Abstract: A data storage device accepts queued read and write commands that have deadlines. The queued read and write commands are requests to access the data storage device. The deadlines of the queued read and write commands can be advisory deadlines or mandatory deadlines.

Abstract: A keyboard type input device used in conjunction with a wristwatch or a portable telephone has multiple key positions provided as character entry keys. Each key corresponds to one key in the selected row of the conventional QWERTY keyboard. A second set of control buttons provide for the selection of which row of a conventional QWERTY keyboard are represented by the character keys in addition to other functions such as case shift, and alpha-numerical control functions. A selected row is shown on a display, as visual feedback. Alternatively the keys are implemented as LCDs with pressure sensors and the characters of the selected row are displayed directly on the corresponding key positions. The keyboard finds particular use in portable devices as it demands less space than traditional keyboards.

Abstract: A data storage device accepts queued read and write commands that have deadlines. The queued read and write commands are requests to access the data storage device. The deadlines of the queued read and write commands can be advisory deadlines or mandatory deadlines.

Abstract: A mobile computing hard disk drive has both a flash memory device and a DRAM device, with the HDD controller managing data storage between disk, DRAM, and flash both when write requests arrive and when the HDD is idle to optimize flash memory device life and system performance.

Abstract: A keyboard type input device used in conjunction with a wristwatch or a portable telephone has multiple key positions provided as character entry keys. Each key corresponds to one key in the selected row of the conventional QWERTY keyboard. A second set of control buttons provide for the selection of which row of a conventional QWERTY keyboard are represented by the character keys in addition to other functions such as case shift, and alpha-numerical control functions. A selected row is shown on a display, as visual feedback. Alternatively the keys are implemented as LCDs with pressure sensors and the characters of the selected row are displayed directly on the corresponding key positions. The keyboard finds particular use in portable devices as it demands less space than traditional keyboards.

Abstract: A keyboard type input device has multiple key positions provided as character entry keys. Each key corresponds to one key in the selected row of the conventional QWERTY keyboard. A second set of control buttons provide for the selection of which row of a conventional QWERTY keyboard are represented by the character keys in addition to other functions such as case shift, and alpha-numerical control functions. A selected row is shown on a display, as visual feedback. Alternatively the keys are implemented as LCDs with pressure sensors and the characters of the selected row are displayed directly on the corresponding key positions. The keyboard finds particular use in portable devices as it demands less space than traditional keyboards. The keyboard type input device is implemented with various electronic appliances, including portable phones.

Abstract: For non-bursty data writes, data is written to flash memory of a hard disk drive for subsequent de-staging to disk, whereas for bursty writes data is written directly to disk.

Abstract: A device connected to an interface has operational logic and power control logic. The device further has multiple power modes, including a first mode and a second, lower power mode. In the first mode, the operational logic is coupled to the interface, and is able to communicate over the interface. In the second mode, the power control logic is coupled to the interface, and the operational logic is decoupled, and substantially powered down. This provides a low interface power mode. In this mode, the power control logic monitors the interface for command activity. The power control logic returns the device to the first mode when the device must be in the first mode to process or reply to the command. The power control logic thus provides for the restoration of function from a low interface power mode without the need for a special “wake-up” command, thereby making the low interface power mode transparent to the host.

Abstract: A keyboard type input device has multiple key positions provided as character entry keys. Each key corresponds to one key in the selected row of the conventional QWERTY keyboard. A second set of control buttons provide for the selection of which row of a conventional QWERTY keyboard are represented by the character keys in addition to other functions such as case shift, and alpha-numerical control functions. A selected row is shown on a display, as visual feedback. Alternatively the keys are implemented as LCDs with pressure sensors and the characters of the selected row are displayed directly on the corresponding key positions. The keyboard finds particular use in portable devices as it demands less space than traditional keyboards. One embodiment utilizes the keyboard as a wrist watch I/O device.