Abstract: A display device including a plurality of display elements (500) arranged in a matrix, wherein each display element includes a display pixel (510) coupled to a switch (530), and each display element includes an addressable latch (540) having an output coupled to a controlling input of the switch. The addressable latch includes a row address input (532) and a column address input (556). In one mode of operation, at least some display elements are activated at a first rate, and other display elements are activated at a second rate less than the first refresh rate by selectively addressing the display elements.

Abstract: An electronic device (108) includes a display panel (126) and a display controller (124) for controlling the display panel (126). A plurality of data lines supplies image data to the display panel (126). The data lines include data lines for supplying red image data, green image data, and blue image data. Masking gates (118) are provided between a video buffer (116) and the display controller (124). A method of reducing power consumption includes masking selected ones of the data lines at predetermined times. The masking reduces the pixel depth of the image data. Thus, the pixel depth is reduced without re-encoding the source video data. Reducing the number of state transitions in the video data path reduces power consumption, thus longer battery life.

Abstract: A display apparatus 200, a display controller 222, and a method for optimizing a displayed image for use in an electronic device 100 comprising a display 208 for presenting a visual image, a processor 212 for determining the intensity of a backlight 216 used for illuminating the display 208 and a controller 202 that optimizes the visual image corresponding to the intensity of the backlight 216 are described. As the intensity of the backlight 216 is reduced, the brightness of the pixels 210 is increased to compensate the image when, for example, the backlight intensity is reduced to save power. The method and apparatus are also described for compensating for uneven backlight 216 conditions.

Abstract: A dual access peripheral interface uses a shared data bus (16) for communication with dual master units (30,32) coupled to a common peripheral device (34). Each master control unit provides a shared subset of control bits to a logic configuration block (48), which combines the control bits in a logic operation to present to the slave peripheral unit (34). The logic configuration block (48) is configured by configuration bits accessible by only one of the master units (30). In this way, both of the master units can access the peripheral at the same time with the logic of the logic configuration block determining the ultimate control of the peripheral.

Abstract: A dual access peripheral interface uses a shared data bus (16) for communication with dual master units (30,32) coupled to a common peripheral device (34). Each master control unit provides a shared subset of control bits to a logic configuration block (48), which combines the control bits in a logic operation to present to the slave peripheral unit (34). The logic configuration block (48) is configured by configuration bits accessible by only one of the master units (30). In this way, both of the master units can access the peripheral at the same time with the logic of the logic configuration block determining the ultimate control of the peripheral.

Abstract: A method of personal location monitoring in a wireless communication system operating on a local area network. The method includes initializing a master communication device and a slave monitor device on the local area network. A next step transmitting a signal on the local area network by the slave monitor device. A next step includes the communication device receiving the signal on the local area network and measuring the signal strength which is compared to a threshold. A next step includes triggering an alarm in the communication device when the signal strength falls below the threshold, indicating that the monitor device is straying from the proximity of the local area network.

Abstract: A method of personal location monitoring in a wireless communication system operating on a local area network. The method includes initializing a master communication device and a slave monitor device on the local area network. A next step transmitting a signal on the local area network by the slave monitor device. A next step includes the communication device receiving the signal on the local area network and measuring the signal strength which is compared to a threshold. A next step includes triggering an alarm in the communication device when the signal strength falls below the threshold, indicating that the monitor device is straying from the proximity of the local area network.