Abstract: A capacitor is connected to the output of a multiphase power converter, and a current-driven device (e.g., LED or laser diode) is also connected to the power converter output. A solid state switch (FET or IGBT) is connected in series with the current-driven device. Means are provided for sensing current through the current-driven device. An error amplifier compares sensed current through the current-driven device with a current level demand signal and controls the output of the power converter. Means are provided for turning the switch on and off and may be (i) a fast comparator receiving a voltage reference signal at one input and the current level demand signal at another input, and outputting the switch on/off signal to the switch or (ii) an externally-generated logic signal provided directly to the switch.

Abstract: A compact personal token apparatus (100,120,140,200,220,300,320,500), resembling a conventional USB memory fob in size, shape, and form which can be plugged into a PC and interfaced with the virtual world of the Internet. The apparatus is capable of loading and storing information from the Internet, via the PC to its flash memory (410) or EEPROM and then using the stored information or value via its contactless interface (108,128,148,508) in the real world. The apparatus is capable of implementing an auto-run application, when inserted into a personal computer. The apparatus is capable of exchanging information with other devices having compatible interfaces. The apparatus can also function as a firewall (400) when plugged between an Internet connection and a PC.

Abstract: The light output intensity of incandescent lamps and LEDs connected to a common lamp power bus are controlled using a composite waveform having two power components: a pulse-width modulated (PWM) component and a direct current DC component. The DC component is maintained below the turn-on voltage for the LEDs. The PWM component controls the light intensity of the LEDs; and the DC component is calculated as a quadrature power series, taking into account that the PWM component contributes to the light intensity of the incandescent lamps. The frequency and slew rate of the PWM component are selected to minimize EMI. A small steady state power component is provided to keep the LEDs slightly turned on to minimize EMI.

Abstract: A mask (stencil) having cells (openings) is disposed on a surface of a heater stage, and is then filled (printed) with solder paste. Then a substrate is assembled to the opposite side of the mask. Then the solder paste is reflowed. This may be done partially inverted. Then the mask is separated from the substrate, either before or after cooling. Solder balls are thus formed on the substrate, which may be a semiconductor wafer. A biased chuck urges the substrate into intimate contact with the mask. A method for printing the mask with solder paste is described. Methods of forming high aspect ratio solder bumps (including balls and reflowable interconnect structures) are described.

Abstract: Current (ip) flowing in the primary of a transformer in a full wave bridge converter is monitored and compared against thresholds (+imax, +imin, ?imax, ?imin). When the input voltage is adequate, the full wave bridge converter is operated in a normal manner. When the input voltage is insufficient to cause the current ip ramp reach the first threshold before a first predetermined timeout period (t1), the pulse is truncated and a next portion of the cycle is initiated and, providing that the current at the end of the first timeout period exceeds a second, lower threshold current (+imin), continuing to operate the full wave bridge converter in a normal manner.

Abstract: An integrated circuit architecture for multimedia processing. A single integrated circuit (IC) operates as a system or subsystem, and is adaptable to processing a variety of multimedia algorithms, whether proprietary or open. Hard macros, either analog or digital, can be incorporated. The IC can also contain audio/video CODECs to suit different standards, as well as other peripheral devices which may be required for multimedia applications. An electronic component (e.g., integrated circuit) incorporating the technique is suitably included in a system or subsystem having electrical functionality, such as general purpose computers, telecommunications devices, and the like.

Abstract: An improved load restraint system and method for protecting and supporting loads, such as cargo, especially during transit movement. The load restraint system and method compensates for various attitude, altitude and ambient pressure changes while maintaining sufficient restraining supportive force on the cargo. One embodiment maintains ambient pressure sensing with pressure/volume fluid compensation to an inflatable bladder responsive to ambient pressure changes within the cargo container. Another embodiment permits inflation of a rigidifying bladder to provide in-situ rigid support for the cargo, included during ambient pressure changes within the cargo container.

Abstract: Fast rise time to high currents in a load such as a laser diode array is achieved by connecting an inductor between a power supply and an end of the diode array. A switching element, is connected between the other end of the diode array and ground. A shunt switch is connected across the diode array. When the shunt switch is opened, energy stored in the inductor is suddenly delivered to the diode array. A diode may be connected between the other end of the diode array and the input of the driver. A current monitor may be connected in series with the diode array. An overall system comprises the diode array driver(s) and at least a portion of the power supply-namely, an energy storage capacitor. A value for energy storage capacitor in the power supply may be selected to produce a maximally flat-top pulse shape. A source voltage provided by the power supply may be greater than, substantially equal to, or less than the voltage required by the diode.

Abstract: In a laser rangefinder receiver, a return signal from a light-sensitive detector is passed through a high-pass filter, and is then processed in two separate circuit paths, a “signal” path and a “noise” path. The “signal” path employs a time-variable offset scheme to control receiver sensitivity. The “noise” path measures noise in the return signal, and maintain a noise-based threshold independent of the time-variable sensitivity of the “signal” path. No interstage coupling capacitors are employed, which contributes greatly to the receiver's quick saturation recovery.

Abstract: A non-delayed input signal is provided to a first comparator input and, a delayed input signal is applied to a second comparator input. An offset voltage is applied between the delayed and non-delayed signals at the comparator inputs. When an input pulse appears on the input signal, the non-delayed input signal will rise immediately and maintain itself more positive than the delayed input, keeping the comparator output inactive. As long as the input signal is rising, the comparator output is maintained low, or inactive. When the non-delayed signal reaches its peak and turns downward, the delayed input signal is still rising and crosses over the first pulse, creating a change of state at the comparator output to a high or active state. The signal edge resulting from this change of start represents initial detection of an input pulse. The time of occurrence of this detection edge is substantially independent of the pulse amplitude.

Abstract: A low-noise current source driver for a laser diode load is achieved by means of a current-regulated supply connected across the load, and a shunt regulator. The shunt regulator comprises a shunting element, a current sensing element for sensing current conducted through the load, and an error amplifier responsive to a difference between the current sensed by the current sensing element and a first reference current. The current regulator is designed to respond to a signal a signal representative of a second reference current to produce an appropriate corresponding output current. The shunting element is connected across the power supply and load, and is controlled by the error amplifier to conduct all current from the current regulated supply in excess of the first reference current.

Abstract: An improved load restraint system and method for protecting and supporting loads, such as cargo, especially during transit movement. The load restraint system and method compensates for various attitude, altitude and ambient pressure changes while maintaining sufficient restraining supportive force on the cargo. One embodiment maintains ambient pressure sensing with pressure/volume fluid compensation to an inflatable bladder responsive to ambient pressure changes within the cargo container. Another embodiment permits inflation of a rigidifying bladder to provide in-situ rigid support for the cargo, included during ambient pressure changes within the cargo container.

Abstract: An efficient DSP or MPU is combined with efficient DRAM on a single IC die. To optimize the embedded memory, the chip includes wide-band connections to DRAM. Row and column addresses of DRAM can be applied at the same time using wide address busses. Additional metal lines lower the resistance of the word line in the DRAM circuits. For certain process steps, the processor block is masked off and the process steps unique to the fabrication of memory are performed on the memory block, and vice-versa. Process steps which are common to the processor and memory blocks can be performed simultaneously on the processor and memory blocks without masking off either block. Certain process steps can be employed in the fabrication of the one of the two processor and memory blocks in addition to or in lieu of processes normally used in the fabrication of that block. An electronic component (e.g.

Abstract: One or more antennas are formed on an integrated circuit (IC) chip and connected to other circuitry on the IC chip. Antenna configurations include loop, multi-turn loop, square spiral, long wire, or dipole. The antenna may be formed to have two or more segments which can selectively be connected to one another to alter an effective length of the antenna. Two antennas may be formed in two different metallization layers separated by an insulating layer. Additionally, an antenna may be incorporated in a heat sink structure that is joined to the IC chip. IC chips having antennas are suitably included in a system or subsystem having electrical functionality, such as general purpose computers, telecommunications devices, and the like.

Abstract: An interface device is provided which enables communications between devices having disparate protocols (e.g., USB and Ethernet), and can be fabricated on a single integrated circuit (IC) chip. A system incorporating the interface device provides plug-and-play capability for both MAC and nonMAC environments. A “smart” cable incorporating the interface device has the ability to recognize what type of external device using what type of protocol is connected to the “other” end of the cable, thereby enabling a host to communicate with the external device. An electronic component (e.g., integrated circuit) incorporating the technique is suitably included in a system or subsystem having electrical functionality, such as general purpose computers, telecommunications devices, and the like.

Abstract: A self-contained device is disclosed for directing a fluid stream containing particulate matter against a surface to abrade, etch, erase, cut, smooth, clean, polish and harden the surface. In tile preferred embodiments of the invention, the particulate matter is contained within the device and a carrier fluid, under pressure, introduced therein and mixes with the particles to produce a fluid stream that can be delivered to a target surface. The device can be powered and/or energized by a source of compressed gas which is coupled to the device through a fixture designed for that purpose. The invention also includes a method for delivery of a particle stream, under pressure, to a target surface, and, to tile selective modification of tile target surface depending upon the hardness of the particle, the velocity of impact thereof and the extent of the exposure of the target surface to tile particle stream.

Abstract: Improvements to self-replicating duplex forms are disclosed. Generally, a single sheet of paper is divided into original and copy panels by fold line, and carbonless coatings are applied to the panels so that information entered on the two, front and back surfaces of the original panel are reproduced on the two surfaces of the copy panel. An endorsable carbonless CB coating is applied to the original panel, either at the mill or on-press. A carbonless CF coating is applied to the copy panel so that the coated copy panel is substantially the same thickness as the coated original panel. Specific areas for filling out information on the original panel are offset, from front-to-back, and methods of checking this offset are disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for significantly improving the reliability of multilevel (MLT) memory architecture. Before writing to MLT architecture, each MLT word is encoded into a coded bit stream in such a way that the resultant coded data contains the original word plus additional digits which are a function of the content of memory. During the reading of the memory, the stored data is decoded, and takes advantage of redundancy to correct and eliminate errors introduced during read and write operations of the MLT architecture. The invention is useful for systems such as general-purpose computers (PCs, workstations, etc.), telecommunications devices (telephones—wired and wireless, switches, hubs, routers, etc.), audio and visual devices (recording and playback, editing, format switching, compression, etc.), vehicles (automobiles, aircraft, trains, boats, satellites, spacecraft, etc.). Systems and subsystems may be incorporated on a single integrated circuit (IC) die having MLT RAM or enhanced MLT memory.

Abstract: An integrated circuit architecture for multimedia processing. A single integrated circuit (IC) operates as a system or subsystem, and is adaptable to processing a variety of multimedia algorithms, whether proprietary or open. Hard macros, either analog or digital, can be incorporated. The IC can also contain audio/video CODECs to suit different standards, as well as other peripheral devices which may be required for multimedia applications. An electronic component (e.g., integrated circuit) incorporating the technique is suitably included in a system or subsystem having electrical functionality, such as general purpose computers, telecommunications devices, and the like.

Abstract: Programmability for on-chip passive components such as resistors, capacitors and inductors is achieved by forming a first passive component such as a resistor, capacitor or inductor, and at least one additional passive component (again, such as resistor, capacitor or inductor), and at least one means for selectively switching selected ones of the at least two additional passive components in series or in parallel with the first passive component are provided on an integrated circuit (IC) chip. The series/parallel connected first passive component and additional passive components are connected between two terminals of the IC chip whereat it is desired to establish a passive component value (e.g., resistance, capacitance or inductance). In this manner, one of a plurality of possible total (overall) values may be established.