Abstract: A MEMS device (20) with stress isolation includes elements (28, 30, 32) formed in a first structural layer (24) and elements (68, 70) formed in a second structural layer (26), with the layer (26) being spaced apart from the first structural layer (24). Fabrication methodology (80) entails forming (92, 94, 104) junctions (72, 74) between the layers (24, 26). The junctions (72, 74) connect corresponding elements (30, 32) of the first layer (24) with elements (68, 70) of the second layer (26). The fabrication methodology (80) further entails releasing the structural layers (24, 26) from an underlying substrate (22) so that all of the elements (30, 32, 68, 70) are suspended above the substrate (22) of the MEMS device (20), wherein attachment of the elements (30, 32, 68, 70) with the substrate (22) occurs only at a central area (46) of the substrate (22).

Abstract: A computing device (10) includes a trusted execution environment (TEE) manager (40) that manages a switchover from non-trusted software (116) to trusted software (118). The TEE manager (40) includes memory (90) configured to store password-bearing, immediate-operand instructions (54). At the point of switching between the non-trusted software (116) and the trusted software (118) the memory (90) may be accessed as instruction fetches, and its contents fetched into a CPU core (24) as instructions. Immediate-operand portions (60) of the immediate-operand instructions (54) provide passwords, which are written back into guess registers (80) within the TEE manager (40). When a predetermined relationship between the instructions (54) and guesses in guess registers (80) is identified, actual execution of the immediate-operand instructions (54) is verified, the TEE mode of operation is signaled, and security-sensitive hardware (44) is enabled for use by a privileged routine (42) portion of the trusted software (118).

Abstract: A remote-controlled mains power switch is provided, which is suitable for supplying mains-powered equipment such as TVs or personal computers with electricity. The switch comprises mains power input, an electricity storage device, a control circuit and a sensor for receiving signals from remote controlling equipment, which is ordinarily supplied with the mains-powered equipment. In use, the electricity storage device is charged by the mains power whilst the mains-powered equipment is in use, the control circuit is powered by the electricity storage device and is operative to selectively switch the mains power supply on or off in response to signals received from controlling equipment.

Abstract: A communications system (20) includes a resource controller (22) and a terminal (24) in communication with the resource controller (22). Periodically, the resource controller (22) sends a service announcement (46) that identifies a set (50) of timeslots (52) within a communication resource (40) configured for random access within a future frame (42). The terminal (24) ascertains a burst characteristic (118) of a message (54) to be sent from the terminal (24) and generates a random access parameter (128). The terminal (24) selects one of the timeslots (52) from the set (50) in accordance with the random access parameter (128), the timeslot exhibiting a burst type (62) corresponding to the burst characteristic (118) of the message (54). The terminal (24) transmits the message (54) in the selected timeslot (52).

Abstract: A communication system (30) includes a transmitter (32) which generates transmit phase points (54) defined to be the vector sum of two or more QPSK signals (76, 78). Forward error correction encoding (48) is performed independently for the QPSK signals. In a receiver (34) alternate hypotheses are formed about the potential values that might have been transmitted for at least one of the QPSK signals, and offset phase points (68) are defined for each hypothesis. Each offset phase point has the effect of cancelling at least one of the two or more QPSK signals from the combined communication signal (36). Branch metrics (70) are responsive to Euclidean distances between all offset phase points (68) and all noise-free phase points that correspond to the QPSK signal about which no hypotheses are formed. A decoder (72) is configured to accept and reject the hypotheses in addition to counteracting noise.

Abstract: A device (110) includes a sensing element (26) having drive nodes (34, 36) and sense nodes (42, 44). Parasitic capacitance (22) is present between drive node (34) and sense node (42). Likewise, parasitic capacitance (24) is present between drive node (36) and sense node (44). When a drive signal (56) is applied between drive nodes (34, 36), a parasitic current (70) between drive and sense nodes (34, 42) and a parasitic current (72) between drive and sense nodes (36,44) is created due to the parasitic capacitances (22, 24). A capacitive network (112) is coupled between the drive node (36) and the sense node (42) to create a correction current (134) through capacitive network (112) that cancels parasitic current (70). Likewise, a capacitive network (114) is coupled between the drive node (34) and the sense node (44) to create a correction current (138) through capacitive network (112) that cancels parasitic current (72).

Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) capacitive sensor (52) includes a movable element (56) pivotable about a rotational axis (68) offset between ends (80, 84) thereof. A static conductive layer (58) is spaced away from the movable element (56) and includes electrode elements (62, 64). The movable element (56) includes a section (74) between the rotational axis (68) and one end (80) that exhibits a length (78). The movable element (56) further includes a section (76) between the rotational axis (68) and the other end (84) that exhibits a length (82) that is less than the length (78) of the section (74). The section (74) includes slots (88) extending through movable element (56) from the end (80) toward the rotational axis (68). The slots (88) provide stress relief in section (74) that compensates for package stress to improve sensor performance.

Abstract: A cryptographic system (100) and methodology executable within the cryptographic system (100) enable the use of a programmable logic device PLD (108) in a single chip cryptographic design flow for secure cryptographic services. Methodology for secure configuration of the PLD (108) within a cryptographic system 100 entails secure configuration and authentication (202), functional verification (204), configuration key reload capability (206), traffic key load capability (208) using a split key technique, isolation between command and key fill domains for secure key fill (210) of key material, redundant system instantiation (212), and high speed comparison for secure operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to card payment systems. In particular, the present invention relates to systems and methods for processing payment card transactions in a dynamic currency conversion and/or multi-currency scheme. To operate correctly, ghost transactions are used. However to prevent duplication of debits against the Card Holder, these “ghost copy” transactions must not be processed into the card schemes with the normal transactions. Thus the Acquirer's and/or third parties host systems have to be amended, in addition to modifications to the related accounting thereof.

Abstract: A sensor system (24) for controlling a ventilation unit (22) of a vehicle (20) includes a sensitivity selector (70) for enabling a user to select a setting (76) corresponding to an air quality threshold (94, 98), and an air quality sensor (62) proximate an exterior of the vehicle (20) for detecting an air quality parameter (71). A controller (66) is responsive to the selector (70) and the sensor (62), and is in communication with an inlet air valve (32) of the ventilation unit (22). A method (118) of operating the sensor system (24) entails receiving a current value of the air quality parameter (71) at the controller (66) for comparison with the air quality threshold (94, 98). The controller (66) generates a switch signal (74) in response to the comparison for adjusting the inlet air valve (32) between an outside air mode (44) and a recirculation mode (46).

Abstract: An aerial image projection system (20) includes a light aircraft (22) having a parachute-wing (24) attached to a carriage (26). The system (20) further includes an on-board computing and projection unit (30) with an image projector (32) coupled to the carriage (26) and suspended below the parachute-wing (24). An image display process (98) utilizing the system (20) entails generating (100) still and/or moving images (34) in a digital format for management by the computing and projection unit (30) and projecting (102) those images (34) from the projector (32) onto the parachute-wing (24). The projection of particular images (34) may be governed by time of day, particular events, current location of aerial image projection system (20) as detected by a navigational system receiver (66) of the unit, and so forth.

Abstract: An RF transmitter (60) generates non-DC bias signals (104, 106) configured to improved power-added efficiency (PAE) in the operation of an RF amplifier (94). The RF amplifier (94) generates an amplified RF signal (126) which, due to the addition of the bias signals (104, 106), includes bias-signal-induced RF distortion (48, 50). The bias signals (104, 106) drive a bias-induced distortion cancellation circuit (152) that adjusts the bias signals to compensate for the influence of impedances experienced by the bias signals (104, 106) before being applied to the RF amplifier (94). After mixing with a baseband communication signal (64), adjusted bias signals (186, 188) are combined into a composite baseband signal (76), upconverted to RF in an upconversion section 84, and applied to the RF amplifier (94) where they cancel at least a portion of the bias-signal-induced RF distortion (48, 50).

Abstract: A programmable electronic device (10) stores a number of cipher-text software modules (14) to which access is granted after evaluating a user's token (55, 80, 82), a software-restriction class (58) for a requested software module (14), and/or a currently active access-control model (60). Access-control models (60) span a range from uncontrolled to highly restrictive. Models (60) become automatically activated and deactivated as users are added to and deleted from the device (10). A virtual internal user proxy that does not require users to provide tokens (80, 82) is used to enable access to modules (16) classified in a global software-restriction class (62) or when an uncontrolled-access-control model (68) is active. Both licensed modules (76) and unlicensed modules (18,78) may be loaded in the device (10). However, no keys are provided to enable decryption of unlicensed modules (18,78).

Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor (52) includes a substrate (62) a movable element (58) spaced apart from the substrate (62), suspension anchors (66, 68, 70, 72) formed on the substrate (62), and compliant members (74) interconnecting the movable element (58) with the suspension anchors. The MEMS sensor (52) further includes fixed fingers (76) and fixed finger anchors (78) attaching the fixed fingers (76) to the substrate (62). The movable element (58) includes openings (64). At least one of the suspension anchors resides in at least one of the multiple openings (64) and pairs (94) of the fixed fingers (76) reside in other multiple openings (64). The MEMS sensor (52) is symmetrically formed, and a location of the fixed finger anchors (78) defines an anchor region (103) within which the suspension anchors (66, 68, 70, 72) are positioned.

Abstract: A semiconductor package (20) includes circuits (22, 24). The circuit (22) includes electrical devices (52, 54) interconnected by a bondwire array (62). Likewise, the circuit (24) includes electrical devices (58, 60) interconnected by a bondwire array (64). Signal wires (76) of the bondwire array (62) are proximate to signal wires (78) of the bondwire array (64). Ground wires (66, 68) are located on either side of, and close to, bondwire array (62). Ground wires (70, 72) are located on either side of, and close to, bondwire array (64). The ground wires (66, 68, 70,72) are electrically coupled to a ground region (74). The ground wires (66, 68, 70, 72) reduce a magnetic flux density (140) via induced return currents (126, 130) on the ground wires of opposite polarity to signal currents (124, 128) on the bondwire arrays (62, 64) to reduce inductive coupling between the adjacent bondwire arrays (62, 64).

Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) transducer (90) is adapted to sense acceleration in mutually orthogonal directions (92, 94, 96). The MEMS transducer (90) includes a proof mass (100) suspended above a substrate (98) by an anchor system (116). The anchor system (116) pivotally couples the proof mass (100) to the substrate (98) at a rotational axis (132) to enable the proof mass (100) to rotate about the rotational axis (132) in response to acceleration in a direction (96). The proof mass (100) has an opening (112) extending through it. Another proof mass (148) resides in the opening (112), and another anchor system (152) suspends the proof mass (148) above the surface (104) of the substrate (98). The anchor system (152) enables the proof mass (148) to move substantially parallel to the surface (104) of the substrate (98) in response to acceleration in at least another direction (92, 94).