Abstract: An optimum target system is designed by implementing software modules and hardware modules, without discriminating between the software modules and the hardware modules. An external storage stores the software modules including namespace identifiers for identifying the software modules, and the hardware modules including namespace identifiers for identifying the hardware modules. A module selector specifies a process of a target system to be built, and selects the software modules and the hardware modules that execute the specified process. A namespace manager acquires the namespace identifiers for identifying the software modules, and the namespace identifiers for identifying the hardware modules. A module mapping processor implements either one of the software modules and the hardware modules in the target system, based on the namespace identifiers.

Abstract: Optimization design method for configurable analog circuits and devices resulting from same. An implementation fabric for a given application domain can be accurately pre-characterized in terms of devices and parasitics. Customization structures are designed and characterized to be applied to the fabric to customize a device for a particular application. In some embodiments, characterization is accomplished by formulating a configurable design problem as an optimization with recourse problem, for example, a geometric programming with recourse (GPR) problem. Devices can be produced for multiple applications from the application domain using the same optimized fabric to provide predictable performance.

Abstract: The amount of analysis performed in determining the validity of a property of a digital circuit is measured concurrent with performance of the analysis, and provided as an output when a true/false answer cannot be provided e.g. when stopped due to resource constraints. In some embodiments, a measure of value N indicates that a given property that is being checked will not be violated within a distance N from an initial state from which the analysis started. Therefore, in such embodiments, a measure of value N indicates that the analysis has implicitly or explicitly covered every possible excursion of length N from the initial state, and formally proved that no counter-example is possible within this length N.

Abstract: Described herein are two techniques referred to as “Adaptive Power Routing” and “Shield Sharing To Reduce Shield Count,” that allow power routing and signal routing to be integrated in a manner that provides more efficient and compact layout of design blocks as compared to traditional techniques. Adaptive power routing refers to completion of power routing to be postponed to the signal routing phase, at which time signal shielding requirements are also used to complete the power routing along with predefined power delivery constraints. Shield sharing optimization refers to the more efficient use of previously routed power lines and to the insertion of a reduced number of additional power lines so as to satisfy both shielding requirements and power supply requirements in a gridless environment.

Abstract: A remotely controlled speaker phone actuated by an infrared remote control. The housing for the phone includes three angularly disposed front surfaces, each surface carrying speakers, microphones, and an infrared sensor. The infrared remote control is used to actuate the phone from any location in the room where the phone is located. Speaker volume control and speed dialing of preset numbers including 911 are also provided on the remote control. The phone may be wall-mounted, or it may be carried on a mobile base. The remote control may be attached to a key chain or wristband so that it will always be readily accessible to the user.

Abstract: A cordless telephone headset and remotely controlled telephone handset pick-up device for use in conjunction with an existing corded telephone set. A mechanical lift arm of the pick-up device, driven by an electric motor with a slip clutch, lifts the handset away from the corded telephone cradle, placing the telephone handset in an off-hook position. The handset is lowered back onto the cradle by the mechanical lift arm, returning the telephone set to an on-hook position. The mechanical lift arm is activated and deactivated in response to a radio signal indicative of the lowering and raising of the microphone boom of the cordless headset. The slip clutch provides sufficient force to gently and reliably raise and lower the telephone handset without causing misalignment between the handset and the cradle and without causing damage.

Abstract: A surround processor adapted to apply a stereo surround processing and a monaural surround processing to audio input signals of two channels to provide surround processed outputs, wherein a stereo/monaural discrimination output based on inputted audio signals of two channels is caused to have a predetermined time constant to provide a mixture ratio control signal to change a mixture ratio between a stereo surround processing output signal and a monaural surround processing output signal, to thereby discriminate whether an input signal is a stereo signal or a monaural signal and to automatically carry out switching between the surround processing output. The time constant prevents switching between the stereo surround processing state and the monaural surround processing state from being suddenly conducted.