Abstract: An image display system comprises a processor 10, a main memory 20 and a display panel 30, where the main memory 20 includes an uncompressed image area 24 for storing image data relating to an image and a compressed image area 26 for storing compressed image data. The processor is microcode-programmed, and executes, after changes have been made in the uncompressed image area, a special sequence of microcode words in a micro program memory 12 of the processor for compressing at least those parts of the uncompressed image area that are subject to changes. The microcode-compressed parts of the image data are then stored in the compressed image area 26 of the main memory. Compressed image data may then be fetched from the compressed image area 26 and decompressed for enabling generation of an appropriate image signal. The generated image signal can finally be applied to the display 30 for refreshing the image.

Abstract: An electronic timer system includes a counter-based time generator for continuously generating raw base time, and a translator for translating between raw base time and local precise time. The counter-based time generator is driven by an oscillator. The timer system further includes a temperature sensor placed in the proximity of the oscillator or a crystal used by the oscillator, and a look-up control table holding temperature values associated with corresponding control values representative of the configurable parameter value A. The look-up control table is generated when the timer system is synchronized with a synchronization source so that the temperature and control values are characteristic of the operation of the timer system in synchronization.

Abstract: An electronic timer system includes a counter-based time generator (10) for continuously generating raw base time, and a translator (20) for translating between raw base time and local precise time using configurable parameter values. The timer system can be used for generating local precise time by capturing a raw base time value from the counter-based time generator (10) in response to an external event such as a trigger pulse, and using the translator (20) to calculate local precise time from the raw base time value and the parameter values. The timer system can also be used for generating a precisely timed output signal using the translator (20) for translation from precise time of a desired timing event to raw base time. This novel design enables simple and cost-effective practical implementations, and may also support power effective operation of the timer system.

Abstract: There is provided a novel microprogrammed processor (100) by combining two or more processor cores (10) in such a way that the processor cores can share the special microprogram memory resource (20) that is located deep inside the processor architecture. In other words, the novel microprogrammed processor (100) basically includes at least two processor cores (10), and a common internal microprogram control store (20) including microcode instructions for controlling at least the internal standard operation of the multiple processor cores, and suitable elements (30) for providing time-shared access to the microprogram control store by the processor cores.

Abstract: An electronic timer system includes a counter-based time generator for continuously generating raw base time, and a translator for translating between raw base time and local precise time. The counter-based time generator is driven by an oscillator. The timer system further includes a temperature sensor placed in the proximity of the oscillator or a crystal used by the oscillator, and a look-up control table holding temperature values associated with corresponding control values representative of the configurable parameter value A. The look-up control table is generated when the timer system is synchronized with a synchronization source so that the temperature and control values are characteristic of the operation of the timer system in synchronization.