Abstract: In a method for ejecting a plurality of hot plug slots sharing a power controller, a processor receives a request to eject a plurality of hot plug slots, wherein the plurality of hot plug slots share a power controller and have at least two adapters present. A processor causes an OS to incrementally eject the at least two adapters, wherein ejecting an adapter comprises the OS stopping at least one driver of the adapter, and the OS generating a request to remove power from a hot plug slot. Responsive to a request by the OS to remove power from a hot plug slot, a processor generates a signal that prevents the OS from recognizing the adapter is present in the hot plug slot. Responsive to all device drivers for the at least two adapters being stopped, a processor causes power to be removed from the plurality of hot plug slots.

Abstract: In a method for ejecting a plurality of hot plug slots sharing a power controller, a processor receives a request to eject a plurality of hot plug slots, wherein the plurality of hot plug slots share a power controller and have at least two adapters present. A processor causes an OS to incrementally eject the at least two adapters, wherein ejecting an adapter comprises the OS stopping at least one driver of the adapter, and the OS generating a request to remove power from a hot plug slot. Responsive to a request by the OS to remove power from a hot plug slot, a processor generates a signal that prevents the OS from recognizing the adapter is present in the hot plug slot. Responsive to all device drivers for the at least two adapters being stopped, a processor causes power to be removed from the plurality of hot plug slots.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for providing a backup configuration image to a programmable hardware device. A receiving module receives a configuration file for the programmable hardware device. The configuration file comprises a synchronization key and a configuration image. An image write module writes the configuration image to a first section of a memory device. The memory device comprises the first section and a second section that stores a synchronization key and a backup configuration image. A key write module writes at least a portion of the synchronization key to the first section of the memory device in response to the image write module completing the write of the configuration image to the first section of the memory device. During a loading cycle, the programmable hardware device searches the memory device for a valid synchronization key, and loads the configuration image that corresponds to the valid synchronization key.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for providing a backup configuration image to a programmable hardware device. A receiving module receives a configuration file for the programmable hardware device. The configuration file comprises a synchronization key and a configuration image. An image write module writes the configuration image to a first section of a memory device. The memory device comprises the first section and a second section that stores a synchronization key and a backup configuration image. A key write module writes at least a portion of the synchronization key to the first section of the memory device in response to the image write module completing the write of the configuration image to the first section of the memory device. During a loading cycle, the programmable hardware device searches the memory device for a valid synchronization key, and loads the configuration image that corresponds to the valid synchronization key.

Abstract: A connector/cable identification system comprises a plug having an extension and a female housing having at least two pairs of optical emitter/sensors. Each emitter/sensor pair detects whether the extension is therebetween. Because different extensions have different lengths or aperture configurations, the type of connector (and thus associated cable) can be determined. Voltage isolation between the cable (i.e., a common carrier transmission line) and the apparatus receiving the cable (i.e., a personal computer) is maintained by physically separating the transmission circuitry from the identification circuitry.

Abstract: A fuel cell and mold therefor, which fuel cell is characterized by a molded plastic fuel container having a fuel pick-up opening in the top thereof and a molded wedge provided in the bottom thereof in angular relationship, which molded wedge serves to isolate and accumulate small quantities of fuel when the fuel cell is almost empty, to facilitate more efficient retrieval of fuel from the fuel cell. The fuel cell is molded inside a two-piece mold provided with mating flanges and a wedge blade slot is shaped in the bottom mold section for receiving a removable wedge insert blade designed to shape the molded wedge in the fuel cell. The mold is charged with a plastic powder and catalyst mixture and is attached to a rotating apparatus to effect simultaneous rotation on two axes while heated, to melt the plastic powder and shape the fuel cell.

Abstract: Increased efficiency in the use of a communications channel between a Control Unit and a multiplicity of terminal or satellite units by utilizing the combinations of the unit address code words and their complements as coded commands and automatically returned responses. At least one combination of the Control Unit address code words and word complements can be manually entered at any one of the satellite units to serve as a special response to one combination of the respective satellite address code words and word complements, to cause a change of function or operation at the Control Unit. The system may be coupled to a Host Computer and normally the information received by the Control Unit would be encoded for transmission to the computer, in which case the change of function could be the disenabling of transmission to the Host Computer.

Abstract: Channel efficiency in a communications link between a controller and multiple portable units is increased by polling the active units and a set number of inactive units in a sequence where a "poll" consists of sending the binary coded address of the portable unit. The stream of transmitted data bits is only interrupted by a response from the portable unit, then resumed at the end of the response or a given portion of the response. During the reception of the response, certain other types of messages can be sent out by the controller. Portable responses can be automatic responses as to status, etc., or can be data initiated by the operator of the portable unit keyboard and stored in the portable unit memory until "armed" by the operator, then automatically transmitted to the controller when the portable unit address is received.

Abstract: A two-way communications system for use with a host computer includes a control unit, a base station and multiple radio/data terminal units. The control unit interfaces directly with the computer but uses a radio link to the portable units. Voice and data signals can be transmitted and data between units is decoded, sorted, stored, encoded, and sent to its destination in accordance with predetermined protocol in queue discipline. An extensive self-diagnostic system is included. An active redundancy arrangement switches between two control units/base stations on a regular schedule if both units are up, and instantaneously if the "on" unit goes down.