Abstract: The invention involves silicone bands made from food-grade silicone and methods for using the silicone bands for food preparation and cooking. The silicone bands come in a variety of diameters and thicknesses, and may be used when food is prepared, then frozen and later cooked; to support food during cooking; or in food preparation when the food is not heated. The silicon bands may be stretched and placed over a food item prior to cooking and will support the food item during cooking. The silicone bands retain their elasticity when exposed to heat and will expand and contract along with the food item while cooking. After cooking is complete, the silicone bands are quickly and easily removed from the food without sticking to the food.

Abstract: Devices and methods for filtering mixed drinks. In one embodiment, drink ingredients are placed in a mixing container and a cap is placed on top of the mixing container. The cap comprises a closed end connected with an annular open end by a surface, and has a perimeter located at the junction between the annulus and the surface. The annular open end contains perforations formed by holes or fingers that fit inside the rim of the mixing container, with the rim of the mixing container in continuous contact with the perimeter. The drink is poured and filtered by slightly lifting and tilting the cap to allow gravity to pull the liquid through the perforations, thereby filtering the drink and eliminating the need for a separate filter.

Abstract: A method of displaying states of a peripheral data storage system (PDSS) comprising a data storage device, a data storage system controller, a user-actuated signaling subsystem, a user display subsystem adapted to display the states, and a peripheral data storage controller host interface adapted for communication with a host system. The method includes determining a state of the PDSS; displaying a first display state via the user display subsystem if the PDSS is in an idle state; displaying a second display state via the user display subsystem if the PDSS is in a state corresponding to receiving a signal from the user-actuated signaling subsystem; displaying a third display state via the user display subsystem if the PDSS is in a dynamically active state; and displaying a fourth display state via the user display subsystem if the PDSS is in an off state.

Abstract: A method of operating a peripheral data storage system(PDSS) for use with a host system configured to perform scheduled backup operations to PDSS comprising a user-actuated backup signaling subsystem(UBSS), a user-notifying device comprising first and second notifying states, and a host interface adapted for communication with the host system. The method comprises receiving a first signal from UBSS; communicating first signal to host system via host interface; receiving an acknowledgement signal from host system in response to communicating; and switching user-notifying device between first notifying state and second notifying state in response to received acknowledgement signal. Another method comprises receiving in host system a first request from PDSS for performing a task corresponding to a host-scheduled backup operation for a scheduled backing up of data to PDSS; completing the task by host system based on received first request; and notifying PDSS of completion of the task by host system.

Abstract: In an external disk drive system comprising a disk drive, a bridge controller comprising a plurality of Bridge Controller Host (BCH) interfaces adapted to establish communication between the external disk drive system and an external device via a plurality of different communication mediums, a method for switching from a first BCH-interface communicating with the external device via a first communication medium to a second BCH-interface during the operation of the external disk drive system. The method comprising sensing a connecting of a second communication medium to the external disk drive system via the second BCH-interface; determining an interface priority of the second communication medium over an interface priority of the first communication medium; dismounting the disk drive from the first communication medium based on the determining; and mounting the disk drive to the second communication medium wherein the external disk drive system remains operational during the dismounting an mounting.

Abstract: The invention is a magnetic knife sheath that permits easy transport and protection of knives in a relatively small sheath. The sheath has either one or two magnetically charged faces. The user places the knife blade against a magnetically charged face and the knife blade is held in place by magnetic attraction between the knife and the magnetically charged face or faces.

Abstract: The invention is a magnetic knife sheath that permits easy transport and protection of knives in a relatively small sheath. The sheath has either one or two magnetically charged faces. The user places the knife blade against a magnetically charged face and the knife blade is held in place by magnetic attraction between the knife and the magnetically charged face or faces.