Abstract: In one form, a method for communicating among subsystems coupled to a bus of a computer system on an integrated circuitry chip includes operating subsystems at independent clock frequencies when the subsystems are not communicating with one another on the bus. Selected pairs of the subsystems are operated at a shared clock frequency by selectively varying frequencies of clock signals to the subsystems, so that communication can occur at the shared clock frequency on the bus between the selected subsystems, but at different clock frequencies for respective different pairings of the subsystems, and so that the subsystems can operate at independent clock frequencies when not communicating with other ones of the subsystems. Communication among the subsystems is by a bus-based protocol, according to which when a subsystem is granted access to the bus the subsystem has exclusive use of the bus.

Abstract: Interfacing circuitry for asynchronously transferring data between a high-speed clock domain and a low-speed clock domain is provided. The interfacing circuitry is divided into halves, with one half being synchronized to a first clock and the second half being synchronized to a second clock. The first half and the second half are mirror images of each other. Each half has at least one storage component, such as a register and a flip-flop, for storing a valid bit as well as data, and at least one multiplexer component for gating the storage component. The valid bit is used to control the multiplexer at a receiving half. When transferring from a high-speed clock domain to a low-speed clock domain, the high-speed clock domain may probe the received data and/or the valid bit stored in the low-speed clock domain before the high-speed clock domain sends additional data.

Abstract: A coupler enables a paintball hopper to be easily connected to and disconnected from a paintball marker. A part of the coupler is connected to the paintball marker while another part is connected to the paintball hopper. The coupler has a locked and an unlocked position. In the unlocked position, the portion of the coupler connected to the paintball hopper is easily removed from or inserted into the coupler. In the locked position, the paintball hopper is held immobile and capable of being used in a competitive environment. The coupler provides fixed positions while locked and uses techniques to keep the hopper immobile when locked to the paintball marker.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a dynamically alterable output clock from an input clock based on the value of an integer, where the integer can be modified continuously. The invention also provides a sample cycle output which is an enable pulse, having the width of the input clock cycle, that is asserted one or two input clock cycles prior to the rising edge alignment of the input and output clocks, that acts as a rising edge alignment enable signal, maintaining a one-to-one correspondence between the sample cycle assertions and rising edge alignment events, regardless of the dynamic changes in the value of the integer.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating fluid pressure comprising an inlet for accepting fluid at high pressure and an outlet for supplying fluid at a predetermined pressure to the device that requires fluid flow. A piston and seal form the valve used to regulate the fluid pressure at the outlet. Another aspect of the invention is a high-pressure chamber to that provides a reserve of fluid for continuous regulated pressure during periods of sustained use. The regulated pressure is adjustable using a sphere and ramp mechanism. One embodiment of the invention is adapted for use with a paintball marker.

Abstract: A method of reducing power consumption while maintaining performance characteristics and avoiding costly over-design of a high-speed communication link embedded in an SOC is provided. The method includes synthesizing the communication link at a reduced voltage to determine and isolate circuitry that is supply-voltage-critical from circuitry that is non-supply-voltage-critical. The supply-voltage-critical circuitry contains components that may not operate at the reduced voltage without degrading the performance characteristics of the communication link. A non-reduced voltage is used to drive the supply-voltage-critical circuitry while the reduced voltage is used to drive the non-supply-voltage-critical circuitry. The reduced voltage is generated using a voltage regulator embedded in the communication link.

Abstract: A method of reducing power consumption while maintaining performance characteristics and avoiding costly over-design of a high-speed communication link embedded in an SOC is provided. The method includes synthesizing the communication link at a reduced voltage to determine and isolate circuitry that is supply-voltage-critical from circuitry that is non-supply-voltage-critical. The supply-voltage-critical circuitry contains components that may not operate at the reduced voltage without degrading the performance characteristics of the communication link. A non-reduced voltage is used to drive the supply-voltage-critical circuitry while the reduced voltage is used to drive the non-supply-voltage-critical circuitry. The reduced voltage is generated using a voltage regulator embedded in the communication link.

Abstract: In one form, a method for communicating among subsystems coupled to a bus of a computer system on an integrated circuitry chip includes operating subsystems at independent clock frequencies when the subsystems are not communicating with one another on the bus. Selected pairs of the subsystems are operated at a shared clock frequency by selectively varying frequencies of clock signals to the subsystems, so that communication can occur at the shared clock frequency on the bus between the selected subsystems, but at different clock frequencies for respective different pairings of the subsystems, and so that the subsystems can operate at independent clock frequencies when not communicating with other ones of the subsystems. Communication among the subsystems is by a bus-based protocol, according to which when a subsystem is granted access to the bus the subsystem has exclusive use of the bus.

Abstract: A level shifter having a data input node, a first inverter having its input connected to the data input node, a second inverter connected to an output of the first inverter, a data output node, a latch having its output connected to the data output node, a first NFET connected between an input of the latch and a ground potential, and having its gate electrode connected to an output of the second inverter, and a second NFET connected between the data output node and the ground potential, and having its gate electrode connected to the output of the first inverter. The level shifter provides for a conversion of a data signal from a power supply domain of 1.8 volts to one of 3.3 volts.

Abstract: A method of reducing power consumption while maintaining performance characteristics and avoiding costly over-design of a high-speed communication link embedded in an SOC is provided. The method includes synthesizing the communication link at a reduced voltage to determine and isolate circuitry that is supply-voltage-critical from circuitry that is non-supply-voltage-critical. The supply-voltage-critical circuitry contains components that may not operate at the reduced voltage without degrading the performance characteristics of the communication link. A non-reduced voltage is used to drive the supply-voltage-critical circuitry while the reduced voltage is used to drive the non-supply-voltage-critical circuitry. The reduced voltage is generated using a voltage regulator embedded in the communication link.

Abstract: According to an apparatus form of the invention, oscillator circuitry for operating a number of inverters in a loop (also known as a “ring”) includes a number of inverters. The inverters include a series of M inverters and a series of N inverters. The M inverters have signal propagation delay of m and the N inverters have signal propagation delay of n. The circuitry also includes means for selecting whether to exclude the N inverters from operating in the loop operable for receiving a select signal on a data input. The selecting means times assertion of the select signal on an output to select the number of inverters. In order to glitchlessly change the number of inverters operating in the loop, the selecting means has a certain delay greater than delay n.

Abstract: According to an apparatus form of the invention, oscillator circuitry for operating a number of inverters in a loop (also known as a “ring”) includes a number of inverters. The inverters include a series of M inverters and a series of N inverters. The M inverters have signal propagation delay of m and the N inverters have signal propagation delay of n. The circuitry also includes means for selecting whether to exclude the N inverters from operating in the loop operable for receiving a select signal on a data input. The selecting means times assertion of the select signal on an output to select the number of inverters. In order to glitchlessly change the number of inverters operating in the loop, the selecting means has a certain delay greater than delay n.

Abstract: A system in which bus signals are selectively modified to effectively isolate desired bus agents from the bus. The selective modification of bus signals may be determined from a stored table (permission table) indicating permitted and prohibited bus transaction initiator/target pairs. The permission table may be located in a dedicated device, such as a programmable logic array or application specific integrated circuit. Alternatively, the permission table may be integrated into the bus arbiter. The permission table may be used to provide a unique 1-bit signal to each bus agent indicating whether the corresponding bus agent is permitted to receive transactions from the current bus master. The permission bit may be routed to external gating circuitry associated with each bus agent. The gating circuitry may receive one or more bus control signals and may modify the control signals depending upon the state of the permission bit.

Abstract: A level shifter having a data input node, a first inverter having its input connected to the data input node, a second inverter connected to an output of the first inverter, a data output node, a latch having its output connected to the data output node, a first NFET connected between an input of the latch and a ground potential, and having its gate electrode connected to an output of the second inverter, and a second NFET connected between the data output node and the ground potential, and having its gate electrode connected to the output of the first inverter. The level shifter provides for a conversion of a data signal from a power supply domain of 1.8 volts to one of 3.3 volts.

Abstract: A level shifter having a data input node, a first inverter having its input connected to the data input node, a second inverter connected to an output of the first inverter, a data output node, a latch having its output connected to the data output node, a first NFET connected between an input of the latch and a ground potential, and having its gate electrode connected to an output of the second inverter, and a second NFET connected between the data output node and the ground potential, and having its gate electrode connected to the output of the first inverter. The level shifter provides for a conversion of a data signal from a power supply domain of 1.8 volts to one of 3.3 volts.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining the contact position on a touch panel sensor. The method and apparatus utilizes a counter to determine the elapsed time that occurs before a circuit discharges from a peak value to a predetermined threshold value. The elapsed time for two or more circuits is measured, from which the contact position is determined.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining the contact position on a touch panel sensor. The method and apparatus utilizes a counter to determine the elapsed time that occurs before a circuit discharges from a peak value to a predetermined threshold value. The elapsed time for two or more circuits is measured, from which the contact position is determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a dynamically alterable output clock from an input clock based on the value of an integer, where the integer can be modified continuously. The invention also provides a sample cycle output which is an enable pulse, having the width of the input clock cycle, that is asserted one or two input clock cycles prior to the rising edge alignment of the input and output clocks, that acts as a rising edge alignment enable signal, maintaining a one-to-one correspondence between the sample cycle assertions and rising edge alignment events, regardless of the dynamic changes in the value of the integer.

Abstract: Interfacing circuitry for asynchronously transferring data between a high-speed clock domain and a low-speed clock domain is provided. The interfacing circuitry is divided into halves, with one half being synchronized to a first clock and the second half being synchronized to a second clock. The first half and the second half are mirror images of each other. Each half has at least one storage component, such as a register and a flip-flop, for storing a valid bit as well as data, and at least one multiplexer component for gating the storage component. The valid bit is used to control the multiplexer at a receiving half. When transferring from a high-speed clock domain to a low-speed clock domain, the high-speed clock domain may probe the received data and/or the valid bit stored in the low-speed clock domain before the high-speed clock domain sends additional data.