Patent attributes
A method is provided for using a microcontroller for driving an external device, where the microcontroller comprises a processor coupled to a controller, and the controller comprises a state machine coupled to a storage medium configured to store at least one command executable by the state machine. A drive signal is generated using the controller to drive the external device. The storage medium may be configured by the processor with various commands and waveforms for operating different types of external devices. The proposed microprocessor permits reducing power consumption while at the same time allowing for a broad flexibility of use.