Abstract: A control device having an elongated shaft, a C-shaped magnet, and an anti-rotation pin. The magnet and the anti-rotation pin are encapsulated in a spherical member. The C- shaped magnet has opposing ends defining an open slot along the C-shaped main body. The anti-rotation pin extends through the slot and connects to the shaft.

Abstract: A method of forming a control device includes the steps of positioning a magnet and a shaft in a die and die-casting zinc around the magnet and the shaft. The magnet is a sintered C-shaped magnet having opposing ends defining an open slot along the C-shaped main body. An anti-rotate pin is positioned in the die and is located at least partially within the open slot. Zinc is die-cast around the magnet, the shaft and the anti-rotate pin.

Abstract: A computer system includes a processor which may initialize a secure execution mode by executing a security initialization instruction. Further, the processor may operate in the secure execution mode by executing a secure operating system code segment. The computer system also includes a system memory configured to store data in a plurality of locations. The computer system also includes a memory controller which may selectively clear the data from a programmed range of the memory locations of the system memory when enabled in response to a reset of the processor.

Abstract: A controller for a powered loudspeaker including a bus monitor configured to monitor a bus for activity and a click suppression unit coupled to the bus monitor and configured to control speaker volume by ramping the volume down if an absence of data on the bus is detected, and restoring the volume once bus activity begins again. In this manner, undesired clicks and hisses upon power up and power down are minimized.

Abstract: A circuit and method is provided for selectively stalling interrupt requests originating devices coupled to a multiprocessor system. The multiprocessor system includes a plurality of circuit nodes each one of which is coupled to an individual memory. An I/O bridge coupled to a first circuit node is configured to generate non-coherent memory access command packets and non-coherent interrupt command packets. The first circuit node also generates a coherent interrupt command packet in response to receiving the non-coherent interrupt command packet. The first circuit node transmits the coherent interrupt command packet to another circuit node, possibly the second circuit node. However, the transmission of the coherent interrupt command packet may be delayed. Any delay in transmission is based on a comparison of the pipe identifications of the non-coherent command packets.

Abstract: A controller for a powered loudspeaker including a bus monitor configured to monitor a bus for activity and a click suppression unit coupled to the bus monitor and configured to control speaker volume by ramping the volume down if an absence of data on the bus is detected, and restoring the volume once bus activity begins again. In this manner, undesired clicks and hisses upon power up and power down are minimized.

Abstract: A controller for a powered loudspeaker for use in a computer system including a bus monitor configured to monitor a bus for predetermined activity and a power management control unit coupled to the bus monitor. The controller is configured to turn off power supplied to the powered loudspeaker responsive to an absence of predetermined activity on said bus. After a predetermined interval, or upon detection of restoration of activity, the power is turned back on.

Abstract: A powered microphone for use with a personal computer comprising a Universal Serial Bus interface for coupling the powered microphone to a Universal Serial Bus. A circuit coupled to the Universal Serial Bus interface is configured to integrate a plurality of data streams, including clock data, digital audio data, and control data into Universal Serial Bus compatible data. A gain controller is coupled to provide control signals to a power supply and amplifier; and an audio data circuit is coupled to receive clock data and analog audio data. The audio data circuit includes an analog-to-digital converter for converting the analog audio data to a digital audio signal, and the audio data circuit is further configured to receive an audio control signal from the gain controller.

Abstract: A computer system and method for transferring multimedia commands and data to a dedicated multimedia engine and/or multimedia memory, wherein the multimedia engine provides increased performance for real-time applications over current computer architectures. The system includes a dedicated multimedia engine coupled directly to the main memory which performs real-time operations, including audio and video function, as well as others. The multimedia engine includes multimedia memory and one or more DSP engines. The CPU writes video and/or audio commands and data to the main memory. The CPU also preferably writes data structure information to the DMA engine which includes the main memory address where the commands and data reside. The DMA engine uses this information to retrieve the commands and data from main memory into the multimedia memory. The DMA engine preferably operates concurrently with the multimedia engine, thus allowing for improved performance.

Abstract: A computer system optimized for real-time applications which provides increased performance for real-time applications over current computer architectures. The system includes a dedicated multimedia engine coupled directly to the main memory which performs real-time operations, including audio and video functions, as well as others. The multimedia engine includes multimedia memory and one or more DSP (digital signal processor) engines. The DSP engines may comprise either dedicated audio or video engines or general purpose DSP engines. The DSP engines couple through one or more I/O channels to respective video, audio and communication ports. The multimedia engine includes video ports for coupling to a video monitor, audio ports for coupling to speakers and one or more communication ports. The multimedia memory in the multimedia engine comprises a portion of the main memory address space. Thus the multimedia is used for real-time or multimedia data and is also used by the CPU as overflow memory space.

Abstract: A single monolithic integrated circuit which may be used with an external audio integrated circuit to provide various analog support functions for the external audio integrated circuit, including, microphone amplifier circuitry, speaker/headphone drivers and power control.

Abstract: A processing system having a processor which accesses external memory for data and/or instructions includes an improved external memory access control system producing external memory enable time durations which are independent of the number of external memory accesses per unit of time, thereby reducing power consumption of the processing system. The control system includes a clock source for providing a clock signal which determines the external memory access rate. An enable duration control is coupled to the clock source and is arranged to enable the external memory for time durations during each memory access which are independent from the external memory access rate.

Abstract: A keypad monitor implemented in an integrated circuit monitors the closure of a plurality of keypad switches coupled to input terminals of the integrated circuit. The keypad monitor is operative in a first mode for monitoring a first number of the input terminals and a second mode for monitoring a lesser number of input terminals. When in the second mode, the unmonitored input terminals are converted for a use not related to keypad monitoring.