Abstract: A mass data storage system includes a number of communicatively coupled storage drives powered by one or more power supplies. Shared control electronics selectively connect power and a data signal to a select storage drive via instructions within a control signal received by the common controller. Instructions for selectively powering and connecting the data signal are transmitted over a first signal path to a first controller of the shared electronics. Responsive to successful execution of the instructions, a drive access command is sent over a second different signal path to a second controller of the shared electronics.

Abstract: A mass data storage system includes a number of communicatively coupled storage drives powered by one or more power supplies. Shared control electronics selectively connect power and a data signal to a select storage drive via instructions within a control signal received by the common controller. Instructions for selectively powering and connecting the data signal are transmitted over a first signal path to a first controller of the shared electronics. Responsive to successful execution of the instructions, a drive access command is sent over a second different signal path to a second controller of the shared electronics.

Abstract: A device for positioning a workpiece includes a socket body rotatably held on a metallic ball by an array of permanent magnets arranged into a partial socket. An air delivery system controls a flow of air passing between the magnets and the ball to alter the friction between the socket body and the ball. A positive flow of air into the socket reduces the friction, allowing the workpiece to be more easily rotated during repositioning, whereas drawing air away from the socket produces a partial vacuum which increases the friction, causing the socket body to be locked in a single position on the ball.

Abstract: A device for positioning a workpiece includes a socket body rotatably held on a metallic ball by an array of permanent magnets arranged into a partial socket. An air delivery system controls a flow of air passing between the magnets and the ball to alter the friction between the socket body and the ball. A positive flow of air into the socket reduces the friction, allowing the workpiece to be more easily rotated during repositioning, whereas drawing air away from the socket produces a partial vacuum which increases the friction, causing the socket body to be locked in a single position on the ball.

Abstract: Securing an integrated circuit, including fabricating the integrated circuit so that the integrated circuit includes at least one efuse that is intended to be always blown during operation of the integrated circuit and the integrated circuit includes security circuitry capable of blowing the efuse and of performing other security related functions; blowing, by the security circuitry of the integrated circuit, the efuse when power is applied to the integrated circuit and prior to performing any other security related functions; and setting, by the security circuitry after blowing the efuse, a security state of the integrated circuit in dependence upon a sensed state of the efuse.

Abstract: Securing an integrated circuit, including fabricating the integrated circuit to include a multiplicity of unblown efuses, at least one surrogate efuse that emulates a blown efuse, non-volatile data representing the blown state of the surrogate efuse, and security circuitry; and setting, by the security circuitry when power is first applied to the integrated circuit, a security state of the integrated circuit in dependence upon whether a sensed state of the surrogate efuse is equal to the blown state of the surrogate efuse.

Abstract: Securing an integrated circuit, including fabricating the integrated circuit so that the integrated circuit includes at least one efuse that is intended to be always blown during operation of the integrated circuit and the integrated circuit includes security circuitry capable of blowing the efuse and of performing other security related functions; blowing, by the security circuitry of the integrated circuit, the efuse when power is applied to the integrated circuit and prior to performing any other security related functions; and setting, by the security circuitry after blowing the efuse, a security state of the integrated circuit in dependence upon a sensed state of the efuse.

Abstract: A cam actuating clamp. The clamp has first and second jaws, with one of the jaws including a surface forming a fulcrum and the other one of the jaws including a projecting arm which contacts the fulcrum when the clamp is in an open position. The clamp is moved from a closed to an open position simply by the user grasping an actuating lever that is pivotally secured to one of the jaws and lifting the clamp, in which the weight of the jaws causes rotation of the jaws, relative to the actuating lever, into an open configuration. A pair of springs secured under tension between the jaws hold the jaws in the open position. The jaws are clamped over a work piece by the user moving the actuating lever into a second position. A camming surface on the actuating lever provides an over center action that enables the springs to both assist in opening the clamp as well as closing the clamp depending upon the position of the actuating lever.

Abstract: A circuit and method for measuring duty cycle uncertainty in an on-chip global clock. A global clock is provided to a delay line at a local clock buffer. Delay line taps (inverter outputs) are inputs to a register that is clocked by the local clock buffer. The register captures clock edges, which are filtered to identify a single location for each edge. Imbalance in space between the edges indicated imbalance in duty cycle. Up/down signals are generated from any imbalance and passed to a phase locked loop to adjust the balance.

Abstract: Electronic component validation testing is facilitated by a method, system and program product which allows the importation of virtual signals derived from simulation verification testing of the electronic component design into electronic test equipment employed during validation testing of the actual electronic component.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and products are described for creating a behavioral model of a hardware device for use in a simulation environment. The behavioral model is created by an iterative process that includes receiving in a simulated hardware device from a simulated device under test (‘DUT’) a stimulus waveform. The stimulus waveform includes data representing a number of stimuli. In response to receiving the stimulus waveform, the simulated hardware device presents a recorded response waveform from a recorded response file to the DUT. The stimulus waveform is also recorded. The recorded stimulus waveform is presented to the hardware device. A response waveform that results from presenting the recorded stimulus waveform to the hardware device is recorded in the recorded response file.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer program products are described for verifying a simulated hardware environment for a simulated device under test (‘DUT’) that include recording, in a software domain, interface signals between the simulated DUT and a simulated hardware device of the simulated hardware environment, the interface signals also including simulated stimulus interface signals and simulated response interface signals; exporting, from the software domain to a playback device of a hardware domain, the recorded interface signals, including the simulated stimulus interface signals and the simulated response interface signals; and playing the exported, recorded simulated stimulus interface signals in the hardware domain from the playback device to the hardware device. In typical embodiments, the hardware device in the hardware domain also including an actual hardware part operating under actual conditions of voltage, frequency, and temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus, a method, and a computer program product are provided for identifying signals in analogue electrical systems. The ID select signals that control the timing of this signal identification circuit comprise sequential numbers that count up and identify a corresponding signal. The signals to be identified are located on a group of input/output (I/O) pins. One multiplexer (first) selects a specific I/O pin in response to the ID select signals. An isolated voltage source is connected to this multiplexer and provides the selected signal to another multiplexer (second). The second multiplexer switches from this isolated voltage source to ground potential in response to the ID select signals. The isolated voltage source floats at the DC level of the selected I/O driver pin. Therefore, by connecting to the selected signal's I/O pin and the output of the second multiplexer, the selected signal can be identified and then probed.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus includes a clamp arm that is pivotable between a raised position and a lowered position, and a clamp spindle assembly that is adjustably positionable along the length of the arm. A magnet in the clamp spindle assembly magnetically engages the clamp arm with sufficient magnetic force to maintain the spindle assembly in a selected position as the clamp arm is moved between its raised and lowered positions, while allowing the position of the clamp spindle assembly to be manually adjusted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for protecting electronic fuse (eFuse) information. A current balancing circuit is provided that maintains a constant current demand on the eFuse voltage supply that is sufficient to blow an eFuse. Normally the constant current is applied to a semiconductor core. When an eFuse is being blown, the constant current is diverted away from the core to the eFuse and as the eFuse blows, the constant current is again dumped to the semiconductor core. Thus, a change in current due to the transient of the eFuse being blown is not detectable and the information that an eFuse has been blown is kept secure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biodegradable implant which can be used as fixation and/or interbody implants. The implant is formed of a biodegradable material and may be used as a cervical stabilizing system. The stabilizing system comprises a body constructed of a biodegradable, polymeric material, which when implanted within the body will maintain a predetermined structural integrity for at least a predetermined period of time while minimizing reactivity with adjacent tissues. In an embodiment of the invention, the stabilization system comprises a fixation member which includes apertures to allow selective coupling to bone segments by means of biodegradable screws. In another embodiment, the stabilization system includes a bone column implant which maintains space between at least two bone segments of a bone column. The body member is dimensioned to substantially maintain the distance, geometry and continuity between the at least two bone segments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to virtually increase the size of the memory cache of a peripheral device without additional cost. A portion of the memory space of a host computer is used as additional cache memory for the peripheral device. The peripheral device and the host computer may be interfaced with an interface that has a first-party direct memory access (FPDMA) mechanism, for example, IEEE 1394 or Serial ATA. FPDMA allows the peripheral device to access the memory space of the host computer under the control of the peripheral device. The host computer provides the peripheral device with the location of the additional cache memory. The peripheral device can transfer data to and from the additional cache memory via FPDMA. The peripheral device effectively manages the additional cache memory as part of the peripheral device's own cache.

Abstract: A music user interface presents various thematic choices, such as themes organized around various artists, to organize digital music so as to enhance the user's browsing, playing, and purchasing experience. An “Artist Choice” user interface presents a dual presentation of a selected artist and his/her music preferences. A “Now Playing” user interface presents music selections being performed inside a store. A “Burn” user interface allows the rapid production of a music CD containing the choices of the listener/browser.

Abstract: A method and disc drive are disclosed that employ dynamic buffer size allocation for handling multiple data streams, such as time-sensitive audio/video data. The method involves allocating a certain amount of required buffer space for each data stream to be handled without an interruption in recording or playing back the data stream. The method further involves reallocating the amount of required buffer space for each stream including any additional stream when one or more additional streams are to be added to the total number of streams being handled. The method also involves reallocating the amount of required buffer space for each stream including those streams that remain after any of the data streams being handled are terminated.

Abstract: A circuit includes a bus architecture with an active mode and a reduced power mode. A host system provides a request for device data to the bus architecture and a device receives the request during the active mode. The device provides the device data after a device access time. The bus architecture operates in the reduced power mode during the device access time.