Abstract: The present invention is an improved Yagi-Uda style antenna. Primarily, the present invention provides that at least two driven elements are spaced approximately 0.1 .lambda. apart from each other. The driven elements are forced into a critical couple mode by electrically connecting the two driven elements with a matched phasing delay line. The phasing delay line retards the phase current sufficiently to, coupled with the specified element separation, satisfy both the endfire condition and the Hansen-Woodyard condition. This provides for increased directivity and gain, and deep nulls in the field strength. The at least two critically coupled elements compromise at least a first driven element, which is the primary broadcast element, and a second driven element, which is a driven reflector element. The reflector element acts to augment field strength in a direction toward the first driven element and reduce field strength in a direction away from the first driven element.

Abstract: An intelligent caller identification apparatus for notifying a selected telephone number of the arrival of special electronic information. An information/internet service provider (ISP) calls a subscriber when an electronic communication has arrived. A microcontroller is used to compare the incoming telephone number to telephone numbers stored in an ISP database. If the incoming telephone number matches information stored in the ISP database, an information indicator circuit is set to inform the user of the arrival of an electronic communication. A ringing control circuit is used to prevent the telephone set from ringing when the incoming telephone number matches an ISP telephone number. The ringing control circuit thereby prevents the user from answering the incoming telephone call when the incoming telephone call is for notification of an electronic information delivery.

Abstract: A fire sprinkler system and method comprising a plurality of water conduits having mounted thereon a plurality of sprinkler assembly receivers, and, removably coupled to the sprinkler assembly receivers, a plurality of bayonet-type quick release removable and locking sprinkler assemblies.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for recording musical sounds generated by a guitar type musical instrument. A mini-disc recorder unit located in and forming a portion of the envelope or housing of the guitar converts the analog output from the guitar into a digital recording for playback use by the musician and/or for generating musical sounds to a listener.

Abstract: A laser wire stripping apparatus is disclosed comprising, in combination a plurality of mirrors for alternatively directing a laser beam over a first portion of an insulated wire and an opposite portion of the insulated wire to permit removal of an end segment of insulation from the insulated wire, and a single motor coupled to the plurality of mirrors for synchronizing motion of the mirrors in order to direct the laser beam over the first portion and the opposite portion of the insulated wire. The apparatus also includes an optical sensor for activating the apparatus when the insulated wire is inserted therein. The apparatus further includes a clamping portion for holding the insulated wire as the laser beam cuts the insulation.

Abstract: A method for storing and transferring wave table audio samples from system memory to a cache unit. The method creates a linked-list of pages in system memory for storing the audio sample. The linked-list is actually a pointer list indicating the locations in system memory where the audio samples are stored. A Digital Signal Processor (DSP) is able to translate the starting address of the pointer list to retrieve a requested audio sample from the system memory. The requested audio sample is then transferred to the cache unit where the DSP is able to retrieve audio samples in a linear fashion at a rate much faster than individually fetching the required portions of the audio sample from the main memory of the system.

Abstract: Graduated artificial fingernail tips for creating longer fingernails includes an artificial fingernail tip and length-indiciating indicia on an upper surface of the tip. The length-indicating indicia may be numbers or letters corresponding to graduated trim points. A method for applying the graduated artificial fingernail tips is also provided which includes buffing out the indicia after conventional adhesion of the tip to the natural nails. The graduated tips and method enable a quick and easy application of the tips to create a manicure with nails of substantially uniform length.

Abstract: A self timed precharge sense amplifier for allowing high speed reading of a memory cell of a memory array. The self timed precharge sense amplifier uses a precharge device for generating an output voltage which is used to ramp up a voltage level of a column of the memory array where the memory cell is located. State control circuitry is coupled to the precharge device for activating and deactivating the precharge device. A sense amplifier is coupled to the precharge device and to the state control circuitry for monitoring the output voltage of the precharge device and for signalling the state control circuitry to deactivate the precharge device when the output voltage has reached a threshold voltage level set by the sense amplifier which is a minimum amount of voltage required to properly read the memory cell.

Abstract: A post mold curing apparatus for use in association with a molding line system for providing plastic encapsulated semiconductor chips mounted on leadframes is disclosed which includes a leadframe carrier having a rotary, substantially cylindrical shaped assembly for containing and moving a plurality of semiconductor chips and their associated leadframe strips into both an elevated temperature post mold curing region and into a lower temperature cool-down region. Each of the leadframe strips with their associated semiconductor chips are sequentially inserted into cavity regions located in the cylindrical assembly to assist in moving each of the plurality of leadframe strips through the elevated temperature post mold curing region, and subsequently, each of the leadframe strips with their associated semiconductor chips are removed from the cavity regions after passing through the lower temperature cool-down region.

Abstract: Various embodiments are shown for sensing when an exterior vehicle light is turned on and for displaying the condition that the exterior vehicle light is on or operating. Solar cells are used to sense that the exterior vehicle light is on and to provide an electrical current to a display unit that indicates that the exterior vehicle light is on. A wireless arrangement is also disclosed as well as an all-in-one unit is disclosed for sensing when a exterior vehicle light is on and for displaying by a visual and/or audio indication that the exterior vehicle light is on.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clock recovery system which allows for stable clock information to be extracted from a serial data stream with defined jitter characteristics. The clock recover circuit is comprised of a flip flop which is used for receiving the serial data stream and for outputting stable clock information. A sampling clock circuit is coupled to the flip flop for sending a signal which reflects a center area of each bit period in the serial data stream when a transition occurs in the serial data stream.

Abstract: A reprogrammable state machine which allows the state flow and control outputs to be reprogrammed without requiring modification of the state machine. The reprogrammable state machine uses a reprogrammable logic unit to generate the state transitions and output transitions for each state of the reprogrammable state machine. A memory control unit is used to program the state machine reprogrammable logic unit with default settings for the state transitions and output transitions for each state of the reprogrammable state machine. The memory control unit is also used to reprogram the state machine reprogrammable logic unit with modified settings for the state transitions and output transitions for each state of the reprogrammable state machine which needs to be modified.

Abstract: A new type of Blackjack (21) game, table and method is disclosed wherein a number of betting options are provided for the Blackjack player. In addition to the standard betting option against the Dealer, a Dealer Bust option, a jackpot option where the Blackjack player can obtain over 1,000 to 1 return payout and several other betting options are provided to bet on various possible cards such as receiving a 3 or a 6, a 4 or 5, a 10, Jack Queen, King or Ace for one or both of the initial two cards.

Abstract: A method of playing a game of chance matching game. An ante is posted by each participating player to form a winning pot. Each participating player is given a pre-determined number of objects from a first set of objects. A game controller draws a first object from a second identical set of objects and shows the drawn first object to the participating players. A predetermined amount of credits is given to any participating player having an object from the first set of objects given to the participating player matching the first object drawn from the second set of objects.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for safely transporting mobility devices on the rear of a motor vehicle. The apparatus and method includes wheel wells to receive the drive wheels of the mobility device, and L-shaped members which automatically retain the undercarriage of the mobility device when it is being lifted into position for transport and which automatically disengage from the undercarriage when the mobility device is being lowered to the ground for unloading.

Abstract: A circuit and method for providing VGA display data to a display of lower resolution, such as an LCD panel, is disclosed. The circuit detects a write to the Frame Buffer that stores the full resolution VGA image, determines the address within the Frame Buffer that was changed, then translates the Start Address of the circuit such that the recently updated data will be displayed at or near the center row of the display. The circuit blocks accesses to display data outside the range of data displayed on the lower resolution display such that the operation of the circuit is transparent to a conventional VGA controller, thereby providing automatic virtual display panning for VGA data that is displayed on a lower resolution display such as an LCD panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a switchmode power supply (SMPS) high voltage start-up integrated circuit (IC) with output voltage sensing and output current limiting. The high voltage start-up IC allows low voltage pulse width modulated (PWM) controller ICs to operate directly off rectified AC lines of up to 450 VDC. The high voltage start-up IC allows PWM controller ICs to start-up with a start threshold larger than its operating voltage. The output voltage is monitored internally so that the internal high voltage switch turns off when the output voltage decreases below an internally set trip point voltage (V.sub.off) The internal high voltage switch remains off and an external auxiliary voltage is generated and applied to the output voltage. If the output voltage falls below a lower set trip point voltage (V.sub.reset) the internal high voltage switch turns back on. This allows the start-up circuit to reset itself when the PWM controller IC's auxiliary voltage does not power up properly.

Abstract: A voltage regulator which will clamp the row voltage of a memory cell or array. The voltage regulator will clamp to a value which is greater than the erased threshold voltage of the memory cell and less than the worst case programmed threshold voltage of the memory cell. The voltage regulator uses an unprogrammed memory cell of the memory array for allowing the row voltage outputted by the voltage regulator to be self-tracking over manufacturing process variations and ambient environmental influences. A switching circuit is coupled to the unprogrammed memory cell for clamping the row voltage outputted by said voltage regulator below the programmed threshold voltage level.

Abstract: A method for storing and transferring wave table audio samples from system memory to a cache unit. The method creates a linked-list of pages in system memory for storing the audio sample. The linked-list is actually a pointer list indicating the locations in system memory where the audio samples are stored. A Digital Signal Processor (DSP) is able to translate the starting address of the pointer list to retrieve a requested audio sample from the system memory. The requested audio sample is then transferred to the cache unit where the DSP is able to retrieve audio samples in a linear fashion at a rate much faster than individually fetching the required portions of the audio sample from the main memory of the system.