Texas Instruments Corporation

Richard A Houghton

Richard H Wallace

Steven L Ruzic

George L Brantingham

Christopher Slawinski

Eugene E Hollis, Jr

Stanley D Harder

A unit train (10) includes a base unit (12). Base unit (12) generates a clock signal and a bit signal. Base unit (12) also receives and interprets a data signal. Unit train (10) also includes a plurality of subunits (14) serially coupled in a certain order. Each subunit (14) receives the clock signal and the bit signal. Each subunit (14) also generates a portion of the data signal. Additionally each of the subunits (14) has a corresponding identity. Also included in the unit train (10) is a clock/data line (67) for relaying the clock signal and the data signal between the base unit (12) and each subunit (14).

Method and apparatus determining order and identity of subunits by

An apparatus (38) for storing data includes a storage media (14). Also included are a number of vertical bars (40), each providing a vertical edge (50) for defining columns (44), and a number of horizontal bars (42), each providing a horizontal edge (52) for defining rows (46). The vertical bars (40) and the horizontal bars (42) are printed on storage media (14). A number of data blocks (48) are formed, each data block (48) located in a row (46), column (44) position.

Apparatus and method for storing and reading data

An electronic learning device (10) uses keys (12a-e) which self-generate an electric signal responsive to a key being pressed. The electric signal is sufficient to drive a display (18) for indicating the correctness of the response. Cards (14) provide a query and a plurality of possible answers, each possible answer associated with one of the keys (12a-e). A correct answer is encoded on the card.

Battery-free electronic teaching apparatus with keypad of piezo film

An inductive coupled object identification system (FIGS. 2a and 2b) uses inductive coupling to detect and identify objects. Each object includes an object resonance circuit (LT/CT) with a unique object resonance frequency. Base electronics (50) includes an inductive-coupling base coil (L1) coupled to an oscillator circuit (60). To detect an object, the oscillator circuit continually sends START pulses to the base coil. When an object is proximate to the base coil, a START pulse is inductively coupled to the object resonance circuit, causing it to resonate at the object resonance frequency. This resonance condition is detected by the oscillator circuit, which outputs an oscillation signal FREQ at the object resonance frequency. Frequency counting logic (70) is used to determine the object resonance frequency, allowing a microcomputer (80) to identify the object. Two embodiments of the object identification system are described: a dynamic embodiment (FIGS. 1a and 1b) in which ball-shaped objects (10) are dropped into a bowl (13) through a single base coil (L1) in the rim of the bowl, and a static embodiment (FIGS. 1c and 1d) in which ring-shaped objects (20) are placed over a post (23) incorporating multiple base coils (L1-L5). For the static embodiment, the multiple base coils are multiplexed by a base coil selector circuit (FIG. 2b, 100).

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Dallas, TX, United States of America

Richard A Houghton