Abstract: Defect management for automatic track processing without an ID field, processes defect information for a track on a magnetic media within a disk drive system. A system which uses any method of defect management including linear replacement, sector slipping, cylinder slipping or segment slipping, can be supported. A physical sector number for each sector is translated to a logical sector number relating to the order of data on a track. This translation of the physical sector number to a logical sector number for automatic track processing can be accomplished using any one of three methods: 1) a track defect table can be built in the buffer RAM; 2) the defect information can be written in the header of every sector; or 3) a system FIFO, located in the onboard logic, can be used to manage the defect list. In the second method, the header subfield comprises four defect records.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk, a head actuated radially over the disk, a spindle motor for rotating the disk, a controller integrated circuit (IC) for generating spindle motor control data, and a motor driver IC. The motor driver IC comprises commutation circuitry for commutating the spindle motor, a status register for storing real-time status data associated with operation of the motor driver IC, and a serial interface for receiving the spindle motor control data from the controller IC and for initiating a transfer of the real-time status data to the controller IC.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a read/write head mounted on an actuator, a disk having an inner diameter region and an outer diameter region, the head being radially movable by the actuator between the inner diameter region and the outer diameter region. An unload ramp is positioned at the outer diameter region. A controller outputs control signals upon sensing a power down condition. A feedback circuit is adapted to sense a back emf generated by the actuator and to use the back emf to apply a counter-acting voltage to the actuator that tends to bring the actuator to a stop. A switch is responsive to the control signals to (i) connect the feedback circuit to the actuator to enable the actuator to be brought to a stop while the disk continues to rotate and (ii) for then causing the actuator to move the head to the unload ramp. The switch further applies a voltage which causes the actuator to bring the head to the inner diameter region of the disk, before causing the actuator to move the head to the unload ramp.

Abstract: A positioning control device is provided which is capable of avoiding the limit cycle in which the head moves back and forth between two dead zones on both sizes of the center of the target track. When a magnetic head is in the dead zone and the head position is separated from the center of the target track, the center position of the dead zone is set as the head position.

Abstract: Apparatus suppresses seek-induced vibration in a disc drive. The apparatus is responsive to a selected bang-bang command to provide an operating signal to the actuator, such as a voice coil motor, representing the selected bang-bang command with damped amplitudes of dominant vibration mode frequencies of the selected bang-bang command. One example of the apparatus is a finite impulse response filter having a discrete transfer function of C(1+al1z−l+al2z−l·2+ . . . +alrz−l·r), where C is a constant, al1, al2, . . . alr represent impulse amplitudes at spaced positions within a sample period and z−l·1, z−l·2, . . . z−l·r represent delay components at the respective spaced positions. In a preferred embodiment, the finite impulse response filter employs a pole-zero cancellation technique to damp amplitudes of selected frequencies.

Abstract: In a data media storage library for storing and accessing storage media, the storage media being contained in cartridges, the data media storage library having a library housing, an access opening in the library housing for inserting cartridges, a storage array within the library housing including a number of storage locations, a plurality of media storage elements adapted to hold the storage media, a plurality of data transfer elements adapted to read and write information on the storage media, and a media transport element within the library housing adapted to move the storage media between the media storage element and the data transfer element, an import/export element which rotates the cartridge 180 degrees after moving the cartridge from the access opening to the media transport element, including: a cartridge holder adapted to receive the media cartridge from the access opening; a lead screw mounted in a first direction between a first point and a second point and rotating about a first axis parallel t

Abstract: A high density tape library includes a plurality of rectangular platforms mounted adjacent one another for movement in a plane, with tape cassette magazines mounted on the platforms. The platforms have depending guide and cam follower members for movement around a generally rectangular track under the control of a series of cams. At a cassette handling station, selected tape cassettes are shifted from a magazine to a tape drive.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing device (1) includes a holder (46) for holding a cassette (3), the holder (46) being guided so as to be movable between a loading position and an operating position along a substantially L-shaped path of movement, the cassette (3) being insertable into the holder (46). The recording and/or reproducing device further includes a record carrier drive mechanism (52) by which the record carrier (26) accommodated in the cassette (3) can be driven when the holder (46) has been moved to the operating position, and further includes a drive device (103) for driving and moving the holder (46), the drive device (103) including a ring-shaped drive wheel (127) which surrounds the record carrier drive mechanism (52) at the level of the ring-shaped drive wheel (127).

Abstract: A computer disk drive top cover is provided with stiffening features and gasket clearance enhancements. In the preferred embodiment, the top cover includes a flange or skirt extending substantially perpendicular to the top cover, with one or more slots cut or formed on the flange. The flange provides increased bending strength to the top cover. The slots provide increased clearance for expansion of a compressible gasket used to seal the top cover to the base assembly of the disk drive housing. The slots are sized to provide expansion clearance along tangent points, or other critical clearance points on the base assembly.

Abstract: A disk drive array system using a vacuum pump to reduce the disk drive internal pressures and/or a helium circulator to fill and circulate helium in a disk drive array to reduce vibrations, reduce power consumption, and increase cooling (when helium is used). The disk drive array system is also configured such that individual disk drives can be removed from the disk drive array without affecting the internal pressures of the remaining disk drives in the array.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a disk drive base. The disk drive further includes at least one rotatable disk including a disk surface extending to an outer disk edge. The disk drive further includes a head stack assembly rotatably attached to the disk drive base in operable communication with the disk. The disk drive further includes an airflow suppressor comb coupled to the disk drive base and stationary relative to the disk drive base during operation of the disk drive. The comb includes a comb body disposed adjacent to the outer disk edge, and at least one tine extending from the comb body along the disk surface for mitigating disk rotation induced airflow upon the head stack assembly adjacent to the disk surface. The comb further includes a curved extension extending along the outer disk edge for mitigating turbulent airflow adjacent the outer disk edge.

Abstract: Return channels 45a, 45b, 45c, and 50 are formed to guide air flowing through a clearance between a magnetic disk (11) and a shroud (41) so that the air flows behind a voice coil motor, bypasses a loading/unloading mechanism (31) and flows toward a region on the lower side of the loading/unloading mechanism 31 with respect to the rotating direction of the magnetic disk (11). Thus, production of turbulent flow in the vicinity of the loading/unloading mechanism 31 is controlled. Fluttering of the magnetic disk (11) can be controlled by placing a filter 60 in one of the return channels.

Abstract: A flexible disc apparatus comprising a frame having a recording medium loading portion, a carriage portion, and a recording medium unloading mechanism portion, which comprises a medium holding portion which is arranged to be moveable along the loading and unloading direction of the recording disc and is provided with a medium holding portion which engages with one portion of the recording disc to maintain the recording disc at a predetermined space along the loading and unloading direction.

Abstract: The invention allows a track width and a throat height of an induction-type magnetic transducer to be defined with accuracy even if the track width is reduced. A recording head has a bottom pole layer and a top pole layer that include pole portions opposed to each other, a recording gap layer being placed between the pole portions. The recording head further has a thin-film coil. The top pole layer includes first and second pole portion layers and a yoke portion layer. The first pole portion layer has a width equal to the recording track with and a length equal to the throat height. The width of a portion of the second pole portion layer touching the first pole portion layer is equal to the width of the first pole portion layer, that is, the recording track width. The entire length of the second pole portion layer is greater than the first pole portion layer. The first pole portion layer is first formed to have a width greater than the recording track width.

Abstract: A perpendicular recording head for use with magnetic recording medium has an improved structure permitting an unusually narrow trackwidth to be defined by a simple, cost-efficient manufacturing process. The main pole and opposing pole of the recording head are deposited on the side of the slider, so that the trackwidth is controlled by the thickness of material deposited to form the main pole. The dimension of the main pole along the direction of the track is not critical for permitting a recording head of the present invention to record at high densities. The opposing pole may be located in front of, to the side of, or behind the main pole.

Abstract: A magnetic disc rotates causing an air flow that produces a floating force head unit which undergoes floating force by air flow produced as the result of the fact that the magnetic disc is rotated serves to selectively carry out loading of a first disc cartridge within which there is accommodated a first magnetic disc adapted so that flat recording tracks are provided at a disc substrate formed by molding synthetic resin and a magnetic layer is provided in a manner to cover the recording tracks, and a second disc cartridge within which there is accommodated a second magnetic disc adapted so that information uneven pit trains are formed at a disc substrate formed by molding synthetic resin and a magnetic layer is formed in a manner to include bottom surfaces and upper surfaces of information uneven pit trains, the magnetic layer being magnetized in the state where magnetization direction of the magnetic layer portions on the bottom surfaces and that of the magnetic layer portions of the upper surfaces of infor

Abstract: A disc head slider includes a slider body having a disc-opposing face with leading and trailing slider edges, a slider length measured between the leading and trailing slider edges, a bearing surface, a recessed area, an inlet and a convergent channel. The recessed area is recessed from the bearing surface. The inlet has a leading channel end, which is open to air flow from the leading slider edge, channel side walls and a trailing channel end. The convergent channel has a leading channel end, which is open to fluid flow from the inlet, channel side walls and a trailing channel end, which is closed to the fluid flow. The trailing channel end of the convergent channel is located along the slider length rearward of at least a portion of the recessed area and forward of at least a portion of the bearing surface.

Abstract: A base plate of a suspension for a disk drive includes a shear surface formed on one end of the base plate and a notch formed along the shear surface so as to contain the shear surface. The notch is formed on each of the obverse and reverse sides of the base plate. The notches are designed so that (&agr;+&bgr;)/t ranges from 0.3 to 0.5 it the respective depths of the two notches and the thickness of the base plate are &agr;, &bgr; and t, respectively.

Abstract: A magnetic head supporting mechanism includes a head positioning actuator having an arm, and a load beam connected to the arm. The load beam has a gimbal. The gimbal includes a magnetic head slider fixing portion on which a magnetic head slider having a magnetic head is mounted, a first pair of beams extending from opposite sides of the magnetic head slider fixing portion along a traverse direction of the load beam perpendicular to a longitudinal direction thereof, and a second pair of beams respectively connected to the first pair of beams and extending so as to face the opposite sides of the magnetic head slider fixing portion.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension has a longitudinal axis that defines inner and outer edges of the suspension. A flexure having a head gimbal assembly is aligned with the axis and spring-loaded to the suspension. A single limiter extends from the flexure through an opening in the suspension to hook to the suspension. The limiter limits the planar separation between the flexure and the suspension. The limiter is offset from the axis such that it is located much closer to the inner edge. During the unloading of the suspension from the disk, a tab on the suspension engages a ramp to begin to lift the suspension away from the disk. As the suspension is lifted, the flexure and head gimbal assembly have limited planar separation from the suspension due to the limiter. Since the limiter is offset from the axis, the surface of the head gimbal assembly is skewed relative to the disk.

Abstract: A multiple actuator disk drive is disclosed. The mechanical vibration in one actuator induced by motion in the second actuator is greatly reduced by providing an independent bearing shaft for each actuator. The bearing shafts are mounted substantially along the same geometric axis.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic write head includes a lower core layer composed of a magnetic material and an upper core layer composed of a magnetic material. The upper core layer is opposed to the lower core layer with a nonmagnetic gap layer therebetween at a surface facing a recording medium. The thin-film magnetic write head writes data to be read by a thin-film magnetic read head, which has a track width Tr and a distance H2 between an upper shielding layer and a lower shielding layer. The length in the track width direction at a magnetic contact between the gap layer and the upper core layer is 1 &mgr;m or less. The formula A≦H1−H2 is satisfied A is a difference between the height of the upper surface of the gap layer on a center line in the track width direction and the height of the upper surface of the gap layer at a distance Tr/2 from the center line in the track width direction. H1 is a gap length of the gap layer.

Abstract: A spin-valve device of a CPP structure which has a high resistance, and which generates a high output signal with low current. The CPP spin-valve device including a spin-valve element having a substrate and a layered structure formed on the substrate. The layered structure includes a first thin film layer of ferromagnetic material, a second thin film layer of ferromagnetic material, and a thin non-magnetic layer structure separating the first and second layers. One of the first and second thin film layers is defined as a free layer and the other layer is defined as a pinned layer, where the free layer has a direction of magnetization that is easier to change than a direction of magnetization of the pinned layer by application of a magnetic field. The non-magnetic layer structure includes a conducting part and insulating part, with the conduction part having an area that is smaller than an area of the free layer.

Abstract: An apparatus is described comprising a seed layer between a gap layer and an Iridium Manganese (IrMn) antiferromagnetic layer. The seed layer comprises an oxide layer next to a magnetic layer.

Abstract: A low cost, low parts count electronic circuit that is built into an appliance automatically and continuously checks for an open ground condition or a condition where the power conductors are transposed, at which time, power is interrupted in the appliance. By combining this with an electrical leakage detection circuit and power interrupter at the plug, the electrical safety of the appliance is greatly enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit. The ESD protection circuit comprises a semiconductor-controlled-rectifier (SCR) and a non-volatile memory. The SCR comprises an anode, an anode gate and a cathode. The anode and the cathode are coupled to a first node and a second node, respectively. The non-volatile memory comprises a floating gate and two source/drains. The two source/drains are respectively coupled to the cathode and the anode gate. The floating gate is provided with a predetermined charge to decrease the trigger voltage of the SCR.

Abstract: An ESD protection circuit that can be easily configured to provide ESD event protection against a range of ESD event voltages. The circuit is also compatible with high frequency ICs. The ESD protection circuit includes an input terminal configured to receive an ESD event signal and a diode sub-circuit. The diode sub-circuit includes at least one diode (e.g., either a single diode or a plurality of diodes connected in series or parallel configuration), a diode input node and a diode output node. The diode sub-circuit is configured to receive an ESD event signal from the input terminal and to operate under forward bias conditions to provide a diode output signal at the diode output node. The circuit also includes a bipolar junction transistor (e.g., a Si—Ge bipolar junction transistor) with a base, a collector and an emitter. The emitter is configured to receive the ESD event signal from the input terminal, while the base is configured to receive the diode output signal from the diode output node.

Abstract: A power source unit can be miniaturized with increases in power consumption suppressed. A rectifier means (201) is used to prevent a direct current supplied via a second input terminal (VDD or VSS) from being supplied reversely to a first input terminal (CP or CM) and thereby to eliminate the conventional necessity to a separate dispose means for preventing the direct current supplied via the second input terminal from being supplied reversely to the first input terminal, thereby permitting simplifying a configuration and reducing useless power consumption, and thereby miniaturizing the unit with increases in power consumption suppressed.

Abstract: An electronic device including a voltage supply source is presented. Included in the electronic device is a low voltage detection circuit that is connected to the voltage supply source. Also, a voltage offset circuit is connected to the low voltage detection circuit. The voltage offset circuit offsets a voltage drop in the low voltage detection circuit that is caused by a voltage transient. Therefore, a false reading is prevented in the low voltage detection circuit.

Abstract: A circuit breaker (10) (FIG. 1) has a power line (12) for carrying a power signal from a source to a load and a current transformer (14, 16, 18, 20) configured to sense the power signal and provide a sense signal based on the power signal at a first terminal (14a, 16a, 18a, 20a) (FIG. 2). The circuit breaker (10) includes a control circuit (26) configured to receive a first data message and to provide a second data message based on the first data message at a second terminal (40). The circuit breaker (10) further includes a programmable amplifier (30) coupled to the first terminal (14a, 16a, 18a, 20a) and the second terminal (40) configured to receive the sense signal, to receive the second data message, to amplify the sense signal based on the second data message, and to provide the amplified sense signal at a third terminal (42). A method of constructing the circuit breaker (10) is provided (FIG.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for interrupting the flow of electrical current in a line is disclosed. The invention provides for better limitation of current than can be achieved in the prior art. With effective current limitation, the magnetic force generated by the circuit breaker coil will not be excessive thereby reducing potential damage to the circuit breaker armature, increasing the interruption rating of the circuit breaker and end-use equipment and decreasing the interruption pressure within the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A transient voltage surge suppressor is provided to protect equipment with voltage sensitive electronics, such as office equipment, from surges or transients in the multi-phase power distribution network furnishing power. The surge suppressor senses the incoming voltage and electrically disconnects the neutral leads and hot leads of the power network from the neutral lead and hot lead of the office equipment if a voltage surge above an established level is sensed. The suppressor also disconnects its output when a ground connection in the multi-phase power network is disconnected to protect the equipment against excessive voltages. In this situation, the suppressor circuit protects its internal components from damage and possible fire hazard when its output is disabled, so that the suppressor can resume its function when conditions in the power distribution network return to a satisfactory state.

Abstract: An electronic signal filter is provided that includes a metal housing which has been adapted to be electrically grounded, and a circuit board positioned within the housing. The circuit board includes a first area and a second area, and has an electrically conductive trace formed on a portion of a top surface of the circuit board that provides electrical communication between the first and second areas of the circuit board. The filter further includes a metal shield connected to the housing, located between the first and second areas of the circuit board. The metal shield extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the circuit board and has a slot formed therein for receiving the portion of the circuit board on which the electrically conductive trace is formed. The slot is dimensioned to provide a space between the metal shield and the conductive trace.

Abstract: In an electromagnetically actuatable device, an electromagnet is driven with a controlled current progression so that the armature of the electromagnet can be actuated at the lowest possible current level while still achieving the most rapid overall increase of the actuating current from zero to maximum amperage. A first portion or range of the current increase is carried out with a steep or jump-like current increasing characteristic. A second portion or range of the current increase is carried out with a more gradual variation of the current. The current levels at the end points of the respective ranges are selected to ensure that the electromagnet is actuated during the second range in which the current varies more gradually. Preferably, two steep or jump-like current increase ranges are respectively provided before and after the second range having the gradual current increase.

Abstract: Flat electrolytic capacitors particularly for use in implantable medical devices having stacked cathode and anode layers particular electrical connections of the capacitor anode and cathode layers with a capacitor connector assembly. Anode terminal means extend through the capacitor case side wall for electrically connecting a plurality of the anode tabs to one another and providing an anode connection terminal at the exterior of the case that is electrically insulated from the case. A cathode terminal extends through or to an encapsulation area of the capacitor case side wall via a cathode terminal passageway for electrically connecting a plurality of the cathode tabs to one another and providing a cathode connection terminal at the exterior of the case. The connector assembly is electrically attached to the anode connection terminal for making electrical connection with the anode tabs and to the cathode connection terminal for making electrical connection with the cathode tabs.

Abstract: A solid electrolytic capacitor having excellent solder wettability and heat resisting adhesion and a method of manufacturing same are obtained by a simple plating configuration. The capacitor includes a capacitor element, positive electrode terminal and negative electrode terminal. The positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal include a metallic member containing (i) at least one selected from the group consisting of nickel, nickel alloy, copper and copper alloy, (ii) a first plated layer of tin or tin alloy, directly disposed without undercoat on the metallic member, and (iii) an intermetallic compound layer formed between the metallic member and the first plated layer. The intermetallic compound layer contains tin-nickel or tin-copper formed through heat reflow treatment of the metallic member disposed on the first plated layer.

Abstract: In order to shorten the length of connection buses and reduce a cost, in the present invention, a plurality of T-branched circuit breaker units 12 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the T-branch direction, and the plurality of circuit breaker units 12 are connected by first connection bus units 14 and second connection bus units 15 in series alternately in a rectangular wave shape on a horizontal plane of approximately the same height as the T-branch portions of the circuit breaker units 12. Thereby, first connection buses 5 and second connection buses 6 are stretched around on the horizontal plane of the same height as the T-branch portions of the circuit breaker units 12, but not stretched around in an up and down direction. Therefore, the length of the connection buses can be reduced, and the cost also can be reduced.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing equipment which is excellent in the shock resistance, and has a strap and pen storing portion, and has a drip-proof ability. The information processing equipment 1 is constructed by putting a lower case 2 as the base and successively stacking a main board 3, a chassis 4, an LCD 5, a touch panel 6, a packing 7 and an upper case 10 in this order. A battery 11 for driving the equipment is provided and is detachable from the lower portion of the lower case 2. Further, an inverter board 14 for driving the LCD 5, a flexible cable 15 and an inverter cushion 18 is arranged in a position in the upper portion of the chassis 4 and beside a speaker 12. The flexible cable 15 from the main board 3 is connected to the inverter board 14, and a lead wire of the LCD 5 is connected to the inverter board 14.

Abstract: A computer terminal includes a cabinet having a front portal, and computer hardware mounted therein. A monitor covers the portal and is operatively joined to the hardware by an electrical cable. The monitor is mounted to the portal as a door which may be tilted open for providing convenient access to the computer hardware found therein.

Abstract: A mounting device is adapted to a flat monitor and has a box-like main body formed with a compartment with at least one computer connection point. In this way it is possible to locate a computer in immediate vicinity of the monitor. The compartment may be designed to resemble a drawer such that the computer can simply and easily be slid into the compartment.

Abstract: Collapsible structures are provided with enhancements and other features that impart additional utility or amusement value to the basic underlying structure. The collapsible structure has at least one panel, with each panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. An electrical component can attached to the fabric material, and an electrical coupling connected to the electrical component. Alternatively, a two-dimensional or three-dimensional object can be attached to the fabric material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a technique whereby multiple servers may be contained within single server chassis or housing. This space saving technique is used to increase the server-to-space ratio for purposes of data warehousing facility cost minimization, and to reduce a maximum amount of space required by a large number of servers. Multiple improvements have been made to each of the servers contained within a single server housing to allow for proper functionality of each of the servers contained within a housing. Additionally, the multiple servers of the present invention have many improvements that allow for remote monitoring, maintenance, and reconfiguration by a remote user or system administrator.

Abstract: It is an exemplified object of the present invention to provide an electronic apparatus that easily and inexpensively prevents electronic components from being destroyed by electrostatic discharge, and has high durability and reliability. The inventive electronic apparatus is an electronic apparatus which a storage medium is inserted into and ejected from through an opening, and includes a conductive member disposed around the storage medium that is inserted, and an insulating member provided at least near the opening on a surface of the conductive member facing the storage medium.

Abstract: A disk drive module is adapted to be slidably disposed within the chassis of a data storage system. The disk drive module includes a fiber channel disk drive for storing data, an upper carrier sled mounted onto the disk drive and a lower carrier sled mounted onto the disk drive. A bezel assembly is snap mounted onto the upper and lower carrier sleds. The bezel assembly includes a bezel which is capable of lateral displacement relative to the upper carrier sled, an ejector pivotally mounted onto the bezel for releasably locking the disk drive module within the chassis, and a latch for releasably locking the position of the ejector. An adaptive spring includes a first end which is mounted onto the upper carrier sled and a second end which abuts against the bezel, the adaptive spring resiliently urging the bezel away from the upper carrier sled.

Abstract: A double interface external box for a computer includes an upper and a lower lid and a control panel. The upper and a lower lid are oppositely joined to each other and form an external box with a storage device being received and fixed therein. The control panel has a transition circuit board with an outer side thereof being provided with component parts including a first connector with IDE interface, a second connector with USB interface, a cut over switch and a power input end to connect with the transition circuit board by way of a circuit respectively such that signals of the component parts can be transmitted and with an inner side thereof forming a third connector with IDE interface, a fourth connector with USB interface and a power output joint.

Abstract: A portable computer includes a portable computer body having an upper surface, a lower surface and a lower front edge thereof. An add-on battery is detachably mounted on the lower surface of the portable computer body and has a wedge-shaped portion corresponding to a wedge-like space which is defined between the lower surface of the portable computer body and a surface on which the portable computer body is placed, when the portable computer body is placed to be inclined about the lower front edge of the portable computer body. The portable computer body is, when it is equipped with the add-on battery, inclined in such a manner that the upper surface of the portable computer body is lower at a front edge thereof.

Abstract: A docking station for a portable computer contains a platform and a movable guide bar connected to the docking station and extending over the platform. The guide bar is capable of guiding the portable computer into proper alignment with the docking station when the portable computer is placed on the guide bar and pressed downwardly into the platform. The guide bar may contain a thermally conductive guide protrusion capable of mating with a heat sink on the portable computer. Heat is transferred from the heat sink on the portable computer to the guide protrusion on the guide bar. The guide bar itself may also be thermally conductive, providing a further avenue for heat to be transferred from the portable computer to the docking station.

Abstract: A Universal Serial Bus docking station is provided in which a USB hub includes a housing which may receive at least one additional USB module which is connected to the USB hub without the use of an additional cable. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, up to three USB modules may be inserted into the housing in stacked arrangement. In addition, each USB module maybe used as a stand alone unit by snapping a sleeve onto the rear of the module. Still further, a USB connector is adapted for use standing vertically from a circuit board and being retained by spring clips extending through the circuit board in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connector.

Abstract: When an electronic device (e.g., a notebook personal computer) (5) is mounted on an accessory (1), functions of the electronic device (5) are added. To detach the electronic device 85) from the accessory (1), operation levers (37) provided at the rear portions of both sides of the accessory (1) are operated. Since any force necessary to detach the electronic device (5) is not applied until the operation levers (37) are opened to a predetermined angle, the operability of the operation levers (37) does not deteriorate even if the operation levers (37) are so designed as not to project from the accessory (1) in view of the appearance of the accessory (1). To prevent the electronic device from being stolen, a control plate provided in the accessory (1) is set in a predetermined position, and a key (10) is inserted into a lock part (9) fitted to the accessory (1) and rotated so as not to allow the operation levers (37) to be opened.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for cooling a portable computer while it is attached to a docking station. Heat transfer surfaces on simple thermally conductive plates are attached to heat pipes in both the portable computer and the docking station, and the installation of the portable computer into the docking station is arranged to put the two heat transfer surfaces into thermally conductive contact. With the portable computer heat pipe attached to a heat generating component and the docking station heat pipe attached to a heat sink, heat is transferred to the heat sink through the heat transfer surfaces when they are in contact. The heat sink can be fan cooled, and the fan can be arranged to discharge through either the back or side of the docking station. The heat transfer surface of the portable computer also functions as a cooling surface when the portable computer is detached from the docking station.