Abstract: A distributed power system for delivering DC power to a plurality of loads. A plurality of switching DC/DC converter modules are provided, each disposed proximate one of the loads, and each having associated therewith a switching pulse generator for generating switching pulses. A distributed power line distributes input power to each of the modules and a data communication line distributes command data between the modules, each of the modules uniquely addressable over the data communication line. A timing communication line is also provided for distributing timing information to each of the switching pulse generators. A master controller generates commands and communicates them to the data modules over the data communication line, the master controller operable to generate timing information over the timing communication line to each of the modules for controlling the associated switching pulse generator.

Abstract: A system for controlling a switching power converter and includes a digital controller that receives an analog signal representing the output DC voltage of the power converter for comparison to a desired output voltage level and generates switching control signals to control the operation of the power supply to regulate the output DC voltage to said desired output voltage level. At least two of the switching control signals having a dead time between a first edge of a first control signal and a second edge of a second control signal. The dead time is programmable such that the second edge of the second control signal may occur at a selected point in time either before or after the first edge of the first control signal.

Abstract: A method for a user to access information on a network. Information from a machine recognizable code (MRC) (1606) is extracted at a user location, which MRC (1606) has associated therewith routing information to a remote location (312) on the network. The extracted information from the MRC (1606) is wirelessly transmitted to a network interface device (302) in response to the information being extracted. The remote location (312) associated with the extracted information from the MRC (1606) is then connected thereto from the user location and the information downloaded therefrom. The downloaded information is displayed on a display (1612) at the user location, such that when displayed, substantially immediate feedback is provided to the user in response to the MRC (1606) being scanned.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing information over a network (306) from a remote location (312) on the network (306) for delivery to a user PC (302). A cellular telephone (2500) is provided having a functional mode for web access over the network (306). A button (2502) on the phone is associated with the functional mode. The button on the phone (2500) is activated by a user to induce the functional mode when in proximity to the user PC (302). In response to activation of the functional mode, the user PC (302) is controlled to access information from the remote location (312) on the network (306) for delivery to the user PC (302) and display thereof to the user on a display (1612) associated with the user PC (302).

Abstract: A low power system is disclosed for working in conjunction with a digital circuit that is disposed between positive and negative terminals. The system includes an internal voltage generator for increasing, for at least a first portion of the digital circuit, a voltage difference between the at least a first portion of the digital circuit and the voltage on at least one of the positive and negative terminals during a low power mode of operation. This allows the voltage across the at least first portion of the digital circuit to be less than the full voltage across the positive and negative terminals.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for converting DC power from a first voltage level on an input to a different voltage level on an output for delivery to a load. The method includes switching current in a switching operation from the input to the output through an inductive element and measuring the voltage/current parameters on the input and output. A control algorithm is then utilized to determine control parameters necessary to make a control move to effect the switching operation, the control algorithm utilizing as inputs the measured voltage/current parameters. A digital control system controls the switching operation, which digital control system is operable to be controlled by the control algorithm. Configuration data is received on a serial data bus for configuring the control algorithm. Thereafter, the operation of the control algorithm is modified in response to receiving the configuration information.

Abstract: A method of conducting an e-commerce transaction on a global communication network (306) by using personal account information of a credit card retrieved from a credit card company server on the network (306). At a user location disposed on the network, a machine-resolvable code (MRC) (3402) of the credit card (3400) of a user is read with a reading device (3410). Coded information is extracted from the MRC (3402). Routing information associated with the coded information is obtained, which routing information corresponds to the personal account information of the user stored on a credit card company server (3300) disposed on the network (306). The user location connects to the credit card company server (3300) across the network (306) in accordance with the routing information. The personal account information is returned from the credit card company server (3300) to the user location. The personal account information is then presented to the user at the user location.

Abstract: Antialiasing method and apparatus for video applications. A method for antialiasing a video graphic. A determination is first made as to the relative position of a desired pixel being within the polygon and proximate to the edge of the polygon. Once the relative position is known, then a determination is made as to whether it meets a first predetermined condition or a second predetermined condition. If the relative position meets the first condition, then the color of at least an adjacent pixel is blended with the color of the desired pixel in a predetermined proportion. If the relative position meets the second predetermined condition, then the color of at least an adjacent pixel is blended with the color of the desired pixel in a predetermined proportion.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for allowing a remote site to interact with an intermediate database to facilitate access to the remote site a method for delivering information from a source on a global communication network to destination location thereon. A unique code is associated with an advertising action associated with the source location. The unique code is stored in a database and routing information over the global communication network to a defined location on the global communication network for the source associated with the unique code in the database. The unique code is delivered to the user and then accessed of the database by the user results in retrieval of the routing information associated with the delivered unique code by the user. The destination location is connected to the defined source location associated with the delivered unique code in the database and in accordance with the associated routing information retrieved from the database.

Abstract: A hermaphroditic connector for mounting to a cable having a plurality of optical fibers and connecting the fibers to mating optical fibers wherein the optical fibers and mating optical fibers have termini mounted to the respective ends thereof, and wherein the termini of at least one of the optical fibers is slidably mounted and biased to provide a predetermined amount of longitudinal travel during connection includes a plug insert for mounting the termini, a generally cylindrical plug body for receiving the plug insert through an open end thereof, the plug body including a mating end with a plurality of mating features configured to cooperate with corresponding mating features of a second connector to align the termini of the first and second connectors in opposed relationship, a plurality of ears extending radially from the mating end of the plug body, a coupling nut slidably mounted on the plug including a groove formed between a plurality of ribs extending around an inside nut so that rotation of the coup

Abstract: A circuit package for providing isolation between a controller on a first side of a switched power supply and a second side of the switched power supply. An isolation link provides voltage isolation between the first and second sides and includes on the first sides circuitry for transmitting a driver signal received from the controller and circuitry for receiving a voltage feedback signal responsive to a sensed output voltage on the second side. The second side includes circuitry for receiving the driver signal and also circuitry for transmitting the voltage feedback signal. A driver located on the second side is responsive to the received driver signal. The second side further includes circuitry for sensing the output voltage and generating the voltage feedback signal. The isolation link additionally provides voltage isolation between the controller and the driver circuit and between the controller and the sensed output voltage.

Abstract: A free running clock circuit includes a programmable resistor array including a plurality of resistors connected in series. A plurality of transistors are connected to the plurality of resistors wherein each of the plurality of resistors has one of the plurality of transistors associated therewith for connecting a resistor to the first programmable resistor and providing a resistance thereto. A transistor funnel limits leakage currents from a portion of the plurality of transistors to a single transistor of the transistor funnel.

Abstract: A power factor correction circuit utilizes a digital controller string comprised of an analog-to-digital converter, which is input to a digital compensator followed by a pulse width modulation circuit for generating a switching pulse. The loop current in a regulator circuit such as a boost regulator is sensed and input to one side of a differential analog-to-digital converter, the other side thereof providing a digital reference current. This digital reference current is derived from comparing the input AC voltage to the regulator with the DC output voltage and processing these two voltages with a PFC algorithm to provide this reference voltage.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly combination wind turbine and solar energy collector is provided. Solar panels are mounted on the surfaces of a wind turbine such that the combined energy from the wind turbine and the solar panels are provided as an output.

Abstract: An integrated circuit having voltage isolation capabilities includes a first area of the integrated circuit containing functional circuitry that is located in the substrate of the integrated circuit. A second area of the integrated circuit contains an integrated RF isolation circuitry for voltage isolating the functional circuitry. The RF isolation circuitry is located in the metal layers of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A distributed power system for delivering DC power to a plurality of loads. A plurality of power converter modules having associated therewith a DC/DC power conversion operation are provided, each disposed proximate an associated one of the loads, each of said converter modules having associated therewith a switching pulse generator for generating switching pulses. A distributed power line distributes input power to each of the modules. A data communication line distributes command data between the modules. Each of the modules includes a power regulation section for receiving the input power to generate a DC output by controlling the operation of the switching pulse generator. It also includes a processing section for interfacing with the data communication line for interfacing with the commands, the processing function operating in at least a slave mode to receive commands from the data communication bus. At least one of the modules operates in both a slave mode and a master mode.

Abstract: A method for interconnecting a user's location to a destination location on a network. The unique information is received at the user's location, which unique information has no associated routing information embedded therein. Network routing information is associated with the received unique information in response to receipt thereof. The user's location is then interconnected to the destination location across the network in accordance with the routing associated therewith in the step of associating.

Abstract: A microcontroller unit includes a processor for generating a first control signal to start a comatose mode of operation for the microcontroller unit. Control logic responsive to the first control signal generates an enable signal at a first level and the control logic is further responsive to a second control signal for generating the enable signal at a second level. A voltage regulator generates regulated voltage from an input voltage. The voltage regulator shuts down to provide a zero volt regulated voltage responsive to the enable signal at the first level and powers up to provide a regulated voltage at an operating level responsive to the enable signal at the second level.

Abstract: A Method and apparatus for utilizing a coded audio/video signal to conduct commerce over the Internet. Broadcast information is broadcast from a remote location on a secondary network containing video over the secondary network to a location thereon proximate the location of the user PC. Unique information is encoded in the broadcast information representative of a location on the primary network of the remote node. The broadcast information is received and displayed on a video display at the location on the secondary network proximate the user PC. The user PC is connected to the remote node utilizing the unique information, and in accordance thereto, in response to receiving the unique information encoded within the broadcast information broadcast over the secondary network.