All The Claims

1. A coupling assembly for releasably interconnecting confronting ends of first and second fluid carrying conduit members wherein each has an annular flange fixedly attached to each of the confronting ends, said coupling assembly comprising:
a sleeve for circumferentially surrounding the flanges;
a pair of arcuate coupling halves pivotally joined at first adjacent ends for circumferentially surrounding said sleeve, each coupling half further having a web section, opposing transverse edges and a second end;
at least one bonding wire externally mounted to one of said coupling halves, said bonding wire having free ends secured to the coupling half proximate said first adjacent ends, said bonding wire extending around both said transverse edges of said coupling half and said bonding wire spanning said web;
at least a pair of engagement members, one engagement member of said pair of engagement members being mounted externally to each said second end of said coupling halves;
means mounted on each coupling half for securing said engagement members to their respective coupling halves; and
means incorporated on each coupling half for biasing a corresponding engagement member, wherein said coupling halves are rotated to circumferentially surround said sleeve, and said engagement members are placed to engage said means for securing thereby placing said coupling assembly in a locked position.
2. A coupling assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
said means for securing includes a pair of support bars, one support bar being mounted on each second end of said pair of coupling halves, and each said support bars extending longitudinally across said web section.
3. A coupling assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
each said engagement member includes a first end rotatably mounted to said means for securing and a second end including a locking groove which engages said means for securing when said coupling assembly is in the locked position.
4. A coupling assembly, as claimed in claim 3, wherein:
each said engagement member further includes a cam portion which contacts said means for securing as said coupling halves are rotated to place the coupling assembly in the locked position.
5. A coupling assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
each coupling half includes a pair of annular ribs proximate said transverse edges thereby defining a pair of grooves for receiving corresponding portions of said bonding wire therein.
6. A coupling assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
said biasing means includes at least one spring finger which attaches to a corresponding engagement member and biases said engagement member for rotation about said means for securing.
7. A coupling assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
each coupling half includes a hinge section attached at said first end thereof, and said hinge section further includes a curved projection integral with said hinge section for receiving and securing one free end of said bonding wire.
8. A coupling assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
said coupling assembly is coated with an electrically conductive coating.
9. A coupling assembly, as claimed in claim 7, wherein:
each said hinge section is externally mounted to said coupling halves.
10. In combination with a pair of fluid carrying conduit members, a coupling assembly for releasably securing confronting ends of the conduit members, said combination comprising:
a sleeve for circumferentially surrounding and sealing said confronting ends therein;
a pair of arcuate coupling halves pivotally joined at first adjacent ends, said coupling halves each further having opposing transverse edges, a web section interconnecting said opposing transverse edges, and second ends;
a pair of bonding wires, one bonding wire mounted to each coupling half, each bonding wire traversing along each transverse edge and across said web section so to make a contact at multiple points along said confronting ends of the conduit members, and each said bonding wire spanning its corresponding coupling half thereby forming a continuous conductive path across said coupling;
at least a pair of engagement members rotatably mounted to corresponding support bars secured proximate said second ends of said coupling halves; and
a spring member attached to each engagement member for providing a biasing force to resist rotation of each engagement member about its corresponding support bar, wherein said coupling halves are rotated to circumferentially surround said sleeve, and said engagement members are placed to engage the support bar on the opposing coupling half thereby placing said coupling in a locked position.
11. The combination, as claimed in claim 10, wherein:
each engagement member further includes a locking groove formed thereon which receives the support bar when the coupling is in the locked position.
12. The combination, as claimed in claim 10, wherein:
each engagement member further includes a cam portion which contacts the support bar as the coupling halves are rotated to place the coupling in the locked position.
13. The combination, as claimed in claim 10, wherein:
each coupling half includes a pair of annular ribs proximate said transverse edges defining a pair of grooves for receiving corresponding portions of said bonding wire therein.
14. A coupling assembly for releasably interconnecting confronting ends of first and second fluid carrying conduit members wherein each has an annular flange fixedly attached to each of the confronting ends, said coupling assembly comprising:
a sleeve for circumferentially surrounding and sealing said confronting ends therein;
a pair of arcuate coupling halves pivotally joined at first adjacent ends, said coupling halves each having opposing transverse edges and second ends;
a pair of bonding wires, one bonding wire mounted to each coupling half, each bonding wire traversing along each transverse edge so to make a contact at multiple points along said confronting ends of the conduit members, and each said bonding wire spanning its corresponding coupling half thereby forming a continuous conductive path across said coupling;
at least a pair of engagement members rotatably mounted to corresponding support bars secured proximate said second ends of said coupling halves;
a spring member attached to each engagement member for providing a biasing force to resist rotation of each engagement member about its corresponding support bar, wherein said coupling halves are rotated to circumferentially surround said sleeve, and said engagement members are placed to engage the support bar on the opposing coupling half thereby placing said coupling in a locked position; and
each coupling half includes a hinge section attached at said first end thereof, and said hinge section further includes an integral curved projection for receiving and securing one free end of said bonding wire.
15. A coupling assembly, as claimed in claim 10, wherein:
said coupling halves are coated with an electrically conductive coating.
16. A method of releasably interconnecting confronting ends of first and second fluid carrying conduit members wherein an annular flange is attached to each of the confronting ends and has a sealing ring therearound, a sleeve circumferentially surrounding the sealing rings, and a pair of symmetrical arcuate coupling halves pivotally joined together at first adjacent ends and being rotatable to surround said sleeve and flanges to bring second ends of said coupling halves to a locking position wherein each second end of each coupling half includes at least one engagement member rotatably mounted over an opposed support bar and said engagement member being biased to resist rotation about the opposed support bar each coupling half having a bonding wire, each bonding wire extending around opposing transverse edges of each of the coupling halves such that the bonding wires are placed in contact with metallic portions of the fluid carrying conduits, and each bonding wire extending perpendicular with respect to said transverse edges thus bridging a web of its corresponding coupling half thereby creating an electrical path joining the fluid carrying conduits, said method comprising the steps of:
rotating the second ends of the coupling halves together;
contacting each engagement member against an opposing support bar of the other coupling half;
further rotating the second ends of the coupling halves together to overcome the biasing forces placed on each engagement member; and
engaging the support bars within locking grooves of each of the engagement members thereby placing the coupling in a locked position.
17. A coupling assembly for releasably interconnecting confronting ends of first and second fluid carrying conduit members wherein each conduit member has an annular flange fixedly attached to each of the confronting ends, said coupling assembly comprising:
a sleeve for circumferentially surrounding the flanges;
a pair of arcuate coupling halves pivotally joined at first adjacent ends for circumferentially surrounding said sleeve, each coupling half further having a, web opposing transverse edges, and a second end;
means for creating an electrically conductive path across the coupling assembly, said means for creating being externally mounted to at least one of said coupling halves, said means for creating extending around both said transverse edges of the at least one coupling half, and said means for creating spanning across said web, said means for creating being a unitary and continuous member;
at least a pair of biased engagement members, one engagement member of said at least a pair of engagement members being mounted externally to each said second end of said coupling halves, said engagement members being positionable in a locked position thereby securing the confronting ends of the fluid carrying conduit members.
18. A coupling assembly for releasably interconnecting confronting ends of first and second fluid carrying conduit members wherein each conduit member has an annular flange fixedly attached to each of the confronting ends, said coupling assembly comprising:
means for sealing the flanges in the coupling assembly, said means for sealing circumferentially surrounding the flanges;
a pair of arcuate coupling halves pivotally joined at first adjacent ends for circumferentially surrounding said means for sealing, each coupling half further having a web, opposing transverse edges, and a second end;
means for creating an electrically conductive path across the coupling assembly, said means for creating being externally mounted to at least one of said coupling halves, said means for creating extending around both said transverse edges of the at least one coupling half, and said means for creating spanning across said web, said means for creating being a unitary and continuous member;
at least a pair of biased engagement members, one engagement member of said at least a pair of engagement members being mounted externally to each said second end of said coupling halves, said engagement members being positionable in a locked position thereby securing the confronting ends of the fluid carrying conduit members.
19. A coupling assembly for releasably interconnecting confronting ends of first and second fluid carrying conduit members said coupling assembly comprising:
a sleeve;
a pair of arcuate coupling halves pivotally joined at first adjacent ends for circumferentially surrounding said sleeve, each coupling half further having a web section, opposing transverse edges and a second end;
at least one bonding wire externally mounted to one of said coupling halves, said bonding wire having free ends secured to the coupling half proximate said first adjacent ends, said bonding wire extending around both said transverse edges of said coupling half and said bonding wire spanning said web;
at least a pair of engagement members, one engagement member of said pair of engagement members mounted externally to each said second end of said coupling halves; and
means incorporated on each coupling half for biasing a corresponding engagement member, wherein said coupling halves are rotated to circumferentially surround said sleeve, and said engagement members are placed in an engaging position thereby placing said coupling assembly in a locked position.
20. A coupling assembly for releasably interconnecting confronting ends of first and second fluid carrying conduit members said coupling assembly comprising:
means for sealing the confronting ends in the coupling assembly, said means for sealing circumferentially surrounding the confronting ends;
a pair of arcuate coupling halves pivotally joined at first adjacent ends for circumferentially surrounding said means for sealing, each coupling half further having opposing transverse edges and a second end;
means for creating an electrically conductive path across the coupling assembly, said means for creating being externally mounted to at least one of said coupling halves, said means for creating extending circumferentially around said at least one coupling half and extending transversely across said at least one coupling half, said means for creating being a unitary and continuous member;
at least a pair of biased engagement members, one engagement member of said at least a pair of engagement members being mounted externally to each said second end of said coupling halves, said engagement members being positionable in a locked position thereby securing the confronting ends of the fluid carrying conduit members.
21. A coupling assembly for releasably interconnecting confronting ends of first and second fluid carrying conduit members, said coupling assembly comprising:
a pair of arcuate coupling halves pivotally joined at first adjacent ends for circumferentially surrounding said conduit members, each coupling half further having a web, opposing transverse edges and a second end;
at least one bonding wire externally mounted to one of said coupling halves, said bonding wire extending around both said transverse edges of said coupling half and said bonding wire spanning said web;
at least a pair of engagement members, one engagement member of said pair of engagement members being mounted externally to each said second end of said coupling halves;
means mounted on each coupling half for securing said engagement members to their respective coupling halves; and
means incorporated on each coupling half for biasing a corresponding engagement member, wherein said coupling halves are rotated to circumferentially surround said conduit members, and said engagement members are placed to engage said means for securing thereby placing said coupling assembly in a locked position.
22. A coupling assembly, as claimed in claim 21, wherein:
said means for securing includes a pair of support bars, one support bar being mounted on each second end of said pair of coupling halves, and each said support bars extending longitudinally across said web section.
23. A coupling assembly, as claimed in claim 21, wherein:
each said engagement member includes a first end rotatably mounted to said means for securing and a second end including a locking groove which engages said means for securing when said coupling assembly is in the locked position.
24. A coupling assembly, as claimed in claim 21, wherein:
each said engagement member further includes a cam portion which contacts said means for securing as said coupling halves are rotated to place the coupling assembly in the locked position.
25. A coupling assembly, as claimed in claim 21, wherein:
each coupling half includes a pair of annular ribs proximate said transverse edges thereby defining a pair of grooves for receiving corresponding portions of said bonding wire therein.
26. A coupling assembly, as claimed in claim 21, wherein:
said biasing means includes at least one spring finger which attaches to a corresponding engagement member and biases said engagement member for rotation about said means for securing.
27. A coupling assembly, as claimed in claim 21, wherein:
each coupling half includes a hinge section attached at said first end thereof, and said hinge section further includes a curved projection integral with said hinge section for receiving and securing one free end of said bonding wire.
28. A coupling assembly, as claimed in claim 21, wherein:
said coupling assembly is coated with an electrically conductive coating.
29. A coupling assembly, as claimed in claim 27, wherein:
each said hinge section is externally mounted to said coupling halves.
30. In combination with a pair of fluid carrying conduit members, a coupling assembly for releasably securing confronting ends of the conduit members, said combination comprising:
a pair of arcuate coupling halves pivotally joined at first adjacent ends, said coupling halves each further having opposing transverse edges, a web interconnecting said opposing transverse edges, and second ends;
a pair of bonding wires, one bonding wire mounted to each coupling half, each bonding wire traversing along each transverse edge and across said web so to make a contact at multiple points along said confronting ends of the conduit members, and each said bonding wire spanning its corresponding coupling half thereby forming a continuous conductive path across said coupling;
at least a pair of engagement members rotatably mounted to corresponding support bars secured proximate said second ends of said coupling halves; and
a spring member attached to each engagement member for providing a biasing force to resist rotation of each engagement member about its corresponding support bar, wherein said coupling halves are rotated to circumferentially surround said confronting ends of the conduit members, and said engagement members are placed to engage the support bar on the opposing coupling half thereby placing said coupling in a locked position.
31. The combination, as claimed in claim 30, wherein:
each engagement member further includes a locking groove formed thereon which receives the support bar when the coupling is in the locked position.
32. The combination, as claimed in claim 30, wherein:
each engagement member further includes a cam portion which contacts the support bar as the coupling halves are rotated to place the coupling in the locked position.
33. The combination, as claimed in claim 30, wherein:
each coupling half includes a pair of annular ribs proximate said transverse edges defining a pair of grooves for receiving corresponding portions of said bonding wire therein.
34. The combination, as claimed in claim 30, wherein:
each coupling half includes a hinge section attached at said first end thereof, and said hinge section further includes an integral curved projection for receiving and securing one free end of said bonding wire.
35. A coupling assembly, as claimed in claim 30, wherein:
said coupling halves are coated with an electrically conductive coating.
36. A coupling assembly for releasably interconnecting confronting ends of first and second fluid carrying conduit members, said coupling assembly comprising:
a pair of arcuate coupling halves pivotally joined at first adjacent ends for circumferentially surrounding said conduit members, each coupling half further having a web, opposing transverse edges, and a second end;
means for creating an electrically conductive path across the coupling assembly, said means for creating being externally mounted to at least one of said coupling halves, said means for creating extending around both said transverse edges of the at least one coupling half, and said means for creating spanning across said web, said means for creating being a unitary and continuous member;
at least a pair of biased engagement members, one engagement member of said at least a pair of engagement members being mounted externally to each said second end of said coupling halves, said engagement members being positionable in a locked position thereby securing the confronting ends of the fluid carrying conduit members.
37. A coupling assembly for releasably interconnecting confronting ends of first and second fluid carrying conduit members said coupling assembly comprising:
a pair of arcuate coupling halves pivotally joined at first adjacent ends for circumferentially surrounding said conduit members, each coupling half further having opposing transverse edges and a second end;
means for creating an electrically conductive path across the coupling assembly, said means for creating being externally mounted to at least one of said coupling halves, said means for creating extending circumferentially around said at least one coupling half and extending transversely across said at least one coupling half, said means for creating being a unitary and continuous member;
at least a pair of biased engagement members, one engagement member of said at least a pair of engagement members being mounted externally to each said second end of said coupling halves, said engagement members being positionable in a locked position thereby securing the confronting ends of the fluid carrying conduit members.
38. A coupling assembly for releasably interconnecting confronting ends of first and second fluid carrying conduit members, said coupling assembly comprising:
a pair of arcuate coupling halves pivotally joined at first adjacent ends for circumferentially surrounding said confronting ends of said first and second fluid carrying conduit members;
at least one bonding wire externally mounted to one of said coupling halves, said bonding wire extending circumferentially with respect to one of said fluid carrying conduit members;
at least a pair of engagement members, one engagement member of said pair of engagement members being mounted externally to each said coupling halves;
means mounted on each coupling half for securing said engagement members to their respective coupling halves; and
a spring member attached to each engagement member for providing a biasing force to resist rotation of said engagement members about their respective means for securing, each said spring member including a base section mounted to the respective coupling half, and an integral spring finger protruding away from the base section and secured to the corresponding engagement member.

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 reducing power consumption in a programmable logic device, the programmable logic device comprising a plurality of look-up table based logic elements, the method comprising:
evaluating whether a first look-up table based logic element can be configured in a way to utilize less power taking into account at least one of embedded drivers, differing transistor types, and differing transistor sizings; and
if the first look-up table based logic element is configured to utilize minimum power, then proceeding to evaluate a second look-up table based logic element; and
if the first look-up table based logic element is not configured to utilize minimum power, then rotating the inputs of the first look-up table based logic element such that the pass transistors associated with the first look-up table based logic element consume a minimum power.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the evaluating occurs during a technology mapping relating to the first look-up table based logic element.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the evaluating occurs during a routing period relating to the first look-up table based logic element.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the evaluating occurs following a routing period relating to the first look-up table based logic element.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the change in speed of a function associated with the first look-up table based logic element, the change in speed that is attributable to the rotation.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the change in area of the first look-up table based logic element and the associated routing, the change in area that is attributable to the rotation.
7. A method for reducing power consumption in a programmable logic device, the programmable logic device comprising a plurality of look-up table based logic elements, the method comprising:
evaluating whether a first look-up table based logic element utilizes all of its inputs;
if the first look-up table based logic element utilizes all of its inputs, then proceeding to evaluate a second look-up table based logic element;
if the first look-up table based logic element does not utilize all of its inputs, then determining whether, if the inputs of the first element are rotated, any storage locations associated with the unused input are freely configurable; and
if a greater number of the storage locations associated with the first element are freely configurable than before the rotation, then performing the rotation such that the pass transistors associated with the unused input consume a minimum power.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the evaluating occurs during a technology mapping relating to the first look-up table based logic element.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the evaluating occurs during a routing period relating to the first look-up table based logic element.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein the evaluating occurs following a routing period relating to the first look-up table based logic element.
11. The method of claim 7, further comprising determining the change in speed of a function associated with the first look-up table based logic element, the change in speed that is attributable to the rotation.
12. The method of claim 7, further comprising determining the change in area of the first look-up table based logic element and the associated routing, the change in area that is attributable to the rotation.
13. A method for reducing power consumption in a programmable logic device, the programmable logic device comprising a plurality of logic elements, the method comprising:
evaluating whether a first logic element is set to minimize static power consumption;
if the first logic element is set to minimize power consumption, then proceeding to evaluate a second logic element; and
if the first logic element is not set to minimize power consumption and the logic element is freely configurable then configuring the logic element to consume less static power.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the evaluating occurs during a technology mapping relating to the first logic element.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the evaluating occurs during a routing period relating to the first logic element.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the evaluating occurs following a routing period relating to the first logic element.
17. The method of claim 13, further comprising determining the change in speed of a function associated with the first logic element, the change in speed that is attributable to the configuring.
18. The method of claim 13, further comprising determining the change in area of the first logic element and the associated routing, the change in area that is attributable to the configuring.
19. The method of claim 13, wherein the configuring comprising increasing a number of transistors associated with the logic element that have substantially no voltage differential between a source and a drain.
20. The method of claim 13, wherein the increasing comprises rotating the inputs of the logic element.
21. A method for reducing power consumption in a programmable logic device, the programmable logic device being potentially programmed at least in part by a proposed technology mapping, the method comprising:
if an alternative technology mapping exists for the proposed technology mapping then determine the estimated power consumption of each of the possible technology mappings and determine the least power consumptive technology mapping; and
if alternative technology mapping does not exist for the proposed technology mapping then implementing the proposed technology mapping.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising determining the change in speed of a function associated with the proposed technology mapping, the change in speed that is attributable to the configuring.
23. The method of claim 21, further comprising comparing the area associated with the proposed technology mapping and the area associated with the alternative technology mapping.
24. The method of claim 21, wherein the alternative technology mapping comprises inverting at least one output of the proposed technology mapping.
25. A method for reducing power consumption in a programmable logic device, the programmable logic device comprising a plurality of look-up tables, the method comprising:
evaluating whether switching frequencies on each of the inputs of a first look-up table are substantially the same;
if one of the inputs of the look-up table has a switching frequency that is relatively higher than the other inputs and the higher frequency input can be rotated to a position where it consumes less power, then rotate the higher frequency input such that the higher frequency input consumes less power; and
if none of the inputs of the look-up table has a switching frequency that is relatively higher than the other inputs, then proceed to evaluate a second look-up table.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the evaluating occurs during a technology mapping relating to the first look-up table.
27. The method of claim 25, wherein the evaluating occurs during a routing period relating to the first look-up table.
28. The method of claim 25, wherein the evaluating occurs following a routing period relating to the first look-up table.
29. The method of claim 25, further comprising determining the change in speed of a function associated with the first look-up table, the change in speed that is attributable to the rotation.
30. The method of claim 25, further comprising determining the change in area of the first look-up table and the associated routing, the change in area that is attributable to the rotation.
31. The method of claim 25, wherein the rotating the higher frequency input to a position where it consumes less power comprising rotating the input to a position that is more proximal to the output of the look-up table.
32. A method for reducing power consumption in a programmable logic device, the programmable logic device comprising a plurality of look-up tables, the method comprising:
evaluating whether switching frequencies on each of the inputs of a first function implemented across multiple look-up tables are substantially the same;
if one of the inputs of the multi-look-up table function has a switching frequency that is relatively higher than the other inputs and the higher frequency input can be rotated to a position where it consumes less power, and this movement can be done while complying with area and speed requirements associated with the programmable logic device, then rotate the higher frequency input such that the higher frequency input consumes less power; and
if none of the inputs of the multi-look-up table function has a switching frequency that is relatively higher than the other inputs, then proceed to evaluate a second function implemented across multiple look-up tables.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein the evaluating occurs during a technology mapping relating to the first function.
34. The method of claim 32, wherein the evaluating occurs during a routing period relating to the first function.
35. The method of claim 32, wherein the evaluating occurs following a routing period relating to the first function.
36. The method of claim 32, further comprising determining a change in speed of the first function, the change in speed that is attributable to the rotation.
37. The method of claim 32, further comprising determining a change in area of the first function, the change in area that is attributable to the rotation.
38. The method of claim 32, wherein the rotating the higher frequency input to a position where it consumes less power comprising rotating the input to a position that is more proximal to the output of the first function.
39. A programmable logic device including a logic element, the logic element comprising a fixed number of transistors that are substantially always OFF in a static state of operation of the logic element, the system configured to:
increase the number of storage locations associated with the transistors that are always OFF while maintaining a system functionality threshold; and
after each storage location is associated with a transistor that is substantially always OFF, minimize the static power by analysis and manipulation of storage locations having don’t care status.
40. A method for reducing power consumption in a programmable logic device, the programmable logic device comprising a plurality of look-up table based logic elements, the method comprising:
evaluating whether a first look-up table based logic element utilizes all of its inputs during the operation of the programmable logic device;
if the first look-up table based logic element utilizes all of its inputs during the operation of the programmable logic device, then proceeding to evaluate a second look-up table based logic element;
if the first look-up table based logic element does not utilize all of its inputs for some portion of the operational time of the programmable logic device, then determining whether, if the inputs of the first element that are not utilized for the portion of the operational time of the programmable logic device are rotated, any storage locations associated with the inputs that are not utilized are freely configurable; and
if more of the storage locations associated with the first element are freely configurable than before the rotation, then performing the rotation such that the pass transistors associated with the unused input consume a minimum power.
41. The method of claim 40, wherein the evaluating occurs during a technology mapping relating to the first look-up table based logic element.
42. The method of claim 40, wherein the evaluating occurs during a routing period relating to the first look-up table based logic element.
43. The method of claim 40, wherein the evaluating occurs following a routing period relating to the first look-up table based logic element.
44. The method of claim 40, further comprising determining the change in speed of a function associated with the first look-up table based logic element, the change in speed that is attributable to the rotation.
45. The method of claim 40, further comprising determining the change in area of the first look-up table based logic element and the associated routing, the change in area that is attributable to the rotation.
46. A method for reducing power consumption in a programmable logic device, the programmable logic device comprising a plurality of logic elements, the method comprising:
evaluating whether a first logic element is used during the operation of the programmable logic device;
if the first look-up table based logic element is used during the operation of the programmable logic device, then proceeding to evaluate a second look-up table based logic element;
if the first look-up table based logic element is not used during the operation of the programmable logic device, then determining a minimum power state of the unused logic element; and
evaluating whether the minimum power output state of the unused logic element should be implemented taking into account at least one of routing and performance of the programmable logic device.
47. The method of claim 46, wherein the evaluating occurs during a technology mapping relating to the first logic element.
48. The method of claim 46, wherein the evaluating occurs during a routing period relating to the first logic element.
49. The method of claim 46, wherein the evaluating occurs following a routing period relating to the first logic element.
50. The method of claim 46, further comprising determining the change in speed of a function associated with the operation of the programmable logic element, the change in speed that is attributable to the implementation of the minimum power state of the first logic element.

1. A pedestrian protection apparatus for a vehicle comprising:
a synthetic resin plate mounted in a lower part of a front side of a vehicle and extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the plate including a front section having at least a protruding portion protruding from the front side of the vehicle, a rear section fixed to the vehicle, and a center section provided between the front and rear sections,
wherein the protruding portion of the front section of the plate comes into contact with and sweeps away a lower part of a leg of a pedestrian to protect the leg when the front side of the vehicle collides with the leg, and
wherein the front section of the plate is more rigid than the rear section, and the center section is less rigid than the front section and more rigid than the rear section.
2. The pedestrian protection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the center section of the plate includes a plurality of areas having mutually different rigidities, and the areas extend over a full dimension of the vehicle in a transverse direction, adjoin in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and are arranged in decreasing order of the rigidities from a front side of the center section.
3. The pedestrian protection apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein a plurality of reinforcing ribs extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle are provided integrally with each of the front and center sections of the plate so as to be spaced in the transverse direction of the vehicle, and the front and center sections are more rigid than the rear section in which the reinforcing ribs are not provided, and
wherein the number of the reinforcing ribs provided in the front section is larger than the number of the reinforcing ribs provided in the center section, and the interval between the reinforcing ribs of the front section in the transverse direction of the vehicle is shorter than the interval between the reinforcing ribs of the center section so that the front section is more rigid than the center section.
4. The pedestrian protection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the center section of the plate is thicker than the rear section so that the center section is more rigid than the rear section, and the front section is thicker than the center section so that the front section is more rigid than the center section.
5. The pedestrian protection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first plate-shaped reinforcing member having a predetermined rigidity is fixed on at least one surface of the center section so that the center section is more rigid than the rear section, and a second plate-shaped reinforcing member which is more rigid than the first plate-shaped reinforcing member is fixed on at least one surface of the front section so that the front section is more rigid than the center section on which the first plate-shaped reinforcing member is fixed.
6. A method of tuning a load characteristic of a pedestrian protection apparatus for a vehicle,
wherein the pedestrian protection apparatus comprises:
a synthetic resin plate mounted in a lower part of a front side of a vehicle and extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the plate including a front section having at least a protruding portion protruding from the front side of the vehicle, a rear section having a fixed portion fixed to the vehicle, and a center section provided between the front and rear sections,
wherein the protruding portion of the front section of the plate comes into contact with and sweeps away a lower part of a leg of a pedestrian to protect the leg when the front of the vehicle collides with the leg,
wherein the front section of the plate is more rigid than the rear section, and the center section is less rigid than the front section and more rigid than the rear section so that the plate is bent at a boundary portion between the center section and the rear section and at a front adjacent portion of the rear section on the front side of and adjacent to the fixed portion by an impact load which is inputted when the protruding portion of the front section comes into contact with the leg of the pedestrian, and
wherein a maximum value of the impact load is adjusted and the load characteristic is tuned by arbitrarily changing the dimension of the center section in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle so as to change the distance between the boundary portion and the front adjacent portion.
7. A method of tuning a load characteristic of a pedestrian protection apparatus for a vehicle,
wherein the pedestrian protection apparatus comprises:
a synthetic resin plate mounted in a lower part of a front side of a vehicle and extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the plate including a front section having at least a protruding portion protruded from the front side of the vehicle, a rear section having a fixed portion fixed to the vehicle, and a center section provided between the front and rear sections,
wherein the protruding portion of the front section of the plate comes into contact with and sweeps away a lower part of a leg of a pedestrian to protect the leg when the front side of the vehicle collides with the leg,
wherein the front section of the plate is more rigid than the rear section, and the center section is less rigid than the front section and more rigid than the rear section so that the plate is bent at a boundary portion between the center section and the rear section and at a front adjacent portion of the rear section on the front side of and adjacent to the fixed portion by an impact load which is inputted when the protruding portion of the front section comes into contact with the leg of the pedestrian, and
wherein a maximum value of the impact load is adjusted and the load characteristic is tuned by fixing a first plate-shaped reinforcing member to the boundary portion and fixing a second plate-shaped reinforcing member to the front adjacent portion, the first reinforcing member increasing a rigidity of the boundary portion within a range below that of the front section, and the second reinforcing member increasing a rigidity of the front adjacent portion within a range below that of the center section.
8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the center section of the plate includes a plurality of areas having mutually different rigidities, and the areas extend over a full dimension of the vehicle in a transverse direction, adjoin in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and are arranged in decreasing order of the rigidities from a front side of the center section.

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. An apparatus for controlling a speed of a printing medium supplied to an image printing apparatus by a printing medium supply device, the apparatus comprising:
a compensation waveform storage unit for storing at least one compensation waveform used to compensate for at least a periodic ripple error of the speed, the periodic ripple error being obtained by analyzing positional information of the printing medium;
a compensation delay amount determiner for determining at least an amount of delay used in applying the compensation waveform to the printing medium supply device; and
a ripple compensator for applying at least the compensation waveform to the printing medium supply device with at least the determined amount of delay in order to compensate for the ripple error.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compensation delay amount determiner determines an optimal compensation delay amount by using a self-learning algorithm that comprises a recursive method.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the compensation delay amount determiner comprises:
an error amount calculator for calculating an amount of cumulative error during one period of the ripple error;
a rate of change calculator for calculating a rate of change of an output of the error amount calculator; and
a delay amount learning portion for determining a result of an application of a learning constant to the output of the rate of change calculator as an updated compensation delay amount and delivering the updated compensation delay amount to the compensation waveform storage unit.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the compensation delay amount determiner further comprises a learning termination preventer for applying a given value to the rate of change calculated by the rate of change determiner when the rate of change remains unchanged, such that the compensation delay amount determiner continues the learning algorithm.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compensation waveform storage unit stores the compensation waveform corresponding to one period of the ripple error, and further includes a modulo operator for periodically applying the compensation waveform to the printing medium supply device.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the compensation waveform storage unit determines the compensation waveform by analyzing frequency components of the ripple error and applying different weights to the analyzed frequency components.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the compensation waveform storage unit determines the compensation waveform by analyzing amplitude components of the ripple error and applying different weights to the analyzed amplitude components.
8. A method for controlling a speed of a printing medium supplied to an image printing apparatus by a printing medium supply device, the method comprising:
measuring a periodic ripple error in the printing medium speed by analyzing positional information of the printing medium;
determining a compensation waveform suitable for compensating for the ripple error;
determining an amount of compensation delay used when applying the compensation waveform to the printing medium supply device; and
compensating for the ripple error by applying the compensation waveform to the printing medium supply device with the determined amount of compensation delay.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the determining of the compensation delay amount comprises determining an optimal compensation delay amount by using a self-learning algorithm that uses a recursive method.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the determining of the optimal compensation delay amount comprises:
calculating a cumulative error amount during one period of the ripple error;
calculating a rate of change of the cumulative error amount; and
updating the compensation delay amount by multiplying the calculated rate of change by a learning constant.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the determining of an optimal compensation delay amount further comprises applying a given value to the rate of change when the rate of change remains unchanged, such that the determining of the optimal compensation delay amount continues.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein the determining of the compensation waveform comprises:
storing the compensation waveform corresponding to one period of the ripple error; and
supplying the compensation waveform to the printing medium supply device periodically.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the determining of the compensation waveform comprises analyzing frequency components of the ripple error and multiplying the analyzed frequency components by different weights.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the determining of the compensation waveform comprises analyzing amplitude components of the ripple error and applying different weights to the analyzed amplitude components.