Abstract: A method includes providing a substrate having a surface such that a first hard mask layer is formed over the surface and a second hard mask layer is formed over the first hard mask layer, forming a first pattern in the second hard mask layer, where the first pattern includes a first mandrel oriented lengthwise in a first direction and a second mandrel oriented lengthwise in a second direction different from the first direction, and where the first mandrel has a top surface, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall, and depositing a material towards the first mandrel and the second mandrel such that a layer of the material is formed on the top surface and the first sidewall but not the second sidewall of the first mandrel.

Abstract: An apparatus supports single root input/output virtualization (SR-IOV) capable devices. The apparatus includes input/output ports, and SR-IOV capable PCIe devices. Each SR-IOV capable PCIe device has one or more namespaces or controller memory buffers. The SR-IOV capable PCIe device provides one or more physical functions and virtual functions that can access the one or more namespaces or controller memory buffers. A PCIe switch controller communicates with host servers coupled to the input/output ports, and assigns one or more virtual functions to each host device, and enables the host devices to access one or more namespaces or controller memory buffers through the assigned virtual functions.

Abstract: An actuating system includes an actuating wheel coupled to an operating element, an axle coupling part disposed substantially coaxial to the actuating wheel and rotatable for raising or lowering a bottom part of a window shade, and a clutching part carried with a carrier and movably linked to the actuating wheel. The clutching part is movable between a retracted state for disengaging from the axle coupling part and an extended state for engaging with the axle coupling part. The actuating wheel is rotatable in a first direction to urge the clutching part to move from the retracted state to the extended state and drive the carrier and the axle coupling part to rotate in unison, and in a second direction to urge the clutching part to move from the extended state to the retracted state so that the actuating wheel is rotationally decoupled from the axle coupling part.

Abstract: A drive (e.g., hard drive) carrier can have a frame with a door that can open to permit installation of the drive and can snap shut to secure the drive within the drive carrier. The drive carrier can include a connector lock, which can take the form of a pair of pins extending from the frame and capable of engaging corresponding retention holes of a connector of a cable. The connector lock can help align the cable's connector with the drive's connector, as well as releasably lock the cable's connector in place when operatively connected to the drive. Damping couplings can couple the carrier frame to a computer chassis. The damping couplings and the flexibility of the cable vibrationally isolate the drive from the chassis, while the connector lock ensures the cable's connector does not unintentionally disconnect from the drive.

Abstract: A system chassis includes a bottom panel, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. The bottom panel defines a width of the system chassis. The first sidewall extends substantially vertically from a first end of the bottom panel. The first sidewall includes a first channel vertically offset from the bottom panel. The first channel is configured to mate with a first rail of an equipment rack. The second sidewall extends substantially vertically from a second end of the bottom panel, and is opposite to the first sidewall. The second sidewall includes a second channel configured to mate with an opposing rail of the equipment rack.

Abstract: A cord winding assembly for a window shade includes a housing, a first and a second spool portion respectively connected with a first and a second suspension cord, and a transmission axle. The first and second spool portions are disposed in a cavity of the housing. The transmission axle is rotationally coupled to the first and second spool portions and extends outside the housing at least at one end thereof, the transmission axle and the first and second spool portions being rotatable concurrently relative to the housing in a first direction for respectively winding the first and second suspension cords around the first and second spool portions, and in a second direction opposite to the first direction for respectively unwinding the first and second suspension cords from the first and second spool portions.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that includes a bay within a computer system, such as a fan bay. The system further includes a baffle positioned around a section of a perimeter of the bay. The baffle is configured to move along the section. The baffle includes a projection that extends into the bay. The projection is configured to abut against a module, such as a fan module, so that the module drives the baffle from a closed position to an open position as the module is inserted into the bay.

Abstract: A spring drive system for a window shade includes a housing, a cord drum and a first gear fixedly connected with each other and pivotally connected with the housing, the cord drum being connected with two second suspension cords, a second gear pivotally connected with the housing, two spring reels respectively pivotally connected at two opposite sides of the second gear so that the two spring reels are respectively rotatable relative to the second gear, the second gear and the two spring reels being disposed in a coaxial manner, a third gear pivotally connected with the housing and respectively meshed with the first and second gears, the third gear being fixedly connected with two second take-up reel at two opposite sides, and two springs each assembled around one corresponding spring reel and having one end connected with one corresponding take-up reel.

Abstract: A system chassis includes a bottom panel, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. The bottom panel defines a width of the system chassis. The first sidewall extends substantially vertically from a first end of the bottom panel. The first sidewall includes a first channel vertically offset from the bottom panel. The first channel is configured to mate with a first rail of an equipment rack. The second sidewall extends substantially vertically from a second end of the bottom panel, and is opposite to the first sidewall. The second sidewall includes a second channel configured to mate with an opposing rail of the equipment rack.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that includes a bay within a computer system, such as a fan bay. The system further includes a baffle positioned around a section of a perimeter of the bay. The baffle is configured to move along the section. The baffle includes a projection that extends into the bay. The projection is configured to abut against a module, such as a fan module, so that the module drives the baffle from a closed position to an open position as the module is inserted into the bay.

Abstract: An operating wand for a window shade includes an elongate rod extending along a lengthwise axis, a catching portion protruding along the lengthwise axis from an end of the elongate rod, and a shoulder portion protruding sideways from the catching portion. The operating wand is operable to connect with and detach from a rail of a window shade. In particular, an end of the operating wand provided with the catching portion and the shoulder portion can engage with the rail for pushing or pulling the rail in movement so as to collapse or expand the window shade.

Abstract: A panel assembly for a window shade includes a first and a second elongate strip adjacent to each other that are bonded to a support sheet. Each elongate strip has a first and a second edge opposite to each other, and a main strip portion between a first and a second margin, the first and second margin respectively adjoining the main strip portion along a first and a second folding line, the first margin extending between the first folding line and the first edge, the second margin extending between the second folding line and the second edge, the second margin including a third folding line substantially parallel to the second folding line. The first margin is bonded to the support sheet, and the second margin is bonded to the support sheet or the second elongate strip at a margin portion between the third folding line and the second edge.

Abstract: A spring drive system for a window shade includes a housing, a first and a second gear engaged with each other and respectively assembled about a first and a second pivot axis, two springs respectively assembled at two opposite sides of the second gear and respectively connected with two take-up reels provided on the first gear, a first cord drum and a third gear fixedly connected with each other and assembled about a third pivot axis, the first and third gears being respectively located at different levels along the first and third pivot axes and respectively engaged with a first gear train, a second cord drum and a fourth gear fixedly connected with each other and assembled about a fourth pivot axis, the second and fourth gears being respectively located at different levels along the second and fourth pivot axes and respectively engaged with a second gear train.

Abstract: A drive (e.g., hard drive) carrier can have a frame with a door that can open to permit installation of the drive and can snap shut to secure the drive within the drive carrier. The drive carrier can include a connector lock, which can take the form of a pair of pins extending from the frame and capable of engaging corresponding retention holes of a connector of a cable. The connector lock can help align the cable's connector with the drive's connector, as well as releasably lock the cable's connector in place when operatively connected to the drive. Damping couplings can couple the carrier frame to a computer chassis. The damping couplings and the flexibility of the cable vibrationally isolate the drive from the chassis, while the connector lock ensures the cable's connector does not unintentionally disconnect from the drive.

Abstract: An actuating system for a window shade includes a fixed support shaft, a rotary drum pivotally connected with the support shaft and rotatable for winding or unwinding a shading structure, and a limiting mechanism at least partially disposed inside the rotary drum and including a threaded portion provided on the support shaft, a stop portion and a limiting part respectively adjacent to a first and a second end of the threaded portion, and a follower engaged with the threaded portion, the follower being rotationally coupled to the rotary drum and slidable relative to the rotary drum. The rotary drum is rotatable in a first direction to drive the follower to slide toward a first position for engagement with the limiting part, and in a second direction to drive the follower to slide toward a second position for engagement with the stop portion.

Abstract: An actuating system includes an actuating wheel coupled to an operating element, an axle coupling part disposed substantially coaxial to the actuating wheel and rotatable for raising or lowering a bottom part of a window shade, and a clutching part carried with a carrier and movably linked to the actuating wheel. The clutching part is movable between a retracted state for disengaging from the axle coupling part and an extended state for engaging with the axle coupling part. The actuating wheel is rotatable in a first direction to urge the clutching part to move from the retracted state to the extended state and drive the carrier and the axle coupling part to rotate in unison, and in a second direction to urge the clutching part to move from the extended state to the retracted state so that the actuating wheel is rotationally decoupled from the axle coupling part.

Abstract: A spring drive system for a window shade includes a housing, a plurality of rotary members, a spring and a latch. The rotary members are rotationally linked to one another and pivotally connected with the housing, wherein the rotary members include a rotary drum that is connected with a suspension member and is rotatable relative to the housing for winding or unwinding the suspension member. The spring is assembled with the housing, and can bias the rotary drum in rotation for winding the suspension member. The latch is assembled with the housing, the latch being movable to engage with and disengage from one of the rotary members to respectively prevent and allow rotation of the rotary drum.

Abstract: A spring drive system for a window shade includes a housing, a first and a second gear engaged with each other and respectively assembled about a first and a second pivot axis, two springs respectively assembled at two opposite sides of the second gear and respectively connected with two take-up reels provided on the first gear, a first cord drum and a third gear fixedly connected with each other and assembled about a third pivot axis, the first and third gears being respectively located at different levels along the first and third pivot axes and respectively engaged with a first gear train, a second cord drum and a fourth gear fixedly connected with each other and assembled about a fourth pivot axis, the second and fourth gears being respectively located at different levels along the second and fourth pivot axes and respectively engaged with a second gear train.

Abstract: A window shade includes a reel coupled to a first control module and connected with a panel assembly, a lift actuator coupled to a second control module, and a switchable coupling mechanism. The panel assembly has an open state for light passage and a closed state blocking light passage. The first control module can drive the reel in rotation for winding and unwinding the panel assembly. The second control module can drive the lift actuator in rotation for switching the panel assembly to the open or closed state. The coupling mechanism has a coupling state in which it rotationally couples the lift actuator to the first control module, and an uncoupling state in which it rotationally uncouples the lift actuator from the first control module. The coupling mechanism is in the uncoupling state while the panel assembly is closed, and in the coupling state while the panel assembly is opened.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for a window shade includes an electric motor for driving a displacement of a movable rail, a motor controller electrically coupled to the electric motor and having a first and a second connector, a power supply, a wired control interface, and a removable wireless adapter operable to convert a wireless signal outputted by a wireless control interface to an electric signal. The actuating mechanism has a first configuration supporting wireless control, and a second configuration supporting wired-only control, the wireless adapter being respectively connected with the power supply, the wired control interface and the first and second connectors of the motor controller in the first configuration, and the wireless adapter being removed and the power supply and the wired control interface being respectively connected with the first and second connectors of the motor controller in the second configuration.