Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a digital equipment system having a host for sending write commands to write files having sector information and having a controller device responsive to the commands for writing and updating FSInfo sector information. The controller controls a nonvolatile memory system organized into blocks, each block including a plurality of sector locations for storing sector information, a particular free block, designated for storing FSInfo sector information. Upon updating of the FSInfo sector, the updated FSInfo sector information is written to a next free sector of the dedicated block thereby avoiding moving the sectors of the particular block to another block, hence, improving system performance.

Abstract: A hard disk drive is coupled to a plurality of host units for communication. The first host unit includes a serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) port, including a first host task file coupled for access to the device and responsive to commands sent by the first host unit. The second host unit includes a SATA port, including a second task file, coupled for access to the device and responsive to commands sent by the second host unit. An arbitration and control circuit is coupled to the first host task file and second task file. The arbitration and control circuit selects commands from one or the other host units when either host units sends a command for execution for concurrently accessing the device, and accepts commands from both, at any given time, including when the device is not idle.

Abstract: A switch is coupled between a plurality of host units and a device for communicating therebetween. Included is a first serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) port, a second SATA port, and a third SATA port. The first SATA port includes a first host task file coupled to a first host unit, and the first host task file is responsive to commands sent by the first host unit to the device. The second SATA port includes a second host task file coupled to a second host unit, and the second host task file is responsive to commands sent by the second host unit to the device. An arbitration control circuit is coupled to the SATA ports, and selects from the first and second hosts to concurrently access the device, through the switch, accepting commands from either host units at any time, including when the device is not idle.

Abstract: A switch is coupled between a plurality of host units and a device, for communicating therebetween. A first serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) port includes a first host task file, and is coupled to a first host unit. A second SATA port includes a second host task file, and is coupled to a second host unit. The task files are responsive to commands sent by the respective host units, and cause access to the device by the host respective host units. A third parallel ATA port includes a device task file, and is coupled to a device, for access to the device by the first or second host units. An arbitration and control circuit is coupled to the task files, for selecting one of the first or second host units to concurrently access the device through the switch at any given time, including when the device is not idle.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a high speed multi-media card system for automatic detection of high speed communication including a host and one or more media cards, coupled to the host through a one or more of data lines, at least one of which is a serial data line. The one or more media cards each have a unique card identification number (CID) associated therewith. In response to a first command from the host requesting each card's unique CID and responsive thereto, said one or more media cards send their respective CID, through the serial data line, to the host and if the sent CID matches that which is expected from the host, the host transmits a second command assigning a relative card address (RCA) to the card whose CID made the match.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is disclosed to include a hard disk drive allowing for access by two hosts to a device. Further disclosed are embodiments for reducing the delay and complexity of the SATA disk drive.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a digital equipment system having a host for sending write commands to write files having sector information and having a controller device responsive to the commands for writing and updating FSInfo sector information. The controller controls a nonvolatile memory system organized into blocks, each block including a plurality of sector locations for storing sector information, a particular free block, designated for storing FSInfo sector information. Upon updating of the FSInfo sector, the updated FSInfo sector information is written to a next free sector of the dedicated block thereby avoiding moving the sectors of the particular block to another block, hence, improving system performance.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is disclosed to include a SATA Switch allowing for access by two hosts to a single port SATA device Further disclosed are embodiments for reducing the delay and complexity of the SATA Switch.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is disclosed to include a SATA Switch allowing for access by two hosts to a single port SATA device Further disclosed are embodiments for reducing the delay and complexity of the SATA Switch.