Patent ID: 6333640
Filing Date: 2001-12-25
Classification: G06F,H03K,H03M

Abstract:
A switching element implementing a switching-logic relationship between at least two signals comprising:a. an input receiving at least two input signals, where each input signal may, at various times, assume any ore of a plurality of values, at least one of said values being a DATA value having a switching logic-relationship meaning, another of said values being a NULL value having no switching-logic-relationship meaning, and another of said values being an INTERMEDIATE value that is distinct from the DATA and NULL values and has no switching-logic-relationship meaning;b. an output generating an output signal, where the output signal may, at various times, assume any one of a plurality of values, at least one of said values being a DATA value having a switching-logic-relationship meaning, and another of said values being a NULL value having no switching-logic-relationship meaning;c. a switching locus responsive to the input signals and generating the output signal according to transform rules;d. wherein the transform rules prescribe that the output signal switch to a DATA value in accordance with a switching-logic relationship of input DATA values when all input signals have assumed a DATA value;e. wherein the transform rules prescribe that the output signal switch to the NULL value when all input signals have assumed the NULL value; andf. wherein the transform rules prescribe that the output signal not switch to either the DATA value or to the NULL value when any of the input signals has assumed the INTERMEDIATE value.