Abstract: An adapter can be used to connect a portable electronic device to an accessory in instances where the portable electronic device and the accessory have incompatible connectors. The adapter provides two connectors, one compatible with the portable electronic device and the other compatible with the accessory. The adapter has several modes of operation. The portable electronic device selects the appropriate mode of operation for the adapter once it receives information about the accessory connected to the adapter. The portable electronic device instructs the adapter to switch to the selected mode and in response the adapter configures its internal circuitry to enable the selected mode. The portable electronic device can then communicate with the accessory via the adapter. The presence of the adapter can be transparent to the accessory.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a communication unit configured to communicate with a server apparatus, a power supply control unit configured to repeat power supply to the communication unit, and an inquiry unit configured to make an inquiry to the server apparatus about whether to turn on a second power supply unit that energizes a controller that controls the image forming apparatus, each time the communication unit becomes communicable with the server apparatus by the power supply control unit, wherein the power supply control unit repeats power supply to the communication unit for each of a plurality of predetermined time periods, until receiving a response to turn on the power of the second power supply unit from the server apparatus in response to the inquiry by the inquiry unit.

Abstract: A method and implementing computer system are provided in which a smart power strip is controlled by a master device which is also plugged-into the power strip. In an exemplary implementation, a computer or PC operates as a master device and a direct line of communication from the computer allows the OS to make a decision based on settings whether or not to power on or off individual power outlets on the power strip used in common by the computer and various peripheral devices. Thus, only selected peripheral devices are powered-on along with the computer when the computer or other master device is powered-on at a common power strip.

Abstract: A method and system for operating an application with multiple modes are described. A plurality of applications may be presented to a user on a mobile device and one of the displayed applications may be selected. The selected application may have one or more contexts that are determined based on one or more operational parameters. For example, a context for the selected application may be that the application is configured to access an enterprise account. Based on the context, the selected application may be run on the mobile device in one of a plurality of operations modes. The operation modes may comprise managed, unmanaged, and partially managed modes, among others.

Abstract: The present invention provides a security module having a communication interface being capable of operating according to any from a selection from a plurality of predetermined operation modes or communication protocols. The security module further comprises a voltage detector to detect the voltage on the module's power supply connection. Depending on the value of the detected voltage or to which of a plurality of predetermined voltage ranges the detected voltage may be categorized, the security module is made to function according to one from the plurality of predetermined communication protocols.

Abstract: An adapter facilitates communications between an accessory and a media source. When the adapter is connected to the accessory, the adapter can receive a connection request from the media source. Based on the connection request, the adapter can determine whether the media source supports an accessory protocol. The adapter can receive streamed media from the media source. When a control message is received by the adapter from the accessory, if the adapter determined that the media source supports the accessory protocol, the adapter transmits the control message to the media source using the accessory protocol. If the adapter determined that the media source does not support the accessory protocol, the adapter translates the control message and transmits the translated message to the media source.

Abstract: A method performed in an electronic device that connects via a USB connector to an accessory that supports multiple different operating modes. The method comprises: in response to successful authentication of the accessory after an initial connection, configuring an accessory usage setting of the electronic device to correspond to the accessory's default operational mode. In response to a request to change the operational mode of the accessory to a second operational mode: communicating to the accessory, over the signal/communication lines of the USB, mode identifying information corresponding to the second operational mode; generating a voltage level change on an ID line of the USB connector to communicate to the accessory that a change in the accessory's present operational mode is being triggered, where the accessory is designed to change to the second operational mode when a pulse or voltage level change is detected on the ID line.

Abstract: System and method controlling connectivity within a device. A device may be coupled to a host device. In response to the coupling, low power logic (e.g., an embedded device) of the device may be coupled to the host device. The low power logic may perform enumeration with the host device using only power provided by the host device. The low power logic may also charge a battery of the device using power provided by the host device. Device circuitry of the device may provide a signal for coupling to the host device. In response, the device circuitry may be coupled to the host device and may perform device enumeration with the host device.

Abstract: An aspect provides an information handling device, including: a housing; an input element connected at an end to the housing in a rotatable fashion, the input element having an input surface and another surface that is opposite to the input surface; one or more processors; and a memory device accessible to the one or more processors and storing code executable by the one or more processors to: detect that the input element has been rotated from a resting position, wherein, in the resting position, the input surface of the input element is fit in a cavity of the housing and the another side of the input element forms a part of the housing exterior surface; and responsive to detecting that the input element has been rotated from the resting position, accept one or more user inputs via the input surface. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a vehicle electronic controller having a microcomputer and a port expansion element, with reduced power consumption and radio noise. An MCU (microcomputer) performs determination processing that determines whether an output condition is established that is based on a signal that is input via a signal input port of the MCU. If the output condition is established, the MCU transmits a signal output instruction to a port expansion element via a communication port, and if not, the instruction is not transmitted. The port expansion element outputs a signal via a signal output port in response to an instruction from the MCU. The port expansion element automatically switches, depending on whether communication via the MCU is being suspended, between operation in a waiting mode in which the internal oscillation circuit is suspended, and operation in a normal mode in which the internal oscillation circuit is operated.

Abstract: One data processor is provided with an interface for realizing connection with the other data processor. This interface is provided with a function for connecting the other data processor as a bus master to an internal bus of the one data processor, and the relevant other data processor is capable of directly operating peripheral functions that are memory mapped to the internal bus from an external side via the interface. Accordingly, the data processor can utilize the peripheral functions of the other data processor without interruption of the program being executed. In short, one data processor can use in common the peripheral resources of the other data processor.

Abstract: Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices supporting super speed and non-super speed connections for communication with a host device includes a plurality of endpoints (EPs), a non-super speed connection port, a super speed connection port and a configuration unit. The non-super speed connection port and the super speed connection port are connected to the host device. The configuration unit is arranged for dividing the EPs to first and second groups of EPs according to a bandwidth requirement, determining whether a super speed connection with the host device is successfully established and configuring the first group of EPs to operate at a super speed and configuring the second group of EPs to operate at a non-super speed when the super speed connection with the host device is successfully established such that the USB device communicates with the host device at both the super speed and the non-super speed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating a connector of a mobile terminal are provided. The apparatus includes a connector including a plurality of pins, a plug of a peripheral device, a display unit for displaying a menu for setting a connector mode, an input unit for receiving selection of one connector mode from the menu for setting a connector mode, a main processor for connecting with a switch unit through a data line, a sound line, a microphone line, and a control line, for receiving connector mode selection information from the input unit, and for transferring switching information through the control line, and the switch unit for connecting with a subset of the pins of the connector, and selectively connecting the subset of the pins to at least one of the data line, the sound line, and the microphone line.

Abstract: Methods and structure for enhanced SAS expander functionality to store and forward buffered information transmitted from a SATA end device to an STP initiator device while managing use of Non-Zero Offset (“NZO”) field values in DMA Setup FISs transmitted by the SATA end device. The enhanced expander establishes a connection between an STP initiator and a SATA end device. The expander forwards a read command from the initiator to the end device. If NZO use is supported and enabled in the end device, the end device may return read data in any order by use of the NZO field values in multiple DMA Setup FISs. The expander is further adapted to store received data and the associated multiple DMA Setup FISs from the end device in its buffer and forwards the stored data to the initiator device. In another embodiment, use of NZO in the end device is disabled.

Abstract: A data processing device with multiple hardware systems and a switching method thereof are provided.

Abstract: An electronic device executes a software application that includes instructions for updating firmware of a peripheral device and one or more firmware images. The electronic executes the firmware update instructions to initiate the firmware update of the peripheral device and transfers a firmware image from the software application to the peripheral device according to a response from the peripheral device. The software application sends information to the peripheral device for verifying the transferred firmware image and causes the peripheral device to use the transferred firmware image upon successful verification.

Abstract: A storage system which has flash memories constituting a storage area and a function of placing and handling the flash memories in on-line mode and off-line mode, and which stores and manages management information of the flash memories in on-line mode. The storage system includes: when some or all of flash memory in on-line mode is placed in off-line mode, creating a management area in off-line mode in the flash memories by moving existing data in an area used as the management area to an area other than the management area; writing the management information of the flash memories to the created management area; and placing the flash memories in off-line mode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and apparatuses for identification of electronic devices within a computing system. According to an aspect, a method may be implemented at an electronic device comprising an input. The method may include setting, during a startup state, the input to indicate an identity of the electronic device. Further, the method may include determining an event for changing from the startup state to an operational state. The method may also include changing from the startup state to the operational state in response to determining the event.

Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to multifunctional touch-enabled devices. A device includes a touch-enabled display. The device further includes an external connection to connect to a graphics bus of a computing device or an input bus of the computing device. The device also includes a selection module to determine a mode of the peripheral device from a plurality of modes. The modes include a display mode in which the device identifies itself to the computing device as a display. The modes also include an input mode in which the peripheral device identifies itself to the computing device as a dedicated input device.

Abstract: Examples of the present invention disclose a dual-mode tablet input system. According to one implementation, the system includes a portable electronic device configured to communicate with a primary computer. When a connection between the primary computer and portable electronic device is established, a mode change controller affiliated with portable electronic device is configured to switch the portable electronic device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode for facilitating user input on the primary computer and associated display.

Abstract: A universal serial bus (USB) network interface controller and an operation mode switching method thereof are provided. The USB network interface controller determines an access point network band of a wireless network access point with which the USB network interface controller intends to connect, and switches from a first USB operation mode to a second USB operation mode to transmit data with a host so that an operation frequency of the USB network interface controller falls outside the access point network band. Afterwards, the USB network interface controller adjusts an operation network band to be the same as the access point network band, and exchanges information with the wireless network access point.

Abstract: A method includes generating, by a control unit of a first device, a handshaking signal to be transmitted to a second device via a second channel. The method further includes based on the handshaking signal being acknowledged by the second device, configuring, by the control unit, the second channel to communicate non-display data and configuring a first channel connecting the first device to the second device to selectively communicate either display data or non-display data; and based on the handshaking signal being not acknowledged by the second device, configuring, by the control unit, the first channel to communicate display data.

Abstract: An apparatus generally having a processor, a cache and a circuit is disclosed. The processor may be configured to generate (i) a plurality of access addresses and (ii) a plurality of program counter values corresponding to the access addresses. The cache may be configured to present in response to the access addresses (i) a plurality of data words and (ii) a plurality of address information corresponding to the data words. The circuit may be configured to record a plurality of events in a file in response to a plurality of cache misses. A first of the events in the file due to a first of the cache misses generally includes (i) a first of the program counter values, (ii) a first of the address information and (iii) a first time to prefetch a first of the data word from a memory to the cache.

Abstract: The present invention provides the function of dynamically switching the allocation of snapshot data in a pool according to the use status of the pool. More specifically, the present invention provides the function of dynamically switching a storage mode to be applied to the pool from a storage mode in which the snapshot data is aggregated in a specific pool volume to a storage mode in which the snapshot data is distributed to plural pool volumes, or from the storage mode in which the snapshot data is distributed to the plural pool volumes to the storage mode in which the snapshot data is aggregated in the specific pool volume, according to the use status of the pool.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a memory system for managing priority based Input Output (I/O) command queuing for nonvolatile electrically erasable semiconductor memory comprises one or more banks of electrically erasable semiconductor memory coupled to a storage processor. The storage processor can processes access requests for the memory, and has components including: a command interface, an expectation table, and a mode selector. The command interface receives memory access requests, which include a tag to identify the request, and an external priority associated with the request. The expectation table includes a set of times associated with each of the external priority levels, which indicate the period in which a request having the external priority is expected. The mode selector selects from a set of storage processor operation modes including a standard mode and a preemption mode.

Abstract: An electronic device including a host system including a source; and a target system operably coupled to the host system via a combined power I/O line; wherein the target system includes a pass transistor and a switching system cooperative to allow the source to charge a power supply capacitor on the target system via the combined power I/O line in a first mode and alternately charge and discharge the power supply capacitor during a communication via the combined power I/O line in a second mode, wherein the alternately charging and discharging is in synchronization with said communication.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes a controller that is configured to enable communication between one or more sensors and a processor. The controller includes a plurality of input-output (IO) ports each configured to couple to the one or more sensors. Moreover, each of the IO ports is configured to couple to a plurality of sensor types such that each IO port is configured to couple more than one sensor type. The controller also includes an interface configured to receive a selection of a selected mode from a plurality of modes each corresponding to a sensor type. Furthermore, the controller includes a switch block having a plurality of switches each configured to toggle a connection in the switch block according to the selected mode.

Abstract: A computer program product includes a tangible storage storing instructions for performing a method. The method includes receiving a request at a channel subsystem in a host computer system from an operating system in the host computer system to provide a channel path description for a channel path, the channel subsystem configured to direct information flow between memory and the control unit via the channel path; and outputting from the channel subsystem to the operating system, a channel path description block including the channel path description for the channel path in response to the request. The channel path description block includes: a descriptor field (DESC) indicating that the channel path supports a Fiber Channel protocol for commanding an I/O operation; and an extension support indicator field (F) specifying whether the channel path supports an extension to the Fiber Channel protocol.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques and systems that allow modification of functionalities based on distances between a shared device (e.g., a shared display, etc.) and an individual device (e.g., a mobile computing device, etc.). The shared device and the individual device may establish a communication to enable exchange of data. In some embodiments, the shared device or the individual device may measure a distance between the shared device and the individual device. Based on the distance, the individual device may operate in a different mode. In some instances, the shared device may then instruct the individual device to modify a functionality corresponding to the mode.

Abstract: A method, system and device for enabling a Universal Serial Bus (USB) data card with a USB flash drive function to hibernate are disclosed. The USB data card comprises two kinds of USB data card configuration information, the first USB data card configuration information of which is configuration information of the USB data card with the USB flash drive function, and the second USB data card configuration information of which is configuration information of the USB data card without the USB flash drive function. The USB data card sends the first USB data card configuration information to a host at first during enumeration with the host, and then sends the second USB data card configuration information to the host after receiving a configuration information switching instruction from the host and hibernates. The USB data card with the USB flash drive function can hibernate automatically according to the USB interface specification, thereby reducing the power consumption.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present description, in an input/output (I/O) device having multiple CPUs and multiple I/O ports, a cycle of I/O port rotations is initiated in which each port rotation of the cycle includes rotating an assignment of at least one I/O port from one CPU to a different CPU of a plurality of the CPUs. In the illustrated embodiment, an I/O port assignment for each CPU of the plurality CPUs is rotated for at least a portion of the cycle. Other features and aspects may be realized, depending upon the particular application.

Abstract: An apparatus includes one local input/output device; and an interface configured to interface between an application hosted by the apparatus and the local input/output device and is configured to interface between the application hosted by the apparatus and a remote input/output device hosted by another apparatus; wherein the interface has a first state in which the interface is configured to couple the application and the local input/output device but not couple the application and the remote input/output device hosted by the another apparatus; wherein the interface has a second state in which the interface is configured to couple the application and the local input/output device and to couple the application and the remote input/output device hosted by another apparatus; and wherein the interface is configured to be responsive to a proximity detection trigger.

Abstract: A fixture, for connecting a host device and a universal serial bus (USB) device, the fixture comprises a plurality of connectors; a plurality of first signal pins, located at first ends of the plurality of connectors for connecting to the host device; and a plurality of second signal pins, located at second ends of the plurality of connectors for connecting to the USB device; wherein a first part of the plurality of connectors are used for transmitting signals between the host device and the USB device in a USB mode; wherein a second part of the plurality of connectors are retained in a specified state for providing a control signal to control the USB device to enter an operating mode.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes receiving video into a video display device. The method also includes storing, by at least one processor, the video into a memory, upon determining that the video display device is in a storage mode. Additionally, the method includes performing enhanced image processing on the video with the at least one processor, upon determining that the video display device is in an image processing mode.

Abstract: One data processor is provided with an interface for realizing connection with the other data processor. This interface is provided with a function for connecting the other data processor as a bus master to an internal bus of the one data processor, and the relevant other data processor is capable of directly operating peripheral functions that are memory mapped to the internal bus from an external side via the interface. Accordingly, the data processor can utilize the peripheral functions of the other data processor without interruption of the program being executed. In short, one data processor can use in common the peripheral resources of the other data processor.

Abstract: Handshaking circuits are provided in a communications cable and in a device operable to be mated with the communications cable. Before a device can utilize the power supply signal of such a communications channel, the two handshaking circuits must sufficiently identify one another over a power supply signal with a decreased voltage. The decreased voltage allows for a cable plug to be provided with a safe, protected power that cannot cause harm to a human. The decreased voltage also reduces the chance that a device can receive a primary power supply signal from the cable before the device sufficiently identifies itself. Accordingly, a laptop may be connected to a portable music player, but the voltage of the power supply signal provided by the laptop to the cable may be decreased on-cable until the handshaking circuit of the portable music player sufficiently performs a handshaking operation with a on-cable handshaking circuit.

Abstract: A multimedia device is described. The multimedia device includes a multiplexer. The multimedia device also includes a plurality of high-definition interface inputs coupled with the multiplexer and an output coupled with the multiplexer. Moreover, the multimedia device includes a processor coupled with the multiplexer to configure the multiplexer to provide one of the plurality of high-definition multimedia interface inputs to the output based on the detection of a clock signal on one of the plurality of high-definition multimedia interface inputs. Furthermore, methods related to embodiments of a multimedia device are described herein.

Abstract: An electronic measuring device includes a detection channel module, a sampling module, a control unit, a data path selector and a memory device. A user will be able to selectively enable the desired detection channels and store only data collected from enabled channels. The data collected from the detection channels are in serial data form. The device utilizes a serial-parallel shifter in its sampling module to convert the serial data to parallel data bytes. Two indicators in the storage unit of the memory device allow users to effectively store the parallel data bytes in designated locations. The innovative data conversion and storage methods of this invention will significantly conserve memory space that otherwise will be occupied by data from the disabled channels and allow accurate and efficient reading of the stored data.

Abstract: There is provided a data transmission device including a acquisition unit which acquires identification information indicating whether or not a data reception device operating by a first digital interface is compatible with a second digital interface other than the first digital interface, which is stored in a storing unit of the data reception device, via the first digital interface of the data reception device and the second digital interface of the data transmission device operating by the second digital interface, and a distinction unit which distinguishes whether or not the data reception device is compatible with the second digital interface, based on the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit.

Abstract: A display device is capable of switching a function of an indication body in accordance with the need of the user in the case in which the indication body is made to function as a pointing device. The display device is provided with a function device having a first interface. The configuration information of the first interface is stored in the storage section, and is supplied to a host device by a supply section via the function device. A change section is capable of change the configuration information in accordance with the operation of the user received by a reception section.

Abstract: A media player device and a method for wake-up thereof are provided. The method includes: when the media player device is in a standby mode, checking whether an external device is connected to the plurality of contact locations; and if the external device is connected to the media player device, waking up the media player device.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method for selectively communicating data between a first device and a second device is provided. An indication of a configuration of the second device is received by the first device. A selection signal is generated based on the configuration. Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol data, uncompressed high definition media data, or a combination thereof may be caused to be selectively supplied to the second device by the first device based on the selection signal. The first device may be configured to transmit, on a DisplayPort link to the second device, a data flow comprising both USB protocol data and uncompressed high definition media data signals. The devices may be configured such that the USB protocol data is transferred from the second device to the first device during a video blanking period associated with the uncompressed high definition media data signals.

Abstract: A peripheral device includes a file system manager, a command interpreter, and a controller. The peripheral device receives file access commands from a host device. The file system manager determines if the file access commands have embedded control commands and, if so, extracts the control commands. The file system manager sends the control commands to the command interpreter. Based on analyzing the commands, the command interpreter causes the controller to perform a selected function at the peripheral device.

Abstract: A display adapter for docking one or more clients to a display and providing automatic mode switching of the display. The display adapter including a client interface circuit configured to receive client data from the one or more clients; a processing circuit configured to determine a display mode based on the client data; and a display interface circuit configured to transmit the display mode to the display.

Abstract: A first electronic device has a first side provided with first and second contacts. The first contact is connected to a direct current power source and the second contact is grounded. A second electronic device has a decision circuit and a second side removably connected to the first side. The second side includes third and fourth contacts. When the first and second electronic devices are connected in a first configuration, the decision circuit outputs a first signal according to the first configuration, whereas when the electronic devices are connected in a second configuration opposite to the first configuration, the decision circuit outputs a second signal according to the second configuration.

Abstract: An electronic device provided with a multimedia interface having a cross-device control function and a general-purpose serial bus interface is provided with a control unit that prohibits the use of the cross-device control function whenever an external device is connected via the general-purpose serial bus interface during a state permitting control by the cross-device control function from an image display device connected via the multimedia interface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a security module having a communication interface being capable of operating according to any from a selection from a plurality of predetermined operation modes or communication protocols. The security module further comprises a voltage detector to detect the voltage on the module's power supply connection. Depending on the value of the detected voltage or to which of a plurality of predetermined voltage ranges the detected voltage may be categorized, the security module is made to function according to one from the plurality of predetermined communication protocols. According to an embodiment of the present invention the plurality of communication protocols require that the security module operate at a plurality of different frequencies.

Abstract: A method handling a pluggable module selectable from a plurality of pluggable modules is executable at a media converter system of a network configuration. The method provides for automatically enabling of a disabled channel or disabling of an enabled channel of the media converter system when the pluggable module is attached to the media converter system, wherein the suggested channel enabling/disabling feature is executed on the basis of a correlation between module specific information extracted from the respective pluggable module and corresponding information extracted via the media converter system. An arrangement for executing the suggested method is also provided.

Abstract: An indication of a version of a firmware stored in an input/output adapter may be provided by a method that includes detecting whether a first pin is connected to an external circuit, detecting whether a second pin is unconnected to an external circuit, and causing the indication to be provided if the first pin is connected and the second pin is unconnected. The indication may be provided on the first pin. The first pin may include a power supply pin and the indication may be an average rate of power supplied to the input/output adapter.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to collect a plurality of User Interface (UI) device configurations, receive a request from a computing device to download one or more of the plurality of UI device configurations, and transmit to the computing device the one or more UI device configurations requested to configure one or more UI devices of the computing device. Other embodiments are disclosed.