Abstract: Mobile devices and methods of operating mobile devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a mobile device includes a rechargeable battery, a battery charger electrically coupled to the battery, and an image sensor operably coupled to the battery charger to selectively charge the battery. As such, the image sensor is configured to capture images and provide current to charge the battery. The image sensor can be a CMOS image sensor or a CCD image sensor. The mobile device may further include a housing, with the battery, battery charger, and image sensor contained within the housing.

Abstract: An autonomous robot, that is for example, suitable for operations such as vacuuming and surface cleaning includes a payload configured for vacuum cleaning, a drive system including a steering system, a navigation system, and a control system for integrating operations of the aforementioned systems.

Abstract: A microwave thermokeratoplasty system uses an applicator having embedded sensors that provide feedback signals to a controller. The controller interprets these feedback signals to dynamically adjust or cease a keratoplasty operation. The system uses a microwave applicator that is specially adapted for direct application of energy to an eye in the course of treatment. The applicator is formed of discrete zones or sectors that are selectively controlled in an individual manner.

Abstract: A shoe-based weight measuring system, comprising: a shoe; one or more weight sensitive detectors constructed and arranged with the shoe to sense weight of a person wearing the shoe and walking or standing; a processor for processing signals from the detectors to determine a weight of the person; a remote receiver; and a communications port for wirelessly communicating the weight to the remote receiver. An on demand weight system, comprising a weight detector coupled with a shoe for sensing weight of a person on the detector, a processor processing information from the detector for determining applied weight, a personal data display, and a communications port for wirelessly relaying the applied weight to the data display.

Abstract: A CRC value cache architecture and methods of operation of same to reduce overhead processing associated with managing a CRC value cache memory. The invention first provides for transferring from system memory to CRC value cache memory all CRC values for all sub-blocks of a data block in response to access to a first CRC value for a first sub-block. This reduces overhead processing to arbitrate for control of the system memory for each CRC value for each sub-block of a block. The invention additionally provides that a separate cache table is maintained corresponding to each device within the storage controller that requests CRC values. Each of the multiple cache entry tables is therefore shorter and more rapidly searched as compared to prior techniques thereby further reducing overhead processing to manage the cached CRC values.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an optical fiber holder apparatus for aligning and positioning an optical fiber such that a user can perform various testing and manipulation of the fiber. The apparatus comprises first and second sides coupled together along a common axis, each having a face containing a plurality of fiber engaging protrusions extending along the face. The fiber engaging protrusions of each side have a longitudinal groove formed therein for accepting an optical fiber. To capture and correctly position the fiber, the first and second sides are coupled together such that the fiber engaging protrusions of each side are interleaved with each other to gradually and repeatedly move an optical fiber placed therein towards the longitudinal groove of each side as the sides are rotated together in a mating relationship.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel water soluble metal working fluid compositions, their use to work metal, a process for working metal using such compositions and the metal worked article of manufacture. More particularly, this invention relates to fluid compositions useful in cutting, grinding, shaping and other metal working operations which require a lubricant. The terms “first Group A” and “second Group B” are used herein to denote different groups and not to indicate any sequence of use or selection as any possible combination or sequence of use of a component(s) is envisioned without limit of any kind. The disclosed fluid compositions are also anticorrosive and environmentally more acceptable than current oil based fluids.

Abstract: Methods and structure in a memory controller for sequencing memory device page activation commands to improve memory bandwidth utilization. In a synchronous memory device such as SDRAM or DDR SDRAM, an “activate” command precedes a corresponding “read” or “write” command to ensure that the page or row to be accessed by the “read” or “write” is available (“open”) for access. Latency periods between the activation of the page and the readiness ofthe page for the corresponding read or write command are heretofore filled withnop commands. The present invention looks ahead for subsequent read and write commands and inserts activation commands (hidden activates) in nop command periods of the SDRAM device to prepare a page in another bank for a read or write operation to follow. This sequencing of activate commands overlaps the required latency with current read or write burst operations.

Abstract: A programmable delay feature useful to reduce contention related delays between a memory controller device and a plurality of master devices sharing access to a memory subsystem through the single memory controller device. The programmable delay line is programmed to an optimal delay value for each master device prior to returning data to the requesting master device. A configuration register associated with the memory controller stores the optimal value for the delay line for the present application of the controller. Firmware operable on a processor coupled to the memory controller (or other programmable master device) may determine the optimal delay line value for the system. The optimal delay line value so determined is then stored in the memory controller's configuration register.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for equalizing a read signal from a data storage media is disclosed. An analog output signal is equalized by reading the data storage media using an analog equalization filter. The analog output of the analog equalization filter is converted to a raw digital output signal. The raw digital output signal is processed to detect and correct an error in the raw digital output signal. The error is detected and an adjustment is made to the boost of the analog equalization filter according to the error detected.

Abstract: An enclosure module for accommodating a plurality of peripheral devices having: a computerized control unit in electrical communication with a user interface, a first and second bus with a bus expansion logic element therebetween that allows for operation of the buses as a single logical bus or as independent buses, termination circuitry for signal-appropriate bus termination, and a first and second plurality of connectors, each for electrical connection with one of the peripheral devices. The user interface to accept a first input (and can include a second, third, fourth, and so on, input) for optional manual configuration of a respective operational feature of the enclosure module, and if the input(s) is not registered, the feature can be automatically configured without the particular information provided by the input. The connectors can each have a multi-connect assembly for connection with a first, second, and third type connector.

Abstract: A low threshold voltage MOS device on a semiconductor substrate is disclosed. The substrate has an upper surface, and a first well region is disposed in said semiconductor substrate extending downwardly from the semiconductor substrate upper surface. The first well region includes a dopant of a first conductivity type having a first average dopant concentration. Source and drain regions of a second conductivity type are laterally spaced from each other and are disposed in the first well region, the source and drain regions extending downwardly from the semiconductor substrate upper surface a predetermined distance. A channel region comprising the first well region of the first conductivity type is disposed between the source and drain regions. The channel region also extends at least the predetermined distance below the semiconductor substrate upper surface.

Abstract: Methods and associated structure for enabling immediate availability of a disk array storage device. In particular, the methods and associated structure of the present invention permit access to a logical unit of a storage system immediately following creation of the logical unit. Initialization of the logical unit to initialize redundancy information therein proceeds in parallel with host system access to the storage space of the logical unit. The initialization process maintains a boundary parameter value indicative of the progress of the initialization process. Storage space above the boundary has had its redundancy information initialized while storage space below the boundary has not. Where an I/O request is entirely above the boundary, it is processed normally in accordance with the management of the logical unit. Where part of an I/O request is below the boundary, it is processed in a special manner that assures integrity of the redundancy data.

Abstract: Methods and associated apparatus for performing concurrent I/O operations on a common shared subset of disk drives (LUNs) by a plurality of RAID controllers. The methods of the present invention are operable in all of a plurality of RAID controllers to coordinate concurrent access to a shared set of disk drives. The plurality of RAID controllers operable enhance the performance of a RAID subsystem by better utilizing available processing power among the plurality of RAID controllers. Each of a plurality of RAID controllers may actively process different I/O requests on a common shared subset of disk drives. One of the plurality of controllers is designated as primary with respect to a particular shared subset of disk drives. The plurality of RAID controllers then exchange messages over a communication medium to coordinate concurrent access to the shared subset of disk drives through the primary controller.

Abstract: An apparatus for mechanically limiting a plurality of switch type circuit breakers mounted in linear alignment so that a predetermined number of circuit breaker switches can be in a predetermined position at a time, generally ON, and whereby access to all remaining switches is prevented and the unintentional operation of all remaining switches is prevented. A rigid housing is provided for mounting a plurality of switch-type circuit breakers in linear alignment. An interlock plate is slidably mounted to the housing adjacent the breaker switches. An opening through the interlock plate allows access to the predetermined number of switches which are to be accessible. The solid portion of the cover prevents access to the remaining switches and locking bars on the bottom face of the interlock plate mechanically limit movement of the remaining switches. In order to move the interlock plate to access other breaker switches, all switches must be in the same position, generally OFF.

Abstract: A portable data collection terminal has an elongate housing with a hand grip conforming rear surface. A front surface features a numerical keyboard adjacent a lower end of the housing and an LCD screen adjacent the keyboard toward an upper end of the housing. The display screen is of elongate rectangular shape, its length extending longitudinally of the housing of the data terminal. The active area of the display screen is covered by a touch sensitive overlay screen which is configured in one mode of operation of the data terminal into an alphabetical keyboard. The orientation of the display is switchable between orientations in which the line direction of the displayed data extends across or longitudinally of the data terminal. The keys of the numerical keyboard are identified by indicia disposed on a template. The orientation of the template may be sensed to switch the orientation of the displayed data and touch sensitive key identifiers to correspond to the orientation of the indicia on the template.

Abstract: An arrangement for feeding flat, thin objects, such as valuable documents in the form of banknotes, cheques, etc., along a transport path, including object straightening and repositioning means which straighten or reposition the objects as they pass sequentially along the transport path. The straightening means includes rotating driven object straightening rollers that lie briefly against the objects as the objects pass along the transport path. The straightening means includes two rotatable, driven straightening rollers, each mounted on a driving shaft and intended to lie in abutment with the objects. The straightening means further includes control means which causes the rollers to move in accordance with the deviation of respective objects from an intended correct position on the transport path.