Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for storage of data. In one aspect, the invention provides a data storage system that includes a plurality of storage devices, such as, disks, for storing data, and a controller that implements a policy for managing distribution of power to the storage devices, which are normally in a power-off mode. In particular, the controller can effect transition of a storage device from a power-off mode to a power-on mode upon receipt of a request for reading data from or writing data to that storage device. The controller further effects transition of a storage device from a power-on mode to a power-off mode if no read/write request is pending for that storage device and a selected time period, e.g., a few minutes, has elapsed since the last read/write request for that storage device. In another aspect, the present invention provides a data storage system that includes a plurality of cooling plates, each with one or more storage devices thermally coupled thereto.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for storage of data. In one aspect, the invention provides a data storage system that includes a plurality of storage devices, such as, disks, for storing data, and a controller that implements a policy for managing distribution of power to the storage devices, which are normally in a power-off mode. In particular, the controller can effect transition of a storage device from a power-off mode to a power-on mode upon receipt of a request for reading data from or writing data to that storage device. The controller further effects transition of a storage device from a power-on mode to a power-off mode if no read/write request is pending for that storage device and a selected time period, e.g., a few minutes, has elapsed since the last read/write request for that storage device.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides an enclosure for an electronic device that includes a thermally conductive casing for housing internal components of the device. The casing can include a internal surface for thermal coupling to the internal components and an external surface, thermally coupled to the internal surface, for transmitting heat generated by the internal components to an external environment. In addition, the enclosure can include a heat pipe adapted for having thermal contact with at least one of the internal components at one end therefore and having thermal contact with a portion of the casing's internal surface at another end so as to facilitate transfer of heat generated by that internal component to the external environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for storage of data. In one aspect, the invention provides a data storage system that includes a plurality of storage devices, such as, disks, for storing data, and a controller that implements a policy for managing distribution of power to the storage devices, which are normally in a power-off mode. In particular, the controller can effect transition of a storage device from a power-off mode to a power-on mode upon receipt of a request for reading data from or writing data to that storage device. The controller further effects transition of a storage device from a power-on mode to a power-off mode if no read/write request is pending for that storage device and a selected time period, e.g., a few minutes, has elapsed since the last read/write request for that storage device. In another aspect, the present invention provides a data storage system that includes a plurality of cooling plates, each with one or more storage devices thermally coupled thereto.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image acquisition and viewing system that employs a fish-eye lens and an imager, such as, a CCD array, to obtain a wide angle image, e.g., an image of a hemispherical field of view. The system of the invention further includes a primary display for displaying the image, and a secondary display for presenting a perspective-corrected view of a selected portion of the image. A processor effects correction of a selected portion of the image for distortions introduced by the fish-eye lens by utilizing methods according to the teachings of the invention. The processor further effects the display of the image and its perspective-corrected portion thereof on the primary and the secondary displays, respectively. Moreover, the processor effects the display of a graphical object on the first display to delineate the portion that is presented on the secondary display.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides an enclosure for an electronic device that includes a thermally conductive casing for housing internal components of the device. The casing can include a internal surface for thermal coupling to the internal components and an external surface, thermally coupled to the internal surface, for transmitting heat generated by the internal components to an external environment. In addition, the enclosure can include a heat pipe adapted for having thermal contact with at least one of the internal components at one end therefore and having thermal contact with a portion of the casing's internal surface at another end so as to facilitate transfer of heat generated by that internal component to the external environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image acquisition and viewing system that employs a fish-eye lens and an imager, such as, a CCD array, to obtain a wide angle image, e.g., an image of a hemispherical field of view. The system of the invention further includes a primary display for displaying the image, and a secondary display for presenting a perspective-corrected view of a selected portion of the image. A processor effects correction of a selected portion of the image for distortions introduced by the fish-eye lens by utilizing methods according to the teachings of the invention. The processor further effects the display of the image and its perspective-corrected portion thereof on the primary and the secondary displays, respectively. Moreover, the processor effects the display of a graphical object on the first display to delineate the portion that is presented on the secondary display.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for storage of data. In one aspect, the invention provides a data storage system that includes a plurality of storage devices, such as, disks, for storing data, and a controller that implements a policy for managing distribution of power to the storage devices, which are normally in a power-off mode. In particular, the controller can effect transition of a storage device from a power-off mode to a power-on mode upon receipt of a request for reading data from or writing data to that storage device. The controller further effects transition of a storage device from a power-on mode to a power-off mode if no read/write request is pending for that storage device and a selected time period, e.g., a few minutes, has elapsed since the last read/write request for that storage device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image acquisition and viewing system that employs a fish-eye lens and an imager, such as, a CCD array, to obtain a wide angle image, e.g., an image of a hemispherical field of view. The system of the invention further includes a primary display for displaying the image, and a secondary display for presenting a perspective-corrected view of a selected portion of the image. A processor effects correction of a selected portion of the image for distortions introduced by the fish-eye lens by utilizing methods according to the teachings of the invention. The processor further effects the display of the image and its perspective-corrected portion thereof on the primary and the secondary displays, respectively. Moreover, the processor effects the display of a graphical object on the first display to delineate the portion that is presented on the secondary display.