Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for searching for satellite signals are provided. One of the proposed methods of searching for satellite signals includes: searching for satellite signals according to measurement predictions; searching for satellite signals of a reference satellite without referring to the measurement predictions; determining if measurements derived from the reference satellite are consistent with the measurement predictions; and searching for satellite signals of other satellites without referring to the measurement predictions if the measurements derived from the reference satellite are determined to be inconsistent with the measurement predictions. If the measurements derived from the reference satellite are determined to be inconsistent with the measurement predictions, navigation information for use in the generation of the measurement predictions is determined to be stale.

Abstract: A multifunctional power plug includes a housing, a plurality of contact blades, a power cable, and a control circuit unit. The housing forms an interior space, which accommodates the control circuit unit therein. The control circuit unit is electrically connected between the contact blades and the power cable. The control circuit unit includes at least a rectification circuit, a voltage regulation circuit, and a timer circuit. The plug may further include a photo-control circuit, which is accommodated in the interior space and is electrically connected to the control circuit unit. As such, besides the functions of voltage bucking and timer setting, the multifunctional power plug also features photo control. The power plug has a simple construction and is easy for mass production to thereby significantly lower manufacturing costs thereof.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for searching for satellite signals are provided. One of the proposed methods of searching for satellite signals includes: searching for satellite signals according to measurement predictions; searching for satellite signals of a reference satellite without referring to the measurement predictions; determining if measurements derived from the reference satellite are consistent with the measurement predictions; and searching for satellite signals of other satellites without referring to the measurement predictions if the measurements derived from the reference satellite are determined to be inconsistent with the measurement predictions. If the measurements derived from the reference satellite are determined to be inconsistent with the measurement predictions, navigation information for use in the generation of the measurement predictions is determined to be stale.

Abstract: A light bulb conductive device is provided, including a light bulb and a bulb holder. The light bulb further includes a pair of conductive needles made of hard material with a sharp tip to penetrate the plastic shell of the conductive wire to contact with the conductive metal wire to form electrical connection. The bulb holder is formed by injection molding to embed the light bulb. The light bulb conductive device of the present invention is easy to assemble, stable in use, inexpensive to manufacture, and also waterproof.

Abstract: A light string with a screw head is provided, including a light string and a screw head. The light string includes a plurality of LEDs connected in series by a plurality of wires. The wires connected to the screw head. The screw head further includes an insulating body, a screw shell and a contacting end. The insulating body further includes a circuit to regulate the current before providing to the LEDs. The light string with a screw head of the present invention can be used with conventional light string to extend the use of the conventional light string and provide more varieties for decorative and lighting purposes.

Abstract: An electric cord retention device includes a base, at least one cord hold-down member, and at least one lid, which together receive and retain an electric cord. The base has a top forming a cord accommodation slot and a coupling portion. Two conductor pieces are received and fixed in the cord accommodation slot and has sharp tips located in the cord accommodation slot. The coupling portion is arranged adjacent to the cord accommodation slot. The cord is positioned in the cord accommodation slot and is depressed down by the cord hold-down member that is fit into the cord accommodation slot and positioned above the cord. The lid is tightened to the coupling portion by means of threading engagement, whereby rotation of the lid with respect to the coupling portion causes the cord hold-down member to move downward and apply a force to the cord against the sharp tips, making the sharp tips piercing into the cord to establish electric connection therebetween.

Abstract: A light string with a screw head is provided, including a light string and a screw head. The light string includes a plurality of LEDs connected in series by a plurality of wires. The wires connected to the screw head. The screw head further includes an insulating body, a screw shell and a contacting end. The insulating body further includes a circuit to regulate the current before providing to the LEDs. The light string with a screw head of the present invention can be used with conventional light string to extend the use of the conventional light string and provide more varieties for decorative and lighting purposes.

Abstract: A multi-facet full color illuminator is provided, including a case, a plurality of separated areas inside the case, a plurality of separators for forming separated areas and each separator being shared by two adjacent separated areas, a light source module inside each separated area, each light source module having at least two elements capable of emitting different colors of light, and a controller for adjusting the electric current to control the brightness of each light source module. By using the controller to adjust the electric current, a facet can display light of various color and brightness. This, combined with other facets can create more varieties of light patterns.

Abstract: A multi-facet full color illuminator is provided, including a case, a plurality of separated areas inside the case, a plurality of separators for forming separated areas and each separator being shared by two adjacent separated areas, a light source module inside each separated area, each light source module having at least two elements capable of emitting different colors of light, and a controller for adjusting the electric current to control the brightness of each light source module. By using the controller to adjust the electric currency, a facet can display light of various color and brightness. This, combined with other facets can create more varieties of light patterns.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus and a method for regulating exhaust pressure in an evacuation system of a semiconductor process chamber are provided. The method comprises steps of generating a first pressure in the semiconductor process chamber with the evacuation system, monitoring the first pressure to generate a first signal, determining a set point for the exhaust pressure responsive to the first signal, and regulating the exhaust pressure by a controller till reaching the set point. The key aspect of the present invention is to maintain the equilibrium of the chamber pressure and the exhaust pressure by implementing an exhaust controller to control the gas flow rate introduced into the evacuation system. In other words, when the chamber pressure is increased, the gas is introduced into the evacuation system at an increased flow rate. On the other hand, when the chamber pressure is decreased, the gas is introduced into the evacuation system at a decreased flow rate.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus and a method for regulating exhaust pressure in an evacuation system of a semiconductor process chamber are provided. The method comprises steps of generating a first pressure in the semiconductor process chamber with the evacuation system, monitoring the first pressure to generate a first signal, determining a set point for the exhaust pressure responsive to the first signal, and regulating the exhaust pressure by a controller till reaching the set point. The key aspect of the present invention is to maintain the equilibrium of the chamber pressure and the exhaust pressure by implementing an exhaust controller to control the gas flow rate introduced into the evacuation system. In other words, when the chamber pressure is increased, the gas is introduced into the evacuation system at an increased flow rate. On the other hand, when the chamber pressure is decreased, the gas is introduced into the evacuation system at a decreased flow rate.