Abstract: Method and apparatus for probe localization in brain matter. A method is disclosed for determining the insertion point for an object at a desired location within tissue of varying types. The parameters of tissue are first measured at an entry point into the tissue from exterior thereof. The parameters of the tissue are then measured periodically along a line extending from the entry point and moving away therefrom. A determination is then made if at least one boundary between tissue types has occurred during the measurement process. The measurements along the line are then compared to a predetermined map of the tissue boundaries. Thereafter, a point on the map is then selected corresponding to the desired location within the tissue when the measured parameters indicate that the measurements are taking place in proximity thereto.

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: A dual-igniter airbag control switch is provided for a motor vehicle airbag system having a module with a plurality of igniters for causing an airbag to inflate, a diagnostic monitor that determines if a collision is occurring and initiates the igniters, and first and second wires extending between each of the igniters and the monitor for conveying signals between the module and the monitor. The control switch comprises a manually operable switch having portions connected to each of the first wires, for selectively providing continuity in the first wires between the monitor and each of the igniters while in an on position and breaking continuity of the first wires between the monitor and each of the igniters while in an off position.

Abstract: A biochemical sensor based on ball integrated circuit technology which is designed to be biocompatible for implantation within a human or animal body. A sensor media is mounted to the ball integrated circuit, the sensor media operable for sensing biochemical molecules. An onboard communication link transmits data sensed by the sensor media from the ball integrated circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of run-length compression is disclosed where a contiguous stream of bits is input to a compression circuit. The contiguous stream of bits is analyzed in sets of a fixed number of bits, the sets of bits analyzed successively using one or more comma codes each having a respective bit code and a variable length compression operator. Select ones of the one or more comma codes are applied to each set of bits based upon the length of the run of similar bits of the contiguous stream of bits. An encoded stream of bits is output in a single pass with the compression circuit using the one or more comma codes, the encoded stream having fewer bits than the contiguous stream of bits and comprising one or more of the bit codes and respective variable length operators.

Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter having a semiconductor resistor strip with plural voltage taps. One voltage tap formed of the semiconductor material defines a nonzero reference voltage for the converter. An auto-zeroing amplifier is utilized to charge a coupling capacitor to the nonzero reference voltage. In the conversion process, the analog voltages at the other voltage taps of the resistor strip are selected via a switch arrangement and coupled to the coupling capacitor. The linearity of the digital-to-analog converter is thus more independent of parasitic resistances that may be formed in the ground connection to the resistor string.

Abstract: A method for controlling a user computer is disclosed wherein a broadcast program is operable to transmit a broadcast to the user in the form of an audio/visual program, in addition to an encoded tone. This encoded tone is detected by the user computer and this information then transmitted to an intermediate node, an ARS (308). This tone is compared in a relational database (1704) to determine is there is matching information therein. This matching information is in the form of routing information to a destination node (1706) over the data network (306). This routing information is transmitted back to the user computer (1702) over the network (306). The user PC (1702) then utilizes this information to complete a connection with the destination node (1706). The tone is injected into the broadcast program by a program director at the broadcast station. This is effected through an input to a console (1606) which selects one of a plurality of tones in a tone database (1602).

Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating a display panel is disclosed comprising an elongated housing for an illuminating assembly having a generally U-shaped cross-section, an open side and a light reflecting interior surface disposed around and forward of the perimeter of the display panel such that the open side of the housing substantially faces the front display surface of the display panel; a light source within the housing wherein light is radiated through the open side of the housing toward the front display surface of the display panel; and a frame attached to the perimeter of the display panel for supporting the housing in a pivotable relationship with the frame. The housing may be pivoted away from the front display surface of the display panel. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the elongated housing is configured in a plurality of elongated segments disposed in end-to-end relationship around the perimeter of the display panel.

Abstract: An integrated circuit providing mixed signal processing. I/O pin interface circuits include logic gates and other circuits for processing digital and analog signals. Processor-controlled configuration circuits allow the various I/O pin interface circuits to process either analog or digital circuits. The I/O pins can be configured for digital or analog operation on the fly.

Abstract: A pin interface for an integrated circuit. The pin interface includes logic gates for processing digital signals, and analog lines for carrying analog signals. The pin interface includes circuits for disabling the digital circuits when configured to carry analog signals.

Abstract: A single contiguous memory buffer is disclosed having at least first and second memory spaces in the memory buffer each functioning as a FIFO. When operating the memory buffer in a first mode, the first memory space functions as an input structure for loading of the one or more words, and the second memory space functions as an output structure for unloading of the one or more words. When operating the memory buffer in a second mode, the first memory space functions as the output structure for unloading of the one or more words, and the second memory space functions as the input structure for loading of the one or more words. A flip signal is used to toggle between the first and second modes to operate the first and second memory spaces. The respective sizes of the memory spaces vary dynamically according to whether the buffer memory is operating in the first mode or the second mode.

Abstract: A telephone call connection architecture is disclosed which establishes a call connection between two parties. A caller at a caller location initiates a call request to an intermediate location over a first communication network requesting a call be connected to a callee at a callee location over a second communication network. The caller location is connected to the callee location over the second communication network in response to the call request being made over the first communication network. In both a call back and call collect scenario, the caller initiates the call request to the intermediate location. However, in a call back situation, the caller is ultimately charged for the call, while in a call collect situation, the callee authorizes charges for the call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a non-linear mill. A linear controller is provided having a linear gain k that is operable to receive inputs representing measured variables of the plant and predict on an output of the linear controller predicted control values for manipulatible variables that control the plant. A non-linear model of the plant is provided for storing a representation of the plant over a trained region of the operating input space and having a steady-state gain K associated therewith. The gain k of the linear model is adjusted with the gain K of the non-linear model in accordance with a predetermined relationship as the measured variables change the operating region of the input space at which the linear controller is predicting the values for the manipulatible variables. The predicted manipulatible variables are then output after the step of adjusting the gain k.

Abstract: A method for providing independent static and dynamic models in a prediction, control and optimization environment utilizes an independent static model (20) and an independent dynamic model (22). The static model (20) is a rigorous predictive model that is trained over a wide range of data, whereas the dynamic model (22) is trained over a narrow range of data. The gain K of the static model (20) is utilized to scale the gain k of the dynamic model (22). The forced dynamic portion of the model (22) referred to as the bi variables are scaled by the ratio of the gains K and k. The bi have a direct effect on the gain of a dynamic model (22). This is facilitated by a coefficient modification block (40). Thereafter, the difference between the new value input to the static model (20) and the prior steady-state value is utilized as an input to the dynamic model (22). The predicted dynamic output is then summed with the previous steady-state value to provide a predicted value Y.

Abstract: An apparatus which inserts electronic memory modules into test equipment via direct horizontal insertion eliminating the need for intermediary connectors or adapters. The apparatus incorporates guide rails that maintain precise alignment of the electronic memory modules through the testing apparatus, sensors and microprocessor controlled belt apparatus to clear the automated transport paths of electronic memory module handler apparatus and automatically stacks the tested electronic memory modules.

Abstract: A miniature implantable drug delivery capsule system. The drug delivery system (400) comprises one or more ball semiconductor aggregations (404) and (406) facilitating release of a drug stored in a reservoir (402). The first aggregate (404) is used for sensing and memory, and a second aggregation (406) for control aspects, such as for pumping and dispensing of the drug. Notably, the aggregates (404) and (406) may be interconnected by a common bus (410) for communication purposes, or may be implemented to operate independently of each other. Each aggregate (404) and (406) is encased in a semipermeable membrane (408) to allow species which are to be monitored, and drugs to be delivered, to freely diffuse. The system (400) may communicate with a remote control system, or operate independently on local power over a long period for delivery of the drug based upon a request of the patient, timed-release under control by the system (400), or delivery in accordance with measured markers.

Abstract: An interactive broadcast or cable television or radio system, consisting of a television or radio tuner data receiver for receiving telephone number or electronic address data, a memory for storing the telephone number or electronic address data, a visual display for indicating the telephone number or electronic address data is stored, a pushbutton or other activation device for activating retrieval from memory of the stored telephone number or electronic address data and output of the retrieved telephone number or electronic address data to an autodialer or other transmission device to be transmitted to an external location, uses a memory having dual port memory functionality in order for simultaneous or substantially simultaneous retrieval of stored telephone number or electronic address data and storing of newly received telephone number or electronic address data.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter configurable for converting both differential and single-ended analog signals. Charge sharing between two input capacitors and a DAC capacitor allow the full dynamic range of the ADC device to be used when full scale differential analog input signals are converted. When configured for single-ended operation, charge sharing of the half scale single-ended input analog voltage occurs between one input capacitor and the DAC capacitor to allow the full dynamic range of the ADC device to again be utilized.

Abstract: A multi-processor system includes a global bus (14) with a global address space and a plurality of processor nodes (10). Each of the processor nodes (10) has a CPU (20) interfaced with a local bus having a local address space. 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). This results in only a single access cycle for data transfer. Each of the CPU's (20) can communicate directly with another of the CPU's (20) through an interprocessor communication network.

Abstract: A dual-igniter airbag control switch is provided for a motor vehicle airbag system having a module with a plurality of igniters for causing an airbag to inflate, a diagnostic monitor that determines if a collision is occurring and initiates the igniters, and first and second wires extending between each of the igniters and the monitor for conveying signals between the module and the monitor. The control switch comprises a manually operable switch having portions connected to each of the first wires, for selectively providing continuity in the first wires between the monitor and each of the igniters while in an on position and breaking continuity of the first wires between the monitor and each of the igniters while in an off position.