Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for verifying a commercial transaction between a card-holder, a merchant, and a credit card company. The card-holder makes a purchase with the merchant using a full credit card number. The merchant submits a transaction approval request for approval with the credit card company. The credit card company executes conventional credit approval of the transaction approval request, as well as verifies the transaction approval request with the card-holder. An approval is sent to the merchant only after the transaction approval request is both conventionally approved by the credit card company and verified by the card-holder. The card-holder, or the credit card company, may initiate verification of the transaction approval request. The transaction approval request can also be automatically verified if one or many pre-verification criteria is/are satisfied by data contained in the transaction approval request.

Abstract: An automatic pointing device mapping method (400, 420) and associated apparatus for automatically remapping the active area (12) of a graphics tablet (10) to a plurality of displays (122, 124), such as might be used in conjunction with a graphics program (130), a CAD program, or the like. Proximity zones (230, 232) are established along the edge of the active area (12). When a stylus (146) is moved into one of the proximity zones (230, 232), the graphics tablet (10) is switched to control the display (122, 124) in the corresponding direction, provided such a display (122, 124) exists in that direction. In one embodiment data regarding an elapsed time data (220), which is the time the stylus (146) has remained in the proximity zone (230, 232) is monitored, such that the multi-display system (110) is not remapped until the stylus (146) has remained in the proximity zone (230, 232) until a preset time (218) has elapsed.

Abstract: A computer array (10) has a plurality of computers (12). The computers (12) communicate with each other asynchronously, and the computers (12) themselves operate in a generally asynchronous manner internally. When one computer (12) attempts to communicate with another it goes to sleep until the other computer (12) is ready to complete the transaction, thereby saving power and reducing heat production. The sleeping computer (12) can be awaiting data or instructions (12). In the case of instructions, the sleeping computer (12) can be waiting to store the instructions or to immediately execute the instructions. In the later case, the instructions are placed in an instruction register (30a) when they are received and executed therefrom, without first placing the instructions first into memory. The instructions can include a micro-loop (100) which is capable of performing a series of operations repeatedly.

Abstract: A digital camera module includes an image capture device mounted on a flexible circuit substrate. In one embodiment of the digital camera module, the image capture device is mounted directly (e.g., by an adhesive) on the flexible circuit substrate. A stiffener (e.g., a piece of circuit board material) is mounted to the back of the flexible circuit substrate to support wire bonding of the image capture device onto the flexible circuit substrate and/or to support the mounting of additional components (e.g., a lens housing).

Abstract: A novel integrated computer includes a support base, a computer component pivotally coupled to the support base, and a display component slidably coupled to the computer component. The pivotal connection between the support base and the computer component facilitates adjustment of the tilt of the display. The slidable connection between the computer component and the display component facilitates height adjustment of the display, without affecting the tilt of the display. A biasing member prevents unwanted movement of the display, while allowing adjustment of the display. A method for manufacturing the integrated computer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A ring oscillator comprises a control circuit for receiving a frequency-selection signal operative to select from at least two ring oscillator frequencies, said control circuit using said control signal to generate a first control signal and a second control signal; a primary chain of an odd number of serially connected NOT gates, said primary chain including a primary switching NOT gate responsive to the first control signal and operative to perform a logical NOT or an IGNORE function on a first oscillating input signal to generate a first output signal; and a secondary chain of serially connected NOT gates, said secondary chain logically parallel to at least said primary switching NOT gate, said secondary chain including a secondary switching NOT gate responsive to the second control signal and operative to perform a logical NOT or an IGNORE function on a second oscillating input signal to generate a second output signal.

Abstract: A method for designing an electronic component includes receiving a device criteria (e.g., a parametric value, procurement value, etc.) from a designer, querying a database for devices corresponding to the device criteria, querying the database for procurement data and/or engineering data associated with the corresponding devices, presenting the devices to the designer based on the procurement data, and receiving input from the designer identifying one of the presented devices as a selected device. In a particular method, the returned devices are sorted based on one or more procurement values (e.g., manufacturer, price, availability, manufacturer status, etc.), and presented to the designer in a ranked list. Objects representative of the selected devices are then entered into a design file, and the objects are associated with the device's engineering and/or procurement data. In a particular embodiment, the objects are associated with the engineering data by embedding the engineering data in the file object.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for improving the functionality of the jump button associated with television, cable/satellite receiver, or any other multi-channel device controlling remote control. The apparatus provides a jump button with the ability to access a wide variety of channels in an intelligent manner. At present, the jump button has the functionality such that the jump to location associated with selecting the jump button is the previously viewed channel, regardless of how the current channel being viewed is selected. The invention disclosed herein is a method of performing jumps on a device like a remote control in a more useful manner.

Abstract: A memory cell including a bit and bitnot sense lines as well as a random access memory (RAM) word line and a read only memory (ROM) word line. The memory cell particularly includes a static RAM (SRAM) bit cell and a ROM bit cell. The SRAM bit cell is coupled between the bit and bitnot sense lines, and is responsive to a signal on the RAM word line. The ROM bit cell is also coupled between the bit and bitnot sense lines, and is responsive to a signal on the ROM word line. The ROM bit cell includes first and second ROM pass transistors, a first node for permanently programming connection of the first ROM pass transistor to either a voltage line or a ground line, and a second node for permanently programming connection of the second ROM pass transistor to either the voltage line or the ground line.

Abstract: A novel method for asynchronously driving a display device including a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows includes the steps of receiving a first multi-bit data word indicative of a first grayscale value to be displayed on a pixel of a first row of the display, defining a first time period during which an electrical signal corresponding to the first grayscale value can be asserted on the pixel of said first row, receiving a second multi-bit data word indicative of a second grayscale value to be displayed on a pixel of a second row of the display, and defining a second time period that is temporally offset from the first time period during which an electrical signal corresponding to the second grayscale value can be asserted on the pixel of said second row. A novel display driver for performing the methods of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A digital camera module includes an image capture device, a lens unit, a housing for receiving the lens unit and positioning the lens unit with respect to the image capture device, and a focus mechanism disposed on the outside of the housing and operative to move the lens unit along an axis when the lens unit is rotated about the axis. In one embodiment, the focus mechanism includes a ramp formed on the housing and a complementary ramp formed on the lens unit. In another embodiment, the focus mechanism includes a thread set formed on the outside of the housing for engaging a complementary thread set on a sleeve of the lens unit. In still another embodiment, the focus mechanism includes an inclined groove and a groove follower. The external adjustment mechanism prevents the image capture device from being contaminated by particulates generated during focusing.

Abstract: A switch activator includes a tongue including a first end and a second end and a surrounding portion. The tongue is joined to the surrounding portion at the first end and has a pressing point adjacent the second end. The tongue may be joined by glue, a heat stake or a rivet. Preferably, the tongue and the surrounding portion integrally formed in a surface. This invention provides a very low cost method of actuating a SOCI (State Of Charge Indicator) push-button switch under the requirements of MIL-PRF-49471B, paragraph 4.7.17.

Abstract: A case (12) for a computer monitor (10) having a tub (16) with a case aperture (38) therein adapted for receiving a subpanel (26). The subpanel (26) has a plurality of electrical connectors 28 which are user accessible thereby. A beveled flange (40) on the subpanel (26) is received within a receiving flange (44) on the case aperture (38). A structural grid (32) within the case (12) has a flexible portion (34) which includes an electronics enclosure (33) having a screw receiving aperture (42) therein such that a screw (30) is passed through a subpanel screw aperture (48) in the subpanel (26) and secured within the screw receiving aperture (42), thereby flexing the flexible portion (34) to hold the subpanel (26) firmly within the case aperture (38).

Abstract: A stack processor comprises a data stack with a T register, an S register, and eight hardwired bottom registers which function in a circular repeating pattern. The stack processor also comprises a return stack containing an R register, and eight hardwired bottom registers which function in a circular repeating pattern. The circular register arrays described herein eliminate overflow and underflow stack conditions.

Abstract: A novel method for asynchronously driving a display device including a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows includes the steps of receiving a first multi-bit data word indicative of a first grayscale value to be displayed on a pixel of a first row of the display, defining a first time period during which an electrical signal corresponding to the first grayscale value can be asserted on the pixel of said first row, receiving a second multi-bit data word indicative of a second grayscale value to be displayed on a pixel of a second row of the display, and defining a second time period that is temporally offset from the first time period during which an electrical signal corresponding to the second grayscale value can be asserted on the pixel of said second row. A novel display driver for performing the methods of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel ankle gapping device includes a lower leg engaging apparatus, a foot engaging apparatus, and a biasing member disposed between the lower leg engaging apparatus and the foot engaging apparatus. The leg engaging apparatus is adapted to securely engage a user's leg such that the leg engaging apparatus will remain stationary when the biasing member exerts an upward force thereon. The foot engaging apparatus is contoured to fit the user's foot. In a particular embodiment, the biasing member is a pneumatic biasing member, such as an inflatable tube that is actuated by a pump. As the pump provides compressed air (or some other fluid) to the biasing member, the pressure inside the biasing member increases, causing an increase in the volume of the biasing member. This pressure and volume increase exerts an upward force via the leg engaging apparatus to the lower leg, and a downward force via the foot engaging apparatus to the foot.

Abstract: The invention discloses a locator unit contained within footwear providing a method for GPS position determination and transmission of said location determination data to a central monitoring station which disseminates the data through the use of proprietary software, wireless communications, land based wire systems and the Internet.

Abstract: The invention discloses a locator unit contained within footwear providing a method for GPS position determination and transmission of said location determination data to a central monitoring station which disseminates the data through the use of proprietary software, wireless communications, land based wire systems and the Internet.

Abstract: The invention discloses a locator unit contained within footwear providing a method for GPS position determination and transmission of said location determination data to a central monitoring station which disseminates the data through the use of proprietary software, wireless communications, land based wire systems and the Internet.