Abstract: The present invention relates to a high voltage output circuit for driving a gray scale flat panel display. The high voltage output circuit eliminates the inaccuracies of prior art output circuits by using a plurality of transistors to eliminate a dead band level within the output circuit. The output circuit is also less expensive than prior art output circuits since a level translator is not required.

Abstract: A system for clamping a clock signal line that prevents clock glitching is disclosed. The system is comprised of a plurality of logic gates which generates a signal to clamp the clock signal line only on the occurrence of the clock signal line being low, a clock clamping signal 26 is generated indicating that a peripheral device wants to clamp the clock signal line, and a start condition is detected indicating that the clock signal line may be clamped.

Abstract: The present invention is an all solid state chassis for controlling a bowling pin pinspotter. The solid state chassis is designed to replace current electromechanical chassis such as the AMF 8270 chassis, while providing new and unique capability in diagnostics and communication. The solid state chassis is designed to reduce the energy consumption of the pinspotter. The solid state chassis is also designed to detect and provide self protection against faults and overloads. The solid state chassis also allows for remote communication with the pinspotter via a hardwired communication link or by electromagnetic means.

Abstract: A system and method is shown for exercising a user's motor skills and concentration, comprising, in combination, a controller for providing a plurality of visual images and sounds, a first sensor for providing an input to the controller when activated by a hand on a selected right or left side of the user, a second sensor for providing an input to the controller when activated by a foot on the selected side of the user, a third sensor for providing an input to the controller when activated by a hand located opposite the selected side, and a fourth sensor for providing an input to the controller when activated by a foot located opposite the selected side. The system displays a plurality of visual images where each visual image contains four separate quadrants corresponding to the first, second, third, and fourth sensors.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved frozen drink and dessert dispenser and method therefor. The improved frozen drink and dessert dispenser and method permits the simultaneous or alternate dispensing of two products. Further, through a dispensing valve system controlled by a controller, residue of dispensed product is purged from the product dispenser prior to the dispensing of the next serving of product and product may be dispensed in predetermined amounts. The improved frozen drink and desert dispenser and method also permits the automated cleaning of substantially all of the dispenser without any significant disassembly of the dispenser.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for starting and maintaining a Central Processing Unit (CPU) clock even though the CPU clock is operating under a Clock Division Emulation (CDE) scheme. Break Events are broken into different groups with each group of Break Events being mapped to a particular programmable event timer. Each of the programmable event timers have an associated time limit which will keep the CPU clock running for a time commensurate with that group of Break Events. When a Break Event occurs, the programmable event timer associated with that particular Break Event will load the corresponding time limit into the programmable event timer. Once loaded, the programmable event timer will keep the CPU clock running during the entire time limit. Only after all of the programmable event timers have counted down will the CPU clock be allowed to stop.

Abstract: A progressive start-up charge pump that eliminates the start-up problems of p-channel charge pump stages by starting the charge pump one stage at a time. The charge pump has a plurality of charge pump stages wherein each of the plurality of charge pump stages are coupled to a successive charge pump stage in a cascade mode. An enabling circuit is coupled to each of the plurality of charge pump stages for individually starting each of the plurality of charge pump stages one charge pump stage at a time starting with a last charge pump stage and successively turning on a directly previous charge pump stages until the first charge pump stage is started. This will ensure that the voltage output node is at a greater potential than the voltage input node for each of the plurality of charge pump stages during start-up.

Abstract: A patch mechanism for dynamic modification of the behavior of a state machine without interfering with normal operation of the state machine when modification is not required. The patch mechanism uses a programmable logic array for storing a modified transition and a modified output transition for an individual state of the state machine which is to be modified. A pair of multiplexer having inputs coupled to the state machine and inputs coupled to the programmable logic array are used for allowing the state machine to select either the current transition and the current output transition both defined by the state machine, or a modified transition and a modified output transition if a modification of the present state is required. A logic circuit coupled to the state machine and to both multiplexers will signal both multiplexers when it is valid to modify the present state to the modified transition and the modified output transition.

Abstract: A microcontroller circuit having firmware selectable oscillator trimming includes, in combination, a microcontroller, an oscillator located within the microcontroller for providing a system clock signal for the microcontroller, and a memory portion for providing trimming data to the oscillator for trimming frequency of the system clock. The microcontroller circuit includes microcontroller logic which has the trimming data stored therein for transfer to the memory portion. Additionally, the microcontroller logic permits the user to alter the trimming data after it has been transferred to the memory portion, thereby permitting the user to alter the amount of modification of the system clock frequency from the amount associated with the trimming data.

Abstract: A memory device having selectable redundancy for maintaining high endurance and high reliability. The memory device has two memory arrays wherein both memory arrays have a plurality of address locations for storing data. A switching unit is used to removeably connect the address locations of the first memory array means to corresponding address locations of second memory array in order to produce a first memory array having redundant address locations. If high reliability and redundancy is not required, a signal may be sent to the switching unit to disconnect the address locations of the first memory array from the corresponding address locations of the second memory array means to produce a memory device having an increased amount of address locations for storing data as compared to the first memory array having redundant address locations.

Abstract: A computer system having a multiplex address/data bus with a multiplex system controller and method therefor is disclosed which provides in a computer system having time shared use of a multiplex address/data bus to reduce the number of required pins for devices within the computer system, a CPU having at least one address bus, at least one data bus, at least one memory input/output, and at least one CPU control bus coupled thereto for sending and receiving information.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a removable spacing device and method therefor, for use in the application of stucco to a building's exterior. The removable spacing device is comprised of a section of tape and a substantially triangle-shaped spacer, and is applied to the edge of a window frame, door frame, or similar structure prior to the application of a layer of stucco adjacent thereto. After the stucco layer has dried, the removable spacing device is removed, and the resulting space created by the device is filled with caulk or a similar weatherproofing material. This device and method prevents the formation of small cracks between a stucco layer and adjacent frame, which cracks are too small to be filled with caulk and which allow the damaging penetration of water into the stucco and underlying layers.

Abstract: A bed access assistance apparatus and method for aiding individuals with less than full mobility in getting into and out of a bed. The apparatus and method are represented by a single unit that slips between the mattress and mattress support, such as a box spring, with a vertical hand grip that resides adjacent to the mattress on the preferred side of access. The apparatus and method do not rely on fastening to the bed frame and thus form an independent, portable unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for reducing the power consumption of a computer system, more specifically a notebook computer system. The system comprises a programmable frequency generator and a programmable power supply which alters the current operating frequency and voltage of the computer's microprocessor to match current operating conditions. If the microprocessor is not doing any meaningful work, the programmable frequency generator and the programmable power supply can reduce both the operating frequency and voltage thereby lowering the power consumption of the computer system based on the formula: power=voltage.sup.2 .times.frequency. It should be noted that the programmable frequency generator and the programmable power supply may be attached to other system components in the computer system that consume a large amount of the computer system's power.

Abstract: A digital positioning system for a joystick. The system uses a potentiometer having one input coupled to a constant supply voltage and a second input coupled to a joystick game port for generating a variable resistance representative of a current position of the joystick. A constant current source is coupled to the joystick game port for generating a current for converting the variable resistance representative of the current position of the joystick to a voltage level representative of the current position of the joystick. An analog-to-digital (A/D) converter circuit is coupled to the joystick game port and is used to convert the voltage level representative of the current position of the joystick to a digital representation of the current position of the joystick.

Abstract: A method of administration of vitamin C to ensure that a continuously-saturated level is produced in the body of a taker. A dose of about 500 mg taken approximately every 12 hours produces a continuously-detectable level of vitamin C in the urine of an average healthy person, which corresponds to a sufficiently high pool of ascorbic acid in the body to provide anti-oxidant protection. The minimum dosage and regimen found to be effective are respectively substantially higher than the U.S. recommended daily allowance and more frequent than administration rates previously used in clinical trials. Also claimed are kits that permit individuals to monitor for elevated urinary excretion of useful substances which are water soluble, excreted in urine, and non-toxic at physiologically beneficial levels, such that optimal dosages and regimens can be determined.

Abstract: This is an improved FIFO controller which is capable of buffering data between systems which are asynchronous relative to one another and is free of false flags and internal metastability. The FIFO controller comprises a controller means for receiving read/write data strobes and for generating an initial read/write pointer and a next read/write pointer. Memory means are coupled to the controller means for storing the read/write pointer and read/write data information. Flag generation means are coupled to the controller means for computing a status of the FIFO flags and for preventing momentary false flags.

Abstract: An insulating window shutter comprised of a one-piece, molded window shutter and hinge for coupling two window shutters together and for coupling a window shutter to a window jam. In the preferred embodiment, the window shutter is made from an expanded foam plastic such as Styrofoam.RTM., and the interior and exterior faces of the window shutter comprise a plurality of simulated wooden slats in the closed position.