Abstract: An exclusive OR circuit (10) includes an input stage (11) and a control arrangement (12,13) for controlling an exclusive OR logical evaluation. The control arrangement includes a pre-charge stage (12) which responds to a first level clock signal to enable the desired exclusive OR logical evaluation. The input stage (11) is connected to receive a first input signal and a second input signal and is also connected to an evaluation node (23). When the logic state of one input signal is unequal to the logic state of the other input signal, the input stage (11) couples the evaluation node (23) to ground. An output stage (13) of the control arrangement inverts the signal at an internal node (24) to produce the output from the exclusive OR circuit. A pre-charge stage (12) couples the internal node (24) to the evaluation node (23) only in response to a "high" clock signal.

Abstract: A method of providing prepaid access to wireless telecommunication networks by utilizing a mechanism to store subscriber credit information within a mobile terminal is disclosed. The method is especially suitable for subscribers that roam into visiting networks that have the capability of accessing the credit information. In an embodiment of the invention, the method includes transmitting the previously stored subscriber credit information from the mobile terminal to a network's prepayment node during registration. The subscriber credit information, which may include a prepaid credit balance in dollars, is transmitted via the Over-the-Air-Teleservice (OATS) function as specified in the IS-136 standard. When a call is placed, the cost of the call, based on the current tariff rate, is calculated by the prepayment node and deducted from the initially received credit balance to determine an updated credit balance. The updated credit balance is transmitted via OATS to the mobile terminal for storage therein.

Abstract: In a cellular mobile telecommunication system, an intelligent network service subscriber can place an originating intelligent network (IN) service call from an area that is not supported by an IN capable mobile switching center. After determining that the call is an IN service call, the non-IN capable mobile switching center will forward the call to a specially configured IN gateway which is programmed to notify the IN subscriber's home location register and service control point. The home location register and service control point then return the appropriate routing instructions to the IN gateway, which in turn forwards the originating IN service call to the intended party.

Abstract: A voltage converter circuit (10) includes a primary P-type FET (20) having its source-drain conduction path connected between an input (22) and a first output node (23). An N-type FET (21) is connected in parallel with the primary P-type device (20) between the input (22) and first output node (23). The gate electrode of the primary P-type device (20) is connected to the first output node (23) while the gate electrode of the N-type device (21) is connected to a second voltage supply at the voltage level of a desired second voltage signal. A first digital signal at a first voltage level is applied to the input (22). The voltage produced at the first output node (23) equals the desired second voltage level and comprises the input signal voltage reduced by the threshold voltage of the primary P-type device (20). One or more additional P-type devices (40) may be connected in series with the primary P-type device (20) to reduce the output voltage level further.

Abstract: Noise is removed from the digitized output of a sensor, subject to undesired resonance, even when the resonant frequency is unknown or drifts, with sufficiently low phase delay for the sensor to be used in closed-loop control. A very narrow notch filter which removes the resonance-induced noise is recursive (IIR) and therefore has a low phase delay. However, the apparatus which determines the center frequency of the notch filter is non-recursive, and therefore stable. It includes a tunable FIR filter which tracks the same resonance that we wish the IIR filter to remove. Tuning the FIR filter to minimize the output of the FIR filter therefore tunes the notch frequency to align with the resonant frequency. The tuning parameter which adaptively produces this result is suitably scaled and biased, and is applied to the IIR filter.

Abstract: Direct electrical myostimulation using acupuncture needles as electrodes leads to improvements in the treatment of human muscular ptosis. Pairs of needles are introduced at least as far as the muscular aponeurosis of the ptotic area and a microcurrent is passed between them in line with the muscular fasciculus. The method may advantageously be combined with electrical stimulation of the adipocyte-containing hypoderm to effect lipolysis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pharmaceutical formulation of a therapeutic polypeptide together with a permeation-enhancing mixture of sodium salicylate and an oil to provide enhanced absorption of the polypeptide through the wall of the gastrointestinal tract, and particularly of the colon, after oral administration, the amount of oil being from about 10 wt % to about 30 wt %, preferably from about 15 wt % to about 25 wt %, of the total formulation and the amount of sodium salicylate being from about 70 wt % to about 90 wt %, preferably from about 75 wt % to about 85 wt %, of the total formulation. The polypeptide may be non-lyophilized. The pharmaceutical formulation is characterized as a solid, which provides a convenient and improved format for handling and storage and for the preparation of oral dosage forms (such as pills, capsules and delivery vessels) containing a homogeneous mixture of ingredients.