Abstract: A method of monitoring the characteristics of a delay locked loop (DLL) in a memory device during a test mode is provided. The DLL generates an internal clock signal based on an external clock signal. The external and internal clock signals are normally synchronized. DLL constantly responds to variations in operating condition of the memory device to keep the external and internal clock synchronized. The method involves preventing the DLL from responding to a change in operating condition such as a change in the supply voltage of the memory device during a test mode.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing the power consumption of a memory integrated circuit during a period of power down mode operation by interrupting the clocking transitions of a delay line. A memory integrated circuit may include a delay lock loop including a plurality of delay elements connected to one another in series and adapted to delay propagation of the signal of a free running clock. When the delayed signal is not required, as during a period of power down mode operation, the free running clock signal is prevented from reaching the delay lock loop. Consequently the delay elements do not toggle, and power associated with delay element toggling is saved.

Abstract: A protective slip-proof cover for steps includes a rectangular pad having a first side formed with a downwardly extending apron, another side of the rectangular pad being formed with a plurality of first and second holes and a plurality of suckers each having a circular body, a tubular stem extending upwardly from a central top portion of the circular body, and a T-shaped pulling stem extending upwardly from a top portion of the circular body, the suckers being mounted under the pad with the tubular stem and the T-shaped pulling stem extending upwardly through the first and second holes respectively, a plurality of fixing caps each being inserted through a respective one of the second holes into the tubular stem thereby affixing the suckers on a bottom of the pad.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of memory devices and methods of performing read/write timing calibration of these memory devices using a row or a redundant row. Addressing of the row or redundant row in a memory array of a memory device may be accomplished by using a calibration fuse bank to address a row or a redundant row of the memory array, by using a fuse bank of the memory device to address a redundant row of the memory array, or by storing the row address of a row in a memory controller and providing the row address to the memory device during calibration. A redundant row used for calibration may be a redundant row not utilized by a memory device during repair of its memory array. A row used for calibration may be a row not utilized by a memory device due to the nature of the specific application in which that memory device is being used. A unique data pattern may then be written to and read from the addressed row or redundant row for read/write timing calibration.

Abstract: A sprinkler includes a pipe having a number of outlet openings for outward flow of the water, and a number of rings rotatably engaged on the pipe and each having an orifice for selectively aligning with the outlet opening of the pipe and for selectively blocking the outlet opening, such that the outlet openings of the pipe may be selectively opened or blocked by the rings. A housing is engaged on the pipe and has a number of apertures for slidably receiving the actuating ears of the rings to limit the movement of the ring relative to the pipe.

Abstract: A shared redundancy prefetch scheme to provide a reduced number of fuses. DDR SDRAMs allow burst addressing at various burst lengths. DDR SDRAMs generally implement LEFT and RIGHT segment column addressing. In DDR SDRAMs which implement redundant memory arrays, fuses may be used to provide access to the redundant columns. Because burst addressing may begin with a RIGHT segment address, two different columns may be accessed on the same clock cycle. By providing a compare scheme which implements separate compare logic for the lower bits of the LEFT and RIGHT segments and compares these bits to a common fuse set used for both the LEFT and RIGHT segments, the number of fuses in the redundant DDR SDRAM scheme can be reduced.

Abstract: An improved structure water sprayer head assembly comprised of a sprayer head having a sleeve with an internal threaded section,formed inside its bottom end, a water sealing ring inserted in the sprayer head sleeve, and a connector having external threads formed around its circumference that enables it to be fastened to the interior section of the sprayer head sleeve, and a long tube. The innovative features include the forming along the inner circumference at the approximate center section of the connector of an annular groove matching the front end of the long tube to the inner diameter at the bottom end of the connector and, furthermore, enables its most forward end to protrude slightly at the front end of the connector. As such, the long tube is situated at the position of the groove formed annularly along the interior section of the connector and there subjected to pressure, enabling a mated insertive junction at the groove formed annularly along the interior section of the connector.

Abstract: A voltage regulator includes a power transistor receiving a drive current, and a current limit protection circuit connected to the power transistor. The current limit protection circuit includes a first resistance connected to the power transistor for sensing an output current, a limit switch transistor connected to the power transistor and to the first resistance, and a current generator and second resistance connected thereto. The current generator and second resistance biases the limit switch transistor to divert drive current from the power transistor based upon the output current through the first resistance exceeding a threshold. The first resistance has a value less than a value of the second resistance. The first resistance can be made considerably smaller than otherwise to thereby reduce power consumption.

Abstract: A shared redundancy prefetch scheme to provide a reduced number of fuses. DDR SDRAMs allow burst addressing at various burst lengths. DDR SDRAMs generally implement LEFT and RIGHT segment column addressing. In DDR SDRAMs which implement redundant memory arrays, fuses may be used to provide access to the redundant columns. Because burst addressing may begin with a RIGHT segment address, two different columns may be accessed on the same clock cycle. By providing a compare scheme which implements separate compare logic for the lower bits of the LEFT and RIGHT segments and compares these bits to a common fuse set used for both the LEFT and RIGHT segments, the number of fuses in the redundant DDR SDRAM scheme can be reduced.

Abstract: An audio amplifier device includes a power supply having an output for providing a supply voltage, a voltage divider connected to the output of the power supply for providing a divided supply voltage, and an audio amplifier that further includes a supply voltage rejection circuit. The audio amplifier has a first input for receiving an input audio signal, a second input for receiving the supply voltage, a third input for receiving a supply voltage rejection signal for the supply voltage rejection circuit, and an output for providing an output audio signal. A power-off noise suppression circuit has a first input for receiving the divided supply voltage and an output for providing the supply voltage rejection signal.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system that includes an ink tank, an ink containing foam volume in the ink tank, and an ink level indicator having a wire mesh capillary element in contact with the ink containing foam volume and a fluid impermeable, light transmissive window in a wall of the ink tank adjacent the wire mesh.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system that includes an ink tank, an ink containing foam volume in the ink tank, and an ink level indicator having a wire mesh capillary element in contact with the ink containing foam volume and a fluid impermeable, light transmissive window in a wall of the ink tank adjacent the wire mesh.

Abstract: A waste ink removal system cleans ink residue from an electrostatic sensing element of an ink drop detector in a printing mechanism when a scraper, supported by a base, is actuated between a retracted position and an engaged position. The system also includes a debris receptacle and/or an absorber which the scraper contacts, after scraping ink from the sensing element, to remove the ink from the scraper surface. A method of cleaning ink residue from an electrostatic sensing element of an ink drop detector, and a printing mechanism having such a waste ink removal system are also provided.

Abstract: Determining inkjet printer pen turn-on voltages is disclosed. An inkjet printer has a number of pens, and a number of sets of nozzles in each pen. Each set of nozzles of a pen is fired at each of a number of voltages, to obtain a voltage-value curve for each set of nozzles. A nozzle turn-on voltage for each set of nozzles is determined based on a maximum slope of its voltage-value curve. The turn-on voltage for each pen is determined based on the nozzle turn-on voltages of the voltage-value curves for its sets of nozzles.

Abstract: A method of transferring a plurality of data bits from memory cells to a data pad via a plurality of output paths. Each of the output paths receives the data bits in parallel and selects one bit among the data bits. Selected bits from each of the output paths is transferred to an output select. A plurality of timing signals are activated in sequence based on alternate phases of two enable signals to serially transfer the data bits from the output select to the data pad.

Abstract: A method for controlling the width of a polyester film support comprising, in order, the steps of: (a) extruding a polyester resin using one or more extruders; (b) casting the resin on a casting wheel to form a polyester sheet; (c) stretching the polyester sheet along the machine direction by ratios of 3 to 5 times at temperatures ranging from above the glass transition temperature to below the thermal crystallization temperature, wherein the machine contains extended edge rollers (14) in a machine direction orientation device (drafter) at the point where stretching occurs; (d) stretching the polyester sheet along the transverse direction by ratios of 3 to 5 times at temperatures ranging from above the glass transition temperature to below the thermal crystallization temperature; and (e) heat setting the polyester sheet at temperatures ranging from 180 to 250 C. A polyester film support is also disclosed.

Abstract: An automatically adjusted magnifier for a display comprises a motor, two movable bases, two breakers, and a magnifier. The movable bases are located at either sides of the motor to connect with the motor by way of gears. Each of the movable bases has a transmission belt driven by the motor via one of the gears and a driving wheel to carry two opposite pulleys moving along a guide rail respectively. Two extensible levers in each movable base have an end thereof pivotally attached to the pulleys respectively and the other end thereof pivotally attached an engaging piece respectively so as to connect with the magnifying glass. Hence, the extensible levers may displace the magnifying glass to a best position to magnify a screen of the display.