Abstract: The invention provides a data storage system for connection to a primary power source, the data storage system comprising: one or more data storage media; one or more interfaces, each interface able to connect to at least one of the data storage media so as to couple power from the primary power source to the at least one of the data storage media; one or more energy modules, each energy module being able to connect to an interface for providing back-up power to the one or more of the data storage media in the event of a failure of the primary power source.

Abstract: A storage assembly includes a physical expander for connection in use to two or more SCSI initiators, and two or more storage devices, wherein the expander is controlled such that it presents plural virtual expanders. A method for connecting two or more storage devices to two or more SCSI initiators within a storage assembly, includes providing a physical expander for connection in use to the two or more SCSI initiators, and two or more storage devices, and controlling the single expander such that it presents plural virtual expanders.

Abstract: A personal thermal monitor, comprising a thermally activated circuit configured to provide a first signal when an ambient temperature is greater than a first temperature, a switch in communication with said thermally activated circuit, a controller in communication with said switch and comprising an audible alarm.

Abstract: The processes of tufting, spraying coating on backing, and setting yarn been provided in a preferred embodiment as a part of a continuous process. The coating is preferably anhydrous with a tack free time of less than two minutes. The yarn setting station employed in many embodiment sets the yarn in a distance of less than about ten feet by injecting air into the yarn side of the tufted goods, preferably with an air knife while the yarns are spread apart.

Abstract: A dongle for connecting a disk drive assembly to the backplane of a storage enclosure is disclosed. The dongle includes: a housing having a disk drive connector portion having a plurality of contact pins for connecting to a disk drive assembly and having a PCB holding portion having walls that define a recess; and, a PCB located within the recess, the PCB having a plurality of contact fingers on at least one surface at an edge of the PCB to form a backplane connector for connecting to the backplane. At least some of the disk drive connector contact pins are in electrical connection with at least some of the contact fingers of the backplane connector.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of providing out of band monitoring and/or control of a data storage subsystem, the storage subsystem comprising one or more storage media, a controller for controlling the storage media and a power supply unit, the method comprising: providing out of band control and/or monitoring signals to and/or from the power supply unit.

Abstract: A storage assembly includes a physical expander for connection in use to two or more SCSI initiators, and two or more storage devices, wherein the expander is controlled such that it presents plural virtual expanders. A method for connecting two or more storage devices to two or more SCSI initiators within a storage assembly, includes providing a physical expander for connection in use to the two or more SCSI initiators, and two or more storage devices, and controlling the single expander such that it presents plural virtual expanders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mesh bag for use with automated wicket bagging machines. In at least one embodiment, the mesh bag comprises a tubular mesh having a first end portion opposite a second end portion, a first wicketing strip attached to the second end portion of the mesh and having a peripheral edge, and a second wicketing strip attached to the second end portion of the mesh, wherein the second wicketing strip extends beyond a top edge of the mesh and the peripheral edge of the first wicketing strip and has at least one opening adapted for collating a plurality of mesh bags on one or more wicket pins. The present invention also relates to a method for making such bags.

Abstract: The invention provides a data storage system, comprising: one or more data storage media; a midplane to which the one or more data storage media are, in use, connected; at least one input/output module for providing control of data transfer between the or each of the data storage media and one or more hosts to which, in use, the data storage system is connected; and a back-up power supply to provide power to the input/output modules in the event of a failure of regular power sources therefor, the back-up power supply being provided separately from the at least one input/output module.

Abstract: The multi-location buffering of streaming media data is disclosed. One embodiment comprises buffering a first segment of media data associated with a current playback location, and buffering a second segment of media data associated with a seek point separated from the first segment of media data by a segment of unbuffered data. In this manner, data at seek points in the media stream may be buffered before a user requests a seek operation. Playback at a seek point may therefore begin with lessened or no perceived lag when a user inputs a seek command.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a data storage apparatus with a secondary optical memory. The data storage apparatus includes a data storage cartridge, a primary data storage medium in the data storage cartridge, and a secondary optical storage medium attached to the data storage cartridge. The data storage apparatus, in one embodiment, includes a beam splitter attached to the data storage cartridge. The beam splitter may be positioned at approximately a 45 degree angle in relation to a data storage surface of the secondary optical storage medium.

Abstract: A rotary switch rotates about an axis which is at acute angles to a lower cartridge surface and a cartridge end so that a first display surface and a second display surface may be independently accessed by disparate components residing in disparate planes. The display surfaces are generally orthogonal to each other and can have multiple facets, with each facet containing a subset of information. To aid this optical interrogation, the display surfaces may be generally orthogonal to the disparate interrogating components.

Abstract: The multi-location buffering of streaming media data is disclosed. One embodiment comprises buffering a first segment of media data associated with a current playback location, and buffering a second segment of media data associated with a seek point separated from the first segment of media data by a segment of unbuffered data. In this manner, data at seek points in the media stream may be buffered before a user requests a seek operation. Playback at a seek point may therefore begin with lessened or no perceived lag when a user inputs a seek command.

Abstract: A portable audiometer for performing hearing testing enclosed within a patient response mechanism housing is disclosed. The audiometer may include a printed circuit board containing circuitry, plugs or other connectors for wired or wireless headphones and bone conductor, a battery charging unit, and one or more buttons for indicating response to pure tone and other stimuli, including, but not limited to noise, speech, and visual and audio instructions and graphical representations of objects or concepts used in a comprehensive hearing test. The instrument can be connected via a wired or wireless interface to a variety of controlling devices, including PC's, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's), cellular phones, smartphones, including hybrid phone and PDA, and other devices such as media players, gaming systems, personal audio players, and other devices that can operatively communicate with the portable device.

Abstract: A data storage device enclosure for housing one or more data storage devices is disclosed. The enclosure has housed therein a plurality of modules, at least one of the modules being a power supply module and at least one of the modules being an electronics module. Each module has a first dimension of substantially n*w and a second dimension of substantially m*h, where n and m are integers that may be different for each module, wherein w=(the width of the enclosure WE/an integer between 1 and 6 inclusive) and h=(the height of the enclosure HE/an integer), w, h, WE and HE each being measured in the same plane. The first dimension of said electronics module is twice the first dimension of said power supply module.

Abstract: A portable audiometer for performing hearing testing enclosed within a patient response mechanism housing is disclosed. The audiometer may include a printed circuit board containing circuitry, plugs or other connectors for wired or wireless headphones and bone conductor, a battery charging unit, and one or more buttons for indicating response to pure tone and other stimuli, including, but not limited to noise, speech, and visual and audio instructions and graphical representations of objects or concepts used in a comprehensive hearing test. The instrument can be connected via a wired or wireless interface to a variety of controlling devices, including PC's, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's), cellular phones, smartphones, including hybrid phone and PDA, and other devices such as media players, gaming systems, personal audio players, and other devices that can operatively communicate with the portable device.

Abstract: A portable audiometer for performing hearing testing enclosed within a patient response mechanism housing is disclosed. The audiometer may include a printed circuit board containing circuitry, plugs or other connectors for wired or wireless headphones and bone conductor, a battery charging unit, and one or more buttons for indicating response to pure tone and other stimuli, including, but not limited to noise, speech, and visual and audio instructions and graphical representations of objects or concepts used in a comprehensive hearing test. The instrument can be connected via a wired or wireless interface to a variety of controlling devices, including PC's, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's), cellular phones, smartphones, including hybrid phone and PDA, and other devices such as media players, gaming systems, personal audio players, and other devices that can operatively communicate with the portable device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for observing and recording retinal irregularities are disclosed. A method according to the invention includes illuminating a viewing area with a steady light, illuminating the viewing area with a flash pattern, and enabling a user to observe, by looking at the illuminated viewing area, a visual representation of the existence of a retinal irregularity. The viewing area is illuminated with the steady light and flash pattern such that the user can identify in the viewing area a visual abnormality that is indicative of the retinal irregularity. The user can provide a description of the visual representation, which can be forwarded to a caregiver for analysis.

Abstract: A texturizer is a base which provides a plurality of inlets directed to stations internal to the base. Each of the stations communicate internal to housings which have inserts therein. Receivers in the inserts receive air from the stations and direct the air towards distal ends of the housings through slots. Prior to reaching the distal ends of the inserts, passages through the inserts direct air to an internal bore in the insert and proximally out the insert bore. The insert bore extends all the way through the insert and through the housing so that yarn is pulled through the housing and crimped preferably at an impingement point in the insert.

Abstract: Multimedia systems and methods for human sensory education and assessment are disclosed. A system according to the invention may include an administrative sub-system, which may be a local or remote server, and a delivery device, which may be a local, micro-processor-based device, such as a PC, PDA, telephone, or the like. The delivery device may include one or more optional add-on devices that simulate a sense or provide enhanced sensory capabilities. The administrative sub-system may include a data store that may contain, for example: one or more respective content modules and test batteries associated with each of the human senses; assessment results and other information relating to the senses, users of the system, test subjects, etc.; and a list of employees, students, or other users that can be given access to the stored information.