Abstract: There is provided a modified Ethernet switch for directing data packets to and from a plurality of Ethernet ports. The switch is arranged to forward each data packet outgoing to one of the ports to the correct port as determined by an address lookup table. The switch is operable in two modes. In the first mode, the switch is arranged to forward each data packet incoming from one of the ports to its correct destination port as determined by the address lookup table. In the second mode, the switch is arranged to forward each data packet incoming from one of the ports to a processor. The address lookup table is maintained by the switch. The switch comprises a control block for switching the switch between the first mode and the second mode.

Abstract: An LED array arrangement that reduces the number of control inputs needed to operate it is described. The reduction in the number of control pins is achieved through the use of logical ‘AND’ decoding and multiplexing of the control input signals.

Abstract: A method and system for issuing pen-input commands from a computer system to a controller for a touchpad to initialize the controller to the desired operating mode for the touchpad. The touchpad may emulate the function of a mouse pointing device or provide absolute coordinates of a pointed object such as human finger, a stylus, or a pen upon the touchpad.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the detection of motions of a pointed object upon a digitizing surface such as a touchpad is disclosed. The motions will be detected and converted to digital codes representing the absolute coordinates of the pointed objects upon the touchpad. The absolute coordinates will be translated into a stroke signal to interpret a single tap, a double tap, and a tap and drag of the pointed object on the touchpad. Further, multiple sets of absolute coordinates will be translated into a relative motion code that will contain the speed and direction of the pointed object as it is moved across the touchpad. The absolute coordinates will be interpreted by an autocursor controller to determine if the pointed object has transited between a workzone and an edgezone of the touchpad. If the pointed object is in the edgezone, a predefined relative motion code will be transmitted as an autocursor code.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the detection of motions of a pointed object upon a writing surface such as a touchpad is disclosed. The motions will be detected and converted in a multiplexing analog-to-digital converter to digital codes representing the location of the pointed object and the pressure of the pointed object upon the touchpad. The location and the pressure will be translated into a pen detect signal indicating the presence of the pointed object upon the touchpad. The pen detect signal will be translated into a stroke signal to interpret a single tap, a double tap, and a tap and drag of the pointed object on the touchpad. The digital codes will be averaged to minimize noise and formed into an absolute coordinates digital code. The absolute coordinate digital code, the pressure digital code, and the pen detect signal will be converted to a touchpad-computer interface protocol. Further, multiple sets absolute coordinates will translated into a relative motion code.

Abstract: In this invention is described a CMOS buffer that reduces short circuit current in the output stage. The short circuit current is a result of current flowing between circuit bias and ground through the output transistors during switching transition. The reduction in shorting current is accomplished by driving the two CMOS output transistors of opposite type separately, and providing a turn off signal for one output transistor ahead of the turn on signal for the other transistor. Thus one transistor is turned off before the other transistor is turned on, reducing shorting between the two transistors. The on and off signal delay is controlled from unbalanced inverters connected separately to each input of the output transistors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the detection of motions of a pointed object upon a writing surface such as a touchpad are disclosed. The motions will be detected and converted in an analog-to-digital converter to digital codes representing the location of the pointed object upon the touchpad. The motion will be translated into a pen detect signal indicating the presence of the pointed object upon the touchpad. The digital codes will be filtered to minimize noise and formed into a filtered absolute coordinates digital code. The filtered absolute coordinate digital code and the pen detect signal will be converted to a touchpad-computer interface protocol and transferred to a computer system for further processing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the detection of motions of a pointed object upon a writing surface such as a touchpad is disclosed. The motions will be detected and converted in a multiplexing analog-to-digital converter to digital codes representing the location of the pointed object and the pressure of the pointed object upon the touchpad. The location and the pressure will be translated into a pen detect signal indicating the presence of the pointed object upon the touchpad. The digital codes will be averaged to minimize noise created by vibrations and variations in the motions of the pointed object held by the human hand and formed into an absolute coordinate digital code. The absolute coordinate digital code, the pressure digital code, and the pen detect signal will be converted to a touchpad-computer interface protocol for transmission to a computer system for further processing.