Author: claimsbot

1. An animal containmentrepellant system comprising:
a base unit having a housing;
a signal generating module disposed within the housing of said base unit, said signal generating module generates a first signal and a second signal;
an internal antenna disposed within the housing of said base unit, said internal antenna in electrical communication with said signal generating module, said signal generating module drives the first signal into said internal antenna such that the first signal radiates from said internal antenna to define a first animal containmentrepellant area;
an external antenna in electrical communication with said signal generating module, said external antenna extending from the housing of said base unit such that a substantial portion of said external antenna is disposed outside the housing of said base unit, said signal generating module drives the second signal into said external antenna such that the second signal radiates from said external antenna to define a second animal containmentrepellant area; and
a rover unit adapted to be carried by an animal, said rover unit capable of receiving the first signal and the second signal, said rover unit being responsive to receiving the first signal, said rover unit being responsive to receiving the second signal.
2. The animal containmentrepellant system of claim 1 wherein said internal antenna is a coil antenna.
3. The animal containmentrepellant system of claim 1 wherein said external antenna is a wire loop antenna.
4. The animal containmentrepellant system of claim 1 wherein the first signal is distinguishable from the second signal.
5. The animal containmentrepellant system of claim 1 wherein the first signal is indistinguishable from the second signal.
6. The animal containmentrepellant system of claim 1 wherein said rover unit delivers a stimulus to the animal in response to receiving the first signal.
7. The animal containmentrepellant system of claim 6 wherein said rover unit delivers the stimulus to the animal when the signal strength of the first signal at said rover unit satisfies a predetermined threshold.
8. The animal containmentrepellant system of claim 1 wherein said rover unit delivers a stimulus to the animal in response to receiving the second signal.
9. The animal containmentrepellant system of claim 8 wherein said rover unit delivers the stimulus to the animal when the signal strength of the second signal at said rover unit satisfies a predetermined threshold.
10. The animal containmentrepellant system of claim 1 wherein the first signal defines a restricted area.
11. The animal containmentrepellant system of claim 1 wherein the first signal defines a passageway.
12. The animal containmentreplant system of claim 1 wherein the first signal defines a containment area.
13. The animal containmentrepellant system of claim 1 wherein the second signal defines a perimeter of a containment area.
14. The animal containmentrepellant system of claim 13 wherein said rover unit responds to receiving the first signal by not delivering a stimulus to the animal regardless of whether said rover unit is receiving the second signal, thus defining a passageway through the perimeter of the containment area.
15. The animal containmentrepellant system of claim 1 wherein said internal antenna and said external antenna are selectively activated.
16. The animal containmentrepellant system of claim 15 wherein said signal generating module selectively drives the first signal into said internal antenna or the second signal into said external antenna such that either the first signal radiates from said internal antenna or the second signal radiates from said external antenna.
17. The animal containmentrepellant system of claim 1 wherein the housing of said base unit is designed to have aesthetic appeal.
18. The animal containmentrepellant system of claim 17 wherein said housing has the appearance of a gnome, a yard ornament, or a stone.
19. An animal containmentrepellant system comprising:
a base unit having a housing, said base unit comprising:
a signal generating module disposed within the housing, said signal generating module generates a first signal and a second signal;
an internal antenna disposed within the housing, said internal antenna in electrical communication with said signal generating module, said signal generating module drives the first signal into said internal antenna such that the first signal radiates from said internal antenna to define a first animal containmentrepellant area;
an external antenna in electrical communication with said signal generating module, said external antenna extending from the housing such that a substantial portion of said external antenna is disposed outside the housing, said signal generating module drives the second signal into said external antenna such that the second signal radiates from said external antenna to define a second animal containmentrepellant area; and
a rover unit adapted to be carried by an animal, said rover unit comprising:
a receiver that receives the first signal and the second signal;
a stimulus delivery module that delivers a stimulus to the animal;
a processor in electrical communication with said receiver and said stimulus delivery module, said processor activates said stimulus delivery module to deliver the stimulus to the animal when said receiver receives the first signal or the second signal.
20. The animal containmentrepellant system of claim 19 wherein said rover unit delivers the stimulus to the animal when the signal strength of the first signal at said receiver satisfies a predetermined first threshold, said rover unit delivers the stimulus to the animal when the signal strength of the second signal at said receiver satisfies a predetermined second threshold.
21. The animal containmentrepellant system of claim 19 wherein said internal antenna and said external antenna are selectively activated.
22. The animal containmentrepellant system of claim 21 wherein said signal generating module selectively drives the first signal into said internal antenna or the second signal into said external antenna such that either the first signal radiates from said internal antenna or the second signal radiates from said external antenna.
23. An animal containmentrepellant system comprising:
a base unit having a housing;
a signal generating module disposed within the housing of said base unit, said signal generating module generates a first signal and a second signal;
an internal antenna disposed within the housing of said base unit, said internal antenna in electrical communication with said signal generating module, said signal generating module drives the first signal into said internal antenna such that the first signal radiates from said internal antenna to define a first animal containmentrepellant area, the first signal being receivable by a rover unit adapted to be carried by an animal; and
an external antenna in electrical communication with said signal generating module, said external antenna extending from the housing of said base unit such that a substantial portion of said external antenna is disposed outside the housing of said base unit, said signal generating module drives the second signal into said external antenna such that the second signal radiates from said external antenna to define a second animal containmentrepellant area, the second signal being receivable by the rover unit.
24. The animal containmentrepellant system of claim 23 wherein the rover unit is responsive to receiving the first signal and is responsive to receiving the second signal.
25. The animal containmentrepellant system of claim 23 wherein said internal antenna and said external antenna are selectively activated.
26. The animal containmentrepellant system of claim 25 wherein said signal generating module selectively drives the first signal into said internal antenna or the second signal into said external antenna such that either the first signal radiates from said internal antenna or the second signal radiates from said external antenna.
27. An animal containmentrepellant system comprising:
a base unit having a housing;
an internal antenna disposed within the housing of said base unit;
an external antenna extending from the housing of said base unit such that a substantial portion of said external antenna is disposed outside the housing of said base unit; and
a signal generating module disposed within the housing of said base unit, said signal generating module in selective electrical communication with said internal antenna and said external antenna such that said signal generating module is in electrical communication with said internal antenna when said internal antenna is selected and is in electrical communication with said external antenna when said external antenna is selected, said signal generating module generates a signal, said signal generating module drives the signal into said internal antenna such that the signal radiates from said internal antenna to define a first animal containmentrepellant area when said internal antenna is selected, said signal generating module drives the signal into said external antenna such that the signal radiates from said external antenna to define a second animal containmentrepellant area when said external antenna is selected, said signal generating module drives the signal into said internal and external antenna such that the signal radiates from said internal and external antenna to respectively define cooperating first and second animal containmentrepellant areas when both of said internal and external antenna are selected, the radiated signal is receivable by a rover unit.
28. The animal containmentrepellant system of claim 27 further comprising an electrical switch in electrical communication with said signal generating module and said internal antenna and said external antenna, said electrical switch facilitating the selective electrical communication.
29. The animal containmentrepellant system of claim 27 wherein said internal antenna and said external antenna are in terminable electrical communication with said signal generating module such that the selective electrical communication is accomplished by connecting and disconnecting the electrical communication between said internal antenna and said signal generating module and connecting and disconnecting the electrical communication between said external antenna and said signal generating module.
30. The animal containmentrepellant system of claim 27 wherein the rover unit is responsive to receiving the first signal and is responsive to receiving the second signal.

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 for determining a new path through a data network that accounts for priority levels associated with established paths in the data network, wherein the paths are Label Switched Paths (LSPs) established using Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), comprising:
determining data network link attributes provided by various label switched routers in the data network;
storing the determined link attributes in a database;
determining a highest priority level on which preemption will occur to establish a new LSP;
determining a bandwidth that will be preempted by the new LSP;
determining a total bandwidth that will be preempted on all priority levels by the new LSP and the unreserved bandwidth at a lowest priority level; and
making a new LSP selection.
2. The method in claim 1, further comprising: determining a priority level associated with the new LSP.
3. The method in claim 2, further comprising:
determining a resource requirement associated with the new LSP.
4. The method in claim 2, further comprising:
analyzing priority level information associated with data network links.
5. The method in claim 4, further comprising:
using the priority level information, selecting as the new LSP a LSP that has a minimal impact on established LSPs having a priority level lower than the priority level associated with the new LSP.
6. The method in claim 5, further comprising:
taking into account which or how many priority levels of established LSPs would be preempted by different LSP candidates.
7. The method in claim 1, further comprising:
selecting as the new LSP a shortest LSP from different LSP candidates having a requisite bandwidth and requisite priority with a least preemptive effect on established LSPs.
8. The method in claim 1, further comprising:
selecting as the new LSP a LSP that reduces preemption of lower priority established LSPs.
9. The method in claim 1, further comprising:
selecting as the new LSP a LSP that preempts a lowest priority level established LSP.
10. The method in claim 1, further comprising:
selecting as the new LSP a LSP that preempts a least amount of reserved resources of an established LSP.
11. The method in claim 1, further comprising:
selecting as the new LSP a LSP that preserves a largest amount of unreserved resources of an established LSP at a lowest priority level.
12. A method for selecting a new path through a data network that accounts for preemption of an established path in the data network by the new path, wherein the paths are Label Switched Paths (LSPs) established using Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), comprising:
determining data network link attributes provided by various label switched routers in the data network;
storing the determined link attributes in a database;
determining a highest priority level on which preemption will occur to establish a new LSP;
determining a bandwidth that will be preempted by the new LSP; and
determining a total bandwidth that will be preempted on all priority levels by the new LSP and the unreserved bandwidth at a lowest priority level; and
selecting the new LSP.
13. The method in claim 12, further comprising:
using one or more parameters to estimate the preemption.
14. The method in claim 13, wherein the one or more parameters include a maximum bandwidth for each link in the data network.
15. The method in claim 13, wherein the one or more parameters include a maximum reservable bandwidth for each link in the data network.
16. The method in claim 13, wherein the one or more parameters include an available bandwidth at each of multiple priority levels for each link in the data network.
17. The method in claim 12, further comprising:
selecting a LSP with a minimal number of preempted priority levels.
18. The method in claim 12, further comprising:
selecting a LSP with a minimal preempted bandwidth.
19. The method in claim 12, further comprising:
at a priority level that will be affected by the new LSP, selecting a LSP with a minimal bandwidth of the affected priority level.
20. The method in claim 12, further comprising:
selecting a LSP that maximizes unreserved bandwidth at a lowest priority level.
21. The method in claim 12, further comprising employing one or more of the following to reduce preemption:
(1) selecting a LSP that minimizes a number of preempted priority levels,
(2) selecting a LSP that minimizes a the total amount of preempted bandwidth,
(3) at an affected priority level, selecting a LSP that minimizes a bandwidth of the affected priority level, and
(4) selecting a LSP that maximizes unreserved bandwidth at a lowest priority level.
22. The method in claim 21, further comprising:
selecting a shortest LSP from candidate paths that satisfy one or more of (1)-(3).
23. The method in claim 12, wherein the data network link attributes are provided by Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) extensions.
24. The method in claim 12, further comprising minimizing preemption of established LSP by performing one or more of the following:
(1) minimizing affected priority levels;
(2) at the affected priority level, minimizing the bandwidth preempted;
(3) maximizing unreserved bandwidth at a lowest priority level along the LSP; and
(4) any combination of (1)-(3).
25. A method for selecting a new path through a data network that reduces or minimizes a preemptive effect on one or more established paths in the data network by the new path, wherein the paths are Label Switched Paths (LSPs) established using Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), comprising:
determining data network link attributes provided by various label switched routers in the data network;
storing the determined link attributes in a database;
determining a hiahest priority level on which preemption will occur to establish a new LSP;
determining a bandwidth that will be preempted by the new LSP;
determining a total bandwidth that will be preempted on all priority levels by the LSP and the unreserved bandwidth at a lowest priority level; and
making a new LSP selection.
26. The method in claim 25, further comprising:
determining a priority level and a bandwidth associated with the new LSP.
27. The method in claim 26, further comprising:
determining bandwidth reservations for each link in the data network including a maximum bandwidth and an available bandwidth at each priority level.
28. The method in claim 27, further comprising:
eliminating links with insufficient resources to support the new LSP.
29. The method in claim 28, further comprising:
restricting remaining links to least cost LSPs.
30. The method in claim 28, further comprising:
for remaining paths, determining one or more of the following: (1) which lower priority level or levels will be affected by set up of the new LSP, (2) how much reserved bandwidth will be preempted at each priority level by the new LSP, and (3) how much free bandwidth is available at a lowest priority level.
31. The method in claim 30, further comprising:
selecting from one or more of (1)-(3) a LSP that preempts the lowest priority level, the least amount of reserved bandwidth, or most amount of unreserved bandwidth at the lowest priority level.
32. The method in claim 25, wherein the path selection is made using a Constrained Shortest Path First (CSPF)-based algorithm.
33. Apparatus for determining a new path through a data network comprising:
a database for storing attributes for links in the data network including priority level information associated with the data network links, and
data processing circuitry coupled to the database and configured to determine the new path taking into account the priority level information associated with the data network links stored in the database;
wherein the paths are Label Switched Paths (LSPs) established using Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) and the database stores link attributes from various label switched routers in the data network, and wherein the data processing circuitry is configured to:
determine a highest priority level on which preemption will occur in establishing a new LSP;
determine a bandwidth that will be preempted by the new LSP;
determine a total bandwidth that will be preempted on all priority levels by the new LSP and the unreserved bandwidth at a lowest priority level; and
make a new LSP selection.
34. The apparatus in claim 33, wherein the data processing circuitry is configured to determine a priority level associated with the new LSP.
35. The apparatus in claim 34, wherein the data processing circuitry is configured to determine a resource requirement associated with the new LSP.
36. The apparatus in claim 34, wherein the data processing circuitry is configured to analyze priority level information associated with data network links.
37. The apparatus in claim 36, wherein the data processing circuitry is configured to use the priority level information in selecting as the new LSP a LSP that has a minimal impact on established LSPs having a priority level lower then the priority level associated with the new LSP.
38. The apparatus in claim 37, wherein the data processing circuitry is configured to take into account which or how many priority levels of established LSPs would be preempted by different LSP candidates.
39. The apparatus in claim 33, wherein the data processing circuitry is configured to select as the new LSP a shortest LSP from different LSP candidates having a requisite bandwidth and requisite priority with a least preemptive effect on established LSPs.
40. The apparatus in claim 33, wherein the data processing circuitry is configured to select as the new LSP a LSP that reduces preemption of lower established LSPs.
41. The apparatus in claim 33, wherein the data processing circuitry is configured to select as the new LSP a LSP that preempts lowest priority level established LSPs.
42. The apparatus in claim 33, wherein the data processing circuitry is configured to select as the new LSP a LSP that preempts a least amount of reserved resources of an established LSP.
43. The apparatus in claim 33, wherein the data processing circuitry is configured to select as the new LSP a LSP that preserves a largest amount of reserved resources of an established LSP at a lowest priority level.
44. A router for use in a data communications network, comprising:
path selection circuitry configured to determine a new path through the data network taking into account preemption information associated with data network links stored in the database;
data packet forwarding circuitry configured to forward data packets on established paths and
a database coupled to the oath selection circuitry for storing attributes for data network links,
wherein the paths are Label Switched Paths (LSPs) established using Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), wherein link attributes from various label switched routers in the data network are stored in the database, and wherein the path selection circuitry is configured to:
determine a highest priority level on which preemption will occur in establishing a new LSP;
determine a bandwidth that will be preempted by the new LSP;
determine a total bandwidth that will be preempted on all priority levels by the new LSP and the unreserved bandwidth at a lowest priority level; and
select a new LSP.
45. The router in claim 44, wherein the path selection circuitry is configured to use one or more attributes to estimate the preemption.
46. The router in claim 44, wherein the one or more attributes includes a maximum bandwidth for each data network link.
47. The router in claim 44, wherein the one or more attributes includes a maximum reservable bandwidth for each data network link.
48. The router in claim 44, wherein the one or more attributes includes an available bandwidth at each of multiple priority levels for each data network link.
49. The router in claim 44, wherein the path selection circuitry is configured to select a LSP that reduces a number of preempted priority levels.
50. The router in claim 44, wherein the path selection circuitry is configured to select a LSP that reduces a total amount of preempted bandwidth.
51. The router in claim 44, wherein at a priority level that will be affected by the new LSP, the path selection circuitry is configured to select a LSP that reduces a bandwidth of the affected priority level.
52. The router in claim 44, wherein the path selection circuitry is configured to select a LSP that reduces unreserved bandwidth at a lowest priority level.
53. The router in claim 44, wherein the path selection circuitry is configured to employ one or more of the following to reduce preemption by:
(1) selecting a LSP that minimizes a number of preempted priority levels,
(2) selecting a LSP that minimizes a total amount of preempted bandwidth,
(3) at an affected priority level, selecting a LSP that minimizes a bandwidth of the affected priority level, and
(4) selecting a LSP that maximizes unreserved bandwidth at a lowest priority level.
54. The router in claim 53, wherein the path selection circuitry is configured to select a shortest LSP from candidate paths that satisfy one or more of (1)-(3).
55. The router in claim 44, wherein the link attributes are provided by Internet Gateway Protocol (IGP) extensions.
56. The router in claim 44, wherein the path selection circuitry is configured to use link attributes in selecting the new LSP.
57. The router in claim 44, wherein the path selection circuitry is configured to employ a Constrained Shortest Path First (CSPF)-based algorithm to select the new LSP.
58. The router in claim 44, wherein the path selection circuitry is configured to minimize preemption of links by performing one or more of the following
(1) minimizing a number of priority levels along the LSP that will be affected by the new LSP;
(2) at an affected priority level, minimizing the bandwidth preempted;
(3) maximizing unreserved bandwidth at a lowest priority level along the LSP;
(4) any combination of (1)-(3).
59. A Label Switched Router (LSR), comprising:
means for storing attributes of links in a data network;
means for selecting a new path through a data network that minimizes a preemptive effect on one or more established paths in the data network by the new path; and
means for forwarding data packets on established paths,
wherein the oaths are Label Switched Paths (LSPs) established using Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), link attributes from various label switched routers in the data network are stored in the means for storing, and wherein means for selecting includes;
means for determining a highest priority level on which preemption establishing a new LSP;
means for determining a bandwidth that will be preempted by the new LSP;
means for determining a total bandwidth that will be preempted on all priority levels by the new LSP and the unreserved bandwidth at a lowest priority level; and
means for selecting the new LSP.
60. The LSR in claim 59, further comprising:
means for determining a priority level and a bandwidth associated with the new LSP.
61. The LSR in claim 60, further comprising:
means for determining bandwidth reservations for data network links including a maximum bandwidth and an available bandwidth at each priority level.
62. The LSR in claim 61, further comprising:
means for eliminating links with insufficient resources to support the new LSP.
63. The LSR in claim 62, further comprising:
means for restricting remaining links to least cost LSPs.
64. The LSR in claim 62, further comprising:
means for remaining links, determining one or more of the following: (1) which lower priority level or levels will be affected by set up of the new LSP, (2) how much reserved bandwidth will be preempted at each priority level by the new LSP , and (3) how much free bandwidth is available at a lowest priority level.
65. The LSR in claim 64, further comprising:
means for selecting a LSP that preempts the lowest priority level, the least amount of reserved bandwidth, or most amount of unreserved bandwidth at the lowest priority level.

1. A motion guide device, comprising:
a track member having a ball rolling surface extending in a longitudinal direction thereof;
a moving member main body having a load ball rolling surface that is opposed to the ball rolling surface to form a load ball path, and a ball return path provided in parallel to the load ball path;
a lid member having a direction changing path that connects the load ball path and the ball return path to each other, the lid member being fixed to an end portion of the moving member main body in a moving direction thereof; and
a plurality of balls arranged in an endless circulation path including the load ball path, the ball return path, and the direction changing path,
wherein the lid member comprises an introducing portion at an entrance region of the direction changing path that is connected to the load ball path,
wherein the introducing portion comprises:
a first contact surface that is provided adjacent to one side portion of the ball rolling surface and continuous with the direction changing path so as to intersect with the load ball path, the first contact surface guiding the plurality of balls rolling on the ball rolling surface to another side portion of the ball rolling surface; and
a second contact surface located on an opposite side to the first contact surface across the ball rolling surface, and
wherein the plurality of balls are guided by the first contact surface so as to be transferred from the ball rolling surface of the track member onto the second contact surface.
2. The motion guide device according to claim 1,
wherein the introducing portion further comprises an entrance wall portion formed between the first contact surface and the second contact surface along a direction in which the plurality of balls roll, the entrance wall portion overlapping with the ball rolling surface of the track member, and
wherein the plurality of balls rolling on the ball rolling surface abut against the first contact surface without coming into contact with a leading edge of the entrance wall portion.
3. The motion guide device according to claim 2,
wherein the lid member comprises:
a lid member main body having an outer peripheral guide curved surface of the direction changing path formed therein; and
an inner peripheral member to be fitted to the lid member main body, the inner peripheral member having an inner peripheral guide surface of the direction changing path, and
wherein the first contact surface is provided in the lid member main body, and the second contact surface is provided in the inner peripheral member.
4. The motion guide device according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of balls are guided at the introducing portion in a direction different from a direction in which a load acts on the plurality of balls in the load ball path.
5. The motion guide device according to claim 4, wherein the second contact surface has an end edge that faces the track member and is located on a tangent line of an edge of the ball rolling surface of the track member.
6. The motion guide device according to claim 3, wherein the second contact surface has an end edge that faces the track member and is located on a tangent line of an edge of the ball rolling surface of the track member.
7. The motion guide device according to claim 2,
wherein the lid member comprises:
a lid member main body having an outer peripheral guide curved surface of the direction changing path formed therein; and
an inner peripheral member to be fitted to the lid member main body, the inner peripheral member having an inner peripheral guide surface of the direction changing path, and
wherein the first contact surface and the second contact surface are provided in the lid member main body.

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 circuit for providing electro-static discharge (ESD) protection for a semiconductor circuit, comprising:
a. a first transistor and a second transistor cascaded between protected node and ground
b. a first circuit coupled to a voltage bus and to the gate of a first transistor; and
c. a second circuit coupled to ground and to the gate of the second transistor.
2. The circuit of claim 1, wherein the first circuit comprising a metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor.
3. The circuit of claim 1, where in the second circuit further couple to the gate of the transistor of the first circuit.
4. The circuit of claim 1, wherein the second circuit is further coupled to the voltage bus.
5. The circuit of claim 2, wherein the MOS transistor of the first circuit is a PMOS transistor.
6. The circuit of claim 5, wherein the source of the PMOS transistor is coupled to the voltage bus, the drain of the PMOS transistor is coupled to the gate of the first transistor, the gate of the PMOS transistor is coupled to the second circuit, and the well of the PMOS transistor is coupled to a floating N-well.
7. The circuit of claim 1, wherein the second circuit further comprises:
a. an NMOS transistor coupled to the first circuit and to ground; and,
b. a resistor coupled to the voltage bus and to the gate of the NMOS transistor.
8. The circuit of claim 7, wherein the source of the NMOS transistor is coupled to ground, the gate of the NMOS transistor is coupled to the voltage bus, and the drain of the NMOS transistor is coupled to the first circuit.
9. The circuit of claim 8, wherein:
a. the first circuit further comprises a PMOS transistor; and
b. the drain of the NMOS transistor is coupled to the gate of the PMOS transistor.
10. The circuit of claim 7, wherein the bulk of the NMOS transistor is coupled to a substrate bus adapted to provide a substrate voltage.
11. The circuit of claim 1, wherein the second circuit further comprises:
a. a NMOS transistor coupled to the first circuit and to ground; and
b. a PMOS transistor coupled to the voltage bus and to the gate of the NMOS transistor.
12. The circuit of claim 11, wherein the source of the PMOS transistor is coupled to the voltage bus, the gate of the PMOS transistor is coupled to the drain of the PMOS transistor, and the drain of the PMOS transistor is coupled to the gate of the NMOS transistor.
13. The circuit of claim 7, wherein the first circuit is applied to a gate of first cascaded NMOS transistor.
14. The circuit of claim 7, wherein the second circuit is applied to a gate of second cascaded NMOS transistor.
15. The circuit of claim 14, wherein:
a. the first transistor is coupled to an inputoutput (IO) bus; and
b. the IO bus is coupled to an IO pad.
16. The circuit of claim 15, wherein the second transistor is coupled to ground and the gate of NMOS transistor.
17. A circuit for providing electro-static discharge (ESD) protection for a semiconductor circuit having two fingers, a voltage bus, two cascaded transistor sets between an IO pad and a ground voltage, each transistor set having a first transistor, the improvement comprising a gate coupling circuit between the first transistors of each of the two cascaded transistor sets.
18. The circuit of claim 17, wherein the gate coupling circuit comprises:
a first circuit coupled to the voltage bus and to a gate of the first transistor of one of the cascaded transistor sets, the first circuit comprising a metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor; and,
a second circuit coupled to the ground voltage and to a gate of the transistor of the first circuit.
19. The circuit of claim 17, wherein the gate coupling circuit is adapted such that the body effect in an ESD event maintains a voltage on the gates of the first transistors.
20. The circuit of claim 17, wherein the transistors in each of the cascaded transistor sets is a NMOS transistor.
21. In a circuit for providing high voltage tolerant electro-static discharge (ESD) protection for a semiconductor circuit having a plurality of fingers, a voltage bus, a plurality of cascaded transistor sets between an IO pad and a ground voltage, each transistor set having a first transistor and a second transistor, a method for uniformly turning on each of the plurality of fingers during a ESD event comprising; coupling the gates of the first transistors of each of the plurality cascaded transistor sets with a gate coupling circuit.