Abstract: Optimal design method and apparatus for synchronous digital circuits by retiming through selective flipflop positioning and electronic circuit configuration produced by executing the method. The method is for designing a synchronous digital electronic circuit that comprises cells and clocked flipflops interconnected by nets and running at a predetermined clock period, operates as follows. First, uniform-directedly as starting from any cell for any sub-path emanating therefrom its associated delay is accumulated. Next, if for such sub-path the accumulation result exceeds a predetermined integer number of clock periods. The sub-path in question is signalled for subsequent provision with such integer number of flipflops and its accumulation is terminated. Finally, all elementary cell-to-cell connections are provided with flipflops in minimal accordance with said signalling. The invention is particularly advantageous with large circuits such as used in digital video processors and with small clock periods.

Abstract: Data rate and robustness of digital error protection is improved according to the method and device of the present invention to obviate the need for audio interpolation and consequently, to be useful in fields where audio interpolation cannot be done without complex encoding and decoding strategies. Digital information signals are transferred in the form of a plurality of a number of sequences of information symbols. Each information symbol has a uniform bit length and each sequence of information symbols occurs in a respective input channel. Check words are included in transmitted digital information signals and are encoded to allow correction of erroneous symbols caused on transmission.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus comprises apparatus arranged to model a number of modules (302,314) with each module containing a number of interconnected behaviours (320-325). A behaviour identified as a marker (304) is able to access a behaviour (321) within another module via an identify link (306) and from information denoting that behaviour within a look-up table (312) held in a further behaviour (310). Having established access, a direct identify link (316) can be set up between the selected behaviour (321) and a nominated behaviour (318) within the module containing the marker. This direct identify link is maintained when the identify link between the marker and the further behaviour is terminated, allowing the marker to go on and establish other direct links (330) to the internal behaviours of other modules (336).

Abstract: A processing device performs operations in response to program instructions. In particular, values are written to a data memory of the system, which alters a defined visible state of the system. In the event of an exception (e.g. a pagefault or TLB miss in a virtual memory system), control returns to a recent checkpoint instruction after handling the exception, and instructions are re-executed. A record/replay circuit is provided in the form of an event memory, which remembers only those values read from the data memory since the last checkpoint. During the re-execution, the recorded values are reproduced instead of performing actual memory reads, and all memory accesses are suppressed. When the re-execution reaches the point where execution was originally interrupted, recording begins again to prepare for any further exception which may arise before the next checkpoint.

Abstract: A microcontroller with selectable function external pins. Program controllable configuration registers control pin function selection through multiplexers which select between data/address lines and special function unit output lines and which control line drivers which are disabled when the pins are used as input pins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a telecommunication device having software that is used for controlling function routines, which software includes several separately compilable program units. To reduce the time necessary for manufacturing the telecommunication device and the time necessary for implementing software changes, the program units each have a header which contains addresses (Ap1, Ap2, Ad) used for addressing procedures and/or data combined in the program units. Furthermore, a catalogue is provided which is available to all the loaded program units, which catalogue contains references for addressing the headers of the program units. Within the framework of the manufacture of the telecommunication device, the predefined program units need not be linked when the software of the telecommunication device is implemented.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus includes apparatus for modelling asynchronous logic circuits as at least two of circuit elements the functions of which are governed by a set of rules each defining a response to a given condition. For elements functioning as registers (x,b) a "copy" rule may be applied to at least one of them (x) with the associated response to the copy rule being the change of the output state of that register element (218,220) in response to a change of output state of a further register element (b) identified by the copy rule. A further "identify" rule (200-226) may be applied to pairs of the register elements (x,b), according to which rule copy rules are applied to each element of the pair (216-222) in respect of changes of output state of the other. The apparatus may be arranged to model a number of asynchronous logic circuits in a working memory area with interconnections between such circuits being established by use of the identify rule.

Abstract: An interactive entertainment apparatus and a method for controlling the same are described, in which the apparatus presents to the user a branch structured narrative (90), and user input determines which path (A,B) is followed at at least one narrative branch point (92). The user is enabled to selectively capture predetermined pieces of narrative information at interaction points (72) and subsequently reintroduce them at a later interaction point (73). Branch point selection is then handled by the apparatus in dependence on which information was reintroduced and at what point in the narrative. On-screen guidance is provided to the user in terms of interaction point indicators, and reminder artefacts for captured information in the form of miniaturized still pictures from the narrative.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus includes a programmable event filter (18) which identifies the occurrence of a predetermined signal (such as a memory address location) on a signal path of a programmed device such as a CD-i player. On detection, one or more successive bus signals are captured in a buffer (20) and subsequently written to storage (14) for processing by an internal processor (10) or the bus signals are sent over a bidirectional communications link (16) to a host device implementing suitable data processing algorithms. A particular use for the monitoring apparatus is in non-intrusive debugging of programmed devices taking account of their operating systems.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for enabling user interaction with a branch-structured narrative entertainment (90) in which branch path selection (A,B,C) is made at least partially in response to user input. A user is provided with a non-volatile memory, such as a smart card, in which memory is stored data specifying a record of past user interactions. This data is periodically checked and updated by the apparatus and, at one or more branch points (92) of the narrative, access to one or more branch paths (A,B,C) is enabled or denied on the basis of the stored user history.

Abstract: A neural net has a physical topology independent of its functional topology. Cells, being functional equivalents of synapses, are concatenated to form a unidirectional data path. The cells are connected in parallel to a bus for individual or parallel control The respective synapses contributions to a neuron potential are individually calculated in each respective cell involved. Each cell in the concatenation either is rendered transparent or adds its contribution to the data received from the preceding cell and supplies this sum to the next cell. Preferably, the allocation of the synapses to the cells is programmable.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus includes a unit (60,68) for modelling a first asynchronous logic circuit as a plurality of circuit elements the functions of which are governed by a set of rules each defining a response to a given condition. For elements functioning as registers, units are provided to apply a constraint (for example an algebraic or Boolean relationship) linking the internal values or output states of two or more of the registers. In response to a change in the internal value or output state of one of the registers, the corresponding one of the internal value or output state of the or one of the other registers is modified to maintain validity of the constraint. Each of the registers has a pointer (VP) to a respective data value or constraint information held in storage (67).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for user interaction with a branch-structured narrative entertainment, where user input influences the selection of paths at branch points. A user interface (14) holds a record of the narrative structure (48) with the audio and video components being called up from remote or local storage as required. A record is kept (52) of previous user interactions during a narrative and, for one or more branch points, path selection is made by the apparatus at least partially on the basis of the accumulated record.

Abstract: An image rendering system renders a color image in which each pixel is associated with a respective aim color value. A quantizer selecta a respective quantized value indicating a color from a palette of colors for each pixel, in dependence on the aim color value associated with that pixel. The pixels are rendered with the colors indicated by the respective quantized values. The palette consists of a proper subset of the set of all colors that the aim color values can represent, and contains at least one palette color which does not lie on an RGB boundary, and is perceptually closer than any other of the palette color values to an RGB boundary color belonging to said set. For pixels for which the aim color value represents said RGB boundary color the quantizer means selects a quantized value indicating a further palette color, that lies on the RGB boundary.

Abstract: In order to expand the address range of the program counter in a microprocessor, a register is provided as an additional special-function register which actually consists of two separate registers which are connected in series. One register supplies the most-significant address bits via an AND-gate and is also coupled to the internal data bus. The register contents are automatically changed when the program counter passes the end position or the starting position. In the case of program jumps, the old contents of the register are also stored in the stack; this requires only few additional instructions from the standard instruction set. In the case of an interrupt, the AND-gate is blocked, so that automatically the first segment of the program memory with the interrupt programs is addressed. A linear expansion of the program address range is thus achieved without degrading the compatibility.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data processing system, having a number of data processing units and a program memory for instruction words, each of which has separate command fields for the various data processing units so that the data processing units can be independently controlled by means of a program. The data terminals of the data processing units are interconnected via various buses. The connections established by the buses are controlled, via an expander, by way of a control field in the instruction word. The expander provides a limited repertory of feasible connections, selected in dependence on the type of program.

Abstract: An audio-visual arrangement, more particularly, a multi-media terminal, includes a picture screen on which pictures can be displayed. The arrangement further includes a plurality of electro-acoustic converters for reproducing sound that corresponds to audio information generated by the audio signal source. The converters are positioned at regular mutual distances along one side of the picture screen. The ratio of the strength of the control signals applied to the converters has values for which a sound wave concentration is obtained in a listening/viewing area situated dead opposite to the picture screen. With the audio-visual arrangement the nuisance of noise experienced in a living space and/or working space by persons other than the user of the arrangement remains limited. A further reduction of the nuisance can be obtained by a system in which the audio-visual arrangement is combined with means for active noise abatement.

Abstract: A processing device includes an imitation multiport memory circuit (10) interconnecting inputs and outputs of a group of functional units (F1, . . . FN), all operating under control of a single series of very long program instructions. The memory circuit (10) comprises a plurality of separate memory units (15), each having a read port (12) connected to a respective functional unit input, and a crossbar switching circuit (18) connected between the functional unit outputs and write ports of the separate memory units. The memory circuit (10) provides substantially the same performance as a true multiport memory but requires a smaller circuit area, allowing a larger processing device to be integrated in one chip than previously. Collisions for access to a memory unit write port can be resolved without rescheduling by use of a delay element (21,70) and/or an additional write port (82) to a memory unit.

Abstract: A control system comprises modules, and control means to control assignment of addresses to the modules. Each particular module has a particular number. The control means iteratively determines which one of the modules has an extreme one among the particular numbers. Each module is stimulated to conditionally respond if its particular number lies within a certain range. The range is altered until the module with the extreme is found. This process is repeated for the next lower extreme until all modules have been validated. Addresses are then created and stored in the modules for access during operational use.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a baffle (41) and a loudspeaker (1). The stiffness of the loudspeaker chassis is dimensioned so as to reduce transmission of vibrations from the loudspeaker to the baffle.