Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) package structure. In one embodiment, the LED package structure includes at least three lenses, each lens having a body portion with at least a first surface, a second surface, a third surface and a fourth surface, and at least three LED chips, each LED chip being capable of emitting light in a unique color and having a first conductive lead and a second conductive lead and embedded in the body portion of a corresponding lens such that the first conductive lead and the second conductive lead extend out of the body portion from one of the third surface and the fourth surface of the corresponding lens. The at least three lenses and the at least three LED chips are assembled such that the first surface of a lens is in contact with the second surface of one of the rest of the at least three lenses and the at least three LED chips are positioned substantially proximate to each other.

Abstract: An improved LED signaling device employing a number of LEDs arranged in a specific pattern. At least some of the LEDs are received in a corresponding reflective cavity with an associated output angle. The LED signaling device also employs first and second lenses. The first lens collects the light emitted by the LEDs and disperses the light such that the second lens is flooded. The second lens collects the light dispersed by the first lens and collimates the light. The type of LEDs used, their specific pattern, the specific output angles of their corresponding reflective cavities, and the combination of the first and second lenses insure that the LED signaling device meets or exceeds the minimum luminous output intensity requirements and uniformity requirements.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to illuminated ornamental and/or decorative sculptures and/or structures. More particularly, the present invention relates to an illuminated structure having a plurality of individual optical elements disposed thereon.

Abstract: An electrically operable ornament display device powered from a pigtail connection to a novelty electric light string includes a housing for an electric motor and one or more electric lamps which extend from the housing and are adapted to illuminate an ornament is supported by the motor, with a control circuit being operable to modulate the supply of electricity to the or each lamp to a selected condition, such as flashing or steady state. In a second embodiment the ornament display device excludes the electric motor and ornaments can be hung directly from underneath the housing via a hook. In both embodiments an adapter may be inserted between the pigtail connection and the light string to control voltage and current, and arrest the flow of current in the event of overheating or voltage overload.

Abstract: An electrically operable ornament display device powered from a pigtail connection to a novelty electric light string includes a housing for an electric motor and one or more electric lamps which extend from the housing and are adapted to illuminate an ornament is supported by the motor, with a control circuit being operable to modulate the supply of electricity to the or each lamp to a selected condition, such as flashing or steady state. In a second embodiment the ornament display device excludes the electric motor and ornaments can be hung directly from underneath the housing via a hook. In both embodiments, an adapter may be inserted between the pigtail connection and the light string to control voltage and current, and arrest the flow of current in the event of overheating or voltage overload. In further embodiments, the lamps may be pivotable.

Abstract: A system and method for provisioning a network connection at a remote node, including detecting a device condition, and generating a visual signal corresponding to the device condition. In certain disclosed embodiments, generating the visual signal includes illuminating a light source with a color and according to a cadence. In other disclosed embodiments, the generating the visual signal includes illuminating a plurality of light sources according to a cadence.

Abstract: A laser illuminator comprising at least one optical diffusion means capable of modifying an optical diffusion condition (3) and at least one optical suppression means for suppressing divergence of light (100), wherein the optical diffusion means and the optical suppression means are disposed along an optical path of a laser beam (6) radiating from a laser source and the laser beam is converted into a diffused and non-divergent light beam (6-2) for illuminating or exciting an object by passing through the optical diffusion means and the optical suppression means.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a projector comprising: a lamp module for receiving therein a lamp as a light source; an enclosure fixing said lamp module therein such that an optical axis of said lamp module is kept in a predetermined direction; two positioning pins provided on said lamp module and inserted into positioning holes made in a vertical direction to said enclosure for controlling movement of said lamp module in a horizontal plane; and a first rib provided on said enclosure as extended inward from an inner wall of a ceiling plate and second ribs provided on said enclosure as extended inward from an inner wall of a bottom plate, said lamp module is fixed in said enclosure and secured by one screw while said lamp module is positioned within a horizontal plane by said positioning pins, and further is vertically supported between said first rib and second ribs.

Abstract: Illumination exposure control systems comprising reflective pixelated spatial light modulators that reflect substantially all of the light impinging on them into at least two different light paths. At least one of the light paths acts as a propagating light path and transmits the light beam out of the lighting system. At least one other light path acts as a non-propagating light path and prevents the light beam from being transmitted out the system. The illumination exposure control systems provide high speed of exposure actuation and precision control of exposure duration and frequency or exposure sequences.

Abstract: A light source device has an internal electrode (24) disposed at an end portion inside a bulb (23), and an external electrode (25) disposed outside the bulb (23). A holder member (27) holds the external electrode (25) so as to be opposed to the bulb (23) with a predetermined distance of a space (26). A dielectric member (30) is disposed outside the bulb (23), at a position corresponding to the internal electrode (24) so as to be interposed between the bulb (23) and the external electrode (25).

Abstract: A lighting system is described. One embodiment of the lighting system includes a light guide, a first lighting device, and a second lighting device. The light guide receives light along a transmission interface. The first lighting device has a first plurality of lighting elements coupled to a first substrate between a first pair of reflector walls. The first substrate and the first pair of reflector walls define a first exposed side of the first lighting device. The second lighting device has a second plurality of lighting elements coupled to a second substrate between a second pair of reflector walls. The second substrate and the second pair of reflector walls define a second exposed side of the second lighting device configured to match the first exposed side of the first lighting device. Using lighting devices without sidewalls illuminates a diffusion panel so that there are no dark spots.

Abstract: A first lighting device comprises at least one plural cavity element and a plurality of solid state light emitters. A second lighting device comprises at least one plural cavity element, a plurality of solid state light emitters and at least one encapsulant region, at least a portion of the plural cavity element being surrounded by the encapsulant region. Each plural cavity element has at least two optical cavities. Each optical cavity comprises a concave region in the plural cavity element. At least one solid state light emitter is present in each of at least two of the optical cavities.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recessed lighting fixture comprising a holder for fixing a mounting surface, in particular in a room ceiling consisting of an illuminant holder and a reflector. The holder and the reflector are disposed with respect to each other in such a way that the reflector extends in the direction of a main lighting beyond the mounting surface when the recessed lighting is fixed thereto. In said area extending beyond the mounting surface, the reflector is connected to a reflective element which is vertically or angularly oriented with respect to the direction of the main lighting and is disposed outside of the reflector for receiving the light in the area between the mounting surface and the reflective element.

Abstract: A recessed light fixture including a base plate mountable in an opening in a room ceiling or wall, with the base plate having a front surface substantially flat and aligned with the ceiling or wall surface when mounted thereon, and a light opening through the base plate wherein the edge of the light opening is a sharp edge with the back surface tapering away from the front surface around the light opening at an angle of less than 45 degrees. A curved dome is adjacent the base plate back surface and centered on the light opening. A ring is mounted to the base plate for selected rotation around the light opening, and a support track between the curved dome and the base plate is secured on its lower end to the ring and curved up and toward the light opening from its lower end. A socket support is mounted for adjustable movement on the support track, and a light socket is mounted to the socket support whereby a lamp in the socket emits light through the light opening.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved emergency luminaire, which is recess-mounted flush within a wall or ceiling aperture, having an enclosure, a panel, a light source, a means for rotating the panel from the closed position to the open position and a means for rotating the panel from the open position to the closed position. The means for rotating the panel from the closed position to the open position includes a single-directional motor. Upon electrical power failure to the primary lighting source in the room, the single-directional drive motor is activated causing the panel to rotate 180 degrees from a closed position to an open position, thereby exposing the light source to view. Substantially simultaneously with the panel opening, power stored in batteries are connected to the light source, causing it to illuminate. When the primary electrical power is restored, the light source is extinguished and the single-directional drive motor is activated returning the panel to its closed position.

Abstract: A luminaire comprising a housing having thermally separate compartments for an electronics portion and a lighting portion. These thermally separate compartments can provide thermal isolation between the electronics portion and the lighting portion. The lighting portion comprises a plurality of light-emitting elements and further includes an optical device comprising two linear diffuser elements and can be used to further improve the light emission characteristics of the light-emitting elements thereby providing a directly viewable luminaire wherein the illumination produced by point light sources appears uniform along the length of the luminaire. A power supply for supply of energy to the light-emitting elements and a controller for controlling application of energy from a power source to the light-emitting elements is provided in the electronics portion and can be thermally separated within the electronics portion.

Abstract: A light display device for a vehicle wheel includes an array of lighting elements (e.g., LEDs) and a microprocessor controlled circuit configured to selectively illuminate the lighting elements according to pre-stored lighting data to create perceptible alphanumeric characters and/or graphical images while the wheel rotates and for a determined time period thereafter. One or more sensors determine if the wheel is rotating, the rotational speed and whether daylight is present to illuminate the lighting elements on when the wheel is rotating in darkness. The device is configured for mounting to a rim such that the with the array of lighting elements being mounted to the backside of the rim positioned proximate to openings in the rim.

Abstract: A light emitting module includes a semiconductor light emitting element disposed on a rectangular board, and a pair of plane-shaped electrode portions formed on the board and coupled to the semiconductor light emitting element The pair of plane-shaped electrode portions is separated in first opposite directions, and a center of the semiconductor light emitting element is shifted from a center of the board in one of second opposite directions. End faces of the pair of plane-shaped electrode portions do not protrude in the one of the second opposite directions from an end face of the semiconductor light emitting element on a side facing toward the one of the second opposite directions. The first opposite directions are directions along which one pair of opposite sides of the board extend, and the second opposite directions are directions along which the other pair of opposite sides of the board extend.

Abstract: A simulated neon light tube assembly includes an elongated tube having a light diffusing material disposed therein for simulating the appearance of neon lighting. The light tube is used in conjunction with a base portion having a light source disposed therein to provide a lighting device. The light tube assembly of the present invention is preferably closed ended, and is selectively removable from the base portion so that it can, therefore, be replaced easily with another light tube assembly. Modified retaining covers, retaining caps and mounting assemblies are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a headlamp adjusting device with lamp units that can be adjusted in groups. To this end, each lamp unit is mounted individually directly or indirectly in the headlamp housing by means of one respective joint; and it is swivelably mounted in a first feed mechanism. The headlamp adjusting device comprises a second feed mechanism. The second feed mechanism guides the first feed mechanism. The orientation of the feed motion of the first feed mechanism and the orientation of the feed motion of the second feed mechanism enclose an angle, which is not equal to an integral multiple of Pi. With the present invention a space-saving headlamp adjusting device for adjusting the lamp units in two directions of adjustment is developed.

Abstract: An illumination device for accenting a paving object is provided. The illumination device includes an improved housing for a light-emitting diode assembly. The housing includes a base for containing the light-emitting diode assembly and a projection extending from the base to a distal end. The housing may be adapted for a variety of paving objects, including paving stones, paving bricks, stepping stones, and wood floor panels. The paving object includes an exterior surface, an interior surface, and aperture extending from the exterior surface to the interior surface. The projection of the housing extends from the base through the aperture such that the distal end is proximate the exterior surface and the light from the light-emitting diode transmits through the projection and accents a portion of the exterior surface.

Abstract: A vehicle headlight is described with a reflector housing (1, 21) and a front glass (22) which together enclose a headlight inner space. The headlight has a reference surface (15, 35) for defining the position of a lamp (7, 30) having a lamp body (8, 31) and a lamp base (9, 37) in the headlight The headlight is constructed such that the lamp (7, 30) can be inserted such that the lamp base (9, 37) is positioned in front of the lamp body (8, 31), viewed against the direction of radiation of the headlight In addition, a lamp (7, 30) is described which is constructed such that it can be inserted into the vehicle headlight in the manner described.

Abstract: A thin-profile, optically efficient lighting device for use with, among other things, flat information displays, includes a combination of three optically coupled light propagating structures, fabricated of electromagnetic flux transmitting materials. The first structure may be a generally elongated optical pipe adapted to receive light from at least one light source such as a light emitting diode. Radiation from additional sources is coupled into the first structure by a second structure which injects the radiation thereinto. Light injected into the first structure is directed into the third structure where it is redirected so that it propagates out of the third structure uniformly and efficiently and in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the third structure. A device can include multiple bodies of any or all three structures.

Abstract: A light diffusing film for a back light display is described. The light diffusing film includes a unitary film consisting essentially of polycarbonate and a uniformly dispersed anti-static material in an amount sufficient to impart anti-static properties to the film. The anti-static material may comprise a fluorinated phosphonium sulfonate. The film may additionally include at least one textured surface for the low scattering of light. Alternatively, the film may additionally include a uniformly dispersed acrylic bulk scattering additive of particles having a mean particle size of from about 3 to about 10 microns and present in an amount from about 2 to about 7 percent by weight percent for the high scattering of light.

Abstract: A LCD display comprises a backlight assembly that includes a backlight substrate, one or more first white LEDs coupled to the backlight substrate and configured to produce a first light output, and one or more second white LEDs coupled to the backlight substrate and configured to produce a second light output. A light integration unit is coupled to the backlight assembly and configured to produce a combined output from the first light output and the second light output, the combined output having a desired luminance and chrominance. A LCD assembly is coupled to the light integration unit.

Abstract: A backlight may include a light guide and a light input. The light guide may have a light reflection surface and a light emission surface. The light input may include a diverging wedge having a narrow end and opposing side surfaces extending to the narrow end. A light source may be disposed adjacent to one of the opposing side surfaces and may emit light into the light input portion. A multilayer polymeric mirror film may be disposed adjacent to the opposing side surfaces but not in intimate contact therewith and may reflect more than 95% of visible light incident on the multilayer polymeric mirror film.

Abstract: A backlight includes a visible light transmissive body having a light guide portion and a light input portion. The visible light transmissive body primarily propagates light by TIR and includes a light input surface and a light output surface. The light guide portion has a light reflection surface and a light emission surface. The light input portion has opposing side surfaces that are not parallel. A light source is disposed adjacent to the light input surface and emits light into the light input portion. A specularly reflective layer is disposed adjacent to but not in intimate contact with the opposing side surfaces and reflects more than 80% of visible light incident on the specularly reflective layer.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus is described. One embodiment of the lighting apparatus includes a substrate and a lighting element. The lighting element is coupled to the substrate to emit light through a light exit plane. The light exit plane is substantially perpendicular to the substrate. By providing a lighting device with a substrate oriented perpendicular to the light exit plane of the lighting device, the lighting device can enable better mixing of the light from different LEDs. The lighting apparatus facilitates light mixing, generally, to minimize or eliminate dark spots on the diffusion panel. The lighting device also facilitates color mixing to produce relatively consistent white light on the diffusion panel.

Abstract: A backlight module includes a light source and a light guide plate. The light guide plate includes a light-receiving surface next to a light source, a light-emitting surface, and a light-reflecting surface oppose to the light-emitting surface. A plurality of notches are formed on the light-reflecting surface, and each notch has a first inner surface facing the light source and a second inner surface back to the light source and opposite to the first inner surface. The inclination angle of the first inner surface with respect to the light-reflecting surface is no more than 35 degrees.

Abstract: An illumination system including a light source, a light guide including an output surface, emissive material positioned between the light source and the output surface of the light guide, and an interference reflector positioned between the emissive material and the output surface of the light guide is disclosed. The light source emits light having a first optical characteristic. The emissive material emits light having a second optical characteristic when illuminated with light having the first optical characteristic. The interference reflector substantially transmits light having the second optical characteristic and substantially reflects light having the first optical characteristic.

Abstract: A light expanding system for converting light beams generated from point-like light sources into a collimated planar light beam is described herein. The light expanding system is especially suitable for backlighting a liquid crystal flat panel display or other such arrangement requiring backlighting with LEDs as the light source. According to an embodiment of the invention, a system for producing a planar light beam includes a light pipe with microprisms on one of its surfaces, and a beam collector which has microprisms in a plane perpendicular to the microprisms in the light guide. According to another embodiment, the light guide has microprisms on two opposite surfaces, and is capable of multiple mode operation. This multiple mode backlight is capable of illuminating a given active area uniformly with light of different spectrum.

Abstract: A light guide plate includes an incident surface, an emission surface, and a bottom surface. The emission surface intersects with the incident surface and is substantially perpendicular to the incident surface. The bottom surface intersects with the incident surface and is opposite to the emission surface. The light guide plate further includes at least one light diffusing portion protruding from the incident surface. The light diffusing portion has a reflective hole located at (i.e., extending from) the bottom surface, the reflective hole protruding less than a thickness of the light guide plate. A backlight module, adopting the above-described light guide plate, further includes at least one corresponding light source positioned beside the incident surface of the light guide plate. The light source includes a luminescent surface facing a corresponding light diffusing portion of the light guide plate.

Abstract: An illumination sensing device for a portable terminal is disclosed. The illumination sensing device includes a housing having a sensor hole extending through a side of the housing, a printed circuit board in the housing and connected to a backlight unit, an illumination sensor coupled with the printed circuit board and disposed in the sensor hole, and an optical guide disposed in the sensor hole and facing the illumination sensor. The illumination sensor senses light introduced through the optical guide from outside the housing, and the backlight unit is operated based on the light sensed by the illumination sensor.

Abstract: A heads-up display comprises a monochrome display device for generating an image and an optical device for generating a virtual image from the image of the display device. The monochrome display device comprises a display and a backlight for illuminating the display from its backside. The backlight comprises a first light source emitting light of a first color, a second light source emitting light of a second color, a first light guide coupled to the first light source, and a second light guide coupled to the second light source. The first and second light guides are disposed in such close juxtaposition behind the display so that they illuminate together the entire backside of the display and illuminate a first region of the display associated with the first light guide with the first color and a second region of the display associated with the second light guide with the second color.

Abstract: A light guide panel has upper and lower surfaces, which are opposite from each other, and first and second side surfaces, which are opposite from each other, to guide light rays inputted therein through the first side surface, toward the second side surface through internal reflection between the upper and lower surfaces. The light guide panel includes a plurality of dot patterns formed on the lower surface to reflect and diffuse incident light rays; first prism projections formed on the upper surface and extending parallel to one another to transmit and concentrate light rays reflected by the dot patterns; and second prism projections formed on the upper surface to be crossed with the first prism projections and extending parallel to one another to transmit and concentrate light rays reflected by the dot patterns.

Abstract: There are included an actuation unit supplying an actuation power to a control unit to start a switching operation of a switching element when an alternating-current power sources turned on, and stopping supply of the actuation power to the control unit after the switching operation of the switching element is started; an overheat detection unit being thermally coupled with the actuation unit and detecting an abnormal condition due to overheating of the actuation unit; a latch maintaining an inoperative state of the switching element at the event of an abnormal condition other than the abnormal condition due to overheating of the actuation unit; and an actuation controller configured to discharge an electrical charge of a smoothing capacitor while the latch maintains the inoperative state of the switching operation to speedily reset the latch unit when the alternating-current power source is turned off, and to stop the actuation unit in response to a detection signal from the overheat detection unit.

Abstract: A switching power supply that can accurately detect a period during energy is supplied from a primary side to a secondary side of a transformer with a simple circuit configuration is provided. A first switching element and a second switching element are serially connected to opposite output ends of a full-wave rectifier rectifying an AC voltage from an AC power source. A current resonant capacitor, a resonant reactor, and a primary winding of a resonant transformer are serially connected to opposite ends of the first switching element.

Abstract: This invention relates to SMPS controllers employing primary side sensing. We describe a system for identifying a knee point in a sensing waveform, at which the output voltage of the SMPS may be sampled accurately on the primary side. The system identifies the knee point by fitting a tangent to a portion of a power transformer voltage waveform, and samples the voltage waveform at the knee point to determine the SMPS output voltage. In preferred embodiments this technique is implemented using a decaying peak detector, providing a timing signal indicating detection of the knee point. Sample/hold and error amplifier circuits may be employed to achieve output voltage regulation.

Abstract: This invention relates to SMPS controllers employing primary side sensing to detect a point of zero magnetic flux, at which the output voltage of the SMPS may be sampled accurately on the primary side. We describe a switch mode power supply (SMPS) controller for regulating the output voltage of an SMPS is response to a feedback signal from an auxilliary winding of a magnetic energy storage device forming part of an output circuit of the SMPS, the SMPS controller comprising: a reference level input to receive an output reference level signal; an input to receive said feedback signal, said feedback signal being responsive to a voltage on said auxilliary winding of said magnetic energy storage device; an integrator to integrate a difference between said feedback signal and a first fixed reference level signal; a first comparator to compare an output of said integrator with a second fixed reference level signal and to provide an output responsive to said comparison for regulating said SMPS output voltage.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to forward power converters, and more particularly to improved systems and methods for operating such converters, and to controllers for implementing these systems and methods. We describe a discontinuous resonant forward power converter including a controller having an output coupled to a controllable switch and which is configured to control the switch such that a voltage waveform on a secondary winding of a transformer of the converter has a first portion during which the switch is on and current flows into an output node of the converter which is coupled to the output rectifier and to a smoothing capacitor, and which has a second substantially resonant portion during which the switch and an output rectifier are both off. Substantially no current flows into the output node during the second portion of said voltage waveform.

Abstract: A matrix converter (38) converts three-phase AC power input from a first motor-generator (MG1) directly to three-phase AC power for driving a second motor-generator (MG2) and outputs the resultant three-phase AC power, without rectifying the three-phase AC power generated by the first motor-generator (MG1) once to DC power as in an example using a conventional three-phase full-wave rectification inverter. In a power supply system for a vehicle (14), the three-phase AC power is transmitted and received between two motor-generators (MG1, MG2) more directly, by means of the matrix converter (38). Therefore, power loss can be reduced, as compared with a conventional example in which the three-phase AC power is once converted to DC power. Thus, a power supply system for a vehicle with improved energy efficiency and a vehicle including the same can be provided.

Abstract: A bidirectional Trench Lateral Power MOSFET (TLPM) can achieve a high breakdown voltage and a low on-resistance. A plurality of straight-shaped islands having circular portions at both ends are surrounded by a trench arrangement. The islands provide first n source regions and a second n source region is formed on the outside of the islands. With such a pattern, the breakdown voltage in the case where the first n source regions are at a high potential can be higher than the breakdown voltage in the case where the second n source region is at a high potential. Alternatively, in the case of not changing the breakdown voltage, the on-resistance can be reduced.

Abstract: A circuit for reducing the variations of auto-supply voltage of a control circuit of a switching power supply, where the control circuit supplies an activation or deactivation signal of a power transistor, includes an auto-supply voltage generator, a controlled switch capable of selectively connecting the generator to the control circuit, and a driving circuit of the controlled switch that supplies a closing signal of the controlled switch after a predefined delay of time starting from the deactivation command.

Abstract: This invention relates to switch mode power supply (SMPS) controllers employing primary side sensing. We describe an (SMPS) controller which uses an area correlator to compare an area under a feedback signal waveform between a start point defined by said first timing signal and an end point defined by said second timing signal with a reference area. An output of the area correlator provides an error signal for regulating the SMPS output.

Abstract: A system and method for isolating sources and loads of a power system are disclosed. Briefly described, one embodiment includes at least a DC bus operable at a DC bus voltage; a non-isolated first primary converter module electrically coupled to the DC bus and operable to receive a first amount of power from a first power source, and operable to convert the received power from the first power source into a first amount of DC power at the DC bus voltage; and an isolated second primary converter module electrically coupled to the DC bus and operable to receive a second amount of power from a second power source, and operable to convert the received power from the second power source into a second amount of DC power at the DC bus voltage, wherein the second power source is electrically isolated from the DC bus by the isolated second primary converter module.

Abstract: Non-linear frequency droop control for isochronous frequency operation of parallel inverters includes generating a droop constant corresponding to the power level of the given inverter for maintaining the predetermined frequency range of the given inverter; generating the droop from the given inverter power level and the droop constant and calculating in response to the droop, the incremental shift in the output voltage waveform of a given inverter operating in a predetermined limited frequency range to enable current sharing among the inverters.

Abstract: A harmonics attenuator employing a combination controller that incorporates features of a classic controller and a state space controller to function as a hybrid controller unit. The PID portion of the classic controller regulates the steady state error and is separated from the pulse width modulated constant frequency signal generator that also comprises part of the classic controller. The PID portion is coupled with a state space controller such that the output of the PID controller, i.e., the steady state error correction, is input to the state space controller. The state space controller further receives as input variables a reference sinusoidal signal, the load current, the current across a pre-load filter capacitor, and the output voltage. From these inputs, the state space controller generates a transient error correction that is fed to a PWM signal generator for generating a sinusoidal output voltage signal with both steady state and transient error correction.

Abstract: An adjustable voltage supply (310) may have a plurality of levels of adjustment, such as a coarse select circuit (471) and a fine select circuit (473), to generate an adjustable voltage (e.g. Vout 364 of FIGS. 3 and 4) with fine resolution across a wide voltage range. In one embodiment, the adjustable voltage may be used as an adjustable read voltage to measure the threshold voltages of bitcells in a memory array (300). From the distribution of these threshold voltages, it is possible to determine the marginality of the bitcells with regard to the voltage which is required to read the bitcells. In one embodiment, the adjustable voltage supply (310) may also be used to provide an adjustable voltage to one or more integrated circuit pwells and/or nwells in order to apply electrical stress. An adjustable voltage supply (310) may be used in any desired context, not just memories.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for interfacing a memory device with a host device are 5 disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus which enables a non-volatile memory device to communicate with a host device includes a body and an element. The body has a boundary, and the element is arranged to move at least partially within the body. The element includes an interface which may be coupled to the host device when the element is in a first position with respect to the body. The element is 10 also arranged to receive the non-volatile memory device and to move the non-volatile memory device and the interface with respect to the body. In one embodiment, when the element is in the first position with respect to the body, the interface at least partially extends past the boundary associated with the body.

Abstract: A dynamically read fuse cell comprises a first circuit which includes a known reference resistance Rref, and a second circuit which includes a programmed fuse having a resistance Rfuse; the state of the programmed fuse is to be read. The first and second circuits receive a common “read” signal, and are arranged to produce first and second outputs which begin changing state in response; the first and second outputs have respective slew rates which vary with Rref and Rfuse, respectively. The first and second circuits are interconnected such that causing both outputs to begin changing state in response to the “read” signal triggers a time domain race condition, the result of which indicates which of the outputs slewed more quickly in response to the “read” signal, thereby indicating the relationship between Rref and Rfuse and, when Rref is properly chosen, the state of the fuse.