Kenneth M Potts

US Patent:

57512353, May 12, 1998

Filed:

May 24, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/653619

Inventors:

Gary Hicok - Mesa AZ
Kenneth Potts - Gilbert AZ
Scott Harrow - Scottsdale AZ

Assignee:

VLSI Technology - San Jose CA

International Classification:

H03M 106

US Classification:

341140

Abstract:

A joystick system is designed to provide a modified digital representation of the setting of a joystick potentiometer. The system operates to compensate for non-linearities and offsets in the joystick response, or may be used to enhance or vary the joystick response to a non-linear form. This is accomplished by supplying the output voltage of the joystick to an analog-to-digital converter, the output of which then is supplied to a lookup table. The lookup table output is provided to a counter. In one mode of operation, the counter counts down to zero at some multiple of a sample rate. When the counter reaches a zero count, the time interval representative of the joystick position is indicated; and the corrected or enhanced position is indicated by this output. In an alternative mode of operation, the counter is used as a data latch; and the corrected or enhanced joystick position is digitally read directly from the data latch where the data remains until the next sample cycle from the joystick position occurs.

US Patent:

56547102, Aug 5, 1997

Filed:

Jun 15, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/491178

Inventors:

Sung-Hun Oh - Phoenix AZ
Kenneth M. Potts - Gilbert AZ

Assignee:

VLSI Technology, Inc. - San Jose CA

International Classification:

H03M 166

US Classification:

341136

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a power reduction digital-to-analog (DA) converter current source cell. The power reduction DA converter current source cell is comprised of a DA current source cell for sending a current to a current steering matrix and a switching means coupled to the DA current source cell for dynamically controlling the power dissipation of the DA converter current source cell when the current is not required.

US Patent:

57422494, Apr 21, 1998

Filed:

May 24, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/652955

Inventors:

Gary Hicok - Mesa AZ
Kenneth Potts - Gilbert AZ
Scott Harrow - Scottsdale AZ

Assignee:

VLSI Technology, Inc. - San Jose CA

International Classification:

H03M 134

US Classification:

341164

Abstract:

A system is provided for digitizing the setting of a potentiometer of the type used in an analog joystick for computer games. The analog output of the potentiometer is applied to one of two inputs of a voltage comparator. When a readout of the joystick position is desired, a "write" input is applied to a counter to permit it to commence counting at a predetermined frequency from an initial or zero count. The digital outputs of the counter are coupled to the inputs of a digital-to-analog converter, the output of which is coupled to the second input of the voltage comparator. When the count in the counter produces a voltage at the output of the digital-to-analog converter corresponding to the voltage setting of the potentiometer, the comparator provides an output signal. The time delay from the time the write pulse occurs until this signal is obtained is representative of the potentiometer setting. The system also provides a direct digital output from the counter by gating the counter outputs to a bus at the time the signal from the comparator is obtained.

US Patent:

59220376, Jul 13, 1999

Filed:

Sep 30, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/719844

Inventors:

Kenneth M. Potts - Gilbert AZ

Assignee:

VLSI Technology, Inc. - San Jose CA

International Classification:

H04B 138

US Classification:

701 29

Abstract:

A wireless interface for diagnostic examination and programming of vehicular control systems. The wireless interface uses a vehicle processor which is coupled to at least one of a plurality of vehicular control systems. The vehicle processor is used for monitoring and controlling the different vehicular control systems located in the vehicle. A first transceiver is coupled to the vehicle processor for sending and receiving programming signals and operating signals to and from the vehicle processor. A second transceiver is provided for sending the programming signals to the first transceiver and for receiving the operating signals sent from the first transceiver. A test unit processor is coupled to the second transceiver for supplying the programming signals sent to the vehicle processor via the second transceiver and the first transceiver and for receiving the operating signals sent from the vehicle processor via the first transceiver and the second transceiver to monitor operation of the different vehicular control systems in the vehicle.

US Patent:

57105758, Jan 20, 1998

Filed:

May 24, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/653255

Inventors:

Gary Hicok - Mesa AZ
Kenneth Potts - Gilbert AZ
Scott Harrow - Scottsdale AZ

Assignee:

VLSI Technology, Inc. - San Jose CA

International Classification:

G09G 508

US Classification:

345161

Abstract:

A joystick system provides a digital representation of the setting of a joystick potentiometer. The voltage of the joystick is supplied to an analog-to-digital converter, the output of which then is used to load a counter. In one mode of operation, the counter counts down to zero at some multiple of the sample rate. When the counter reaches zero, the time interval representative of the joystick position is indicated; and this output is indicative of the joystick position. In an alternative mode of operation, the counter is used as a data latch and the joystick position is digitally read from the counter, which keeps the data latched until the next sample cycle from the joystick position.