Abstract: A shoot-through protection circuit including a first switch connected to a positive bus and connected to a first center node via a first electrical path, a second switch connected to a negative bus and connected to the first center node via a second electrical path, a circuitous third electrical path connecting the first center node to a first load output, a first magnetic core surrounding the first electrical path and the circuitous third electrical path, a second magnetic core surrounding the second electrical path and the circuitous third electrical path, and wherein a polarity of one of the first electrical path and the second electrical path is aligned with a polarity of the circuitous third electrical path within the corresponding one of the first magnetic core and the second magnetic core and a polarity of the other of the first electrical path and the second electrical path opposes the polarity of the circuitous third electrical path within the corresponding one of the first magnetic core and the seco

Abstract: A food processor including a reversible motor disposed in a base for generating a rotational force, a processor container removably attached to the base, a spindle rotated by the reversible motor when energized, and a slicing disc rotatably coupled to the spindle, the slicing disc having a radially extending slicing blade formed on one side thereof configured to perform a slicing operation and a plurality radially extending shredding blades disposed oppositely to the slicing blade on the slicing disc configured to perform a shredding operation. The slicing disc is automatically rotated in a first direction by the motor when the first and third discrete positions are selected on a slice selector disc corresponding to the slicing and dicing operations and automatically rotated in a second direction by the motor when the second discrete position is selected on the slice selector disc corresponding to the shredding operation.

Abstract: A secure drinking assembly includes a container that may contain a beverage. A valve is coupled to the container and the valve selectively opens and closes the container. A security lock is coupled to the container. The security lock may be manipulated thereby facilitating the security lock to receive a security code. The security lock actuates the valve to selectively open the container when the security lock receives the security code.

Abstract: A secure drinking assembly includes a container that may contain a beverage. A valve is coupled to the container and the valve selectively opens and closes the container. A security lock is coupled to the container. The security lock may be manipulated thereby facilitating the security lock to receive a security code. The security lock actuates the valve to selectively open the container when the security lock receives the security code.

Abstract: A food processor including a reversible motor disposed in a base for generating a rotational force, a processor container removably attached to the base, a spindle rotated by the reversible motor when energized, and a slicing disc rotatably coupled to the spindle, the slicing disc having a radially extending slicing blade formed on one side thereof configured to perform a slicing operation and a plurality radially extending shredding blades disposed oppositely to the slicing blade on the slicing disc configured to perform a shredding operation. The slicing disc is automatically rotated in a first direction by the motor when the first and third discrete positions are selected on a slice selector disc corresponding to the slicing and dicing operations and automatically rotated in a second direction by the motor when the second discrete position is selected on the slice selector disc corresponding to the shredding operation.

Abstract: A method of creating a sensor network from a plurality of sensing devices that includes identifying a plurality of subsets of the sensing devices, each of the subsets providing a preferred (e.g., desired or specified) sensing quality coverage. Communication signal strengths of the sensing devices in the subsets are adjusted to seek to enable direct or indirect communication between active sensing devices in all of the plurality of subsets, thereby creating a sensor network.

Abstract: A blade computing system is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The blade computing system includes a substrate, at least one capacitive communication system formed on the substrate and configured to capacitively exchange data communications, and at least one inductive power system formed on the substrate and configured to inductively receive electrical power. The blade computing system further includes one or more baffles formed on the substrate and positioned between a capacitive communication system of the at least one capacitive communication system and an inductive power system of the at least one inductive power system. The blade computing system further includes a processing system formed on the substrate and coupled to the inductive power system and the capacitive communication system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing pre-pay and post-pay calls. After receiving a pre-pay call, an integrated service platform obtains and transfers a pre-pay destination number and a pre-pay validation parameter to a switching system. The switching system then releases the pre-pay call extension to the integrated service platform and extends the pre-pay call using the pre-pay destination number. As the pre-pay call is in progress, the switching system monitors a duration of the pre-pay call and terminates the pre-pay call if the duration meets or exceeds a pre-pay amount indicated by the pre-pay validation parameter. In this manner, integrated service platforms, as required by prior approaches, are no longer required to be connected to the pre-pay call for the entire duration of the pre-pay call. Rather, an integrated service platform can request and receive authorization and call destination information, then be released for use by other calls.

Abstract: In a telecommunication network, a switching system routes a call to a service platform. The service platform transfers a prompt message over the call, collects caller-entered information from a caller over the call in response to the prompt message, and transfers the caller-entered information to a call processing system. The call processing system transfers the caller-entered information to a destination processor, processes a destination routing code from the destination processor to determine a destination routing instruction, and transfers the destination routing instruction to the switching system. The switching system routes the call to a destination in response to the destination routing instruction.

Abstract: A telecommunication network comprises a switching system configured to route a call to a service platform, the service platform configured to transfer a prompt message over the call, collect caller-entered information from a caller over the call in response to the prompt message, and transfer the caller-entered information to a call processing system in the telecommunication network, the call processing system configured to transfer the caller-entered information to a destination processor at a call center, process a destination routing code from the destination processor to determine a destination routing instruction, and transfer the destination routing instruction to the switching system, and the switching system further configured to route the call to a destination in response to the destination routing instruction.

Abstract: It is the object of the invention to optimise the allocation of address ranges to modules of an integrated circuit. Since according to the invention the address ranges in the address space are selectable through a central address management, the usage of the address space capacity can be optimised according to the current load factor. Flexible usage of the address space is enabled by choosing the position of the address range to be selected and the size of the address range. The address range can be assigned automatically by a software program. The software program is for example designed in such a way that it executes a fair distribution of the address ranges to the existing modules or those modules that currently need an address range. Provided there are no overlaps with other address ranges, the address ranges to be assigned can be chosen as wished. User-specific programming can be used to allocate specific address ranges to individual modules.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a processor and at least one module and provides registers required for the modules as well as access to these registers. By concentrating the required registers according to the invention in a central register bank, which like the processor and the modules is connected to a fast AMBA-AHB bus, several advantages are achieved: for one, faster access is possible to each register. For another, the placement of the registers and the routing for the registers is simplified. This in particular allows chip area to be saved, which leads to cost savings in manufacture and enables higher component density. Furthermore, a slow AMBA-APB bus has now become optional.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for validating pre-pay and post-pay calls using an integrated validation database. The integrated validation database receives a pre-pay query including a pre-pay account code. The integrated validation database retrieves a pre-pay validation parameter based on the pre-pay account code. The integrated validation database then transmits a pre-pay validation response including the pre-pay validation parameter. The integrated validation database receives a post-pay query including a post-pay account code. The integrated validation database retrieves a post-pay validation parameter based on the post-pay account code. The integrated validation database transmits a post-pay validation response including the post-pay validation parameter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for validating pre-pay and post-pay calls using an integrated validation database. The integrated validation database receives a pre-pay query including a pre-pay account code. The integrated validation database retrieves a pre-pay validation parameter based on the pre-pay account code. The integrated validation database then transmits a pre-pay validation response including the pre-pay validation parameter. The integrated validation database receives a post-pay query including a post-pay account code. The integrated validation database retrieves a post-pay validation parameter based on the post-pay account code. The integrated validation database transmits a post-pay validation response including the post-pay validation parameter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing pre-pay and post-pay calls. A switching system receives the call where the switching system is class 4 or class 5. The switching system extends the call toward an integrated service platform. The switching system then receives the call destination number and the call validation parameter. The switching system releases the call extension to the integrated service platform and extends the call using the call destination number if the call validation parameter allows the call. The switching system monitors a duration of the call and terminates the call if the duration meets or exceeds an amount indicated by the call validation parameter. One advantage for post-pay calls is the provision of post-pay calls service such as messaging and validation is centralized in the integrated service platform, which reduces the time and cost of maintaining the post-pay service.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of a new ambient temperature molten salt as an electrolyte for electrochemical energy storage devices, such as electrochemical cells and electrolytic capacitors. The ambient temperature molten salt comprises an imide cation combined with a small anion. A particularly preferred anion is bis-trifluoromethanesulfonyl imide. The electrolyte is useful with electrochemical devices such as primary and secondary electrochemical cells and capacitors of the electrolytic and electrolytic/electrochemical hybrid types.

Abstract: A system and method to facilitate thickness measurement of bio-material workpiece, preferably a sheet, and to topographically map the sheet into similar thickness zones for later use. In particular, the system may include a three-axis programmable controller for manipulating a bio-material workpiece with respect to a thickness measurement head. The measurement head may include a plurality of sensors for simultaneous measurement of a plurality of points, with the sensors being adapted to contact the sheet or not. A robust human-machine interface is also provided for process control, preferably including a touch-screen monitor. A marking head may be provided for marking the zones or otherwise indicating the thickness in different areas. Two platens are desirably used in parallel for increased thoughput; the workpiece on one platen may be measured while the other is marked. The system and method are especially suited for assessing and marking pericardial tissue for forming heart valve leaflets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing pre-pay and post-pay calls. After receiving a pre-pay call, an integrated service platform obtains and transfers a pre-pay destination number and a pre-pay validation parameter to a switching system. The switching system then releases the pre-pay call extension to the integrated service platform and extends the pre-pay call using the pre-pay destination number. As the pre-pay call is in progress, the switching system monitors a duration of the pre-pay call and terminates the pre-pay call if the duration meets or exceeds a pre-pay amount indicated by the pre-pay validation parameter. In this manner, integrated service platforms, as required by prior approaches, are no longer required to be connected to the pre-pay call for the entire duration of the pre-pay call. Rather, an integrated service platform can request and receive authorization and call destination information, then be released for use by other calls.

Abstract: It is the object of the invention to supply an integrated circuit that contains a processor and at least one module and provides registers required for the modules as well as access to these registers. By concentrating the required registers according to the invention in a central register bank, which like the processor and the modules is connected to a fast AMBA-AHB bus, several advantages are achieved: for one, faster access is possible to each register. For another, the placement of the registers and the routing for the registers is simplified. This in particular allows chip area to be saved, which leads to cost savings in manufacture and enables higher component density. Furthermore, a slow AMBA-APB bus has now become optional.

Abstract: It is the object of the invention to optimise the allocation of address ranges to modules of an integrated circuit. Since according to the invention the address ranges in the address space are selectable through a central address management, the usage of the address space capacity can be optimised according to the current load factor. Flexible usage of the address space is enabled by choosing the position of the address range to be selected and the size of the address range. The address range can be assigned automatically by a software program. The software program is for example designed in such a way that it executes a fair distribution of the address ranges to the existing modules or those modules that currently need an address range. Provided there are no overlaps with other address ranges, the address ranges to be assigned can be chosen as wished. User-specific programming can be used to allocate specific address ranges to individual modules.