Abstract: A method for visualizing luminance variance for an object may include receiving image data associated with a digital image of the object. An algorithm is applied to the image data to generate an enhanced image. The enhanced image includes connected pixel value lines representative of pixel value ranges from the input image to enable visualization of luminance variance of the object by the human eye.

Abstract: A data storage system can employ one or more data storage modules that each have multiple constituent data storage devices. A plurality of data storage devices can be connected to a control board within a single housing with the control board having a number of SATA outputs connected to each of the plurality of data storage devices. The number of SATA outputs may be less than a total number of data storage devices in the plurality of data storage devices. Each SATA output can be connected to a separate first-tier port multiplier that has circuitry to split a single set of SATA signals into multiple duplicate sets of SATA signals.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a communication interface, a controller, and a power section. The communication interface is configured to receive power from an external host to the apparatus. The controller is configured to limit a current drawn by the communication interface to a predetermined value when the apparatus is powered through the external host. The power section is configured to generate a first voltage from a portion of the limited current drawn by the communication interface. The first voltage powers a data storage circuitry. The power section is further configured to store electrical charges received from another portion of the limited current drawn by the communication interface. The power section is further configured to generate a second voltage from the stored electrical charges in response to a signal from the controller. The second voltage supplements the first voltage during high power events by the data storage circuitry.

Abstract: A data storage system can employ one or more data storage modules that each have multiple constituent data storage devices. A plurality of data storage devices can be connected to a control board within a single housing with the control board having a number of SATA outputs connected to each of the plurality of data storage devices. The number of SATA outputs may be less than a total number of data storage devices in the plurality of data storage devices. Each SATA output can be connected to a separate first-tier port multiplier that has circuitry to split a single set of SATA signals into multiple duplicate sets of SATA signals.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a communication interface, a controller, and a power section. The communication interface is configured to receive power from an external host to the apparatus. The controller is configured to limit a current drawn by the communication interface to a predetermined value when the apparatus is powered through the external host. The power section is configured to generate a first voltage from a portion of the limited current drawn by the communication interface. The first voltage powers a data storage circuitry. The power section is further configured to store electrical charges received from another portion of the limited current drawn by the communication interface. The power section is further configured to generate a second voltage from the stored electrical charges in response to a signal from the controller. The second voltage supplements the first voltage during high power events by the data storage circuitry.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus including a first storage device having a first write speed and a second storage device having a second write speed. The apparatus also includes a controller configured to manage a transfer of data to the first storage device or the second storage device. The amount of data stored on each of the first and second storage devices is based on the first write speed and the second write speed.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus including a first storage device. The apparatus also includes an expansion slot configured to receive a removable card with a second storage device. The removable card with the second storage device is configured to provide faster read/write times to the second storage device than read/write times of the first storage device. The first and second storage devices are seen as a single storage device by a host computing device.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus including a first storage device having a first write speed and a second storage device having a second write speed. The apparatus also includes a controller configured to manage a transfer of data to the first storage device or the second storage device. The amount of data stored on each of the first and second storage devices is based on the first write speed and the second write speed.

Abstract: An interface connector apparatus and associated method is provided having a reach portion extending from a body portion a first distance, and electrical contacts at an end of the reach portion. An alignment member is connected to the reach portion and extends from the body portion a second distance that is greater than the first distance, the alignment member including a retainer operably imparting a bias that retains the interface connector in another device.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus including a first storage device. The apparatus also includes an expansion slot configured to receive a removable card with a second storage device. The removable card with the second storage device is configured to provide faster read/write times to the second storage device than read/write times of the first storage device. The first and second storage devices are seen as a single storage device by a host computing device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for collecting golf balls from practice areas while the device is making tight turns. The device includes a vehicle such as a golf cart, tractor, or lawn mower. A collecting gang is attached to the vehicle in such a manner that the collecting gang can pivot 180 degrees around an axis. The vehicle is configured for tight turns and the collecting gang is configured to self-orient such that golf balls are collected when the gang travels in any direction. Thus the present invention provides a device for collecting golf balls that can pick up golf balls while making a zero radius turn, moving forward, and moving in reverse.

Abstract: An interface connector apparatus and associated method is provided having a reach portion extending from a body portion a first distance, and electrical contacts at an end of the reach portion. An alignment member is connected to the reach portion and extends from the body portion a second distance that is greater than the first distance, the alignment member including a retainer operably imparting a bias that retains the interface connector in another device.

Abstract: A serial interface connector and corresponding method electrically connects to a storage cartridge that has a housing enclosing a serial communications device. The serial interface connector has a first plurality of electrical contacts and a retainer. The retainer operably contactingly engages the housing to impart a bias that retains the electrical contacts of the serial interface connector seated in electrical connection with a respective second plurality of electrical contacts of the serial communications device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to facilitate the alignment of an antenna. In one aspect, there is provided a transceiver. The transceiver may include an antenna and a downconverter module coupled to the antenna. The downconverter module may convert a signal received at the antenna to another signal. The downconverter module may measure received signal strength. The transceiver may also include a sequence detector for detecting an error rate of a sequence included in the other signal. The transceiver may also include an output module for providing an output representative the error rate, the received signal strength, and a combination of the error rate and the received signal strength. The provided output may be used to enable alignment of an antenna. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.

Abstract: A serial interface connector and corresponding method electrically connects to a storage cartridge that has a housing enclosing a serial communications device. The serial interface connector has a first plurality of electrical contacts and a retainer. The retainer operably contactingly engages the housing to impart a bias that retains the electrical contacts of the serial interface connector seated in electrical connection with a respective second plurality of electrical contacts of the serial communications device.