Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a formwork for a ribbed or waffle concrete slab is provided. The apparatus includes a rectangular block having a ledge around the base, the ledge having a dimension of half the desired width of the base ribs of the concrete slab, and a keystone connector. The keystone connector has an engagement portion configured to attach to an engagement portion on each block. In a method, the blocks are laid out so that the ledges of adjacent blocks are in contact. A keystone connector is then placed at each intersection of four blocks by attaching the respective engagement portions of the keystone connector and each block so that the keystone connector holds each of the four blocks in place relative to one another. The keystone connector is also configured to retain a reinforcing rod laid in the channel between adjacent blocks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a formwork for a ribbed or waffle concrete slab is provided. The apparatus includes a rectangular block having a ledge around the base, the ledge having a dimension of half the desired width of the base ribs of the concrete slab, and a keystone connector. The keystone connector has an engagement portion configured to attach to an engagement portion on each block. In a method, the blocks are laid out so that the ledges of adjacent blocks are in contact. A keystone connector is then placed at each intersection of four blocks by attaching the respective engagement portions of the keystone connector and each block so that the keystone connector holds each of the four blocks in place relative to one another. The keystone connector is also configured to retain a reinforcing rod laid in the channel between adjacent blocks.

Abstract: An apparatus, and a method of use of the apparatus, for forming a concrete slab are provided. A formwork may include a support element having a layer of active material bonded on each side to a backing sheet. The active material is chosen to slowly compress over time when placed under a load, and the rate of compression is chosen such that the layer of active material continues to support the slab until such time as the slab becomes self-supporting (i.e., the concrete has cured/set). Another feature is the inclusion of a surface of the backing sheet with a relatively low coefficient of friction. When two support elements are laid one on top of the other with the surfaces in contact, the upper support element may slide over the lower support element, for example during a seismic event.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating a system includes operating in a first operating mode to not permit access to an address range, receiving a priority interrupt (PI) signal. The method further includes operating in a second operating mode to permit access to the address range in response to receiving the PI signal.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement including a rectifier circuit and a current determining circuit. The rectifier circuit is configured to rectify an alternating signal into a rectified signal. The current determining circuit is configured to determine a current of the alternating signal from at least a current of the rectified signal.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a processor includes operating in a first operating mode that prohibits access to a protected memory area, receiving a priority interrupt (PI) signal, operating in a second operating mode in response to receiving the PI signal, and executing a first routine by asserting a semi-privileged interrupt (SPI). Access to the protected memory area is permitted in the second operating mode, and the first routine operates in the second operating mode and is interruptible by the PI signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a concrete slab to be supported on a surface of load bearing members, and a method of use of the apparatus, are provided. The apparatus may includes a support element having a layer of active material bonded on each side by a backing sheet. The active material is chosen to slowly compress over time when placed under a load of the concrete when poured onto the apparatus. The rate of compression is chosen such that the layer of active material continues to support the slab until such time as the slab becomes self-supporting (i.e., the concrete has cured/set) on the load bearing members. The active material is chosen such that the load supported by the active material reduces gradually from an original value of 100% when the concrete is poured to less than 40% of its original value after 10 days as the concrete cures. Another feature is the inclusion of a surface of the backing sheet with a relatively low coefficient of friction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a formwork for a ribbed or waffle concrete slab is provided. The apparatus includes a rectangular block having a ledge around the base, the ledge having a dimension of half the desired width of the base ribs of the concrete slab, and a keystone connector. The keystone connector has an engagement portion configured to attach to an engagement portion on each block. In a method, the blocks are laid out so that the ledges of adjacent blocks are in contact. A keystone connector is then placed at each intersection of four blocks by attaching the respective engagement portions of the keystone connector and each block so that the keystone connector holds each of the four blocks in place relative to one another. The keystone connector is also configured to retain a reinforcing rod laid in the channel between adjacent blocks.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating a system includes operating in a first operating mode to not permit access to an address range, receiving a priority interrupt (PI) signal. The method further includes operating in a second operating mode to permit access to the address range in response to receiving the PI signal.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating a system includes operating in a first operating mode to not permit access to an address range, receiving a priority interrupt (PI) signal. The method further includes operating in a second operating mode to permit access to the address range in response to receiving the PI signal.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of reconstructing a periodic signal includes receiving random electronic samples of the periodic signal from a sensing circuit, sorting, by a processor, the electronic samples in a sequential order to form ordered samples, and estimating, by the processor, a shape of the periodic signal based on the ordered samples

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a processor includes operating in a first operating mode that prohibits access to a protected memory area, receiving a priority interrupt (PI) signal, operating in a second operating mode in response to receiving the PI signal, and executing a first routine by asserting a semi-privileged interrupt (SPI). Access to the protected memory area is permitted in the second operating mode, and the first routine operates in the second operating mode and is interruptible by the PI signal.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating a system includes operating in a first operating mode to not permit access to an address range, receiving a priority interrupt (PI) signal. The method further includes operating in a second operating mode to permit access to the address range in response to receiving the PI signal.

Abstract: A method to detect tampering of data includes constant acquiring of raw measurement data in a sensor unit. The raw measurement data of a defined time interval is processed in a metrology unit to obtain first measurement results. The first measurement results are transmitted to an authority at defined time instances via a communication channel. A defined fraction of raw measurement data is transmitted to the authority in a random manner via the communication channel. The raw measurement data of the defined time interval is processed at the authority to obtain second measurement results. The first and second measurement results of a time interval are compared.

Abstract: A method to detect tampering includes constant acquiring of measurement raw data in a sensor unit; processing of measurement raw data of a defined time interval in a metrology unit, obtaining first measurement results; at least one of storing of the first measurement results and transmitting of the first measurement results to an authority at defined time instances via a communication channel; at least one of storing of a defined fraction of measurement raw data and transmitting of a defined fraction of measurement raw data to the authority in a random manner via the communication channel; processing of the measurement raw data of the defined time interval at the authority, obtaining second measurement results; and comparing the first and second measurement results of a time interval.