Abstract: An improved bump fabrication process is described that produces a larger diameter/taller solder ball than with a standard mushroom by forming an elongated mushroom having a short axis in the direction of adjacent connection mushrooms and an elongated axis orthogonal to the short axis. The increased larger volume solder when reflowed produces the larger diameter/taller bolder ball bump.

Abstract: A graphing calculator (10) having manual line drawing capability. The calculator (10) is programmed to receive data representing the begin point and end point of a line (FIGS. 7 and 8), and to then draw a line that includes these points (FIG. 9). The display includes a display of the line equation (FIG. 9). The slope and y-intercept of the line may be adjusted using cursor direction keys. As the line is adjusted, it is redrawn and the line equation is re-calculated and displayed (FIG. 10).

Abstract: A transimpedance amplifier circuit comprising transistors, a constant current source, a load resistor, and the feedback resistor with a shunt circuitry consisting of the additional transistors, which are driven for example with electrically adjustable voltage sources. In a bipolar npn implementation the amplifier stage consists of a common emitter input transistor Q1, a transistor Q2 with its base connected to the collector of the first transistor operates as an emitter follower. A resistor RF connected between the emitter of said second transistor and the base of said first transistor provides a voltage controlled current feedback from the amplifier output to its input. The output voltage VOUT is generated at the emitter node of said second transistor. A shunt circuitry consists of a third and a fourth transistor Q3 and Q4 connected in shunt across resistor RF. In an embodiment, the base node voltages of the transistors Q3 and Q4 are adjusted by control voltage sources.

Abstract: To provide high quality coding with respect to both interlace video and progressive video. It is a coding method for image signals, which includes the steps of dividing the picture elements within 1 macroblock of input image signals into multiple groups, totalling each group as interlace video by executing DCT (block 31), comparing said totalled result and the result of DCT (block 32) executed with respect to the entire picture elements within said 1 macroblock, and selecting one of the DCT results (block 34).

Abstract: A circuit for power amplification for an audio amplifier that reduces power supply noise amplified to the load. The circuit takes the prior art circuit's existing output coupling cap and power supply decoupling cap and connecting them in series from the power supply to ground. The output of the amplifier is then directly coupled to the load and the other side of the load is connected at the “null point” between the two capacitors.

Abstract: A signal line drive circuit for an LCD display having a reduced chip size and circuit scale. The drive part for two neighboring channels has a pair of registers 10L and 10R, a pair of first data latch circuits 12L and 12R, a pair of first switching circuits 14L and 14R, a pair of second data latch circuits 16L and 16R, a pair of level shifters 18L and 18R, a pair of D/A converters 20L and 20R, a pair of output amplifiers 22L and 22R, a pair of second switching circuits 24L and 24R, and a pair of output pads 26L and 26R. All K positive gray-scale voltages V1-VK are supplied to the left-side D/A converter 20L from gray-scale voltage generating circuit 28. On the other hand, all K negative gray-scale voltages V′K-V′1 are supplied to the right-side D/A converter 20R from gray-scale voltage generating circuit 28.

Abstract: A batteryless transponder (10) which acquires its supply energy in that it rectifies an RF interrogation pulse transmitted by an interrogation device during a reception phase and that it uses the direct current so obtained to charge a storage device which serves as a supply voltage source during a transmission phase. In response to the reception of the RF interrogation pulse, the transponder transmits the information stored in it, wherein the coil of a tuned circuit serves as an antenna for both the reception of the interrogation pulse and the transmission of the information. The transponder contains a controllable switching device (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) which disconnects the tuned circuit (26) from the supply source during the transmission phase, and connects it to the supply voltage source only for a duration which is short as compared with a quarter period of the resonant oscillations, depending on the occurrence of each oscillation minimum of the resonant oscillations.

Abstract: In a circuit assembly for generating pulses sustaining or “plucking” RF oscillations in a resonant circuit (12) of transponder (10) having no battery power supply in which the supply voltage needed for its operation is obtained from a RF carrier oscillation pulse defined in time exciting the resonant circuit into oscillation and used to charge a storage element whose charging voltage forms the supply voltage, a plucking pulse is generated every time the amplitude of the RF oscillations drops below a defined threshold value and its momentary value is in a defined relationship to a reference voltage (VPEAK) changing in time as the charging voltage of a capacitor (70). A switch (24) is provided which can be switched on for the duration of the plucking pulse (PLUCK) for connecting the storage element (20) to the resonant circuit (12).

Abstract: A graphing calculator (10) or other computer based teaching tool that displays inequalities on a display screen. In contrast to prior art devices, the present invention provides displays of inequalities that are mathematically correct and consistent with non-electronic display of inequalities such as textbooks and black board representations to reinforce traditional teaching methods and help the student or user to readily see and understand the mathematical concepts involved. The display methods of the present invention are particularly useful for small, low-resolution displays that are typical of handheld computers and calculators.

Abstract: A method to more accurately monitor remaining battery life under varying load conditions. The measured battery voltage is adjusted for the current load and then used to determine the remaining battery life according to the battery voltage discharge curve for the battery type and chemistry. Advantageously, in an embodiment the present invention the remaining battery life can be determined despite fluctuations in the current due to a changing load and without monitoring current flow so that the determination of battery life is independent of the battery charging process.

Abstract: A robust, low inductance electronic package for small area semiconductor chips is provided which includes a flexible polymer film having electronic circuitry on one or more major surfaces, a bumped flip chip integrated circuit attached to the first surface, an array of solder balls to the second surface, and the device encapsulated in a plastic molding compound. An assembly and packaging method is disclosed wherein multiple devices are encapsulated simultaneously on a continuous polymer film, thereby providing a method compatible with high volume and low cost manufacturing processes and equipment.

Abstract: An improved bump fabrication process is described that produces a larger diameter/taller solder ball than with a standard mushroom by forming an elongated mushroom having a short axis in the direction of adjacent connection mushrooms and an elongated axis orthogonal to the short axis. The increased larger volume solder when reflowed produces the larger diameter/taller bolder ball bump.

Abstract: An improved wafer level encapsulated micro-electromechanical device fabricated on a semiconductor wafer and a method of manufacture using state-of-the-art wafer fabrication and packaging technology. The device is contained within a hermetic cavity produced by bonding a silicon wafer with active circuits to an etched silicon wafer having cavities which surround each device, and bonding the two wafer by either thin film glass seal or by solder seal. The etched wafer and thin film sealing allow conductors to be kept to a minimum length and matched for improved electrical control of the circuit. Further, the device has capability for a ground ring in the solder sealed device. The devices may be packaged in plastic packages with wire bond technology or may be solder connected to an area array solder connected package.

Abstract: A coding scheme for digital audio signals. A method of coding a unary digital audio signal is provided for compressing a set of unary digital audio signal data comprising a succession of absolute amplitude values associated with respective sample periods of the digital audio signal, the absolute amplitude values being integers of positive or zero value, representing the number of speaker elements of a unary digital loudspeaker that are to be active in a sample period. The data is compressed by calculating the numerical difference between adjacent ones of the absolute amplitude values, thereby to convert the succession of absolute amplitude values into a corresponding succession of difference amplitude values. Each difference amplitude values is expressed as a sign bit and a plurality of data bits, representing the change in the number of speaker elements of a unary digital loudspeaker that are to be active in a given sample period relative to the immediately preceding sample period.

Abstract: Procedure for the determination of the consumption of electrical energy by a consumer in a procedure for the determination of the consumption of electrical energy by a consumer, the sinusoidal alternating voltage applied to the consumer and the sinusoidal alternating current flowing to the consumer are measured at points in time which correspond to a pre-determined sampling rate. Products are formed of the values measured, and the products are added together for the duration of the energy consumption by the consumer. For each voltage value measured at a voltage-measurement point in time, in accordance with the timing interval of the sampling period, current values are measured at points &Dgr;t before the voltage measurement point in time and at &Dgr;t after the voltage measurement point in time.

Abstract: A function graphing method for detecting discontinuities. The method involves scanning piecewise linear segments of the function graph and detecting large changes in the angle between segments. When such changes in angle are found, a bisection routine is performed to determine whether a discontinuity exists between the end points of a segment.

Abstract: A technique for translating design test bench generated signals into an Automated-Test-Equipment compatible format using existing digital pattern conversion tools. The technique uses sigma-delta modulation technology to allow conversion of analog and mixed signal stimuli into digital representations that can be converted for use in the target tester using existing digital pattern conversion tools.

Abstract: A security system to enable authenticated access of an individual to a protected area, including a remote control unit (22) with a transponder (28), carried by the individual, which transmits an identification code group on reception of an interrogation signal. A control unit located within the protected area transmits an interrogation signal when activated by the individual, and verifies the identification code group received from the transponder. Access to the protected area will only be permitted on positive verification of the right to access. The transponder (28), contained within the remote control unit (22), is a passive transponder which obtains a supply voltage from the interrogation signal transmitted by the control unit (16) and then feeds this to a supply voltage rail.

Abstract: A hard disk drive (HDD) circuit (10) having feedback provided to an input of an differential amplifier setting the amplifier input impedance close to a flexible printed circuit (FPC) characteristic impedance. A matched source and input impedance produces a generally flat gain frequency response. As the result of flat response and wider gain bandwidth, white noise without high frequency peaking can be obtained. Feedback resistors (R5) provide feedback according to the present invention which is superior in terms of the input referred noise since the feedback attenuates both the input signal from the sensor and the noise from the amplifier. Feedback resistors (R5) may be connected through AC coupling capacitors to compensate the voltage differences between amplifier input and output. The circuit of the present invention provides a method to connect the feedback resistors directly from amplifier outputs to inputs which have a different potential.

Abstract: An interface (10) for connecting a calculator (12) to a standard television (11), so that the calculator's display can be re-displayed on the television (1). The interface (10) is useful with different calculators having different display formats. Reformatting of the input signal is accomplished by dividing format detection and reformatting tasks between a field programmable gate array (21) and a microprocessor (23).