Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for improving the direct current (DC) offset performance of an oversampling analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, including A/D converters that include an oversampling quantizer such as a single or multi-bit &Dgr;-&Sgr; modulator, successive approximation quantizer, flash quantizer, pipelined quantizer or other suitable oversampling quantizer. The invention also relates to methods for providing a wide-band attenuation in the digital output of an A/D converter using a limited number of components.

Abstract: A convertible article of furniture that is converted between a first position, in which the article preferably provides a relatively low, flexible, flat surface, where the article can act as a bed, and a second position, in which the article acts preferably provides a relatively high, rigid, flat surface is provided, where the article can act as a table. The transition between bed and table, and back again, is provided by changing the position of engagement of the support of the surface structure as provided by a base member with respect to the surface member. In the first position, the base member provides support distant from a central longitudinal axis of the surface, substantially about the sides of the surface, thereby allowing the surface member to be flexible along and about its central longitudinal axis and the surface is supported in a lower position.

Abstract: An oscillator circuit that adjusts the oscillation voltage such that the voltage oscillates in a uniform manner independent of changes to frequency. Slope compensation is derived from the oscillation voltage. The adjustment is implemented by using a window comparator to establish a range of operation of the oscillation voltage. When the oscillation voltage is outside the range of operation, the window comparator instructs a counter circuit to either count up or count down, depending on the value of the oscillation voltage relative to the range. This counting then is used to adjust the amount of current which charges the capacitor. Thus, when the peak voltage is too low, the amount of current is adjusted upward. When the peak voltage is too high, the amount of current is adjusted downward. In this fashion, the oscillation voltage is maintained at a substantially uniform value, while the frequency is synchronized to an external clock signal.

Abstract: A precision oscillator circuit providing a periodic waveform is provided. A periodic waveform is provided by the use of an integrating op-amp circuit in conjunction with a switched capacitor frequency control loop and a user input adapted to be coupled with a frequency-setting resistor. The frequency of the periodic waveform is determined by the values of the switched capacitor and the resistor. The oscillator circuit has an arrangement which minimizes the effect of the op-amp circuit's offset voltage. The user input is kept robust against user-introduced capacitance by the use of controllable current sources to bias the op-amp circuit. A linearity correction circuit is also provided to correct for non-ideal op-amp circuits.

Abstract: An armature winder having an adjustable winding arm, includes a wire delivery point with two degrees of freedom—one along the longitudinal axis of the armature winder and one transverse to the longitudinal axis of the armature winder. In one preferred embodiment, the adjustable winding arm pivots around an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the winder. This pivoting motion allows adjustment of the wire delivery point along an arcuate path, thereby utilizing each of the degrees of freedom simultaneously.

Abstract: A signal processor circuit which receives an input signal and two control words and is programmable to vary the level and the output voltage range of the output signal is provided. The signal processor includes a converter circuit and a level circuit which provide the output circuit with intermediate signals based on input control signals, e.g., input digital words. The output circuit receives an additional control signal and the intermediate signals and is programmable to modify the output voltage range and level of the output signal based on the additional control signal, e.g., a digital word.

Abstract: A method by which a client and a server cooperate to render views of a virtual reality world within which a user of the client navigates. The server sends the client a reference view and a model to use to extrapolate the reference view in response to the user's virtual movement. The client sends the server a record of the user's virtual movement. Both the client and the server perform the model-based extrapolation of the reference view. The server also performs an exact update of the reference view. When the extrapolated reference view deviates too much from the updated reference view, the server sends the client the difference between the extrapolated and updated reference views, so that the client can update its reference view.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for increasing piercing safety are provided. An ear piercing system that includes a piercing post having a magnet and an alignment target, and ornamental earring elements that may also include a magnet (of opposing polarity) and alignment target. The natural attraction of the magnets (or ferromagnetic material), in conjunction with the alignment targets, permits individuals to easily remove and replace ornamental earring elements without risk of inadvertent or intentional premature removal of the piercing post subsequent to ear piercing procedures.

Abstract: A voltage-mode feedback switching regulator circuit capable of automatically entering and exiting burst mode is provided. When the load current is low, the switching regulator utilizes a fixed minimum non-zero duty cycle generator to override a pulse-width modulator generator and provide a minimum ON-cycle to a power switch in the switching regulator. This drives the required duty cycle generated by the pulse-width modulator lower. When the pulse-width modulator is driven so low that it requires a zero duty cycle, digital logic, which has been receiving the duty cycle of the pulse-width modulator, commands the switching regulator to enter burst mode and shut down. This principle can be utilized in either a non-synchronous or synchronous switching regulator with small modifications. In addition, the principle can be utilized for both step-down and step-up configurations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a monoscopic image with one perspective to a stereoscopic image with two perspectives is provided. A foreground object is identified and outlined. The depth of the object is endowed with depth information. The second perspective is generated by image warping. Alternate embodiments comprising additional features, such as removing redundant frames, which reduce the necessary computation are also provided.

Abstract: A switch impedance insensitive signal processor is provided. A signal processor according to the present invention overcomes the problem of switch impedance by adding an individual buffer, e.g. a unity-gain amplifier, between the switch and the processor portion of the circuit. The buffer isolates the signal processor from the switch impedance.

Abstract: An oversampling data converter with good rejection capability is provided. The oversampling data converter includes three primary parts; a delta-sigma modulator for sampling and digitizing incoming analog signals, a high order digital filter for discarding unwanted frequency components, and an internal clock generator for controlling the operation of the modulator and the filter. All three primary parts are provided in the same package and also on the same die. No frequency-setting external components are necessary. The high order digital filter provides more than 100 dB rejection at a first null frequency. The first null provided by the filter has a sufficiently broad range so as to allow a low accuracy internal clock generator to be used. If necessary, the clock can be generated externally or from some other part of the system.

Abstract: A rake that can be adjusted between a right-handed position and a left-handed position is provided. The rake has a handle, and raking fingers forming a first raking fan and a second raking fan each having a raking edge. The raking fingers are pivotably attached to a crossbar that is pivotably attached to the handle. An actuator is provided allowing a user to pivot the crossbar relative to the handle, causing the raking fingers to move closer together on one side of the handle and to diverge on the other side of the handle, so as to provide a rake having one larger raking edge, and one smaller raking edge. Such a rake eliminates the inconvenience created by either the raking edge, or the leaves, passing over the user's feet during raking, while providing the ability to quickly adjust to right-handed or left-handed use.