Neofocal Systems, Inc.

International Business Machines Corporation

Memoir Systems, Inc.

Dale Beyer

Mark Peting

Tsutomu Shimomura

Adrian C Moga

Thomas Benjamin Berg

In order to control individual circuit nodes coupled to a common serial line, each of the different circuit nodes must be assigned a locally unique address. However, mass manufactured electronics are manufactured as identical electronic devices. Thus, several techniques are presented for assigning unique addresses to identical electronic devices coupled to a common serial line. One set of techniques uses a local sensor that is stimulated in order to specify a single device on the serial line. Another set of techniques measures a pulse presented onto the common serial by a circuit node to determine its relative position on the serial line.

Systems and methods for assigning addresses to serially arranged circuit nodes

To control multiple electronic circuits organized in a series configuration, this document introduces a single-wire power, control, and feedback system. Specifically, individually controlled electronic circuits are arranged in a series configuration that is driven by a control unit located at the head of the series. The head-end control unit provides both electrical power and control signals down a single wire to drive all of the electronic circuits in the series in a manner that allows each electronic circuit to periodically draw power from the single wire and receive control information. Each electronic circuit in the series may communicate back to the head-end control unit by drawing power or not during a specified time slot.

System and method for single conductor power, control, and feedback system

To power and control multiple different electronic circuit nodes, this document introduces a single-wire multiple-circuit power and control system. Specifically, individually controlled circuit node units are arranged in a series configuration that is driven by a power and control unit located at the head of the series. Each of the individually controlled circuit node units may comprise more than one output circuit that is also individually controllable. The head-end power and control unit provides both electrical power and control signals down a single wire to drive all of the individual circuit node units in the series in a manner that allows each individual circuit node unit to be controlled individually or in assigned groups.

System and method for providing both power and control to circuits coupled serially to a single conductor

Data may be encoded onto a direct current power line by modulating the current on that direct current power line. One method of modulating the current is by placing an inductor on the power line and then using a controlled transistor that turns on and turns off. The inductor will ensure that current keeps flowing but the transistor will induce changes in the current pattern. The excess current from when transistor is turned off must be diverted. Furthermore, to create symmetrical current changes, the inductor should be reverse biased. Thus, a circuit is created that sinks the excess current from when the transistor is turned off and used to reverse bias the inductor.

Method and circuit for catching excess current

Direct current circuits always require a voltage source consisting of a positive voltage and a ground. To power a plurality of a direct current circuit nodes one must traditionally supply a power supply line and a ground line to each circuit node. To simplify wiring, a single conductor system of powering a plurality of circuit nodes is disclosed wherein each circuit node has only two external connections and the circuit nodes are coupled in series. Specifically, each individual circuit node has an integrated circuit and a capacitor. A power circuit within the integrated circuit then directs current from an input into the capacitor to create a local power supply and shunts current from the input to an output when not directing current into the capacitor.

Method and apparatus for efficiently powering digital electronic nodes on a single conductor current line

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are increasingly used in illumination applications. To control multiple Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), or any other controllable light source, this document introduces a single-wire multiple-LED power and control system. Specifically, individually controlled LED units are arranged in a series configuration that is driven by a control unit located at the head of the series. Each of the individually controlled LED units may comprise more than one LED that is also individually controllable. The head-end control unit provides both electrical power and control signals down a single wire to drive all of the LED units in the series in a manner that allows each LED unit to be controlled individually or in assigned groups.

Method and apparatus for driving a pulse modulated output circuit

An controlled LED lighting system that operates using a single conductor to power and control LED nodes is disclosed. The controlled LED lighting system modulates control data onto a nominally constant DC signal transmitted down a single conductor serial line. Nodes coupled the serial line draw power into a local capacitor and demodulate the data signal. Each node shunts the serial line when additional power is not required such that the data signal is received by every node on the serial line.

Method and apparatus for outputting light in a LED-based lighting system

System and method for lighting power and control system

A method and apparatus for a multiprocessor system to simultaneously process multiple data write command issued from one or more peripheral component interface (PCI) devices by controlling and limiting notification of invalidated address information issued by one memory controller managing one group of multiprocessors in a plurality of multiprocessor groups. The method and apparatus permits a multiprocessor system to almost completely process a subsequently issued write command from a PCI device or other type of computer peripheral device before a previous write command has been completely processed by the system. The disclosure is particularly applicable to multiprocessor computer systems which utilize non-uniform memory access (NUMA).

Increased computer peripheral throughput by using data available withholding

A method and apparatus for a mutiprocessor system to simultaneously process multiple data write command issued from one or more peripheral component interface (PCI) devices by controlling and limiting notification of invalidated address information issued by one memory controller managing one group of multiprocessors in a plurality of mutiprocessor groups. The method and apparatus permits a multiprocessor system to almost completely process a subsequently issued write command from a PCI device or other type of computer peripheral device before a previous write command has been completely processed by the system. The disclosure is particularly applicable to multiprocessor computer systems which utilize non-uniform memory access (NUMA).

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Portland, OR, United States of America

Dale Beyer