the human driving force and the auxiliary driving force,
the motor drive unit containing the human-power transmission member, the combined-force transmission member, and the speed reduction mechanism,
wherein the combined force transmitted to the combined-force transmission member through the speed reduction mechanism is transmitted to the rear wheel through a driving force output wheel coaxial with the crank shaft and an endless driving force transmission member looped over the driving force output wheel,
the speed reduction mechanism includes a human-power transmitting reduction gear that is rotatably disposed on the outer periphery of the crank shaft and receives the human driving force, an intermediate shaft disposed in parallel with the crank shaft, a plurality of intermediate-shaft reduction gears provided on the selection clutch that is rotated integrally with the combined-force transmission member engaged with the selection clutch and is selectively engaged with one of the human-power transmitting reduction gear and the combined-force reduction gear.

2. The electric assist bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the human-power transmission member has a magneto-striction generation portion of a torque sensor for detecting the human driving force formed.

3. The electric assist bicycle according to claim 1, further comprising a one-way clutch for interrupting the auxiliary driving force on a transmission path of the human driving force between the crank shaft and the human-power transmitting reduction gear, the one-way clutch preventing transmission of the auxiliary driving force from the motor to the crank shaft.

4. The electric assist bicycle according to claim 3, further comprising an interlocking cylindrical part disposed on the outer periphery of the crank shaft so as to be engaged with the human-power transmission member,
wherein the one-way clutch for interrupting the auxiliary driving force is disposed between the interlocking cylindrical part and the human-power transmitting reduction gear.

5. The electric assist bicycle according to claim 4, further comprising a rotation detector that detects a rotation of one of the interlocking cylindrical part and the human-power transmission member.

6. The electric assist bicycle according to claim 1, wherein a one-way clutch is not disposed on a transmission path of the human driving force between the crank shaft and the human-power transmitting reduction gear, and the human-power transmission member and the human-power transmitting reduction gear are also rotated in response to a rotation of the crank shaft regardless of a rotation direction of the crank shaft and the human-power transmission member relative to the human-power transmitting reduction gear.

7. The electric assist bicycle according to claim 6, further comprising a coaster brake disposed on a hub of the rear wheel, the coaster brake being started when the pedal is rotated opposite to a forward rotation direction.


[System] You are an expert US patent attorney. Draft a set of independent and dependent claims based on the provided invention description. Use correct USPTO formatting.

[User]
Title: Light Source Module Of Lamp For Vehicle

Technical Field and Background:
1. Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to a light source module of a lamp for a vehicle, more particularly, to a light source module that is capable of realizing a three dimensional pattern image when a light source is turned on. 2. Description of the Related Art Generally, it is desirable to arrange a rear lamp of a vehicle such that it emits light in a three dimensional pattern so as to display the light from various angles of view. Existing technologies for emitting light from the rear lamp of a vehicle include a light diffusion material, and a lighting image in the form of a face or a pipe by using a light guide, for example. Accordingly, vehicle manufacturers have researched techniques to realize a three dimensional shape when a light source is turned on. Recently, based on this trend, there has been increased interest in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). The material of an organic light emitting diode (OLED) self-emits light, and thus it is possible to make and dispose OLEDs in various shapes. However, an OLED is problematic in that the manufacturing cost thereof is high, so OLEDs generally are used in a limited manner in the automobile industry. Further, an OLED is problematic in that it is difficult to mass produce for widespread use. Particularly, an OLED may be insufficient as a light source of a lamp for a vehicle using present technology due to a failure to produce a sufficient quantity of light. The foregoing is intended merely to aid in the understanding of the background of the present invention, and is not intended to mean that the present invention falls within the purview of the related art that is already known to those skilled in the art.

Invention Disclosure:
A light source module of a lamp for a vehicle is capable of realizing a three dimensional pattern image when light sources are turned on by using a plurality of inner lenses combined stepwise and by turning a first light source and a second light source of the light sources on or off.

[Assistant]
1. A light source module of a lamp for a vehicle, comprising: a plurality of inner lenses, each including a light guide part and a light diffusion part, with an air gap disposed between the light guide part and the light diffusion part, the light guide part radiating light in a predetermined direction, and the light diffusion part diffusing light in all directions; a plurality of first light sources, each radiating light directly to the light guide part; a plurality of second light sources, each radiating light directly to the light diffusion part; a printed circuit board (PCB) coupled with the first and the second light sources, the PCB controlling supply of an electric current to the first and the second light sources; and a bezel coupled with both the inner lenses and the PCB, the bezel implementing a bezel image as a shape or a design when the first and the second light sources are turned off, wherein the bezel and the PCB extend stepwise in one direction, and each of the first and the second light sources and the inner lenses are provided on each of steps of the bezel so as to implement a three dimensional pattern image when at least one of the first and second light sources are turned on.

2. The light source module as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: an outer lens placed in front of the inner lenses and covering the inner lenses; and a lamp housing with which the bezel and the outer lens are combined.

3. The light source module as set forth in claim 2, wherein light generated from the first light sources radiates toward the outer lens through the respective light guide parts.

4. The light source module as set forth in claim 2, wherein oriented optic protrusions are provided on an outer, lens-facing bottom of an inside of each light guide part such that the oriented optic protrusions change a direction of a path of light so as to radiate light generated from the respective first light sources toward the outer lens.

5. The light source module as set forth in claim 1, wherein diffusion optic protrusions are provided over an entirety of an inner surface of each light diffusion part so that the diffusion optic protrusions diffuse light generated from the respective second light sources in all directions.

6. The light source module as set forth in claim 1, wherein the light guide parts serves as a stop lamp when the first light sources are turned on; and the first light sources are red light emitting diodes (LEDs) so as to perform a stop lamp function.

7. The light source module as set forth in claim 1, wherein the light diffusion parts serves as a tail lamp when the second light sources are turned on; and the second light sources are red light emitting diodes (LEDs) so as to perform a tail lamp function.

8. The light source module as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of third light sources, each provided on one side of each of the first light sources on each of the steps, each third light source being coupled to the PCB and radiating light to each respective light guide part by control of the PCB, wherein the light guide parts serve as a turn signal lamp when the third light sources are turned on and off, and the third light sources are yellow light emitting diodes (LEDs) so as to perform a turn signal lamp function.

9. The light source module as set forth in claim 8, wherein the first, the second, and the third light sources are configured to be turned on or off simultaneously or individually by control of the PCB.

10. The light source module as set forth in claim 8, wherein the first, the second, and the third light sources provided on the steps are configured to be turned on or off simultaneously or sequentially by control of the PCB.

11. The light source module as set forth in claim 1, wherein a hook is provided on one side of each inner lens; and a plurality of locking holes are formed on the bezel so that each hook is locked to the respective locking hole by being inserted therein.


[System] You are an expert US patent attorney. Draft a set of independent and dependent claims based on the provided invention description. Use correct USPTO formatting.

[User]
Title: Vehicle Wheel Information Acquiring Device

Technical Field and Background:
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle wheel information acquiring device that includes a vehicle wheel sensor fixed to a vehicle wheel and a vehicle-body-side device fixed to a vehicle body and that causes the vehicle wheel sensor to transmit a vehicle wheel state quantity such as a tire pressure to the vehicle-body-side device using a radio signal and causes the vehicle-body-side device to acquire the vehicle wheel state quantity. 2. Description of Related Art In the related art, a device is known which detects a vehicle wheel state quantity such as a tire pressure and notifies a driver of the vehicle wheel state quantity. For example, in a tire pressure detector, proposed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-312342 (JP 2006-312342 A), each vehicle wheel is provided with a sensor that detects a tire pressure, tire pressure information is transmitted from the sensors using a radio signal, and a vehicle-body-side device receives the radio signal and acquires the tire pressure information. When it is determined on the basis of received vehicle wheel information that the tire pressure is lowered, the vehicle-body-side device displays the intent on an annunciator to notify a driver of the intent. However, since the sensor revolves around an axle with the rotation of the corresponding vehicle wheel, the received intensity of the radio signal transmitted from the sensor in the vehicle-body-side device varies depending on the rotation position of the vehicle wheel. Accordingly, a vehicle wheel rotation position at which the vehicle-body-side device cannot receive the radio signal is present. FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a relationship between rotation positions (0° to 360°) of a vehicle wheel and received signal intensity indices. As can be seen from the drawing, the received signal intensity depends on the rotation position of the vehicle wheel (the revolution position of the sensor) and the received signal intensity may be less than a reception limit depending on the rotation position of the vehicle wheel. Accordingly, when a vehicle stops at a vehicle wheel rotation position at which the radio signal cannot be received, vehicle wheel information such as a tire pressure cannot be acquired before start of driving at the time of the next start of the running.

Invention Disclosure:
A vehicle wheel information acquiring device includes a vehicle wheel sensor and a vehicle-body-side device. The vehicle wheel sensor is configured to revolve around an axle with a rotation of a vehicle wheel. The vehicle-body-side device includes a reception unit, a processing unit, a rotation position acquiring unit, an on-reception rotation position storage unit, and a determination unit. The determination unit is configured to determine whether a revolution position of the vehicle wheel sensor is included in an insufficient received intensity area during a stopping operation of a vehicle.

[Assistant]
1. A vehicle wheel information acquiring device comprising:
a vehicle wheel sensor that includes a sensor unit and a transmission unit, the sensor unit being fixed to a vehicle wheel and being configured to detect a vehicle wheel state quantity indicating a state of the vehicle wheel, the transmission unit being configured to transmit the vehicle wheel state quantity detected by the sensor unit at a predetermined timing using a radio signal, and the vehicle wheel sensor being configured to revolve around an axle with a rotation of the vehicle wheel; and
a vehicle-body-side device that includes a reception unit, a processing unit, a rotation position acquiring unit, an on-reception rotation position storage unit, and a determination unit, the reception unit being fixed to a vehicle body and being configured to receive the radio signal transmitted from the vehicle wheel sensor, the processing unit being configured to acquire the vehicle wheel state quantity from the radio signal received by the reception unit and to perform a process corresponding to the vehicle wheel state quantity, the rotation position acquiring unit being configured to acquire a rotation position of the vehicle wheel, the on-reception rotation position storage unit being configured to store the rotation position of the vehicle wheel when the radio signal is received, and the determination unit being configured to determine whether a revolution position of the vehicle wheel sensor is included in an insufficient received intensity area based on the rotation position of the vehicle wheel when the radio signal is received during a stopping operation of a vehicle and a current rotation position of the vehicle wheel,
wherein the insufficient received intensity area is a revolution position range of the vehicle wheel sensor in which the received intensity of the radio signal in the reception unit is insufficient.

2. The vehicle wheel information acquiring device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit of the vehicle wheel sensor is configured to transmit the radio signal when the revolution position of the vehicle wheel sensor reaches a predetermined position,
wherein the vehicle-body-side device further includes an insufficient received intensity area storage unit configured to store the insufficient received intensity area in advance,
wherein the determination unit is a revolution position estimating unit configured to estimate the revolution position of the vehicle wheel sensor based on the rotation position of the vehicle wheel when the radio signal is received and the current rotation position of the vehicle wheel, and
wherein the determination unit is configured to estimate the revolution position of the vehicle wheel sensor during the stopping operation of the vehicle and to determine whether the estimated revolution position of the vehicle wheel sensor is included in the insufficient received intensity area.

3. The vehicle wheel information acquiring device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit of the vehicle wheel sensor is configured to transmit the radio signal at predetermined time intervals,
wherein the vehicle-body-side device further includes an insufficient received intensity area setting unit configured to accumulate data indicating the rotation position of the vehicle wheel when the radio signal is received and to set a rotation position area of the vehicle wheel in which the received intensity of the radio signal in the reception unit is insufficient as the insufficient received intensity area based on the accumulated data, and
wherein the determination unit is configured to determine whether the rotation position of the vehicle wheel during the stopping operation of the vehicle is included in the set insufficient received intensity area.

4. The vehicle wheel information acquiring device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit is configured to transmit a notification command to notify a driver of a determination result to an annunciator when it is determined that the revolution position of the vehicle wheel sensor is included in the insufficient received intensity area, and
wherein the annunciator is configured to notify the driver of the determination result.

5. The vehicle wheel information acquiring device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit is a brake control command unit configured to output, to a brake controller, a control command to control a braking force of the vehicle wheel so as to cause the revolution position of the vehicle wheel sensor at a time of stopping of the vehicle not to be included in the insufficient received intensity area.

6. The vehicle wheel information acquiring device according to claim 5, wherein the brake control command unit is configured to set a target stopping rotation position of the vehicle wheel which is a position at which the revolution position of the vehicle wheel sensor at the time of stopping of the vehicle is not included in the insufficient received intensity area and to output the control command to cause the rotation position of the vehicle wheel at the time of stopping of the vehicle to be the target stopping rotation position.

7. The vehicle wheel information acquiring device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle wheel sensor further includes a tire pressure sensor configured to detect a tire pressure, and
wherein the transmission unit is configured to transmit information indicating the detected tire pressure to the reception unit using the radio signal.

8. The vehicle wheel information acquiring device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation position acquiring unit is configured to acquire the rotation position of the vehicle wheel based on a pulse signal output from a vehicle wheel speed sensor when the vehicle wheel rotates by a predetermined angle.


[System] You are an expert US patent attorney. Draft a set of independent and dependent claims based on the provided invention description. Use correct USPTO formatting.

[User]
Title: Air Conditioner For Vehicle With Photocatalytic Module

Technical Field and Background:
In general, an air conditioner for a vehicle is a device for heating or cooling air by introducing outside air indoors or circulating inside air to heat or cool the inside of the vehicle. That is, the air conditioner for the vehicle introduces air to the inside of the vehicle by an air blower so that the introduced air passes an evaporator in which refrigerant flows and selectively passes a heater core according to opening and closing of a temperature door so as to selectively blow air to parts of the inside of the vehicle by the door. According to independent structures of a blower unit, an evaporator unit and a heater core unit, such an air conditioner is classified into a three-piece type air conditioner in which the blower unit, the evaporator unit and the heater core unit are disposed independently, a semi-center type air conditioner in which the evaporator unit and the heater core unit are embedded in the air-conditioning case and the blower unit is mounted separately, and a center-mounting type air conditioner in which the three units are all embedded in the air-conditioning case. Japanese Patent Publication No. 2549032 (May 30, 1997) discloses a cooling device for a vehicle with a deodorizer. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a cooling device for a vehicle with a deodorizer according to the prior art. As shown in FIG. 1 , the cooling device for the vehicle with the deodorizer includes: a case 20 having an outside air intake duct 21 and an inside air intake duct 22 : and an intake door 23 disposed to be able to rotate to selectively open and close the outside air intake duct 21 and the inside air intake duct 22 . An actuator 30 is connected to a rotary shaft of the intake door 23 so as to be controlled by a controller 31 . An air blower 25 is mounted at the downstream side of the intake door 23 to blow the air introduced from the outside air intake duct 21 and the inside air intake duct 22 to the downstream side. The air blower 25 includes a fan 32 and a motor 33 for rotating the fan 32 . An evaporator 26 is mounted at the downstream side in the air blower 25 and exchanges heat with air passing the evaporator 26 to cool the air. A photocatalytic filter 27 is mounted on an air passageway 28 of the downstream side of the evaporator 26 to generate active oxygen by irradiation of light with long wavelength. The photocatalytic filter 27 generates active oxygen by irradiation of an ultraviolet lamp 29 so that the active oxygen oxidizes and decomposes ill-smelling materials into oxidized compound of extremely low concentration. The ultraviolet lamp 29 is arranged between the evaporator 26 and the photocatalytic filter 27 . A metal catalyst filter 34 is mounted at the downstream side of the photocatalytic filter 27 in order to remove ozone contained in moving air. The unexplained reference numeral 35 designates a temperature sensor, 36 designates a sensor for sensing the level of bad smell, 37 designates a fan switch, and 24 designates an air outlet. However, the conventional cooling device for the vehicle with the deodorizer has a disadvantage in that the ultraviolet lamp 29 used as a light source for photocatalysis contains mercury therein and mercury is harmful for human bodies and cannot be applied to vehicles due to various environmental conditions. Moreover, the conventional cooling device for the vehicle with the deodorizer has another disadvantage in that the photocatalytic filter 27 mounted at the downstream side of the evaporator 26 must be replaced with a new one due to decrease of air volume when there is excessive dust quantity because it adsorbs and deodorizes bad smells generated from the evaporator 26 . Furthermore, the conventional cooling device for the vehicle with the deodorizer has a further disadvantage in that the deodorizer increases noise and is deteriorated in deodorizing and sterilizing functions and air-conditioning performance because it acts as a resistor of the moving air according to the installation position. Additionally, the conventional cooling device for the vehicle with the deodorizer has a still further disadvantage in that the deodorizer is generally low in sterilization and deodorization efficiency of the evaporator and in that the deodorizer cannot concentrically sterilize and deodorize parts of the evaporator which are vulnerable to bacteria and bad smell.

Invention Disclosure:
Disclosed therein is an air conditioner for a vehicle with a photocatalytic module, which can purify air introduced into the inside of an air-conditioning case, sterilize and deodorize an evaporator and provide an optimized installation position of a photocatalytic module so that the photocatalytic module can be easily attached and detached and conveniently maintained and repaired. The air conditioner includes: an air-conditioning case having an air inflow port formed at an entrance side, air outflow ports formed at an exit side and an air passageway formed inside the air-conditioning case; an evaporator mounted on an air passageway of the air-conditioning case; an air blower for blowing inside air of the air-conditioning case; and a photocatalytic module disposed at one side of the air-conditioning case, wherein the photocatalytic module includes: a catalyst part which causes photocatalytic reaction by irradiated light to generate radicals; and at least one light source part for irradiating UV light toward the catalyst part.

[Assistant]
1. An air conditioner for a vehicle with a photocatalytic module which includes: an air-conditioning case having an air inflow port formed at an entrance side, air outflow ports formed at an exit side and an air passageway formed inside the air-conditioning case; an evaporator mounted in the air passageway of the air-conditioning case; and an air blower for blowing inside air of the air-conditioning case, the air conditioner comprising:
a photocatalytic module disposed at one side of the air-conditioning case,
wherein the photocatalytic module comprises:
a catalyst part which causes photocatalytic reaction by irradiated light to generate radicals; and
at least one light source part for irradiating UV light toward the catalyst part;
wherein the photocatalytic module comprises a module case which is opened at one side and is closed at the other side to form an inner space part and surrounds the light source part and the catalyst part to embed the light source part and the catalyst part therein so that the light source part is connected to the inner space part of the module case and the catalyst part is connected to the opening part of the module case, thereby the module case is mounted to communicate with inside the air-conditioning case in such a way that the catalyst part gets in contact with the air passageway.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the photocatalytic module is mounted on a wall surface of the air-conditioning case at the upstream side of the evaporator in an air flow direction.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the air-conditioning case comprises a passageway converting part for converting a flow direction of the air at the upstream side of the evaporator, and the photocatalytic module is mounted on the passageway converting part.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the photocatalytic module is arranged on the surface of the inner wall of a curved part of the passageway converting part that has relatively shorter air flow path and is more adjacent to the evaporator.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the photocatalytic module is arranged at a lower area, out of the passageway converting part of the air-conditioning case, in the height direction of the air-conditioning case.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the module case is detachably connected to the air-conditioning case.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst part has a honeycomb body in which catalyst is put.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the photocatalytic module comprises a plane part arranged side by side with the air flow direction inside the air-conditioning case.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the photocatalytic module comprises a plane part arranged to be inclined to the air flow direction inside the air-conditioning case.

10. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the light source parts are arranged side by side about the catalyst part inside the module case.

11. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the photocatalytic module is arranged in the opposite direction to an inside air inlet and an outside air inlet of the air blower in the air flow direction.

12. The air conditioner according to claim 11, wherein the photocatalytic module is arranged below a cutoff of the air blower in the air flow direction.

13. The air conditioner according to claim 12, wherein the photocatalytic module has the structure that the light source part and the catalyst part are arranged in order inside the module case and the module case is connected to the air-conditioning case to be side by side with the arrangement direction of the light source part and the catalyst part, and
wherein the connection direction of the module case is side by side with the axial direction of the blast fan of the air blower.

14. The air conditioner according to claim 12, wherein the photocatalytic module has the structure that the light source part and the catalyst part are arranged in order inside the module case and the module case is connected to the air-conditioning case to be side by side with the arrangement direction of the light source part and the catalyst part, and
wherein the module case is disposed on a radial direction extension of a blast fan of the air blower.

15. The air conditioner according to claim 12, wherein the photocatalytic module is arrange oppositely to a resistor in the air flow direction, and the resistor is mounted to control electricity supplied to the air blower.

16. The air conditioner according to claim 11, wherein the air conditioner is a center-mounting type air conditioner in which the evaporator, the heater core and the air blower are formed integrally in the air-conditioning case.

17. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner is a rear air conditioner for vehicles in which the air blower and the evaporator are formed integrally inside the air-conditioning case and which is mounted at the rear seat of the vehicle, and
wherein the photocatalytic module is arranged adjacent to the evaporator than a blast fan on the passageway which passes the cutoff of the air blower in the air flow direction.

18. The air conditioner according to claim 17, wherein the photocatalytic module is arranged lower side of the evaporator in the vertical length direction.

19. The air conditioner according to claim 18, wherein the air-conditioning case has a stepped wall which extends downwardly so that the passageway that introduced inflowing air through the air blower toward the evaporator is expanded in the vertical direction, and
wherein the photocatalytic module is located on the stepped wall in the vertical direction.

20. The air conditioner according to claim 18, wherein the air-conditioning case has a stepped wall which extends downwardly so that the passageway that introduced inflowing air through the air blower toward the evaporator is expanded in the vertical direction, and
wherein the photocatalytic module is located above the stepped wall in the vertical direction.

21. The air conditioner according to claim 18, wherein the evaporator is arranged to be inclined against the photocatalytic module.

22. The air conditioner according to claim 21, wherein a gradient (p) between a horizontal axis of the photocatalytic module and a vertical axis of the evaporator is more than 90 degrees.

23. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioning case has an outer face that defines an opening, and wherein the module case is detachably connected to the outer face with the catalyst part extending across the opening and partially into the air passageway.


[System] You are an expert US patent attorney. Draft a set of independent and dependent claims based on the provided invention description. Use correct USPTO formatting.

[User]
Title: Asymmetric Channels In Power Line Communications

Technical Field and Background:
There are several different types of communication networks available today. For example, power line communications (PLC) include systems for communicating data over the same medium (i.e., a wire or conductor) that is also used to transmit electric power to residences, buildings, and other premises. Once deployed, PLC systems may enable a wide array of applications, including, for example, automatic meter reading and load control (i.e., utility-type applications), automotive uses (e.g., charging electric cars), home automation (e.g., controlling appliances, lights, etc.), and/or computer networking (e.g., Internet access), to name only a few. For each different type of communications network, different standardizing efforts are commonly undertaken throughout the world. For instance, in the case of PLC communications may be implemented differently depending upon local regulations, characteristics of local power grids, etc. Examples of competing PLC standards include the Powerline-Related Intelligent Metering Evolution (PRIME) standard designed for OFDM-based (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing) communications. Another PLC standardization effort includes, for example, the IEEE 1901, HomePlug AV, and ITU-T G.hn (e.g., G.9960 and G.9961) specifications.

Invention Disclosure:
Apparatus (and related methods) for a power line communication network include a processor configured to receive beacons over a communication interface. The processor determines a link quality indicator (LQI) for each received beacon and ignores the beacons for at most a predetermined maximum number of beacon receptions when each LQI is below a threshold. The processor responds to a received beacon if the LQI for such received beacon exceeds the threshold or if a predetermined maximum number of beacons have been received with LQIs below the threshold.

[Assistant]
1. An apparatus for a power line communication (PLC) network, comprising:
an interface configured to receive a PLC signal from the PLC network; and
a PLC engine coupled to the interface, the PLC engine configured to:
extract beacons from the received PLC signal;
determine a link quality based on the beacons;
ignore the beacons for at most a predetermined number of beacon reception when the link quality is determined to be below a threshold; and
respond to one or more of the received beacons if either the link quality associated with the received beacons exceeds the threshold or the predetermined number of beacon reception have been received with the link quality determined to be below the threshold.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the PLC engine is configured to increment a counter for each of the beacons with the link quality determined to be below the threshold.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the PLC engine is configured to respond to the beacons when the counter has reached a maximum count value.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the PLC engine is configured to determine the link quality based on a registration request received from a lower level node and ignore the registration request if the link quality associated with the registration request is below the threshold.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the PLC engine is configured to continuously ignore the registration request associated with which the link quality is below the threshold until a predetermined number of registration requests is received.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the PLC engine is configured to forward the registration request to a higher level node either when the respective link quality exceeds the threshold or when the predetermined number of registration requests is received.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the PLC engine is configured to determine the link quality based on a registration request received from a lower level node, and the PLC engine is configured to determine whether to ignore the registration request or to forward the registration request to a higher level node based on a probability value associated with the link quality.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the PLC engine is configured to determine the link quality based on a registration request received from a lower level node, and the PLC engine is configured to determine whether to ignore the registration request or to forward the registration request to a higher level node based on a comparison of a probability value to a registration request threshold.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the PLC engine is configured to determine the link quality based on a promotion request received from a lower level node and ignore the promotion request if the link quality associated with the promotion request is below the threshold.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the PLC engine is configured to continuously ignore the received promotion requests associated with which the link quality is below the threshold until a predetermined number of promotion requests is received.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the PLC engine is configured to forward the promotion request to a higher level node either when the respective link quality exceeds the threshold or when the predetermined number of promotion requests is received.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the PLC engine is configured to determine the link quality based on a promotion request received from a lower level node, and the PLC engine is configured to determine whether to ignore the promotion request or to forward the promotion request to a higher level node based on a probability value associated with the link quality.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the PLC engine is configured to determine the link quality based on a promotion request received from a lower level node, and the PLC engine is configured to determine whether to ignore the promotion request or to forward the promotion request to a higher level node based on a comparison of a probability value to a promotion request threshold.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the PLC engine is configured to ignore a Promotion Needed Protocol Data Unit (PNPDU) frame for a node to be promoted to a service node based on the link quality to or from a base node being less than the threshold.

15. An apparatus for a power line communication (PLC) network, comprising:
means for receiving beacons;
means for determining a link quality for each received beacon;
means for ignoring the beacons for at most a predetermined number of beacon reception when the respective link quality is below a threshold; and
means for responding to one or more of the received beacons if the link quality associated with the received beacon exceeds the threshold or if the predetermined number of beacon reception is received with the link quality below the threshold.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:
means for incrementing a counter for each of the beacons with the link quality determined to be below the threshold.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein:
the means for determining the link quality is based on a registration request received from a lower level node; and
the means for responding to one or more received beacons is configured to forward the registration request to a higher level node based on a probability value associated with the link quality.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein:
the means for determining the link quality is based on a registration request received from a lower level node; and
the means for responding to one or more received beacons is configured to forward the registration request to a higher level node based on a comparison of a probability value to a registration request threshold.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein:
the means for determining the link quality is based on a promotion request received from a lower level node, and
the means for responding to one or more received beacons is configured to forward the promotion request to a higher level node based on a comparison of a probability value to a promotion request threshold.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:
means for ignoring a Promotion Needed Protocol Data Unit (PNPDU) frame for a node to be promoted to a service node based on the link quality to or from a base node being less than the threshold.


[System] You are an expert US patent attorney. Draft a set of independent and dependent claims based on the provided invention description. Use correct USPTO formatting.

[User]
Title: Substrate Liquid Processing Apparatus, Substrate Liquid Processing Method, And Computer-Readable Storage Medium

Technical Field and Background:
In manufacturing, for example, a semiconductor part or a flat panel display, a substrate liquid processing apparatus has been used for performing an etching processing on a substrate such as, for example, a semiconductor wafer or a liquid crystal substrate with an etching liquid (a processing liquid). A conventional substrate liquid processing apparatus includes a processing liquid storage unit that stores a processing liquid for processing a substrate, a processing liquid supply unit that supplies the processing liquid to the processing liquid storage unit, and a processing liquid circulation unit that circulates the processing liquid stored in the processing liquid storage unit to perform, for example, heating of the processing liquid. In the substrate liquid processing apparatus, a plurality of substrates are immersed in the processing liquid stored in the processing liquid storage unit, so that the substrates are subjected to a liquid processing with the processing liquid. Further, in the substrate liquid processing apparatus, the processing liquid supplied from the processing liquid supply unit is circulated in the processing liquid circulation unit and heated to a predetermined temperature. In the substrate liquid processing apparatus, when the substrates are repeatedly processed with the processing liquid, the concentration of, for example, impurities, which are contained in the processing liquid by the processing of the substrates, increases. Thus, the substrates may not be satisfactorily processed. For example, when the substrates are subjected to an etching processing with an aqueous phosphoric acid solution (an etching liquid), the capability (etching rate) of the processing liquid depends on the silicon concentration in the processing liquid. Thus, the silicon concentration in the processing liquid needs to be maintained in a predetermined range. However, the repetition of the processing of the substrates increases the silicon concentration in the etching liquid and decreases the capability of the processing liquid. Thus, the substrates may not be satisfactorily etched (see, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-23952). Accordingly, in the conventional substrate liquid processing apparatus, a concentration sensor is provided in the processing liquid storage unit or the processing liquid circulation unit to measure the silicon concentration in the processing liquid.

Invention Disclosure:
Disclosed is a substrate liquid processing apparatus including a processing liquid storage unit that stores a processing liquid; a processing liquid supply unit that supplies the processing liquid to the processing liquid storage unit; a processing liquid circulation unit that circulates the processing liquid inside the processing liquid storage unit; a processing liquid discharge unit that discharges the processing liquid; a concentration sensor that measures a concentration in the processing liquid; and a controller that controls the processing liquid supply unit. The controller controls the processing liquid circulation unit to circulate the processing liquid, the processing liquid discharge unit to discharge the circulated processing liquid intermittently at a predetermined timing or continuously for a predetermined period of time, the processing liquid supply unit to newly supply the processing liquid, and the concentration sensor to measure the concentration in the processing liquid at a predetermined timing.

[Assistant]
1. A substrate liquid processing apparatus comprising:
a processing liquid storage unit configured to store a processing liquid for processing a substrate;
a processing liquid supply unit configured to supply the processing liquid to the processing liquid storage unit;
a processing liquid circulation unit configured to circulate the processing liquid inside the processing liquid storage unit;
a processing liquid discharge unit including a discharge flow path branched from the processing liquid circulation unit and communicating with an external drain to discharge the processing liquid;
a concentration sensor provided in the discharge flow path and configured to measure a concentration in the processing liquid, the concentration sensor being separated from the processing liquid storage; and
a controller configured to control the processing liquid supply unit,
wherein the controller controls the processing liquid circulation unit to circulate the processing liquid, the processing liquid discharge unit to discharge the circulated processing liquid intermittently at a predetermined timing or continuously for a predetermined period of time, the processing liquid supply unit to newly supply the processing liquid, and the concentration sensor to measure the concentration in the processing liquid at a predetermined timing with respect to the discharged processing liquid.

2. The substrate liquid processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the concentration sensor is provided in a bypass flow path branched from the processing discharge unit.

3. The substrate liquid processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the predetermined timing of measuring the concentration in the processing liquid by the concentration sensor is set when the substrate is processed with the processing liquid.

4. The substrate liquid processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the predetermined timing of measuring the concentration in the processing liquid by the concentration sensor is set to be less frequent than the predetermined timing of discharging the processing liquid from the processing liquid discharge unit.

5. The substrate liquid processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein a silicon wafer is used as the substrate, and the concentration sensor measures a concentration of silicon in the processing liquid.

6. The substrate liquid processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to calculate an increase rate of the concentration in a substrate liquid processing step based on a plurality of values measured by the concentration sensor, and
when it is determined that the concentration exceeds a predetermined concentration range during processing of the substrate, the controller is programmed to correct a discharge amount of the processing liquid to be discharged and a supply amount of new processing liquid to be supplied such that the concentration does not exceed the predetermined concentration range.

7. The substrate liquid processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein an inert gas or deionized water is supplied to the concentration sensor provided in the processing liquid discharge unit when the processing liquid does not pass through the concentration sensor.

8. A substrate liquid processing method comprising:
storing a processing liquid for processing a substrate in a processing liquid storage unit;
circulating the processing liquid by a processing liquid circulation unit;
discharging the circulated processing liquid intermittently at a predetermined timing or continuously for a predetermined period of time from a processing liquid discharge unit having a discharge flow path branched in the middle of the processing liquid circulation unit and communicating with an external drain to discharge the processing liquid;
newly supplying the processing liquid from a processing liquid supply unit; and
measuring a concentration in the processing liquid at a predetermined timing with respect to the discharged processing liquid, by a concentration sensor provided in the discharge flow path, the concentration sensor being separated from the processing liquid storage.

9. The substrate liquid processing method of claim 8, wherein the processing liquid discharged from the processing liquid discharge unit is allowed to flow in a bypass flow path branched in the middle of the processing discharge unit, and the concentration in the processing liquid is measured by the concentration sensor provided in the bypass flow path.

10. The substrate liquid processing method of claim 8, wherein the predetermined timing of measuring the concentration in the processing liquid by the concentration sensor is set when the substrate is processed with the processing liquid.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores a computer-executable program for performing a liquid processing on a substrate using a substrate liquid processing apparatus, the substrate liquid processing apparatus including:
a processing liquid storage unit configured to store a processing liquid for processing a substrate;
a processing liquid supply unit configured to supply the processing liquid to the processing liquid storage unit;
a processing liquid circulation unit configured to circulate the processing liquid inside the processing liquid storage unit;
a processing liquid discharge unit including a discharge flow path branched from the processing liquid circulation unit and communicating with an external drain to discharge the processing liquid; and
a concentration sensor provided in the discharge flow path and configured to measure a concentration in the processing liquid, the concentration sensor being separated from the processing liquid storage,
the liquid processing on the substrate comprising:
storing the processing liquid for processing the substrate in the processing liquid storage unit;
circulating the processing liquid by the processing liquid circulation unit
discharging the circulated processing liquid intermittently at a predetermined timing or continuously for a predetermined period of time from the processing liquid discharge unit;
newly supplying the processing liquid from the processing liquid supply unit; and
measuring a concentration in the processing liquid at a predetermined timing with respect to the discharged processing liquid, by the concentration sensor.


[System] You are an expert US patent attorney. Draft a set of independent and dependent claims based on the provided invention description. Use correct USPTO formatting.

[User]
Title: Semiconductor Device And Manufacturing Method Of Semiconductor Device

Technical Field and Background:
A flash memory is widely used as a type of EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), which is an electrically writable/erasable non-volatile semiconductor storage device. The flash memory has an electrically-conductive floating gate electrode surrounded by an oxide film or a trap insulating film below a gate electrode of a MISFET. Information is stored by utilizing the difference in the threshold value of the MISFET depending on presence/absence of charge (electrons or holes) in the floating gate or the trap insulating film. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2005-123518 (Patent Document 1) discloses a non-volatile memory cell in which a charge retaining characteristic is improved by providing a taper on a sidewall of a select gate electrode (15) in order to improve the charge retaining characteristic by suppressing reduction in the thickness of a corner part (20) of a charge accumulating film. For example, paragraphs [0041] and [0042] disclose that a sidewall spacer (69) of a silicon oxide film is formed after the formation of the select gate electrode, thereby controlling the angle of a corner part of an ONO-film (FIG. 25). Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-148434 (Patent Document 2) discloses a non-volatile memory cell capable of achieving the low-voltage drive, high-speed program, and high-density integration. In this disclosure, for example, in order to reduce the coupling capacitance between a first gate electrode (141) and a second gate electrode (142) to improve a driving speed, an end surface of a gate electrode (141) is oxidized to form an oxide film (141a) or a sidewall (not shown) serving as an insulating member is formed on a side surface of the gate electrode (141) instead of the oxide film (141a) (paragraph [0108], FIG. 13). It also discloses that the capacitance between gate electrodes is reduced by oxidizing an end surface of a gate electrode (241) to form an oxide film (241a) or forming a sidewall serving as an insulating member on a side surface of the gate electrode (241) instead of the oxide film (241a) (paragraph [0128], FIG. 18). Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2010-108976 (Patent Document 3) discloses a semiconductor device in which a corner part, which is formed at an end part of a side in contact with a gate insulating film (GOX), is processed into a reversely tapered shape at a control gate electrode (CG) of a memory cell, thereby suppressing the disturbance. It also discloses that the distance between the control gate electrode (CG) and the memory gate electrode (MG) is increased in a region close to a semiconductor substrate by increasing the film thickness (film thickness b) of a potential barrier film (EV 1 ) at a lower part of the control gate electrode (CG), thereby suppressing the disturbance (paragraphs [0105] to [0108], FIG. 14, FIG. 15). Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2011-103401 (Patent Document 4) discloses a split-gate-type memory cell in which a sidewall insulating film (11) composed of, for example, a silicon oxide film or a silicon nitride film is formed between a stacked gate insulating film (9) and a memory gate electrode (10) which are formed on one of sidewalls of a control gate electrode (8), and the memory gate electrode is electrically separated from the control gate electrode by the sidewall insulating film and the stacked gate insulating film. This structure can prevent the short-circuit failure caused by contact between a silicide layer formed on the surface of the control gate electrode and a silicide layer formed on the surface of the memory gate electrode. The inside of parentheses shows symbols described in the documents.

Invention Disclosure:
A semiconductor device of the present invention has a first insulating film formed between a control gate electrode and a semiconductor substrate and a second insulating film formed between a memory gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate and between the control gate electrode and the memory gate electrode, the second insulating film having a charge accumulating part therein. The second insulating film has a first film, a second film serving as a charge accumulating part disposed on the first film, and a third film disposed on the second film. The third film has a sidewall film positioned between the control gate electrode and the memory gate electrode and a deposited film positioned between the memory gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate. In this structure, the distance at a corner part of the second insulating film can be increased, and electric-field concentration can be reduced.

[Assistant]
1. A semiconductor device comprising:
a semiconductor substrate;
a first gate electrode disposed above the semiconductor substrate;
a second gate electrode disposed above the semiconductor substrate so as to be adjacent to the first gate electrode;
a first insulating film formed between the first gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate; and
a second insulating film formed between the second gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate and between the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode, the second insulating film having a charge accumulating part therein,
wherein the first and second gate electrodes are silicon electrodes,
the second insulating film includes:
a first film;
a second film disposed on the first film and serving as the charge accumulating part; and
a third film disposed on the second film,
the first film includes:
a sidewall film positioned between the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode; and
a deposited film positioned between the second gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate,
electrons are accumulated in the charge accumulating part,
the electrons accumulated in the charge accumulating part are erased when holes are injected by a tunneling phenomenon into the charge accumulating part via the third film from the second gate electrode side,
the deposited film extends also to a part between the sidewall film and the second gate electrode, and to a part in contact with the first gate electrode,
a height of the second gate electrode is higher than a height of the first gate electrode,
a height of the sidewall film is lower than the height of the first gate electrode, and
a width of the sidewall film is smallest at an uppermost part thereof and gradually increases from the uppermost part substantially to a bottom thereof.

2. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein a height and a width of the sidewall film is 10 nm or more and 20 nm or less.

3. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein a film thickness of the deposited film positioned between the second gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate is 6 nm or less.

4. The semiconductor device according to claim 3, wherein the film thickness of the deposited film positioned between the second gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate is 2 nm or more.

5. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the third film is a silicon oxynitride film.

6. The semiconductor device according to claim 5, wherein the deposited film of the first film is a silicon oxide film.

7. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the second gate electrode contains an impurity ion, and an impurity concentration in a lower part of the second gate electrode is lower than an impurity concentration in an upper part of the second gate electrode.

8. The semiconductor device according to claim 7, wherein the impurity ion is an n-type impurity ion.

9. The semiconductor device according to claim 8, wherein a lower part of the second gate electrode is intrinsic semiconductor.


[System] You are an expert US patent attorney. Draft a set of independent and dependent claims based on the provided invention description. Use correct USPTO formatting.

[User]
Title: Binaural Hearing System

Technical Field and Background:
The present disclosure deals in particular with noise reduction in a binaural hearing system in an asymmetric near-field environment, such as is e.g. present when a person engages in a telephone conversation, where a target sound is only audible on one ear, but the background noise is present at both ears. For a hearing impaired person wearing a hearing instrument at one or both ears, this situation is particularly challenging, but also provides possible options for improving the intelligibility of the target signal by appropriate signal processing of the signals received and/or picked up by the respective hearing instrument(s). WO2006105664A1 deals with binaural hearing instrument systems comprising left and right hearing instruments including binaural processing circuits that generate left and right audio output signals, respectively, as a function of the signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of both the left and right audio input signals. US2010111338A1 deals with a method of adjusting a signal processing parameter for a first hearing aid and a second hearing aid forming parts of a binaural hearing aid system to be worn by a user. The binaural hearing aid system comprises a user specific model representing a desired asymmetry between a first ear and a second ear of the user, e.g. defined by a discrete ‘synchronization mode’ variable, that controls the ‘overall amount of asymmetry’ in the binaural hearing aid system. As an example, a ‘high’ value of the synchronization mode variable will constrain the steering parameters to be very similar, whereas ‘medium’ and ‘low’ values will allow more deviations and finally ‘off’ will not synchronize the adjustments among the ears. The latter may e.g. be beneficial when picking up the phone (where the binaural hearing aid system should e.g. behave in an asynchronous mode).

Invention Disclosure:
A binaural hearing system comprising left and right hearing devices is provided, each comprising an input unit providing an electric input signal representing an environmental sound; a noise reduction system for estimating and reducing a noise component of the electric input signal; antenna and transceiver circuitry allowing the exchange of data between the hearing devices. The binaural hearing system is—in a mode of operation, where a sound source is predominantly audible at a first one of the hearing devices—configured to transmit the estimate of the noise component determined in a second one of the hearing devices to the first hearing device and to use said estimate to reduce the noise component in the electric signal of the first hearing device and to provide a noise reduced signal in the first hearing device. Thereby improved noise reduction is provided for use, e.g. in hearing aids, in non-symmetric acoustic situations.

[Assistant]
1. A binaural hearing system comprising left and right hearing devices adapted for being located at or in left and right ears of a user, or adapted for being fully or partially implanted in the head of the user, each of the left and right hearing devices comprising
an input unit for providing an electric input signal representing a sound in the environment of the hearing device;
a noise reduction system for estimating and reducing a noise component of the electric input signal;
antenna and transceiver circuitry allowing an interaural wireless communication link between the left and right hearing devices to be established to allow exchange of data between them,
wherein the binaural hearing system is configured to, in a specific near-field mode of operation that is manually or automatically activated in a situation where a near-field sound source is present at a first one of the left and right hearing devices, transmit the estimate of the noise component, or a measure thereof, determined in a second one of the hearing devices of the binaural hearing system to the first hearing device, and use said transmitted estimate to reduce the noise component in the electric signal of the first hearing device and to provide a noise reduced signal in the first hearing device.

2. A binaural hearing system according to claim 1 wherein each of the left and right hearing devices—at least when in said specific near-field mode of operation—is configured to generate or provide a noise-reduced signal based fully or partially on one or both of the respective noise estimates from the left and right hearing devices.

3. A binaural hearing system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the left and right hearing devices comprises an output unit for presenting a processed signal as stimuli perceived by the user as sound.

4. A binaural hearing system according to claim 1 configured to allow the user to control a mode of operation of the binaural hearing system via a user interface.

5. A binaural hearing system according to claim 4 comprising an auxiliary device configured to fully or partially implement the user interface.

6. A binaural hearing system according to claim 1 configured to provide that the specific near-field mode of operation of the binaural hearing system is automatically entered based on inputs from one or more detectors.

7. A binaural hearing system according to claim 1 configured to—when in said specific near-field mode of operation—limit the noise estimate that is determined in the second hearing device and used in the first hearing device to frequencies below a low-frequency threshold f LF,th.

8. A binaural hearing system according to claim 1 wherein the first hearing device—when in said specific near-field mode of operation—is configured to combine the received noise estimate from the second hearing device with the noise estimate of its own noise reduction system.

9. A binaural hearing system according to claim 3 configured to present the noise-reduced signal or a signal derived therefrom in each of the left and right hearing devices via the respective output units.

10. A binaural hearing system according to claim 3 configured to provide that the electric input signal of the first hearing device—when in said specific near-field mode of operation—comprising a mixture of the near-field signal and a background noise is transmitted to the second hearing device.

11. A binaural hearing system according to claim 1 wherein each of the hearing devices comprises a multitude of input transducers, each input transducer providing an electric input signal, and the binaural hearing system being configured to exchange one or more of said electric input signals representing a sound in the environment of the respective hearing devices, or signals derived therefrom, between the left and right hearing devices.

12. A binaural hearing system according to claim 1 wherein each the left and right hearing devices comprises a hearing aid, a headset, an earphone, an ear protection device or a combination thereof.

13. A binaural hearing system according to claim 1 comprising an acoustic environment detector configured to detect whether or not a sound source is a near-field sound source relative to one of the left and right hearing devices.

14. A binaural hearing system according to claim 1 wherein the noise reduction systems of the respective hearing devices are configured to provide the estimate of the noise component as a magnitude response of the noise signal measured in different frequency channels.

15. A method for using a binaural hearing system as claimed in claim 1 with a telephone in order to improve the intelligibility of speech received via said telephone.

16. A method of operating a binaural hearing system comprising left and right hearing devices adapted for being located at or in left and right ears of a user, or adapted for being fully or partially implanted in the head of the user, the method comprising
providing an electric input signal representing a sound in the environment of the hearing device;
estimating and reducing a noise component of the electric input signal;
providing an interaural wireless communication link between the left and right hearing devices to be established to allow exchange of data between them; and
when in a specific near-field mode of operation that is manually or automatically activated in a situation where a near-field sound source is present at a first one of the left and right hearing devices, transmitting the estimate of the noise component, or a measure thereof, determined in a second one of the hearing devices of the binaural hearing system to the first hearing device; and
using said transmitted estimate to reduce the noise component in the electric signal of the first hearing device; and
providing a noise reduced signal in the first hearing device.

17. A method according to claim 16 comprising using the estimate of the noise component, or a measure thereof, from the second hearing device to improve the signal to noise ratio in the first side hearing device that is exposed to the near field sound source.

18. A data processing system comprising a processor and program code stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium which, when executed, causes the processor to perform the steps of the method of claim 16.