Abstract: A voltage monitor having a bandgap reference circuit driven by a voltage to be monitored. The bandgap reference circuit produces a voltage and a second voltage that each vary with the voltage to be monitored. The magnitudes of these voltages are compared by an open loop comparator to provide a high speed output state. The output of the voltage monitor can be used to monitor a supply voltage and produce a reset signal to a processor if the supply voltage falls to a magnitude below a specified threshold.

Abstract: An interlocking architecture for a software interface and a bar code scanner. Upon power-up, a handshaking operation is performed between a scanner (1600) having a scanner processor (2600) and a computer processor (2612) of a computer (302) based upon the code stored in the NV memory (2602) of the scanner (1600) and a unique code associated with the software interface running on the computer (302). A wedge (1608) is provided as an interface mechanism for the scanner (1600) and a keyboard (1610) to a keyboard port (2500) of the computer (302). The handshaking occurs through the wedge (1608) via a keyboard interface (2610) to the processor (2600) such that a successful handshake directs the processor (2600) to engage a switch (2604) which enables power to a sensing head (2606) for read optically encoded information.

Abstract: A projection apparatus is disclosed having a first vertical member and a second vertical member disposed parallel to the first vertical member, the second vertical member substantially the same length as the first vertical member. An upper crossbar member is disposed between the first and second vertical members and perpendicular thereto. An intermediate crossbar member is disposed between the first and second vertical members and perpendicular thereto and below the upper crossbar member to define a viewing area bounded by the first and second vertical members, the upper crossbar member and the intermediate crossbar member. A viewing screen is disposed over the viewing area.

Abstract: A multi-processor system includes a global bus (14) having associated therewith a global address space with a plurality of processor nodes (10) associated therewith. Each of the processor nodes (10) has a CPU (20) associated therewith which interfaces with a local bus. The local bus has a local address space associated therewith. A dual port SRAM (DPSRAM)(34) is provided for interfacing between the global bus (14) and the local bus (30). Each DPSRAM (34) for each processor core (10) has a defined address space within the global bus address space. Whenever any of the global resource writes to the particular processor node (10), it is only necessary to address the designated DPSRAM (34) and transfer data thereto. The act of transferring the data thereto will generate an interrupt to the associated CPU (20) which will then cause it to read the received data on the local bus by addressing its associated DPSRAM (34).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming resistor strings in a semiconductor material for a digital-to-analog converter having a main DAC resistor string and a sub-DAC resistor string. The main DAC resistor string is formed as two identical resistor strings connected in parallel and such that the bottom of one resistor string and the top of the other resistor string are connected to a first voltage. The other ends of the resistor strings are coupled to a second different voltage. A switch multiplexer serving two functions is connected between the resistor strings. Each switch of the multiplexer interconnects similar voltage nodes of each resistor string together to thereby average the voltage should the resistance values differ due to semiconductor process variations. The switch multiplexer also serves to select one resistor of each resistor string to couple the voltage thereacross to a sub-resistor string of the digital-to-analog converter.

Abstract: A method for allowing a user PC (1702) to be controlled in order to effect a connection between the user PC (1702) and a destination node (1706) on a network (306). This is facilitated through an audio source (1700) wherein the content of a video tape recording media has embedded therein an audio signal. When the video tape media is played, the audio signal is extracted by an audio extractor (1600) and transmitted to the user PC, and detected by a program running in the background of the user PC (1702). Once the audible tone is detected, a web browser is launched and the tone or decoded product identifier information associated with the tone is transmitted to an ARS (308) on the network (306). The ARS (308) then compares the information received from the user PC (1702) using information from a relational database (1704). The relational database (1704) contains routing information for various destination nodes (1706) on the network.

Abstract: A method for conducting a contest using a network is provided. A plurality of pick spaces and a rolling counter are displayed on a screen of a computer operably connected to the network at a user site. The rolling counter constitutes successive ones of a plurality of available characters, each character being displayed for a preselected duration. Each time the user performs a predefined selection action, the then-displayed character of the rolling counter is assigned to a successive one of the plurality of pick spaces, and thereafter the assigned character is displayed in the corresponding pick space. When each pick space displays an assigned character, an entry data packet is assembled including data indicative of the assigned character in each of the plurality of pick spaces. The entry data packet is transmitted from the user computer across the network to a remote site. The entry data packet is received at the remote site.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for calibrating the half-tone operation of a color marking engine for creating images formed in bi-level or quad-level dot density formats. In the first step, a test pattern is run to provide an output image of a plurality of gray patches formed of first, second and third color toners. The gray patches of the output image include first, second and third sets of patches reproduced respectively at dot density levels of 25%, 50% and 75% of a maximum dot density. The relative color toner levels in the gray patches within each set of patches varies a predetermined increment in value above or below the toner levels in a median valued gray patch. The remaining steps of the method include visually selecting an output image of a selected color marking engine having a minimum color shift; determining a correction factor defined for each color at the maximum dot density; and storing the correction factor as an offset from maximum density for images created at the bi-level and quad-level formats.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing a coded audio/video signal to conduct commerce over the Internet. Broadcast information is broadcast from a remote location on a secondary network containing video over the secondary network to a location thereon proximate the location of the user PC. Unique information is encoded in the broadcast information representative of a location on the primary network of the remote node. The broadcast information is received and displayed on a video display at the location on the secondary network proximate the user PC. The user PC is connected to the remote node utilizing the unique information, and in accordance thereto, in response to receiving the unique information encoded within the broadcast information broadcast over the secondary network.

Abstract: A multiple print engine configuration allows a plurality of workstations (10) to create individual print jobs and then transfer them to a distributing processor (14). The distributing processor (14) is operable to spool the jobs in a print spooler (20) and then perform a software RIP on the print jobs. The RIP process divides the jobs into multiple individual jobs which are stored in the page buffer (24). An image task manager (26) in conjunction with an engine manager (28) are then operable to selectively distribute the pages to multiple print engines (16). They are distributed in such a manner that they are placed in the output bins (40) in the order that the pages were received in the print jobs.

Abstract: A method for conducting a contest using a network. A selected article of commerce is identified to a plurality of users remotely disposed at user locations on the network which bears an indicia encoding an identification code which corresponds to the selected article in accordance with an extrinsic standard. An unvalidated entry message packet is then received at a reference location which was transmitted across the network from a user location in response to scanning at the user location an indicia on an article of commerce. The indicia on the scanned article of commerce encodes an identification code which corresponds to the article in accordance with an extrinsic standard. A reference database is provided at the reference location which has a plurality of article codes and routing information for target locations on the network and associates the routing information with at least one of the article codes.

Abstract: An interactive doll is disclosed having one or more sensors contained therein. The one or more sensors are operable to trigger output of a signal from the doll in response to the one or more sensors being activated by physical stimuli of a user. A processor located with the user and the doll at a first node of a global communication network processes the signal. The processor is operable to link the signal with one or more remote nodes also located on the global communication network. The one or more remote nodes return information to the processor for presentation to the user via the user's computer, in response to the one or more sensors being activated.

Abstract: A kiln thermal and combustion control. A predictive model is provided of the dynamics of selected aspects of the operation of the plant for modeling the dynamics thereof. The model has at least two discrete models associated therewith that model at least two of the selected aspects, the at least two discrete models having different dynamic responses. An optimizer receives desired values for the selected aspects of the operation of the plant modeled by the model and optimizes the inputs to the model to minimize error between the predicted and desired values. A control input device then applies the optimized input values to the plant after optimization thereof.

Abstract: An embedded microprocessor two level security system in flash memory. The memory includes an address input and a memory space of addressable locations having a restricted area and a user area. Addressing one of a the addressable locations therein results in the output of information therefrom in response to the receipt of an associated address on the address input. A logic device is provided for determining if a received address on the address input corresponds to an attempt to access an addressable location in the restricted space for output of information therefrom as the result of execution of a program instruction from the user area by an external processor.

Abstract: A method for allowing a user PC to be controlled in order to effect a connection between the user PC and a destination node on a network. This is facilitated through an audio source wherein a digital audio tape recording media having embedded therein an audio signal therein. When the recording media is played, the audio signal is extracted by an audio extractor and transmitted to the user PC, and detected by a program running in the background of the user PC. Once the audible tone is detected, a web browser is launched and the tone or decoded product identifier information associated with the tone is transmitted to an ARS on the network. The ARS then compares the information received from the user PC using information from a relational database. The relational database contains routing information for various destination nodes on the network.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling fire ants. A method is disclosed for controlling colonies of fire ants in the environment. The method includes first providing a stimulating source that, when activated, will attract fire ants to contact the stimulating source and become agitated to a point that ants from a common colony will attack each other. Thereafter, the stimulating source is activated to cause the fire ants to cluster around the stimulating source, become agitated, and attack each other. The stimulated fire ants then are urged into a tightly confined space to exacerbate the attack reaction.

Abstract: The logging tap disclosed and claimed herein provides for the direct connection of a plurality decoder units having a plurality of digital-to-analog converter inputs to a plurality of digital telephone signal lines in telephone logging applications without requiring a separate wide band, shielded cable from the bridging tap device to the decoder unit. The logging tap comprises a decoder unit supported on a planar substrate and having a plurality of digital-to-analog converters, an input terminal for coupling each of the input digital telephone signals to a corresponding DAC circuit and an output terminal for coupling the output analog signal of the corresponding DAC circuit to a recording device; A type 66 block is provided for bridging at least one of the plurality of digital telephone lines coupling a PBX to a subscriber's digital telephone devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing page data of a print job to the printers in a multi-print engine based on print job parameters associated with the page data of the print job is disclosed. One or more virtual printers are configured, each with a plurality of individual print engines, each having associated printing characteristics. Page data of the print job, downloaded from a print file and having the print job parameters associated therewith, is rasterized and stored as bit-mapped images in print buffers associated with the multi-engined printing system. The bit-mapped images are distributed to select ones of the print engines based upon matching the print job parameters of each bit-mapped images with the printing characteristics of the print engine to be selected.

Abstract: Reduced GMII with internal timing compensation A data interface between first and second integrated circuits. An internal clock signal is generated internal to the first integrated circuit and operates in a first frequency. A data generator is provided for generating data from at least one edge of the internal clock for transmission to the second integrated circuit. a first delay block internal to the first integrated circuit delays the internal clock for a predetermined duration of time less than one-half clock cycle of said internal clock to provide a first delayed clock. The second integrated circuit is then operable to receive the transmitted first delayed clock and utilize the transmitted first delayed clock to sample the received data generated by the data generator.

Abstract: A pad calibration circuit with on-chip resistor. An integrated circuit with an impedance terminated output terminal is disclosed. A source is provided for sourcing current to the output terminal of the integrated circuit, which output terminal interfaces with a load having a finite impedance associated therewith. An on-chip source impedance is disposed internal to the integrated circuit and between the source and the output terminal to define the input impedance of the output terminal.