Abstract: A flash memory module includes an integral indicator light. The module alternatively includes a plurality electrical contacts which electrically interface to a host digital device. The module includes a plurality of flash memory cells. The cells are controlled by an integral controller. The indicator light is controlled by the controller. The indicator light indicates whether the flash memory module is being accessed. Alternatively, the indicator light indicates that the flash memory module should be replaced. A housing for the module is preferably light transmissive material, and preferably a transparent plastic. A proximal end of the module includes the electrical contacts and is inserted into the host. The indicator light is preferably a surface mount LED and is positioned adjacent the distal end of the flash memory module to be seen through the transparent plastic. Alternatively, the controller generates an electronic signal which is coupled to the host.

Abstract: A motion sensing system device and method which utilize dispersed ultrasonic radiation is disclosed. The system preferably comprises a low profile sensor unit configured to couple to a ceiling position. The sensor unit comprises an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver and a pair of acoustic reflectors positioned in a transmitting path of the ultrasonic transmitter and a receiving path of the ultrasonic receiver for generating and detecting the ultrasonic radiation in a broadcast field. The acoustic reflectors preferably comprise cones, conical cross-sections and/or combinations thereof which are integral with the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver and/or are coupled to a housing structure for positioning the acoustic reflectors in the transmitting and/or receiving paths. The sensor unit also preferably comprises a circuit for driving the transmitter and for detecting motion by detecting changes in the receiver signal.

Abstract: A robbery-preventing and body-protecting handbag includes a bag body, an automatic disengaging device, a circuit control device, a buzzer and a shoulder strap. The automatic disengaging device is installed between the bag body and the shoulder strap, having separable magnetic attraction members combined with the end of the shoulder strap and stationary magnetic attraction members combined with the bag body. The stationary magnetic attraction members are connected with the circuit control device and the buzzer to form an automatic alarm circuit. When the shoulder strap is forcefully dragged by a robber or by a user herself, the separable magnetic attraction members will be disengaged from the stationary magnetic attraction members and the circuit control device will simultaneously start the buzzer to scare the robber away, ensuring safety of the handbag and the user.

Abstract: The invention disclosed provides a method, system, and associated tag for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for monitoring, detecting, tracking and identifying explosive materials. The system and method involves tracking and monitoring the explosive material during every part of the chain of custody.

Abstract: The invention provides protection to wireless portable transponders from unauthorized interrogation by employing a mechanism for disabling reception by or from the antenna of the transponder. Transponders include RFID tags that are attached to items that a persons may purchase or carry. Such transponders generally have an ability for receiving and storing electronic and other information, commonly in binary form using memories as in electronic circuits, etc. The invention is designed to provide privacy of electronic information. The tags can be protected from receiving or providing unauthorized or unwanted information. The invention provides the mechanism that permit the owner to decide when reception/interrogation of personal or other information is not desired by employing the provided mechanical disable control.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an RFID tag and is provided with a function of detecting peeling while maintaining a good antenna characteristic. A first conductive pattern includes two extending sections extending from an IC chip, each end of which is connected to the IC chip, and a correction pattern for antenna characteristic correction which bypasses the IC chip and connects the two extending sections, and a peeling detection pattern is formed in an area enclosed by the two extending sections and the correction pattern.

Abstract: Secure, verifiable, computer-enabled, LAN/WAN/Wireless networked, facility emergency notification, rapid alert management, and occupant alarm systems for public, private, and government buildings, and outdoor areas for which there is a need for rapid alerts to occupants or attendees of the occurrence of impending or in-progress dangerous or threatening events. The inventive system is a highly flexible rapid alert initiation, management and archival system comprising computer-enabled and network-linked apparatus, software, and methods enabling rapid dissemination from a central station or decentralized location of alerts of the occurrence of threatening or dangerous events in a series of hierarchical, increasing levels of directed action to be taken by the occupants, and permits monitoring and controlling activity of occupants during the event, archiving event data, including audio or/and video recordings until the situation returns to normal and an all clear signal is given.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is provided for detecting an atmospheric component. The apparatus, capable of being inserted into an electronic device (30) having an imager (36) and a processor, comprises a substrate; one or more calorimetric reagents (14) positioned on the substrate; one or more reference colors (16), each associated with one of the one or more colorimetric reagents; and data bars (18) positioned on the substrate depicting information about the one or more colorimetric reagents; wherein, when the apparatus is inserted in the electronic device, the imager is capable of detecting colors of the colorimetric reagents based upon the one or more reference colors and information from the data bars, the processor determining whether an atmospheric component is present based upon whether any colors of the colorimetric reagents have changed.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating the oil level in a central heating oil tank comprises a battery powered monitoring unit (1) for mounting on the oil tank which determines the oil level by an ultrasonic signal transmitter/receiver (18). A first microprocessor (14) in the monitoring unit (1) determines the oil level from the ultrasonic transmitter/receiver (18) and operates a primary transmitter (12) for transmitting a radio signal which includes data indicative of the oil level. A remotely mounted mains electricity powered receiving unit (3) comprises a primary radio receiver (15) for receiving the transmitted signal, and a second microprocessor (16) in the receiving unit (3) controls the operation of a visual display unit (10) for graphically displaying the oil level. The monitoring unit (1) and the receiving unit (3) are operable in a teaching mode initially on power-up of the receiving unit (3) during which the monitoring unit (1) teaches the receiving unit (3) its address.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for determining the wear of a sole of a shoe. The device includes first and second sensors receivable in the sole of the shoe. The sensors are axially spaced and generate signals in response to corresponding impact forces acting thereon. A control circuit is connectable to the first and second sensors. The control circuit compares the difference between the first and second signals to a threshold and generates an alert signal in response to the difference between the first and second signal meeting the threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor device containing a housing (1) and a spring element (9) comprising a guiding element (5) for displacing the sensor device over a mounting plate (7) in a guided manner. Said guiding element (5) co-operates with a guiding means (12) of the mounting plate (7). In a mounting position of the sensor device, said sensor device engages in the mounting plate (7) and is fixed to the same.

Abstract: An outdoor signaling apparatus that can be used for several various notification purposes. The outdoor signaling apparatus has a circular outer casing and a retractable rod attached to the outer casing. Within the outer casing, there are two separate compartments, each of which has a red light, blue light, and yellow light. An individual, through incorporated power means, can turn on all the lights of a particular color and use the outdoor signaling apparatus for various purposes, depending on the color of the lights being displayed.

Abstract: A remote controlling device includes a micro-controller; a transmitter coupled to the micro-controller to selectively transmit a control signal that controls the lighting of a lamp string, the transmitter comprising an encoder for coding the control signal; a preset lighting mode memory coupled to the micro-controller to store preset lighting modes; and lighting control program memory coupled to the micro-controller to store lighting control programs, each comprised of at least one lighting mode selected from the preset lighting mode memory. A user may operate a plurality of selection switches to select the preset lighting modes and the lighting control programs from the memories. Actuation of a transmission button allows for transmission of the control signal that carries the lighting control program selected from the lighting control program memory toward a receiver of the lamp control module of the lamp string in a wireless manner for controlling the lighting of the lamp string.

Abstract: A data coupler for use in transmitting data between mechanical parts which have a common axis and which are in relatively close engagement. The parts are adjustable relative to the other along the common axis. The data coupler includes an elongate housing having a longitudinal axis extending parallel to the common axis of the parts and is slidable relative to the parts during adjustment of the parts. A data source A and a data receiver B are spaced apart lengthwise. An axially short solenoidal coil is provided at each of the data source A and the data receiver B.

Abstract: A tubular component in a downhole tool string has a first end and a second end. The first end includes first and second inductive couplers, and the second end includes third and fourth inductive couplers. The component further has a first conductive medium and second conductive medium. The first conductive medium is connecting the first and third couplers, and the second conductive medium is connecting the second and fourth couplers. The first and second ends may include additional inductive couplers and the component may include an additional conductive medium connecting the additional couplers. A tubular component in a downhole tool string may have a first end and a second end and electronic equipment disposed in the component. The first end may have a first plurality of inductive couplers, and the component may further have a conductive medium connecting each inductive coupler of the first plurality of inductive couplers and the electronic equipment.

Abstract: An electronic electric meter for use in a networked automatic meter reading environment. The electric meter retrofits into existing meter sockets and is available for new meter installations for both single phase and three phase electric power connections. The meter utilizes an all electronic design including a meter microcontroller, a measurement microcontroller, a communication microcontroller and spread spectrum processor, and a plurality of other communication interface modules for communicating commodity utilization and power quality data to a utility. The electric meter utilizes a modular design which allows the interface modules to be changed depending upon the desired communication network interface. The meter measures electricity usage and monitors power quality parameters for transmission to the utility over a two-way 900 MHz spread spectrum local area network (LAN) to a remotely located gateway node.

Abstract: A method for inter-vehicular communications and information reporting. A visual observation is made from a first vehicle. First information is associated with the observation and transmitted from the first vehicle to a network server over a network. The network server determines whether to transmit the first information to one or more other vehicles based, at least in part, on second information received by the network server from at least one of the one or more other vehicles.

Abstract: A method of inputting text is provided in which a first portion of an input string is received from a user, the first portion of the input string including at least one keystroke representing a wildcard character of the input string. A second portion of the input string is then received, with the second portion including one or more keystrokes all representing non-wildcard characters of the input string.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for coding binary and multi-value sequences into higher value sequences are disclosed. Correlation methods for comparing lower-value sequences by first coding to higher value sequences and then calculating a correlation number are also disclosed. Methods and apparatus for resetting the coding rule during multi-value coding are also disclosed.

Abstract: A physical layer device includes a deserializer that deserializes one of first and second data streams. The first data stream includes successive N-bit sequences having one of all ones and all zeros. A converter oversamples the first data stream, identifies edge transitions in the first data stream to locate N adjacent bits that substantially align with the N-bit sequences, and samples at least one bit of the N adjacent bits.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a delta-sigma modulator is constructed from one or more stages of a first order low-pass filter, which has a modest gain compared to the integrator used in other embodiments of delta-sigma modulators. Delta-sigma modulators can be converted into low-pass filter based delta-sigma modulators according to an embodiment of the invention by replacing the ideal integrator building block with a first order low-pass filter and adjusting other loop parameters, such as gain factors, accordingly. In an embodiment, a dithering technique to suppress spurious tones can be used with the low-pass filter based, ideal integrator based, or near ideal integrator based delta-sigma modulator. In another embodiment, a noise cancellation technique can also be used to cancel the dithering noise.

Abstract: A system and method directed to using a dither signal during conversion of an analog input signal to a digital output signal without summing the dither signal to the analog input signal. Such conversion may include generating a digital dither signal with a pseudo-random noise generator and converting the digital dither signal to an analog dither signal. The analog dither signal is provided to an impedance network that responsively produces a set of reference dither signals proportional to the analog dither signal. A plurality of comparators compares the proportional dither signals to the analog input signal so as to generate a first output code. A dither signal reference code that indicates the effects of passing the dither signal through the analog-to-digital converter is subtracted from the first output code so as to produce a second output code that is a digital representation of the analog input signal.

Abstract: A device includes a digital circuit for receiving input signals and Cartesian feedback signals includes a stage for combining the input signals and the feedback signals to generate error signals. The digital circuit is linked via a conversion stage to an analogue circuit suitable for receiving the error signals, and which includes a stage for generating an output signal from the error signals and a stage for generating the feedback signals from the output signal. The digital circuit also includes at least one gain control stage before the combination stage for modifying the gain applied to the input signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing noise in a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) having a chopper amplifier output stage provides improved DAC performance. A switched-current output provided from a digital filter is coupled to the input of a chopper amplifier. The current switches are non-uniform, so that extra zeros are provided at the chopping frequency of the chopping amplifier, thereby reducing noise that would otherwise be aliased in-band at the output of the chopper amplifier. The current switches may include a first set of half-magnitude switches followed by a set of full-magnitude switches and finally by another set of half-magnitude switches having a size equal to that of the first set.

Abstract: A digital-to-analog converting circuit includes first and second potential terminals, an output node, first and second resistors, first and second switches and a control circuit. The first resistors are connected in series between a first node and the output node through first connecting points. Each of the first switches is connected between the first potential terminal and one of the first connecting points and the first node. The second resistors are connected in series between a second node and the output node through second connecting points. Each of the second switches is connected between the second potential terminal and one of the second connecting points and the second node. The control circuit controls the first and second switches.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit including an A/D converter capable of converting an analog signal accepted through an external terminal into a digital signal. The A/D converter includes: a ladder-type resistor for generating a reference voltage; a set of first operational amplifiers, each accepts an output voltage of the ladder-type resistor; a set of first switches, each capable of short-circuiting an input terminal and an output terminal of corresponding one of the first operational amplifiers thereby to allow an offset correction of the corresponding first operational amplifier to be made; and a comparator circuit for comparing an output voltage of each of the first operational amplifiers with the analog signal. The A/D converter can reduce a current output from the ladder-type resistor and speed up charge and discharge of the sampling capacitor.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit including an A/D converter capable of converting an analog signal accepted through an external terminal into a digital signal. The A/D converter includes: a ladder-type resistor for generating a reference voltage; a set of first operational amplifiers, each accepts an output voltage of the ladder-type resistor; a set of first switches, each capable of short-circuiting an input terminal and an output terminal of corresponding one of the first operational amplifiers thereby to allow an offset correction of the corresponding first operational amplifier to be made; and a comparator circuit for comparing an output voltage of each of the first operational amplifiers with the analog signal. The A/D converter can reduce a current output from the ladder-type resistor and speed up charge and discharge of the sampling capacitor.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit including an A/D converter capable of converting an analog signal accepted through an external terminal into a digital signal. The A/D converter includes: a ladder-type resistor for generating a reference voltage; a set of first operational amplifiers, each accepts an output voltage of the ladder-type resistor; a set of first switches, each capable of short-circuiting an input terminal and an output terminal of corresponding one of the first operational amplifiers thereby to allow an offset correction of the corresponding first operational amplifier to be made; and a comparator circuit for comparing an output voltage of each of the first operational amplifiers with the analog signal. The A/D converter can reduce a current output from the ladder-type resistor and speed up charge and discharge of the sampling capacitor.

Abstract: The invention provides a receiver for use in a wireless communication system that substantially reduces mismatch between an in-phase (I) component and a quadrature (Q) component of a received signal. The receiver achieves this by sharing or “ping-ponging” an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) between the I and Q components. By sharing a single pipelined ADC between the I and Q components, both the I and Q components are processed by the same circuitry inside the pipelined ADC thereby eliminating many dominant sources of I-Q mismatch. The pipelined ADC operates at approximately twice the speed as other circuit components. Consequently, I-Q mismatch, which negatively affects performance, may be substantially reduced. At the same time, system complexity, cost, and power dissipation are reduced by eliminating an additional ADC typically used to process the I and Q components in parallel signal paths.

Abstract: A cross coupled folding circuit comprises a reference voltage circuit to supply m reference voltages, an amplifier circuit to provide control signals, in response to an input signal and to the reference voltages and 2n?I three times cross coupled folding circuits, each of which comprising three differential transistor pairs, said differential transistors pairs being controlled by said control signals and active in a voltage range around a respective one of said reference voltages, with m=3(2??1). In cascade with said 2n?I folding circuits, there are differential transistor pairs in n?1 successive steps 2n?1, 2n—2, 20. To obtain complete folding, switching circuits are provided, cooperating with the transistor pairs in the last 2n?2 steps of the cascade configuration, to supply the respective control signals to those transistors of the respective differential transistor pairs that provide complete folding.

Abstract: A radar acquires a formed SAR image of radar scatterers in an area around a central reference point (CRP). Target(s) are within the area illuminated by the radar. The area covers terrain having a plurality of elevations. The radar is on a moving platform, where the moving platform is moving along an actual path. The actual path is displaced from an ideal SAR image acquisition path. The radar has a computer that divides the digital returns descriptive of the formed SAR image into multiple blocks, such as a first strip and an adjacent strip. The first strip is conveniently chosen, likely to generally align with a part of the area, at a first elevation. An adjacent strip covers a second part of the area at a second elevation. The first strip is overlapping the adjacent strip over an overlap portion. The first and second elevation are extracted from a terrain elevation database (DTED).

Abstract: A method of generating aircraft tactical alerts includes receiving track positions for two aircraft; receiving trajectories and static conformance bounds for the two aircraft; receiving current position for the two aircraft; generating tactical check segments and variable conformance bounds for the two aircraft based on the current position, the static conformance bounds, trajectory, adapted data, and the track positions; and generating a tactical alert if the variable conformance bounds overlap within a specified lookahead time. The variable conformance bounds can be either symmetric or asymmetric about projected tracks. The variable conformance bounds can use step functions, or continuously widening bounds up to the static conformance bounds. The variable conformance bounds can be based on modifying the static conformance bounds in two or three spatial dimensions.

Abstract: A method for transmitting a signal waveform from a transmitter within an adaptive broadcast radar system. In one embodiment, wherein the transmitter comprises at least one sub-aperture, the method includes: generating the signal waveform at the at least one sub-aperture; coding the signal waveform at the at least one sub-aperture, wherein the signal waveform is coded with transmitter data; phase shifting the signal waveform at the at least one sub-aperture; and, transmitting the coded signal waveform from an array element coupled to the sub-aperture according to the phase shifting.

Abstract: A method for obtaining target parameters within an adaptive broadcast radar system. In one embodiment, the method includes: coding information about a signal waveform generated by a transmitter having sub-apertures; receiving a signal at a receiver having sub-apertures corresponding to the sub-apertures of the transmitter, wherein the received signal correlates to the signal waveform; decoding information about the signal waveform from the received signal; and, determining a data quad from the decoded information, wherein the data quad includes degrees of freedom associated with the transmitter.

Abstract: A single transmit multi-receiver modulation radar modulates radar return signals received through an associated receive-signal path with one of a plurality of differing modulation waveforms having low-cross correlation products. Each receive-signal path may be associated with a different receive direction. The differently modulated return signals from each receive-signal path may be combined and correlations may be performed on the combined and differently modulated radar return signals using the modulation waveforms to locate a target. In some embodiments, the trajectory of the target may be extrapolated and the target's source location may be determined.

Abstract: This invention relates to sate estimation after processing measurements with unknown biases that may vary arbitrarily in time within known physical bounds. These biased measurements are obtained from systems characterized by state variables and by multidimensional parameters, for which the latter are also known and may vary arbitrarily in time within known physical bounds. The measurements are processed by a filter using a mean square optimization criterion that accounts for random and biased measurement errors, as well as parameters excursions, to produce estimates of the true states of the system. The estimates are applied to one of (a) making a decision, (b) operating a control system, and (c) controlling a process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for managing assets such as vehicles and/or equipment in an area such as a repair yard or parking lot. A plurality of mobile devices periodically wake-up at different times and transmit their uncorrected GPS location data to one or more fixed local devices. Each fixed local device periodically forwards its accumulated, uncorrected GPS data for each mobile device to a reference device. A reference device is precisely located and capable of differentially correcting the data and forwarding the corrected result sets either back to the local devices and/or to third parties.

Abstract: A mobile communication device (202) outside the service area of a communications network 210 in need of satellite positioning assistance information to perform a location determination (308). The mobile communication device receives the assistance information from a peer mobile communication device (204, 206) over a direct link.

Abstract: A positioning system is provided having a first signal source for originating synchronous signals, and a second signal source for originating a signal which is not synchronous with the signal from the first signal source. The system determines, based on a signal propagation time and signal propagation speed from the first or second signal source, the distance to this signal source so as to determine a position of a receiving point.

Abstract: A method of producing a digital beamformer signal by a number of antenna modules that are alike and by providing a system that implements the method. This is accomplished by introducing signal processing on each antenna module and by creating an asynchronous serial adding chain through the antenna modules to at least in part calculate the digital beamformer signal. Advantageous embodiments according to the invention perform time and space signal processing multiplexing to calculate additional digital beamformer signals.

Abstract: A method to detect and/or locate a mobile craft in a reception system making use of transmitters of opportunity, whose signal comprises elements enabling the synchronization of the receiver, wherein certain discriminating sequences are detected of the payload signal. Each transmission present on the carrier frequencies examined by the receiver or receivers is separated by the space/time filtering of the signals in each carrier frequency. The transmitters Ei corresponding to the signals received are identified. The pulse response of the propagation channel for each transmitter Ei and for each detection made on this transmitter are determined by measuring the instant of arrival of the path reflected by the mobile craft is measured and then its delay relative to the instant of transmission from the transmitter. The position of the mobile craft is deduced at the intersection of the ellipsoids defined by the foci constituted by the transmitters Ei from which signals are received and the receiver or receivers Rj.

Abstract: A discrete three-dimensional receiving element has multiple sensors scattered over its surface to detect and locate a signal. The sensors facing the signal detect the signal, and a boundary line is drawn between the sensor which detect the signal and those which don't. The strength of signal may also be detected. A plane is drawn through the receiver element, and the direction of the signal is determined as generally perpendicular to the plane, in the direction of the sensors which are receiving the signal. Distance to the source may also be determined based on signal strength. The location of the signal source may be transmitted to a remote location, or the receiver may direct an electromagnetic beam toward the source to detect further information about the source.

Abstract: A method for positioning a wireless communication device where position data of one or a plurality of reference points is stored into at least one data base, and which of the reference points is located in the vicinity of the wireless communication device is determined. The method also includes transmitting at least position data of the reference point located in the vicinity of the wireless communication device to the wireless communication device and selecting the reference point located in the vicinity of the wireless communication device as the default location of the wireless communication device.

Abstract: The multi-band antenna 1 is provided with a dielectric having the three-layer structure obtained by stacking layers so as that a central dielectric layer 12 made of a low dielectric constant material is sandwiched by lower and upper side dielectric layers 11, 13 made of high dielectric constant materials, a fed element 12 formed between the central dielectric layer 12 and the upper dielectric layer 13 and its base end being connected to a feed point on a specified side face of the dielectric having the three-layer structure, a grounded parasitic element 22 formed between the central dielectric layer 12 and the lower dielectric layer 11 and its base end being grounded on a specified side face, wherein the fed element 21 and the grounded parasitic element 22 is formed from the base end to the open end by a element obtained by connecting a plurality of line conductors and folding at least around the side face opposite to the specified face.

Abstract: In various exemplary embodiments, an antenna assembly includes a first patch antenna and a second patch antenna. The first patch antenna includes a first feed point and is tuned to a first frequency. The second patch antenna includes a second feed point and is tuned to a second frequency. The antenna assembly may also include a transmission line having a first end in communication with the first feed point. A second end of the transmission line may be in communication with the second feed point. One of the first and second ends of the transmission line may provide a signal output for signals that are received by the first and second patch antennas. The antenna assembly may also include a low noise amplifier that receives a signal from the signal output of the transmission line.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, the antenna is punched out and formed from a front surface of a chassis. The antenna may be connected to a wireless device by a coaxial cable. The center conductor of the coaxial cable may be coupled to the feed point of the antenna and the shield of the coaxial cable may be terminated at the front edge of the chassis to reduce radio frequency radiation from the coaxial shield.

Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a mobile wireless communication signal creation and reception circuit (310) coupled to a resonator (320) capable of sending and/or receiving wireless communication signals. A parasitic element (340) is coupled to the resonator (320) in an approximately orthogonal arrangement such that the parasitic element (340) and the resonator (320) resonate together to send and/or receive a wireless communication signal. Preferably, the parasitic element (340) and resonator (320) are contained within a housing (520) of a wireless communication device handset (500) to provide improved communications with a satellite (700).

Abstract: A monopole antenna assembly mounted onto a bracket (2) of an electronic device includes an electronic connector (1) having a long contact (12) extending outwardly. The long contact acts as a radiating element of a monopole antenna. The long contact can be easily obtained by modifying the size of contact in stamping process. The connector electrically and mechanically cooperates with a socket, such as a female connector, of the electronic device. Thus an electrical path is formed between the monopole antenna and the electrical device via connector and the socket.

Abstract: In an antenna to be used for UWB communication, a taper slot is formed in a rectangular conductive plate, a vertical slit for separating the conductive pate is formed at the top of the taper slot, a feeding point part and a grounding point part are formed at the conductive plate and on both sides of the vertical slit, and the lower slits are formed on the oblique sides of the taper slot near the feeding point part and the grounding point part.