Abstract: A two-dimensional array of light emitting diodes (LEDs), controlled by a flame simulation program running on a microprocessor, is used to simulate a relatively large flame, such as one might find in a garden torch. The cost and complexity of controlling the relatively large number of LEDs needed to simulate a large flame is reduced by arranging the individual LEDs into a two-dimensional array having the anodes of all the LEDs in one column (or row) connected in common to exactly one column buss, and the cathodes of all the LEDs in one row (or column) connected in common to exactly one row buss.

Abstract: A two-dimensional array of light emitting diodes (LEDs), controlled by a flame simulation program running on a microprocessor, is used to simulate a relatively large flame, such as one might find in a garden torch. The cost and complexity of controlling the relatively large number of LEDs needed to simulate a large flame is reduced by arranging the individual LEDs into a two-dimensional array having the anodes of all the LEDs in one column (or row) connected in common to exactly one column buss, and the cathodes of all the LEDs in one row (or column) connected in common to exactly one row buss.

Abstract: A plurality of packet data sources, e.g., packet application modules, and synchronous data sources, e.g., synchronous application modules, are coupled to the same TDM bus for communicating data to a network access module. A portion of the bandwidth, or time-slots, of the TDM bus is allocated as a multiple-access packet channel that is shared among the packet application modules. As a result, the network access module receives a single, continuously multiplexed, packet stream for transmission to an opposite endpoint. Packet application modules on the TDM bus contend for this multiple access packet channel when transmitting to the opposite endpoint. In the receiving direction, each packet application module accepts the entire received packet stream from the network access module and may either filter the packets using their address field or may transparently forward the data to a packet service.

Abstract: A low-voltage drop current regulator regulates the current in a data interchange circuit. In one embodiment, the low-voltage drop current regulator couples a positive power supply voltage to the power supply pin of a driver integrated circuit. In another form of the invention, the low-voltage drop current regulator is placed in series with the individual output leads of a driver integrated circuit to couple the respective output signals to respective pins of the data interchange circuit.

Abstract: A system for sharing several memory modules by several processors on a common bus uses a protocol in which, after a processor gains access to a memory module read or write data is transferred on the bus within a preset number of system clock periods. After priority is established by polling, the processor sends memory address on the common bus. For each operation several idle system clock periods are provided before data is returned from the memory to permit the memory to retrieve the data. Meanwhile, the protocol interleaves requests for access to other memory modules from other processors thereby increasing the throughput of the system.

Abstract: A structural element in rectangular form folded along its longitudinal center forming a truss element in triangular faced polyhedrals when end edges of the structured element are connected to the corresponding adjacent, respective, end edges of like structural elements in an assembled polyhedral. The fold in the structural element assumes a dihedral angle well under 180.degree., approximating 110.degree., with the truss element used in forming a four triangular faced tetrahedron, 90.degree. with the truss element used in a cube, although this is an unstable structure in not presenting the structural shape integrity attained inherently with truss elements used in triangularly faced polyhedrals. Further, the structural element assumes a dihedral angle approximating 75.degree. with the truss element used in forming an eight triangular faced octahedron, and approximately a 42.degree. fold in the truss elements forming a twenty triangular faced icosahedron.