Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an improved system and method for voltage regulation. SOLUTION: A voltage regulator includes an output node, and first and second regulator circuits. The first regulator circuit generates a first regulated voltage on the output node when a supply voltage equals or exceeds a predetermined threshold, and the second regulator circuit generates a second regulated voltage on the output node when the supply voltage is less than the predetermined threshold. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an improved processing architecture for supporting a high processing condition and a high communication condition. SOLUTION: This hyper-processor includes a control processor for controlling a task executed by a plurality of processor cores, and each processor core can include a plurality of execution units or special hardware units. The control processor schedules the tasks according to a control thread to the task including a hardware context generated in a compile period and including a register file, a program counter and a status bit for each task. The task is dispatched to the processor core or the special hardware unit for parallel, sequential, out-of-order or speculative execution. A universal register file includes data processed by the task. A mutual connection body mutually connects at least the processor core and the special hardware units with each other and with the universal register file to enable each node to communicate with other nodes. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve a reconfigurable processing device and to improve a resource manager for use in a reconfigurable processing device. SOLUTION: A data sorting apparatus includes (1) a storage sorter that sorts a data set according to a defined criterion, and (2) a query mechanism that receives intermediate sorted data values from the storage sorter and compares the intermediate sorted data values to at least one key value. The storage sorter has a priority queue for sorting the data set, wherein the priority queue has M processing elements. The query mechanism receives the intermediate sorted data values from the M processing elements. The query mechanism includes a plurality of comparison circuits, each circuit capable of detecting if one of the intermediate sorted data values is equal to at least one key value or, if no match exists, extracting the minimal value greater than (or less than according to the defined criterion) at least one key value. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an integrated circuit for using a high-frequency timing reference generator from a high-speed serial interface for providing clocking and timing conditions for the integrated circuit. SOLUTION: In a timing mechanism, the need for a phase locked loop (PLL) macro cell for providing a timing reference and a timing signal in an IC is removed. The IC is suitably used as a disk drive integrated circuit including DSPs, memories, data path controllers, data interfaces, custom macro cells, and DSP peripherals. The high-speed serial interface is suitably a Serial ATA (SATA), a universal serial bus (USB), a fiber channel, or a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS). COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an improved programmable logic device (PLD) and its manufacturing method. SOLUTION: The PLD according to the present invention has an array comprising a plurality of PLD cells. Each of the PLD cells has programmable transistors and selective transistors. The PLD array is divided into at least one first area and at least one second area which is located adjacent to the at least one first area. The first area includes programmable transistors, and the second area includes selective transistors. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sense amplifier of which operation speed is increased. SOLUTION: A sense amplifier used for a memory device is provided. The sense amplifier has a pair of cross-coupled inverters, and each inverter has at least two transistors. Further, the sense amplifier can have a first capacitor coupled to a first input/output terminal and a second capacitor coupled to a second input/output terminal. Variation in voltage difference appearing by crossing the input/output terminal boostraps the cross-coupled inverters, and facilitates activation and non-activation of a transistor in the cross coupled inverters. Therefore, a response time of the sense amplifier is decreased. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an improved technique for scaling images on a video display. SOLUTION: A video data stream is processed into video data, which is displayed on a video display at a predetermined aspect ratio. A user manipulable controller, such as a joystick, is operative with a graphics processor unit for scaling images on the video display. In this case, video source values of pixel width and height to be displayed are obtained and the smallest integer increment on the x/y axis that will maintain the desired aspect ratio is determined by using a greatest common denominator to reduce the ratio to the lowest integer. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an improved technology for driving a voice coil motor (VCM) load in a disc drive system, or the like. SOLUTION: A VCM power driver has an input end receiving an external supply voltage VDD. A voltage mode driver is coupled with a power supply voltage and generates a drive signal to a load. A system processor generates a command indicative of a desired programmed voltage output from the voltage mode driver. A comparator compares the VDD with a reference voltage to generate an error signal. A combination mechanism generates a corrected command using the error signal. The corrected command is coupled with the voltage mode driver which generates a voltage output based on the corrected command.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for replacing defective memory cells of a nonvolatile memory device according to the types of defects. SOLUTION: A method and circuit are disclosed for replacing defective columns of flash memory cells in a flash memory device. The circuit includes a plurality of sets of storage elements, each set of storage elements are capable of identifying a single addressed column of memory cells is to be replaced or a main column line and regular columns of memory cells associated therewith to be replaced. In the event a main column line and the associated regular columns are identified for replacement by a set of storage elements, the set additionally indicates whether the regular columns are regular columns in a single block of memory cells or multiple blocks. Redundancy circuitry performs the replacement operation during a memory access operation based upon the information stored in the sets of storage elements.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve a redundancy technique of a non-volatile memory device. SOLUTION: The technique is disclosed for replacing defective columns of flash memory cells in a flash memory device. The circuit includes a plurality of sets of storage elements, each set of storage elements are capable of identifying at least one column of memory cells in any block of memory cells as being defective. The circuit further includes control circuitry for replacing an addressed column of memory cells with a redundant column of memory cells upon an affirmative determination that a set of storage elements identify the addressed column of memory cells as being defective.