Abstract: A hand-held toy is disclosed having portions which may be detached with an audible “snap” and interchanged in a variety of combinations. Various embodiments of the present invention may comprise a plush toy, a cloth- or fabric-covered toy and a wire frame toy having a pliant endoskeleton covered by a polymer or the like to allow the toy to be bent into a variety of positions. The plush toy, the cloth-covered toy or the fabric-covered toy may also include a pliant endoskeleton allowing it to be bent into a variety of positions. Each of the above-described embodiments includes appendages or portions that may be detached with an audible snap and interchanged in a variety of combinations.

Abstract: A tool is employed in conjunction with alignment, depth, and level detectors. The tool can use all or some of these detectors. The alignment detector provides an orthogonal laser line grid on an incident surface when the detector has a predefined relationship with the surface. The depth detector emits two sets of parallel laser planes that converge with each other. When the laser planes impact on an incident surface two sets of lines are formed. The laser lines from one laser plane set move closer to the lines from the other laser plane set as the depth detector moves closer to the surface—showing changes in depth or distance. The level detector employs two converging laser planes. An operator positions the level detector above an incident surface, so the laser planes' line of intersection appears on the surface if the surface is level. If the surface is not level, lines separate from each laser plane appear on the surface—signaling the need for a level adjustment.

Abstract: An output driver circuit and current control technique to facilitate high-speed buses with low noise is used to interface with high-speed dynamic RAMs (DRAMs). The architecture includes the following components: an input isolation block (120), an analog voltage divider (104), an input comparator (125), a sampling latch (130), a current control counter (115), and a bitwise output driver (output driver A 107 and output driver B 111).

Abstract: A position-sense interface with improved transfer characteristics. Electrical position detection circuitry, which may be substantially time-multiplexed or frequency-multiplexed, comprises a differential charge integrator with input-sensed output-driven common mode feedback. By placing sense capacitors in the feedback loop of said differential charge integrator with input-sensed output-driven common mode feedback, improved position sensing linearity is attained. In some embodiments of the invention, a compensating charge is applied to the sense capacitors in a fashion that minimizes the output common mode shift of the opamp. The magnitude of the compensating charge may be preset at a substantially constant level, or derived by a feedback loop that measures the shift in output common mode voltage in response to an excitation signal and adjusts the magnitude of the compensating charge to drive said shift towards zero.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for enhancing video by use of a virtual surface. One or more positions are identified in a first image. These one or more positions are transformed to one or more locations in relation to the virtual surface. In subsequent video images (e.g. fields, frames, or other units), the one or more locations in relation to said virtual surface are transformed to one or more positions in the subsequent video images. The subsequent video images are enhanced based on the one or more transformed positions.

Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor memory system (or other type of memory system) is programmed in a manner that avoids program disturb. In one embodiment that includes a flash memory system using a NAND architecture, program disturb is avoided by increasing the channel potential of the source side of the NAND string during the programming process. One exemplar implementation includes applying a voltage (e.g. Vdd) to the source contact and turning on the source side select transistor for the NAND sting corresponding to the cell being inhibited. Another implementation includes applying a pre-charging voltage to the unselected word lines of the NAND string corresponding to the cell being inhibited prior to applying the program voltage.

Abstract: An integrated circuit memory device that include an input receiver, an output driver, and a capacitive coupling element. The capacitive coupling element includes a first capacitor electrode and a second capacitor electrode. The first capacitor electrode is coupled to the input receiver and the output driver, an the second capacitor electrode couples to an external signal line. Delay modulated data is received by the input receiver from the external signal line via the capacitive coupling element.

Abstract: A laser alignment device provides horizontal and vertical reference planes, lines, and points. The alignment device includes a pendulum assembly that supports a laser beam source assembly, two reflectors, and two motors. The laser beam source directs beams onto the reflectors—producing a horizontal reference beam and a vertical reference beam. Each reflector is rotated by one of the motors. Continuous rotation generates a reference plane; dithering generates a reference line, and no movement results in a reference point. The pendulum assembly includes a coarse pendulum that supports a fine pendulum, as well as the rotating motors and beam reflectors. The coarse pendulum roughly levels the alignment device. The fine pendulum supports the laser beam source assembly and brings the alignment device to a level position. The laser alignment device also includes a motor control system that enables users to accurately position the device's references.

Abstract: A device, a system, a method and a computer readable medium allowing a user to efficiently and easily add/remove or pair a processing device to a short distance wireless network is provided according to embodiments of the present invention. A user enters a PIN into a device. The device is then automatically paired to another device without any further user intervention to form a short distance wireless network in an embodiment of the present invention. A third party such as a manufacturer, reseller or telecommunication provider enables a processing device to be added to the short distance wireless network by generating a pairing message over the Internet or a SMS in an embodiment of the present invention. A user is able to know when a PIN code is invalid by a device performing error detection in another embodiment of the present invention. In still another embodiment of the present invention, the device also stores an error correction software component for correcting an erroneously inputted PIN.

Abstract: The invention provides an ultrasonic monitor for measuring pulse rate values in a living subject, including a module with at least one source of ultrasonic energy, a gel pad comprised of a polymer and from about 50 to about 95% by weight of an ultrasound conductive diluent, wherein the gel pad is positioned in direct contact between the module and the living subject; an ultrasonic energy detector and associated hardware and software for detecting, calculating and displaying a readout of the measured rate values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for initializing dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices is provided wherein a channel is levelized by determining the response time of each of a number of DRAM devices coupled to a bus. Determining the response time for a DRAM device comprises writing logic ones to a memory location of the DRAM device using the bus. Subsequently, a read command is issued over the bus, wherein the read command is addressed to the newly-written memory location of the DRAM device. The memory controller then measures the elapsed time between the issuance of the read command and the receipt of the logic ones from the DRAM device, and this elapsed time is the response time of the DRAM device. Following the determination of a response time for each DRAM device, and using the longest response time, a delay is computed for each of the DRAM devices coupled to the bus so that the response time, in clock cycles, of each of the DRAM devices coupled to the bus equals the longest response time.

Abstract: A mapping and addressing system suitable for use with secure remote access system, and in particular, with open application (web browsing) standard remote access devices is disclosed. The invention provides an open application standard for GPS support, and provides access to remote address data otherwise previously unavailable to conventional GPS systems.

Abstract: A memory system architecture/interconnect topology that includes at least one point-to-point link between a master, and at least one memory subsystem. The memory subsystem includes a buffer device coupled to a plurality of memory devices. The memory system may be upgraded through dedicated point-to-point links and corresponding memory subsystems. The master communicates to the plurality of memory devices in each memory subsystem through the respective buffer device via each point-to-point link.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for measuring distances. A measurement device emits a beam that reflects on the surface of an object. The measurement device determines the distance to the object, based on the time of flight of the beam from transmission to capture by the measurement device. The measurement device derives feedback reference pulses from pulses in the emitted beam and injects them into the device's receive path—creating a receive waveform that includes one or more feedback reference pulses and corresponding pulses in the return beam. The device uses the pulses in the waveform to measure time of flight. The measurement device can attenuate the feedback reference pulses to intensities similar or equal to the intensities of the return pulses. The measurement device can include a histogram processor that collects waveform samples at varying comparison thresholds.

Abstract: A memory system having a memory controller and a memory device coupled to the memory controller. The memory controller outputs a write data value to the memory device. The memory device receives the write data value from the memory controller, and compares the write data value with a mask key value. If the write data value matches the mask key value, the memory device does not store the write data value. If the write data value does not match the mask key value, the memory device stores the write data value.

Abstract: A sound reproduction system is disclosed which minimizes unwanted acoustic reflections and the resulting comb-filter effects but which still maintains a broad and uniform directional characteristic throughout the region in the listening room in which listening positions are located.

Abstract: A microactuator is disclosed including one or more stationary plates formed on a substrate, a mirror base plate on which a mirror is formed, and one or more actuation plates coupled to the mirror base plate by one or more microspring mechanisms. The mirror base plate, the one or more actuation plates and the one or more microspring mechanisms are suspended over the stationary plates by one or more anchors. The stationary plates and the actuation plates are formed of a doped material so as to be electrically conductive. Upon application of a voltage potential between the respective plates, the actuation plates are pulled down toward the stationary plates, thus exerting a drive force on the base mirror plate to actuate the mirror between switching positions.

Abstract: In response to a user request, an Identity System generates an Output XML containing raw identity information organized in accordance with a set of XML templates. The Identity System dynamically determines the desired response type and prepares the response from the Output XML. One response type is server-side processing—the Identity System combines the Output XML with XSL stylesheets to generate a HTML response. An alternative response type is client-side processing—the Identity System supplies the user with the Output XML. In further client-side embodiments, the Identity System provides XSL stylesheet references along with the Output XML. Additional embodiments provide for the Identity System to perform customized post-processing on the Output XML.

Abstract: A circuit includes a first node having a first variable voltage and a second node having a second variable voltage. A clock signal generates the first variable and second variable voltages. A first transistor is coupled to the first node and provides a first current responsive to a first control voltage being applied to the first transistor gate. A second transistor is coupled to the second node and provides a second current responsive to a second control voltage being applied to the second transistor gate. A first control circuit is coupled to the first transistor gate and the second node. The first control circuit provides the first control voltage responsive to the first variable voltage. A second control circuit is coupled to the second transistor gate and the first node. The second control circuit provides the second control voltage responsive to the second variable voltage. The first and second currents are used to provide a duty cycle correction signal.

Abstract: A system and method for performing data transfers within a computer system is provided The system includes a controller configured to dynamically adjust the interleave of the communications required to perform a series of data transfer operations to maximize utilization of the channel over which the communications are to be performed. The controller is able to vary the time interval between the transmission of control information that requests a data transfer and the performance of the data transfer by signaling the beginning of the data transfer with a strobe signal sent separate from the control information. The controller is able to defer the determination of how much data will be transferred in the operation by initiating the termination of a data transfer with a termination signal. The method provides a technique for distinguishing between identical control signals that are carried on the same line.