Abstract: An optical image scanner includes a scan head that is mounted onto a guide member with a bias torque that reduces uncertainty in position of the scan head. A drive member, such as a belt or cable, is attached to the scan head with an offset relative to a centerline of the guide member. A tensioning device ensures that the drive member asserts force on the scan head at each of the attachment points. As a result, a bias torque is placed onto the scan head, relative to the guide member, reducing uncertainty in position. For bidirectional movement, the biasing torque is the same for either direction of travel.

Abstract: Devices for a Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop are initially unconfigured, and during the first loop initialization, arbitrate as a soft addressed device. The chosen address is then stored in non-volatile memory. Once an address is stored in non-volatile memory, during subsequent loop initializations, the device arbitrates as a hard address device. Because the address was chosen during a standard Fibre Channel Loop Initialization Process, the risk of future hard address conflicts is greatly reduced. Preferably, however, firm addresses may be erased by operator control, or by system command. Firm addressing provides the fixed address benefits of hard addressing, but substantially reduces the risk of hard address conflicts, while remaining compatible with the ANSI standards for Fibre Channel.

Abstract: A connector adapter enabling power to be provided to a portable electronic device through a combined power and signal connector. In a specific example system, power for a portable electronic device is provided through a serial data connector. A serial I/O cable has a device end and a computer end. The computer end of the cable has a connector that includes a socket for receiving a power jack from a separate power supply. The adapter enables external power to be connected when the portable electronic device is operating alone. The adapter is similar to the computer end of the I/O cable, comprising a serial data connector that includes a socket for receiving a power jack from the separate power supply.

Abstract: A method for image processing combining a device-specific image processing kernel operation with a general image processing kernel operation. Device specific parameters are sent from a host computer to an imaging device. The imaging device selects appropriate device-specific convolution coefficients. The host computer selects additional kernel operations. In a first example embodiment, the device-specific coefficients are then uploaded to the host computer and the host computer convolves the host-specified operations with the device-specific operations. The combined kernel is then downloaded to the imaging device. In an alternative embodiment, the host-specified operations are downloaded to the imaging device for combining. The combined kernels are then used by the imaging device for convolution operations on an image. As a result, host computer software can modify a kernel operation within an imaging device with minimal knowledge of device-specific parameters such as native resolution.

Abstract: A method of automatically configuring a computer peripheral device as a primary device or as a secondary device. There are four possible cases: (1) no other device present, (2) legacy primary device present, (3) legacy secondary device present and (4) second unconfigured device present. Each unconfigured device determines whether there are any legacy devices already installed and whether there is another unconfigured device installed without requiring any changes to the host operating system software. Unconfigured devices assert a signal after reset with a first timing that is dependent on an electronically readable identification on the device. For case (4), the first device to detect the signal becomes the secondary device. In case of a tie, unconfigured devices continue to assert the signal with a second timing that is dependent on the electronically readable identification on the device. A device that detects the signal being present at the end of the second timing configures itself as a secondary device.

Abstract: A method of formatting rewritable compact optical disks. In some example embodiments, a disk is initially partially formatted for immediate useability, and then additional incremental formatting is provided until the disk is completely formatted. The additional formatting may take place while a drive is off-line. In one embodiment, data is written to an unformatted disk with data writing and formatting taking place simultaneously. In various example embodiments, lead-in and lead-out areas may be written first with nothing in between or lead-in and lead-out areas may optionally written only if needed.

Abstract: An optical disk and compatible optical disk drive enabling erasable (rewritable) optical disks to have the same format and capacity as read-only or (recordable) write-once optical disks. A reference clock track and optional additional prerecorded phase synchronization patterns are provided to enable writing of any random sector with frequency and phase matching of a random sector to the preceding and following sectors. The reference clock track and other phase synchronization patterns eliminate the need for preambles and extra space for speed variation. In a first embodiment, a disk has multiple layers, with at least one rewritable data layer and at least one reference layer. A spiral track on a surface of the reference layer has prerecorded patterns to be used for clocking. In a variation of first embodiment, the reference layer is also used for radial tracking control, eliminating the need for predefined tracks in the rewritable data layers.

Abstract: A method of formatting rewritable compact optical disks. In some example embodiments, a disk is initially partially formatted for immediate useability, and then additional incremental formatting is provided until the disk is completely formatted. The additional formatting may take place while a drive is off-line. In one embodiment, data is written to an unformatted disk with data writing and formatting taking place simultaneously. In various example embodiments, lead-in and lead-out areas may be written first with nothing in between or lead-in and lead-out areas may optionally written only if needed.

Abstract: Non-volatile write-once memory, is used for storage of variable data. In an example embodiment, segmented flash memory is used, in which individual segments can be erased. At least two segments are used. When a segment is nearly full, or when the segment is corrupted, the latest values are written to a new segment. During initialization, all variables of interest are written into RAM with default values. The flash segment being used is read sequentially from oldest entry to newest entry, and values from flash memory are used to overwrite values (or pointers to values) in RAM. RAM then contains (or points to) the most recent value for every variable. When a new segment is written, the new segment is written using the values from RAM. The method provides for identification of the latest (current) value for each stored item of information, provides for adding new types of data and deleting old types of data, provides for action when a memory segment is full, and provides for recovery from power-failure.

Abstract: A carrier, for use in installing electronic devices, for example, computer peripherals, into an enclosure, includes an actuator. In a specific example embodiment, the actuator is a sliding cam plate. During insertion of the carrier into the enclosure, the cam plate extends beyond a cosmetic bezel of the electronic device. The carrier is inserted into an enclosure until the device bezel is flush with the front of the enclosure. Then, pushing the cam plate inward causes compressible pads on the sides of the carrier to be pushed outward, clamping the carrier to the sides of the enclosure. In addition, pushing the cam plate inward also causes metal surfaces to be pushed outward to contact the enclosure sidewalls for electrical grounding. Electronic devices preferably include an adapter cable.

Abstract: An electromagnetic probe is integrated within an integrated circuit or mounted within an IC package to provide a capability for testing continuity between the integrated circuit and a substrate to which the integrated circuit is mounted. In a first embodiment, capacitive test probes are integrated within the integrated circuit, underneath bonding pads. In a second embodiment, Hall-effect devices are integrated within the integrated circuit underneath bonding pads. In a third embodiment, an inductive loop is integrated within the integrated circuit underneath bonding pads. In a fourth embodiment, an IC package assembly includes an internal capacitive test probe for electrical continuity testing. An internal shield may also be used as a capacitive test probe. In a fifth embodiment, an IC package assembly includes an inductive loop within the package for electrical continuity testing.

Abstract: A method of formatting rewritable compact optical disks. In some example embodiments, a disk is initially partially formatted for immediate useability, and then additional incremental formatting is provided until the disk is completely formatted. The additional formatting may take place while a drive is off-line. In one embodiment, data is written to an unformatted disk with data writing and formatting taking place simultaneously. In various example embodiments, lead-in and lead-out areas may be written first with nothing in between or lead-in and lead-out areas may optionally written only if needed.

Abstract: An optical system that folds a light path multiple times with all the folded paths being coplanar. The light is first polarized. Then, the polarized light is reflected multiple times through a quarter-wave plate, finally being phase shifted to the proper polarization state to enable transmission out of the system. One optical element transmits light that is at one planar polarity and reflects light at the orthogonal planar polarity. Another optical element transmits light that is at one circular polarity and reflects light at the orthogonal circular polarity.

Abstract: A system for attaching an adhesive backed write-protect ring to an optical disk with the center of the ring aligned to the center of the central hole in the disk. A write-protect assembly is formed from a multilayer material having an adhesive backed label layer and a backing layer. The write-protect assembly includes a removable innermost area that, when removed, forms a hole having a diameter that is the same diameter as the central hole of an optical disk. The innermost area is at least partially surrounded by a ring shaped alignment area that is also removable. Finally, the alignment area is surrounded by the write-protect ring. The central area of the assembly is punched out to form a hole and the backing material is removed from at least part of the write protect area, exposing the adhesive coated surface. The assembly and an optical disk are placed onto an alignment cylinder.

Abstract: A dynamic logic gate having a short precharge period during an evaluation phase of a clock and a tri-state hold period during a precharge phase of the clock. The evaluation time is extended into the precharge phase. As a result of extended evaluation time and no latching set-up time, evaluation timing for upstream logic is relaxed since upstream logic is not required to evaluate before the worst case time for the clock to enter the precharge phase. The gate provides the function of latching without the delay of latching. As a result of holding during the precharge phase of the clock, one latch is eliminated for testing. As a result of tri-stating during the precharge phase of the clock, control during testing is simplified. In a single-rail embodiment, the short precharge period is open loop. In a dual-rail implementation, the precharge period ends when both evaluation nodes are charged.

Abstract: A positioning system for a magnetic head for a tape drive has a tiltable lead screw between the magnetic head and a guide pin, providing reduced backlash with a low cost mechanism. Placing the lead screw between the magnetic head and the guide pin creates a pivot point at the guide pin, reducing backlash. Making the lead screw tiltable enables low precision, low cost mounting of the lead screw. Azimuth and zenith precision are controlled primarily by the guide pin, which is also low cost. Azimuth is adjustable by setting a screw that controls the angle between the drive chassis and the head motion system baseplate.

Abstract: An adapter for scanning transparent images using a reflective scanner. The adapter receives light from a lamp inside the scanner and redirects the light through the transparent image and back into the scanner. The scanner has an offset between an illumination line and a scan line. An angle of the adapter relative to the surface of a platen on the scanner is dependent on the distance between the illumination line and the scan line. At least one angle adjuster is provided on the adapter to enable the adapter to be used on scanners having different offsets. In addition, the adapter is made wider than the transparent image to be scanned, so that when the scan line is at a leading or trailing edge of the transparent image, the adapter still captures light from the lamp within the scanner.

Abstract: A cache with a translation lookaside buffer (TLB) that eliminates the need for retrieval of a physical address tag from the TLB when accessing the cache. The TLB includes two content addressable memories (CAM's). For each new cache line, in the tag portion of the cache, instead of storing physical tags, the cache stores vectors called physical hit vectors. Physical hit vectors are generated by a first TLB CAM. Each physical hit vector indicates all locations in the first TLB CAM containing the physical tag of the cache line. For a cache access, a second TLB CAM receives a virtual tag and generates a vector called a virtual hit vector. The virtual hit vector indicates the location in the second TLB CAM of the corresponding virtual tag. Then, instead of retrieving and comparing physical tags, the cache compares a virtual hit vector to a set of physical hit vectors without having to retrieve a physical tag. As a result, one operation is eliminated from a time critical path, reducing the access time.

Abstract: A method of formatting rewritable compact optical disks. In some example embodiments, a disk is initially partially formatted for immediate useability, and then additional incremental formatting is provided until the disk is completely formatted. The additional formatting may take place while a drive is off-line. In one embodiment, data is written to an unformatted disk with data writing and formatting taking place simultaneously. In various example embodiments, lead-in and lead-out areas may be written first with nothing in between or lead-in and lead-out areas may optionally written only if needed.

Abstract: A cone-beam tomographic system in which computation speed is improved by reducing the reconstructed images to thin planes. Reducing the images to thin planes reduces the number of picture elements to be computed, and reduces basis functions to a simple function of the angle of a ray relative to a plane. In a variation, computation speed is further improved by making pixel size inversely proportional to the distance of a plane from an emissions source. As a result of the variable pixel size, for each projection, a ray intersecting the center of a sensor element intersects the center of exactly one pixel in each object plane.