Abstract: The phase relationship between two clock signals in an integrated circuit (IC) is determined by transforming each of the clock signals into a data word, where bit transitions in the data word represent signal transitions in the clock signal, and comparing the two data words. For example, in an IC having a de-serializer as part of its input/output logic, the clocks are sequentially multiplexed into the de-serializer, which transforms the clocks into parallel-format data words. The resulting words corresponding to the first and second clock signals can then be compared to determine clock signal transition differences and thus the phase relationship between the corresponding clocks signals.

Abstract: A connecting arrangement for articles of furniture, such as seating furniture and/or tables of the type used in an office environment. A pair of articles of furniture are positioned adjacent to one another, each including a downwardly-opening channel along a lower portion of its side. An elongate connector spans the distance between the channels and has opposite side portions in respective engagement with the channels to connect the furniture articles together in a manner wherein the connector may be visually hidden in use. If one, or both, of the connected articles of furniture includes upholstered sides, the upholstery is compressed upon abutting engagement of the articles of furniture to generate a separation force which is resisted by the connector and aids in maintaining the connector in secure engagement with the channels of the adjacent articles of furniture.

Abstract: A connecting arrangement for articles of furniture, such as seating furniture and/or tables of the type used in an office environment. A pair of articles of furniture are positioned adjacent to one another, each including a downwardly-opening channel along a lower portion of its side. An elongate connector spans the distance between the channels and has opposite side portions in respective engagement with the channels to connect the furniture articles together in a manner wherein the connector may be visually hidden in use. If one, or both, of the connected articles of furniture includes upholstered sides, the upholstery is compressed upon abutting engagement of the articles of furniture to generate a separation force which is resisted by the connector and aids in maintaining the connector in secure engagement with the channels of the adjacent articles of furniture.

Abstract: The phase relationship between two clock signals in an integrated circuit (IC) is determined by transforming each of the clock signals into a data word, where bit transitions in the data word represent signal transitions in the clock signal, and comparing the two data words. For example, in an IC having a de-serializer as part of its input/output logic, the clocks are sequentially multiplexed into the de-serializer, which transforms the clocks into parallel-format data words. The resulting words corresponding to the first and second clock signals can then be compared to determine clock signal transition differences and thus the phase relationship between the corresponding clocks signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a signal is presented. An accumulator receives an input signal and generates an accumulated value. A hysteresis controller sets an adjustable upper and lower limit. The upper and lower limits are compared with the accumulated value in a comparator. The comparator outputs a result, which is fed back into the hysteresis controller through a feedback loop. Once the input signal stays within the upper and lower limits, a test signal is considered within specification. When the input signal is outside of the boundary limits, a corrupt test signal is detected.

Abstract: A cable management device traps and provides support for at least one electrical cable end connector which is located below an existing cable management hole through a work surface. In one embodiment, the cable management device includes a plate defining at least one aperture adapted to releasably receive an electrical connector. The plate is mountable directly to an underside of the work surface across a portion of the existing cable management hole such that the electrical connector is accessible from the top side of the work surface. Another embodiment of the cable management device includes a cylindrical sleeve adapted for mounting in a standard size cable management hole in a work surface, the sleeve including a lip protruding outwardly at a first end, the lip retaining the sleeve in the cable management hole, and at least one aperture defined by the sleeve, the aperture adapted to releasably receive an electrical connector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a serial connection is presented. A serial data stream is transmitted from a sending device to a receiving device. The serial data stream is generated using sending device timing information and input data. A receiver in the receiving device recovers both the timing information and the input data and then inputs them back into a transmitter located in the receiving device. The transmitter in the receiving device then generates a second serial data stream based on the recovered input data and the sending device timing information. A receiver in the sending device receives the second serial data stream and outputs the sending device timing information and input data to a FIFO buffer, for alignment of the input data. Since the input data and timing information are generated based on a sending device timing information, the FIFO can provide a signal for testing by performing phase alignment on the data. There is no need to re-synchronize the data in the sending device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a signal is presented. An accumulator receives an input signal and generates an accumulated value. A hysteresis controller sets an adjustable upper and lower limit. The upper and lower limits are compared with the accumulated value in a comparator. The comparator outputs a result, which is fed back into the hysteresis controller through a feedback loop. Once the input signal stays within the upper and lower limits, a test signal is considered within specification. When the input signal is outside of the boundary limits, a corrupt test signal is detected.

Abstract: A cable management device traps and provides support for at least one electrical cable end connector which is located below an existing cable management hole through a work surface. In one embodiment, the cable management device includes a plate defining at least one aperture adapted to releasably receive an electrical connector. The plate is mountable directly to an underside of the work surface across a portion of the existing cable management hole such that the electrical connector is accessible from the top side of the work surface. Another embodiment of the cable management device includes a cylindrical sleeve adapted for mounting in a standard size cable management hole in a work surface, the sleeve including a lip protruding outwardly at a first end, the lip retaining the sleeve in the cable management hole, and at least one aperture defined by the sleeve, the aperture adapted to releasably receive an electrical connector.

Abstract: Two interfaces or operating modes are designed into the hardware and firmware. Selection between these two interfaces, or operating modes, is indicated by the position of a jumper on an IDE/ATAPI-style jumper block. A pull-up resistor and interface type detection signal are connected to a pin on the IDE/ATAPI-style jumper block associated with a jumper that is not monitored by the IDE/ATAPI master/slave selection detect (or other configuration) hardware or used to pull-down or pull-up another jumpered pin on the jumper block. When a jumper is placed between this pin, and a pin used to pull-up or pull-down another jumpered pin the interface type detection signal will be read as being at the pulled-up or pulled-down logic level, respectively. Otherwise, the IDE/ATAPI master/slave selection (or other configuration) detect hardware will function normally.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a serial connection is presented. A serial data stream is transmitted from a sending device to a receiving device. The serial data stream is generated using sending device timing information and input data. A receiver in the receiving device recovers both the timing information and the input data and then inputs them back into a transmitter located in the receiving device. The transmitter in the receiving device then generates a second serial data stream based on the recovered input data and the sending device timing information. A receiver in the sending device receives the second serial data stream and outputs the sending device timing information and input data to a FIFO buffer, for alignment of the input data. Since the input data and timing information are generated based on a sending device timing information, the FIFO can provide a signal for testing by performing phase alignment on the data. There is no need to re-synchronize the data in the sending device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanism for detecting the correct or incorrect attachment of cabling between a host computer and a peripheral device and more generally between any two information processing products. A host computer uses signal transmission and/or particular electrical characteristics to uniquely identify particular pins, and a peripheral device checks the location of these signals and characteristics in its input wires to determine the actual position of a connector in relation to its proper position. Information from the detection can be developed either by the peripheral device or by the host to identify the required corrective action to place the connector in the correct position.

Abstract: A CD changing method (and drive for carrying out said method) enables information stored on an information-containing CD to be transferred to a blank space-containing CD in order to duplicate the information on said information-containing CD without a human having to be in attendance in order to manually remove the information-carrying CD from a CD transport tray and then replace said information-containing CD with a blank space-containing CD.

Abstract: A device for connection to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) signals connection and disconnection from the bus without physically removing or reinserting the USB cable. The devices system controller controls the signaling so that connection or disconnection may be signaled in a variety of situations to accomplish certain tasks. Connection signaling may be delayed until power-up reset procedures are complete to prevent the device from being polled by the host. A disconnect then a connect may be signaled to help recover from certain error conditions. The same data lines may also be used for interfaces other than the USB bus. A switched connection from a USB data line through a pull-up resistor to a positive supply voltage. The switched connection is controlled by a logic function so that it will not be connected when the power supply on the USB cable is not present. The switched connection is also controlled by a logic signal that may be supplied by the USB device's system controller.

Abstract: A female combination connector for connecting a computer storage drive to a printed circuit board includes a plurality of female connector elements affixed to a base. The plurality of female connector elements correspond to a plurality of male connectors on the computer storage drive. The female combination connector also includes a printed circuit board connector. The printed circuit board connector includes a plurality of conductors, each of which is supported by the base, and each of which is electrically coupled to one of the plurality of female connector elements. The female connector elements may be elements such as a data connector (e.g., an IDE or SCSI data connector), a power connector, a digital audio connector, an analog audio connector, or a select connector (e.g., an IDE master/slave cable select connector or a SCSI identification select connector).