Patents Assigned to Texas Instruments
  • Patent number: 4334293
    Abstract: An MOS memory cell of the static type employs a pair of cross-coupled driver transistors forming a bistable circuit, with load resistors replaced by a pair of series coupling transistors connecting storage nodes to complementary precharged data lines. The coupling transistors are turned on in sequence, for refresh, so an intermediate node is charged during a first phase and discharged into the storage nodes during the second phase. Both transistors are turned on at the same time for read or write operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: James E. Ponder
  • Patent number: 4334256
    Abstract: A high power semiconductor switching arrangement controlled by a sensing circuit to suppress transient surges while maintaining operating voltage. The magnitude of a surge determines the rate of current flow through the semiconductor arrangement to maintain the operating voltage required while dissipating the excess power across a load resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Joe D. Mings
  • Patent number: 4334306
    Abstract: A transparent intelligent communication network having both terrestrial and satellite links between nodes and providing improved accuracy and speed in transmission by distinguishing between data requiring rapid receipt at the receiving node and other data, and dispatching data accordingly, while transmitting system protocol and error-correcting information (e.g., retransmissions) over terrestrial links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Mehmet E. Ulug
  • Patent number: 4333143
    Abstract: An input process sequence controller provides a sophisticated communication processing link between a central processor and peripheral digital apparatus. Data is transmitted from the peripheral digital apparatus to the process sequence controller whose function is to process that incoming data as commanded, to relieve the central processor of that task. The process sequence controller has a processor unit, controlled by a Read-only Memory for performing certain functions on the incoming data. The incoming data is received by one portion of a first swapping buffer while a second portion transmits previously received data to the processor unit. When the second portion is emptied, it begins receiving data while the first portion transmits data. A first portion of a second swapping buffer receives processed data from the processor unit while a second portion transmits processed data to the central processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1982
    Assignee: Texas Instruments
    Inventor: Powell L. Calder
  • Patent number: 4333167
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises an array of rows and columns of dynamic-type memory cells with on-chip refresh circuitry which automatically produces a refresh operation invisible to the CPU. The refresh circuitry includes an address counter and a multiplexer to insert the refresh address when an internal clock indicates a refresh cycle. The refresh address counter is incremented after each refresh cycle. If a refresh command is being executed when an address presented, the refresh operation is completed then the device is accessed in the usual manner. By specifying the access time of the device as the sum of the usual access type plus the time needed for refresh, the internal refresh is invisible to the CPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1982
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: David J. McElroy
  • Patent number: 4332082
    Abstract: A keyboard is assembled by providing first and second electrically conductive strips of layers and first and second electrically insulative strips of layers, forming the layers into a desired configuration and laminating them together with the respective insulative layers intermediate and on top of the conductive layers. Switching areas are delineated on at least one of the conductive layers and are joined to each other and are provided with output leads by conductive paths configured from the conductive layer. The interposed insulative layer is formed with a plurality of apertures located so that an aperture can be aligned with each switching area. After the layers are laminated together they are blanked out from the strips and holes and punched out through the four layers to sever selected conductive paths and form a preselected circuit pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1982
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry K. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4333025
    Abstract: A voltage comparator circuit suitable for a semiconductor integrated circuit device comprised of a variable impedance being controlled by input voltages that are to be compared with one another and a feedback circuit comprised of a pair of cross-coupled transistors each having a gain of unity to provide a differential signal of infinite gain to a single ended output circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1982
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: John C. Domogalla
  • Patent number: 4331851
    Abstract: A printed circuit board is shown having a plurality of data input devices disposed on a face of the board and spaced from one another at selected distances. Each data input device comprises a housing having a flexible electrically conductive disc disposed therein and adapted upon flexure to close a selected circuit path on the board. A flexible gasket is received over an open end of the housing and is captured between the housing and a cover attached thereto. The cover is provided with an aperture therethrough to provide access for a motion transfer member operatively connected to a key member or, alternatively, to permit the button portion of a key member captured between the cover and the gasket to extend therethrough. Stand-off surfaces project from the housing to space the housing from the board to facilitate flushing of the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry K. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4331615
    Abstract: A fuel supply system for an automotive engine has a thermal control regulating choke valve movement in a carburetor to provide smooth engine starting at various ambient temperatures while achieving improved fuel efficiency and pollution emission control. Motion transfer means in the control include cam, cam follower and gear means which are arranged between an electrically-heated, thermally-responsive spring and an additional spring to adapt the control to meet the performance requirements of a particular carburetor or engine. Movement of the thermally-responsive spring in response to temperature change moves the additional spring to provide any linear or non-linear changes in choke valve biasing force which may be desired for improving engine performance during engine warm up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Hidde Walstra, Jaap Vonk
  • Patent number: 4331708
    Abstract: A method of fabricating deep grooves having submicron widths in a semiconductor substrate. A pattern of submicron oxidation masking elements formed on the substrate surface serves as an oxidation mask for a thick oxide layer. After forming the oxide layer, the insulating elements are removed to form a pattern of submicron width openings in the oxide extending to the substrate. A selective anisotropic dry etch is then used to form deep, narrow grooves in the substrate conforming to the pattern of openings which are filled with an insulating material formed by thermal oxidation, chemical vapor deposition, or a combination thereof. This process is used to provide deep dielectric isolation between active areas in high density integrated circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: William R. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4331836
    Abstract: A system incorporating an integrated circuit device or chip which digitally synthesizes human speech using a linear predictive filter. The linear predictive filter comprises a single filter stage only which contains a single multiplier for selectively multiplying a plurality of coefficients, initiating the multiplication of one coefficient at a time, by using a feedback loop with multiplexing techniques so as to input multiplexed signals to the multiplier--as contrasted to a cascade of filter stages. Thus, the single multiplier of the linear predictive filter is utilized repetitively to provide the calculations required. The system also includes a memory for storage of digital filter coefficients, a controller for selectively accessing the coefficients, and a speaker for generating audible sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard H. Wiggins, Jr., George L. Brantingham
  • Patent number: 4330851
    Abstract: A decoder for address inputs to a semiconductor memory or the like comprises a NOR gate having a number of parallel input transistors corresponding to the number of address bits to be decoded. The address bits and their complements are selectively connected to the gates of the input transistors and the sources of these transistors, rather than only to the gates as in prior decoders. The layout of this decoder more nearly matches the pitch of rows in a high density dynamic RAM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1982
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Lionel S. White, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4330852
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device of the MOS/LSI type using dynamic one-transistor cells has a serial input/output system. A serial shift register having a number of stages equal to the number of columns in the memory cell array is connected to the columns by transfer gates. The bits in the register may be loaded into the columns of the array and thus to an addressed row of cells, or data in one entire addressed row of cells may be loaded into the shift register stages via the columns and transfer gates. Data from external is loaded serially into the shift register for a write operation, or serially shifted out of the register to external for a read operation. The cell array can be addressed for refresh during the time that data is being shifted into or out of the serial register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1982
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Donald J. Redwine, Lionel S. White, Jr., G. R. Mohan Rao
  • Patent number: 4327953
    Abstract: A module containing an integrated circuit is disclosed. The module may be repetitively installed in a receptacle located in some electronic apparatus, such as an electronic calculator or video game, with low risk of damage to the integrated circuit or to the receptacle. The module is essentially "box" shaped and is provided with keys and slots for assuring proper orientation within the receptacle. The integrated circuit device is preferably attached via its leads to a substrate located in a chamber located within the module. Contacts are affixed to the substrate and coupled to the leads. These contacts are accessible from the exterior of the module through at least one aperture provided from the exterior to the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Gary A. Slagel, Peter L. Bonfield
  • Patent number: 4328395
    Abstract: A speech synthesis system with a linear predictive filter. The linear predictive filter utilizes coded reflection coefficients to produce digital signals representative of human speech. A variable interpolation circuit within the linear predictive filter allows a variable number of interpolation steps to be calculated between successive values of reflection coefficients. Additionally, a user programmable option allows the user to select a linear, nonlinear, or a combination form of interpolation based on stored scale data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Alva E. Henderson
  • Patent number: 4328510
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory cell of the random access, read/write type includes a single combined storage capacitor and access transistor structure. The process for making the cell is compatible with the standard method of making N-channel silicon gate MOS integrated circuits. A thin epitaxial region is grown over an implanted isolating region and a heavily doped bit line in each cell area. A thin gate oxide over the epitaxial layer separates it from a metal address line. A very small cell size is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: G. R. Mohan Rao
  • Patent number: 4327964
    Abstract: A simple low-cost fiber optic connector having a body member into which a ferrule is inserted and held in place by an expandable retainer which allows the ferrule to snap out of the assembly upon the application of a substantial pulling force, and thereby avoid damage to the fiber or to the connector. A preferred embodiment includes two aligned ferrules inserted into opposite sides of the body such that their tips meet at the center to interconnect the ends of two optical fibers. A multiple-ferrule embodiment is also contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Barry F. Haesly, Richard D. Harris, Eugene G. Dierschke, Michael R. Hailey
  • Patent number: 4328511
    Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a dynamic random access memory (RAM) cell comprising a depletion mode field effect transistor structure with a p-n junction "gate" electrode. The cell can be programmed to two threshold voltage states providing constant current sensing. Cell programming is by application of appropriate signals to the transistor "gate" electrode and source. Reading is accomplished by sensing current through the transistor while the source is grounded. An intermediate voltage on the "gate" electrode prevents changes in the state of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Al F. Tasch, Jr., Geoff W. Taylor, Pallab K. Chatterjee
  • Patent number: 4328571
    Abstract: A rapid start oscillator latch circuit for avoiding long start up time while maintaining minimum operating power for a crystal oscillator in an electronic watch. The oscillator is operated at a relatively high gain immediately after power is applied and until the oscillator is running, after which the oscillator is caused to operate under the normally preferred conditions. A power up pulse sets a latch and the latch is reset by either a pulse from the prescaler or a manual input. When the latch is set, the oscillator circuit is modified for quick start-up. After the oscillator is running, it activates the prescaler, and after several cycles of clock inputs to the prescaler, an output from the prescaler or a manual input resets the latch and the oscillator is returned to its normal operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert T. Noble
  • Patent number: 4328406
    Abstract: A condition responsive electrical switch has relatively movable contacts and contact arms and the like secured in precisely predetermined locations relative to each other on a molded dielectric base by sensing the relative positions of the switch components to each other on the base and by fusing portions of the base to the switch components while they are held in the desired spaced relation to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas E. Evans, David S. Keyes