Abstract: Described herein is a device and system for very low power wireless communication between small transceivers, which are applied to objects and remote databases or programs. The disclosed device and system requires so little energy that ordinary inexpensive coin cells can power a transceiver for many years. The system disclosed herein gives the benefits of true bi-directional interactive communication but at a very low cost and power requirement. The ability of the transceiver to respond using its own power source represents a fundamental advance in the state of the art over traditional RFID methods.

Abstract: A traffic barricade light is described. A housing comprises a collar, a bottom side, a height, a width and a depth. The housing is divided along an axis positioned within the depth. The housing comprises at least two angled walls on opposing shoulders of the housing within the depth at an oblique angle relative to the bottom side of the housing. Each angled wall comprises a recess and a passage from the recess to a compartment within the housing. A solar panel is coupled to each angled wall. The solar panels are electrically coupled in parallel with each other and with at least one rechargeable battery stored within the housing. A regulator circuit is electrically coupled between the at least two solar panels and the at least one rechargeable battery. A light source is electrically coupled to the battery. A lens is coupled to the collar.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to functional pathway configurations at the interfaces between integrated circuits (ICs) and the circuit assemblies with which the ICs communicate. More particularly, the present invention relates generally to the functional pathway configuration at the interface between a semiconductor device (e.g., computer chips like microcontrollers, microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), programmable gate arrays (PGA) and other devices and/or combinations thereof) and the circuitry of a system including the chip. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a 14-pin microcontroller functional pathway configuration for the interface between the microcontroller and a system in which the microcontroller is embedded to support infrared communications.

Abstract: A bistable memory device changes logic state each time an event occurs. The bistable memory device has an logic output coupled to a digital processor input. The digital processor reads the logic state of the bistable memory device from its logic output and compares the logic state read to a stored previous logic state obtained from a previous read. If the logic state read and the stored previous logic state are the same, then no event has occurred during the time between the read and previous read of the logic states of the bistable memory device. If different, then an event has occurred during the time between the read and previous read of the logic states of the bistable memory device. The event detection may be used in combination with a digital system communicating by serial digital data transmissions.

Abstract: A communications controller may be programmed to store an identification code (identification data string) for a produce device in a non-volatile read/write memory, e.g., an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), FLASH memory, etc. The identification string may be generic or unique for the device and may be programmed before, during or after manufacture of the device. In addition, the identification string may be reprogrammed whenever a change is made to the device, e.g., after an upgrade.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to functional pathway configurations at the interfaces between integrated circuits (ICs) and the circuit assemblies with which the ICs communicate. More particularly, the present invention relates generally to the functional pathway configuration at the interface between a semiconductor device (e.g., computer chips like microcontrollers, microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), programmable gate arrays (PGA) and other devices and/or combinations thereof) and the circuitry of a system including the chip. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a 14-pin microcontroller functional pathway configuration for the interface between the microcontroller and a system in which the microcontroller is embedded to support infrared communications.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to functional pathway configurations at the interfaces between integrated circuits (ICs) and the circuit assemblies with which the ICs communicate. More particularly, the present invention relates generally to the functional pathway configuration at the interface between a semiconductor device (e.g., computer chips like microcontrollers, microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), programmable gate arrays (PGA) and other devices and/or combinations thereof) and the circuitry of a system including the chip. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to an IC functional pathway configuration for the interface between the IC and a system in which the IC is embedded to support infrared communications.

Abstract: A communications controller may be programmed to store an identification code (identification data string) for a produce device in a non-volatile read/write memory, e.g., an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), FLASH memory, etc. The identification string may be generic or unique for the device and may be programmed before, during or after manufacture of the device. In addition, the identification string may be reprogrammed whenever a change is made to the device, e.g., after an upgrade.

Abstract: An infrared encoder/decoder selects the data rate of a serial transmission of data by changing an input clock speed, setting the operating characteristics of a clock divider circuit by hardware inputs or selecting a clock speed by software commands that program the operating characteristics of a clock divider circuit. Having three alternate ways, two hardware and one software, of selecting the data rate of the serial transmission allows greater flexibility in the application and interfacing of a single integrated circuit package infrared encoder/decoder with all types of digital logic circuits and systems. An encoder/decoder having standard pulse width output and input compatibility with infrared industry standards, e.g., IrDA, and infrared transceivers is achieved in a flexible and cost effective low power integrated circuit package.

Abstract: A bistable memory device changes logic state each time an event occurs. The bistable memory device has an logic output coupled to a digital processor input. The digital processor reads the logic state of the bistable memory device from its logic output and compares the logic state read to a stored previous logic state obtained from a previous read. If the logic state read and the stored previous logic state are the same, then no event has occurred during the time between the read and previous read of the logic states of the bistable memory device. If different, then an event has occurred during the time between the read and previous read of the logic states of the bistable memory device. The event detection may be used in combination with a digital system communicating by serial digital data transmissions.