Author: claimsbot

1. A method for implementing a messaging service between a terminal (MS) of a cellular network and a messaging server (MMSC) external to the cellular network, the method comprising:
receiving a message addressed to said terminal (MS) at the messaging server (MMSC), wherein the method comprises;
sending a first inquiry (41) from the messaging server (MMSC) to a specific first network element (GGSN) in the cellular network to determine the readiness of said terminal (MS) to receive data;
determining the readiness of said terminal (MS) to receive data as a result of operations performed by the first network element (GGSN);
sending a first response message (47) from the first network element (GGSN) of the cellular network to said messaging server (MMSC, in response to said first inquiry (41), in which response message the readiness of said terminal (MS) to receive data is indicated.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein values of parameters relating to the readiness of terminals (MS) of the cellular network to receive data are known to said network element (GGSN) of the cellular network and that the readiness of said terminal to receive data through said first network element is interpreted with the help of said parameter values, the method comprising:
in a situation, where said terminal (MS) is ready to receive data through said first network element (GGSN), indicating said readiness in said first response message (41) to said messaging server (MMSC); and
in a situation, where said terminal (MS) is not ready to receive data through said first network element (GGSN), sending a second inquiry (43, 43) to a home location register (HLR) of the cellular network to determine a set of permissible network elements of the cellular network, the network elements belonging to the set of permissible network elements having in their knowledge values of parameters relating to the readiness of terminals to receive data, and through which network elements said terminal has the ability to receive data, and sending in response to said second inquiry (43, 43) a second response message (44, 44) from the home location register (HLR) to said first network element (GGSN), the second response message indicating said set of permissible network elements to said first network element.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein after said second response message (44. 44) has indicated said set of permissible network elements to said first network element (GGSN), a third inquiry (45) is sent to at least one second network element belonging to the set of permissible network elements by said first network element to determine the readiness of said terminal (MS) to receive data through said second network element, the method comprising:
in a situation, where said terminal (MS) is ready to receive data through said second network element, transmitting information (46) on said readiness in response to said third inquiry from the second network element to the first network element; and
indicating said readiness in said first response message (47) to said messaging sever (MMSC).
4. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in a situation, where said terminal (MS) is ready to receive data through a specific network element (GGSN), the method comprises sending said message addressed to the terminal from the messaging server (MMSC) to the terminal through said specific network element.
5. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in a situation, where said terminal (MS) is not ready to receive data through any said network element, the method comprises repeating said first inquiry (41) after a specific period of time.
6. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said network elements are gateway support nodes of a GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) network (GGSN).
7. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the IP address of said terminal (MS) is indicated to said messaging server (MMSC) in said first response message (47).
8. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one of the following is used to identify the terminal MS in the cellular network: an IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) code, an IMUI (International Mobile User Identity) code.
9. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a specific identifier (MMS-ID) external to the cellular network is used between the cellular network and the messaging server to identify the terminal (MS).
10. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said messaging server (MMSC) transfers a multimedia message to said terminal (MS).
11. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first inquiry (41) is always sent from the messaging server (MMSC) to the same first network element (GGSN).
12. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein data transmission is effected in a packet switched mode.
13. A messaging server (MMSC) external to a cellular network for implementing a messaging service between the messaging server and a terminal (MS) of the cellular network, the messaging server comprising;
means (51-55) for receiving a message addressed to said terminal (MS), wherein the messaging server further comprises:
means (51, 55) for sending a first inquiry (41) to a first network element (GGSN) of the cellular network to determine the readiness of said terminal (MS) to receive data.
14. A messaging server (MMSC) according to claim 13, wherein it comprises;
means (51, 55) for receiving a first response message (47) sent from the cellular network by the first network element (GGSN) in response to said first inquiry (41), the response message comprising information on the readiness of said terminal (MS) to receive data;
means (51-53, 55) for sending said message to said terminal (MS).
15. A computer program product executable in a messaging server (MMSC) external to a cellular network for implementing a messaging service between the messaging server and a terminal (MS) of the cellular network, the computer program product comprising program code:
for causing the messaging server (MMSC) to receive a message addressed to said terminal (MS), wherein the computer program product further comprises program code:
for causing the messaging server (MMSC) to send a first inquiry (41) to a first network element (GGSN) of the cellular network to determine the readiness of said terminal (MS) to receive data.
16. A network element (GGSN) of a cellular network for implementing a messaging service between a messaging server external to the cellular network and a terminal (MS) of the cellular network, wherein the network element comprises:
means (66, 67) for receiving a first inquiry (41) sent by the messaging server, the first inquiry comprising a request to determine the readiness of said terminal (MS) of the cellular network to receive data;
means (61, 62, 67, 69, DNS) for determining readiness of said terminal (MS) to receive data;
means (66, 67) for sending a first response message (47) to the messaging server (MMSC) in response to said first inquiry (41), the first response message comprising information on the readiness of said terminal (MS) to receive data.
17. A network element according to claim 16, wherein said network element is a gateway support node of a GPRS cellular network.
18. A computer program product executable in a network element (GGSN) of a cellular network for implementing a messaging service between a messaging server (MMSC) external to the cellular network and a termina (MS) of the cellular network, wherein the computer program product comprises:
program code for causing the network element (GGSN) of the cellular network to receive a first inquiry (41) sent by the messaging server (MMSC), the first inquiry comprising a request to determine the readiness of said terminal (MS) of the cellular network to receive data;
program code for causing the; network element (GGSN) of the cellular network to determine the readiness 6f said terminal (MS) to receive data;
program code for causing the network element (GGSN) of the cellular network to send a first response message (47) to the messaging server (MMSC) in response to said first inquiry (41), the first response message comprising information on the readiness of said terminal (MS) to receive data.
19. A system comprising a messaging server (MMSC) external to a cellular network and a network element (GGSN) of the cellular network for implementing a messaging service between the messaging server and a terminal (MS) of the cellular network, the messaging server comprising:
means (51-55) for receiving a message addressed to said terminal (MS) at the messaging server (MMSC), wherein the messaging server comprises:
means (51, 55) for sending a first inquiry (41) to the network element (GGSN) of the cellular network to determine the readiness of said terminal (MS) to receive data, and that the network element of the cellular network comprises:
means (61, 62, 67, 69, DNS) for determining the readiness of said terminal to receive data; and
means (66, 67) for sending, a first response message (47) to the messaging server (MMSC) in response to said first inquiry (41), the first response message comprising information on the readiness of said terminal (MS) to receive data.

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 semiconductor integrated circuit device, comprising:
a first MOS transistor having an insulating film, a first source, a first non-floating gate electrode, and a nitride film overlapping the first non-floating gate electrode from the first source through the insulating film for controlling a threshold voltage of the first MOS transistor by inhibiting hydrogen diffusion in an overlap region of the first non-floating gate electrode and the first source; and
a second MOS transistor having a second source and a second non-floating gate electrode and without a nitride film overlapping the second non-floating gate electrode from the second source.
2. A semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 1; wherein a ratio of an amount in which the nitride film overlaps the first non-floating gate electrode to a channel width of the first MOS transistor has a value between 0 and 1.
3. A semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 1; wherein an overlap amount of the nitride film with respect to the first non-floating gate electrode is equal to or greater than 0.2 \u03bcm.
4. A semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 1; wherein an overlap amount of the nitride film with respect to the first source is equal to or greater than 0.2 \u03bcm.
5. A semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 1; wherein the nitride film has a thickness equal to or greater than 50 nm.
6. A semiconductor integrated circuit device comprising: a first MOS transistor having a first source, a first non-floating gate electrode, and a nitride film overlapping the first source and the first non-floating gate electrode for controlling a threshold voltage of the first MOS transistor by inhibiting hydrogen diffusion in an overlap region of the first non-floating gate electrode and the first source; and a second MOS transistor having a second source and a second non-floating gate electrode.
7. A semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 6; wherein a ratio of an amount in which the nitride film overlaps the first non-floating gate electrode to a channel width of the first MOS transistor has a value between 0 and 1.
8. A semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 6; wherein an overlap amount of the nitride film with respect to the first non-floating gate electrode is equal to or greater than 0.2 \u03bcm.
9. A semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 6; wherein an overlap amount of the nitride film with respect to the first source is equal to or greater than 0.2 \u03bcm.
10. A semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 6; wherein the nitride film has a thickness equal to or greater than 50 nm.
11. A semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 6; wherein the second MOS transistor does not have a nitride film overlapping the second source and the second non-floating gate electrode.
12. A semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 11; wherein a ratio of an amount in which the nitride film overlaps the first non-floating gate electrode to a channel width of the first MOS transistor has a value between 0 and 1.
13. A semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 11; wherein an overlap amount of the nitride film with respect to the first non-floating gate electrode is equal to or greater than 0.2 \u03bcm.
14. A semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 11; wherein an overlap amount of the nitride film with respect to the first source is equal to or greater than 0.2 \u03bcm.
15. A semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 11; wherein the nitride film has a thickness equal to or greater than 50 nm.
16. A semiconductor integrated circuit device comprising: a first MOS transistor having a first source, a first non-floating gate electrode, and a plurality of nitride films overlapping the first source and the first non-floating gate electrode for controlling a threshold voltage of the first MOS transistor by inhibiting hydrogen diffusion in an overlap region of the first non-floating gate electrode and the first source; and a second MOS transistor having a second source and a second non-floating gate electrode.
17. A semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 16; wherein the second MOS transistor does not have a nitride film overlapping the second source and the second non-floating gate electrode.
18. A semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 17; wherein the nitride films are separate and independent from one another.
19. A semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 17; wherein the nitride films extend in a length direction of the first non-floating gate electrode.
20. A semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 17; wherein each of the nitride films has a thickness equal to or greater than 50 nm.

1. A method, comprising:
in a network interface chip:
determining a token count value associated with said network interface chip; and
scheduling based on said token count value, transmission of a packet to be transmitted via said network interface chip, wherein said scheduling comprises suspending said transmission when said token count value meets one or more criteria.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said token count value is associated with a specified information flow.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said specified information flow is identified based on at least a source address identifier andor destination address identifier associated with said packet.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said token count value is associated with a specified class of service.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said specified class of service is identified based on a class of service identifier associated with said packet.
6. The method according to claim 1, comprising transmitting said packet at least when said token count value exceeds a minimum value.
7. The method according to claim 1, comprising decreasing said token count value subsequent to transmission of said packet.
8. The method according to claim 1, comprising suspending transmission of said packet when said token count value falls below a minimum value.
9. The method according to claim 1, comprising increasing said token count value based on a determined time rate of increase.
10. The method according to claim 1, comprising determining whether to transmit said packet or suspend transmission of said packet based on a rate control message, wherein said rate control message is received via an interface utilized by said network interface chip for transmitting said packet.
11. A system, comprising:
one or more circuits that are operable to determine a token count value associated with a network interface chip; and
said one or more circuits are operable to schedule based on said token count value transmission of a packet to be transmitted via said network interface chip, wherein said scheduling comprises suspending said transmission when said token count value meets one or more criteria.
12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said token count value is associated with a specified information flow.
13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said specified information flow is identified based on at least a source address identifier andor destination address identifier associated with said packet.
14. The system according to claim 11, wherein said token count value is associated with a specified class of service.
15. The system according to claim 14, wherein said specified class of service is identified based on a class of service identifier associated with said packet.
16. The system according to claim 11, wherein said one or more circuits are operable to enable transmission of said packet at least when said token count value exceeds a minimum value.
17. The system according to claim 11, wherein said one or more circuits are operable to decrease said token count value subsequent to transmission of said packet.
18. The system according to claim 11, wherein said one or more circuits are operable to suspend transmission of said packet when said token count value falls below a minimum value.
19. The system according to claim 11, wherein said one or more circuits are operable to increase of said token count value based on a determined time rate of increase.
20. The system according to claim 11, wherein said one or more circuits are operable to determine whether to transmit said packet or suspend transmission of said packet based on a rate control message, wherein said rate control message is received via an interface utilized by said network interface chip for transmitting said packet.

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 current output type DA converter for converting a digital signal into an analog signal, said current output type DA converter comprising:
a control signal input terminal operable to receive a control signal supplied from the outside; and
an output load element having a switching mechanism operable to electrically connect or disconnect said output load element tofrom an analog output node, on the basis of the control signal applied to said control input terminal.
2. A DA converter as defined in claim 1,
wherein said output load element comprises a field effect transistor; and
wherein said field effect transistor electrically connects or disconnects itself tofrom said analog output node on the basis of the control signal inputted to said control input terminal.
3. A DA converter as defined in claim 2, wherein said field effect transistor is a MOS transistor.
4. A DA converter as defined in claim 3,
wherein said MOS transistor is an N channel MOS transistor; and
wherein said N channel MOS transistor has a drain terminal connected to an analog output terminal, a source terminal connected to a ground voltage, and a gate terminal to which the control signal is applied.
5. A semiconductor integrated circuit equipped with a DA converter as defined in claim 4.
6. A DA converter as defined in claim 3,
wherein said MOS transistor is a P channel MOS transistor; and
wherein said P channel MOS transistor has a drain terminal connected to an analog output terminal, a source terminal connected to a power supply voltage, and a gate terminal to which the control signal is applied.
7. A semiconductor integrated circuit equipped with a DA converter as defined in claim 6.
8. A semiconductor integrated circuit equipped with a DA converter as defined in claim 3.
9. A semiconductor integrated circuit equipped with a DA converter as defined in claim 2.
10. A DA converter as defined in claim 1, wherein said switching mechanism included in said output load element electrically disconnects said output load element from said analog output node during normal operation mode while it electrically connects said output load element to said analog output node during wafer-level burn-in mode, on the basis of the control signal inputted to said control input terminal.
11. A semiconductor integrated circuit equipped with a DA converter as defined in claim 10.
12. A DA converter as defined in claim 1,
wherein said output load element comprises a first resistor element and a first switch; and
wherein said first switch electrically connects or disconnects said first resistor element tofrom said analog output node on the basis of the control signal inputted to said control input terminal.
13. A semiconductor integrated circuit equipped with a DA converter as defined in claim 12.
14. A DA converter as defined in claim 1, further comprising:
a resistor element for setting an output current value during the wafer-level burn-in mode; and
a second switch operable to connect or disconnect a reference resistor connected part tofrom said resistor element during the wafer-level burn-in mode;
wherein said second switch electrically connects or disconnects said reference resistor connected part tofrom said resistor element on the basis of the control signal inputted to said control input terminal.
15. A semiconductor integrated circuit equipped with a DA converter as defined in claim 14.
16. A DA converter as defined in claim 1, further comprising:
a reference voltage generation circuit operable to set an output current value during the wafer-level burn-in mode; and
a second switch operable to electrically connect or disconnect a reference voltage application part tofrom said reference voltage generation circuit during the wafer-level burn-in mode;
wherein said second switch electrically connects or disconnects said reference voltage application part tofrom said reference voltage generation circuit on the basis of the control signal inputted to said control input terminal.
17. A semiconductor integrated circuit equipped with a DA converter as defined in claim 16.
18. A semiconductor integrated circuit equipped with a DA converter as defined in claim 1.
19. A DA converter as defined in claim 1, wherein said output load element is not external to said DA converter.