Author: claimsbot

1. A phase-lock loop for fast frequency switching, comprising:
a phase comparison circuit comprising a reference input, a feedback input and an output;
a controlled oscillator having a first regulating input coupled to the output of the phase comparison circuit, and configured to adjust a frequency of an oscillator signal at an output thereof;
a frequency divider coupled between the output of the controlled oscillator and the feedback input and configured to divide down the frequency of the oscillator signal according to an adjustable division ratio; and
a frequency adjusting arrangement coupled to a regulating input of the frequency divider, and comprising a first control input configured to receive a digital frequency adjusting signal and a second control input configured to receive a digital frequency shifting signal, and wherein the frequency adjusting arrangement further comprises:
a first adder having inputs connected to the first and second control inputs and configured to generate and output a whole-number component at a first output and a fractional component at a second output based on the signals at the first and second control inputs;
a sigma-delta modulator comprising an input connected to the second output of the first adder;
a second adder, comprising inputs connected to the first output of the first adder and to an output of the sigma-delta modulator and configured to prepare a regulating signal at the regulating input of the frequency divider to adjust the division ratio thereof; and

a digital-analog converter configured to receive the signal at the second control input, convert it to an analog control signal, and provide the analog control signal to a second regulating input of the controlled oscillator.
2. The phase-lock loop of claim 1, wherein the digital-analog converter further comprises a readjusting input configured to receive a gain adjustment signal, and configured to change an amplitude of its analog output signal as a function of the gain adjustment signal.
3. The phase-lock loop of claim 2, further comprising a digital multiplier configured to change the amplitude of the analog output signal of the digital-analog converter by varying the signal at the second control input before the digital-analog converter.
4. The phase-lock loop of claim 1, wherein the first regulating input and the second regulating input are the same input.
5. A method for frequency switching in a phase-lock loop, comprising:
generating a phase-lock loop signal;
generating a first regulating signal from a first channel adjusting signal;
applying a divider control signal to an adjustable frequency divider of the phase-lock loop to adjust a division ratio of the frequency divider;
determining a control signal from a frequency offset of a signal whose frequency is converted using the phase-lock loop;
generating a second regulating signal from a second channel adjusting signal and the control signal;
applying the second regulating signal to the adjustable frequency divider to adjust the division ratio of the frequency divider;
generating an oscillator regulating signal to regulate an output frequency of a controlled oscillator based on a phase comparison of a reference signal with a feedback signal derived from the output signal of the controlled oscillator;
converting the control signal into an analog control signal;
applying the oscillator regulating signal to the controlled oscillator;
applying the analog control signal to the controlled oscillator of the phase-lock loop to switch the output frequency of the controlled oscillator by the frequency offset;
determining a deviation between an ideal frequency in the output frequency of the controlled oscillator after applying the analog control signal and an actual frequency in the output frequency of the controlled oscillator after applying the second regulating signal; and
generating a readjusting signal and applying the readjusting signal to a component employed to convert the control signal into the analog control signal or to the controlled oscillator to compensate for the deviation.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the deviation is determined by analyzing the output signal of the phase-lock loop.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein applying analog control signal comprises performing a digital-analog conversion with a transmission factor, the transmission factor changing an amplitude of the analog control signal.
8. A phase-lock loop, comprising:
a phase comparator configured to compare a reference signal to a feedback signal and generate a first regulating signal in response thereto;
an oscillator configured to generate an oscillator signal as a function of the first regulating signal;
a frequency divider circuit configured to divide down the oscillator signal and thereby generate the feedback signal based on a divider control signal;
a frequency adjustment circuit configured to generate the divider control signal and a second regulating signal based on a determined frequency offset, wherein the second regulating signal is input to the oscillator, and wherein the oscillator signal is also a function of the second regulating signal.
9. The phase-lock loop of claim 8, wherein the second regulating signal comprises an analog signal.
10. The phase-lock loop of claim 8, wherein the determined frequency offset is associated with a received signal that is down converted using the oscillator signal of the phase-lock loop.
11. The phase-lock loop of claim 8, wherein the frequency adjustment circuit comprises:
a first adder circuit configured to generate a whole number component and a fractional number component of a divider ratio based on first and second digital control signals, wherein the first digital control signal is based on a selected channel frequency, and the second digital control signal is based on the determined frequency offset.
12. The phase-lock loop of claim 11, wherein the frequency adjustment circuit further comprises:
a sigma-delta modulator configured to generate a fraction control signal based on the fractional number component; and
a second adder circuit configured to generate the divider control signal based on the whole number component and the fraction control signal.
13. The phase-lock loop of claim 11, wherein the frequency adjustment circuit further comprises a digital-to-analog converter configured to convert the second digital control signal into the second regulating signal in analog form, and directly input the second regulating signal to the oscillator.
14. The phase-lock loop of claim 13, wherein the digital-to-analog converter comprises a gain control input, and wherein the digital-to-analog converter is configured to vary a gain thereof based on a deviation of an actual change in frequency of the oscillator signal based on the determined frequency offset from an expected frequency change.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method comprising:
transmitting, from a registering monitor service at a first tier of a hierarchical, multi-tier monitoring architecture for a plurality of separate device networks, each device network including a plurality of wireless devices in wireless communications with one another and with a group leader device executing a group leader monitor service at another level of the hierarchical, multi-tier monitoring architecture, a broadcast solicitation message identifying both the registering monitor service and a registered monitor service associated with a second tier of the hierarchical, multi-tier monitoring architecture, wherein the second tier is specified relative to a plurality of available tiers of the hierarchical, multi-tier monitoring architecture, wherein each group leader device is in communications with a local monitor device executing a local monitor service at another level of the hierarchical, multi-tier monitoring architecture and each local monitor device is in communications with a global monitor device executing a global monitor service at another level of the hierarchical, multi-tier monitoring architecture;
transmitting, from the registered monitor service, a broadcast advertisement message indicating an identity and availability of the registered monitoring service for registration, the advertisement message including an identification of the registered monitor service at the second tier, wherein the advertising message is sent in response to the solicitation message or independently thereof;
transmitting, from the registering monitor service and in response to the advertisement message, a registration message including registration data associated with the registering monitor service; and
registering the registering monitor service at the second tier within the hierarchical, multi-tier monitoring architecture, based on the registration data, including storing at least a portion of the registration data at each higher tier of the hierarchical, multi-tier monitoring architecture; and
establishing a communications link between the registering monitor service and additional registered monitor services running on devices at the first tier and lower tiers, if any, based on the stored registration data.
2. The method of claim 1 comprising transmitting, from the registered monitor service, a confirmation message confirming registration of the registering monitor service.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the solicitation message comprises transmitting the solicitation message to the second tier, after a previous solicitation message identifying an intervening tier from among the plurality of available tiers of the hierarchical, multi-tier monitoring architecture does not result in receiving the advertisement message.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the solicitation message comprises broadcasting the solicitation message at a pre-determined time interval.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein transmitting the advertisement message comprises:
ignoring the previous solicitation message for failure to identify the second tier; and
transmitting the advertisement message based on the solicitation message including its identification of the second tier.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the advertisement message comprises transmitting the advertisement message based on a pre-determined time interval.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the registration message comprises:
including, within the registration data, device metadata within the registration message and associated with a device on which the connecting service is deployed, andor
including, within the registration data, service metadata within the registration message and associated with a service deployed on the device.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the registration message comprises including, within the registration data, sensor values obtained by a sensor associated with the connecting service.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the registration message comprises:
re-transmitting the registration message until the confirmation message is received or until a time-out condition is reached.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the registration message comprises:
discarding, at the registering monitor services, a further advertisement message received after the registration message is transmitted.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the registration message comprises:
storing the registration data using at least one device associated with the registered monitor service.
12. The method of claim 1 comprising:
deploying a core monitor service onto the registering monitor service;
determining device metadata associated with a device on which the registering monitor service is deployed;
deploying at least one monitor service module onto the device, based on the device metadata; and
transmitting the solicitation message, receiving the advertisement message, andor transmitting the registration message, using the at least one monitor service module.
13. A system comprising:
a registering monitor service at a first tier of a hierarchical, multi-tiered monitoring architecture that is configured to obtain and report monitor data collected by a plurality of separate device networks, each device network including a plurality of wireless devices in wireless communications with one another and with a group leader device executing a group leader monitor service at another level of the hierarchical, multi-tiered monitoring architecture, wherein each group leader device is in communications with a local monitor device executing a local monitor service at another level of the hierarchical, multi-tiered monitoring architecture and each local monitor device is in communications with a global monitor device executing a global monitor service at another level of the hierarchical, multi-tiered monitoring architecture, the registering monitor service comprising:
a registration system configured to broadcast a solicitation message from the registering monitor service, the solicitation message specifying a tier from among a plurality of tiers of the hierarchical, multi-tiered monitoring architecture that are potentially available for registration, a registered monitor service at a higher-level tier of the hierarchical, multi-tiered monitoring architecture, the registration system being further configured to receive an advertisement message that is broadcast from the registered monitor service in response to the solicitation message or independently thereof, determine that the registered monitor service is a member of the specified tier based on the advertisement message, and send a registration message to the registered monitor service, the registration message including registration data associated with the registering monitor service,
wherein at least a portion of the registration data is stored at each higher tier of the hierarchical, multi-tier monitoring architecture, and wherein the monitor service is configured to establish a communications link between the registering monitor service and additional registered monitor services running on devices at the first tier and lower tiers, if any, based on the stored registration data.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein the registration system is configured to receive a confirmation message from the registered monitor service, in response to the registration and confirming that the monitor service is registered with the global monitor service.
15. A method comprising:
receiving a solicitation message broadcast by a registering monitor service at a registered monitor service of a hierarchical, multi-tiered monitor architecture for a plurality of separate device networks, each device network including a plurality of wireless devices in wireless communications with one another and with a group leader device executing a group leader monitor service at another level of the hierarchical, multi-tiered monitor architecture, wherein each group leader device is in communications with a local monitor device executing a local monitor service at another level of the hierarchical, multi-tiered monitor architecture and each local monitor device is in communications with a global monitor device executing a global monitor service at another level of the hierarchical, multi-tiered monitor architecture;
determining that the registering monitor service is not registered through the registered monitor service as a member of the hierarchical, multi-tiered monitor architecture;
determining an identification of a tier from among a plurality of tiers of the hierarchical, multi-tiered monitor architecture that are potentially available for registration, the tier being specified in the solicitation message, the registered monitor service being deployed on the tier;
broadcasting an advertisement message to the registering monitor service, in response to the solicitation message or independently thereof, the advertisement specifying the registered monitor service as being deployed on the tier and available for registration;
receiving a registration message from the registering monitor service in response to the advertisement message, the registration message including registration data associated with the registering monitor service;
registering the registering monitor service within the hierarchical, multi-tiered monitor architecture, based on the registration message, wherein at least a portion of the registration data is stored at each higher tier of the hierarchical, multi-tiered monitor architecture; and
establishing a communications link between the registering monitor service and additional registered monitor services running on devices at the first tier and lower tiers, if any, based on the stored registration data.
16. The method of claim 15 comprising sending a confirmation message to the registering monitor service.
17. The method of claim 15, comprising
receiving a second solicitation message from a second monitor service at the registered monitor service, the second solicitation message identifying a different tier from among the plurality of tiers; and
ignoring the solicitation message, based on the identification of the different tier.

1. A fluid supply comprising:
a container (100, 300) (100, 300);
a flaccid bag (102, 302) within the container (100, 300) (100, 300); and
a valve assembly (104, 304) contained within the container (100, 300) (100, 300) and movable from a closed state to an open state against a bias (136, 336) while engaging and moving a valve member of the fluid receiver from a closed state to an open state.
2. The fluid supply of claim 1 wherein the container (100, 300) (100, 300) has an opening (118, 318) (118, 318) and wherein the valve assembly (104, 304) comprises:
a seal (130, 330) about the opening (118, 318) (118, 318);
a valve body (132, 332) about the opening (118, 318) (118, 318) and having a body interior connected to an interior of the bag (102, 302); and
a valve stem (134, 334) movably positioned within the valve body (132, 332) resiliently biased against the seal (130, 330).
3. The fluid supply of claim 2 wherein the valve stem (134, 334) includes a pin (154, 354) opposite the opening (118, 318) and configured to be engaged by needle inserted through the opening (118, 318).
4. The fluid supply of claim 3, wherein the pin (154, 354) includes castellations (160) providing a fluid path along the pin (154, 354).
5. The fluid supply of claim 1 further comprising a marking fluid (122, 322) within the bag (102, 302).
6. The fluid supply of claim 1, wherein the container (100, 300) includes a second opening (118, 318) in fluid communication with an exterior of the bag (102, 302) within a container (100, 300).
7. The fluid supply of claim 1, wherein the container (100, 300) comprises:
a bottom (110, 310);
annular sidewalls (112, 312); and
a top (114, 314), the top (114, 314) comprising:
a top portion (316) forming the opening (118, 318);
a first annular wall about the top portion (316) forming a cavity;
a floor portion extending from the first annular wall, the floor portion having an opening (118, 318) fluidly coupled to an exterior of the bag (102, 302);
a second annular wall extending from the floor portion; and
a rim extending from the second annular wall and joined to the annular sidewalls (112, 312).
8. The fluid supply of claim 7, wherein the valve assembly (104, 304) comprises:
a cup shaped valve body (132, 332) within the cavity, the body having in an opening (118, 318), fluidly coupled to an interior of the bag (102, 302);
a valve stem (134, 334) movably positioned within the valve body (132, 332), the valve stem (134, 334) having an annular blade (152, 352) movable into a sealing position about the opening (118, 318) and a pin (154, 354) opposite the opening (118, 318).
9. The fluid supply of claim 1, wherein the valve assembly (104, 304) is configured to project into a needle of the fluid receiver while the opening (118, 318) has received the needle.
10. A fluid supply comprising:
a container (100, 300) having a first opening (118, 318);
a flaccid bag (102, 302) within the container (100, 300);
an ink with the bag (102, 302);
a seal (130, 330) about the first opening (118, 318);
a valve assembly (104, 304) within the container (100, 300) and movable between a closed state in sealing contact with the seal (130, 330) and an open state allowing fluid to enter into an interior of the bag (102, 302) through the first opening (118, 318), the valve assembly (104, 304) including a pin (154, 354) configured to be received into a needle of a fluid receiver to open a valve of the fluid receiver, the pin (154, 354) forming at least one fluid passage from an interior of the pin (154, 354) through the first opening (118, 318) along the pin (154, 354).
11. The fluid supply of claim 10, wherein the pin (154, 354) includes external castellations (160) providing the at least one fluid passage.
12. The fluid supply of claim 10 further comprising a marking fluid (122, 322) within the bag (102, 302).
13. The fluid supply of claim 10, wherein the container (100, 300) further includes an opening (120, 320) in fluid communication with an exterior of the bag (102, 302) within the container (100, 300).
14. A fluid supply comprising:
a container (100, 300) comprising:
a bottom (110, 310);
an annular sidewall; and
a top (114, 314), the top (114, 314) comprising:
a top portion (316) having an opening (118, 318) inline with a centerline of the container (100, 300);
a first annular wall (322) extending from the top portion (316) forming a cavity facing an interior of the container (100, 300);
a floor portion (324) extending from the first annular wall;
a second annular wall (326) extending from the floor portion forming an annular channel (331) facing an exterior of the container (100, 300); and
a rim (328) extending from the second annular wall and joined to the annular sidewall;
a flaccid bag (102, 302) within the container (100, 300);
an annular seal (130, 330) about the opening (118, 318);
a cup shaped valve body (132, 332) within the cavity, the body having a port fluidly coupled to an interior of the bag (102, 302);
a valve stem (134, 334) movably positioned within the valve body (132, 332), the valve stem (134, 334) having an annular blade (152, 352) movable into contact with the seal (130, 330) about the opening (118, 318) and a pin (154, 354) opposite the opening (118, 318), the pin (154, 354) forming at least one fluid passage along the pin (154, 354);
a spring contained within the valve body (132, 332) and resiliently bias (136, 336)ing the annular blade (152, 352) of the valve stem (134, 334) against the seal (130, 330); and
an opening (120, 320) through the floor of the top (114, 314) and fluidly coupled to an interior of the container (100, 300) about an exterior of the bag (102, 302).
15. The fluid supply of claim 14, wherein the pin (154, 354) includes castellations (160) forming the at least one fluid passage.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A silicon carbide semiconductor device comprising:
a semiconductor substrate made of single crystal silicon carbide and having a principal surface and a backside surface opposite to the principle surface;
a drift layer made of a first conductive type silicon carbide, disposed on the principal surface of the semiconductor substrate, and having a dopant concentration lower than a dopant concentration of the semiconductor substrate;
a base region having a second conductive type, disposed on a predetermined area of the drift layer, and having a predetermined thickness;
a source region having the first conductive type, disposed on a predetermined surface portion of the base region, and being shallower than a depth of the base region;
a surface channel layer made of the first conductive type silicon carbide, disposed on surface portions of both of the drift layer and the base region, and having a predetermined concentration and a predetermined thickness for connecting between the source region and the drift layer;
a gate insulation film disposed on a surface of the surface channel layer and including a high dielectric constant film;
a gate electrode disposed on the gate insulation film;
a source electrode disposed on the source region; and
a backside electrode disposed on the backside surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein
the principal surface includes at least two surfaces, one of which is tilted from a (0001)-Si surface by an angle in a range between 10 degrees and 20 degrees, and the other one of which is the (0001)-Si surface.
2. The silicon carbide semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein
the one surface of the semiconductor substrate tilted from a (0001)-Si surface by an angle in a range between 10 degrees and 20 degrees has an area larger than an area of the (0001)-Si surface.
3. The silicon carbide semiconductor device according to claim 2, wherein
the one surface of the semiconductor substrate tilted from a (0001)-Si surface by an angle in a range between 10 degrees and 20 degrees is tilted toward a <11-20>-direction.