Abstract: A low voltage detection (LVD) system for a logic device includes a first LVD circuit (110) to provide an indicator when a supply pin voltage (109) falls below a first voltage level, and a second LVD circuit (116) to provide an interrupt (118) when the supply pin voltage falls below a second voltage level. In one embodiment, the second LVD circuit consumes more power than the first LVD circuit, and is therefore selectively enabled. In one embodiment, when the supply pin voltage is between the first and second voltage levels and the logic device is in a stop or low power mode, the second LVD circuit is periodically enabled to monitor the supply pin voltage. After the supply pin voltage falls below the second voltage level, the logic device is placed in a safe state where the logic device is inhibited from acknowledging interrupts until the supply pin voltage rises above the first voltage level.

Abstract: A data processing system (10) has an embedded non-volatile memory (22) that is programmed and erased by use of a high voltage provided by a charge pump (78). In order to prevent the non-volatile memory (22) from being inadvertently programmed or erased during low power supply voltage conditions, the charge pump (78) is disabled and discharged when the power supply voltage drops below a predetermined value. This is accomplished by enabling a low voltage detect circuit (110) in response to a program or erase operation being initiated. A control register (76) will provide a high voltage enable signal to the charge pump (78) only when a power supply valid signal is received. In another embodiment, the low voltage detect circuit (110) may be enabled by another condition to protect the data processing system (10) from an authorized access.

Abstract: A method for producing an output in response to an interaction with a print element on a sheet is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes placing a sheet comprising a print element on a surface of a base unit. A user can then mark on the sheet in the vicinity of the print element with a marking instrument. An audio output that corresponds to the print element is generated.

Abstract: An interactive, handheld apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, a display screen on the housing, an electronic position location system, a stylus for selecting images on the display screen, a directional control pad on the housing and a memory device. The electronic position location system includes a processor that is capable of determining a location of a selected region of the display screen. The memory device includes computer code for an educational game and is operatively coupled to the processor.

Abstract: An interactive apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a interactive ball includes (a) a plurality of indicia, (b) a processor and memory unit operatively coupled to the plurality of indicia, (c) an audio output unit operatively coupled to the processor and memory unit, (d) a first outer surface; and (e) a second outer surface that is recessed with respect to the first outer surface, wherein the plurality of indicia are present at the second outer surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to educational toys. In one embodiment, the educational toy includes (a) a figure having an exterior surface, and wherein the figure has a chest, hands and feet, (b) at least one indicium on the chest of the figure, (c) switching circuitry coupled to the indicia, (d) a sound synthesizer, (e) a speaker, (f) a memory, (g) a plurality of preprogrammed instruction modalities in the memory, wherein the plurality of preprogrammed instruction modalities comprises a first preprogrammed instruction modality and a second preprogrammed instruction modality, and (h) a logic circuit having a microprocessor, input terminals that are electrically coupled to the switching circuitry, and output terminals electrically coupled to the sound synthesizer and the speaker. The logic circuit controls the interaction between the switching circuitry and the plurality of preprogrammed instruction modalities.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a mechanism to prevent the oscillator from being stopped when a host development system is coupled to the background debug communications interface and the background debug mode has been enabled. This allows background debugging operations to continue when the target data processing system is in a low power mode. Other embodiments relate to a mechanism for allowing a host development system to request a synchronization timing pulse from a target data processing system so the correct clock speed can be determined for background communications. Alternate embodiments relate to a data processing system having a system clock unit and a background debug system where the background debug system includes a background debug clock unit, separate from the system clock unit, and an enable control. When the enable control is asserted, the background debug clock unit is enabled, independent of the system clock unit.

Abstract: An interactive, handheld apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, a display screen on the housing, an electronic position location system, a stylus for selecting images on the display screen, a directional control pad on the housing and a memory device. The electronic position location system includes a processor that is capable of determining a location of a selected region of the display screen. The memory device includes computer code for an educational game and is operatively coupled to the processor.

Abstract: An interactive communications appliance for broadcasting personalized information is disclosed. The interactive communications appliance comprises a transceiver for receiving personalized information transmitted via a wireless link. A memory stores the personalized information and an audio device broadcasts the personalized information to a user.

Abstract: A method of using a study aid apparatus is disclosed. The method includes receiving supplemental information associated with a printed textbook. After receiving the supplemental information, it can be loaded into a portable, study aid apparatus. The study aid apparatus is then used to help learn about subject matter in the textbook.

Abstract: An interactive learning apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiments, the interactive learning apparatus comprises: (a) a housing; (b) an impact sensor unit in the housing; (c) a processor and memory unit operatively coupled to the impact sensor unit; (d) a display unit operatively coupled to the processor and memory unit; and (e) an audio output unit operatively coupled to the processor and memory unit, wherein the display unit is adapted to display an image in response to the user striking a portion of the housing.

Abstract: A method for assisting a user in learning is provided. The method may comprise receiving performance information of a user after the user uses an interactive learning appliance. The user performance information is generated by the user's use of the interactive learning appliance which is adapted to educate the user about one or more predetermined subjects. The performance information, which may be in the form of a user log file, may be received at a server computer from a site where the user is present.

Abstract: An interactive apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a interactive ball includes (a) a plurality of indicia, (b) a processor and memory unit operatively coupled to the plurality of indicia, (c) an audio output unit operatively coupled to the processor and memory unit, (d) a first outer surface; and (e) a second outer surface that is recessed with respect to the first outer surface, wherein the plurality of indicia are present at the second outer surface.

Abstract: A method of using a study aid apparatus is disclosed. The method includes receiving supplemental information associated with a printed textbook. After receiving the supplemental information, it can be loaded into a portable, study aid apparatus. The study aid apparatus is then used to help learn about subject matter in the textbook.

Abstract: An interactive apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a interactive ball includes (a) a plurality of indicia, (b) a processor and memory unit operatively coupled to the plurality of indicia, (c) an audio output unit operatively coupled to the processor and memory unit, (d) a first outer surface; and (e) a second outer surface that is recessed with respect to the first outer surface, wherein the plurality of indicia are present at the second outer surface.

Abstract: A debug module (20) is provided which allows a developer to capture three types of debug information. The three types of debug information are: change-of-flow addresses, CPU data, and current instruction addresses. The debug information is captured in an on-chip debug FIFO memory (30) during program development. The debug information is provided to an external host via a serial communication interface (14) for post-processing and analysis. Storing and retrieving program information in this way is useful in microcontrollers that do not provide external access to address and data bus signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel interactive information system which can be used to make a traditional print medium such as a magazine, “interactive”. When the traditional print medium is placed on a print media receiving unit in a predetermined position, a user can interact with the traditional print medium. Printed matter elements on the printed medium can be made “selectable” by the user.

Abstract: A low voltage detection (LVD) system for a logic device includes a first LVD circuit (110) to provide an indicator when a supply pin voltage (109) falls below a first voltage level, and a second LVD circuit (116) to provide an interrupt (118) when the supply pin voltage falls below a second voltage level. In one embodiment, the second LVD circuit consumes more power than the first LVD circuit, and is therefore selectively enabled. In one embodiment, when the supply pin voltage is between the first and second voltage levels and the logic device is in a stop or low power mode, the second LVD circuit is periodically enabled to monitor the supply pin voltage. After the supply pin voltage falls below the second voltage level, the logic device is placed in a safe state where the logic device is inhibited from acknowledging interrupts until the supply pin voltage rises above the first voltage level.

Abstract: An interactive learning apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiments, the interactive learning apparatus comprises: (a) a housing; (b) an impact sensor unit in the housing; (c) a processor and memory unit operatively coupled to the impact sensor unit; (d) a display unit operatively coupled to the processor and memory unit; and (e) an audio output unit operatively coupled to the processor and memory unit, wherein the display unit is adapted to display an image in response to the user striking a portion of the housing.

Abstract: A method for producing an output in response to an interaction with a print element on a sheet is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes placing a sheet comprising a print element on a surface of a base unit. A user can then mark on the sheet in the vicinity of the print element with a marking instrument. An audio output that corresponds to the print element is generated.