Abstract: A system includes multiple master devices and at least one memory refresh scheduler. When a master device needs higher priority for memory access, the master device sends a dynamic priority signal to the memory refresh scheduler and in response, the memory refresh scheduler changes its policy for issuing refresh commands.

Abstract: An ice-particle spray generating device for use on snow vehicles is disclosed. The present invention provides an adapter having a locking device to prevent the connecting means of the ice-particle spray generating device to loosen when the snow vehicle is travelling.

Abstract: A security context management system within a security accelerator that can operate with high latency memories and can provide line-rate processing on several security protocols. The method employed hides the memory latencies by having the processing engines working in a pipelined fashion. It is designed to auto-fetch security context from external memory, and will allow any number of simultaneous security connections by caching only limited contexts on-chip and fetching other contexts as needed. The module does the task of fetching and associating security context with ingress packet, and populates the security context RAM with data from the external memory.

Abstract: An ice-particle spray generating device for use on snow vehicles is disclosed. The present invention provides an adapter having a locking device to prevent the connecting means of the ice-particle spray generating device to loosen when the snow vehicle is travelling.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retractable wheel system for snowmobile skis. The retractable wheel system of the present invention may be installed on a snowmobile ski without affecting its structural integrity by installing the system on the reinforced portion of the snowmobile ski. When a user circulates in a path with little or no snow, the retractable wheel system is positioned in the extended configuration by the user and the system will automatically return to the retracted configuration when the user returns in a snowy zone. This is realized by using a pre-tensioned spring that will reposition the wheel in the retracted configuration. The spring transmits a rotational movement to the member on which the wheel is fixed.

Abstract: The retractable wheel system of the present invention may be installed on a snowmobile ski without affecting its structural integrity by installing the system on the reinforced portion of the snowmobile ski. When a user circulates in a path with little or no snow, the retractable wheel system is positioned in the extended configuration by the user and the system will automatically return to the retracted configuration when the user returns in a snowy zone. This is realized by using a pre-tensioned spring that will reposition the wheel in the retracted configuration. The spring transmits a rotational movement to the member on which the wheel is fixed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retractable wheel system for snowmobile skis. The retractable wheel system of the present invention may be installed on a snowmobile ski without affecting its structural integrity by installing the system on the reinforced portion of the snowmobile ski. When a user circulates in a path with little or no snow, the retractable wheel system is positioned in the extended configuration by the user and the system will automatically return to the retracted configuration when the user returns in a snowy zone. This is realized by using a pre-tensioned spring that will reposition the wheel in the retracted configuration. The spring transmits a rotational movement to the member on which the wheel is fixed.

Abstract: A method of attachment of a ski to a snowmobile, the snowmobile capable of displacement about a gliding surface. The method comprises the step of providing the snowmobile with at least one steering link defining a push axis. It also comprises the step of providing a snowmobile ski having a ski body defining an undersurface, a snowmobile mounting member connected to the ski body, and at least one blade member attached to the ski body and arranged about the ski body undersurface, the blade member defining a leading end portion and a trailing end portion. The method finally comprises the step of attaching the snowmobile mounting member to the steering link such that the push axis substantially registers with the leading end portion of the blade member when the snowmobile glides on the gliding surface, thus enhancing adherence of the ski to the gliding surface.

Abstract: A novel receive timing manager is presented. The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises an edge detection logic to detect the data transition points, a plurality of data flip-flops for storing data at different sample points, and a multiplexer to select the ideal sample point based on the transition points found. A sample window is made with multiple samples. The sample window size can be designed smaller or greater than the system clock period based on the data transfer speed and accuracy requirement.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for communication among multiple devices on a data bus with relatively few connections to the bus and reduced logic for enumeration, arbitration, and data flow control is described. A Very Little Multi Master Bus (VLMMB) couples various devices in a bit-rotated manner. When one or more devices seek ownership (control) of the bus, that device raises its assigned bus request line to a predetermined logic (e.g., “1” or “0”). Because there are as many bus request lines as devices, each device can “see” the devices requesting the ownership of the bus. If multiple devices request ownership, the requesting devices determine which one gains ownership by a hierarchical, round-robin, or similar logical decision.

Abstract: An interface between a host and a slave device having a latency greater than the latency of the host is disclosed. The interface includes a register and a state machine. The state machine provides data to the host from any address in the slave in two host read cycles. The state machine receives a first request from the host for data stored at a first address in the slave at a first time. The state machine stores the data returned from the slave in response to the first request in the register at a second time. The state machine receives a second request from the host for data stored at a second address in the slave at a third time. The state machine provides the data specified in the first request to the host at a fourth time. The state machine is additionally adapted to provide data to the host from a second address in the slave in one read cycle.

Abstract: A method is provided for dramatically improving communications data throughput on embedded systems and reducing the load on the operating system and central processing unit by moving the network protocol logic nearer to the underlying communication hardware, and utilizing the communication processor hardware abstraction layer (CPHAL) concepts. This movement of the network protocol logic allows leveraging the CPHAL data structures, which are tightly bound to the communication packets being processed. The decision making is made just above the CPHAL layer; and the CPHAL data structure is preserved. Copying data is avoided by manipulating of pointers within the CPHAL buffer.

Abstract: A display controller circuit for controlling a display memory having a plurality of memory locations, each memory location having a memory depth. Pixel data having a pixel data depth and a repeat count having a repeat count depth may be stored in each memory location of the display memory. The repeat count represents the number of times the pixel data is to be repeated for display on the external display device. The display controller circuit may be a “fetch inhibiting” display controller or a “memory saving” display controller. A method for controlling memory having a plurality of memory locations, each memory location having a memory depth, the memory depth divided into a data depth for storing data and an excess depth for storing a repeat count.

Abstract: An interface between a host and a slave device having a latency greater than the latency of the host is disclosed. The interface includes a register and a state machine. The state machine provides data to the host from any address in the slave in two host read cycles. The state machine receives a first request from the host for data stored at a first address in the slave at a first time. The state machine stores the data returned from the slave in response to the first request in the register at a second time. The state machine receives a second request from the host for data stored at a second address in the slave at a third time. The state machine provides the data specified in the first request to the host at a fourth time. The state machine is additionally adapted to provide data to the host from a second address in the slave in one read cycle.

Abstract: A graphics controller configurable for any display device. The graphics controller includes a clock, a counter, and a memory for storing a timing scan pattern. The timing scan pattern is a representation of the timing signals according to the protocol required for a particular display. The timing scan pattern is stored at a plurality of addresses in the memory. The counter is coupled to an address input of the memory. In response to a clock pulse, the count value increments causing a like increment in a selected memory address. The content of the memory at each selected address is provided to the graphics display device. The graphics controller can be configured for use with different display devices by storing different timing scan patterns in the memory.

Abstract: A computing device (100) including a wireless packet data communications modem (101) used in conjunction with a computer (103) to provide untethered access to data bases and other computer users. A method is provided for controlling data transmission and reception using the wireless packet data communications modem (101) in tandem with the computer (103). Two-way communications is achieved using a small, low-cost, light-weight wireless packet data communications modem contained in a housing, integral to a computing device, or a removable housing conforming to a PCMCIA industry standard.

Abstract: A radio-frequency output signal having a specified characteristic is produced using a combination of a calibrated radio unit in which a calibration factor is stored and an uncalibrated modem unit. The calibration factor is input to the modem unit from the radio unit, and the modem outputs to the radio unit a signal of a nominal signal level determined in accordance with the calibration factor. An actual signal level of the signal is measured, and a gain factor within the modem unit is adjusted until the nominal signal level and the actual signal level are substantially equal. A wireless modem includes a calibrated radio unit and an uncalibrated modem unit coupled to the radio unit. A first signal path is provided from the modem unit to the radio unit, and a feedback signal path from the radio unit to the modem unit.

Abstract: An integrated circuit card, such as PC Card, is provided in which a step-down converter in the form of a switching regulator provides a stable operating voltage at increased current beyond what is normally available from a single source. In particular, a quiet and stable power supply is obtained by modifying the standard configuration of a switching regulator such that the catch diode, or free-wheeling diode, instead of being connected to ground at the non-blocking terminal, is connected to a primary voltage source approximating the desired output voltage. If the desired output voltage is 5V, for example, the catch diode may be connected to Vcc supplied by a PC Card slot, which nominally supplies 5V. The block terminal of the catch diode is connected through the switch of the switching regulator to a higher, supplementary, voltage source, e.g. Vpp=12V in the case of a PC Card slot.

Abstract: A dual function interface operating in a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) mode of operation switches to an alternative interface operating in the appropriate mode of operation as defined by the alternative interface system specification. This is accomplished by setting a unique combination of address lines (203) and/or control lines (202) and automatically and transparently switching from the PCMCIA mode of operation to the alternate mode operation in response to the unique combination.

Abstract: A PCMCIA card having independent functionality and alternatively arranged to operate in conjunction with a host computer, that includes a peripheral apparatus (109) having an integral CPU (125), a power source (129), and a power supply (127) for exhibiting an independent operating state; and an interface function (121) integral with and coupled to said peripheral apparatus (109), said interface function arranged and constructed to couple said peripheral apparatus to the host computer (101) over a PCMCIA compliant interface and initiate a dependent operating state at said peripheral apparatus (109).