Texas Instruments and Compaq Computer Corporation announced that they have reached an agreement on a patent cross license. According to reports, TI's personal computer system patents relate to the way in which I/O functions interact with the processing systems of personal computers. Compaq's patents relate to various personal computer features such as power conservation techniques, password protection and high-end graphics. Under the terms of the eight-year agreement, Compaq and TI have stated they agree to a cross license under each other's patents with balancing payments to TI, including a payment for past Compaq usage of TI patents. This catch-up payment, for which Compaq has taked sufficient reserves, will be included in TI's third quarter financial results. [Control Engineering 10/93, 44]