Abstract: A voltage compensated oscillator circuit having a resistor capacitor (RC) circuit for setting a frequency of oscillation for the oscillator circuit. A switching circuit with hysterisis is coupled to the RC circuit for providing upper and lower threshold limits. The upper and lower threshold limits being used for controlling the direction of switching of the oscillator circuit. By adjusting the upper and lower threshold limits, one may compensate for voltage signal fluctuations so that the frequency of oscillation will not change due to power supply voltage fluctuations.

Abstract: A Christmas tree support apparatus and method is disclosed wherein a collar member is provided around a base portion of a Christmas tree. A radial extension member is removably connected to the collar and to a rod at one end thereof which connection between the radial extension member and the rod can be adjusted. The other end of the rod is connected to the Christmas tree above the center of gravity point thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for supporting DMA I/O devices. A PCI-PCI bridge is provided to support DMA I/O devices on the PCI bus. Through the use of two signal lines and a serial link, DMA transfers may be accomplished over the PCI bus. A PCI-ISA dock bridge is also provided to allow the system to support DMA I/O devices and ISA masters (i.e., any device including DMA I/O devices on the ISA bus that generates ISA cycles) on the ISA bus.

Abstract: An improved output driver that minimizes source point reflections when driving a signal on a transmission line by generating a constant source impedance. The improved output driver uses a transistor switching circuit for generating a nearly constant channel impedance when transistor switching circuit is enabled and is not operating in a saturation mode. A switched diode circuit is coupled in parallel to the transistor switching circuit for generating a nearly constant source impedance when a sufficient voltage to bias the switch diode circuit is applied. Control circuitry is coupled to both the transistor switching circuit and to the switched diode circuit for enabling and disabling the transistor switching circuit and the switched diode circuit. By alternatively enabling and disabling the transistor switching circuit and the switched diode circuit the control circuit is able to generate a constant source impedance.

Abstract: A wireless interface for diagnostic examination and programming of vehicular control systems. The wireless interface uses a vehicle processor which is coupled to at least one of a plurality of vehicular control systems. The vehicle processor is used for monitoring and controlling the different vehicular control systems located in the vehicle. A first transceiver is coupled to the vehicle processor for sending and receiving programming signals and operating signals to and from the vehicle processor. A second transceiver is provided for sending the programming signals to the first transceiver and for receiving the operating signals sent from the first transceiver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a highly portable collapsible jack stand. The jack stand is comprised of a plurality of leg members. Each leg member is detachably coupled to a top guide plate which is used to support and align a telescoping rod. A ram head is coupled to the telescoping rod and is used for supporting a load. A base plate is detachably coupled to the plurality of leg members. The base plate prevents the jack stand from sinking into the ground when the jack stand is in use and under a heavy load. A low profile jack may be positioned underneath the telescoping rod for raising and lowering the telescoping rod thus raising and lowering the load on the jack stand apparatus.

Abstract: A combined system and method is shown and described which uses a vaporous fuel mixture energy source comprised of air and a vaporous fuel as a source of fuel for an internal combustion engine. This mixture of air and vaporous fuel is injected into each one of a plurality of cylinders of an internal combustion engine. The air and vaporous fuel mixture is cooled prior to being injected into the internal combustion engine. In another embodiment, an electric generator is coupled to the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A high sensitive water entry alarm system which prevents outside noise from falsely triggering the alarm system. A transmitter generates ultrasonic timed acoustic bursts at a fixed frequency when it is submerged in water. A receiver located in the body of water senses for acoustic signals similar in characteristic to the transmitter signal. A comparing circuit coupled to the receiver compares the acoustic signals received by the receiver to a reference signal having the same fixed frequency as the transmitter signal. The comparing circuit also measures the duration of the acoustic signals received by the receiver. The comparing circuit will generate a alarm signal which will sound off an audible alarm only when the acoustic signal received by the receiver has the same fixed frequency and is transmitted in controlled burst at the same timed intervals as the transmitter signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for playing card wagering games that enables players to select the playing card game to be played for a particular wagering round from among multiple playing card game options. Where different decks of playing cards are required for certain of the optional playing card games, a multi-deck card holder is provided, permitting a dealer to make an immediate selection of the appropriate playing cards upon selection of the playing card game by a player at that table. Upon the conclusion of one wagering round, selection of the next playing card game is made by the same or a different player, and the play continues with the selection of playing card games entirely at the option of the players.

Abstract: A precision oscillator circuit having a wide adjustable operating frequency range and an adjustable duty cycle. The precision oscillator use a window comparator circuit for monitoring a voltage of a capacitive element. The window comparator circuit has a first operating voltage edge and a second operating voltage edge wherein the first operating voltage edge latches an output signal of the window comparator circuit at one level when the voltage of the capacitive element is greater than the first operating voltage edge. The second operating voltage edge brings the output signal of the window comparator circuit back to an initial level when the voltage of the capacitive element is greater than the second operating voltage edge. A precision current reference source is coupled to the capacitive element and to the window comparator circuit. The precision current reference is used for generating currents which are insensitive to temperature, supply voltage, and process variations.

Abstract: A combination inductive coil and integrated circuit semiconductor chip is provided in a single lead frame package. The lead frame is preferably made of a copper alloy and has a flat configuration. The chip is electrically connected to end portions of the inductive coil thus permitting the inductive coil to function as an antenna for the chip.

Abstract: Surgical repairs of torn or ruptured tendons and ligaments are made by re-fastening the torn or ruptured tendon or ligament with a biocompatible or bioabsorbable hook-and-loop fastener.

Abstract: An instruction set for a microcontroller which has robust multiple word instructions. The instruction set has a plurality of instructions wherein the plurality of instructions comprises single word instructions and multiple word instructions. At least one bit is located in a predetermined location in all non-first words of all multiple word instructions. The bit will be decoded by the microcontroller as no operation bit if the first word of the multiple word instruction is not executed prior to execution of any succeeding words in the multiple word instruction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for implementing peripheral device bus mastering via a general purpose list processor. The system is comprised of four main elements: a bus controller, a DMA controller, a list processor, and a device controller. The system operates under two modes of operation. The two modes arise from the two distinct modules: the DMA controller and the list processor. The first mode of operation is a single buffer transfer mode which is directly compatible with a distributed DMA model. Under this mode, distributed DMA registers within the DMA controller are programmed to transfer a single contiguous buffer of data. The second mode of operation is a multiple buffer transfer mode which uses linked lists of buffer transfer descriptors to program the distributed DMA registers within the DMA controller and initiates transfers independent of software.

Abstract: A system for trapping I/O instructions. The system is comprised of at least one peripheral controller for receiving a plurality of I/O instructions and for initiating trapping of an un-executable I/O instruction by issuing a target abort signal when the peripheral controller senses a power off condition in a peripheral device. A system controller is coupled to the at least one peripheral controller for receiving the target abort signal from the at least one peripheral controller and for sequentially: issuing a system management interrupt (SMI) signal; counting a predetermined time period to allow recognition of the SMI signal; and issuing a cycle completion signal after counting the predetermined time period. A CPU is coupled to the system controller for issuing a plurality of I/O instructions and for receiving the SMI signal and the cycle completion signal from the system controller.

Abstract: A time-based digital temperature sensing system has a first oscillator which is temperature sensitive. The first oscillator has a temperature coefficient which allows the first oscillator to generate an output signal which varies linearly as a function of temperature. A second oscillator is provided and is used to generates a reference clock signal. The outputs from the first and the second oscillator are coupled to a timer. The timer has a clock input coupled to an output of the second oscillator and an enable input coupled to an output of the first oscillator. From these input signals, the timer generates a number indicative of a length of time the timer is enabled by the first oscillator. The number is proportional to a current temperature of a material that is being monitored by the temperature sensing system.