Abstract: Apparatus for flexibly locating the data page on which the peripheral registers are located. External hardware contentions are eliminated because the peripheral registers can be relocated anywhere in the system address space. Hardware design is therefore much more flexible. Further, because the present invention allows peripheral registers to overlay internal data memory, data transfers can be carried out between data and peripherals using the same data page pointer. No intermediate pointer loading operations are required and memory operations to the peripheral registers can be carried out at maximum speed. The present invention allows peripheral registers to overlay data memory in a manner that permits the overlaid memory to be recovered and used for other purposes. Processor program code can be designed to overlay internal data memory with the peripheral registers while performing data transfers between the data memory and the peripheral registers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for controlling current through inductive elements by automatically switching between a pulse width modulation mode and a linear mode, depending upon the current demands of the inductive elements. A time-base circuit provides periodic pulses that allow current to flow through an inductive device. The current through the inductive device increases over time. If the current through the inductive device exceeds a specified value, the current is shut off until the next pulse from the time-base circuit. After the power supply current has been shut off, current through the inductive device continues to flow through flyback diodes, gradually decreasing over time. Another pulse is provided by the time-base circuit before the current is allowed to reach zero. By controlling the duration and rate of increase and decrease of current through the inductive device, a method of current control for inductive elements has been provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for parting containers comprising a first strip spring and a second strip spring, each strip spring extending along a first axis. The two strip springs have substantially flat first ends that are joined together, and substantially bowed second ends. The second ends of the first and second strip springs are bowed in a substantially concave configuration relative to the first axis. A guide block having a groove formed therethrough receives the two strip springs and places the springs in intimate facing contact with each other. The guide block groove extends for a short distance along the first axis, and the strip springs are adapted to slide through the groove along the first axis.

Abstract: A circuit to provide adaptive commutation delay for multi-pole brushless DC motors. The circuit adjusts the commutation delay as a function of the rotational speed of the motor to maximize motor torque and minimize power consumption. Unlike the prior art, the circuit avoids the need for complex circuitry or external components. The circuit may be implemented entirely within a single integrated circuit. The circuit includes a back-EMF sensing input, an oscillator, a voltage holding and proportioning circuit, one or more comparators and, optionally, an external control circuit. The back-EMF sensing input controls the operation of the oscillator. The voltage holding and proportioning circuit processes the oscillator output and provides outputs which are compared by the comparators. The comparators produce commutation delay signals and, optionally, other signals.

Abstract: The present invention provides driver circuitry for commutated inductive loads, and in particular, inductive loads employed in multi-pole DC brushless motors. The preferred embodiment of the present invention typically implements three pull-up and three pull-down drivers for motor control. The pull-down driver circuit described in the present invention can be configured to be adjusted by an external component of the integrated circuit implementation in order for controlling turn-off transients. Voltage transients due to changes in load current in the control loop of the pull-down driver circuit can be minimized or deterministically controlled by controlling the rate of change of the input voltage. For the case of when the load current is to be completely switched from one inductor to another inductor, an additional unity gain buffer coupled to the input voltage is inserted into the control loop of the pull-down driver circuit for reducing the voltage transients that can result.

Abstract: A TTL/CMOS interface circuit comprised entirely of CMOS components. An input gain stage comprised of transistors of a single conductivity type is provided whose gain is established by the ratio of the geometric size of the transistors. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the input gain stage is comprised of N channel transistors to a void process related mismatches. An inverter stage has a switching threshold set to optimally operate with the output of the input gain stage. The voltage at the inverter stage is tied to the power supply voltage to supply an upper voltage limit. In order to provide for zero power operation for input signals close the value of the supply voltage, a transistor is provided to cut current flow in the input stage for input signals within a threshold voltage of the supply voltage. The present circuit may also be utilized as to allow zero power operation for input signals close to ground.

Abstract: A touch sensitive switch arrangement with an I.sup.2 L (Integrated Injection Logic) structure includes a battery power source, a current limiter, an injector, a first-stage and second-stage switching transistors being both supplied with current from the injector, a first touch electrode connected to the positive polarity of the battery power source and a second touch electrode connected to the base of the first-stage switching transistor with electrical isolation from the first touch electrode.