Abstract: A printer has voice recognition capabilities to transcribe a recorded voice message into printed text. The printer has a communication interface that is connected to a communication line for receiving a voice message. The printer also has an extended memory that stores the voice message, and a speech bank that stores speech patterns and vocabulary words. After the voice message is stored in the extended memory, a speech recognizer compares the voice message to the speech patterns and vocabulary words in the speech bank and translates the voice message into text data. The text data is stored into a print buffer, where the text data may be accessed by a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU controls a print mechanism that actually prints the text data.

Abstract: A semiconductor die includes a plurality of drivers and a plurality of bonding pads. Each driver is formed by a plurality of interconnected modules and has an associated bonding pad to which at least one of the modules of the driver is electrically connected. The modules of some of the drivers are positioned outside of the associated bonding pad toward a periphery of the die. The bonding pads may be arranged, for example, in a double- or triple-staggered pattern around the periphery of the die.

Abstract: A system and method of testing IP cores contained in a system-on-chip integrated circuit is disclosed. An operation command is received on an input/output port of the circuit. The operation command includes an operation code component, data component(s), and expected time component. The received operation command is processed to supply test data to each of the IP cores being tested. Result data is received in response to the supplied test data from each of the IP cores being tested. The result data is processed and from the processed result data is generated a status data packet. The status data packet includes the operation code component and a status flag component and is provided on the input/output port.

Abstract: A method for implementing package-level intellectual property (PLIP) preverification for system on chip (SOC) devices includes providing at least one externally connected intellectual property (IP) core with an SOC. A package generic unit is provided with the IP core and is configured for providing external interface functions with respect to the SOC, wherein said package generic unit is pre-verified in silicon and independent of the specific packaging of the SOC. A package adaptation unit is provided with the IP core and is configured for providing external interface functions with respect to the SOC, wherein the package adaptation unit is pre-verified in silicon and dependent upon the specific packaging of the SOC.

Abstract: A semiconductor die includes a plurality of drivers and a plurality of bonding pads. Each driver is formed by a plurality of interconnected modules and has an associated bonding pad to which at least one of the modules of the driver is electrically connected. The modules of some of the drivers are positioned outside of the associated bonding pad toward a periphery of the die. The bonding pads may be arranged, for example, in a double- or triple-staggered pattern around the periphery of the die.

Abstract: A system and method for printing a document having one or more document finishes. The method comprises determining an electrostatic image to be applied to a sheet of paper that corresponds to a document finish, applying a finish toner to the sheet of paper corresponding to the electrostatic image, the finish toner operable to yield a document finish when fused to the sheet of paper, and fusing the finish toner to the sheet of paper. Typically, the finish toner is applied after a non-finish toner and/or a non-finish ink have been applied to the sheet of paper. Thus, the non-finish toner/ink provides the content of the sheet of paper while the finish toner provides a finish, such as a glossy, matte, or satin finish, etc. Such a system is well suited for creating and reproducing documents with finishes because large industrial printers are not required to produce the document finish.

Abstract: A system and method for printing a document having one or more document effects. The method comprises determining an electrostatic image to be applied to a sheet of paper that corresponds to an effects pattern, applying an effect toner to the sheet of paper corresponding to the electrostatic image, and fusing the effect toner to the sheet of paper. Typically, the effect toner is applied after a non-effect toner and/or a non-effect ink have been applied to the sheet of paper. Thus, the non-effect toner/ink provides the content of the sheet of paper while the clear toner provides an effect, such as watermarking, UV-reflection, etc. Such a system is well suited for creating and reproducing documents with effects because large industrial printers are not required to produce the document effects.

Abstract: An integrated circuit having a speed measurement circuit that generates an indicator of a speed of the integrated circuit in response to a test signal. The speed measurement circuit obviates the need to repeatedly apply test signals at different clock frequencies to an integrated circuit or to externally measure delay time.

Abstract: A laser printer for Braille that obviates the need for embossing mechanisms and specialized paper. A laser printer for Braille according to the present teachings increases an amount of a toner that adheres to an area of a paper that corresponds to the Braille element. The increased amount of toner yields a printed Braille element that may be read by touch.

Abstract: A printer has voice recognition capabilities to transcribe a recorded voice message into printed text. The printer has a communication interface that is connected to a communication line for receiving a voice message. The printer also has an extended memory that stores the voice message, and a speech bank that stores speech patterns and vocabulary words. After the voice message is stored in the extended memory, a speech recognizer compares the voice message to the speech patterns and vocabulary words in the speech bank and translates the voice message into text data. The text data is stored into a print buffer, where the text data may be accessed by a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU controls a print mechanism that actually prints the text data.

Abstract: A system and method for front-end bypass testing in an electronic circuit. According to one embodiment, the integrated circuit that includes a memory block having at least one input and at least one output that wherein a critical path in the integrated circuit exists through the memory block. At least one input is associated with a block of input logic and at least one output is associated with a block of output logic. The integrated circuit also includes a test circuit coupled to the memory block and operable to verify the block of input logic and the block of output logic while at the same time not impacting the critical path of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for write-enable bypass testing in an electronic circuit. According to one embodiment, the integrated circuit that includes a memory block having at least one input and at least one output. At least one input is associated with a block of input logic and at least one output is associated with a block of output logic. The integrated circuit also includes a test circuit coupled to the memory block and operable to verify the block of input logic and the block of output logic while at the same time not impacting the timing of the integrated circuit. As such a signal propagating through just the input logic, the memory block and the output logic does so in an amount of time substantially similar the time it takes to propagate through the input logic, the memory block, the output logic, and the test circuit.

Abstract: A printer that is capable of automatically cutting precise and repeatable patterns into paper. A printer according to the present teachings includes a cutting tool for cutting a pattern into a paper, a paper feeder that moves the paper through the printer to provide a vertical component of the pattern, and a carriage that moves the cutting tool across the paper to provide a horizontal component of the pattern.

Abstract: Techniques for configuring a performance state of an integrated circuit die that do not consume input/output pin connections to the integrated circuit die. An integrated circuit die according to the present teachings includes a set of configuration lines. Each configuration line determines a performance characteristic of the integrated circuit die. The integrated circuit die is configured for a performance state while on a wafer by cutting one or more of the configuration lines.

Abstract: A perforating gun includes a multiplicity of shaped charges, the multiplicity of shaped charges including a plurality of planes of charges, each plane of charges including a plurality (N) of shaped charges and a detonating cord running down through the axial center of each of the plurality of planes of charges. The plurality (N) of shaped charges are equally spaced at an angle 360/N about the detonating cord. The plurality of planes of charges: (1) are rotated at an angle of 180/N relative to one another, and (2) are axially packed together along the longitudinal axis of the gun so that the charges in one plane are nearly touching the charges in the adjacent plane, yet they all share the same centered detonating cord. The proximity of one plane to another is close enough such that one plane of charges detonates within a few microseconds of its neighboring plane of charges.