Robust fault tolerant control framework using uncertain Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy models

This chapter is concerned with the introduction of a fault tolerant control (FTC) framework using uncertain Takagi-Sugeno (FS) fuzzy models. Depending on how much information is available about the fault, the framework gives rise to passive FTC, active FTC without controller reconfiguration and active FTC with controller reconfiguration. The design is performed using a Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI)-based synthesis that directly takes into account the TS description of the system and its uncertainties. An example based on a mobile robot is used to show the application of this methodologyPeer ReviewedPreprin

Distributed Adaptive Fault-Tolerant Control of Uncertain Multi-Agent Systems

This paper presents an adaptive fault-tolerant control (FTC) scheme for a class of nonlinear uncertain multi-agent systems. A local FTC scheme is designed for each agent using local measurements and suitable information exchanged between neighboring agents. Each local FTC scheme consists of a fault diagnosis module and a reconfigurable controller module comprised of a baseline controller and two adaptive fault-tolerant controllers activated after fault detection and after fault isolation, respectively. Under certain assumptions, the closed-loop system's stability and leader-follower consensus properties are rigorously established under different modes of the FTC system, including the time-period before possible fault detection, between fault detection and possible isolation, and after fault isolation

Moving Beyond “Reasonable”: Clarifying the FTC’s Use of Its Unfairness Authority in Data Security Enforcement Actions

Data security breaches, which compromise private consumer information, seem to be an ever-increasing threat. To stem this tide, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has relied upon its authority to enforce the prohibition against unfair business practices under section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (“section 5”) to hold companies accountable when they fail to employ data security measures that could prevent breaches. Specifically, the FTC brings enforcement actions when it finds that companies have failed to implement “reasonable” data security measures. However, companies and scholars argue that the FTC has not provided adequate notice of which data security practices it considers “reasonable” for the purposes of section 5. This Note explains and critically analyzes several existing proposals that seek to bring clarity to the FTC’s application of its unfairness authority in the data security context and ultimately proposes a novel solution which encourages the FTC explicitly to outline its minimum data security requirements through nonlegislative rulemaking. This Note contends that the FTC should incorporate a principle of proportionality in any rule to ensure that companies know which data security measures they should implement based on the relative sensitivity of the consumer data that they retain. Additionally, this Note suggests that the FTC should incorporate a safe harbor provision so that compliant companies know that, by following the FTC’s guidelines, they will be immune from section 5 enforcement actions

FTC vs. Toysmart

Last summer, Toysmart agreed to a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission concerning use of its customer information database. Under the terms of the settlement, the defunct Internet toy retailer was permitted to sell customer information without either providing its former customers notice or giving them an opportunity to block the sale or use of their personal information. This issue ignited a privacy-rights maelstrom, but ended anti-climatically for Toysmart; in January, Buena Vista Internet Group, a Disney subsidiary and 60% majority shareholder of Toysmart, agreed to compensate the company\u27s creditors $50,000 for the privilege of destroying the database. U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Carol Kenner approved this plan, subject to the limitation that Toysmart attorneys must retain the list and destroy it (rather than physically transfer it to Buena Vista) when all creditor claims are satisfied

Competition Policy in the Japanese Banking Sector: Support Big Bang?

While the recent “Big Bang” reform fundamentally aims at enhancing market competition in the financial sector, the Japanese competition authority, the Fair Trade Commission (FTC), seems to be rather reluctant to participate in relevant discussions. The present paper focuses on this aspect, relating the FTC’s reluctance to its traditional close relationship with the Ministry of Finance (MoF). The paper examines the structure of the relationship between the FTC and the MoF, considers its reason on the side of the FTC from Pfeffer and Salancik’s “Resource Dependence Perspective”, and discusses its effect on the recent “Big Bang” reform. Its main argument is that the FTC – MoF link is beneficial not only to the MoF but also to the FTC, and that this structure has yet to be changed even after the FTC began to increase its performance.Japan; competition policy; bank; big bang

Judge Koh’s Monopolization Mania: Her Novel Antitrust Assault Against Qualcomm Is an Abuse of Antitrust Theory

I. Introduction: A Blockbuster Decision II. The Typology of Antitrust Offenses ... A. Per Se Offenses ... B. Rule of Reason Cases ... C. Per Se Legality or “No-Duty” Rules III. FTC v. Qualcomm ... A. The Complaint and the Ohlhausen Dissent ... B. The Monopolization Issue ... C. Market Definition ... D. Trinko and the Antitrust Duty to Deal ... E. Qualcomm’s Pricing Policy—The Use of Constant Rates ... F. The FTC Valuation Dilemma … G. Qualcomm Efficiency Justifications IV. Conclusio

Making the FTC ☺: An Approach to Material Connections Disclosures in the Emoji Age

In examining the rise of influencer marketing and emoji’s concurrent surge in popularity, it naturally follows that emoji should be incorporated into the FTC’s required disclosures for sponsored posts across social media platforms. While current disclosure methods the FTC recommends are easily jumbled or lost in other text, using emoji to disclose material connections would streamline disclosure requirements, leveraging an already-popular method of communication to better reach consumers. This Note proposes that the FTC adopts an emoji as a preferred method of disclosure for influencer marketing on social media. Part I discusses the rise of influencer marketing, the FTC and its history of regulating sponsored content, and the current state of regulation. Part II explores the proliferation of emoji as a method of communication, and the role of the Unicode Consortium in regulating the adoption of new emoji. Part III makes the case for incorporating emoji as a method of disclosure to bridge compliance gaps, and offers additional recommendations to increase compliance with existing regulations