Abstract: This application is directed to acoustic chambers that can be incorporated into headsets to improve consistency of sound reproduction between a left and right earcup. Headsets, especially wireless headsets, need to hold many different components within the earcups (e.g., batteries, wireless components, etc.). As earcups are required to hold more components, imbalances between left and right can result. For example, a left earcup might hold a battery, while a right earcup holds wireless charging components. Differences between left and right components can ultimately result in sound reproduction inconsistencies between left and right earcups. Embodiments of the inventive subject matter create consistent acoustic chambers for both left and right earcups so that sound reproduction between the earcups is unaffected by components housed within each earcup.

Abstract: This application discloses mobile device accessories that can be used to facilitate mobile gaming. Systems of the inventive subject matter have two grips and a middle portion that make it easier for users to hold a mobile device. The middle portion can include wireless charging capabilities to transfer power to a mobile device having wireless charging capabilities. Embodiments include a battery pack that can be swapped, and battery packs can additionally include wireless charging capabilities. Systems of the inventive subject matter improve mobile gaming by reducing reliance on batteries that are built in to mobile devices and improving easy-of-use through wireless charging.

Abstract: A portable audio adapter device includes a built-in flash memory, an audio port, a main body, the main body including the flash memory and the audio port, a cable, the cable attached to the main body, and a USB-compliant connector, the connector attached to an end of the cable and providing connection to an audio source, wherein the built-in flash memory has a memory capacity to store user audio preference settings, and the audio port provides connection to a headphone or a loudspeaker. The portable audio adapter device has a shape of dongle. The portable audio adapter device can automatically launch user audio preferences and can operate with more than one audio sources.

Abstract: An electronic component module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a printed circuit board including a low-profile plug and at least one memory component thereon, and a connector for connecting the printed circuit board to a motherboard, the connector being mateable with the plug on the printed circuit board and having a z-height of no more than about 1.5 mm. The low-profile plug includes one hundred seventy pins and the number of pins allocated for VSS is no more than twenty-two and the number of pins allocated for VDD is no more than sixteen. Further, the low-profile plug includes an insulative portion protruding from a surface of the printed circuit board and having a “”-like or inverted “”-like profile in its center. The connector includes two sub-connectors, and an insulative portion having a “”-like or inverted “m”-like profile in the center.

Abstract: A solid state drive (SSD) assembly and an assembly method for solid state drives, which does not require using screws. The assembly method includes aligning a printed circuit board with a first cover and a second cover, the first cover having pre-installed standoffs on an inner surface thereof. The printed circuit board and the second cover respectively having a first set of through-holes, and the first set of through-holes correspond to the standoffs. The assembly method further includes placing the printed circuit board between the first and second covers, thereby exposing an end portion of each of the standoffs in the through-holes of the second cover, and deforming the end portion of each of the standoffs about the through-holes, thereby fastening the first and second covers with one another.

Abstract: A multi-standard flash-memory-card carrier is about the same size as a thick credit card and fits into a wallet. The multi-standard flash-memory-card carrier has bays that accept flash-memory cards. Larger bays on one side receive SD cards and a Memory Stick Duo card, while micro bays on another side of the carrier receive microSD cards and Memory Stick Micro cards. A carrier spine sandwiched between top and bottom covers has openings forming the bays. Spring-clip tabs on spring-clip fingers fit into notches on the side of the flash-memory cards to secure the flash-memory cards into the multi-standard flash-memory-card carrier to prevent loss. The spring-clip fingers are movable parts of the carrier spine that are deformed during insertion of the flash-memory cards. Both micro and standard flash-memory cards can be carried in the same multi-standard flash-memory-card carrier that can be placed in plastic sleeves for credit cards in a person's wallet.

Abstract: A smart card issuance system and method are disclosed. In a first aspect a method and system for issuing a smart card device (SC) is disclosed. The method and system comprise providing an initialization phase of the SC by a manufacturer and providing an authentication phase of the SC by the manufacturer. The method and system also include deploying the SC, providing a first time authentication phase for a specific customer by the issuer (IS) after the SC is deployed and starting a first phase of the registration process of the SC for the specific customer by the issuer. The method and system further include providing another authentication phase of the SC by IS after the first time authentication; and providing of an authentication of the IS by the SC. When both the SC and IS are mutually authenticated, the IS and the specific customer are allowed to complete the registration process. In a second aspect, a data transmission process and system for a smart card device (SC) of an issuer (IS) is disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic component module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a printed circuit board including a low-profile plug and at least one memory component thereon, and a connector for connecting the printed circuit board to a motherboard, the connector being mateable with the plug on the printed circuit board and having a z-height of no more than about 1.5 mm. The low-profile plug includes one hundred seventy pins and the number of pins allocated for VSS is no more than twenty-two and the number of pins allocated for VDD is no more than sixteen. Further, the low-profile plug includes an insulative portion protruding from a surface of the printed circuit board and having a “”-like or inverted “”-like profile in its center. The connector includes two sub-connectors, and an insulative portion having a “”-like or inverted “m”-like profile in the center.

Abstract: A management hub is disclosed. The management hub comprises an interface; a master hub controller coupled to the interface; a plurality of ports coupled to the master hub controller; a microcontroller coupled to the master hub controller; and hub setting switch and a slave hub controller coupled to the microcontroller and the plurality of ports. The management hub also includes a memory device coupled to the microcontroller, the memory device including a hidden drive information partition and a hidden drive organizer partition for managing and identifying information in various drives coupled to the plurality of ports, wherein when the management hub is first connected to a host system the drives are displayed in an inactive state.

Abstract: A secure storage system is disclosed. The secure storage system comprises a crypto engine and a storage device. The crypto engine comprises a random number generator; a hash function; a general encryption engine; and a data encryption engine. The secure storage system further includes a storage device coupled to the crypto engine. The storage device includes a storage array. The storage array includes a public partition, a secure partition and a system partition. The public partition is accessible to the public. The secure partition is accessible through the password authentication. The system partition is accessible only by the secure storage system. The password authentication is two-level instead of one, to avoid hash collision or insider tampering. The secure partition is accessed with “access gating through access key” instead of “access control through comparison.” The password can be changed without reformatting the secure storage.

Abstract: A portable image capture and camera device is provided including a device body, and an upper panel displaceably engaged to the body, and having an image capture module disposed thereon. A lower panel is also displaceably engaged to the body, for receiving and supporting a subject when the lower panel is deployed to an open position. The upper panel is translatable to deploy from a stowed position to a first deployed position to image a subject disposed on the lower panel (card reader mode), and to a second deployed position to image objects remote from the device (camera mode).

Abstract: A solid state disk system is disclosed. The system comprises a user token and at least one level secure virtual storage controller, coupled to the host system. The system includes a plurality of virtual storage devices coupled to at least one secure virtual storage controller. A system and method in accordance with the present invention could be utilized in flash based storage, disk storage systems, portable storage devices, corporate storage systems, PCs, servers, wireless storage, and multimedia storage systems.

Abstract: A solid state disk system is disclosed. The system comprises a user token and at least one level secure virtual storage controller, coupled to the host system. The system includes a plurality of virtual storage devices coupled to at least one secure virtual storage controller. A system and method in accordance with the present invention could be utilized in flash based storage, disk storage systems, portable storage devices, corporate storage systems, PCs, servers, wireless storage, and multimedia storage systems.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a chip may include the step of providing a first electrical part. The method may also include the step of forming a shell with the first electrical part embedded in a first side portion of the shell and a cavity in a second side portion of the shell. The method may include the step of testing the embedded first electrical part to determine whether the first electrical part is defective or functional. The method may also include the steps of providing a second electrical part, inserting the second electrical part within the cavity of the shell second side portion, establishing electrical communication between the first and second electrical parts if a test result of the first electrical part indicates that the first electrical part is functional, and finishing the chip. Also, the method may include the step of rejecting the first electrical part if the test result of the first electrical part indicates that the first electrical part is defective.

Abstract: A retractable memory drive in accordance with the present invention comprises a top casing, a middle carrier, an electronic device such as a USB thumb drive, and a bottom casing. There are guide rails that allow the middle carrier to remain in an appropriate position. There is also a metal spring clip coupled to the middle carrier for contacting a connector of a device coupled to the drive to provide for improved EMI and ESD protection.