Abstract: An input protection circuit (IPC) may prevent an input signal from propagating into a system, such as an integrated circuit (IC), when the voltage level of the input signal exceeds a specified value. The IPC may be configured to compare the input signal voltage, which may be that of an external input signal received by the system, with a reference voltage, which may be the power supply voltage. If the input signal voltage exceeds the reference voltage, the output of the IPC may be set to the value of a specified clamp voltage. If the input signal voltage does not exceed the reference voltage, the output of the IPC may track (or follow) the input signal voltage. For certain integrated circuits, the IPC may be configured to provide circuit protection for an input signal voltage ranging between 0V to 5V, and a power supply voltage ranging between 3.0V and 3.6V.

Abstract: An input protection circuit (IPC) may prevent an input signal from propagating into a system, such as an integrated circuit (IC), when the voltage level of the input signal exceeds a specified value. The IPC may be configured to compare the input signal voltage, which may be that of an external input signal received by the system, with a reference voltage, which may be the power supply voltage. If the input signal voltage exceeds the reference voltage, the output of the IPC may be set to the value of a specified clamp voltage. If the input signal voltage does not exceed the reference voltage, the output of the IPC may track (or follow) the input signal voltage. For certain integrated circuits, the IPC may be configured to provide circuit protection for an input signal voltage ranging between 0V to 5V, and a power supply voltage ranging between 3.0V and 3.6V.

Abstract: A content syndication access control solution is provided. An illustrative content syndication access control system comprises: a syndication subscriber for acquiring a authorized content syndication feed; content syndication providing means for authorizing the syndication subscriber according to a public key and submitting content to a syndication server; and the syndication server for performing an authorization on content items according to the public key and a symmetric key and encrypting the authorized content items and the symmetric key, and generating the content syndication feed according to the encrypted content items and the symmetric key. By means of the system, the granularity of access control can become finer, and the consolidated content feed maintains all access control information, so existing access control remains valid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adding or removing a logical unit of a mass storage device connected to a host computer through a universal serial bus (USB) interface are provided. The method may comprise: dynamically managing a logical unit table associated with the logical unit; generating a corresponding hot plug and play (PnP) event in the mass storage device; and informing the host computer of the hot PnP event. The mass storage device may comprise: a logical unit managing apparatus; a hot PnP event generating apparatus; and an informing apparatus for informing a host computer of the hot PnP event through a USB.

Abstract: A circuit and process is provided for protecting a device from the detrimental effects of electro-static discharge (ESD). The circuit includes an ESD breakdown device that is used to activate a current drawdown device. When a voltage exceeding the ESD breakdown device's breakdown voltage is applied, a signal is generated that causes the current drawdown device to pump current to ground. In this way, the effects of the ESD charge are substantially reduced. In one example, the ESD breakdown device is a reverse biased diode, and the current drawdown circuit includes a Darlington circuit. When an ESD surge causes the diode to breakdown, a signal is applied to the Darlington circuit, which pumps the ESD current safely to ground.

Abstract: A system interface having a cache memory and a plurality of directors. Each one of the plurality of directors includes a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the directors. The data pipe includes a data pipe memory and a data pipe memory controller for controlling the data pipe memory. Each one of the directors includes microprocessor coupled to the data pipe memory controller. The system includes a switching network coupled to the cache memory to transfer data between the memory and: (a) the input of a selected one of the plurality of directors through the data pipe memory; (b) the microprocessor and the data pipe memory through the data pipe memory controller of a selected one of the plurality of directors; and (c) the microprocessor and the data pipe memory controller while by-passing the data pipe memory of a selected one of the plurality of directors.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for transferring data appended with a tag indicating whether the transmit data is data allowed to be re-transmitted or inhibited from being re-transmitted to a memory section. A buffer is fed with the transmit data from a data source for transmit data to the memory section. A receiver is receives data from the memory section and checks such received data for errors. Either the transmit data from the data source is coupled to the memory section in absence of a detected error or the data in the buffer is coupled to the memory section when an error has been detected and the data has been tagged with an indication that the transmit data is data allowed to be re-transmitted; selectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for prioritizing, managing, and customizing the allocation and selection of items in a real-time basis in accordance with real-time assigned rules, attributes and parameters.