Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Plural physical display element control system – Display elements arranged in matrix
Reexamination Certificate
1996-12-16
2001-09-18
Hjerpe, Richard (Department: 2674)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Plural physical display element control system
Display elements arranged in matrix
C340S815450, C345S083000, C345S039000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06292161
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention.
This invention relates in general to a circuit for operating display elements, and more particularly, to an integrated circuit having selectable multiple display blink schemes or truths with a minimum of external components.
2. Description of Related Art.
This invention provides for the selection of multiple display blink schemes for conveying information about the operation of an integrated circuit. In the marketing of highly-integrated, application-specific integrated circuits, it is becoming increasingly difficult to target the needs of all customers. To successfully sell a product in today's competitive marketplace, a chip manufacturer must create a distinct “feel” to their product through its form and function. Manufacturers of system level products try to distinguish their product from a competitor's by appearance and function. As levels of chip integration increase, this becomes harder and harder to do for a system designer.
One way of creating a distinct “feel” to a chip is to design in flexibility. An integrated circuit manufacturer can attempt to anticipate all of the demands of its customers by designing multiple modes of operation into their chip. These modes are usually selected through configuration pins which are dedicated to mode selection. Thus, some pins may be used for mode selection during normal operation of the chip. On many highly integrated devices there are very few pins left unconnected or not used for some input or output function. Hence it is often times difficult to justify the tradeoff between functional pins and configuration pins.
In some of these types of chips, LEDs are used to convey information to the user. Accordingly, it would be useful for a system designer to distinguish their product by altering the LED blink scheme. Further, it would be desirable to have a mode selection pin which may be configured to change the truth table of the LEDs, i.e., how they blink to indicate the various operational conditions.
Further, a single LED can be used to display three different states: on, off or blinking. Thus, a dual LED can display a large amount of data using only a single pin of an integrated circuit (IC) as described in Application Ser. No. 08/271,111, filed Jul. 6, 1994 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,166,129), herein incorporated by reference. Trying to visually interpret all the information present, however, is difficult as it is possible to encode up to five states with a dual LED. Each user of the integrated circuit might also want to distinguish their product by changing the manner in which data is displayed to the user.
It is accordingly desirable to have an arrangement where multiple LED truth table schemes can be used with the integrated circuit device without reconfiguring the IC device or providing unique devices for the different situations.
It can be seen that there is a need for multiple blink schemes designed into an IC.
It can also be seen that there is a need for providing the selection of an LED blink scheme using external signals.
There is accordingly a need to provide a system for operating with a different number of display modes and yet be efficient from a logic and circuitry perspective.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To overcome the limitations in the prior art described above, and to overcome other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention discloses a system operable with any number of different display truth table schemes.
According to the invention, there is provided a circuit for operating a user selected display truth table scheme. There is a driver circuit which can be used to drive either a single or pair of display elements.
A binary application select detects a logic 0 if an application sense pin is left floating or is pulled low with a resistor. It detects a logic 1 if the application sense pin is pulled high with a resistor. The sense potential is such that all applications at the pin following reset, namely input or output with connected components will only detect a logic 1 when the pin is pulled high by a pull-up resistor.
The output latched application is directed to a responsive circuit operable in a first condition when a logic 0 is detected, and a second condition when a logic 1 is detected.
A binary select allows 2
n
different truth schemes to be selected where n is the number of pins used to select the application. The pins used to select the application are not used solely to configure the application. After the desired application is sensed, the pin goes on to serve another input or output function which is not necessarily associated with the application that was just selected. When a first binary code is sensed, a first truth table is implemented. When a second binary code is existent, a second truth table is implemented and so on.
Preferably, the driver, sensor and responsive circuit are formed as an integrated circuit device.
The invention is directed to the circuit and method for operating multiple blink schemes via a single pin driving a single or pair of display elements.
These and various other advantages and features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described specific examples of an apparatus in accordance with the invention.
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Andersson Ralph E.
Kubes Steven R.
McConnell Stephen M.
Hjerpe Richard
Level One Communications Inc.
Merchant & Gould P.C.
Nguyen Francess
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